The Soph-isticate

To-Do List • March 2015

2015-03-10T00:58:00.000-07:00

Watch: Broad City (how am I just now watching this show? these two are brilliant.)
Read: The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan
Cook: Vegan Kale and Artichoke Dip from Love & Lemons
Make: Patched denim jacket
Go: Long Beach Flea Market
Listen: How Was Your Week podcast with Julie Klausner

Patch Project

2015-02-24T14:29:00.000-08:00

The next best thing to a vintage band tee? A patched jacket. I want to DIY my own, either with an oversized denim jacket or army button-down. New goal: frequent more flea markets. I spotted some vintage patches at the Melrose Trading Post a few weeks ago. Etsy and eBay are also goldmines for this kind of thing.

Some of my favorite patches here, here, here, and here.

Cool Human: Jeanne Damas

2015-02-20T12:18:00.002-08:00

At the risk of sounding like a total cliché, I've always had a thing for the French. Their habit of spending Sundays drinking wine for hours over interesting conversation, their eye makeup tattooed from last night. Their certainty about how to live, how to be happy. All I mean is that it's nice to see people simply living their lives without the constant need to try out every new workout, cleanse, and beauty product under the sun to feel their best. The French lifestyle makes our work until your legs stop working mentality seem a little ridiculous. I studied abroad in Paris a few years ago (still can't believe I took these photos before I knew who Emmanuelle Alt was!), and while it was one of the most difficult semesters of my college experience, I can't deny I fell in love with the city.

I fell in love with the people, too. Maybe it was the allure of a foreign language, but nearly everyone seemed to have this great sense of self (there were exceptions, of course). They knew what they liked, and that was that. It's that confidence that makes some of these French girls so cool. Caroline de Maigret, Lou Doillon, Carine Roitfeld, Jeanne Damas. Jeanne is my latest go-to for inspiration of the life and style variety. Her outfits are so imperfectly French and her photo diary makes me want to get up and go. Anywhere. Or smear on red lipstick, stay in with friends and laugh until it hurts.

"When I don't know what to wear for a night out, I always wear some high-wasted jeans, a fluid top and high heels."

See my style feature on Jeanne here.

Photos via Jeanne Damas, Stockholm Street Style, The Coveteur

Pinterest Pairings

2015-02-19T16:01:00.002-08:00

I love when things fall into place. Like these two photos from my Pinterest pins page that just so happen to look great together. Not completely random, obviously, because it all boils down to a certain aesthetic, but sometimes certain images make so much sense together. The little things, right? I posted another Pinterest pairing here.

More eye porn here.

Safety Pin Style

2015-02-18T13:50:00.001-08:00

The safety pin. It's so much more than a last-minute wardrobe malfunction fix (marketing slogan?). I've been noticing people wearing those huge ones in street style photos lately, and it makes me wonder.. where do I get one? Nick Wooster, the king of men's style - scratch that, the king of style - fastens them to his shirt collars. Such a cool signature look. (By the way, I'm so enthralled with all things Nickelson Wooster. Yes, that's his full name.) And then when I saw this photo of a woman at fashion week wearing these big safety pin earrings, I realized, how genius, you can wear them wherever you want and still look downright classy. It's all about how you wear them. Behold.

Nick Wooster via
Nick Wooster's safety pin collection / Street style via Tommy Ton
A-household-object-turned-punk-pin-turned-sophisticated-accessory. The safety pin is the greatest thing since ~~sliced bread~~ quinoa.
Shop pins here, here, and here. I read that Nick Wooster first started buying his at RTH Shop in L.A.

February Laundry List

2015-02-16T18:00:00.003-08:00

Watch: Boyhood
Read: Diana Vreeland Memos: The Vogue Years
Cook: Savoury Muffins with Salmon, Cream Cheese and Pesto
Create: Margiela Lamps
Listen: Entity, Oscar and the Wolf
P.s. I just found the Diana Vreeland Memos book for $12 (twelve dollars?!) at the Kitson outlet in L.A. I had to ask to make sure I wasn't crazy. Meant to be? I think so.

