Thrifty is Nifty

Ingrid Michaelson Meets Maturity With "Human Again"

2012-01-26T08:52:00.000-08:00

{Image Courtesy of Amazon.com}

Ingrid Michaelson review with the love of my life, Lex Babiarz.

Check it: http://www.neontommy.com/news/2012/01/ingrid-michaelson-meets-maturity-human-again

A Room With A View

2012-01-23T17:33:00.000-08:00

Jalouse

2012-01-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

How great is this?

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

2012-01-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

Most of these photos are taken by none other than the fabulous Candice Navi. Bow down.

Exploded Views: Jim Campbell

Francesca Woodman

Naman and Shake, taking in the view?

Untitled: Francesca Woodman

National Velvet: Andy Warhol

Calling Out Winter

2012-01-02T18:11:00.000-08:00

Sacramento

San Francisco

Candice Navi and I, Hayes and Kabob on Gough St., SF

Hayes and Kabob, SF-- this one by yours truly

Civic Center, SF

The Bridge.

Gough Street, SF

Chinatown, SF

City Lights: Union Square, SF

I just can't get over Candice Navi's photos, a few of which she sent me after her visit to Northern California. Together we saw the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Ghirardelli's Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Our favorite was visiting Hayes Valley, by Octavia and Fulton, just a few blocks from the Civic Center. There we ate the most flavorsome Mediterranean food, drank dark tea, and then had dessert at a San Francisco macaroon bakery, Paulette Macarons. Hayes Valley also have some of the most beautiful and avante-garde boutiques and interior design shops I've ever been to, with rustic furniture, hi-tech gadgets, adorable flower shops and hand-made jewelry. It's a must-see for anyone looking to understand what makes this city so special.

Alpha Shadows: Candice Navi

2011-12-31T11:49:00.000-08:00

Meet my good friend and fellow student at USC, Candice Navi. She a design whiz and kick-ass photographer with such a unique style. I love her focus on patterns and shadows.

What is her photography about???
"Photography is undefinable; it is representational and illusional, it is all and it is nothing," she says.
Nothing pretentious, I swear.

Follow her on Twitter
Visit her Tumblr

Happy New Year!

MoCA

2011-11-29T01:00:00.000-08:00

Visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art has been one of my favorite experience of the past semester. Finals, the sole bane of my existence, are coming up within the next few weeks and all I want to do-- repeat: ALL I want to do--is run away and relive the Andy Warhol and Lynda Benglis retrospective exhibits.

Mao, Andy Warhol. 1972

Regardless of the scholastic battle that will ensue before December 14, I'm thankful for the glorious weekend I just had with my family, best friends, high school mentors and the best food a foodie can ask for. Cheers to tackling as many art exhibits as possible next semester before the f-word roll around again.

JIMENA Piece

2011-11-20T22:14:00.000-08:00

{Photo courtesy of Payvand Iran News: http://www.payvand.com/news/09/feb/1325.html}

Thursdays usually tend to be that day of the week. You know, that one which always starts out terribly. Somehow--at least, almost all of the time-- the day turns around. It becomes exciting, something great happens, I make a new discovery. This past Thursday was one of those Thursdays, the better Thursdays.

I received an email from my boss, Sarah, from JIMENA: Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa:

"YOUR PIECE IS IN THE JWEEKLY!!!!"

I'd been working on this piece all summer at JIMENA. I'd been through 3 months of self discovery, contemplating my identity as a Jewish Iranian-American from the Bay Area, where few others live and most remain ignorant of such a heritage. This piece helped me reacquaint myself with my heritage, and I'm honored that J Weekly remembered it enough to publish it.

The feedback I've been getting has felt just as amazing as being published. My friends and former teachers have been tweeting about it and posting it on their Facebooks. I've been so touched that the people in my life have been so receptive to my article.

I'm so proud of JIMENA for how far we've come in the month since I've been involved with them. Thank you to all of you for the support.

Please feel free to read my story here.

