Outfit Post, Los Angeles Style

This is my third week living in Los Angeles- I'm here for the semester as part of an urban studies program for my major. I'm living in Koreatown, taking classes nearby and interning with a non-profit for the next few months. Check out my personal blog if you'd like to read about my experiences and transformation!

It's starting to cool down a bit, especially since there's about a ten degree difference in temperature in LA proper from Azusa. Here's what I wore to the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival in Chinatown. Forgive my ridiculous posture and facial expression, as always:

(Top, Tulle (bought at this random wholesale weird shop in Santa Monica); jeans, Urban Outfitters; brogues, Forever21; bag, Ebay; scarf, Mother's; hummus, delicious)

(Tying a scarf to the handle of your bag is an easy way to add some chicness to an outfit and maximizing the use of your layers- plus I've got to admit my secret love for cheetah print :3)

(My favorite accessories lately. From left: vintage, Mother's; etched PVC pipe, gifted; enamel butterfly, vintage)

I've been digging blouses so hard lately, I guess it's just a new season in my style!

Also, I've added quite a few new items to my Etsy shop lately- take a look! Tell a friend!

Love you all

-B

Berit's Jewelry Giveaway On The Emerald Closet!

Hello everyone!

So as I'm sure you're all well aware, I've been making jewelry from vintage buttons and selling them in my Etsy shop. Well, I've got some exciting news...

The Emerald Closet, one of my favorite Seattle-based style blogs, is conducting a giveaway for my shop! The talented team over at TEC not only captures what is happening in the fashion world 'round the world, but beautifully represents the uniqueness of Seattle street style as well.

Beginning Monday, August 8th (tomorrow, lulz) through Monday of next week, you can enter to win one of three rings from my shop that we'll be giving away!

Keep your eyes peeled for the giveway at The Emerald Closet, and good luck!

-B

On Trend: Lightweight Button-Ups

In September, I'll be heading back to Southern California- but this time I'll be living in inner-city Los Angeles, completing a required program for my major. A huge part of this experience will be interning with a non-profit organization, which I'm so excited about (Of course I'll keep y'all posted on my experiences there!).

Living in an (at times) insanely hot concrete jungle won't allow me any excuses for wearing tank tops and cutoffs every day- I'll still have to dress like a professional for my professional obligations. That's why I've been really liking the idea of gauzy, lightweight buttons ups that will retain a stylish but professional look while keeping me cool.

Here's a long-sleeved version of a top I just got for a steal on HauteLook (click here to join!).

I couldn't get an actual photo of it, but you get the general idea. Lightweight, dressy enough for dark slacks but also endlessly versatile! Here's some other great examples:

Sleeveless Woven Shirt- $17.80

Boy Shirt in crepe de chine- $110.00

Sheer Woven Top- $17.80

Pleione Roll Sleeve Tunic- $44.90

Also, PROJECT RUNWAY STARTS THURSDAY. I believe the show is splitting its time between New York and LA... either way it'll be entertaining as usual. But don't forget to read the news sometimes, too...

-B

Outfit Post: Sailor Stripes

When I was in the Bay Area a week ago I visited a really, truly wonderful vintage and used consignment shop called "Black & Brown." If you're familiar with Seattle vintage shops, think Red Light- but more every day wear and waaaay less pricey.

I scored this vintage skirt for $16 along with a great teal dress and a comfy flannel! I've been trying to push myself to mix & match patterns, stripes, and textures more often, so here's my latest try!

(Top, H&M; skirt, vintage Black & Brown; belt, thrifted; heels, MIA; necklace, vintage; earrings, self-made via my Etsy)

What are your favorite patters to mix together? New post on health coming soon! :)

-B

On Trend: Graduated Sparkle Nails

Hey y'all! Hope everyone had a fun, relaxing and moderately redneck 4th of July! Here's a trend that's caught my attention lately... Graduated/Ombre sparkle nails!

