I have landed in Los Angeles. Specifically, my boyfriend and I are moving into a new place tomorrow, a few blocks from the beach. Needless to say, all this summer-chasing has left much to be desired in the form of “free time,” now that I’m dating a photographer. We met, caught our stride and now we are constantly “working” in some form or another. Just the way I like it – so far it feels like an all-out life collaboration. 2012 is about to be my busiest year yet!

This utilitarian trench coat from WISH has not left my body since it arrived. Unexpected satin sheen and gargantuan pockets… It is just. So. Good. And don’t even get me started on the rest of their jackets!
Purple suede shoes by Anna Sui for Hush Puppies! Completely addicted. If you don’t believe me, the jacket and the shoes are about to be all over Rian’s latest surrealist CD cover design (available in Russia).
Floral fishnets – UO Clearance
Bowler and dress – Thrift store

Rian Flynn nails nerd chic in his H&M Jeans and specs, thrifted shirt and vest, SCIENCE button from The New Tough, and buttery Hush Puppies’ desert boots!

You guys! Kate Bosworth and her stylist have come up with a sweet-as-gold jewelry line called JewelMint, which “gauges your style and recommends a curated collection for you.” Yeah. Nevermind that each piece is less than $30! Ridiculous. Their editorial team asked if I could style a few pieces for them and I couldn’t keep my claws off this sherbet tasseled necklace set and scarab ring, so we had at it. In return they gave you guys a not-f&%$ing-around discount! 50% off with code PainfullyHip50! It’s only good for one week (ends Wednesday, Sept 7, 2011), so get thee to thy wallets!

Oh, to always shoot with a team like this. Heaven.

Photos by Trumbo+Flynn
Model – Beck Trumbo, CAST Images
Styling by Amber Mortensen
Clothing by Van Der Neer

WHAT IS GOING ON??!
Lately, trend prediction has become like trying to ask a hummingbird for the time. Seems like less than 3 years ago the ’90s came back, went away and now they’re back again but now its specifically the LATE 90s-early 2000′s -at its worst, frumpy and self-consciously futuristic (you know I’m looking at you, Miu Miu SS11), at its best, a playful, grungy twist on a classic (Chanel SS11).
So that means the chunky shoe trend (or “orthopedic chic” as your mom probably called it) is back in full force, but in a beautifully minimal fashion. All over the catwalk, chunky platforms, frumpy wedges, manly oxfords, and yes, again with the combat boots. UK site, Zalando, seems to have it all.

If the ’90s ate the ’70s and regurgitated them into a sandal, this is what they would look like. In other words, my past rave-attending self would have dated the lead singer of LIVE for a chance at these babies.

These shoes remind me of that boy in high school who was my best friend for years and was secretly in love with me, but then when he finally kissed me I felt like I was kissing my brother, but then he got married and only then did I realize I was totally in love with him. Apparently, I must have these perfect, comfortable shoes, or regret it forever.

Oh, glorious hooves of burlap and twine! Where have you been all my life?

I think they call this platform/flat hybrid “flatforms.” Or I could be making that up.

I had some Doc Marten wingtip Mary Janes that were like my first born…and I would have thrown them to the wolves the second these came into my life.
Hm, what does that say about me?

Yeah, I know. I’ve always thought the sneaker/heel combo was a travesty. But it’s cool – this one is covered in chainmail and has a Diesel label on it! Plus, the monotone black makes them totally wearable.

When the French Club cancelled our trip to Paris, I consoled my 15 year old self with a brand new pair of platform brogues. Pretty cool, right? Except that I wore mine with floral palazzo pants, a poet’s blouse and a jaunty beret. Live ‘n learn.

And now, if you’ll allow me, I must talk about my new Ray-Bans.

Sale Price $96.75

Sunglasses also come in handy for sneaking sideways glances at things you’re not supposed to.

And look! They even look good on future supermodels!

Color me in love.

Photos by Jon Saupe and Abraham Cooper
Model is Rachel Ann Yampolsky (Good Luck at FORD, hun! You’re a shoo-in.)
There is also a super cute collection of sunglasses to be found at www.very.co.uk. Go ahead, check ‘em out.

So I’m leaving on my big tour in a few minute weeks and I’m starting to realize just how expensive its going to be… which in turn is making me panic. Like an excesssssive consssssonants kind of panic. This is what it’s like to reach desperate measures.
So I’m selling “The Boots.”

Real leather, real stacked heels, real Zodiacs. Legit in every way, even the size. A true 7.5.

This is incredibly difficult, but as you can see from the listing, they’re very photogenic and I’ve used them in plenty of shoots and fashion shows. I must be weaned. I was almost about to start shopping for engagement rings when I decided it was time to cut the cord.

