Visionary Dreams

Zest

2012-02-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

coat, zara. dress, vintage.socks, target. boots, madewell. rings, h&m/forever. watch, marc by marc jacobs.

nailpolish, essie "barbados blue".

(definitely not a fan of my smile, as it makes me look like this crazy overly wrinkled troll)

I'm far more smiley than usual in these photos...if you could only see what was going on behind the camera. My boyfriend was impersonating a flamboyant and artistic 'photographer', shouting out "I can't work like this" every few seconds. The moment was priceless, and these quirky traits are one of the many reasons I love him so.

Wish I could write more, but I'm so far behind on studying & I have work in just a few hours. Sigh, spring semester just frazzles me.

Again, thanks all for taking the time to read/view my blog! It truly means so much. Have a beautiful day, xox

Neutral Blends

2012-02-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

button up, gap. sweater, h&m. coat, h&m. jeans, cheap monday. wedges, dolce vita. tote, rugby. nailpolish, essie "barbados blue".

Just another snug outfit which I threw on last minute before my morning classes; I've gotten so lazy lately, I've now mastered the art of fully preparing for the day ahead in thirty minutes or less. The weather lately has allowed me to layer like no other, which is my favorite thing to do if you've yet to notice.

Happy Thursday everyone! xox

Crushed

2012-02-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

jacket, urban outfitters. dress, urban outfitters. socks, target. shoes, vintage. sunglasses, ray ban. watch, marc by marc jacobs. rings, h&m.

Love the cut on the back of this dress.

Bought this dress awhile back off the UO sale rack for $30. As you've noticed, I'm a sucker for anything and everything velvet. This crushed velvet floral dress is a stunner; it's been a challenge to keep myself from wearing it every day.

Tangerines

2012-02-09T13:38:00.000-08:00

coat, zara. dress, vintage. socks, gap. boots, madewell. canvas tote, rugby. watch, marc by marc jacobs.

I bought this bag from Rugby just a few weeks back for school; it's the most useful purchase I've made in quite some time. Instead of lugging around my books and 15inch macbook all day, I can comfortably carry them in this massive tote. The stitching is so durable and I'm so pleased with the canvas' shade of green; hopefully it will last me until my college days are over (which I cannot wait for!).

I mentioned this coat awhile back, though I've never gotten an outfit post with it until now! I'm enamored with the color, cut, and length. It will definitely be a staple in my wardrobe for quite some time, as my love for tangerine grows stronger each time I wear it. :)

Hope everyones first few weeks of February are going well! I'm currently drowning in homework, reading, and midterm study guides. Hopefully I'll be able to make it out of all these exams alive...wish me luck!

Muted

2012-02-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

Here's a plain ol' outfit that I threw together for work. The dress code is black and white, so I do what I can to show my personal style while on the clock. The socks and blouse are unquestionably my favorite parts!

lace button up, h&m. floral dress, h&m. knit cardigan, gap. socks, target. woven oxfords, jeffrey campbell.

Bought a few pairs of thigh high socks last week; I'm in love with the speckled multicolored details.

A close up of the JC's I bought at Crossroads a few months back...while most people obsess over the sky high platforms from Jeffrey Campbell, I prefer these bad boys. Besides, I'm already 5'8 and have no need to wear heels all day every day.

ps: this is my 100th post! I'm giving myself a pat on the back for continuously updating this blog. I would have stopped long ago if not for my lovely readers, so thank you! Here's to hoping there will be hundreds more, events and exciting memories included.

February Colors

2012-02-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

The weather has been anything but joyful this past week, so I thought I'd lighten up the mood with a contrasting, playful outfit. I can never bring myself to skimp on the layers (weather permitting or not), so there's no shortage of that here.

Sorry for the lack of shoe versatility everyone! I honestly cannot bring myself to take these boots off...it's become a serious problem.

knit cardigan, h&m. tri blend cardigan, american apparel. scarf & striped tee, gap. jeans, zara. boots, madewell. watch, marc by marc jacobs. nailpolish, opi "designer...de better!"

Now playing: Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Winter Flowers

2012-01-28T13:17:00.000-08:00

I've been in a lame winter slump for the past few weeks and my clothing has been a variation of the same thing; pants and cardigans. Wearing this brightly colored dress with my new American Apparel leggings was a great seasonal pick me up. I finally bought a bunch of new thigh high socks, so I'll get the chance to play with layering a bit more!

rings, h&m. watch, marc by marc jacobs.

jacket, urban outfitters. lace blouse, h&m. dress, vintage. velvet leggings, american apparel. socks, random. boots, madewell.

I was going to spend my morning writing out a blog post, but it was interrupted by a doggie mishap. If you didn't already know, I'm a sucker for animals. Bald or fuzzy, big or small, I love all of them. I've always held affection for animals, but dogs are my biggest weakness. The brightest part of my day is usually petting/freaking out while meeting a new dog or spending time with my little one, Jack. I happened to meet another really sweet dog today, named Penny.

As I was emptying the recycle earlier, a big dog ran up to me tail wagging, but shaking and all. She was old and friendly, with no tag and no owner in sight. I ended up walking house to house around the neighborhood looking for her home, though no one claimed her. I called the Humane Society and long story short, one of the newer neighbors who wasn't home owns her. She dug a big hole under their fence and took herself on a little walk. I'm so glad she didn't have to go to the shelter, but she even liked the Humane Society officer! Such a sweet pooch.

Anyways, I hope all of you enjoy your weekends, I'll be spending it working, as usual.

Thanks for reading! xx

Details

2012-01-27T08:10:00.000-08:00

blouse, gap. sweater, h&m. pearl earrings, mothers. lipstick, mac 'russian red'

rose gold watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs

A few snapshots of the outfit I wore to work the other day. I saw this sweater on the h&m sale rack and fell in love immediately. I love a good knit blend and I'm surprisingly lacking in the black/white sweater department, so purchasing this lovely was a no brainer.

I hope that all of you are doing well, thank you for taking the time to read my blog! It truly means a lot.

Have a beautiful day. xox

Spring 2012

2012-01-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

This was the outfit I wore for the first day of classes: contrasting, warm, and most importantly, comfortable. With a class schedule of 9am to 10pm, clothing that I can snooze in is an obvious necessity. I'm sure there will be platforms thrown in on occassion since the campus is small & doesn't require long walking distances (hooray), but for the most part I'll be sticking to my beloved collection of flat heeled shoes. As for this particular outfit, I found my new cardigan in the sale section of h&m for only $20 and to my surprise, it's a maternity sweater. I didn't notice until after I purchased it but hey, it fits well & I love the color!

button up, urban renewal. cardigan, american apparel. knit cardigan, h&m. velvet leggings, american apparel. boots, madewell. satchel, dooney & bourke. sunglasses, ray ban. rings, h&m. watch, marc by marc jacobs.

Have a wonderful day everyone, thanks for reading! xx

Fisherman, Fisherman

2012-01-21T09:33:00.000-08:00

Absolutely love the flecks of color in my new jumper from American Apparel! It adds a bit of vintage touch, but also spices up a normally bland garment. I'd have to say my favorite part about this sweater, though, are the drop shoulders.

button up, american apparel. fisherman's pullover, american apparel. velvet leggings, american apparel. purse, coach. loafers, steve madden.

Bought my oxford button up for only $20 at the American Apparel warehouse sale a few months back.

I swear I'm not addicted or anything; this outfit just happens to be all American Apparel (besides the shoes/bag). You would imagine that I work for said company with the amount of clothing I have from them, alas I do not. A few years ago I was actually offered a position at a retail store in San Francisco, but decided against it. I'm glad I did, as I really enjoy my current job; I've made great friends and the stress is nearly nonexistent.

Anyhow, spring semester is now in session! The first day of classes was great & I'm glad to be back in a learning environment, but I know the stress of this semester is going to be even worse than the last. I'm taking two days of class per week: from 9am to 10pm. My course load is geology + a lab, music history, political science and human sexuality. I've basically dug my own grave but with the budget cuts, this is the only schedule that worked out while still allowing me to be a full time student.

Well, I'm headed off to do some homework. I hope all of you enjoy your weekends!

now playing: The War on Drugs

A Joyride Jaunt, Part 1

2012-01-17T08:23:00.001-08:00

Photos from my last visit to San Francisco. There are so, so many to share so I'll be splitting the post into two parts!

First are my outfit photos. The sweater I'm wearing is one of my most recent purchases, a la Madewell. Said sweater was on sale (my favorite word) and is one of the warmest winter garments I own. The colors are absolutely wonderful, as well. I love the combination of mint and heathered grey; it reminds me of the days when I used to eat mint chocolate chip ice cream with my grandfather!

I also paired gold & silver jewelry in this outfit. Mixing hardware can be risky, but I found the finished balance to be perfect. Since my vintage belt has a silver buckle, I needed more silver to offset said buckle. I decided that could be done with a couple rings, along with pearls (earrings & ring) which created a smooth, contrasting hue.

sweater, madewell. button up silk blouse, vintage. floral engraved belt, vintage. pants, zara. satchel, dooney&bourke. boots, madewell. rings, assorted. watch, marc by marc jacobs.

One of those rare occasions where my genuine smile is captured on camera.

My awkward face, i.e. what I look like every day

All photographs taken by Ahmed Modan

A Joyride Jaunt, Part 2

2012-01-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

The rest of the photographs from my last day in San Francisco...hope you enjoy them!

Architecture at the Palace of Fine Arts. The designs are just so beautiful, I love how the columns have both corinthian and ionic inspiration (I can thank my amazing art history teacher for sparking my interest in architectural design!).

My friend Ahmed.

My beautiful boyfriend, Richard.

Photographs of me taken by Ahmed Modan. The rest are my photos.

Orange Acres

2012-01-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

falafels. enough said.

the lovely bf in falafel heaven

obsessed with these boots.

snapped this photo while on a walk with the bf & pup; the hue of the leaves meshed well with my sweater/tights donned that day!

military coat, urban outfitters. knit sweater, vintage. romper, secondhand. tights, gap. boots, madewell. sunglasses, ray ban "clubmaster".

rose gold watch, marc by marc jacobs

I wrote about this holy grail of all military coats in my last outfit post & if you don't recall, it was only $20! Such a steal for a wonderful piece. I can already see myself wearing this into the spring; it's perfect for winter layering, but also as a light outerwear item for the warmer months. As for these boots, I'm sure they will constantly be popping up on my blog; I just can't get enough.

