schoolin'

i know. i know. WHERE ARE THE CORGI PHOTOS!?  i promised them and i definitely didn't deliver on that. sorry about that. i owe you guys corgi photos okay? i edited half of them and then when i picked up the editing for the second half i realized i didn't like any of them. that's what happens when you shoot in bright daylight guys, it just messes everything up. sooooo when i redo them i will post them and you will all die from cute attacks. just sayin.

so guess what's finally happening? SPRING CLEANING! it's taking me forever because i just have so. much. stuff. !!! It's exhausting. not going to lie i feel like if i start a fire it'll be easier. for a long time i didn't really know where to begin, it was so overwhelming. but i just got to it and i've been throwing things away and setting things that deserve better homes aside so i could list them somewhere. it's been kind of like a scary episode of hoarders. first step is admitting you have a problem right?

my goal for the end of the day is to clear everything from one side of the living room so i can move the couch. in hopes that this weekend i'll be able to set up my drafting table that i keep freakin talking about. lol. we're also thinking of getting rid of the couch. yikes! where am i going to take all my cat naps!? sigh. it's probably a good idea though, we have a really small apartment and we should probably get a smaller couch. i'd probably be more productive without a couch though let's be honest. i dunno, i'll keep ya'll posted on the very important couch decision of 2014. 

enough rambling, now on to this outfit. im 26 still lookin like a high schooler. lol. ay dios! i can't help it. sometimes i get dressed and this happens. i gotta say, these warby parker shades are everything. i wear them all the time even though sometimes i have to admit that they don't really go with my outfit. prescription sunglasses are the shit though. feels so good to not have to induce headaches by being a dork and wearing sunglasses with no prescription. on another note, i think i have to mention that this skirt is not crooked. the buttons are actually to the side. i bought this skirt in two colors because i thought the side button thing was ridiculously cute but when worn it totally looks like i'm dorky and wearing the skirt weird. although, that's definitely happened before with other skirts so, yeah. 

by the way, this backpack is so rad. i got it when i worked at the bookstore and found it in the sale bin for half off. plus i had a coupon AND a membership card. so majorrrrr $aving$! ah, the types of thrills around here. haha. man, i don't even know about this obsession with backpacks. one day i'll grow up and be a real adult with a handbag.

but, until then, you'll see lots of backpacks around here. haha

details:

sweater: h&m | top: urban outfitters (men's section) | skirt: tulle | socks: h&m | boots: zuriick (similar) | glasses: warby parker x leith clark | necklace: 31Bits via Ruche | backpack: barnes & noble (sale section heck yeah!)

Brick Walls & Bike Progress

Coachella weekend was awesome! I didn't go but all the bros/douchebags in my city did so getting around town this weekend was so nice! We even got a table right away at my favorite breakfast spot on Sunday. You can totally think I'm making a joke here but seriously that's how it was!

While everyone was at brochella I even took my bike out for a spin! I haven't ridden the bike in probably three weeks (maybe four?) and out of nowhere we decided to ride out in the street. Not entirely the best idea but I was feeling rather courageous and I got my new helmet in the mail. I got the silver glittery one in case you were wondering from last time. (It's awesome makes me look/feel like robocop). We rode out on the sidewalk a little to get to this industrial part of town where no one goes on weekends so I could get some practice. Now this is the craziest thing, riding on the sidewalk freaks me out, makes me really nervous and it throws me off balance, but when I ride on the bike lane (even with a few cars passing me by) I'm totally not nervous! Talk about being backwards. Either way, our next step is to take the basket off my bike because I'm 100% convinced its what's throwing me off balance. It's too bad because its such a nice Linus basket. Maybe we'll put it back on when I feel ready. I can't wait to get better at bike riding so I can bike to work from the train station. :)

Anyway keepin it short today. 

Don't be fooled by this outfit. It's hot out today. Unpredictable California weather, you know. 

Have a nice Monday folks! 

 

(lol my necklace is out of place)

Details:

sweater: urbanog | necklace: 31Bits via Ruche | dress: tulle | boots: urbanog | glasses: London retro via myoptique (giveaway win yay!)

Spirit In The Sky

Heeyyyy guys. Long time no see. I lost track of the days here getting hooked on bejeweled blitz. I wish I was kidding about that. Lol. I have a killer score to show though! 

