Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself...

Touched for the very first time

So I'm still on the fence as to what I'm going to be for Halloween...which is what happens year after year...then the day of I hop outta bed and head straight to my closet to pile on random clothes and accessories and make a DIY costume that I have to explain....cus it only makes sense to me.

Soooooo! This year I've decided to go as Madonna Like a Virgin on the MTV Awards cus I'm feeling a little flirty...a tad bit slutty. yup.




So I Youtube(d) to figure out how to make a tutu...cus I live on the planet of DIY as in Do you it your damn self cus it is a recession after all.



See how easy that is...alls I gotta do is find myself a white corset, white shoes and some pearls and the burst of energy that I require to leave the house even doh I spent hours prepping and getting dressed. Having to always dismiss the thought that getting dressed WAS the fun part and that I will probably travel for another hour only to be bored in half the time because I don't really drink and I hate small talk.

I Cocolah vow to leave the house and leave the computer and stop claiming I have too much work to do because I will ALWAYS have too much work to do and I will go out and have FUN with other humans in the flesh and not via the computer screen. I Cocolah will take part in this Halloween because getting dressed, being in character and creating a fantasy is what I LOVE to do best and this is the one day a year that I have an excuse to go ALL out and not hold back and be in the company of other freaks who like to play dress up. YES!

To be continued...

I see the future

What do you think folks will be wearing in the year 3000?

Press On

Um. Yeah.

I cant remember where I found this. I found it this morning in my inspiration folder. It's by an underground designer who has a great sense of humor. If you find these kinds of things funny.

As a child of the 80s I grew up in the Lee Press On Nail era. Many o' nights I would wake up with a nail stuck to my forehead and/or cheek. (Those things didn't stay on no matter how much glue you used and they definitely with the glue provided by the package.)

That said, this piece freaks me out a bite. Just had a flashback of having (on average) 6 out of 10 nails on at any given time. Somehow that was ok back in the day.

So was having a chest sprinkled with baby powder. (um...I'll never understand that one)

Your Favorite Nightmare

When I was a young girl I was never into dolls, I was never really into pretty things. Partly because no one was calling me their little princess. Or perhaps cus there was about 12 of us in a 3 bedroom apartment so there wasn't time or space to try to be pretty....I'm working through that in therapy so I'll keep my childhood issues outside this blog. Ahem. Moving right along. Thank you!

Someway, somehow the new Alexander McQueen collection has made me envision myself in hues of pink, dusty blues and smelling of lavender. Lace gloves, pretty hats and fans like a southern belle in the year 3010.

Flash to a scene of an old lady with the spare room full of those scary porcelain dolls with the creepy eyes that follow you around the room except my room would be filled with these beautiful space age, Alice in Wonderland dresses and shoes.

I'd invite my friends and have tea parties sipping tea real, real slow in antique sterling silver tea cups served by my butler with our pinkies way, way up!

Ooooh this collection is a bit scary and oh so purty!!!! The dresses seem out of a modern day fairy tale if you're an alien such as myself. Did I just say that...um I was kidding. NO need to be hasty and call the Men in Black. Thanks!




I took the liberty of remixing the music and choosing a more appropriate song. The tempo is perfect for the girl's walk and the lyrics seem fitting. Keep it on repeat.

Cooperate and No One Gets Hurt

Listen lady I hate to do this to you but not really. You're gonna to have to come up outta them clothes, shoes, and jewels....quick fast.

DON'T YOU DARE LOOK AT ME!!! TURN AROUND and move faster! FASTER!!!!

Keep the t shirt, phone and the purse. I don't want your money. I'm a lady, I'm no petty thief.

I'll even put you in a cab so you don't have to walk the streets barefoot in your undies.

Hold up...lemme hail one for ya...that's the least I can do.... (ten minutes later)

Well....er....you might have a better chance getting a yellow cab out here. You know how it is right. NO actually you don't.

You can handle that right?

Cool.

I'm out.

PEeeeeeACE!~ Call me if you wanna get rid of anything else in your closet! Tootles!!

While riding the train home Valentina Valentine can't help but talk to herself out loud. She just can't contain her excitement New Yorkers on the train don't pay her no never mind.

"ooooh eeeeee my very own Balmain leather cape and Zanotti boots!!" (She caresses the leather and holds it up to her nose and inhales deeply. She closes her eyes and says 3 hail Marys and crosses herself.)

