Dressing for Easter is serious business. It’s the only holiday that takes all colors of the rainbow, dilutes them down to pastels and throws them all into the mix, peppered with chocolate chicks & bunnies. Easter dress is about breaking the rules of fashion and following a few rules of color. Yep, you can get away with practically anything on Easter!

DRESS

You can wear separates on Easter, but nothing says “Easter bunny” like a good over-the-top dress. Remember that wacky Pepto Bismol-colored number that’s been sitting in the back of your closet forever? Let’s face it, there probably won’t be another occasion, so you might as well rock it out now! Don’t  have a dress of such epic caliber? No problem, you can easily find one waiting for you at a thrift store rack — it’s not like they’re popular — or, worse comes to worse, anything ruffled/floral/over-the-top in a pastel hue will do!

SHOES

Possibly the most important & visible accessory — do not take it lightly. It doesn’t matter what style or shape, what matters here is the COLOR. Pastels  – cotton-candy blues, pinks, greens, yellows — are the holy grail of Easter. If it has an ornament such as a flower or a pom-pom, all the better — if not, attach one yourself immediately! (Craft supply stores offer an endless selection of of chicks, bunnies & fake eggs.)

I got my shoes from here (look for the brand Not Too Coy), they are currently on sale for $87.

MAKEUP

Just because Easter embraces subdued hues doesn’t mean you should go bare-faced. In fact, this is the BIGGEST EASTER PAUX PAS one can committ!!! No self-respecting granny would ever leave her house on Easter without pink lipstick, and neither should you!

I think lipstick is about the most Easter thing you can do. In the pictures, I’m wearing Coquette; against my pinkish complexion it’s almost peachy. (Peach = pastel = WIN.) You can also do Great Pink Planet, D’Lilac, Cosmopop, OR, if you’re out of control & know it, Mint To Be, or New Yolk City! Don’t forget blush: lots & lots of blush! Go for pale pinks, corals, peaches. Same for nails!

HAT

Easter is not Easter without an outlandish headpiece. Hats, bonnets — anything goes, and if it looks like it belongs on an old lady, even better! I found mine at a flea-market; it has pink petals all over it, it was love at first sight. I also recommend gloves — covering your hands says “I am so glam, you just wanna buy me daffodils!”

No? Ok, daisies it is then.

SUNGLASSES

Some people think shades are optional, but I disagree. I think they are an essential part of an Easter get-up, if for no other reason than that they look fabulous with hats!! Extra bonus if you can find pastel OR flower-shaped sunnies. (I dug mine up on eBay.)

JEWELRY

Look for anything that communicates the following message: “If you wear me any other day of the year, you WILL be embarrassed.” Now go find (or make!) some jewelry that involves cotton-candy-tinted bunnies, eggs, etc — your DIY potential here is endless!

PERFUME

Obviously something floral or candy-scented is needed! I recommend Flowerbomb by Victor & Rolf (smells like a floral bouquet with candied base), Lola or Daisy by Marc Jacobs (flowers, flowers, flowers!), Pink Sugar (the most yummylicious perfume on the market) or my recent favorite, Chloe (roses!). If you live nearby a Sephora, you can ask for a free fragrance sample. :)

Used in the shoot:

• Dress: from a Korean seller on eBay
• Cardigan: Betsey Johnson
• Hat, belt, ring, ear-rings: Vintage
• Sunglasses: Elite
• Tights: not sure, had them forever
• Gloves: ModCloth
• Shoes: 6pm
• Lipstick: Lime Crime Coquette

I’ve always been a fan of vintage. What’s not to love? You get a unique piece of clothing for a fraction of the price, plus the thrill of finding a gem amongst racks of one-of-a-kind items is totally addicting! Vintage is not the same as thrift-shopping because it’s not dirt-cheap (and can be quite expensive actually in some cities), but the upswing is that it’s pre-selected so you don’t have to dig through piles and piles of completely random stuff!

I took recommendations from a few of my stylish friends as well as my readers, and compiled a list of places to check out. When Tori and I went, it started pouring — we were literally running from store to store with purses over our heads trying to protect our perfectly coiffed locks!