Haha aside from my obsession with bejeweled blitz, I've been really busy at work learning all new things. It's already been a month in my new position and I still have lots to learn but I'm totally getting there. I just wish I had more time! Ain't that always the case for everything though? It's a breath of fresh air to finally love your job and love the people you work with. So happy and soooo grateful to the universe for making this happen. 

In other news, I got a call from my mom last monday telling me that I need to get all my stuff out of my room at my parents place ASAP so that my cousin can move in. It's super cool my parents are taking in my cousin but I definitely feel a little weird. I mean, I knew this day would come, it's been a year since I moved out but have a lot of my belongings there still. I was gradually (very slowly actually) packing things away and bringing them over to my place now but that got increasingly difficult when I didn't have car access anymore. So I mean, I was prepared for it, but I feel very weird no longer having a place at my parents home. I'd have to crash on the couch if I wanted to stay over. I need to get over it I know, because I have to grow up, it just feels, I dunno, unreal. 

So that nonsense happened last week  and i'm still not even done. I'm taking a break since i need to clean and organize and make space at my place before i can bring any more of my stuff over. it's going to be a really long process. so i apologize in advance for any sporadic absences. 

can we please take a moment and talk about this amazing St. Eve necklace? I'm obsessed with this beautiful necklace I scored for half off during a siiiiick sale Threadsence had a few weeks ago for newsletter subscribers. If you're not on that mailing list get on it now! There are always amazing deals going on! 

(can you tell i am partial to silver jewelry?)

outfit details

boots: vagabond via urban outfitters (sold out, similar) | pants: LA | top: tulle | denim jacket: Ann Taylor (thrifted) | hat: free people  | necklace: St. Eve Spirit In The Sky necklace via Threadsence ( can be found here too!)

Linus

Aaaaaannnnnd I finally have my bike!!!! Woo!!! SO EXCITED. I'm still ridiculously rusty, and by no means am I safe riding around people, but I think with enough practice I can make this happen. But now let's talk bikes!

I chose the new gold mixte, because I'm crazy and I need color in my life. But man isn't this color a beaut? At first look I was a little underwhelmed in person, I think I was expecting a more green gold, but I mean, it IS green gold, so I actually don't even know exactly what I was expecting. But it's okay because after a while it just grew on me. It was probably just initial shock of "damn, I actually have to ride a bike now".

This bike got a lot of adjustments because I need special things like a less aggressive riding position, thus easier handlebar situation, and in turn it did cost me a freaking pretty penny. However, I justified it because I'm not going to buy a car anywhere in the near future so, that's that.
Now as for Linus bikes themselves I LOVE them and highly recommend them. The reason why I chose these over the bobbin bike I was actually thinking of first was very simple. Bobbin bikes are from the UK and only very and I mean very few places carry them making getting parts for these babies rather difficult should you need it.  Also I was afraid I needed a standover frame especially because I'm a new rider but I just wasn't convinced by the overall look. Now the Linus mixte had that sportier look I was more interested in. And as a major plus, Linus bikes are from Venice Beach, CA so I felt better about supporting a California company. Plus, getting anything for a Linus bike would be much easier I supposed. I test rode the Linus Dutchi and I was a hot mess on the bike. I wrongfully assumed that it would be much easier to ride solely based on the fact that it has a standover frame, but boyyyy was I wrong! It just was more of a hefty frame to deal with and I felt like I had no control at all. I thought I would end up with that one anyway, assuming I'd have a worse time on the mixte, but I test rode the mixte anyway and boy am I glad I did! I had a much smoother ride and I felt more in control. Now I don't know if that was just my mind playing tricks on me or what because I'm a completely inexperienced rider. But that doesn't matter now. I can't wait for my journey with this bike!

I won't be riding for realsies (in public areas, we'll stick to deserted parking lots for nows) especially because I've yet to get a new helmet. Technically I don't really need a new helmet because I have a black pro-tec helmet I use for skateboarding but I feel that I need something with color so I can be seen out on the road. Now that I know the real color of my bike I feel like I've narrowed down my list to the following:

| 1 | 2 | 3 |

Decisions, decisions.

Outfit details: Sweater: Threadsence, zodiac top: wasteland, jeans: kohls, beanie: tulle, boots: urban outfitters (old), bracelets: Vanessa Mooney / Erica Weiner / Threadsence
x

that birthday life

What is it about my birthdays never ever going as planned? At least I found the humor in it this year and I'm actually not upset at all. It's super silly though, how literally ALLLL my birthday plans foiled. All! But regardless we made the best of the crazy and I still had fun. I even did a few unplanned things and they were so much fun. I suppose I had forgotten what it was like to be totally random.

