empty lots

My favorite piece of this outfit is the smallest; the pink leopard scrunchie on my wrist! I llloooveee how you guys can actually see my accessories now thanks to my new camera. I know my photos can only get better!

Haha, love this last photo of mid-step awkwardness!

H&M blazer, SOLD jeans, handmade hat

A blazer has been on my wishlist for awhile; I love finally owning this closet necessity. I actually bought two in Minnesota, and the other one is a gorgeous color and perfect for spring! But black is that staple, and H&M did not let me down.

This is my favorite beanie I have made; I have a sweater in this same ivory and red pattern, which would pretty easily translate into a great Waldo Halloween costume. Actually, I just came up with that as I write this and I can't believe I haven't done that before!

Busy, busy Friday to finish off the week...can't wait to relax this weekend before the craziness of MAY begins! Enjoy zee weekend.

tulip season

Men's hat, American Apparel tee, thrifted denim jacket, vintage pleated shirt, Yosi Samra flats

Just about from the moment I turned on my new camera, I have been learning to shoot manually! Otherwise, I am convinced I will never learn how to use it properly. This was my first attempt at outfit photos, and as you can see they are a bit grainy, but nothing a lot of practice can't fix!

Had to shoot in front of the neighbor's lovely tulips, they seemed so appropriately happy on this sunny day.

And yes, this is the addition I mentioned a few days ago! I went with a Canon Rebel XSi and am already kind of obsessed with it.

This outfit is from a couple of days ago, when I had a photoshoot in Seattle with photographer Cozbi Hultz! It was lots of fun, and we styled some fun, dramatized looks with great pieces by 3.1 Philip Lim, Diane von Furstenberg, and Radenroro. Thank you also to Krystal for make-up, Nanealani for hair, and Natasha for being an energetic assistant :) 

Can't wait to show you guys some of the photos!

TWO THINGS

Since I started blogging, there are two things that I've noticed many bloggers share a mutual affection for...the first thing? Anything bohemian.

Free People

My favorite way to add organic, bohemian flare is through accessories such as a feather or a fringe bag. Here are a few of my fave recent pieces!

F21 eagle necklace + earrings, Paul and Joe fringe beaded bag, Lee Angel bracelets, YSL Arty ring, Lucky Brand wristlet

The second thing? A widespread love for Jeffrey Campbell's platform heels.

My only question is...how do you girls walk in these?

P.S. Excited to do my first outfit post on Wednesday using my beeeyootiful new camera!

big plans!

F21 tank dress, cardigan c/o Karen Kane, probably overworn Yosi Samra flats, men's hat!

Gaaaaaaahhhh. Deep breath. Here comes news!

I am taking part in a photo shoot this weekend, playing model for a day! Lovely Cozbi Hultz is going to be shooting me, and I am excited to meet her and assist-style some fun, spring/summer looks. Eeeek, super nervous though! You guys know that my go-to pose (not cool enough to be a "signature") is looking down at the boring ol' ground, so I suppose I ought to flip through some lookbooks for inspiration before the shoot.

You may have noticed I got a new hat. It is from the men's section, but once I put it on I was sold. I have always wanted to be a hat person, and slowly but surely I am achieving my dream. Ha.

Will hopefully be tweeting a few photos at the shoot, so you may keep up to date here! And have a looovely weekend.

happy feet

Hope you guys have been having funnn checking out SOLD Design Lab and JPARK from the giveaway going on right now! 

Free People tee, SOLD Design Lab jeans, Steve Madden ankle boots, Ray Ban sunnies

I cuffed my super skinnies with wedges and took them out into the sunshine yesterday, having fun being a head taller than my mother. When I had to run an errand (I had to go and pick up a box of fifteen pies...don't ask), I switched them out for flats and loved the classic look (aaaand my feet loved the comfort)!

Lately, I have been infatuated with rings by Five and Two...the designs are so striking and I love how the rings look amazing on their own, or layered with all sorts of vintage and unique jewelry.

They are natural with an edge; that makes them perfectly my style.

