Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Black&White









As one of the few places in Manhattan that you can go to get a taste of nature, we planned to have a picnic on the Highline as soon as our iPhones showed us that little sunshine we hope for every time we open the weather app. Equipped with our bags of Duane Reade snacks, we sprawled out by the grass on the railroad-turned-long-skinny-park in hopes of getting rid of our pasty winter paleness. Shorts are one of my favorite things to wear, so I was super excited to break out this little leather, athletic-style pair by the brand Monday to Sunday, along with my short sleeved men's button down and sandals!

Shirt: Gap / Shorts: Monday to Sunday / Sandals: Zara / Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs /
 Sunglasses: Ray Ban / Bracelets: Madewell / Ring: Verameat

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Fashion Ave.





Lacsana and I darted out onto the Fashion Avenue between our classes to shoot this look. I was really channeling my inner man when getting dressed, going for a big, contrast-sleeved coat, since, sadly, it's still freezing. Underneath is just a simple tie-dyed/ bleached button down, with dark jeans, and my new Jil Sander cutout ankle boots. I have a slight obsession with eyewear, and my general rule is if it's daytime, the sunglasses are on. These particular ones are just some cheapies I got from Urban Outfitters, but I love the round metal frame with the tortoise cat eye accent.  

xx, Rachel
East Coast

Jacket: no idea, found at Buffalo Exchange / Shirt: BDG (from Urban) / Jeans: Citizens of Humanity / Ankle Boots: Jil Sander / Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Monday, April 22, 2013

Ode to Earth Day


Earth Day can really be any day in Southern California. Foliage is everywhere (usually brown or, rather, "golden"), and landscaped gardens full of greenery are not hard to come by. Dressing in a kaleidoscope of color, texture, and pattern only seem natural in this environment. 


A cobalt blue statement necklace (found at the ever attainable and affordable Anthropologie), with a contrasting black and white cotton jumper by J.Crew, maintains my love of smashing together two unlikely counterparts. 


The skirt, well, really isn't a skirt at all. In fact, it is a strapless dress by BCBG Maxazria Collection. Watching last years Spring 2012 show via youtube induced a color-blocking coma that really hasn't abated. I think it's something I'll be wearing until the day I die. One thing is certain: I'm a freak for pleats. And I paired the entire ensemble with the notorious, tumblr-famous color-blocked Zara heels.


Even though I didn't plant a tree or cultivate any organic produce, I'd say rubbing up against roses and being blinded by sunlight was a small act of appreciating Mother Earth. And it wasn't without casualties  - I regrettably sunk my shoe into a chasm of fertilizer. 



Lizzie Furlong - West Coast



Saturday, April 13, 2013

Flower Shop






                   


This day was one of the first of the few warm days we've just recently been having over here on the East Coast, so we shot this look as we strolled through the flower district in Chelsea. I wore a short-sleeved cashmere sweater, and, as I'm still not quite ready for a full commitment to a warm-weather outfit, my favorite blue and black fur vest by Truth and Pride. To counteract the diva-ness of the fur and pointy toed kitten heels, I made it more casual with some ripped Madewell boyfriend jeans. I've been slacking on posts, mostly because it's been pouring rain for the past couple of weeks, but hopefully I will have a bit more motivation if the weather continues in this direction!

xo, Rachel // East Coast

Sunglasses: Elizabeth&James / Bracelet: from Anthropologie / Vest: Truth & Pride / Sweater: Minnie Rose / Jeans: Madewell1937 / Shoes: Ivanka Trump

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Patterns on Patterns on Patterns



I came to the conclusion about two things this week: First, while stripes, gingham and checkers are great, they're even better together. Second, I really need a freaking haircut. 

Now, print mixing, in my opinion, is an art. There are those, like Aimee Song and Chiara Ferragni, who pair Kenzo printed shirts with Clover Canyon, and look effortless. In contrast, however, one need only enter the nearest Wal-Mart right before closing to witness the horrifying effects of matching Tweety-Bird fleece pajama bottoms with a camo-print hunting jacket. 

Now you see my dilemma. How do I look like the former and avoid looking like the latter? 


I think the key here is only using subdued prints. Or, in other cases, pairing a dominant, loud print with a subtle pattern that acts as a neutral. Here, I used my tattered red and slate gingham button-down as a base, and paired my striped J.Crew knitted blazer over top. On a side note, it is very difficult to pull off a blazer on the cliffs of Malibu. Having this light-weight knitted yet structured jacket is a dream considering the warm temperatures and casual setting. 


And why stop the layering at just clothing? With an assortment of my fave necklaces at the moment (I have an obsession with arrows), I was comfortable for a weekend at the Malibu Farmers Market with lunch at Tra di Noi. 


All Wal-Mart jokes aside, I'm not the first to admit mixing prints is hard. But naturally I had to add a printed bag to really complicate things. My mothers very old and well-loved Fendi satchel-turned-clutch did the job perfecly. A little Chelsea boot action and I'd say my tame attempt at print mixing paid off. 


Lizzie Furlong - West Coast