sport essentials

(Shoes, visor, and sweatshirt from Nike, Neutrogena sunscreen, UnderArmor bra, water bottle a gift from Tim) 

Sportswear is truly just as stylish as any other area of fashion. I'm a tennis player, so sports equipment and sports clothing are a part of my everyday life. While tennis does require much more equipment than shown here, I decided to share a few of my very favorite things that I've picked up for the past year or two.

I don't wear these Free Runs for tennis, but they're perfect for jogs around my neighborhood or for Disneyland trips. Mint is a perfect color and I will always love it, even when it goes "out of style." 

My sunscreen recommendation is this Neutrogena Wet Skin, which I only recently started using. Every once and awhile I forget to put on sunscreen before practice begins, so this particular product ensures that I can still apply a protective layer after I've started playing.

Most of my sports bras are extremely boring. I don't normally where them on their own, so I never really felt like putting the effort into finding cute ones. However, I did find this one when I was up in Washington one year and I find it extremely cute and extremely supportive. (Can't complain about the color either)

Only just recently did I start wearing hats while I played. They'd always distracted me so I'd never bothered, but the sun has just been too bright here in SoCal. I used an old gift card to Kohl's to buy this light blue, light weight Nike visor that has been my savior over the past couple of weeks. Light-colored visors and hats are definitely best because they won't absorb heat. Light-colored sports clothing in general is amazing for that very reason.

I should point out that my aunt gave me both the Free Runs and the pink sweatshirt. Since the photo doesn't give this sweatshirt justice, I'll just explain how it is the most useful piece of sports clothing I own. The print is very modern and the colors go extremely well together. It has thumb-holes (There is no reason for my love of these. They're just great.) and a hood with drawstrings. The weight of the jacket makes it warm on cold days but also prevents my body from getting too hot once I get warmed up. I can wear it throughout my practice regardless of how hot I get, and yet it still keeps me warm in low temperatures. 

Lastly, props to Tim for getting me the best water bottle in the world. He had this amazing water bottle from Japan that he always used for volleyball, and I was constantly jealous. So when he went to Japan over the summer, I asked him if he'd get me one just like it, and he did (except this one is even better). It never, EVER leaks, a super-plus in my book. To open it, there is a latch and then a pink button that releases the top so that it springs open, meaning I don't have to exert any extra energy to untwist it. It keeps the water insanely cool, so I'm always refreshed. The case in the picture with the shoulder strap can be taken on or off, and the water flows out super easily from the mouthpiece. The bottle also hold A LOT of liquid, so it hardly ever runs out if I fill it up before practice.

(Photos by me)

creepy cat

(Jacket a gift from Tim from the Editor's Market, Shirt by Unif, Dress underneath from Forever 21, Socks from American Apparel, TUK creepers from Nastygal)

I mainly centered this outfit on my new Unif tee that I'm absolutely adoring for the moment, but I always wanted to showcase one of my favorite pairs of shoes: the creepers. These were my second pair of creepers, but I wear them much more than my first. The platform is the perfect height, adding more to my own height than most shoes without being outrageous. However, it was mainly the color that got me. Mint? Creepers? Mint Creepers? WHAT? So naturally, I had to purchase them. My only complaint is that after awhile, the platform became detached from the sole of the shoes and I had to get them fixed. But I still love them regardless. 

Though it's summer, I also wanted to show off this amazing coat. Oversized denim coats are some of my favorite pieces, but this one is especially cool. It's slimming while still warm, and I love the length. The studding on the shoulders and the little cut-out point on the back are amazing details that I fall in love with over and over again. 

Unif constantly makes my day. I wish I was a big enough risk-taker to wear (and buy) everything they make. The sweetness of this shirt combined with the badass quality of Unif designs was a great combination. 

(Photos by Timothy Toda)

P.S. These will be the last photos taken by Tim until November when I see him again. He'll be attending college at New York University, and he's currently on the plane there. Thanks to him for taking so many amazing photos to start up this blog. 

modern elizabethan

(Shirt from H&M, Vintage skirt, Vintage shoes from etsy.com)

Okay. I'm a huge sucker for the maxi skirt. I believe I have.....five? I'm not sure, but I find them amazing. However, you have to wear them in the right way. Certain tops make maxi skirts look outdated or make one's body look not-so-slim. I suggest buying maxi skirts that are fairly high waisted so that one is able to where crop tops without exposing mid-drift. If your maxi skirt flows out like this one, it's probably best to wear a more form-fitting top. This gives it the illusion of an long, formal dress. On the other hand, if your maxi skirt hugs your hips and juts straight to the ground, a loser top may compliment it more. If you wear a tighter top with a tighter maxi skirt, you might feel a bit boxed in. 

