Do you have that friend who emulates all things cute and crafty? I know I do!

Jess Ziegler is a craft goddess and has a radar that allows her to find some wicked vintage pieces. To boot, she is a wonderous photographer (someday I will post her Etsy store, but I have to wait for her to give me the thumbs up). This gal also happens to have a kick-ass taste in music, so I had to get her in on the birthday bands posts.

Kids, I think we’ve got a serious birthday party on our hands.

Here’s Jess with a cowboy boot - I hope you bought them.

Vagrant Isle: So, you have an unlimited budget and a warehouse-sized time machine. Who do you hire to play your birthday party?

Jess Ziegler: Ritchie Valens, with appearances by Buddy Holly, Marty McFly, Bell Biv Devoe, and an a cappella sing off between Lana Del Rey and Gaga. We’ll wrap up the night with The Beastie Boys dropping in via parachutes… more of a variety style evening.

He’s cheezin’ because he just found out he booked Jess’ birthday.

VI: Holy crap. Do I have to buy tickets to go to this? There are so many different artists and cross-genre face-offs happening! Why them?

JZ: Since I was a kid I’ve had an obsession with Lou Diamond Phillips and La Bamba. I not-so-secretly think that I may have missed my era, but alas, thanks to Vagrant Isle my birthday dreams can come true! And the sing off is just for controversy sake - LDR needs to amend her SNL performance.

This one’s for you, Jess.

VI: It sounds like we’re gonna need a little space - what with Lady Gaga’s show down and all (who knows how big her hat is going to be.) Where are you hosting?

JZ: It can be anywhere, right? OK then, I’m going to nail a bunch of birds with one stone. I’ve been really dying to get out west and experience a bit of Colorado, and I hear there is an unbelievable venue: Red Rocks Amphitheater (it was once listed as among the seven wonders of the world.)

Red Rocks Amphitheater, built right into the natural landscape. Pretty rad!

VI: SICK! There’s totally enough space for Gaga to ride in on a unicorn that plays guitar while wearing a hat. (At least that’s what’s going to happen in my version of your party.) What other things come to mind when you picture your soiree?

JZ: There will be ladies in pretty dresses and gents looking all dapper, sipping on brews and iced tea. There will be red velvet cupcakes and deviled eggs (whatever, my mama makes damn good eggs).

A little birthday inspiration - Birthday Jess style:

To wear:

I got really excited when I saw all of Jess’ picks - there’s a lot to draw inspiration from! After hearing about the mix of 50’s rock and an outdoor venue, I thought of the Charlotte Ronson 2012 Spring RTW collection, which has a cool mix of denims and a little bit of a vintage bad girl feel.

Charlotte Ronson 2012 Spring RTW - perfect for an outdoor concert! You can view the whole collection here.

I also really liked this look from Libertine’s most recent collection that showed at fashion week (side note: I want all of their new capes.) It’s totally rock and roll - I could see Gaga rocking this if she was having a “I wear bottoms but still wanted to be kind of naked” day. The lightning blouse reminds me of those picture of desert thunderstorms.

Lightning!!

For those of us with a more limited budget, here are some thrifty picks:

• How’s about an ikat print jacket to blend into the Colorado sunset?
• Boys can get 50’s inspired in this letterman sweater.
• Or how about a tie and proper pocket square from J. Crew?
• This poison locket from AlicesEyesDC’s Etsy store is perfect for when you start to groove Bell Biv Devoe.
• You can also dress up this white maxi dress with some turquoise jewelry or a scarf. I loved this vintage brass and turquoise piece from Poorsparrow’s Etsy store and this scarf from one of my faves, Madewell.

Madewell woven print scarf.

I also can’t gush enough about Warby Parker. You can get yourself a pair of Buddy Holly-esque eye glasses (or sunglasses) for under $100, which also includes a set prescription lenses for your peepers if you need them! (I wear the Sinclair in burgundy.) Even better, for every pair that you buy, Warby Parker will donate a pair of eyeglasses to someone in need. Good vision and warm fuzzies!

Men, you can’t forget to wear your Calvin Klein’s… Marty McFly did.

To party there:

It can get cold at night in the desert, so we should all bring a warm, but super cool blanket to Jess’ party. These blankets, featured in Opening Ceremony’s NY store are a little bit of an investment, but looking cute while staying warm is worth the cash. Plus, these blankets will last for a long time!

Pendleton rosa valley blanket shown by Opening Ceremony.

Jess and I also share a love of baking, so I was excited to see that she brought up red velvet cupcakes. Red velvet is my favorite! A while back, I had a cupcake kick and tried Martha Stewart’s recipe. Some of her recipes can be a little involved, but don’t be intimidated by her direction to use a standing mixer with paddle attachment for some dishes - just use what you’ve got in the kitchen, she won’t know. These cupcakes are amazing and come out moist and fluffy every time. Plus, that cream cheese frosting… oooohwee ya’ll.

Hot damn!

In retrospect, I should have asked Jess to send me her mom’s recipe for deviled eggs. But since I didn’t, I can offer you these:

• Emeril Lagasse’s recipe - BAM!!!
• Paula Deen’s version… beware.
• Deviled Egg Dip from Blissfully Domestic, which has a hot sauce kick!

Now as far as iced tea goes, we’re at a party, so we’re gonna toss a little booze in there. I found a tasty looking Southern Iced Tea Cocktail recipe by Deep South Dish that calls to be served in a mason jar. They note that this drink is “somewhat of a cross between a Long Island Iced Tea and an Arnold Palmer.” Lovely!

Photo (obviously) courtesy of Deep South Dish.

As far as the Beastie Boys dropping in… well, If you want to go with them, visit the U.S. Parachute Association’s website. I can’t really vouch for hopping out of a plane, but if it’s your thing, go for it. Maybe just have a stunt double version of yourself on call if you chicken out.

All in all, I’m pretty excited for Jess’ party. I’m not sure what will happen when Lana Del Rey and Lady Gaga face off, but I expect there will be glitter and hair extension pulling involved. Until then, I’ll leave you with rock and roll “specialist,” Buddy Holly. 

Rave on, Jess. Rave on.

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