Refinery29 x TJ Maxx

A few months ago Refinery29 contacted us to see if I wanted to come into their NYC office and use pieces supplied by TJ Maxx to help style this shoot based on different scenarios. Refinery29 stylist Willow Lindley and I had so much fun finding some great hidden gems at their stores, including pieces by Mother Denim, Halston, Marc Jacobs, and Torn by Ronny Kobo.

Now they are having a contest to win a $2,500 shopping spree to TJ Maxx- go enter! 

http://www.refinery29.com/sweeps/tjmaxx-sweeps

Malibu Cafe.

                             

And this is what I wore to this lovely little evening of rustic perfection and delicious food and drinks at M Cafe.

Hat: Janessa Leone / T-Shirt: Rag&Bone / Jacket: Iro / 

Shorts: Objects Without Meaning / Boots: ACNE

Leather = Better

In an age where vegan products abound and the term 'cruelty-free' is more popular than Kim Kardashians impending nuptials on Google search (okay, probably not), leather, fur and other animal sourced materials seem to be a luxury reserved for the morally depraved. Now my opinion on the matter shall remain null and void, but there are definitely some benefits to donning leather. 

The first, and most important, is that leather equals cool. It always has and always will, no matter how hard Stella McCartney campaigns. So long as there are still pictures of James Dean smoking a cigarette in a black moto jacket, leather will be cool. In a more modern context, let us consult Kate Moss in a second-skin leather pant. Go ahead and try finding something wrong with that image. This is why I decided to invest in a clean, ivory I.R.O. Paris leather vest. It transitions beautifully into all seasons and adds just a dash of enigmatic attitude.

I decided to pair it with a breezy pair of silk Mason by Michelle Mason trousers and my favorite Schutz sandals. And obviously only an industrial backdrop would have been correct for my leather topper obsession. 

NYC with a Touch of Southwest

Now that we're having an occasional warm day from time to time here in New York, I take every opportunity to wear ensembles that don't involve 700 layers of clothing. So I used this day to finally wear the little printed Blu Moon romper I got at Planet Blue in Malibu forever ago. 

I'm looking forward to wearing lots and lots of easy summer rompers and dresses in the upcoming months.

(Photos by Theresa Balderas)

Romper: Blu Moon / Shoes: Aldo 

Heat Wave

Battling this constant drought here in Southern California has been exhausting. With the Santa Anas sweeping through and record temperatures, all I really want to wear is a bathing suit. But since that is neither appropriate for school nor work, I'm forced to don more acceptable garments. 

My top, a comfortable number by All Saints has a sleek set of satin sleeves, paying homage to this years athletic trend with a play on the baseball tee. My burgundy leather skirt is a staple from A.L.C. Both afford the right amount of dark colors, my paying of respects to the Fall/Winter that never was. 

The shoes are also by All Saints, allowing me the essence of grunge without fully committing. They were also a lovely surprise from a certain someone who knows my taste exceedingly well. 

And finally, the bag, which really needs no introduction at all. The only thing I can say is that they will have to pry this box of lambskin from my dead fingers before I stop using it. 

Everything You Need for Spring: Los Angeles

The transition into spring, for many, means discarding any and all woolen apparel. However, for those of us lucky few that rarely even delve into our stock of cashmere sweaters and weather-proof hats, spring dressing is less seasonal and more perpetual. Here in Los Angeles we have been enjoying winter temperatures that rarely dip below 65 - which translates into a unfair amount of bare legs and distinct lack of winter coats. But for all this bounty of sunshine, spring is still an exciting time of eschewing old trends and embracing new (and sometimes questionable) ones. 

Cream Coverings: 

Now I've never been one to buy into the whole "Never wear white after Labor Day" mantra. Especially when white, specifically cream, has been such a force this year. Warmer weather calls for less material, and I'm favoring vests as of late. They're chic toppers to any occasion and add a dynamic layer to any look. Try the above pictured vest by Rochas, or IRO's selection of moto-style ivory leather looks. 

Minimal Adornment:
Typically the age-old adage of "Less is More" doesn't really agree with the nature of fashion. Until this season we self-proclaimed sartorially inclined were apt to layer on necklace after necklace, and recently knuckle ring after knuckle ring. But this spring, here in Los Angeles, its decidedly more 'effortless' to actually put in less effort - meaning choosing one or two statement accessories radiates the coveted "California cool" aesthetic. I suggest designers like Lionette NY, Rachel Zoe, Auden, Givenchy and Madewell for this look. A strategically placed lariat necklace or cuff really is more dramatic than an overwhelming amount of friendship bracelets. 