Instagrammed

2012-01-11T09:43:00.000-08:00

My life through the various filters of Instagram.

falafel plate in Hayes Valley, SF

one of those late night cravings. this round: french fries & diet coke.

a tasty mocha w/ foam art; sightglass coffee in SF.

Samovar Tea Lounge in SF

daytime stroll through Sutro Heights Park in SF

a fiery sunset, seen from the streets of San Francisco

architecture @ sightglass

lights @ Bottom of the Hill, SF

the best way to hang jewelry.

my new loves from Madewell

my sweet honeychild, aka Jack the Poopzeekinz (don't judge, it's the best nickname, ever)

nailpolish a la Chanel

If you want to see more of my daily photos, then head on over to my instagram (username = dhpayton)! If you're lacking an iPhone, then you can follow my day to day ramblings on twitter. Now, I'm headed off to SF, again. This has become a pattern, & it's time I move my bum over there already.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Transient

2012-01-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday everyone! How has the second week of 2012 been treating all of you?

Lately I've been super inconsistent with my blog posts, as I'm sure you've noticed. Since my December (aka finals week) hiatus, it's been hard to get back into the flow of regular blogging. I'm disappointed in myself but I promise you that I'm trying to post on a regular basis! Key word: trying. Effort is what counts!

As for this post, these photographs are from last week when I spent my day off in San Francisco. There was a lot of shopping (key finds: a $20 military surplus jacket and an orange streamlined coat), hoards of Mexican food (if you know me, then you will know this is an everyday dietary must), a calming hike through/around the Sutro Baths, and a soothing pot of herbal tea at Samovar Tea Lounge to end the day.

The below photo is from said hike up/around/through the Sutro Baths. If you live near San Francisco, I would highly suggest checking out this spot! The Sutro Baths was once a massive swimming pool commune (back in the 19th century) which has now been claimed by the ocean and all of its sea life. The baths are such a beautiful site to see; you can trek across the ruins of buildings, plopping yourself on a broken down wall right in front of sea foam splashing up from the Pacific.

I wish I had gotten more photographs of my outfit that day, but it slipped my mind. These night shots will have to do!

oversized cardigan, vintage. glitter knit, gap. knit infinity scarf, gap. high waisted acid wash jeans, cheap monday. watch, marc by marc jacobs. satchel, dooney&bourke. boots, madewell.

& here, at long last, are some photographs of my newest steal from Madewell! I had been looking for the perfect boot for ages (okay...more like a few months but still) and had no luck with finding them. After stopping my search, one day I walked into Madewell and sitting right on the sale rack happened to be the perfect pair of chestnut brown boots, gusseted tongue and all. A double marked down item, in stock in my size? I had to have them.

These boots have yet to fail me, and I've basically been living in them since the purchase two weeks ago. So. Comfy.

now playing: Washed Out, "Amor Fati"

Madder Red

2012-01-04T20:06:00.000-08:00

scarf, knit cardi, sheer blouse & glitter top, gap. tri-blend cardi & riding pants, american apparel. pearl earrings, vintage (mothers). rose gold watch, marc by marc jacobs. "black pearl" nailpolish, chanel. wedges, dolce vita.

These past few weeks have been an absolute blast. I've been enjoying my time off of school with outings everyday, as well as catching up on some much needed sleep (it's been forever since I was able to wake up without using an alarm!). Right now I'm soaking in all the relaxation I can, as school starts up again on the 16th. If only my break was longer, I would be able to do even more with the time off, such as a road trip... Thankfully a visit to New York is in the (possible) works, so I'll have that to look forward to during spring break!

Also, I completely forgot to wish everyone a Happy New Year's in my last post! I hope that your NYE evening celebration plans turned out the way you wished, I know mine did.

So...resolutions! I've never actually had/held a resolution for a full year, but I plan to change that with 2012. Though most people make tons resolutions revolving around themselves, I've decided to make a resolution that benefits other people. My resolution, which I actually started before 2011 was over, is to donate to charities anytime I am asked in person (as long as it's a charity I am willing to support). It may not seem like much, but the donations definitely add up! Also, with my budget it's all that I can afford. I was contemplating also adding in a mild resolution for myself: toning down the Mexican food consumption. I pondered the thought for a good five seconds, then said "fuck it". I'm a foodie, and I will forever stuff my face with greasy, guacamole goodness.

As far as my current playlist, I've been obsessing over the band Yeasayer (the title of this post is a title of one of my favored songs by them). Their albums have been on repeat in my car and I'm finding that I enjoy their tunes the more I listen to them. If you fancy Indie/Alternative music, then I highly suggest listening to them!

Off to do some errands/work now, hope all you lovelies have a very special day! xx

Dooney & Desert

2012-01-03T10:25:00.000-08:00

scarf, striped top & knit cardigan, gap. tri blend cardi & riding pants, american apparel. desert boots, report. satchel, dooney & bourke. watch, marc by marc jacobs.

My favorite part of this bag is the tassels; the under-side is green suede!

Finally, a post debuting the stealer of my soul; my lovely new dooney & bourke. This satchel is by far my favorite purse I've ever had (with the lovely Coach my bf bought me trailing right behind). The inside of the bag is a green suede on top, with a canvas red lining the bottom. Yes, while those may be Christmas colors, this bag will not be left behind in the winter season; I'll be filling this baby with school supplies, sketch materials and everything in between that keeps me going from day to day.

Well, I'm off to spend the day in San Francisco; have a lovely Tuesday everyone!

now playing: Washed Out

Holiday Happenings

2011-12-29T12:12:00.000-08:00

Spent Christmas morning on Mt. Tamalpais with the bf & my friend, Ahmed. Taking photographs of the horizon and enjoying the cool winter breeze was such a wonderful way to start the day. Later that evening I indulged in some holiday feasting, which consisted of a huge array of delicious veggie plates. There were endless stories and jokes shared around the table with my family, which is something I always enjoy. I'm not an enthusiastic Christmas celebrator, but spending time with friends and family members is always welcomed.

So, onto my outfit from this past Sunday!

button up, urban renewal. merino wool sweater, secondhand. cardigan, american apparel. riding pants, american apparel. desert boots, report. clubmasters, ray ban. rose gold watch, marc by marc jacobs.

And now, an overload of photos from Christmas morning! This cliff/mountainside is absolutely beautiful; pictures cannot capture the sheer vastness of the outlook.

My always beautiful boyfriend, Richard

My boyfriend decided that taking pictures of Ahmed taking pictures of me was a hilarious thing to do. There are about 30 more, and it's safe to say that I look ridiculous in all of them (except this one).

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas, & wish that all is well in your lives!

And...break.

2011-12-26T21:57:00.000-08:00

My long awaited break is finally here and I'm so glad to be done with Fall semester. I'm almost positive I got a 4.0! Still waiting for two grades to come back but it's looking promising. I slaved over every assignment these past few months, so I've been celebrating a job well done since school got out on Friday.

I've missed blogging so much, and I've missed my readers (you're awesome, duh). Thankfully, I'll be back to posting every other day from now on! This upcoming semester will be more manageable, since I'm taking all academic classes instead of art/sewing classes. That means more time for the blog and less time spent on homework.

jacket, vintage. dress, vintage. sweater, h&m. watch, marc by marc jacobs. sunglasses, ray ban. boots, gift.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

Rose Gold & Prints

2011-12-18T10:52:00.001-08:00

Long time no see! Just a quick post for all of you, as I'm still swamped with finals work. One more week of this chaos and I'll be back to blogging nearly every day. I promise!

First saw these cuffs on Blair's blog, and when they went on sale, I had to have them. While wearing them I was told I looked like Wonder Woman...guess that's what you get when you don't wear uggs and "pink" sweatshirts like everyone else in this area.

scarf, h&m. shirt, gap. blazer, h&m. trousers, vintage. shoes, vintage. cuffs, nordstroms. nailpolish, Chanel "Black Pearl"

Got a Gift

2011-12-08T11:40:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the lack of posts everyone, these few weeks leading up to semester finals have been killing me. After finishing one assignment, there's another, and another, and another. My current work load seems never ending, though by the 23rd, it will all be over. Thank goodness. To top it off nicely, next semester I'll be taking classes at the sister campus which is a lot closer to my house. I'll be saying a sweet goodbye to the stressful commute, insane gas prices and 5am wake up calls.

As for this post, these are some very late photographs from my birthday excursion in San Francisco. I spent the day with my boyfriend and four of my closest friends; the perfect group of people for a perfect day. We had a lovely time drinking rare teas, wandering around art museums, chowing down on mom and pop diner food and ending the day with an evening celebration at a Mission tequila longue.

As if the time spent with great friends wasn't enough, I also received a handful of extremely thoughtful and generous gifts: Chanel "Black Pearl" nail polish, supple gloves, tickets to see Jean Paul Gaultier's exhibit, a rose gold Marc by Marc Jacobs watch and last but definitely not least, an iPad 2. I'm such a lucky gal.

shirt w/ buttoned shoulders, gap. snakeskin print cardigan, h&m. scarf, gap. pants, zara. shoes, vintage

Since the weather in SF was quite chilly that day, I had to choose something that worked for both form and function (especially the shoes). The bright colors and excessive jewelry made up for the simplicity of my outfit.

A very pinkish purple photo of my new Marc by Marc Jacobs watch, gifted by the amazing boyfriend.

Shielding my ridiculous face from what would have been a horrible photo.

All photos taken by my crazy cool friend Ahmed

Gratitude

2011-12-01T10:52:00.001-08:00

Here are some snapshots that were taken on Thanksgiving day. These are definitely overdue, though better late than never! My boyfriend and I took a calming (but windy and cold) stroll on the levy behind my grandmothers house while waiting for dinner; her house smelled of turkey and ham, so naturally we decided to get some fresh air. Though I know quite a few vegetarians that enjoy the smell of cooked meat, I am definitely not one of them. I prefer the smell of baked goods and, of course, my mothers signature yams in brown sugar; the aroma is almost better than the rich, delectable taste. It's a close call.

