Tag: fashion

Photography by THEMANUC

Knit Crop Top by Kimchi Blue

Not all sweaters are created equally.  Especially knit crop tops, which happen to be one of my favorite pieces this fall.  I love their cozy appeal that can really make an outfit so casual chic.  There are so many ways to wear it but this look is perfect for lazy Sunday’s or the local farmer’s market.  The weather in L.A. has been so beautiful lately and my knit crop top has been my go-to for the brisk, sunny days.

Photography by Dreamstate Photos

Boots by Bebe

A pair of killer black boots upgrades any outfit.  My borderline obsession with this signature shoe could be described as emphatic but that’s not to say that I have an easy time finding the best fit.  I really love these boots by Bebe for the simplistic sexiness of them, but most importantly, they fit my slender legs!  They go great with mini dresses, skater skirts, rompers or jeans.  Score!

Every girl needs at least one great pair of boots in her closet…or in my case, eighteen.  But who’s counting?  Let’s be real, it’s never enough and when I find a pair that works, I hang onto them.

*Tip – For thigh-high boots that slouch too much, try wearing a pair of leg warmers inside to hold them up.  This is also a great way to stay warm in cooler climates without having to sacrifice your outfits that show a little more skin.

Special thanks to Prive Luxury Rentals

Photography by THEMANUC

Photography by Vertishop

Outfits by Shop Publik

If you’re anything like me, you enjoy California’s warm indian summers.  The days have slowly began to shift into fall gear but not by much.  This is usually about the time of year when the idea of summer fades and I yearn for that cozy fall feeling.  Unfortunately, it’s not exactly time to break out your peacoats just yet but if you’re trying to add a dash of fall to your wardrobe, boots and a hat are the perfect accessory.  I own, what one might call, “a sh!t-ton of hats” but there’s no denying I’m biased towards my beloved black floppy hat.  Try adding a pair of booties to the ensemble and voila!  You’ve suddenly went from summer wear to a boho chic fall look with two simple accessories.

Here are a couple direct links to some great brands carrying similar hats: Nasty Gal | H&M | ASOS  | Topshop | Planet Blue

Photography by Richie Chance

Pasadena|CA

Skirt by Tigerlily | Sandals by Skechers | Lipstick is “Mat Matt” by Makeup Forever

Photography by Richie Chance in Burbank, CA

Jeans by WildFox Couture | Hat by YUMS

As much as I love traveling, being back in L.A. always has an electric feeling.  There’s a sense of urgency to hop back into this wild whirlwind of a city right away, kind of like jumping onto a high speed train.  I can’t complain though, I love being busy and it’s inspiring to be back in one of fashion’s major mecca’s.

So, despite the slight chill beginning to descend on some parts of the world, Southern California has been experiencing some pretty incredible beach days.  Fall hasn’t quite hit us yet but it’s cooled down enough to throw on a pair of jeans.  Hey, that’s good enough for me.

I’m gaga over Wildfox Couture’s denim.  Maybe it’s just the 90’s kid in me but I knew I had to have these the moment I saw them.  I’m a sucker for skinny jeans with unique prints and something about these brought out a different side of me, a wild one perhaps (see my gansta pose below).  Wildfox, I love you.

Photography by Dreamstate Photos

Top by Daytrip/ Shorts by dVb/Bralette by Victoria’s Secret/Hat by Target

I’d be lying if I said that denim fabrics and color schemes haven’t played a starring role in my summer wardrobe this year, and it doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.  Although it’s true that only a mere five days of summer technically exists, I don’t see why that should deter me from wearing my favorite shades of blue.  Yes, these tones are naturally more acceptable in the spring and summer months but then again, I’m a Cali girl and my gut instinct tells me those rules just don’t apply the same to us So-Calian’s and this week’s brutal heat wave seems to prove my theory accurate.

