shop: staple summer outfit

I am a reasonably simple person when it comes to my style. I like girlie touches to my outfits, but nothing to frou frou. These items are staples in my wardrobe and often I wear something that resembles this complete outfit.

elizabeth and james sharp shoulder james blazer $395


twelfth street by cynthia vincent lace back cascade tank $215


current/elliot the boyfriend shorts $163 (or cheaper version at Urban Outfitters)


jeffrey campbell so smart wedge $98


alexander wang diego bucket bag $825

Shop: Polka Dots and Spots

Polka dots are a perfect addition to any summer outfit. I personally am not a fan of busy patterns so when things like polka dots are in for the season I get excited because they are simple yet provide enough flare for my solid attire. These polka dot choices are just a couple selections for a spicy incorporation to any wardrobe.

Clutch- French Connection

Jean Shorts- Topshop

Straw Hat - Miss Selfridge

Silk bra & briefs- Marni

Spotted Sandals- See by Chloe

Blazer- H! by Henry Holland

Denim Polka Dot Platforms- Robert Clergerie

shop: summer sandals

If you are anything like me then you have to have all sorts of sandal options to pair with your spring/summer wardrobe. They must range from simple and dainty to bulky and complex. Sandals are the one item in my closet that I must have a wide color variety of. I want to have a pair for all my different skirts and dresses, but also I feel that shoes are a way to lighten up my dark color palette. This seasons selection of sandals are hardly simple and I am loving it. I tend to veer towards big and gaudy when it comes to my shoes. These sandals below are on my "to get" list and I will be checking them off one pair at a time.


Rag + Bone Farringdon Sandal $298


Rag + Bone Farringdon II Sandal $235


Matt Benson The Sherpa Buttermilk $168


Promised Strappy Sandal $132


Sophie Sandal $98


Just wondering... when did sandals get to be so darn expensive. I don't consider myself to be cheap when it comes to shoes, but geese. It's crazy what people pay to be fabulous. I am one of them though.

Shop: The Rose Bowl Flea Market

This past Sunday was the Rose Bowl flea market. As most know, it is the one thing I always look forward to each month. I woke up Sunday morning to a grey sky and a large smile appeared on my face. Hot sunny days are never ideal conditions for the Rose Bowl because of the black top that reflects the heat and the sun. I picked up my Coffee Bean on the way and arrived at 8:30am. I usually go over to the clothing section first because I like feeling that I am getting early glances at the selections of clothing. I have a method when shopping at the Rose Bowl:
* I never go to the vendors that also have stores (i.e. American Vintage). I will just go to their store another day.
* Depending on my mood, I tend to avoid any vendors that just have rows and rows of compacted clothing racks. I definitely have to be in the mood to dig through them.
* I stay far away from the vendors that have piles of clothes on the ground. Gives me anxiety.
* My ideal vendors are the ones that have accessible racks that I can actually see the pieces and is manageable to browse around.

I have my favorite vendors. The girls whose tent this is are among my favorites. They always have great pieces, but early in the morning they don't bargain and are overpriced for vintage. This is something first time flea marketers need to be careful of especially at the Rose Bowl. For some reason vendors think it's okay to overcharge for their vintage because it's the Rose Bowl flea market; well it's not. For example, I found a pair of vintage Cole Haan leather Oxfords that I needed to have. (I use "needed" loosely). Now, seeing as Oxfords are very in right now I could find a brand new pair for anywhere between $40 to $200 depending on the make. These girls were trying to sell them to me for $35; crazy! I told them I'd give them $25 and they refused me and so I walked away. Bargaining skills are key at the flea market. EVERYTHING is negotiable. I went back at the end of the day when I was done perusing the furniture section and offered them $25 again and went home with my new vintage oxfords!

I also scored a great summer skirt, another army jacket, two vintage tees for the boyfriend and an entertainment table for our spare bedroom. I don't always come home with this much stuff. There are times when I come home with just a shirt and sometimes even empty handed, but I never come home a sad girl. I love walking around and just observing all the different people, chatting with different friends that join me, running into people, and even "window" shopping. It is so therapeutic for me.
Flea marketing is definitely a skill though and lucky for me I have had great teachers. It's funny to think back and remember how overwhelmed I was on my first trip. I got so disappointed when I didn't find anything. Now I embrace the abundance and love the experience (even if I come home empty handed).

Shop: Flirty Floral Summer Dresses

Summer is quickly approaching and it is time to pull out all my lightweight dresses and shop for new additions. I am really loving all of the floral prints that are in stores right now. I am not big into patterns, but I feel that floral prints are so versatile and you can either dress them up or down and wear them day or night no matter the cut. I am also loving the floral patterns because they put a girlie touch on my current style mood that consists of flannels, army jackets, army boots, and oxford flats and heels. Pairing shoes with these dresses will be easy because you could wear anything from Tom's, simple sandals, wooden heels, oxfords, platforms and even army boots. Here are some that I want in my closet:

Kissaria Ruffled Dress $118


Yumi Kim Camila Dress $182


Mcginn 'Adriana' One Shoulder Chiffon Dress $270


Dolce Vita Hope Dress $176

Shop: Army Jackets

I love flea marketing. It is what I look forward to all week. Living in LA I have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to flea markets. The one I look forward to most all month long though is the Rose Bowl flea market which is only once a month. Though, now the flea marketing is becoming a "cool" thing to do they seem to be expanding flea markets. There is now one opening June 21st at Dodger Stadium, which of course I will definitely be at.

One item that is largely popular at the Rose Bowl is army jackets. I found an army jacket there almost 2 years ago and it is a staple item in my wardrobe. Needless to say that the new wave and varied options of army jackets out in stores now make me so giddy. I have my eye on a couple different styles of them:

J. Crew's Boyfriend Fatigue Jacket $148


SMYTHE Summer Surplus Jacket$650



Theor Cotton/Linen Twill Jacket $315


In The Trenches Jacket $108



Or for a very cheap option do what I did and buy an authentic army jacket from a flea market or vintage store and get it fitted to your body type. I paid a large $15 for mine and it is as good as the above jackets. Though of course the shopper in me wants options when it comes to my army jackets.

Shoe Fix: Wooden Heels

I have a sick obsession for all things black. My wardrobe is predominately black. I really try and veer from black when it comes to shoes, but as I was searching for different styles of wooden heels I couldn't help but be drawn to the ones that were black. It is Spring and so choosing more neutral and lighter toned shoes would make more sense, but when it comes to choosing shoes I throw out all the rules of fashion. I figure pairing these black wooden shoes with a flirty floral dress would even out my Spring look.

Here are some of my favorites of the season:

Jeffrey Campbell "Charli-C" $124.95


Elizabeth and James "Greta Woven Pumps" $425


Buckled- Up Sandal from Anthropologie $178



Steve Madden "Danny" $109.95