Stoked on Summer at Space 1520

{fig.1} Hollywood street style {fig.2} Perusing the art in the gallery space {fig.3} Surfer/skater boys strike a pose {fig.4} In front of the Amoeba Records window in a tropical vintage dress from Popkiller Silverlake.

Possibly one of the latest posts ever, I came across photos from last summer's Foam Magazine event at Space 1520 and decided it was finally time to post them. I guess there's no better way to get geared up for summer, than by thinking California surf chic. The photography featured in the gallery space was evocative of just that feeling. Dreamy photos of surfers braving waves on lazy summer mornings lined the walls along with pictures of models posing with perfectly tousled beach hair. Time to get stoked for summer!

storybook style

{lace top} Urban Outfitters {sheer skirt} Wasteland {shoes} Jeffrey Campbell {turquoise bracelet} Native American artisan

Venture down a little street in Beverly Hills and find "The Witch's House". A cottage straight out of Hansel and Gretel nestled between far more modern homes. It almost feels like finding a portal to an alternate fairy tale dimension. A bit of magic mixed in with the ordinary.

Built in 1921 for use as a movie set, the house is described in architectural terms as "Storybook Style". The Witch's house has even been credited for inspiring some of Disneyland's design. In 1934 the cottage was moved to Beverly Hills where it started a new life as a residential home.

I stumbled upon this place purely on accident. Standing in front of the house it was as if I'd fallen through the rabbit hole and was transported to a world where witches and goblins and sprites were real. The perfect backdrop for a romantic white lace top and flowing skirt. I tend to prefer this top with cut-off jean shorts and flat boots, but having caught a glimpse of what Stone Cold Fox has in store for Spring, a billowy slightly flared sheer maxi-skirt seemed like a good pairing in homage.

The Enchanted Hill

{fig. 1} The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle {fig. 2} On the beach at San Simeon, in the Alexa Chung for Madwell Betty Tea Dress and Opening Ceremony sandals {fig. 3 & 4} Outside one of the guest houses; statues in the Neptune Pool {fig. 5 & 6} The front gates of Casa Grande; a guest bathroom features clothing from Hearst's heyday {fig. 7} Indoor Roman pool inlaid with gold

"Rosebud" he whispers, as his hand falls limp around the snow globe he was clutching. It rolls to the ground and shatters into a million pieces. A scene from the film "Citizen Kane" based on the life of newspaper magnate and great eccentric William Randolph Hearst. I watched "Citizen Kane" in a college film class and was instantly mesmerized. Learning about Hearst and the real life "Xanadu" which was dubbed La Cuesta Encantada or "The Enchanted Hill" by Hearst proved equally as fascinating. I always wanted to visit the Hearst castle, and since it's the perfect little day-trip from LA I finally ended up at the gilded gates of San Simeon.

The castle makes for a fun visit, wandering the grounds everything is an exercise in glamour, excess and historical significance. A gold inlaid pool, whaaaa?! Zebras roaming the ground, you're kidding?! The Hearst Estate mixes various architectural styles that Hearst admired while travelling Europe. Where else would you find a genuine facade from a Roman temple alongside the architecture of a Spanish Cathedral and statues from Egypt. During the 1920's and 30's the Hearst Estate was the place to be. The likes of Charlie Chaplin, Jean Harlow, Cary Grant, Winston Churchhill, Howard Hughes and Charles Lindbergh were guests at the castle.

The Betty Tea Dress from the Alexa Chung for Madewell collection fit in perfectly with my surroundings. It's a little bit Great Gatsby with a 1920's vintage feel. Embarrassingly the skirt is very flippy and it was an incredibly windy day at San Simeon. I have a feeling the California coast may have gotten a flash of panty on accident. Luckily I was wearing boy briefs with little trucks on them.

the TREND: Vintage Circus Style

{fig. 1 & 2} via tumblr; 1952 circus girl via wr2bam {fig. 3} Mask and beaded dress from Topshop, circus tent ring from oldgoldboutique on Etsy {fig. 4} More beaded dresses from Topshop and inset photos via tadtomuchtanfortaupe and via girlsgonejunkin {fig. 5 & 6} Temperley 2010 collection inspired by 1920's circus stylings via vogue.uk; unicycle girl via pinterest {fig. 7} vintage circus poster via hearingvoices

Who hasn't dreamt of running away to join the circus?

seashore

{fig.1 & 2} Dress by Elizabeth and James {fig.3} The beach near Grays Harbor in Westport Washington

My most recent visit to Seattle included a trip with the fam out to Westport and Grays Harbor (trivia-the birthplace of Kurt Cobain). I scoured the shore for shells and rocks, finding the broken fragments of sand dollars littering the sand. Romping through the seagrass in an Elizabeth and James dress, I spotted the Grays Harbor lighthouse out over the horizon. The perfect dress for a walk on the beach.