At the State Fair

Thrifted Tank, Torrid Bermudas, Havaianas Flip-Flops, Gucci Sunglasses via Nordstrom Rack

Necklace bought on Telegraph in Berkeley

Beach Days

 ASOS Dress / Target Shades

Last week, I spent a few days in Southern California with my cousin visiting from New Zealand. We went to Ocean Beach in San Diego and Venice Beach. I restrained myself and only brought one swimsuit and one pair of sunglasses, but mixed it up with different accessories (my new Ben Sherman men's hat) and cover ups (like this lightweight printed dress).

Ben Sherman Hat via Nordsrom Rack / Target Shades / Necklace truche on Etsy / Old Navy Swimsuit

Wedding Guest Ideas

I didn't get any wedding invites this season, but the Prop 8 ruling in California has got me thinking of what I'll where when Edwin gets married someday. Here's the highlights of my online window shopping.

Formal:

ASOS  / ModCloth / IGIGI

Dressy:

ASOS /  ModCloth / ASOS 

Garden: 

IGIGI  / ModCloth

Snow Day

Land's End Parka / Old Navy Leggings / Vintage Shades

This weekend, Edwin and I drove up and spent a quick night and day in Lake Tahoe. It was a fun clothing challenge, as I rarely go to the snow, even though it's really only about 3 hours away. We stayed at a cute little lakeside cottage (franciscanlodge.com), and spent the next day practicing and taking lessons in our chosen winter activities (cross country skiing for the first time as an adult for me (visit the nice guys at the Squaw Creek Nordic Center) ). I hope to be able to make it up again this winter, maybe for snowshoeing with my parents.

For my snow wear, I snagged this great Land's End Parka on sale with a promotion for only $60. I know it will motivate me to go to the snow for winters to come. I also found some affordable plus size snow pants my actual snow time (they do run big and long).

Nordstrom Boots

Après-ski:

Old Navy Jeans, Coat and Shirt, F21 Scarf

After my morning skiing and falling about the meadow (the golf course in summer), I changed out of my sweaty clothes and huge coat into something appropriate for the warmer afternoon temperatures and hanging out in the village. I added a black military cap to cover my messy hair.

Here's Edwin looking cool after his day on the slopes in his fingerless gloves and a pair of amazing $25 shades he picked up last minute at a resort shop:

Style Interview: Annameekee Hesik

In my last post, I discussed the book tour style of Young Adult author Annameekee Hesik. She's recently had her first gay YA novel, The You Know Who Girls, published. She was also kind enough to grant me a sit down interview (and by that I mean we emailed and facebooked). So get ready to have your face blown off by Fashion & Histrionics first ever interview with a live human being!

Fashion & Histrionics: First question on everyone's mind: What is your inseam? 

Annameekee Hesik: 34 inches. I have extremely long legs! 

F & H: Now the important follow-up: where do you buy your jeans? 

AH: Gap always has "long" in store and I appreciate that...but the quality is lacking (Intervierer's note: It's good I don't work for them anymore!)  I went to Banana Republic for my skinny jeans and I couldn't believe they fit!  (Note: thank goodness she picked another member of the Gap family)They sell "long" online and they are cute. I tried on MANY jeans at Macy's and  NONE would even go over my lady hips.  Forget you, Macy's!!

F & H: Any general style tips for your long-legged sisters? 

AH: Give up on dresses.  They never make them long enough and end up fitting me all wrong.  Get yourself a tight pencil skirt and do not be afraid of those heels! I had not tried on Skinny jeans until I was shopping last month. When I opened the door, the fitting room assistant did a double take and said, "Oh yes, honey. You need to get those." If you got the legs, go for it! (and add the heels for extra fun!)

Lots more fun after the jump!

Last Interview Outfit!

With the world's largest artificial artichoke

This is my interview outfit for the day. I'd say it was successful since I got an offer! I went with a Peter Pan Collar Apple Print Blouse from Forever 21+.  I thought it was a fun print for a teacher. I made the outfit professional with a tulip suit skirt from Eloquii, my new favorite work clothing destination.

F21+ Blouse, Urban Outfitters Wayfarers ,Eloquii Skirt (on sale), Old Navy Kitten Heels , ASOS Belt (on sale)

F21+ Cardigan

Professional Chic

Blazer: Eloquii, Necklace: Old Navy, Michael Kors Shades 

Today I had a job interview in a little town on the Coast. After the interview we stopped by the beach to snap a few pics of my outfit. My blazer is by Eloquii, the Limited's new plus line. I have worn pieces from them to all my interviews, they are good quality and fit me well.

