Art of the Moment: Birds of a Feather

Winter is creeping up in the Northern Hemisphere which means heavy coats and scarves for everyone. But for tropical dwellers around the equator, now is the time to snag this feathered vest by Bea Valdes. Not only will it look fetching in the glimmering twelve hour sunny days, but it'll also be airy and light enough to keep sweating at bay.

There's no need for jewelry when worn; simply pair it with a simple black tee and skinny jeans for that perfect on-the-go outfit. Embellished with beads, crystals and sequins, this piece is art by itself.

Vest by Bea Valdes, approximately $2940 at www.couturelab.com

Phase of the Moment: Gone Gangster

From top: sparkles, coats, and tights galore!

Gangs are considered the bane of modern society. They act violently, indulge in debauchery, and worst, put on clothing that is arguably unfitting. Al Capone power suits are no longer fomented in the mischief industry!

Tossing the respected gangster suit aside, twenty-first century gangsters stuck to baggy-anything. Generally they wear saggy, baggy jeans, baggy T-shirts, baggy jackets, baggy socks, baggy eyes, and so on. Accessories are either nonexistent, or limited to the typified ostentatious jewelry.

Nonetheless, this atrocity didn't stop Givenchy from making a collection straight from the gangster's closet. Givenchy's Fall-Winter 2009 collection was aiming straight at the gangster look, supplying the models with razor cut hair; wide, hulking physiques; and that signature look of intimidation. Thankfully the house's creative director, Riccardo Tisci, deleted the sinfully baggy fit and replaced it with tubular silhouettes.

The coats and jackets were voluminously boxy, confident, and very reminiscent of the ones Jay-Z and P. Diddy would wear. However once you view below the belt, tights made from leather (!) and thigh-high bondage boots come to a big reveal. The contrast provided an appeal that somehow fused head-bashing with luxury, and formality with, uh, foot fetish.

And for sartorial gangsters longing for understated bling, Tisci even added scarves with metal detailing, necklaces and, wait for it, bejeweled boots!

Personally, I feel Givenchy gave me some ideas on what to wear for Fall. I just had a haircut that exudes more gangstah than normal (I blame the lady who cut and buzzed my locks). I should be rockin' the big jackets-and-tights look! Anyway, for more information, visit Givenchy.

Updated Tag of the Moment: What's Playin' Good Lookin'?

Thank you so much Jessica for giving me this tag! To think about it, Abby has been wondering what the heck I listen to on my not-iPod MP3 player. No more mysteries my friend!

Top 40 of the moment:
1. "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z: makes me wish I live there
2. "Lip Gloss" by Lil Mama: Prada made it divine
3. "Le Disko" by Shiny Toy Guns: Abby and I even have a dance to it!
4. "I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me" by Annie
5. "Take It Off" by The Donnas: this song made me like The Hangover

3 songs that represent your feeling at the moment:
1. "Jump" by Madonna
2. "Low Life (LA Riots Remix)" by Scanners: oh Uffie, you are hilarious
3. "Lights and Music" by Cut Copy

Song(s) that gives you spirits when you are down:
1. "Click Flash" by Ciara
2. "Ice Box" covered by Frankmusik
3. "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses

Wedding (a.k.a. my cheesy songs):
1. "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer
2. "I Wanna Be With You" by Mandy Moore: remember her?
3. "I Wanna Get Married" by Nellie McKay

Sexy:
1. "Meet Me in the Red Room" by Amiel: this song takes "sexy" literally
2. "Took the Night" by Chelley
3. "Catwalkin'" by Tony Tisdale

I HATE MY EX, she is a real jerk:
1. "Labels or Love" by Fergie
2. "Case of the Ex" by Mya
3. "She Loves Everybody (RAC Remix)" by Chester French: vicious, isn't she?
4. "Til I Get Over You" by Michelle Branch

5. "The Day You Went Away" by M2M

R&B nite:
1. "Extra Smooth" by Aaliyah
2. "Let's Rock" by Chrisette Michelle
3. "Daydreamin'" by Lupe Fiasco and Jill Scott

Diamonds:
...Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds!

Eccentric:
1. "Hot Chick" by Uffie
2. "Miss Broadway" by Glass Candy: ghostly vocals give it eeriness
3. "X Offender" by Blondie

British:
1. "Crystal Ball" by Keane
2. "Right as Rain" by Adele
3. "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse
4. "One Night" by The Corrs: wait a minute, they're Irish!
5. "Suddenly I See" by K.T. Tunstall: loved this song more after watching The Devil Wears Prada

Adorable:
1. "Since You're in Love" by Jesse Malin
2. "I Heard a Rumor" by Bananarama
3. "Fallen From the Sky" by Glen Hansard

Since this tag prohibits foreign songs, I'll have a separate category for the following non-English songs!

Not-entirely-in-English songs I love:
1. "Compliante de la Butte" by Rufus Wainwright
2. "La Même Histoire" by Feist
3. "Je Veux Te Voir" by Yelle

And now, to tag people. I'd like to tag my newest followers, Farah, Maha and Fai! By the way, I have links to the songs so it would be easier for you guys to check out. Enjoy!

Introspection of the Moment: I Don't Want to Be Alone!

Last night, I slept over my friend's place and had a great time. Just imagine junk food, bad movies ("Step Brothers" was awful while "17 Again" oozed cheddar), and your lovable best friends all in one place. Not bad, right? Pepper in some chit chat about each other's love life (or lack thereof in my case) and the stupendously spontaneous sleepover becomes one hell of a night.

But there was something that bothered me in our "relationship" talks. While practically all of my friends are moving towards a serious (or playful) relationship, I felt that my biological function (as in find a mate) in life is on a standstill. I am in no hurry to get hooked-up with someone. The mere thought of it even gives me chills! However as I get older (I blame "17 Again" for constantly repeating "20 years, 20 years, 20 years..."), I felt the need to start finding that perfect someone.

Why is this bothering me? Could this be adulthood kicking in? Honestly, this was never an issue before. But now, the silly emptiness that I assiduously ignored is surfacing.

Or maybe, just maybe, it's time for me to go buy something.

Lust of the Moment: Goggle Jacket

A few weeks ago, I stopped by Hollywood/Vine to catch up on my readings. As usual I grabbed my books (V Man, 10 Men, i-D, etc.) and checked out Lula (thanks to Manju for the mention). Unfortunately, I wasn't inspired (with the exception of Lula).

Is it me, or was there a common rock 'n roll and vagabondism themes lately? Anyway, I was adamant on getting my necessary fashion high so I headed to the nearest Vogue Hommes International. Lo, I was simply blown away with the contents: trend reports (yes, guys like trends too), otherworldly designers (like Wooyoungmi), and semi-freaky/disturbing spreads (it's titled Solitary Pleasure--if you know what I mean). I even discovered the C.P. Company goggle jacket in the military trend!

For me, anything that has a tough connotation is a bandwagon I'm willing to ride. I'm not very military-esque (I hate camos, green, and shaved heads), so it sounds appealing for me to embrace a grittier image. I began visualizing me being deployed in Iraq, wearing this jacket, feeling the breeze and sand, and looking smashing with my M16 5.56 mm rifle. But in reality, I'd pair it with shorts, a white T-shirt and sneakers, and it'll be the perfect Fall oufit in Los Angeles (it's gonna work because the weather has been mildly warm--very unusual in November).

In ecstasy, I shared this piece of obsession to my dad. He wanted me to check it out online to see if it's available. It was available alright. But is it viable? Let's just say sticker shock is such a downer.

Goggle jacket by C.P. Company, $2460 at www.barneys.com