Spring cleaning

It's that time of the year when I go through my embarrassingly extensive collection of clothing and get rid of the things I haven't worn in at least two years. This time around I decided to divide my items into Goodwill and resale. Upon the recommendation of my fellow apparel obsessed friend Emily, I took the resale items to my local Crossroads (side note: I love the name cus it reminds me of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony) It was such a fantastic experience. I unloaded 4 trash bags of clothes (don't judge) at the front desk where the friendly and fashionable staff graciously accepted my once cherished hand-me-downs. As the buyers meticulously sifted through my stuff, I scanned the floor and was pleasantly surprised to discover a really eclectic selection of clothes, shoes and accessories (including designer pieces like an LV bag and a gorgeous braided leather Fendi belt) I happily found a funky pair of earrings, a neon yellow silk blouse, a printed maxi dress and a pair Sam Edelman sandals I'd really wanted to get last summer. The best part of the whole experience was that in addition to my new finds for the spring, I still had 10 bucks left over. As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. It's worth mentioning that the buyers donate the pieces they don't want to charity so you can feel good about that. There are Crossroads all over LA, and I highly recommend exploring what they have to offer in exchange for your wardrobe rejects.

FYI, go to Blogger Market in WeHo today where bloggers like Cheyenne Meets Chanel (one of my personal favorites) get together to sell their clothes etc. Check out the flyer at the bottom of this post!

 Big fan of the uneven hemline...

 and the adorable print 

 Love me some nike high tops 

 Not crazy about this floral print, but the dress underneath is gorgeous on

 Fantastic selection of accessories 

Perfect spring dress

A great way to spend a rainy day

It's not very often that we Angelenos are faced with the challenge of figuring out what to do on a rainy day. Yesterday's unusual down pour was the perfect excuse to spend the morning drinking champagne and lunching in South Pasadena, a charming suburb located right off the 110 Freeway headed North from downtown. After sharing a delicious meal at Mike and Anne's, where the ambiance is lovely and the food is amazing, my mom and I passed by an adorable storefront and were drawn inside like moths to light. The boutique, Eleven8, has a fresh feminine feel. The walls are adorned with artwork and lined with dozens of adorable pieces in all different styles, cuts, fabrics and prints. Not to mention, there is an entire wall dedicated to scarves in every color you can imagine. After selecting the items I was taking home with me, I had the chance to briefly chat with employee/beautiful fashionista, Kristen Wolfe, and she was kind enough to let me photograph her (see below) Finding that perfect look is all about experimentation, and you'll never believe it, but that's her boyfriend's shirt she has on...kudos for taking a risk and pulling off a killer outfit (she also works for Redlight PR in Hollywood, an up and coming firm with clout in the fashion industry) So the next time it rains, whether it's tomorrow or two months from now, I definitely recommend a yummy meal at Mike and Anne's and some retail therapy at Eleven8 to make up for all that Vitamin D you're not getting.

http://www.eleven8.com/Eleven8/Welcome.html
http://www.mikeandannes.com/index.html
http://www.redlightpr.com/Mission.php

The gorgeous Miss Kristen Wolfe

 I want everything!

I regret not getting this skirt...I'm obsessed with polka dots right now

It looks really cute paired with this top

They also have lots of great accessories 

 Mike and Anne's

I had the Red Flannel...so.freakin.good.

My mom had the Albacore Tuna Melt...carbs, yum!

A simpler time

My new weekend ritual is going for a stroll down Spring Street with my little dog Rugby and grabbing a double shot latte at Coffee Bar (http://coffeebarla.com/) If you haven't been there yet, it's a great downtown hub for a caffeine fix and quality people watching...there are always a ton of fashion forward artsy types out and about making it a great place to be inspired by the edgier side of the LA aesthetic. On my way home this past Sunday I stopped by Drkrm Gallery and was pleasantly surprised to discover a relatively new exhibit of photographs taken by the prolific American photographer, Ansel Adams. The collection features a series of black and whites that capture the feel of Southern California during what appears to be a much simpler time. The series highlights some of LA's signature architectural elements, and also includes a variety of shots of men and women at work as well as a couple at home. The simplistic beauty of each photograph fills the space with a palpable warmth that renews your affection for Los Angeles and acts as reminder to appreciate life's little joys, like a long walk and a great cup of coffee. You only have until March 31st to check it out! Definitely stop by Hive Gallery too, it's right next door!

