My new glad.'s

birthday gift from my mom - definitely a home run. i've been drooling over these for ages. does anyone realize how tough it is to find black sandals that are 1) gladiators and 2) look good on the foot and do not clash with all other clothes? dilemma solved.

enter the jeffrey campbell johnny ex in black snake:
they are $69.95 at Nordstrom and also come in a neutral or brown tone. plus they are all adjustable, the top is rather stretchy, and they are comfy. comfy! i have a keeper.

Seriously, what is it with American Apparel?

I have an unhealthy obsession.
My AA count:
3 basic v-neck cotton t's in black, white, heather grey
2 basic hoodies in sunshine & red (the red has still not arrived but i LIVE in the yellow)
1 polyester microfiber tulip skirt in navy
1 double-breasted cardigan in sahara w/ black buttons

and i continually lust after the cardigans. the orchid/charcoal striped one in particular keeps calling my name... and the basic baby rib cardi, or even the shag one.
i'm also dying for a whole set of their light thermals in fluorescent colors (and it's spring.. weird) and the infamous, amazing skater dress. someday i will have it in peach!what is this strange infatuation with a website that screams semi-porn and a company that mass produces basic things that are decidedly overpriced? it seems really emblematic of my generation, or perhaps just my location and my generation, but i swear the more i buy the more i am obsessed and i see everyone else just as infatuated as i am. i don't think of it as a social movement or anything but it has a sense of meaning - sex really sells, we're all done with the logo craze, we want to buy USA-made things without being overly patriotic.
i think we like the way its subversive and kinda creepy and edgy but safely mainstream. and wearable. no one ever says enough about how important it is for something to be wearable.

Maui!

My mom and I stayed at Wailea Ekahi Village in Kihei. Some condos are ridiculously outdated, but you get a nice enough private pool and a fabulous beach. Plus, the Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, and other luxury hotels are about a 15-min beach walk away...
the pics are of our building and the view from our patio (the landscaping was really lush).

Our beach!

View from the Four Seasons restaurant, Ferraro's (best. lobster risotto. ever.):
And finally, we took a drive to Lahaina and ate at The Lahaina Grill - the seafood is just exquisite. Huge recommend; best meal of the trip.
Dress: Unknown
Clutch: Nine West
Sandals: Dolce Vita

Restaurant review: So. Expensive. The poke from the grocery store is amazing. The Four Seasons restaurants are fancy. The Haile-Maile General Store is worth the drive for the decor alone. Love The Lahaina Grill!

Shopping review: Absolutely nothing in Lahaina; don't bother. Wailea Shopping Village is very upscale (Fendi, Gucci, BCBG) and has some other more mainstream shops, but the BCBG store is just gorgeous... the runway collection and the shoes were especially attractive. I ended up getting a few things at the Guess store (white high-waist shorts, flowery chiffon blouse, white eyelet dress).

LookBook: MixMatch

This little vintage-y slip skirt came with a new dress, and I just had to try it out on its own. This is everything wrong - heather grey, cream lace, mustard leather, wood orange, brown - and even a mix of silver and gold accents. But. I kinda like it...

Shirt: American Apparel
Skirt: Odd Molly Uncorporated
Belt: The Jack Rabbit Collection
Shoes: Kork-Ease
Bag: B. Makowsky

and the slip skirt had an adorable waist detailing (although it's a bit big so it looks odd all hoisted up high, but i would try it with a more feminine skirt/shoe combo)

Oh, to be a sailor...

Everyone has a different "nautical" sailor style - some like the stripes, others go for the Peter Pan collar, and everyone piles on the navy and white. And I love classic nautical, too - there's nothing wrong with a sailor dress and brass buttons. But this is what I'd do:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Glitter Dot Jersey Dress
$298 at shopbop (of course)
(Probably the most wearable dress ever)

Pour La Victoire Dominique Woven Platform Sandal
$226 at shopbop
Marc by Marc Totally Turnlock Teri Bag
$428 at shopbop

ok, this shoe/bag combo is pretty much perfect in my book - similar color range but just off-matching enough that it seems thrown together and not over-analyzed. plus, with the dress it brings an earthy edge.

and the jacket was the hardest part to find. i wanted hot pink, but this bright poppy was the best i could find... alternatively muddy brown patent would be neat. with the dress i think you either go loose/sloppy or structured in a bomber-y way so as to not look too prim-proper-perfect.
Monrow Sweater Jacket
$209 at shopbop

And voilá... edgy sailor, thanks to Marc by Marc. perfect for your summer cruise or just dreaming of the salty seas.