"Right in time for xmas! YAY!!!!!! Alls I gotta do now is lose about 15 pounds to fit in these pants and Ima be wearing this outfit all day EVERYDAY you hears me!?!!! ALL DAY. EVERY. DAY. YEESSSSS darlin!!!" (she snaps her fingers in Z formation)

"Wearing these leather pants even in my sleep, these are FIYAH!!! you hear me!!!! Oh yes huney...yeeeeeesssssssss!!" (wagging index finger in front of her own face)

"I don't care if I wake up with a sweaty bum....these ain't comin off me no way, no how! Suzie Q wasn't doing it justice any ol way. "

Valentina gets up and talks to the folks on the train that have been giving her sideway glances.

"Listen don't you go feeling sorry for her!!!! Cus if she can afford a $8,000 cape I'm pretty sure she'll be quite alright. Shooooooo. Hmph. You folks are so judgmental."

Valentina gets up and storms out the train, stops and turns around and gives FACE, FACE, FACE before the train doors close and the train rolls away.

FADE TO BLACK.

You Should Know Pugh

It's truly breathtaking to see successful designers making art the essence of their collections.

Newcomer Gareth Pugh has already been compared to Alexander McQueeen, John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood not only because of his dark, punk, futuristic, avant garde esthetics but because so few designers dare to go to the dark side.


The video crosses fashion, art and a dark dreamlike state just like my life. Enjoy.

P.S. I'm so behind in pop culture that I had to refer to the Youtube reference library to go check out Beyonce's Sweet Dreams video. Beyonce says it was inspired by Pugh and that Sasha Fierce (not Beyonce) is a huge fan of Pugh and has worn his designs.

I repeat Sasha Fierce (not Beyonce) has worn Pugh.

Sidenote: Valentina Valentine would DIE, DIE, DIE for everything Pugh. siiiiiigh.







His earlier stuff was waaaay out of control. Hopefully it won't become too safe as he becomes more famous.

Work it thru the pain

Leslie Hall is exactly what I needed after the suffering I endured this Fashion Week season. Watching the shows and wanting pieces that cost more than I make a year was like a stab through my cold, cold heart.

Nothing warms my heart more than making something, anything. Even if it's cutting up a tshirt. Creating is therapeutic especially if you can wear it after and make yourself up, put on your FACE and take a picture to post on Facebook. YUP!

Leslie Hall is right on; poking fun at fashion and pop culture all while giving you the business. She's getting in your FACE unapologetically with her style and brand of humor. She's definitely on to something if you ask me.

Leslie is doing the "uncool" cool thing. I get her. I truly get her. I get her humor and to be honest I wish she was my BFF in a strange way I don't understand but do.

Apparently she's obsessed with Gem Sweaters and has started a museum in her hometown of um Iowa. Check out her gallery of gem sweaters which is truly impressive to say the least. If you're into that sorta thing and why wouldn't you be?

I remember rocking my vintage gem sweater sometime last year and it's always a blast from the past, conversation piece and always sparks a smile, laugh or confused raised eyebrow. Hey make a statement by any means necessary. Right Leslie!?

That's what makes her most phuckin rad. (yeah I said rad, that's my Iowanian? accent.) She's expressing herself her way.

Beep the video...keep an open mind and laugh a little.




Fashion will make you do some crazy, crazy things.

Like plotting to rob your elderly neighbor for Gucci thigh high boots. I mean...not that I would EVER consider such a horrendous thing.... NOPE!

I mean I was planning to pay her back except she recently complained about living expenses and how it wasn't easy living Social Security check to SS check. So I scrapped that plan. I mean...um. Do you know how many SS checks it would take to raise enough to get these babies?!??! TOO MANY! I don't got time for that!! That's why I played the Mega Million tonight! whoooop!

yeah. but look at them..really look at them. Do you blame me for having such thoughts?!

oooh! baby baby! Baby BABY!

STOP IT!!!! MY WEAK HEART CAN'T TAKE SUCH WICKEDNESS.

BTW I don't plan on wearing these...I just want to lay them in the empty space in my bed and fondle them and whisper sweet nothings to the heel.

Sigh.

Oh yeah...Leslie Hall. DIY. No really Do It Yourself and leave me alone I need a moment.

This entry is dedicated to underground and overground (as in Heaven) fashion.

Inspiration Board

Say ahhh!

Happy Birthday to me!! From the talented designer Briian Dragon of BSixtee6.

Here's a man that gets me! I adore this necklace.

yup!

A Life Lesson. Suit To Fit.

What’s the price?

“Is the price of living a dream much higher than the price of living without daring to dream?” asked the disciple.

