Getting Set to Jet

The end of May is bringing a BIG adventure for this Fashion Masher.
I'm going to South Africa!

It's going to be my first overseas trip in (pausing to count...) almost 7 years! I'm both anxious and excited.


As part of my preparation I've made a "Must Haves" shopping list for my trip. A trip which will include both attending a wedding and a visit to a game reserve.
When I go, South Africa will be in the middle of winter. Temperature average around 65F/18C. 


I'm hoping to secure the following key items for my trip.

The Skinny Khaki

Versitile. Easy to dress up or dress down. Most styles come with a lot of stretch built in so they tend to wrinkle less easily. Great for living out of a suitcase.

Flat Boots

I refuse to wear running shoes and look like a yankee tourist. Not doing it. But I will need comfy sturdy footwear. Flat boots go great over skinny jeans or khaki's and give that "equestrian" look that I'm a total sucker for.

Leather Belt

A brown leather belt with a chunky brass buckle adds character to any plain bottoms. Buy 2 options. One for the hips to wear with pants and a smaller one to wear on the waist to belt dresses.

Flowy Tops

Options are almost endless here. I love the breezy look on top when the bottoms are plain and stream-line. 

That's what I've got so far! I'm still stumped on my wedding outfit. I'll keep you posted on how I do and any tips I may have for any of you that have travel plans in the works too!

x

-T

Rockin' with the Risers.

What better way to spend a Tuesday night than with great friends, amazing music and (of course) sick threads?  Amanda and I ventured to "Satellite" (what was once "Spaceland") to see the up-and-coming LA band, "Risers."  Our resident photographer Dalmiro Quiroga was there bringing and documenting the good times. 

I've been to more than a handful of these guys' shows, and let me tell you- they pump the jams.  Their National-esque sound mixed with solid stage presence and guaranteed laughs make it a stellar show time after time.  If you're hopelessly lost in the music world and haven't sampled the splendor of their sweet tunes, you can download their most recent EP for FREE- here: http://risers.bandcamp.com/



Speaking of free- I'm always impressed with Josh's (singer/lead guitar) ability to assemble great outfits from free hand-outs.

Josh got this Dickies denim shirt free for doing a performance and interview at Filter Magazine's (http://www.filtermagazine.com/) office for them.  His art collective, Bagavagabonds (Bagavagabonds.com), is sponsored by Sebago, so his shoes were free as well.  Nice, Joshy!

Sean's (singer/pianist) Wrangler shirt was found at a salvation army-type second hand store in Portland, OR called "Red, White and Blue."  His INhouse glasses were carried over from Portland as well.

I love the way these guys dress.  Too bad they hate me...

My ensemble for the evening consisted of ripped-up ratty tights and an over-sized tank dress layered over a grey lace tank, both from my go-to sale rack at Urban Outfitters.

This bow I scored this year at Unique LA (www.uniquela.com), the largest independent design show in the country.  Over 300 designers and artists set up stands and sell their merch for great discounts.  There's another one coming up May 7th and 8th in Downtown LA- I'll definitely be back! 

My boots and purse were both purchased at Slow on Melrose (www.slow7474.com), my favorite vintage/local designer one-stop-shop.

Chelsea kept it simple with an H&M black sheer tank and tight stretchy skirt from Nordstrom.

Amanda was dashing in this royal blue silk Fei shirt from Anthropologie.

Her lace-up bomber pants were Inspired by Rodarte for their opening ceremony's spring collection.  These thick strappy leather heels are from a little store in Naples, Italy.  ::sigh::

I wouldn't want to play us, either.

Dalmiro rocks an AllSaints Spitalfields T.

Riser's next show is April 20th at the Silverlake Lounge.  Until then...

<3Eden

Aimless Wander to Artful Wonder

My roommate Jennifer and I found ourselves reaping the benefits of an insatiable curiosity last week as we wandered down Cahuenga Blvd with empty stomachs and eager hearts. Through the window of the TOMS pop –up shop at Space15twenty I spotted some colorful interesting people, craft tables , buckets of paper and shiny things, and an eye-catching wall of larger than life collages that I would later find sewed a story heavier  than your average wall decor. After convincing Jennifer that a good dose of arts n’ crafts would be more nourishing than whatever she was going to order for dinner, we ditched our plans and went to see what the fuss was about. Turned out we had arrived right in time for a TOMS- sponsored “Urban Field Journal“ workshop inspired by the work of the late Reuters Journalist and artist Dan Eldon . Two lovely ladies that run the adorable blog  http://www.MakeSomethingHappy.com  taught us how to assemble personalized journals complete with envelopes tucked between the mismatched pages  to save little tokens of your urban adventures.

And now for the WHO/WHAT/WHEN/WHERE/WHY

WHO is Dan Eldon?

