FATED TO BE HATED

Monday, July 16, 2012

METALLICAT

More predatory print for me! I got double the cheetah on my dress and heels... maybe my outfit choices are trying to tell me something about my subconscious desires? My guess is that is has something to do Cheetos and Josie and the Pussycats. Yep. Thought you had me fooled, huh brain? No hard feelings, though. I totally agree -- a nu-millenium movie marathon complete with a feast of cheese-powdered corn snacks sounds like PARADISE. I wore this catty get-up to the mall with my best buds, Tyler and Rach (who also happens to be my sister). We're big fans of Jamba Juice, Panda Express, and the general ambiance of the food court. Think we're kidding? Ask any of the employees at Crazy Wraps... they see us there, every Friday night, lounging for hours under the sweet glow of halogen lighting overhead. Remind me to see if there's a fan page for food courts that I can 'like' on FB. Or two. or three. Or all five hundred and ninety-six.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Spiked headband - OASAP
Cat-eye sunglasses - 80s Purple
Red lip - RETROFUTURIST, Lime Crime
Necklaces - THIS IS TRANSITION, Rings & Tings
Leather jacket - Diesel
Fringe vest - YES STYLE
Leopard dress - OASAP
Bullet wrist cuff - MADLADY
Mixed metal charm bracelet - VANESSA MOONEY
Bando Liera Miu Miu bag - Bergdorf Goodman
Leopard pumps - PINK & PEPPER

My body-hugging leopard dress is from Oasap, a site with a price range and inventory similar to Romwe. For a $23 staple item with a MILLION layering possibilities, this dress is a pretty sick deal. I might even try it over a pair of leather leggings, or even tucked into a high-waisted circle skirt! GEE I'm feeling light-headed already. Clothes... they'll do that to ya.

Now for my favorite part -- addressing the shimmering beacons of SHOE PERFECTION on my feet. These leopard print pumps are the product of design genius. Compliments to the chef - Pink and Pepper! I like to imagine that the creative team behind their brand looks something like The Avengers, except SUPER fashionable and a lot less buff. (Less time at the gym lifting weights, more time at the factory sketching shoes, please!) They *literally* struck gold when they invented the concept for this shoe -- animal print swathed in glitter and mounted on a platform. I would even go so far as to say that those platforms aren't actually platforms... they're mini-thrones to honor the ROYALTY that is the pump itself. SHOEZ. I would bow down to you, but I can't bring myself to take you off my feet! Hope you understand XOXO. The shoes aren't officially for sale online yet, but you can browse the rest of the kick-ass collection on DSW here!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Thursday, July 12, 2012

PASTEL GINGHAM

This look is from a while back when I was shooting clothes for the Fabulous Stains! My hair was doing some really awesome flippy thing that day, as you can gather from the pictures... heh. Anyway, the focal point of this outfit is neither the fluorescent green gingham vest nor the pastel patchwork blouse underneath -- it's the fact the blouse and vest match each other FREAKISHLY well. The shirt features small squares of solid fabric, paisley, and checks in, yes, the same shade of green as the vintage vest! Isn't that crazy?! Subtle coincidences like this one start to add up after a while and compensate for all the suffering that apparently is life. Hey, Buddha said it, not me. Don't like it? Take it up with the manager. I'm just here for the refreshments! *Disappears in a puff of smoke and leaves you with a bunch of typical photos of me in cool clothes*

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Gingham vest - THE FABULOUS STAINS
Patchwork blouse - Secondhand
Green medallion necklace - JEWELMINT
Belt - Natural Colour
Shorts - Levi's
Ivory pumps - Ralph Lauren

So into the jean shorts. Need more. Need to shop. Need MAJOR cash flow. Need to stop stressing myself out about boring 'adult stuff' like getting a job or setting up a 401(k). Distracting myself from anxiety with whey protein formula, pizza buffets, and sunbathing. Oh, you're also looking for therapeutic hobbies? Here you go: www.etsy.com/shop/thefabulousstains. Buy something!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

PEACH ELEPHANT

My mom and I mostly agree on all things fashion, but she can be really nit-picky about things like fabric, construction, and color scheme. I'm one of those people who thinks anyone can wear whatever color they want, and having to dress for your body type is too much work. Although I do admit that I occasionally pass on garments that make me look stout or pregnant or shapeless, for the most part, if I like it, I'll wear it. My mom is the total opposite... even if she loves an article of clothing, she won't wear it if it doesn't flatter her figure. Apparently, peach isn't my color because it washes me out, and industrial gray makes my sister's hair look 'too red.' Well ya know what, Mom. Yolo. That's what. I adore this sleeveless peach blouse no matter how yucky it makes my skin tone look in comparison. It has elephants all over it!!!! And a lace-trimmed collar! It's a tween dream come true. And I think that's pretty darn peachy.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Hat - Arden B

Peach hair clip - H&M
Elephant blouse - YES STYLE

Corduroy skirt - Secondhand

Socks - ROMWE

Wedges - Jeffrey Campbell

July. Gross. Heat wave. Muggy. This typically Spring ensemble is a saccharine departure from the desert highs. I'm talkin' peach iced tea. Pop music. Pastel hair clips. Petal collars, pleated corduroy, crochet socks, tortoiseshell. Shit so cute I'm gonna have to offset the sweetness with black lipstick and biker boots tomorrow like a morning after detox. Twee detox. Tweetox. If you see that on a coffee mug three years from now, you know where it came from. Or even a measly Urban Dictionary dot com entry. If someone, somewhere decides to one day show appreciation for my clever blog commentary and market that slogan... don't forget it was MY genius! Mine! *blows nose into a tissue and weeps softly evermore*

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Monday, July 9, 2012

MAXI CHEETAH

Cheetah... or leopard? What's the difference, anyway? Seriously, I'm google imaging "cheetah vs. leopard print" right now and they're virtually the same thing. Unless I'm blind? Point is, this outfit is all about bohemia gone wild. Literally. I'm a fierce feline with a free spirit. Clearly my 'gentle soul' has a predatory instinct and my claws are pouncin' on the prints this season. Colorblocking with solids? Talk to the paw! I'd rather get cat lady crazy with paisley, patchwork, or zebra stripes. I haven't worn this robe in MONTHS, and now that it's on me, I'm officially ready for a sexy, see-through safari. Who's got a van?

