rockwell

top, UO; bralette, LF Stores; harem pant, F21; shoes, Jeffrey Campbell- LF Stores

Went to a surprise bday party this past weekend at Rockwell in los angeles. Surprisingly, it wasn't very packed. They had good music... but no dance floor. It's one of those semi-outdoor but not really kind of places. The night was pleasingly warm without any stickiness- no need for a jacket. These jeffrey campbell shoes were a lucky buy... slightly heavy considering all the chains I need to lug with my calves and ankles... But well worth it. Anyone have any exciting plans for 4th of july? I need some last minute ideas... anything involving fireworks.

so the summer continues

tank, LF stores; jeans, Anoname; sweater, Michael Kors

June is almost over which is semi causing mild panic. I've only made it to the beach about 2x which is disappointing. On the other hand, I finally utilized the free magic mountain tickets we scored and got a lovely pixelated black and white image onto a green season pass. So, I have about six months to use it. After a restful morning, we got there around 5pm which alloted only three rides. X2, Dejavu, and Goliath.

Graffitti is practically everywhere in la... some illegally.. some legally. I came to grab a burger on olympic blvd. and wanted to capture this walled art. However, when looking at the pictures afterwards, I ended noticing the gum on the sidewalk more than anything else. Hahaha. I got the tank from the LF warehouse sale... Though I was initially intrigued by the way it was designed in the back, I noticed in actually even creates a curvy look when put on. The jeans are from Anoname from nordstrom... which I got for a steal... and the sweater cardigan has been featured numerous times for its versatility. I happen to be wearing it quite often.

strawberry pizza pie

tank, american apparel; jacket, gap; jeans, furst fron LF stores; studded clutch, costa blanca

An invitation for lunch completely exceeded my expectations when I saw the outside picnic table set up, the tarp canopy, bbq grill, tablecloth, and so forth. We had some tasty cuban pork burgers with homemade mustard relish, fried plantains, salad, charles shaw wine, pellegrino mixed with plum extract, and for dessert... homemade strawberry pizza pie. Homemade jam as well. Cutest couple...and the husband is the chef. I need to marry someone who will cook yummy food for me at my beck and call. After the lunch, we came across some elementary school drawings on cement blockings, a random wall, and an alley with pretty flowers. I got the jacket during an insane sale at gap a long time back and the black skinny jeans from Furst Denim (LF Stores) fits like a glove. Just what I was looking for. The studded clutch from costa blanca was gifted for my bday when my school buddy went back to canada for the summer. Going to check out random sample sales during the rest of the summer and possibly see if we can actually use the free magic mountain tickets we snagged back in february during this upcoming weekend.

rosewater saffron with pistachios please

top, emma & sam - LF Stores; shorts, diy zara; hot pink sandals, jeffrey campbell

Another venture to sell some clothes at crossroads trading in melrose, provided the prime opportunity to test out a much talked about, must visit, ice cream shop. Mashi Malone's. Allowing only three free samples is a fine idea, especially because had I been given the chance to try more, it would have been an even more difficult decision to make. I tried the lavender flavor, which was good... but remembered comment made by a friend several months ago at dinner while eating lavender creme brulee, quote : "it kinda tastes like lotion," I had to pass on that one. I finally locked in on the popular rosewater saffron ice cream with pistachios, mashti style. Which in lamen's terms means sandwiched between two light waffle crisps, as pictured above. The white dolman sleeve top by emma and sam, LF stores, is so comfortable and light for summer... I wore it with a thin scarf during the spring. The hot pink laced sandals by Jeffrey Campbell, also LF Stores, was luckily scored at one of their warehouse sales last season. Summer finally beckoned them out of my closet, though I could tell they need some breaking-in. I will be doing some guest blogging for Vertishop, commenting on their new lookbook styles. Hope it'll be a fun read.

juicy sevan chicken

dress, f21; scarf, american eagle; shoes, clarks

In the little town where I reside, there is a doner/kebab/falafel joint that I've have occasionally visited since grade school called Sevan Chicken. The decor hasn't change during that time. The same ol' attached orange table and chairs and the old school video game machines. The chicken is juicy. The hummous is the perfect flavor. The filet mignon kebab is tender. And the garlic sauce is to die for. Lip-smackin good. And yes, those are ketchup packets in the picture (lee sisters unite).

sample sale frenzy

Though nyc may be the epitome of lashing out some of the best sample sales, los angeles occasionally comes pretty close. Rock&Republic will have clothing from 50%-80% off... located at Sony Studios, Stage 14. Ever since I discovered that LF has warehouse sales, I haven't missed one yet. One of the endless perks of summer.

misunderstandings and surprises

pinstripe shorts, shirt, shoes, f21

The twists and turns of lies and stress that are associated with throwing surprise bday parties was manifested in the most blatant way. One of my lovely sisters planned one of these dangerous events for me this past weekend at buddha belly (food was delish... I even went again two days later). My plan for saturday consisted of spending the day out on balboa island in newport beach. The anticipation of taking the car onto ten minute ferry ride for $2.00 was the main motive. After preparing a concoction of grated browned apples for the bf's supposed "diarrhea" and forcing him to eat it in the car, we were on our way. I didn't realize that it was his attempt to reschedule our balboa island outing for another weekend in order to guarantee arriving on time for the surprise dinner. Unfortunate for him, my determination to make it happen on that particular day won (it had been postponed for weeks... and I didn't want to push it another week). The ferry ride was short but enjoyable... and the frozen banana is worth the drive there... i provided a zoomed in image of a fat pigeon attempting to have a taste right after i bought it. Finally we ended the day with the unexpected dinner... my sister gifted the gorgeous chain bracelet as seen above (she had given it to me few days prior), facial and sephora card from the bestbuds, clutch and canada love from my study buddy, and hundred dollar gift cards to stuff my closet with from the bf after much complaining that I'm the hardest person to shop for... thanks to all those who came out <3

new zealand natural

shorts, diy zara; top, f21

Due to the bf's random recent cravings for banana splits, we infiltrated yet another ice cream joint. This time, it was new zealand natural, which is now the official ice cream for the staples center. We went to LA live to get some and even found some lucky parking to avoid the large crowd which I assumed were gathering for a concert I didnt have tickets to. You can even get coupons from their website for a buck off a regular or large size ice cream. Their flavors are all natural, and rich and creamy to say the least. We had the hokey pokey, cookies n' cream, green tea, macadamia nut, coffee... I had my own and we also shared a banana split. And yes, I am holding a cleanly licked spoon full of nuts, fudge, and caramel that conveniently hardened to create a souvenier candy stick to carry along with me. I'm wearing just a comfy top from forever 21 and shorts that were created from some capri pants from zara. Although the magenta tipped ends finally decided to do a clear cameo in these photos, they are now masked by blue velvet.

just when I'm enjoying summer

william rast

thakoon

rag and bone

diane von furstenberg

style.com

Just when it finally feels like the warm weather is going to stick around for a while, fall looks are already boggling my mind with clothes that inspire, yet won't be able to wear for another few months. you really can't go wrong with these... the large hooded coat from thakoon, the badass coonskin look from william rast, lowcut jumpsuits, mittens around the neck, etc.

pollo a la brasa

tank, tcec; jeans, sweater, f21

yes, i'm wearing a fanny pack. As the epitome of fashion faux pas, I can come to terms with those who wear it religiously. It is hands/arm/shoulder free convenience. The tcec tank auspiciously fell into my lap after hanging out at the bf's work... so I put it on for blog posting right away. If you live in la, you may have passed by this "island" where 8th street and western coincide with a sign reading pollo a la brasa (peruvian food owned by a japanese lady). I only noticed it as a vexatious unnecessary placement of cement which only makes figuring out which street light applies to me all the more confusing. However, once you find parking randomly and cross at least two streets to get to it, you can already smell the wood fired chicken tickling the nostrils. I tried to take a picture of it through the glass, which was slightly unsuccessful... but posed with the outside stack of firewood... which brought back nostalgic memories of cabins in big bear. They have this amazing spicy green sauce (peruvian aji sauce) which I practically drowned every piece of chicken in... and for the price, i couldnt have been happier.

when there's lovely weather

 

 

 

 

jacket, h&m; shorts, diy zara; tank, uo; shoes, clarks

For some reason, I always have a camera at the grove, and find endless opportunities to snap a photo... one of which usually includes some type of mouthwatering food. This time it was bennett's ice cream. After the "banana split" fiasco at americana the day prior, we did the same at the grove. After walking around and enjoying the crowdedness associated with the sale at nordstrom and tourists (I fit right in with my camera, taking pictures right along with them), we watched iron man2 as the finishing touch to the holiday. The clarks shoes have recently been making all my other shoes jealous... they somehow go with whatever I happen to be wearing, and are so comfy... and conveniently makes the time spent in the fitting room efficiently shorter... thus, more bearable for the bf.

lots of shopping with no buying

 

 

top, f21; shorts, diy seven jeans

I headed over to americana to do some shopping though all I ended up purchasing was rite aid ice cream (lots of yum for the best price ever)... I got the coconut pineapple and mint n' chip. I brought a banana along to create a banana split, w/o the whipped cream and chocolate fudge... Thus, I sat on the grass and cut pieces into my ice cream. All the while, the jazz band serenading me. Later that night, after dropping off my sister in westwood, we stopped by the only indonesian restaurant that we know. Ramayani. yummy. I'm wearing some "hand me down" cordoroys... Though I bet they were pricey, they were just too 1990s.(c'mon. baby blue bell bottom cordoroys). After some cutting, and allowing the bf to have some fun with his acrylic paints, they were automatically wearable. Too bad you can't see 'em in the picture... I'll prob be wearing them more this summer... So you'll see the final product sooner or later.