West Coast by Way of Chicago

Blog Friends!

A refreshing result of maintaining Fauxshionable.com is the support of other bloggers and style mavens. They have become virtual friends and cheerleaders for my vision. What's even better is seeing their work progress at the same time.

Last Friday, one of my blog buddies became a real buddy! Jennifer Margolin of Red Sole Diary and JenniferMargolin.com left Hermosa Beach and returned to her Midwest roots. Jen is an amazing stylist living and working on the West Coast, but she grew up in Hinsdale - a suburb of Chicago (excellent). 

We met up for dinner at Flatwater and headed on to Fashion Fridays at Crimson Lounge with our favorite guys in tow.

Food, cocktails, and fashion talk galore! Our Midwestern attitudes meshed right away :) What a fantastic time. 

Be sure to check out her incredible website and super fun blog!

Jennifer Margolin - The Art of Style

Red Sole Diary

Gallerina Goes Street

A fair haired gallery girl checks out the Chicago street art scene.

These photos were taken around the West Loop - home to meatpacking plants, trendy restaurants, and now: guerrilla street art.  It seems local artists are rebelling from galleries and making their mark on the city in public spaces. Dilapidated buildings become the canvases on which they paint their masterpieces.

While public officials might question the legality of the practice, we can certainly enjoy its beauty.

Thank you to my friend Beth who made an amazing model!

Outfit:  Dress: thrifted, Hat: vintage, Shoes and rain boots: Beth's own, Purse: thrifted, Necklace: Forever 21, Umbrella: Target

Photography, Hair & Makeup, Styling, and Production by Fauxshionable

Handmade Chicago

There's nothing I love more than being unique. Purchasing handmade goods helps me achieve it! Here are some items I picked up that were handmade right here in Chicago.

A handwritten card can take you a lot farther than an email in this age of technology.  What's even better is a handmade, custom set of note cards!

These beauties were made for me by the lovely Kristin at KZ Paperie. I am obsessed with monograms so she worked with me to select fonts for my initials. Kristin is super detail oriented and listens to her clients to create the perfect card.  Prices are $1-$2 per card depending on the style.

She also made me these cards, which I am totally out of except for 3.  I'm hoarding them.... 

To get your own, email Kristin at kzivic@aol.com and check out her blog! 

After my unfortunate booting from Pitchfork, I was feeling a little sorry for my poor Canon XS. I stopped by the Souldier stand at the fest and told my tale as I scoped out the lovely camera straps. Kindness (or pity?) took hold and the wonderful owner told me that I could have a strap, as long as I told everyone about it.  So this is me telling everyone!!  Buy buy buy!

My strap is made of seat belt material ($20), but you can also purchase them made from vintage cuts of material.  Buy buy buy here!! 

See more Souldier goods on Fly Vintage's blog!

I Wore Two Outfits to Pitchfork...

In our ongoing quest to enjoy as much of the short Chicago summer as possible, we headed to Pitchfork Music Festival in the West Loop this weekend.  Pitchfork is a 3 day festival showcasing independent music's latest and greatest. Good tunes aside, the fest also boasts a huge concentration of some very stylish people.

So what's with two outfits?  Well the one you'll see below is what I put on the first time we headed down to Pitchfork....but then I got the boot for trying to bring in my "professional" camera.  I didn't even consider the fact that my beginner Canon XS would be legit enough to warrant a press pass. 

Outfit: Skirt: vintage Todd Oldham from Fly Vintage's collection (seen here), Top: John Paul Gaultier for Target, Boots: Dr. Marten (remember?), Sunglasses: Ray Ban

We were forced to run back to my place to drop the camera somewhere safe.  By the time we got there,  my feet were way too hot in my boots and the skirt was much too heavy for mid-90's weather.  So I did what any girl would do - I threw together a whole new outfit!  Much lighter, much more comfortable. 

Outfit: Dress: Rodarte for Target, Headband: Souldier (Fly Vintage reps this brand!), Purse: thrifted, Shoes (not pictured): Cynthia Vincent for Target

A good percentage of the crowd wore Wayfarers. The remainder wore some of the most enviable shades I have ever seen in one place.

I could have taken so many more photos of personal style, but I get shy asking people to pose - especially when I have to use my dinky point and shoot!  I figured they might think I was just a creep...

Big Boi was my favorite of the day.  Great view around the stage, right?

He was there too :)  Shirt: thrifted, Sunglasses: Ray Ban, Shorts: Abercrombie and Fitch

We had a bit of fun on the walk back to my car. 

A great time had by all at Pitchfork 2010.  Hope to go again next year!

City Style

Chicagoland area wearables.

 The paddock at Arlington Park

Race day cocktails: Dress: Co-me Como , Hat: Eugenia Kim for Target (also seen here), Necklaces: Forever 21, Sunglasses: Ray Ban, Purse: H&M

Fashion Fridays at Crimson Lounge at the Hotel Sax: Top: The Limited, Shorts: H&M, Earrings: Top Shop, Purse: thrifted

A picnic and The Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Festival

 My Andy Warhol plates match my Liberty of London for Target dress

A cool summer night: Dress: Liberty of London for Target, Cardigan: Tory Burch, Sunglasses: Banana Republic (as worn in NYC)

Taste of Chicago on 4th of July weekend

Lady Liberty: Dress: Tracy Reese, Sunglasses: from New Bohemia in Austin, TX, Clear flip flops: Old Navy

Watermelon in the hot sun

Some rain and some jokers before the fireworks

Northside fireworks

Photos and styling by Fauxshionable

The Hunter

Some photos from my shoot in the Amazon.  

Kidding! It's my parents' backyard (or backforest?)in the Chicago burbs. Sometimes it's nice to get out of the city and enjoy a slower pace.

This is so nerdy but...this was kind of inspired by the beautiful colors in the film Avatar.  I must confess I love that movie.  It's just so pretty to look at.

If you're still reading - it was fun to wear puka shells again! The last time I wore them I'm pretty sure they were in a hemp necklace. Yikes. I really might start working them into my current wardrobe while the tribal trend is still going strong.  This pair of Tory Burch shoes is a great example of what works.

Outfit: Dress, Bracelets, Earrings, and Headband: all thrifted, Shoes and Tights: Target