Free Acess: Spoon @ The Fillmore

My buddy Norm text me today to ask me if I wanted go see Spoon.

I said "Hellz yes..."
Then off I was to The Fillmore a few hours later. I love my job (even though it's not ideally what I want to do) because of the perks. People complain about working for large corporations, but you have to admit... they treat you really well.

At my old position back home, I never got so many free concert tickets before. Let alone, with a band I really actually liked.

Spoon was amazing live. No wonder they sold out 3 shows here in SF.
I liked how they don't have to get all crazy with the stage lights. Just 'cause sometimes it really can distract from the actual music. As for the show... I really enjoyed it. They sound so amazing live. It made me want to dance. (:



(Also check out this post about the Metal Masters concert I went to a few weeks ago. I finally just posted it.)

SF Bart: Montgemery Station

While I was waiting for the Bart to come home from The Bubble Lounge in the Financial District, I spotted these ads for New Zealand Airlines which I thought was hilarious. Their portal of Californians is completely wrong, but it's totally entertaining to me. First photo says, "Depart a Californian" and next to it says, "Return a Kiwi." (Please click to enlarge.)

Window-watching: upclose and personal.

Normally, I look at runway shows just from afar (on my computer or a magazine, of course) but I've changed my ways lately. About 2 months ago, I was hanging out with my brother (an architect) in downtown SF doing some family bonding. We had to do a little shopping for him, which is the hardest thing to do sometimes... he is a size that is nearly impossible to find. So, I start to get frustrated after going to 6 more stores than I would like. I like to go into places where I know I'm going to find exactly what I want... but with him, it's hit and miss. Shopping for him becomes a little bit of a task because of the restrictions I'm given. So, he starts to feel bad and asks me, "Where do you want to go?"

Today, we strolled over to Barney's New York. I like to look around to see the collections up close and personal. A block away is the Louis Vuitton store. He started to talk about how he hated all of the LV bags running all over the place (about 98% of them are actually fake). I mentioned that they actually had very well-made bags that did have the logo but it wasn't as obvious. Of course, those bags cost 3 to 4 times more. So, we go ahead and check it out. He then started to ask me about the clothing line that bears the name. I really ever see people actually wearing any of the pieces and I don't know why. Maybe sometimes I don't notice it. They are so well tailored and designed. One of the pieces that really stood out for me for fall was this one:



These shoes were also to die for. The stiletto heel is completely disconnected from the wedge heel. I love the idea of it! Take notice that when the model steps down, the stiletto heel becomes connected as one with the wedge.

I wish I had brought a camera with me so I could really show you the details of the dress. Sometimes I look at items like this that are simple, but when you are close, so detailed. I'm always blown away. No wonder why this particular piece has a $3000 price tag. Marc Jacobs design ascetic is there; you can tell that it's his work, but it's still separate from his namesake line.

Sometimes when I come into stores like this, I get kind of nervous... only because I'm not going to buy anything. Sometimes I feel awkward just looking around knowing. I'm getting over it because I'm able to know so much more about fashion by looking at each of the pieces that I see on the runway.

P.S.
I also went by Neiman Marcus and found out that Proenza Schouler (designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough) were there doing an in-store appearance. Ugh... I was 2 hours too late. The fashion gods really don't love me too much here. ):

Must-Haves for Fall '08: The Shoes

I can never find Nicholas Kirkwood shoes that fit me. The only place in SF that sold them last season only had them in a euro 37, not small enough. I bought a pair before that were 36.5 and they still wouldn't fit. I still dream about owning a pair of his shoes.

After looking at his store list, it looks like they are going to be less attainable. The only nearby store from SF would be Santa Monica. Really Nic? REALLY?! Are you trying to kill me? Especially, after looking at your Fall 2008 collection shoes?




Can I get them all in a euro 36 shipped to SF... ASAP?

I'm so in love with his color palette this season. I've been looking for a bootie, which seems like it's impossible sometimes because I could get really picky... but seriously... can I get all of these? In a 36?

Thank you!

And also, when is the outside world going to pay more attention to his work? It's amazing!

Beauty comes from the inside.