The City That Never Sleeps/ The City Where I Never Sleep

2011-11-15T00:54:00.000-08:00

{Birthday Time at Cafe Lalo on the Upper West Side with Shani, Zoe and Hila}

Sunday was my birthday, which I was lucky enough tospend with old and new friends in New York for a Chabad on Campus retreat. One of my favorite highlights included dancing in the red and yellow leaves in Brooklyn. I claim that autumn is my favorite season, but I realize I hadn't experienced an authentic one until I visited Brooklyn in November.

Saturday night I met up with three of my best friends from high school for a night out at Cafe Lalo, the cutest cafe you and your mother will ever visit. We ordered raspberry cheesecake, dutch dark chocolate cake, yogurt parfait, cinnamon apple pie and a spiked chocolate peppermint milkshake.

{Thrifted lace top from St. Vincent de Paul in San Mateo}

There wasn't any other way I'd have wanted to spend the first few hours of the new year than with some of my favorite people ever, in one of the best cities ever --and consuming thousands of calories of the most delicious desserts ever.

On a side note, I visited two other dessert shops besides this one while in Manhattan. #noregrets

{J. Crew Black Coat, Nine West Leather Boots, All Star Bag}

True Life: I'm a journalism student. I took a photo of NBC studio for my broadcast journalism instructor. I haven't sent it yet... I'm too nervous she'll call me out on my kiss-assery.

American Apparels Anonymous

2011-11-05T00:24:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of thecobrasnake.com: http://thecobrasnake.com/partyphotos/hothotsalesale/IMG_0800.html

Last weekend, my friends John and Lex and I went to the American Apparel factory sale in downtown Los Angeles. They didn't have a dressing room, so I found myself trying clothes over the ones I'd worn there within the deserted corners of the factory. This is what I bought!

American Apparel t-shirt

Fancy Shmancy AA High-Waist Dress Pants (they look good with heels)

Make It Work

2011-10-28T23:44:00.000-07:00

Me and Lex

(BCBG Sweater, Vintage Purse, NEON TOMMY PRESS PASS)

Tonight I covered a speaker series at USC featuring Tim Gunn, chief creative officer for Liz Claiborne, former fashion chair at Parsons The New School for Design, and co-host of Project Runway. The whole event was like gossiping over margaritas with an old friend and getting advice from your cute (and chic) grandpa. He was perhaps one of the most glamorous and kind-hearted individuals I've ever met.

And yes-- I indeed had the chance to meet him! He asked my name and major and I smiled an blushed as I awkwardly stuttered through an answer. I just love him.

Check out my article here.

Lex and Jenny

The cheering crowd.

The almighty Tim Gunn

Book- and diploma- signing. This woman had Tim sign her diploma for fashion design from when she graduated from Parsons 50 years ago.

Hey Marseilles Interview Publication

2011-10-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hello! My first Q&A has been published on my friend, Keely's blog, Good Prattle, which features exclusive interviews and social critiques. Here, I interviewed Matt Bishop, lead singer of Seattle band, Hey Marseilles.

(Courtesy of Hayley Young, as featured in Hey Marseilles' press release)

And here's a little teaser:

"Among the sundry Seattle up-and-comers trying to make it in the city’s renowned indie scene, Hey Marseilles has emerged as a contender edging to make a serious impression within the music industry. “The biggest reason Hey Marseilles stands out in Seattle's saturated pop scene is its innate knack for crafting sincere songs that rise with anticipation and recede gracefully,” Seattle Weekly said in 2009. The band’s distinctiveness is undeniable. Hey Marseilles beautifully alternates between an upbeat and orchestral celebration of sound and the melancholy harmony of accordion and cello. Its lyrics are equally paradoxical; they evoke merriment within a sense of nostalgia, beauty from longing for places exotic and out of reach. On November 15, Hey Marseilles will release its first offering, the 7-inch EP Elegy, since its first album, To Travel and Trunks. They are currently on their Elegy Tour while they finish their second full-length record, to be released in early 2012. Here I speak with lead singer, Matt Bishop, about their new album, poetic and acoustic influences, NPR, and the future of Hey Marseilles."

