Oh, Christmas Tree

So, there is a cute little Christmas tree lot around the corner from our apartment and I have been wanting to shoot some pictures there. I thought it would be fun to have a little festive shoot! However, my husband and I had to pose as potential buyers and snap pictures discretely. You see in Los Angeles, almost everyone is connected to the Entertainment business or aspiring to be. Local businesses are hip to the game and if they think you are going to profit from something of theirs, they will charge you top dollar, or at least tell you no.

For example: A year or so ago, my husband and I were in a 7Eleven and they had a stack of used scratchers. We asked the clerk what they were for and he said they were trash. We very politely asked if we could have them and the clerk brushed it off and said yes. My husband made the mistake of turning to me and saying "these will make great movie props!" All of a sudden the clerk perked up and said "Oh, then those will be $20." My husband and I being relatively new to the city, thought he was joking, so, we laughed. He was very serious, and once we figured that out we were in a state of shock and said "umm... never mind then!" The clerk realized we were not going to pay $20 for the used scratchers so he said "5 bucks then?" They are such hustlers in this Town!! Everyone is trying to make a buck off of someone else, its ludicrous!"

After that past experience, I was worried the Christmas Tree lot owners would kick us out if they thought we were using their lot as a free modeling site :D Needless to say, we got our shots and left. It wasn't hard to walk away empty handed, considering they were selling trees for $95!! That is insane!!

My entire outfit is cheaper than one of their trees!! Only $27.00!!

{Blouse}
Brand: Jones New York
Purchase Price: $5.50
Purchased From: The Goodwill (L.A.)
Suggested Retail: $89.00



{Jeans}
Brand: Paris Blues
Purchase Price: $7.99
Purchased From: Ross
Suggested Retail: $34.00

{Sweater}
Brand: American Eagle Outfitters
Purchase Price: $5.50
Purchased From: The Goodwill (L.A.)
Suggested Retail: $49.50

A little story about this ring... I found it a week or so ago on a sidewalk! I was really excited to find it, but sad for whoever lost it :( It's a really pretty ring and I suspect it will be missed. I wish there would have been a way to determine an owner, but it was very vague where they would have come from. With 400 office buildings in the immediate area, I had no idea where to go. So, I shall keep it and cherish it :)

{Boots}
Brand: Bongo
Purchase Price: $7.00
Purchased From: The Salvation Army
Suggested Retail: Unknown, probably around $40, when Bongo was still making boots

{Earrings}
Brand: unknown
Purchase Price: $0.99
Purchased From: The Garment District (L.A.)
Suggested Retail: unknown