Today's Mood

2015-01-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Coffee, books, and a cozy knit. I love these high-tops so much, I wish I knew where she got them. Actually pretty in love with her whole outfit. She's French, of course. There's something so refreshing about seeing such a candid, unassuming street style photo of someone who has great style but isn't involved in any of the fashion week stuff. Makes me want to clean out my closet and save up for all the 'so worth it' staples.

Photos via Vanessa Jackman

New Year, New Style

2015-01-21T01:11:00.001-08:00

When scrolling through street style photos is part of your job, the all-to-familiar subjects all begin to look the same. These two, however, are completely killing it with their unique styles and don't mess with me mugs. Coat caping, though, has got to go.

Photo via Style.com

The Artistic Blazer

2014-11-27T00:41:00.002-08:00

This is the kind of blazer that attracts all the eyes in the room. It's like someone just took a paintbrush and, with a few strokes, changed how we think about fashion entirely. Inspiring. I also love the turtleneck styled underneath - it adds another layer to the creative, asymmetrical design.

3.1 Phillip Lim Patchwork Grunge Blazer

WDYGT: Puzzle Piece Choker

2014-11-14T09:27:00.001-08:00

I'm always looking for unique, quirky pieces. Not necessarily showy statement pieces, but a necklace or t-shirt or bag or whatever that just makes you go, "That's so rad, where did you get that?" And this puzzle piece choker from J.W. Anderson's Spring 2015 collection is SO. FUCKING. RAD.

You can literally wear a paper bag with this, and you would still look cool. I love the way J.W. Anderson changed the simplest things to fit his vision of individual style, like oversized and mismatched buttons on coats or huge floppy black hats that shield your face. The magic is in the details. Now I need to figure out a way I can DIY this $500 detail..

Photos via Digital Fashion Platform

October Laundry List

2014-10-24T00:43:00.002-07:00

Getting in the Halloween spirit with scary movies and hot (spiked) cider, even though it feels like the peak of summer in L.A. I'm sure this movie is ridiculous (have you seen the trailer?), but I've always had a fascination with Ouija boards, so it's on my list. Watch: Ouija

Read: Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Drink: Sweet + Spicy Cider-Chai Tea Cocktail

Create: Wood and Leather Hat Rack

Listen: NPR's "Serial" podcast

Street Style Done Right

2014-09-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

Sitting in this heavily air conditioned office on a Monday afternoon, and this woman captures everything that I want right now. A sleeping bag coat, bright lipstick and an exaggerated accessory. In the words of Diana Vreeland, why don't you... wear a funny eye patch?

Paris Fashion Week Spring 2015 street style by Tommy Ton

The Coolness That is Kirsten Dunst & Tavi Gevinson

2014-09-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

The best kind of videos, in my opinion, make you want to conquer the world. Or, at the very least, inspire you to do more of what you love. Well, these two do that for me. Tavi Gevinson is one of my favorite people because she's honest, smart, humble, and she keeps a journal, so naturally I get excited about anything involving her. Like how I bought Nylon today after spying her face on the cover, and I haven't read Nylon since I subscribed to it in high school. How cool is her self-help wall? Kirsten Dunst is another one of my favorites. From The Virgin Suicides to Elizabethtown (and, of course, Bring it On), she's the quirky, confident role model you always wanted. Plus, she totally embraces her imperfect teeth.

Looking for even more inspiration? Watch this TED talk on body language for that you can do anything feeling (thanks for the tip, Grace).

September Laundry List

2014-09-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

The girly things I'm up to this month..

Watch: Magic in the Moonlight
Read: Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham
Drink: Grapefruit Cocktail
Create: Embroidered T-Shirt
Listen: Banks, Goddess

Baby Got Back(pack)

2014-09-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's already mid-September (okay, almost October) aand fashion month. This summer has been a whirlwind, and I'm excited to get back into the swing of things. Even though, for me, fall no longer means back-to-school, it still signifies a fresh start. This is especially relevant right now, as I write this in my brand new apartment. On to new beginnings, new projects, new ideas..

Even though I'm no longer in school (confession: the nerd in me really misses long lectures on Moby Dick and reading James Baldwin for the first time), it doesn't mean I'm not thinking about back-to-school shopping. Which brings me to this mint satin backpack, by Phillip Lim, of course. It can be yours for a cool $750.. who needs new clothes when there's this beautiful thing? Hm?