As with most things in life, this style can look either really cool or really tacky. Emily on Cupcakes & Cashmere wrote a great, fool-proof tutorial with the ever-hip technique of glitzing up only her ring fingers:

And here's my poorly-photographed version, with coral and gold. If you know me, you know I love nail polish, and this was a super easy way to spice (or sparkle, lulz) things up a bit! I accidentally went a little too heavy with the sparkles, but what can I say, I'm drawn to shiny like a crow.

A random photo off the interwebs, but the topcoat only with the sparkles looks great, too!

All it takes is a normal manicure and a bottle of sparkles (from the craft store or your local beauty supply, just make sure they're pretty small.) I always start off with base coat (it'll protect your nails from the undeniably yucky chemicals in the polish.), add the color, and then apply a topcoat. Add another small bit of topcoat to the tip of the nail and use a small paint brush to apply the sparkles- you can either sprinkle them on or brush them on for a more controlled graduated look.

Enjoy!

-B

Sunny Day Outfit!

You guys... I think... summer... is here!!!

Or at least, it was for today. So I took advantage of the beautiful weather to put on some summery colors!

(Top, H&M; skirt, thrifted; sweater, F21; combat boots, BC; sunnies, Betsey Johnson.)

I found these Betsey Johnson wingtip sunnies at the Rack a few weeks ago for a saweeeet deal! They remind me of the bejeweled one I wore as a kid :D

-B

On Trend: Spiked Punch

Spikes aren't just for punks anymore! While pyramid and circle studs are common lately, spikes are a few steps farther up the badass staircase. I mean... spiked Burberry trenches? OH YES.

Here's some affordable options for "spiking" your look:

Rachel Rachel Roy Crystal Tip Spear Earrings- $38.00

Spikez Ring by KLxTL- $15.00

ASOS Long Metal Spike Earring- $10.76

Gold Spike Necklace by okalexk- $10.00

What do y'all think?

-B

"Balenciaga and Spain" at the de Young Museum

Hi everyone! I've been lucky enough to have spent my vacation in the Bay Area, with many trips to San Francisco on the glorious public transportation available.

On Tuesday my mom and I checked out the "Balenciaga and Spain" exhibit at the de Young Museum, containing a showcase of some of Balenciaga's most famous 20th-century designs. Coming within inches of the silk-taffeta and hand-embroidered creations that influenced designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Givenchy.

Below are just a few snapshots taken off the web -the great thing about seeing his pieces in a museum was that the exhibit offered many insights into the religious (one beautiful sheath gown embroidered with crystals actually featured a crown of thorns pattern) and Spanish cultural influences on Balenciaga's designs. Art, in my opinion, is often more greatly appreciated when inspiration and influence are taken into account.

I wanted to walk out of there with every dress stuffed under my arm (respectfully and reverently stuffed, of course)! On a personal note, two weeks from now I'll be in Seattle for summer break... it doesn't even seem real that I'm already half-way through college. Someone pinch me! (not really)

-B

French "house woman"real private life

In France, everyone's impression is elegant and romantic women, but they are the most real aspect we have not really learned. Born in 1977, French photographer Baudouin, in-depth many women take home life in France, used the camera to record the true French "house woman"the most real private life, which created the photographic series "I am a parisian lady "see what all.

 
 

