One of my favorite fashion blogs is
The Sartorialist. Obviously, right? There hasn't been a day since I discovered him that I haven't visited. I love the inspiration in the images he captures and posts, and as a die hard people watcher I am always wondering "where is she going?", or "how'd he decide to throw that outfit together this morning?"
You should see me in airports-one of the best people watching places EVER. I seriously stare, it's kind of a problem. JFK is my favorite, although Dulles is pretty good too, and of course LAX is just a yummy nightmare. International terminals are the best-oh the delicious randomness of it all...ha. ANYWAYS...as much as I love images...I want the background stories. I want the inside...I'm nosey!
I personally get inspired by my friends way more than I do strangers, although inspiration can come from nowhere and slap you in the face. My friends are KILLER. I don't pick my friends because they all happen to look fabulous, it just turned out that way :)...although I AM drawn to people with fierce personal style and identity.
I want to share with you one of my dearest friends who never ceases to inspire me...not only style and fashion wise, but LIFE wise. Melissa has crazy amazing style, is prettier than most models but more than that...she's my sunshiney (I just made up a word, yes) friend with such an insanely positive outlook on life that she REALLY is a ray of sunshine for me on a daily basis. Of course me being in Cali and her rocking out NYC is tricky but the girl is there for me no matter what. I like sharing our silly weekend stories or just little pick me ups to get us through the day.
Sooo...meet MELISSA. Prepare to be inspired...She's UNBEWEAVABLE.
EM.- Where do you find style inspiration?
M-All walks of life! Working in Manhattan, and in the music industry, I see a lot of trends come and go. I’d like to think I am a blend of my passions. I take with me what I admire from my friends, family, people on the street, and even places I’ve traveled to, and work it into something I’ll see myself wearing but with my own personal twist.
I don’t, however, conform to many of the booming trends; I wear what is flattering to my body type and who I am. Not all people are going to look good in Kate Moss’ jeans, Mischa Barton’s high tops, or with Petra Nemcova’s hair color. On a whole I realize it isn’t easy to differentiate between what you are viewing with the actual cold hard facts, but people need to step back before purchasing something and say ‘hey, is that even me, or who I am, or am I dressing to impress people that really don’t matter in the long run?” Many times what is most popular, or most expensive, is not always the most flattering on a universal level.
Here’s a quick example, the SWEEPING BANG – who doesn’t love an attractive face behind a flowy bang? It is all the rage! Personally, my face shape could never handle such a look even though I think it is absolutely fabulous and have struggled to fend off the urge to ‘chop shop’ myself – I just cannot go through with it – not to mention, far too many people I deal with regularly have this going on and I’m afraid we if we travel together we may appear as part of some cult. Haha..
I can comfortably admit that I know what will work and what will not at this point in my life. Once upon a time I hacked and shaped my hair and style around what was happening in the rest of the world, then one day something stuck (couldn’t tell you what exactly), and I thought ‘hello, where have you been.. THIS fits.. whatever THIS is.. THIS is me and who I want to be.’
Okay, enough rambling, back to INSPIRATION..
Being a graphic designer/fine artist by nature, I find that I don’t mind taking a little risk while putting myself together. I’ve always been fascinated by complimenting colors, patterns, and accessories with one and other, even if separately you’d never think to lay them side by side.
To top it all off, I also have two younger sisters (who I adore more than anything) whose indisputable fashion sense could rival that of the Olsons'. I must admit, they are DAMN GOOD! I cannot even begin to tell you how many days there are when I wake up and ask them to help me find a new way to piece an ensemble appropriately. Thank you for putting up with my antics little ones.. (who are not so little by the way).. Christine and Ashley!
EM-Whats the first thing you think about in the morning when you are deciding what to wear?
M-How do I feel, and how much time do I have before I have to hop on the train for the ever-popular commute to NYC? To be honest, I will get at least two outfits ready the evening before just incase my mood is one way going to bed but I wake up feeling another – ie, PM Me: “oh, tomorrow I will wear this dress with these boots” – AM Me: “I am still a bit tired, I rather be comfortable in a pair of jeans today… with heels of course”. But I cannot lie, many-a-morning I run through every bedroom in my house like a madwoman looking for articles of clothing hoping I will walk out the door with something reasonable on and not some half madonna, circa '86, and half posh spice, circa B.B. (Before Beckham), mess. scary thoughts?? YES! haha
EM- What are 5 items you could not live without?
M-COFFEE! – It is my forte.
My Canon Digital Elf – I am like a personal paparazzi of life. I see it, I like it, I capture it.
Heels – they make me feel put together – both name brand and PAYLESS! (yes, you go BOGO sale.. who doesn’t get a certain undeniable excitement about getting quality shoes for cheap?! Um hello!)
Mascara – Maybelline does a body good.
LOVE – need I say more?
EM-Favorite designers?
M-Bags – Hands down Kathy Van Zeeland! She recognizes the balance of ‘less is more’ and ‘organized chaos’ and knows how to fuse the two into eyec-catching creations.
Cavalli – I adore – intense the whole way around – perfect for dazzling up a simpler outfit.
Jeans – Diesel – the perfect fit!
Jewelry – KING BABY/Queen Baby – every piece is personally handcrafted ..Rock and Roll.
Lucky Brand – just everyday casual and everyday funk!
EM-Passions? (And I know you have tons of them lady!)
M-Family, Luke, friends (both new and old), art, photography, caffeine, sobriety, positivity at all costs, cartoons (as I think I am one sometimes), networking, New York City, interesting strangers, Paris (the destination), cheeseburgers, live music, breakfast at 3am (Carpe Noctem), change (for the best), cheering for the underdog, the number 13, ..and appreciating any and all of the littlest things.. there is nothing greater!
EM-How do you stay so positive all the time...what are the "go to" things or thoughts that make you smile?
M-Happiness isn’t the easiest to come by in this day and age; we are all well aware that the world may not always be a beautiful place, but I feel if you surround yourself with the best energy you can, then nothing can hold you down. Attempting to define myself by effortless amusement and a cheerful demeanor I found what makes me the best person I can be and I’ve built the foundation of my character on this theory. I’ve learned everyone has their issues, both internally and externally, and sometimes you have to know its okay to vent, okay to encourage, okay to have fun, okay to ask questions, okay to step back and okay to explore all possibilities.. just remain open to change and stay optimistic at all costs.
There is a natural attraction between like things, there is no doubt about this, so stay confident that you will come out of every situation on top and you will find that all of the more fantastic things in life will find their way to you.
Without hesitation I can admit that I surround myself with some of the most wonderful and inspiring people and know that that all it takes is one person, one moment, one adventure to remind you how in the quietest of hours, the littlest of endeavors, the happiest of moments, the best times are contagious.. Whether this person be me encouraging another or vice versa, the support is there if you allow it, the good is there if you see it, and the happiness is there if you want it. GO GET IT!
EM- HAIR-what products do you use that make it so UNBEWEAVABLE?
M- Keep it simple – as I prefer the less is more look. I have always enjoyed the whole effortless-and-lightly-messy-hair approach, or just a flat straight and simple motif. I honestly, rarely condition ( I know, I know, insane, right? Not really when you have jet straight hair) but will do the ends from time to time to keep them from getting too untrimmed looking. I switch it up between Tresemme and Dove products but am a dedicated fan of Pantene hair sprays.
EM-Any makeup products you can't live without?
M-Clinque make up overall must receive the Gold star from me and my family. It just works!
Eye Shadows varies between Estee Lauder and Mac. I tend to keep it in the more earthy hues and on occasion will muster up a smokey look (Mac is preffered for this one).
Lip Gloss.. hmm.. I change that up all the time, Ive experimented with name brands but find your local pharmacy may have just the right color for under 5 bucks!
EM- How does music inspire you?
M-My job with JIVE Records at Sony Music in NYC is a dream come true, and pretty much outlines all of my inspirations.
Music influences me on so many levels. The radio in my car has a mix of everything.. first preset is of course set to an awesome rock&roll station here in New York, and the rest goes as follows, pop/alternative (to hear the products of my labors) :), hip hop, dance, light alternative (what youd turn on if your mother was in the car), and finally classical (as sometimes I like to cruise around with my convertible top down, on a sunny summer day, and pretend I am in a snazzy exotic car commercial.. haha)
Don’t act like you haven’t tried it too.
EM-How do you put a personal twist on trends?
M-I find what compliments my shape and coloring and add a dash of ‘over the top’, ie- bright colors, huge bangles and intense necklaces/scarves.. and work from there..
I adore layering.. despite season, I’ll find a way to make it happen..
I will plead GUILTY to once being quite matchy-matchy, then I woke up, grew up, and said ‘lets mix it up!’ ..I like an outfit you can talk about.. sometimes the questionable is most desirable. Dare to be different.. or in my world.. DARE TO BE DILGEROUS!
So, she rocks, right? I had to share her with you! Besos to Melissa <3
Just a reminder...all images are property of It's Unbeweavable...:)
Have a fabulous, unbeweavable weekend dolls!!!
XOXO, Liz
YOU GUYS...This is my 5oth POST! I know, sounds like small potatoes to most of you but seriously...I'm pretty gosh darn proud of myself!