Hope you all are enjoying your week! P.S. No, I don't wear extensions. It's all mine. :)

SOLD Design Lab + JPARK giveaway!

Mondays may have been made for giveaways.

One lucky reader will win BOTH of these gorgeous pieces!

One pair of SOLD Design Lab's Spring Street skinny jeans

And JPARK's Ruffle Cami in lilac or grey from their S/S 11 collection

TO ENTER:

CLOSED!

1. Winner must have a U.S. or Canada address. So sorry to my international readers, but there will be a giveaway coming up for you all soon.

2. The giveaway ends April 30th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

Check back on Wednesday to see how I style my SOLD Design Lab jeans! Check out JPARK here and SOLD Design Lab here. Good luck, all, and thanks making it possible for me to do things like this. ♥ 

fairhaven

Yesterday was spent in the lovely town of Fairhaven in northern Washington!

Free People tee, BDG jeans, Yosi Samra flats

I purchased these rust-colored ankle jeans while I was in Minnesota from Urban Outfitters! I was so excited because that was the only thing I was really shopping for that weekend, and there was one pair in my size for six dollars. Apparently no one wants rust-colored jeans anymore? haha...

My favorite place to go to in Fairhaven is Katie's Cupcakes, they have such perfect desserts and an adorable shop. I devoured my salted caramel cupcake, and practiced my food photography :)

And I have to mention, thank you soooo much if you have linked me or given me an award lately! I am so happy to have you as readers.

HOPE YOU ARE READY FOR A GIVEAWAY MONDAY EVENING!!!

P.S. Regarding the "big addition," it's more of an expensive addition to the blogging process and my life...I may have given it away right there, haha. Plus, I am equally nervous/excited about something happening next week that I can't wait to share with you guys! 

the finer things

My mom always tells me what expensive taste I have, and judging by the items that have caught my eye lately, I can't exactly argue...

Azzaro crystalled dress ($6,035), Valentino clutch ($845), Clube Bossa swimsuit ($510)

Anything pretty, striking, simple, and sweet is my uniform for spring. But then, I am a compulsive thrifter, so maaaaybe a cheaper option is available...? Especially for that Azzaro that costs as much as a nice used car...

Some of my faaaavorite thrift finds are skirts, many of which were previously expensive. I decided to share a few with you, just to give a short preview of my warm weather wardrobe!

Kimchi Blue ($2), Marc by Marc Jacobs ($2)

I would style BOTH of these super easily with a light blouse, chic flats, and simple jewelry! 

Erin Brinie top, F21 necklace, Hive and Honey leather bracelet, Yosi Samra flats

There are lots of exciting things planned for Zipped right now that I know you guys will love! Look out for a few chances to win some amaaazziinnnggg pieces and also, a big addition to my blog coming soon :) 

earth tones, bright tones

Sometimes I feel like Mondays are the end of the world...why do they always seem to come so soon?

I'm so excited about these new pieces by Nanette Lepore. The earth tones are so gorgeous and I love the seamless collages of textures and detail. There is a big place in the world for bright colors and patterns, but sometimes these classic, subtle tones speak to me!

It's always fun to pair a neutral outfit with a bright shoe, but I can't say I'm always so daring with my footwear! Although, I do have one pair of red shoes that tends to work with everything, which sounds crazy but is true.

Speaking of bright shoes, I love the sandal trends for spring and summer! Super bright or super strappy...take your pick.

brights or STRAPS

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These bright sandals fit in so well with the color-blocking trend that has been making its  rounds in spring/summer fashion. I love colored trousers, and I can definitely see a pair worn with bright sandals and a tank!

Lately when I've been shopping, I have been trying on sandals and getting so excited for summer. It's technically spring, but Seattle hasn't got the memo...

MORE MINNEAPOLIS

Tea at the American Girl Doll place :)

My beeyoootiful sisters, Elyse and Caitlin, at the tea table

The Mall of America!

