12:04

Weekend, I'm Ready for You.

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:21:00 +0000

EVERLANE silk top / ZARA sandals / ALL SAINTS shorts / RAYBAN sunglasses / MARK CROSS trunk bag

This seems totally weekend to me. I'd go have brunch in this outfit. Maybe see my mama, too, and get some groceries. There's no need to wear sweats anymore when doing casual things I've got slouchy distressed denim. The Mark Cross trunk bag says I'm a power player, while the Everlane silk top just drapes nonchalantly like French muse Charlotte Gainsbourg. In this hypothetical, we've blown our bag budget acquiring the Mark Cross trunk bag, so let's take it easy on the finishing touches, yea? Zara sandals and Rayban Clubmasters are going to work just fine.

Truth in Advertising: ShoeMint Lynne Sandal

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:45:00 +0000

Here's the thing about ShoeMint: there's a real possibility/fear that I may be purchasing a mediocre quality product. It's a Shoe of the Month club of sorts, and that kind of shoe-buying consistency had kept me at bay for a long time — over a year since these "Chloe" platforms came into my closet, but not without accidentally accumulating some credits into my old ShoeMint account. Typically, I like to get up close and personal with a product before purchase, or if that's not possible, I scan all possible images of the item in full zoom and practically stalk it for online reviews. Last resort: I get very acquainted with their return policy as an added level of buyer protection at my doorstep. It seems that all of this hullaballoo was in vain because when I pulled the trigger and cashed in my credits for the Lynne sandal, I realized I was all too careful. They are pretty much an ideal summer shoe, in that they walk the line between minimal, masculine, and feminine. My favorite touch are the ankle straps, especially when they're contrasted by the aggressive black leather strapped straight across the feet. I'm no fool, the $79 price for these sandals paid in credits is still $79 out of my wallet. I'm just here to tell you I have no regrets. Want them? Shop the Lynne here: Shoemint.com

In Which Tiny Sweaters, aka Crop Tops, Are Appropriate for Work

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:52:00 +0000

The thing about the 90s is that everyone was showing their belly just a little bit. The Gwenyth Paltrows and the Winona Ryders thrived as stylish celebrities with their nonchalant attitude and their tiny tops skimming their flat bellies. It's definitely a little showy, isn't it? The whole, look-at-my-abs aspect of it has kept me just a little bit shy growing up. Now, well into my late 20's I have a slightly more nonchalant attitude myself. Why hide and be shy now only to regret it later? Well, despite the fact that I work in a professional setting, I have pretty much resolved to try new things and make sartorial mistake because no matter how hard you try, in 15 years all the photos of you now are going to be a little bit dated-- a mix of "I can't believe I wore that and thought I was cool" and warm nostalgia because at least you tried it. Would I wear this to work? I certainly could. Let's just test drive it a couple more times on the weekend before busting this out in front of clients, though. Preferably In the woods.

ANTHROPOLOGIE sunnies / J. CREW necklace / J. CREW No. 2 Pencil Skirt / ZARA heels / ANTHROPOLOGIE sweater

Do you want to try it? Start with a No. 2 Pencil:

Not As Pictured

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:29:00 +0000

I've never really considered these Balenciaga's much as boots, but more of an intense sandal of the aggressive gladiator variety. Seeing them this way makes it so much easier to style with the most basic and summerific combinations. This isn't to say I go sockless, FYI. I'll have you know there are tiny microfiber mini socks, basically just covering my toes, invisible to the eye when I'm warring these.
ZARA skort / BALENCIAGA apron boots

Apron Boots

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:25:00 +0000

The investment has been made: the long-lusted after Balenciaga apron boots arrived at my door, and like a mother caring for her kin, I took it in for some service at the shoe repair shop fresh out of the box. There was nothing wrong with them--the apron boots are pretty much as amazing as they look on tumblr--but caring for these shoes should start on day one. Here's what I mean; the boots are meticulously crafted with impeccable details, including a sparkly clean wooden sole with a light covering of black paint. This is a no no for walking around in the city since wearing off the sole means the first time you bring them in to get the soles re-surfaced it will be more like a reconstruction job. Do yourself and your wallet a favor, bring them in to a talented cobbler to put on a protective rubber sole. It'll run you about $45 and its totally worth a couple hours wait. If you're in San Francisco, I swear by the nice people at Shoe Wiz in the mall. They are speedy and get the job done right.

