Originality Please

OK, is it just me or are everyone and their moms wearing T-strap sandals these days? I mean seriously, I just don't get the wow factor, not even on a comfort level. There are so many other cute sandal styles out there, yet everywhere I look the T-strap is there, following me on my quest for new summer sandals. And I'm sorry to say, but an overly exposed foot is just not that cute. You might as well just go all the way and stroll around town barefoot like my "different" neighbor next door (please don't). Not to mention, EVERYONE is wearing them, so why oh why would you not opt for another cute, comfy and ORIGINAL style? Mind boggling. OK fine, it's not that serious. BUT still. OK, how about this: I issue you a challenge, that the next pair of sandals you purchase be something other than a T-strap. I believe in you. And go!

Some cute non T-straps for inspiration...

From left to right: Alex Sandal by Free People, Rocio Sandal by Coclico, Strappy Flat Sandal by Maiden Lane, and your typical T-Strap Sandal by I Don't Really Care. 

A Different Take On #tbt

As I was cleaning and organizing my computer, I came across this essay I wrote almost 5 years ago for an entrance application to attend an awesome advertising school in Miami (MAS). Instead though, as life would have it, I was lead down an equally awesome path shortly after writing this (see preface). But in true Throwback Thursday fashion (no pun intended) (ok maybe a little), I felt this was a fitting piece of "literature" to share from my 2008 self. 

[...Fashion as wearable art; this statement has truly become my motto as of late. When people watch a fashion show and say, “who would actually wear that out?” they are really missing the artistic value of “that." One goes to a museum with no real purpose but to admire the art that is exhibited, perhaps to adapt and relate to the story behind a certain piece, or to invent your own spin on it entirely. That is how I tend to view fashion, and it has really become quite influential in understanding as well as developing my career goals. I look for ways to capture that art, internalize it, and then project it out in a way others may understand it as well.

I have always known that when I grew up I wanted to work in some sort of creative capacity, though not always confident in my technical skills. The different occupations I have held throughout the years have all somehow touched on the elements of fashion, expanding my knowledge of what I already loved. Retail for example, showed me the ins and outs of the business of fashion. The downside? Waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, just thinking about the holiday season and all it’s lovely sweaters chasing me. Moving forward, my job at the Academy of Art University’s fashion department was a very different experience. The educational approach used to guide the students to think more creatively definitely rubbed off on me as well. I gained the ability to view fashion as something spectacular, not just some fad or popularity contest of the “best dressed." So many things go into a fabulous piece of wearable art - color, texture, shape, fluidity, etc. People tend to view fashion as black or white and practical or impractical, but I believe that creativity is about risk taking. The perfect blend of colorful grey is where I thrive. The point where practicality and irrationality meet is what I would like to bring to the world. Fashion has opened up a new realm of ideas, influencing me in all my creative endeavors. It has helped me realize the direction in my career path that would help me to continue to grow, thus bringing me to apply to Miami Ad School. I see so many possibilities in tying in the visual aspects of fashion into my chosen field of art direction. Being able to express my passion through a different medium opens doors to further explore so many other avenues. From culture to economy, to politics and recreation, the market reach is definitely grand.

I have gone through different stages of fashionable acceptance. From not understanding it, to the teenage years of knowing it all, to just plain hating what fashion stood for in the media. I have now come to the most perfect comfort level because I appreciate fashion for what it is; the different audiences it needs to reach and why. And most importantly, the creative aspect behind it. Forget functionality…aesthetically speaking, fashion is art. Wearable art.]

2013 Update: I have currently been enrolled in a Graphic Design program for the last 7 months, and hope to acquire and utilize the same skills I talked about in 2008 to pursue a career in Fashion...in one facet or another. I love Fashion! =) 

Ojai

This post is a bit late, but it has been a busy week! So last weekend before the holiday, my husband and I drove up the coast to the little town of Ojai in the Santa Ynez Mountains to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary (woo hoo!). Just a short hour and a half drive from our Los Angeles home, and just 30 miles shy of Santa Barbara, sits the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn and Spa Resort.

Lush landscapes, herb gardens (lavender currently in season!) and ridiculously breathtaking views make this such a romantical destination. There are a million things to do here too, including golfing and some pretty intense spa treatments. However, with our complimentary room upgrade, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne (we brought), we didn't need to venture too far. Not to mention the adults only pool perfectly situated a stones throw away from our room, which by the way was not your typical building high rise type deal. Oh no, this was villa esque (is that a word? Well now it is ha), with our own little patio. I wish I had taken more photos!

