The Archives

As I'm sure I've mentioned many times before, I'm a bit of a clothes hoarder and will keep certain pieces for years. I like to think of my closet as a collection of my favorite things and I often pull from "the archives" when I look at my wardrobe (full of clothes, mind you) and foolishly declare: I have nothing to wear! Which on this particular day translated to: I have nothing new to wear, and will therefore pull out my tried-and-true cardi from one of my very first blog posts.

That's the thing about having a blog. I've documented the wear and tear of this silly little cardigan that I got on sale (yes I still remember and yes you should read my old posts and cringe with me) and, without realizing it, the past 4 years of my life in between. It's a little unnerving reading old posts, realizing how much my priorities have changed over time. It makes me half-miss college, while half-realize I was a complete nutcase who stressed out way. too. much. (Admittedly still kind of do, but I'm getting better!) Anyway, do yourself a favor and look back at a photo from your own archives (old Myspace?—would love if mine still existed in cyberspace). Maybe it'll get you thinking about life and priorities and things like that. Or if you're like me, maybe you'll just really question why you thought that haircut was a good idea.

Nostalgia aside, a word to the wise: this whole "archive" rule should really only be applied to fashion. But at the same time...sometimes you won't know unless you try. At least that's what I seem to keep telling myself.

Happy hump day :)

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Outfit Details:

Anthropologie Lace Cardigan

ZARA Black Tank Top

GUESS Classic Gold Watch

Etsy Gold Wishbone Necklace

GUESS High-Waisted Jeans

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Banana Republic Tan Sandals

Rooftops

I'm not quite sure why, but I've always had a thing for rooftops. When I was shopping around for a new apartment, any place with a rooftop view got huge bonus points in my book. Surprisingly, I wound up signing a lease at my current apartment before I even realized it came with an amazing view. It took me about 2 weeks to discover the "secret" rooftop access that makes for a pretty impressive panorama of the city at sunset. A part of me really thinks I'm meant to live in Brooklyn and have Pinterest-perfect rooftop picnics all summer long. This is still in the plans...eventually.

Anyway, I left my apartment mid-dinner to run and snap these photos before the sunset. This whole outfit has a '70s vibe to me and consists entirely of old pieces in my closet. You might recognize this daisy blouse from the archives. If you go back far enough you'll see it was one of my very first blog posts. Further proof that I literally do not get rid of clothes. I've heard the word "hoarder" thrown around a few times and I'm still not sure what to make of it.

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Outfit Details:

Daisy Blouse—Anthropologie

High-Rise Jeans—GUESS

Leather Watch—Nixon

Shoulder Bag—Anthropologie

Brown Clogs—Target

Check

You may or may not have already noticed, but I gave my blog a facelift over the weekend. It's not nearly finished and in sort of a weird transitional phase, but I figured it was definitely time for a change. On an equally important note, I've also decided to wear my hair in a middle part. This was a big weekend for me.

Honestly, this little redesign was such a long time coming and I'm glad I finally took the plunge while I had some time back home this weekend. You know those things that sit on your to-do list forever and silently haunt you? This was sort of one of them. My blog header was also a lovely reminder of my Peter Pan Syndrome, since it still said I was an undergrad despite the fact that I finished classes 4 months ago. (WHAT? yeah...) So, here's to "checking" things off the list and accepting change.

P.S. This is a casual outfit I wore to work a while ago. Destroyed denim + plain white tee = highly recommended ✓ 

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Outfit Details:

White Tee—Madewell

Polka Dot Scarf—Forever 21

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban

Destroyed Jeans—GUESS

Blue/Rose Gold Watch—GUESS

Taupe Satchel—Anthropologie

Taupe Ankle Boots—Target

First article

B is for Brunch

I found this floral dress in my mom's closet and sneakily commandeered it. Don't be fooled by how tailored it looks with a belt, because it's seriously muumuu-status without it. I'm actually not sure, but it may have originally been intended to be a maternity dress? Leave it to me to find the one, ill-fitting maternity dress in my mom's wardrobe and fall in love.

I didn't actually wear this dress to brunch (rather, coffee and scones) but I feel like it would be perfect for a Sunday brunch in LA. Plus, I figured it would be fitting to post this outfit today since it's the brunchiest of all holidays.

Happy Easter!