SHABON
7617 Beleverly Blvd

Our first stop was Shabon Vintage. I found out about this place from a random Wildfox interview, where the girls claimed it was “easily the best vintage shop in Los Angeles”. It’s not cheap — most pieces hovering around $100 — but for what it’s worth, it’s quality vintage where you don’t have to dig through piles of junk (arguably the funnest part?). Belts and boots are their specialty so if you’re in need of something cool, it’s the place to go. I’ve thought about buying a belt but decided it wasn’t girly enough.

WASTELAND
7428 Melrose Ave.

This store reminds me of Buffalo Exchange in both selection, prices, and the fact that they’ll buy your clothes (not strictly vintage). It was the most affordable in our trip, but one I was impressed with the least. I saw a couple Forever 21 items (generally a bad sign) and didn’t encounter much olden-days attire. Not that I’m such a snob that I will never go there again, I will — in fact, I almost bought an adorable seaform-green silk dress there for $28, but ended up purchasing a striped lurex sweater instead ($35). Go there if you’re after ‘interesting & affordable’, not necessarily high-brow or designer.

POLKADOTS & MOONBEAMS
8367 W 3rd St.

By far my favorite, this place was recommended by many! I can see why: pastel petticoats hanging outside, pink dressing rooms and decor reminiscent of Marie Antoinette won over my heart before I even got a chance to look at the clothes! If I were to describe this shop in one word, I would say “cupcake” — yes, it’s that unabashedly, unapologetically, over-the-top GIRLY!

Each rack is separated by color, which makes it very convenient to shop (I dove in straight for the pink, naturally). The racks are full of frilly dresses, flower-adorned hats, cute accessories, jewelry… all displayed in the most scrumptious manner (see what I mean about cupcake-ness?!). What I liked is that it’s done tastefully, without at all coming off baby-ish — in fact, their slogan is “Fabulous, glamorous, and accidentally sexy”.

I tried on several dresses, and ended up buying this one! It wasn’t the cheapest ($75 with tax) — you can find dresses for half that in there, but I just loved the ‘unicorn vomit’ vibe…

Owner Wendy took a liking to me and asked if I would be their Customer of the Month. I said yes without hesitation!!! If you’re on their mailing list, expect to see me in there. :) Last but not least: Wendy showed me a pair of shoes that just came in; the rhinestone  heels were purchased separately in an auction and once belonged to Marilyn Monroe herself, and now the shoe has a new patent top! Aren’t they darling???

So far, I’m very impressed with LA vintage shopping; there seems to be something for everyone, at every price and every style. One thing to remember is that sales tax in CA is ridiculously high (almost 10%!!!), so factor that in when deciding whether a piece is worth it or not.

Stay tuned for Part 2, as I go in to explore The Way We Wore, Jet Rag, American Vintage, and Iguana!

Apartment-hunting can be an arduous task — scanning through the classifieds, setting up appointments with landlords, being disappointed over and over again… All this can leave you emotionally & physically drained. But that’s how ordinary people look for ordinary apartments. You are looking for an apartment of your dreams – did I get that right?!

I’ve spent the past 2 months haunting every rental site in search of a place I could envision myself living in for the next 12 months. In the process, I learned things you couldn’t read anywhere else and no one will tell you, things I’d like to share with you. Read on to uncover my Top 6 Secrets to finding an Apartment of Your Dreams (AOYD)!

• Tip #1: AOYD is located in a city of your dreams.

You can move anywhere you like, so travel around and find a city that you love! It didn’t occur to me that I could leave New York until I visited the West Coast. Make some friends out of state and go visit them. Spend some time doing things they do — not just the touristy stuff — to get a feel for the pace/tone of the town.

• Tip #2: AOYD is more affordable with a 30-day notice.

Be sure to give your soon-to-be ex landlord a minimum of 30-day notice before you move out. Any less and they can legally keep your security deposit (which you need for AOYD, of course)! I didn’t know about this in my first apartment and only gave a 2 week’s notice (seemed like a reasonable time frame) and never got my money back. Learn from my mistakes, don’t do it!

• Tip #3: AOYD is probably listed on Craigslist.org.

Every apartment I’ve ever lived in (I’m on #3) came about as a result of a Craigslist listing. (I’ve even found jobs there back when I still did day jobs!) For the uninitiated, it’s a free classifieds website and a bottomless resource for all things buy/sell/trade/connect. Go get acquainted!

• Tip #4: AOYD wants you to solve the neighborhood riddle.

