Confessions of a Fashion Fanatic: Hood-Winked

Confessions of a Fashion Fanatic

The daily chronicle of a fashion-and-beauty obsessed, style-writing, pseudo-Angeleno who made her way from the Great White North to La-La Land -- otherwise known as Los Angeles, California -- and back again. Till the next big city calls out her name, that is.

: Name: Haute Hippie; Location: Everywhere and anywhere

I'm a Vancouverite who moonlighted as an Angeleno. My momma is the best in the entire world, and I'll argue you hoarse on that one. I've been in love only once in my life. The East Coast calls me but the West Coast is in my blood. Social butterflies -- and party animals -- are a great species. Fashion and writing will be the death of me, but what a way to go. Carine Roitfeld is fabulous. I would die a painful death if art, design, photography, fashion, music and dancing did not exist. Always kind of wondered why Smurfette was the only girl in town. I can't draw. Absolutely believe everything happens for a reason. I feel so lucky to have the girlfriends that I do. I'm a total sun baby. Think I might be a workaholic. I may have slight road rage. Ice cream and hockey are religions. I buy too many glossy magazines. Nothing beats someone with a killer sense of humor. Chivalry is really not dead. I'm a victim of minor vertigo and a serious lead foot. Always up for meeting people from paths different than mine and crossing paths with old friends. At the very end of it all, I want to be able to look back and say: Yeah, I sure lived a damn good life.

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Friday, December 15, 2006

Hood-Winked

Ah, the hoodie. Essential for comfort in cold weather.

Husband-and-wife design team Mike Gonzalez and Christine Park-Gonzalez hail from the east coast, where chilly weather is not a stranger. Thus, Mike & Chris was born.

Now, we're not talking about a hoodie from your high school or university days. These hoodies are tricked out: big buttons, interesting silhouettes and design embellishments far from your alma mater version. Not only have they conquered the hoodie universe, the Gonzalezes are working on conquering the accessories world with their handbag collection. And who doesn't need another great purse hanging in their closet?

I love me some MC.

Mariah Carey included.

* Fashion Bite: Check out the Mike & Chris Bailey Hooded Dress. The design makes it a sort of style enigma. Is it a hoodie? Is it a coat? Is it a dress? Or is it all three? Image #7, y'all.

I'm Lovin' it: Jaden Smith, the progeny of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett. He is so, so adorable I can't take it. See The Pursuit of Happyness and you'll know exactly what I mean. Very touching film, by the way.

I'm Over it: Trying to find a coat for my trip. Actually, it's just me being lazy. I know exactly what coat I want (a Via military-style number) and where to order it. I just need get all Nike and just to do it.

Track of the Day: "No Way Back" by 8mm. This trip-hop duo consisting of New Orlean-er Juliette and Nine Inch Nail's former sound engineer Sean (no last names) made their way from the dark, jazzy recesses of New Orleans to starry, glitzy La-La Land. Juliette's voice is hauntingly beautiful and the beats are jazzy down-tempo. Everyone who's familiar with my musical preferences knows I'm a trip-hop head, so it's no surprise their album "Songs To Live And Die By" is most definitely my next vinyl purchase.