Spring Forward

Kimono Jacket: Urban Outfitters, Dress: H&M (sold out, find similar style here), Boots: Zara (old, find similar styles here) 

Daylight Savings Time is finally here, which means that Spring is right around the corner! It may seem like we are getting more time in the day, it also feels like this year is zipping by! Spring and Fall are the transitional seasons of the year. They are also my favorite seasons for fashion because you have the choice to layer, which I always do and it is never too hot or too cold. It is never too hot or too cold, although LA doesn't experience the seasonality of fashion because there is no drastic weather change.

When  I was walking in Beverly Hills, I noticed this amazing backdrop that coordinated with my peach/nude monochromatic look! I am a sucker for soft hues and pastels, which is another reason why I like the Spring season. This time of year always brings out a lightness in color and clothing. I also wanted to try something new and wore an exposed ankle sock under my boots.  To top it off I wore these transparent aviators that completed my modern take on this retro look!   

   

Is That a World Tour...?

Trenchcoat: American Apparel, Bodysuit: Urban Outfitters, Pants: Missguided, Shoes: Nasty Gal

This past Tuesday was International Women's Day and I admit, I was completely oblivious of the holiday. I think it's great that women have a day to be acknowledged for all that we do, but I think we should be celebrated everyday! I love being a woman and I appreciate it more and more as I grow up. Though we go through and give so much, it makes us stronger. One of my responsibilities as a woman is to uplift other women. It's a beautiful thing when females can support and be positive towards each other. We need to eliminate this sense of competitiveness and focus on our own unique qualities that we can use to inspire one another.   

One of the things I love most about being a woman is the variety of styles and clothing we get to choose from! There are no formulas when it comes to how I dress. Some days I want to look tough (like in my previous posts) and some days I want to embrace my girly side. Pink is actually my favorite color and you can't get anymore girly than that! So you can imagine my excitement when I saw this pink mural while walking down Melrose Ave. The "Girls Tour" reference is from a Drake song with the infamous lyric: "Is that a world tour, or your girl's tour?" I think the mural is pretty clever, and it just happened to go with my earth tone inspired look.   

GUESS X ASAP ROCKY COLLAB

Jacket: UNIF via Wasteland (thrifted), Jeans: Lovers & Friends (similar here), Top: Guess x ASAP Rocky, Booties: Urban Outfitters (old- find similar here),

Jackets are a key piece that should be in everyone's wardrobe.  I have been collecting a few of them lately, and I was on the hunt for a good statement motorcycle jacket. Luckily, I was able to find this UNIF jacket while at a thrift store on Melrose. It was originally $200 and I got it for $70 in perfectly fine condition! At first I wasn't sure about the fit because it was a tad wide, but the details were too special for me to pass this piece up, especially since I wouldn't be able to find it anywhere else. I've begun to really appreciate jackets as a way to elevate an entire look. Throwing on a cool jacket will take a simple t-shirt and jean outfit to the next level. 

Of course I had to put my own spin on the classic t-shirt and jean look. I liked ASAP Rocky's campaign and collaboration he did with Guess. He definitely surged life back in the brand with his take on their classic pieces. I got my hands on the ribbed cropped tank that I loved from the collection, and paired it with my favorite distressed boyfriend jeans. I threw on these booties I got from Urban a few years back (can't get anymore retro than crushed velvet) and then topped the whole look off with a choker for a modern take on a totally 90s inspired outfit! 

In-Kleined

Top: Urban Outfitters, Pants: Zara (old, get similar style here), Jacket: Urban Outfitters (old), Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (get similar style here).  Bag: Urban Outfitters. 

I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but I had certain reasons. Frankly, I needed to step away from blogging and social media all together. Sometimes I go back and forth on how much of myself I should reveal to the public. So this is a post in rare form, but therapeutic nonetheless. 

There is no question that I do enjoy the actual blogging process: putting looks together, taking photos, and writing about the outfits.  However, promoting my posts on social media, Instagram especially, took away the fun and added the pressure. I was receiving a strong following and response, but as I always do, I got in my own way. Tracking the likes and follows on my Instagram post gave me constant anxiety. I thought I had to continuously top myself, and would question what I was doing wrong if the responses declined.  I wondered how many of my social media followers were even clicking the link in my bio to read the actual blog post. The thing is, I never wanted or planned to be a successfully blogger, it was just a hobby.  My happiness is one of the most important things to me. Once I realized that blogging stopped contributing to that, I knew I had to reevaluate why I was doing it in the first place.