So...let's get to the food. I wish I had taken pictures, but instead I chowed down immediately after filling my plate with mashed potatoes, salad with apples and walnuts, homemade cranberry sauce, green beans and yams. Even thinking about said feast makes my mouth water. For dessert, we had a homemade lemon merengue and pumpkin pie, with candles on top in celebration of my birthday! Though most people complain about having their birthday during the holiday season, I actually really enjoy it; being able to celebrate my birthday with extended family is such a gift.

Anyways...on to the photos!

The lighting was just perfect for taking photos. The sun was hidden behind clouds most of the day, but right as we walked onto the trail it peaked out and let off a wonderful, warm glow.

The levy is lined with some of the most beautiful bushes and other foliage, birds hiding inside and all. I tried to photograph some feathered friends, though they all flew away out of fear. Sigh, if only they knew I'm harmless.

sunglasses, ray ban. double breasted cardigan, american apparel. turtleneck, secondhand. sweater, california select (via aa warehouse sale). riding pants, american apparel. shoes, vintage.

My very first post is actually at this levy and coincidentally, I'm wearing the same pants! If you'd like, you can read it here.

Feline

2011-11-29T14:51:00.001-08:00

infinity scarf & sheer blouse, gap. cardigan(s) & velvet leggings, american apparel. booties, zara.

Always loving the oh so comfy layers autumn is allowing me don; the leaves have been falling even more, and I cannot stress enough that this is my favorite season. If autumn was a person, I would get on one knee with a big ol' ring in a jiffy.

Sorry about the serious lack of posts everyone, this past week (break and all) has been absolutely insane. In the past few days, I've worked a 14 hour shift for the dreadful black friday (it was horrible), celebrated my 20th birthday with friends/the bf at a tequila lounge in the Mission, and wrote a five page essay in a single night. I'm currently running on five hours of sleep, so I've decided to kick back, watch The Devil Wears Prada and cuddle with my pup. This little break is definitely deserved after the paper I demolished last night.

By the way, currently writing this blog post out on my new iPad 2!! My awesome friend Travis gifted it to me as a bday/xmas gift and I could not be happier. I also received some other amazing gifts: a Marc by Marc Jacobs rose gold watch, Chanel black pearl nailpolish, tickets to see Jean Paul Gaultier's iconic show at the De Young in SF and more. I'll be posting in detail about my gifts soon!

I've received so much love from family and friends over the past week, whether it was Thanksgiving dinner or day trips to San Francisco. So thankful for the support those close to me offer daily; the little time I spend with them makes my hectic schedule worth it.

I hope all of you are doing well and as always, thank you for reading! xox

**ps: read my latest interview with BANGSTYLE here!**

Streetstyle Inspiration

2011-11-26T10:06:00.001-08:00

all images via Jak & Jil, Stockholm Streetstyle and 5 inch and up

A quick bit of streetstyle inspiration to start up your morning. Loving patterns on patterns, layered knits, bright accessories, quirky sunglasses (always) and throwing a coat over your shoulders. So chic.

Warehouse Sale

2011-11-23T22:14:00.001-08:00

A handful of long overdue photographs of the AA warehouse sale I went to the other week. Found some absolutely amazing deals, the best being a pair of apricot trousers for $20 and lace stirrup leggings for $18. AA is known for their bright basics, though they also have some phenomenal staple items. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find any chiffon skirts (as if owning two isn't enough) though the prices of everything else made up for it!

A photograph I shot right before entering the warehouse; the least fearful seagull I've ever met.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! xx

♥

Broken Sundown

2011-11-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

Spending my first day off in quite awhile cleaning, doing homework and working on an art history analysis paper. Thankfully tomorrow afternoon will be filled with relaxation, good food and familial bonding. Once this semester is over I will be so relieved to have some free time on my hands!

My lovely boyfriend got this Dooney & Bourke purse for me as an early birthday gift! Almost positive that brings my D&B count up into the double digits...

blazer/dress/d&b purse, vintage. infinity scarf, gap. booties, zara.

Happy Wednesday everyone! xox

now playing: cocorosie, "werewolf"

Awake My Soul

2011-11-20T23:02:00.001-08:00

As leaves continue to fall, the rain slowly creeps in, enveloping everything in puddles upon puddles of water. It has rained almost every day this past week, and I have no shoes to protect my feet from the winter weather! If only there were some cute, non clunky rain boots I could find. Hunter boots just don't do it for me, they're not my style.

What is my style, though, are the man pants I'm wearing below!

necklace, h&m. shirt, american apparel. jacket, american apparel. trousers, vintage. shoes, vintage guess. lipstick, mac in 'russian red'

I bought this shirt & jacket at the AA warehouse sale as well. When I stumbled on the houndstooth jacket priced at a cool $40, I almost died. Granted, it's not Balenciaga, though it will get me through life up until that fateful day in which I can afford everything my heart desires. If only.

Well, time to head off to the ol' job, I'm trying hard to save up for Christmas gifts for friends/family!

now playing: mumford & sons

Fruit Salad

2011-11-18T15:28:00.001-08:00

The title of this post pretty much says it all. Though I love fall and all of the browns, reds and oranges that come with it, indulging in neon color blocking is something I just cannot resist. Wearing vibrant colors also helps to evoke cheerfulness (for me at least), and I definitely won't pass that up!

I just bought these trousers last week from the American Apparel warehouse sale. They were only $20, and they're in perfect condition. I've actually been looking for trousers this color for quite some time! The warehouse sale had such amazing deals, and I was absolutely thrilled to find dozens of items for a quarter of the retail price! I'll be posting pictures of the sale tomorrow, so stay tuned for that as well!

blouse, secondhand. blazer, secondhand. trousers, american apparel. booties, h&m. necklace, h&m. clutch, american apparel.

happy friday everyone!

now playing: yeah yeah yeahs, "tick"

US launch of very(dot)com!

2011-11-17T12:29:00.001-08:00

I'm excited to say that the British retailer, very.com, is finally launching a US website! The variety of clothing available on their site has left me in awe, and I can't wait to pick up a few pieces of my own. The jumper pictured above is by far my favorite, and I can already imagine myself donning it along with some cable knit tights, a chunky cardigan and wedge booties. If you're interested in browsing their selection (which you should be), then click here to see the full site!

Very.com will also be having a wonderful Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale! If you'd like to sign up for special e-mail alerts and a VIP 20% discount, you can do so here.

Enjoy!!

Knits, Velvet and Denim

2011-11-15T13:28:00.001-08:00

I pulled out my velvet leggings for the first time this season, wearing them with layers, layers and more layers of clothes. Also pictured are my new Dolce Vita wedges!

denim shirt, gap. cardigan, american apparel. scarf, gap. velvet stirrup leggings, american apparel. wedges, dolce vita.

I always promised myself I would never wear leggings as pants; that is, until I tried on these babies. I see it as acceptable though, since they are ~~probably~~ the coolest thing since sliced bread. It seems that my love for velvet grows stronger and stronger every year. Almost positive I'll be picking up another pair of said leggings before the season is over, just in case they aren't made anymore! The best part about them is definitely the stirrup, my long legs make it impossible to keep regular leggings below my ankles.

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All hail the lovely new Dolce Vita wedges!

I'm so head over heels for these heels (ha, ha), and for only sixty dollars they were an absolute steal.

Thread Show Giveaway!

2011-11-11T20:34:00.001-08:00

Have you ever heard of the Thread Show event? If not, now is the time to find out more! Thread Show is a huge gathering that happens ten times a year, hosting a phenomenal showcase of the biggest and best designers in your local area! For the upcoming event in San Francisco, the lovely people behind Thread Show have offered me two sets of tickets to give away to my followers. The tickets I have for you are VIP and will allow you access to the event 1 hour before everyone else, including a free drink from the bar, lovely goodies and a chance to browse around before the crowd begins to swarm in! What more could you want?

read more about the event here!

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area or will be here on Sunday, November 20, then feel free to enter the giveaway! All you need to do is follow my blog through blogger or bloglovin' and leave a comment below with your name and e-mail for contact purposes.

The deadline to enter will be Thursday night at 11:59 PST. I will announce the winner on Friday, November 18th. Good luck everyone!

Theory Blouse

2011-11-10T21:02:00.001-08:00

Happy Saturday everyone!

In this outfit, I'm wearing my awesome possum secondhand theory blouse. I bought it at a rummage sale for $3! It's nearly brand new, and the pattern is just fantastic. I've had so many good secondhand finds, this being one of the best; shopping at thrift stores/rummage sales has some wonderful benefits.

Pairing winter/summer clothing has always been one of my favorite things. shorts with sweaters is and always will be a great eclectic style choice. I also paired patterned shorts with a patterned blouse! layering the sweater on top helped to create a smoother palette with similar hues.

rings & bracelet, h&m. watch, great grandmothers.

merino wool sweater, secondhand. theory blouse, secondhand. floral shorts, buffalo exchange. socks, gap. wedges, h&m.

If you're an SF local, make sure to enter my Thread Show ticket giveaway!

now playing: college, "a real hero (ft. electric youth)"

Burgundy Booties

2011-11-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

Good morning and good day everyone! I decided to start my morning bright and early with this blog post and the now ritualized cup of coffee. Lately I've been leaving it at a single cup a day, though it's oh so difficult! I read an interesting article which you can peek at here, and it helped me to realize I really need to tone down my caffeine intake. Hip fractures? No, thank you very much. Not only am I addicted to coffee/caffeine in general, but the flavor is phenomenal (with a good cup of coffee, of course). It's a challenge to minimize my sippage, though I have been successful so far.

sweater, secondhand. scarf, forever. maxi skirt, american apparel. booties, zara. ring, h&m.

The booties pictured were featured in an earlier post, along with some lovely chanel sunnies. I haven't worn them much because they make the tops of my feet sore after a few hours (uber lame). I'm hoping they will loosen up with a few more wears and if they don't, I guess I'll just have to take the pain for styles sake. These babies are killer, so it's totally worth it.

On a non-fashion note, has anyone been following the Occupy movement?

I have, and I am supportive of the protests 100%. I live very close to Oakland, which is where a lot of controversial actions by both police and protestor have been taking place. Most protestors have been peaceful, though the few that decided to "fight back" (aka destroying property of local businesses) have drawn quite a lot of attention. Though the looting and destruction of property is not okay, I believe the individuals causing these problems know little to nothing about the rooted reasons for Occupy. They have left a sour taste in the mouths of the media and general public, and these people have become the face of the Occupy movement. Unfortunately there are often a few apples that ruin the bunch (case in point), though I will still stand behind Occupy.

