Suburban Sunlight

Sometimes it's nice to leave the city and relax a little in suburbia. That's not a thought I express too often, but there's definitely a sense of relief when I find myself in an area where the whole street is available for parking.

I'll admit, I'm a true city girl at heart. Through thick and thin. I'll defend LA, even when I could string off a list of complaints and criticisms at a moment's notice. But who can't find negatives about anything if they try hard enough? It's much easier to dwell in the positive. Thinking about the opportunities and culture a city offers gives me butterflies. But suburbia provides the perfect refuge to slow down. Rent a movie and stay inside. Or have a photoshoot in the street, because the cars are that scarce!

Amidst the city lights, my frenzied brain needs a reminder: It's ok to relax. It's ok if I don't do everything. It's ok if I stay in on a Friday night. The world is constantly speeding around us, through us, but let's not lose sight of the value in breathing and resting in the moment.

 Blouse: Native (local boutique)

Lace skirt: Forever 21

Shoes: Modcloth

<3 Taylor

*Special thanks to my photographer, Brittan.

Color Me Bright

So much to tell and so much to be thankful for, I could burst. Amidst my crazy, hectic schedule, I managed to find some time to be productive and work on a couple very exciting projects. The second I'll announce later, but it's been near to my heart for a while now. The other project is this mini series of outfit posts one of my dear friends, Brittan, photographed around her new little home in Whittier.

Let me just say, being a model is much harder than it looks. I truly understand the concept of taking 50 photos to get that one perfect shot now. How do all the bloggers and models out there do it?? I think I'll go pop a giant bag of popcorn and watch a marathon of America's Next Top Model, so I can learn  insider secrets for next time. Maybe even start a daily facial expression exercise regimen. That might be a little dramatic, but a girl has got to do something to keep up with the best of them, right?

The material on this top is gorgeous, straight from the jungles (ok maybe not, that's just what I like to imagine) of South America. Sometimes you need a litte exotic in your wardrobe and this piece is perfect.

Anyway, have the best Thursday! I love Thursdays, because you can treat them like a Friday, but then you realize you still have the whole weekend ahead. At least that's what I like to do to speed up a long week. Maybe I'm the only one, but either way, go celebrate with an Autumn-y treat! I'm starting to rekindle my romance with pumpkin. It's going to be a good season, I can tell.

Bandeau/Bustier- Rojas Clothing

Leather Skirt- Buffalo Exchange

Red Shoes- Shoedazzle

<3 Taylor

Stars In My Eyes

I've always been fascinated with the stars. When I was a kid, I would walk around my neighborhood at night with my head thrown back, staring at the stars. They made me feel very small, but in the best way possible. Not much has changed as I've grown up. I'm still drawn to the those far away balls of light. Funny that I now live in a place where they're mostly hidden. But those moments they do peak through are like falling in love. They remind me that all my worries are so insignificant, that we are a part of a universe bigger than we could ever fathom.

I recently discovered the artist, Summer Heart, and his music would be the perfect soundtrack to laying under under the stars, imagining the future and dreaming in the present.

And if I could wear the galaxies, I would only be the happiest! I believe opals are little bits of space in tangible form. It's only natural they are also my birth stone. My connection to the stars began early and continues to entwine itself beautifully throughout my life.

Picture 1&2: Romwe
Picture 3: Etsy

Little Obsessions #4

1. Geometric Skirt 2. Bow Wedges 3. Feather Dress 4. Chalkboard DIY 5. Lush Beer Shampoo 6. Fabric Markers

Craft projects coming soon! I've had a lot of ideas rolling around in my head lately. I think it's even more important to spend time in creativity when most of my day is now spent at my desk job. Never let a day become dull!

