2010: The Year of the Maillot

It’s been decided. I’ve found 3 of my most favorite (and most comfortable) swimsuits to date in the last few months. So I took it as a sign that I should go ahead and spend one month this Autumn on the island of Oahu, land of coconut breezes, misty rainforests, overpriced milk, and my favorite gay couple. So I’ll definitely be putting my swimsuits (here is the first) to great use, since lounging on the beach eating stolen coconuts with Bradley will be all I can afford to do.

tribal print monokini deep v swimsuit
Deep V Monokini, Kmart – $39.99

I am beginning to be mildly over the tribal print trend, but it’ll be totally be a go in swimwear for at least the rest of the year. Perhaps the colors are a little, “Body Glove SS1994″ but I’m having this total mid-90s throwback phase right now and I think I like it. This monokini can give me an awkward tanline anytime. It fits well, stays put, and, get this: you don’t have to peel the whole thing off when you need to pee!

Stay tuned for one last swimwear post!

A Painful Parting: My Epic Knee-High Zodiac Boots

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.”

knee high zodiac cowboy 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.

Shoe-gasm of the Day! Deep-Cut Ankle Cowboy Boots from MustHaveShoes.com (DISCOUNT, yo!)

From About Budget Style:

Cowboy boots are a beautiful thing. They lend a rugged, devil-may-care air to almost any frivolous frock. But finding the perfect pair of cowboy boots is like searching for perfectly worn-in denim jeans for your feet. It’s an intensely personal task and one that it took me 15 years to complete.

Well, it turns out that my perfect cowboy boots are simple, modern, ankle height and have an alluring low-cut front. These boots are so versatile, and go so perfectly with my fringed leather hobo bag, that they even work with this sailor style mini dress. In fact, they seem to go with almost anything. Thank the good lord, they’re über comfortable to boot (sorry, that was bound to happen)…

At a regular price of $135, these boots are a worthy investment. However, the kind folks at MustHaveShoes feel your need. From April 30th-May 7th, my readers get an exclusive 40% off these cowboy boots by Nicole with coupon code PASSIONATE.

You’re welcome!

About.com Links Plus Painfully Hip at the Fourth Avenue Street Fair

We have been, and will be, slaving away for the Fourth Avenue Street Fair:

If you’re in or near Tucson, please come see us! Click the flyer to check out the bootie we will be hawking! If you’re not in the vicinity, here are some more delicious links from my About Budget Style site. Enjoy!

How To Shop At Thrift Stores

Top Five Shoe Trends For Spring

Top 5 Cheap-As-Free Beauty Tips

How To Pack Light and Chic

How to Adopt Spring 2010 Runway Trends for Less

Fair Trade Tribal Accessories (Indulge in the Tribal Trend Whilst Helping Independant Artisans)

Why Shop Off-Price Stores… or How I Bought My Brand New Designer Outfit For $35.

Fresh Saint Patrick’s Day Style Under $40

Ghetto Beauty Tips and Drugstore Product Reviews

Shoe-bang! Top 10 Fashion-Forward Ankle Boots Under $50

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.

strappybuckle

GoJane.com, $26.40

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

engineer ankle boots

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GoJane.com, $26.80