Cute Retail Staff

"All that fashion demands is composure, and self-content."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm going to L.A. tomorrow to look for jobs, so I felt it pertinent that I have a new outfit to wear.  Since I'm applying for jobs as a wardrobe stylist, it's important that I look the part.  The fashion industry is arguably one of the most difficult to break into, but in my heart I know it's where I'm suppose to be.  When I left Matti D. to pursue jewelry design, as a solo artist,  I didn't realize what I was giving up- The creative process and beauty in collaborating with other people.  Having said that, I  can't say where I'm going tomorrow, but I'll keep you posted.  In the mean time, check out some of the cute staff at Nordstrom.

I spotted this adorable guy trying on jackets in the Collectors section of Nordstrom.  It's not every day you see someone who can pull off a plaid button-up collar shirt, a sweater vest, and a black leather jacket with brown sleeves.

Meet Chantal, my new favorite sales associate in Savvy.  She is the most helpful person I've ever worked with at Nordstrom, and so incredibly beautiful.

Anna Dello Russo- My Style Icon

"As fashion pushes toward the twenty-first century, a style has emerged that reflects the globalization of the design industry and offers an optimistic vision of the future."

-Robin Givhan

Is there anyone in the world more fashionable, more stylish, or more in "vogue" than Anna Dello Russo?  I think not.  To me, she is the fashion icon of the twenty-first century.  Her taste is impeccable and her outfits are flawlessesly put together.  Dello Russo is the editor at large and creative consultant for Vogue Japan, though she resides in Milan.  She admits to owning over 4,000 pairs of shoes, which is approximately 1,000 more than the famed Imelda Marcos!

What sets this trendsetter apart is her willingness to take risks.  While she does have the legs of a twenty-year-old supermodel, it is her confidence and pure, unadulterated love of fashion that breathes life into couture designs that would otherwise be reserved for mannequins and runways.

Anna in an amazing feather and sequin coat

Anna wearing a Rochas skirt by Olivier Theyskens, a Chloe blouse, and Louis Vuitton bag.

Anna in Aquilano & Rimondi, Photographed by Vanessa Jackman

Anna In Lanvin

Photographed by Garance Dore.

Anna at the Viktor and Rolf show

Anna in Dolce & Gabbana dress and Prada sunglasses, photographed by Scott Schuman

Photographed by Tommy Ton

Opening Day at Del Mar

"Fashion does not reflect a nostalgia for the past but an eternal present that lies beyond the past."

-Barbara Vinken, (1993)

I went to the Del Mar Race Track today, to photograph what I consider the most fashionable day of the year in San Diego- Opening Day.  Every July, people from all over the world flock to Del Mar, "where the turf meets the surf," to show off their tans, their dresses, their hats and their spirit.  For the most part, it doesn't really have anything to do with the horses, it's much more of a social affair, but there's no better place to see Southern Californians in their finest than on Opening Day at the  Race Track.  

I was impressed with the retro-modern feel of the crowd.  As you may already know, opening day is also Hat Day; which means that entire outfits revolve around them.  I have no idea who won for best hat, or even what horse won what race, but I do know that horses attract stylish people.  Have you ever noticed how the equestrian look is always "In" fashion?

I love the way he put this look together.  Very cool, confident, and casual.  Even the purple sides of his sunglasses are choreographed to make it all work.  It really is all about the details.

Dresses with pockets are fantastic because they can be formal, but having the option to put your hands in them can really relax the overall look. She chose a yellow clutch instead of red, which would have been the predictable color element given the black and white ensemble, so cheers to her lack of predictability.

Now this girl is just plain adorable!

A timeless look, with a lucite heel.

Simple, yet elegant.

This woman's hat looks like it weighs a ton!  The dress does sit a little low on her bust, but the lace gloves are great.

This couple was hysterical, and his pants have bugs all over them!

These girls chose to wear culottes instead of dresses.  A casual and relaxed look, yet entirely appropriate.

Hats, hats, and more hats!

Meet Pikalo

"There is nothing so wonderful in any particular landscape, as the necessity of being beautiful under which every landscape lies.  Nature cannot be surprised in undress. Beauty breaks in everywhere."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have two main loves in life… Fashion and Horses.  Conversely, I decided it was time to feature Pikalo on my blog.  He is the fourth horse I’ve owned (even though I don’t like to use the word owned) and we have been inseparable for the past ten years.  Even though I no longer show competitively, I still ride almost every day and often find myself out at the barn in the most precarious outfits.  You have no idea how difficult it is to walk in dirt, gravel, and grass in four inch stiletto heels, but somehow I have mastered the art of… uh, well… walking in dirt, gravel, and grass in four inch stiletto heels.  I’m completely serious.  The only time I’ve ever experienced a sprained ankle was when I was wearing running shoes!

