constants

So I picked these adorable black extremities up at Topshop and now I can't keep them off my feet. Their baby heel and biker buckles are everything I could want a boot. I'll admit, there were some others I was eyeing that were a little more badass and more suited for my style recently, but these guys stole my heart. I think part of it is the suede. I'm a sucker for suede. Suede boots suede creepers, I can't stop and I don't know why. Thank you Topshop!

Topshop LA

It has arrived, and I've been ecstatic since Valentine's day. After visiting Topshops in New York, England, and Ireland, I was so deeply in need of retail therapy from this fashion giant. Not only is it two stories of pure beauty, but I was so obsessed that I wanted tons of the clothing in the men's section as well. I swear it is the only chain high fashion store that truly pleases me. For those of you who don't know, they give students 10% off with ID. I literally wanted to hug my cashier until his fantastic taste sprung right out of him. Even Tim found something he wanted to purchase, and I don't think that's happened at any other point in our shopping experience, in the same store at least. In a couple weeks when I have my license (finally!) you'll find me there at least once a month. Money can't buy happiness, but Topshop is as close as it gets.


Photo by Timothy Toda

high flying

(NastyGal Navy Wool Madrid Hat, thrifted sweater and dress, Elizabeth and James shoes from DSW, random socks, gifted bracelets)

I went downtown last night with my parents and a family friend to see the Joffrey Ballet Company, who were absolutely astounding. The Rite of Spring was so ahead of its time. And the costumes, they made me want to be a costume designer. I enjoyed how completely unorthodox they were for any ballet, especially one created and performed a hundred years ago. Without the tutus and sparkles, it barely occurred to me that it was still a ballet. One of the most fascinating aspects of the piece to me was the change the dancers must have gone through to change their comfort zone so vastly. These performers are the best of classically trained ballerinas and ballerinos, and yet in the Rite of Spring, they had to turn their toes in and hunch their shoulders and flatten their feet. Having trained in ballet for four years, I appreciate their technical ability more than those who've never danced before. I therefore also appreciate the pain they must have tolerated in doing the complete opposite of everything they were trained to do. Yet they were still amazing at it.

My parents have been taking me to ballets since I was a little girl (think Nutcracker), so whenever I go nowadays, it just reminds me of that time. In picking my outfit for the night, I decided to go with a combination of all the people who go to the theater. The flat forms and hat are purely me, but the vintage sweater is a mix of both old and young. Paired with a long dress and the other more modern pieces, I tried to make seen fancier than it actually is. We're all reminded of my sweater obsession with this as well. I think making outfits of pieces suited for different age groups is challenging. But the challenge is the best part. Making a sweater look young that would normally be worn by a grandmother is difficult, but no more difficult than making the same sweater look more current and less 3-year-old. It's a balance. 

Photos by Paul Chavez