Abbot Kinney Festival 2011 - AA Maxi Skirt

I can't believe it's already been a year since our neighborhood was taken over by the masses for the annual Abbot Kinney Street Festival. Despite it being difficult to push our way through the crowds (don't worry, we knew side street cut-arounds) we had a great time last weekend, and it's always nice to be reminded of how cool our neighborhood is.

The hubs and I got into a discussion on how he thought it felt more like a walking fashion show than a festival, and how it's a bit unrealistic for standards of the rest of the world. I had to remind him that this is LA, that we both decided to move here, and that I'm rather inspired by this "walking fashion show" every day.

 I mean, just look at how cute and creative this girl is! Walking art, more like it.

It's become a tradition in our family to buy one item from Timbuctu State every year. (Those super cool "True Beauty is Within" tees you see everywhere - see Etsy shop here) The hubs got his fave sweatshirt from them a couple years back, and I found this amazingly soft, asymmetrically cut tee this year that I just LOVE.

There's always time for some vintage window shopping. This gorgeous necklace below reminded me so much of a line I'll be collaborating with for a giveaway soon... I can't wait to share it with you guys!

  We found the cutest little vintage book that monkey just adored...

 And some other gorgeous goodies that I had to pull myself away from...

After all, a certain somebody needed to take her new itsy bitsy spider for a walk.

 I'm wearing an American Apparel Maxi Skirt & Vintage Scarf

See last year here

Feelin' Fuzzy

Silk under dress - Development, Top lace dress - unknown, Vest - Forever21, Sunglasses - Cheap Monday

I had these two slips of dresses in my closet for a while without giving them much wear because I always felt quite naked in both of them.  Then I realized I could stack one on top of the other, and with a little extra coverage from a favorite faux vest, I was definitely feeling fuzzy that day. (Now I keep them layered on a a hanger in my closet this way, as a reminder!)

Black Honey Comb

Shirt - $1 Thrift {Found here} Pants - Vintage Silk, Belt - Venice Vintage Paradise - Leather Bracelet c/o Crash & Burn, Necklace - Thrifted

The weekend was spent with some work, but a lot of play. Our Saturday was a stroll to 3rd street promenade, where a certain monkey was rewarded with a brand new pair of crocs. She gracefully allowed mommy a little window shopping time and I was inspired by all things Anthropologie. Did you enter to win the bracelet I'm wearing here? I'm loving mine layered with random bangles and bits.

Crash & Burn Bracelet Giveaway! (Closed)

Let's talk casual pieces...easy pieces you can just throw on and wear in an effortless way. As much as I love putting thought and effort into my daily wear, it's nice to have some fabulous pieces on hand, that just work. So I was thrilled to stumble upon this line Crash and Burn. Everything is just edgy enough, yet casually cool in a way that's not trying too hard.

Some of my obsessions below. Best part: They're offering November Grey readers a chance to win a leather wrap bracelet! Read on.

Berlin Jacket in charcoal 
(Love! I kinda think I'd wear it with everything.)

Bree Crop Top 

(I'd wear this with high-waisted trousers & a shrunken leather jacket.)

Harlow Dress

(Motorcycle boots and a scarf. Easy. Done.)

Tri-Blend Thermal Burnout Tee

(Just easy and fab, I'd wear it as styled here. Kinda want those boots.)

So check out Crash and Burn yourself! Tell me your favorite pieces, and be entered into a drawing to win this uber cool, leather wrap bracelet. I'm going to stack mine with some vintage wooden bracelets and a bangle or two...

And check out this article (ahem! another giveaway...) from Foam magazine here. 

To be eligible for drawing:

• You must be a follower of November Grey ~ (if you are already a follower, let me know!)
• Check out Crash and Burn's website and let us know what piece you'd love to add to your wardrobe! Comment back here with your entry!

Open to international submissions

Contest ends 9/30/11 at 10pm PST

Winner will be drawn randomly & announced by 10/5/11 

Quick snapshots of a recent work look, with hints of the oncoming season. I'm loving the cool breeze that's filtering in each night around dusk... I just love this time of year. I'm making plans for Halloween (pumpkin chili and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies - on my pinterest here) and already plotting our December agenda... there's nothing quite like the anticipation of the holidays.

