American Apparel No More?

I recently had a newbie customer who, bless her heart, could not get Paypal to work. She tried and she tried, but nigh: the site was being bitchy with international peeps. So in a last stitch resort to redeem her '70s sweater vest, she asked if I would accept an Amazon gift card instead. I'm not one for "trades" but then I remembered Amazon sells American Apparel. Sold!

Before the gift code hit my Inbox, I was already compiling a mega-wish-list ten times larger than the amount intended. While I was shopping at the Hollywood American Apparel, I fell in love with their sleeveless "Lawn Button-Up" tucked into high-waisted shorts. The billowing fit of a size XS(!) looked phenom with the Marilyn Monroe shorts I bought that afternoon. I always regretted not buying it, but my wallet forgave me.

Did I spend $68 more than my gift card? Yes. Was this Rum Raisin top worth $42+shipping+tax? Probably. Admittedly, I was seduced by the gift card and it's invitation to a "free" $35 purchase. But since I'm shit at narrowing options, I just decided to treat myself to the blouse above, 2 American Apparel tri-blend tanks, and the Alternative Apparel sweat pants I've been threatening to buy for weeks now in "Eco-Oatmeal."

Pretty legit.

Ever since I blew my proverbial load on separates and basics, I remembered my husband mentioning that American Apparel is extremely close to bankruptcy. They're closing a slew of stores in New York, their stocks are bottom-feeding, and they've lost about $30 million a year ($120m total). It's a little surreal to think about. This brand was on top of the world at one point, but their unwillingness to evolve is making them quickly irrelevant.

I mean, how many times a year do you buy basics? How many times ever, for that matter?

Right now, their fall 2010 catalogue is a pretty display of Katherine Hepburn inspired riding pants and camel cardigans. It's a welcomed departure from the neon spandex of old. But I still find their prices shockingly out of touch. I realize manufacturing clothes on US soil is more costly, but we're dealing with BASICS here. How often can one AFFORD to stock up at American Apparel?

Get Well Soon AA,

Sabrina London

Roman Numerals XX and I

When I moved to LA, I stopped shopping at those big monolithic structures they call malls. Hence, I forgot the miracle healing powers of Forever 21 (it'll cure what ails you!). Maybe I just didn't recognize them with their uber-hip new moniker XXI. Come on, Forever 21. Switching to Roman Numerals won't make us forget your clothes are manufactured by little Indonesian kids. What great handwork on this ruffled top, Ndugu!

But I'm not one to judge. So when I popped by the Beverly Center this weekend (MAALLL!), I'll be first to admit I was immediately won over by low prices and high savings(!) Despite Forever 21's shameless trend-thieving from Urban Outfitters, they have SO MUCH STUFF. It almost feels like a thrift store at times because a lot of it's cheap junk; but through the roughage, you can uncover some incredible finds with promise to look so much better once they're out of the store.

The bullshitty thing about Forever 21 is that most of those remarkable pieces fall on the $28 and up category. While that's still balls cheap, it feels a little steep for a place with $4.80 camisoles.

On the other hand, who cares when you can buy a military-inspired cardigan for $30?

I bought this cardi in black and it's so amazing, I felt like starting a band.

Forever 21. Fun for the whole family!

Forever 24,

Sabrina London

Fall Fetish: Tinroof Vintage

One of the reasons I'm so bewitched by vintage clothing is the ability to take something old and make it cutting edge modern. The best vintage shops don't just offer great used clothes, but a point-of-view and sense of contemporary styling. When I discovered the most recent offerings from Tinroof Vintage, I felt like I was looking at a 2010 fashion editorial. Yet every single garment is over 20 years old, and couldn't look more scrumptious. Here's our must-see list:

O-M-Geesus. Take a high-waisted skirt, add a random animal to it, and I'm so there. The styling couldn't be more impeccable. Pair a pearl-snap boyfriend shirt and neutral knee-socks and you've just taken this look to icon status. This high-waisted mallard skirt reminds me of the LLAMA skirt I sold over the summer.

Totes. Life-changing.

Here's another dreamy fall find from Tinroof Vintage. When I was in college, I would have totally rejected this look and dismissed it as "plain Jane." But being a young woman of 24, I 100% get the timeless simplicity of a sheer, nude blouse and camel-colored shorts. Inspiring.

