cuff to the chase

I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever revisit these blog posts and refer to them as diary entries. The thought alone has sparked some anxiety that I'm not being forthcoming enough in my copy... I'm talking too much about peripheral details -- weather, vague emotional patterns, the act of blogging itself. Maybe I keep so much hidden because there truly isn't much to reveal. Unlike most people my age I'm both unemployed and not actively seeking a job (or a career for that matter). Even more uncharacteristically, my social life... simply isn't one. If I have to talk to another person, it's either by text or email or social media, on the elevator, in the lobby while making coffee, at the concierge desk asking for packages, while purchasing a pepsi max at the gas station next door, while greeting the bellmen, engineers, valet drivers and janitorial staff on my way in or out of the condo I now consider a safe marble cave. I'm Rapunzel in my prison tower, except I have hair extensions and Stockholm Syndrome. I choose this life. I invite no prince. Despite perversely loving my electively doorless cell, it's difficult to find pleasure anywhere. Music doesn't sound as good as it used to. Movies make me impatient. Narratives delivered through any artistic medium feel superfluous as I'm already surrounded by them by virtue of using language. So I'm frustrated. And distrustful. All in all I guess if I were to treat this blog as an honest diary to accompany my honest images, the only events I'd have to describe are my feelings. Sooooo...

Dear Diary, I like this outfit.




Zara hat, Vionnet fringe scarf, Member's Only jacket, Missguided leather top, J Brand leather cuff jeans, Etro bag

(Thank you for the lovely pics, Mama!)

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva 

spring persueded

Paisley. Velvet. Suede. Spring. Spring. By the look and feel of things, this season won't be any peppier than the others (which is not at all if you're me). But I'm hoping that great weather will bring greater incentives to walk outside and soak up some vitamin D for an extra 'happy kick' here and there. Maybe this time of year will change me in more ways than sun exposure... after all I am turning 22 in May (the 7th to be exact, just in case any of you wonderful people are considering throwing me a *surprise birthday party* wink wink). I don't really know how to go about processing my age because it doesn't match my lifestyle or attitude or expectation. As a kid, the '20s' seemed pretty old, sophisticated, fun, sexy. I imagined myself in a maxi skirt attending college in Boston, already working on my second or third novel in the courtyard grass. I thought I'd already be published, well-known, independent enough to live in a dorm room, disciplined enough to even get into an ivy league at all. Instead I'm wearing yoga pants, living with my mom, bitter about my academic failure and nowhere near publishing anything except this blog post. My net worth is even identical to what it was in sixth grade when my only expenses were Starburst and Orbit gum. I know life is full of surprises but I didn't realize they'd all be this... unflattering. My only solace, my constant respite, is clothes. They make me feel good about myself even when my track record doesn't.

My mom and I arranged this outfit together. I find that including my mom in the process of arranging a look, choosing complementary locations, and photographing the whole shabang is SO much more gratifying than riding solo. I might be bossy but lord knows I could use a reality check every once in a while from mama-knows-best. ;)



Romwe sunglasses, Etro paisley and velvet scarf, vintage turtleneck and suede miniskirt, Jimmy Choo Rhea purse, Missguided platform boots

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

no road

There's only one road, the road to no roads. It's kind of like the "there's only one rule, no rules" principle except motivated by the threat of suffering and not the incentive of unregulated pleasure. I read Civilization and its Discontents once.

My gold letters bracelet (fashioned at a BCBG pop-up shop last year) used to read "ADORNO" - my then-favorite theorist. After much conflict with my spectacular fear of not appearing a chic poststructuralist in the spring of 2014, I changed the letters around like an anagram and created "NO ROAD" instead. I read a Guattari essay once.

I clearly didn't get it. But it could be worse. I could be accessorizing my reading history on much more public platforms like Twitter or Facebook, where people actually go to compare their content to my content. As for this platform... I imagine people just wind up here. Never a destination. Always an accident.



