The Sheer Maxi Dress

I'm pretty enamored with this dress from Anthropologie circa I-found-this-at-a-yard-sale. Amazing find? Name your price. It will be up for auction in our store tomorrow night.

You might have noticed the pictureless auctions tonight, and rest assured, we're working on it. While I'm in transition between Macs, I'm working from my husband's computer and it takes much, much longer to resize and export photos. Actually, it takes much longer to do anything.

I'm feeling a bit like a curmudgeon today. A troublesome customer is making life hell in the kind of tedious power struggle only eBay can provide. Not to bite the hand that feeds you too much, but I sincerely wish eBay offered more support for sellers. After all, eBay doesn't technically sell anything. We do.

A special thank-you to the stragglers who bid on something from our tiny auction week. Your purchases are going towards keeping this bitch sane during Mac death week. Truly, I'm grateful.

Much love,
Sabrina London

At Funerals, We Wear Black

It cost $150 to extract this picture from my hard-rive, and a few others which you will see in the store Thursday night.

RIP MacBook Pro (aka "A Friend")

2007-2011

xo,

Sabrina London

Bright Side List

On Wednesday night, I couldn't sleep and found myself poking around online, reading articles about my favorite improv comedians. At around 4 AM, I went to bed and the next morning when I woke up, my MacBook Pro was dead.

Like most exits in Los Angeles, it came out of no where. I opened my laptop and waited, but nothing happened. When I attempted a hard reboot, the chimes were absent and the LCD screen remained black, empty, still. I whipped out my iPhone and began self-diagnosing with trembling thumbs, only to learned it was probably the RAM card or my logic board. How did this happen? One night, you're reading about comedy and the next day, you're lugging a 20 pound backpack to Melrose Mac on Highland.

Oh yeah. About that. The same day my Mac died, our car died too.

It was thoroughly traumatic, leaving my precious 'puter in the hands of a perfect stranger, who wouldn't have answers till Monday. What's worse, all the items I photographed for the store this week were on that computer. So in addition to shelling out for the repair, I won't get paid next week.

On my way back home, I ate some Greek food at Daphne's Cafe and piddled around ULTA for a while. What a crap day. My husband called to let me know the car repairs came out to $1,400 if we were feeling fancy. It was that or take the bus. We opted for 2 of the 3 repairs that seemed the most life-threatening ("5% breaks left" might alarm the bravest of frugal daredevils).

My husband is up for a raise this month, so things could definitely be worse. But I feel like there's a 2008 MacBook shaped hole in my heart. Right now, I'm using Sean's work PC netbook and it's very foreign. Again, could be worse, but a girl's allowed to wallow.

Okay, time to make a "Bright Side" list.

* Sean and I enrolled in classes at the Upright Citizen's Brigade, following in the footsteps of some of the world's greatest comedic minds. I'm super stoked to be even remotely associated with UCB. It's the Harvard of comedy.

* After 7 months, my couch-crashing brother found his own apartment, which means put a sock on the door because the husband and I aren't leaving these quarters for a fortnight.

* I've never believed in the mystical powers of womens' "face cream" - it always sounded like a fancy way of describing moisturizer. But in spite of my skepticism, I bought a tub of L'Oreal Youth Code Day/Night Cream. I'm just supremely curious what the hell face cream does, mostly. Harvard of face cream? I'll let you know.

* It's raining. I've got the apartment to myself and a little chihuahua puppy cuddling nearby. That means it's tea and magazine time.

xo,

Sabrina London

Valentine Surprise

The Gospel According to Vogue (February 2011)

It's time to grab your bibles, young fashion heathens, and flip through the Gospel according to Vogue. Here's what the February 2011 issue had to offer.

Chanel ad: Are those feathers I see incorporated on a classic Chanel tweed jacket? I'm in love with this look and the fingerless leather gloves are sublime.

Estee Lauder ad: Hey, an Asian!

Lancome ad: This is why I absolutely hate Spring fashion. Easter egg makeup ads with matching eyeshadow, nails, blouse and background. It's so '80s in all the wrong ways.

Prada and Marc Jacobs ads: Interesting Latin influence on accessories this spring with Prada's colorful woven pumps and Jacobs' big woven hats.

