Urban Turban

Here is my grandmother's turban in front of the mural recently done by the authors of the Ulysses Guide to the Los Angeles River. Most times I see a turban it’s on some 40’s vamp in a silk robed dress alongside a pool in Bel Air. Recently, turbans have made a comeback in the high fashion world – Prada and Yves Saint Laurent have re-figured the chic head wrap on the runway and Salma Hayek wore one to fashion week in Paris last fall. But the catwalk is a stage and Salma is married to a man with Saudi Arabia money – so it begs the question: how does a normal gal wear a turban? I think this is a sensitive issue and it should be taken on a case-by-case basis. I’ve felt successful (albeit dangerously pretentious in appearance) wearing my turban with an old as shit white undershirt and a pair of J Brands. Maybe I’ll upgrade to a navy dress for a baby shower or brunch and just look plain fabulous.

Rudy Huxtable okay?!?

Sometimes you see something in a thrift store 10,000 times in size 3XL. Then you find it in your own size and you’re deeply drawn to buy it. “I’ve never seen a cerulean cable knit shorts-jumper in size small” – WOW. When I spied this elbow deep in a rounder deep in the San Fernando Valley I felt strangely victorious. My thrift buddy thought this looked flammable but I loved the zippers and decided it made me look kind of cool. I think pairing it with high waisted white jeans was a bit risky– especially because they are Guess knock offs and they spelled 'Pioneer' phonetically as "Pionier." Improper English immortalized on the bum of mom jeans is a fashion "do" in my book - but I'm that kind of risk taker.

If you wanted to keep it more mellow, I’d pair a crazy Cosby sweater like this with a black silk mini dress or any piece you think looks current and has a clean line to it. Next time, I’ll likely look for a cropped knit sweater so I can be sexier a la Denise Huxtable - everyone from All Saints to Vena Cava is doing the cropped sweater/shirt thing now too.

Booze before Shoes

...It's kind of like “bros before hos” in a where-are-your-priorities kind of way. Do you want to get bombed and spill Stoli vanilla down your shootie or do you want to sway left and right for 1 bar of some Rihanna mash-up and then head back to the booth for more bottle service?
Behold the shoes pictured here. On New Years Eve in San Francisco there was rain, a crowded dance floor and a wood slatted balcony to contend with. Even as I shimmied to West African Highlife band, my mind fixated on the well being and proper care of the these flame red ankle boots. A shoe so hot they glowed. A shoe that had me whimper and blush when I unwrapped them in the mail. Sigerson Morrison Fall 2010 and god were they regal - regally slutty – a balance I often strive for and rarely achieve. Anyway, I found myself maintaining a high level of sobriety despite the occasion in order to stay away from puddles, sloppy guests and stairs. It was somewhat Olympic – this commitment to excellence. In this scenario, it was Shoes before Booze. On the other hand, if you’re going to a dive bar to see your best friend's brother's band and he’s channeling early Iggy Pop then by all means you should be in some shit kickers and even a rain slicker for good measure. This would be a Booze before Shoes event. I relegate heels just for bars and clubs – so when Johnny Rotten 2.0 feeds a rum & coke to your right foot – you won’t be too upset. Look for vintage pumps in leather and check Nordstrom Rack for affordable, scuff friendly options.