12:04

New Site > TWELVEOFOUR.COM

2015-05-10T21:05:00.004-07:00

The times are changin', friends. I am transitioning to a new platform after weeks of redesigning in my spare time. It's more clean, simple, and the focus is on the content above all else.

Bookmark me on twelveofour.com

This blog will live as an archive for now, only check twelveofour.com for all future posts.

BRB

2015-05-01T10:10:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was a big happy day for me and now I'm off to celebrate for a while. I'm also working on a new blog design, which is super exciting, but consuming the free time I would otherwise use for making collages, mood boards, and blog posts.

In short, BRB.

I'll be on Instagram if you need me.

The Perfect Summer Dress

2015-04-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

WAYNE dress (size 4) | MANSUR GAVRIEL mini bucket | NEWBARK sandals (run super small) | CELINE sunglasses

Awake

2015-04-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

You know the feeling where there aren't enough hours in the day, but there are so many exciting things you want to do and accomplish, and they'd totally happen, but first you have to deliver top notch work at your full time job, and find time to be sociable, and then, you can come home and work on your pet projects? That's where I'm at. I'm fulfilled and excited by what's on my plate and by what I continually push myself to do in addition. Why am I stating that here? Because I consider this a fun extra curricular that I continue to be excited to contribute to in my free time.

Yes, analytics and other "blogging tips and tricks" would tell me that I should post often and monetize this and that whenever possible. But I just say no to all of that. Just no. Back when I started this blog in 2006-2007 I was just looking for a place to put whatever was in my head out on a public space and see if anyone shared the same ideas thoughts, or hey, even challenged them sometimes. So no, I'm not going to exploit this with links just to pad my bottom line. As I've always done, I will only show you what I feel is truly worthy of a recommendation. When I've got nothing worthy to say I'm not going to post. All you have to do is not give up on me like the handsome but troubled son in American Beauty said to his father in that one dramatic scene after he was caught peepin' the neighbors.

Wednesday Muse: Kelly Mittendorf

2015-04-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

This tousled, casual queen.

The Importance of Tailoring

2015-04-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

I had this Zara dress tailored to fit my body better and I seriously think I get more compliments on it than other more pricey designer dresses. It just goes to show that when it comes to shopping at Zara you can find real gems if you're vigilant about purchasing quality fabrics (this dress is 100% cotton/linen) and being careful to fit your body right. In this case, the straps were a little too long for my height (being 5'3" is kind of a pain because almost everything is too long, AMIRITE) so I took them to The Best Tailors in SF, San Francisco Tailors. SF people! Go to Sally: She will treat you right and do even the impossible. For example, Sally is currently tailoring my Kiini swimsuit, which seemed like a silly request when I got there, but Sally was all business and so nice about fitting it to my body during my lunch hour.

In short: tailoring makes clothes look expensive. So, like, do it!

About An Hour : April 20

2015-04-19T22:29:00.002-07:00

A brand new hour of music and moodboard to match. What else do you want on a Monday morning?

If you're looking for previous playlists, they're all archived in my second playlist on Spotify here.

Mellow

2015-04-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

COS top

COS skirt

MANSUR GAVRIEL bucket bag

ZARA flats

MADEWELL jacket

Every Single Day Jewelry

2015-04-17T13:30:00.002-07:00

These tiny little investments have been on my person so many times throughout the years that they have been well worth the upfront investment. I can't say enough good things about each of these designers, especially since I've blogged and worn all of these pieces hundreds of times already. The only thing left to say is truly go out in the real world and touch and feel them. You'll truly know what I'm talking about then!

I guess another thing I can say here is that I definitely am looking forward to expanding my little collection with some little pieces from WWAKE, Jess Hannah, and Finn. Other recommendations welcome!

KATHLEEN WHITAKER | REPOSSI | CASA MALASPINA

Wednesday Moods

2015-04-15T15:48:00.003-07:00

Spongebob Squarepants Proportions Are A-Ok With Me

2015-04-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

There's nothing here to muse about here other than the topic of boxy outfits. The super flowy and tenty kind on the top half of your body, where your stomach partially your hips are completely shrouded in a top that any coworker could cheerfully say, "You can be 8-month's pregnant int that outfit!" (True story, real "compliment"). Misguided compliments aside, I'm a big fan of Spongebob Squarepants proportions because I feel like it's selective sexiness, or picking your battles: I choose to show off my legs (which I hardly ever do), and therefore choose to hide everything else behind a cloud of cloth mystery.

WEARING

COS skirt and top

MADEWELL quilted jacket

ZARA flats

Itty Bitty Kiini

2015-04-12T19:14:00.001-07:00

Just got this delivered to my office in SF And I'm currently waiting on a pink version. I think it's a complete understatement when I say that finding one of these right now is as hard as finding a Mansur Gavriel bucket bag. Kiini swimwear is just sold out everywhere. So after stalking the google terms "kiini" "swimwear" and "shop" I finally found one on Net-a-Porter and Anthropologie, which I promptly ordered in a large — the only size available. LOLZ. A large is probably going to be just fine for my bottom (which is pretty big), but the top? I will likely be swimming in it. Can I just rant for a moment on the stupidity of selling bikinis in sets where you have zero option to choose the top and bottom size? As If I am a one-size-fits-all doll. It's insane to me that retailers haven't figured out the ability to do this. I suspect I will have to tailor the top. This won't be a problem since the Kiini literally has zero fasteners. Like none. The bikini relies solely on the stretchiness of the material to fit your body, which makes the entire process of deciding if it even fits super tough. If this sounds like an entire complain/rant post, it's not! I'm lucky to have one of these in my possession because I have a sea of black swimsuits and want something a little colorful for my upcoming trip to Turks and Caicos at the end of this month.

