Music and fashion and sunshine, oh my

I can’t believe I’ve been to Coachella four years in a row. It’s crazy how time flies, and it’s been very interesting to see the way the festival has changed even in just a few short years. What was once a festival that flew under the radar has become a media focus and totally commercialized; Modern Family referenced it a few weeks ago, Good Morning America chatted about it on air, and brands are scrambling to be in your face left and right, trying to get a piece of the popular pie.

The increased hype and attention on Coachella means one very negative thing: so. many. posers. If you need proof of this sweet phenomenon, check out Jimmy Kimmel’s Coachella edition of Lie Witness News:

Douchebaggery aside, Coachella is still pretty damn amazing. You can’t beat the stunning natural beauty of the valley, the immense and beautiful art installations, the crazy people watching, and of course, the music. Though I wasn’t over-the-top excited about any band in particular this year, I was stoked to see a really wide variety of bands I’d never gotten the opportunity to see before. And of course, I was excited to frolic in the sunshine wearing outfits I’d planned weeks in advance.

Christina and I pre-fest Friday

Friday kicked the weekend off with a bang. It was sweltering, and since living in San Francisco, I have apparently forgotten how sweaty of a human I can be. I immediately wanted to be wearing as little clothing as possible, so I went with my lightest outfit I had planned: the boho chic. I nixed the planned felt hat because it was just way too hot and opted to pull my hair off my face instead.

Though the $8 paisley “poncho” from Buffalo Exchange looks heavy, it’s actually quite lightweight and breathable. Another fun fact about the poncho: it was originally a pashmina and someone folded it in half, stitched up the sides and cut a hole for the head. Genius? Yes. And totally DIY’able!

Friday was a real range as far as music; some sets we caught were total misses like Modest Mouse and Aesop Rock, while Jurassic 5, Alt-J and Tommy Trash hit it out of the park with some of my favorite performances all weekend.

Saturday’s main accessory: hair chalk

Saturday started out all sorts of sweaty once again and as I looked over my planned outfits, I was kind of unenthused. The cut-out dress I had purchased threatened to expose parts of me should I jump around too much, and the SoCal look just didn’t feel me. This is why you bring alternates, folks! Ain’t no such thing as being too prepared.

Shay-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, BATMAN!

The unplanned outfit I threw together on Saturday turned out to be my favorite look all weekend. Pairing the Batman crop-top I got at American Vintage for $16 with a skirt you may recognize from last year plus hair chalk and some flat studded boots, I was ready to rock. I felt comfortable, the outfit flattered the right parts of my body, and in this awesome turn of events, people sang the Batman song everywhere I went.

Musically, our day started with a Major Lazer dance party- so fun. Yeasayer and Two Door Cinema Club were other big highlights, but my favorite moment of the weekend came Saturday night when R. Kelly joined Phoenix onstage. Everyone watching the Phoenix set was not-so-secretly hoping that Daft Punk would show their helmets, and when the stage went black towards the end of the set, everyone wondered if it was actually going to happen.

Instead, a sultry voice crooned “my mind’s telling me no, but my body’s tellin’ me yessssss” and the crowd erupted in excitement. No, he wasn’t Daft Punk, but he was a damn good second, and the energy that came from the crowd while R. Kelly sang Ignition as Phoenix played 1901 made for one of my favorite concert moments ever.

By Sunday, comfort was my MO. Saturday night had gotten pretty chilly and Sunday morning was rocking a major breeze situation, so I knew I had to make more outfit amendments. I decided to go with the basic yet classic combo of a blank tank and vintage shorts, plus my felt fedora to keep my hair in place, a feather earring and my trusty studded boots.

I was dressed perfectly for comfort and by night fall, I was prepared for the chill with leggings and a jacket in tow. Sunday’s music was probably my least favorite of the three days, though it was still pretty great. Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tanlines were the standouts, but Pretty Lights was hands down my favorite set of the entire festival.

All in all, it was a truly fabulous weekend full of wonderful friends, bright and interesting fashion, awesome music and warm sunshine. So, which outfit do you think was my best second hand creation? Vote by clicking on my Seesaw:

Let’s get colorful with a hair chalk tutorial

I may have style, but I don’t have a style. I love changing my look; one day I’m a bad ass business woman, the next I’m rocking a frock straight out of ’72, and the next I’m in all Gap. It’s fun in terms of clothing, but when it comes to hair, it’s not as easy to have multiple style personalities. Thankfully, hair chalk is here to save the day.

Coachella 2013: What I’m wearing

Though the quality of this year’s line-up has been the topic of much debate, I couldn’t be more excited for Coachella. Though music is the true star of the festival, the celebrity scene, exclusive parties and most importantly, fashion, are close runners-up in terms of buzz. This year, I’ve prepped more outfits than necessary for lounging by the pool, traipsing through the polo fields, dancing my face off and partying until the wee hours.