Are you familiar with the neighborhoods? Before I moved to Los Angeles, I knew nothing about the city, so I emailed all my LA friends for advice and read up on various LA neighborhoods on Wikipedia. You can learn such things as history, demographics, crime rate, and more. For instance, I learned that Toluca Lake was an affluent neighborhood with residents such as Miley Cyrus. Woot woot!

Google Maps is another brilliant resource. If available, you can throw in an address & ‘walk’ through the streets (keep zooming in until it turns into a picture). It’s like a free 360-degree tour in the comfort of your own home! Keep in mind that Google Maps is NOT a substitute for a real-life experience — I’ve seen neighborhoods that looked good on Google that turned out to be less than pleasant — and you should never make a decision just based on what you see on-screen.

• Tip #5: Know what you want.

In other words, have you decided what your AOYD looks like? Even if you haven’t, a good place to start is by looking at what’s available on the market. Set your price limit and look at every listing (don’t forget to enable a ‘has image’ box, listings without pictures are a waste of time!). Some apartments will make you cringe (skip those) and some will pique your curiosity (print those out*).

You & AOYD will reunite sooner if you know exactly what you’re looking for aesthetic-wise. Do you picture yourself in a Spanish-style bungalow, a 1930s Art Deco gem, or a sleek modern apartment? When examining the photos, pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms — these are the rooms you’ll be able to modify the least, so be sure they look like something you could live with.

*A few words on printing. There are times when saving trees is appropriate, but this is one of those occasions when it’s so worth the ink. Having all the listings physically in front of you will keep your search organized, plus you can take notes right on the sheet such as square footage, owner’s phone number, address, etc. Also, remember that Craigslist listings expire in 7 days — having a hard back-up copy saved my hump on more than one occasion!

• Tip #6: Be ready to act fast.

It may take a month to find an AOYD, or it might take a day. Whatever fate might have in store, be prepared to act fast! When you see something you like, call/email the owner immediately and ask when you can stop by to see it. I don’t recommend *seriously* looking for apartments remotely, unless you know you can commute in – I missed out on several what seemed like amazing LA places because I was stuck in NY and couldn’t check them out (and cried over it!). If you’re from out of town, ask a friend if they may kindly let you stay with them for a few days while you look.

How to dress for an apartment sighting

So you’ve got yourself an appointment — congratulations! So how do you dress to make a good impression? I always recommend looking like yourself, although slightly on the conservative side. If you’re an artist, you don’t want the landlord to think you’re a businessman, and vice versa. Present yourself accurately and respectably. I chose white hair over blue because while I know it’s just my way of self-expression, some people may misinterpret it to mean ‘party’ or ‘late rent’. Once I’m settled in and they get to know the wonderful & reliable me, I’m sure no one will care if my hair suddenly turns lavender. :)

To paint or not to paint?

As someone who loves color and re-decorating, I’ve learned that it’s always a good idea to ask the landlord upfront if they’re ok with your re-decorating prior to signing on the dotted line. Some landlords won’t care, some will even allow a paint budget, others will be dead against it; either way it’s good to know in advance. My new apartment comes with horrible coffee-brown walls; I’m happy our landlady let us paint!

A word on landlords

Don’t sign the lease if the landlord seems mean/pushy/untrustworthy — no apartment is worth it!!! This is the person you’ll be dealing with for the next 6-12 months, depending on your lease, and they can, literally, make your life a living hell. A good landlord is open, reasonable & accommodating and keeps your happiness high on their priority list.

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY HUNTING!

Deerlings: What’s your Dream Apartment? Share your apartment-hunting tips with us!

Dear Heathre,

One’s travel wardrobe generally depends on where you’re going and the purpose of your trip. I assume yours is to explore fun, new places, and if that’s the case then blending in with the crowd is not at all necessary. In fact, trying to mimic the locals’ style can turn into a real disaster and make you seem even more out of place! (After all, they live there; you don’t.) Plus, I can’t imagine wearing the clothes you’d normally never wear not being awkward.

My personal belief is that no matter where you go — another town or a whole different country — you should always look well put-together and be yourself!

For me, it comes down to plain ole’ vanity. Whether I’m at home or thousands of miles away, I want to look good, and wearing the right dress/shoes/my favorite lipstick can give me that.  (I’ve almost missed a plane once because I forgot to pack my favorite perfume & had to return for it!) I also find that matching my inside to my outside helps me feel more at ease in social situations and be more outgoing!

