Confessions of a Fashion Fanatic: BYOB

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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Thursday, June 07, 2007

BYOB

BYOB.

Better known to university kids, slackers, house party hoppers and fanatic BBQers across the world as "bring your own beer", this well-known acronym is now also resonating in the fashion industry as a bartering method.

Crumpler Bags -- found in the mid-90s by three beach bum bike messengers in Melbourne, Australia -- is having a "Beer For Bags" sale at their Toronto and New York locations (SoHo and West Village) from June 9th to the 17th. The deal here is to check out their website, spin the virtual beer wheel to find out what kind and what quantity beer you need to bring for a certain item, heft it to one of the stores, do the trade (fur trapper-style) and -- voila! -- a new bag to call your own.

For example, to obtain the Status Belly bag, you need one case of Grolsch. For the Moderate Embarassment bag, you need two cases of Asahi and one packet of Ramen noodles. The Barney Rustle requires one case of Coopers and four Fosters oil cans, while the Free Holy Bean Bag chair requires two cases of Negro Modelo, one lime and one bottle of hot sauce.

This New York Times article mentions certain law enforcement members getting their skivvies in a bunch over the lack of a liquor license, but all in all, the Feds have been pretty good about this harmless barter. After all, the collected beer -- keep in mind they don't like the cheap stuff -- goes toward charity, sporting and art soirees, as well as toward Crumpler after-sale parties. And get this, the poloraid pic taken of you and the beer you brought is your admission ticket into the after party.

This leaves the big question: Will Holt Renfrew let me trade five cases of Stella Artois for either Chloe or Lanvin?

Yeah, doubt it.

I'm Lovin' it: My ankle is ever-so slowly healing itself. I'm able to hobble around with less of a limp, and I see myself wearing heels again in the near future. Ah, fashion light at the end of the tunnel. This Oscar de la Renta skirt silhouette is magnifique, too.

I'm Over it: Just ate a greasy spoon all-day breakfast -- for lunch -- from the truck stop near my work. I think ordering the sausage AND bacon was probably not such a hot idea for my tummy, which is kinda sorta rumbling.

Track of the Day: A reggae remix of Three 6 Mafia's Stay Fly that's playing off my iMac from Bassment.com. I don't have a link for the remix, but you'll get a feel for it if you picture Bob Marley chillin' with Three 6 Mafia on the beach, partaking in a bit of grass and drinking O.E. 40s out of a pimp cup.