Rocker Chic: Good Friends Mean You Don't Give a Flying...

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I walked into our apartment last night, barefoot from 14 hours in sky high heels (after months of nothing beyond 3"), and H had this video on his laptop screen. He does that. He'll get on the internet and go down a rabbit hole. Last night, The Doors movie started it, and he ended up with Bon Scott as a schoolgirl. I didn't ask.

"The best thing about this," I said, watching it over his shoulder, "is that they don't give a flying [expletive]."

There's an unadulterated joy in this video. Sure, could be it was helped along with, um, substances, and sure, they're bona fide rock stars in the early days of video (when really, they were the best. ever.) in too-long hair and too-tight clothes. But underneath it all, they didn't give a shit and they were having an absolute blast. There was no pretentious strutting, there were no googly eyes at the camera, and there was nary a selfie in sight. The way it should be.

Photo courtesy of the nice man Rosana asked on the street, then Allie edited on her phone. Because I suck at that shit.

Despite having an electronic record of our togetherness (but we did ditch the selfie and actually asked a passerby to snap this pic, which had us in stitches for 100 reasons), that's precisely how I felt about last night. Last night, I met up with two women I met on the internet. We met because of perhaps the most pretentious industry out there. At any rate, fashion is the most vain, concerned always about appearances. It is appearances, defined. We talked about our industry. We lamented our missing compadres. We shared thoughts large and small. We had chipwiches.

The defining moment of our night came maybe the night before, when we were messaging to confirm plans, when one of us wrote how glad she was to be meeting up with us and how awesome it was to not think a lick about what she was wearing or how she looked. With "fashion people." Heck, with anyone, nowadays, it feels an incredible luxury to be one's self, open and unguarded, unconcerned about appearances. It's pure gold when you find it.

Don't you worry, now, we three looked positively respectable. We even peeked into a fashion event. But that wasn't the point of the night. Instead, we connected, we snorted (with laughter), we consoled, we planned, and we fed off of each other in the most delicious way. And it's all because we don't give a flying [expletive].

Bon Scott, you late star you, I think I'll borrow your look next time we're out.

Healthy Style: On Badassery

I originally posted a version of this over on my Weight Watchers Online blog. But I thought this fashion-interested world might want to read it...so here it is.

We've all been using it.

"I feel like a BAMF."

"I'm one of those people out in the freezing cold, running."

As compliments to others on their running, their yoga, their Tough Mudder, or their Crossfit,

"BEAST!"

It struck me the other day, as I read a post from a running friend about how and why to run in the cold. I'm with her, 100%, I've found I love it, but something isn't sitting right about one of her reasons for getting out in the cold: "I'm usually the only one out there at 5am in the freezing cold, and if I see others, they're usually much younger, and men. So own the BAMF of being out there," or something like that. Why do we want to be a badass? Or maybe the question is "why do we call a strong, accomplished person who pushes themselves towards goals a badass?"

Isn't that a derogatory term?

We certainly use other phrases and words to describe our womanly selves: strong, committed, dedicated, healthy, thoughtful, gorgeous, brilliant... So why do we feel the need to steal terminology that otherwise applies to people we do not want to be? Even in my bloggery fashion world, I've got a Rocker Chic(k) Pinterest board, with lots of leather and studs, shit-kicker boots, and black eyeliner. I love that stuff. In fact, I'm wearing all black and my combat-like boots today (allbeit with a cozy hand-knit scarf, white wool coat, and fur hat and gloves, balancing that badass).

The fashion-y version of badass. Bullet bracelets and The Real Deal

I suppose it's because we want to feel strong - even when we don't. We want to feel that we can do anything, and byjesus, those biker chicks who kick their biker boys' a.sses whenever they like, well, they can do anything. I suppose it's because we want to leave the doubt of our "softer selves" behind, and charge forward without looking back. I suppose it's because, somehow, boys are still better at this than we are. In our heads, at least. I mean, really, no matter how strong a feminist we are - ahem - I am - there's still doubt. All the rocker chicks and wrestling divas and I'll-give-birth-then-acquire-a-company-2-hours-later CEOs, well, aren't they simply emulating the male?

I hear it now. If this were to "take off" on the interwebs like things do now, I'd be bashed up one side and down the other for saying women just want to be men.

It's alright. I can take it. I'm one of those BAMFer-ines people talk about.

For her birthday last year, H gave the newly 6-year-old Bean a "comic book" of Athena myths. She (and her brother) loves it. Admittedly, I picked it out for her, knowing he'd want her to have a link to her Greek heritage. And what better link than the original lady badass? True, Princess Diana, aka Wonder Woman (also a hero in our superhero-ridden home), also comes from old mythology and the strength of the ages, but Athena? Don't mess with her. It's a message H and I want to the Bean to hear.

The Bean reading Athena to her brother

Be strong. Be true. Be honest. Be kind. Honor your parents and your elders. Speak up for and protect those who cannot speak for or defend themselves. Honor your heritage, your body, and your self by taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically.

And if a devious demi-god tries to get in the way, hold your head high, look forward, and walk right over them with your a.ss-kicking motorcycle boots.