ZARA top, ZARA skort, BALENCIAGA apron boots, CARVEN collar, KATE SPADE ring

Music Moodboard: They're Just Paying For The View

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:33:00 +0000

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm so happy to be an active tumblr member again. It has inspired me in such unexpected ways. First and foremost, it has taken my personal style to a quieter place, but not exactly moody. Edgy, for sure, but still bright in some spots. Follow me »

Flower Child

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:52:00 +0000

Everlane silk shirt / Karen Walker Super Duper sunglasses / Rag & Bone jeans / Dolce & Gabbana bag / Madewell shoes

Met Gala Favorite: Rooney Mara in Givenchy

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:05:00 +0000

Photo via The Fashion Spot

A Different Tune

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:59:00 +0000

"There has to be different ways to style this white Zara skort", I thought. Sure, it looks great with a laid back tee, but I would hate for this little piece of clothing to be boxed into such a predictable combination. Which is why I feel like I struck gold when I needed a more interesting under-thing for this long lacy top. It solved two problems; 1) the skort covered up my bottom half and provided this lady with some angular interest to an otherwise frilly sheer tunic, and 2) covered up the skort part of the equation. I think we can all agree "skirt" part in the front looks divine, flattering to most body shapes even, while the back is a straight up mini short — in white. I'd like to say this solution is darling, which is why pairing it with a pair of jet black Balenciaga cut out boots made so much sense to me.

ZARA top, ZARA skort, BALENCIAGA apron boots, CARVEN collar

God Save The Queen: Moda Operandi's Punk

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:35:00 +0000

I'm pretty blown away by the styling of this new Moda Operandi punk collection. It's creative, modern, and super inspiring. Sure, the looks are out there, but just imagine yourself wearing these in small doses and not all at once; like that amazing rose flower headband, or infusing some button-ups under a second skin dress. And of course, the plaid. Can't forget that staple. Shop the collection here, or if you're like me and already mobile-shopped the hell out of that Radarte tee, just enjoy browsing it.

Incoming: Radarte Tee

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:56:00 +0000

Loved this tee with the basic font, but love it a little more with the barbed wire edges. Purchased this on my phone while waiting in a doctor's office. How's that for fashion obsessed? Get it at Moda Operandi, and check out their incredibly creative punk collection.

Miu Miu / Peonies

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:02:00 +0000

There had to have been some force of nature to make me pair the most glitterrific sunglasses in my arsenal to walk around Berkeley's Ohmega Salvage on 4/20. The people celebrating pretty much jumped ship for the city's more famous smoky celebrations, leaving me to consider vintage and salvaged things for my new house. / It's apparently peony season. This is something that I will probably never just "know." I'll forever be that girl wanting peonies in the months they simply cannot be found. (Mental note: come up with a back-up favorite flower ASAP).

Sunglasses by MIU MIU. If silve glitter ain't your thing, these are pretty, too:

The Long and the Short of It

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:48:00 +0000

Oversized and covered up on the top always buys me more wiggle room to show some skin on the bottom. It's a give and take every time I get dressed, and it takes and editing eye to know just when to stop. The proportion game is also played with pants; second-skin pants look great with silk oversized button ups, but also with tailored prim and proper collars. A low cut top likes a slouchy pant, but can also work with a fitted pencil skirt. See how it's played? Changing one element in an outfit is sometimes all it takes to set the tone. It's this game that drives me nuts in the mornings and excites me about fashion every day. Scouring street style photos for me is largely another opportunity to see who's playing it right, who I don't want to play it like, and who is getting really creative with the rules of the game.

Music / Moodboard: Together

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

My tumblr is back in action, providing me with a new found source of inspiration. On the music front I am really impressed with the continuing hype for both Daft Punk and The Great Gatsby soundtrack. With output like this song from The xx I am happily counting myself as part of that crowd:

Kathleen Whitaker Earring Pretzels

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:25:00 +0000

KATHLEEN WHITAKER earrings / ZARA top + skirt / KAREN WALKER sunglasses / CATBIRD ring / KATE SPADE ring / JENNIFER FISHER earrings

Oh Kathleen Whitaker. I am such a fan of you. If you remember this post, and this post, her jewelry is definitely a favorite because of her designs and the contrast between the dainty proportions of each earring and the sometimes masculine, or geometric shapes. What I love about these long gold chain earrings lately is being able to weave them through my ear piercings — I have three. I wear them in a loop, making a floppy hoop earring shape, and then sometimes I weave the long strand into a slight pretzel. It's just such a versatile piece of jewelry. You can find her stuff here. I'm wearing the long chain and bar earrings. I would die for that ear cuff though!

