HOW SHE WORE IT

How She Wore It

2011-11-29T14:33:00.001-08:00

Rustic & Romantic

I went on a buying trip to LA yesterday and on the way back I decided to bypass my house in favor of hills around it. A 30 second drive and one left turn past my casa leads you to this. It was nice seeing the sun fall back behind the hill. I enjoyed this moment and was immediatly refreshed. What I am wearing: Vintage Cynthia Max silk twinset found in a drawer with tags still on. From the shop. Jeans Old Navy Boots Target 2009 Headband some cheapy place. I bought it so I could knock in off

How She Wore It

2011-10-26T12:26:00.001-07:00

My cool weather ensemble for the day.
Sorry about the last photo I couldn't get it to turn around on my phone.

Sparkle & Shine

2011-10-19T17:40:00.001-07:00

These are brand new into the shop! I'm so excited to release this sparkly collection of bracelets and hair accessories.
One bracelet will make your outfit go from drab to absolutely amazing.
and for $ 35 how could you go wrong.
Message me for purchase details custom colors are available.
Hope your week is going as fantastic as mine is.
Sorrelle

Hold On

2011-10-14T14:07:00.001-07:00

I love the look of sweater clips. They make such a statement with out a lot of legnth or bulk.
This clip is hand painted leather with fresh water pearls.
Message me for purchase details.

In Bloom

2011-10-13T10:04:00.001-07:00

Fall is here and so are the blossoms. These blossoms are hand painted leather. Perfect for the holidays. Contact me for order and more pics if you like.
More pics to follow of each piece later today!

Iridescent scarf

2011-10-04T13:01:00.001-07:00

2011-10-04T12:28:00.001-07:00

The brown sweater

2011-10-04T12:06:00.003-07:00

So nice and light.

Cozy Sweaters

2011-10-04T12:00:00.001-07:00

New Pretties

2011-10-04T11:12:00.003-07:00

New arrivals!

Missing & Hoping

2011-09-14T11:54:00.001-07:00

So Missoni For Target is the crash heard around the world. I never thought a luxury label would do that in a chain store. I guess everyone wants a piece of fashion from the iconic design house. Hurray for Target and Missoni but I wonder what these collaborations of bringing high fashion to the masses does to a brand. To the consumer. Is it still special? I have always wanted Missoni pillows for their beauty and exclusivity. I have loved their line for a lifetime with their Italian sensibility, the famous zigzag, and their bold use of color.

After months of anticipation I decided I wouldn’t buy the clothes. I have a deep fear of seeing someone with an item I have on. The home furnishing I thought would do. Maybe a rug or a vase. A small piece until I save to buy the real Missoni pillows I love. On second thought I will bypass the collection completely. Don’t get me wrong. It is all so beautiful and probably made in China. Anyone out there with something from Missoni for Target please let me know where its made.

Then I got thinking… again…if it was made in in maybe, China, it was produced in very high volume in order to keep the cost low as opposed maybe handmade in Italy in a FAR fewer quantity with a higher price tag. I say maybe a lot because this is hypothetical but highly possible just change a few variables like China to Cambodia. Couple the mass quantity of Missoni for Target and the consumers highly frenzied desire to own a name or label. Uh huh, just to own a name. I bet some people don’t even like the lines style and bought it just to say the name when company comes over. PASS! I will keep saving for my pillows in all of their exclusive goodness. To me Missoni means special, luxurious, exclusive and I felt all of this was taken away and the name cheapened a little. The crash made Missoni a household name and less special. Just a little bit less. I still want my pillows.

Now, before you call me a name I would never write on here but I can imagine if you don’t agree with me, please keep reading. Thank you so much, you look fantastic. I love your shoes!

I asked Elana Pruitt of Good Girl Gone Shopping her take on luxury designer/Chain Store collaborations. Here’s what she said:

I actually appreciate the collabs, because it gives the masses a taste of couture/designer wear at their budgeted level. I can see how it seems to cheapen the brand, but I think it shows good business sense and making it more inclusive for everyone vs exclusive to those who can afford lux pieces. I just like when places like Target and even H&M offer the public just a taste of couture-ish style.