I just got these beautiful Vera Wangs.  I usually shy away from black because it can be harsh, and it doesn't photograph well, but I've really been needing a good basic black shoe.  I'm so glad that Ms. Wang has decided to do more shoe designing because I've been loving what she's doing lately.

This dress is by an Italian line called Salanida.  I'm actually not sure if the company survived the recession, but I love so many of their pieces.  Very European.  Like I said before, I know that black doesn't photograph well, but I am so in love with this dress and it does have a beautiful silhouette.  Short in front, long in back.  I wore it over a little cotton t-shirt so it didn't feel so formal.

I love this bracelet by British designer, Gillian Julius.  

There is a swing at my barn, and even though it's the most uncomfortable swing in the world, it still brings out my inner child... wait a minute, I don't have an inner child, only an outer one :)

Ahh yes, there he is.  The love of my life.  I always say that Pikalo is the perfect kind of man... tall, dark, and handsome, and never makes me feel bad.  O.K. that's a lie.  I do have the most wonderful boyfriend in the world.  What can I say, I'm a lucky girl.

Summer Days

"There are days which occur in this climate, at almost any season of the year, wherein the world reaches its perfection, when the air, the heavenly bodies, and the earth make harmony."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today was the kind of day we spend all year dreaming about and waiting for; the perfect summer day marked by a cloudless sky and a gentle breeze to placate the heat.  Thusly, I was in the perfect mood to play dress up and take pictures.  I decided to shoot along the rail road tracks because I think they possess an enigmatic energy.  There is something mesmerizing about the way those metal rails vanish into the distance, taking with them our curiosity and wonder about places not [yet] traveled.

The bolero style jacket I’m wearing is by Robbie and Nikki.  I bought it the other day when I was thrift store shopping and I have no idea what season it’s from, but I’m in love with it.  You will likely be seeing A LOT of this piece because I plan to wear it with everything!  It’s hard to tell from the photographs but the entire jacket is stitched in sequins, giving it a sort of metallic feel.

I would love to be able to say more about this skirt, but the truth is I have no idea how it ended up in my closet.  I actually have a lot of pieces like that.  All I know is that my mom found it for me somewhere and it’s the perfect summer skirt wrap.  

My gladiator sandals are by Sam Edelman.  Subsequent to my purchasing them they became too trendy, so I stuck them in the back of my closet until recently.  I do that with a lot of pieces because I don’t like wearing things that I see everywhere, but I think these will be a good long-term investment... inexpensive and extremely comfortable.  I love, love, love this little vintage purse.  I've had it forever and even though it's a little small for my liking, I think it's so charming.

The pattern of this fabric is so unique and beautiful.  It's reminiscent of an ancient Thai or Indian motif... otherwise, Buddhist. 

Charlotte Olympia- My New Love

"Picture and sculpture are the celebrations of festivities of form. But true art is never fixed, but always flowing."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I think Coco Chanel articulated it best; that fashion is what is happening. It is the material manifestation of what is going on in the world. Yes, there are certain sartorial pieces that one might consider "classic," - as in will never go out of style, but there is also something to be said of the designers whose work is inventive enough to transform the way we think about fashion. All things in life must perpetually change to keep up with the times, and fashion is no exception to that rule. As we continue to evolve as a species, so too must the art we create and wear.

I happen to be particularly interested in the art that goes on my feet. Up-and-coming shoe designer, Charlotte Dellal, otherwise known as Charlotte Olympia, is on her way to reaching extraordinary heights in the fashion world. Her acute sense of design and unique color palettes make my heart melt, and my feet yearn. Here are just a few of the many many shoes on my wishlist.

Thrifty Me

"Some thoughts always find us young, and keep us so. Such a thought is the love of the universal and eternal beauty."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am a born shopper. Sometimes I think it is what I was put on this earth to do... crazy as that may sound. Although, I do see myself more as a treasure hunter; or rather, a seeker of beauty. I had the bright idea to do a little trade in of my old clothes for someone else's old clothes today because I'm pining for some new summer pieces, but can't afford to buy the kinds of things that I'm looking for at "suggested" retail prices. So, I decided to make a jaunt down to one of the local thrift stores here in Solana Beach today. I'm on the hunt for a great clutch and some light-weight jackets.

