Vintage tee, American Apparel jeans, Target earrings
Category Archives: Target
It’s Not Farrah
…just a suburban teen-looking interpretation of her appeal.
Target top, Forever 21 shorts, Aldo belt, Payless shoes, anonymous bracelets. High end 4 lyfe.
I love the perforation on these. Are they shoes? Boots? “Shooties?” (Shudder.)
Pearl Snaps, Pearl Studs
I did some reporting yesterday for an article on the Sustainable Food Center’s new East Austin farmers market. They’re doing some great things for people who live in a “food desert” and qualify for government food assistance. I had to skip my usual take-me-seriously blazer and heels combo for this assignment.
What to wear for a gloomy vernal equinox at the farmers market and the library?
Fake pearl earrings, a floral western shirt (from my Goodwill Outlet expedition), Gap grey denim leggings, Wanted tassel loafers, and Jason Wu for Target handbag
Ah, the soft geometry of Jason Wu. Raffia has never looked so proper. It must be the boxy structure and leather piping. I kept the tags on this thing for the longest time, worried I might have to return it to pay for groceries or bills. But I love it more than I hate eating Ramen noodles frequently. The American Dream could never get me like the Vogue Dream can.
For Those About to Rock
Photo by Thomas Allison
Albertus Swanepoel for Target hat – Urban Outfitters top - Forever 21 bustier - vintage necklace - Target belt - vintage shorts
Jessica Lee (of Sparkle and Stripes) kindly featured me in an article about South by Southwest style for The Daily Texan, our university’s newspaper.
I’ll be working a lot during SXSW, but at least I’ll be just a block away from the free, back lot shows at UO. Can’t wait to see the lovely Eleanor Friedberger and Grimes on Saturday. So many choices, so little time.
This Hat is Covered in Fur and Questions
Albertus Swanepoel for Target “Layla” hat, $19.99
Something happened when I was at Target buying shampoo and bakeware. I saw this ridiculous hat, tried it on, and posed awkwardly in the mirror with my coconut Suave and cookie sheet. It was designed by Albertus Swanepoel, who is apparently as good at hats as he is at having a cool name. It looked better than expected. It’s also called the “Layla” hat, which is one letter away from my name (Kayla), just like I was one cognitive process away from self-control. Sign from a higher power, most likely.
I bought it and vowed to return it if I come to my senses.
I don’t think I will.
These photos from Refinery 29 (albeit from two years ago…is it time for a comeback already?) make me think it’s a fashion risk worth taking.
…but the tags, the recipt, and the fact that it’s a big ‘ol furry hat remain.
I’m a Model Sort Of!
Most of these posts are about what I want. This one is about what I have!
Professional photographer Geoff Hammond teamed up with me for an original fashion shoot. He takes seriously beautiful photos. What better way to show off a few of my favorite vintage finds?
DKNY top, Jacobies heels, vintage leather skirt and belly chain (worn as headband).
Nothing says “I’m a writer for today’s young, savvy audience” like posing with my beat-up Royal typewriter. We could have used his (he’s got some great antiques for doing a lot of old fashioned and retro pictures on iStock, but I got this sentimental chunk of metal for my 15th birthday.
Next comes an outfit for all your sophisticated garden party needs. The rain didn’t stop us from taking it outside!
Dolce and Gabbana dress, vintage hat, Geoff’s umbrella.
I’m kind of camera shy. When someone aims their lens at me at a party or something I instinctively just make a weird face. It seems that “unnatural” is my natural state. But Geoff and his lovely wife/assistant Martina were always ready with a joke to loosen me up.
American Apparel dress, Mossimo heels, vintage necklace and cocktail ring.
Check out more of his photography on his website,
www.hammondovi.com, or his blog:
www.hammondovi.blogspot.com
Snow White and the 7 Tanning Suggestions
1. DON’T.
Everyone should wear sunscreen when outdoors for a longish period of time. And don’t pull the Vitamin D card– 15 minutes of exposure is all you need to soak up your daily D (you can also get it from salmon or fortified milk). A natural tan signifies cell damage just as much as a sunburn, even though it looks a helluva lot better. But you know what’s not pretty? Being prematurely spotty and wrinkly. Also ugly: cancer.
Please steer clear of tanning beds. It’s even sillier to actually pay someone else for the destruction of your largest organ. If you’re going to tan, skip the human toaster and do it by enjoying the outdoors. While you’re at it, smoke a few packs of cigarettes, mix some prescription medications, and live a little! (I do mean a little.)
But seriously:
Do a fact check on these things, and it’s no wonder they look like coffins…
MSNBC makes the case for why the “convenient” ultraviolet glow is up there with arsenic: Ouch.
2. FAKE BAKE.
I like being pale. As a redhead, I can accept that a thorough bronzing would look odd on me. I’m not trying to pull a Lindsay Lohan.
I’m sort of a naturalist when it comes to beauty (opposed to plastic surgery, colored contacts, acrylic nails, hair dye/extensions, etc.), but I realize it’s hard to draw the line between why-not? enhancement and becoming an artificial Barbie-droid. A couple summers ago, I picked up a tube of Jergens on a whim and experienced the power trip of being able to conceal the latticework of my veins.