After reading that I instantly thought, not of fashionistas waking at the crack of dawn but of some girl next door, down the way, in the back woods staring out her window late at night wishing on stars that she could own a symbol of luxury. The same way I dream of adorning my vintage sofa with several $300 pillows. Just a little piece/pillow of her/my favorite designer. Something to hold her/me over until she/I could afford the real thing/sweater. Those same months I spent in a funk about high fashion to the masses, she spent saving all her lunch money and allowance to buy her hearts desire, the same way I save for my pillows. And realize we are all the same in our desire for pretty things. Some of us just want it a little more exclusive.

image

Pattern and Texture

2011-09-13T16:08:00.001-07:00

Doing what I do at work. Fixing my fro.

I love the pleats and drape across the hip.

Man is it hard to take pics of myself. It’s also hard for me not to look confused. This is one of my favorite outfits. I love comfort and this dress seals the deal. The slit is VERY open for dramatic reasons. Huge safety pin added for fun and to make the slit higher.

Dress/Tunic Transparente a funky little German line we carry in the shop.

Fishnet patchwork leggings from Target

Boots Target.

I love these boots a lady came into the shop wearing them and I ran out to get some. I love them.

Black Out

2011-09-13T12:00:00.001-07:00

Black makes such a statement.

Want to wear a whole lot of texture, shine, ruching and beading? Do it in all black.

So simple and chic. Add cropped denim jacket and Doc Martens. Maybe ballet flats and a cardigan for the beach. Jewels and Louboutin for a fancy party. If this came in a cotton I would wear this dress the first day of every period. Yes, I just got real. I hate to have clothing touching me during that special time. I bet you don’t either.

If this were blown up I would love to have this hanging in my home somewhere. Hmmm DIY.

I recently discovered this among my tweets. Check out the links below.

kristrangekristrange

@HowSheWoreIt What is the CA angle on: How Not to Wear Black http://tinyurl.com/3rjszg4 via @sassyhongkong

Well, I thought, I am the wrong girl to ask this since I love an all black outfit. My entire wardrobe consist of so much black. I love it. My mother hates it. It’s an on going battle. Although I don’t necessarily feel slimmer in black, I like the clean line it gives to my short body. And it’s so easy to put on and even easier to fall into a rut. But a girl cannot dress by black alone. I do wear color. Lots of it. Bright color. Muted color. Printed color. All color.

This outfit reminds me of a vacation.

Cute little dress from Target for my sisters wedding a couple of years ago.

BBQ with friends. I love this coral

But black really lends something to a wardrobe. It’s such a safe color too. I’m not talking safe like depressed kid trying to be all emo or goth or beatnik. Safe as in black is such a great color to take risk with. Black allows you to try a trendy dress or top silhouette without risking a wardrobe fail.

Visualize this dress in any one or all of the colors of these chairs

It would be too much and overwhelm the person wearing it. A stylish and artful impact is made with the dress in black and what appears to be eggplant. The color doesn’t take over the design. Which if you chose to wear this dress you are wearing it for the design, I hope, to begin with. Some things are better left black and if not black a solid color. Also, it is nice to wear a creatively designed garment because of the lines and shapes it holds.

Black on black with colored shoes and accessories is a low maintenance look. Most people have a goal of looking neat groomed and put together each morning. If you are on a budget and can only afford a few looks for your office wear and going out wear buy these in black and break it up with color.

Black is only as good as its blackness. I can’t get the laundry thing down. I ruin and have to fix up a lot. We have all been guilty of mistreating our clothing, especially in regards to laundering. A bottle of Rit Dye will spruce your black and make it like new again. Like the one black top that got mixed with the white in the laundry and now has white fuzz that just won’t go away, dye it. Whitish pills on a sweater from mistreatment. Dye it. Faded with a gray haze. Dye it. Follow the directions on your fabric label, washing machine, and dye.

Think of an all black outfit as a canvas ready to be adorned in which way you like.

Thanks google search and pinterest for my images.

What She Read Book Club: Valley of the Dolls

2011-09-06T20:04:00.001-07:00

My copy looks like this, sans cover, and as of a few minutes ago the back cover too.

Thanks Google for the photos. Stills from the movie and vintage poster.

If I post about fashion books I guess I should talk about other books I read. So raise your ~~gin tonic with 3 limes, perfectly crushed~~ glass to the How She Wore It: What She Read Book Club. Just call it HSWIWSRBC. For the month of September we will indulge in The Valley of the Dolls by Jacquline Suzann. I inherited from my sister almost 15years ago. I asked her what “dolls” were and my ever so honest 19 years my senior sister told me they were pills. I finally read it when I was 19. And tonight I begin it again thank to the lovely boyfriend MD. He saw my copy and then picked on up for himself at an estate sale this weekend. We often read books together, we geek out together. I think he’s in for a treat and you may be too. Let me know what you think. If you’ve read it give me your take. If you haven’t read it please join MD and I on a trip to the Valley.

