something about airplanes

{fig. 1 & 2} Travel dress in the 1950's, via pinuplifestyle; my version of travel dress at SeaTac airport {fig. 3} Wearing: Elizabeth and James Yoshimoto jacket, an oversized button-down also from Elizabeth and James, Current Elliot jeans, peach APC ballet flats, and a vintage Gucci handbag from my Mom {fig. 4 & 5} Fashionable travel the Olsen way, Mary Kate and Ashley via Olsen's Anonymous; Rachel Bilson looking smart at LAX {fig. 6 & 7} Alexa Chung always travels in style at Heathrow, via dailyalexachung {fig. 8 & 9} Tolkien luggage tag via dailydoseofstuf; a vintage travel look via tumblr

The glamorous days of the golden age of travel may sadly be over, but there is still something to be said about a good airport outfit. Ladies with matching sets of Louis Vuitton luggage wearing pillbox hats, and perfectly tailored trench coats while climbing the stairs on the tarmac have given away to Juicy velour track suits and struggling with your shoe laces at the security check-point.

Frankly these days I'd rather fly nude. Okay, maybe in a scant bikini with clear plastic luggage to expedite the process of making it to the gate in time. Since that look is a tad bit impractical I'll settle for the comfort of stretchy Current Elliot skinny jeans, an oversized slightly sheer cotton button up from Elizabeth and James and their drapey leather collared Yoshimoto jacket. Top it off with some easy to slip-off APC flats and a Samsonite trolley and I'm airport bound in style.

origin of species

{fig.1} Finches studied by Darwin in the Galápagos, via wikipedia; Marc by Marc Jacobs Sandshell Finch Print Dress from ssense, buy here {fig.2} Marc by Marc Jacobs Green Silk Finch Blouse from ssense, buy here; screen print of Darwin's Finches by Diana Sudyka, buy here

Chirp! Chirp! The birds! The birds! Much of what we know about evolution and the natural world comes from discoveries made by Charles Darwin, the father of evolution. The man was a fascinating fellow. For example: he braved sea-sickness to sail the world studying geology and his famous finches. He suffered from a mysterious illness for which he treated himself with the popular "water therapy" of the time, bombarding himself with buckets of icy water. I've always been intrigued by Charles Darwin, but after watching "Creation" a movie based on his life and times I discovered that his story is also incredibly endearing. Not long after seeing the film, I spied these cute little finches adorning the Marc by Marc Jacobs spring collection and whenever I see finches I think Darwin. Probably not an intentional homage, but enough to tickle my inner science nerd. How amazing is that little dress?! The prints are simply for the birds!

Pan Am: Flights of Fancy

{fig. 1} vintage Pan Am ad from the Pan Am Historical Library {fig. 2 - 4} retro Pan Am stewardess uniforms on display in the San Francisco International Airport

Did you watch Pan Am? I did, because I'm a glutton for anything related to the golden age of travel. Especially vintage flight attendant uniforms! Chicken or beef! I stumbled upon a dainty little exhibit on a layover at SFO featuring these Pan Am duds. It's all very intriguing considering Pan Am was the principal airline in the US of A for a very long time. How insanely stylish is that cape and hat ensemble?! Fashion forward and entirely relevant today, Pan Am stewardesses were some very well-dressed ladies.

the MUSE: Charlotte Free

{fig. 1} Charlotte poses for Oyster Magazine {fig. 2 & 5} editorial from Wonderland Magazine, via trendland {fig. 3 & 4} via sidewalk hustle {fig. 6} via tumblr {fig. 7 & 8} via f*ckyeahcharlottefree

sunshine & shadow

{crop silk tank top} sunshine & shadow {geometric print shorts} sunshine & shadow {cut-out heels} Tenoversix {turquoise bracelet} native american artisan {photographed at the ACE Hotel and Swim Club Palm Springs} {photos by} Ten

Sunshine & Shadow by Lily Raskind has kind of become an obsession of mine. I had never heard of the line when I spotted these geometric print shorts at the Refinery 29 Sale at Space 1520. I immediately scooped them up along with this floaty little cropped silk tank. I then proceeded to lust over a few other pieces, including an amazing leather belt with a navajo pattern woven into it. Suffice it to say, I went back to the sale and picked up a few more key pieces from Sunshine & Shadow. The line has been described as, "a mix of light and dark, contrast and coherence, and understated with bold." This breezy top is the perfect soft washed silk for a hot day in Palm Springs.

Check out Sunshine & Shadow here.

one more day up in the canyons

{dress} Tenoversix Private Label {platform mary janes} Forever21 in the likeness of MiuMiu {lace socks} Forever21 {photographed at Griffith Park} {make-up and hair by Kim Graczyk}

The Griffith Park Observatory always brings to mind James Dean and Rebel Without a Cause. I guess there's some places that are immune to the constant change of Los Angeles. These are some of the images from a recent photo shoot I did with a young actress named Chelsey Cole. It was a blast styling and photographing her in a vintage inspired dress and sky-high platform Mary Janes with the Observatory and Hollywood sign looming in the back- ground. My friend, the amazing and talented Kim Graczyk was in charge of hair and make-up. Kim recently took home an IAWTV Award for Best Makeup/Special Effects for Dragon Age: Redemption.

This dress from Tenoversix is one of my favorite things in the world. It's one of only two in existence in this fabric combo. The fabric, a burnt out velvet in a gradation of blues and greens is vintage. I love the lace cut-out down the front and sheer lace back. This outfit is the perfect example of toughening up a sweet feminine dress with a heavy shoe and a pair of lace socks for contrast.