Back to Basic

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CAMP t-shirt

Siwy jeans // SHOP SIMILAR

Vintage leather belt

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For a girl who loves flowers in her hair and overly embellished maxi dresses, it's funny to catch me in just a basic tee and some blue jeans. But you know, it feels good to wear these things every now and then. It's like when you go out drinking all weekend and decide to stay in and drink tea every night for a week afterwards. You know, a fashion detox sort of situation. Especially when the stripes are bold and the jeans fit like a charm. That's enough to keep me smiling, red lip or no lip at all. 

So here it is, top 10 basics every fashion girl needs (in my opinion):

1. Black and white striped tee (not too tight and not too loose)

2. High-waisted medium blue distressed skinny jeans

3. Black long length blazer

4. A brown stiff-brimmed hat

5. Simple gold cuff bracelets for stacking

6. Burgundy leather moto jacket

7. Printed silk neck scarf

8. High-waisted button front mini skirt

9. Distressed vintage rock tee

10. Metallic leather oxford shoe

Light vs. Dark

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Sabrina SL jewelry

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Played around with the shadows one day with my little sister Natalie and our friend Sabrina who made all the jewelry featured here in this little photo set. It's the best feeling in the world to be surrounded by people you are inspired by constantly, and whom let you know how much you yourself inspire them. There's something so dramatic about the idea of light vs. dark, as well as the union of the two. Light . . . airy, innocent, fresh. Dark . . . sexy, smoldering, intense. I think every person has full access to both sides within them, no matter how much they show themselves to be on the exterior. The final product just depends on how much of each is channeled. The best way to start is by letting down your inhibitions. I know that both light and dark live within me, and only those closest to me see all my sides, and understand where they come from. There's a huge side of me that is made up of things that are light. My friends and family and work keep me forever smiling. I find a reason to laugh over just about everything. I never take myself too seriously. Nothing really feels like the end of the world to me. I like to make sure that everyone is included, and that I get to hear all stories before putting down any sort of judgement. On top of that, I am very accepting of all kinds of people, even if they are completely opposite of me. I'm a Libra through and through, and it takes a lot to really kick me off balance. 

But I do topple over about some things. And when I do, I usually I topple over pretty hard. At least for a little while. Really it's not a negative thing. I'm just known to be a very passionate person. And it usually just means that when I put a lot of energy into something that strays from my normal routine, I expect a lot back. And if I find myself not feeling like I'm getting back what I put in, my darker, more emotionally contemplative side comes out. Sometimes I sound crazy. And I even start to act crazy. And you're done if I'm on my period. But I get over it fast, and I find ways to grow and move on, as opposed to staying put and pondering in misery. The best way for me to get over my darker days is with a whole lot of hope. And a whole lot of writing. And probably some water coloring. Oh, and a few glasses of wine. The turning of pages is the best remedy in some cases. And this way, my dark side turns into something more creative. So in the end, I usually do still end up winning. It's all about how you think about things. I could never have my light without my dark. And vice versa. We need the full spectrum to be a full person, so try not to try so hard being someone you are not. Just keep yourself in check. 

As I Wait

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Topshop sweater // SHOP SIMILAR

AG skinnies

Vintage glasses

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Enjoying every moment that I can in my favorite little sunny nook at home. Waiting for spring to get here, but this is the closest thing to spring for right now. This fuzzy Topshop sweater keeps me cozy as I wait and try to get reacquainted with my dusty acoustic guitar that has been begging to be strummed since over two years ago. I think it might be time for me to get back into my more musically inclined sense of self. 

The Road From Here

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Made For Pearl dress

Scosha rings

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I'm not normally one to get too ahead of myself and think too hard on what lies in my future. 5 days from now. 5 months from now. 5 years from now. I'm more of a moment by moment sort of girl. The uncertainty in the future doesn't intimidate me, nor wind me up in ways that leave me feeling out of control. In fact, I find it liberating to know that some things can totally and completely be left up to fate. That I don't have to watch my every step along the way to avoid failure or a path of regret. That how things fall into place, where they fall into place and how long they take to fall into place is just meant to be. It's the ways we interpret and allow ourselves to be positively open hearted to the moments that lead us up to our final destination (or multiple destinations) that really matter. 

Happiness is always key. The pursuit of it correlates almost perfectly with how we factor in the existence of our future into the present-ness of our current lives. What is going to make us happy in the end? What steps do we need to take to get there? I asked these questions to myself all the time. But a lot of the times I found myself feeling less happy when I thought too much this way. I found myself feeling more doubtful. Less carefree. And I have come to realize that making sure our happiness reaches its highest potential in our future is just as important as how happy we are with the little things scattered right in front of us that have no direct correlation with our future. The existence of the right now. And that should be enough to guide us in the direction we were meant to take. 

I found this awesome quote recently posted by one of my favorite digital Instagram babes Charcoal Alley. A quote by one of my favorite worldly men of television:

If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move. 

– Anthony Bourdain

And advocation to move. Exactly where doesn't really make a difference. But how you get there makes all the difference. And that is exactly the point. 

Beauty Files | The Amplified Lash

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L'Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara // SHOP HERE

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Recently I've been skipping the liquid liner for a simple shadowed eye flavored up with a more intense lash. I'm talking about thick and long mod lashes. Twiggy status. I haven't been more excited about a mascara before. L'Oreal's Miss Manga mascara is the bomb diggity bomb. The lash brush actually flexes, that way it gives more coverage to each lash, creating an amplified look. Who uses false lashes anyways? This is so much easier and less time consuming. My friends always joke that my selfless are sometimes somewhat verging Kawaii status, so this mascara is totally fitting to my alter ego. Give it a go, and you'll see what I mean.

