CHANNELING ANNIE HALL

I'm back from the dead! I came down with one of the worst colds I've had in over a year. It was all respiratory so that combined with my asthma has been deadly. I found myself glued to my bed for the last 3 days, having such a lovely teenage girl taking care of me and things around the house. Thanks my Zoe!

I've been dying to sport this hat and vest for a while now, and finally I was able to with the temperature drop in sunny California. Having traveled to a few states California hands down has the best weather for warm blooded folk like me. In my excited to sport the vest and hat I decided to channel Annie Hall minus the over-sized pants and belt. I went for super casual mens wear chic, combining it with rolled up jeans and woven 80s flats. It's one of those outfits I feel you can have loads of fun inter-changing and finding different mix of wardrobes...I think I just might take that challenge and see how many combinations I can make!

blouse: Gap

vest: mens vintage 1960s Pierre Cardin

tie: mens vintage 1970s

jeans: BDG

shoes: vintage 80s woven flats, Cole-Haan 

hat: vintage 1970s 

gisela

INSPIRED BY // HELEN BOND CARRUTHERS

Helen Bond Carruthers was a cashmere sweater designer in the 1950's and 60’s. I was lucky enough to be able to obtain one of her sweaters at a thrift store back in 2001 for only $12. Back then I did not know anything about her, but just fell completely in love with the sweater itself, with it's delicate embroidery and applique design. Later I learned the history of Ms. Carruthers and it made owning one feel even more special. 

At the time that I purchased the sweater I could not stop wearing it. I liked the cream color ground with the tonal embellishments and it's sturdy construction; it looked antique. I attended a meeting wearing the sweater and the person I was meeting asked if it was an Helen Bond Carruthers from Kentucky? I said, "why yes, how did you know”? Then, she proceeded to tell me the story about how she and her sister came to own one.  Her parents had purchased the sweaters for their sweet 16's birthday. Ms. Carruthers was well known in Kentucky for her sweater embellishments; working right out of her home. It was a privilege to own one back then (late 50's) because they cost $100. You can only imagine what type of money that meant back then and you realize why they sell for so much now, between $300-$500! They are collectors items.

She then volunteered to show me hers at our next meeting. When I saw it, I secretly wanted to steal it; it was AMAZING! It was mint green with colorful embroidery and a big Asian embroidered butterfly on the back; and it was in perfect condition! Thinking back now, her sweater would easily fetch the $500 price tag that collectors pay for them today. I loved hearing that history first hand from a person who had an original, directly from Ms. Carruthers herself. That was so great and coincidental.

When I began my history search on her then I also learned that she would use 1920's antique Belgian lace and linens to adorn her sweaters. Now it made sense why mine looked antique. She would purchase very good cashmere sweaters, shorten the sleeves and torso, and then proceed to make her original art using: embroidery, pearl buttons, needle point, silk embroidered appliqués, exotic buttons, and a slew of other items she incorporated to make these magnificent, one-of-a-kind sweaters. 

The other fascination that I have with her is how she was a real time entrepreneur; starting her business in an era where women were not known to be heading their own company. It all started in her home with her love of art. She has definitely inspired me as a clothing designer. You can read a very insightful interview with her grandniece HERE. 

So, keep your eyes out for these gems, I know that I'm hoping to run into another one for $12 dollars.....but, I highly doubt it now that they are museum pieces!

[source]

[source]

[source]

[source]

[source]

My own Helen Bond Carruthers purchased in 2001:

My all time favorite!

[source]

gisela

ITEM OF THE WEEK // SOUTH WESTERN CHIC

1. 70s fringed tribal poncho, gisela&zoe

2. saddle purse, Micheal Kors 

3. silver plated celebration cuff, Low Luv

4. silver thunder bird stud earrings, Low Luv

5. hip hug jeans, Genetic Denim

6. lita platform shoe, Jeffrey Campbell

gisela

PASTELS & COWBOY BOOTS

Just when i was breaking out the sweaters for fall because of the cool evenings and mornings we've been having...a few hours later i had to take it off because of the up and down California weather we have. now it's 80 degrees outside and no longer sweater weather at all. it's just how it is here, very tricky and you never now how to dress for the day during the fall / winter months. 

