Lana

Pharrell Williams and G-Star RAW Present RAW For the Oceans

RAW For The Oceans

Photo: Edited from G-Star RAW

Pharrell Williams and G-Star RAW Present RAW For the Oceans

I’ve got “Happy” stuck in my head as I type…little did I know that singer Pharrell Williams is the creative director for a company called Bionic Yarn, which produces fabrics out of recycled plastics. This would have made a great addition to my post awhile back about sustainability in the fashion world. But I digress…we’ve all seen the media surrounding our increasingly polluted oceans and the swirling loads of floating garbage, otherwise known as the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch“, that nobody seems to be doing anything about even though we all know about its unnerving ramifications to wildlife as well as the planet as a whole. This is where The Vortex Project comes into play, constantly looking for innovative ways to bring that garbage back where it belongs: recycled back into things we can actually use. G-Star RAW and Bionic Yarn are working with The Vortex Project to use some of that plastic to create a special new denim line called RAW For the Oceans.

I am not a fanatic or a hard-core activist. I’m not the guy with the picket sign or the guy who lays down on tracks, but I commend them for their conviction. I have a lot to be thankful for, all of the cool things that have happened in my life. We have to give back in some shape and form and that’s giving back to the Earth. I’ve been lucky enough to be given this collaboration and my message to people is you don’t have to do anything. But if you don’t want to let it go, then what Bionic is doing with the oceans is right for you. – Pharrell in National Geographic

How will the garbage be collected? In an interview with National Geographic, Pharrell explains “The PET bottles are collected from the coastlines after washing in from the ocean. We’re also in the early stages of developing technology to recover plastic in the open ocean.” I for one am glad to see someone doing something about this, in one of my favorite industries…denim! I hope to do a review of these when they are released in mid-August

Lana

The Darker Side of Spring

Dark Spring

Jacket: Victoria’s Secret, Bag: Coach, Cardigan: Alternative Apparel, Top: American Eagle, Jeans: Marc Allison, Booties: Delicious

The Darker Side of Spring

With springtime upon us already, I’m always seeing so many newsletters from brands flooding my inbox advertising the usual “pretty spring pastels.” I really am not much of a pastels type of gal…I still have some residual entities of all of my ill-fated style attempts inside me including my gothier stage in high school. That particular being still looks at all the bright colors and resumes her bitchy resting face, unimpressed. On most days, I still like to balance everything out with a little black somewhere in my ensemble. Not always *all* black anymore…I like contrast! I only like bright colors if I’m working out, really. Trends are not my forte and I’m pretty oblivious to seasons, fashion-wise (except for the change of footwear and jackets). The only part of this 2014 spring season that sticks out to me is the interesting upsurge in leather jackets (isn’t that a fall thing? Wait, what did I just say?) that I don’t remember seeing in previous years. Mostly white ones, but I’ve seen a ton of black leather jackets lately as if some fashion industry bigheads decided spring and summer just weren’t good enough to make them split with their love affair with fall and winter. I have a soft lambskin one I got from Victoria’s secret a few years back that I absolutely love, and I’ve found myself wearing it a little more lately too. I found it interesting that amongst those springtime newsletters permeating my inbox, Acne, J Brand and Hudson have all gone against the grain with their own darker looks for spring, and I just happen to love it!

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Lana

Learning Life Lessons from Kids

Learning From Kids

Learning Life Lessons from Kids

Memories constantly cross through my mind from my childhood that consist of running around the house dressed in my mom’s shoes and a Barbie tube top, or sitting behind one of my dad’s old microscopes playing Biologist looking at rainwater that sat in a backyard planter for a few days…like many kids, I just wanted to grow up. I knew of all these things I wanted to be, and that list was endless (well, it kind of is still pretty long). My parents always reminded me, “Hey you don’t want to grow up too fast!” but of course, I was always too busy asking my mother if I could play with her makeup or catch more insects in the creek to really listen. In grade school, we looked up to the 6th graders as people to aspire too (and hide from), and it wasn’t much different in high school when we were freshmen and admired (and hated) the seniors. We are all taught through school that once we grow up, we’ll be set, we’ll be smart and we think we’ll be some kind of superhuman know-it-all once we reach a certain adult age, but now I look back at my parents’ warning and I think we can take the “don’t grow up to fast” concept throughout our lives. It seems to have another meaning now. It’s funny, it takes growing up to realize that we don’t really truly stop growing up.