On top of all of that, so much has happened to me in my personal life that was a distraction from blogging.  I constantly over analyze and over think, but if I decided to continue, I would have to do this for me and let nothing get in my way.  Instagram could not be the determining factor of the existence of my blog. Because let's face it, social media is a growing tool for networking, but like everything else in technology, the next best thing is around the corner. We went from Myspace to Facebook, to Twitter to Instagram. Now we have Periscope (which I've yet to explore) and Snapchat (which I love.) It seems that the social media sphere is developing into the age of video, which makes me question how much of a life span Instagram, or even blogs may have.  Until then, I am going to try my very best to stay consistent with my own blog.

To any of my followers and readers who have supported me, I am extremely thankful and appreciate all of you! Just know that I am no longer the same person that started this blog. 

On a lighter note! While taking the hiatus, I of course accumulated a large number of pieces in my closet that weren't getting much use. This wasn't the deciding factor of regenerating the blog, but it gave purpose to my clothes and reminded me why I loved doing it in the first place. I really like how Urban Outfitters is collaborating with classic brands, such as Adidas, Fila, and Calvin Klein. CK has made such a huge comeback over the past year or so. Though I have to say I'm a little tired of seeing the typical bra and panty set parade my timeline. However, I am really into the collection that Urban did with Calvin. I paired this cute CK cropped tank with Zara leather culottes (that I finally got to wear) and my favorite denim jacket from Urban.  I love these calf high Dior inspired booties from Jeffrey Campbell (of course.) and I'm happy that the designer brand breathed life back into the clear heel trend!

Strutting on Sunset

Top: H&M, Shorts: Topshop  

Sorry for the delayed post! A lot has been keeping me occupied since I have returned from London, including having a new job. I had a free day over the weekend to attend some LA Fashion Week festivities. On the way, I stopped by Siren Studios on Sunset Blvd to grab a cup of coffee and snapped some pics in front of their black and white graphic wall. It was the perfect backdrop that allowed my brightly colored look to pop.   

I typically don't define my style. What I choose to wear comes naturally to me. One of the best pieces of advice I can give when it comes to dressing yourself is to wear what feels natural to you, but to also have fun! Experiment, but don't go out of your comfort zone - that's when the clothes will start wearing you. Having said that, I loved wearing this retro inspired look. I wore my favorite Zara boots, since the heel coordinated perfectly with the top. I carried my patchwork purse to add a splash of pattern and playfulness (and it was the only bag that could hold all of my necessities for that day!)

LFW: Mary Benson SS 16

On my last day in London I was fortunate enough to attend the Mary Benson SS 16 presentation Benson is an up and coming British women's contemporary designer who's pieces have been worn on celebrities such as Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding and also had the privilege to work for Alexander McQueen. Though she has had much success, the young designer is extremely humble. Benson practically hid amongst the tight crowd during the presentation that it was difficult to snap a good photo of her. 

 The collection called  "Letters from The Darkest Corners of my Heart" featured dramatic silhouettes and eclectic styled makeup that is reminiscent of the late renowned designer. There was a couture essence of her pieces, which some were designed with hand written love notes which were also tossed on the floor.  The models were accessorized  jeweled embellished sunglasses and artistic headdresses.  Overall, the collection was extremely creative and unique.   

  

LFW: My Mod Moment

Coat (old) & Shoes: Zara, Top & Skirt: River Island, Bag (old): Top Shop

It seems as though fashion is currently in this 60's and 70's moment with a millennial rejuvenation. London is the city that originated the Mod style, which began in the 1960's. So, in London fashion, I wore a Mod-inspired look to my last Fashion Week event. River Island is one of my favorite UK based brands (think H&M and Topshop.) There were several all over the city, which made it easy for me to spend my money. I wanted to shop places and find pieces that I knew I would not find in the states. I loved the color-block of this skirt and A-Line is a silhouette I have yet to try. The top had the same white and black  "graphic-ness" as the skirt that pulled this look together in an unexpected way. I paired my favorite new boots and old coat from Zara to complete the outfit.

Look to the next to post to see where I wore this look to!