727 South Spring Street

LA, CA 90014

Weds-Sat: 12-6p.m.

Sun: 12-4p.m.

323.271.5635

 Looking out onto Hill Street 

 This guy's got swag

 The iconic Angels Flight

 That building on the right is a Ralphs...they definitely don't look like that anymore

Not quite Pinks 

Kisses goodbye

Fashion's new muse

The stunning Elle Fanning, younger sister of Dakota Fanning, has hit the ground running as the "it girl" for prolific designers like Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld. There is no question that nepotism reigns true in a city overflowing with aspiring starlets, but this girl's got some serious talent she's honed all on her own. The blond haired beauty's quintessential So Cal appeal is offset by an etherial quality that makes her uniquely intriguing. Pay close attention to this up and comer...there's no doubt she'll be a centerpiece in the world of fashion for years to come. 

Back to basics

Ciao bella! Bella Dahl that is...my latest apparel addiction. This self-described leader in innovative lifestyle fashion for women features a plethora of beautiful basics that are easy-to-wear and effortlessly chic. The sumptuous fabrics used in the construction of each piece makes for the perfect combination of style and comfort. Powered by EMJ Group, a local Los Angeles based company, the masterful minds behind the rapidly growing label have been able to create quite a bit of publicity for themselves. If you happen to be a resident of Downtown LA then you've probably spotted the huge Bella Dahl billboard on Olympic Boulevard that's appropriately within blocks of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). If you are looking to strengthen the foundation of your wardrobe with some beautiful basics, then this is the brand for you. It can be found at major retailers like Bloomingdales and at places like Kitson. Check out the website http://www.belladahl.com/

High fashion with a low budget: Marni for H&M

H&M has done it again! If you're anything like me, the prospect of being able to afford designer clothing without having to seriously dip into your savings account is like a dream come true. You'll recall that the Versace for H&M line was so popular it crashed the retailer's web page. Not to mention, when Donatella decided to follow up with her cruise collection, the US was excluded from the launch for fear of a second round of mass hysteria. Well today H&M has launched its Marni line and while it's been getting a fair amount of media coverage, it hasn't generated nearly as much lunacy from label hungry shoppers. The lack of obscenely long lines wrapping around storefronts nationwide is probably because fewer people are familiar with Creative Director, Consuelo Castiglioni. This exotically inspired designer has an acute eye for tribal prints, bold color combos, and unique accessories. Combining her various statement pieces makes for a quirky yet elegant look. If you haven't already, check out the collection at H&M...that is if there's anything left. Also, you have to watch the Marni video on YouTube produced by none other than Sofia Coppola.  

http://www.hm.com/us/marni#collection/ladies/1

This dress is my favorite piece in the collection.

Castiglioni at work.

I'm a big fan of the layering effect.

An ode to Minnetonkas

If you're familiar with the Minnesota based company then you already know what makes these moccasins so very special. Thanks to my mom, I've been rocking these beaded beauties since childhood. They are the epitome of American style. Minnetonkas' aesthetic evokes the same feeling you get when reading a passage from Thoreau's Walden and has the nostalgic quality of an old western movie. If you don't already have a pair, I highly recommend making the investment. In addition to the three sets of moccasins I own, I just got my first pair of fringed boots that come with these clever interchangeable accessories (see below) Whenever I've worn them out, I've had a fellow fashionista ask me where she can get her own. Not only are these things ridiculously comfortable (think Uggs meet Toms) the craftsmanship that goes into each pair makes them nearly indestructible. They definitely capture the free-spirited essence of the West Coast making them a perfect staple piece in every California girl's closet. Check out the website and their blog! 
http://minnetonkamoccasin.com/OurHistory 
http://minnetonkamoccasin.com/blog/ 

I wore the classic thunderbirds all over S. Africa this past January...my feet were grateful. 

The iconic Kate Moss shares my affinity for these amazing boots. 

I love them in this darker color too! 

Luck be a LADY

I discovered this amazing little gem during my college years with my biffers Adele. This adorable boutique, Lady, is owned by the fabulous Camille De Soto and is home to a delicious collection of vintage and new pieces. Her classically feminine taste is complimented by her eye for timeless treasures that will never leave your wardrobe. I especially admire her unique accessories and handbags. If you ever find yourself in Eagle Rock, you must also visit Owl Talk, a great second hand store with a lot of character. For those of you with a sweet tooth, stop by Auntie Ems for the most amazing red velvet cupcake E-V-E-R.