SOCIAL MEDIA

Friday, February 1, 2013

Street Style - Anna

This one is a little cutie!

Her dress was thrifted as a long sheath and she hemmed it into a sixties, vintage amazement. Her shoes are Seychelles and are timeless and charming something you'd likely see on Zooey Deschanel. Her earrings are made by Shendoe Ceramics. But the sweetness of this ensemble is all Anna.









Et Voila! The finished product!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Street Style - It's me!

I usually pick someone off the street for these posts, hence "Street Style." Plus, I hate visiting fashion blogs where Annabelle X blogs about herself and her awesome clothes. It appears vain and boastful and narcissistic.

But for this one, I'm going to be Annabelle X.  I really liked what I was wearing. Actually I felt like a totally cool hipster chick. The kind I always look at and think,  "Man, I wish I was that cool." Seriously, yesterday, I might have been that cool chick to someone. You know the ones too. The girl who has Little Majorette and Empire of the Sun and Alex Winston, supplemented with The Kills on her play list. The one who exercises regularly at the hip yoga studio that other super hip folks go to. The one that says she'd love to be vegan but can't give up bacon. The one that is craftier than any crafter, craftier even than Martha Stewart's whole staff. You know the one!
I felt that cool; that hip.

I wore a dress from Macy's that's really too big for me. When you look at the pictures you'll probably be like me and say, "Shorter, perhaps." The tights are Italian no name tights with a really cool motif on them. I got them at Marshall's for a bargain but I hope they'll at least last through winter. They're epic. The sweater is a basic black with 3/4 sleeves from Ann Taylor Loft. And the earrings...OH THE EARRINGS. They were my favorite part of the outfit. They were gifted from Granny. And the booties. I wish I had taken a better picture of the booties. It's hard to capture the very turn of the century look of them. They are real "Anne of Green Gables." They're from Anthropologie about 4 years ago. I love them.

Anyhoo. Check it out. Let me know what you think!









Thursday, May 17, 2012

Street Style

So, I went to the 12 year anniversary of Lipstick on Saturday night. Lipstick was a dance gathering that used to happen on Tuesday nights. Looking back on the good times I had as a youngster, I visited again with high hopes. My expectations were far exceeded. And, bonus, Geographer performed!

I threw a pre-party at my house because I live quite close to the Lipstick venue. In through the front door walked this little beauty.

Her name is Stacy and she is among the very few fashion mavens I have in my life! I had to feature her on Street Style. This is a woman who can really put herself together.

We met in an extraordinary way! The story goes that I was returning from a trip to Colorado Springs to visit my oldest dearest friend. As I waited to board the plane I saw a very contemporary woman wearing a cropped sweater, denim and leopard print ballet flats. The shoes had me. I began to dream up scenarios of who she was, what she did and so on...a girl crush I guess - and who can blame me? Look at her!!!

Dress: Mossimo
Earrings: Urban Outfitters
Handbag: Gifted
Boots: Steve Madden

The halo around Stacy in this picture lends an ethereal feel.

That complexion, poise, beautiful coif...

The open, cris-rossed back of this is what made it really special.

There is nothing sexier than a perfectly placed tattoo.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Street Style - The Shady Lady

Although, Kelly McNair is definitely not a "shady lady" per se - she can be found being persuasive to customers to try a couture cocktail that they have never tried or talking with subtle gesticulations about the fried green tomatoes - at the Shady Lady Saloon! She is a hip cat. Just look! It's clear she's a well styled young woman from coif to heel; she can put an ensemble together. And she is so cool. Not the kind of unapproachable cool you remember from high school. She is real cool - the kind of girl that has an exceptional sense of humor - someone with the kind of confidence to say, "My name is Kelly - but you can call me Kiki!" Of course she would say this in coyness with a lilt of her should and turn of her toe and let's face it - she's uber delightful and could totally pull it off.

The Shady Lady is, perhaps, my favorite watering hole in Sacramento. But it's not just that Chris Tucker is mixologist among men - no - it's the whole place. The artwork, the collectables, the painted walls, the "Shady" photos and the cuisine. It's gourmet libations take "The Shady" from kitschy class to absolute destination spot. It's a place I love to take clients, friends from out of town and girlfriends for a night out. Jason, Alex and Garrett have done a sensational job of marrying old time speak easy with modern gourmet. These charms are ever so evident in their staff, their menu and their creativity. Oh, and did I tell you about the performances?

You can articulate Kelly's sweet Street Style yourself. Be sure to visit the links and credit where credit is due!

Urban Outfitter's leather lace up oxfords. Here are others you might like. These too!

Cable textured tights from Forever 21 but you could go a different direction for originality, like this. They have a metallic finish!

It's a lace skort! If you love this then you'll like this!

The lace is so pretty. And the taupe color is so soft. If you could do this these would great with it!

This necklace is so cute. The pearls with the chains and the flowers - love! If you like that perhaps, this might do? Or you could do this! And carry this!

Detail of flower embellishment on Kelly's necklace. She pilfered that necklace from her sister's closet. That is the way to shop!

Gorge! A hair detail. She gets her hair done here in Sacramento by Jessica or in San Francisco at the Grasshopper Salon by Lena.

See! Can't you just hear her saying, "Kiki!"

The entire ensemble. I love that dotted swiss, peach top from forever 21. Here is an alternative. And if you admire kelly as much as I do, then perhaps this is a better choice?


I wish this had come out better. It's difficult to take a very professional photo while you gush over your subject. But this ring really is super cute. It's made by Little Rooms.
My local. The corner of 14th and R Streets.



The repro tin ceiling are among the greatest details. These guys have thought of everything. I wish we had to enter through a phone booth with a password!

Detail of painted wall.

Good old timey saloon stools. Comfortable enough to languor the day away with a cocktail.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Street Style - Happy Birthday, Erin!

Good morning my sweet readers.

I will, in due time, have to create a page dedicated to "Street Style!" I love style - which, by the way does not always adhere to the strict laws of "au courant" couture - and, while I am sometimes stylish, unlike other lifestyle blogs I'd prefer to feature others -- perhaps, in the future I'll post me, too, but for now I'd like to capture the stars I see walking down the street (in homage to one of my heroes - Bill Cunningham of The New York Times) or in this case sitting next to me at the Melody Nail Salon.

I sat getting my nails done in the usual fashion with my usual nail professional, Thuy (pronounced: Twee). As we sat silently, I noticed a young woman sitting to my right. Her hair was sweetly coifed in Hollywood curls, she wore, what I thought was perhaps a couture sweater and next to her were propped a pair of stiletto black boots ("stiletto" as in tasteful pointed heel not "stiletto" as in hooker heel). The color she chose for her fingernails was classic retro red - appropriately festive!

I kept looking at her because she was like a little surprise - you know, like the money the tooth fairy leaves or the unexpected gift from a person you didn't think cared all that much or the temporary tattoo cracker jack prize. I felt a little giddy. I had to say something to her because 30 minutes into my appointment I was continuing to sneak looks at her. She was so adorable (insert French accent)! And if I hadn't said something I am certain she would've thrown down.  Since I merely begged her to be the star of my "Street Style" post she only thought me a wee bit daft! Phew!

Her name is Erin and she has a superlative (Wow! $10, please!) sense of style. She is also kind and, dare I say, pretty! And - BONUS - Today is her birthday! Happy Birthday, Erin,  from Poppies and Paperbacks! And, thank you!

By the way: Don't forget to check me out on La Bottine Couture, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook and the Facebook (if I knew how to use the damn thing there'd be just one, but I don't)!

Erin's hair, her sense of color and eye for tasteful accessories make for a ladylike though edgy ensemble. Sorry about the shadow on her eyes. 

I'll give you one guess as to which design house this sensational handbag lays claim to.

Via Spiga

Tiiffany! (I have them too - obviously Erin and I share a certain panache.)

The rings are Tiffany, also.

Erin's pretty hair and gorgeous Tory Burch sweater (See? It is couture!)

And the ruffled tie waist blouse coupled with the bobble here...so attractive!