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Headscarf - Vintage

Sunglasses - 80s Purple

Robe - The Cobrashop

Leopard maxi dress - Kirra, PACSUN

Jewelry - Oscar De La Renta, JewelMint, Nine West

Gold cuff - TRIBE NOUEVAU

Boots - UNIF Hellbounds, SOLESTRUCK

Bag - Rebecca Minkoff

This look is toooootally inspired by hippie-chic Mommy blogger Vintage Virgin whom I WORSHIP from afar... there are few bloggers I idolize, and Jessica is 100% one of them. I'm not sure that she'd pair leopard with leopard, but she loves her Hellbounds and maxi lengths, so I'm honoring her highness with this post! Muah! Love ya Virg!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Saturday, July 7, 2012

SHOP TILL YA DROP

Okay, if there's one thing I NEVER do, it's post about an online store I like without including photographs of myself in one of its products for context. But I gotta blog about SOMETHIN' on days when I don't have an outfit post prepared, and since so many of you are seeking affordable options in the great cyber search for cool clothes, this is a great opportunity for me to make some recommendations (and a constructive use of my spare time!) Who doesn't want to shop till they drop except not actually drop because they never have to get out of the laying down position or leave the comfort of their bedroom (and five empty bags of Doritos surrounding them plus countless tabs of Garfield-related avant youtube videos in another window OH YOU GUYS CAUGHT ME TALKING ABOUT MYSELF AGAIN? UGH!)

My obvious favorites are the stores from which most of my clothing is acquired (there's GOT to be a way to make that sentence sound infinitely less pretentious but I honestly can't figure out what it is because it's 4 in the morning and I just got back from a poolside discussion about Shakespeare from a symbolic interactionist perspective and HAHAHA I AM SUCH A BOURGEOIS TEENAGER.) Some of those faves are Romwe, Chicwish, Yes Style, Lulu*s, Oasap/Sheinside, and Native Heart. Besides the inventory, flexible or FREE shipping rates, and affordable price point, most of these retailers are headed by great people who care about their customers and will communicate with them to accommodate their needs. I've had incredible experiences working with most of my sponsors and encourage anyone seeking a successful online shopping endeavor to vest their trust in these companies.

I made collages out of awesome stock photos I found on the sites of companies with whom I enjoy collaborating -- hope you guys are as inspired as I am!!

9 CROW STREET
I MUST share the glory that is this secondhand shop's vintage novelty before I fall to the floor, catatonic with lust-induced paralysis. The store's called 9 Crow Street and offers hand-selected secondhand and vintage pieces in all my favorite styles -- satin sportswear, ombre denim, tie-dye dungarees, and clever t-shirts. Love it or love it? Me too!

SPORTY

http://www.9crowstreet.com/Diamond-Cut-by-UMBRO-Jacket-L-p/aa384.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Black-and-Purple-Adidas-Sweatshirt-p/aa391.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Blue-Puma-Jacket-p/aa393.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/80s-Pink-Tracksuit-Bottoms-p/aa278.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/80s-Running-Shorts-p/aa274.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/2-Tone-Dyed-Shorts-p/aa371.htm

TIE DYE

http://www.9crowstreet.com/Daydreamer-Tie-Dye-Shirt-M-p/aa333.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Tie-Dye-Short-Blouse-M-p/aa337.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Pale-Pink-Tie-Dye-Short-Blouse-M-p/aa334.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Dip-Dye-Denim-Shorts-p/aa344.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Dip-Dye-Denim-Shorts-p/aa369.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Dip-Dye-Denim-Shorts-p/aa370.htm

CHECK MATE

http://www.9crowstreet.com/Studded-Leather-Biker-Jacket-L-p/aa372.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Blue-and-Purple-Check-Tank-Top-p/ab088.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Leopard-Print-Gillet-L-p/aa131.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Red-plaid-skirt-p/ab020.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/product-p/ab052.htm
http://www.9crowstreet.com/Lime-Green-Check-Shorts-p/ab111.htm

JOLIE MOI

Jolie Moi is a UK shop that caters to the trend-conscious, cosmopolitan youth. Galaxy print, drop waist dresses and maxi length garments in leopard and cheetah are among its best sellers. Nearly every one of its products would look perfect at a candlelit dinner -- I made a collage featuring outfit ideas for date night to inspire your inner romantic.

http://www.romwe.com/stars-print-white-blouse-p-40366.html
http://www.romwe.com/contrast-leopard-panel-denim-gilet-p-38763.html
http://www.romwe.com/metallic-claw-detailed-bandeau-dress-p-37176.html
http://www.romwe.com/rivets-detailed-metallic-skirt-p-40193.html
http://www.romwe.com/ziped-black-shorts-p-29356.html
http://www.romwe.com/low-heel-black-shoes-p-38686.html
http://www.romwe.com/rivets-black-canvas-shoes-p-40274.html
http://www.romwe.com/lace-up-fastening-black-boots-p-24916.html

Let me know what you think! And as always, I'm happy to provide some style advisory on my Formspring.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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