My Super Sweet Panda Hat...At Last

To kick off L.A. Fashion Week earlier this month, Refinery 29 had a little shopping party for bloggers at Space 15 Twenty.

Was over the moon to run into Alicia.

Loved that we were wearing matching brogues.



 
Great fashion minds.

Also loved that we both got THIS close to buying more of what we already have.

I resisted and instead bought one thing: a black and white knit hat at Urban Outfitters.
 Except instead of a black bow, it has black EYES!!!

FINALLY the panda hat I've wanted since 2008!!!!!!!!!

Loooooved it so much Mr. Diabolina and I bought a few more for the USC game the next day.

Seriously how cute is a USC panda?



ALMOST as cute as the panda on the Vuitton Spring 2011 runway. 

But nothing beats a panda wearing panda at Panda Express. Perfect.

p.s. As I was getting ready to post this and watching Watch What Happens, that mad genius Andy Cohen had Lisa from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills dress her puppy Ziggy as a panda.

I mean I literally couldn't make this shit up. WHAT ARE THE ODDS!!!



 

And yes. Yes, my head has exploded from all the fucking cuteness of this post. Hope yours does too.

The Scene
Today everyone celebrated Mother's Day.




Something I do every Sunday.










We started the mommy celebration last Sunday with much needed facials. And today we had a delish brunch at Tiara Cafe.




Fitting for a tiny queen in Tory Burch.











Then we walked over to the Fashion District to get our arts and crafty on. We've been talking about making some accessories - headbands and necklaces to start. See if we could create anything luxe enough to sell to today's recessionista who wants high fashion at low prices.



My mom made most of my clothes until I was about 4 so I think we could make some neat clothing too. Maybe. Someday.










Plan to start putting together all the goodies we scored (including pins with interlocking C's !!!!) next weekend. Excited.






In the evening I met up with Juana and her boyfriend. She won tickets (through Perez Hilton!!!!) to an intimate Jewel concert at The Roxy on Sunset.




Juana looooves her some Jewel. Think if she ever went lezbo it would be for her.





The last time I bought a Jewel album I was 18 so I don't consider myself a superfan like most of the people in the audience. But I do think she has a phenomenal voice and an enviable songwriting ability. As I watched her on stage today - sharing poignant stories with an audience so enraptured you could hear a pin drop or belting out her most popular songs as the whole room sang along - it was apparent she is doing exactly what she was meant to do with her life - perform, entertain, inspire, create. I was comforted by the sight of someone who has found her place, someone who is living her gift. Despite having grown up in Alaska and battling homelessness. I remembered it is possible to find your path, find your version of professional fulfillment.



And today of all days, I realized that finding my place is something I want to achieve in large part for my mommy. To show her she did a good job raising me and molding me. That she made the right decision leaving everything she knew behind and coming to America. That she doesn't have to worry about me. That she has a reason to be proud of her little panda.









The Outfit
Elizabeth and James top
J Brand skinnies

The Accessories
Forever 21 necklace and bangles
Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch
Dolce and Gabanna heels
Louis Vuitton earrings


The Grade
A












The Commentary


Built my outfit around the Elizabeth & James top I found yesterday at The Rack.







A little piece of the Olsen empire of my very own.











For those of you who don't know the twins named their lower end line after their brother and sister.



Elizabeth recently made her first public appearance. Apparently she is going to follow in her sisters' YSL-clad footsteps and pursue acting. I smell the makings of a hippie dippie line for Urban Outfitters too.








Although fashionistas like LC have been on the Elizabeth and James bandwagon for a while, I prefer their higher end line, The Row. The Row is all about tailored urban chic.




E&J is more free flowing California cool. Which I love but don't need to spend hundreds on.










However, the color and the fluttery flattering drape of this top won me over. The $39 pricetage helped too.




Also reminded me of the Dolce Gabbana spring 2009 looks with the Mickey Mouse shoulders.
















Which is probably why I dug out my Dolce and Gabanna leopard heels.





This SICK splash of leopard on Rihanna was definitely an influence too.











Added the blue bag






And the blue jeans for a very languidly hip look. Perfect for a concert.













Wasn't loving the knit dress Jewel rocked tonight. Should have marched up to the stage and handed her my super sweet card. I would have styled her in this drapey Elizabeth & James dress






And this beauty of a necklace. A nice balance of soft and strong. Just like her music.

Diabolina Styled Me...And I Liked It

JCH and her super sweet Fashion District scores

JCH is the sassy wife of a former co-worker. She's always been hugely supportive of me professionally for which I will be eternally grateful. Also heart her because is a fellow Trojan, Latina and j-school graduate. Love triple threats ;)

She recently did me uber proud and won the best recessionista purchases award at my first group Fashion District Tour. Made out like a bandit:

Loooooved these dresses on her! Emphasize all the right things: her tiny waist, slim upper body and twentysomething legs. A+ all around.









They will be no brainers for upcoming international vacations - easy, comfortable, no wrinkling. I think she can even get away with them at work this summer with the right jacket and heels.










Plus they were just a little bit more than $20!!! An outstanding recessionista version of these $200 Theory dresses.












Recessionista Tip: Do spend $200 on a pair of Theory's classic slacks that have some of the most flattering tailoring known to woman. Don't spend $200 on a Theory summer dress. The dress unlike the flattering slacks will go out of style quickly and are not worth the investment.












This chiffony dress was also a great choice for JCH. Less than $40. Very Banana or JCrew, no? Endless possibilities. Imagine it with a thin yellow belt or cropped beige jacket or turquoise shoe. She originally picked it in a nude color but I made her go for the hot pink. The bolder color will actually be more versatile for her.








JCH tried an adorable ruffled chiffon dress with a cinched waist and mix of patterns. Looked amazing on her but was a bit short so she wisely passed. A week later she found this nearly identical one on the Forever site for about the same price!

Recessionista Tip: The merchandise at Forever and the Fashion District often overlaps so don't compromise. After all Forever 21 STARTED in L.A. sourcing it's merchandise from wholesalers in the Fashion District. So if you find a dress you like but isn't perfect during a trip to the fashion district, I'd check the Forever site for similar prints and styles. The Forever 21 version will likely be marked up by about 10-20 percent. But that's kinda still peanuts when you are talking items under $50.





JCH got a HUGE gold star from me when she dug and dug and found this divine sparkly dress at the back of a rack during our tour. It was almost identical to this Phillip Lim - color, drape and neckline. But instead of $400 it was under $40. Alas the size was too small. I was sooooo sad.

















Finally, JCH picked up this little Flashdance number.




She learned it by watching me and my panda fetish. I heart tees that are an inside joke.






Plus it will work well with jeans or leggings paired with her new Tory Burch birthday flats!!! Still love. Still can't get enough of mine.

p.s. If you emailed me about the next Recessionista tour last month, expect an email from me in the next few days!