holiday outfit

Equipment silk shirt, Gap pointelle sweater, A.P.C. trench, Black Milk pants, nOir necklace, Ray Ban wayfarers, Botega Venetta clutch, Jil Sander wedges

Took these photos for a Gap feature a couple weeks ago before attending a shopping event at Madewell for DailyBuzz Style! I'm still in LA visiting family so my actual holiday outfits included bare legs and shorts since it's really warm here. I did get to frolic in the snow last week with an impromptu trip to Tahoe though! I've never actually experienced a white Christmas since I've always spent it in Southern California. I guess I'll just stick to celebrating in shorts for now.

Oh I also updated my shop blog! Go check it out!

"Head Over Heels" - Tears For Fears

forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit

vintage sweater from Painted Bird, skirt c/o Fancy Fine Vintage (thanks Ashley!), Fjallraven backpack, Rachel Comey boots, Karen Walker sunglasses

Can't believe it's been almost a month since I've posted. This may be my worst offense yet. These past few weeks have been a bit taxing to be completely honest. The biggest hurdle has been the unfortunate demise of my trusty camera: a blogger's worst nightmare. I made the stupid mistake of leaving a cola bottle with a lopsided cap in my waterproof backpack where my dear baby swam in sticky liquid for God knows how long until I opened my bag at the end of the night to discover an empty bottle. It was heartbreaking, to say the least. Throw in a couple more bothersome life changes (like say, my 23rd birthday) and that's me in a nutshell right now. But really, it's no use dwelling on things, I think I've dealt with enough these past few weeks. For deeply personal reasons that I don't wish to discuss at the moment, please don't ask questions or inquire further, it's really upsetting when strangers try to pry into your personal life when you choose to share only bits and pieces for a reason. Thanks everyone.

In more positive news, I did a video interview for Azalea last week which I've posted on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. so you may have already seen it. They're hosting a giveaway for the Kiel Mead ring that I'm wearing in the video so go like their page by the 16th! I also modeled for Ashley's vintage shop Fancy Fine and got this awesome skirt as a thank you. I had a cold at the time so please excuse my sickly face, I had to blow my nose after every outfit! I still had fun nevertheless and I'd totally do it again. Let's see, what else have I been up to? I've been attending more blog related events in San Francisco like the Steven Alan opening with Refinery 29 and DailyBuzz Style's blogger event at Madewell. I'm still trying to figure out the camera situation but luckily I have awesome friends who have been helping me out. I managed to shoot some photos for Gap last week that I'm super excited to share but that will have to wait until the end of the week. Until then, cheers everyone!

Blogger Spotlight: Annabel Ly from AzaleaTV on Vimeo.

no more BARE legs

Vince sweater c/o Shop It To Me, H&M shorts, bag c/o Coach, Ray Ban wayfarers via Swirl, Bass loafers, hat c/o Native LA

Enjoying the last bit of warm weather... two weeks ago? Not sure. Big whoops! Been feeling under the weather but I've taken a few outfits recently so I'm set for the week. Speaking of this week, if anyone is in the area I will be attending the BAREing it all panel at my alma mater UC Berkeley so come join (har har hence the punny title)! I turned down the opportunity to speak (seriously, who would want to listen to me?) but look forward to hearing what everyone else has to say.

Also, a big thanks to Equipment for the Style Spotlight feature!




"Heroes and Villains" - The Beach Boys

extra flamin hot

Equipment denim shirt, T by Alexander Wang striped shirt, Hudson Nico jeans, Bonlook glasses, Fjallraven backpack, Vans sneakers

Okay, I know what you are all thinking. Where did all this hair come from?! I ordered these extensions in preparation for Halloween (okay maybe not...) so I've been exploring this mermaid hair fantasy that has always been an unreachable goal for me. My hair never grows! I think I'm going to trim it though, seems like it's too long for me. It was actually a big hit Halloween weekend (I wish I'd taken a photo of the whole outfit instead of just one of my make up) when I wandered around a friend's party looking like a creepy dead figure in a floor length gown with lace sleeves. Fun, fun.

Oh yeah, the beach. Halloween weekend was unseasonably warm like the rest of October so Lulu and I squeezed in an afternoon trip to Baker Beach to enjoy what was left of the sun. We finally found a store in San Francisco that carries those xxtra Flamin' Hot Cheetos after first trying them on our way to Coachella back in April. I actually used to bring as many bags as I could carry with me whenever I'd come back to SF from LA. Yeah, they're that good. So good that they made their way into my blog photos... no regrets!

Sorry to sound like a broken record but there's still time to vote guys! Thank you so much to those who already voted and have continued to vote!

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" - The Beach Boys

still warm

White Crow lace dress, Gap denim jacket, Karen Walker sunglasses, Fjallraven backpack, Rachel Comey boots

Having internet problems at home so I'm borrowing my friend's but her computer keeps freezing every few seconds... I guess that means I should probably keep this short. Wore this out the other day while it was still warm. Seriously, Fall, where did you go?!?

Please don't forget to vote!