Little Obsessions #3

1. Polka Dot Tights (They are a rare creature to find in stock. Nordstrom is a lifesaver.)
2. Cranberries
3. Prairie Oats
4-6. GentleFawn

Style Me

These may not be the best photos of my newly made skirt all styled up, but I liked the artsy coloring and I have yet to perfect the self timer.  I need to hire myself a personal photographer if I want to do "What I Wore" posts. Either that or find a very thoughtful boyfriend!

(Skirt: handmade, Blouse: Nordstrom Rack, Belt: Urban Outfitters)

This skirt is rather plain, but it looks great with a belt and a patterned top. It's still a little bulky so the belt helps cinch it all in. Also, I'll take any excuse to work this top into an outfit since I'm kind of in a polka dot love phase. With my excellant photography skills, I wasn't able to capture my shoes, but they were a favorite, cream T-strap kitten heels. Perfect for running my errands.

P.s. This polaroid app. is the best thing since real polaroid cameras. Try out it. It can be addicting since every time the colors/scratches look different.

So A Sew

I've never sewn an article of clothing before, so yesterday I decided it was time to tackle this new challenge. With this pretty purple and mustard material I found on clearance at Joanne's and the "one hour" skirt video from my previous post, I felt ready to conquer a little morning project. Let's just say this should have been tittled the "one DAY" project. Yes, it's simple, but not when everything chooses to rebel against you (Now I can empathize just that much more with the designers on project runway). And yes, I may have been slightly cocky in my garment making abilities, but I'd like to blame it on the instructions. I chopped off more than 15 inches of width on this skirt to make it fit and the elastic should be smaller than your actual waist size. I was drowning in fabric. Pulling out stitches is the worst process. Not only is it about 5 times as slow as sewing the original seam, but it's like walking backward when you see the finish line. Definitely built some character yesterday! 

Here are a few pictures from my process:

And the finished result! I can't wait to style it. It will be perfect in the fall with some tights and boots (my favorite combination). For now, I'll make it work in our 80 degree weather. Not that I'm complaining. I love my beautiful LA sun! 

Now to find a new project. Any ideas?

Where the Water Meets My Feet

Still unemployed. No Buffalo Exchange. No other callbacks for interviews. I'll confess, I'm not familiar with this much rejection at once. I guess the right position has yet to reveal itself. It's all in timing. Although I'm enjoying this perpetual summer, I would much rather be busy working. I'll probably regret that when I'm working 40 hours a week and overtime. But at least if I'm not working, let me be off traveling in some far away land. Like Kokomo. The Beach Boys never fail to bring a smile. Not to mention this video features Jesse from Full House. What more could you ask for?

 

This new spin on tacky Hawaiian shirts is the perfect compliment to these beachy tunes and island backdrops. It makes me want to be somewhere tropical ASAP... without looking like a tourist.

 

Or maybe I could be wearing a little something like this:

Summer's finally here, so let's celebrate with all the summery things, like star gazing in the warm nights, iced tea on the back porch, flowers in our hair, and playing in the ocean waves.

Day On the Town

What a gorgeous day! Not a plan in sight. A break from errands and interviews. Since living in Los Feliz, my favorite activity has been walking downtown to explore and soak in the atmosphere. I jump at any chance to take a visiting friend around the little area, showing them my favorite bookstore, ice cream shop, and cute thrift stores.
Today, I perused the fashion magazine section of the bookstore, wishing I could justify the hefty price for imported glamour. It took all self control not to grab that Vogue Italia and make a purchase. Obviously it would be the perfect tool to practice my Italian. A necessity. Instead I flipped through every magazine of interest from cover to cover, nervously wondering if the saleslady knew I had no intention of buying. Oops, this isn't a library?
Today I also thought about how much I love this golden mustard yellow. I could wear this skirt every day.

(Skirt: Forever 21)

And I just rediscovered this purse. I don't know how I ever lost interest. That owl is cutest.

Purse: BP Nordstrom

Hoping to add these to my yellow collection soon:

Seychelles "Chirp"

Arizona Sun Dress

Zoey Bow Indie Hairpin