Birthday List pt. 1

Because my 20th birthday is in one week,

(that's October 27, if you are having trouble figuring it out)

I've taken the liberty in starting a birthday wishlist. I will update this as often as I can. Seeing as though I'm writing this post from the office at my store, I can't add that many items. (Browsing through pages of merchandise on shopbop.com takes forever.) This list is for fun; my lusts and loves. If you feel s inclined to send any of these items my way, hey, don't let me stop you!! :)))

From Cusp:

From South Moon Under:

From Shop Bop:

Like I said, this is just the beginning. I will be updating more as I continue to peruse the internet.

xo,

Avery

(20 years in old n 7 days...let's go!)

R.Z and R.B....PARENTS TO BE!

Yes, 'tis true! My shmookin baby of all shmookin babies, Rachel Zoe is finally expecting her first (and most likely last) child with her hubby, Rodger Berman! After a season of The Rachel Zoe Project littered with Rodg's on-camera confessionals about his need for a family, his prayers have finally been answered. I'm not quite sure how Rodger planted the seed, but somehow, he got it in her. I guess Rach will have to get over her fear of weight gain, though at 90 lbs, she can only be expected to hit about 120....wow, a whole size 2 -_-. This child is sure to be born with a venti Starbucks in her right hand and a cigarette between her lips...tres chic!

Meet Darla.

I'd like to present a very special friend to not just my blog, but to the general public. She's very near and dear to my heart. She goes by the name of Darla.

(Who ze fuck is Darla?)

Well, Darla is my other half. 

(Wait...Avery's finally coming out of the closet?)

No. Darla is literally my other half....she's my alter-ego.

(WTF! This brawd is crazy!)

No, sillys :o) . She's my fashion alter-ego.

(Collective *sigh* from the audience.)

Yes,  Darla is my boho-hippe-tree-bark-eating-tree-hugging-granola-chompin-Birkenstocks-wearing-cargo-pants-buying-borderline-lesbian-but-more-into-free-love fashion personality...!




 I've decided to introduce a new brand of style into my closet. Anyone who knows me knows I'm into grey, drapey tops and leggings. I tend to buy grey, drapey tops in bulk. I then pair them with many different styles of leggings. I then throw on a few edgy pieces of jewelry, some sort of flat or boot, do a winged eye and hit the door! Now, this has worked for about 2 years. People often identify me with the likes of Rihanna for my tendencies to change up my hairstyle and wear hard-edged accessories.

 However...I'm getting tired of the same ol' same ol'. With the re-introduction of flare jeans this season, I'm completely hooked. I find myself digging through my closet for old chunky knits and clunk shoes that I thought I'd never wear again. I throw on piles of bangles and long scarves which has brought new life to many old clothes...but there are the days where I wanna play it casual. For those sullen Mondays, I gravitate towards chambray button downs and leggigs with clunky boots. Sometimes, I'll grab a baggy tee and some cargoes to change it up a bit. This was when I created Darla. 

Darla likes fashion. No, darla loves fashion. However, like most style mavens, Darla doesn't like conforming to one look. Sure, Darla loves piling on jewels and accessories as much as the next girl. Sometimes, though, she just wants to play it cool in lived-in basics and a square-toed boot. This is why I identify Darla the way that I do; a bohemian gypsy with a splash of butch. When shopping, now, I keep Darla in mind. I ask myself "What would Darla wear?" So far, it's worked in re-inventing my Fall wardrobe. I've already bough a fabulous pair of Woodstock jeans by Hudson and a beautiful, chunky oatmeal sweater that drapes anyway I'd like.

 I did have a bit of a lapse on a recent trip to National Jean Co., where I found myself in love with a very "Avery" tee shirt. Grey, dip-dyed and gorgeous. It has three little rips on the right sleeve where liquidy, silver mesh shines through. Very edgy. Very easy. Very "Avery". 

 After leaving the store empty-handed because I knew "Darla" would never approve (and because I lacked the full $128 I'd need to purchase it), I had a tiny lightbulb moment. I may have a little Darla living inside of me, but I'll always be Avery through and through. I like grey. Alot. I like clothes that exude a tough "don't fuck with me" attitude. I like leggings. I like tall boots. I like leather. Who gives a fuck if "Darla" would rather put on a belted boho tunic and bounce. I'm still me! 

....I later returned to National Jean Co. to put that shirt on hold until my payday this coming Wednesday. It may not be "Darla", but it's sure as hell "Avery", and I'm gonna do "Avery" regardless. 

Remember this, my style chickies. Fashion is fun. Don't take it so seriously. With fashion, we can be whoever or whomever we want to be whenever we want to be! :o)))

xo,

Avery (with just a "splash" of Darla)

I'd like to dedicate this post to a very special friend...

Sooo apparently I have a wide fan base that I didn't know about. After getting discouraged to write this blog for fear that no one was actually reading it, I had some light shed on my situation by my close friend, Aisha Suraz, a few days ago. Apparently, my other dear friend, Robert Loud Pacuqiao Hampton had grown very distressed because I hadn't updated my blog in many weeks.