I have yet to go out and protest, however I will (hopefully) be making a trip out to Oakland or San Francisco soon to do just that! As for things I can do at home, I have taken my money out of a "big bank", and am now banking locally with a non-profit credit union. Same benefits with even better interest, and I'm doing what I can to take away all suport from the terrible corporate bloodsuckers, to put it lightly.

I could talk about the extreme distaste I hold for the 1% all day, though I need to head off to work.

If you live in the United States and want to make a difference (everything counts, really), then I suggest you bank at a credit union! It's the least you can do if you truly care about giving power back to the middle class.

Have a lovely day everyone, and thanks for reading!

now playing: The Temper Trap, "Rest"

Fader

2011-11-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

black & white; it's rare that I wear this shade combo outside of work! layering different textures definitely helped to personalize the look.

sweater (brooks brothers), secondhand. lace button up, h&m. knit circle scarf, gap. pants, h&m. desert boots, report. ring, h&m.

coat from target, '09

Knit on knit on knit to greet this weeks rain. I love the feeling of bundling up under piles of clothes in cold weather, sipping on a coffee and cuddling with my dog. The majority of this week consisted of just that, and some cheesy good Disney movies with the bf. I've also been fighting a very unpleasant cold, which has unfortunately won. I've probably gone through 200 tissues, and the headache/red nose that goes along with said cold is not fun.

For now I'm anchoring down at home, enjoying the extra hour brought with this morning. Then off to Indian buffet with the bf & work this afternoon. Happy Sunday everyone!

Brass Buttons

2011-11-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

head-scarf, secondhand. wool sweater, secondhand. plaid button-up, urban renewal. coat, h&m. jeans, zara. cap toed shoes, secondhand. sunglasses, oliver peoples.

This is the lovable cat (girl or boy? I have no idea.) that lives in my front yard. I'm sure all of my neighbors think I'm crazy because every time I come home, I stand outside and meow. Eventually said cat meows back, prances up to me and rubs its cute little face all over my clothes. I've never met a cat with such a wide range of meows as this one.

For some reason, cats have taken a liking to me these past few months. They must feel my soft spot for animals or something, because they are swarming to me in the masses. Of course, I'm loving every minute of it. I'm definitely an animal person, and I'll probably be a crazy old dog/cat lady when I grow up; I've accepted my fate & have gotten used to the idea.

Finally, the weather has cooled down. No more cold mornings and hot middays, at least for now. It's actually raining today (yay!!), thus calling for layers and layers of clothes. I've finally pulled out all the knits & coats, preparing myself for the months ahead. Looking at my winter wardrobe, I realize I need to stock up on more sweaters, so hopefully I'll be going thrifting sometime soon! All I hope is that the coat wearing weather stays as such, because fall really is my favorite season.

In this post, I'm wearing two of my most recent thrifts. I picked up the shoes and sweater at my temples rummage sale (along with dozens of other pieces). The cap toed shoes were pre scuffed and were brand new when donated to the temple, one of the many benefits of receiving donations in Marin County. All the wealthy people donate their unworn clothes/accessories that were purchased on whim, and the poor college student (me) picks up key items for a steal!

(side note: I'm referring to a Buddhist temple, as my mothers side of the family is Buddhist.)

Have a lovely Thursday everyone, xox

now playing: Florence and the Machine, "Bedroom Hymns" (from the newest album, Ceremonials. If you haven't, I would highly suggest you listen to it! Haunting and absolutely beautiful.)

We Can Do It!

2011-11-02T09:38:00.001-07:00

Me, dressed up as Rosie the Riveter for Halloween. See those guns? Yeah, they're huge; I lift weights on the daily.

My costume was a standard outfit I threw together with clothing I already had. All I did was add in a screwdriver, and I was ready to celebrate!

scarf worn as headband, vintage. denim romper, secondhand. opaque tights, american apparel. sneakers, vans low-pro. lipstick, ysl rogue volupte in red muse. nails, opi.

Happy belated Halloween! I didn't do much at all to celebrate the holiday (there isn't much to do if you're under 21 *sobs*), though I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with friends. My evening consisted of wandering around Chestnut Street in SF, munching on a delicious veggie burger and girl talk with the ladies & effeminate man friends. I was finally able to see the people I've been missing, which was definitely the highlight of my night.

What did you do for Halloween? I hope it was splendid!

A Quick Taste

2011-11-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

A little preview of my Halloween costume. Above are some instagram'ed photos from yesterday, the first taken at work and the second being my actual costume. Dress code prevented me from decking myself out in a denim tuxedo and all black low pro's, so instead I opted for my orange accordion pleated maxi skirt & a black blouse, along with the bat on my cheek. It may look like a sticker, but I drew it on myself! I used liquid liner & nars pencil eyeshadow to fill it in. Hope everyone enjoyed their Halloween; I wish I could post all of my photos, but I'll be doing that tomorrow! For now I need to focus on an art gallery analysis paper for my art history class.

Silken Snakeskin

2011-11-01T13:18:00.000-07:00

not pictured: a thick, cream colored cable knit cardigan (secondhand, and perfect for cold weather)

silk snakeskin print shirt, secondhand. cardigan, american apparel. jeans, zara. shoes, secondhand. hat, forever.

I got these shoes last weekend for $3; my temples rummage sales are the best.

It's November 1st! That means only 26 more days before my 20th birthday. I'm so old! And not only will it be my birthday, but Thanksgiving break! I can finally get a full day off of school and work, which is something I've lacked for more than two months.

ps: later today I'm going to post my outfit from Halloween, so look forward to that as well!

Kitty Cat Claws

2011-10-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Pictures of reef and a mystery cat (the tabby) outside the bf's house. It's always such a pleasant surprise to see these two lounging around on the grass, soaking up all the sunlight they can get. I don't even know how many photos I have of them, but there are a lot.

Love these little buggers!

Long Time

2011-10-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

The best thing about long hair is that you can pull it into a quick, messy bun and it will still look awesome.

blazer, gap. turtleneck, secondhand. acid wash jeans, cheap monday. matisse wedges, secondhand. ysl belt, secondhand. jewelry, assorted vintage/h&m.

Even though the weather doesn't call for layers and layers of clothes (yet), I'm wearing them anyways. This turtleneck was such an awesome find, brand new & only $2! Same with the wedges, but those were $3. Oh, so so pricey. If I could gush about my love for secondhand everything for hours, I totally would. Alas, that's a bit excessive.

Agenda for the day: errands, homework and work. Granted, I have about half the work load I did last week, though I'm still on the sleep deprived train. Maybe that's why this post is filled with random, incessant comments about everything that isn't important in the world? Oh well.

So for tomorrow, I plan to make a post about cats (yes, I'm serious, cats), and I'm hoping you'll love it. It will be about two little felines, the ones that run around outside of my boyfriends house. I have some great shots of them I'd like to share!

A California Fall

2011-10-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

this dress isn't form fitting enough at the bottom (it bellows out a bit because it's such an old dress), but a quick twist & hair tie to hold it in place does the trick!

you can see miss reef kitty, hangin' out behind me. she's even cute all bokeh'd out!

knit crop tee, h&m. bodycon floral dress, secondhand. desert boots, report. sunglasses, chanel. jewelry, assorted.

I love making odd combinations of clothes & accessories. Desert boots with a dress and a knit crop sweater? Yes please. This is my "it's hot but I'm going to wear boots anyways because I wish it was fall" outfit. Can't you tell?

Hey guys, just running around town in a dress, in October. Really? This weather is making me go crazy. I begin getting excited that fall is finally here with the cool weather, then it goes back up into 80's! The weather in California right now is more sporadic than the emotions of a thirteen year old girl. Hot damn.

And then this morning, I wake up and it's a cool 40 out. It's so cold that I start uncontrollably shaking right when I go outside. Granted, it was 6:30am, and now the weather is spiking up into the high 70's. Guess I'm just going to have to sweat it out (literally) in the blazer & turtleneck I'm sporting.

In other news, I'm finally done with all midterm related projects! I finished my speech (which I did really well on, to my surprise) and all this weeks homework is out of the way. Now I can get back to enjoying some time with my friends, starting tomorrow night! Yes yes yes. So excited.

How has your week been, lovelies?

now playing: mgmt, "song for dan treacy"

Seasonal Hues

2011-10-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

double-breasted cardigan, american apparel. pussybow blouse, h&m. skirt, urban outfitters. tights, anthropologie (last year). shoes, secondhand.

I'm wearing my favorite pair of tights in this post! My boyfriend got them for me last year when he worked at Anthropologie. I absolutely love them & they are the prettiest tights I have ever seen. They work as a great outfit staple when I don't feel like mixing/matching a lot. If only I had a backup pair (or two...or three).

I'm off to work on illustration homework & a sample shirt for clothing construction. Happy Tuesday everyone!

Navy Stripes and Lace Collars

2011-10-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

sweater, american apparel. navy lace button up, h&m. jeans, h&m. oxfords, aldo.

A quick & simple outfit post. This was one of those days where you wake up, feel like some sort of undead creature and just throw on whatever feels the most comfortable. This sweater was my boyfriends awhile back, though I have stolen it from him since. It's super thick & comfy, making it great for layering. On another note, can't the cool fall days be here already? Im tired of this 75 - 80 degree weather. I want chunky scarves, thick sweaters and big ol' boots! I just need to move into SF, it's obviously where I belong (especially with the fog, my faaaavorite).

Happy monday everyone!

Felts, Florals and Fall Leaves

2011-10-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

I've actually never worn this cardigan before, as I felt it was not flattering to my already curvy hips. Belting it with a dress resolved my little predicament, and I can already tell it's going to be a great layering piece for fall.

Even though the past weeks sporadic weather changes are not reflective of the current season, I'm trying to emanate the vibrant hues though my choice of dress.

I love combining different shapes in my jewelry; square, round, long & thin, octagonal--throw anything my way and I'll wear it all together in a mess of finger decorated goodness.

felted wool hat, h&m. floral dress, secondhand. viscose shawl cardigan in truffle, american apparel. belt, secondhand. braided espadrille wedge, secondhand. rings, h&m.

