Saturday, September 28, 2013

Fully Accessorized

Living in Los Angeles and being close to the entertainment industry, I've seen more than my share of rich fashionistas strutting their stuff.  They seem to be everywhere-- And not just on Rodeo Drive or at The Beverly Hills Hotel.  They're at the grocery store, the pharmacy, even the gas station-- all dressed to the hilt and fully accessorized as if they walked off the pages of a trendy fashion magazine.

Impeccable high-end designer clothing, gorgeous shoes, expensive handbags and perfectly coiffed hair and make-up, not to mention to-die-for jewelry-- are the norm for these gals-- Along with youth and beauty, of course.

Me? Most days I'm in Levi jeans, a white blouse, preferably without my lunch splattered on it, and comfortable shoes.  I carry the same blue backpack style purse regardless of what I'm wearing, and unless it's cold out, I don't even wear a scarf let alone "accessories".  No designer labels in sight and for the most part, I'm perfectly okay with that.  But I admit these totally put together ladies can be intimidating on occasion.

As if I'm not "fashion challenged" enough, I've discovered it's increasingly popular to have your house decked out in designer accessories too!
 
Case in point.  This little Fiat 500 Gucci car that is always sparkling clean and parked fashionably in front of my neighbor's house.


Seriously-- See those green and red strips-- That's signature Gucci.  On.  A.  Car!

Since I don't have a Gucci handbag it's doubtful I'll ever have a Gucci Fiat parked in my driveway but the bar in da 'hood has been raised. 

Maybe I'll plant some geraniums and call us even.  Ha!


How's your weekend?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins

49 comments:

  1. haha! i do love that car though. don´t you just want to stick in your pocket and take it home. but in powder blue- and lose the stripes. :)
    p.s. just saw a great documentary that was shown on british tv. (about fashionistas) check it out if you get the chance. i loved it. :)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb1YI2CKSyo

    xoxo

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  2. That car is really cute - but I'm with you in the jeans!

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  3. The car is cute. I'm definitely no fashionista - I live in yoga pants and cute tops - SAHM uni.

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  4. It's strange, but I was just reading that this is a trend...parking an expensive car in front of your house. Are they real or just a shell of a car? An expensive car would look silly parked in front of our little retirement bungalow! As would designer clothes not work on me. I do like wearing scarves though!

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  5. ha. growing up we called those racing stripes on the cars....smiles....i wear my jeans and books and a t shirt pretty much all the time when i can...shoes are optional if i can get away with it...though teaching i have to rock the cachi's and button ups...smiles.

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  6. oh that's a neat car, only in the U.S.! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I feel like a kid playing dress up when I wear a scarf or very much jewelry. I think I would look just fine in that car though. My good friend has a Fiat 500, but it is a red convertible and I absolutely love it.

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  8. YES!!!!! let's both plant geraniums!
    Gucci? DANG!!! I'm drooling! I love fashion. In fact I took fashion design in school but then when my first child was born sick . . .I quit my job and never turned back. Every now and then when I see that totally put together woman ((and me in my jeans and hopefully not frizzy hair and food my blouse )) that day - I think about how much I love clothes and drool just a little. ;)

    Love this post!

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  9. A whole new meaning to "keeping up with the Jones's"!!! Yikes!!!

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  10. The car is cute- but my bike wouldn't fit in it.

    I also own one backpack...red leather....no matter what I wear.

    Perhaps designer geraniums!
    Happy Sunday!

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  11. Yeah. Even yoga pants come in the designer variety. I'm wondering if they will come up with branded implants soon. Like if you get the Gucci implants you automatically get their logo tattooed to your breast. Think I might be on to something...

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  12. Your final line made me laugh... I vote for the flowers every day!

    Mollyxxx

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  13. Ha! I think we are peas in a pod. My style is what fits and looks decent at a reasonable price. It can be a hard combo to pull together, but you never know!

    I'm all for the geraniums!

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  14. I think Gucci should pay us to advertise for them. How about Tommy Hilfiger and Coach?

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  15. Only in America? (as Christine said), or only in California? Anyway, not to be outdone ... we have B's minivan parked by the side of our house with its silver and gray strips -- signifying not Gucci, but the scrape in the parking lot that B had last spring!

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  16. Yes, dear, plant some designer geraniums and call it even! Sheesh! :-)

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  17. Fun post! But I have to wonder what your neighbors would do if you parked a psychedelic VW van in front of your house?

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  18. Exactly! Some red and white 'regular' geraniums. Lol. I see a car like that and just roll my eyes. Not in a disdainful way. After all, to each his/her own. I'm like you in that i carry the same purse every day and wear not-designer jeans. I would definitely not fut in at an LA grocery store. :). But that's okay with me.

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  19. I just don't get the necessity to have all the "designer" everything. What happened to being an individual. I like your style best, you are an individual and you probably look far better than the rest of them dressing to impress each other and then shopping to get what the other had to keep up with the Jones. And a Gucci car - really. Well I guess me and my Camry better stay in WA, cuz we wouldn't fit in. Hugs JJ!!

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  20. Oh, my, yes. The West Side chic. I'm too into comfort -- always have been -- to keep up! Good for you for going with what pleases you.

