Contrast

Since finally investing in a 50mm lens, I've been feeling more inspired and have been pulling my DSLR out of that Mary Poppins bag whenever possible. I'd been living off my kit lens for about 3 years, so it was about time I upgraded. As you can see from my not-so-intentionally unfocused shots, I'm still getting the hang of it. More photos from the past week can be found on my Tumblr as well.

In real time, it's Sunday night. I'm surprisingly relaxed, and happy to be blogging after another unintentional hiatus. I had one hell of a week so moments of calm are always welcomed. I'm slowly but surely beginning to appreciate the constant contrasts in life. Whether it's something small like a polished outfit photo in an industrial setting. A rough skyline against a soft sunset. Or, something much bigger than I can fit in a few blog photos. 

Anyway, here's to the last 5 minutes of...weekend.

____________

Shop This Post:

Madewell Silk Blouse

Anthropologie Black Trousers

Cameo Necklace

Nixon Leather Watch

Madewell Leather Satchel

Target Black Strappy Sandals

That Wall

Okay okay I know I said I wasn't going to give into florals for spring. But, I walked into Zara last weekend looking for Vegas outfits and left with these funky printed shorts instead. Call me a creature of habit (I never fail to live up to that title) but within a week's time it looks like I'm back to my old ways.

Style aside, I think this "back to my old ways" M.O. has been nothing but trouble lately. And while it's not manifesting itself into anything in particular...I feel stuck. I've hit a brick wall, if you will. Even though I know it's probably the first of many twenty-something-postgrad-struggles, I don't think I can shy away from this. I'm pretty sure it's one of those walls, the kind I've got to break through instead of quietly, awkwardly backing away from. (Extended metaphors—don't you just love them?)

But honestly, I'm not sure what's next...

and I guess that's the beauty of it.

____________

Shop This Post:

Forever 21 Denim Jacket

Madewell Black V-Neck

Zara High-Waisted Printed Shorts

TOMS Sunglasses

GUESS Gold Watch

Brown Leather Satchel

Target Black Strappy Sandals

Groundbreaking

The other day, I was wandering around Culver's Arts District and was immediately drawn to this funky little parking lot. There's a ton of random pockets like this around warehouses and office buildings, giving the whole area a unique feel. Anyway, I figured a backdrop of blooms would be an adequate replacement to an actual floral print dress. You know I love my florals, but I've decided to lay off the prints for a while and spare you a hackneyed "florals for spring" post.

To replace my trite spring staples, I've been gravitating towards simple t-shirt dresses. If my extensive collection of printed pants are like pajama bottoms, then these dresses are the hottest nightgowns of the season. Also, I highly suggest saving yourself the blisters from some chic pair of flats and slipping on worn out sneaks instead. (Sneakers also make it easier to run away from the owners of said funky-little-parking-lot when they discover your impromptu photoshoot.)

There you have it. Groundbreaking spring style secrets :) I'm here all season, people.*

___________

Shop This Post:

Madewell T-Shirt Dress

Yellow Bomber Jacket

TOMS Sunglasses

Brown Leather Belt

Cameo Necklace

GUESS Gold Watch

Brown Leather Satchel

Converse White Leather Sneakers

*and by people, I mean wonderful-awesome-loyal readers ♥

Kitschy

If you ever find yourself in a style rut, find the kitschiest pattern possible from Forever 21 and buy it on complete impulse. Then style it proudly and ignore anyone who questions why you're wearing a men's buffalo print polo.

Rinse & repeat.

P.S. Am I the only one who wants everything from their Men's section right now?

Forget florals...I'm seriously on board for these popsicle and cactus prints.