The store is called Double Take, and I haven't been in for a while, so I'm excited to see what they have in "store" for me... Haha get it? Sorry, I love making dumb jokes. Anyway, I've decided that I'm only going to allow myself to do an even trade in; meaning, that I've made a promise to myself not to spend a penny more than what I get in return for the things I sell. I have to wait until Tuesday to find out what they decide to take, but for now it's all looksies, no buysies. I think it's a great way to shop in this economy because you can find some really great pieces if you're willing to sift through seas of used merchandise. Scores of people have decided to do what I am doing, and if you're anything like me, you don't care if your purchases have had previous owners because they will still be new to you!

All in all, I'm trying to get rid of everything that doesn't fit me, and anything my evil twin purchased when I wasn't around.

I have decided to name my doll Bendi, because she seems to wind up in a lot of my photographs and we've been spending so much time together, that I think it's only right she be given a name. It took me almost the entire day to go through everything that I wanted to donate, sell, and keep, which, in the end, felt like a cleansing of my soul as well as my closet.
Look how strong I am! Carrying trash bags full of shoes and clothes all by myself! And no, you are not mistaken. I am wearing a SCARF in San Diego in the middle of summer! So far, the weather this summer has been dismal. I've been living in my grey Norma Kamali sweatshirt.
Thanks Teddy :)
I really love the shopping experience in Double Take because the store is so well merchandised. I find that a lot of second hand shops can feel cluttered and disorganized, but in this one, things are so easy to find. Also, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful.

You don't find this kind of neatness and ordered array of clothing in most retail stores! Everything is placed according to its sartorial nature and size, which makes each treasure a little more conspicuous.

A Very Vintage Post

"When the act of reflection takes place in the mind, when we look at ourselves in the light of thought, we discover that our life is embosomed in beauty."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you really want to know the truth, I hate to model; in fact I'm not all that comfortable in front of the camera, which makes perfect sense because I am NOT a model. I also find taking pictures of myself completely self-indulgent and even a bit narcissistic, which is why I hope to eventually take this blog in a new direction. I am constantly on the look out for stylish people to photograph in my town, but the reality is that where I live people just aren't that fashion conscious; which is not to say that they don't have their own unique sense of style. I would much rather style and take pictures of other people, but for now I'm all I've got. I think the Sartorialist is amazing because his pictures are so authentic and typically portray ordinary people with extraordinary fashion sensibilities. While he is physically absent from his photographs, his personal style is palpable.

I didn't meet my grandma until I was 25 and when I finally did, she gave me this astonishingly beautiful engagement ring. It was given to her by my grandfather, whom she divorced over 40 years ago, but according to her, she held onto it in the hope that one day she might bestow it upon me. So thank you grandma, I will cherish it for the rest of my life. And thank you grandpa for having such good taste! Also wearing my Tiffany's Millennium ring that my mom gave me. I firmly believe in wearing sentimental jewelry :)

Everything I decided to wear today is old old old, which of course means that it's "vintage." la dee da. I won't deny that I love my vintage pieces but I will say that I wish it wasn't so trendy to wear old clothes. This is a vintage top that was given to me by a friend that got it on ebay. I wish I could wear this top every day of my life because it is soooooo ME! I love anything that exhibits old Hollywood glamour and this certainly does.
Check out all the detailed beading. For being so old, this piece is in excellent condition. Whoever gave this beauty up must have lost their mind! Even when the day comes that I can't fit in it any more, I will still want to be close to it... hmmm, maybe it's me whose lost my mind?
I love my vintage charm bracelet, and I wear it almost every day. Sometimes I think I sound like a domesticated animal walking around because it's so jingly. It belonged to my grandma, on my father's side, Elizabeth Kelly, whom I'm named after but never got to meet. She was a very religious woman, which I am not, but I respect all people of all faiths, and I like to think that she's with me all the time now.

This skirt actually has an interesting story. It is considered "deadstock," which means that it is vintage, but had never been worn before. Several years ago, about twelve of these were found in an old Argentinian warehouse, and subsequently procured to be sold at select stores in the U.S. Lucky for me, my mom found this one. She's usually better at finding things for me than I am. The whole outfit is like a merging of the 1920's and 40's.