Someone too multifaceted and inspiring to sum up here, Dan was a journalist who was tragically killed in Mogadishu. His book art is incredibly beautiful. Check out his website for his whole story.

“Dan Eldon was an artist, adventurer and activist. The spunky and incredibly talented Dan left a legacy and a powerful humanitarian spirit that continues to inspire people of all ages all over the world”

http://www.daneldon.org/site/

WHAT the heck is an Urban Field Journal?

this

and this

or this

WHEN can I make one of these nifty lil’ thangs? And…WHERE?

How about TODAY at the drop in Journal Making Workshop at the Craft In America Study Center from 12pm-5pm!

Craft in America Study Center, 8415 W. Third St. Los Angeles, CA

http://www.craftinamerica.org/studycenter/story_498.php

WHY are these people so fun to look at?  

        

Because they wear shirts with cats playing keyboards in space with a blazer.

Because they look like they’re wearing a Dan Eldon collage

Because I’ll always love a man in pink who comes prepared with his camera-unlike me

 (sorry for the low quality cell phone pics!)

My Ensemble:

This event caught me in an outfit that is a prime example of how you can get “crafty” with your wardrobe staples by mixing them with a bold thrift store find.

Staples:

Thin braided leather belt

Chunky metal necklace from Wasteland.  Go big. I may as well pierce this thing to my neck I wear it so often.

70’s inspired floppy hat. Wear with an easy-as-pie messy side braid on those lazy hair days.

I found this plum colored bohemian pleated dress at the thrift store.  Cinch in the waist with my trusty belt, add leather + wood heels, a chunky gold-metal necklace and a worn denim vest, throw me some hardcore impromptu crafting: I’m set. 

Moral of the story is… be spontaneous ( with your wardrobe, with your life) There is so much in this world we will never see, why waste time doing the same old same old? In my experience, some of the best things in life have come from deviating from the plan.  I have met the most passionate people , seen the most beautiful things, and of course, found my favorite outfits by ditching the expected and venturing out of my comfort  zone.  Thank you to all who were involved in the Urban Field Journal workshop. Whether you were sharing the life and works of Dan Eldon, sewing the pages of my new journal together or  just wearing something unique while crafting, I feel my life is a little bit richer because I’ve met you.

Wander off to wonder my friends.

Crafty Love,

Amanda

Get Carded.

We're so legit.

Our First Fashion Launch!

Hooray, hooray!  Having a fashion blog and well-connected friends like Amanda has already paid off!  This weekend we had the priveledge of attending the Mamadoux Spring/Summer 2011 Collection Preview Party hosted by designers Elliot Beach and Palma Wright. http://www.facebook.com/PonyboyBeach?sk=photos#!/PonyboyBeach?sk=info

Luckily, our ever-favorite mysterious Argentinian photographer, Dalmiro Quiroga came along, camera in hand, and captured some incredible stills!

This was Amanda's own ensemble.  Talk about no-fear!  That hair!  Amazing.



Things were already in full-swing as we arrived around 10:30 pm



Much to our delight, Elliot insisted on throwing us into some pieces upon arrival!



Not exactly "Ants in the Pants..."  The dress was theirs, but the necklaces were mine!  All three from India- the turquoise was a gift from my sister, found at a fair-trade store in Ann Arbor, MI.  The other two were borrowed from my roomate Hanna, who got them during her own travels in India.



Love this jacket, reminscent of a Letterman jacket with a great deal more funk.



Thandi gets in on a group shot.  Work it, girl!



This pic courtest of Davide Laffe Imaging.  Love that they used us for their site!



This vest was made of a poofy plastic material and had some stretch to it.  I felt fierce.  ;)
I'm always excited for a chance to wear my Cole Haan's!  This pair is part of their Air line- Cole Haan and Nike Air paired up 2 years ago to create a shoe line "as comfortable as a pair of tennis shoes".   I wouldn't go THAT far, but these bad boys have gotten me through some long nights on my twinkle toes, let me tell you.



This sexy number could have been made for Amanda.  The fabulous Jeffery Cambell heels and opaque yellow stockings are her own.



How adorable is Thandi in this dress made from a pillow case?  Her model counter-part is a dream in his vest with the line's signature tassles.



Dalmiro forks over the camera to capture his own sexy ensemble, including this 1980s jean-vest and leather cap.



Amanda takes a minute between outfit changes.




Designer Elliot Beach in carefully careless-looking layers of fabulous.



I didn't catch his name, but this eccentric man looked fabulous in a tassled vest, and owned the chic loft the party was held in.

Thandi and I pose together in our comfy third outfits.

This darling model took charge of the jammin' tunes pumped throughout the loft



We saw this long mesh-dress on both male and female models.  Many of these clothes are great for both the dames and the gents.



Thanks for the invite, Elliot!





Bye bye!



Over-and-out! 
<3Eden