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Lana

Edie Parker Clutches

Edie Parker Sharks Acrylic Clutch Bag, Ocean Multi

Edie Parker Sharks Acrylic Clutch Bag, Ocean Multi

Edie Parker Clutches

Is it just me or is this the year/season of the statement clutch? A short while ago, I featured the whimsical Charlotte Olympia clutches, and I’ve just stumbled upon another fun eye-opener, Edie Parker. The brand is fairly new, beginning in 2010, and is inspired by 1950s and 1060s clutches often carried by “showgirls and socialites”. All bags are handmade in the United States by craftsmen who pride themselves in quality and integrity.

As a consumer myself, I understand it’s often frustrating to see awesome items on blogs and similar sites, only to click on them to realize the price range is way off from what most of us can afford…but as I stated before, why not see them as art pieces? I certainly do! I don’t have to get angry that I can’t have them in my hands. So, for your adoring eyes, here is more eye candy from Edie Parker:

Edie Parker Ziggy glitter and pearl-effect box clutch

Edie Parker Ziggy glitter and pearl-effect box clutch

Edie Parker Lara textured-acrylic box clutch

Edie Parker Lara textured-acrylic box clutch

Edie Parker Jean Orange Slice Acrylic Clutch Bag

Edie Parker Jean Orange Slice Acrylic Clutch Bag

Edie Parker Flavia Palms Pearlescent Acrylic Clutch

Edie Parker Flavia Palms Pearlescent Acrylic Clutch

Edie Parker Jean Cherries Acrylic Clutch Bag, White/Red

Edie Parker Jean Cherries Acrylic Clutch Bag, White/Red

Edie Parker Flavia Cool acrylic box clutch

Edie Parker Flavia Cool acrylic box clutch

Edie Parker Ziggy glitter and pearl-effect box clutch – Net-A-Porter
Edie Parker Lara textured-acrylic box clutch – Net-A-Porter
Edie Parker Flavia Cool acrylic box clutch – Net-A-Porter
Edie Parker Edie Parker Jean Cherries Acrylic Clutch Bag, White/Red – Neiman Marcus
Edie Parker Jean Orange Slice Acrylic Clutch Bag – Neiman Marcus
Edie Parker Sharks Acrylic Clutch Bag, Ocean Multi – Bergdorf Goodman
Flavia Palms Pearlescent Acrylic Clutch – Moda Operandi

Lana

AYR Ciggy in Dove Wings on Denimology

AYR Ciggy in Dove Wings

Next review is up – The AYR Ciggy in Dove Wings on Denimology!

This is my second installment of my AYR reviews! My last review featured the AYR Skinny in Little Fishes, and here is the AYR Ciggy in Dove Wings review! As mentioned in the previous review, AYR is an amazing new denim brand that answered the shopper’s frustrated call about the “saggy butt syndrome” after a few wears and jeans that are too specific in the types of bodies that they fit correctly. The brand also provides a better online shopping experience by offering free shipping and returns to make it more convenient to find just the right size for you.