shoes

CLOT X NBA力作 比卢普斯战靴锦袍上身牛气十足

http://sports.sina.com.cn  2009年09月09日20:45  新浪体育

首屈一指的联名合作
　　CLOT x adidas NBA这个项目是CLOT Creative Director Edison Chen亲自到美国当地和adidas performance 的团队商谈的，作为NBA 的FANS, 大家的话题都离不开篮球的赛事，觉得做一双篮球鞋定会掀起所有喜欢篮球的人的兴趣，因为运动是不分年龄的界限，而且CLOT从未做过一双正式下场的篮球 鞋， CLOT Crew 差不多所有成员都十分喜欢篮球。正因如此，当adidas NBA 提出这个计划，整个团体都十分期待是次的挑战，更立即赶往美国的Portland去参与设计。
仔细解构 CLOT x adidas NBA 个中故事
TS CUT CREATOR 本身是一对属于控球后卫的鞋，所以你可以见到很多不同的颜色在上。控球后卫是球场上拿球机会最多的人，他更要把球从后场安全地带到前场，再把球传给其他队 友，这才有让其他人得分的机会，整个过程要求的不只的纯熟的技巧，很多时都要引起对方球员溷淆(confusion) ；Confusion = CLOTFUSION，因此这对CLOT 的TS CUT CREATOR 明名为TS CUT CREATOR CLOTFUSION。
TS COMMANDER LT CLOTARITY的Clotarity ，其实意思是CLARITY清楚，清晰的思维是在球场上不可缺少的东西，这是一双较大路的球鞋，所以我们选用最简单且端庄的颜色，以表达CLARITY 的意思。另外，在白色的皮革以特有的反光物料印上CLOT 专用的monogram 图桉，其实是想表达在球场上，必需的灵敏反射性。
要数球场上要引人入胜的事，必定是球员的拚博精神，这就是这两双球鞋背后的概念。今回的CLOT x adidas NBA 更特别邀到NBA 着名球星Chauncey Billups 拍摄了一段短片，讲述对TS CUT CREATOR CLOTFUSION的感觉。
由于这两双别有意义的球鞋为亚洲潮流先锋CLOT 的设计，因此JUICE 店铺会于全球率先在9月11日发售，绝对为亚太区一大盛事。事实上，这两双球鞋只是CLOT x adidas NBA 合作的开始，陆续推出的会有多款Tank Jersey ，这些都是潮牌中少见的产品，欲知最新详情，请留意CLOT的网站。另外，各篮球迷要留意快将在北京和台湾举行的NBA亚洲巡回表演赛。
TS Cut Creator Clotfusion 1180RMB(紅色)
TS Commander LT Clotarity 1280RMB (白色)

大气而端庄的配色

潮牌中少见的产品

白色版简洁干净

Prada Resort Collection/Capsule Collection 2011

In 2005 I was lucky enough to travel to Spain and Portugal with my mother and some friends. One of my favorite places that we visited was the Portuguese town of Sintra, home to the Palacio Nacional and its beautiful "azulejos," or blue tile murals.

Flashback from the weird geography lesson: I was delighted to find out that Prada not only included azulejo-inspired designs in their Resort 2011 collection, but created an entire blue-and-white capsule collection based off of them!

Prada's designs as of late have been a really great mix of classic mid-20th century America/pinup mixed with a little Lolita, and I wiiiiiiiiish I could have found a good photo of the beautiful three-quarter-sleeved, full-skirted dress made in this same print. So beautiful!

It's so wonderful to see designs that evoke deep emotions or memories in a fashion world where so many designs are judged based on their shock factor.

Hope you're all having wonderful holidays! I still have a food baby!

-B

Clothing Swap Success!

Tonight I hosted a clothing swap at my house; it was rather hastily planned but so much fun!

(Attempting at organization- see the teeny signs? :3)

Although there were only 6 of us, it was actually pretty ideal- two huge bags of clothes are sitting in my basement waiting to be donated!

Everyone left with some treasures!

(Natalie with her favorite find: an adorable romper from Gavia)

Hilarity also ensued:

(Brooke. No words for this.)

I'll post a couple of my favorite finds later- ladies who attended, feel free to post a photo of your favorite item found in the comments

(or send it to me and I'll post it)!

All in all, hosting or attending a clothing swap is a great way to freshen up your wardrobe for free and relieve your closet of unwanted items that will be enjoyed by a friend (also for free!).

Oh, and I made cupcakes for the event. Of course. Lemon Lavender :)

-B