I love how slowly but surely, the ground is finally being covered with dried leaves. Everything is changing colors; from withered browns to bright reds, yellows and orange. The main indicator of fall is right in my front yard; I have a liquid amber tree, and the colors right now are absolutely magnificent.

I wish there was a better shot of my wedges, they were such a great find! I bought them for $2 at my temples rummage sale (which is actually this weekend, and I am stoked beyond belief), and I wore them constantly last year. After wearing out my affinity for them, I put them in a giveaway box. I tend to sort my giveaways before I actually get rid of them (if you don't do this I would highly suggest it), as I'm crazy and often put really awesome items in said box. Thankfully, I went through my goodwill donations the other day and pulled these bad boys out. They are so comfy, and they are the only heel I own that doesn't make me tower over everyone else. At 5'8, I don't need much more height, though I do love me some platforms.

At the moment, I'm in the campus library, blogging my little heart away. I'm so glad that I actually have the chance to write something along with my outfit posts! School has been quite hectic, but I am almost done with midterms/the projects that go along with it, so expect more detailed posts for the future! :)

This morning has been fairly crazy in itself; as if a 30 minute commute to class wasn't enough, a huge section of the highway was closed off because of an oil spill, thus making me late to class. I was earlier than most, though, because both of my morning classes were cancelled! If only I knew, then I wouldn't have woken up at 5am for nothing. Only 3.5 more hours till my next class -- homework, bring it on. I will demolish you.

Happy Thursday everyone, wishing you a wonderful day! xox

now playing: Yo La Tengo, "(Straight Down To The) Bitter End"

Mirage Makers

2011-10-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

chiffon maxi dress, h&m. cropped lace tee, h&m. espadrille wedges, steve madden. bag, coach.

Just some quick snapshots taken before work the other day. I never get the chance to wear this dress, so I decided that throwing a crop tee over it would dress it down enough for work. Also, I can finally drive comfortably in these platform wedges! Took me awhile to get used to it, though it's fairly easy now.

Sorry posts have been so short, I'm overwhelmed with homework and I don't get the chance to write as much as I would like. Hope everyone is doing well!

now playing: college "a real hero (ft. electric youth)"

velvet & gold

2011-10-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

cardigan, gap. dress, american apparel. boots, zara. satchel, h&m. necklace, h&m. sunglasses, chanel.

Pulling out the velvet garb, one of the many reasons I love fall!

Milk Thistle

2011-10-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

just noticed that I look really windswept here...and I'm totally cool with that. all mysterious behind my shades and whatnot.

dress, $3 secondhand. coat, secondhand from a friend. booties, h&m. sunglasses, rb3447.

I am in such a great mood right now, sleep deprived and all! I just got out of my Art History class, and found out I got an A on the midterm! I'm stoked, especially since I studied so hard for it. I only got 7 questions wrong out of 75, and scored 100% on the second section of the test. I feel like a celebratory dance is appropriate, though I'm going to wait till I see my boyfriend so that I have someone to fist pump/hop around with.

In other insignificant/unimportant news, I finally installed a new stereo in my car. Now instead of repetitively listening to a cd until my head explodes, my friends and I can choose songs at our whim and create awesome driving playlists on my iPhone. Speaking of iPhone's, who has downloaded iOS 5? Well, I have and it's amazing. I'm in love. If I could marry an inatimate object, I would marry this phone (If you know me, then you know I say that about everything, but this is different. It's true love. True, I tell you).

<rant> I'm so tired right now that I'm making spelling mistakes with almost every other word. My fingers are not listening to my brain, and it's frustrating. I guess it's time for my 500th cup of joe for the day. </end rant>

Anywho, this outfit screams pumpkin/halloween/fall love. This is me, intentionally celebrating the change in weather/the month of October. If it could be fall for half of the year, I would not complain. Alas, the cool perfect weather is gone once again, and it's 85 degrees outside. Oh global warming, you sleigh me. At least I have a big floppy hat to protect my translucent skin from the lovely UV rays.

I'm off to write a speech outline & go write up a gallery paper, have a good day everyone xox

now playing: conor oberst & the mystic valley band, "sausalito"

day and night

2011-10-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

blouse, h&m. pleather jacket, forever. pleated maxi in pumpkin, american apparel. cut-out oxfords, jeffrey campbell. purse, coach.

wassup y'all, posing for the camera like it's no ones business

pulling off the "deer in headlights" look pretty well right here

Good morning all! Quickly enjoying a cup of coffee and writing out a post before I head off to work. I haven't updated in a few days, so sorry about that! I've been trying to write at least every other day, though with midterms right here I've focused my spare time on studying. I think it's paid off so far, since I totally aced my art history test yesterday. Ok, well I'm not sure of my grade yet, though the test was a total breeze. There were one or two questions I had trouble with, but that's it! All I have left is a fashion illustration midterm (my favorite class, so that shouldn't be a problem) and a speech. I'm far from the best when it comes to public speaking, so that one will take a lot of practice. I get the average case of nerves: shaky hands, shaky voice, butterflies in my stomach, trouble with eye contact and voice projection, and to top it all off, I rarely remember anything that happened after I finish speaking! Something I really need to work on, but hey, that's what speech class is for, isn't it? Guess I'm one of the many Americans that causes public speaking to be the #1 fear in the country.

The outfit above is what I wore to SF last Friday, though my Chanel sunnies are not pictured here. The last two pictures were taken at Off The Grid, which is a huge food truck gathering where foodies come out and enjoy their favorite cuisines. There were about 30 food trucks that night, making my dinner choice difficult. I finally decided on Senor Sisig, which had a recommendation from both of my friends. Senor Sisig serves Asian/Mexican fusion dishes such as burritos filled with french fries, tofu, guac and salsa. With such odd but enticing items, who was I to say no? The burrito was absolutely amazing, and I'm heading back to OTG this Friday and I plan on trying a different dish. I'll try and keep you updated through le blog/twitter about it. It takes place every Friday at Fort Mason so if you're in the area, I would highly suggest checking it out!

Below are some quick unedited shots I took last Friday:

A fairly large walking protest that paraded through Union Square & surrounding streets. There was a precession of police officers as well as an overhead helicopter. The shopping tourists had a blast, and some of them acted as though seeing this was like seeing Santa Claus shimmy down through the fireplace.

The protest took place on the 10th anniversary of our invasion of Iraq/Afghanistan/neighboring areas. I wholeheartedly agree with these individuals, US occupation should end now.

A few shots of the sunset on Grant Street. Being able to experience such beautiful moments in the city makes me crave an apartment of my own. I would love to live in SF with friends, as I've always been the city dwelling type.

My new sunnies (and more)

2011-10-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

the lens is a grey-ish gradient, though when out in the sun, it's more of a mahogany color. It goes really well with my pale skin tone.

The CC logo is made of inlaid mother of pearl, with a wooden panel surrounding it. The details in these sunglasses are to die for!

Good morning everyone! So todays post is about two of the new items I received/purchased this past week. If you keep updated with me through twitter (or if you want to, click the link in my sidebar), then you'll remember that I mentioned getting a free pair of Chanel sunglasses. Well, these are it! Since I've worked at my current job for over a year, I'm eligible to get a free pair of sunglasses through any Sunglass Hut location. I decided to browse the selection at the flagship store in SF, right near Union Square. These were one of the first pairs I tried on, and I fell in love right away. I'll try and take some photographs with them on and post them as soon as I get the chance!

As for below, I bought these boots at Zara the same day I got my new Chanels. They unexpectedly match the lens color on my sunnies, so yay for that! (I actually didn't even notice, my friend had to tell me, haha)

the chunky heel is what stole my heart.

unfortunately these are fairly tight and hurt the tops of my feet. I realized this halfway through a seven hour shift & had to deal with the pain for a few hours. I learned the hard way, but these are definitely not work/walking shoes. Oh well, I still love them nonetheless!

also, the zipper detailing is gorgeous. ahh, new favorite fall/winter boots, ~~marry me~~!

I have a few more photographs from my day in SF, though I'll be putting those in my next outfit post. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and thanks for reading!

now playing: Bob Dylan, "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream"

Cold Light

2011-10-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

plaid shirt, urban renewal. coat, target. jeans, zara. shoes, h&m. lipstick, MAC matte in Russian Red

I actually bought this coat about three years ago when I was in high school & worked for target (those were some dark days, believe me). It was only $10, so I could not leave without it!

lil miss reef, lounging on the steps to my boyfriends apartment. She is the one of the cutest and sweetest kitties I've ever met!

the sun had just begun to peak through the clouds, so I decided to snap a shot of it :)

Happy Saturday everyone!

I've been pretty busy lately, but not with school! One of the first times I can say that. Yesterday after my illustration class I drove into SF with my friend Ahmed for some shopping and food, of course. I'll tell you more about it in tomorrows post, and I'll also show you pictures of my new boots from Zara, the new Coach purse my boyfriend bought for me, and my free Chanel sunglasses that I just picked up (I hope you're as excited as I am!). It will be a fairly big post, and a nice aesthetic pick me up for the first day of the week!

I had said I would post a little something yesterday, but I never got the chance to write it. I woke up at 7, and didn't stop running around till 11 that night! Sorry everyone, but I promise I'll make up for it tomorrow. For now I hope all of you enjoy your weekends! I'm off to study for a bit and then head out to work till 9pm.

now playing: Audrye Sessions, "Awake"

Pleather & Patterns

2011-10-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

coat, gap. patterned sweater, secondhand. pleather/cotton pants, h&m. boots, h&m. polka dot nails, diy w/ gargantuan green grape by opi

My hair is finally starting to grow out again! I had about 5 inches cut off a few months ago because of some nasty split ends, and now I can see that it's beginning to grow back. The length used to reach past my belly button, and I miss it so much. It's for the better though, since my hair would have broken off over time anyways. (I need to get a trim soon, however ~~*sheds a tear*~~)

Greetings from the currently rain soaked California! It has been showering on and off since Sunday, and I'm loving every minute of it. Fall weather is my favorite, as I think it takes more of a keen eye to put together a great layered outfit. I love seeing the different ways people accessorize their cold weather looks, then incorporating the kitschiness in my own way!

