MADEMOISELLE AMERICA

Whaaaat, a red beret in a totally American en-sem-blé???? Oui! Oui! A red beret is more flirtatious and (ugh, chastise me later for this terribly heteronormative descriptor) feminine than a red beanie, which was my second choice. I'm glad I went with my instincts. You might think my felt hat stereotypically French and subsequently out of place next to those "patriotic" stars and stripes - but that's where you're WRONG WRONG WRONG. Ever thought to google image "French flag"? Or maybe you're a geography genius and you already have flags of the world memorized (get a new past time, buddy!) If the latter is the case, you already know where I'm going with this. The French national colors are ALSO red, white, and blue so, HA, my red beret is TRÉS appropriate. Pinkies in the air, people!



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beret - YES STYLE
Wayfarers - Foster Grant
Turtleneck - American Apparel
Skirt - VIVID BLUEPRINT
Hidden Wedge sneakers - Jeffrey Campbell c/o Solestruck

"WHERE'D YA GET THAT SKIRT, GURL," passersby inquire as my butt (beautifully accentuated by the star-print panels on either side of this sassy bodycon) swings to-and-fro about town. You might find it TMI, but information is what ya signed up for when you typed my blog URL into your browser so I'll PROUDLY let it be known that my derrière grew a full THREE INCHES since the last time I measured it. Naturally, discovering my that my bum's circumference has noticeably grown was a rewarding moment, especially for a girl whose dream it is to master the twerk. So, in the most awkward way possible, I extend my sincerest THANK YOU'S to Vivid Blueprint for hooking me up with such a beauty for my booty. Hope you guys don't mind my unabashed butt bragging!!!!

My buddy Ty from Solestruck gifted me these hidden wedge Jeffrey Campbell Gios a few months ago and after an unnecessarily long time of me hiding them in my closet - except for that time I wore them to a Calvin Harris cast reunion video shoot - I am debuting them ~officially~ on FTBH. So take a long, drool-inducing gander. I know some people talk smack about the hidden wedge sneaker, but that's probably because they're already tall and don't need the height as badly as a pipsqueak like moi. I LOVE THESE SNEAKERS. NEVER TALK POOP ABOUT SNEAKERS IN MY PRESENCE. SNEAKER LOVER UNTIL I DIE. YA. Thank you Solestruck for always keeping me and my size 6 feet in mind!!!!

Alright! Done ranting! Finally I can CLOSE DA LAPTOP and dive into this steaming plate of vegan chicken nuggets taunting me with their wafting breaded aroma in front of my face. Say yr last words, nugs. P.S. I'm still French. BON APETITE, SELF.

Everything (butts) is (have) infinite (potential to increase in size if you eat enough and do squats),

Bebe Zeva

LE BOYFRIEND

Who needs a real boyfriend when you can play pretend with a pair of baggy jeans? Nope, I didn't sleep over at my main squeeze's house last night or steal his pants in the morning. I just got me a pair of look-a-likes and spared myself the petty troubles of a commitment: obligatory phone calls, awkward dinner silences, PDA. The only relationship I'll ever embrace, arms wide open, is the one I have with my wardrobe. I mean, why not date your clothes?? They see you naked (feel you naked,) make you feel pretty, and never give you any sass when you tell them that they're a little out of season and you need space. So drama-free. Jealous, boys?



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Newsboy cap - Practically vintage
Sunglasses - 80s Purple
Striped blazer - YES STYLE
Turtleneck - American Apparel
Belt - Brighton
Jeans - YES STYLE
Boots - Pink & Pepper

This look is inspired by modern French leisure: a beret style cap, a red lip, a cropped dinner jacket, and loose jeans for lounging. It's taken me SO LONG to get my hands on a pair of pants like these! I figured I'd regret ordering them online since I couldn't try them on first, but they proved to be worth the risk! I love how they hang on my hips and thighs. Not TOO loose, but not so snugly that they lose their boyfriend appeal. The boots are from Pink & Pepper and are perfect for a shopping day followed by drinks after work. There's something about a short heel that affords an outfit so much elegance in such a small space. Get yourself a pair here on DSW!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

RETRO LUXE

People have a tendency to assume that anyone who consistently puts an effort into their appearance doesn't afford themselves the opportunity to relax. I passionately disagree, and this outfit is physical evidence. It IS possible to wear an ensemble as elaborate and eye-catching as it is comfortable. Exhibit A: slouchy pants. Y'all need to invest in a pair of these. It's hardly even an investment! I tried on a pair of $450 sweatpants at Chanel a couple weeks ago but (duh) couldn't justify the price; these cotton slacks are twice as comfortable at least 90% cheaper. No need to break the bank for loungewear. Exhibit B: loafers. Isn't this one obvious?? Not every day is a heel day! Nor does it have to be. A pair of glossy flats like these from Pink and Pepper will practically massage your soles in comparison to the pinch of a pointed-toe stiletto. And they look JUST as sophisticated. Give yourself a little wiggle room in the wardrobe department. Literally.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Bowler hat - ROMWE
Sunglasses - 80s Purple
Gold chain mini necklace - VANESSA MOONEY
Large black and gold chain - Chanel
Striped blazer - YES STYLE
Pants - YES STYLE
Loafers - PINK & PEPPER
Bag - Miu Miu

