début

J'adore my long-lived relationship with big hats and bold stripes... always seeking to capture that je ne sais quois mystique of a movie character. I'm thrilled for Autumn and long sleeves and cuffed pants and heavy brims and pointless tinted shades in overcast parks. I'm thrilled for any change - for something new to style. Got places to go, people to be.  



Romwe ruffled top, H&M pants, Missguided heels

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

CHECKMATE MOD

If I say that I'm really seriously committed to blogging consistently again would you believe me? Feels like I keep dropping in then peacing out... but I swear on all that is holy that this time is different. If there's one thing I could use more than an Hermes personal shopper to hook it up with a Birkin bag it's a #lifestyle change. And part of this season's new lifestyle is blogging every day, without fail, as an exercise in relieving ~emotional tensions from within~ through the very cathartic and creative process that is fashion blogging. Yep. I feel like putting myself out there both visually and verbally is the most constructive way for me to keep my "sartorial chakras aligned." These photos are from a couple months ago, back when my hair was still a perfect shade of platinum blonde. I've since dyed it brown and watched it fade into dirty blonde territory but the memory lives on nonetheless... bye bye Blonde Beeb. Onto the next phase of my personhood.

I'm not really sure what's going on fashion-wise these days, especially following Spring 2014's NYFW. I do know that "dazzling blue" was named Pantone's Color of the Year, but that's a bit irrelevant to me since I very rarely (if ever) wear bold colors besides pink and red. So I'm sticking with what I know best, and that's compensating for color with clash. I'm black and white head to toe, but a far cry from minimalism nonetheless. This checkerboard and diagonal stripe juxtaposition is more "cheeky" than "chic"-- perfectly in sync with how I'm feeling these days. ;)



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Hat - Vintage
Rhinestone cuff necklace - ROMWE
Check print top/dress - ROMWE
Diagonal stripe skirt - ROMWE
Patent heels - Daily Look

Clearly inspired by the 60s, but particularly the boxy check print resurgence we first saw in Louis Vuitton's SS 13 collection. Oh, and yeah, this would be the first time in a really noticeably long time that I'm wearing socks with heels again.^_^

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

ROUGE AND FLARE

Perhaps this look without a hat will serve as a breath of fresh air... and also maybe a source of inspiration for bottle blondes who are too ashamed to expose their dark roots to the world! I have embraced mine all the way... and in fact I think they accentuate the black and white stripe theme in this retro drop-waist dress look. Whoever says you can't look fancy with a huge patch of undyed brunette locks needs a reality check. It's 2013, plenty of people dye their hair artificial colors, and no one should feel too embarrassed to bare evidence of it. I'm sure you could also make the argument that dark roots suggest laziness... but show me a working woman who has enough time to spare for a four hour hair bleaching appointment and I'll show you 12 year old white girl who doesn't like Justin Bieber. Yeah. Not gonna happen.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Cage collar - ROMWE
"Vertical Stripe Jumper Dress" - ECUGO
Suede wedge heels - YES STYLE
Leather clutch - Doctor Couture

Super simple look with minimal accessories for a casual, cafe-appropriate ensemble. This silhouette seems retro to me -- a floating 1960s cut with timeless stripes and a ruffled hem. It matches nearly all of my heels, but I went with the pointed suede wedges since they're the easiest to walk in without compromising height. 

Yes, as pro-body-acceptance as I am, the fact that I'm so vertically challenged (5'2" represent) still gets to me. Probably has something to do with the fact that *all* the visual media I consume every day as a fashion blogger reinforces a ridiculously tall and borderline emaciated beauty standard... one that has conditioned my self-esteem for the worse. Can designers and campaign directors PLEASE do something about this? If you need your clothes modeled by an underweight amazon to afford them any ounce of sartorial credibility, you're copping out. Let the apparel speak for itself and leave the ~personal interpretation~ to real people with average bodies so consumers can get a REAL idea of what they'll look like if they make the purchase. Don't distract from the garment with a fabricated lifestyle. Consumers should decide that for themselves.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

IN UTERO

...Figured that since I have intense dark roots now, I should go hard with the Kurt Cobain look. I couldn't bring myself to wear low-top black Converse so I opted for my favorite Skechers work boots instead. I might look super 'grunge-derivative' but ultimately my outfit isn't meant to be a costume. The love for an oversize flannel, boyfriend jeans, and a striped tee is real. And I rock hair grease like an accessory. 