Can you see the different fabrics on my pants? Goodness, I'm enamored with these. Without question, my favorite part about this outfit was my pants. Although I've been trying to stay away from darker colors for fall and winter, I felt like pairing this crazy sweater with minimalistic pieces would help keep a sophisticated (but still vintage-y) look. I've had this sweater for three years at least, and I still remember the day that I got it. I was poking around goodwill with my best friend, Amelia, when she came across the sweater. I think she knew my style better than I did at the time, because I tried it on and wasn't fully swept away by the piece. She convinced me to buy it, and I am so glad she did. I consider this sweater a staple piece for my wardrobe; the crazy print and gorgeous green hue are so lovely together. Every time I wear this sweater, I think of Amelia, and how much I miss her now that she lives in Florida. Hopefully I will see you soon, beautiful!

I have a small post prepared for tomorrow as well, so I hope you get a chance to read it! Happy fall everyone :)

Leopard scarves and red roses

2011-10-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

scarf as head wrap, h&m. blouse, gap. lace dress, secondhand. belt, secondhand. assorted bracelets/ring, h&m. loafers, secondhand.

Afternoon, everyone! Hope all of you had a stellar weekend. For once, I can say that I did as well! It did consist of work both days, though I was actually able to go out and enjoy myself after. I spent yesterday evening in San Francisco with a friend, roaming around the Castro districts thrift stores and after quite a long, traffic congested ride, shopping in Union Square. I scored such a great deal while at Crossroads Trading Co, finding a pair of woven Jeffrey Campbell oxfords for only $27! I also bought a lovely pleated purple dress, which has a really interesting print. After our shopping excursions, we concluded the night with grilled cheeses and fries at a corny, 50's inspired diner. I had a blast being able to relax, and the fun outing was long overdue.

This week, I've begun to feel a lot less stressed with my schedule and homework load. With less classes on my hands I'm able to stop, breathe, and enjoy my youth. I'm still busy as ever, though now I'll be able to spend some time (at least once a week) with friends, or just cuddling on the couch with my pup, watching a cheesy drama series.

For this outfit I went with something light, hoping it would keep me cool for my five hour, non air conditioned drawing class. I was expecting the sun to be shining just as it had the day before, though I went outside to find that it was overcast and quite gloomy. Unfortunately this dress & blouse were the only things I had with me, so I was stuck wearing summer clothes on a cold day. It actually started to rain later, leaving me shivering and wishing the sun would break through the thick gray clouds. I learned my lesson, and now I will always check the weather report when I'm packing clothes for a night at my boyfriends house!

Have a fantastic Tuesday, everyone!

now playing: God Help The Girl, "God Help The Girl"

Charmingly Awkward

2011-10-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

I present to you picture overload!

blazer, gap. pleated dress, aubergines vintage emporium. belt, ysl. watch, vintage. oxfords, aldo.

I don't have time to write much today, as I'm about to head out with a friend! We'll be schmoozing over coffee and after, I''m getting an mp3 jack installed in my car for never ending car party time.

This dress is by far one of my favorites, and I scored it for a sweet $18 at a local vintage boutique. I've found so many ways to wear the piece, and I grow more fond of it with each use. The best part is the delicate pleats, which (unfortunately) you can barely see here.

Hope everyone enjoys their Saturday! Over in SF it's nice and foggy (the best weather ever), and I'm enjoying said coolness by wearing knit tights and a deep blue dress!

Peace out, till next post.

Currently Listening: Street To Nowhere, "Waste My Life For You"

Tired Eyes, Tired Minds

2011-09-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

plaid button up, secondhand. lace tee, h&m. pants, zara. desert boots, I don't remember!

Wearing the always beautiful red pants, once again. I would say jeans, though they're not very denim-ish. I can already see myself living in these for fall and winter, though I'll try to limit myself to once a week. Goodness, that's going to be hard. I think it's about time to stock up on more bright colored/patterned pants! Though I don't think there's ever a time I shouldn't be buying as many said pants as possible.

Usually I wear this lace top without an undershirt, but I felt that was not school appropriate garb. It would definitely look better with a tan camisole, though I'm short on those right now so this one sufficed.

Oh, and the boots! I just picked up these desert boots for a whopping $30, such a steal. The best part is the comfort. I've already worn these for an eight hour standing shift and my feet didn't hurt a bit after work. Again, another piece I want to wear nonstop for the next few seasons.

I'm sorry to leave the post short, but I am seriously exhausted, and that's an understatement. Currently running off of five hours of sleep, with bags on my under eye bags, literally. I'm less than a month into the semester, and I have maybe an few hours of free time for the whole week. My homework load keeps growing, so now I have an endless list of things I need to do. Last night, I reassessed my situation, and I'm probably going to drop my pattern-making class. It's only two units, but it requires at least three hours of homework every week. ~~Thanks so much, budget cuts!~~ To me, it's not worth it to continue on in the class (especially since it doesn't even count towards my major). Hopefully with one class out of the picture, I'll be able to fully focus on my other subjects and even have a social life! What a dream come true.

For now, I bid you all adieu and hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

now playing: Elliot Smith, "I Better Be Quiet Now"

Crushing Moths

2011-09-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

hat, forever. sunglasses, ray ban. crop tee, h&m. skirt, secondhand. sandals, secondhand.

Good morning/midday everyone! I'm adding in midday because I started writing out this post at 10:45, but it probably won't be up for your pretty little eyes until around noontime.

How's this fine Tuesday treating everyone? I actually had a great start to my morning, as I found out last night that my 7:30am class was cancelled! Can I get a hell yeah?! That means I was actually able to sleep in for once; granted, sleeping in for me on schooldays is 6:45am. Nonetheless I feel refreshed and I'm glad I was able to get a full 8 hours. I did have the pleasure of experiencing the headache that is highway commute traffic this morning, so in the long run it's good I'm taking the earliest class available at my school.

I'm not sure if any of you read my last post (if you did, then you're the coolest, ever), but I was talking about how it was raining and gloomy all of Sunday. To cut the story short, now it's a blazing 85 degrees out, and I'm hating global warming and all of those self absorbed corporations that have ruined the earth. Now I'm not going to go off on a rant just yet, but I'm sure there will be one on here eventually. :)

Here, I'm wearing a skirt that I've had for about three years now. It used to be my favorite when I was in high school; I wore it almost every week. As with almost everything I own, it was eventually lost in my endless drawers of clothing. I just recently unearthed it, as an archaeologist would unearth an ancient dinosaur skeleton. Okay, it's not that old, but I hadn't seen the skirt in ages. If only I had found it towards the beginning of summer, and not the end. Oh well, I love it like a mama loves her infant child anyways.

ps: the title is just a joke, for one of my friends. I would never crush a moth! I just catch them and put em outside. :)

now playing: Daft Punk, Alive 2007

Clashing Motifs

2011-09-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

cardigan & dress, h&m. belt, ysl. tights, anthropologie. shoes, gift from my bf.

Happy Sunday! First day of the week, so refreshing. Currently sitting here on my laptop, sipping away on the oh-so-addictive Tully's Kona coffee that I brewed with my newest friend, Keurig. Almost done with my first cup, and about to go back for a second. Healthy addiction? Of course not, though it is much better than carcinogenic sticks or liver rotting liquids. Mmmm, didn't that just put the best image in your head?

As you can tell here, I'm wearing patterns on top of patterns, on top of patterns. This is something that I used to do a lot a few years ago (think of high school, when waking up and getting ready was the most dreadful thing on my plate), almost every day actually. My style has come a long way since then, with my wardrobe choice being far more refined (I was actually having a conversation about this last night with a friend). I really enjoy dressing in clashing patterns on occasion, and with the changing weather, I'm sure you'll see a lot of it from me this upcoming season!

Speaking of, weather in the San Francisco bay area is absolutely sporadic. Two days ago it was blazing hot and dry, and this morning it's raining. I'm hoping the cold weather will stay constant, though it's supposed to be ninety degrees on Monday. Let's just hope the weather channel is wrong! I'm totally ready to pull out the knit sweaters, boots and wool socks. Anybody else with me on that one?

PS: I forgot to mention, I cut my hair! If you look at older posts, you'll see I didn't really have bangs. For the past six months I've been trying to grow them out. I felt so plain without something sweeping across my forehead, so I decided chop off my hair before classes one day. I just grabbed a pair of scissors and started snipping away. I'm completely satisfied with the cut, and I have no idea why I wanted to grow them out in the first place! I guess I'm just a banged up kinda girl.

Apricots & Canteloupe

2011-09-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

watch, great grandmothers. lipstick, mac "vegas volt". everything else, h&m.

Hey all, how's your week going?

For this post, all of my clothes is coincidentally from h&m. Promise, I didn't plan it. That would just be silly. Since the weather is still blistering hot here in California, I decided to fall back on some summer trends and continue on with the light dressing. I've been trying to wear layers, pants, boots etc. but believe me, it is definitely not working out. Shorts and a tee are far more appropriate for this 90 degree weather. I'm not a "simple" outfit person though (unless it's for work), so I added in the lace button up. Just thin enough for the heat. And the best part is that it's wearable in so many different ways! I actually have it in black and navy as well (don't judge me! it's a necessity to have all these pieces).

Currently: hidden in the back of the library, snuggled up on a sofa chair while munching away on a Clif bar. I'm sitting here making a mental planner of the homework I'll be doing later today, which will be my attempt to get school assignments out of the way so I can actually enjoy one day of social interactions with friends. Hopefully there will be a bit of the ol' Ryan Gosling thrown in there (swoon), and some tasty mom and pop food.

I hate to blog and run, but I actually have a meeting with a FIDM representative in just a bit! Excited to chat about different major options and term pricing. Still contemplating which college I actually want to go to (FIT in NY is also high up on my list), though if I end up attending FIDM it will be at the accredited Los Angeles campus.

now playing: Bon Iver, "Wash" (from the self-titled album)

Floral Creams

2011-09-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

I love the way this skirt drapes. The only downside is that it wrinkles really easily, though it's still a great $3 find.

It's not all that noticeable with layers, but the maxi skirt I'm wearing is actually about five sizes too big (if I don't wear a belt, it wont even stay on my waist). When belted, though, it looks like a paper bag waisted skirt, which I really like.

This hair clip was an impulse buy, as I hadn't even been looking to buy hair clips. I thought that the simple clean look of this clip was a perfect accent to my obsession with gold toned everything, so into my shopping bag it went.

hair clip, h&m.

blouse(s), gap. maxi skirt, secondhand. belt, secondhand. espadrilles, steve madden.

