Jazzi McG » shopping

To keep or sell?

Jazzi — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:40:57 +0000

vintage bag from Melrose Trading Post, Bubblemint gum courtesy of Orbit, Balenciaga wedges

I bought this deliciously tacky vintage 70s wallpaper print bag at the flea market a few weeks ago, but I couldn’t tell you exactly what possessed me to do so… I may end up on an episode of Hoarders from all the things I get just because I want them to have a home.

So the question is: to keep or sell? I can’t decide whether it was love at first sight or if I need to get my eyes checked.

What the French, Toast!?

Jazzi — Tue, 18 May 2010 01:36:55 +0000

Altered H&M striped maxi dress, DIY bracelet, random sock garters and OTK socks, Jessica Simpson platforms, rings: Pamela Love, F21, vintage, Made Her Think, Orbit Maui Melon Mint gum

Orbit reached out to a handful of bloggers – including myself – to help reveal their new line of product packaging. I accepted the partnership because I actually DO chew their gum (sugar-free spearmint, baby), I love their ad campaigns (seriously, this is one of my favorite commercials ever) and they gave me creative license to show off the new packaging however I want.

There are like 30 new packages in crazy colors and patterns that aim to go beyond traditional “branding” and venture into accessorizing. Pretty cool. So I’ll be revealing my 5 favorite new packages in the coming weeks. Think of it as fun product placement that shouldn’t otherwise interrupt your (ir)regularly scheduled programming.

Onto the outfit - I snagged this maxi dress at H&M the other day, but standing just 5 feet tall means every maxi dress is super long (and generally unflattering) on me. So I cut it up the front for a different effect. Now my goal is to get the “train” as scuffed up and worn in as possible, which shouldn’t take long. The sock garters have been sitting in my closet for a while and I decided to pull them out as a gum-holster (gum holster, get it!?). More on my DIY bracelet soon, and the hat is Sean’s. He never wears it, so I decided to.

The photos are at F&S fabrics where I was picking up some odds & ends and my nails (trying out rounded nails) are by the amazing and hilarious David at CT Nails #9! Resident L.A. airbrush nail king.

L.A. Sales Worth Hitting Up This Week

Jazzi — Mon, 17 May 2010 21:04:52 +0000

From experience I can say a R29 sale is not to be missed. Amazing clothes for a steal. A good portion of my favorites have come from their NY Save Fashion sales. Welcome to L.A. Refinery 29!

more sale details here

DIY: Alexander Wang SS10 Sheer Pants

Jazzi — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:41:42 +0000

Alexander Wang Spring 2010 look via tFS, Shirley of Hollywood sheer pajama pants, Lace Sleep Shorts, varsity letter patch, Asos baseball jacket

I really love these sheer Wang pants but despite some fantastic detailing, I can’t bring myself to shell out $500 for something easily found in a Fredrick’s catalogue or my Grandmother’s pajama drawer. The whole varsity/athletic runway look isn’t totally “me” right now but I do think the pants are perfect – and surprisingly versatile. Really. I just bought this rando Shirley of Hollywood “Sexy” (ha) sheer PJ set and I’m really pumped about it.

Planning a quick nip/tuck at the ankles, add black shorts, a side-braid for good measure and ta-da! Watch out now. Will post photos when they get here but couldn’t resist sharing now.

(Tip: search for sheer/chiffon/silk lounge pants on eBay – I’ve seen a few good options recently)

Shopping: Society for Rational Dress & Grey Ant

Jazzi — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:28:52 +0000

Inside (and outside) the Society for Rational Dress studio; wearing a Forever21 dress, AA crop top, vintage Krizia glasses, Mom’s necklace, Jessica Simpson Dany platforms

Spring has arrived in LA and I spent it soaking up some serious sun and a couple sample sales with Sean (who took these photos!). I wore my Jessica Simpson Dany platforms (aka Charles Anastase/Natacha Marro knock-offs) and I’m so on board with all the blogger-love, they’re pretty great – though the originals are better. I didn’t want them in black or tan (and hated the silver), but I got the tan because I knew they would be easy to dye. So I’m taking them to my shoe guy later this week to have them dyed a deep maroon color.