3.1 Phillip Lim Satin Backpack

Hunger

2014-07-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

"I had no proof that I had the stuff to be an artist, though I hungered to be one."

Patti Smith.

Via

To Be Camille Rowe

2014-07-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

That is my new life goal. Who is Camille Rowe, you ask? Stop everything and click here. Okay, why do I want to be Camille Rowe (other than the fact that she transcends the 'model' paradigm by not taking herself too seriously and looking more like a vintage French icon than a glossy VS model)? This video.

C'est tout.

I-D Summer 2014

2014-06-25T00:03:00.001-07:00

I picked up the latest issue of I-D in Barnes & Noble the other day, after drooling at every page, and it just reminded me of how rare that feeling is these days. I'll always enjoy the OG fashion bibles (albeit, on more of a surface level), but there are few magazines that actually excite me and leave me inspired. I've never bought or even fully read an issue of I-D, which is pretty surprising considering my compulsive glossy obsession, so I can't wait to read this one cover to cover. This makeup ed is pure GOLD.

Photos via The Fashionography

Juliana Schurig and Carla Ciffoni, photographed by Nick Dorey.

Freja Does RUSSH

2014-05-28T23:25:00.001-07:00

My favorite model and my favorite magazine, all wrapped up in one pretty package?! I literally can't wait to get my hands on the June/July issue of RUSSH, with the glowing and cheerful Freja Beha Erichsen on the cover. The only problem is that U.S. newsstands are so behind, they're still stocking the Jan/Feb issue. If I ever reach the kind of rich that only people who import in caviar for their weeknight dinners can brag about, I'll fly in my favorite international magazines fresh off the press (namely, Lula and RUSSH). A girl can dream..

Camille Rowe for So It Goes

2014-05-21T09:24:00.004-07:00

One of my favorite editorials so far this year. Camille Rowe shot by Guy Aroch for So it Goes Magazine. Isn't she stunning? Follow her on Instagram here. I need that Oui/Non shirt..

Wishlist..

2014-05-20T00:41:00.002-07:00

Transparent Bomber Jacket / Open Work Leather Sneaker

These Zara high-tops really make me miss hip hop. I need to take a class soon - dancing's my yoga.

May Laundry List

2014-05-01T19:36:00.003-07:00

Watch: Palo Alto
Read: Let's Just Say it Wasn't Pretty (I met Diane Keaton at a book signing this weekend and can say with certainty, she is every bit as amazing as you would imagine. More on that later..)
Drink: Blood Orange Margarita...Pitchers!
Create: DIY Natural Powdered Blush
Listen: Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour (I'm convinced he's part angel.)

April Links

2014-04-30T23:30:00.000-07:00

I dropped the ball on April's laundry list (busy turning 23?), so in it's place, here's a list of links that fed me this past month.

Seriously worth the (short) read if you're at all into writing..
The Ultimate Guide to Writing Better Than You Normally Do

Because we're all curious..
The Camera-Wielding Boyfriends Behind Fashion's Most Famous Bloggers

Tavi and Miley in a room together? Go on..
Miley Cyrus Opens Up to Tavi Gevinson About Heartbreak, Sex, and Feminism

Fascinating read about how we filter fashion..
Fashion in the Age of Instagram

It might as well be Christmas morning..
How to Get Hair Like the Olsen Twins - Tips Straight from Mary-Kate and Ashley

Wise words from an icon of our time..
Patti Smith's Advice on Life

Indie and intimate shots of some cool kids..
Director Gia Coppola Photographs the Young, Hot Cast of her Debut Film, Palo Alto

Cheap Wall Art

2014-04-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

I've been slowly adding more photos to the mood bard part of my bedroom wall. It feels refreshing to put seemingly random pictures next to other pictures, so long as each of them means something to me. Deep thoughts about collaging at 9 a.m. (I love that she's looking at Patti Smith here.)

Photos via Boots & Pine, Horses Atelier

March Laundry List

2014-03-28T01:21:00.000-07:00

Watch: The Grand Budapest Hotel Read: Fashionable Selby Eat: Rainbow Veggie Noodle Bowl Make: Drawstring Halter Crop Top (So rad. I can totally see Nicole Richie in this.) Hear: MØ, No Mythologies To Follow