One of those unplanned things was go to the Orange County Museum of Art with my twinsie, Marla. It even worked out for us because it just so happened to be the second Sunday of the month which was their free day! It was a really small museum but they had a good collection.

A few favorites:

(so bad i can't remember who did these except for bottom right: Llyn Foulkes)

one of my favorites was this rad room with projections and lights. it totally made our reflections look like we were in a cool 90s music video. (i believe this installation was by Diana Thater, but i could be wrong).

Outside of the building was a peeing dog. Yes. A peeing dog. Hilarious and ridiculously surprising for conservative Orange County. "Bad Dog" by Richard Jackson.

And because it was my bday celebration I had to wear a cute dress! Here's this Dear Creatures dress I got from Ruche during the major winter sale and I won't tell you how much it cost me because then you'll be suuuuuper jealous! ;)

Outfit Details: Dear Creatures dress via Ruche, Tulle sweater (old), betsey johnson shoes  (sold out, similar here), fjallraven kanken mini (now found at urban), wet n wild purty persimmon lip color

Also we had lunch at Lemonade. I def broke paleo for that and it was totally worth it. Yes, that is mac and cheese and pot roast in that sandwich topped off with a very refreshing mint cucumber lemonade! Ugggghhhh I want one now!
x

Hamburger Helper

first of all, i have to tell you guys...bare with me here with the grocery store outfit photos. i think it's pretty hilarious, but seriously, i have no other time to take photos and i feel like the blog has been quiet lately solely based on the fact that i just don't have any photos to post. D & i never have time off together during the day and we only ever go out to the grocery because we're boring old people, so here were are. also, we'll have to deal with crappy iphone photos for now my loves, because i just can't be bothered to carry a giant dslr everywhere with me. until i buy a nice dslr quality point and shoot type of camera, this will have to do!

on a more sartorial note here, can we talk about how i'm actually really into flares as of late? i loved them in jr. high and then after that i was just grossed out by them. i couldn't get past them. but nowwwww, i want all the flares! maybe it's all the 70s rock music i've been listening to lately that's really influencing my mood which in turn influences what i wear. that's just how it works and i'm totally not mad about it. 

remember how i mentioned that i mixed teal dye with black and ended up with a witchy green? well, here it is! you normally can't even tell but i think it really pops out with this chartreuse sweater. also, too bad we didn't get a closer shot of this rad zodiac necklace, but take my word for it about how it's both equally creepy and awesome. the water bearer's face is just hilarious.

coat: tulle, sweater: urbanog, top: ruche, bottoms: urban outfitters (scored on major sale! sold out, similar), boots: frye via macys, glasses: derek cardigan via coastal, necklace: anthropologie, rings: vintage & threadsence, lip color: wet n' wild megalast in purty persimmon no. 970

all in all, i had a freaking amazing weekend of pure relaxation. i had thurs and fri off work so technically i had a four day weekend! sadly, i didn't get to spend much time with D to go out and play, but it was nice to get some relaxation time after the crazy holiday work hours i had been working. i've spent my weekend cooking like crazy and i'm super stoked! i've been trying a lot of Diane Sanfilippo's recipes from her newest book Practical Paleo and i have not been disappointed. now that we have car access it's easier for us to drive out and get grass-fed meats and organic produce for our paleo meals. don't worry guys, when i'm out with friends i'll go ahead and eat that cupcake, i just cook paleo mostly for my guy. it's just easier if we both do it and i'm not being that jerk eating a sandwich in front of the poor boy. but i'm not going to lie, eating paleo has made me feel more energized and i no longer feel lethargic all the time--let's face it i was heading towards prediabetes there, and i'm not kidding, it runs in my family. but let's leave all that diet business for another time!

Aquarius

i find it weird whenever people ask me to describe my style. mostly because i just can't ever find words to give a proper descriptor. i find that my personal style depends deeply on how i feel that day. so can i say my style is moody? or i think probably mood-dependent would sound better. another thing i could say is eclectic but that's sort of ironically a generalization don't you think? maybe it's because i'm a costume designer by trade and i find costume history important that i find it hard to just "define" my style. i like everything. past trends certainly inspire new ones and silhouettes get recycled as do certain styles. the other day i went shopping with a friend and i asked "should i get this jacket? i love it" to which my friend replied "i don't know it's not really you". what does that even mean? it's not me? but i like it.  what does anyone else know about something being me? doesnt me liking something justify something as being me? naturally i was offended by that response, but it's okay, no harm was intended. i just think from now if i like something, i get it solely based on that fact. (and if budget allows of course).