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Sunglasses - Buffalo Exchange
Oversize flannel - YES STYLE
Striped tee - American Apparel
Boyfriend jeans - YES STYLE
Boots - Skechers 

I don't usually tote Kurt Cobain as an 'aesthetic inspiration' because I feel like, ironically, people fetishize Nirvana, the grunge movement, and clothing style in a way that is actually offensive to its anti-mainstream principles. So out of respect, I try to keep it offline. Sorry for breaking my streak today, Kurt. I'm sure you understand because you know that at the core we're the same fucking person. Love ya bud.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Troisième œil

I don't speak French, but according to my research, "troisième œil" translates to 'third eye' -- a très new age entity that supposedly catapults people into a state of higher consciousness. Since my outfit is inspired by a stereotypically French beatnik look, angora beret and stripes in tow, and features a holographic eyeball pendant around my neck, I chose to name it after something mystical and chic. Because clearly my potential for spiritual enlightenment is as high as the society I belong to in Paris.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beret - YES STYLE
Sweater - QQONE
Trousers - YES STYLE
Overcoat - OASAP
Chelsea boots - WANTED

Everything on my body is pretty much a staple piece... slouchy slacks, chelsea boots, tortoiseshell shades, and a bulky winter coat (that hopefully I'll no longer need come 60 degree breezes woo). Most importantly is my striped sweater. It's absorbed many a tear this tragic winter. And y'all know there's no greater consolation than emerging from a mountain of Kleenex and seeing your cutie pie striped sweater reflection in the mirror... thanks a million to QQONE for hookin' it up! For those who aren't familiar - QQone is a retailer that specializes in sweaters ~exclusively~. Cardigans, ponchos, vests, too... if you can knit it, they stock it. I weirdly wish they would sponsor my depression. Heh. ^-^

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

ANCHORS AWEIGH

Debuting my nautical Frank Olive beret today and I don't intend to put it away any time soon! Couldn't help but to pair it with this incredible Chanel blazer from the Moscow 2009 collection. Sure, Russia and seafaring don't have much to do with each other, but the color schemes are irresistibly complimentary. Paired with my gold-plated Guess booties, this outfit takes nautical kitsch to a functionally fashionable level. Heave a ho there, sassy sailor!



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beret - Frank Olive
Blazer - Chanel Moscow Collection
Scarf - Chanel Moscow Collection
Boots - GUESS

Red, blue, and gold are seriously underrepresented as a trio this year in fashion! Someday a designer will put out a line that combines all my favorite elements of the 'chic nautica' theme and I'm gonna go NUTS. It's timeless. It has to happen. Anchors and sailor stripes will never be fast fashion. And if they ever do reach that point... of trendy no return... I'll put out my distress signals. S.O.S.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

STREET AND SOUR

This outfit might be the best representation ever of my winter 2012 look. Loose, black pants or sweats, lace-up boots, gold chains, beanie, and reflective sunglasses. I threw this on hoping I'd channel that urban street style vibe. Feels good to dress in clothes as comfortable as they are hip, especially after days of designer coats and handbags so posh-stentatious passersby assume you're a flaming bourgeois capitalist even though behind the interlocking C's is a very confused 19 year old who doesn't believe in privatization. There's a word for that life: Neiman Marxism. Anyway, so this outfit is more than an outfit for me. It's a breath of freakin' fresh air. That little "LOL" pin on my beanie is a tiny reminder not to take myself seriously every time I catch a glance of it in the reflective surface of my iTouch. Hehe LOL it's already working.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beanie - H&M
Sunglasses - 80s Purple
Sleeveless blouse - ROMWE
Belt - Vintage
Pants - YES STYLE
Boots - YES STYLE
Snakeskin messenger - Marc Fisher

A few things: just because it's winter doesn't mean you need to stop hoarding sleeveless blouses. I have millions and it's A-OKAY because thankfully fashion designers make these things called "jackets" that you can layer over garments to keep yourself from freezing. I've experimented with them and can testify that they DO prevent frostbite.  Another thing: these pants. I know I've already introduced you to 'em in my Retro Luxe post, but uh, I don't think I said ENOUGH about how grossly perfect they are. Cottony, baggy, soft. They look great, feel better, and make getting dressed on lazy days infinitely EASIER. I'm almost positive that if everyone in the world bought a pair and wore them daily, we wouldn't have wars because we'd be too happy and comfortable to get mad at each other over God and country. REAL TALK.

OH YEAH, and my Marc Fisher messenger bag. It's bleepin' HUGE!!!! I can fit EVERYTHING in this giant pouch... a composition notebook, all my makeup, wallet, two Monster energy drinks, and my gym shoes. WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN. 

Other cool news: Goodnight Macaroon is offering up to 50% off all stock from now until December 9th! You'll be seeing some of their goodies on FTBH in the near future. Goodies of the futuristic floral variety. ;)
                                                                                                                                               
                               
                           


BUT WAIT I SAVED THE BEST NEWS FOR LAST... I'M COMING TO LA TODAY. In fact I'm hitting the road in a couple hours. My favorite part of the trip is for the sure the skylight in the third stall of the upstairs women's bathroom next to the ice cream parlor at the Barstow Station public rest stop.  HOLLER AT YER GIRL IF U WANT TO EAT HELLA LITTLE CAESAR'S PIZZA WITH ME N MY BUDS :-)))))
And if you see someone wearing full turquoise while walking down the street with a suitcase, it's me. It's always me. 

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva