Pause.

I'll be taking a break for quick moment.

Been feeling a bit blah.

Going to take some time to recoup and gather my thoughts and such. 

(ps. 100th post of the year!)

You're a Doll

Vogue UK, Oct 2010 Russian Dolls

Gold on my mind by ambersmouthwash featuring stamped jewelry

I have got gold, sequins, feathers and red lips on my mind.

[Untitled]

I'll be back (very) soon.

Without Grace

Craving by ambersmouthwash featuring a black hat

Feeling a little jaded today. The endless struggle of trying to make ends meet is starting to get to me. I honestly cannot remember the last time I took myself on an actual shopping trip! When I went to LA I bought a pair of $5 sunglasses. This, in my book, does not count.

Reinventing things in ones closet is fun - to a point. At this point I am tired of getting creative. I want some new shit dammit! All grace and pretenses out the window. I am tired of saving, I'm tired of bills draining my account, and I'm tired of window shopping and trying things on that I know I can't afford. Give me about a $1000 to go shopping with, and I won't complain for another year. Promise.

Borders

H&M leggings, boyfriend's tank, Full Tilt top, Calvin Klein flats

First Sunday off in a while. After a French toast breakfast (with powdered sugar and all) it was off to the gym and then time to catch up on Vogue, W and New Beauty (addicted). 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

A Deviation

For the last few evenings my boyfriend has been watching a documentary on gangs. Now, I will be the first to tell you that Je deteste voilence.
But, there has been something from the documentary that has marked me for life. I've been bringing it up in almost every conversation I've had.

In Los Angeles there are neighborhood gangs that have such a strong hold of their "territories" (usually a ten block radius) that many will never leave. Ever. They can't. There are thousands. Thousands of young men and women who live less than 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean will live and die in Los Angeles without ever seeing it.

Can you wrap your mind around this? Because I couldn't. And since I am a talker (I swear, don't bring me to the movies, I'll drive you nuts), I had to know: "why can't they just change their shirt, and walk out?" "why don't they hide in the trunk and h ave someone drive them out?" "how about they just NOT join the gang?". I mean, it all sounded pretty common sense to me. I know that there is a paradigm shift that I am not understanding.

My biggest concern as of late has been how I'm going to get my hands on an anorak for this season. Last week I drove 30 minutes to get to the beach....

Three weeks ago I went surfing at Venice beach. I wonder how many lives in a twenty mile radius will never get to experience that?

Suddenly the anorak seems so far from my mind.

Dressing With...Manet

Bar at Folies Bergere, 1882

"Dressing"  for this painting is a bit tricky, you see. For this woman painted is no ordinary woman. A black dress is simply too classy and uncomplicated. No. There is much more to Manet and the outfit we create for this painting. Take a good look at this woman - we are free to look at her, but no more. She will let us in that much. Behind her (and this is my interpretation, not scholars)* is her reality: she goes through the motions of interacting with customers, but in her mind everything stands still. She is miles away. What is she thinking of? 

She is no ordinary bartender. When she dressed this afternoon (for it is now long past midnight), she carefully slipped her grandmothers brooch onto a short satin ribbon and tied it about her neck. Her jacket is velvet with lace trim. She adjusted her copper bracelet. On the way to work a flower man closing down his shop gave her his leftover flowers; some of which she slipped into her neckline.

Getting dressed earlier was easy for her - she probably even dressed with a smile. But now...was it a thought? A customers look? A scent?

Something has reminded her of...

What?

Let's get dressed for the bar.

Dressing with Manet, Bar at Folies by ambersmouthwash featuring a vintage brooch

*note: it is commonly believed that the two figures behind the woman is a reflection (she stands in front of a mirror)

Le Dejeuner Sur L’Herbe, 1862-3

Artists are always ahead of their time. 

Imagine the "horreur" of the public when Manet's painting "Le Dejeuner..." premiered. 

I remember my first time seeing it: I was 15 years old, and it was hanging on a (rare) well lit wall of the Musee D'Orsay (it now hangs at the MET). And while I at first saw nothing unusual about the painting (which will perhaps attest to my overexposure to American Pop culture), I am sure that we all can state the obvious: she is naked, and the men are not. The woman in the background is what all wet dreams are made: in white and in water. 

Back to the naked woman. Let's call her Martine. She looks like a Martine. 

First off, I want to know what moisturizer she uses. Her skin has the most incredible glow, which in turn makes the men in their high collared suits part of the drab and not so interesting forest. 

I like her. 

She knows she "nekked", and even looks directly at you. Like it was us the onlooker, who is causing the interruption, not her. There's no shame; she's comfortable in her own skin.

Woman's Liberation.

So who was ahead of their time then? Manet, or our Martine? 

Let's Lunch, shall we?

Dressing with Manet, Luncheon on the Grass by ambersmouthwash featuring diamond earrings


To see my other Dressing With....posts, click HERE and HERE.

Mouthwash Fashion Show

Some of my favorite outfits over the last year. If you look closely you will see the changes in my hair color as well.

What are some of yours?

Become a fan of Amberie on Facebook!

Sushi, Trench Coats and Trains

Banana Republic dress, thrifted London Fog trench ($4!!), INC heels, thrifted clutch

Dinner and Jazz evening at Yoshi's in Oakland.
I love jazz.
I love sushi.

Heels in Vineyards

Escada heels, Lockheart bag, beach cover up from Acapulco, DIY dress

Trip into warm (hot) Alexander Valley. Stopped by Martha Steward's favorite haunt in the area: Jimtown Store. Best food EVER. Chocolate Mint Lemonade with grilled eggplant and brie sandwich (not pictured).

Next, off to my boyfriend's classmate's winery, Medlock Ames. Great wine. Beautiful garden.

Escada heels in vineyards? An adventure to be had!

L.A. days

Surfing. Freezing at night, driving by my old home. Empanada's. Cruising Venice beach and looking for old friends. Wandering the Alley's and getting duped on MAC brushes (3 for $15? I should have known...). Posing with Marylin, hunting the Roosevelt Hotel for ghosts. Driving through Bel Air and dreaming as large as the homes.
UCLA.