In desperate need of a friend? I have just the right plump little porker to call your new BFF. Yup, designer Christy Robinson has done it again. It amazes me how her shiny show stoppers both steal my heart and also stir my activist spirit. My latest lust is the Flocked “Friend Not Food” Pig Necklace, crafted from recycled aluminum. Soft to the touch, the flocking flaunts synthetic fuzz, as opposed to actual animal fibers.
[$45 at christyrobinsondesigns.com]
Didn’t get the subtle film reference, did ya? It’s ok, I don’t blame you if you’ve never seen Thumbsucker – Keanu can be an instant turn-off. But if you can conquer your fear of potentially poor acting, you really should give the indie flick a chance. Anyway, awkward movies aside, on to the pun – as well as the point. I was never really into accessorizing with a watch, probably because most of them are buckled on by leather bands – and that’s an even bigger turn-off. Luckily, Normal Watches offers something out of the norm – plastic timepieces that don’t look as cheap as they actually are (around $20 bucks). My fave model sports the offensive slogan, “When did Rock ‘n’ Roll become so fucking boring?” I’d say probably after the untimely death of grunge god Kurt Coabin. At least Courtney still rocks it. I bet she’d rock this sweet watch too.
Back in the early ’90s, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were not only considered the king and queen of alternative rock, but likely a match made in fashion hell. While she swooned over unappealing vintage, babydoll dresses, and smeared on makeup, Kurt kept it mainstream in the “anti” sort of way with grungy t-shirts and flannels. Being a die-hard, overly obsessed Courtney fan, I can image nothing more lovely than re-inventing her shocking look - vegan style!
One can’t even attempt to replicate it without starting off with a mess of fried-out blonde bombshell locks. While bleach is most unnatural, and far from eco-friendly, Manic Panic offers an awesome “Lightning” bleach kit that they swear contains no animal ingredients and is tested on celebs instead of animals. To finish off your new do, nothing says “riot grrrl” better than baby barrettes. Ultra girly bows are sweet, but why not get a little catty – and go a little faux – with leopard print ones from Pin-Up Girl Clothing. The next step requires even more application and an unsteady hand. No one rocked those red lips and smokey eyes quite like Court. And it’s doubtful anyone ever will, but if you’re up for giving it a go, try Urban Decay’s vegan lipstick in Revolution Red and their Smoke Out eye pencil. Lastly, the Millie Dress from Rebe Designs merge both of her signature styles – babydoll and vintage, but unlike many vintage finds, no real silk was used. So, you can rest assured there’ll be no silkworm labor suits here.
Either way, whether she’s keeping it kinderwhore, going glam, or edging towards animal-friendly, Courtney’s still a solid style icon in my mind – and now my blog.
No, I’m not talking about Chelsea Handler’s vertically-challenged sidekick Chuy. Although, he is quite the little nugget! In fact, the plump little peep I’m referring to is clearly not a nugget, as this chickadee ring charmingly states in sterling. (Matching bracelet and necklace are also available.) Designer Christy Robinson has an entire collection of kitschy little accessories of this sort that I just can’t get enough of. Be on the lookout for more of her jewelry for future feature in my “Chinese New Year” series of posts.
[$45 at christyrobinsondesigns.com]
Ed Hardy – we all recognize the infamous brand. Some of you cool kids may even know the sweet story behind the legendary tattoo artist, Don Ed Hardy, for whom the line was named. Anyone who catches a glimpse of me on a regular basis can easily attest to my serious addiction to this signature label. It comprises the majority of my once-well-rounded wardrobe. While it may just be a passing trend for some, it’s definitely left a permanent dent in my closet – surprising considering many of the items from the Ed Hardy collection are hardly animal-friendly. While I take refuge in comfy cotton tees and luxe loungewear, I find myself sorely disappointed whenever I browse their seasonal accessories line-up. Everything from bags to bracelets is completely overwhelmed with leather. Even canvas covered clutches sport a touch of leather detailing or an unsympathetic strap.
But today, I have found the Holy Grail of the Ed Hardy handbags. The City Burner Birmingham Hobo ditches cow hide for durable nylon fabric without sacrificing the ever-present Ed Hardy sass and edge. Plus, its perfect size means I’ll be putting it to everyday use. This purchase not only makes a delightful new addition to my stash, but also reaffirms my love for the label.
Dear Christian A.,
I’ll never doubt thee again.
Signed,
Obsessively Yours
[$114 at ebags.com]
Icons like James Dean, The Fonz, and Danny Zuko have all donned one. So why couldn’t I? Slipping on a leather jacket instantaneously warrants you a brand new bad-ass attitude. But did cool really have to mean cruel? Definitely not. Or so I thought. My quest for the perfect leather-like jacket was perhaps the most arduous must-have fashion task I’d ever set for myself. I mean, let’s face it, I can’t even count the ways poorly done pleather can go so very, very wrong. I even uncapped my budget, hoping to expand my search a little further. But after sifting through dozens of designer digs and sites like TheFind.com, I was spent – while my cash, on the other hand, was not. But then it happened. I found my steal in the unlikeliest of stores. dELiA*s has always been my go-to guide for denim and tees, but I never expected to find such a luxe looking item as their Ashton Pleather piece. As I gave it the once-over – cropped sleeves, an off-center zipper, and brassy buckle – I knew I had found the one.
[$69.50 at delias.com]
Once you slip these slithery peep-toed flats on, you won’t want to shed these babies. They’re perfect for summer and are far from a boring basic with their sassy criss-cross weave. With a wide selection offered, you can opt for the super synthetic brown snakeskin replicas or the slightly more subtle black ones. Both pairs come loaded with scale-free style.
[$29.50 at oldnavy.com]