"California Dreamin' - The Mamas and the Papas

instagram'd

Equipment silk shirt, A.P.C. sweatshirt, Theory shorts, One Language bag, glasses c/o Bonlook, Bass loafers

I haven't been able to take outfit photos like I've wanted to for a number of reasons so I figured I'd share a couple of my favorite recent Instagram photos. I've been using Instagram for a while (I'm ornithes on there if you want to add me) but lately it's been replacing my SLR since it's so much faster at capturing images in the moment. Obviously the quality isn't superb but I guess that's what I like about it the most: I love playing around with filters to get that grainy vintage feel instantly in your hand as opposed to waiting for a roll of film to develop. I haven't shot film in a while (became too costly after a while, same goes for polaroids) and of course nothing comes close to emulating that experience of being surprised with developed film or instant polaroids but these photos are still fun, no? This, however, is a different type of new experience which Instagram has really hit on the mark and I'm enjoying every bit of it on a daily basis. I remember taking on those "one photo a day for a year" challenges and failing but I've probably already done that without realizing it through Instagram...

I went to the Acre/SF x Refinery 29 party last week to support Jenny and Marcus and made the naive mistake of walking up to North Beach from downtown SF. Killer view but jeez, I could barely catch my breath by the time I made it into the store. I even had to take my glasses off for 5 minutes when they kept fogging up because of my body heat! The party was great though, I wish I went to these events more often. It was fun seeing a bunch of familiar faces too.

Of course this post wouldn't be complete without a comment about the weather. Yesterday I refused to step outside because it was so hot. It's the end of October, come on! I've been through five SF Indian summers so far and this one has been the worst. Of course it's nice to have warmer weather but it's hard to get into the Halloween/autumn spirit when you're sweating in shorts. A couple weeks ago it finally felt like fall (even with an abundance of wet sunflowers) but my new Loeffler Randall rain boots didn't arrive until the day after the rain had subsided! I have been, however, wearing my Bonlook glasses almost every day except it was probably a bad idea to wear them in the rain since I couldn't see a thing. I've been wearing contacts almost exclusively for the past five years so it's been a refreshing change to wear glasses most of the time and not worry if a contact is dry or torn.

I've also been on a huge burger kick lately. I'm posting these from latest to earliest. Yesterday I finally tried the brunch at Beast and the Hare (which is actually right below Brent's apartment except we've only been to dinner there once, huh), skipped the breakfast fare and went straight for the burger which had, get this: bacon, caramelized onions, AND a fried egg. Last week I went with a group of friends to the new Umami Burger joint that just opened in SF. None of them had ever been to Umami in LA and were all pretty impressed while for me it was a nice familiar taste of home. It was also the third burger that I'd eaten in a week (Super Duper was the second and a burger from Chez Maman was the first) so I was burger-ed out for a while. Next burger pictured came from Super Duper where I made the mistake of ordering the double burger thinking it would be like In-N-Out but quickly regretted it when I started feeling full and sick halfway through. Finally, Brent and I also really enjoyed the sliders at Jasper's Corner Tap & Kitchen, I think we went there before we saw Drive? Anyway, from what I remember the cute lil burgers came on a sesame pretzel bun and had blue cheese, totally worth it if you're in the area. I probably shouldn't admit this but I actually omitted two other burger photos (Red Robin lol and Chez Maman) because that would be a bit... much...

Okay, back to the weather. The warm weather hasn't been that bad. Sometimes I forget how nice it is to venture out to the Ferry Building with friends when the weather is nice. Most of the time I'm there I usually go alone but with friends it's easier to lose track of time drinking happy hour margaritas by the water and picking up Blue Bottle iced coffees. We have to enjoy it while it lasts, I guess, because we won't be able to stay out like this at 5pm again in less than a month... summer's really over, isn't it?

See the rest of my Instagram photos here. Also, please keep voting!

hudson jeans x nordstrom x blushing ambition

Gibson Knit Riding Jacket, Equipment silk shirt, Hudson Nico jeans, Bass 'Wayfarer' loafers, Coach satchel, Karen Walker sunglasses

Well guys, I did it. I took the plunge and accepted a blog related challenge. I partnered up with Hudson and Nordstrom to style an outfit and participate in their contest on Facebook! Unfortunately it started raining the day I decided to photograph the outfit but I kept the sunglasses on and looked like an idiot anyway. I get a lot of comments asking why I wear sunglasses in every post (Blair and I bonded over this once, haha) and the only thing I can say is that I'm almost always in sunglasses whenever I go outside. I guess it's a safety blanket type thing, I don't know.

So yes, here's my look. Nothing too different from what I usually wear, haha. I'd really, really appreciate it if everyone took the time to vote for me in this contest (you can vote once a day)! I never do things like these so it would be amazing to win but I wouldn't be able to do it without your guy's help. I also hosted an event for them last week so look out for photos in an upcoming post! Thanks guys!

VOTE FOR ME ON FACEBOOK!

life is a mountain not a beach

t-shirt c/o StyleMint, A.P.C. skirt, Coach satchel, Karen Walker sunglasses, Rachel Comey boots

Feeling more grumpy than usual, please excuse my sour faces. I've been a little under the weather this week. Hopefully the next will be better.

"Dans le même wagon" - Marjorie Noël

words to live by

"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."

- R.I.P. Steve Jobs

cafe gitane

Posting this on an empty stomach probably isn't such a good idea but I'm doing it anyway. Went to Cafe Gitane when we stayed with our friend in Nolita. I'll let the photos speak for themselves since my stomach is killing me but I HAVE to say this: AVOCADO TOAST. AVOCADO TOAST!