Bandwagon Insider: Bryna Homes

Rolling Stone Vintage Clothing is a retailer which sells fashionable styles from the past, such as flapper, hippie, and '80s clothes. Their inventory includes everything from dresses, tops, jackets, denim, skirts, shoes, bags, jewelry, sleepwear, and even swim wear! This vintage is the real deal. Pretty sweet, huh?

But wait, there's even more. There are monthly specials, and until July is over, you get 10 dollars of a purchase of 50 dollars. You can sign up for the Style Rundown program and recieve discounts, style tips, and news on a weekly basis. Also, you can connect and chat with stylists...live, and ask them advice. Oh and did I mention, there's FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the U.S.?

I asked the owner of Rolling Stone Vintage Clothing and Mama Was a Rolling Stone blog, Bryna Homes, questions regarding style, inspiration, and her life.

Here's what she had to say:

What inspires you most about vintage clothing?

I really love the history behind vintage clothing clothing and the unique-ness. For instance, if I want to wear something that is 70s/hippie, I'd rather wear real 70s hippie clothes than knock-offs!

Describe your personal style.

I have a love/hate relationship with shopping. When I'm online, I can look all day but when I am out shopping in stores, I am super fast. I am in and out like that! I always have a mental shopping list of things that I have been looking for - like right now, I am looking for the perfect leopard-print mini skirt! But I also keep my eyes open for something that I never would have thought of - today I saw this wool sweater at Topshop that I am dying to get!

I am mostly inspired by street style - I could sit for hours and watch people in the streets and their fashion and style - this is where I get a lot of my inspiration from. To set myself apart from others - I don't know if I am very different from other girls. I don't brush my hair as often as I should...!

Describe your ideal little black dress.

Tight, bandage fit with a black lace overlay and long sleeves. I actually thought I had found the perfect dress - it was vintage - then it didn't fit so it went into the store.

What staples do you believe every girl should have?

Definitely a good pair of jeans - it's so hard to find the perfect pair of jeans, so I always say when you find them, buy 20. A classic pair of black ballet flats - you can never go wrong with these and they can be worn with everything. A sturdy but oversized leather bag is great for shopping, traveling, etc. A perfect little black dress for parties and nights out and a good pair of sunglasses for the next day.

Who have been the most influential women in fashion?

Gosh. The most influential women in fashion have to be Anna Wintour, Vivienne Westwood, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rosita Missoni and so on and so on. There are so many! I mean, Vivienne Westwood...I can't even cout how many different ways she is unique...she was a one-woman revolution at the time! I don't know if there is any one woman in fashion I look up to - there are different qualities that I would take from each. From Anna Wintour - always wearing sunglasses!

Fast forward to 2029.

What do you think will be fashionable?

I'm not sure what it will be like - I hope it continues to evolve and we start seeing new things. Vintage, I think, will always be fashionable...it's just the re-evolution of fashion, really...in future years, the 90s will be considered vintage! I think the 60s-80s will always be popular and will continue to "come back around." Nineties fashion is having a bit of a surge right now. I think the 40s-50s is popular among some people but I don't see it ever really becoming huge again.

What is your best advice to experimental girls

who are scared to wear vintage?

Don't be! There is literally something for EVERYONE out there - if you have a more "tame" or "casual" style - there is still stuff for you. It's just more fun to dress it up a bit!

What do you have to say about your success in

establishing your blog and clothing company?

I'm really lucky that I am able to do something that I love, with both the store and the blog. Every day I wake up and get to research fashion, go shopping, etc. I started both the store and the blog because I was bored with everything else...I had just spent three years traveling and was back in my home country (Australia). I was taking a road trip when I got the idea and started the next day! Now I'm in America and haven't looked back!

What is your best advice to other bloggers or fashion

enthusiasts who want to get involved in the industry?

Literally, just do it! Just get an idea of what you want to do, do a little research, make your initial plan and get started. I'm an Aries and I never think things through...I always jump first, think later. If you are motivated, you will get there - just be prepared for a lot of hard work and heartache along the way!

Byrna's faves:

• Designer: Eek, too many! Love Missoni, Marni & Isabel Marant.
• Magazine: Probably Nylon or Elle UK!
• Brand or store: Topshop.
• Item this season: Bodysuits! I just did a blog on them - I'm obsessed!

view her: blog | clothing store

(all images from Mama Was Rolling Stone and Rolling Stone Vintage)

Questions? Comments? Tell me what you think.

Get excited!

I have good news and bad news. Bad news...I will be gone from Sunday, July 26 to August 5. I know it's such a long time, but until Thursday I will be at a journalism camp (cool I know, but it will definitely help me with blogging...especially the way this site looks!). Then from Thursday to the next Wednesday, I'll be in Myrtle beach.