Finally! I found time to edit photos, thus ze new blog post. *high fives all around*

How has everyone been doing? I hope all of you enjoyed your weekends. I spent my Saturday and Sunday working, as per usual. After work, I had copious amounts of fun doing homework, yeeeaaaah.

This is probably one of the lightest colored outfits I've ever worn, and believe me when I say that I was extra cautious with where I placed my derriere. I would love to wear white and cream colored outfits more often, though the realist in me knows that the tones would not work out for a normal school day. This wasn't exactly the most form fitting outfit, but the comfort level was off the charts. Even though I trekked around campus all day in wedges, these are some of the most comfortable shoes that I own.

Currently: tying myself down, trying to fall into the flow of the busy days ahead. I have a lot planned for this week on top of already time consuming homework, but I promise you, I'll try to update my blog at least every other day!

now playing: the velvet underground, "she's my best friend"

tidbits

2011-09-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

(Fairly quick portrait I drew for homework last week. Kate Moss on the cover of American Vogue, September issue)

(First fashion illustration I've done, drawn in 1 hour. It's hard to tell, but the model is Abbey Lee Kershaw x Gap pants collection.)

Hey guys! I'm sorry I haven't posted in a few days, school has really gotten the best of me. I'm currently backlogged on posts (I just have to edit them, lets hope I can find the time), and I'm trying to catch up on them up asap! For now, I hope you enjoy some of my most recent drawings. Both of these were drawn for my fashion design & illustration class, which is definitely my favorite out of this semesters course load. Looking forward to seeing how my skills will progress over the semester, as it's been less than a month and I already feel like I'm getting the hang of illustration!

Hopefully I'll have an outfit post up for all of you tomorrow. Happy Sunday!

Chunky Cardi, Bordeaux Bottom

2011-09-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

sweater, gap. blouse, secondhand. chiffon maxi skirt, american apparel. booties, h&m.

Good morning! Hope everyone is well and your week is going by smoothly.

For this outfit, I was going for a darker look (obviously), topping off the contrast of my outfit by matching a matte lipstick to my bordeaux maxi. I just bought this chunky knit cardi the other day, and I'm already wishing the weather was ice cold (well maybe not ice, just not 85 like it's been every day) so that I can wear it without breaking a sweat! I had worn the cardi as a layering piece for my 6am drive to school, and for the first few hours of school when it was still a cool 60 degrees out. Later in the day, it heated up quite a bit, forcing me to take off the piece (even though I really, really didn't want to). In these photos it was actually already about 80 degrees, but I put on the sweater so I could show all of you!

As for now, I'm going to spend the rest of my break between classes watching Zooey Deschanel's latest show, New Girl. It hasn't aired on television yet, but you can download the pilot episode off of iTunes for free! Not gonna lie, I have the biggest girl crush ever on this lady (besides Olivia Wilde and Natalie Portman). Not only does Zooey make some sweet tunes, but she also has a lovely sense of style! Very put together, and her hair always looks flawless. And have you seen those sky blue eyes? MY GOODNESS SHE IS A GODDESS. If you haven't heard her band, She & Him, I recommend you check it out. That is, if you're a lover of folk rock tunes.

Listening now: Designer Drugs, "Drugs in my Body (Thieves Like Us Remix)"

Crescent Collars

2011-09-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

button up, secondhand. yellow blouse, secondhand. jeans, zara. loafers, secondhand. coach bag, secondhand. jewelry, assorted.

Happy Tuesday! What a busy day it's already been for me. Woke up at 5am, presented a speech for class (I was so nervous that my voice was trembling, though I'm assuming the triple shot espresso didn't help the jitters either), learned a hefty load about the Old, Middle and New Kingdom of Egyptian art, and got some informative brochures from FIDM (today is transfer day at my jc, so there are representatives set up throughout the campus). Wow, and the day isn't even half over yet! This will continue to be my Tuesday/Thursday schedule for the rest of the year, let's hope I can keep up.

As for this outfit, everything is secondhand, excluding the jeans. I bought them at Zara a few weeks ago, along with the red pants I wore in one of my previous posts. I'm trying to collect as many colorful pieces for fall as I can, and hopefully I'll be able to obtain more before the cold weather really starts to kick in.

I can't forget to mention NYFW! Goodness, I'm loving so many of the shows so far. Some of the most darling shows I've browsed are Rachel Zoe's, Erin Fetherston's presentation at Milk Studios and of course, DVF's. Rachel's line is so LA, and I love all of the glittered, California chic pieces she presented. I also love the fact that many of the models were wearing flats...almost unheard of for fashion week! Erin Fetherston's was very classic, with the solid bold pieces and textured details. DVF's has been the most coveted so far, which comes as no surprise. I'm swooning over the pastel hues, the classic printed dresses and tailored silhouettes. If I could own her S/S12 collection, my warmer seasoned wardrobe would be purrrfect.

Have you been keeping up with NYFW, and if so, what has been your favorite collection so far? Hope everyone has a wonderful day, xox

Currently listening: The Matches, "Needs and Want" from their final untitled album.

Current Inspirations

2011-09-11T01:13:00.000-07:00

hair lust:

backwards ombre, so perfect. I've always wanted to dye my hair (I've literally never had any chemical treatment on it), though having naturally black hair makes the process far more damaging. Still contemplating ombre though...

this hair clip from Prada's fall 2011 show is so gorgeous. of course, Ginta Lapina's beautiful skin/hair makes the accessory that much better.

sighhh Lara, your hair is amazing in this editorial shot.

coveted accessories:

how can someone make a headscarf and sunglasses work so well? these sunnies look a lot like the Chloe foldable ones that I wanted awhile back (I never bought them, and when I went back to they were out of stock. of course, lucky, lucky me.). and this girl makes me want to wear headscarfs 24/7. so flawless.

buy me this necklace, and I will forever be in debt to you.

really, though. who doesn't want a pair of Karen Walker's sunnies?

and finally, collar cravings:

pony hair studded collars. does it get any better than that? I think not.

the details in this collar have me biting on the hook. as for the blouse in its entirety, the subtle hint of texture throughout along with the light, airy shade is having me drooling for one just like it. The pop of color in her polish doesn't hurt either.

Just a quick inspiration post to start off the week fresh. Hair and accessories that I'm loving at the moment. I hope you enjoy them as well. Happy Sunday, everyone!

These photos were all previously posted on my tumblr and have click through links to the original post on my page. If you want to find the source, there is also a link on my page to the previous blog poster.

Blossoms

2011-09-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

blouse, h&m. kimono top, secondhand. shorts, diy vintage levi's. tights, unknown. socks, gap. oxfords, aldo.

Happy Saturday everyone! Not that mine will be so happy, seeing as my agenda consists of doing homework, going to work till 9pm, more homework and then sleep. Oh, and repeat the same thing for tomorrow as well. Wahoo! This whole school/work deal is always so difficult to balance with a social life. At least it will all be worth it in the long run!

In this outfit, this is actually the first time I have ever worn the kimono top. I love it so much, especially the patterns. They're very traditional Japanese patterns; I know this because at the Buddhist temple my family goes to, every year we have a bazaar and the traditional dancing garb usually consists of a shirt that is this print. The outfits, shoes and fans are always so vibrant during the celebration, so wearing this top is like instant nostalgia for my childhood! And to think that I bought it for only $3, haha.

Sorry this can't be a super long post, like I said I have far too much homework to catch up on for next weeks classes. I've been thinking about doing weekly inspiration/music posts though, and I thought Sunday would be a perfect day to do so! A fresh start to the week, filled with aesthetically pleasing photos, lustful clothing, music and art to get your imaginations flowing. I hope you'll look forward to said Sunday post, depending on the response it may become a weekly thing!

Enjoy your weekends everyone, xox

Bayside High

2011-09-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

polka dot button up tee, vintage from my mother. denim jacket, secondhand. altered shorts, urban renewal. shoes, vans low-pro. jewelry, assorted. sunglasses, ray ban clubmaster.

lil' miss Reef, inspecting a hole in the wall of a neighbors shed. quite the curious feline

Bare with me as I attempt to write out my thoughts...my triple shot americano is slowly wearing off and I'm now starting to feel the symptoms from last nights lack of sleep. School has already taken over my life! Thankfully I'm enjoying all of my classes this semester; the only negative side is that homework for each class is extremely time consuming. Last night, I spent three hours drawing out a portrait for Fashion Illustration. The instructor told the class we only need to spend an hour on the piece, but when I'm home alone I become this crazy perfectionist and I cannot put my pencil down until everything is perfect. What in class takes me an hour, takes me three times longer at home. Definitely something I need to work on, but for now I'll just have to deal with it.

For this outfit I decided to be bold (too much so? maybe) and wear denim on top and bottom! Gettin' a little bit crazy up in here! I absolutely love this outfit, though when I was walking around campus I could tell most people did not (odd looks that said "WHAT is she wearing" is what tipped it off). Thankfully that does't bother me, as I dress to my liking, not others. I believe that wearing what inspires you is the most important thing to focus on. People will always have mixed opinions on your appearance, so why bother trying to please others? It's far too time consuming. <end rant>

Anyways, back to the outfit. My garb for the day was inspired by the television show Saved By the Bell, completed with the ridiculously ~~hideous~~ awesome bulky denim jacket. I wouldn't be surprised if this one I bought secondhand was originally purchased in an attempt to copy the style portrayed on the show.

Currently: Taking refuge from the blistering sun in the campus' air conditioned library, listening to Margot & the Nuclear So and So's and eating an Odwalla banana nut bar.

Enjoy your day everyone! And thank you so much for reading, it really means a lot to me.

Pumpkin Spice

2011-09-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

Get ready for photo overload!

sunglasses, ray ban aviator. sweater, gap. lace tank, secondhand. pleated maxi skirt, american apparel. vintage coach purse, secondhand. shoes, secondhand. nailpolish, opi. jewelry, assorted.

Photos from the other day at my boyfriends house. I'm sure you've noticed the adorable cat above, her name is Reef. Reef is the neighbors cat, though she tends to mosey over to me when I'm walking into my bf's place. She's so sweet and will let you pick her up, pet her belly and even touch her paws. Anytime I'm at the house she cheers me up immediately with her sweet meows and soft purring.

