It has finally grown a bit chilly in Los Angeles. Since we never seem to fully dive into winter weather here, a heavy winter coat isn’t always necessary. But who can resist—especially with these cuties that I found on Polyvore.
Up until about, mmm, sayyy, four years ago, I had huge boobs. Like, HUGE. But it’s not like I was enjoying some super hot Sophia Vergara-like existence. Life was not about looking curvacious and cute in sexy clothes. No—my back and shoulders were constantly in pain at the end of each day, when I would have to lie down and give my body a rest from the extra weight I was carrying around on my chest.
Ever since they cropped up at the age of 13, my boobs were a constant hazard. It was awkward being so young with such an adult physique. There was a lot of staring and teasing in school, and I didn’t know how to handle this “development” much better than anyone else knew how to ignore it. What made it even more of a challenge was being required to wear a uniform everyday that included button-down shirts, and as ladies with big boobs will tell you—button-downs are impossible. You have to buy them big enough to not bust open, and at that point you look like you’re wearing a garbage bag. SO FREAKING FUN, let me tell you.
Anyway, clothing was a constant challenge. Most shopping trips ended in tears because I just wanted to look cute and dainty like my friends, but it just wasn’t going to happen. There weren’t a ton of options then besides just buying bigger (too big) clothes. Finally, in 2009, after talking about it for years, I had a breast reduction and went from about an F cup (by this time, my boobs had continued to grow since high school and college, when I had been a DD) to a modest C cup. After some weight loss, I’m now a B cup and couldn’t be happier—it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
But, this post is for those big-breasted women whose pain I felt. I wish I’d had a resource when I was in high school on the best chest tamers. For those who are lucky enough to be able deal with this problem with today’s technology, below are some links to help with everything from clothes to bras to bathing suits (and, of course, the Sophia Vergara collection).
Ingredients:
Step 1: In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes or until broth is absorbed.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk the lemon, rice vinegar, olive oil, curry powder and salt.
Step 3: Mix all ingredients together. Drizzle with dressing (step 2) and toss. Salad!
After a bit of fog, it turned out to be a beautiful morning for a training run. We’re on week two of our training schedule for the L.A. Marathon (March 9), and we blasted through 5 miles this morning. I’m doing some adjusting with my pre-run dinner and morning-of breakfast to figure out what works, and I’m thinking next week I’ll try a banana before running. Does anyone out there have some suggestions on what you like best before a morning run? I’d love your advice!
Ugh, I’m bored. I’ve been stuck in a rut with my daily routines for a while, and it’s time for that to change. Mostly, I’ve been wearing the same clothes over and over and over again.
Now, I can’t exactly afford to go on some wild shopping spree, but I can liven things up. I always recommend investing in slightly pricier, but much nicer pieces that will last forever, but in situations like this, we can take a pass on that advice.
I love heading to Forever21 and H&M to spice things up. So cheap! So cute! But I’m not really talking about the clothes. I’m talking about the accessories. They will doll up your drab outfit in an instant! Pictured are some of the gems I’ve found recently.
What do when you find yourself in a fashion rut?
Have you guys tried this? I’m all about the 5k, they’re a great, quick workout, lots of fun and spirit and you get a t-shirt (admit it—that’s half the reason we do this!). I did a Run or Dye 5k and it was pretty fun, save for the volunteer who through the green powder directly into my eyes (less fun). I snapped some photos, below, including one of myself and the hubby.
Smoothies tend to tread on dangerous ground: Some are super healthy, packed with fruit and other yummy, healthy ingredients. But others—usually the ones you buy at the grocery store or Jamba Juice—are packed with sugar (and not the natural, found-in-fruit kind). My favorite smoothie is homemade, simple and yummy.
Ingredients:
Step 1: Throw it all in the blender.
Step 2: Blend until smooth, throw in a couple of ice cubes.
Step 3: Pour into a fun glass and enjoy!
Here’s the thing about Los Angeles Fashion Week: It doesn’t exist. At least, not in the traditional (and much more respected) format that we have come to know from Mercedes-Benz fashion weeks in New York, Paris and the like.
But it did exist at one point, most recently in 2008, when Mercedes-Benz, IMG and Smashbox studios were on board and uniting the industry in L.A.
Since those three left the scene, there hasn’t been an official fashion week. Style Fashion Week L.A. has come close, and Concept L.A. isn’t far behind, but we don’t have anything that really puts us on the map of “must-attend” runway shows. To sum it up politely: No one cares about LAFW.
This is a large part of why I started Fashion Maven Los Angeles; there are plenty of talented Los Angeles-based designers, and they deserve to be highlighted, singled out, shown as unique.