Good news...I have a great post coming up tomorrow! I wont spill any beans, though, you'll just have to wait until its posted tomorrow NIGHT. My only hint is that it's about vintage...partially.

Over the course of when I'm gone, I'll try to make a few more updates. I'm not promising anything though. That's why what I'm posting tomorrow will be extra long. But when I get back, I will come with fresh ideas and a camera full of pictures!

Please feel free to shoot me an email or something short - I will try to at least check my email once on a daily basis.

I've had lots of more readers this week, and I would love to see even more! Thanks for the support and keep it up :)

Maise Denim sample sale!

You can tell a lot about a women from her jeans. And if you wear a pair of effortless and unique Maise jeans, you'll definitely be known as a trendsetter. Seriously - what a great way to set yourself apart from others to create a unique personal style!

Maise stemed from Claire Greaves (who used to work for Top Shop) in 2006. It's named after childhood nickname. At first, she strived to create a solid signature denim line. Now she is branching out with a wide range of denim styles and has been featured in US Nylon, Marie Claire, In Style, and Russh.

The brand started in Australia but is becoming popular in America. Merchandise can be found in select boutiques in New York, California, and Maryland. The Autumn/Winter collection, "Eerie Indiana," was derived from horror movies like "The Birds" and "Halloween."

Maise jeans will be sold for only 80 dollars at the W29 Showroom Sample Sale is taking place through Saturday at 208 West 29th Street (Suite 201, between 7th & 8th). And until July 28, you get a 40% discount for shopping online.

My faves...these pieces are really unique!

Visit their: blog | store | website

Check it out and tell me what you think!

(all images from www.maiselabel.com)

Guess goes hard-edge rocker

I'm a big fan of Guess, especially their swim wear and tees. Their new clothes this season are...a bit different though. I don't know if I like it or not? It's kind of Ed Hardy-esque. But where is the luxury and signature Guess sleekness? I have to admit that there are a lot of trendy pieces, but I'm not liking the graphic tees or printed stuff.

Here are my favorites:

(images from www.guess.com)

Also, I would like to mention the Dana-Maxx Fall/Winter collection. It's called "Sex, Love, and Heartbreak" in honor of its form-fitting and head-turning looks. They are for bold women who fashion-forward, feminine, and glam. Dana-Maxx Pomerantz, the women behind this line, began her career working with Betsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs before branching out on her own.

The line is described as:

"fueled by the emotions brought on by love gained and love lost...focuses on the trials and tribulations of life and love and are seen in edgy details such as a black cross, tinseled genuine leather and a chained broken heart...ultra-sexy, rebellious, sophisticated and feminine"

To view her lookbooks for Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer, click here. To visit the Dana-Maxx website, click here. Her collection will be sold from sizes 2-12 at select boutiques around the nation. Also, she has a customer event coming in the fall to NYC!

Another peace sign?

There's no way in denying that peace signs have taken over the fashion industry. Don't get me wrong, I still support world peace, but I am so sick of seeing them in every color imaginable on t-shirts sold in teeny-bopper stores. Or hanging on a cheap silver chain on the jewelry racks at Claire's. So if you are going to bring out the over-played peace sign card, please do so in your own way, not how everyone else is doing. Ditch the mainstream and check out these pieces below:

Juicy Couture sunglasses.

Wear peace signs as accents, not as the theme of your outfit.

Delia's T-shirt.

You've never seen a rectangular one, have you?

Tiffany's gold charm bracelet.

When the symbols fail you.

Alloy backwards T-shirt.

An interesting mix of words and symbols.

Naughty Monkey pumps.

Subtle and chic accents once again.

(images from polyvore)

Crouching tiger, hidden Jon?

When Jon and Kate announced their divorce, I wasn't surprised. But it was a disappointment nonetheless. I just wish they hadn't become so materialistic, as you can see from the latest episodes of the show (the reason for their split, regardless of what Kate says).

Take Kate's new clothes, bikinis, manicures, and streaked hair. It's ridiculous when you compare her present look to her look five years ago. And Jon is a disappointment as well, he shouldn't be dating people who are twenty. But I don't think it's right for people to target their family...they have eight children, so it would be nice if the tabloids would lay off a bit.

And supposedly Jon was going to team up with Ed Hardy's chief, Christian Audigier, for a children's clothing line. However, for those of you who don't follow J&K's problems on a day-to-day basis, this is not true. They just share a love for Ed Hardy clothes and motorcycles. (from LA Times All the Rage)

(image from US Magazine)

A little to flashy for my taste.

Just like a circus

On July 29 there will be yet another addition to the 21 family. There will be Foerever 21, Heritage 1981, Twelve by Twelve, Faith 21, Love 21 Contermporary, and finally, Cirque 21. It's "fashion with a twist!" If you ask me, it's highly similar to what they are already selling, I was expecting more of an over-top-feel and avant garde silhouettes. But I'll leave it you to decide whether you like it or not.

