J.Crewzing

Casually industrial in Silicon Valley, CA.

I like being a woman, even in a man’s world. After all, it’s appropriate for women to wear pants, but not necessarily for men to wear dresses.
— Whitney Houston

The colored pants phenomena: I love it. When it started in full force? I could not tell you. Now it is something so predominant within fashion you assume it always was this way. Myself, an avid fan. Currently have 20+ pairs of pants hanging in my closet (this is not including the plethora of pairs packed to the gills in my hamper!) Most of these lovely pairs are colors bleeding more exuberance than the classic denim. Some are fans of that whole, pants off dance off!  ideology. Ideally I say, it's just as much of a party with them on!

Tee, Espadrilles, Belt, Earrings: J.Crew

Pants: 7 For All Mankind

Chambray: Make you feel some type of way

Chambray, just rolls off the tongue, much like champagne or merlot merlot. Perhaps those go on the tongue instead of rolling off? Whateva. If I had it my way I would wear Chambray everyday. However, that would require myself partaking in one of the most arduous tasks (not to mention time consuming) laundry. Who wants to do that? Who has the time to do that? I suppose I could just buy a plethora of chambrays; however I do not think I could justify that and something about it is far too impetuous.  

Alex & Ani Bracelets: www.reeds.com

Click the links below and be transported to purchase:

Chambray Shirt: www.jcrew.com

Polka Dot Pants: www.oldnavy.com

NONSTP Sandals: www.stevemadden.com

Luck Brand Jeans Tank: www.polyvore.com

3 Shades of Pink

 

J.Crew Plaid Boucle tweed jacket: Buy here!

Theory, Calvin Klein, J.Crew, you name it they have it. By it I mean a way with structure and design that at it’s most simple is impeccable, while incorporating the color pink. I assure you there is nothing nationalistic or imperial about those choices, despite all three being American. Expertly styled clothing specializing in basic architecture that would appeal to any modern woman. The above fashion houses happen to be three of my favorite, because they’re basic? No. Because they don’t pretend to be something they are not, they just are; and they kill it.

Calvin Klein, American yet not to be confused with super 90s hunk Chris Klein, (are the related?) Launching in 1968 from a hotel room in Manhattan with a fairly simple dress line – Calvin Klein is just as relevant now as it has always been. Pink Pink Pink. Every time I hear Calvin Klein all I think about the incredibly stunning gown Claire Danes wore to the Golden Globes in 2011. I have had a disDane for the color pink ever since I learned to tie my own (not pink) shoes. Somehow Calvin makes me love it. Isn’t that miraculous, isn’t that what fashion is all about? I find that to be a feat, a battle won, a victory: designing something so wonderful that even an individual that normally hates something, becomes enamored with it. However, I’m sure in his mind, designing something the notable Claire Danes wore was much more of a success..

Claire Danes @ The Golden Globes, 2011 in Calvin Klein

J.Crew started out as a standard drab comparable to the likes of the Gap, or a more boring version of Land’s End in 1995. Anyone remember those weird half zips with reflectors on the back and your initials monogrammed on the front? #TotallyEastCoast #ButWeLiveInCaliMom. Maybe you never had this experience with Land’s End, maybe you are lucky and got to shop at Limited Too for everything, and for that I am jealous. Anyway, back to the task at hand. J.Crew did not get interesting until 2009 (which is coincidentally the year I started to work for them, life never ceases to amaze me). Under the creative direction of sharp shooter and the newly “out,” (GO YOU!) courageous Jenna Lyons; J.Crew morphed itself into a destination for men and women of all ages (even babies! Hello Crew Cuts!) Though still keeping their basic framework, they perfected the whole,

I’m really not trying to look good, but I just do
— Everyone Rocking J.Crew

J.Crew Classic Merino Long Cardigan

Theory came into being when Elie Tahari and a Calvin Klein (coincidence? I think not) executive, Andrew Rosen had a desire make comfy, yet stylish stretch pants for women in 1997. The product line took off, like a scarf out the window of a moving car; and in 1999 Theory’s men’s line launched. Theory was enormously more successful than Tahari and Rosen could ever have imagined. Selling the LLC after just 6 years to the owners of the Japanese powerhouse, Uniqlo. Theory is uncomplicated and unassuming. Even the most fashion-challenged consumer can relate to their shades of pink; pinks that do not jump out, or yell at you: they are sweet and simple; the antithesis of persnickety. I may be slightly biased since I got my first job by interviewing in Theory threads (and I continue to sport Theory to every interview).