The master took him to a clothes store. There, he asked him to try on a suit in exactly his size. The disciple obeyed, and was very amazed at the quality of the clothes.

Then the master asked him to try on the same suit – but this time a size much bigger than his own. The disciple did as he was asked.

“This one is no use. It’s too big.”

“How much are these suits?” the master asked the shop attendant.

“They both cost the same price. It’s just the size that is different.”

When leaving the store, the master told his disciple, “Living your dream or giving it up costs the same price, which is usually very high.

But the first lets us share the miracle of life, and the second is of no use to us.”

- Paulo Coelho

DREAMs ARE FREE NO MATTER WHAT SIZE

SAY AHHH!

Cocolah fall 09 color forecast

FUN with Stardoll.com

My new mini obsession.... :) Stardoll.com

It could either be one of six reasons...you tell me.

1. I'm thoroughly obsessed with fashion and anything fashion related
2. I am a narcissist and love seeing myself, dressing myself, talking about myself and filling this blog with me, me, mes
3. I'm missing the days of splurge post-permanent job so this is recession proof internet monitor shopping.
4. Cheaper than thrift
5. Easy blog content
6. All of the above

Introducing Valentina Valentine

Introducing the real Valentina Valentine.

A ma ma terial girl

blazer $3
tshirt 99 cents
jeans $19.99
boots $12
bracelets free (gift)
ring dimpled smiled, pearly whites, and 45 minutes of batting eyelashes plus $25
earrings - made with own hands
haircut - bartered for jewels

she's of the slanted persuasion.

That's all for now. Follow her adventures here on Cocolah.com Blog and say oooh!

MATH. ART. FASHION.

To be honest with you...math is not my forte...I know it's hard to believe cus you see my brilliance here, there, everywhere but on the reals...

MATH MAKES MY HEAD HURT.

Geometry For Your Body.

I'm totally impressed by Irina Shaposhnikova's collection called ‘Crystallographica’ it's basically genius type shit. Check it.

The video is a perfect example of ART MEETS FASHION

Irina Shaposhnikova 09 from pierre debusschere on Vimeo.

Um...thems is um polygons right?

I'm in the MOOD

One of the first things I do before I start creating any project, whether jewelry, art, writing I set up a mood board or draft where I put down all my ideas.

Sometimes just sitting down and thinking about the setting, theme, over all energy of an event helps put together the perfect outfit.

Raygon does it again! She shares with us one another mood board that is truly pimpalicious in a Foxy Brown sorta way.

I NEED THAT COAT. PERIOD.

Aight nothing like the real thing!

Ideally, I'd be rocking these....even though I'd have to learn to walk in that heel but that's not the point..they're fire and in my fantasy I'm struttin' in these to the Marc Jacobs show...front seat next to Leon Tally. Um hmm...who would take one look at me and adopt me as his daughter. YEP!

Uh huh! These Alexander Wangs retail for about $795. Which is about average for what I pay for my shoes and half of what I pay for my bags.

uH hUh. that's riiiiight! HI HATER!


Back to reality. I ran into these today and I didn't even think twice before asking the salesperson to try these on...I mean I had the perfect blazer for them, shoulder pads and all. Hair was looking extra messy...black eyeliner smeared...one long chain earring in one ear and chipped black nail polish (not on purpose but lets pretend) I was rocking it out...

Well actually I was running to the bookstore to buy my son's textbooks with every dollar in my pocket accounted for but I said...SELF!!! WHAT THE HELL!!! It was your birthday yesterday...MAKE IT RAIN! I threw my money in the air at the girl behind the counter and told her I ain't need a bag. I'm throwing them bad boys ON! ASAP! Shorty...Ring me up!!! I threw my black Yakblaks on and hit the streets. You couldn't tell me nothing!!

Dropped $75 beans on these...and if you know me..anything about me...my shoes usually cost about $8 on average in thrift money. Please believe the kid will be paying for his own college tuition. Aunt Sallie will hold him down. Mama need mo new shoes and mo and mo and mo! praise lord!!! UH HUH!!!!

whew. i started getting flashbacks of when I first owned these shoes...I was about 12 years old and entering 6th grade...it was mid September when my moms had the bright to ship me off to Dominican Republic to live with my grandmoms....great.

I showed up at school the next week with a coral pink jumpsuit and white shirt uniform and these. The kids who by the way were probably AT LEAST 5 years behind in terms of American culture thought i was the weirdest thing walking the face of the earth. They called me FRANKENSTEIN (among other things, but we're not about to open up that wound). Somehow I still don't find that funny. Sniff.