More updates to come.

Weekend Muse: Karla's Closet

2015-04-11T16:19:00.004-07:00

Last Look

2015-04-08T22:52:00.006-07:00

WEARING

MANSUR GAVRIEL mini bucket tote. I have an extra for sale on my tictail shop!

My best friend bought two bags and decided she doesn't want the brown version.

Wednesday Mood

2015-04-08T08:33:00.003-07:00

Naiveté Via Volume

2015-04-05T20:22:00.002-07:00

I like how a crazy voluminous top like this one makes the overall silhouette of this skaterific outfit look really schoolgirl and even naive. I like how playful it feels when I'm wearing it, even though I'm positive Nick would love to see me in something more figure forming. I really have nothing more to say in this post. No deep thoughts, no nothing. But I will mention that shopping resale sites and other bloggers' closets is my new favorite thing. This Céline top is from a blogger's resale site, and even though it's seasons old to me it feels brand new and super "me." I highly suggest it, people.

WEARING:

CELINE top (size 38)

MADEWELL denim (size 26)

MANSUR GAVRIEL mini bucket

VANS shoes (size 7)

COS collar

Weekend Muse

2015-04-04T13:22:00.002-07:00

Last Look

2015-04-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

Jeans in the Myles wash courtesy of Talley NYC.

About An Hour : April 2, 2015

2015-04-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for previous playlists, they're all archived in my second playlist on Spotify here.

Wednesday Moods

2015-04-01T09:02:00.001-07:00

Bespoke Blue Jeans

2015-03-30T21:49:00.003-07:00

Bespoke. Made to order denim. It's a real thing now and man does it feel nice. I used to think a pair of jeans was an unremarkable item in your closet, something you could literally go out and find anywhere. But after being sent a pair from Talley that were literally made after my order was placed I don't think I can ever make that same silly inference again. It's not only the fit very precise but it's the entire feel and tensile strength in the very fibers that feels more premium than other denim brands of a comparable price point. I chose to get the Myles because I wanted a pair of super-slim jeans that were hyper-fitted from the hips to ankle so I can tuck them into boots. Currently, they only offer one inseam choice, but it'd be great to see that type of customization be expanded over time. The jeans I chose delivered on the hyper fit but also in the site's promise for a quality feel. Not only do the jeans have a compression fit that has a crazy slimming effect, but they don't seem to lose shape. How do I know this? Because I wore these while driving up the I-5 from Los Angeles to San Francisco this past weekend. That drive was brutal, to say the least. We hit some unexpected traffic mid-way and it was stop and go for about three hours. I will admit these jeans aren't for self-designated "fat" days, but I suspect that is purely a cause of me choosing the most tightly fitted cut.

I'm frankly considering ordering a black pair with my own hard-earned money this time. (I'm kind of kicking myself I didn't request them in black to begin with, to be honest!) Or maybe something with a little bit of a trendier, looser fit, like the Edison high-waisted crop.

WEARING

TALLEY NYC jeans in the Myles wash (wearing a size 26 / they run unforgivingly true to size) thanks to Talley NYC

J.CREW tux shirt

SUPERGA sneakers

CELINE sunglasses

The Céline Effect / Little Hands

2015-03-26T07:00:00.002-07:00

Gesutural hands as accessories and brooches are a pretty little creepy thing I like to add to jacket lapels or cardigan seams. I like the sinister undertone of this Duoh pin, and the idea having what looks like a doll's hand on a collar rather than the usual anonymous bling. Who can we blame for this? Probably Céline. Always blame Céline (see below). So I guess you can spend $520 below and get the Phresh out the Runway ceramic Céline pin, or you can interpret this eery trend your own way with a brass one from Duoh, or a cheekier version by Casa Malaspina. I already own all of the avaialbale hands in both parties, and I have to say the effect of the hands group love is nothing less than charming.

Today. All The Days. Never Enough Coffee.

2015-03-25T15:28:00.002-07:00

Illustration via Kinfolk, image found in a Pinterest maze

Catherine The Great

2015-03-25T07:59:00.002-07:00

Tomboy Pink

2015-03-24T10:55:00.003-07:00

Just because I enjoy an all-black outfit doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy wearing dusty pink with incredible delight. I think the all-black outfits are great practice for when I do happen to wear a pastel color because the darkly monochrome outfits keep my editing eye skewed towards the edgy, keeping the few times I wear color from getting overly girlish. No fuss lazy girl hair also helps tone down the twee, I guess.

WEARING
J. CREW pink cardigan (size small, from an old sale)
MANSUR GAVRIEL mini bucket bag
YANG LI skirt (size 40)
DUOH pin
VINTAGE ROLEX
CELINE aviators