In other news, I've taken a massive look into my closet and have decided that I need to reassess the situation. I've been donating goods and prepping the launch of the 12:04 shop because I figure if I haven't worn it in months, someone else should definitely benefit from my clothes, shoes and such. In the meantime, I've taken a liking for super clean and simple dressing. This has to be one of the most accessorized looks I am wearing lately, but I think the fact that the jewelry is so dainty and minimal makes it okay to pile it on. Love the oversized proportions of this denim Zara top. The embroidered piping detail is a colorful touch that keeps it just a little earthy feeling for me. This white skirt is really something that I could not resist, which is strange since I gravitate naturally towards black. I literally saw it across the store, and with an arm full of typical black colored clothes, I just made up my mind: "Yea, this is totally wearable this summer. Grab it hurry that girl is looking at it." And the hair? Oh no big deal. Just some Heidi braids. They are my favorite hairstyle right now. It's so easy to put together and it seems like the messier your hair is to begin with, the better the braided outcome.

Easy Peasy

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:29:00 +0000

SUNO / RAG & BONE / KAREN WALKER

Outtake Tuesday: In the Fields

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:34:00 +0000

1. MARC BY MARC JACOBS skirt 2. STITCH & HAMMER clutch 3. KERRIE YEUNG ring 4. CLUB MONACO shirt 5. SHOEMINT shoes 6. KAREN WALKER sunglasses

Catbird & Céline

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:50:00 +0000

Super clean, super lean. Long live minimalism. Images via Catbird & Céline

Nike / Stepping Stone

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:10:00 +0000

I am going back to old habits. We're talking high school, street wear habits. While I spent the better part of the last decade eschewing all identifiable brands on my clothes for a more minimal look, I somehow felt compelled to purchase this glorification to Nike and the almighty Swoosh. I don't know what happened, but I still love this hoodie. It has a mock-neck type zip and it's form-fitting, so it's a little bit dressier than the regular variety of hoodie. I call this a fluke, an extreme outlier in the chart of my clothing. / Berkeley has some beautiful hidden gems sometimes. Parks and hiking activities are tucked around ever corner, and this one is by far one of my favorites. Mostly because I get to call things enormous, which is one of my favorite words. Just sound it out, enormous, it's beautiful. I hope you enjoy this new format of showcasing the Best Of my frenetic Instagram feed. You can join me for real time goodness, or just wait for me to catch up and post it here. It's your life.

Hoodie by NIKE. Comes in GREY.

alt-j: Box Car Children

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:53:00 +0000

Remember those books? The Boxcar Children was still a part of my childhood curriculum down in Los Angeles and to this day the memories of reading these books are one pocketed away, deep in my brain, only to ressurge when in picturesque little towns. They stand out to me because they were the first books I read as an English speaker, having been thrown into Kindergarten at the ripe age of four knowing only how to cry for my mama in Spanish. Little towns in Northern California always bring out the deepest memories from me. There are not many buildings, no nothing for as far as the eye can see in some fields, and I've grown to love places like these over the years. They remind me of home, where nothing fancy is ever required, but the effort of getting dressed up is always appreciated.

1. KAREN WALKER sunglasses 2. ISABEL MARANT belt 3. STITCH & HAMMER clutch

What's On My Face (A Beauty Post, People)

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:58:00 +0000

The beauty routine you see here is something that has been the product of many years of trial and error. I've gone the flashy route before, toying with expensive products with pretty packaging and runway worthy logos, and I've also gone the drugstore route. The sweet spot is really in the middle, where you're not spending a fortune and where you're not just wasting your money on what are ultimately cheap products. Behold Kiehl's — the friendly middle-of-the-road, no-perfumes, no-dyes, no-frills, decades long reputation of a beauty brand. I like their stuff because it just works. It does what is says. It's not promising magic and I appreciate the brand's realness.

