the lost shore

{irish fisherman sweater} Demy Lee from Steven Alan {gingham dress} The Reformation Cyrus dress, similar here and here  {black robe coat} The Reformation Sabel coat, similar here {over-the-knee boots in black leather} Dolce Vita, similar here 

Wearing black over-the-knee boots is an easy way to add edge and a bit of extra warmth to winter-ready your favorite dress. Let's face it, sometimes waiting for warmer weather to break out the dress you wore that time when everything in the world felt just perfect, and nothing could go wrong- will ferociously whittle away at your patience. I love the almost leather legging look of pairing sky-high boots with a longer dress or skirt, giving the illusion that the boots go on infinitely (or at least thigh-high) beneath that silky frock. Opposites attract, leather and delicate fabrics should always go together.

beach preppy

to tote or not to tote

{reverse seam shirt} Steven Alan {high waisted skinny jeans} Citizens of Humanity Rocket in Crispy {wallet bag} Loeffler Randall lock wallet {sunnies} Karen Walker Number One {shoes} Nike Free Run 5.0 {photographed at} Griffith Park, Los Feliz LA

Guy friends are always asking me what girls carry in their enormous handbags. It's something of an elusive mystery to pocket dwellers, though some of my dude friends have pretty schmancy totes of their own. But it begs the question, why must we carry the weight of the world in our Chanel bags? Theoretically I love purses. I mean, some are works of art in their own right. They can be gosh darn pretty to look at, all the while serving the purely utilitarian purpose of toting sh*t around. I mean who doesn't need to tote sh*t around? Stuffing War and Peace, or say an iPad in your pocket is so dang awkward. Yet, somehow in practice I'm less than stoked on handbags. If only because the idea of schleping around a bag laden with the kitchen sink makes me feel like a human pack mule, albeit stylish and constantly prepared. A necessary evil in NYC where you may need the kitchen sink. However, stuffing my pockets with iPhone-a-ma-jigs and lip balms and keys only serves to create more lumps than Lumpy Space Princess. Therefore this Loeffler Randall wallet-on-a-strap is my new go-to. Small and light enough to be barely-there, but with enough pockets to maximize organization and tote the essentials. First world problem solved!  

nineties redux

{castor leather vest} Veda here {sweater} Alexander Wang {skirt} 3.1 Phillip Lim {bracelets} Elena Estaun, H&M {necklace} H&M

If recent runway trends are any indication, long live the nineties! Rodarte's SS14 had plaids-a-plenty, Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane FW13 was highly derivative of the grunge era, as was Phillip Lim's FW12 just to name a few. How to throwback to the nineties without looking overly nostalgic, or Blossom-era Mayim Bialik. Take thoroughly nineties concepts- hello plaid, hello shirt tied jauntily around waist... Then update the concept with modern shapes and materials. Plaid gets millenial in this sheer white Alexander Wang incarnation. Phillip Lim takes the shirt around the waist to the next level with this trompe l'oeil silk skirt with attached "shirt". Oh, Phillip Lim- the nineties never looked so good!   

surface to air

{coat} Surface to Air Prezo Parka (FW 12) similar here {dress} Rag & Bone Gayatri Arrow Print Dress {sunnies} House of Harlow 1960 {bag} PS1 

One of my favorite views in Los Angeles is from the Getty Center looking out over the 405 to the ocean.  Other impressive vantage points include Griffith Park, and Mulholland Drive. Check out that "marine layer" cough*smog*cough. An LA parka may seem to be an oxymoron of sorts, what with fairly consistent 75 degree weather and an inherent lack of seasons, but this parka from Surface to Air has been the perfect bi-coastal outer layer. Sans lining for schizophrenic LA weather and with lining for NY chill. Dual climate technology- if you can count a removable lining as technology. Fake winter > real winter. It's funny that I once braved -14 degree temps in NYC like a trooper but nowadays 60 degree weather in LA sends me into a rabid parka frenzy. I guess fake winter has turned me into a real pansy. Whether you're battling frost giants real or imagined, keep it cozy!

when in Palm Springs...

{on me} Iro Rovea dress, Chloe sandals, Chan Luu wrap bracelet {on Elise} Rebecca Taylor silk tank, Goldsign jeans {photographed at} ACE Hotel and Swim Club, Palm Springs

Elise and I are skilled in the art of fleeing the scene. Our spur of the moment getaways are legendary. Well, legendary at least to us. Palm Springs is always a nice respite from the hustle and bustle. Something about the desert is endlessly alluring. You can see stars! And cacti! Along the way we stopped in Cabazon to check out the outlets. Elise found an amazing pair of basket weave Prada ballet flats. Next stop, The ACE! It wouldn't be a trip to PS without visiting The ACE. We posed with goofy faces in the lobby photo booth, "say prune!" and then hit up the hotel's Amigo Room for fish tacos and drinks. I ordered a Pimm's cup type cocktail, it was super tasty and refreshing in the balmy heat. Who knew, apparently I love Pimms! The tasty liqueur was created by a farmer from Kent who owned an oyster bar in London and served the drink as a tonic to aid digestion originally. Good times!

fridays off the 405: Geographer at The Getty

{lace dress} Heimstone from Satine {necklace} Laura Lombardi {sandals} Chloe {bracelet} Chan Luu {bag} Rachel Nasvik Eleanor Mini Satchel, similar here

"You call me all the right words, but the right words sound so wrong..." The soulful electro-beats of San Francisco's indie band Geographer reverbed across the courtyard of The Getty Center. The perfect ambience for Geographer's dreamy mix of cello and synth. I'm a huge sucker for strings. Elise and I grabbed some PB&J's and white wine, then settled in amidst the travertine walls for an evening of sweeping orchestrals. It was practically a spiritual experience. The sun setting over LA turning the smoggy sky a million brilliant hues. Geographer's music soaring over a spectacular feat of contemporary architecture. The moment could not be more perfect, this is the sparkly dust that summers are made of! The band is seriously good. I immediately went on i-tunes and bought their album after the show. Yes, they were that good! "Verona", "Kites" and "Original Sin" are among my faves. Check out their website here and go buy their album, NOW!