Topshop | Trending in London Now

Yesterday, my Trending in London Now display went up at the front of the Topshop store in Soho NYC in celebration of the upcoming Topshop Unique show happening during London Fashion Week on Sunday, Feb. 22. And I am so super excited about the fact that my styled outfits are on showcase in the store! 

Up on display are 6 total looks, with a pair dedicated to each major trend: Modernism, Utility and Seventies. I went in the direction of neutral blue and grey for the Modernism trend, with a futuristic pop of metallic for each look. The silver fanny pack was my favorite added touch out of the lot! 

For Utility I wanted to try two different sides of the trend, the more tomboy and casual side, and the more quirky/art student side. Cargo, stripes and distressed denim is a go-to combo that is always striking, especially with a little belly baring. For the other Utility look, I wanted to bring to life the cargo and tan color combination with an oversized floral print that felt both artistic and graphic to me. 

For Seventies, I had a lot of fun because bohemian and tomboy is totally me. One look is sexy and festival ready with the crochet and mini overall dress. The other more Seventies school girl with the high-waisted mini, stripes and bright yellow raincoat. I felt a close connection to this last outfit because it was so similar to something I saw my mom rocking in old photo of her. Plus, I love the added burst of brightness it added to the entire display as a whole.

You can catch the live stream of the Topshop Unique show on TOPSHOP.COM this Sunday at 10AM EST. Make sure to get up early enough to catch it because it is never one to be missed! Topshop always has something super London cool up their sleeves. I can't wait to see how my interpretation of the trends matches up to the one's coming down the runway this weekend.

Also, make sure to head to the store to check out the display and Topshop's other on-trend offerings for the new season. Grab a flyer at the store to find out how you can enter to win 5 of your favorite pieces from the trends!

Shop some of the pieces from these looks online:

Forestry

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Jocelyn fur jacket // SHOP SIMILAR

Cynthia Rowley top // SHOP HERE

Cynthia Rowley skirt // SHOP SIMILAR

Rodebjer jacket 

Gentle Monster sunglasses

Sam Edelman shoes // SHOP HERE

Botkier bag // SHOP SIMILAR

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Day two of fashion week turned out to be a bit more elegant than normal for me. Bringing back a touch of the 1950's with a mid-length skirt from Cynthia Rowley. I felt so Audrey Hepburn in it. Anything that is Audrey is a classic you can work with, no matter what your personal style is. These black and white loafers from Sam Edelman were such a lifesaver this fashion week. We did so much running about, heels would have just about left me dead at the front of Lincoln Center. Plus I like the juxtaposition of something long and feminine with something flat and boyish. Also, layering was much easier than I thought it would be thanks to a little fur. It really does work like a charm in the insulation department all on its own. 

Okay, so that's that for now. Writing this post while high on medication to take care of my horrible chest congestion and sinus infection. Happens every fashion week. Tah-tah. 

Shop my fashion week look here:

NYFW F/W 2015 | Part 1

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KIMEM blazer // SHOP SIMILAR

BCBG baby tee

Vintage pants from Antoinette

Miu Miu creepers // SHOP HERE

Botkier purse // SHOP SIMILAR

Jocelyn fur

Gentle Monster sunnies

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Here I am sipping some tea, recovering from an extended cold and reflecting on the past few crazy days full of beautiful clothes on tall and thin models, hungry street style photographers trying to get the perfect shot, quick and easy pizza breaks, Uber ride after Uber ride and bright flashing lights. Plus a whole lot of other things. I can't seem to keep track of the days anymore. But that's sort of a good thing I think. This was my first season where I definitely was far more picky with the shows I decided to attend, basing my decisions on how well I knew the designer's aesthetic, how much research I did on an unfamiliar designer beforehand, if the designer suited my personal vibe and sense of style, and if I had a good seat (for the best pictures to show you guys, of course). I'm no front row snob, but the closer to the front the better people! And it makes sense for bloggers to be front row since we (at least those with cameras at least) will actually be posting the best possible photos which the designers can only gain from. I love busting out my big old DSLR front row! The images I capture really bring to life the entire show's thematic elements far better than a shaky iPhone photo ever will. I have so much fun going back, editing and reflecting the images I take from runway shows and sort of interpreting them in my own way. Plus, I get to contemplate all the details of the runway looks far better this way.

Downside to NYFW? The cold, of course. And slipping on slush in your brand new Saint Laurent shoes. How many times do I have to repeat this. So sorry, I'll stop talking about it now. Getting mobbed by street style photographers (they like to shout and give far too much direction in my opinion). NOT getting mobbed by street style photographers (thus, feeling shitty about your outfit. But you know what? Their opinion really doesn't fucking matter! What do they know about fashion! They wear the same outfit everyday). Getting judged by normal passerby on the subway or on the way downtown because of your  seasonally inappropriate get-up. The best thing to do in this situation is to ignore the eye rolls and just own that big pink fluffy feathered coat that does everything BUT keep you warm. Oh yeah, and lack of sleep. Oh wait. And an over-consumption of alcohol that makes you feel not so cute in those high-waisted trousers the next morning. Shit, I can keep going and going. But WAIT. It's all worth it in the end. Because at the end of the day, there really is nothing else we'd rather be doing despite the tiny little pitfalls along the way. Our imaginations flow during NYFW, and our creative engines move forward to ideas we never though we'd ever have. As long as you let them that is. Underneath all the glitz and glam and circus act over-exaggeration of NYFW lies the distinct love and appreciation for creation and sensibility by way of the forms we throw on our bodies and express ourselves with. There really is something super grand and personal about this. I feel it. I don't you? 

And here are some of my favorite moments from the earlier last week. 

COACH

MARISSA WEBB

KATE SPADE

KYE

HONOR