For the 3 hottest months of the year, I prefer not to offend American society with my translucence. A tan makes one look healthier (oh, irony…) and thinner: 2 qualities anyone can appreciate while double-knotting that string bikini.
3. I’LL SAY IT: DON’T SPRAY IT.
Self-tanner requires trial and error. I hope to save you an error by recommending lotions over aerosol sprays. You’re saving the ozone layer from a teeny hole and your body from a whole lotta streaks. I earned my stripes once with some Banana Boat drugstore crap, but online reviews of “celebrity-grade” Sevin Nyne mist confirm that even the pricey stuff is high risk. Lotions, gels, and even foams fill the shelves now, and they’re easier to apply evenly. You’ll have to get your hands dirty…just make sure to wash them immediately afterward, lest ye be caught brown-handed.
Sevin Nyne self-tanner, $35 for the mist, lotion, or a trial size of both at Sephora.
Humorously, this line is designed by the afore-bashed Lohan. But apparently it’s good stuff and smells wonderful. Most products have a reputation for smelling nasty as they chemically alter your epidermis… So, each product will probably smell different from person to person (like perfumes).
4. NOT SO FAST!
Jergens Natural Glow, $7.94 at Target.
This smelled like graham crackers on me.Which is okay, I guess. Everyone likes s’mores.
Products that are formulated to build color gradually over multiple uses are a safe bet. It won’t be very noticeable if you screw it up. Also, these low-dose bronzers are often just enough for the fairest chicks. However, if you want a darker shade and aren’t new to the process, it’s definitely convenient to get a full-effect version so you only have to deal with it once a week tops. Summer is supposed to be leisurely, but who really has the time every few days to do the following?–
5. EXFOLIATE AND HANG OUT NAKED.
Whether you read women’s publications or just the backs of bottles, you’ve seen this tip: exfoliate. But for serious…do it. Salt scrub yourself down. Then dry off. Pin up wet hair. Lightly moisturize knees, elbows, and ankles. Smooth tanner on evenly. Rub it in until absolutely every area gets covered. Don’t dress or touch things or go get the newspaper until that junk is dried beyond a doubt. Resume living your life.
6. RUSH UP YOUR TOUCH UPS
If you want to throw on a pair of shorts and your stems just need a quick fix, this stuff is great:
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, $13.79 at drugstores
II gave my contradictory endorsement to ol’ Lindsay and I’m making an exception for sprays, too. I like the lightest shade (duh), which is less of a tanner and more like a speedy foundation for the legs. Sounds like overkill, but it’s easy and blurs out imperfections like bug bites, bruises, and yeah, fish-belly whiteness. It’s water resistant, so don’t cackle “I’m mmmelting!!!” if it starts raining. But don’t wear it if you’re going swimming, either.
Also, consider a bronzing powder for making sure your face matches your body and for highlighting/blending areas. Physicians Formula makes cakes of the stuff in every shade for a reasonable price.
7. PUT DOWN THE BOTTLE.
People have varying loyalty to fake baking. You may just do it for a certain beach vacation or big event. You may maintain it religiously all season. But please don’t worry about it once the temperature falls below 80 degrees and/or it’s October. An autumn or (gulp) winter “tan” might make your acquaintances ask if you’ve been on vacation. They’re wondering if it was a vacation to Awkward Insecurity Island.
Target Practice
Dears sons o’ bitches, a.k.a. Target superstores,
I didn’t think a mass retailer would need to have supply and demand explained to them. I also didn’t think this dreamy Liberty of London bicycle would sell out by the afternoon of the very first day it was available. You don’t just manufacture, like, 5 of such adorable, old school, flower-covered cruisers at a price that‘s $500 more sane than other comparably stylish models . And you claim to bring affordable style to the suburbs of America? How about you make a $5 donation to Haitian earthquake victims before the giving spirit wears off. And before my social sensitivity comes back.
“Garla” Ladies Cruiser, $199.99 (target.com)
Come on, Target, you’re not Zanzan (a brand selling sunglasses that are more expensive than bikes but have no transportation abilities…and they’re only making 300 pairs of each style). Exclusivity of merchandise should correlate directly to price point or difficulty of mass production…otherwise, it’s just irritating. When I saw a girl at a recent She and Him concert wearing a vintage leather jacket with a wonderously kitsch wolf painted on the back, I sighed for what would never be mine. When I saw this temptress of a bicycle, I thought, “Hey, I could totally buy that.” Wrong. Speaking of She and Him, I bet Zooey DesChanel couldn’t even get her hands on one of these. And it was practically made in her image.
At least I snapped up the 2nd best offering from the Liberty of London collaboration: this bathing suit.
The peacock feather print is trendy, but the cut feels old Hollywood and is ridiculously flattering. It’s been a holy grail of mine (except one that I don’t care that much about) for the past couple years to find a one-piece that’s not solely designed for those of advanced age, pooch, athletic team affiliation, or Mormonism. This baby gives strapless suits having “a bad name” a bad name, but comes with attachable straps anyway! Plus: SOFT fabric (wha?), no chicken fat (muffin top of the boob/armpit area common with tube tops), and it’s one of the few things that work better on short girls. Go out and buy it! Oh wait, it’s sold out.