AHHH!!! But these shoes make me happy!

Why? Cus they're Wang's inspiration shoe....which actually means they're actually the REAL THING...um hmm! that's right!

SHE'S ALIIIIIVE!!!

Oh Dear Valentina Valentine

While monitor shopping Valentina Valentine stumbles on a picture of her dream of all dreams jacket. (dramatically sighs loudly, looks away, looks back, looks away..looks back. fights back tears. fails.)

"just don't say anything to me right ......now i can't handle it." (covers face)

"I need a moment..." (stares blankly at the jacket, puts E.T. finger up to monitor, eyes go blank and faints.)

FADE TO BLACK

Rodarte Motorcycle Jacket

$3,795 (three months rent)

omg dear Jesus. god in heaven.
blessed be thy name.
oh the things i would do for this jacket.
like i'm censoring myself right now. that serious.
oooooooh!!!!

My latest Fantasy Lover

Imperial Pump
Yves Saint Laurent

An Ode to Valentina Valentine

will blindfold you and take your lunch money (for these)
will strip and bound you and leave you for dead make you thank me tomorrow

the darkest shades all day
pretending to be shy, coy and innocent

who me?
i would never.

will make you stare and remind you it's not polite to stare.

will give you the FACE. FACE. FACE. FACE.

leather jacket collar flipped up and a bad attitude
you're the gum under my shoe

cigarette hanging from plum lips for effect

no autographs. no pictures. no proof.

see me thru covered eyes

clothes and fantasies...fantasies and clothes

no and please.

Listen up boys (COCOLOHS!!)

The other day I graciously helped a friend shop (cus I'm a fashion humanitarian) for shirts that were a bit different than his usual style. His usual style being of the non descriptive, two sizes too large sort. (sigh, frown, sigh)

Through the magic of thrifting we found two vintage, western style shirts that fit him perfectly and made his body ALMOST look diesel :-)

That's really the beauty of wearing clothes that fit, you can accentuate your assets and hide your flaws. That's why ya'll think I have a six pack under this top. ha.

We parted ways with me excited about change and he excited with his new finds...that was until he got home and his son rolled his eyes and claimed the shirts "too tight" and his friend/neighbor "too short". They both looked at him crazy.

Always remember that when making a fashion shift there will always be folks that just need time to get used to your new look.

Let's get one thing straight: I would never steer you wrong when it comes to FIT. I'd swear on the bible. There is no style without the proper fit don't let anybody tell you different.

So I figured I'd share some words of wisdom since there are some naysayers and since my buddy has YET to wear his new shirts. So listen up boys cus to be honest a lot of you seem a little lost. No offense.

Here goes:

First of all, every man should own at least one suit. Maybe you'll only wear it once a year, to a wedding, funeral, job interview or court appearance but nonetheless have a a beautiful, perfectly tailored suit ready when you need it. ESPECIALLY if you're over the age of 21. MAN UP!

Let's start with sleeves; they should always cover your wrist and reach the beginning of your thumbs.

If you're going to keep your button-down shirt untucked (shrug, sigh. no judgment.) it should hang just above your pants zipper. NOT by your knees (rolling eyes)

When wearing a jacket your shirt sleeves should fall between a half-inch and one inch longer than your jackets. Anything longer needs tailoring OR????? YUP! You need a smaller size NO you can not get away with tugging the excess inside your jacket sleeve...I've seen it done and I almost fainted.

If the shirt seam (around the arm holes) align with your shoulders you get an A+ cus if the shirt fits so wear it!

Your forefinger should be able to fit in between your collar and your neck when the shirt is buttoned to the top. BTW you would button the top if you wore a tie. I suggest it sometimes...just for kicks.

Kicks as in fun....not sneakers. LONG siiiiiiigh.

Make sure your blazer collar fits where it leaves about a half- inch of your dress shirt's collar visible. This is where you can have fun with coordinating colors and patterns.

Your pants hem should NOT touch the ground, which means your jeans hem should not be frayed from dragging. Yes I've noticed.

Remember and swear on everything you love that your socks will not show when you walk. Unless it's on purpose in a Tom Browne sorta way. Then...that's hot!!

2 THUMBS WAY UP! (Batting eyelashes) Call me!

Last but certainly not least belts are an accessory boys!!! They're not meant to hold your pants up.

If you need a belt to keep your pants up your pants do not...I repeat your pants DO NOT fit. You either need a smaller size or a tailor and yes, said belt should match your belt to your shoes.

That is all for now.