Chanel is coming out with temporary tattoos, and I’m not sure how to feel about it.

As someone with actual, inked tattoos, it’s hard for me not to find fake tattoos a bit offensive. It’s the same way I felt when they put fake ink and piercings on Californication actress Rachel Miner rather than finding an already-tatted actress.  Tattoos come with an undeniable image (especially if that tattoo isn’t on a wrist or lower back), and I would be very irritated if someone assumed the tattoos I put thought and money into were anything but real.

Then again, it’s cool to see body art in the mainstream, and I would love to play with a sheet of high-quality faux ink, if for no reason than to visualize possible real designs.  I kind of love the idea of wrap-around stickers instead of bracelets, and I’d love to go all Kat Von D and ‘ink’ around my face.

I understand that models get paid to be versatile, able to transform any designer’s vision into reality, so for them, pressed or painted on designs are a great option.  For the average fashionista on the street, however, I’d love to see more permanent self-expression.

I do not recommend actually tattooing yourself with logos, Chanel or otherwise, under any circumstance, although at 18 I did toy with the idea of inking myself with the Roxy symbol.

Chanel will be selling temporary tattoos for $75 (for 55 designs on five sheets).  That’s enough to buy you a small real tattoo, one that won’t rub off, but if you aren’t ready to commit, designs will go up on Chanel.com for spring 2010.

I had a dream about pairing this together. Totally random. I hadn’t worn these leggings in awhile.  Comfiest possible outfit for running errands.

Top: Old Navy, secondhand; Snakeskin leggings: Sweet Boutique; Boots: Nicole, secondhand

Beanie cap and basic turquoise tee from Walgreens ($1 each, he says); Cardigan: Levis; Jeans: CCS; Shoes: Es, from Ross

Donny is really into cardigans.  He was disappointed Plato’s Closet didn’t have any men’s cardigans.  I was disappointed they could accept so few of my old items.  We did get enough credit to bring home a denim jacket (me) and a pair of Volcom corduroys (him) for just $15. Pretty awesome for trade-in clothes I was just planning to donate anyway.

I’d been looking for a denim jacket for awhile, and I’m so glad Husband reminded me to look while we were at Plato’s! I love that this Aeropostale jean jacket is short enough to fit my frame, but still has long enough sleeves to be functional.

Donny put me in a beanie for 90’s effect – It’s our favorite decade!

When I first saw these YMI Extreme Jeans online, I was skeptical about their look and quality, but I was pleasantly surprised upon receiving them in the mail yesterday.  I won these super skinnies via Denim Debutante, and they arrived with a card and a t-shirt.

I desperately need a new hair straightener, as my ideal hair look right now would be Carrie Bradshaw Season 2.

I modeled this after an ad for YMI in which the model had the bottoms of her jeans rolled up.  I love that these jeans are a bit long, as it makes them both versatile and extra warm if you tuck them into booties.

The best thing about these jeans is that the scrunchy look makes them so casual and easy.  To maintain the “crinkle“, it is recommended that you twist the jeans and tie them in a knot before drying.  The jeans are so skinny and stretchy that the crinkle look is never bunchy, and they hold their shape all day, kind of like denim leggings, in a good way.  (They are also missing front pockets, further adding to the leggings style.)

YMI Jeans sell for just under $40 (and they also offer clearance items on their site) and so far seem worth the price.

My only issue with these jeans was that they flattened my butt.  I have a good-sized ass, but these gave a Spongebob effect I’m not fond of.  I do love how the stretch hugs on my hips though, and even though these seem to be marketed mainly at teens, the waist isn’t too low.  (You can see the jeans modeled by my husband to see how they look on a slimmer frame.)

Outfit Deets:
T-shirt: YMI
Denim: YMI
Sweater: George by Mark Eisen, secondhand
Booties: Nicole, secondhand
Chain necklace: D.I.Y.

Posted these on Twitter last night, but I really liked my outfit yesterday.  I was helping my friend get packed up to move a few hours away (huge bummer), and ended up inheriting a ton of clothes & accessories in the process, including a fabulous purple Blair Waldorf headband.

Unfortch, my Trail Blazers tee didn’t do much, as we still lost the game to Memphis.

Blazers t-shirt: Marshall’s
Cropped blazer: Torrid, Secondhand (friend)
Shorts: Grane, from Ross
Blue ribbed tights: from Fred Meyer
Headband: Secondhand (friend)

Bonzai Aphrodite is doing her Monthly Mission on thrifting this month. Readers are challenged to go through the month of January without buying a single piece of new clothing.  Although I am on the hunt for great jeans (in my experience, hard to find secondhand), I think I’ll do well. I received a bunch of simple hand-me-down tops & shoes from a friend this week, and I have a couple bags of what I’ve weeded out of my closet, ready to take into Plato’s and swap.  Fabulous secondhand clothes that feel as though they have a soul are by far my favorite form of recycling.

I certainly do like new things, but I love awesome secondhand pieces even more.  If you must buy brand new this month, this year, this lifetime, make the effort to buy clothes that will last.  A great item can be handed down from wearer to wearer, not disposable.  It’s a theme that is popping up a lot this month, with more than one of my friends verbalizing resolutions for more substance and less fluff in their wardrobe.

Could you go a month without buying any brand new clothing? Will you take on this challenge?