A Little Airy

2011-08-30T10:14:00.001-07:00

The world has seen enough of big ol flowers and big ol tutus on toddlers. Ladies it your turn, sheer tutu inspired skirts are the next big thing. Mark my words. Over the next couple years you will see more and more sheer skirts made of tulle, netting, and organza. These are photos from a buying trip I took to LA for Fall/Spring 2012 market. Sheer skirts are all the rage from European designers to American designers as well. The skirts pictured will retail in the 200-300 range, a bit steep for what it is but I found these @ everyones FAVE online store, Modcloth.

Though these are not necessarily replicas of the ones I found, they posses the same sheer airy element that is going to be a major must have in the seasons to come.

Stock up on fun, colored, and patterned tights this fall so you can have them ready for Spring 2012!!!

Street Walking

2011-08-30T08:57:00.001-07:00

I wonder where this guy was headed to when I hollered from my car “ You look fab, can you get in the door way so I can snap a pic?”. The hair, shoes, and bag, were just killer and his attitude of total confidence made this outfit rock. The best accessory is confidence. I swear by it.

Bag It Up

2011-08-05T08:18:00.001-07:00

Here’s a little peek of some beauties I have coming into the shop for Fall and Holiday 2011. I am so excited for these.

It’s going to be hard resisting taking all of them. But I will choose a couple and put them on order for myself. I mean, why have a shop if you can’t get a few things for yourself right?

My most used, versatile, and fave purse my Vuitton Saleya mm get it here or at a Neimans near you. I take it on overnights and to the beach. I love the size and how I can get sooooo much in it. It has definitely paid for itself.

Please do tell, what is YOUR favorite bag and why?

A Point Of View: Los Angeles

2011-08-01T08:58:00.001-07:00

To get to the Gerry Building or the Cal Mart you have to drive through a lot of muck in LA. Years ago I noticed that if I take my eyes off the street level there are some pretty amazing old buildings. I collide into people when I am walking through Downtown LA because I am always looking up. It’s so pretty. I wonder about what they were before they became tenements or lofts. Mostly I think about the craftsmen and masons and how they worked before technology and modernism. Such art they created. There are few pretty new buildings. Many have the original signage remaining. I have an affection for old signs. These pics were taken from the car at the end of my VERY long day. Crappy camera + moving car = These photos.

Enjoy!

Adventure Awaits

2011-07-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

So cute and found here

I feel like a kid in a candy shop because tomorrow I am going to Los Angeles for the gift show. What a fantastic joy it is to anticipate my customers desires and order what I think they will like. It will be a long but fun day of exploring vendors and their wares," talking shop" with store owners and buyers from all over the US, and of course designers. It's just a ball and I always, always, always, have some sort of unexpected fun.

You always stand a chance of running into an acclaimed shops buyer or see the suited up buyers of the majors, Norstroms, chain stores, Neiman Marcus, because we all go to the same places to get our merchandise. The Market as we call it, is a series of shows put on by designers and sales rep to show their up comming collections.

** At a later time I will tell you the difference between the Gift/Fashion/Shoe/Accessory Shows and Fashion Week Shows**

Once at a gift show I ran into Yana Syrkin owner and founder of Fifi and Romeo a tony little doggie boutique in Los Angeles. She was with her assistant at the time Tinkerbell. We had a great convo about the market, business,and of course doggie couture.

Another time at a regular fashion market I was sitting at The Tiara Cafe, enjoying lunch with my mom when a woman sitting with her daughter leaned over the banquette to compliment our meal choice and decided to order the same. I told her she looked so familiar and went on to ask,"Are you a sales rep?" She say, "No, I'm a designer"

So I ask what line and she introduces herself as Danielle Clark designer of Frankie B denim and her daughter Frankie! I was beyond excited and we talked shop for a moment, ate lunch, said good bye, and went on.

It's little moment like those that make what I do exciting and so much fun. You never know who you'll run into. Especially for me a little shop owner in a littleish big town.

