angel wing

Anyone else hurtin for a makeover? Every once in a while I feel thrown into an intermediate phase (even though every moment belongs to a phase that is impossibly intermediate) and flounder in the insincerity of the 'aesthetic' with which I am currently, accidentally, shamefully associated. Times like these illustrate the self-automating nature of the 'aesthetic' and its role on the internet; I don't need to actively perform it every individual instance I get online. It is already in motion, working in real time to constitute the overall photograph of my 'brand.' My eyes don't have to be processing 'instagram' as information for me to be on instagram. Someone else is looking at my profile when I'm not, and the still lives I upload dance for them without my enthusiastic participation but certainly with my permission. What makes me most insecure is that permission is not static -- it is dynamic and animate. I permit every second I allow images of me to remain, I permit every second I allow my profile to exist without intervention. I authorize the disingenuous aesthetic associated with my online identity by simply not putting a stop to it. So even though I'm not on instagram right now uploading a photo I don't like that much, the crisis is the same... people are still processing the information already present, judging me accordingly, coloring me in with the hues I provide because I don't put them away. I hate that I allow this to go on... more, I hate that I don't overwrite it with material I do enjoy instead. 

This outfit reminds me of a Dior campaign... modish, feminine, bridal but young and rebellious. I fashioned the headwrap out of a pink sheath and flower pin then paired it with earrings from 2001 that actually look like they're from 1960s. Lately I've been pushing myself to explore more DIY approaches to accessorizing... picking out a floppy hat and sunglasses isn't creative enough anymore. Pairing a brooch with a sheet of fabric and tying it together with matching jewelry and lipstick feels so much more rewarding when the result is something as seamless and recognizable as this. The flower girl grows up and gets married... she's in a perfume advertisement, she's bohemian but sponsored...



Chicwish dress, Valentino bag, Dailylook heels

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

TRIPLE THREAT

I come from the fashion camp that believes there's no such thing as "too much" leather. A lot of people complain that if you go 'overboard' with one element in your outfit, the entire ensemble becomes gimmicky instead of chic. I agree that referencing only one motif without contrast, like wearing head-to-toe lime green or five polka dot accessories, is borderline costume. Not fashion. Certainly not casual (not that fashion needs to be casual every time anyway). But for whatever reason, leather has a charm that renders is exempt from this rule. You could wear a dozen leather accessories on top of a full leather get-up and still look rad. And maybe even casual. At any rate, I'm hoping this leather foursome isn't overkill.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
"DUMP Cap" - Aloha From Deer
"Cult by Lip Service Lace Cropped Moto Jacket" - 24HRSLeather bralette - ROMWE
Leather shorts - Chicwish
UNIF Hellbounds - Solestruck

This lovely lace-and-leather jacket entered my life a couple days after my birthday as a gift from my favorite person in the observable universe, Madeline. Besides working at 24HRS, the store that stocks this jacket (and two bomb-ass vests that I'll photograph and blog about within the next week), Madeline operates a fashion blog called Jean Greige, where she talks politics, feminism, philosophy, and lifestyle. In completely unpretentious vernacular and with RAD AS HELL pictures of her wearing crazy shoes and chunky jewelry to boot. I'm getting a huge kick out of how I sound like I'm introducing Madeline to you guys, when most of you probably already know who she is because she is literally my queen, and I've already dedicated a blog post to her about what a freakin' superhero she is. But, in the unlikely event that you're new here, FOLLOW MAD'S BLOG and get with the program. 

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

LA MOUCHE

Back to black and it feels so good. Inspired by Paris, London, anything reminiscent of European high society, the look is dark tease. Red lips, a satin ribbon, and the quintessentially salacious heel afford this conspicuous look all the flirtation I need without a word. No wonder it's a signature ensemble... curtsies and air kisses to the lovelies at Gypsy Warrior who sent me the gorgeous lace top and faux fur coat!



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beret - Yes Style
Sunglasses - 80s Purple
"Kate Jacket" - Gypsy Warrior
"Rose Lace Poncho" - Gypsy Warrior
Piano pants - Yes Style
Heels - Vera Wang

I call these dress slacks "piano pants" because they feel very music composer-esque... not sure if it's the vintage lace-up detail or the fact that they'd look fab with a tuxedo jacket. Bummed it took me so long to hop on the slacks train! As for the name "La Mouche"... I mean... clearly you're getting a fly vibe from my furry outerwear and oversize sunnies, right? Phew. Glad it's not just me. 

