To be a Tyrant

(Farahbella dress from Pixie Market, F21 tights & flower ring & hoops, Zara belt, Wilfred blazer, GUESS? boots, personalized Tyrant nameplate necklace, Tyrant 5 chain fringe bracelet, Tyrant leather charm wrap bracelet, Kimski chain purse, ObscuredCouture rhinestone-studded glasses)

Photos by Catharine Acurso.

As a fashion blogger, I've been very, very lucky to come across some amazing individuals. Two of them include Ty and Brandon, the creative geniuses behind Tyrant Collection. They were kind enough to craft one of their signature nameplate necklaces for me. I love the modern simplicity of the design - a sleek, sterling silver rectangle with my name etched in capitals on the front. Their butter-soft braided leather bracelet with its dangling charms (a skull, a crown, a wing and more), which I wear wrapped around my wrist four times, has also become my talisman recently. Each hand forged Tyrant piece feels personalized and incredibly special. The proof lies in the fact that every single time I wear their jewelry, no matter where I go, people fall in love with it.

Poetically

(Avant poet sleeve blouse from Nasty Gal, borrowed Emily Elizabeth Itsy Bitsy spider necklace, Zara pants, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, L.A.M.B. clutch purse, J.Crew bracelet, Isharya earrings, vintage Ferragamo leather gloves - thanks Mom!, F21 glasses)

















Photos by Catharine Acurso.

I should have posted this look a while ago, as I wore it on Mother's Day to brunch at Bottega Louie in downtown, but better late than never! What I love most about the outfit is the blouse, with its huge, exaggerated sleeves and cascade of dramatic ruffles down the front. This was also the perfect opportunity to wear my high-waist Zara trousers. Now that summer's here in Los Angeles, I'll have to retire both the blouse - it feels heavy after a few hours! - and most likely the pants, but I'm excited to bring my ripped shorts, light-as-air tanks and floppy hats out from storage.

Soldiering on

(vintage Chanel bag, American Apparel mini skirt, See by Chloe plaid top, TNA tee, Alex & Chloe sword necklace, F21 earrings, Kenneth Cole boots, Zara jacket)

(Photos by Catharine Acurso)

I bought this green army jacket from Zara years ago, so I'm thrilled that military-inspired jackets are one of this season's must-have items. This jacket has always served as a versatile layering piece for me; I've thrown it on over floral frocks, skinny jeans and tees, even little cocktail numbers when I want to dress things down. But for a cool day in Los Angeles, there's no outfit more effortlessly comfortable than this jacket layered over soft cotton basics with a hint of red plaid.

Bing bang birthday

(Zara shoes, Topshop dress, Bing Bang necklace, vintage cuff)

I was so busy sightseeing and eating my through Paris that I didn't have a chance to take pictures of my birthday dress over there! So here they are... as promised. Thanks so much everyone for your sweet bday wishes and comments!

Even though I was working on my trip, I did manage to slip in some shopping. The black lace dress with shoulder cut outs--purchased after several trips to the Topshop on Oxford Street (I had to go several times; the place is overwhelming!). The Wonder Woman-inspired cuff--found in a vintage store near my hotel in Paris, where I consulted with the shopkeeper about its price using a very handy French phrasebook. And one of the best birthday presents I got this year was the Bing Bang Joan of Arc necklace, a creation of mixed metals like sterling silver, yellow gold, rose gold and brushed brass on a brass chain. All in all, it was a truly wonderful way to spend my 25th birthday. I hope everyone gets to celebrate their birthday in Paris at least once!

Day to night

(J.Crew shirt, J.Crew necklace, Elizabeth & James pants, Guess boots)

Right before I went on a trip to NYC last summer, I picked up this lamé gold top made of sheer, naturally wrinkled fabric from J.Crew. I thought it was casual and cool enough to withstand New York's humid afternoons, yet dressy enough to transition to night for hitting up the Meatpacking District or so forth. I still remember the salesperson who rang me up telling me he wished his girlfriend would wear the shirt! The necklace is another one of my favorites--the type that totally transforms an outfit instantly. Five years ago I rarely shopped at J.Crew, but lately, their selection is full of cool pieces like this sherbet orange ruffled cami and boyfriend jeans that I really want to try!

The statement-making choker

Much like the other breathtaking creations of Tom Binns, this vintage-inspired crystal choker is beautiful enough to make me drain my savings account. As you can see, the necklace isn't perfectly symmetrical: on the left, the stones are attached directly to the chain, but on the right the stones are surrounded by topaz crystals. The unbalanced design is slightly disconcerting, but gives the necklace such an interesting and eye-catching twist. The centerpiece, of course, is a spectacular rectangular amethyst measuring 1" by 3/4". As statement necklaces are measuring up to be a major fall trend, this Tom Binns beauty is perfect for taking out to a party or swanky dinner. The exquisite multisized stones, in a dazzling rainbow of colors such as topaz, gray, green, ruby, emerald, and purple, manage to convey a regal air that is youthful and fresh at the same time.

Elementary school nostalgia: BFF necklaces

My best friend from elementary school and I used to wear those best friend heart necklaces, cheap pieces of pink plastic jewelry signifying our loyalty as BFFs. Each of us got one half, either "BE FRI" or "ST ENDS." I loved wearing mine; it remained a comforting and tangible expression of our friendship as we grew up and went on to different schools. Those necklaces are long gone (I suspect my mother of throwing mine out) and though my friend and I are now separated by geography, we still have intermittent contact and remain in touch. That's why I immediately thought of her when I saw these rather grown up Best Fuckin' Friends necklaces in brass (made by In God We Trust). Hand hammered and engraved in pretty cursive, these necklaces are a sassy reminder of that nostalgic piece of elementary school jewelry. Now that we're adults, it doesn't stand for best friends forever...but you can remind your BFF that she's your best fuckin' friend with a necklace in silver or brass.