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!!

Spotlight On: Savee Couture's gold yellow dress

In the search for my 25th birthday dress, I came across Savee Couture's slinky gold yellow number. I blogged about their floral mini last year, but this dress stuck out to me because of its glorious amber-yellow hue. I'm a sucker for anything colorful, as you all know (just scroll down!), and I love the challenge of turning a sexy dress into something that's more my style. One of Ashley Olsen's quotes from July 2005 Harper's Bazaar always sticks with me: "If you look at pictures of the two of us walking down the street, you know we're not trying to look like sex symbols. My idea of the highest compliment is 'adorable.'" I totally agree with her!

I'd love to see this dress paired with a cluster of chunky Iosselliani goth-inspired necklaces, cage heels and a dramatic, perfectly tailored blazer. It's difficult to tell in the picture, but there is a gold wire snake twisted around the neckline which lends itself perfectly for that kind of look! How would you style this dress??

Check out more pieces by Savee Couture here!

Summer, so far

(Rory Beca mini, Zara shoes & blazer, F21 tank, vintage cuff, random sunglasses)

Scoops of banana dulce de leche ice cream. Teeny shredded shorts. Iced Mexican coffee. Seagulls. Baby skunks. Homemade lemonade. Fuschia nail polish. Braided hair. Kumquat mojitos. Neon. Barely there tees. Alfresco dining. White walls. Reality television. Ferris wheels. Overripe mangos. Sweaty knees. Long shadows. Shoulder-baring tanks. Pink sunglasses.

Red, white, and blue

(Ralph Lauren ruffled top, Levi's shorts, Bonnibel sandals, Alex & Chloe triangle earrings)

I wear red, white, and blue every fourth of July. It's my little patriotic tradition, because I love holidays and the excuse to get dressed up according to a special theme. It's the only July 4th tradition I cherish, as every year finds me in a different place on America's birthday. Last year, I was en route or already in New York City while the year before, I was celebrating from afar in rural Japan, and the year before that, in Los Angeles where we bought sparklers from a street vendor and lit them up at night. This year, I spent the holiday in San Diego, eating barbeque and fresh watermelon right by the beach. Who knows where I'll be next July 4th? I only hope it's someplace exciting, and warm, and maybe even far away... I'll be sure to pack my red, white, and blue before I leave.

Hope everyone had a wonderful (belated) fourth of July!

Nutella lattes and hungry chipmunks

(blazer from Japan, T by Alexander Wang tank, AA bandeau, F21 skirt & shoes, Perlina bag)

I just spent the weekend in Boston where I had the best clam chowder in the world. I don't know how they cook it differently over there, but those New Englanders really know how to make chowda! Boston was a good change of pace--unhurried traffic, clear air, stately brick buildings, vibrant greenery at every turn. I fed pigeons and chipmunks at Boston Commons, sipped a Nutella latte at an outdoor cafe, and squeezed in some shopping at 344 at the Prudential Center and Pinky Otto on charming Newbury Street. I definitely noticed a preppy vibe oozing from the city's fashionistas, so I jumped at the chance to wear my blazer, tights, and new $6 oxford heels from Forever 21.

Yes, they were really $6!

Jungle gym

(Monrow tee, Levi's ripped shorts, Silence + Noise vest, Jeffrey Campbell cutout shoes, vintage cuff, Alex & Chloe earrings and necklace, random sunglasses)

Something about this bike rack in the middle of the sidewalk brought out the third grader in me. I was glad I wore something comfortable so I could horse around--a tissue thin T-shirt splattered with neon green artwork, ragged shorts, cutout shoes with low heels and my new favorite sunglasses, the only thing I bought from Vancouver during my work trip. Lately, I've been picking outfits that allow ease and freedom of movement, choosing sandals over platforms and shorts over small skirts. I can't wait for the sun to come back to L.A.; I want to live in shorts this summer and let my skin soak up all the warmth and light while it can. 

Speaking of which, I'm on the lookout for a pair of low rise distressed shorts (much like the ones in these photos which are high rise). If you know of a brand of shorts, preferably one easy on my wallet, please let me know and I'll be indebted to you!

White out

(SteveJ & YoniP top, American Apparel neon bra, Siwy jeans, Dolce Vita shoes)

I've dubbed these jeans my Ashley Tisdale jeans. After doing some photo research for work, I noticed Ashley wearing this ripped white pair a few times... and the more pictures I saw, the more I wanted them (this photo research business is proving dangerous to my bank account). After a quick scan through some of my favorite websites, I found out the maker (Siwy) and bought them, thinking they'd be a great summer staple. They're comfy, stretchy, distressed to just the right degree, and white. I have not worn a pair of white jeans since elementary school so I'm excited to break these in all summer long!

Spotlight On: LaROK suspender shorts

When summertime approaches (although you'd never know it with this weekend's dismal L.A. weather), I love channeling my inner tomboy. For me, a girl who actually adores dressing up, summer is all about stripping down to the essentials--shorts, sandals, clothes that are comfortable, free and easy. At the same time, I'm a sucker for girly details on all my clothes. That's why I'm completely in love with LaROK's Socialista suspender shorts, which feature a removable ruffled suspender--a clever, feminine twist that keeps the outfit from being too ho-hum. I envision throwing it over a plain white tee, slipping on some wedge sandals, and running out the door in time to soak up all the summer sunshine. Now if only the L.A. weather would start to cooperate...

Check out more pieces by LaROK right here!

There's something about pink shoes...

(L'Wren Scott matador coat, T by Alexander Wang tank, J.Crew necklace, AA skirt, Zara shoes)

So as you can see, I have a current new obsession: my hot pink shoes. I can't get enough of them. At this rate, they'll fall apart in a few months! But I really think there's something about hot pink shoes that draws people in. While wearing them out and about today, I had inquiries from three young girls working outside a Ruehl store, a 60-year oldish man who stopped me to say "Those are the most beautiful shoes I've seen in a year," and a mother of twins who stopped pushing her baby stroller to ask me where I got them! 

Again, I have to thank my lovely friend Marc from Mission to Murse for taking these beautiful pictures! He's a wonderful photographer with an innate talent for taking pictures and endless patience.

Blue tennis court

(Vintage dress, Silence + Noise leggings, Zara shoes, Badgley Mischka earrings, vintage cuff)

I've been extremely MIA for the past several weeks... but I'm happy to report that I am back! In between work, super early morning workouts at boot camp (just as grueling as you might imagine, yet strangely fun at the same time!), and hosting a string of guests at my apartment, I haven't had time to update or visit everyone else's lovely blogs, so please excuse my brief absence!  However, I recently managed to do a mini photoshoot with my friend Marc and here are some of the results of our collaboration! 

By the way, I am in love with these hot pink shoes and hot pink in general lately. I've always had a soft spot for that outrageous color but now it's turned into a full-blown obsession!

Denim chambray

(Nanette Lepore blazer, A|X bubble dress, UO tights, Jeffrey Campbell shoes)

So for those of you who don't know, I'm in Vancouver right now for a work trip! These shots weren't taken in Canada (I'm by myself so there's really no one to take blog pics for me, and it's a shame because the city is so scenic!), but I'm having a blast working and admiring the way Canadian girls dress. The weather couldn't be better--sunny, clear, with a cool breeze--and my hotel has a beautiful view of the marina. The only thing missing is a good chunk of time to shop; our days are so packed that I haven't found the time, except to stop in at Aritzia on Robson Street where I fell dangerously in love with a pair of $310 Ksubi jeans in a lovely, faded blue wash. I'm so into denim chambray right now, like the Nanette Lepore blazer I'm wearing here. It's been my best friend for several weeks and I can't seem to let go of it.

Malibu skies

(Rojas jumper, Alex & Chloe tee, sandals from Thailand)

Everytime I start craving the hustle and noise of New York City, where I'd originally planned to move instead of Los Angeles, all I have to do is head down to Malibu. There, when I'm inhaling the salty sea breeze and absorbing the sunlight, perhaps idly watching the surfers paddle out or stepping into The Beachcomber for clam chowder, it's impossible not to fall in love with the scenic beauty of L.A. At Sunday's MaliBLUE Art & Film Festival, I thought it was an appropriate time to break in my ocean blue jumper and battered Thailand sandals (which I bought for US$3 on New Year's Eve on Phuket island!), perfect for strolling up and down Malibu Pier and swaying to reggae music. Because even though I'll always love the lights and energy of New York City, the beach and sunshine have my heart.