Bare Necessities

I'm always asking people to borrow their lip balm because somehow, that is always the one thing I always forget to carry in my cross-body bag. There are just a couple things that every girl needs in their bag. Of course, some girls are different. Some prefer bigger bags to channel their inner Mary Poppins and store their lives in there, but I love the size of the small cross-body. I hate clutter and losing sight of my items in such a big bag, so this vintage coach I snagged at flea market is absolute perfection. It's stores just the right amount. (As you can see from the wear & tear, I've had this for a long, long time.) 

1. Wallet (Marc by Marc Jabobs: Too Hot to Handle) - I always need my wallet--my long tri-fold wallet. My ideal wallet is one that store my iPhone in order to double as a mini clutch. I want it to be versatile, so when I don't feel like wearing my purse, I can just hold my wallet on hand.

2. Sunglasses (The Loft: similar here) - If you are a Californian, you know sunglasses are not just an accessory, but a necessity. Really, it doubles as convenient and stylish! Everyone needs a pair of sunnies that you can pull out in a flash. We love to stash them in our car, un-used purses and maybe find them in your bathroom. They're everywhere! But that's only because we are obsessed with them. (..or maybe I should just speak for myself.. whoops!)

3. Charger + of course, my iPhone  - Everyone nowadays has an obsession with their phones. Me, included. When you're in an awkward situation, no one counts on their friends to bail them out anymore, we have an easy scapegoat--our iPhones. But all the apps, texting and calling can really drain out the battery, so I carry an extra charger on hand. You can find outlets anywhere these days. And seriously, how cool are the power mats at Starbucks!?

4. Earphones by Samsung - I snatched these earphones from my last phone set and seriously, they are my all time favorites. Of all the cheap and crappy iPhone earphones I have gone through, I have to got to say Samsung really kick their butt here. You can get earphones anywhere, but if you want good and fairly priced ones, go Samsung! They're your best running buddy.

5. KEYS KEYS KEYS! - SoCal residents know the importance of having a car. Being a bigger and well-known city, it's quite odd that we don't have reliable public transportation, but that's why we value our cars so much more. I can't go anywhere without my keys. My car.. is my life. 

So these are just a few things I like to carry with me. (Minus the lip balm that I should probably find.) Things I deem necessary on a daily basis. But hey, everyone's a little different. xo

Paper Flowers

In honor of Paper Towns, the new movie coming out this weekend based off the book by John Green, I am sharing my outfit featuring none other than these gorgeous paper flowers--bougainvillea. I remember reading the book a long time ago back in high school, but it all seems a blur to me now. I recall it being a coming-of-age story of teenagers experiencing the happiness of youth, adventure and mystery--all things I believe a person should experience at one point in their lives. John Green is a renown author of young adult fiction (a genre that I love to read), usually writing stories involving stories with serious plots, yet they are always such a fun read with his incorporated humor. If you haven't read any of his books, I definitely recommend you make your way to the library, iBooks or book store, wherever people get books nowadays. Start with "The Fault in our Stars". A serious tearjerker, but so hilarious at the same time! Warning: There is a HIGH chance you will be bawling in the last couple chapters.

So before I get carried away with my love of John Green and Young Adult fiction, I'm sharing with you this look I put together for a nice day in LA. Well, i'd say it was more than nice, it was pretty much perfect. I paired a satin blue top, which felt nice on my skin, with black skinny jeans cuffed to the ankle, both items snagged from Forever21. I topped it off with a black tote bag from Irene's Story (that my dad tried to throw away anad failed) and tan sandals from Urban Outfitters. I also opted for delicate jewels rather than any heavy metals. It was the perfect combo for a gloomy but warm day in what is usually sunny Los Angeles. 

Happy Thursday, all! xo

A little blurry, but some jewels I wear on the daily. The ones I just can't live without. I swear I feel cursed if I'm not wearing them.

#flatlays: for days when you need to work and want to share you accessories.

Mirror selfie game strong!

Pacific Coast Highway

San Francisco never ceases to amaze me. It doesn't matter how many times I visit the big city, take Highway 1 up north and stop at all the same places, or play the mustang game, I will never get tired of going to Northern California. Yes, it is a very up-and-coming city, but it is also a beautiful piece of art and a block of American history. The weather, although it may be gloomy most days, is still one of my favorite aspects of the bay area. I am a huge fan of wearing jackets, coats and all things winter--and San Francisco always gives me a reason. Having lived in Southern California all my life, it is truly incredible how these two places seem to coexist in the same state. From the lifestyle to the food, everything is different. But we can't forget why the bay area is a little bit better: the 49ers and the Giants!

If you ever have a chance, the drive up the coast is totally worth it. It may take a bit longer, but the sights are worth the time. Here are snippets + snaps from my last trip up the coast!

Day 1:

The views at Moonstone Beach. Depending when you go, you can find beautiful stones in the sand.

We didn't find any stones at the beach this time, but we stumbled upon these rare creatures. They are called vellela and belong to the jellyfish family.


McWay Falls is among the must-stop locations in Big Sur, CA. It is one of the few waterfalls that dumps directly into the ocean.

Day 2:

Our first stop in the city: Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. {Tip: Go early! The earlier the better!}

The view of the city from Billy Goat Park. We were quite disappointed that there was no swing on the tree. Depending when you go, there may or may not be a swing attached. Sometimes it is a real swing and sometimes it's just a rope. You gotta work with what you got!

20th Century Cafe (as seen on Julia Engel's instagram). Perfect little cafe for brunch!



Cocktails at The View. The bar definitely lives up to it's name.

Day 3:

Blue Bottle Cafe: a San Francisco favorite. Anywhere you go, there is bound to be one around the corner.

A stop on the way home. Empty roads are always a good photo opp.

World, meet my sister.



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Daily Dose.

"Moats and boats and waterfalls, alley ways and pay phone calls." Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros' Home, was the only song repeating itself over and over in my head the whole time we were at the secret Daily Dose Cafe. With a great ambiance and string lights (I'm such a sucker for string lights), it is a simple little rustic cafe in a small alley within the LA art's district. Cafe's like these are the reasons I love the big city. You can never be bored with the infinite options of things to do, eat or try. Trust me, when you don't know what to do, eating always becomes your top option.

I paired my turtleneck knit sweater with a pair of white skinny jeans folded up to ankle-length. I paired it with accents of brown, such as my belt and sandals. I carried my handy dandy Dooney and Bourke that is just so useful. I can always carry so much in that bag. Best part? I got it at a thrift shop! Such a steal.

White is spring/summer color that everyone should own in their closets. It is the perfect color, since that is when the weather starts to warm up a bit. Who doesn't love white? xo

Infamous Collette Miller wings. Keep an eye out for these beauties!

Image c/o Sami at The Unexpected Type

Image c/o Sami at The Unexpected Type

The perfect breakfast. (Coffee not pictured, but it was DELICIOUS!)

Swimsuit Envy

If you've been reading my blog, I've been raving about this crazy amazing L.A. weather for quite sometime now, so it's only natural that this week's "What I'm Lovin' Wednesday" is something related to the topic. I 've been tanning out by my pool for two days now, so naturally, I am going to cover some of this summer's hottest swimsuit styles (or styles that you can see me sporting poolside or on the sand). 

The thing about bathing suits, is that they can go from classy to trashy really, really quickly. But it all just depends on the way you wear them. It's all about knowing your type of body and being confident in your skin--as well as your bathing suit. Half of wearing your suit requires your own sass and attitude. And if you're ever concious about wearing a one-piece bathing suit, wipe away your worries because those have been in style for as long as I can remember!

I pieced together some hot new styles. Everything from scallops to palm trees and zippers to halters, there are just so many picks to choose from. I am really loving the halter trend this season and also, the zippers! I am a huge, huge zipper fan and I'm glad it is being incorporated everywhere. Also, another thing I love is the one-piece bathing suit. I like to dress more modestly when wearing bathing suits, so these pieces are great choices for me as well.

Hope these swimsuits tickle your style bone and enjoy the L.A. summer before it's gone!

xo

P.S. Since it is mid-summer, most swimsuits should be on sale. Start hunting for some good deals!

LA Born and Raised

Los Angeles is probably most well-known for the hollywood sign, whether or not you see celebrities and the amazing one-season weather. Although we have been lacking in the weather department for the last couple of months, I am glad to announce that it is finally back--and hopefully here to stay. So start digging through your closets and bring out your shorts and all your summer clothes!

In honor of the sunshine and hot hot heat, I decided to "sport" my L.A. Dodgers tee shirt. (Shh! Don't tell, but I am a San Francisco Giant's fan.) Paired off with Frame Denim shorts and Forever 21 Leather Slip-On sneakers. I carried a Dooney & Bourke bag and brought a black cardigan because we know L.A. mornings can get quite gloomy.

So if you're thinking of vacationing to L.A., make your way over. It's the perfect time to lounge poolside on a rooftop or relax on the sand at the beach! No matter what you're into, we have a little bit of everything for everyone! 

xo

P.S. Baseball games are happening and they are SO MUCH FUN! Check one out whether you're from out of town or even if you live here! An experience you have to try.

These Iron Eye Retna murals are incredible! A blogger's perfect backdrop.

Make your way over to Melrose and try out Alfred's Coffee. There is also one in Brentwood, CA.

Black, White, and Stripes in Chicago.

This past week has been one of the most amazing weeks of my life! My sister and I took a quick summer vacation and explored the amazing city of Chicago. (Before we start school and get tied down for the next three years.) It truly is unlike any city on the west coast. I like to think of Chicago as a mixture between the tight, compact streets of San Francisco and the busy, rushed lifestyles of New York. Everyone living in the windy city is lively and fit, always working out along the river. Whether it is running or kayaking, everyone seems to fit in some sort of exercise. The night life is always alive and the food? Spectacular. 

There is so much I want to share about where I went while I was in Chicago. The food I ate, the things I saw and all the clothes I wore, but that will have to wait for another blog post. For today, I want to share with you a super comfortable look I sported while exploring the typical Chicago tourist locations. Did I mention the weather was perfect?

Look forward to my Chicago overview! xo

The view of the city -- 103 floors above the ground. Amazing!

Pretty tiles, always a good photo opp!

TOP // H&M

SANDALS // Kenneth Cole

JACKET // GAP Windbreaker

BOTTOM // Forever21

CROSSBODY BAG // Vintage Coach

Espadrilles, Everywhere.

Lately, I've been super obsessed with Espadrilles. (Maybe because I don't own a pair yet..) I am more than envious of those sporting the Chanel Espadrilles, since I feel like they are the originals. Anyone who is anyone has a pair of those classic slip-ons! Since they have started to become such a staple in the SoCal easy-going lifestyle, brands have began to create different variations of the shoe. The different patterns, adding a heel or even adding lace. These shoes are the perfect summer staple and the prices are so good at every store, it's easy for everyone to own a pair! (I should probably take my own advice and get some myself..)

Make your way down to the department store and snatch yourself a pair before summer is over! xo

Soludos leather shoes / Soludos flat shoes / Soludos flat shoes / Canvas shoes / H&M flat shoes, $24 / Tory burch flat, $60 / Whistles gold shoes, $285 / Popcorn & Coke - Chiara Ferragni Collection, $255