Snowball - Winter Bicycling at the Beach - New Year Greetings!

(photo by Daniel He)

Happy New Year one and all!

*the above photo was taken by Daniel He. He is a young man attending his last year of high school at Harbor High of Santa Cruz, California. He hopes to pursue a BFA degree and double major in graphic design/photography. Taylor is wearing the "snowball'' - one of my bicycle helmet covers. Both Daniel and Taylor are amazing!

Flower 'Bicycle Bonnet' -- Easter

(ridingpretty bicycle helmet cover prototype, thrifted flower skirt, stirrup leggings, gladiator sandals, vintage motobecane bicycle)

This was what I wore for my ride on Easter...

I just finished this in time to wear it for Easter. It's my newest bicycle helmet cover with changeable flower attachment. It's all handmade. The bicycle helmet cover has an especially nice brim that keeps my face well shaded.

p.s. I'll be putting up more pics of the helmet cover (which will show it in better detail) very soon!

Where I Live, Sunny Ride, Cork Handlebar Grips

(Adrienne Vittadini coat, RidingPretty bicycle helmet cover, thrifted-then reconstucted peg leg pants, thrifted shoes, Forvever 21 sunglasses, vintage 1970's Motobecane bicycle)

This is where I live, and this particular spot is just a few short blocks from my front door. Gratefully the sunlight was just gorgeous yesterday when this pic was snapped. My boyfriend who takes these pics is loosing patience with me. He doesn't understand why I want to get my outfits photographed so regularly now. Sigh..



This is my 1970's Motobecane. I promise to devote a whole blog post on 'Belle' sometime soon. I did just add cork handlebar grips and the basket. The basket is thrifted, but it's really nice because the underlying structure is wire. So it's like a wire basket that's been wrapped in a rattan. When I shellacked my (bare, untreated) cork handlebar grips I had enough shellac to do the basket at the same time.



I'd love to add bamboo fenders and shellac them in the same matching amber shellac color, but it seems sort of overkill at $150.00+ for the fenders when my bike was purchased for only $10.00. I also don't want to make my bicycle so pretty and styled out that she becomes a big theft magnet either. Still... I do need fenders, so I will probably settle for some recycled ones. I'll just dream about the bamboo fenders for now.

Winter Hat Options for Bicycling

Mel kindly agreed to pose for a couple of pics. Thanks Mel.

Mel is more Conservative, definitely price conscious, and very eco conscious too, so she urged me to design a helmet cover to fit her needs...She liked my designs but thought they were 'too fashion forward' for her personal style sensibilities.

The Details: the fabric is felt-like in touch and feel, and is made from recycled plastic bottles so it's about as eco as it gets. It has a long, attached scarf wrap to tie anyway you want. It is cozy and keeps your head and neck warm. It can be made waterproof by simply wrapping the bicycle helmet in a plastic bag, thin shower cap, or even saran wrap before putting on the helmet cover. The price was within Mel's budget. Mel's design requests were solved!

Buying Info: is here***

***this style is no longer offered- HOWEVER you can go to the very top the page and click on the online shop link to see newer designs.

My Trapper Hat for Winter

I ended up wearing the trapper hat (or as my boyfriend calls it the Paul Bunyan/Elmer Fudd hat) a lot lately. When the boyfriend starting seeing this style (minus a bicycle helmet underneath) being worn by lots of hipster types on the streets he hushed up. It's not easy sporting new styles!

This look is posted on lookbook.nu More details and fashiony tidbits about this look there.

Very limited time offer!!! I have a very few invites available to the first handful of people...
Looking to join LookBook.nu and couldn't get or find an invitation? Just email me.
Hurry!

***update: This Trapper Hat look was featured over at Urban Velo!

Stormy Weather at Last

Stormy weather to the rescue today...

and I couldn't be happier about it. I dread the drought, too many sunny days this year in California. So maybe my little feverish rain dance has helped. At least I'd like to think so.

this look of mine is now on LookBook.nu

*****
amended; I will be regularly posting looks here and correspondingly on Lookbook which will give you an item by item break down of what each item is, where it was purchased and how much was paid for it. I do a lot of thrifting, so you'll be amazed at how stylish you can look without spending a lot. I also will gladly include couture if any couture houses would like to send me stylish bicycle attire...uhh... ha-ha. That's a joke everyone. Anyway it will be mix of high and low.
This is (amoung other bike advocacy topics) a bicycle style/chic blog... so DEF time for an infusion of a lot more chic to inspire, inspire and did I say INSPIRE. I plan on having fun with this!

Pink Helmet Cover -'Jackie O' Inspired

This is a style I'm still working on. I used recycled materials for this one, re-fashioned from a thrift store item. There is a little pocket on the back which you can just sort of make out. I love using recycled fabrics, but alas it does limit you in terms of ever being able to offer the same thing again.

* note*.. Please see me on ETSY

video 'how to wear it'

For Real ..available on ETSY !

Visit me on ETSY www.ridingpretty.com

Sneak Peek

Here's just a peek of what's to come......