PLEASE CLICK ON THE PHOTOS BELOW FOR A MONTAGE OF THESE SUMMER PINK THEORY WEDGES (FOR PURCHASE, SIZE 8)

What is with pink? Pink it sounds like poke, or punk, and looks even worse. How are these three fashion houses able to make me reconsider my torrid, unsettled, war with the color Pink? I must confess I have bought many a pink J.Crew cardigan, T-Shirt, Theory summer wedges (pictured here for purchase), coincidentally slipping into my wardrobe. The power and persuasion of the brands colors my world pink!

To Theory, Calvin & J.Crew: keep doin’ what you do because it’s makin’ me love what I hate.

KISSES!

Frenemies, what up with them?

I thought it would be an appropriate time to bring up the concept of frenemies in honor of it almost being Spring - high time for spring cleaning! The more years around the sun I complete, the more evident it becomes that some of my so-called “friends”, do not have the best of intentions. What up with them?

Who would want a frenemy? Until recently I prided myself on not having any; then I realized I had a few. We will focus on one of each gender – keeping it all in the family! Equal opportunity back-stabbing!

Frenemy #1: Brian*

Brian is a douchebag. Brian is the guy who only talks to you when he wants something you have, wants something from you, or needs you to perform a task he can’t get anyone else to do. Brian is such a frenemy.

Brian’s sexuality is questionable and his motives are just as blurry. We started out dating since we were attracted to one another. Then it became painfully clear that there was something seriously wrong with this individual’s mind. For instance, whenever the conversation got deeper than “What did you eat for breakfast?” Brian could no longer handle speaking English. Brian started speaking in *Mongolian, a language he knew I did not understand. REALLY. I do not know how he knew this language considering he was definitely NOT Mongolian. Whenever I asked how he learned the language, he retreated further into Mongolian.

I found this alluring and sort of cute in the beginning, cute in a bizarre way. As time went on this weird defense mechanism Brian seemed to pull out when things got “heavy”, not only confused me, but entirely turned me off. How could a 24 year old be unable to articulate thoughts and feelings? Oh and then there was the fact that he completely “forgot” to show up on my birthday last year. #later.

Why am I still friends with this person? What an excellent question. I’m not, not really. It’s the type of friendship that consists of a random text every 3-4 weeks. Needless to say we have had our rocky moments, but we have also had some great times. So great, that I let bilingual Brian with the questionable sexuality spend a good month enticing me to be his roommate for our senior of college. WTF? Side note: This didn’t happen.

To say this individual has no idea who he is would be entirely accurate. Brian constantly criticizes my clothing sense (whatever, shut up) the people I hang with and my overall demeanor. I realize he does this because he is so unsure of who he is and what he wants. His self-absorption runs so deep that he has no idea how to show compassion for other people. I eventually learned to not take anything he says seriously. I know he cares for me but I also have to expect that his sharp tongue will emerge and when it does, I need to chop it off. Most recently, he offered to pay me handsomely for an article of clothing he once let me borrow(?) Who the hell pays their friends to return clothing? Whatever, I’ll take $200.

Frenemy #2: Allison*

Allison is a different type of frenemy, the type that is not as blatant and direct as the aforementioned Brian. Allison is a girl frenemy. This means she is conniving, thinks things through (or doesn’t). Either way all of her moves are calculated. Allison is a good time, but that’s about all she is. Allison has little to no ambition to improve her life and tries her best to hold you back from accomplishing anything in yours. Allison is the type of girl who complains about everything, takes no responsibility, and thinks a 6-pack is the most attractive thing about a man’s personality. Yes I said personality. Allison is the shallow woman that has no idea that she’s shallow. In fact, she thinks she’s intelligent, deep and personal – which she will tell anyone– just ask her. But let’s be honest, if you say something repeatedly -– does that make it any more true? Allison craves attention, from just about everyone (but especially men.) This need for constant affirmation  is so strong that she is willing to lie, cheat, sell-out, or back stab any of her friends in order to achieve this goal. Sound like high school? Well she’s 25.

“Don’t be afraid of enemies that attack you, be afraid of friends that flatter you.” This is the ultimate tagline for Allison. I’ve spent more nights waiting alone in the cold for Allison, only to realize that she would never come. She must have been too busy and too enthralled with her new boy flavor of the week. Allison has no regard or reverence for deep personal relationships with females. Hello mommy and daddy issues! She fails to see what women can do for her, takes them for granted and quickly starts new friendships as soon as the others end. Nothing to lose. Women like Allison are the most dangerous, and must be avoided at all costs! I feel bad for these individuals and wish I could help them. But I can’t. So please feel free to read about their lives via Facebook/Instagram/Whatever is popular, for these women are complete narcissists who NEED AND CRAVE the attention that is the essence of social media. Cutting these women out of your life will only make you happier. They won’t give you a chance to miss them because they will be all over your newsfeed – I assure you!

P.S. Bye lovers!!! xoxo

*Names/ Languages have been changed to protect the innocent (innocence is a relative term)