Cheers to making an effort and wearing a monochrome easy outfit instead of the usual sweater and leggings to go out on the weekend.
Céline
La Tourista
Have you ever heard of "It's better late than never?" Well apply it to this. I just got around to my photos from Prague, but that's not stopping me from posting because I'd argue it's still summer, and photos of me are pretty rare these days — although I may ramp that up again...meh, who knows because I've been doing this for a decade and can they still be fresh? We shall see.
Anyway, this is the first day we arrived in Prague, which has been a city I've wanted to visit forever. It was supposed to be cold when we got there but as you can tell there was definitely a heat wave going on. It was absolutely perfect outside. We were spoiled with the busiest city in the Czech Republic with summer high season weather without the annoying drunk crowds. Prague is one of those magical cities that cater to tourists, unlike Venice or Amsterdam, which are authentically historical and still functioning city centers. Prague was gorgeous but it's got New Orleans vibes (drinking in streets is legal) since you'll get a couple frat types from around the world (including the U.S.) that can't handle their liquor in public.
By this time it was well into the first week of our multi-city European adventure and I overpacked like an idiot and I was a little tired. So I mostly wore this outfit in Prague, which doesn't bother me in the least because it felt simple, dare I say a bit stylish, and most importantly, like me. By this time in my trip I was ready to ditch the dozen other items I squirreled away in my suitcase the night before our flight to Europe and wish I carried a damn backpack with just three things.
Hindsight, people. It's always 20-freaking-20.
The Row top, Levi's stretchy jeans, Viscata espadrilles (courtesy of Viscata), Céline sunglasses, BOYY Karl 24mm bag
Céline
Have The Cake. Eat It, Too.
Paradigm shift. That's what I would describe my current status in life. Without going into too many details, shit be shiftin' — and it's exciting. What does that mean for my wardrobe choices? It means easier outfits, but you know, still fashionable. Like the above.
Yea, maybe the sleeves are a little much, but I managed to snag myself some Céline satin knot sandals, which have been a favorite of mine for years, but I have been super duper unwilling to spend $1,000 on freaking sandals. (P.S., like most dream shoes, they are surprisingly uncomfortable).
BUT then how do I have them? It's simple: patience, sales, and re-sale sites. My favorite places to shop these days are blogger's closets and resale sites like The Real Real. Ever wonder how so many of my clothes happen to be designer but the content of my posts is about saving money and being more frugal? You can have it both ways with these types of sites. Style and savings!
I plan on being way more open about which pieces I got from where. Why? Because I see a lot of bloggers still pretending like their crazy-ass, willy nilly credit card-wielding lives are authentic. And even it if was, is that really a healthy lifestyle to promote? Fast fashion is wasteful, credit cards inhibit your real financial future (you can't live in your clothes, you can live in an actual house that you own) etc.
Finally, I got the absolutely sweetest and most honest email from a pal who reads this blog. She mentioned how much she appreciated the point of view and most importantly the honesty. She called it "refreshing" and it made my day. Nay, my week. Thank you, M, for the lovely words, you are basically one of the reasons I still keep this silly blog thing going even after all these years.
ALSO: THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED POST. I'M JUST BEING HONEST WITCHU, but if you want to let me have a little commission if you so choose to shop the real real, just click the banner ad below. :)
Wearing
• Céline sandals via the Real Real
• My favorite Levi's jeans that are stretching out (boo)
• Dries Van Noten top, which gives me a neck rash for some reason so I'm returning it
• Mansur Gavriel bucket bag (which is beat up as hell, but photographs like a brand new bag)
• Kathleen whitaker earrings
The Fashion Cleanse for the Fashion Bored
I haven't made a fashion related purchase in about a month, which doesn't seem like an achievement of any sorts until I start truly thinking of how much I tend to reward myself with whatever I want since I started making a real living. I work hard, which is satisfying in a way, and have gotten used to giving myself a treat whenever I felt like it just becaues I finally could. The problem is that having everything and anything I always wanted didn't make me happier, but instead made me feel more and more like I'm was on an island of fucking stuff, wondering what the point of it all was.
So lately instead of shopping I'm getting rid of everything I haven't worn in six months — and I do mean everything. I like how "off the grid" it makes me feel to have fewer choices in the morning because I'm slowly whittling down a decade's worth of clothes down to trusty favorites and solid basics.
