High Beams

I can't let the summer go by without doing at least one post on beachwear, however small. Who knows when the sun will shine so bright again in the northwest so we should go out and chase it before it ends.

I had a fun impromptu beach shoot with my friend Trung. It was nothing serious and there was no pressure which is is exactly how the beach always makes me feel. I love this outfit because it makes me feel like a pin-up or a bathing beauty in these shots. With a crop-top, you get a tiny bit of midriff for sexiness or ventilation depending on how you like to see it. However, after the sun sets on the beach, I can still pair this outfit with a sharp blazer and some heels or nice flats and meet friends at a bar.

I'm Wearing:
Top: Kimchi Blue
Earrings: H&M (similar in emerald)
Shorts: American Apparel
Sandals: ASOS (seen here)
Sunglasses: Vintage

♥ [Dandelions]

The sun and the blue skies are enough to make me excited for spring and summer. I can already smell the barbecue in the air and the ocean breeze on my skin even if the temperature isn't any warmer than usual. Spring doesn't often make me want to dress like I live in the 1950's but I have to admit, I rather like it. I like the idea of driving in a convertible on a sunny day with a scarf to protect your hair and some killer vintage sunglasses to protect your eyes. This vision inspired my outfit today, though one day I will need to find a proper head scarf.

What I'm Wearing

Sunglasses: Forever 21
Silk Scarf: Vintage (similar)
Shirt: H&M (similar)
Jeans: H&M Conscious Collection
Earrings: Vintage Pearl Earrings (similar)
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Prospector

In the Mood for Tea & Biscuits

Photography by the Earl Grey Lover Zooey Ingles

How do you dress up a plain grey dress? With furs and jewels of course! I bought this dress because it was simple, easy to wear, and flattering to the body but oftentimes, even though I love wearing it, it was just too plain. So I saw it fitting to not just wear one but two necklaces from my favorite jewelry designers as well as seek out a fur scarf to keep me warm. What do you think of the results? Perfect for afternoon tea?

What I'm Wearing

Dress: American Apparel
Fur Wrap: Vintage (similar)
Tights: Express
Earrings: T+J Designs
Necklaces: T+J Designs Upcoming Collection
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Don't Even

In the Mood for Walking Arm in Arm

 

Photography by the Lavish Michael Shriver

This jacket may be the closest I've ever come to wearing a cape. I love the way it hugs my body but the arms are terribly stiff. It's as if the sleeves were made never to be worn. I actually really like wearing this jacket without the sleeves and seeing the arms trail as I walk.

What I'm Wearing

Dress: Maison Martin Margiela 
Shoes: Zara (similar)
Blouse: American Apparel
Corset: Gilly Hicks (similar)
Jeans: Nasty Gal
Jewelry: Vintage (seen here)

In the Mood for Fall Foliage

Photography by the Goat Herding Zooey Ingles

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest the majority of my life, I'm used to the trees staying green year round so it was breath taking to find fir trees that turned yellow in the fall. I can't even begin to describe how beautiful it is to see a mountain filled with yellow and green trees. It really is a fall paradise!

What I'm Wearing

Scarf: American Apparel
Shirt: H&M (similar)
Skirt: Club Monaco
Shoes: Vintage (similar)
Leggings: American Apparel
Lipstick: Make Up Forever Color #42

In the Mood for Acid and Rust

Photography by the Tiny Zooey Ingles

For a while now, I've been obsessed with this asymmetrical skirt from Helmut Lang. Luckily, Urban Outfitters carries the a nearly identical skirt for a quarter of the price!  I didn't even think twice before snagging it and now it's my favorite piece for fall. I love the skirt's edgy asymmetrical look as well as the flair of sex appeal and it pairs divinely with a pair of booties.

What I'm Wearing

Shirt: Vintage (similar)
Skirt: Sparkle & Fade
Necklace: Palmdale
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

In the Mood for Fall Layers

Fall is approaching and the weather in SF is unpredictable. One part of town will be warm while another part of town just 10 minutes away will be foggy, windy, and coooold. Growing up, my mom always told me that as long as I keep my chest and legs warm, then I wouldn't be cold. Last year, she got me this vintage blue, red, and cream striped wool sweater. I love how soft and light weight the wool is. Paired with the leg warmers, they protect me from the ever-changing weather and SF wind. Mom was right! If only I listened more...

Passing by Haight and Ashbury one day, I came across a store called Wasteland and felt in love with this brown, leather handbag covered by colorful cotton patches. It is the right size for day-to-day use and also works as a carry-on bag. It is fun as well as practical, with multiple pockets inside and out.

What I'm wearing:

Hat: Vintage (seen here)
Shirt: Zara (seen here)
Wool Sweater Vest: similar sweater
Skirt: Urban Outfitters (similar)
Ring: similar
Wool Leg Warmers: similar
Bag: Second hand from Wasteland
Shoes: Steven Madden (seen here)

In the Mood for Hazy Dreams of Golden Light

Photography by the Incredible Kevin Wong

This weekend we experienced the hottest days in Seattle thus far this summer and dressing for unpleasant weather can be tricky. I never want to look too minimal but on hot days it's much harder to layer up since everything ends up feeling hot and sticky against your skin. I think a good circular skirt is the best thing for a warm day and even better is a circular skirt with pockets! I got this one a few years ago at Forever 21 and it has always been my go-to summer skirt. Carrying a bag or purse on a hot day can weigh you down as much as the heat so the pockets do come in handy for small things. 

If you love the photos as much as I do, they were shot by my talented friend Kevin who is very accommodating. 

What I'm Wearing

Tank: Gilly Hicks
Skirt: Forever 21 (similar)
Sandals: Asos Colorblock Sandals

Hat: Vintage (similar)

In the Mood for the Salty Ocean Air

Photography by the Admirable Michael Shriver

This weekend I got to breathe in the salty air of the open sea and eat all of its contents too! The best meals are truly the ones you catch yourself and if you ever find the opportunity to convince your parents to  retire on a boat, be sure to seize it!

Something you shouldn't do is walk around on a sail boat with 4-inch heels though. The shoes looked fantastic for the camera but I had a few close calls there.

What I'm Wearing

Blazer: Lux (seen here)
Dress: H&M (similar)
Jewelry: Vintage (seen here)
Shoes: J.W. Anderson ALDO Rise Weatherbee Pointy Heeled Shoes

In the Mood for a Bit of Cutouts

Other than mint and neon colors, cutouts have been on trend this season as well. Bolder designs have cutouts around the waist or belly button area (such as this one from nastygal, this one from TopShop), others put the geometric cutouts on the back (such as this one). I've been quite fond of this trend honestly. The designs get very creative and makes daily wearable clothes more art like. It terms of where the cutout should be, it depends on your personal taste and body type. They show off a bit skin but not trashy.

I found this dress at one of my favoriate stores – THERAPY. Loved about how it incorporates the cutout with a bit vintage collar styling.

Miz Mooz does everything with a bit vintage, a bit funkiness and some playfulness. These shoes from them are one of my go-to daily heels. They are not too high (about 2 inches) and very comfortable.



What I'm Wearing:

Dress: from THERAPY store (similar ASOS flowery dress with back cutout)
Shoes: Miz Mooz (similar black cutout)
Sunglasses: from the fair (similar in tangerine)