The Coffee Shop Mission

So my Sissy-in-Law Tracey and I have been on a mission. We are attempting to dine (and by dine I mean an Iced Cappuccino and chocolate croissant for me, and a Chai Tea Latte and fruit pastry for her), at as many different coffee shops in Los Angeles as possible. Although it will take some time, we are at an advantage; you see, we look to these coffee shops for our weekly business meetings. We have a venture of sorts, currently available for viewing (and hopefully enjoyment) at www.fashionbackwardsla.com, and need a distraction free and inspirational environment to have important discussions. And after we are done catching up on our personal lives, we get down to business =).

Coffee Shops are synonymous with that artsy, motivating, inspiring and "we are gonna make it!" mindset. So, we started out at our favorite spot on Tujunga Ave in Toluca Lake, Aroma Coffee and Tea Co. But as much as we LOVE Aroma, they don't have Wi-Fi! And as our business meetings become more and more involved, Wi-Fi is really a must. There's only so much our 3G smart phones can handle. So after a few weeks of Aroma, we decided to move on to Marie et Cie in Studio City. Filled with a homey Parisian charm, Marie's was a great next stop. But after another couple of weeks, we started getting restless, and alas, The Coffee Shop Mission was born!

So once a week (sometimes more) we begin to visit a different Cafe, with Wi-Fi locations taking precedence of course. Besides the above mentioned Cafe's, we have since been to Le Pain Quotidien in Studio City. They boast multiple Los Angeles locations and can also be found world wide. With a very cute and modern interior, and a decent breakfast/lunch menu, they also offer some tasty in-house baked fresh bread, and of course Coffee. This past weekend, we also stopped into Buttercelli in Sherman Oaks. I don't think they have Wi-Fi, but for this Sunday afternoon's unpreparedness, it was quite alright. All pertinent info was properly scribbled on a bakery napkin as I devoured my affogato. Just a note about Buttercellii...they have an extensive selection of organic, gluten free, sugar free, vegan and paleo cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pastries, danish's, and well, you name it. So what's left to eat you ask right? My thoughts exactly. However, the everything-free blondie sample the friendly barista man gave us to taste was absolutely ah-mazing. They also offer individual ice cream portions by a Haagen-Dazs acquired organic company that I really should have written down. AND, they also brew their own organic coffee. I think I am definitely going to have to sneak in a visit back here while on this crazy coffee shop mission.

Updates to come!

Copyright Tatyana Scherbanova

www.freepresshouston.com

www.ralucatudorphotography.wordpress.com

Shopping 101

Labor day is upon us, which clearly means one thing: no, you can still wear white. In fact, it's encouraged. What it means is...shopping season is upon us! This is probably the biggest shopping time of the year. Think about it...we have back to school, followed by Halloween, and then all of the holiday parties, holiday gifts, all ending with the perfect New Years' Eve attire.

With all of this money spending (or DIYing) approaching, a good way to not get overwhelmed is to make a sort of plan. I found this great little cheat sheet in Glamour a while back and I want to share it with all. We may have missed the mark for the first half of the year, but think of this as a way to get ahead for next year. With all of the fall/winter shopping coming up, hold off on a few things that will be much more budget-friendly for you if saved for future shopping.

August - Best time to buy sleepwear, belts and shoes. Check out Nasty Gal's Shoe Cult, which just launched today.

September - Jeans and Handbags.

October - Swimwear.

November & December - Get that last minute holiday shopping done!

January - Shorts, dress shirts, T-shirts and jewelry.

February - Suits and skirts. Although I did find the most adorable mini skirt at Free People yesterday for a slammin' 70% off! It happens.

March - Intimates, outerwear and coats.

April - Dress pants.

May - Sunnies.

June - Take a break...

July - Sweaters. You might actually throw it on with all of the AC madness everywhere you go. Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale is a great place to start!

Google Images

My Fashion Hero Installation Begins With...

The Man Repeller.

I first read about Leandra Medine in a mid 2012 issue of Glamour. Immediately intrigued, I tore out the article and added it to my "file" of "interesting fashion individuals to keep an eye out for." Since then, I have read countless more articles and mentions of The Man Repeller blog, and now brand collaboration (launching earlier this year).

Man Repeller / Man Repelling definition reads as the following on the self titled blog:

man·re·pell·er1  [mahn-ree-peller]

–noun

outfitting oneself in a sartorially offensive mode that may result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include but are not limited to harem pants, boyfriend jeans, overalls (see: human repelling), shoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs.

I think this idea is just pure genius. And although the idea behind man repelling was not recently invented (how many times have your heard in fashion that girls don't dress for guys, they dress for other girls?), I think the way this idea has been portrayed is definitely original. I myself am always trying to explain to my husband that just because it is not completely trendy, and just because everyone in our laid back Los Angeles part of town is not quite wearing it, AND just because it does not elude to the most sexually provocative thoughts of the opposite sex (or same for that matter), DOES NOT mean one should not wear it.

I dress for myself and no one else. When I go shopping, I can tell you with much conviction that my very last thought is what the boys (or girls) outside of my fitting room are going to think. However, if my shopping endeavors are solely for a not-so-quiet evening in with my husband, then I can say with even more conviction that I will be purchasing some unmentionables with him in mind, for sure. But, that would be the only time =).

With that being said, I name Leandra of The Man Repeller my first fashion hero in an on going installation. I think she is amazing, and not particularly because of the obscure TYPES of fashions she may highlight, but because of that fact that she DOES highlight them, even when other's don't understand. Her first book, "Man Repeller: Seeking Love. Finding Overalls" will be released 9/10/13. Pre-order yours today. I did.

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...).