So, with my plan of chasing summer in full effect, I did something that I used to not ever dare to do: mix denims.  Something about it used to strike me as taboo but the more I do it, the more I am liking it.  This year’s styles have boldly combined all sorts of wild prints, colors and patterns, making my foray into denim blends elementary in comparison.  I usually like to add a pop of color so as not to wash out my outfit with too many of the same tones.  This long line bra by Victoria’s Secret worked out quite nicely as an undershirt, with just enough of the lacy canary yellow peeking through for a subtle sexiness, perfect for a breezy afternoon spent wandering the Venice canals.

Photography by Jenny Park

 One of my favorite things about denim is its versatility.  You can wear it in warmer or cooler weather, dress it up or down and unlike many other pieces in my closet, it’s appropriate for any time of the year.  It’s easy to mix and match with basically anything you wish, which makes it a staple in my week to week wardrobe.  More importantly, it has never gone out of style, remaining timeless since it’s inception.

At times, it’s difficult for me to find jeans that fit my body type the way I prefer.  I have long, lean legs with a smaller waist and apparently I inherited my backside from the Trini part of my family…thanks, mom. The girls who fit a similar description know the trials of finding a brand that encompasses each aspect of our figure, that’s why I love, yes love, O2 Denim.  I’ve yet to be disappointed by either the cut or the designs.

I wanted to pull a few of their latest styles and really try to keep it minimalistic so as to only focus on the denim itself.  With options like high-rise, classic, skinny, low rise and boyfriend jeans, the possibilities are open to your own preferences.  Aside from acid wash, which I am more than slightly obsessed with this season, I am really digging pigmented jeans.  As you know by now, I am a big fan of multifunctional pieces.  With fall just around the corner, I chose these red ones that can really be paired with just about anything if you ask me.  For those still holding on to the last days of summer you can easily add a cute denim button down as I did or wear them as a pop of color in the more mundane scheme of fall apparel.

There are a ton of styles not shown in this blog, so I highly recommend checking out their online store.  Happy hunting!

www.O2denim.com

Photography by Richie Chance

Top, Skirt, Necklace & Beanie by Forever 21

Shoes by Lola Shoetique

This past week I began packing for my trip abroad.  As I collected my favorite pieces, the old phrase, “You can’t wear white after Labor Day” popped in my head.  With the recent holiday just behind us, I started to question this old adage.  Why?  Why is it so wrong to wear one of my favorite colors merely because of the passing of another day in the year?  In modern times we associate it as a marker in time, signifying the end of summer.  I wondered where this tradition came from and did a little research.  I figured it must have originated in the colder climates that get snow.  Aside from that, there’s just something that seems comforting and natural about wearing darker colors in the fall and winter months but that still did not satisfy my curiosity.

With a few clicks on the ole’ google machine I was surprised to read that the reason behind it stemmed from affluent women in the early 1900’s who, in order to separate themselves from those less fortunate than they, formulated styles for different seasons that subsequently changed societal standards from then on.  Catty, eh?  Well, not much has changed and even to this day there’s a stigma attached to donning white threads after Labor Day.  I, however, chose not to conform–per usual.  Although I truly do appreciate the change of season and the fashion that comes along with it, I also believe that fashion is art and should be defined by the wearer, not society.  Plus, there’s always a little wiggle room to pacify the sticklers.

As Californians, we’re lucky to have a bit more leeway in the fashion realm.  We get nearly perfect weather everyday of the year, even when it cools down it’s nothing we can really complain about.  Since September is known to be incredibly warm, I decided to accessorize my new taupe skirt with some white peep toe booties and a highlighter neon beanie, which has gotten way too many compliments for the price tag.  I think the key to wearing white during those few taboo months is to either go big (ALL white!) or very minimal and perhaps opt for heavier fabrics like cashmere.  Hence my decision to add just a pop of white amongst other neutral shades and the bright yellow to counter any chance of getting lost in the crowd, obviously.

At the end of the day I think the most important thing to remember is that who you are defines what you wear, not the other way around.  Dress in whatever it is that makes you happy because confidence is sexier than any garment you could ever wear.

 “Women think of all colors except the absence of color. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.”

-Coco Chanel