Steven Alan Fall 2011

I really think these new looks from Steven Alan for the fall are gorgeous. But then, I'm also biased towards fall fashion anyways.

-XO

Book Inspirations: The Last Unicorn

I had so much fun last time doing my picks for things that I love inspired by The Hobbit that I decided to do another round inspired by Peter S. Beagle's, The Last Unicorn. The film is a really great, 80's cult flick, but the book is even better. It's actually more entertaining and funny, and dramatic than the movie. Plus you don't have to sit through Mia Farrow and Jeff Bridge's terrible singing! You have to love them still for trying of course.

Three Tier Geometric Necklace - Urban Outfitters

Juicy Couture Cardigan - Tobi

Happy Home Towel - Pata Pri

People Uni Horn Sunglasses - Need Supply Co.

Mina Stone Dress - Steven Alan

The Last Unicorn - Peter S. Beagle

-XO

Madewell for Spring!

Spring isn't quite warm enough for shorts (at least in San Francisco!) and that really makes me happy because I'm not a warm weather person. I don't like showing lots of skin and I definitely don't like being sunburned when I do. What I do like in warmer weather is sandals and rolled-up jeans. A button-up shirt over a tank top never fails and Madewell has lots of cute things for spring up! Last year I spent forever trying to find these Birkenstock sandals for cheaper (grr why are you so pricey!) but failed, so at some point this summer I may be inclined to purchase these. And the other thing I love about spring is all the colors! I feel like bright-colored shirts in the spring are like all the flowers blooming. All in all, I'm loving this cool spring weather we've been having and out of all my favorite things to do in the spring, I can't wait to go on a picnic!

-XO

Aurora after the Dawn

Sleeping Beauty is my favorite Disney film. It started when I was a kid and completely biased towards blonde characters (Cinderella had orange-y, brown hair and Snow White had black hair, and Ariel had red hair, so the obvious choice was Aurora). Of course I still loved all of the Disney films, but blondie was my favorite.

Now I have other reasons for loving that film that are different than the color of her hair. The design of the characters, and layouts were helmed by an incredibly young art director who had never worked in films before, and he captured the old Medieval tapestries and paintings perfectly with their lack of perspective but beautiful shapes.

Aurora's style is simple and lovely when she first appears in the film, as opposed to the ridiculous princess-dress the Fairies make for her (although the blue is definitely the better color over pink version - blech!). So this is a tribute to Briar-Rose's true style and the most genuine to her character.

The dirndl style dress that she wears with the flowing brown shawl/scarf tells a lot more about her personality than the regal gown she's forced to wear when she returns to the castle to marry Prince Philip. I don't really like wearing dresses, but the thought of dancing around without heels in a simple dress, on moss near a stream is kinda, sorta, awesome.

Dear Creatures for the Dress

Need Supply Co for the Scarf

Tano Jewelry for the Headband

-XO

Outfit Inspiration in Pink

I saw this girl the other day walking through the financial district during work hours and while most of the women are pretty dull and business casual looking, this girl stood out because she was wearing colors most women shudder to wear too much of in an outfit. But the light-pink, wool coat with the light pink puffy scarf paired perfectly with her platinum-blonde lockes and wide-legged pants.

Something to think about in the world of color.

-XO

PS! - There are large purple spots on here because I was drinking wine while sketching this at a cafe with my boyfriend and he said something hilarious as I was putting my glass down and... well... oops!

Japan...

I'm sure most of you already know about the earthquake and tsunami that have devastated Japan; 8.9 is the largest quake in the country's history.

I was going to make this blogpost yesterday with cute things from a Japanese store, and then the earthquake and tsunami hit late last night (California time). So I'm uploading these still to help keep people aware of the devastation in Japan.

Likely upwards of 1000 people have perished in the disaster and if you feel like contributing to aid Japan, please go to any of these relief fund sites:

American National Red Cross

GlobalGiving Foundation

Save the Children Inc

Ox-Fam America Inc

Americares Foundation

International Medical Corps

Shelter Box USA

-XO

Scarves should never be this expensive.

I'm on the hunt for the perfect spring scarf. I know in my head what I'm looking for, but can't seem to visual-to-text find it online. This is one of the closest I could find to what I'm searching for, but alas, it is ridiculously expensive! I refuse to pay $80 for a mass-produced scarf. Even if it is super awesome. Sorry, Diesel. :(

-XO

Smack Dab in the Middle

One of my favorite shops online is Need Supply Co. They always have interesting jewelry and shoes and random clothes. Things like this ring, aptly called an Eyemond. I think all these pieces are nice and wintery and even for a San Francisco winter.

-XO

Sweet, sweet scents...

This last weekend I took a short drive down with my boyfriend, his brother and his brother's roommate, and our friend Adam to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is one of my favorite places to visit even though I have only been there twice now. There's a store in downtown SC called Stripe. It has the most amazing selection of fashion, accessories, furniture and just, well, lots of random stuff! Being on a mini road-trip with four boys though had me a little worried that I wouldn't be able to convince them to let me stop there. Fortunately they're all amazing guys who aren't afraid of stopping for a little bit of shopping in a cool town, so I managed to pop in for about 15 minutes and look through as much as I could to buy and take back with me to San Francisco.

Aside from the gorgeous and soft, black leather wallet-purse I picked up and a re-supply of delicious key-lime pie lip balm, I got a cute little birthday card from Rifle Paper Co., one of my favorite little card shops. On the glass counter near the register, I also found the most sweet and not too girlie perfume called "Blossom" from 88 Orange. It smelled like gardenias and orange blossoms and all manner of flowers. If I wasn't still finishing up my citrus-y bottle of Clinique's Happy, I would have snatched it up right there. The $56 was just a little much for me if I already had something at home that compensated for it. But mark my words - when I'm done with Happy, I'm moving on to Blossom.

-XO

Candy Striper

Okay, so maybe this isn't a real Candy Striper dress, but I think it's pretty cute! I'm not sure if vertical stripes look good on everyone, but I'd like to think anyone could pull off this cute retro look from Fossil.

-XO

On the 16th day of December to carry all your gifts...

Girlie and boyish bags from Alternative Apparel.... I really like the idea of the girlie one, because I absolutely hate having to think about my bag while I'm walking - i.e. - carrying it on my shoulder or elbow.

-XO

On the 14th day of December...

Some shit-kickers. I love this design, and I hate calf-high boots right now, because every other girl that I see on the street is wearing brown calf-high boots like it's going out of style (which it is). I have big eyes set on these shorter boots because let's face it, they're way more freaking awesome.

-XO

On the sixth day of December an ancient god gave to me...

...these freaking awesome, winged sandals! Though I think I would only be able to get away with them on holidays, I would love to wear these all the time. Oh Vivienne Westwood, you're so awesome.

-XO

On the (belated!) second day of December...

...some Swedish knitted awesomeness from Maska!

-XO

I wish I could knit...

...because these yarns from Spincycle Yarns in Washington are freaking gorgeous.

-XO

Young Heart.

It pretty much never ceases to amaze me when talented teenagers are kicking the butts of photographers and artists twice their age. Sometimes I think that the only way to be truly artistic is to be young. Or at least, young at heart. Hold off all of the boundaries of being an adult and maybe you'll find your inspiration.

Photographs by aspiring fashion photographer, 15-year-old Ann He.

-XO

I would love this jacket until it fell apart at the seams.

And I'm serious.

Ya done good Bridge and Burn... now if only I can scrape together the $200(!) to get one!

-XO

Sweater Whore.

There is a bad place on the internet for me to be, and that place is on any website that lists multitudes of brands and products of clothing, especially Japanese and Korean lines like YesStyle.com. Their models and photographers and stylists make everything look so adorable that you think that everything will look as cute on you as it does on them. Well, at least maybe the yellow, blue and green sweaters that I found on there today might!

-XO

Holy October, Batman!

I can't believe that it's already the 5th of October and I haven't made a post yet!

It's only appropriate that I start with some true fall fashion. These cute, witchy, oxford pumps from Fossil are definitely on my wishlist and they would go perfectly with this adorable pleated party dress and nail polish from Need Supply Co.!

Hope you're all enjoying your October so far!

-XO