Miss Marple

Spring break'n it on Main Street with Lissa of Two Trees Herbal and the dashing Aristotle the Photographer...

Us ladies were fresh off a very amazing night at my studio, Paradiso Arts where we gave the workshop, Transformative Power of Beauty with the effervescent Briana Schuck. We were feeling all glowing and successful because we created an art studio/spa/feast for a special group of women. We got to reap the benefits of each other's teaching as well. It was down right transformative that is for sure!

Prior to this photo shoot, we had a hat fest at Fedora Primo in Santa Monica. I might have to go back for a huge, floppy brimmed wool black hat. Made me look mysterious. Artists must retain their mystery (ha!), I learned from a character on Miss Marple, that happening BBC murder mystery show set in the early 50's, I've been addicted to this spring break. God, they have a superb costume designer!!! Anyway, I digress. Lissa and I discovered at the hat shop that we are both attracted to hats that do not look good on us. On the other hand, when we try on hats that we are not attracted to, we end up looking incredible. Interesting. Aristotle was the only one to walk away with a handsome purchase... In this case, a Greek fisherman's hat. Perfection.

We pose in front of the shop, Paris 1900 which is NEVER OPEN. Art nouveau spectacular shop design. My outfit is a 2013 take on Miss Marple, while Lissa's is part forest.

Also, prior to this shoot we had just rolled down a grassy hill overlooking the ocean in skirts. It's okay because we decided we were 12 years old for the day.

Laura's tank is by American Apparel, cardigan by Loulou, shoes by Hush Puppies, belt is homemade, and healing stones necklace is by Nicole Hoegl.

Lissa's outfit is vintage, baby!

Aristotle's hat is by Dorfman Pacific Company.

I'm not a shoe person really.  Well, I do LOVE boots, but I don't consider myself a shoe person especially because I have picky feet.  Anyway, aren't these beautiful?  I like to be able to run in my shoes.  Running randomly for fun.  Running in emergencies.  Let's stick with the fun image.  These are made in Namibia

Adding this image to my little shoe gallery was inspired by a walk to the Van's store today to get our youngest some shoes.  His first Van's.  They didn't have these, but I was impressed by the moccasin style selection.  It was pretty cool that my husband and I both have memories of going to the local Van's store in the early 80's and ordering our custom shoes.  Multi-tones of blue, a little hawaiian print here and there.  Ah, the excitement of knowing they might be ready, hopping on the cruiser and going to collect them.

Okay, like I said.  I am not really a shoe person... but I am a dress person!  So all that talk about running made me add some running dresses onto this post.  I couldn't help it.  Just had to sneak them in!  I have no idea who makes the yellow one because it is off a Japanese blog and the link from the dress goes to a website that is all in Japanese.  Oh, but I do covet it.  And the Nike white one is perfect for running away with your groom to your honeymoon.

I can't seem to stop.

My Mother's 60's Mexican Dress

I have had this dress for a very, very, very long time.  My mom got it in the 60's as a thirty-something single woman.  I always imagined her buying it in Mexico City, but I have no idea.  I'll tell you something, though.  When I took it from her in my early twenties... I had to let the hem out.  Yes, it was SHORTER.  A lot shorter.  Those crazy 60's.  I wore this dress to improve our luck in finding an apartment in San Francisco.  Two wearings and two trips up north later and it worked.  I added a belt from another dress here and those ubiquitous boots.  The earrings were hers, too.  I love my mom.  I feel her looking down on me, and laughing like she used to... "Ay, Laura.  Te vas a poner esto?" ("You're putting that on?") Shaking her head.  Mystified at some of my tastes, but always entertained.