Estoy Sonando de Espana

The weather in Los Angeles has been so bi-polar lately.  One minute it's sunny and the next it's freezing rain or the wind is so strong I'm dodging gigantic palm fronds falling from the sky.  Those things look harmless, but have you ever been hit in the head by one?  It still hurts.  And kind of ruins your morning.

Anyway, the unpredictability in weather patterns has me missing warmer climates.  During my regularly scheduled daydreams, I hop on a cloud and journey to Spain.  Once you get a place in your head as the spot you'd like to be, everything reminds you of it.  I can't see the color red or any form of sparkles without picturing  Las Ventas and matador costumes.  Or smell tomato sauce without thinking hard about how ridiculous it would be to try to order take out from Sevilla.  A close but not the same option were these Spanish-style stuffed peppers for dinner the other night (just substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth if you're a vegetarian).  Even Pedro Almodovar's unsettling film, The Skin I Live In, couldn't cure me of my fixation with Espana.  All it did was remind me of all of the beautiful art in Barcelona and Madrid.

I decided some Spanish fashion inspiration might help.  These photos of Auguste Abeliunaite by Hunter & Gatti from the latest Vogue Spain look like they might have been shot in the very place I'd like to press pause on at the moment: the American West.  But, the styling and mood is laid back and sort of flashy with a peculiar juxtaposition of classics and silly trends.  Also known as one hundred percent Spanish.

  

It's really too bad platform booties with shorts and sequins are only work appropriate for streetwalkers.

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

Photos appear courtesy of Vogue Spain via Fashion Gone Rogue

Vintage Advantage: Hot Mess Vintage

While wandering aimlessly through the eastside of Los Angeles (well...let's be honest - the gentrified eastside, meaning Silverlake), I stumbled upon this super cute vintage store, Hot Mess Vintage.  They have a small but carefully curated selection of vintage clothing from the 1950's to the 1980's.  I personally get overwhelmed in stores with too many choices.  Something about having anxiety over missing the Perfect Thing or that suddenly shopping feels like work and I'm never going to finish.  The easy-to-identify organization of the store and the easygoing staff helps combat  this. 

There's even an amazing $15 rack for dresses (seriously!), where I scored these two cuties.  I'm planning on wearing the 1960's flower-bib minidress for Easter.  Since it looks like an old-fashioned Easter egg, it only feels natural.  The sheer pink minidress with silver pinstripes will be perfect this spring and summer.  It reminds me of something Kristi Yamaguchi would've worn to ice skate to Robyn in the 90's.  Which is a roundabout way of saying I think it's really awesome and feminine with a sporty twist to it. 

The attached Hot Mess Coffee and Hot Mess Kids offer a place to hang out on the patio and a spot to score cute vintage kiddie clothes, too. 

Hot Mess Vintage

3318 West Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90026

(805) 208-8541

Your Golden Girl,

Olive


All photos property of VisforOlive.  Do not resue without permission and/or credit of site.

It Turns by Day and Then by Night

I came across these outfit photos from this summer the other day.  While the past few days have been too cold to wear shorts and this cotton bohemian blouse (and by cold, I of course mean California's version of "cold"...57 degrees), there a few Spring trends I can revisit now.  Namely, the neon nails, tribal-inspired jewelry and heels with a natural bottom. 

I'm normally against any footwear selection with the word "chunky" in it's description.  Normally I find that word wonderful - whether it's used to describe my latest sweater obsession, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, or my cat - but for some reason I have never been able to accept the "chunky heel".  Maybe it's because I'm short and can't see the point in wearing something that potentially makes me look even shorter.  Maybe it's because it reminds me of 1996-2000, when everyone's feet looked weird in the "chunky" heels and wedges that were so popular then.  But this option from Aldo reminds me less of that dark era in young womens' shoes and more of the 1970's.  Earthy but still polished enough that I can wear them to work, with a platform for comfort and walkability.  I love throwing these on with jeans, long shorts or skirts and wide-leg pants. 

Top: Vintage; Shorts: J.Crew; Shoes: Aldo; Ring: Gift from Junior Olive; Nail Polish: Sinful Colors Fusion Neon 60

Bracelet: UO; Feather Hairpiece: Venice Beach Boardwalk

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

P.S. - Check out the new site just launched yesterday by VisforOlive favorite, Sew Trendy!

All photos property of VisforOlive.  Do not resuse without permission and/or credit of site.

Current Obsession: Isabel Marant at Paris Fashion Week A/W 2012

I have to say, not a whole lot of things have really caught my attention at Paris Fashion Week this year.  It has been said that in times of economic downturn, fashion becomes more conservative and unfortunately for those of us that love our eccentricty in all forms, but especially in clothing, that sentiment seems to be true.  Of course I loved the frothy skirts at Dior and the flawless neutral, feminine takes on menswear at Sonia Rykiel, but let's be honest...do they ever disappoint?

One standout proving that conservative doesn't have to mean boring is the always lovely Isabel Marant. The designer said she was inspired by the wild west and 19th Century cowgirls ("the way they wore trousers to ride horses with lace shirts").  Marant has an affinity for American history and her designs are reflective of that - with a bit of her undeniably Parisian flair thrown in for good measure.  Anytime a laser cut black leather dress finds its way into a collection, I'll be a fan.  My favorite thing about this collection for A/W 2012 is the cross pollination of styles encompassed in most of the looks: feminine/masculine, tough/soft, chic/rugged, and delicate/durable fabrics.  It's something I admire about all of my favorite Style Icons and try to do with my own wardrobe.

It was hard to choose favorites, but here are some styles I will be admiring come Autumn.  I'm drawn in particular to the basic colors, the short cowboy-esque boots with embroidered details, relaxed fits with nipped in waists, the short swinging hems on the skirts and the blouses that hit at that area just below the hips that's flattering on pretty much everyone.  I also love the styling ideas here, like multiple skinny belts with brass accents, layers beneath blouses and minimal jewelry. 

And if that didn't do the trick, check out the first ever video campaign from Isabel Marant (directed by Cyrille de Vignemont) in which only two pieces of her new collection are shown but the aesthetic of the label is conveyed perfectly.  

That Marant.  She always gets straight to my heart! I'm Obsessed. Intentional capital O.  Aren't you?

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

Photos courtesy of Fabsugar.com.au; Video courtesy of Wanda Productions Vimeo