Suspension: Menswear Inspired pt.1

This shoot was inspired by the likes of Nylon magazine and androgynous style.
It is part of a series on menswear inspired shoots I am making.
It is more edgy than what I've been doing..I have a very versatile fashion sense
as I love to explore all sides of fashion. I have more classic shoots in store, so keep on the lookout!
The shirt I purchased in 2007. I wore it to my first trip to Disneyland. The tie is from my Father's closet. The suspenders and boots are from people very special to me.

White Shirt: Target
Suspenders: Goodwill, gift from Tyler <3
Boots: Tyler's Dad and Gina <3
Tie: my Father
Glitter Polish: OPI Alice in Wonderland Collection, Mad as a Hatter from Tyler <3
Sequin Shorts: Forever21
Fishnets: Target $1.29

Walk on the Wild Side

Dress: Forever21 clearance
Pleather Leggings: Forever21 clearance
Stilettos: Forever21 clearance
Fedora: Hottopic clearance
Gold Bracelets: my Aunt Val

Let me begin by saying that I adore animal print! On anything. I have a zebra pillow from Goodwill because I love it so much. It's fierce and modern and playful. So this leopard print dress was an amazing clearance find! I bought it on my most recent mall spree, along with three pairs of clearance shoes that included these beautiful jeweled stilettos. Just before my shoot, Lou Reed's (of my favorite band, The Velvet Underground) Walk on the Wild Side played on the radio. How fitting! The leggings I purchased on clearance in the fall of last year, and they are one of my favorite finds of all time. I adore pleather and they add edge to any outfit. And of course, I love my deliciously high clearance heels. Hear me roar!

What the F are you wearing?!

Okay, I just had to post this outfit!
I created it for a party I went to with Tyler and the theme was 'what the the F are you wearing?' So I threw together this ensemble.
I purchased the tube top on the same trip as my purple zebra top, and the shorts and heels during my most recent mall spree. I'm obsessed with these shorts, because I just adore sequins! The fishnets I bought recently and I was so thrilled about their clearance price. They're usually almost $10! I had a pair in 2006 that my mother confiscated, so I've been desiring to replace them for a long time. The tie I bought in 2006 when I was 16, and I wore it literally all the time. The gloves were from my Junior Prom, where I channeled Satine from Moulin Rouge.
Later on I wore glasses that I'd used for a play my Senior year. It was certainly a zany night!

Tube Top: Marshalls $4 Sequin Shorts: Forever21 Heels: Forever21 clearance $10 Fishnets: Target clearance $1.29 Tie: Walmart Gloves: Claire's Accessories
Glasses: Party City Fedora: Hottopic clearance

I want to rock & roll all night

Guns'n'Roses Tee: Wetseal clearance $5
Studded Pleather Vest: Wetseal clearance $4
Fedora: Hottopic clearance $20
Cross Necklace: my Grandmother Natalie r.i.p.
Boots: Goodwill
Belt: Target
Shorts: Wetseal clearance $19

I purchased the tee, vest and boots in the fall of last year. The fedora I purchased in 2006 when I was 16. It has been one of my favorite purchases ever, I wear it all the time and it gives outfits an edge. The boots are cool, I wore them as my character Ivy in the first episode of Normally This Weird. I bought the shirt because I am a fan of Guns'N'Roses. This day was really fun as well, later on I hung out with Tyler and his dad who is the coolest Dad I've ever met and we listened to music and hung out at Westgate all night.

purple haze

Top-Marshalls $4
Shorts-Wetseal sale $19
Flower hairband-Target

I love the bright bold color of this top!
I bought it the day I found out I had a job interview, and the shorts I bought during a visit to my beautiful boyfriend Tyler's work at PV Mall.
The shirt's print seems to me a mixture of both zebra and tiger stripes, which is awesome since they're two of my most favorite animals.
The ponytail holder I purchased along with an identical one in magenta from Target in 2002 when I was 12. I have always loved flowers, especially in my hair. It's also glittery, and I adore glitter.
The day of this shoot was so fun,
later I hung out with Tyler
and we had an adventure at the airport.
A fun shirt to go with a fun day!