A Garden Study

2011-07-22T13:39:00.001-07:00

Before Summer loses her color I decided to capture my backyard and garden in their glory. There are many nooks and crannies in the garden and I did m best to capture each little special bit. The pics are from both my moms and my own patio and garden. While the look similar we have total different styles, but the overall look is very cohesive.

Most days and nights, if you call me this is where you’ll find me. I love growing all these special flowers. Collecting specimens from friends and random yards is a fun hobby. Finding seed pods is even more special because growing a plant from a seed found on another plant sort of makes the process more natural, full circle.

Often times if I am eating a particularly tasty fruit or veggie I will take the seeds right out and plant them. I took some seeds from a Raspberry in my frozen yogurt a while back, got the seeds and planted them. The seedlings are about 3 inches now. Get excited!

Sharing my garden with friends always bring a multitude of joy. I counted at one time 60+ varieties of plant life. Lemons, grapefruit, avocados, and sometimes tomatoes and herbs are abundantly shared throughout the seasons. Creating an environment that people enjoy leaves me with the best feeling. I love when people tell me how at home they feel in my garden whether it’s their first or hundredth visit. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Tell me, how does your garden grow?

Drape Me

2011-07-21T19:38:00.001-07:00

I was in the shop unpacking boxes, as you can see by the open box in the back corner, and decided to snap a pic. This is an outfitted collected over the last 4 years or so. I love mixing things up. For this look I decided to work long angles and flowing lines. The cardigan I’m wearing is from Old Navy, black tunic is from Transparente an amazing European line we carry in the shop, and my PANTS, yes these are pants, are from a Canadian line Simpli also from my shop.
Being so short it’s hard not to look overwhelmed in a lot of fabric, but I know I pulled it off SO soft and flowy, I felt like a breezy dream.
Oh my necklace or Celebration Rope, as we call it in the shop is from my very own collection.

Toledo Does Classic

2011-07-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

Found from this tumbler.

I will buy, tear out, get a gift card, read, click and save, I think you get the picture, of anything with an illustration by Ruben Toledo. He captures with a delicate brush stroke the whimsy of a woman and strength of a fashion garment, giving it a life beyond paper. As if you can see the fabric actually moving within the art work. I totally love him.

But now he has taken my second love after fashion, books. I was walking through borders when I see something familiar peeking from the shelves and running along the spine of a book. I gasp, loudly. So loud my boyfriend is wondering what I have stumbled upon. I knew he was thinking I had unearthed some full script of Kerouac, Faulkner or Salinger (his faves) but when the words "it's Ruben..." come from my lips in a near whisper all he says is "oh".

I had to explain to him how much I love his art, how he has inspired my own fashion illustrations, and the fact he's giving the classics a total fashion makeover sets my little heart a beating. Now, he understands my love of Toledo. I am looking forward to adding these to my ever growing library.

Who are your favorite artist?

I've Been Waiting

2011-07-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to see the final movie installment of Harry Potter. I am about to take a nap so I can wake up around 11pm and get to the theater for the 12:01am showing. The fun thing about midnight movie showings is the fact that I can wear my cozy clothes, like a cardi and jeans.

Here's to an end of an era. Let me go stash some kleenex in my Vuitton. I know I will cry.

Lighten Up & Put It Down

2011-07-12T20:40:00.001-07:00

I love Jill Scott. I love this new album. I felt like I grew up and became a woman instantly. Grab a glass of wine and your big girl panties and proceed to rock out. I have listened to this every morning and I am so inspired for my day. Jill Scott is an amazing writer, poet and songstress. She makes me feel like a woman all natural, strong, and at times vulnerable. My fave tracks are: Blessed, Womanfiesto, Le Boom Suite and So In Love. If you want a groove session in your life this is it. Let me know if you like it.

How She Wore It

2011-07-12T18:41:00.001-07:00

Here’s what I had going on today in the wardrobe department…

Vest, tank, and jeans: Old navy

I am a little chubby at the moment. I fell in love and gained a few but still fierce.

Purse: Anne Klein from the 80’s it was my grandmothers. She has the greatest taste.

Shoes: Pucci from 03. I love the cat eye ornament and the multi colored platform and heel. I wear these year ‘round. They are so comfy.

Earrings: Fresh water pearl and sterling silver chain. From my collection @ the shop. Contact me for sales info.

Today was about achieving total comfort and ease but still having that something special going on. I was able to work and still go straight from work to doing fun errands with my boyfriend without changing. I love Old Navy for their solid colors. I just wish they had a better and more consistent pattern grader.