Should I stay [brunette] or should I go [blonde] now??

I wish I could stop thinking/consequently asking every person that crosses my path whether it's a good idea for me to go platinum.  I get that it's super edgy, different, striking.  All these words have been used to describe this dramatic change, and even though I am a fan of being all of the aforementioned qualities, I still can't imagine it looking *good* on me.  Is different for the sake of being different enough?  Coloring my hair doesn't have to be a permanent change obviously, yet it feels like asking this question is about something entirely different and much deeper than a color job.  It's about being comfortable with letting go of something that's been part of my identity.  I've always been the black haired, middle eastern, exotic girl.  What would going platinum do to that?  Who would I become?  Would I love her?  Would she feel out of place?  How would this drastic change affect the way I like my clothes? My style?
I've been going back and forth about all of these issues for weeks now.  Am I overthinking it all?
Most likely, yet I can't help getting all heady when it comes to aesthetics and image.  I recently tried to think of any olive skinned girls who had successfully gone platinum and made it work.  I've fallen a bit short.  Any girl that does look good with a platinum color is fair skinned as far as I can recall.  Here goes my list:

Selma Blair: She's a hottie, but def much fairer than I am. 

 Oh Edie, you sure are perfect aren't you.. I would do it just to be compared to her :)

Kate Winslet: Probably one of the most beautiful women out there.  She would look good with a bag over her head.. so maybe she's not the best example.

Ok, miss Gaga: Only using this example because she's Italian and her skin tone may be sort of similar to mine.  Yet I still think she's lighter and isn't the best resource for me to use.

Another beauty who can pull off the platinum pixie no problem.

Agyness:  Another white girl!  See the pattern here?

 The quintessential platinum babe of my generation:  But will it work on me?

Do you see what I'm saying here?  All these girls can pull it off because they are essentially way fairer than I am.  If ANYONE can show me a good example of a girl with olive skin who pulls off platinum hair I AM DOING IT.  Until then i'll just talk about it.

aaaaaaand...... let's talk shoes.

I'm sure it comes as a huge surprise to you that I wanna talk about the cutest, funkiest must have shoes of the season with you.. (again and again.. and again).  Truth of the matter is, I can wear lot's of my vintage spring dresses from last season.. Oh, and also this AMAZING one I saw a girl walking around in (whom I had to stop in the middle of the street to ask about her dress). It's a beauty from ASOS that is now on it's way into my arms! Cause truth is... summer dresses are summer dresses, and if you are anything like me and buy vintage ones.. they are timeless. It's A FACT.   But shoes, that's where the magic happens..because you can transform an outfit you've worn 100 times before into something completely new depending on choice of footwear.  So let's see what I picked out as my top ladies.

1. Retro Gola kicks:  I love the old skool and worn-in look to these, the low sole and the great selection of colors.  Paired with distressed denim and an easy tee, it's the perfect addition to your spring casual vibes.  Find a wide range of them at Free People.

2. Senso cut out boots:  I'm the kind of chick that wears boots all year long.. Basically I think they look amazing juxtaposed against summery fabrics and colors.  I adore the idea of white ones, and even better if they have a cut out detail.  Find these awesome ones on ASOS.

3. Espadrilles: Well there is nothing new about this concept, except that I love the idea of an interesting/unique pattern on the fabric as opposed to your typical solid or striped variety.  These reminded me of the Dolce & Gabbana spring collection in their colorful and Renaissance eluding pattern.  Find these vintage beauties here.

4. Ohhhh Metallics!  Yes.. this purchase has been made.  Everything from the silver, to the chunky 90's heel, to the caged gladiator look screams something I will be able to pair with everything from floral summer dresses to casual denim rompers and jeans.  The white sole is nothing but a bonus.  Find these on ASOS.

5. Who doesn't love a pop of color in their spring wardrobe?.  Be it hot pink, yellow, cobalt blue, I think nothing say's I'm ready for some sunshine and a picnic at the park more than a colorful sandal.  So here is my pick in this easy breezy yellow number.  Find them here.

6. Oh Zara, you could do no wrong.  Sure these aren't the Gucci version by any means, but lord they are pretty.  A sleek white heel will get you very far this season.  Worn with everything from your short pant suit, to a Helmut Lang knit dress, to overly distressed boyfriend jeans.  These are the sex kitten shoe of choice.  Find these beauties here.

7. Zebra patterned sandals:  Where do I begin?  These are just perfect for your every day running around.  You'll look stylish, put together but be as comfortable as you would be barefoot.  I really can't imagine a more amazing combo.  Find these at  ZARA.

8.  Nike's never left and are not going anywhere.  Question is, which style and color and texture is the next big thing.  I happen to like these perforated blazers in this amazing turquoise because they scream not only "I'm too cool for school" but also "I'm a really easy going chick who prefers a relaxing weekend antique shopping and exploring a new neighborhood, as opposed to going to clubz".....  Find these here.

Happy shoe shoppin!

Styled by Stef..Lana in wideleg 70's plaid pants.

I LOVE styling other people.  There, now you know one more thing about me (besides my love for margaritas).  It's such an amazing feeling to watch a look come together piece by piece and transform a person.  This is why I do what I do.  I've assisted many photo shoots in my day but now I'm finally starting to work on my own stuff and loving every second of it.  I recently had the privilege to walk into the infinite world of Omnia Vintage and use her amazing pieces to create a few looks for her upcoming spring/summer lookbook.  Over the next couple of weeks I'll be posting these outfits and chatting about the way you can achieve the look too.  One key factor that ties all of my styling together is the way I often incorporate contemporary with vintage to give it a fresh and updated treatment.  Not enough bloggers/stylists are taking past and present and molding it into what it has potential to be when combined.
Most pieces will be available to shop on Omnia Vintage, unless I've stated that they are my own.