The skirt I'm wearing in these posts is definitely a new favorite! I've been wanting this pleated maxi forever, though I couldn't bring myself to actually purchase it (starving college student here). My love was nice enough to get it for me for our two year anniversary! I was so excited when it finally arrived in the mail :)

The coach purse is an older find of mine. I've had it for over three years but since I'm such a hoarder when it comes to what's in my purse, I rarely use it. I actually found this bag at GoodWill for only $4!! I was so excited when I found it, and the price tag blew me away. Definitely one of the best vintage finds I have, beside my YSL belt that I bought for 50 cents.

Currently: Listening to Bright Eyes (though iTunes just shuffled over to Local Natives), sitting in the library and sipping on a tasty americano (from the amaazing cafe I blogged about the other day). Almost time for class, so for now I bid you adieu!

Come Monday Night

2011-09-04T23:28:00.000-07:00

ring/bracelet, h&m. watch, vintage. nailpolish (or what's left of it) DIY two toned in coral/gold. I absolutely love the floral design on this backpack. I had forgotten about it for awhile, and just recently found it in my under-bed storage case for all my purses & other bags. I'm hoping to get a largish rucksack in the near future for school as well, since for me, one backpack will never be enough.

cardigan, secondhand. blouse, h&m. shorts, h&m. backpack, unknown. trouser socks, gap. shoes, secondhand.

A very relaxed outfit for a full day of classes, I was going for more of a monochromatic look, though it just didn't feel right wearing only beige. Maybe if it were a monochromatic green, orange or red, then it would have worked, but the tan was much too plain for my taste. Throwing in the tiered coral shirt and my rose tinted Oliver People's pulled the outfit together really well. In these pictures (not to be vein), I think my hair looks amazing! I've been trying to find a new way to style my bangs, and nothing seems to be working. The only reason it looks good here is because I did the whole "running my fingers through my hair" action, and that never works out well if I continuously do it throughout the day (though I really, really wish it did).

On to other things, I just wanted to tell all of you about my classes! This semester I'm taking a five hour long (yes, five hours) fashion design & illustration class. So far I'm very fond of the course, as it's helped me to start drawing in my free time again. My teacher had us get a sketchbook to carry around at all times for inspirational purposes, which I'm really enjoying! Over time I'll probably end up posting scans of my art for the class, so I hope all of you will look forward to that :)

currently listening to: god help the girl (if you haven't already, check out their music! I'm absolutely enamored by them.)

2011-09-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

aspirations for this year/next:
-find the perfect purse, within an affordable range (definitely leaning towards a. wang)
-tour fit
-attend nyfw (please, oh please, oh please)
-finally decide what I want to major in within the fashion industry

black, white and red all over.

2011-09-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

back behind my boyfriends house, again. like I said, you'll be seeing a lot of it from now on since I'm up there tuesdays, thursdays and fridays.

polka-dot top, secondhand. pants, zara. boots, h&m. jewelry, vintage/h&m/flea market

caught me mid sentence, hand flail and all! boy aren't I attractive.

Okay, maybe not just black white and red. It had a nice ring to it, that's all. Add in some navy hues along with my gold/orange/brown jewelry, and you've got the whole package.

Quick outfit post before I need to head back to class. Instead of blogging, I spent my class break sipping on some seriously tasty espresso from a nearby outdoor coffee joint, Haven's Cafe. I stumbled across this cafe's yelp page yesterday as I was searching for places that sold Ecco coffee, a local Bay Area coffee that was ranked second best in a recent tasting contest. Only a few minutes walking distance from campus, this place is definitely going to be an everyday stop while I'm at school.

As you can see, I bough red pants! YES. I've been wanting some of these for about a month now, and I knew that Zara was likely to have a pair I would love. I was right! These pants are purrrfect for F/W. I can already see myself wearing them with my camel & mustard coats, a floppy hat and some chunky brown heeled boots. As for the shirt, I've actually had it for quite some time now, I've just never gotten the chance to wear it. With whole large polka dot trend is back in, I thought; why not?

In other new, my boyfriends birthday is tomorrow! This is the third birthday I'll have spent with him, and I'm so glad I'm able to have such a phenomenal man in my life. It'll be his 21st birthday, most likely filled with blurred shenanigans, so of course I'm quite excited...hope everyone enjoys their weekends!

Clairaudients

2011-08-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

(rockin the hand on mah hip like I just don't caaare)

(The afternoon sun at my boyfriends house is just glorious, and I'm absolutely in love with photographing my outfits in his backyard. The area has a really great rustic feel to it)

(awkward photo taken whilst adjusting my tee)

(Let me tell you, it was about 90 degrees out when these photos were taken, and in no way was I happy about wearing this thick knit cardigan. I was burning up the minute I put it on, and being in direct sunlight wasn't helping either. Alas, it had to be done for the sake of proper style blogging. I did it for all of my lovely readers, yeah!)

(can we just talk about how ridiculous my face/arms look in this picture? derpin' it up like a pro)

hat, forever. sweater, h&m. crop tee, vans (thanks to my bf). romper (worn as shorts), unknown. sunglasses, ray ban "vagabond". jewelry, assorted.

Wow, five whole days and not a single post? I think that's a record breaker. Seriously sorry about the lack of bloggin', I've been spending my time transitioning into an academic pace for the new school year. There have also been a lot of bedroom renovations these past few days, with a new duvet cover, a decorative pillow to match my lavender walls (I've actually been meaning to paint them, though I've decided I'll work around the color, since it's a nice mood lifter), a metal shelf to put all of my film cameras on (believe me, there are a LOT), and some awesome sheer curtains for my closet. Hopefully there will be a new bed frame in my future as well as a lovely charcoal colored vanity. I went a bit Ikea crazy with my friend Travis (you can keep updated with my day to day activities via twitter), and decided that changing out all of my current furniture is a must. At a good price with such chic findings, why not? Well...maybe right now isn't the best time, seeing as I just spent an arm and a leg (throw in a kidney as well) on school books and art supplies for the semester. Oh well. At least my birthday is soon(ish)? Now the question is: do I want new furniture, or the lovely Sigerson Morrison loafer/flats? Such a difficult decision...
Anyways, onto the outfit. It was the second day of school, I was lazy and woke up at 5am after four hours of sleep, it was going to be extremely hot that day, blah, blah, blah, etc etc etc...to sum it up: I was being lazy and picked out my clothes in about two minutes. Maybe even less, who knows. I wanted to wear something super comfortable and cool enough for the afternoon, but warm enough for my 6am departure (thus the knit cardi). This outfit fell into all the aforementioned categories, so I ran with it. Hopefully I won't be having anymore lazy day outfits, as I love pondering my wardrobe options for a bit before I decide on what I want to wear.

Heartbeats

2011-08-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

This run down shed is actually right behind my boyfriends house, and I really love the look of it paired with my outfit posts! I'm sure you'll see more of this backdrop in the future.

One of my favorite parts of this dress are the little abalone buttons located at the waist. It definitely gives a vintage feel, as I doubt any current designers would adorn their clothing with such details. My boyfriend enjoys taking off center photos, and it's hard to convince him to do otherwise. Oh well, as long as I'm fully in the shot, right?

My war face, sup y'all. The only photo of my full outfit, apologies for the intensity of my facial expression.

Currently: sitting in the library between classes, vibing to Heartbeats by The Knife. This band is so intensely amazing, when I listen to their tunes I don't even know what to do with myself. Arm flailing and foot kicking would be an accurate action to perform right now, though I'm not sure that's appropriate for a quite room full of students...

Anyways. This dress is the one I wrote about in the last post! It was a lovely gift from my always beautiful mother, and when I say gift I mean I stole this out of her closet (love you mom!). It's a vintage piece, and she hasn't worn it in years so I thought I could give it a try. This dress almost hits the floor when I'm wearing it, which surprises me since I'm a half of a foot taller than my mother! It's also a few sizes too big, though I couldn't help but wear it anyways. Since I'm currently taking clothing construction/patter-making classes this semester, hopefully I'll learn to tailor clothing to fit my body, including this dress! As far as the hat goes, I caved and decided to buy it from h&m. I was planning on buying a higher quality hat, though this one will work until I find one that I truly love. The camel color is perfect for fall, and it's better than wearing a beanie every day in the winter.

Super excited right now, since my boyfriend and I are about to go grab a slice of pizza from a local pizzeria! I love the occasional junk food days, and this will be one of them. Mmmm.

In The Details.

2011-08-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

This outfit was something I wore to work (don't mind my ridiculously tired/morose facial expressions, it was early in the morning and I wasn't feelin too hot), and since I have a dress code of black and white, I thought I could mix up my look with some funky jewelry and ridiculously bright, odd nails. The idea of doing half one nail polish color/half another dawned on me when I couldn't decide what color to paint my nails. I though "heck, why don't I just do both?"...and I did. Hooray! It was super easy, and sort of adds to the color blocking trend that has been going on this summer/upcoming fall.

(again, ignore the face! I look like part zombie/hungover mistake/malnourished. oh well...)

(bracelets, h&m. watch, great grandmothers. rock ring, h&m. triple finger ring, forever. color blocked nails, diy.)

(button up, gap. cardigan, american apparel. trousers, h&m. boots, h&m.)

(I'll probably be doing this [and other funky designs] with my nails ALL THE TIME. Be prepared.)

Currently: on campus (today's the first day of fall semester!), lounging on a bench in the blistering sun. Wearing a floppy hat today was a wonderful idea, as I can avoid eye contact with everyone (I'm too tired to function) without even trying! I'm also wearing this lovely vintage floral maxi dress from my mother (hopefully I can get a few shots of it for an upcoming blog post!), and I absolutely LOVE it. I'm going to leave this post shorter than I'd like; I've been up since 5am, so my day already feels half over. It's not. Going to try and get some food and more coffee, of course, and I'll talk to all you lovely people later!

sidenote: I BOUGHT A PAIR OF RED PANTS! Wow wow, maybe I'm a bit too excited...nah. They're not the exact ones I want, though they were a lot less than the ones I was originally looking at. I was actually able to get three pairs of pants, red, green and black, for less than one pair of Joe's! All the pants were bought from Zara. I highly suggest checking out their store if you're in need of a neon fix, because they can definitely help you with that.