First, we hit Society for Rational Dress, which was tame and organized, and I finally got to check out their beautiful space. I’m obsessed with the straight-jacket chairs (which would be a great home DIY/belt display), and they have the BEST mirror in the fitting area – you know the kind: big, perfect lighting and makes everyone look their best. Not quite sure how I ended up buying a massive winter sweater in this kind of weather (excess Vitamin D makes me loopy) but it was a good deal and has amazing bell sleeves. Odds are I won’t get to wear it til next year… but I also got some leather fringe spat thingies that I will be wearing sooner than later.

Afterwards, we hit up the Grey Ant farewell/moving sale. The brand has been an LA staple for quite some time, but they’re moving operations to NY where they were selected for the CFDA’s new Incubator project. The sale was hyper and crazed and I wouldn’t have expected it any other way. Clothes were flying, and the prices were unbeatable – everything under $20, and most around $5. My heart sank since there were no Status Shades, which I’ve wanted for a while, but luckily I was one of the firsts through the door, so I still left with an armload of cute spring/summer stuff for like $60. More soon.

Oh, and I find out about most of these sweet sample sales from SSLA and/or Refinery 29!

Grey Ant sale madness. bottom: Grey Ant’s Lady of the House, Natalie Levy (raddest chick in the building!)

Shoe Story: Phi Pumps

Jazzi — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:16:19 +0000

PHI pumps

My new, but a few seasons old, Phi pumps. Frances first alerted me to the Phi closing sale via twitter, and Julia snagged them for me before they were gone (and also took the above photos). I wasn’t totally sold on the toe of the shoe at first, but the heel hardware won me over. For $50 – retail was over $1,200 – they really didn’t have to try hard, and I can think of plenty fun ways to style these.

The sale is over now, and Phi is officially gone (RIP), but this is a nice little memento… even though they tipped my luggage over the weight allowance.

Based on a Shoe Story: Balenciaga Wedges Pt. 2 (x3)

Jazzi — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:44:43 +0000

Balenciaga platform wedges, American Apparel Disco pants, Vintage top

The Balenciaga wedges… While it seems like some time after I posted, everyone and their grandma ended up with a pair (I see why!)… I ended up with 3. But who’s counting?

I bought my blue pair before any Balenciagas ended up at DSW in Union Square for $99 (Yes, DSW. I know, wtf). But of course when I found out they were there, I had 2 of my NY bests J. Chesky & G. Darling scoop up the tan & emerald pairs, respectively. Shockingly, all 3 pairs combined cost less than 1 pair at the original price, so while I know it’s still a bit excessive, you must understand how long I’d been after them & why I couldn’t pass them up!

If I’ve learned anything from shopping it’s this: If you love something totally out of your price range, let it go. If it comes back off-season & seriously on sale… you know it was meant to be. Buy 3.

Thank you again shoe gods, I guess that goat I sacrificed did work (totally kidding, PETA). I have successfully broken-in the triplettes and they are getting fantastic mileage.

And to those who asked: (1) They run true to size, maybe half-size small, but eventually stretch (2) I’m barely 5′, so I’m used to huge shoes on a daily basis. But yes, they are probably hard to walk in if you’re not used to a 5″ heel. The wedge helps though.

PS – like my snazzy GIF? Also, not that it matters, but curious: do you pronounce it “jiff” or “giff” with a hard g? Inquiring minds would love to know.

ETA: Hey guys, please don’t email my friends asking them to get shoes for you! 1) call DSW, but I think they’re sold out 2) Julia says, “I only shoe mule for Jazzi, sorry.” Seriously, I linked to them because I love them, not because they’re offering a service.

Heads Up: Jeffrey Campbell Sale Tomorrow!

Jazzi — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:29:44 +0000

(top) my fave Jeffrey Campbell oxfords – flats! GASP! (bottom) my current jeffrey campbell wishlist

Warning: my next, like, 3 posts are about shoes, but then I’ll have a trip to NY to talk about (heading to NYFW Feb 9-19!).