(Kristen McMenamy, Vogue Italia 1997)

"Some girls' personalities are shaped by their beauty, other girls' personalities are shaped by their lack of." -H. Brubach

Growing up, whenever I would see models that weren't obviously pretty, I couldn't understand why they would be on a runway. For example, the first time I saw Erin O'Connor, when I was 13, I thought she looked like a man. I didn't understand why they choose her; she had no shape to her body, she was flat chested and her nose was huge. It wasn't until until I saw her in a few more ads, I started to understand. She was beautiful, in a very realistic way. What I mean by that is, she is beautiful, but instead of it being obvious, you had to take a second take. Her flaws made her look more interesting than anyone else. To me, to find out about someone from the inside out was a lot more... (if I can can say) rewarding. To actually get to know someone doesn't take very much.

Whenever I go out with any group of friends, they are always judging people, everyone does it (it's a natural thing) but sometimes I think to myself that I could find someone really truly unique if I wasn't looking with my eyes. To think only when you are literally blind, you'd be able to see that. I meet the most amazing people that way.

How about you?

Ways to be fashionable without getting into debt: Consignment stores

People always ask me how I can own a lot of crazy (and expensive) designer items and not be in debt.  Well, 1) I always find a way to do it, especially if I want it that bad.  And 2) there are a lot of ways to get around not having to spend any money to get a piece of great clothing. For example, yesterday, the boyf and I went to Pacific Heights just to hang around.  We stopped by a few shops and then ended at Crossroads Trading Company, a buy-sell-consignment store that has new and used clothing.  Nothing is older than 2 or 3 seasons (unless it's luxury designer goods) and they have stores all over the nation (i have probably seen about 4 or 5 in SF alone).

I found something that I was dying for:

A beautiful camel soft leather short Chloe jacket with large selves.  It had a hefty price tag but, I had to have it, considering it was something that retailed at over $3K, I figured if I didn't want it anymore, it still had a high resell value.  So, instead of charging my debit card.  I decided to go in the next day with all of these clothes I had in my closet that I had to get rid of.  Whenever I go into a consignment store, I'm really picky about what I choose to sell.  I'm not going to bring in just anything, because more than likely they won't take it all.  So, I'm extremely selective with what I sell to the stores because I want them to buy it.

Here was my selection:

I wasn't able to get all the money for the jacket, but it was a lot less than I originally had to spend.  So, next time you are thinking about buying something that is a little out of your budget, think consignment instead.  Think of it as, trading your old things for something a lot better.

End Result:

Andre Leon Talley

"Be kind. Smile. I read this somewhere -- if you smile, it means you are in control of your destiny. I think smiling helps people break a kind of tension. I will sit in the car on the way to a meeting and just smile. I really mean that. It helps you get through life. If you have nothing to say, smile. Look up at the sky and smile. Just be grateful. It sounds simplistic, but it's my mantra," explains Talley, editor at large at Vogue, to Media Bistro on his everyday motto.

Free (VIP Box) Access: Judas Priest @ Shoreline

On Sunday, I got to go see The Metal Masters, which included Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, Motorhead and Testament. I was so psyched to find out that I received free tickets to the show. I'm a huge fan of live music... any kind, really.

I have been able to get backstage at shows but have never gotten the VIP treatment. I had a waiter for my box... whatever I wanted he would get. There was a VIP area that had a full bar and was catered. I didn't have to wait an hour in line for the bathroom, either. VIP parking was even better, we got out of the Shoreline in 20 mins, which is unheard of. I remember going to see Radiohead there about 3 years ago, and it took me like 1.5 hours to get out of their parking lot. It was so awesome. More than anything, I got to bring along my friend, Neil, which is a metal fanatic! I mean, we have been talking about going to a metal show since we've known each other and we made a promise to go to one this summer, so when I called him about the tickets, we literally just died!

But anyways, besides the music, my favorite thing to see was what the musicians were wearing. Especially, Rob Halford, lead singer of Judas Priest, that seemed to change ever 2 or 3 songs into a different leather/denim studded jacket. They were amazing... I bet from up close they would look even better. I'm sure all of them were costume made to fit him. It's surprising (and then sometimes not) that he is gay. Her is so intense and tough on stage... coming out with a Harley and being the lead singer of a heavy metal band that introduced heavy metal to the world.



(Sorry my pictures are so poor. I only had my trusty Blackberry and it was really bright out. (: )