Fall Floral Winter Wardrobe

2011-10-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Lace Leotard by Ann Taylor (also pictured here, Skirt from Melrose Avenue, Vintage Cuff

I love that I finally found an occasion where I was brave enough to pull out the leotard. Mama would have been proud.

PS this is my apartment. Anyone have an home decor tips?

Vintage Cuff

Black and Pearl

2011-10-19T00:07:00.000-07:00

Lately I've just been obsessing over Juliet &Company's jewelry. I find their vintage-inspired designs so classy. They make me nostalgic for the past-- something I've already been suffering from of late. Never mind that I spent most of tonight's print journalism class scrolling through black and white photographs of Jacqueline Kennedy.

Here are just of a few of my favorite jewelry designs right now.

{Baby Pearl Knot Necklace}

{Cameo Earrings}

{Belle Ame Necklace}

{Paris Bracelet}

{Violette Earrings}

Bonne nuit, mon ami!

Let's Get Down(town)

2011-10-16T12:59:00.000-07:00

Downtown Los Angeles at twilight. All it's cracked up to be.

Los Angeles: A Culinary Experience

2011-10-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

Urth Caffe, Beverly Hills

SF Tribute Part 1: The Embarcadero

2011-08-13T18:25:00.000-07:00

The Embarcadero is right by the edge the city, overlooking the bay and the bridge. It's a beautiful walk along the water with plenty to do once you hit the Ferry Building.

And now behold- the Ferry Building itself!

The best olive oil you'll ever have.

Stealing a little bit of my friend, Kinneret's chocolate hazelnut gelato while posing in front of Miette Patisserie in the Fairy Building.

Scharffen Berger was the first stop on the San Francisco gourmet chocolate tour I went on earlier this summer. I wish I would have taken more pictures then-- but still, that chocolate was flippin amazing.

I love the street vendors in this part of the city. They assemble their white tents nearly everyday to sell their handcrafted materials, whether they be knit hats, jewelry, wooden pens, or different kinds of art.

Left My Heart in San Francisco

2011-08-12T22:47:00.000-07:00

I stole these pictures from my friend Liza's visiting roommate, Natalia!

I've been reflecting a lot on this past summer now that it's coming to a close and I'm getting ready to move back to LA in a week. I've enjoyed being in the Bay Area more than I can explain. And most of all, I've developed a deeply real attachment to San Francisco in particular. Here I present a multi-part tribute to my City By the Bay, where I've worked, learned, and explored nearly every day this past summer.

**I can't help but get mushy gushy about this. Please don't judge me.

"Independence Day"- Biweekly Update?

2011-07-04T23:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day!

So much has happened since the last time I posted a "weekly update" nearly 3 weeks ago. Everything got unbelievably busy, proving that maintaining this thing will take more time than I thought.

Pictures of my adventures at St. Vincent de Paul as promised. Featured is my gorgeous sister, Negin.

Thrifted dress, Steve Madden bootie heels, hand-me-down red sunglasses from my mom, thrifted blue beaded necklace, vintage cuff bracelet, "mustache mug" as featured on Modern Family

Work it, gurllll

What a babe!

Next, I visited the two amazing museum exhibits this past week at the de Young museum in San Francisco: Balenciaga and Spain and Picasso: Masterpieces from the Muse'e National Picasso, Paris. The two exhibits complemented each other in more ways than one; both artists were innovative, colorful, fascinated by frame and structure, and each had a geometric feel to their work- which I'd already expected from Picasso, but much less so by Balenciaga.

Courtesy of the de Young Museum website

Courtesy of The Examiner's story about the exhibit:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/special-events/de-young/balenciaga/2011/03/fashionistas-revere-influential-spanish-couturier-de-youn

And finally, I understand why Balenciaga is the "Picasso of fashion."