Oh, and did I mention the s'mores bar? One of the garden patio's by the #2 best restaurant in all of Ojai,  Maravilla, has a whole set up for s'mores roasting from 6-9pm every night. Needless to say, we had a wonderful time =).

Herb Garden Pool 

Our "Villa-Esque" Room 

I apologize for the half eaten presentation, as only about half way through this goodness did I realize the need to document. The most amazing salad, consisting of pressed watermelon (apparently that's a thing), heirloom tomatoes (grown on-site), burrata (I substituted for parmesan), pistachio pesto, blood orange (TDF!), and vanilla honey with a balsamic reduction. OH-MY-GOD, my mouth had a flavor party like never before. (Please keep the dirty jokes to a minimum.)  

         

My Mind On A Tuesday

One day I will visit this place. What place you ask? The place of the five villages. Or as the Italian's know it, Cinque Terre.

The moment my then boyfriend (now husband) began planning our Italian adventure of 2010, I did what any anticipatory traveller would do. I went down to the bookstore and well, bought a book! As great as the internet is for all kinds of research, there is just something about having a physical piece of literature, with tangible pages to leaf through. Although our itinerary was amazing, and we had the time of our lives travelling from Rome to Florence to Venice, I couldn't help but peek back to page 374 (or something like that) of my Fodor's: Essential Italy, and stare at the wonderfully color punched city of Cinque Terre, IT.

Situated on the Italian Riviera, the city of Cinque Terre is composed of five villages known as Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Visually striking, with a familiarity of equal parts Santorini cliffs and rustic gondola filled Venice, this city of five slopes down a cliff almost plunging into the Mediterranean. And although it is said to be a tourist destination of sorts, it seems to me that it is quite overlooked beyond the "staple" towns to visit. Most people I have spoken with have never even heard of it. Perhaps because it's main attraction isn't a monument erected in 1752 by this conqueror or that warrior, nor is it this museum or that cathedral. But in fact, it's main attraction is simply it's beautiful landscape.

I can't wait to go back to Italy one day and further explore these parts unknown! (Totally not referencing Anthony Bourdain or anything...).

Fashion Hero #1

I am absolutely IN LOVE with this Alice + Olivia Resort Collection for 2014! So naturally, I had to do some digging on how it came about. Inspired by the English countryside, Stacey Bendet takes the pretty little boarding school girl and transforms her into a tailored, yet fun and flirty fashionista. The visual designer in me especially loves the set this was shot on. 

Now I can't just post something for the sheer purpose of pleasuring the eye. So I did some research on the designer behind this fabulous summer collection. Turns out, Stacey didn't go to some fancy fashion school and major in design, but in fact had a completely different career path in international relations from your normal U of (insert state) school. After realizing her studies weren't exactly where her heart was, she started her own creative business. With my own career struggles since graduating college, I find this quite admirable and inspirational. 

You know what?! I am going to start my own fashion hero's sub section. Decided. RIGHT NOW. 

New Summer Shoes

Some would say those Tom's are last season. But really, how can comfort, alongside helping out a kid, really go out of style? Especially when there are so many new adorable styles available for this summer! Below are a few of my favorites.

New Summer Shoes by noheelsmaven featuring graduation shoes

TOMS ballerina pumps
nordstrom.com

TOMS slipon shoes
nordstrom.com

TOMS graduation shoes
nordstrom.com

TOMS Pink Washed Stripe Women's Cordones
toms.com

Chicago

Four days, two suburbs and a birthday celebration later, I can check off another place on my travel list. And besides the unexpected temperature drop, our holiday weekend in Chicago proved to be one to remember, filled with new sights and adventures. 

Architecture. Old Town. Gold Coast. Lincoln Park. Rivers. Lakes. Heights. Vienna. Beef. Deep Dish. Pizza. Windy. City. Girls. And Goats. The Girl & the Goat to be exact...

Hosting us was the wonderful Sofitel hotel in the middle of downtown Chicago. Normally I am not the biggest fan of hotel restaurants, as they tend to be overpriced and not nearly as good as the local spots. However, Cafe Des Architectes had an amazing breakfast, with complimentary warm pastries delivered to your table by the friendly staff, along with your daily dose of news, in French to boot. 

Right across the way and open only two days (lucky us!) was Argo Tea, both an architectural splendor (this particular location was constructed to look like a green house - see first photo in third group below) and delicious tea shop. Highly recommended! All food and tourist attractions aside, what my husband and I enjoy most on our travels is to just wander and get lost in a new city. And that's exactly what we did.