OASAP studded dress, Cobrashop sunglasses, vintage boots

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

heart set on ette

Been growing my bangs out for summer but the transition into middle-part-territory STILL hasn't happened. I've been trying to pull off the overgrown borderline feral fringe look by wearing more earthy prints and silhouettes. This tie-dye kimono from Ette does the trick. I love the way it drapes over a maxi dress and platform boots... reminds me of my beloved 2012 road trip lifestyle.



Check out how me and Jessi styled another Ette look at Taco Bell for The Fabulous Stains! We be thinkin' outside the bun ALWAYS.  Fab Stains x Ette Clothing



http://www.thefabulousstains.com/fab-stains-bebe-jessi-for-ette-cloting/

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

HALO RANCH

I haven't worn anything particularly Western inspired lately, so this look was especially fun to put together since it tapped into a more or less dormant region of my sartorial repertoire. I LOVE manipulating old standby themes to reflect more recent trends -- the small details like gold chains and a baroque patterned blouse elevated this look from "desert rock" to "desert luxe." The dress, which seems like a simple white gown in the front, actually features a brushed gold chain arrangement in the back. It's appropriately titled the "Pyramid Chain Dress" and looks damn good even when it isn't paired with a *colossal* floppy hat and costume jewels. Thank you, Bold Cupcake!

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Hat - Zara

Baroque print blouse - YES STYLE
"Pyramid Chain Dress" - Bold Cupcake

Boots - Buffalo Exchange

I put together a small mood board of photos that inspired this outfit's "vibe." There's a baroque and Renaissance element, halo motifs, but mostly a Californian desert aura suspended in a lens flare...

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

DRESSED IN LOVE

I've been waiting for the perfect summer day to debut this romantic chiffon frock from the boos at How Very Dare! Appropriately titled the "Hot & Steamy Big Boy Tunic," this piece features a sensual illustration juxtaposed between two strips of black and beige bar code. I'm crazy about the artistic vision that went into creating this garment -- besides the fact that the tunic is gorgeous, it's also incredibly clever. To compare the depth of intimacy and romance to the shallow veneer that is commercialism is brilliant and futuristic. I layered it with a BB Dakota poncho and my favorite wide-brim hat for a classically western feel. 



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Hat - Zara
Poncho - BB Dakota
"Hot & Steamy Big Boy Tunic" - HOW VERY DARE
"Lolla Sandal" - Pink & Pepper

I haven't paired socks with sandals in a while... the urge is coming back to haunt me. Can't help that these Pink & Pepper Lolla heels look twice as fun with socks or tights! It also saves me from having to invest in a pedicure. LIFE HACK 101. 

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

BOHO PROWESS

I've always felt like best outfit for a California road trip is a a baggy t-shirt or sweater, ripped jeans, boots, and turquoise jewelry. Maybe it has to do with that western rock and roll vibe. I like to feel in character while I'm on my way to a new place. Something about torn-up pants and a leather vest feels true to the vagabond spirit, especially while tearing up the highway en route through the mountains. 



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Head chain - Funny People Co.
Leopard sweater - Yes Style
"Romeo & Juliet Stitched Vest" - HEAVENLY COUTURE
Ripped jeans - Pac Sun
"Fab Boots" - PINK & PEPPER / Piperlime

About Heavenly Couture -- EVERYTHING IS $16 OR LESS. A million and one people have messaged me on Ask.fm asking for affordable online shopping options and Heavenly Couture is honestly as good as it gets. The fact that a leather vest in excellent condition and quality was priced so low is beyond me and I'm not questioning it. Just kind of quietly worshiping the lovely person that sent it to me. 

My Fab boots, which are *literally fab*, are from Pink & Pepper... and I think it's pretty obvious! My Pink & Pepper shoes all have a signature flair. Like they're related. Heh. You can find this pair on DSW, Piperlime, or Amazon!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva