Color Pop

It's been far too long since I've posted. Having two jobs is a bit more complicated and time consuming than I imagined it to be, so aside from my time out of work spent socializing I'm busy allllll the time. I need to push myself to blog more!

My closet has been expanding quite a bit lately thanks to my new job and ebay addiction. I scored these jeans from Madewell & though the shoes are also Madewell, I purchased them used off of eBay! The reason behind that is that I only buy recycled leather; when purchasing used leather, my money doesn't allow the tanning industry to profit. I'm sure some people find that hypocritical since I'm a vegetarian, but I believe that an effort to do the right thing at all is better than not trying in any way/shape/form. End rant.

cardigan: buffalo exchange / blouse: c.o romwe / jeans: madewell / oxfords: madewell (via ebay)

gold tipped collar? unfff.

Thanks to Romwe I also have this rad new sleveless floral blouse! Af if the color, pattern and cut isn't awesome enough, it also has a gold tipped collar? Talk about the holy grail of shirts! Ahhhhh.

rings: h&m, jewelmint / blue bracelet: asos / gold bracelet: j.crew / watch: michael kors

Also! As of yesterday, I have my very first tattoo! My little pup Jacks paw prints are now on my wrist forever, and I'm so happy about it. You can see the bandaged version that I instagrammed here for now, though I'll make sure to post a better photo soon! I've already decided on my next piece which I should hopefully be getting in the next year. I'm so stoked! My wallet...not so much.

Happy Friday everyone!

Dust Bowl

The weather in California has finally heated up! This past week was sweltering, yet I spent every minute I could outdoors. Aside from my July 4th excursions, I also spent an entire day canoeing the Russian River. The trip was so relaxing and although the rowing was quite laborious at times, all in all I had a wonderful time. I've acquired a pretty gnarly tan line (which I honestly didn't think was possible) since I've been spending so much of this summer out in the sun. Thankfully, it's not that bad and I'm still more pale than most people. Yeah!

flannel: vintage / tshirt: truck stop in new mexico / belt: vintage / shorts: DIY vintage Levi's / boots: vintage

rings: h&m, jewelmint / watch: michael kors / silver bracelets: vintage / neon&gold bracelet: j.crew / red frienship bracelet: asos

I've had this shirt for over three years now; I picked it up at a truck stop in New Mexico when traveling cross country with my best friend all the way to Florida. While scanning the knick knacks and souvenirs during one of our many driving breaks, I came across this shirt with two indian heads and a dreamcatcher on it. The combination of the funky acid wash and general awesomeness screamed out to me at the time, and I'm so glad I made the decision to get it. Even though I don't wear this shirt that often (since it doesn't fit with my style that well anymore), I love the fact that it stirs up huge waves of nostalgia for me. I truly enjoyed the summer I spent travelling across the US, and this shirt helps me to remember all the best parts of that trip.

ps: don't forget to enter my koshka x mink pink giveaway! the contest ends this sunday!

Koshka x Mink Pink Giveaway!

Hey hey! I've teamed up with my sponsor Koshka to give all of you the chance to win a gorgeous Mink Pink dress. Rad stuff, right? Below is a sweet picture of said dress.

I love the lace detailing and draping, as it works so well with the black color and overall cut. Styling wise, I imagine this dress working really well with a black acid wash vest, some sick studded boots and loads of silver jewelry. That's just one possibility, but there are dozens of ways you could work this piece into your wardrobe! 

So, onto the giveaway rules/instructions:

1. Head on over to Koshka's site and sign up for e-mail updates in the bottom right corner.

2. Using the same e-mail, comment on this post and tell me how you would style the Mink Pink "faithful" dress!

3. Winners will be chosen based upon the way the dress is styled, so feel free to get wild with it. Polyvore sets, Pinterest boards and the like are totally acceptable as entries! (You don't have to create a visual set, a regular text comment is totally acceptable as well)

Contest applies to US residents only (sorry!). Winners will be announced on Sunday, July 15th. Good luck everyone!

Merica.

Oh hey guys, it's me. Being late to the party as usual. I don't think my procrastinator brain will ever let me do things punctually. Anyways...

Happy belated 4th of July! I hope all my fellow Americans enjoyed your days, whether it was spent indoors avoiding the heat, out firing up the grill or kicking back with a beer in hand, enjoying exploding lights in the night sky. I, for one, had an amazing day. This year was probably the best 4th I've ever had and I'm so glad I was able to spend it with those that are close to me. I lounged at the beach for most of the day (while avoiding a gnarly burn with loads of sunscreen; I definitely learned my lesson from the last burn, ouch) grabbed some veggie burgers after soaking in the sun, and eventually set out to nearby Sonoma to watch the fireworks show. Marin county (where I live) has the most anti-climactic fireworks, so seeing the display last night was a completely different and very enjoyable experience. Laying cuddled up under a blanket with close friends and staring out into the sky can make you feel really insignificant, yet totally grounded. As the embers from the fireworks floated down from above, I felt a sense of total contentness with my life even though there's currently so much going on in my head. It's really hard to explain, but it was an amazing experience that I hope everyone is able to have at some point. All in all, I had a wonderful day filled with deep conversations, silly jokes and an overall comfort of knowing I'm loved so deeply by others and vice versa.

scarf: vintage / sunglasses: ray ban / shirt: american apparel / bikini: forever 21 / shorts: urban renewal / purse: vintage coach

While I'm far from patriotic, as there is very little to be proud of with the United States' current condition, I'm still extremely grateful to live in the US. There are a lot of basic things (and superfluous items, of course) I have that most people do not, so appreciating and embracing these small things is something that I try to do. Besides, I look damn slick sportin some red white & blue. Aesthetically, it's a rad combo!

The grand finale of the fireworks in Sonoma. Truly an epic moment. Doesn't the combination of lights and smoke look strikingly similar to outer space? I couldn't think of anything else the entire time.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day! Thankfully I have today off as well, which I'll probably be spending outdoors perusing the local farmers market. Ciao! 

Baker Beach

I know I've been MIA for quite some time now, which I do apologize for. I'm really bummed that I've been putting blogging off to the side for the past few months, since I really do love it. It's been hard to stay consistent with posting since there have been so many other things in my life I've had to prioritize first. I'm hoping that I'll have more free time for blogging in the weeks (and months) to come! To get all of you up to speed, I now have two jobs! I was hired at Madewell a few weeks ago, which I'm totally stoked on. Their clothing is uhmazing, so, of course I want to buy nearly every garment in the store. Unf. So much for saving money. 

I'm sure you can tell, but I'll make a note of it anyways. It was ridiculously windy at the beach! I ate quite a bit of hair that day (it tasted sooo good), which left me wishing I had a lifeline of hair ties for moments like those. 

sweater, button up, belt & boots: vintage / sunglasses: ray ban / satchel: dooney & bourke / jeans: zara

These photos were taken out at Baker Beach in SF by my rad friend Ahmed. Y'all should peep his site, even though he hasn't updated in nearly a month. I'll have to get on his back about that, since his blog is one of my favorites to read for a good chuckle.

(I would totally write more in this post, but I have to head off to work. Have a lovely day everyone and thanks for reading!)