Considering I work in fashion, I think my shoe collection is quite humble. I just buy what I love and must have – within budget. My friends realized it before I did, but I own & wear more Jeffrey Campbell shoes than anything else. They just go perfectly (design & price-wise) with my high-low mentality.

I got a great response to my Potion boots, and while they’ve been forcibly retired by my loved ones (who were sick of looking at them daily and they are SO BEAT UP haha), I’m replacing them with JC’s awesome new collab with Lookbook.nu & Need Supply.

Sometimes I feel like a walking JC ad, but I genuinely love what they’re doing, so I was really happy to learn that the love was mutual. Ty at JC – who is amazingly sweet & funny – and I are teaming up on some fun things for the site, starting with a couple giveaways!

More to come on the giveaways very soon – but as a precursor, Ty gave me the scoop that Jeffrey Campbell is doing their first sample sale with Gilt Fuse TOMORROW! I’ve never participated in a Gilt sale but I signed up just for this. No word whether the Potions will be there, but it will be fall styles at discounted prices and I’m hoping to snag something good!

In short: Cute shoes. Good Prices. Get on it.

Jeffrey Campbell Sample Sale

36 hours only, starting Feb 2, 2010 at 12pm EST

on Gilt Fuse

UPDATE: It’s on the Gilt Fuse homepage, but nearly everything is gone now – sold out in minutes :( Stay tuned for my giveaway though!

Rosebowl Flea Market

Jazzi — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:59:03 +0000

flea market fodder; me: target hat, costume dept. sequin leggings, AA shirt, JC potion boots

Last Sunday I wore leggings as pants (stfu) & met up with some fine blogging ladies (Lucrecia, Annabel, Ev’yan, & Taghrid – who ducked out early, so I sadly didn’t get any pics of her & her awesome gold shoes) at the Rosebowl Flea Market in Pasedena, CA. It’s a once-a-month, down and dirty, all you could imagine outdoor market than spans the Rose Bowl and then some. I personally prefer the Fairfax Flea Market (way smaller, closer, and every Sunday), but I think that’s because I’m not on a vintage-binge at the moment, and found the Rosebowl selection more dirty piled-up junk at than anything else. I actually got so grimy at the flea market I had to disinfect in a hot bath after and I STILL got sick.

That said, I did walk away with 2 small things that will end up on here sooner or later, and had a great time traipsing in the sun with the girls (and Sean, who took most of these pics)! I had met Lucrecia & Taghrid previously, and it was a total pleasure meeting Annabel & Ev’yan, they’ve all got great blogs you should definitely check out.

PS – can we just talk about that doggie!? miserable or loving it?

Rodarte x Target Leopard Lace & Bow Dresses

Jazzi — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:59:25 +0000

Rodarte for Target Leopard Lace Bow Dress, Tulle Bow Dress, YSL Imperiale pumps, Mom’s necklace

As a big Rodarte AND Target fan, I was prepared to do some serious Target-hopping this morning to get my hands on at least 1 of these two dresses.

Lucky for me, I found the entire collection in a nice range of sizes on my first stop (at one of the less picked-over locations in West LA… big hint: Culver City). I knew these two were a must for me. The leopard dress makes me feel all Pebbles Flintstone and I love the bow on the back. And I haven’t had the static issues others seem to be having with the tulle dress, however I am debating cutting it up and making it into a mesh crop top… we’ll see how that one turns out.

As for the rest – my expectations are low for any mass produced diffusion line so, for the price, I don’t bother complaining much about fabrics or fit. I’m generally happy to find even one awesome piece – so I’m really happy with these 2 dresses and the sequin skull dress (which I also grabbed). But I do plan on taking these over to my tailor for a hemline chop (tucked under above).

Opening Ceremony jacket, Target hat, Forever 21 jeans, Jeffery Campbell boots

Anyone else snag anything good?? What was the stock like at your local Target? Reactions to the collection in person?

Oh, and I was definitely one of those assholes this time… I impulsively bought one or two of all the key pieces, since I’ve regretted not doing so in the past and watching the prices skyrocket on eBay. After seeing shit sell out after day 1, I couldn’t help myself.

to be continued…