For this particular look I went for a 70's meets modern day downtown cool vibe by pairing wide leg pants with a tucked in boxy tank and layering it with both a chambray shirt and a utility jacket.  The box bag adds a touch of structure and polish to the look and that hint of a warmer color to balance out all the green and blue.
On this particular afternoon, the sky was an intense blue and so clear, and we were feeling adventurous. We climbed on top of this abandoned flatbed and called it our home for the shoot.  The results were, if I dare say so myself...pretty awesome.

Lana is wearing:  Vintage wide leg plaid pants (Omnia Vintage); Vintage star blue and white tank (Omnia Vintage); Vintage chambray shirt; H&M utility jacket (stylist owned); Zimmermann leather woven sandals (stylist owned); Vintage jewelry (Omnia Vintage).

Stylist: Stefany Mohebban
Photographer: Naomi of Omnia Vintage
Model: Lana
Location: Gowanus, Brooklyn

Dress like it's Cinco De Mayo everyday.

If there's one piece of information that's crucial to knowing me is that I love a good margarita.  No, that doesn't include anything frozen or slightly green tinged or flavored.  But it's true.. I celebrate national margarita day like it's my business.. and what's the next best day to drink them after that? Cinco de Mayo of course.. We also all know that this is a ploy to get people drunk and stupid like St. Patty's and all other made up national holidays, and has no relation to Mexico's heritage or people in any significant way. Despite knowing this and feeling slightly ashamed, I do like to partake cause after all.. any excuse to drink tequila and be merry, I'll take.  Well now that you know what to send me for the holidays, my birthday, or any other time you wish to send me a gift, let's get to the fashion stuff.  Here are some great vintage Mexican or inspired pieces we should all have in our wardrobe and wear.. not only on this made up holiday.

50's hand painted circle skirt - find here.

 We all love a little irony - especially those of the hipster variety.  Find this souvenir tank here.

 Mexican silver, can't beat it.. find this cuff here.

 Embroidered vintage dress - find here.

Minimalist cuff - find here.

 Upcycled from a mexican embroidered dress, awesome spring bag - find it here.

Unique vintage silver cuff - find here.

Embroidered vintage top - find here.

Rockin the Turban.

I've noticed that I like to pretend I can't rock certain styles.  It's this strange mental block that I enforce on myself for no good reason.  A recent example of this kind of unnecessary behavior was my belief that I could not rock a turban.  I probably decided at some point that I didn't have the right face shape, or hairstyle, or confidence to pull of the look without looking silly. One day though, after a long and painful conversation I had with myself in my head I decided I'm gonna do this and it will look awesome.  So I pulled out a few of my favorite scarves, of different thicknesses and measures and shapes and started to play around with the idea.  A major disaster is what that started out as.  I couldn't figure out the method of wrapping to get the scarf to stay on my head and  look good simultaneously.  I sat there in frustration until the realization that you can figure out how to do pretty much everything on Youtube came to me in a flash.  So off I went to my laptop, finding the best turban tutorial I could get my eyes on.  I came across a tutorial called Get Yo Turban Life!
By the looks of the girl (she screamed professional turban wrapper) and the name of it, I knew this was the one.  She had not one but 3 ways of styling scarves depending on the look you were going for.  I couldn't have found a better source.  Click here to watch the clip yourself.

Moral of this story is, you can wear anything you set your mind to wear, with a little dedication, confidence, and playfulness, there is no style that's not for you. (Ok maybe some things should be left to others, but as a general rule don't dismiss it until you've given it an honest try).

Mixed messages:

 Dancing on a flatbed: Just cause.

 Lost and found: The hairy couch.

Outfit Details: Thrifted sweater; Forever 21 maxi; American Apparel leggings; Anna Xi boots; H&M Utility Jacket; Thrifted vintage wooden necklace; Vintage Oscar De La Renta scarf-turned into turban.

Location: Gowanus

Photograph's by: Naomi of Omnia Vintage

Inspiration Nation: Norman Parkinson

Strolling through the isles of The Strand I often get lost in the wide spectrum of subjects the books cover.   In the cookbook section I find myself fully capable of preparing a gourmet feast for 12, while in the poetry section I get lured into the beautifully articulated works of Rumi.  Where I often get lost the most though is the design and art section.  I could spend hours perusing: Graphic design, photography, textiles, fashion illustration, street art, so much to see.. so little time.
The last time I was there I came across a compilation of photographs by Norman Parkinson.  I'm ashamed to admit I had not realized how much I loved his work (although I had seen his photo's in the past) until they were blatantly staring me in the face in the form of this book.  Of course I picked  up a copy and fervently began doing extensive research on the man and his journey as a fashion photographer.  I was and still am completely astonished at the sheer amount of beauty he was able to capture and preserve.  I was inspired to the point where I found myself, on the next photo shoot for Pretty In Thrift, trying to emulate certain poses as well as capture the essence of some of my favorite editorials.
Ok, now comes the fun part.. the part where I try to pose like this beautiful lady.. and sort of fail miserably?  But honestly, you have to give me credit for trying.. because it took guts to think I could maybe pull it off..

Outfit Details:
White Vintage dress OmniaVTG; Black motorcycle jacket (Zara/old); Shoes are also Zara, Vintage woven bag OmniaVTG (find here.); Jewels are vintage and mostly thrift store found.

For more info on Norman Parkinson.. I suggest you do a google image search and get lost in the plethora of beautiful imagery!