I'm noticing the less frequently I buy something fashion related, the more I feel disconnected to the fashion weeks, the nonsense coverage by fashion magazines, and purported style blogger authorities.
How sustainable is it anyway for anyone to have a walk in closet with museum-like shelves and pedestals for dozens of bags and stilletos? Some of the most successful Pins on Pinterest seem to be the saddest to me, promoting a cavernous Mariah Carey diva closet of endless Chanels, Hermes, Valentino this, Gucci in subtle variations. I want something more. I want to be able to look into my typical closet with sliding doors and be inspired and confident in what I've got.
So I'm unfollowing and unplugging from uninspiring, recycled, and avenues for anxiety everywhere because I have decided that on the cusp of thirty I simply don't want this type of life. The constant pursuit of shit. I want something more meaningful, which is rooted in financial responsibility (a.k.a., no more credit cards for purchases, an endeavor I've embarked upon recently that is a surprising struggle), human moments with friends and family (a.k.a., put down the freaking phone), and living more simply (a.k.a., some timeless closet items are fine, but for the most part the wardrobe should be minimal). It's this anti-inspiration that is suddenly my main motivation these days, especially in fashion.
Maybe it's me growing up, turning the corner on a brand new decade, and much like starting a new job, wanting to be the best version of my self without the baggage and silliness I fell prey to the previous years.
Oh? And what am I wearing in the photos? I'm wearing a bunch of old stuff I love. Things that aren't even of this current season and I couldn't care less.
Alexander Wang dress | Zara mules | Helmut Lang blazer | Zara faux fur | Céline sunglasses
Deserving Design
I don't think there is ever a more tolerant place to dress a little more avant garde than usual than a museum. I wore this to the de Young last weekend to see the amazing Turner exhibit. It's a pretty simple outfit by all intents and purposes, but with the addition of the sculptural Marni top the simple and expected is elevated to something more special. What's interesting is the fact that I debated this top over and over when I first bought it (on massive sale at Barneys after stalking the sale racks for weeks, mind you), thinking that it would be too memorable and weird no matter how I tried to normalize it with jeans and flats. I even came this close to returning it [enter A-OK emoji here] and getting something else more basic, expected even, but I'm glad I didn't. I love how much of a standout designed piece it is. And I don't mean "design" in the snooty label sense of the word, but in the actual creative practice that goes behind "designing" something sculptural and draping like this top. Marni is one of those absolutely genius, sometimes odd, designers who truly deserve the use of the word.
Marni top | Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag | Aquazzura flats | AMO jeans
Basic. Like, In the Offensive Way.
No earrings, no makeup. Just your clothes, accessories, and enough narcissism to capture even this most basic outfit and moment. Let me tell you something you already know: Sometimes you just need to get dressed quickly to go to Ikea or go pick up Lanesplitter pizza so you can continue enjoying the laziest do-absolutely-nothing weekend. When this is the case, you'll find me wearing an iteration of this; baggy jeans, whatever flats I happen upon first, and sunglasses instead of makeup. Why I brought the camera to capture it? Maybe it's because I wanted to show you my realness, like "Look how anti-NYFW I am right now lol #amirite?"
Or maybe I just forgot my camera was in my bag the entire time and figured my blog is part diary anyway, which means it's a trail mix of my life's outfits. Some of them are rich delicious salty cashews, some of them are basic raisins which are essential I guess, but not everyone's favorite and certainly not worth writing about. (But I am).
Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag | Free People baggy jeans | Céline sunglasses | Valentino rockstuds | Madewell bomber | Everlane silk top
Languid Letterman Cardigan Wall Leaning
One of my favorite local shops in the East Bay, Social Studies, just opened a new store with menswear options. It's everything you expect from this hyper-cool curated shop, full of urban minimalist pieces like jeans and t-shirts, but also some charming home goods and apothecary items. I stopped by the men's shop this weekend to check it out, but ended up spending most of my time in the original shop for women on the corner. Social Studies now has the cutest little vintage section and I couldn't wait to put on this vintage letterman jacket. Was it a little warm to wear it that day? Yes. But just like an eager kid I decided to wear it anyway while Nick and I enjoyed a post-hike beer at a local biergarten.