 This year, she's going with a Frye Veronica slouch boot (last year, it was the moto-like Engineer Pull-on, kids' styles, here. We got hers at Nordstrom.). I, on the other hand, got my combat boots at Target

Men's Style: Weekend Rocker Vibe a la Adam Levine. Really.

No bones about it, this here blog is all about women's style. Except on the rare occasion it isn't. Like when I toast H, or answer the occasional menswear question (here, too), or over on Pinterest where I cull pieces I'd love my H to wear.

It seems like men are just made for cool casual wear, and women usually want to borrow it. Like I do. I have a whole board of my own for the weekend vibe. Much of it is that slightly rugged, vintage-y, yet modern sense that's all the rage at the moment (or really, hasn't it always been "in" for Americans? Isn't that what we're all about?)

Anywho, when I saw (and I never look at online videos for some reason, but I did when I saw this - couldn't tell you why) this peek into Adam Levine's upcoming Kmart collection, well, it lines right up with the rocker vibe H and I both favor on weekends.

(if the video intrigues you, you can jump over to Adam's - because we're on a first-name basis - Shop Your Way page and sign up for the full version)

So. There are cool details, grounded colors, and that just-worn-enough quality a girl wants her guy to have on a casual day.

There's also a chance to win tickets. To Maroon 5 x Kelly Clarkson. Really. Sure, it's a sweepstakes, and our chances are a bazillion-to-whatever of winning, but you just. never. know. So go check out Shop Your Way (where you can collect your favorite products and sort of make your own "catalog," all via your existing social networks) and register to win, right over here.

And then you can tell me whether you're really trying to win for Maroon 5 or for Kelly.

and oh, btw, I'm not getting a darned thing for the post, just found the collection - and the contest - pretty cool and thought you all might be interested. Let me know what you think!

Style Inspiration: On My Mind and on My Boards

Little crazy here, folks, so a quick look (in case you aren't following me on Pinterest already) into what's on my mind and on my boards lately - and why.

Glittery, soft sparkle from Queen of Dresses DVF; How I'm Going to Style My KISS and Motley Crue T-shirts for the Office (thank you, Refinery 29. or not. see this old post about H thwarting my Rocker Chic(k) efforts ); the Gap pants that made it into my closet this weekend and are already lined up for constant rotation (more colors, please!); Catherine Malandrino, a longtime fashion and style idol (despite the fact that I now wear flats), whose dresses I now fit in; a Chloé coat this Winter Girl is craving; a peek into an upcoming post on black maxi skirts for a musician friend (and the rest of us).

Style Dilemma: What to Wear to a Metal Concert

How does a girl make it through a crazy week after a delightfully family-oriented weekend (see Pink Birthday Cake, below)?

She looks forward to rocking out at a KISS/Motley Crue show Friday night.

Uh-huh.

When I heard they were playing this Friday, I rallied the troops. This is a Do Not Miss show. Two summers ago, an old boss gave us corporate tickets to the KISS show at Jiffy Lube Live. 12th row, I think? VIP parking that meant we didn’t have to schlepp our way across the lot after tailgating? Bean No.2 was still pretty teeny, so H stayed home, and some awesome friends and I rocked out.

It was literally one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. There’s a reason they’re still playing. They. Are. Showmen.

And you know way more KISS songs than you think you know.

So getting tickets to this show was a no-brainer.

But what to wear? This is a fun dilemma to have, quite frankly. It’ll be hot, for sure. We do not have VIP parking this time. Nor do we have 12th row seats (I think Gene Simmons actually spat upon me last time.) I suppose it should be comfortable and cool.

Honestly, I’m super excited to rock a skimp-o-rific metalhead-inspired ensemble .I’ve got a rockin’ new bod, and, well, if you can’t wear something skimpy and completely age-inappropriate to a KISS concert, well, you’re losing a prime opportunity. H will be there this time, after all.

As some of you may have seen on Instagram or Twitter, lately, I’ve been wearing a Target Mossimo denim mini skirt H bought me pre-Beans as a semi-joke. He used to love to give me “hottie clothes” (translation, in my book? Stripper clothes) as “jokes.” Most of them have surreptitiously made their way to yard sales or donation piles. But for some reason, despite it never really fitting me, I didn’t toss this skirt. I’ve worn it 3 times now on weekends, and it’s garnered “where did you get that cute skirt” questions every time. Hel-LO, weekend staple!

So that’s a prime possibility. So are the Target poplin shorts I’ve found. We’ll see. I’m definitely turning to my Pinterest Rocker Chic(k) board for some inspiration. There is nothing more fun, in my book, than finding a way to channel rocker chic(k) not only at a concert but also in Regular Life. A little bit of leather, a little bit of metal? Yes please.

Ultimately, for Friday night, I suppose I’ll have to decide if I want to be able to sit down and how much I care whether I’m showing the world my underwear. Also, given that I’m sure I’m not the only one with a “what to wear to a summer concert” dilemma, I also wanted to share some of my favorite concert-wear posts from some of my favorite bloggers, and one from my archives:

Wardrobe Oxygen: Ask Allie: What to Wear to a Music Festival
So Much to Smile About: Outfit + Inspiration: Girls' Night Out
DC Celine Archives: Style Dilemma: Mama Rocker Chic on the Cheap and