How to Dress in Quarantine: Sweatsuit Edition

So, dear readers, I never ever NEVER thought we'd meet like this. 

In the middle of a global pandemic. 27 weeks into sheltering in place with no end in sight. Having to do what, gulp, I do worst: dress casually. To remind former readers and edumacate new readers, dressing down has always been my Achilles heel (read here). 

But I'm happy to report that motherhood had already helped me lean into dressing for comfort. After all, CHRIST, you cannot wear (or have or do) nice things as the parent of a child under 5.  

Still, it was strangely psychic how much I'd been investing in sweatshirts and sweatpants prior to Corona. Mostly Aviator Nation and Sundry on sale. Pricey indulgences justified by the fact that I work from home (have been contracting at Apple for two years after taking two years off to mother.) 

But I was still keeping it budget friendly with less spendy versions from Forever and H&M. This Target find from February was strangely prescient. 

So back to how the F to dress for sitting your ass at home and not catching COVID. Well, really there's not much to it. Comfort - duh - is most important. Cocoon yourself in cozy. Soft fabrics all day, every day. They don't have to be expensive but they do have to be breathable. 

Our mental health is also key right now. We NEED delight. Every. single. thing. is a dumpster fire. So add a bit of frivolity, beauty, joy into your existence WHEREVER you can. Put on clothes that make you feel happy, positive, hopeful. Details, prints, and color help me. 

I've been trying to create physical comfort so I'm better equipped to handle mental discomfort. After all, doing battle with anxiety and grief is an inevitable part of being on this Corona-coaster. 

Remember: clothes, makeup, accessories, self-care really CAN make a difference in elevating your mood and remembering your SELF - quarantine or not. That's what this blog was all about once upon a time :) 

Here are some of the brands I've been distracting myself with as Rome burns, we enter fall, and wrap up the end of the first act of this pandemic. 

Aviator Nation

Surfer California vibe. Ugh. So pricey but delicious. Made ethically in LA hence the price. 

Reminds me of how we dressed in college...20 years ago which feels like 800 years ago. I also think I think if I wear it, I will look like the model. Especially that ass. 

Spoiler: I won't and it don't. Note how PERFECT the Ninja hoodie with the built in mask is for the apocalypse. 

Sundry

Cali meets Frenchy vibe. Easy, clean, laid back. Very chic mommy. They do DEEP sales regularly so never buy full price. 

I Stole My Boyfriend's Sweatshirt

Cool, up cycled, lounge wear. Sizing is a bit weird so proceed with caution. Ugh I'm still deep in a tie dye phase. Basic bitch, party of one. 

 

Clare V.

Love her purses and whole French via LA. aesthetic. The sweatshirts are again spendy but adorbs especially the animal prints. Wait for 20% off but sizes do go fast. 

Vintage Havana

Recent discovery. Sooooooo soft. Like a cute hug. Good price point especially on sale at Nordstrom. 

Target

There are a few new lines of loungewear at Target like Colsie that are amaze for the price. I got this "mama" maternity one in a small cuz it's forgiving around the middle and the embroidery looks like Lingua Franca which I'll blog about another day. Love the new Halloween and Stranger Things cuteness. 

 

Forever 21

 A few cheapie options for old times sake and because I am Forever 41. 

Also this is one of the best fashion memes of the apocalypse because it me. 

p.p.s. This blog post was created at the request of Mini Diabolina. She wants to learn the fashion blogging trade so she is now my photo apprentice, taking and uploading pictures - the least glamorous thing EVER. But she is looking fierce doing it in her own pricey athleisure wear. 

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Hopefully she'll guest post. If you are lucky. 

Cal Mare at The Beverly Center

The Friday after Valentine's Day, Daddy Diabolina (the artist formerly known as Mr. Diabolina) had a date with Miss VV to see Aladdin at The Pantages.



Adorbs but downright terrifying because the show started at 8, miss thang's bedtime. We hemmed and hawed like only the parents of an only child do. We plotted all contingencies like a military exercise and packed the biggest bag of snacks ever.  Pro tip: A snacking toddler is a busy toddler whose mouth is too full to whine.

 

In the end, I knew she'd be fine because St. Jude's mini me would be there. VV lives for her big girl bff.



The whole night was the idea of her dad, the Brown Devil. It was actually a triple daddy/daughter date. Best (straight) uncle ever.

3 dads, 3 daughters, Mel’s Drive In and Aladdin at the beautiful @hollywoodpantagestheatre. @vcarrillo @frankr_77 and I pulled off a triple date with our little ladies. #makingmemories #dadlife #losangeles #aladdin

A post shared by marcovlbc (@marcovlbc) on Feb 17, 2018 at 12:24am PST

Since Daddy and daughter rarely leave me be for more than a damn second, I was ready to PARTAAAAAAAY!  Which meant booking dinner with my OG partner in crime, Abuelita Diabolina (the artist formerly known as Mama Diabolina).




Been wanting to try Michael Mina's Cal Mare since VV and I happened on it after egg slutting. Could only get a 6:15 reservation. Not a problem when your hot date is an actual bonafide senior citizen (albeit one in Dior and Phillip Lim.)



Loved the decor instantly. The sexy bar, velvety blue booths, architectural aquamarine chairs, under the sea tile framing the open kitchen. Very chic mediterranean grotto...in a mall.





Despite my advanced age, I still don't know very much about wine especially ones of the Italian variety. So had the waiter recommend a red by the glass. My mom demurred and said she didn't want one...until she tasted it. Excellent. I believe it was one of the first three reds on the by the glass list. Sorry, I am rusty at blogging and boozing so was too busy guzzling to note.


I do know exactly what we ate.  Started with the yellow fish tuna with blood orange, radish and chiles. Delicate, balanced perfection.



And my favorites: The pumpkin agnolotti with dungeness crab, truffle and sea urchin. Just the right amount of texture and richness. Seafood heaven. Plus the fried brussel sprouts with black garlic. VV is currently addicted to brussel sprouts so it was great to learn a new twist on them.



Um, but we were still hungry so we got the spicy shrimp and chickpea pancake with calabrian chile, saffron aїoli and escarole. Delicious and interesting and unexpected - everything I miss about fine dining now that I cater to a tiny dictator when we go out to eat.




Incredible piglet dinner for two. The only two who had a better one was VV (see the intensity of her face in mid-bite!) and The Brown Devil (see his paw reaching for dem fries!!!) at Mel's pre-Pantages.





p.s. My mom loved Cal Mare so much that the next day, she begged to do happy hour there during the baby's nap. This time we sat on the patio (beautifully enclosed but still RIGHT on La Cienega), tried a different red and got the squash chips with ricotta, apple conserva and sage. So.much.flavor. A dream of a light bite.  (Look at that gorgeous guilty grubbing face!!!!)

 

Plus the wild mushroon ragu with pine nuts, farm egg and speck. Flavorful and again so light. 



We had the same waiter as the night before. When we were getting up to leave he deadpanned: "See you two tomorrow." I almost said, "Bitch you might!"

Full dinner menu to drool over here.

Verdict: A+

Add it to your list of new hot spots to try but save yourself the drama and wait until the parking saga is over at the mall. Or if you never want to retire, spring for valet. But if you have a child's college education to save for maybe park at the Beverly Connection.