STRIPES IN BLOOM

Top - YesStyle, Skirt - vintage, Cargo Jacket - White + Warren, Bag - Torregrossa, Boots - 80%20, Bracelets- Vanessa Mooney

Back from a weekend in NYC. Checked out the new Free People Rockefeller store finally, danced at The Jane with friends, discovered a brand new park (for ultimate chill time), and took our friend Tanya to the best Malaysia restaurant in town (we ate so much). Even on chilly spring days, I like to show some leg. Cargo, floral, and stripes never let me down. And a touch of plum (on both my bag and lips) goes a long way.

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New Ceremony by Dry the River

PINK ZEBRA

Sweater - A + ro, Leather Jacket - True Religion, Skirt - H&M, Loafers - Dolce Vita, Bag - Rebecca Minkoff, Sunglasses - Nine West

What better way to cheer up some basic black tones on a gloomy day than with a few pops of pink? And how sick are these sunnies? I'm super picky when it comes to frames, but these retro ones I have on are pretty wild.

Heading to NYC this weekend to visit my sister and friends. Gonna catch a band we randomly met one night in Brooklyn a few months ago play Friday night, along with other things (havoc wreaking??). But don't worry, we'll also have plenty of time to take it slow in the city . . . just wandering the streets and people watching. This all sounds wonderful after the crazy busy work week we're having right now.

GIRLS RULE, BOYS DROOL

The new Wildfox Kids lookbook melts my heart. Is this not sweeter than candy or what? Can I please be 8 again?

** Pictures from Studded Hearts

FLORAL BUM

Shorts - Citizens of Humanity, Shirt - YesStyle, Blazer - H&M, Ring - Vanessa Mooney, Bracelet - vintage, Shoes - 80%20

Still not officially warm enough to go without tights when I wear my shorts, but that's okay because these floral cutoffs by Citizens of Humanity give off spring vibes like no other. I wanted to keep things from looking to winter wear by throwing on my pastel pink blazer.

Just realized that I am verging on my one month mark here in Philadelphia. How crazy is that? Too much has happened since last May, and I don't regret a thing. I certainly have grown a lot as a person, and I feel like I have made a true home for myself here. I couldn't be happier anywhere else right now than in my sleepy little city on the east coast. My personal goals have grown enormously, and I see every single second as a second to savor. I find myself laughing every single day because there really is nothing to be sad about. Being away from California is hard sometimes, but the adventure of building up my individuality in a new city that I now see as a home is way more exciting. I just want to keep making the most out of each day, whether I'm working my butt off at work, focusing on special projects that infuse all of my passions,spending time with my friends and being silly, or dreaming up my next trip to someplace new. I've never felt more at ease with my life than right now (well, except when it comes to boys I guess), and that says quite a lot.


Happy Tuesday!

Thanks Cheryl for the pictures!

APRIL SHOWERS

Sweater - White + Warren, Dotted Blouse - CALICO, Jacket - True Religion, Jeans - thrifted, Hat - H&M, Shoes - Steve Madden, Bag - Botkier

The weather has been nothing more than a tumultuous metronome back and forth between feeling like summer and a bone chilling cold. It really can be annoying, especially when it comes to dressing. Hello! It's nearly May. For those random spring days where darker skies, rainy drops, and a shuttering wind are inevitable, layers will have to do. Most of you already know my go-to look. How many collared blouses (that are sheer) do I own? Way too many. Pullover sweaters? Way too many more. Thought I'd at least pay a tiny bit of tribute to spring with a pop of pink. Color is like an all natural flavonoid. Who needs chocolate when you can wear color?

SPRING FLING

Spring has sprung and everything feels fresh to me again. Not just fashion-wise, but life in general. Let's just say that things are less of a drag. My body wants to be outside more. I enjoy waking up early for work to the sunlight coming through my window. Even just a 5 minute work break sitting outside in the sun is enough to lift my spirits (and tan my legs). This is going to be a good sunny season, I feel it in my bones. I finally got a beach cruiser to get around the city with. Best endorphin booster ever. Sadly, the weather is quite dark and wet today (a far cry from the verging on summer heat of yesterday), but what better excuse is there to bust out coffee in the evening, relax in bed and not feel bad at all.

I want to end this day with some inspiration for tomorrow:

flower picking and wide smiles / light blue distressed denim and metallic pastels / striking horizontal stripes / interesting texture clashes / an eye-catching heel / crisp white blazer / graphic shapes / bold sunnies and red lips / oversized floral prints

** Pictures from Stockholm Streetstyle and Studded Hearts

COACHELLA 2012 // FLOWER CHILD

Top - MINK PINK from Threadsence, Skirt - Free People, Bag - Threadsence, Sandals - Matiko, Sunglasses - Chloe

During our Coachella weekend with Threadsence, we got the chance to stop by the Planet Blue x FOAM Magazine pool party in Palm Springs, where I finally got to meet one of my favorite bloggers, Bethany from Snakes Nest. She is such a sweetie and from my hometown back in Cali. Such a small, small world. It was a beautiful day to spend lounging by the pool, and yeah, you got it . . . show a little belly button! The warm weather always brings out my inner gypsy.

By the way, I finally got myself a sweet beach cruiser to get around the city with now that the weather is nice. I bought it used, which is great, but the thing I just found out is that it has a few problems. Hopefully a quick trip to the bike shop today will fix it up to perfection because I plan on riding that thing all weekend long!

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Take It Out On Me by Chairlift

COACHELLA 2012 // IKAT DREAMS

Top - Free People, Jeans - Seven For All Mankind, Shoes - 80%20, Bag - Threadsence, Bracelets - Vanessa Mooney, Head band - Lovely Bands

What I wore the second day of Coachella. Threw this look together last second with a with a cold desert night in mind (hence, the jeans rather than shorts). I wanted to feel like I was the lead singer of a rock band with a touch of folk and gypsy. I think it came together well, eh? I am dying over the Ikat pattern on these jeans. I normally don't wear medium blue jeans, but the pattern on these make them way more appealing and interesting to me.

Below are more random snapshots taken at Coachella, hanging with the Threadsence team, including Liz from Late Afternoon (I really adore this girl!). Raych and I arrived later in the day for Day 1 since I flew in that morning and we drove from Orange County into Palm Springs (quite a trip from start to finish), but we did catch an awesome DJ set at the "rave tent" before moving on to see The Rapture and M83. Seeing M83 made me even more excited to catch them again here in Philly in May. Day 2 we started off with tUnE-yArDz (my sister is now officially a fan) and a good bit of the Kaiser Chiefs (they were one of my fave bands in college), The Shins (so dreamy), and Bon Iver (blew everyone out of the water). We left before Radiohead played because it was too cold to function and none of us were fully prepared or dressed for it. Kind of sad about that, but it doesn't matter because we caught so many other rad shows that day! Day 3 was the best, of course. I am so happy and proud that we were able to fit in The Hives, The Weeknd, some Gotye, Girl Talk (a one hour long dance party), Florence and the Machine, and Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Florence creates pure magic on stage. I was basically hypnotized her entire set. That girl can sing and the way she performs is otherworldly. One thing I definitely learned from this whole experience is that you should probably try harder to arrive at the festival earlier if you want to catch more awesome bands that start earlier in the day. It's just so hard to wake up on time and round everyone up to head over. Planning for something like this is hard for so many great bands are playing at the same time and you sort of have to pick and choose who to see. But in the end, I think we made out all right. I definitely want to head back to Coachella next year if I get the chance!