It's Not About Pretty

Photos Ian Logan OK. I had to do it. Skateboarding down the closed 405 FWY. Yes it was fun, yes it was scary (helicopters were flying overhead, & police had the place on lock down) yes it took us hours to find a spot and do it quickly. And I was very safe – look at the first photo – I totally look to my left so I can merge with traffic! And YES, I am insane. Deal with it.      P.S. Do you love my new pink Vans?  Thought so.  

Photos by Julian Bleeker And you thought all the rad skater girls where hiding? Nah, you just have to know where to look.  HELLO, SKATER GIRL , a new book featuring some of the most amazing female skaters (Lizzie Armanto, Allysha Bergado, Amee Jay Papelera, Nora Vasconcellos. Justyce Tabor, Mimi Knoop, Carleigh Samson, Abby Zsarnay and Amelia Brodka) is out now in limited release. Get it while you can, because I hear they are going fast and when it’s gone it’s gone.  

Some days it’s not about having a styling job where I make things “pretty” –  some days it’s about making things “pretty bitchin”. I’m working on a magazine cover shoot where the guy skater needs to look very 1970’s. So I decided that besides tracking down some old school OP shorts, Hang Ten & Lightning Bolt tee’s, puka shells, striped athletic socks, etc. etc.  I’d also take some Vans (Thanks Van’s !!) and distress the hell out of them to make the shot even more 70’s authentic.  Vans are the one thing you can never seem find in thrift/vintage stores, because seriously, who ever purges their Vans?? No one … Spent hours and hours this weekend working on these babies and I think they are just about perfect now for Monday nights shoot. They kind of take me back to my youth… Good memories.  Can’t wait to show you the magazine cover when it comes out! P.S. Thinking perhaps I should do a pair for one lucky reader (custom made in their size) as a give-a-way in the near future.. hmmm   Goo

While I was in Indiana last week on that 7 day shoot, I was lucky to work with one of my best friends in the industry – hair & make-up artist Renee Parenteau . I had to post this as she showed up straight from her long flight looking super hot in a new pair of H&M red jeans,  a cute layered sweater, sparkly flats,  and that rad over sized Mini Cooper (yes, like the car) bag . The girl has serious style!  I on the other hand was running around prepping 24 racks of clothes while wearing slouchy boyfriend jeans, flip flops and a simple white tee. Yeah, she had me beat in spades. So jealous. xo

The girls and I literally got off the plane and saw a huge sign telling us about Fashion’s Night Out here in Indianapolis. Turns out its happening 2 blocks from our hotel and right above where we were going out for dinner. Needless to say we had to stop in for a few minutes and see how the Indiana girls (and guys!) we’re celebrating. People could not have been nicer to all of us and we had a great time hanging out and taking some shots. Thanks Indiana – you made us LA girls feel right at home!

Went to the Stylehaus fashion show featuring the debut of the MAXFOWLES collection this past week. Held on a warm summer night  poolside at The Mondrian Hotel with performance art team, The Bumby’s, giving their “fair and honest appraisal” of your look (did you dare?) and the legendary James Goldstein in attendance it was an awesome night. Loved the fashion from MAXFOWLES, right up my alley for fall. I only wish I could have stayed out later for all the great people watching, but it was a “school” night for me. Next time. Thanks to Marina Monroe from Stylehaus for the invite!

I don’t usually do food posts but having dinner at Asia de Cuba the other night changed my mind. The scallops were to die for and that watermelon x rum drink made my whole week seem so much better. Funny how sometimes that’s all it really takes…

Thursday night rocked. Took my ass away from the beach and up to The Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood for a fashion show by Stylehaus. Warm summer evening, dinner by the pool, fashion show, drinks, great people watching, and the frigging BUMBY’S!!  The Bumby’s are this cool writer team that comes to fashion parties, they sit in front of their typewriters, wigs & hats on, bandanas across their faces, sunglasses & headphones  – it’s a cool look and a bit intimidating. They never say a word, they  just look you up and down and start typing away while they give you “a fair and honest appraisal of your appearance”.  Unnerving to say the least.  Ian’s appraisal was the best. Mine – hmmm…. I’ll let you guys be the judge of that. Oh, and I finally got to meet fashionista  James Goldstein (you have seen him at every great fashion show in Paris as well as all the Laker games sitting courtside) up close & personal. Bummer was I was wearing Chloe studded Suzzane boots, a Raquel All