Art Of The Selfie

Remember how I said I didn't really take touristy pictures? Well, there's always room for exceptions. My friend (who just moved into the cutest SF apartment. ever.) and I spent an afternoon exploring The Palace of Fine Arts since neither of us had ever been. Plenty of photos were taken. And I've also learned to trust no one when it comes to asking them to use my DSLR. I think one of our "photographers" even managed to completely crop one of us out of the frame at some point. Seriously though...Rule of Thirds. Has the Instagram grid taught us nothing!? Luckily, I've become an expert at DSLR selfies (it's all about balance, no selfie-stick needed) so we were still able to successfully document our day trip together.

P.S. This is the last of my San Francisco trip posts. How I managed to take 3 weeks to blog about my weekend, I'll never know. "Real time" posts coming soon... 

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Outfit Details:

Topshop Turtleneck

Target Faux Leather Jacket

Vintage Cameo Necklace

Madewell Destroyed Denim

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Vintage Printed Scarf

Converse Leather Sneakers

Coffee Talk

I walked into my favorite coffee shop this morning (or let's be honest, this afternoon...because weekend mornings don't really exist in my book) to find that the power was out. Of course, my first general reaction was panic because I have a strange attachment to this Saturday ritual and can't function without my mid-afternoon double Americano and wheat bagel.

But panic aside, I noticed something different in the air. I've been coming to this coffee shop the past six months and it's a funny little place. There's no WiFi (which these days has got to be some sort of social statement) and is a tiny shop with a handful of rickety cafe tables cramped together. From what I've observed, it's usually filled with awkward/wonderful first dates (I've eavesdropped on them all), "industry people" brainstorming new screenplays, or simply good friends catching up. I spend most of my time in line just observing the different groups, and it's always interesting to see the 10+ different conversations–or worlds, rather—coexisting in such a small space.

But, today felt different. I must have walked in right as the power had shut off, because the room was buzzing with conversation. And not separate conversations. But instead, integrated and commingling chatter. That's right. Believe it or not...in the middle of LA on a Saturday afternoon...strangers were actually talking to each other. And if you haven't lived in LA before let me tell you, that's a pretty strange sight. It felt like some sort of social wall had been broken. It was refreshing, and a random moment in time that got me thinking my whole walk home and compelled me to open up a new post and start rambling.

I can't confirm with any historical data, but I'm pretty sure there was a world before electricity or cell phones or all this new-fangled technology. And, it was probably buzzing with a lot of great coffee talk among strangers and friends.

P.S. That photo wasn't taken at my neighborhood spot...but I've been too busy 'gramming important things like flowers and beaches and bikes to think to snap a photo of my Saturday afternoon Americano.

Conversation Starter

I picked this jumpsuit up at Zara in San Francisco and decided to wear it out that same night. Surprisingly enough, it was much more of a conversation starter than man repeller. Perhaps San Francisco just appreciates good (modest) statement pieces more than LA. Or, is simply more welcoming to the idea of wearing pajamas in public.

Whatever it may be, I'd choose this floral number over a bodycon any day.

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Outfit Details:

Zara Floral Jumpsuit

GUESS Classic Gold Watch

Coordinates Legend Bracelet

Seychelles Nude Mules

Normalcy

One of my favorite parts of traveling is being able to take photos of new and exciting scenery. Whenever I visit a city, I can get lost for hours snapping pictures by myself. In fact, I'd often rather wander around aimlessly than have a set plan of touristy sites to see. My ideal travel day is one of normalcy. Experiencing a new city as much like a local as possible. (It's not always easy, but helps when you've got friends who actually live there.)

So, after I got home from San Francisco, I realized that most of the photos on my DSLR weren't exactly...pretty. Instead, they were a collection of random snapshots that captured (along with a few Instagrams) my brief excursions on a normal, somewhat gloomy week in the city.

But don't worry....I still managed to squeeze in a few tourist photos :) Here's one for good measure.

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Outfit Details:

Madewell Printed Shift Dress

Target Faux Leather Jacket

TOMS Bellini Sunglasses

Madewell Lindley Boots

Ryanair Approved

I was lucky enough to spend last weekend in San Francisco after heading up to the city for a quick business trip earlier in the week. A few of my best friends have recently moved up there, so it's becoming a home away from home for me. Plus, it helps to always have a place to stay if you're like me and would rather spend money on brunch than boarding :)

One thing I'm slowly learning is how to pack effectively for short trips like this. I can proudly say I was not the girl carrying ten different bags around the airport. Would you be surprised if I told you I usually was? Probably not. Instead, I broke out my beloved Ryanair-approved (miss those travel days) suitcase and strategically packed five days worth of mixed-and-matched outfits. There's something fun and kind of mathematical about creating outfits from a limited selection and this funky look (yes, those are purple boots and I'm going to love them forever and ever) was a product of such an equation.

P.S. These photos were taken on Fillmore Street after a great day of brunching and thrifting.

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Outfit Details:

H&M Striped Tee

UO Mustard Pullover Sweater

Paige High Rise Canyon Jeans

Vintage Jade Necklace

TOMS Bellini Sunglasses

Nixon Brown Kensington Watch

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Vintage Printed Scarf

Madewell Lindley Boots

Food. Friends. Wine.

Over the past couple years, I've become quite the oenophile. And not necessarily a snobby one, just more a connoisseur of the-best-cabs-under-$15 / newly-minted member of Club W (p.s. highly recommended) type. A few weekends ago, I spent the day picnicking at Malibu Wines with a few of my best friends and it was the perfect Sunday escape. Plus, it was a great opportunity get a little dressed up and pull out one of my favorite maxi dresses that I've been holding onto since my freshman year of college. Hoarding comes in handy every once in a while.

Food, Friends, (Fashion), Wine is currently my version of Eat, Pray, Love and I'm feeling pretty good about it.

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Outfit Details:

Anthropologie Printed Maxi Dress

Forever 21 Kimono Cardigan

TOMS Bellini Sunglasses

Etsy Gold Wishbone Necklace

Nixon Kensington Leather Watch

Anthropologie Brown Leather Bag

Cathy Jean Leather Wedges

Fashion Crossword

When you're a postgrad and don't have an endless clothing budget...sometimes you've got to get creative. Especially if you're like me and live in LA where it's "winter," but you can still get away with wearing a summer dress under a sweater and calling it a day. In my opinion, weird transitional weather like this makes getting dressed more fun. If this analogy makes any sense, I'd like to think of layering as some sort of (budget) fashion crossword.

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Outfit Details:

Madewell Green Sweater

ASOS Gingham Dress

TOMS Bellini Sunglasses

Black Cameo Necklace

Nixon Brown Kensington Watch

Coordinates Collection Legend Bracelet

Madewell Black Leather Belt

Anthropologie Brown Leather Bag

Madewell Brown Leather Ankle Boots