Preserving your style and looking your best while living out of a suitcase is not as hard as it seems. The trick is to pack clothes that fit you right, compliment each other, and travel well. For example, for my Disney vacation I packed light blues, pale pinks, silvers, creams, blacks (for accents), and a bunch of inexpensive accessories (hotel rooms do get robbed, as sad as it is…). This made putting outfits together each morning a breeze, and, believe it or not, my 5 days’ worth of outfits fit into 1 carry-on bag!

Of course, there are some elements of style that should be left at home. Excessive piercings and rings might get caught on clothes, family pearls (and other expensive jewelry) are better off in the safety of your home, as well as any symbols/imagery that might be considered offensive in a particular country.

I wish you much luck in your travels and remember — a smile is always the best accessory! :D

Deerlings: What are your 3 personal-style essentials you’d never travel without? For me, it’s my makeup bag, hair curler/straightener and at least 1 pair of fashion heels!

Mark and I have recently made the big decision to relocate across country within a year. While we’re still debating between the colorful San Francisco and the warm LA, the eminent reality of possession is already looming over my head. What are we going to do with all this stuff??? How did we end up with so much anyway? Here’s how. First we moved into a bigger apartment which required furnishing. Then the furniture started attracting various objects — inside and outside — and before we knew it, our house became an aggregation of all kinds of amazing things — amazing if you’re planning to stay.

The scariest monster of all, hands down, is our wardrobe. It resides in a walk-in closet upstairs and it is MASSIVE. Mark and I tend to update our style every 6 months, retaining a few things from past styles here and there. If we were to ship everything as-is right now, it would take 10 humongous boxes! The next few months will be spend taming it.

Why should you minimize your wardrobe? It’s a healthy habbit that’s sort of cleansing — both mental and physical. It allows you to weed out the stuff you no longer wear or like, and donate it to charity, keep your wardrobe fresh and down to only the items you love. It makes for easier and faster dressing up. Last but not least, you’ll have more room for new stuff — which, in turn, will inspire you to create new beautiful outfits!

So how do you tackle this beast? Here are a few guidelines which I use to help determine what goes into the “Keep” and the “Donation” piles.

1. Cut & Fit

Does the item in question flatter your body type? I’m a pear — my bust is narrower than my hips — and since most clothes are made for a rectangular body type, I inevitably end up with a few things that aren’t flattering on my figure. The rule of thumb is this: No matter how much it cost, if it doesn’t fit, it’s not worth keeping. Got a sewing machine? You might be able to salvage it. I’ve dedicated a separate section in my closet for “Projects” for skirts with too-long hemlines, dresses a size too big, etc.

One factor I intentionally omitted is Comfort. Depending on your preference, you may or may not want to consider it, but me, I’m happy to suffer in beautiful things!

2. Condition

Looking good means constantly monitoring your clothes for wear & tear, and parting with things that are past their prime. Remember that cardigan you love and wear all the time? It might be time to let it go. If it’s stretched out and pilling all over, it’s probably not doing much for your dashing good looks. ;)

Exception: vintage. If it’s 20, 30, 40 years old chances are it has holes & rips, but what it lacks in newness it makes up for in uniqueness. How do you know when to say goodbye to a vintage piece? Fabric deterioration is the first sign. If seams begin to come loose because fabric can no longer hold them together, it may be time to bid adieu to your favorite dress. Unless, of course, you get crafty and turn it into a skirt!

3. Quality

I’ve always looked up to and admired people of discriminating taste. This has nothing to do with how much money on spend (after all, money can’t buy taste!) or being a designer snob. It’s simply seeking out and allowing only well-made things to come into your possession. Yes, some of these things cost a lot; some of them cost nothing. In the past months, I’ve been paying close attention to materials and seams and construction. If it looks cheap, it’s banned from my closet. Period.

4. You adore it!

This category over-rides everything above! If you love it, you keep it. Who cares if it’s a ridiculous color or falling apart — if it brings you joy and you wear it often, it’s worth having as part of your sartorial family. With me, this goes for accessories & jewelry especially, many of those things have become staples in my wardrobe and I can’t envision parting with them.

Deerlings: Is your wardrobe out of control? What steps do you take to whip it into submission?