Moschino & tulips

(Free People lace dress, Zara blazer, H&M hat, Moschino belt, Kelsi Dagger shoes, Elizabeth Wahyu ring, Banana Republic bracelet, Sarah Aghili giraffe necklace)

























Photos by Catharine Acurso.

I just had to jump on the Moschino belt bandwagon. After a bidding war on eBay, I scored this vintage Moschino belt and have had a hard time prying it off ever since. The blocky, gold letters against the sheen of black leather make this one accessory that can completely transform an outfit. So I kept the rest of my look simple and sleek with a black lace dress and tights.

The sculpture I'm posing in front of, "Hymn to Life: Tulips" in Beverly Hills, is by Yayoi Kusama and has special meaning to me. I lived in Japan for a year, and spent many weekends traveling throughout the country. The most memorable place I visited - aside from the exciting bustle of Tokyo and the wondrous serenity I found in Kyoto - was a small island in the Seto Inland Sea called Naoshima. The island, every art lover's dream, is littered with open-air sculptures, including a massive yellow pumpkin by Kusama. The fiberglass pumpkin is perched on the edge of a pier by the ocean, and the sight of it against blue skies is awe-inspiring. I visit Kusama's sculpture in Beverly Hills every so often, and whenever I see the whimsical dotted flowers and bright colors, I feel like I'm right back on that beautiful island.

If I ever feel better

(Banana Republic trench, Free People tutu skirt, DAVIS by Ruthie Davis shoes, TNA tee, J.Crew socks & necklace, vintage earrings)

When I first spotted this tiered mesh tutu at the Free People store, I gravitated towards the hot pink immediately. A pink tutu skirt is probably not high on anyone's practical shopping list... except for mine! Thank goodness my workplace allows me to wear pretty much anything I want.

The skirt is everything I look for in a standout piece - it's obnoxiously bright, frilly, feminine and just a little too much. To temper its girliness, I paired it with a white tee, trench coat and a layered necklace of faux pearls and rhinestones. And I couldn't resist topping it all off with my DAVIS by Ruthie Davis booties. They're my favorite shoes of the moment, oozing sleek minimalism with perforated patent leather, mirrored chrome heels, a modern shape and rounded toe.

If you have a minute, please vote for my outfit in the H&M Style Eye contest - and feel free to upload your own look as the deadline isn't until March 30th. The prize sounds pretty sweet: 3 winners are flown to NYC, given a $500 H&M shopping spree and featured in a Lucky magazine spread! I've also been busy attending Los Angeles Fashion Week events and meeting dozens of amazing Los Angeles-based bloggers, so stay tuned for updates on the shows and parties.

Photos by the enormously talented Catharine Acurso.

Comic books

I'm posting about this a little late but the Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader newspapers were kind enough to interview me for my participation in America's Most Stylish Blogger. They sent a photographer, Scott Smeltzer, over to my place for a mini shoot and below are some behind the scenes shots. I don't have my hands on any of his pictures yet but he was so much fun to work with, as was Zain Shauk who interviewed me and wrote up the article. Thank you so much to both Zain and Scott for everything! Check out the Q & A here.

(PH8 funnel neck dress worn as jacket, BDG silk shirt, Pleasure Doing Business skirt, Forever 21 red tights, Kenneth Cole boots, J. Crew necklace)

Last Friday, my good friend Henry Bow (whom I call Bow Bow, much to his dismay) invited me to meet Mike Mignola, a renowned comic book artist and author. Henry's a wonderful photographer and took some quick shots of me while we browsed the cool comic book store The Secret Headquarters in Silver Lake. Thank you, Bow Bow!

(Banana Republic trench, Goodie Two Sleeves tee, American Apparel mini, Nine West boots)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is enjoying the holiday season! Since it's been rainy and cold in Los Angeles the past few days, I've been taking full advantage and wearing my thick coats, scarves and boots!

Clothespin by Gale Parker

I'm a little late in posting this, but a couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the opening of Gale Parker's new store Clothespin on Melrose Avenue. Gale Parker is known for serving as a model and muse to greats like Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent (a portrait of a young Gale by Andy Warhol is displayed in the store), as well as being a former fashion editor at Vogue. Clothespin is her first boutique and offers one of a kind, printed dresses, blouses and skirts. Her stuff is amazing... all flowy, easy, carefree pieces made with vintage fabric and buttons. Possibly the greatest thing of all is that Gale and her team offer custom-made dresses (you can choose from hundreds of unique fabrics) and are even willing to design a new piece from a customer's old fabric or dress.

I was also so fortunate to meet Patricia Ziegler (pictured above), one of the founders of Banana Republic, at the party. I told her how I used to work at the store as a college student! Patricia was incredibly fascinating, compassionate and down to earth, and shared some of words of wisdom with me.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, please go visit Clothespin! It's worth the trip just to enjoy the inviting, whimsical ambiance of the store, decorated with tokens from Gale's past, shabby chic furniture, flowers and old-fashioned suitcases.

Europe bound!

(Rojas jumper, secondhand black tee, Boos and Besito bow necklace, Dolce Vita heels, BR necklace worn as bracelet, Kimski gator ring)

Thank you everyone for the early birthday wishes! I'll be sure to post pics of my bday outfit when the time comes in early September. It's been so hot lately that I busted out my little blue jumper to wear while exploring L.A. one scorching Sunday. Right now though, I need some info on the weather in two faraway cities...London and Paris!!! If any of my fellow bloggers live over there, please let me know what to pack and where to go shopping because I just received some amazing news. Later this month, I'll be visiting London and Paris for eight days for work reasons! Whenever I get a free moment, I know I'll be sneaking over to Topshop to buy clothes or ducking into a boulangerie to snack on pastries. I can hardly believe I'll be traveling to these two fabulous cities in just a few weeks. It's thrilling!

Packing tips! Shopping recommendations! Anything would be appreciated!!

Lace it up

I fell in love with this Nanette Lepore lace top almost instantaneously. It's such a statement piece for fall with its gorgeous black lace detail, the sash around the neckline, and black-and-white color theme. Most special of all are the black lace cuffs and the accompanying glossy buttons, which evoke a lovely Victorian-era aura. I paired the top with J Brand jeans and wedge shoes with crazy tassel ties that are a couple years old from Banana Republic.