fitforafemme.com

Is this super creepy or what?! I love it. It looks even more deranged in black & white.

So, I saw this easy, super pretty tutorial for an effortless updo this morning and decided to try it out myself. Apparently, it’s called the “Gibson Tuck,” though I’ve never heard of it before. It took me a few tries to get it right, but it turned out nicely! It’s a nice, elegant alternative to a cheeky topknot or standard bun, and I think it’d even prettier with a few wispy waves or tendrils pulled out.

I’ve been waiting to wear this cozy sweater from Lauren by Ralph Lauren! It’s a dreamily soft silk cashmere blend, and the shoulder and elbow patches are of leather soft as newborn kitten paws. What better way to take a summer dress in sunset hues into the cold weather, than with a sweater like this, thick ribbed tights and sassy, calf-hair ankle wedge boots? Right now I’m wearing it over a pair of moss green skinny cords, an olive tank top and my riding boots. (Pictures to come!)

…and I pulled that Gibson Tuck right out because it all felt a little too prim with the outfit. Ha!

I love this chair so much, which is funny because I don’t ever sit in it. Usually the petite does, or guests. The legs, the wings, the dusty color, the nailheads. (OMG, I just realized that the last time I took photos in this chair I was wearing the same damn tights. That’s bizarre.) It’s usually got a chenille throw the color of merlot tossed over the top of it, and I think this lovebird pillow is perfectly inviting!

Like I said, s a s s y.

Dress: Ruche
Sweater: Lauren by Ralph Lauren
Calf-Hair Wedge Ankle Boots: Adrienne Vittadini
Bag: Freebird by The Sak

I can’t remember where the earrings are from, but I think I got them from The Brow Lounge in Rockridge – they always have tiny stands with baubles from local designers, and sometimes I end up buying whatever catches my eye while I’m there getting my brows threaded! Did you notice the subtle change in my hair color? I went back to Watermelon Sugar Salon and took it from the summery, beige-y caramel highlights I had before to a dark reddish-brown, very seasonally appropriate.

Um, who else LOVED this song when they were younger? Fucking Expose!

CONFESSION: Today marked a very important day in our new San Francisco life. (We just realized that we recently breezed past our six-month anniversary living here! Good heavens, that went by ultra-fast.) After a cursory search on yelp.com, we selected a barber shop for M. It’s been that long since she’s had a haircut! She adored her lady in Oakland’s Rockridge ‘hood, and was skeptical about whether or not she could be replaced without paying dues in the way of a bad cut, obnoxious stylists or an overpriced hipster salon. She’d been growing it out per my request, but it wasn’t cut in a way that was meant to be grown out, per se, so she’s starting from scratch. What sold us on this particular barber were the following reviews:

• No gabbing! No chit-chat! No small talk! If you want a hug and some hippie tea, one reviewer hissed, go somewhere else. It’s straight to business here, and that is rad.
• Plenty of gay porn to peruse while you’re waiting! Well, Christ. Do I even need to keep listing reasons?
• Not only have they been in the Castro for 20+ years, they have a 4+ star rating. Word.

So at 1PM today, M got a crazy fast, efficient, and very serious and handsome haircut in a barbershop where the classic barber pole’s stripes are made of bandannas and rainbow flags adorn the walls, and yes, I admired some gay porn while she was in the chair. It was superior to any of ours and I suppose I should have snagged one. Drats! (I’m kidding. Stealing is bad.) You’re going to have to wait to see her new ‘do, but to amuse you in the interim, here was her inspiration (ignore Jake G.’s dopey mug, please):

PS. If any tomboys have tips on how to train a part into hair, please let us know in the comments! M is also on the hunt for a new product or two for this type of style – she doesn’t think her American Crew pomade is going to cut it anymore, and I’m trying to get her to try my Jonathan Dirt Texturizing Paste, but the more options, the better. Thanks, yo.

When: Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 2008.

What: Dry aged denim by James Cured by Seun Jeans with black cotton tank by Michael Stars. This short-sleeved, striped cardigan is from Italy and I got it thrifted! I love it and want to wear it with a sexy black pencil skirt, belted. Black leather heels are by Guess.

Confession: This morning we had to get up terribly early. It was godawful, but it lead to a delicious brunch in Rockridge at Citron, an elegant little bistro with authentic French and Mediterranean dishes. I had a poinsettia (like a mimosa, but with cranberry juice instead) and the Fall pumpkin pancakes with whipped butter, Vermont maple syrup and a side of breakfast potatoes. The tomboy had a mimosa with chilaquiles verde: slow roasted pork with eggs, spicy salsa verde and guac, crema and potatoes. After we ordered, they brought us tiny beignets to tide us over! It was all so, so good. This puppy kept us company, and we sat outside of another cafe in the sun to read the SF Chronicle for a little while:

When: Saturday, July 19th, 2008.

What: Polka dot woven sandals by Kensie (formerly Kenzie), James Cured by Seun jeans, lace-trimmed top by FANG, pretty blue Dentelle bra by Elle Macpherson and little burnt orange clutch by Lela Rose for Payless. Yes, Payless, bitches.

Confession: We were going to MOMA today to see the Frida Kahlo exhibition, but I’ve punted it to next weekend because it’s just been a very lazy, sleepy, sexy morning in bed. At 2PM I was still in my robe drinking coffee while M made pastries (from scratch!) for “breakfast”! We did leave the house to take my petite to get her hair cut at M’s salon in Rockridge, so I got dressed. This top is nothing special at all, but I love the colors in all the leaves and flowers, so muted and soft, and it has a low-cut-yet-demure neckline, which is how it earned the milkmaid title. Anyway, I can’t wait to show you my Frida at MOMA outfit when we do go, because it’s going to be very lovely and I fell asleep dreaming of it last night.

SUNDAY NOTICE: ZOMG, before and after pics of my hair, so check back in the evening or whilst bored at work on Montag. XO!

Note from a femme: Welcome to my tomboy! This is her first post, so greet her sweetly! (I know y’all will, you damn HOORS.) She’ll take over from here.

Before & After

Let me explain. I have been fighting with the femme for weeks now; I insist that I need a haircut, she insists that I do not. Please see the “before” photo(s):

I was well on my way to a hard-core Mexi-mullet, complete with inexplicable FEATHERING. WTF?! Also? I look like a lopsided toadstool from the Mario video games. (I know this because over the last 3 weeks or so I have logged some 40-odd hours playing Super Paper Mario : Thousand Year Door and asking the femme to find hints for me on-line — she’s such a good girlfriend!)

It was about 900 degrees Fahrenheit in Oakland today, and once again, I threatened to cut my own hair. The femme finally relents, so I dressed up for the shoot and cut. [I shopped at nearby fabulous Rockridge vintage & contemporary boutique Pretty Penny. -Femme]

Observe how much more handsome I look POST-haircut. I even look like I smell clean! My hair is now tidy and well-behaved. And look, I have ears! No more toadstool head! I feel much better, and encourage all of you to join me in a whiskey on the rocks. Cheers.

When: Sat., June 21st, 2008

Tomboy What (some facts, loosely based on reality): Seersucker shorts from Express for Men, H&M military shirt and belt, O’Neill flip flops and the tie actually belongs to the femme. Breitling Chronographe watch (bought in NYC while hungover in the street). Vintage silver & black Equestrian tie clip.

Femme What: Dress by Mango, vintage brown leather belt with embossed spring flowers from Down At Lulu’s, Nocona cowboy boots. Sunglasses by Oscar de la Renta, vintage onyx necklace.

[Confession: That awesome skinny black tie with the cute little olive green skull & crossbones? Hot Topic. Shut up. - Femme]