and don't worry friends, i got the jacket anyway and it's definitely ME. 

let's talk about this graphic tank--the sides are so open it's ridiculous. i would never wear this with just a bra under without a jacket or a sweater because i just don't feel comfortable doing so. however, i found the secret to feeling comfortable in this shirt! a bra crop! it gives you more coverage if that's your thing (certainly is my thing).  i suppose you could also wear a small tank underneath too. my plan was to just sew up the sides a bit more but i think i like this idea of wearing color tanks under because sometimes playing with color is my thing.

sweater: tulle (old), skirt: tulle, graphic tee: wasteland, bra crop: urban outfitters (on sale now!), sunglasses: rayban, boots: doc martens, socks: american apparel

Summer Florals

On our days off D & i like to spend time doing "me" things but together. does that even make sense? he likes to skate at the park and i'll just bring along a book and sit and read while he goes and does his thing. watching him skate is fun but sometimes i feel like an uber creeper just watching him. there was a short time when i would bring my board and try to skate with him but the place we go to now has the roughest ground ever and i'm so afraid of tripping over a rock and breaking my arm or something. i'm definitely not as confident on that rough ass ground. we definitely need to find a new skate spot so i can join in on the fun but i mean, i'm in no hurry---i love spending this time reading. my goodreads goal for this year was 15 books so i could focus on my movie watching, but that hasn't proved to be as fruitful. but i still have til the end of the year to catch-up--we'll see!

dress: minkpink via threadsence, sweater: tulle, ankle boots: dolce vita (via macys), heartbeats necklace: erica weiner, glasses: derek cardigan via coastal.com, lip color: mirenesse lip bomb no. 4 via ipsy bag

Remember when i mentioned the weather was being really weird? It's still being super weird. I think it's living so close to the beach now that i feel very thrown off about the "summer" weather. i have spent most of my life living more inland in the SGV and every summer there is SCORCHING hot. so naturally i expected murderous heat this year and nothing yet. just weird humid stuff. today was windy and kind of chilly, hence this sweater. mreh, at least the weather's unpredictability keeps us on our toes!

i love this MINKPINK floral dress! my hair covers most of the top (sorry!) so you can't really see the sweetheart top but that's really my favorite part of this dress. also the fact that it's not too short and it's not long! just right. sometimes i wear it with my docs but that sort of makes it look reeeeallllyyy 90s so i tried something different today. haha.

...and what is any outfit of mine without my signature erica weiner piece, right? haha. here is probably my favorite Erica Weiner piece, the Heartbeats necklace. you can't really tell but it says "This Must Be the Place"---my favorite Talking Heads song. You can see a closer image of the writing here.

okay, leeds out! have a happy monday everyone!

'Murrica

Well, Happy Birthday America! I never usually dress patriotic on Independence Day, because well, i'm too lazy and I don't go anywhere on holidays anyway and it's just too much effort if i'm not going anywhere. ahhaha. I had to work today though, and we were told we could wear sneakers if we wore something patriotic so I jumped at the chance. Wearing sneakers at work is the best thing ever because i'm on my feet all day! I just don't know why it's just not allowed to wear em. But whateeeeveeerrrr. Please ignore that my socks don't match, it's become an issue ever since graduation. 

Also, I never realized just how pale my legs are right now. I need some sun apparently. Yikes. If you know me at all, you know i don't like the sun. I just. I can't. It's too hot. I don't like getting sunburnt. Sigh. But my legs...they're like vampire legs! I guess it's time to go to the beach. ayyy ay ay. 

I love the collar detail of this sheer waist tie shirt from ThreadSence. AND it's now on sale for muuuuch cheaper than what i got it for so you should probably jump at the chance while it's still there!

This is my please just take this picture so i can go face. Can we also note how it looks like i'm standing in front of a green screen or something? lolololol. 

Anyway, i hope all you fellow Americans are having a good and safe Fourth of July. Yay, freedom! I didn't get to go see my lil babies today so i'm a little bummed. But that's nothing bacon wrapped hotdogs won't fix! hahah. Okay i better get started on those! Adios!

striped boatneck long sleeve shirt // banana republic

blue sheer waist tie blouse // threadsence

chambray skirt // tulle

red sneakers // converse (duh)

3 stone cuff // gift...but i think it's from UO

glasses // coastal