Thrift Eye

The other day I ran across several photos of street style star and couturier Ulyana Sergeenko, and something about her harsh center part, retro silhouettes, grandma chic, and penchant for dramatic clothes really hit a note with me. While I wouldn’t quite call this look “dramatic” it definitely channeled a look I don’t normally go for.

Top: Gap, free from Swap. Skirt: vintage thrifted (similar one here by American Apparel). Shoes: Target canvas wedges, very old.

I completely understand that she’s blown up so much on the internet through her street style wardrobe snaps, but her style is undeniably very appealing and fun!

ps. Congrats to Jennifer, Amanda, and Samantha who won the Gilt Warehouse sale tickets! Have fun on Saturday!

Blame it on all that buzz about the new Great Gatsby movie, or the fact that my haircut had finally reached that really annoying in between phase (doubled when you have an asymmetrical haircut!), I knew it was time to go for it and just get that haircut!

What’s amazing is that because I have had this blog for so long (!) I can go back into my archives and pinpoint the time when my hair was last this short – with reference to this post, it seems to be early 2009. Since my hair is naturally curly, I thought I’d see how it would look with bouncy set of curls. And I actually really like it! I need to figure out how to do these fingerwaves next!

Since I already was channeling the 20′s, I thought dressing up with a nautical touch would also be fun!

Top: Saint James thrifted (a cute short sleeve version here!). Pants: Zara slacks. Shoes: Rachel Comey from Wasteland.

I also got to wear this outfit with my vintage red blazer, but none of those pictures came out for some reason! I only have this close up shot – but glad I was able to capture my cute Sally Hansen salon effects strips manicure :)

I can’t believe that two months ago I had long mermaid hair that would nearly choke me to death every day and now it’s more of a run a brush-through-it-and-go routine! I love it! I want everyone around me to get short haircuts now :)

Before I even got the chance to wear this blouse, I have seen tons of women wearing this exact same top in almost identical colors! I ordered it from the Splendid website recently after they sent me a giftcard for hosting their giveaway some time back. I knew I needed more colorful tops in my life, and my eyes went directly to this one! It took me a while to wear it because I couldn’t figure out what matched well with kelly green besides blue jeans and black pants. But I have been anxious try try wearing pink and green together, so this worked out perfectly well. I found this skirt in the back of my closet folded under something else, and knew immediately it was what I was looking for!

Top: Splendid, purchased with gift card from them. Skirt: Forever 21, hand me down from friend (although this Marc Jacobs one looks mighty nice). Shoes: old Target heels. Belt: vintage. Purse: Stella McCartney, thrifted.

I will also be going to a wedding in a month and have been practicing my mini bouffant on regular nights.

This belt I found somehow seems to be the perfect faux croc skin match to my shoes – serendipity!

There is something about wandering around in the city that can feel so amazing. The hustle and bustle of strangers on their way, to and fro, makes for incredible people browsing while killing time. The city life frightens some people, I don’t mind it once in a while (though I’m glad to live in a much quieter neighborhood). Similarly, the other day I got lost driving through a new neighborhood when I missed my exit off the highway. I found new streets, new houses, a new perspective of this city.

Top: Jcrew thrifted. Pants: Target. Belt: Jcrew from Buffalo Exchange SF. Heels: Dries Van Noten (similar) from Nordstrom Rack.

The overall minty-ness green in this outfit gets lost in the shadows, but another accomplished no-hints-of-black outfit that I’m proud of.

The sun quickly set this evening in the city amidst the skyscrapers and the chill quickly set in – San Francisco, you sure are pretty some times in your own special way.

Photos by Jorge Novoa