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

Can I take a rain check?

Winters last efforts of shuddering this slice of the Pacific have finally materialized in the form of mild rain. Because of this little weather movement, I was forced to throw on a jacket and warm fabrics. I guess this could be winters last hoorah, and my last hoorah of winter dressing to match.

It is laughable (for those holed up under a heater blanket with drifts of white outside their front doors) to say that this post is about winter dressing. To be honest, I feel like a neophyte spouting the ABC's of cold-casual. I get chilly when it's below 68 in my own home. But winter here is much different and translates into a very unconventional wardrobe.

Out at the Malibu Country Mart today, the windows of Intermix and Lanvin already displayed the expected wardrobe of incoming spring. Why in such a rush to switch seasons, CA? Let's savor the last few rain clouds and go out with a bang wearing our most ambitious Moncler parkas (yes, that's an ironic reality) and all-weather boots. Why force jean shorts when there are still Starbucks seasonal drinks to be had? We have enough damn sunshine, let clouds and rain have their last stand.

All hyperboles aside, I do enjoy those days when winter-dressing actually feels credible. Today I was able to put on my knitted turban from Anthropology and adorn it with a beetle brooch. My sweater, a voluminous turtleneck knitted creation, is by Staring at Stars. Over top, to match the brooding sky above, is an moody-green Helmut Lang sport coat. Really in no mood to flatter any sort of figure, I pulled on a pair of silk Leifsdottir draw-string trousers that feel more like luxurious pajamas than pants. A pair of clunky Dolce Vita boots was the my only real preparation for temperamental weather patterns. The purse, by Marc by Marc Jacobs, held the gloves I so desperately wanted to wear but felt absurd donning. 

I'm very interested to know - how does everyone else prepare for the elements?