No, it's not Halloween, just another day in the office. This outfit was inspired by the leggings I mentioned in yesterdays post that I wore home after my tights were shot. They're a bit insane I know, but I'd been eyeing them on Torrid's website for some time and when they finally went on sale I decided to grab 'em for $8.99.
These leggings are the sort of item that you have to base an outfit around. If you're wearing purple, green and black animal print anything, everything else must revolve around that. So it did. I wasn't sure what look I was going for but it all came together when I opened my draw of hair accessories and saw my hairband with a big, side bow. Aha! I was going to be Madonna, circa 1984. Once I'd decided on my inspiration, I decided to embrace it with full force. I was prepared for merciless mocking by my friends at dinner that night, but they were surprisingly not too bad. My co-workers absolutely adored my ensemble.
Outfit details
Leggings are from Torrid in a 1x
Tunic is a large from Tart via Loehmann's and is technically pajamas but I've never worn it as such, its always been worn either as a dress or a tunic.
Over that I have a wraparound shrug that is a hand-me-down from Mirka via Old Navy in a size large.
Jacket is a 2x from Forever 21's new plus line Faith 21 and even though Mirka teased me mercilessly when I bought it, I absolutely adore it.
Belt is from Accessorize
Shoes are from Office
Headband is from H&M
Necklace is from Primark
Sorry I don't have better photos to share with you. Today's photo credit goes to Josh who took it in the lobby of our friends building after dinner and he was all "what the hell am I doing?" so there are no detail shots of anything.
The charity 'Raising Malawi' (PR firm) founded by Madonna, Michael Berg, and Monica Berg in '06', held fund raisers for over two years before finally getting registered as a non-profit. In other words, Madonna and the others were free to squander that funding any way they saw fit for those first two years. In fact, they still havn't accounted for the 3.7 million raised from a single event in early '08' (The grand opening of a Gucci flagship store in Manhattan.). She also pleaded with her fans worldwide for donations along the way. In the meantime, she toured the world to promote her latest CD and raked in another $400,000,000 gross in just over 12 months. To date, the basic financial info for 'Raising Malawi' still hasn't been posted on the website or anywhere else. The 'progress' page only tells of the collective works by over 20 seperate charities. Each of which have their own sources of funding and may have recieved some sort of promotion or support from 'Raising Malawi' in order to be considered 'partners'. But no indication is made how much of their funding came from 'Raising Malawi' or how much of their progress if any could be directly attributed to 'Raising Malawi'. The fans/donors have no clue how many millions of dollars were raised in that first two years, no clue how much Madonna herself chipped in, and no clue how the money was spent before they finally registered as a non-profit. No clue what fraction of funding or works listed on that 'progress' page could be directly attributed to 'Raising Malawi'. Nothing to go on but the vague and misleading word of Madonna. For example: She states in her latest promotional video that she will match any contributions made to her charity (PR firm) "dollar for dollar". However, there is a disclaimer posted on the website for 'Raising Malawi' that Madonna's total contribution will not exceed $100,000. Thats not per donation. Thats a maximum of $100,000 TOTAL. Less than a single days pay for Madonna. Also much less then she will surely rake in by promoting her own CDs, DVDs, books, and 'for profit' merchandise through this massive worldwide publicity stunt. So I called the office of 'Raising Malawi' in an attempt to verify some sort of efficient financial operation (310) 867-2881 or (888) 72-DONOR). These details are ALWAYS made available by legitimate charities. But not in this case. I got nothing but recorded messages and hangups. So I did some research on my own. 'Raising Malawi' still hasn't been given any kind of rating by ANY independent charity watchdog like Charitywatch.org. The vast overwhelming majority of 'celebrity' foundations never are. In general, they are inneficient and riddled with corruption. Like the promotion of CDs, world tours, commercial websites, entire lines of jewelry (not just the single piece from which proceeds are donated), and high end retail flagship stores. Its far less expensive to promote your image and product with a contribution to your own charity (PR firm) than it is to buy commercial airtime worldwide. This is why its become such a trend. Celebrity foundations are also notorious for squandering much of their funding on private jet rides and super high end accomodations for their celebrity figure heads. Its legal even for a nonprofit but not noble or efficient by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, non-profits are not actually required by law to be efficient. This is why the independent rating is so important. In general, 'celebrity' foundations never even get one. They are a twisted inefficient mutant of charity, self-promotion, exotic travel, marketing, and PR crap. Still, they compete for funding with more efficient legitimate charities. The celebrity figure heads often disregard the primary donors, co-founders, and managers, take personal credit for any collective work done, and seek maximum publicity shortly before or after the release of their own commercial projects. Its a sham. So if its not rated, then don't support it. Instead, support a top rated charity like any of those given high ratings at Charitywatch.org.
ReplyDeletelove it! i wanted to see how that jacket looked in person. it doesn't look cheap like i thought it would. i'm trying to decided between the f21 one and the torrid moto jacket.
ReplyDeleteYeah I was concerned about that, but it actually doesn't look cheap at all and I keep getting compliments on it.
ReplyDeleteThey had another one that I liked the look of way more but it just hit me at the wrong point on my body.
You look lovely!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog!
colormenana.blogspot.com
Thanks Dylana. I could and will say the same right back at you.
ReplyDelete