Fendi ad: Big time '50s secretary dress in more Easter egg hues.

Michael Kors: This nude slouchy wide knit sweater is the first thing I've seen anyone in LA actually wear.

Covergirl ad: Turn on as many diffused lights as you like. Taylor Swift still looks like a toothless hillbilly to me.

The Limited Ad: I'm sensing a very boring Sex and the City reboot, where Carrie and the gang only wear khaki and never make eye contact.

Valentino ad: Starting to think I'm programmed to swoon over vintage revivals. This '60s inspired party dress in the black and white ad is darling.

Giselle Bundchen page (appears before Balenciaga ad, but stands alone): Funny to see Giselle again, looking mighty dyke chic. I'll allow it.

Blumarine ad: Please stop.

Letter from the Editor: The Jonathan Saunders garden party dress on Karolina Kurkova is stunning here.

Tresor ad: Penelope Cruz is top on my hall pass list, don't get me wrong. But this photo looks at least a decade old.

Loreal Paris ad: "Whoa!" I exclaimed out loud at Barnes and Noble. Orange lipstick and '50s secretary glasses are a total turn on. Well played!

Maybelline ad (for One by One Volum' Express): I'm inclined not to trust any product with a sassy apostrophe in the name, but this one looks especially unlikely. The lash catcher?

Marc Jacobs ad (for Lola perfume): This model's thumb is doing something not of God.

Loreal Paris ad (for Magic Smooth Souffle): Diane Kruger got a makeup contract? Good for her!

Mulberry ad: So nude and acorn trench coats are appearing pretty often at this point, and we're only on page 119. I like this ad because look a little longer and you'll spot a pig!

Loreal ad (for EverSleek haircare): Another page stopper! J.Lo has so much hair and it's gorgeous, but I have DOoUUBT(!) she'd put anything from a grocery store on her head.

Extra Leg Room (Page 130): Holy macrol, we're 130 pages in and this is the first page of actual content I've come across. If you exclude the table of contents and Letter from the Editor, this is it! A welcome break from all those Loreal ads.

So Vogue purports wide leg pants are returning "channeling that '70s silhouette." This is not the first time the fashion Gods at Vogue have tried to push baggy pants, but it didn't catch on because they look atrocious on viturally anyone who's not ironically too thin to wear them.

View (Page 136): It looks like the next popular trend the world must willfully ignore is neon.

Versace ad: So January Jones is naked in a four page spread for Versace, and I'm still intensely bored.

Manifest Destiny editorial: "Is there an American style?" Vogue asks us. Let's find out together (spoiler alert: apparently). Tips from the gospel of Vogue: Practical and comfortable. Clean lines and something about pilgrims.

It does appear the midi-length dress and skirt is back.

Gangs of New York editorial: "Romantic Victorian to 1970s gloss." Love the first page of this.

Coming on Strong: K-Stew looks really pretty with dirty blonde hair and dark eyebrows. Really suits her.

That about wraps up this edition of "The Gospel According to Vogue." You may now close your bibles and continue living your life.

xo,

Sabrina London

Vintage Valentine Dresses

All these vintage Valentine dresses are available at Alameda Vintage. Now go get yourself laid.

xo,

Sabrina London

Auction Day!

Grab your muskets and mascara war paint because IT'S AN AUCTION DAY.

Now get yourself over to Alameda Vintage and fight to the death!!!

xo,

Sabrina London

How to Wear a Maxi Skirt

Hold My Gold Vintage

You've probably spent your whole life avoiding them and with good reason. The infamous MAXI SKIRT can dredge up imagery of pilgrims, hippie communes, Utah or that unfortunate 2nd grade class photo (at least if you grew up in the '90s).

While your skepticism may be merited, the maxi skirt is the latest up-and-coming trend here in Hollyweird and I'm here to tell you, if executed properly, a maxi skirt can be downright hot.

HOW TO ROCK IT:

- The 2011 maxi skirt is all about two things: a high-waist and a flowing skirt.

- Opt for a maxi skirt with an elasticized waist so you can wear it on the smallest part of your waist (right above your belly button).

- Add a waist-cinching belt. This will break the massive print or color consuming your lower half, and add visual interest.

- The most popular color I've seen for this trend is black. It's chic. It's versatile. And everything goes with black. Neutrals are definitely the easiest to pull off (nude, charcoal, black). But if you're feeling more daring, try a tartan plaid or ditsy floral (like the one pictured above).

- Go for a gradual A-line. A slinky silhouette is key and you'll want a lightweight fabric that MOVES when you move. A stretch-poly-blend is actually preferable to the standard cotton variety.

- No tiers. No ruffles. No bright colors. No big prints. And while this may come as a surprise: no camisoles.

- What do you wear with your maxi? Our style reconnaissance points to cropped blouses and sweaters as the number one choice. A slouchy cropped sweater paired with a slinky black maxi is the Sinatra of panache. Look for a beautiful draped fit and dolman sleeves are a plus.

- When wearing a maxi skirt, what you put on your feet in almost as important as what you wear on top. If you're not afraid of heights, a pair of T-strap wooden platforms (like above) looks stunning. Try to avoid sandals and flats (with gladiator sandals being the exception).

- Don't forget the accessories. Feather earrings, bracelets, and a long strand necklace will go a long way in playing up your maxi looks' potential.

xo,

Sabrina London

Discontinued!

Today I found out my favorite lip balm - Neutrogena Lip Nutrition in "Berry Smooth" - was discontinued. When did Neutrogena pull the plug? I have no idea. But somewhere in heaven an angel with dry lips just discontinued its wings... with a blowtorch.

You know how magazine editors are always pontificating their esteemed "beauty secrets" ("tee hee")? Well, this was one of mine. I discovered this little gem many moons ago, when I was but a poor college student, wasting time in the drug store while my prescription for IHaveAnxiety was being filled. I came upon this $7 miniature tub of lip balm that caught my attention because wow, that's a lot of money for .18 ounce of anything. What does it DO? Or perhaps (more sinisterly): what does it want from us?

The lip balm tubs came in 3 flavors at the time: Cool Mint, Refreshing Mango, and Berry Smooth. I'm not one for making decisions so I bought all three, then picked up my happy pills and went on my merry way.

That evening, I experimented with "Berry Smooth" because it was pink and that agreed with me. I noticed the consistency was a bit waxy, and you had to scrape it with your fingernail, rather than dab your fingertips in it. Using my nail to apply lip balm seemed like a silly way to go about things, but I was excited to try those interesting little jojoba beads in the mix.

The balm instantly tingled and I worked the waxy finish into my lips, rubbing in circles. The beads did not break very easily - I ended up eating my fair share of them, but sometimes beauty is mysterious.

What was I expecting from this new venture into Moisture Town? Soft, hydrated lips that wouldn't crack or dry. But what magical secret had I unwittingly discovered?

This. made. my. lips. HUGE.

Not in the hypoallergenic, go to the emergency room HUGE. But in the super moisture + exfoliating beads = bigger, softer, puffier lips HUGE. This was not even advertised! And remarkably, the effect of this lasted long after I'd kissed it off on the round end of a silver chicken flask (oh college!). It lasted for days. I'd wake up the next morning with an Angelina pout, much to my awe and delight. The unintended consequence of using this once a day is that I looked way poutier for the next 4 years than I had any right portraying myself to be.

Eh!

I later replaced this with Too Faced Lip Injection Serum, a $30 investment for larger-than-life lips that were downright obscene. In college, buying this was a luxury when you spent less money on groceries. I remember loving how quickly it worked and it gave your lips a hydro glossy finish (as opposed to my secret weapon's waxy finish). The biggest downsides? Besides costing a day's wage at the radio station I worked at, it sometimes crept outside your lip line and turned your whole mouth bright red. Any skin it touched burned ruddy and inflamed. Also, the bulging effect didn't last much longer than a few hours.

After college, I stopped treating my lips with strange serums and topical gels. As long as they were hydrated, the Angelina look didn't matter so much any more. Only recently have I kind of missed the reliable comfort and ease of my Neutrogena Lip Nutrition balm and after a late night run to Rite-Aid, I realized it was no more.

Of course, never fear: that's why eBay is here. Just purchased a lot of *20* in 3 flavors. Win win win win (Butler).

Yours,

Sabrina London