Ah, yet another MJ glove. And I've never seen a green and black and white color combo.

The classic but toned down military jacket. And yet another glove. That makes three MJ staples. I am also in love with the skirt.

I think I've seen this before.

(images from www.forever21.com)

What would you like to see next on Tasteful Chaos?

Today I have reached 20 posts in this blog, so I kind of have a feel of how the site is running, and what kind of stuff that I should be blogging about. But after all, this blog is for you guys to enjoy. It would be really great if you guys left me some feedback - especially suggestions and what you want to see next, and how you think the blog could become more popular. It can be as long as you want or even just a couple words. So if you are a frequent viewer or have anything you want to say, please please please leave a comment below, or contact me at tastefulchaosblog@gmail.com.

ps. if you are a small/little known fashion blog, and want to be on eachother's blogroll, let me know.

If you talk to me, I'll talk back.

I promise I won't ignore what you have to say.

Thanks!

Don't be scared to romp

Ask any 10 girls on the street. I bet at least 5 of them will say that they are scared to wear a romper. Why? Either because a) they don't like them altogether b) don't think they can pull one off or c) spend their money on more practical clothing. Well, If you ask me, a) that's their loss b) don't fret c) who said a romper isn't practical?

For those who can't think they can pull one off, look below. There is a romper for everyone. Just because the first thing that comes to mind when someone says "romper" is a multicolored mess of baby clothes doesn't mean that there aren't softer, fashionable, and sophisticated ones out there. It's just about choosing the right stuff to go with it. And if your confidence is still running dry, think of it this way: this is how trends are made. If you are scared of someone else criticizing your choices, don't be. At least you will have the confidence to pull something off, whereas they won't.

A romper can also be practical. Treat it as a dress. Treat it as a shirt, or even a suit. Treat it as shorts and throw on a jacket or a cardigan that separates the top and the bottom. If you buy a simple one, it can be worn in many ways (like the one shoulder one below).

(image from my polyvore set)

If your style is...

• soft/romantic: choose neutrals with subtle accents (such as the ruffle and one-shoulder), wear shoes with a more accents, and carry a simple signature bag of a soft and calm shade
• experimental: choose an interesting silhouette or unique blend of color, downplay the look with simple but cute shoes, and carry a bag that intensifies your look
• bold: choose a loud but solid color, or a funky but not overbearing print, wear shoes that contrast the colors in your romper, and carry a bag that slightly matches the colors in the rest of your outfit

BoA's "I Did it for Love"

I'm usually not a fan of international stars, especially not asian singers (even though I am asian!). But if you've heard anything about Boa Kwon, also known as BoA, a korean pop sensation, she's super successful. She's inspired by hip hop, pop, and R&B, and she's supposed to be the korean parallel to Britney Spears (minus the baldness, scandals, and tabloid problems). She's sung in South Korea and Japan, and she debuted her first English (which she's not terrible at) album this year.

One of her most popular songs in this album include "I Did it for Love." It's not that great of a song and not a good showcase of her English-speaking capabilities, but she knows how to create a catchy tune (enough to make me like a song and get it stuck in my head).

But she can dance. Like Rihanna. Maybe even better. And I want to say her moves have a touch of Michael Jackson...and so does her glove? The video (click the title of this post to watch) is surprisingly similar to Rihanna's "Umbrella" with the all black attire-wearing backup dancers, water effects, and props (BoA's cane vs. Rihanna's umbrella).

(image from www.boainn.com)

She looks pretty sharp with Sean Garrett (the artist featured in her song) in her all black patent...but I wouldn't wear it all together. A jacket like that with some dark wash skinny jeans and red pumps would look great!

I can't help but notice how similar their styles look. (I love BoA's ring!)

From what a hear, Rihanna is going for an edgier look, starting with her haircut.

(images from www.mwza.com and www.channelapa.com)

Alexa Chung on personal style

Have any of you seen It's on With Alexa Chung on MTV? I've seen it a couple times. It's pretty interesting the first time you watch it, but I think some of the games played on the show are weird. But the guests are interesting, and I respect the fact that she has a talkshow unlike the rest we've seen.

She's half-english and half-chinese (hence the Chung). Her voice is distinct and so is her style. She's held many jobs in modeling (Elite Model Management), broadcasting, and journalism.

According to MTV's Hollywood Crush, Chung said her style was similar to "a girl who borrowed her brother's school clothes via her grandma." She also said that her look is composed of a "tiny smock dress with some knee socks, ironic leather pumps, and a school blazer."

(images from polyvore (my set) and www.facebook.com/alexachung)

Visit her show's facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/AlexaChung#/itsonalexa