Saturday, January 29, 2011

Blacker Than My Heart

After hours of researching how to go blonde, I came to the sad realization it wasn't going to happen. Besides being time-consuming and expensive, the universal consensus on black-to-blonde transitions is that it completely, irreversibly buttfucks your hair. The texture can become straw-like or even worse, like stretched out gum. As much as I'd love to wake up to platinum hair on my pillow, I'd rather it still be attached to my head.

So I decided on the next best thing and ventured out to find The Blackest Black hair dye. Upon reading countless message threads, there was a debate between Feria "Black Leather" or "Blue Black." I have tried Feria before and found that it fades very quickly. I liked the deep conditioner included; it left my hair very soft. But I seem to recall 2 weeks of purple bath water before my hair regressed into a dull black.

One recommendation pointed to Bigen Oriental Black, a powder-based dye that used no hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. This piqued my interest. I loved the weird outdated packaging and that evidently this Japanese brand had been around for over a hundred years. Plus, it's endorsed by a geisha!

I walked to the nearest beauty supply store and bought a box for $6. After covering my kitchen floor in towels and chip-clipping a towel around my neck, I started with my roots. I was surprised to realize the dye had a really pleasant smell. The lack of chemicals made a huge impact on the aroma, which was kind of like flowers.

The mixture from one box was pretty spare and I had to double-up the water measurement to cover my whole head (I strongly recommend 2 boxes if you have anything longer than a pixie cut). It was a little runny, but not debilitatingly so and it got the job done.

After rinsing it out, I soaked my hair in conditioner for 10 minutes to ensure everything was kosher. The result? A beautiful, rich Joan fucking Jett black. I'm very pleased. It came out VERY dark, which is exactly what I wanted. This is the first day so I'm curious to see how it holds up after a few washes. I may buy another box for a touch-up since I was really stretching that single bottle.

As I'm writing this, it's suddenly occurring to me I should have taken before and after shots. What the fuck is the point of a hair dye blog without photos?! Sorry chickadees. I'll take some early next week.

*UPDATE*

Voila! The new color. Blacker than a night at the Apollo.

- Sabrina London

A Resounding Yes!


Yes! This vintage '50s LBD takes the cake, the crumbs, and the ceramic plate. My favorite Denmark vintage shop has inspired me again with this sheer lace party dress worn over a leotard. THAT is innovation. When fashion is fearless, you know you're doing it right. Hats off to Times Up.

- Sabrina London

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Out Sick



So it looks like I have chronic bronchitis. Ack! I'm taking the week off to recoop, which so far has involved lots of turkey sandwiches, Teen Mom 2, and celebrity gossip. Now that I'm all up to speed on Ricky Gervais' scandalous Golden Globes' speech, the healing can begin.

In other news:



* Finally set up the Crosby record player my husband got me for Giftmas. Just as I imagined, vinyl is a revelation. We've listened to the Smiths, the Beatles and the 5678's and Frank Sinatra so far. Sean wants to buy more 45's so we can get the world's raddest jukebox.

* Had my identity thieved! I feel like one of those people in the commercials. Some dick hole in the Netherlands tried to charge a bunch of jewelry to my card. Nice try, dickshit. That card was already maxed out.

* I'm considering becoming a vintage fashion curator on Myspace. It would be an extra $500 a month for what essentially breaks down to 10 vintage related tweets a day. Not a bad cash influx and could help fund heartbreakers like this:


* I lost 9 pounds, presumably from coughing as cardio.

-Sabrina London

Sunday, January 16, 2011

When Fashion Tries to Fuck You


This poor girl has no idea she looks like shit. That's because when draped cardigans took off, no one told her handkerchief hems on a black ribbed cardigan make you look like a witch's vagina.

There are times when fashion can be your best friend. But then there are times when maybe your best friend has had too much to drink, and he tries to fuck you. Here are a few things to look out for when navigating some highly prevalent trends right now.

Let's get this over with. I'm all for slouchy tops, but this upside down U-shaped hem is like adding 15 pounds straight to your ass. It's not scientific, but Albert Einstein would probably speculate the "wings" on each side give the illusion of wider hips; thus making the ass 2 weeks of Chipotle bigger. To avoid the dreaded pear shape, aim for a straighter hem, or even one that ducktails in the back.

What the fuck is this chick so happy about? This racerback tank by Trina Turk is a perfect example of fashion trying to fuck you. Somehow, Trina Turk found a way to incorporate leopard print, the uber trendy bandeau, and white lace all in one hideous witch's brew. If you insist on wearing white lace, wear a flesh-colored bandeau or black bra. Just remember: white on white is the fashion equivalent of AIDS.

And same logics applies here. In fact, this brings me to a larger grievance. Since the popularity of the lace/sheer/draped racerback, it seems like I've seen more bra straps than a European tourist at Disney Land. Invest in a bandeau, people, or get a racerback bra. Or wear a jacket. There ARE solutions. I swear to God, if I catch you wearing a regular bra with a racerback tank, be prepared to get punched in the titty.

I know I sung the praises of a very similar sweater a few weeks ago, but this knockoff shredded sweater is a piece of shit. Manufactured by a brand called "Material Girl" at Macy's (where fashion trends go to die), this lazy, ill-fitting, and totally awkward reproduction seems to think some anarchy should come with a fitted white camisole. I mean, who the hell styled this? You show me a cool, avant guarde trend circulating the independent Los Angeles scene, and I'll show you a watered down, corporate, and completely antithetical knock off: that's the magic of Macy's. ©

Nautical stripes are a win! Over-sized, square construction is money! But cropped above-the-bellybutton tops are so, so, so not worth getting punched in the titty over. The fact is: unless you're wearing a cropped top with something high-waisted, you really should avoid this look. It's just uncouth and this is coming from somebody who condoned nipple blazing. Even this handsome lady with the flat stomach would look pretty unfortunate hunched over in a restaurant, creating a pooch by virtue of sitting. Don't do it.


-Sabrina London

Friday, January 14, 2011

Oh Dolly!

I'm not sure which part of the human psyche is responsible for grown women's desire to infantilize themselves by dressing like ENORMOUS BABIES. Rest assured, I'm totes on board.

Babydoll collars are the topic of discussion here. I never played with dollies growing up - thanks for nothing, gender roles. However, I have a strange fascination with these doll-inspired white collars.

Whether it's a Peter Pan collar or nautical inspired, I find them really quirky cute. It's very "Lolita" and who doesn't dream of seducing Jeremy Irons once in a while? (Okay, I'll be honest. I watched that movie on a horrible first date and I don't remember most of it, after 4 too many glasses of wine and a regrettable make-out session with Johnny Depp's 5'6" doppleganger).

What were we talking about?





xo,
Sabrina London

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Sneak Peek: Store Update

Oh hey, good lookin'. Didn't see you there. Must have been too pre-occupied scoping out the latest vintage awesomeness at Alameda Vintage. Kinda funny, us bumping into each other like this. Almost like fate. Yeah.

Almost like fate.










All these dresses and more will be listed tonight so keep your eyes and wallets open.

xo,
Sabrina London

Animal Hats. Because Why Not?


As if further proof was needed that weird fashion starts in Japan, these creepy animal headpieces by Nagi Noda from 2008 have predicted the latest trend in America 2011: ANIMAL HATS.

First, a look back at the original inspiration.







Now process that through the American hipster filter, add a $139 price tag and here's what you get 3 years later:






Yeah. Bitches be crazy.

-Sabrina London

Monday, January 10, 2011

Hot to Trot Vintage Dresses


Do yourself a favor and check out the FOUR PAGES of incredible vintage dresses at Meat Market Vintage. Here's a few of our favorite picks.








-Sabrina London

Thursday, January 6, 2011

At The Mo

It's time to take inventory of the little things that comprise my life at the moment.

Right Now Midnight Snack: Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Raisin toast. My grandma used to make this for us when we were kids. I just recently rediscovered it and I swear I've almost consumed an entire loaf in a week.

Right Now Book: "Loving John: The Untold Story" by May Pang. Perhaps the greatest pulp contribution to the Beatles Library of Congress, this memoir was written by John Lennon's mistress during his infamous "lost weekend" - an 18-month period of booze, sex, and general disfunction. There's a chapter where John gets drunk and accuses May of flirting with David Cassidy, then proceeds to flip out. I can't put this one down.

Right Now Show: Season 2 of "Mad Men" on Blu-Ray. I'm always late to the party on television shows, but this one got me hooked. All that vintage!

Right Now Listen: The Savage Lovecast by Dan Savage. Seriously, I've replaced music with sex advice while I model for the store.

Right Now Hair Ambition: I'm growing it out and keeping the Bettie Paige bangs. It's been a while since I've had long hair, but it's getting there. Because I take pictures every week for Alameda, you can gradually see my hair grow in real-time.

Right Now Purchase: These sequin pants. So insane cute.

Right Now Comfort Clothing: My husband's Myspace hoodie. It's made by American Apparel, and it's so endlessly soft.

Right Now Hang Out: UCB Theater, watching improv comedy. As a writer and total geek, it's become one of my favorite places in Hollywood. The talent there is AMAZING and truly the next generation of comedy. It's so inspiring.

Right Now Movies: "Blue Valentine." Seriously. Phenomenal. Also adored "Black Swan" and "Somewhere" and can't wait for "Social Network" on Blu-Ray. I think that maxes out my indie cred.

Right Now Writing Project: My husband and I finished our third screenplay together, which we got an early nibble on from a producer whose grandfather has a theater named after him on the Fox lot. Fingers crossed, but you know how these things go. In the meanwhile, we're going to polish all 3 of our scripts to enter in competitions this year. Then, we'll embark on the great Query-Letter-a-Thon.

Right Now Fashion Tip: Socks with stilettos. You heard it here first.

Yours,
Sabrina London