It would be silly of me to completely spoil my looks by modeling them in their entirety, so I’m just giving you a sneak peek. You’ll have to follow me on Instagram to see daily accounts of the ‘fits, and tune back in post-fest for a full report of the weekend in the sun. So what am I planning?

Festival fashion: Coachella is coming!

Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, the air is warm and the sun lingers longer in the sky. All of nature’s renewal can only mean one thing: the countdown to Coachella has officially begun! Though SXSW is the kick-off to festival season, Coachella is truly the place to see and be seen, fashionably speaking.

This is my fourth year heading to the adult playground that is Indio for a fabulous weekend of debauchery, sunshine, dancing and music. As you may remember from last year, I not only look forward to Coachella because of all the fabulous music, but for the opportunity to get all sorts of awesomely dressed.

Lucky for me, second hand shopping is the best way to find cheap, one-of-a-kind pieces to create awesome outfits for the best festival looks. Skin is always in at Coachella, but the best flesh is adorned by boho-chic ensembles that are expertly accessorized.

Though my looks have yet to be completed, I have picked up some key items. Later this week, I’ll be sharing the looks I have planned for this year, so be sure to come back for more. Below is a list of my must-haves for this year, great places to shop online for festival looks, some inspiration shots and a few mayjah tunes to get your brains where they should be- in the desert, adorned by a crown of flowers.

 My must-haves for Coachella 2013:

1. Fringe
2. Feathers
3. Flat-brimmed fedora
4. Comfy boots
5. Funky sunnies
6. Crochet anything
7. Vintage band t-shirts
8. Floral print kaftans
9. Repurposed denim shorts
10. Hair chalk

Online destinations to shop for second hand festival looks (just to name a few):

1. Asos Marketplace
2. Nasty Gal vintage
3. Copious
4. Bib+Tuck
5. Mama Stone vintage (eBay store)
6. We Move Vintage

Layer it on thick on those wrists!

Love everything about this look

Quintessential Coachella outfit: hat, jean shorts, funky kaftan, boots

Hippie chic is the only way to be. 

Some bands I can’t wait to see, enjoy!

Circle, circle, dot, dot

Aesthetically pleasing and lacking a single edge, there is no beginning and no end to a circle. In Hinduism, circles symbolize unity, female power, and the sun, the giver of life. In fashion, they are flirty, feminine and fun.

LBD: leopard + black dress

I am a creature of habit. Hang around me long enough and you’ll notice my tendencies lean towards leather, red lipstick, big jewelry, and leopard print. I especially like anything that allows me to combine my aforementioned obsessions, so when my mom gave me this vintage Adele Joyce sweater dress, I knew I could dress it up and make it fun.

A new challenge

At the onset of each new year, we set out with fresh, positive vigor to be better people, have richer lives, look more fly and outdo whatever success we met the year prior. I, for one, puffed up my chest at the onset of 2013, and vowed to have the best year ever.

Sometimes the universe has different plans, and on March 1, I came in to work (in a very cute, second handed outfit, I might add) and  was told I was being laid off, effective immediately. Jerks.

The shock has now worn off and I’m starting to kind of like this idea of unemployment. Its time to figure out what I really want to do, who I really want to be and spend time doing things that really make me happy. And, while I’m at it, those things I set out to do at the beginning of 2013.

Poppin’ tags: thrifting in the Mission

Ah, life. The second you decide you’re over something or someone, there it goes waltzing back into your life. I gave you many chances, thrifting, and for the past few months, come ups were just not something I was coming by. So I gave up and told you guys last week that I was over thrifting and didn’t miss it.

Its a way of life.

A big giant hello, second handers! Yes, I am still alive. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to do a post in quite some time, but 2013 has gotten off to quite the start.  It’s been nothing short of cray, but whatever, I’m here now and damn it, I’m still second handing.

Since moving to San Francisco, my wardrobe has done quite the 180. Apparently winter exists and my prior Orange County staples of sundresses, tank tops and wedges have now transitioned to sweaters, boots and skinny jeans. Additionally, I have come to realize that a lot of things I own were great for a fashionable blog post, but in reality, they aren’t super wearable. After months of staring into my closet annoyed, I spent my President’s Day afternoon cleaning it out. I then promptly marched to the Fillmore St. Crossroads and off-loaded $150 worth of clothes.

A Year in Review

A year ago, I set out on an arduous journey. A self-proclaimed shopaholic with a penchant for stuff, I knew I had to do something about my spending and consumption habits. So I did what every other self-loathing person does on New Year’s Day: I vowed to make a change.

Not unlike the majority, I have never been one to remain committed to a New Year’s resolution, and a big part of me doubted I could stick to my second hand challenge. Though I don’t have a massive savings account to show for my year of second handing, I managed to stick to the entire year and learned a great deal in the process.