Sportswear:
Sportswear is having a moment, and I'm not talking about the soft-casual wear your mother has in her closet. It's taken on a very literal effect. Notice all the perforated materials? It's no coincidence that the current must-haves remind us of the singlets we used to wear in middle school gym class. The silhouettes are athletic and sleek, as seen through designers like Alexnder Wang, Tibi and Elizabeth and James.



The cherry on top: Here in Los Angeles there is always the constant pressure to obtain the perfect bronze as the thermometer continues to rise. Instead of doing it the old fashioned way (ask anyone who has skin the texture of burnished leather) I suggest any sort of self-tanner. Not only does it emit a healthful glow, but it complements any colored outfit, bright or neutral. It's a California essential. 

Holey Shirt

                             

As the days of wearing just a tshirt are quickly coming to a close, I thought I would post this look I did a while back. I love anything oversized, ripped, and comfortable, so this outfit was right up my ally. I paired my favorite (I am literally obsessed, sorry if you're sick of seeing it) IRO shirt with holes in it, with these super-soft denim boyfriend jeans, with holes in them as well. The still-semi-warm weather allowed me to get away with my open-toed Velcro Alexander Wang booties, which I also pretty much live in. 

ROUND 2:

And for this seasonally transitional look I went with my favorite denim diaper  OneTeaspoon shorts and a simple sleeveless top by Elizabeth&James. To make it a little bit more Fall-appropriate I threw a plaid flannel around my waist, which could also be layered should a breeze pick up. To offset the bagginess of the rest of the look I selected a strappier heeled sandal- a pair of Prabal Gurung for Target shoes I scored from the collection.

It was a good summer, but now I look forward to all of the layers, layers, and more layers that await us in the near future, don't you? 

xx,
Rach
East Coast

A Very Scottish Autumn

I'm going to openly admit that by saying tartan I mean plaid. But the fashion community likes to make even the most approachable pattern inaccessible and thus we have tartan.  But this grandiose vocabulary harkens back to the knitted cloth highlander clans claimed, and these patterns were called setts. All I'm really waiting for is the day when Sarah Burton or Nicholas Ghesquiere coins this term as the new plaid. Naturally, I'm going to try to claim royalties. 

But enough from this pseudo-Historian. Today, we're seeing this pattern everywhere, and it has been especially prominent in the collections of both fall 2013 and 2014. As illustrated above, every echelon of branding has their own take on the cold-weather classic. Stella McCartney is very obviously on board with a first-class ticket - don't mind me, I'm just pining away for the earlier picture of that mohair pull-over. 

And don't think for a second that tartan hasn't taken over the accessories market as well. I'm sure we've all seen Céline's contributions, the tartan slip-ons and the leather-combination luggage tote. But above are some other options from the likes of Mango to more Stella McCartney. 

Shown are the Fall 2013 collections from the following designers, each with their own take on the beloved pattern (clockwise); Creatures of the Wind, Creatures of the Wind, Phillip Lim, Karen Walker, Emerson, and Gryphon. 

I cannot wait to pull ideas from these collections and make plaid- ahem, excuse me, tartan my own. And I've already seen even the most artless attempts at this fall trend - I'm looking at you mock-grunge teens with your boyfriends flannels wrapped around your American Apparel cut-offs. 

It's Summer Somewhere

It's summer somewhere -  mainly San Diego. Despite my disappointment, I don't think I'd really be prepared for fall until the Santa Anna Winds roll through. And since the air remains more or less still, I'm happy to wait for autumnal weather. 

A weekend away before school starts up again is essential. It's cooler in San Diego, and my default makes it seem as if Thanksgiving is closer than it really is. 

I'm also happy to announce that I have found, in all possibility, the most comfortable semi-boots ever manufactured. These Zara numbers have plenty of thick white rubber to pacify even the most enduring night on the town. 

My sweet little Phillip Lim x Target bag completes a careless, industrial look. Little did I know when I snatched it from a hiding place within the racks of polyester sweaters how rare a find it was. Nevertheless, its light enough to be comfortable to carry and large enough to fit all of my essentials. 

This ever-lasting transitional period allows my closet the time it needs to turn over to warmer and thicker garments. Instead of tattered jean shorts and t-shirts, I can now happily wear my black leather Helmut Lang shorts without discomfort. Also, the attractively heinous fupa it allows tells me that I'll have plenty of room to stuff myself when the seasons come around. 

Following this baseball hat trend, this wool cap from JCrew is color blocked and throws a euro-sport-chic vibe on my whole demeanor. Plus, worn with a dark pair of sunnies its very useful for people-watching. I also feel like I'm being pro-active about sun exposure, despite the striped A.L.C. tank I wore. 

In theme with this whole industrial thing, it was only appropriate to shoot on a roof that is directly below the San Diego Airport landing path. 

By Lizzie Furlong

West Coast