These epic vintage early ’80s knee-high cowboy boots leave a wake of blown minds everywhere they go. No joke. Gaping jaws on the ground. They’re perfectly broken in, with some very small scuffs here and there, but really. Would you want it any other way? These are solid mofo-ing boots that were made for walking, not for pussyfooting around.

Enjoy. I will cry whilst packing them up, but not to worry! They will be tears of freedom.

I love working with jewelry designer, Laura Kepner-Adney of Wingflash Designs. Nevermind the fact that her prolific collections consist of the most gasp-worthy, covetable objects I’ve ever ogled, she’s actually grateful to me when I borrow them for extend periods of time. Sometimes I think I must have secretly assassinated Hitler in my past life.

In addition to the jewelry, there were a lot of things that made the following shoot awesome. And that brings me to yet another reason I love working with Laura. She comes up with these genius ideas about snow machines and a Painfully Hip 20% OFF everything (until June 30th 2010) if you mention this post! The male model, however, was my idea.
You’re welcome.

Photos by Ryan Mihalyi
Models – Asher Caplan, Ashley Geiger, and Sandra Solial
Jewelry by Laura Kepner-Adney, Wingflash Designs
Hair by Addam Moreno, ISO Hair
Makeup by Lauren Malanga
Styling by Amber Mortensen
Special thanks to Abraham Cooper for his assistance, Lauren Malanga for going on a mad hunt for white mascara and saving our lives, and Adam Lehrman for being late to a wedding in the name of this shoot.

You’ll want to check out Part 2 of this shoot up tomorrow… but only if you’d like to see the aforementioned models in various states of undress.

I thought so.

Beauty on the Fly Sweepstakes! Enter for your chance to win Southwest Tickets & Benefit Beauty. Enter Now!

I’m terribly sorry for being mostly MIA these last coupla weeks, and not in a good way. I’ve been all over the map, burrowing my way through a glut of writing assignments, and completely and totally camera-less. This fact was especially stingy through my recent Agent Ribbons tour… Those ladies know how to DRESS. We took Farmington, MO by storm, I tell you what!

Of course, I have been thinking about fashion. Always. And lately I’ve been thinking about bondage-inspired ankle boots. About.com asked me to write a few pieces for them and here is my latest.

In past decades, le dépêche mode (fast fashion) was our enemy when investing in the trendiest boots. Who wants to adopt an expensive trend that might stale at any moment? Ankle boots, however, have been huge for the last several years and show no sign of being set free from their prominence. In fact, the latest ankle boot trends show the opposite sentiment: a tendency towards bondage. If you’d like to dabble in this “fetish” without breaking the bank, here are my top 10 picks that feature a plethora of buckles, harnesses, straps, grommets, laces, studs, cuffs, and even cages. Let’s get chic!

1. Strappy Buckle Bootie – Overdose on buckles! Why not? These easy-entry suede boots with a back zipper are only $26.40.

GoJane.com, $26.40

2. Engineer Ankle Boots – Harness boots with a rustic flavor and unique gold studs.

Forever21.com, $22.80

3. Leatherette zipper caged heel – This style walks the line between Yves St Laurent’s famed cage heel and Alexander McQueen’s motorcycle zipper bootie. Either way, you’ve got this trend under lock and key for only $25.20!

GoJane.com

4. Black Patent Lace-Up Ankle Boots – Simultaneously practical and daring, these stunnahs are wearable, warm and only $44.

NewportNews.com, $44.60

5. Bunny Ankle Boots – Paired with black skinny jeans and a shrunken leather jacket, anyone could pull off these exaggerated cuffs with aplomb.

Forever 21, $27.80

6. Crinkle Leatherette Lace-up Bootie – Rugged styling with ultra feminine details, like tassels, macramé and a sky-high stiletto heel for a mere $29.40!

GoJane.com, $29.40

7. Multi Strap Platform Bootie – Edward Scissorhands himself might covet this boot, Just imagine how nicely they would toughen up that floral body-con dress you thrifted last week.

GoJane.com, $31.50

8. Greta Wedge Boot – These boots are probably my tamest choice, but only because the last pair whipped them into submission. I reckon these beauties will still be chic next year, so you’ll get your $32.80 worth and then some.

Forever21.com, $32.80

9. Finella Bootie – Wear this corseted peep toe with layers of tights to keep your toes warm in cooler climes.

Alloy.com, $44.90

10. Zipper Cuff Peep Toe Bootie – Like a motorcycle jacket for your feet! What’s not to love?

GoJane.com, $26.80