Everything in this look was thrifted (except for heels & glasses)

Sweater found on a Sunday find here

Fashion trick ~ Keep a Jumpsuit in your car!

You never know when you'll need it! I found one in the trunk of my car when I needed it most! Accidental genius! Some favorites, in all prices ranges.

Only Hearts, Venice Lounge Jumpsuit - Shopbop $115 

Chanel Vintage Sleeveless Jumpsuit - Farfetch $1461

 Tread Print Strapless Jumpsuit - Forever21 $22.80

Zippered Surplice Jumper - Forever21 $27.80

Wrap Front Jumpsuit - Victoria's Secret $88

{I heart, heart, heart this one!} 

I did a major closet clean out recently (I try to do this a few times a year - see some tips here  and here ) and threw three bags of clothes in my trunk. One to send off to donation, and two to trade at Crossroads. My Saturday was jam-packed with family in town, two birthday parties, and work all in one day. And I didn't have time to go home in between any of it. Nightmare. I wish I could say that I'm one of those fabulous women who can rock a single piece three or four different ways, for several different events, (like this fab mama here) but I'm just not. I think it's because I put entirely too much thought into each look, for each event. (Pretty sure this is a problem...)

As we were on our way to our final destination of the evening, I was regretting my choice of dress that was just not right for the cocktail party ahead. I was bummed, exhausted and not feeling cute at all. (You know the feeling. Ek.) Wait. Wait, wait, wait... I have a jumpsuit somewhere in the "sell" pile of the trunk! (This jumpsuit I wore here & here, to be exact.) And you know what? It totally worked! I found a random set of bangles in my bag, threw my hair up in a bun and felt good as new!

Now I know what you must be thinking... why would I be getting rid of something that ended up working so perfectly for my wardrobe necessity at hand? Good question. I think I'm a bit obsessive about organization and rotating my clothing. I want to be in love with something I own, or it has to go. But I learned a very valuable lesson; There's nothing wrong with a very solid piece of clothing that will get you through the day (or night, as it seems).

Lesson learned. Ladies, keep something in your trunk that you like just enough to hold onto, but don't care enough about to actually miss in your closet. A quick change to freshen up, might be just the thing you need on that busy day out! And what better item than a jumpsuit that can be rocked in a casual or dressed up way! xx

{See how my girl, Noa rocked her favorite jumpsuit at Secondhand Star here}

Calypso Lydia Wrap Top & Cords

Best Necklace Combo Ever: Gold Leaf from sis + Bridesmaid Bean Necklace from Best Friend + Gold Stella Necklace from other best friend (gift on the day Stella was born) + Silver & Gold heart Necklace from the hubs (also when Stella was born)

Beyond in love with my newest Calypso piece. It's the most delicate and feminine top I have ever owned. I'm obsessed with the lace detailing on the shoulders. It's so me.

Paired with cords, a stack of my favorite (and most sentimental) necklaces, and a redesigned vintage Secondhand Star vest.

Top - Calypso 

Cords - Juicy

Vest - Secondhand Star

Sunglasses - Cheap Monday

P.S. - Shout out to my hairdresser, Shiri at Chaz Dean Studio! In addition to being religious about only using Wen cleansing conditioner lately, I left my hair in her hands and she gave me the best cut & color ever! Thank you! (*I also used my hot roller trick here*)

Morning after hair & Sunday Finds!

There's something about the morning after a party that's both fabulous and tragic for my beauty routine. I actually really like my hair after it's been teased and product-filled to near death the night before. (See previous post inspired by Tiffany's) But I could not bring myself to put contacts in my eyes, nor wear much more than a little lip gloss and liner.

God bless these H&M leopard flats that are (sadly) very close to retirement. I've worn them so much over the past year and a half that I can practically hear them begging for replacement. It's either heels or these babies, on most days.

I was able to sneak away for a quick thrift with one of my favorite, fellow, fashion-loving friends (we found him a vintage bolo tie!) and while I didn't walk away with much, I found two key pieces that will be super easy fall transition additions. (Each both $1, of course!)

My favorite was this little boy's dress shirt that I can't wait to wear in a very literal way. Tie and slacks? (See my recent menswear look here)

Vintage Silk Top - last worn here, Abbot Kinney Boutique Skirt, H&M Necklace & Flats.