knit that kinda girl

Since cutting monosodium glutamate out of my diet (well, at least before bed), fewer nightmares have interrupted my precious beauty sleep. If you didn't already know -- MSG, a popular flavor enhancer used in processed foods, is an excitotoxin that overstimulates and exhausts neuron receptors in the brain. Despite my intimate knowledge of what havoc it can wreak on the life of a sensitive binge eater like me, I have yet to swear off the terrifying little devil entirely. Nontheless I knew I had to make a drastic holistic change after one particularly heinous dream slapped the fear of God into my cheeto-inhaling, monster-imbibing self. In this hell circle of my slumbering subconscious, I accidentally traded a prized pair of knit yellow shorts for a crew neck t-shirt. I don't know how it happened or what tricks Criss Mossimo Xhilaration Angel played on me to swindle me out of such a beloved garment, especially in exchange for something so average and ghastly. All I know is that I woke up in a cold sweat and immediately sorted through each and every dresser drawer to quell my nocturnal panic. So. No more "flamin hot" flavor for me. 

The good that came out of my night terror was a renewed appreciation for these shorts, which are actually one half of a sweater set from OASAP that I will debut 'in whole' eventually. It might take me a nightmare about accidentally donating the matching sweater to Goodwill before I quit taking that too for granted. ;-))) In the meantime, this Romwe knit number whets my whistle. 



Romwe sunglasses and sweater, OASAP shorts, YES "Pound" platform sandal, Rebecca Minkoff purse


Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

treble maker

Another day, another pair of Break Ice Trends overalls... I wore these the first time to an event in LA called Dripped that my girl gang (The Fabulous Stains) co-hosted with a ton of other rad people. For three fourths of the night I wore the overalls as pants with the top half folded over -- paired with platform boots it looked like a legit Aaliyah inspired get-up. Today I'm wearing the overalls like a classic proletariat but with a jazz club twist, as evidenced by my sequin music note cap. I know. I can hear you screaming from over here. I love it just as much and also screamed the first time I saw it on eBay.



OASAP transparent jacket, Break Ice Trends overalls, YES "Pound" sandals

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

root chakra

After a week in Los Angeles, I feel very confused about the word 'home.' I guess it's a place that you take with you, or a tendency to make the best out of what you already have. My home is wherever I am whether I like it or not. Which is why it's so confusing. Sometimes home sucks. Sometimes it's really where the heart is. Sometimes it's a shit motel room with cable TV and yellow lamp lighting, but you share it with someone who makes you feel safe. The way I feel is the interior design of whatever abode I occupy... so I must always be cautious not to give into anger or depression. Home is without morbid architecture. 

Still unsure if my chakras are balanced -- if things were actually working out for me I might believe with intense conviction that every piece is in its right place. Then again... maybe there aren't "right places" for pieces to be. There aren't "right homes." There are only places and homes. And feelings to decorate each space in time. I'm grounded by virtue of being alive.



Chicwish peach dress, OASAP peach kimono, YES Pound sandals c/o Solestruck, Vanessa Mooney jewelry

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

glamour kills day one: dream forever

During this confused summer to fall transitional stage, I couldn't be any hungrier for inspiration that marries leisurely California beach vibes with the mystery (and mystique) of American autumn. Glamour Kills nails it no matter the season, so I'll be wearing one of their tees every day of the week to showcase their recent collection. It flows 'seamlessly' into my wardrobe and can 'top off' any theme, any occasion. Today my inspiration is clearly puns, Palm Springs, and a convertible parked somewhere untraceable between indistinguishable desert acres. Peach sky stratum stroked with cumulus wonder match the pinks in my shirt and kimono. Gold shades to guard my eyes from uninvited gaze. Shoes that only speak when spoken to.

Glamour Kills, thanks for the opportunity to not only live the dream but dress the part.

Glamour Kills "Dream Forever" muscle tee, Romwe "tassels floral print kimono", YES platform "Pound" sandals

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

SPIRIT OF THE MIND'S EYELESS

Not sure what all this new age "third eye" crap means, but I've heard a million and one people reference it in passing over the years. There's a lyric in a Slipknot song called 'Eyeless' that goes "look me in my brand new eye." I have no idea what that means either, but I'm willing to guess that it has more to do with psychosis than spiritual enlightenment and chakras. Nonetheless, I couldn't resist a sartorial mash-up between the hard shell of a metal band and the soothing nature of Eastern philosophy a la Paul Hardcastle. The result: a party city rhinestone posing as a sparkling tool for clairvoyance, a mysterious velvet robe (one that's made many an appearance here on FTBH), and, yes, Slipknot SHORTS. The genius behind band tees for ya booty is Kay from Look Killer. Check out her Facebook page for the good stuff!



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beanie - 99 Cent Store
Robe - Frederick's of Hollywood
Necklace - Vanessa Mooney
Mesh insert bodysuit - Ooh La Luxe
Slipknot shorts - LOOK KILLER
"Conquest bootie" - Pink & Pepper

And if you're still not feeling 'out of body' after a meditative Slipknot listening sesh, try this Paul Hardcastle track instead... the second half of my Look. OG Aesthetic.






Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

SOLAR FREEZE

Making cosmic waves again in galaxy print... this time around I've got a jacket to match my leggings! I can't get enough of the matching set trend. When a top and bottom complement each other not just visually but thematically, the look immediately elevates from smart to genius. Not that I think of myself as a sartorial genius or anything... but the swirling galactic prints on my top and bottom are lookin' pretty brilliant. Especially once highlighted and accessorized by a bold cap in royal purple and subtle metallic neck cuff. The patterns are futuristic and other-worldly... extraterrestrial... heavenly in their cosmic way. But the outfit is fundamentally inspired by a familiar urban concept. Snapback, t-shirt and hoodie, leggings, sneaker wedges.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Snapback - Yes Style
Necklace + galaxy jacket + galaxy leggings - ROMWE
Cosmic waves tee - THREE DOTS
Gio Sneaker Wedges - Jeffrey Campbell (Solestruck)

A word about Three Dots, the brand that designed my top -- many of you have expressed concern with supporting brands and retailers that outsource jobs and engage in unethical labor practices. I share your moral unease, and want to introduce you to Three Dots, an American made company, for that reason. Their labor policies are ethical and qualities exceptional. This top is the softest in my wardrobe! And graphically the coolest, too... who could resist a pastel wave raglan tee?

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

BOTANICASUAL

Look at me, all jumping on the botanical trend and whatnot. I can't help it -- this is one of those rare instances in which I feel like the puppeteers of mass culture got it right (not really but I don't feel like being contrarian today because I'm two glasses of wine deep and maybe that's also why I chose to use the word 'contrarian' and not just 'critical' or 'annoying'). The sleeves on this sweatshirt feature one of fashion 2013's many crests -- an homage to gardenia, botany, plant glamour. I'm especially fond of this earthy-athleticism juxtaposition. Leafy sleeves on an otherwise classic gray sweatshirt. The fern-meets-fitness concept kinda got me in the "out of context photoshop" mood so I superimposed some plant .pngs on that mess and called it a day. #botanicool



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Spiked snapback - OASAP
Black blouse - ROMWE
Botanical sweatshirt - ROMWE
Turquoise velvet leggings - ROMWE
Lace-up boots - YES STYLE
Backpack - YES STYLE

If you haven't noticed, I've been wearing pants almost exclusively since December. I don't know when or why it happened, but I find it increasingly difficult to will myself into a skirt or dress that bares my legs. Nope, has nothing to do with the weather -- I guarantee that come April I'll still be stupefied into pant oblivion despite three-digit temperatures. I think it might have to do with the fact that for a while I only hung out with heteronormative guys and their style started to rub off on me. Yes Style has been my primary source for pants of every variety this winter -- cropped sweats, dress slacks, lace-up trousers, harem pants, joggers with chiffon and mesh overlay, the list goes on. I recommend their ready-to-ship selection (here) and, no, I don't get paid to say that. For prints, patterns, paintings-gone-textile, and crushed velvet galore, there's also Romwe's legging selection. The ones I'm wearing here go for only $25 and are an obvious best-seller. 

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

CITRUS RAVER

You might wanna throw some shades on before scrolling down because things are about to get NEON up in here. Citrus brights. Limelight. Straight up rainbow striped leopard print leggings and spiked metallic shoulders. Guess you could say my outfit inspo was literally a watermelon on acid? Elaborate array of bindis because my trip brought me closer to The Oneness and I'm all about my Ajna chakra now. Or something.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Beanie - Dollar store

Spiked sweater / tank - ROMWE
Rainbow chain - CHICWISH

Rainbow leggings - NATURAL COLOUR

Hellbounds - UNIF / SOLESTRUCK
Transparent purse - Claire's

There's only one drawback to dressing like this and it's the INSANE amount of (wasted) time spent acknowledging other people's comments and questions. Yeah yeah yeah I dress like this everyday, no I have never been to EDC, ya I've listened to the Bangarang EP a solid thirty times myself and wait a min did you just say "Tiesto" or "techno"???? Either way where is the nearest exit actually that's a rhetorical question lol see ya.

I realize that in recent months I've sort of "toned down" my style, opting for minimalist silhouettes, sparse accessories, and approachable concepts instead of the signature bohemian craziness that I've (up until this point) been known for. I believe that change is a necessary element to style, and that if somebody resists an aesthetic evolution, they're being cowardly and conservative. BUT, I also believe that changing in a way that symbolizes surrender or regression is even more cowardly and conservative. Maybe I "toned down" my style to avoid being the awkward center of attention at a time when I really just wanted to be alone with my depression. The good news is that I'm phasing out of that sadness (or at least brainwashing myself to believe that I am with cliches about the intoxicating Spring's healing properties) and am looking forward to dressing like a glittering technicolor kiwi more often. Bravery and fear can be very easily reflected through one's clothing choices, and fear is never in style. Chaos is jewelry... layering it on means you're in control and can handle "crazy." 

Happy Spring!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva