the butterfly effect

I can' tell you guys how much I love finding new flats. I think I own about two pairs of heels (which don't get much wear), so naturally flats are my footwear of choice. I absolutely love these pairs by Butterfly Twists. 

Butterfly Twists began three years ago in London by four close friends. Foldable flats pretty much make up my shoe wardrobe; they're so easy to pack and tote around everywhere you go!

Butterfly Twists even carries two styles of foldable boots--the Angel and the Chelsea (pretending they're named both after me, of course)...

H&M jacket, Topshop blouse, Twenty 8 Twelve skirt, Rebecca Minkoff bag, Oasis bracelet watch, Butterfly Twists boots

I don't know how many times I've posted denim jacket/bright skirt ensembles...but why not? It's the perfect spring combination. I absolutely love this skirt and top together--the draping meets at the bottom of the blouse and top of the skirt and almost makes it appear as a dress.

Now if only the sun would peek out so I could actually weeear this look today...

under the sun

 Tank via Crossroads Trading Co., Levis denim leggings, Urban Outfitters loafers, ring from random boutique in West Hollywood, Marc Ecko bag

I loved shopping Crossroads Trading back home in Washington. There were so many great pieces aaand the prices were perfect for secondhand treasures. My sister Elyse and I ran into Jean and Lindsay there--obviously a must-stop for Seattle fashion bloggers.

The weather has been so off and on here that I can't wait for summer adventures to be had here in Minneapolis; days at the lake, strolls through uptown for iced coffee and cupcakes, fiiiinally getting to meet this girl...and hanging out with my other favorite Minneapolis bloggers, Lindsey and Brittany!

Hope you guys have a fabulous weekend--do something cray crayyyy for sure.

solidify

I can safely say that Topshop has never led me astray. If Topshop tells me 90's grunge is in, I believe them. If Topshop tells me neon tribal is in, I believe them. Right now, I'm drooling over their stock of printed tanks for summer.

Topshop

With so many options, there is definitely something for everyone. Unless you only wear solids. If that's true...Topshop still has options for you.

And all in the best spring colors, of course. But the best thing about prints and solids, obviously, is mixing them for visual interest. Solids work well at bringing out colors in prints, and prints can do a great job at setting off a bright solid! It's one of my favorite combinations to wear.

california photo diary

I love visiting new places because I get to photograph so many new things! If you ask Julia and Hannah (the two lovely ladies with me in the last two photos), they will tell you the soundtrack of my trip was an excited squeal at all the beautiful things to look at followed by a gazillion shutter clicks from my camera.

Meeting up with Chelsea and Dani!

Shopping in Ventura

Delicious treats at Urth Caffe

Baaaabes!

A few favorite Instagrams from the trip

It was such an unbelievable time of reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. I was telling someone the other day that I think I'm addicted to meeting my blog friends. I've been talking to Chelsea since the beginning days of this blog, and it was so much fun bringing my friendship with her and Dani face to face.

...too early to be planning my next visit?

sweater weather

Planet Gold sweater, Madewell jeans, Urban Outfitters loafers, Free People bag, Bauble Bar bracelet + Fossil watch

I could easily live in California. The whole time I was visiting, I was completely obsessed with palm trees and could definitely handle taking daily outfit pictures in front of them.

Los Angeles was expecting rain while I was in town, so before I left I stopped at the mall to pick up some last-minute layers and found way too many sweaters than I needed...seriously, I've never said no to stripes. Paired with these perfect velvet loafers I found at Urban in Ventura, I was set for an afternoon stroll through the neighborhood before watching the sunset over the ocean.

Enjoy the weekend! I'm hopping on a plane back to Minnesota tomorrow, but trying not to think about it. I miss Washington more than ever already.

{Photos by the lovely Julia Mary}

au natural

It's been awhile since posted about my Birchbox, but I was enamored with the selection this month that I had to share with you all. 

One of my favorite things about Birchbox is their green initiative, and I was so excited this month to be sent products completely inspired by nature.

One of my favorite things to get in my monthly Birchbox is perfume samples. This month, it was Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift which was better than I expected. The packaging of this dry shampoo sample by Lulu Organics is gorgeous, and Zoya has become one of my favorite nail polish brands--love this muted, green-blue!

I've seen the Yes to Blueberries facial towelettes around drugstores lately and was so excited to get eight of them in a travel pack. The Befine food skin care packets include an exfoliating moisturizer and a rice-based SPF moisturizer. This is a brand I've heard a lot about and can't wait to try!

However, natural products run deeper than the surface. You're probably familiar with term 'blood diamonds' as something to be avoided. Ingle & Rhode, a British jewelry company, have constructed a great flyer to keep us ladies (and gents!) informed about our fine jewelry purchases before we make them. Click the graphic below to view the whole image.

Thanks to The Emerald Closet for sharing this graphic with me! Hope you guys have a great Wednesday--and sign up for Birchbox!

beachside

Tank via Crossroads Trading Co., vintage Levis shorts via Urban Renewal

I got back to Seattle late last night and have already looked through the four hundred photos I took in California a dozen times. I have one week left of vacation here in Washington, and am kicking it off with a lazy Monday morning editing photos. I can't believe I was at the beach in the sunshine yesterday...this was my first real yellow-sand-blue-water beach experience, and I cannot wait to go back.

Obviously, I was a little excited.

the best coast

Top c/o Sugarlips, Madewell jeans, Seychelles sandals, vintage clutch

I seriously feel like I'm living in a dream, driving around California. I can't believe this is the first time I've ever been here! These photos, taken back in Seattle, feel like a million miles away. I feel like every place I visit could be my new home, and Camarillo definitely feels that way.

I have been seeing Sugarlips clothing all over the blog world recently and am so excited to share this piece with you. I'm loving the cutout shoulders and definitely want to add more pieces like this to my wardrobe. The studs add such a great edge to a casual sweater.

Plans for today include checking out southern California libraries and the essential stop at The Coffee Bean. I can't wait to share all my photos with you when I'm back in Seattle! Have a great weekend.

salon effective

I fell asleep to rain on the roof here in southern California, and woke up to the same thing. While I wait for the weather to warm up, I plan to distract myself with colors and patterns galore.

For some reason, I didn't pack any nail polish for my week away from home, so naturally the only thing I want to do right now is paint my nails. I love nail strips to use as an accent on my ring finger, and probably have way too much fun coming up with different combinations.

The only negative thing I can come up with to say about nail strips is actually one of their best features--they last sooo long. So long that I get bored wearing the same print for weeks, but they're expensive enough that I don't want to waste them.

I love the idea of printed nails for summer. A fun trend I will definitely be taking part in...

H&M top, Plisowana Spodnica skirt, Low Luv by Erin Wasson ring, Linea Weekend belt, Proenza Schouler bag, Modern Vintage ankle boots

california dreaming

(weheartit)

I've watched enough TV shows and movies to think I know everything about southern California and how people live life there; what they wear, how they act, where they work. Tomorrow, fiiiiinally, I will get to see for myself! 

Although I wish I was bringing tickets for Coachella, I'll get to spend plenty of time on the beach and wandering the streets and wherever else my friends end up taking me. One thing I do know is the flight down will consist of this song on repeat...forever...

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Romwe, Wildfox

Madewell, Mara Hoffman, Topshop

Pieces I associate with California...crisp white cotton, destroyed denim, slouchy sweaters, rugged boots, indie swimwear, and cropped tanks. I'm curious to see what I feel like putting together while I'm there, haha. 

Talk to you guys soon...from L.A! Wooooo!

fashionography x zipped

Nectar Clothing jacket (borrowed), F21 tee (borrowed), Free People necklace and beanie, Madewell jeans, Hunter boots, Cut 'n' Paste bag

One of the most important things on my to-do list while home in Seattle was meet-up with the best fashion blogger on the Olympic Peninsula, Kathryn of The Fashionography! We've followed each other for awhile now and I am so glad I got to meet this gal. We had a lovely time chatting about graphic design and blogging over drinks at Caffe Ladro.

As we strolled through downtown, Kathryn noticed these stunning electric blue trees which had been featured in the Seattle Times earlier that morning--they were painted by an Australian artist to bring awareness to deforestation. Instantly, I knew I wanted to shoot there! Kathryn was a blast to take pictures with, and is such a talented photographer.

Elyse let me borrow this adorable red coat from Nectar Clothing, and I can already tell I'm hooked on this online boutique! The color perfectly coordinates with the gum that decorates Post Alley under Pike Place Market...

art of the trench

When it comes to spring, I always come back to the thought of one particular essential: a classic cotton trench (for every budget, of course).

Burberry ($1,495), Tommy Hilfiger ($365), Mango ($96)

It adds a perfect extra layer without weighing down a springy outfit with dark outerwear. 

Burberry trench, Topshop dress, Zara sandals, Lanvin bag, Maya Brenner Zodiac necklace

On Maya Brenner's Facebook page, you can enter to win one of these beautiful zodiac necklaces for yourself in silver! Click the "What's Your Sign?" tab to enter. Maya's designs are simply exquisite. After receiving one of her state necklaces, the Virgo pendant is definitely next on my list. A winner is selected at the end of each month, so the odds may be in your favor!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting up with lovely Kathryn of The Fashionography. Look for photos of our Seattle excursion on Friday!

dream job

Some of my favorite weather happens to be the in-between days; those days where it's too cool for shorts and too hot for a jacket, but warm enough to let your feet breathe in sandals. I have this graphic/chic Teen Vogue vibe on my mind recently. It turns moodboards into a mishmash of bright yet muted pieces, and playful yet sophisticated accessories.

Aubin & Wills blouse, Victoria Beckham jeans, Rebecca Minkoff sandals, Marc Jacobs bag, Yves Saint Laurent ring, Kate Spade stud earrings    

But it's not just Teen Vogue's taste in clothes that I'll admire forever...right now I'm having serious job envy directed specifically at beauty editor Eva Chen and assistant Laurel Pantin, who get hundreds of beauty products delivered straight to their desks every day. At least they care enough to share their secrets with the rest of us!

Ms. Chen herself, her overflowing desk, lovely Laurel Pantin