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Outfit Details:

Floral Dress—Vintage

Denim Jacket—Forever 21

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban

Belt—Vintage

Gold Watch—GUESS

Leather Handbag—Italy

Lace Ankle Boots—GUESS

Recreate

The second I saw this pin from Madewell's spring catalog, I knew I already owned very similar pieces to recreate the look. So, yay for Pinterest actually helping me shop my own closet for once! Knew it was good for more than just "healthy" dessert recipes...

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Outfit Details:

Floral Blouse—Anthropologie (similar)

Faux Leather Vest—GUESS (shop)

Skinny Jeans—GUESS (shop)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Bag—Gifted (similar)

Boots—Madewell (similar)

Pinteresting

This outfit was 100% inspired by this pin. Enough said.

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Outfit Details:

Shirt—Urban Outfitters (similar)

Destroyed Jeans—GUESS (shop)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Bag—Anthropologie (similar)

Heels—Zara (similar)

Rustic Living

Honestly, it probably wouldn't be that unbelievable if I told you I wore this on a "rustic" hike in the Palisades. However, I didn't actually hike in this outfit (don't worry, I'm saving it for the Saturday-scene at Runyon). Rather than hiking, I wore it for a "street style" project for work that we shot at this gorgeous state park. I'm pretty excited about this project, and it's been a fun way for me to get out of the office once in a while and get my creative juices flowing. If you're interested, you can see a few of our first denim-focused street style photos here.

Anyway, I pulled out my new gingham jeans for a casual, comfy look that worked for a day of shooting. I decided to pair it with my eyelet tank to mix print + texture but keep the overall color story the same. I always find that unique textured details and subtle prints keep outfits feeling fresh and exciting, even if the outfit itself is pretty simple.

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Outfit Details:

Denim Jacket—Anthropologie (similar)

Cardigan—H&M (similar)

Top—Madewell (similar)

Gingham Jeans—GUESS (shop)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Bag—Anthropologie (similar)

Sneakers—Converse (shop)

The Outfit Equation

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A week or so ago, my coworker and I ventured into the Arts District to take some photos for work. However, while we were out, I also found the perfect color-coordinated wall to take kewwwl LA blog photos in front of. I've found myself wearing a lot of simple looks like this lately. It's an effortless formula that creates casual looks which can easily transition from day-to-night.

Basic top + printed scarf + skinny jeans + ankle boots = outfit. 

Personal thanks goes to my Algebra II teacher for, without you, creating this complex equation would not have been possible.

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Outfit Details:

Sweater—Nordstrom (similar)

Scarf—Galway flea market (similar)

Sunglasses—GUESS (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Jeans—GUESS (shop)

Bag—Anthropologie (similar)

Boots—Madewell (similar)

Lalaland

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I'm going to do that annoying thing where I call LA "Lalaland" but only because I can't think of a better title. I like my city...so I bought a printed tee to show everyone. Added with my denim skirt, this whole outfit feels very 90's Babysitters Club and I love it. 

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Outfit Details:

Printed Tee—Madewell (shop)

Denim Skirt—GUESS (shop)

Sweater—Nordstrom (similar)

Bracelet—Coordinates Collection (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Sneakers—Converse (shop)

On The Rise

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I could have named this post "feeling blue" but that just wouldn't be fitting, aside from the whole denim/blue wall thing. Which, side note: I'm completely obsessed with these high-rise jeans and haven't taken them off since I got them a couple weeks ago. They're part of the GUESS Originals collection, which I've already bought way too many items from. (This is no paid promotion people, I just love the brand I work for.)

 Back to the title—I'm not feeling blue. In all honesty, I'm actually pretty happy. Happier than I've been in quite some time. Job, life, friends—it's all coming together in a crazy and exciting mix.

As I've said before, happiness and contentment exist in such a fragile balance. And it's only when I'm coming out of a period of slight discontentment that I'm actively aware of both sides of the coin. Which is why I don't want to jinx it by publicly acknowledging it. It seems nuts, but it can really only take a few weeks to "adjust" to certain feelings of elation until those become the baseline. Don't believe me? It's a thing, really.

Granted, things are still crazy and I'm still (at times) mildly insane. But, right now, I wouldn't really ask for much else...except for maybe a few more hours in the day.

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Outfit Details:

Top—Nordstrom (similar)

Scarf—Vintage (similar)

Cardigan—H&M (similar)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Jeans—GUESS (shop)

Bag—Anthropologie (similar)

Boots—Madewell (similar)