But others have their own reasons why LAFW isn’t influential in the industry (to the point where we’re almost a joke). Writing for Los Angeles Magazine, Linda Immediato points out:
“The idea behind fashion week is to create a platform for designers to present their collections to buyers who enable supply and to media editors who selectively create demand. And let’s forget for a second that, when it did happen, L.A. Fashion Week took place a month after designers have already shown in NY, Paris, London, and Milan and that buyers have by now already bought and editors have already published their trend reports. Some critics have argued that an LA Fashion Week can’t help but be irrelevant because of when it did/would fall in the calendar. Nowadays, some West Coast designers show in NY and then go to Project or Magic in Vegas to show their collections to West Coast media and buyers there, though the clothes hang on racks instead of models and the vibrancy and excitement of a runway show is missed.”
Be sure to read her entire article, because she hits the needle on the head. But not all hope is lost. There are plenty of great things about our unofficial fashion week. Though it’s rather fragmented, this leaves plenty of opportunity and time to attend shows. Plus, we use models who lean more toward the California aesthetic: curvy, tan and happy. No grumpy, hungry facial expressions here.
Tell me—what do you think about LAFW and how do you wish it could be different (if at all)?
Finally! Fall is here! For most of you, it arrived weeks ago along with red and orange trees and maybe even an early dusting of snow. But here in L.A., today finally feels like the day that fall has taken root, with (slightly) chilly weather, shorter days and palm trees that stay the same color year-round.
So, it’s time to transition your summer wardrobe into fall. For us on the left coast, that means dressing for weather that is in a weird in-between, goldilocks kind of stage: not too hot, not too cold—just right. It’s easier than it sounds, though, and you only need three items that to make a huge—a whole season’s worth—of difference.
Let’s start with my (and probably everyone’s) favorite: boots! boots boots boots! They are so easy and make every outfit cute with just the right amount of sexy. Boots are perfect over jeans or tights if you’re working with a skirt, all of which you have left from your summer wardrobe. They go to work, they go to the bar, they go on dates. Just go get some boots! This year, I chose Valletta black boots with a little hardware from justfab.com. These are just to-the-knee boots, but the big trend this fall will be over-the-knee boots, so don’t be afraid of a little bit of the dramatic.
For the past few years, we’ve all been wearing the usual black blazer, maybe sometimes venturing into navy or white or even a tuxedo fit. But this season, let’s try something new with a patterned blazer like this one from Asos, or maybe one with leather accents from Yigal Azrouel.
You’ve heard me sing the praises of the Cambridge Satchel before, that’s no surprise. But it doesn’t have to be from Cambridge; Topshop has a really cute one in vinyl. Or, if you have money to burn, 3.1 Philip Lim has an adorable Pashli satchel that is just the right size.
Here’s the good news: You’ve got a lot (a lot) of options for choosing what trends to incorporate into your wardrobe this fall. Possibly too many? Eh, no matter. This season’s looks are so varied that you can wear multiple trends with one piece of clothing. But don’t go overboard—as fun as it is to be on trend, it’s even better to take just a little bit of trendy and then blow it up with your own style. My favorite thing to do is start small and then grow from there.
After a few winters full of ankle boots, we finally get to add some drama to our wardrobe with the simple move of slipping into thigh-high boots. Be careful here: If you combine thigh high’s with a mini and a crop top, then you’ll look more go-go dancer than a chic woman of style. Pair the boots with tights, then a mini and a floppy, wide-brim hat to find a happy medium between the two. Don’t forget to include a top that fully covers your torso.
Double-Duty Trend: Leather Thigh-High Boots
And to be more exact, Cambridge satchels. They are classic and worth the investment. Choose any color, and you’ll love it forever because though the trend may be a satchel style, a Cambridge satchel is more than a trend—it’s timeless.*
Double-Duty Trend: Emerald Green Cambridge Satchel
*No one paid me to write that. I swear, they’re just that amazing.
We saw tartan become popular a few seasons ago, but this time it’s more associated with a punk trend than grunge. And you don’t need to go full-on punk—just a little bit’s enough to get the message across.
Double-Duty Trend: Tartan Punk Mini Skirt
I know, I know, we’ve been wearing statement necklaces, for, like, everrr. But there’s a good reason: They look amazing! Really, I can’t stress this enough because it’s my favorite thing, to stand out with a statement necklace.
Double-Duty Trend: Fur-Covered Statement Necklace
OK, I admit that I’m throwing this in the mix because chunky knits were all over the runway for Spring/Summer 2014, but it’s winter, guys. Of course, we can wear our chunky knits a bit early.
Double-Duty Trend: Winter White Chunky-Knit Sweater
wild pieces 