___________

Outfit Details:

Forever 21 Animal Print Polo

Mustard Yellow Pullover Sweater

TOMS Sunglasses

Gold Wishbone Necklace

Nixon Kensington Leather Watch

Madewell Skinny Jeans

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Strappy Tan Heels

Gravitate

These pants are an oldie but goodie. I've worn them a couple times on this blog, and a million more times in real life. I'm a creature of habit and I've found that regardless of how many options I have in front of me, I'll always gravitate to the same few (note: comfortable) pieces. In college, I was drawn to more structured, belted looks. At the time I thought the more tailored, the more sophisticated an outfit was. But now? I avoid cinched waists at all most costs. To me, there's something chic about throwing on a shift dress or loose joggers and using accessories to dress up the look

Speaking of which...I'm currently on the hunt for dressy Vegas outfits that don't involve tacky bodycon dresses or bandage skirts. Can I get away with wearing a shift/muumuu to da club? Or a full-length floral jumpsuit? Send help...

___________

Outfit Details:

Madewell White T-Shirt

Nordstrom Light Denim Vest

Nordstrom Black Printed Joggers

TOMS Sunglasses

Gold Jade Necklace

GUESS Gold Watch

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Seychelles Black Leather Mules

Particular

Over the years, only a handful of people have taken photos for my blog. I think it stems from a place of my own self-consciousness. Not really from posing in front of a camera, but more from how incredibly high maintenance particular I can be about my blog photos. Which is why...friends who blog are the best. Because you can convince them to take outfit photos of you and not feel bad giving very (very) specific requests on the exact cactus-flower ratio needed for the "perfect" shot. 

P.S. Unlike the rest of Los Angeles, I didn't go to Coachella last weekend. Instead, I wandered around a cemetery for 2 hours by myself because I'm a normal person who does normal things like that. Stay tuned for more photos once I finally decide where to upload them. Instagram? Tumblr? These social networks are getting low-key out of control and I'm really starting to miss the good-ole-fashioned scrapbook's heyday.

___________

Outfit Details:

Vintage Pink Blouse

Anthropologie Army Jacket

Vintage Cameo Necklace

TOMS Sunglasses

GUESS Gold Watch

Madewell Destroyed Jeans

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Banana Republic Tan Heels

Pinned

If I wore every outfit I pinned, I'd have really fabulous mom jeans, probably live in Stockholm, and magically look put together riding my fixie bike around all day. But the reality is (like most things on Pinterest) I very rarely recreate my style inspiration boards in real life. Except when Kate Bosworth makes '90s flannel look cool again...then I'll reconsider.

___________

Outfit Details:

J. Crew Plaid Shirt

Madewell Tee

TOMS Sunglasses

Madewell Black Jeans

GUESS Gold Watch

Madewell Glasgow Satchel 

Madewell Black Ankle Boots

Strong Suit

To an outsider, style blogging is weird. And when I think about it...maybe it is a little strange that I genuinely enjoy taking outfit photos on a tripod in a stairwell after work. But you know, everyone needs a thing and I guess this one's mine. Another thing of mine is blogging in bars. (I swear—I'm going to make this trend happen. The era of laptops in Starbucks is coming to an end!)

I'm currently blogging at a wine bar in Santa Monica while eavesdropping on people chatting about their reality TV connections. Because...LA. I love the West Side in every way—but thought-provoking conversation isn't its strong suit.

___________

Outfit Details:

Oversized Green Blazer

Madewell Grey Dress

TOMS Bellini Sunglasses

Vintage Black Cameo

GUESS Classic Gold Watch

Black Opaque Tights

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Madewell Black Ankle Boots

Rooftop Blues

These photos were taken during my rooftop excursion. I tend to avoid taking blog photos at night, but I love how rich the colors turned out in these. It almost looks like I planned my outfit to match the vibrant blue sky and city lights. I'm definitely your average Type A...but I can't take credit for this happy accident.

___________

Outfit Details:

Ruche Floral Bomber Jacket

Madewell Grey V-Neck

Paige High Rise Flares

GUESS Classic Gold Watch

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Banana Republic Tan Sandals

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 :)

___________

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