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.

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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

Fine Line

The first photo was a product of the wind and the right moment on my self-timer. And I know what you're all probably thinking. It's walking a very fine line between cool and Cousin Itt. Which is fine, because Cousin-I definitely had his moment in the '60s and is making a comeback. I can feel it.

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Outfit Details:

Reformation Cali Dress

Cameo Necklace

TOMS Sunglasses

GUESS Gold Watch

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

GUESS Denim Jacket

Heeled 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 :)

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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

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

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

For Granted

A few weekends ago, one of my best friends from home came to LA, so we decided to stop by Hotel Erwin's rooftop bar in Venice. I hadn't been since summer and had forgotten what a great spot it is. I felt like sporting a more retro look, so I pulled out my new flared jeans and paired them with a vintage blouse I snagged from my mom. I usually stray away from too many trends in one outfit, but I liked the 70s vibe of the flares and pastel blouse together. I didn't exactly fit in with the rest of the bar crowd, but a freelance photog did ask me to pose for a picture so...success?

P.S. The #1 thing LA people take for granted is views like this—in January.

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Outfit Details:

Vintage Pink Silk Blouse

Paige High Rise Canyon Jeans

TOMS Bellini Sunglasses

Etsy Gold Wishbone Necklace

GUESS Classic Gold Watch

Fossil Preston Crossbody Bag

Seychelles Nude Mules

Urban Oasis

On my recent trip to the flower district, I also stopped by an orchid shop that felt like an urban greenhouse—a little oasis in the middle of the city. My new bag fit right in, and the foliage brought out the green hues in one of my favorite vintage scarves. I decided to keep the rest of my look simple, sticking with my tried-and-true shift dress + ankle boots combo.

On another note, this weekend was equally as fun and "LA" as the last. Some weekends seem to fly by and all I can really recollect is waking up at noon, making almond toast, and walking to Trader Joe's. But others—like this one—feel like a mini-time warp where I conveniently forget that Monday is waiting on the other side.

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Outfit Details:

Madewell Grey Shift Dress

Vintage Brown Printed Scarf

TOMS Bellini Sunglasses

GUESS Classic Gold Watch

Coordinates Collection Bracelet

Fossil Preston Crossbody

H&M Black Sweater Tights

Madewell Brown Ankle Boots

About Town

Downtown LA is such a strange little place. It's a motley mix of high rises, urban neighborhoods, and places like the Arts District—a collection of warehouses and industrial buildings with trendy cafes tucked in between. Luckily, I work in Downtown so I have an excuse to explore different parts of the neighborhood each week. Even though...I'm really just a creature of habit and tend to stick to the same places once I've found something I like. (New Year's resolution #34: be more adventurous.)

This outfit has been one of my go-to looks for work lately. An oversized silk button-down, jeans, and simple heels creates the perfect balance of casual and chic. Also, red lipstick. Until recently, I had seriously underestimated the power it has to fool people into thinking you're sophisticated.

On another note, I'm currently in denial that I have to go into work tomorrow. This weekend was just what I needed—spent shamelessly doing cliche-LA things and loving every second of it.

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Outfit Details:

Madewell Black Silk Shirt

Madewell Destroyed Skinny Jeans

Etsy Gold Wishbone Necklace

TOMS Bellini Sunglasses

Nixon Kensington Leather Watch

Coordinates Collection Legend Bracelet

Vintage Bally Black Quilted Tote

Seychelles Nude Mules

NARS Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella

Wednesday Inspiration

If Wednesday Addams suddenly turned girly, I feel like she would wear something like this. So...I suppose you could say this outfit was subconsciously inspired by her. But, this look was consciously inspired by a number of these Refinery 29 style videos. Usually, I'm not one for watching online tutorials (very short attention span), but they cleverly managed to cut them into 30 second clips on Facebook that held my focus. Plus, their Senior Style Editor is a layering queen that I've been taking a few fashion cues from lately.

Continuing my green-obsession...I picked up this leather crossbody from Fossil a couple weeks ago. I would never have thought to invest in a little green bag, but good old T-Swift has already pioneered the trend so I've convinced myself it was a good idea. I've been wearing it non-stop for the past two weeks and it's somehow managed to match with almost everything. I feel like the Girl In The Green Scarf Handbag.

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Outfit Details:

Urban Outfitters Floral Shift Dress

Vintage White Silk Shirt

Vintage Gold Pendant

GUESS Classic Gold Watch

Target Black Faux Leather Jacket

Fossil Green Preston Crossbody (c/o)

H&M Black Sweater Tights

Madewell Brown Ankle Boots