Da Fashionista.com

NEW FEATURE: DEAR DIABOLINA

Have been getting some ladies emailing me fashion questions that I thought you all might want to peep. Hope you enjoy!
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Kate of All Trades recently asked:

Bubble dresses/tunics/skirts -what kind of jacket can be worn with these? Some of us still need jackets outside.... :(

The Dear Diabolina Answer:

I don't think you have to do anything super different in the jacket dept. with bubbles. Maybe a little more fitted/sleek since the bubble adds a little bit of bulk at the hemline.

The dresses in this post were all bubbles and I wore pretty different toppers. Just keep an eye on proportions and take some chances!

JillFantastic emailed me this week:

Love your blog! I have never shopped downtown but am dying to. Paying $200 a dress is killing me and I see you get so many cute dresses on the cheap downtown. Where-o-where do you shop?

The Dear Diabolina Answer:

Thanks so much for the kind words! I totally hear ya on the paying too much.

I was just thinking of putting together a map to let girls know where the good stores are since there's a lot of crap down there too. Have never really thought about it since I just know where to go.

Give me some time - will likely do it when I'm off between jobs. But in the meantime, here's a rough idea if you are feeling adventurous.

Santee Alley is kind of the epicenter of it all and it spans about 3 blocks and is easy to google. I think it's between 12th and Olympic. In the actual alley, there are maybe four stalls that are worth anything. They are all on the west side of the alley.

There are about 3 AMAZING stores on Los Angeles just north of Olympic on that first block. Also on Santee Street (not alley) just north of Olympic on that first block. Wear comfortable shoes. Nothing fancy (since you will get looked up and down and quoted prices.) Always try to get at least 10 dollas knocked off the price. Haggling is the name of the game.

Bite the bullet and pay $8 for parking at any one of the tons of lots near the alley. Street parking is a nightmare. Oh and go early. Like 9ish. Otherwise it becomes a cluster f. Especially in the summer.

If you are the piggie type, you can grab your morning joe at Coffee Bean or McDonald's right around Olympic and Santee. And end up having lunch at this super cute French restaurant called Angelique.

I'm telling you, GORGEOUS and AFFORDABLE clothes and accessories abound. It's worth dealing with the third world market bazaar feel :) More to come...

happy hunting!
D

Jill also wrote about fashion product seen on my person :)

Do you mind sharing where you got your faux Van Cleef and Arpels turquoise necklace? I've got my eye on one at overstockjeweler.com but don't know if $80 is a good deal for a knock off. Preesh!

The Dear Diabolina Answer:

Got it on Canal street in NYC. $20 after haggling. Also got one with Jean Bean in Manhattan near Rockerfeller Plaza. Paid more with those street vendors. F to us. We got too excited.

$80 is toooooo much. Ugh. What do people think - we're made of money?

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Loving the dialogue with fellow hot chicks so please please please write in with your questions and fashion emergencies. It may get a bit tough to answer as I start the new job but I will try my best to help make the world more beautiful, one fashionista at a time. kisses!