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  21. Hi Joanna, I think I am glad I live where I do and the fact I don't get out that much....A Gucci Fiat, no not even a handbag in my time. think of you often. hugs.

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  22. I guess I'm not one of 'them'. I don't even have friends who are fluffy like that. I like people who have more than one dimension. :)

    The designer thing?

    I'd be embarrassed at being duped so easily.

    But that's me.

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  23. I'll admit this is probably a misinformed opinion. I have the opinion most of SoCal is like your neighbor. One reason I have no problem NOT living there. Great place to visit but no thanks to moving there.

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  24. Geraniums vs a Gucci car? You definitely win!

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  25. Goodness, I wouldn't want to have to match my car to the rest of my accessories.

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  26. I'm mostly thankful for the ultra-casual jeans-go-everywhere culture in Madison, but sometimes I admit I wish people would dress things up just a touch.

    Like at the symphony--leave the fleece at home?

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  27. I like your style...we wear shorts and tee shirts here a lot. I think geraniums or mums would bring us up in style! Enjoy your week!

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  28. Exquisite photos! really nice Gucci car! Wonderful colors!

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  29. hah, I feel sorry those young girls who are trying to copy real rich people...playing their role play and kids think it's normal.
    I want to be different.
    But I like good quality nut not necessary a big brand.
    Comfort is my fashion! :)

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  30. Put on some red soled shoes and you can call it Christian.

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  31. That is one of the things I do not miss about living in CA. So glad you are more down to earth! You are probably a lot more fun than your neighbors too.

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  32. I could NOT do the high-maintenance approach to life. Too darn lazy.
    And the momvan is definitely NOT tricked out either!

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  33. There is not one of those designer females who trumps you in terms of insight, ability to write, share yourSelf, and be the person we've all come to love. And, if you were that sort of designer Fashionesta, you would be missing out on me as your Snarky Sister, because most days you're lucky if I even have clothes on. Oh, wait, that didn't come out right....never mind.

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  34. Your wonderful attitude is your best accessory.
    I don't give a turd about what other people have. I'm happy with what I have, even if it's just construction paper decorations on the widows for Halloween.
    Love you Joanna. :)
    xo d

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  35. Such an entertaining post! Re your fashion sense...I relate! In the cooler months I wear black and in warmer months well, often black!

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  36. I'm what is known as a Yooper fashion-plate....my camo goes from bright orange on one side and reverse it to flannel camo on the other. I would not fit in...in fact they'd think I was probably a homeless person!

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  37. JJ, I bet you look gorgeous in your jeans and white shirt, which is still a lovely step up from sweats and athletic clothes. I fall somewhere in the middle ... I think older women look frumpy -- as if they've given up -- when they schlep around in sweats. You see that fairly often in the Midwest .... but when a woman dresses nicely, she projects confidence and really stands out.

    I love clothes, so I think I'd enjoy seeing people actually wear them out and about. So many women buy nice clothes but only wear them when they go out -- if then. Just sayin.

    And I love the car, too!

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  38. I wouldn't recognize that as Gucci (even though the Gucci kids went to my school) because I avoid brands as much as possible. I do wear Levi's, though - that's a true classic.

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  39. Glad to have found your blog, looking forward to following along. Have a fantabulous weekend!

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  40. Fashion island is the worst. I'm seeing lots of Bentleys. Everywhere. Wish I still had my '71 Plymouth Duster. I'd show them! ;)

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  41. A Gucci-mobile? I had a Fiat in the early 70's but it was definitely not tricked out by Gucci!

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  42. Wow.. you have to wonder about people sometimes.

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  43. Hah! I wear nothing but boat shoes (think Keds, if you're of a certain age) every day, so I won't even deign to consider offering my opinion on fashion.

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  44. My neighbor has a Fiat. Adorable car if the size of a purse. Are you sure your neighbor haas a real car?

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  45. stopping in to drop a dose of love on your doorsteps ;) how are you, beautiful? thanks for always being there, even when I'm not. miss ya. one love.

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  46. In the constant battle to not feel intimidated by these people (and if you do, then the fashion terrorists win!), I tell myself that these people are ridiculous. By feeling intimidating, you are legitimizing them and in my opinion, they are missing the point in life and therefore, should not be legitimized.

    Sometimes, it works.

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  47. You are hysterical and I love you. Normally, at home in the San Francisco area, my usual wardrobe is sweats...even more so after living part of the past two years in India where I have been sweltering. I really feel the cold now more than I ever used to and, partly, I think it has to do with that forty pound weight loss ( I need to lose forty more ) since I began coming to India. I like to be comfortable...but I really do love dressing up from time to time
    ( too many years of wearing scrubs for almost 24 hours a day ) and, of course, I LOVE my eyeshadow.

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  48. I was all into the clothes thing - thinking about my own daily habits, when you caught me off guard and switched to the designer car. Funny!

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  49. LOL. Enjoyed reading through your posts. Smiled when I got to Levis (my fav jeans from teens to 50) and a white blouse...with the exception of the accessories which are the only items left in my wardrobe that don't remind me how much weight I need to lose and cannot lose thanks to my lovely sluggish thyroid (well, I can but let's blame it on the thyroid).
    Fun stopping by today.
    Much love.

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