Again, courtesy of the de Young Museum

The Death of Casagemas, 1901

Portrait of Dora Maar, 1937

Three Figures Under A Tree, 1907

Posing with several portraits of Pablo Picasso and his family members. My mom is convinced I look just like his wife.

If You Like It Then You Shoulda Putta Ring On Itttt

2011-06-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

Yes I know, my captions are so clever.

Anyway, I thought I'd share an exciting new addition to my ring collection with you which- get ready for it!- I made myself! The stone had been something that I'd found lying around my house a long time ago, probably because it fell off an old Urban Outfitters ring that we already had. I'd been meaning to fix it for a long time but I didn't have a band to attach it to. However, when I accompanied my mom on a trip to Michael's for painting supplies, I found a $4 adjustable band. All I did was use Crazy Glue to attach them (that stuff is flippin' magic).

I must admit though, the tube exploded all over my legs and hands and I had to soak my fingers in acetone for 30 minutes to detach my fingers from each other. The struggles in my life, I tell ya.

The crazy glue got EVERYWHERE.

Because the nail polish I was wearing (on one hand) that day was so pretty.

Note: Go back and reread this post while listening to Veltiver.

Up and Running

2011-06-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

I was finally able to go thrift store shopping last Friday after my internship's Welcome Retreat. Earlier in the day, my mom visited the Society of St. Vincent de Paul clothing store in San Mateo and told me that she found a Zara coat for me, which she then put on hold and brought me back to try on later. Lucky for me, I walked out with much more, including a new necklace, denim jacket, and a new dress which I'm considering wearing for my first day of work on Wednesday.

Pictures to come!

Here's a link to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul website for more information about where the thrift stores' proceeds go and who they benefit: http://www.svdpusa.org/Default.aspx

I'm not Catholic, but I thought this passage from their mission statement was especially beautiful:
"We are young and old. Our members come in every shade of skin color. Some of us are wealthy, some are financially poor, but all of us are blessed with an awareness that our blessings (time, talent or treasure) are to be shared with our brothers and sisters in need.

We know that we are not alone. We are part of an international society of friends united by a spirit of poverty, humility, and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings, and adherence to a basic Rule."

"Honeysuckle Weeks"--Weekly Update

2011-06-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

Fun Times with Hannah's Polaroid Camera

First, last week I attempted to schedule my first thrift store shopping spree through Plato's Closet, a local thrift store in downtown San Mateo. They some amazing finds in there, including some of the best summer dresses and shorts that my friends own. I was also in search of skirts and dresses, but I mostly found frayed Forever 21 dresses or skirts that wouldn't fit right. So sadly, I left Plato's with nothing.

Next, I tried to organize a thrift store adventure to Valencia St. with a friend of mine for last Tuesday, but that got cancelled. On the bright side, we had dinner and saw Midnight in Paris-- which I LOVED!

I'm gonna go ahead and make a cheesy connection between the movie and this blog by saying that I liked that Woody Allen encouraged an embrace of the past without allowing yourself to get lost in it. There's a balance between admiring an era and rejecting the perks of your own because of a romantic and jaded perception. I thought that the message could have been more subtle (meaning that Owen Wilson's enlightened soliloquy about loving the new millennium was totally unnecessary). But in all, the movie encouraged me to keep up with this project as a sort of tribute to the past.

I should probably mention that this is all happened after I caved last Monday night and did the unthinkable. I went shopping... at Urban Outfitters. My only excuse is that I was tired and was dragged there against my will by my mom and sister. Just goes to show how much self restraint I have...
Here's what I bought:

Ecote Ivory Lace Top from Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters Ring

On the bright side, I did have the opportunity to go shopping in mommy's closet again earlier this week. I found a magenta crocheted t-shirt, several denim jackets, and a lace leotard (which is too big, but too purdy to not wear). Pictures here!

