8-30-2026 MY WEEK: i ↄc both sides like chanel

 this tuesday we had the pleasure to go thrifting with bestie victoria while she was still in town. what fabulous time, as it was 50% everything at our fave spot, volunteers of america. we scoured, analyzed, complimented, and tried on numerous pieces. victoria and i both scored two items, while sib passed on her choices. fret not, the day prior she found a fabulous adidas tote, aka she spent more than victoria and i combined.

victoria was on a hunt for a cute dress for a birthday party visiting a friend in philadelphia, and she found a perfect lbd - bcbg asymmetrical midi dress. there were conversations in the chat whether it's one shoulder or halter. she also got a pair of anne klein kitten heels. they're leather with a denim outside and brown leather buckles. didn't i say this color combo was a hit?

i got a pair of high waisted black sailor shorts, which we exclaimed "so kesha!", and then toward the end i found a black tube top with a side zipper and flap detail on top. 

we treated ourselves with dinner at pasha turkish kitchen (where else?), and the latest gossip.

around the world in a day

on sunday we visited the rockefeller culture gardens for one world day. this is truly one of the best cleveland area events because you get to eat great food, meet interesting people, and celebrate your heritage, as well as others. i'm supposed to get my period soon, so i kinda cried during the parade. any beautiful, positive, communal moment in life is celebrated with literal happy tears for me. here's some of our fave spots:

the british garden was the prettiest to me.

carpatho-rusyns love to share about their heritage, but i hear they have beef with the slovaks who gave us šljivovica shots. 

as for šljivo, sib, fiancé, and i got the best t shirts at our croatian garden:

sib wore hers immediately. it was a hit among the slavs!

fiancé thought czechia borders with turkey.

the nicest people were from finnish garden, i even met my name twin!

we freshened up our german but we never got their beer.

in greece, we watched traditional dances, it was one of my fave gardens.

i got henna on my hand in india, and learned the cuneiform alphabet in iraq.

in ireland, we got travel trips (spoiler alert).

palestine had the best coffee and chicken shawarma. peru had great rice and a jelly-like dessert.

in vietnam we got a bunch of freebies: from egg rolls to bangles.

this week's looks

after reading chanel in 55 objects, i chose a few of said objects as references for this week's looks. note: excluding my walking fits in this style challenge, i don't think tweed is a good look while sweating at 7am in the morning.

monday. 

#43 the maltese cuff. 

date: 1937. 

materials: colored baroque stones, enamel

designed by: gabrielle chanel (realized by fulco di verdura).

i chose two silver cuffs and mixed another reference, one of my old bratz dolls. white turtleneck top, vintage vest from yugoslavia, vintage levi's, loafer heels and longchamp in matching shade.

tuesday.

#13 trousers.

date: 1918

location: deauville, biarritz, and venice

fabric: jersey, raw silk, linen

i opted for my tibi double waisted pair, and styled it with a white wide headband, black top, metallic gold bag, and steve madden chunky sandals.

tuesday (afternoon with vg)

#31 "le style garçon"

date: 1925-29

originated: paris

exemplified by: short hair, androgynous body

in america:  known as "the flapper"

i aimed for an androgynous look, but my body will never achieve that "boyish" look. black bodysuit, straight-legged trousers, and loafers. hair was in a low ponytail.

wednesday.

#27 beading.

date: 1922

fabrics: glass beads, gold thread embroidery

produced by: kitmir atelier

significance: russian culture influenced chanel

i own a bunch of beaded items, but they're either waiting for a cooler season, or they're not fit for my work dress code. i chose a bike-friendly fit with linen pants and beaded belt, any beaded bracelet i could find in the morning rush. grey fitted tee, and slingback flats. i have a fantastic, beaded purse but it would only fit my wallet. 

thursday.

#41 marlene dietrich

date: 1933

championed: androgynous style

wore: chanel serge wool trouser suit

i pulled out my "all that jazz" suit set gifted by my mother, added a grey turtleneck top and a black cord necklace, fisherman loafers, and backpack because i was biking. was i really channeling marlene dietrich or rather jfk jr?

friday.

#44 gypsy (folklore) style

date: 1939

fabrics: silk, cotton, rayon

colors: red, white, blue

significance: lingerie tropes as outerwear

i hate using "gypsy" in such context because it is a slur, and the author was trying to describe traditional french folk wear that was popularized during pre-wwii uncertainty.

anyways, welcome back photoshoot staircase! i wear sib's blue top and a wool skirt, bell sleeve bolero, sib's purse, and a colorful headband. i added a marilyn monroe necklace too, as she is also one of chanel's important icons.

saturday.

#35 white dresses

date: 1930s

fabrics: silk, satin, tulle

catalyst: wall street crash

significance: femininity replaces androgyny

i wore this adorable dress borrowed by sib to the doctor for annual bloodwork, paired with bangles and cuffs, and added a casual sporty touch with the gazelles. 

sunday.

#33 the little black dress

date: 1926

style: blouson sheath dress

fabric: crepe de chine

updated versions worn by: every red carpet, a-list star

i wore my cassini velvet shift dress, penny loafers, gold tote bag and bangles and cuffs, alongside chanel sunnies and pearl necklaces.

what am i looking forward to next week?

well, the new month has a new trip in store for sib and i. blog, we're going to ireland!