FASHION DOPPELGANGER/VENA CAVA V F21

I was so excited when I discovered the ladies behind Vena Cava were writing a blog – I’ve be a devout reader ever since.  Their dresses are always my favorites as they mix luxury with bohemia.  I may practice crystal magic but you won’t catch me wearing patchouli!  If that made any sense to you then you probably know why I love them so much.  Plus they’re from the town [South Pasadena] over from me.

Being sick all day today allotted me a little time to peruse my favorite online shops including Forever 21.  There was one particular dress of their’s that stood out right away.  Cute? Yes. Inexpensive? Yes. Vena Cava inspired? Definitely. A little too inspired? You tell me.

I wonder what Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock think.

LABELS: Fashion Doppelganger, Forever 21, South Pasadena, Vena Cava, Woodstock Handmade Houses

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JUNE GLOOM

It is almost summer and I’ve been thinking I could afford to add a couple of non-black pieces to my clothing rack.  Luckily tonight I came across some stylish white + cream garments and simply couldn’t help myself.  I promise I am being more frugal – I swear!  But these things were too cute to pass up and since I was at Forever 21 I knew it wouldn’t put much of a dent in my new savings plan.  Did I rationalize this purchase too much?  Maybe, but these look even better in person.

What a night.  I took my tour of Equinox gym [I joined], looked at graduation announcements, ate some delicious lavash wraps and bought some clothes.  All after work no less!

LABELS: Forever 21, June Gloom, Summer Fashion, Summer Whites, Vena Cava

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VENA CAVA

image via The Pipeline

Vena Cava for the GAP. I DIE.

LABELS: GAP, South Pasadena, Vena Cava, Vena Cava for GAP

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TOO HOT

It was so hot in L.A. today!  Luckily for me, UCLA is just minutes away from Santa Monica and the ocean breeze can be quite refreshing.  After class I had no desire to go back home to 101 degree weather.   Boyfriend and I hopped in the car and drove to the beach.  I’d been wanting to do some thrifting in Santa Monica and I am so glad I did because I picked up these OZBEK pants!  [Bio & style.com]  Even though it is too incredibly hot to wear them, they surely have a place on my clothing rack.

After acquiring some thrift goodies we were famished and drove over to Real Food Daily.  Not only is that one of my favorite eateries, but it is the place my boyfriend and I ate the day that marks our anniversary.  Five years.  Then off to Wasteland we went, where I discovered two amazing dresses.  Moschino & Vena Cava, but both size 0.  Hilarious – I don’t even think I know a size 0 – those girls just haven’t made it into my circle yet.  Nonetheless, they were being sold for amazing prices and in great condition.  I took these photos so you could all sigh with me.  Lastly, I have found my summer sandal.  Thank you Jeffrey Campbell.  You can usually find me in heels but I truly needed a flat for the many adventures I am planning for this summer.  I cannot wait.

LABELS: Jeffrey Cambell, Los Angeles, Moschino, Ozbek, Real Food Daily, Santa Monica, Summer Sandal, Thrift Stores, U.C.L.A., Vena Cava

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Alexander the Great

Last night marked the fifth annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund dinner in which Alexander Wang was chosen the worthy recipient. He’ll take home not only top honors, but pocket change worth $200,000 and a year’s worth of mentoring.

Coming in runner up were Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava, who the Fashion Intel has exclaimed their undying love to.  Plus, they’re from my ‘hood in the SGV.  They’ll take home $50,000.

It seems like us Californians have the perfect touch! From San Francisco to South Pasadena, this year our designers have ruled fashion. [Read more on designers who are California Natives here, & more on CFDA at WWD]

All Wang garments pictured can be found over at La Garçonne [a favorite of mine!]

LABELS: Alexander Wang, California Love, California Natives, CFDA Winner, Vena Cava

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California Dreamin'

What do all my favorite designers have in common?  THEY ARE ALL FROM CALIFORNIA! I have anticipated this entry because I feel like this fact too often goes under the radar.  What we do hear is that L.A. Fashion Week is a joke [mostly true] and that NYC is the fashion capital of the world.  Well, where would that city be without all of our California natives?

California, particularly L.A., has received a bad wrap in regards to its fashion choices, but there is no denying that these talents have made the Fashion Intel proud.  In addition, I would like to point out that some of the best fashion bloggers, Because I’m Addicted, Chictopia, Diabolina, Fashion Toast, Karla’s Closet, Taghrid and That’s Chic are ALL California girls.