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Lana

Dzhavael Couture for All Ages

Dzhavael-logo

Dzhavael Couture

Dzhavael Couture (photos: Ideeli)

Dzhavael Couture for All Ages

Once I find a style or a favorite brand, I don’t think much of ever truly “growing out” of it even if the brand states a limited age range (case in point: American Eagle, I just can’t quit you…). Even if I feel that bizarre yet shameless sense of guilt (does that even make sense?) when I find myself passing by a much younger person on the street wearing the same brand (or even a same piece of clothing), I know it all only comes down to one thing: that I wear what I like, no matter what. I always wonder if there’s ever a brand that truly was conceived with the intention of serving all ages, not just by sticking to an overly basic, bland and neutral product line. A sale on Ideeli today immediately caught my eye because of the brand’s awesome blend of different colors and textures—truly unique—enter Dzhavael Couture (I’m still not sure I know how to pronounce OR spell that one, but who cares!)

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Lana

Making a Difference Through Inspiring Others

Starfish

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement. She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!” The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, “Well, I made a difference to that one!” The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved. – adapted from the Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley

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Lana

Can Fur in Fashion be Ethical?

Animal Fur

Can Fur in Fashion be Ethical?

I mentioned in a past post that you’d never catch me dead wearing fur. Faux fur, sure…but that’s not the point. I live my life trying the hardest I can to waste as little as I possibly can. Of course I care about the inhumane part of the fur trade (I don’t need to get into those details here…a simple Google search can do that for you if you aren’t already familiar with it) more than any other aspect of it, but I also eat meat. Although, a recent article reminded me why I was, in fact, vegetarian for 7 years out of my life between high school and college. I picked meat up again because I grew up enjoying the occasional tri tip or rib feast, and I am plagued with a serious burger fetish. Even though I grew quickly to enjoy the taste of meatless burgers and appreciate how filling a plant-based diet really can be, it was still hard for me to maintain forever (although 7 years…I’m still impressed with myself, and I am seriously impressed with true vegetarians and vegans who are set for life. Respect. That shit ain’t easy). Now, I just try to stay as hormone-free and grass-fed as possible, even more so now after reading that editorial…yuck.

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Lana

AYR Skinny in Little Fishes Review on Denimology

AYR Skinny in LittleFishes

Here’s my AYR Skinny in Little Fishes Review on Denimology!

Hello! Today I’m bringing you a something I am very excited to share with you..an AYR Skinny in Little Fishes review! When we are out there, searching for that perfect fitting jean to call our favorite, we are often lost amidst the myriad of brands claiming to own that perfect fit. In reality, different jeans fit different body shapes! Lately though, most brands are hearing the frustrated shoppers’ call and are re-inventing the wheel with technologically-advanced fabric blends and brand new cuts and precise fits. AYR is one of those brands, who not only was born out of the frustration of trying to find the perfect fit, but also answered the call of an easier online shopping experience by offering free shipping and returns to ease the fear of ordering the wrong size.

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Lana

Breaking Out of the Rain Boot Rut

Rain Boots

Breaking Out of the Rain Boot Rut

Every year I’m tempted to get a stylish pair of rain boots…but they seriously are few and far between. Why? I have no idea. At least, it’s tough to find them in stores. Although, being in California, we rarely get seasons so bad that really warrant a rubber pair of boots to keep our feet dry (unless maybe you live in San Francisco), I always like the idea, because they are so cute…and perhaps because they trigger a slight case of nostalgia — the last time I truly remember making the most of a pair of wellies was when my sandbox would flood when I was a kid, and I’d march around in it in my boots, fascinated by the feeling of being submerged, and yet dry (simple pleasures, you are truly missed).

When looking for cute rainboots, I always run across the same “wellie” style, just with different prints, and maybe an embellishment here and there. They aren’t exactly stylish and only seem to be meant to wear from point A to B, where you’d swap them for something more outfit-friendly if you were meeting someone for dinner or heading to work. So I decided to peruse the net for a bit and find some different styles, because I really think the style world needs to think about breaking out of the rain boot rut a little more. Granted, I think we’re probably done here in California this year, but I figured this might be helpful for some other style-savvy people in areas not so dry…and we still have the spring…come on weather, April showers bring May flowers, right?

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