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

RHINESTONE COWGIRL

When I was a kid, my mom arranged A LOT of road trips for our tiny family. We traveled all along the east coast, through New England, and once from Massachusetts to Missouri, all before I was I was even 12 years old! Seven years and a thousand roadside gas stations later, I still remember my mom's favorite road trip soundtrack: Nancy Sinatra, golden oldies, and 70s hits of every genre there was. I named this outfit after one of the tracks that I especially got a kick out of as a 10 year old: Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy." It's perfectly fitting because my knee-high boots - a fine pair for plowing through ghost town tumbleweeds with a reckless abandon I'll nickname Jack Daniels - feature a glamorous sprinkle of twinkling rhinestones on the back of their square heel! Who else could have come up with a concept as a sassy as this one but Naughty Monkey? Check out their selection right here for more spunk and sparkle.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Hat - Zara

Sunglasses - 80s Purple

Western necklace - VANESSA MOONEY

Nordic print cardigan - PACSUN

"Evelyn" Lace dress - GINA MARIE VINTAGE

Belt - Vintage

"Mix Master" Boots - NAUGHTY MONKEY

Boots aside, this outfit features two other great new additions to my winter wardrobe: a lace dress with dramatic bell sleeves (yep, sorry bare knees!), and a nordic print cardigan from PacSun! I love how both are about the same length and end mid-thigh to create a casual silhouette with a (hidden) fitted waist. Though technically short, this dress is NOT 'short' of detail - the intricate lace fabric is signature to Gina Marie's entire vintage collection. Check out her shop on BigCartel for more one of a kind pieces to inspire your desert elegance. 

P.S. Thanks, PacSun, for another incredible autumn staple. I'll wear it rain or shine!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

GEMINI RISING

Since this look is so clearly inspired by crystal balls and constellations, I named it after my rising sign, Gemini. I’m really a Taurus, which I think is kinda obvious considering my material obsessions and confrontational personality, but I admittedly have some qualities that are a tad unexpected. Like a caustic aversion to conventional symbols of stability like possessive relationships. Even abstractly, I recognize that the concept of possession kinda sucks all around. But of course I don't make sense and am a capital hoarder in practice (I’m petting my gorgeous silk bomber jacket collection while typing this). Can't help that the status quo is tres chic lol! Seriously though are you down to read my palm? 

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Turban – DIY
Sunglasses - House of Harlow

Scarf – Anthropologie

Cardigan – Merona

Lace top – NATURAL COLOUR

Palazzo pants – YES STYLE

Boots – PINK AND PEPPER
Bag - Rebecca Minkoff

These pants just about epitomize the bohemian spirit. Loose, free, freakin AWESOME. I’ve been neglecting the hippie trends lately in my online shopping endeavors but had to make an exception for this boho treasure. Yes Style really hookin’ it up with the good stuff lately. Keep the tribal prints and palazzo flares comin’, they make me feel like dancing! (Lies, I always feel like dancing, but funky shapes/patterns afford the semblance of me being justified in publicly doing so. WINK.)

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

CATURDAY

SPOILER ALERT: I'm *not* a cat person. Sorry. I'm sure many of you are, as cats are pretty trendy animals here in the blogosphere, but I'm not jumpin' on THAT bandwagon. Oh wait. According to my sweater, I guess I already did. I'm definitely a dog kinda gal - I like an animal that's energetic, affectionate, and playful. Most cats are quiet, independent, and reserved. They're cute as heck, but... sue me for saying this... kinda boring. At least they make for really adorable decorations on sweaters with crochet collars! Half blue eye, half green eye, half pink eye?? Now there's a cat that ain't boring at all.














FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Cat sweater - YES STYLE

Petticoat skirt - CHICWISH

Belt - Brighton

Wedges - Buffalo Exchange

The shoes I'm wearing here are maybe my all-time favorite pair. "Chunky patent leather sandals" is my middle name. I swear. Check my birth certificate. The sad part is, they're about as dead as I'm gonna be after I publish this blog post and offended cat-lovers come after me for dissing their feline posse. I wore these sandals to an X concert in LA over the summer (seriously... what was I thinking????) and the sole completely separated from the wedge RIGHT as the band finished their last number. The timing was impeccable, and I had a backup pair of combat boots in my bag. Kind of a perfect night, but I'm still bummed about having to take these precious babies to a repair man. Hopefully he'll give them as much love and affection as I did while they're in the shop. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: please cradle and sing lullaby after super glue has been applied to base. Thank you.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva