Street Style: Amber

NOTE: I am so sorry about my dinky iPhone photos!

Yesterday I was strolling towards my Italian class when I saw a vintage cutie sitting on a bench. When I asked her if I could photograph her, I realized it was Amber, the adorable singer from one of my favorite local bands, Platine! First of all, you guys should really check out this band, they are awesome. Plus, their house show/parites are amaaazing! Second, let's admire her style, shall we? I was immediately drawn to her floral skirt, glasses, and cute shoes. Here's a full body shot:

These vintage frames stole my heart. I recently put prescription lenses into a pair of my own. They are a gift from her granny! I don't care what anyone says, dorky glasses are the greatest!

These are the shoes that this lovely lady was wearing. SO CUTE, right?! I couldn't believe they were Steve Madden! I thought they had been sniped right off of a cute old lady's feet.

I thought Amber and her friend Yiraa looked so sweet sitting on a shady bench eating Krishna. I'm so glad that I stumbled upon them.

Amber wears: Urban Outfitters floral skirt and tank, Steve Madden flats, Vintage glasses.

Yiraa wears: Tee from China, purple acid wash jeans, traffic sandals.

Look out for me at school, I want to take your photo!

Love,

Flavia

Even My Wheels Are Trimmed In Lace:

I'm not sure about you guys, but in my life everything serves as an accessory. All of my appliances, tools, and everyday items are pastel, lace, or ruffled in nature, be it a coffee machine, clip-board, , pens, or a bike. I don't know what it is but when simple things come in a cute color or pattern, it makes going on with everyday tasks all the more pleasant.

My bike is one of my most treasured possessions. It is a gift from my sweetheart, a project that we started before we were even an "item", and has evolved into one of my loveliest and most fun belongings. It started out as on old, unwanted bike, and is now a cupcake on wheels. It had been a while since I wanted a top tube protector, because people at our campus bike racks really seem to lack any courtesy. It is really hurtful to knock over and scratch someone else's bike for the sake of parking your own, don't you think? Anyway, that is what inspired me to do this little DIY project, and it ended up turning out rather wonderful. Here's a peek at my bici with its new accessory:

I wanted it to be girly, of course, and I was so lucky to find this LACE-printed plastic to layer over a deep purple. The foam interior protects my pastel paint job from evil.

Close-up of the print. Isn't it darling?

A special thanks to my favorite sewing partner, I couldn't have completed this without you! Don't you guys agree that it's the little things that put a smile on your face? Another secret, yet endearing detail about my top-tube protector: the velcro that closes it together is bright pink : )

Let me know if you'd like any details about the DIY project itself. It was a little difficult because we basically had to wing it. Hope you enjoyed this post! Much more to come...

Love,

Flavia

Friends of the Library Book Sale:

This is the first year I've gone to the Friend's of the Library book sale (off North Main St behind the Junior League thrift store) and I'm pretty pissed at myself for it because it's like heaven for book lovers. I can't believe I only have one more to attend in the spring and then I'll never get to go again. Anyway, I picked up a good number of books that I'm pretty excited about reading. I don't care that this has nothing to do with fashion because I get asked about books constantly. So here's what I got:

This is a beautiful old copy of The Stranger. I really love old copies of books. This one and the Vonnegut book are actually from The Humane Society thrift store in Ocala, which I got for 40 cents each. Yeaaah

Pictured from right to left:

• Jailbird by Kurt Vonnegut (never even heard of it but Vonnegut kills)
• The Fuck-Up by Arthur Nersesian (obv it's gonna be good)
• The Average American Male: A Novel by Chad Kultgen (super raunchy as you could imagine by the title)
• Vox by Nicholson Baker
• Sold As Is by Kal Rosenberg
• Filth by Irvine Welsh (think Trainspotting...don't read if you want an easy read)
• The Pornographer's Poem by Michael Turner
• Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates by Tom Robbins
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel (one of those books I just feel like I have to read to understand popular literature)
• Microserfs by Douglas Coupland (I've also read JPod by Coupland, which was great. He writes about techy geeks when PCs first became popular in the early 90s)
• The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
• The Stranger by Albert Camus

I bought so many (and want to go back to buy more) because they were each $2 and under. Kind of a big deal considering most books are about $13 each. So if you haven't gone, GO. Or wait until Wednesday when everything is a dime and you can go buck wild.

Let me know if you're reading anything interesting these days or would like other recs.