My sisters and I had so much fun on the last day that Elyse and I were in the Twin Cities. All three of us have American Girl dolls, and although the dolls were still back home we went to tea at the very pretty American Girl place! We spent a couple of hours walking the Mall of America before it was time to head to the airport (the most obvious place for outfit photos, of course...).

La cena en el aeropuerto!

I love being surrounded by travelers in airports, such a neat vibe. Lots have been asking about the black fringe bag I have been sporting lately, it is called the Lia by Cut n' Paste bags. Stock is very limited in black but it also comes in tan! I love how I can fit anything in it (even my computer!).

I'm so happy to share all of my photos here, because if I hadn't started blogging I don't believe many of them would have happened :) Really glad I was able to come back with such lovely visuals. Now, I'm off to start the cloudy weekend learning a new song on the piano and  playing around in downtown Seattle tomorrow. I love being home!

CHECK OUT MY GUEST POST ON KENZIEFAITH!

back in full force

I am officially home in Washington. It's so comforting to see my family and sleep in my own bed! I had lots to catch up on, but new bags at Spool No. 72 seemed like the most important, of course.

I introduced all of you to this Washington-based retailer awhile ago, but they are still one of my favorites for quirky, vintage pieces.

I'm a clutch girl, and can definitely visualize these two in my summer wardrobe. Raffia envelope clutch: paired with blue sundress and floppy hat. Carved leather clutch: amazing standout piece with a basic tee and ankle jeans!

Most of all, I love how these pieces fit in with Topshop's newest Swedish Summer trend...

The happy prints and delicate trim provide perfect contrast for the clean-cut shorts and overalls. Topshop's styling is always exquisite, and this may be one of my favorite looks yet. Browsing email newsletters is so inspiring and a great way to see how to wear trends.

Also, Kristi of Accio Hagrid was the Karen Kane giveaway winner and finally got to spend her $200 gift card! I received a few photos of some looks she tried, and here they are!

So glad she had fun. Thanks so much again to Karen Kane, and congratulations to Kristi -- have a great Wednesday!

summer adventures

Last month I told you guys I'm going to camp, but before you praise me for being all stylish in a tent, I'm not actually "going camping." I'm going TO camp. I'm being the counselor to a group of girls at a convention center where there's dorms and plumbing and cafeterias and all kinds of buildings.

Trust me, when I go wilderness camping, I don't even make an effort. I look like a homeless person's girlfriend.

AsI'm not an athletic person, my other go-to outfit at camp might be something like this:

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Blu Moon skirt, Topshop tee, Cynthia Vincent sandals, F21 wings ring, Erin Wasson white ring, Minnetonka hat, Antik Batik necklace

For me, one can't go wrong with a loose tee and bohemian maxi skirt. Plus, I'll be packing light (again...) so any tee I can wear one day with a skirt and another with denim shorts works for me.

Today is my last day in Minneapolis, so we're going out with a bang at Mall of America. I've been lots of times before, but spending a few more hours with my sisters will be fun. I'm flying back home tonight, and can't wait to show you all more photos. Check out the first batch HERE!

a downtown day

What a crazy past couple of days! Sooo much fun.

This trip has been so much fun! I have stayed in three different places the past three nights, but it has been so much fun getting to see so many of my friends in such a short amount of time. I was able to stroll through downtown Minneapolis with my sister, exploring a few streets. It was such a beautiful, sunny day even though it was below forty degrees. On Wednesday, I also got to meet up with my best friend from elementary school Maria!

We had so much fun running around my old neighborhood, getting Mexican food and catching a late-night film before falling asleep way later than we should have, as I had to get up early the next morning! Today I'm hitting up a few antique stores in St. Paul before meeting a group of friends for dinner uptown.

My new Free People hat has definitely become a staple in my closet, I love wearing it in all weather and it has already saved me from some bad hair days. I definitely packed in layers and am pretty much only concerned with being comfortable on this trip hehe.

Hope you all get to relax as well this weekend, thanks for all the kind words and support! I have missed the blog world as I haven't had a chance to sit online and browse, but reading your comments makes me smile!