Dress: ASOS Curve

Moss Landing's Famous Power Plant & Marina

What I Wore: Farm Bonfire

Kenneth Cole Boots, F21+ Dress, Old Navy Jacket, Michael Kors Shades

May is a very busy birthday month for my family and friends. Yesterday was mine, and I celebrated at a friend's bonfire on his beautiful farm. Since it was my birthday I decided to go with an attention-grabbing bright red sundress, studded suede boots and and my trusty medium wash denim jacket.

I-5 Sights: Carnies & Water Policy

Worst fair stand ever: "Exotic Meats and Bugs"

(via dirtythirdstreets)

 I'm not going to do an extensively blog about Central Valley water policy, as I'm no expert. What I'm pretty sure of is that the signs up and down the 5 are annoying.  This historian in me doesn't appreciate throwing around the term, "Dust Bowl". It's like saying someone is like Hitler, the only Hitler was Hitler and the moment you say it I can't take you seriously and the discussion can't progress.

Musings: Interstate 10 Amusements

Some notable sights on our drive from Tucson to LA.

Ironwood State Prison, Blythe, CA

A message from your friendly California cows & Chick-fil-a

I didn't get a picture of the actual billboard, but I saw them a few times on the way there. It's nice that Chipotle thinks that puns on chemical symbols (Au being the symbol for gold) are fun, but when 2 out of 3 college grads in the car (my parents), don't get it, the humor might be falling on deaf ears.

 Denny's BACONALIA is simultaneously too esoteric in its origins (see Bacchanalia) and this "Three Bacon Sampler" possibly the most obscene food item since KFC's Double Down sandwich.

Whole Earth Festival

The Egghead sculpture with his huge beanie for the weekend was the best part!

So this afternoon I headed on over to the Whole Earth Festival  on campus. My plans to meet up with some people fell through, so I enjoyed a bit of hippy watching and took a few pics to share with you guys.

After the jump, more festival, food and fashion!

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Portland, OR: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Before we get to the fun parts of Cinco de Mayo, we have to first talk a little bit about the holiday. Let's start off by talking about what Cinco de Mayo is not. It is not the Mexican Fourth of July (Independence Day).  Mexico's Independence Day is September 16, and celebrates the beginning of their War for Independence from Spain in 1810. So if the Fifth of May doesn't celebrate Mexican Independence, what does it commemorate? The Mexican Army's 1862 victory over French Imperial Troops at the Battle of Pueblo, of course.  I recommend heading on over to the Wiki article for a bit more background. TIME magazine comments on the significance of this battle, "Mexico was still occupied by the French a year later, but the Puebla victory came to symbolize unity and pride for what seemed like a Mexican David defeating a French Goliath" (from the article, "Top 10 Drunken Holidays").

The Battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the Mexican State of Pueblo, but otherwise it is an American Holiday. It is a day on which those of Mexican Decent and Gringos alike can celebrate the contributions of Mexican Culture to the United States; whether that be through music, food, dance,  or yes, downing a few cervezas y margaritas. 

After the jump, lots more about  Cinco de Mayo.

Denim Georgraphy: North America

Naming jeans' colors is quite a hard business. Apparently, many color experts have just given up and chose nonsensical names.  I've recently noticed lots of colors named after geographical terms.  Most of the names tell us nothing about the color of wash itself.  That being said, I find it amusing to associate the jean's color with its namesake locale.

Sacramento, CA: To start off close to home, a pair I'm seriously considering trying just because of the name:

Old Navy Mid-Rise Denim-Bermudas in the color "Sacramento"

Yahi: An extinct Northern California Native dialect. The last known speaker was Ishi. I'm not going to go into Ishi's amazing story, but you should really look into him if you're not already familiar.

Speakers of the Yahi lived the area around what is today Butte county. Read more about them here.

Denim Bermudas in "Yahi", Ishi in 1914

Musings: Budget Gasoline

So I've been filling up at Arco recently since it's the cheapest station along my route. I have a lot of eco-guilt about my commute already, but I prefer the grossly negligent Brit twits at BP (Arco) than the actively evil Texas-based Valero. Valero was one of the oil companies that sponsored (along with some  help from the Koch Brothers) last year's failed California's Proposition 23. This was an attempt by the industry to roll back California's ambitious greenhouse gas reduction policy (one of the few good things that happened under Ah-nold).

In addition to being the lesser of the low-end gas evils in my mind, I love their new ad campaign "Straight Up Gas Institute."  It's like they're saying: 

Yo, no one likes buying gas, we don't even like selling that shit. But yous gots to fill up yo whip, and you not enough of a baller for premium Chevron wit Techron. At Arco, we keep it real. Straight up gas.

 I do have one current beef with my Arco station. It's pretty whack that they don't have the water, squeegees, and paper towels. Fer realz, the Corolla's windshield looks hella ghetto. You'd think they could afford it with their 45¢ per transaction convenience fee.