le fille sauvage and the windy day

Dress-Charlotte Russe clearance $20
Shoes-Goodwill
Cardigan-Wetseal clearance
Lace Blouse-Goodwill
Heart Necklace-Body Central
Hairbows-Hottopic
Tights-Wetseal
Headband-Dollar Tree

The inspiration for this outfit was for a classy French, Lolita look. The dress I purchased this January. The shoes were a genius Goodwill find about two years ago. I love them because they are androgynous chic, I love menswear inspired items. This outfit is almost entirely made up of clearance items! C'est magnifique!

Bienvenu!

Bonjour!

Je m'apelle Grace E.
and this is my fashion blog!
aka my fashion playground
of colors and textures and dreams.

I have always possessed a
passion for fashion
As an actor and writer
I deeply appreciate and practice expression
And storytelling
Fashion explores both
It provides a world where you
Can create a character and also
Express your true self
A shout out to the world
This is me!

As a young fashionista, I put on fashion shows
Parading around the small kitchen in outfits
Concocted from my sacred Dress Up Box
These creations of sequins and silk and plastic jewelry
Would pave the way for le papillon to emerge
Equipped with hard-earned baby-sitting income
And a magpie eye for things bright and bold
I spread my glittering wings to the world

Stripes! Glitter! Pleather! Belts! Pins! Hats!
Cascades of costumes and props overflowed my closet
In an eclectic waterfall
Some of these outfits garnered quizzical stares from strangers
And others compliments
A Walmart lace skirt with Payless boots
My $20 prom dress worn with a pleather jacket from Target
Suspenders worn with a sequin headband during my first trip to Disneyland
Even caused Cruella De Vil to comment
'Dahling! I love your style'

One of my main goals with my fashion expression
And indeed, with this blog
Is to demonstrate and encourage
The world, power, and magic
of Affordable Fashion.
Fashion is not about
-labels
-price
-conformity
Therefore!
The clearance rack, thrift and even dollar store
Are in fact, the perfect treasure chest for your dream wardrobe
Goodwill! Target! Buffalo Exchange!
Find them and raid raid raid
I guarantee you that this fashion hunt
Will reward you with many a new fantastic find!

During high school, when complimented on an outfit
I would reply with the price and source of my find
Which was in turn usually met with a look of shock
'That was four dollars?!'
'You got that at Goodwill?!'
The reason I did this was again,
to prove that it is possible and indeed EASY
to be a fashionista without breaking your wallet.

Another of my goals for this Blog
Is to incorporate another love and passion of mine:
Music
An art form which gives indescribable happiness and inspiration
To my Fashion sense
Along well as other art forms
Paintings, Film, and Literature
History serves up a magnitude of icons and ideas
From 20s Flapper to 40s pin-up to 60s hippie chic
Henry Darger's watercolor Vivien Girls
The swaggering strains of Lou Reed and David Bowie
Coquette of the big screen Holly Golightly
And Nabokov's nymphette Lolita
These all ignite the closet of my mind!


This Blog has technically been in the making
For nearly four years
Since I joined with blogger.com in the fall of 2007
Though I have always strived to share my love of Fashion and personal style
Whether through a zine, blog, or strutting the streets
As someone who hasn't had internet for nearly a year
It has been a struggle to finally jumpstart this dream
But determination and overcoming obstacles
Is also part of my style!

What is the story and significance of my Blog's title, you may ask?
It is a line from a song from my favorite film of all time
Mary Poppins, a story which holds great significance for me
The books and film promote and embody the belief and existence of magic
Around and within us
Magic is as I've said, a key element of Fashion
Between the pavement and stars is my world
I conquer these AZ streets
And leap for the stars in my striped flats

So with this, I hope to leave you with a sense of interest and inspiration
Start the treasure hunt!

Au revoir.