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

SALEM

Named this look after the city in Massachusetts famed for its grotesque witch trials, not the music group from 2010! Obviously if my intention were the latter I'd be wearing a mesh jersey and black lipstick. Instead, I'm sporting (but sadly not sporty) a schoolgirl style dress from Romwe that resembles Wednesday Addams' eerily adorable gothic get-up. And if she were alive and reading this blog post, she'd be staring through the screen at me with an intense and unmatched hatred for my stupid alliterations. Sorry chica. Can't help that my writing style never evolved post-fifth grade. But mah style sure did! What would my elementary school self have thought of this ridiculous flower crown???? Honestly, probably not SASSY enough for my DIVA self. Head gear of choice circa 2k4: hot pink corduroy newsboy cap from Limited Too. Still into it.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Crown - DIY
Dress - ROMWE
Cross necklaces - THIS IS TRANSITION
Platform booties - YES STYLE

I love shooting in this dimly lit garden area because it's about goth as scenery gets 'round these parts. In Vegas, everything is sleek, futuristic, and tropical. Sometimes industrial, which is also pretty cool. I like the postmodern look both aesthetically and symbolically, but definitely NOT when I'm photographing outfits like this one. Fortunately, this shaded tree enclave tucked away in one corner of my neighborhood saved the day. Maybe it's even cool enough to earn back Wednesday Addams' respect???? Now that I have a fancy 50mm lens for my camera, I want to start experimenting with new environments around the city. Some of the technicolor murals downtown would make for sick backdrops. Woot woot.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

FORTYOUNCE AND POTION

Sometimes the perfect outfit comes together like a potion; one part x, two parts y, a touch of z. The potion varies per theme – obviously an outfit inspired by the season 3 cast of Bret Michael’s show Rock of Love will follow a wildly different formula than one inspired by Jane Birkin or Anna Karina. Goes without saying that I don’t really believe in formulas at all; the best outfits are, though calculated in their deliberate themes, spontaneous and recklessly expressive. But that doesn’t mean inventing some general rules for yourself in creating a sartorial winner is a bad thing. It can give you some much needed direction on days when you wake up and don’t feel like yourself. Also, pinpointing small details that give you a boost of confidence is a great way to identify your signature style and never lose sight of your fashion forte. For me, fundamental outfit elements include velvet, bindis, and platform shoes .Definitely helps that someone who wears robes and rhinestones looks like the type to mix a potion. Nothing out of character here! Makes me wish I integrated more magic props. 











FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beanie – H&M
Sunglasses – Romwe
Lipstick – Glamour 101 by Lime Crime
Velvet robe – Frederick’s of Hollywood
Makeup shirt – FORTYOUNCE
Velvet leggings – ROMWE
Wedges – Santee Alley in Downtown LA

My awesome top is from Fortyounce – an online store and lifestyle brand that features shirts designed by independent artists and musicians. One of my favorite collaborators with Fortyounce is a guy named Unouomedude who makes lo-fi rock music reminiscent of Wavves, Thee Oh Sees, and Surfer Blood. He even did a full album of theme song covers from 90s TV shows like Pepper Ann and Lizzie McGuire! Enough said. He’s sincerely one of my favorite people to have ever walked this Earth. I feel like a real swan when I tote my Fortyounce/Unouomedude triangle canvas bag to and from the gym… I’ll show you how snazzy it looks it my next post showcasing the brand! 

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

VELVET FORTUNE TELLER

Velvet + anything is automatically the bomb shit. It gives any and every ensemble a gothic edge, which can get prettttty sexy haute if your outfit theme is dark to begin with. I paired this velvet bustier with a maroon maxi skirt c/o American Apparel to experiment with its witchy wonder. Turned out incredibly well, I think! I felt like a mystic fortune telling sorceress of dark magic in all my gauzy capes and crosses. Pretty obvious that bindi-inspired body jewels are my new signature. But they're also everybody else's signature, so I guess that doesn't make them a 'signature' at all. That makes them a trend. And me a conformist. THE ABSOLUTE HORROR!!!! Eastern influence is takin' over my body and soul, which totally explains why I'm such a prideful individualist, you know? Suck on it, haters.While you guys spy these photos, I'll be charming a snake somewhere in the Saharan desert. SEACREST OUT. (#relevanthumor2003)

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Scarf - Secondhand

Body jewel - Party City
Sunglasses - 80s Purple

Velvet robe - Frederick's of Hollywood

Bustier - NATIVE HEART

Belt - Brighton

Maxi skirt - American Apparel (sponsored)

Wedges - ROMWE
I wore this outfit to one of my Women's Studies discussions a few weeks ago. I just took my final exam yesterday and am having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that my favorite course is OVER FOR GOOD and the semester is donezo and now I gotta stress about summer plans and music festivals and stuff. If you haven't noticed, I'm not very good at managing my stress levels, which is probably why I opt out of so many opportunities that would probably benefit my being/career. Sometimes it seems like brainwashing myself into believing that an opportunity does not exist is more comforting and convenient than actually making the effort to accept and experience one. Ah. Coping mechanisms. 

(P.S., I'm wearing a fake bindi again, so if you're interested in hearing my position on reappropriation in fashion, here's a response I published on formspring a few months ago.)

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva