Tight Legged Layering

The Layering of the Tights - My all time FAVORITE Fall fashion tradition is about to commence. Living in Los Angeles, this usually comes a bit late. But better late than never right?

Many people have their staples, and God knows I've experimented with many different looks, every time wondering, "Is this going to be 'The Emily?'" From my couple year stint with the hot pink highlights, nicely mixing in with my naturally brown hair (sexual chocolate, we called it), to black nail polish on my toes for what seemed like a decade. I have definitely tried many things. But my layered tights' look just keeps me coming back for more.

Upon perusing my childhood photo albums a few years back, I noticed that I was almost always wearing tights. So I asked my mom, "Mom, why did you dress me in tights ALL the time?" Her answer: "...Because you refused to go outside any other way." Seems logical.

Now a days, I like to push it a step further. Why not layer up some tights and create your own unique design? With the southern california weather turning a bit more permissible, here are my favorite combinations.

Left: Magenta tights, layered under floral black lace tights.
Right: Opaque bright blue tights, layered under white fishnet bow tights.

Left: Opaque floral tights, layered under black small scaled fishnets.
Right: Black sweater tights, layered under lacy nude tights.

Left: Grey knit tights, layered under thigh high pale pink socks.
Right: Mini black, white and grey chevron patterned tights, layered under lacy brown fishnets. 

All Hallow's Eve

The bewitching hour is approaching and the year long question remains...WHAT in the world am I going to be for Halloween THIS year?

Last year, my friends and I dressed up as the Saved By The Bell gang. Other memorable costumes include - 2005, the year I was "Trouble"; 2007, when my costume was "Risky Business" to some, a la Tom Cruise; and 1989, when I was dutifully collecting candy (that my parents would then not allow me to eat since they were of course laced with poison...), as none other than "Punky Brewster." Of course, I also can't forget 2004, the year I discovered the real definition of A Slutty Halloween (I was a late bloomer), and went as a "Bondage Girl." James Bond girls needn't have applied.

Different as can be, what these costumes did have in common though were one very important thing: The craft of the handmade! As fun as it is to go to all of the Halloween stores, it's usually just for collecting ideas. But after an incident a few years ago, where an amazing idea was not recorded and then forgotten forever, I began recording any and all costume ideas that came to mind throughout the year, and now I have too many to choose from. I stand by my handmade costume philosophy, but I now cannot decide which one to go with!

Help?

Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds"

An escaped mental patient, or 10

A Matryoshka Doll

Blah-zay, Blah-zay

Upon starting this blog, I made a promise to myself that I would post something worthy at the very least once a week. Since then I have (pretty much) held myself to that promise. Until, I failed. You see, between working on my reschooling career, upholding a small business venture I call my brainchild, AND maintaining a social life along with family cuddle time, I have just fallen waaay behind and it is unacceptable! I couldn't even imagine trying to raise a real child amidst all this (sorry mom). Other excitements that have kept this blog idle include, but are not limited to: a new baby niece, a stop over in my lovely hometown of San Francisco last weekend, a few side gigs (can't have the hubby do all the work now, although he does do a great job), and well, just life. 

Fast forward to this afternoon, and a nasty feeling of the blah-zay's suddenly came over me. Sure, lack of sleep and a certain monthly visitor weren't helping. But I realized the real culprit was really my lack of writing! So, here I am back in full force. And I've decided I should finally address why this blog is titled what it is: No Heels (Maven).

Ok so I've been around now for 30 years, and for about a good 15-16 of them I was uuusually the shortest one amongst my peers. For some reason however, I seldom felt the need or want to wear heels. Then I grew slightly taller, and I turned the ripe 'ol age of party, drinking and the sought after "adult" going out. Yet still, no sign of heels. My (tall) sisters made fun of me, my mom told me to get a pair (of heels), and my going out friends always gave my choice of "clubbing" shoes, that juuust-a-little-too-long-of-a-stare, with not-enough-dialogue look. And I just didn't understand it. My shoes were definitely cute AND fashion forward, so just because they lacked that extra block of hardware in the back, they were all of a sudden not good enough?

A few years later, when the next big wardrobe decision would be for that coveted job interview, I had a discussion with my bestie and found what she had to say quite interesting. She felt that when she wore heels, especially in the work place, she was taken more seriously. Outside of the work place, she felt doors opened for her, quite literally. I decided to test this theory, hoping to gain clarity. What I found was, how could I be taken seriously while when wearing these alleged heels, I found myself wobbling around, and thus less focused and less confident? It's definitely no secret that I am not the most agile of people, often times falling UP the stairs. But really, how could a single piece of accessory meant solely for the soles, the last place ones eyes fall after they meet yours, and originally designed to protect and comfort your main mode of transportation (your feet), be THAT significant in the way others perceived you? I mean it's not like I was wearing Crocs or Birkenstocks *shudders*. These were well thought out, stylish pieces of wearable art for the feet.

Although I find plenty of amazingly gorgeous heels quite often, and on occasion I will wear them (i.e. my wedding, though I seriously contemplated wearing some ballet flats and "had some sense talked into me" by my mom), I find just as many amazingly gorgeous flats. And as I continue to push the "boundaries" of the flat, I refuse to believe that wearing heels is going to make someone notice me more. After all, my husband fell for me as I tripped my way across a cliff in the middle east in the ugliest of sneakers, which were properly disposed of shortly after.

Lucky for me, these days we have celebrities like Zooey Deschanel, whose character on "New Girl" is always wearing the most adorable flats. If it were me, I'de wear those babies to the most glamorous red carpet event, and still look awesome. Just sayin.

Alexa Chung, Reese Witherspoon and Zooey Deschanel

My favorite Jeffrey Campbell's

RIP white leather boots

Topshop Unique Spring 2014 RTW

Love love LOVE this! 'Nuff said. Visit fashionmention.com for a closer look. 

Lifestyles of the Rich and Stupid

So I know this blog is strictly a lifestyle writing platform, and I typically stick to only sharing stories about fashion, travel and food. But I very recently dealt with an issue I feel is still part of every woman's (and man's for that matter) daily life, and the choices that come with it. Thus, being a very real lifestyle piece.

Most working women these days don't realize that they do have a voice when it comes to injustices in the work place. And I don't know about other markets, but in LA, you better watch your back. Because behind every closed glass door, and behind every coffee cup corner, there is one (or 5) very classless Grapefruits. Yes, I said Grapefruits. Because instead of bringing myself down to a level of the profanity that is very much at the tip of my tongue, I would much prefer to speak in produce, namely Grapefruits, which always seem to leave a nasty bitter taste in my mouth. I've always hated Grapefruits. And in this metaphoric situation, I have never disliked them so much.

In my adult working life, specific to the LA region, I have experienced many injustices over the last few years. Experiences you wouldn't even believe. And I really do plan on writing a book one day detailing all of my workplace exploits and escapades. I think it's going to be a good one. In this particular situation however, I finally got retribution. Alas, the mother of all Grapefruits was faced with her wrong doings, and lost! Which means I WON. And like Jason Bateman's Prius driving character in Horrible Bosses, I don't win a lot. And not because I am not a worthy opponent, but because the one thing I hate more than Grapefruits, is having to face them. In my head I know I am confident and ready to go, but once I open my mouth, it's like a different person has taken over and I just don't pack the punch I need to. Not to mention, I am probably the least intimidating person I've ever met.

Digressing for a moment though, up until 3 years ago, I seemed to always have a male boss. So I said to my 3 years' ago self, "It's time to work for a woman again, damn it!" After all the years of progress women have made in this working world, who better to look up to than a strong female leader? Ones who (seemingly) make their own fortune, and (also seemingly) move mountains to get where they need to. Boy, was I wrong. And I will never understand it. How a female leader, who should be proud of her "followers" and set them up for success, and evoke a team effort of support, would actually scheme and lie and cheat her hard working employees out of that same success. Because seemingly, the road through that mountain she moved, had other people in it's way. And instead of continued progress, she's paved a way for new Grapefruitlets to follow in her grotesquely overpriced Loubouton footsteps.

But the moment I took action, and stood up for myself, I actually won. Let this be a lesson in work place ethics: if you work hard, are fair in your practices and human in your approach, you should make sure you get everything you deserve. And if someone shuts you down, call the Labor Commission on their Grapefruit asses, and win.

Ta ta for now!

This Grapefruit is no good.
Image from www.my-healthy-food-coach.com

The Coffee Shop Mission

So my Sissy-in-Law Tracey and I have been on a mission. We are attempting to dine (and by dine I mean an Iced Cappuccino and chocolate croissant for me, and a Chai Tea Latte and fruit pastry for her), at as many different coffee shops in Los Angeles as possible. Although it will take some time, we are at an advantage; you see, we look to these coffee shops for our weekly business meetings. We have a venture of sorts, currently available for viewing (and hopefully enjoyment) at www.fashionbackwardsla.com, and need a distraction free and inspirational environment to have important discussions. And after we are done catching up on our personal lives, we get down to business =).

Coffee Shops are synonymous with that artsy, motivating, inspiring and "we are gonna make it!" mindset. So, we started out at our favorite spot on Tujunga Ave in Toluca Lake, Aroma Coffee and Tea Co. But as much as we LOVE Aroma, they don't have Wi-Fi! And as our business meetings become more and more involved, Wi-Fi is really a must. There's only so much our 3G smart phones can handle. So after a few weeks of Aroma, we decided to move on to Marie et Cie in Studio City. Filled with a homey Parisian charm, Marie's was a great next stop. But after another couple of weeks, we started getting restless, and alas, The Coffee Shop Mission was born!

So once a week (sometimes more) we begin to visit a different Cafe, with Wi-Fi locations taking precedence of course. Besides the above mentioned Cafe's, we have since been to Le Pain Quotidien in Studio City. They boast multiple Los Angeles locations and can also be found world wide. With a very cute and modern interior, and a decent breakfast/lunch menu, they also offer some tasty in-house baked fresh bread, and of course Coffee. This past weekend, we also stopped into Buttercelli in Sherman Oaks. I don't think they have Wi-Fi, but for this Sunday afternoon's unpreparedness, it was quite alright. All pertinent info was properly scribbled on a bakery napkin as I devoured my affogato. Just a note about Buttercellii...they have an extensive selection of organic, gluten free, sugar free, vegan and paleo cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pastries, danish's, and well, you name it. So what's left to eat you ask right? My thoughts exactly. However, the everything-free blondie sample the friendly barista man gave us to taste was absolutely ah-mazing. They also offer individual ice cream portions by a Haagen-Dazs acquired organic company that I really should have written down. AND, they also brew their own organic coffee. I think I am definitely going to have to sneak in a visit back here while on this crazy coffee shop mission.

Updates to come!

Copyright Tatyana Scherbanova

www.freepresshouston.com

www.ralucatudorphotography.wordpress.com

Shopping 101

Labor day is upon us, which clearly means one thing: no, you can still wear white. In fact, it's encouraged. What it means is...shopping season is upon us! This is probably the biggest shopping time of the year. Think about it...we have back to school, followed by Halloween, and then all of the holiday parties, holiday gifts, all ending with the perfect New Years' Eve attire.

With all of this money spending (or DIYing) approaching, a good way to not get overwhelmed is to make a sort of plan. I found this great little cheat sheet in Glamour a while back and I want to share it with all. We may have missed the mark for the first half of the year, but think of this as a way to get ahead for next year. With all of the fall/winter shopping coming up, hold off on a few things that will be much more budget-friendly for you if saved for future shopping.

August - Best time to buy sleepwear, belts and shoes. Check out Nasty Gal's Shoe Cult, which just launched today.

September - Jeans and Handbags.

October - Swimwear.

November & December - Get that last minute holiday shopping done!

January - Shorts, dress shirts, T-shirts and jewelry.

February - Suits and skirts. Although I did find the most adorable mini skirt at Free People yesterday for a slammin' 70% off! It happens.

March - Intimates, outerwear and coats.

April - Dress pants.

May - Sunnies.

June - Take a break...

July - Sweaters. You might actually throw it on with all of the AC madness everywhere you go. Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale is a great place to start!

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