Now that fashion month is winding down, I wanted to share which looks inspired me during New York Fashion Week from my favorite [Californian] designers.  You can count that this Spring [I know Winter hasn't even started!!!!] I will be wearing my hair in a bun and touting ruffles, black, gray and bondage heels.

Here is a breakdown, if you were wondering more specifically where these designers came from: Vena Cava [South Pasadena], Erin Fetherston [Piedmont, UC Berkeley grad], Jenni Kayne [Los Angeles], Phillip Lim [Westminster, Long Beach State Grad], Rodarte [Nor Cal, Pasadena, UC Berkeley grads], Alexander Wang [San Francisco]

LABELS: Alexander Wang, California, California Love, Erin Fetherston, Jenni Kayne, Phillip Lim, Rodarte, Vena Cava

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Gossip Girl, The Serena Always Rises

Fashion Intel here,

Sorry I did not report on Gossip Girl fashion last week, but as always the girls and boys were dressed up to the nines.  Last night’s episode was not only fabulous because it was fashion week, but so much drama ensued that I almost shed a tear for Chuck. The story lines are becoming better every week!  I have never particularly cared for Serena, so I look forward to her demise.  What I’d love to see is a new dynamic duo in Blair and Jenny.  We’ll see…..here are my top Gossip Girl fashion moments.

1. Blair wearing a pilgrim bow.  I’ve got to find a uniform store.
2. KIKI SMITH shout out.  Feminist artist, another point for GG.
3. I love that high-schoolers are reading WWD.  I once had a subscription and met with West Coast Editor Marcy Medina for an internship.  That obviously didn’t work out, but I think I’ll send her an email.
4. Kristen Dunst is sooooo 2007.  Poor Kiki.
5. Nice ascot, Chuck Bass.  Or should I say Charlie Trout?
6. No one wants to be stuck behind the barricades with PETA at fashion week, well, unless you are a member of PETA.  Check out their many campaigns over at PETA.ORG, as my Paris Vogue fur post got me on their list.  I subscribed to their newsletters when I was in Amnesty International – I get it.
7. “Marc [Jacobs] is going to eat his grunge corduroys.” Eleanor Waldorf, faux designer of Lorick.
8. “Models aren’t the brightest bulbs.”  Says Blair Waldorf.  Have you met Lily Cole?
9. Driving Marc Jacobs to drink! NOOOOOO!!!!
10. Andre Leon Talley loved the dress.  Enough said.

There were so many Marc Jacobs shout outs and disses, I lost count.  For good measure, I’ll say 10.  How many did you hear?  EXTRA BONUS: I caught some of the names on Eleanor Waldorf’s seating chart, here is a tiny taste: Micheal Kors, Lydia Hearst, Tory Burch and Tyra Banks.  I’ll take 2 of the 4, you can be the judge.

From L to R: Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Bow applique sweater $530, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Velvet bow top $745, Forever 21 Gathered Chiffon Rose Headband $3.80, Vena Cava Imperial Dress $598, Forever 21 Classy Pearl Necklace $7.80, 3.1 Phillip Lim Dress

LABELS: Blair Waldorf, Blake Lively, Gossip Girl, Gossip Girl Fashion, Leighton Meester, Marc Jacobs, Phillip Lim, Serena van der Woodsen, Sonia Rykiel, Vena Cava

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Pending Purchase / Vena Cava

This past weekend I ventured over to the Americana in Glendale to use my birthday gift certificate at Barneys Co-Op.  I had my eye on a ruffled 3.1 Phillip Lim skirt, and since that store is always empty and I have never seen anyone buy anything in there, I knew my skirt would be patiently waiting for me.  WRONG. 

Everything else was still in its place, but my skirt disappeared.  It’s now off their website too!  Luckily, the VENA CAVA rack satiated my fashion desires.  Their purple tired petal dress was to D-I-E for, and when I received my Barneys catalog in the mail yesterday I was reminded how much I want it.  I can’t imagine it flying off the shelf at the Americana, so should I wait?  Or might I face another fashion disappearance?

LABELS: Barneys Co-Op, Barneys New York, Fashion, Purple, Vena Cava

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