These photos are a bit grainy because they were the first set I took with my *complicated* new SLR camera. I'm STILL trying to figure out the best manual setting for the lighting conditions in my room. Looks like my ISO was a bit too high in these photos... you sneaky light meter, you! It's kinda cool doe, gives it an old-timey, film feel. ANEH WEH, this outfit was inspired by silhouettes of the 1980s and an early 1990s urban attitude. I’ve got my sharp shoulder pads for avant dimension and gold chains for a classic hip hop element. Combine it with red lipstick and a bowler hat and you’ve got retro leisure swathed in vintage luxury! Gettin’ comfy with it. 

I'm at MAGIC today, so if you're in Vegas for the tradeshow, shoot me a tweet and we can arrange a meet-up! Look for a lady in orange, red, faux fur, and the best pair of Irregular Choice heels you've ever seen.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

DOT YOUR STRIPES!

How many black and white outfits in a row do you have to wear to before it's annoying? Asking for a friend. No, seriously, I feel like I'm hoarding inspiration of the 'stereotypical French fille' variety and manifesting it in my ever-more-Parisian wardrobe. It's funny because French people seriously don't dress the way I imagine that they do. Really emphasizes how un-cosmopolitan I am deep down... my sister has traveled to Europe and insists that, though Parisians are thin and gorgeous and conscious of their appearances, they don't wear black and white stripes quite as often as they wear Longchamp bags and flats. Boo. I want everyone to look like a page out of a coloring book. Except no colors, please. Can my monochromatic outfits emphasize that enough??










FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Veiled hat - Frank Olive, Neiman Marcus
Sunglasses - 80s Purple
Striped dress - YES STYLE
Lace socks - Forever 21
Polka dot heels - PINK & PEPPER
Bag - Lanvin


You know what's a cool thing? Stripes and polka dots in the same outfit. Even cooler is stripes ON stripes. I don't understand not being self-aware about cliche patterns and arranging obnoxious combinations for kitsch appeal. This outfit is pretty mild (if you're me) but now I have better ideas... in need of a mannequin to test my fashion visions before I publicly make a fool of myself. If you love the polka dots adorning my lil' feet, get yourself a pair by placing an order here or browse other styles on the PINK AND PEPPER page on DSW!


P.S. Romwe is having a MAJOR sale where everything in stock is 75% off until July 31st... that's the day after tomorrow! Like I said before, most of my staple garments, like blouses, sweaters, and skirts, come from Romwe. Even their accessory collection is top-notch! You can find creepers, stilettos, and chunky platform sandals in the shoe department. It's worth a look, even if you don't end up making a purchase. Lots of inspiration to go around!





Everything is infinite,


Bebe Zeva

HAPPY FOURTH

I’m the farthest you can get from being a patriot without entering anarchist territory, but that hasn’t stopped me from cheekily dressing up for July 4th. I recognize most of the flaws in our nation’s framework – systematic discrimination against minorities, preservation of a class system shrouded in myths of social mobility, delusions of the American Dream in an era of a middle class that doesn’t exist and a corporate oligarchy that does. And that’s just a summation of my generation – what about the generations that preceded me? The ones that had to fight for what should be obvious rights, like integrated public facilities or suffrage for women and people of color? There’s no reason for me to feel even remotely proud of my country. And I don’t. Nationalism, ironically, is a foreign concept. But I refuse to move out of America, or to even take off my red, white, and blue duds.  Because I am a progressive, and I know that distancing myself from the problem only affords tacit permission to its perpetuation. My reappropriation of America’s own signature stripes asserts that my ideals are more representative of a “land of the free” than the corrupt aims of my government known to validate that very propaganda. No, I will not give up on the reconstruction of this nation’s values. I’ll cross my arms over the ironic flag emblazoned across my chest, put my foot (read: mary jane platform sandal) down, and demand change. America was established to preserve the freedom of choice for everyone, not certain privileged groups of people. Let’s wave our flags high and set an example for what it really means to be a revolutionary. Having the strength to stand up and point out that our nation is grossly inadequate in meeting the needs of its people? That’s independence. But refusing to question authority and believing the myth that every citizen has an equal opportunity to achieve success and stability? Not so much. Happy 4th.











FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Sunglasses - Party City
Lipstick - Retrofuturist by Lime Crime
Star print collar - ROMWE
Americana sweater - NATURAL COLOUR
Flag print shorts - ROMWE
Platform mary jane heels - Buffalo Exchange


Everything is infinite,


Bebe Zeva