This sweater which i'm afraid will soon fall apart on me because i wear it so much, is one i wish i can clone because of it's slouch fit, puffy sleeves, and soft slubby yarn. i love the pastel colors as well, a different color palate far from the usual fall color scene. i mean i do live in California where we still wear sandals during the winter...that's why fashion is so fun, there really are no rules except what fits your body type best, in my opinion.

As far as my hair (as some of you may have noticed i cut it short), i like that i can style it behind my ears or make it a messy bob like style. it's nice having options, something that i did not feel i had with my longer hair; it was very hard to manage. i'm going to go even shorter in a few months. i just love having fun with my hair once i go short, which is every few years. luckily hair grows back and that's one way to make changes that are not permanent! 

top: vintage 80s pastel slubby sweater, thrift $1

jeans: BDG, urban outfitters $10

boots: vintage 80s 9 west cowboy boots, thrift $5

accessories: antique over-sized ring, gift // vintage 70s medallion necklace, thrift $1

I did good on the over all cost of the outfit, a whopping $17! love it!

gisela

MENS DRESS SHIRT EASE

Gotta love the comfort of an over-sized mens shirt. i prefer mens clothing for women more then the ones produced called "boyfriend shirt" or "boyfriend jeans", because i like the fit better. it is a bit tough to find mens jeans that fit well, but when you find them it's such a score because they  seriously make the best looking pair of loose fit jeans around. the thrift is such a great place to rack up on mens dress clothes at bargain prices. i forget to look more frequently for more dress shirts at in colors. in my next thrift hunt i'll be on the look out for chambray and canary yellow dress shirts...oh yes i can see how fun those would be to style!

top: mens dress shirt, thrift

bottoms: vintage Levis, thrift

shoes: platform clogs, Vincent Camuto

accessories: plastic chain link necklace, thrift // onyx silver ring, F21 

gisela

EASY, BREEZY....

I took my outfit pictures this morning at Bailey Canyon in the mountains behind our home. i really want to post allot more of my daily outfits but find it so darn hard to capture the best lighting. i'm still learning a great deal about natural lighting and how to use it best with certain settings on my camera. these pictures were taken around 8:30 a.m., and the one thing i noticed was the cast of blue sucked into my white dress. it's interesting how our camera translates the amount of lighting you let into the lens; and in turn the way the picture is captured on the other side. it's never the way my head thinks it is. even the smiles & head tilting can seem small then when you see the picture you look like you have a big smirk and your head is down! i do enjoy learning about it all, but sometimes it all seems too complex for the little bit of patience i have with photography. 

I'm wearing one my favorite recent thrift store finds, a crochet and white cotton Lauren Moffatt dress. i can't believe someone gave this baby away, oh well better for me! i love the crochet detail on top, the squareness in shape and then the simple flowing bottom cinched at the waist. you can't tell in the pictures but the bottom is scalloped with white embroidered flowers. as you can tell this dress would fit many so darling and is so comfortable to wear. 

dress: thrift find, Lauren Moffatt

shoes: criss cross sandals, Target

earrings: south western turquoise, F21

gisela

FASHION WEEK SPRING 12 FAVORITES

I've been anticipating fashion week, waiting in excitement to see what designers have up their sleeves for spring 12. so far from what i've seen there is an 1920's, 30's influence at Vena Cava and Imitation of Christ. the beautifully simple tailored looks from Steven Alan. his clothing is perfect for everyday wear and layering; love the basic silhouettes and that he has yellow and teal in this collection, a favorite color palette. Gary Graham eclectic, vintage, layered and soft fabrics, i want the floral jacket. Lastly Richard Chai's range of prints and cut out pieces, the floral romper...amazing.  

Imitation of Christ

Vena Cava

Steven Alan

Gary Graham

Richard Chai

Who are your favorites so far?

gisela

source: style.com, nymag.com