 On a recent phone call to Aisha, he said "Yo, Avery has a blog? It sucks! She never updates that joint! She tha worst blogger EVER!" Aisha relayed this information which re-newed my interest to continue this blog. It sits heavy on my conscience to know that I am not fulfilling my fans' requests for everyday access to my life. Therefore....

Here's to you, Mr. Robert Pacquiao. Above, I have enclosed a photograph of my dear and beloved companion. 

I have full intentions of keeping you satisfied with updates in the fabulous adventures of Avery TCB. (That's me!) Never again will I leave you sitting in front of your computer with the smooth sounds of Erykah Badu playing on your iTunes while you surf your favorite blog, only to be disappointed to find (yet again) the creepy drawing of a hand and yellow butterflies escaping its grasp. 

Mr. Paqcuiao-Hampton, this one's for you.

xo, Avery

"Do you have to have a reason for loving?"-Brigitte Bardot

A Weekend in a Stranger's Bed

  I'm writing this post from Kevin's boss' bed. Nope, I've never met her or her lovely husband, however, I'm making myself right at home on their Tempurpedic mattress with their two pups snuggled by my feet.  

Maddie and Gracie. My new bedmates.

Kevin has been housesitting here since Thursday, so I decided to accompany him these past two nights. It's sort of weird because I realized that unless I plan on stopping by his Michael Kors store anytime soon, I may not ever meet his boss whose bed I've been sleeping in and shower I've been using :o). I most definitely won't meet her husband or two daughters. What a strange thought...oh well! Thanks for your hospitality!

xo, Avery

My Aisha

I'm at Kevin's house right now and our friend, Aisha, just brought over pictures from the summer to put on her pictureboard for college. She does this everyyyy year. Well, Kevin does it every year. I looked through the pics and they're pretty cute. Although she refuses to put a cute one of me and a certain boy in the center of it with a sequin heart around it. Grrrr.

Anyways, I'm really going to miss Aisha. She's one of my best friends and I have her to thank for five years of laughing, screaming, dancing and being downright belligerent. Even though we don't always see eye to eye, she's always there to listen when I need her to, and to give me advice even when she doesn't have all the answers. It's cheesy, but that girl is pretty ride or die. Love!

 

xo, Avery

A Sunday Off

      So, for the first time in a long time, I had a South Moon Under-free Sunday, and was able to spend my day relaxing and doing things I like. What do I like? Shopping. So, my good friend, Kevin, and I saddled up his little sister and her boyfriend and headed to Leesburg Outlets. 

Me and Kevin. Such a flattering picture.

I literally hadn't been there in about a year and was excited to see some of the new stores, like the Joe's Jeans Outlet. It was l.o.v.e. as soon as I walked in. Recently, I've been on a "casual luxury" kick; soft, comfy cotton tees, leggings and anything loose and baggy. Well, Joe's had it all, and at really reasonable prices. We looked around for a while, but decided to leave and check out some other shops. 

There were a few nice things at Michael Kors, Barneys and Saks, (I snagged a nice, ruffly, Free People zip-up for 55 bucks at Saks) but the Joe's store kept haunting me and Kev. So, we ran back in there and tried everything on. For some reason, he didn't feel like spending money, so he left empty-handed. However, I copped myself a pair of khaki Jeggings and a big, loose fitting tee with studs on the shoulder. They were great buys for the Fall season, and definitely worked with my "casual luxury"-inspired closet. I'll definitely be heading back to grab some olive green Jeggings and a few Joe's "The T" tees. 

My studded tee

My groovy khaki Jeggings

Kevin and I ended our excursion with Caesar salads and a bowl of Chicken tortilla soup at Corner Bakery. Now, we're sitting on his couch watching Orphan. A perfect way to end a rainy Sunday.

New Blog

Yours truly and Bella Luna

I've given into the peer-pressure of what seems like the entire world and decided to create a blog. I'm not quite sure if blogs are meant to be like little online diaries, or just discussion forums. However, I plan on using mine as a place to share things that interest me (music, fashion, art, my dog-->Bella Luna!) and little bits of my life (experiences, stories, friends.) I hope that someone else out there finds me (and Bella Luna...yes, I'm a crazy dog lady so stfu) interesting enough to keep up with what I share with the world. :o) 

Me and Lil Esthy-Westy (Esther)

I'll start my first post by sharing an awesome artist that my friend, Esther, and I lusted after today. Her name is Valentina Ramos. We found her while looking for some prints to put on the wall in her dorm. As we were searching on the internet, we came across a gorgeousssss poppy and elephant print. (I love elephants! It's almost creepy...) Anywho, we both fell in love and decided to look up some more pieces by her. We're officially obsessed. Every piece is so happy and colorful. As I told Esther, "it's that high shit"--super trippy and super fun. I will be seeking her pieces out long into the future. 

The elephant that started it all...it's amore!!!

Looks delish!

I adore this trippy neighborhood.

Valentina Ramos

p.s.

Another artist that I'm very curious about is Rachel Caldwell after going bananas over this awesome fishy lady drawing that I posted below. Follow her blog and enjoy :o)

xo, Avery and Bella Luna