Does anyone else enjoy watching Michael Kors on Project Runway scorn fashion-trends that exploded months after the show was taped? So far, he's chastised side boob ("never a flattering moment"), granny boots, and Gretchen's grandpa sweater. Well, well, well. Look who got it wrong again, Michael. Further proof you should never trust a man whose collection always finds it way to Ross.

Aren't you hemorrhaging over these crimson tights? More Navajo-inspiration with this mohair vintage sweater. Reminds of the new Marc Jacob ads.

If you have to go to any holiday parties this year, this is the dress to beat. Whether it's Thanks Giving or Christmas, this vintage '80s ruffled mini is sure to make a statement. And that statement is: I'm super, duper cute.

Cheating on My Own Store,

Sabrina London

Impromptu Trip to Vegas

For my brother's birthday, we surprised him with an impromptu trip to Vegas. We gambled at the Paris (as evident by the upside down Eiffel Towers below). There was car singing. Strawberry daiquiris. Cocktail waitresses with fake boobs. Miraculously, a $200 withdrawal from the ATM only resulted in a $14 net loss (not counting tips for the cocktail waitresses). I consider that a great success.

I wore my brand new draped cardi from Urban Outfitters, which the husband promptly spilled coke all over on the trip there.

Sean wore his stunning vintage '70s Yves Saint Laurent jacket from Goodwill.

West Coast... bitches.

I got cold.

Car-Lagged,

Sabrina London

Silver Lake on a Saturday

The husband, brother, and I visited Silver Lake today - a junkyard of hipsters, indie coffee shops and tchotchkes galore. We chowed on hamburgers at a taco stand, which in hindsight was not the best culinary choice, but the paprika-peppered french fries were good.

At an army surplus store, I fell in love with this Russian military officer hat, but I couldn't justify where I'd ever wear it and feared it might share the same fate as my pirate hat from the Santa Monica Pier (RIP).

NOIROHIO Vintage

Where there are hipsters with tattoos, there are vintage stores. Naturally we peered in a few, but I didn't find much. This one store "Replay" was comprised entirely of re-worked vintage. There was an entire rack of hacked-beyond-recognition vintage minis that had the top half chopped off and fastened in elastic to make these truly unfortunate tube top dresses. It really didn't sit well with me.

The other vintage shops had your typical $10 outdoor sales rack that lures you in to the hiked up indoor stuff. I'm always appreciative of quality pieces, and I even tried on a couple. But as any true thrift shopper, I couldn't convince myself to buy boutique. Thus we took to the Silver Lake Goodwill, where I found a wine-colored men's sweater that I had big plans for (see above). FTW: Sean found a 1970's Yves Saint Laurent blue velvet sportscoat for $30.

Ever since we framed my Beatles' Butcher Cover(!), we've been looking for other framable LPs to decorate the apartment. This one really stood out, and only $12. We need a few others to make a quad. I'm thinking Bowie will be next.

And what would a trip to Silver Lake be without buying an overpriced Voluspa candle from an apothecary? Apparently the boys and I don't agree on what constitutes as good smells, but fuck them because this huckleberry scent is heaven. My apartment is drifting with its sweet smell as we (virtually) speak.

So that about does it for yours truly.

Night night,

Sabrina London

Fall Outcast: Southwest Navajo

You heard it here first: Fall 2010 will be the season for Navajo-inspired, Southwestern jackets, prints, handbags and accessories. Here are some of our vintage favorites.

Alameda Vintage

American Archive

Bustown Modern

NOIROHIO Vintage

Tin Roof Vintage

Obligations + Recommendations

If your brother leaves his glasses on the floor and you step on them, whose fault is it? As soon as I heard the plastic pop under my foot, I knew it meant trouble. They split straight down the center like Buddy Holly's. After he blitzed out, I insisted this happened to my husband before and we were able to Krazy Glue his glasses to perfection. But being my mother's son, Alex needed adequate time to freak out before listening to reason.

He mellowed (slightly) after I assured him I'd buy him another pair of glasses, if these couldn't be fixed. But let the moody, morose sulking begin. This is week 3 of new-to-LA transplant, Alex crashing on our couch and he's having trouble finding a job. I guess I empathize with the fright of dishing out for new glasses when you can't afford spit, but still... they were on the floor! I can't imagine what I'd have done differently.

So for those of you not financially responsible for your brother's broken glasses, here are my fall accessory picks from Free People.

Snapped,

Sabrina London