Hearts,

Leah

Effortless Beauty:

You know, every day I pretty much dress like a maniac. I pile on tons of jewels, ruffles, and the shiniest shoes that I can find. But it is really the girls who are so effortlessly chic who I envy the most. You know, those girls who can just pull their hair back, wear a classic top, skinnies, minimal jewelry, and look like a stunner. I caught Ching-Ya Ni out of the corner of my eye and couldn't help but ask for her photograph. She just looked so cool and naturally beautiful. Take a looksie:

Ching-Ya Ni wears: basic button-up, Forever21 high-waisted jeans, Aldo flats, Urban Thread hobo bag, and Forever21 sunnies.

My heart also skipped a beat over this girl's marshmallow-white manicure! I need to try that out! I was so happy at how eager Ching-Ya Ni was about being photographed for the blog. It really makes me weak in the knees when people embrace fashion and want to gush about it until they're late for class. To my petite beauty: you really made my day!

With Love,

Flavia

School Cool:

Everyday as I rush from class to class, dodging people on my bike and dorkily dropping all of my things on the ground, it can really be a breath of fresh air to see someone who put caring thought into their outfit. I know that for me, getting dressed in the morning is a special treat, the calm before the storm, as my weekdays are typically so hectic. A polka-dot romper or a pearl collar can really make the news of a pop quiz or an upcoming project a bit lighter on my shoulders.

Well, today as I was rushing out of Italian class, I saw Lauren sitting by the library and I thought that she really had a look of her own. The little details like her feather earrings, pompom flats, and teeny vest are what drew me to her. Plus, I was amazed at how budget savvy this girl was! Check her out:

Lauren Wears: Ray Ban Sunnies, H&M Vest, Walmart Tee, Forever21 Skirt, and Gap flats.

Can't we all just dress up for school every now and then? Thanks for letting me attack you with my camera, Lauren! Just so you guys know, I'm constantly lurking for cuties around school to photograph. I really want to boost the street style aspect of our blog, so if you see me with my hot pink bike, don't be shy! Hope to bump into you soon!

Love,

Flavia

Furries:

This update is a bit random, I apologize.

A while back I bought this wonderful faux-fur jacket at Urban Thread. I absolutely love it! This past weekend was surprisingly chilly and my jacket kept me warm and cozy throughout the ordeal. The satin bow is lovely because you can tie it with an over-sized bow, a mini bow-tie, or the ribbons can flow loosely. I think it channels both a 50s vixen and Lil Kim.

I have also fallen for a wonderful vintage accessory that I wish was still common today: Vintage Shoe Clips! They are simple in theory, but add such beauty to your flats and heels. I'm hoping to make some of my own. They take your shoes from this....

To this! So pretty, right? These are lovely mother-of-pearl with gem details.

The long weekend gave me a lot of time to do some serious thrifting and sewing. I adjusted so many skirts and dresses, I'll be posting those very soon. I have lots of ideas in the works right now, but I'll have to keep them secret until everything is set in stone. There's a chill in the air so hopefully I can post some lovely street style looks this week!

Readers, are you out there? Let us know what you've been thinking of the blog and what you'd like to see more of!

xoxo,

Flavia

Night Life:

Due to academic obligations, my being born in 1989, and sheer exhaustion, I haven't been going out very much lately. For the most part I've been seeking relief by thrifting, making girly crafts, and modifying vintage finds into modern beauties. Since we were so fortunate to have a long weekend, I figured I deserved a break and decided to step out last night in full "geek chic" attire. We went to this fabulous house party where the theme was anything GLBT. Of course there were some amazing outfits. I only had the bright idea to start photographing by the end of the party, but I did capture some sweet looks. Here's a peek:

Agnes and I were a nerd "couple"

I think Andrew won the award for best outfit

My buddy Sam, he knows mesh is in for fall.

Alex and I love blazers. And no, we're not sisters.

I'm newly stalking Sara, I loved her hair and this leather backpack!

Girlfrienz

Obsessed with leather and lace

A cute couple pic was necessary

All in all it was a great night, and I'm totally embracing the mini cold front happening here in Gainesville. I was wearing a fun mix of vintage and new pieces. My blazer, blouse, and oxfords are from Urban Outfitters, my hot pink trousers, beaded bag, and belt are vintage. Oh, and I merchandised the outfit up with geek glasses and vintage cardigan clips! Readers, you have a lot to look forward to! I've been modifying tons of clothing and have several projects coming up. Give us some feedback on what you'd like to see.

Love,
Flavia