My routine starts with the morning moisturizer, followed by a sheer SPF liquid over that. Kiehl's makes a great one, but I just so happen to be out of it and don't want to be wasteful, hence the Neutrogena liquid — which is also great. 75 SPF may seem excessive, but sun damage is the quickest way to wrinkles, people. And even city exposure, or even cloudy days, have a cumulative effect on your skin. Plus, it only takes a second, so just do it, ok? If I'm headed to work I like to dab a couple drops of foundation. I like Lancome, but that's another post. A more makeup-ey type post. Let's skip to the night time. At night, I wash my face with the Ultra Facial Cleanser. I love this stuff. I removes everything on my face, including mascara. I don't do waterproof mascara on a daily basis, which makes removing the regular stuff easy with the cleanser. I used to hate washing my face because it left my skin feeling so dry, but this stuff is gentle. Use good products and follow the instructions. That's pretty much what it takes to have nice skin. Follow the rinsing with the Ultra Facial Toner on a cotton ball and you should be nice and squeaky clean. The toner essentially removes every smudge of makeup that might be left behind by the cleanser. Pad your beautiful clean skin dry and you're ready for the next step: moisture.

Any time you get out of the shower or wash your face you need to replenish the moisture on your skin. The same thing goes for your body, but let's just keep this post extra simply by focusing on your face and neck. I use the Ultra Facial Moisturizer and then layer on a 2-3 drops of the Midnight Recovery Serum at night. Disclosure: this serum is fantastic when my skin is being a problem child, with patchy dry spots or annoying breakouts. My skin is happy in the morning whenever I use it. I don't use it all the time, since it can make my skin oily if I use it day after day, so just use it when you feel like you need it. Maybe once or twice a week.

Final step is the Abyssine Eye Cream and a dab of their Lip Balm #1. It seems like a lot when you write it all out, but I promise you it's easy and worth it. And don't take my word for it, buy a mini kit of all this stuff and try it out yourself. What works for me may not work for you. You can get a mini Kiehl's kit here.

Other essential tips for great skin? Don't pick at your face. This is key. When I am stressed out it's so easy to assume control of a situation by taking it out on your face. Just don't. It makes your skin irritated and you will have a hard time covering up the damage. Be nice to my face. Oh, and drink lots of water.

Who makes this necklace? [Update] It's Lanvin.

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:04:00 +0000

Someone told me. And I thanked her! Vest by Lanvin.

Music / Board: Quiet In My Town

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:58:00 +0000

Still in disbelief over what took place yesterday and my mind is a mish-mash of un-eloquent things to say. Let's just stay quiet and look at pictures today.

Images : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Slightly Overall

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:58:00 +0000

Was it really spring 2006 when I bought this skirt? I had seen it walk down the Marc by Marc Jacobs runway and was completely obsessed with the entire notion of a skirt that is half pencil, half witty overall. It was one of the first things I ever bought myself that required some hefty saving. Oh, the nostalgia of clothes. Sure, not many people liked this at the time, and I did have to field questions left and right, like, "is that...what are you wearing?," but I didn't mind. It was one of my first memories of being headstrong because I liked what I liked and I decided to wear it besides the confusion amongst my peers. In a way, you do need some nonchalant attitude to be able to stand by your personal style. After all, its been by personal project to cultivate it for years. It's my own personal PR and I've spent too much time, money, and photographs to be sheepish. Sure, "dress to impress" is a valuable thing in interviews and first impressions, and for that matter, most offices, but I am a big fan of those who satisfy the social dress code and still manage to of dress for themselves.

1. MARC BY MARC JACOBS SKIRT 2. STITCH & HAMMER CLUTCH 3. KERRIE YEUNG RING 4. CLUB MONACO SHIRT

Outfit Sounds: Blurred Lines

noreply@blogger.com (Olga Montserrat) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:58:00 +0000

JACQUEMUS / SPORTMAX / ALEXANDER WANG

I am into this notion of showing a sliver of belly skin. Not in an overexposed Britney Spears kind of way, but more of a grown up infusing some unexpected sex appeal to an every day outfit. The whole thing reads very tame, but it's that half inch of crop that makes it slightly retro and incredibly modern at the same time. I'd do this with a pencil skirt, because if you're going to be a little bit sexy on top I like to keep the rest of it buttoned up. Except for the shoes, go all out with those. Sexy, strappy, Alexander Wang heels. It's like a thong for your feet. Enjoy the music in this post because it's been stuck in my head for weeks.
The safe-for-work video is mesmerizing.