En Vogue Crocheted T-Shirt

At the KJHS 2011 Graduation with Raquel and Raffi

Lace Leotard by Ann Taylor

Other Highlights:

-spontaneous new ear piercing

-several hysterical parties and midnight runs to Heidi's Pies

-hiking trips and high school BBQ reunions

-pool parties and pomegranate tea by the fireplace

-Death Cab for Cutie concert at the Filmore and getting lost in Hipsterville

All we want is an open mind you know the
Kind you can earn and can't buy

So Cawledge

2011-06-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

Vintage Shirt (Cotton Fields), Vintage Belt, Skirt from Melrose Avenue, Urban Outfitters Bag,
Vintage Ankle Boots (Not Pictured)

Margaret, Cole's friend (who's name I can't remember...), Me, Cole

These pictures are all from one of my last weekends of freshman year at USC. It was also the night that President Obama announced that Osama bin Laden was killed- aka a major excuse for merrymaking.

Connection to thrifted clothing? Like the last post, this outfit is one of my favorites, and once again, mostly composed of pieces from my mom's closet. Nearly every article of clothing is secondhand, which is probably one of the reasons why I'm obsessed with it.

Kristine, Margaret, Molly, Jenny, Me

Fun fact: My floormates and I had just been exploring our local Goodwill when we heard about bin Laden, and quickly ran back to our dorm to watch Obama's speech. My suitemate, Molly (middle), had just bought the red dress she's wearing a few hours before this picture was taken. For 4 dolla! That's a bargain if I ever heard one, my goodness.

Above: A more detailed image of the belt I wore that night.

Rewind a Bit

2011-06-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

Forever 21 Shirt, Vintage Scarf, Vintage Red Hat, Skirt from Melrose Avenue, Thrifted Tights,
Cathy Jean Brazilian Leather Boots

I also thought that it might be fun to show off an outfit from one of my all-time favorite dress-up days! These pictures were taken last December at 5 am; my friends Virginia, Adam, and I needed a break from studying for our Greek history final (on a Saturday night, mind you), and we felt that dressing up and exploring campus was a perfect stress reliever. We were out long enough to watch the sun go up! Hands down, one of my favorite USC memories thus far. Added bonus- the essential parts of the outfit once belonged to my mom!

Another photo which shows off the scarf's pattern better. It's basically my favorite piece of clothing..

Back to my Middle Eastern roots!

The beautiful Virginia! This girl deserves her own blog (and reality show).

All photos courtesy of Virginia Ma

Party Started

2011-06-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

This is my first day as an online blogger and I honestly couldn’t be more excited about it. I thought that since this blog is meant to document a personal experiment of mine, I should probably describe the process in more detail.

In short, this blog is meant to document a 6 month project in which I only purchase secondhand clothing and accessories. The only exceptions I will allow are for new underwear or swimsuits. So basically, buying anything new is a no-no. However I’d be completely okay with borrowing other peoples’ new clothing—seeing that stealing my friends and family’s clothes is such a big part of my life, I figure it’s a habit I’ll allow for the next 6 months as well J

You might be wondering the reasons why I’ve decided to do this:

1. It’s environmentally friendly! Why shouldn't reduce, reuse, and recycle apply to clothing?

2. I’m a poor college student and I hope buying thrift store clothing will save me money…

3. Most of my favorite clothing pieces are secondhand. During my first year at USC, I slowly adopted a great deal of my mother’s vintage wardrobe as my own. What started out as only borrowing bags and earrings became my wearing entire outfits that had once been hers. Seeing that I naturally gravitate towards vintage clothing, I figured this project could be a way to further diversify my closet.

4. I was on a gourmet chocolate tour last weekend in San Francisco when my friend Hannah and I began talking to the tour guide and a tourist about thrift store shopping in SF. When I mentioned my idea to only shop thrift, they immediately suggested that I start a blog to chronicle my journey. Their encouragement was really all I needed to get this started, and I can’t wait to see what the outcome will be.

5. I already have an unhealthy obsession with fashion blogs. This is just an upgraded demonstration of that fact.

Check in with me as often as you’d like! I’ll be here ‘til December!

Love,

Asal