I've had this pinky top for awhile, but I haven't worn it recently. I always like to wear it with other simple pieces because it is fairly complicated and it gives off the affect of a corset with added sleeves. Whenever I wear the one strapless shirt I own, I'm uncomfortable for the majority of the day. This shirt gives me the comfort and the formality, greatly pleasing me in the process. Paired with this very flowy, thick black skirt, I felt like I was from a different era. The looseness of this skirt in particular also seemed to elongate my legs, which is always a desired affect. The bottom of the piece sits about an inch of the ground, the perfect length for elegance but easy movement. 

The other major benefit of wearing these lushes skirts is that they hide your legs and make sitting on the floor no problem. With typical, short summer dresses, I always find it unpleasant to sit down on the hallway floors at school to eat lunch, but with a skirt like this, it feels as if I'm wearing a blanket. 

(Photos by Timothy Toda)

I like saturdays

(Shirt from H&M, Skirt by Knitted Dove from a store in Bellingham, Washington of which I cannot remember the name)

First of all I apologize for the low light of this picture that results in a sad quality. I just wanted to quickly share this outfit because it has a quality that I don't often wear: the bold colors. The shirt is bright orange and a bright contrasting blue in skirt. In the past I've really loved neutral colors, but I think this summer has brought out a new preference in me. Bright colors, when worn right, catch the eye of someone much more than neutral colors, and when the eye is caught, your statement is made. For some reason I was particularly fond of this simple ensemble. I've decided that I really love orange and blue together. Orange and sky blue to be more specific. I don't know. 

This skirt was especially fun to play around with this morning. I actually had some difficulty finding a shirt to go with it, but now that I put it with the orange, I don't know if I'll ever be able to wear it with anything else. 

(Photo by Paul Chavez)

music favies

I've decided that since I seem to share my adventures here, I should probably share the music that goes along with them. The music one listens to really can be considered the soundtrack of his or her life. It can very accurately show certain moods and emotions that someone is experiencing during the present time period. This time I've picked some of my current music favorites, including new discoveries as well as groups of which I am a long time fan.

The Little Ones, a band my father introduced me to, is a band that I actually didn't get into at first. When I first listened to these guys, I don't think I was paying attention and therefore I didn't experience the full effect of their music. I recently tried them out again and fell in love with this song, "Argonauts" as well as a song called "Awol." Both have certain sounds and beats that I especially like. They're upbeat and especially good for a atmosphere that needs some positive energy. 

Second, I have a group called Little Green Cars. Tim actually showed me their music after our friend Dylan shared them with him. All the band members are from Dublin, Ireland, but I've been lucky enough to see them play at both Coachella and Outsidelands. The female voice in their music, her name being Faye, is extremely powerful and unlike any voice I've ever heard. The tone of their music is both upbeat but contemplative, and I feel like the voices guide the music more than the instruments used. This song "Please" is my personal favorite, along with "Harper Lee," "My Love Took Me Down To The River To Silence Me," "The Kitchen Floor," and their most popular one, "The John Wayne."

While I've known of my third pick, Dr. Dog, for quite awhile now and have never truly immersed myself in their music, I recently came across this song, "How Long Must I Wait," when my music was on shuffle and absolutely fell in love with it. The voices almost seem like background voices to the music itself. They are rough and imperfect, which I absolutely love, and the song itself is very simple. There is this certain sound and beat that is incredibly beautiful and that I could listen to it forever. In contrast to Little Green Cars, the sounds in this music are what I enjoy more than the voices. 

Fourth, I must introduce to you Mr. Little Jeans, a Norwegian female vocalist with one of the most elegant voices I've heard in awhile. Though I initially fell in love with her song, "Rescue Me" and her cover of "Single Ladies," I would say that I adore "Oh Sailor," which features a choir in its chorus that sounds extremely powerful. I always seem to love when choirs sing in songs along with a lead vocalist because a mass of voices gives a much bigger impact. I'm hoping to see her in September!

My next choice is an old favorite of mine and Tim's. He brought these guys, Milo Greene, to my ears quite awhile ago, and we saw them in concert for our 9 month anniversary. For a period of time, they were all I listened to, but I truly hadn't played their music in awhile. However, I was able to be in the front row for their Outsidelands performance and have rediscovered my love for them. (We were also able to get their setlists and three of the band members were able to sign them!) They have a very calming, emotional tone that resonates with you in times of need. Their songs can really attach to your heart, especially one of my favorites, "Perfectly Aligned," a very quiet one with simple lyrics sung by the only female in the band, Marlana. She has a very strong voice that is delicate at the same time, and it compliments the unique male voices in the band. At Outsidelands, they won my heart even more with a cover of "Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens.

Lastly, I'm truly in love with British band Daughter, made up of a female vocalist as well as two males. I have described them before as a mix between the xx and Florence and the Machine. Their songs are much calmer than Florence, but the voice is much more powerful than the xx. Their performance at Outsidelands was amazingly sweet, with band members constantly thanking the audience and the singer smiling enormously after every song. The sound they have is a mix of everything I love with the plus of a practically perfect female voice singing wonderfully obscure by relatable lyrics. 

outsidelands photo diary

Day 1

(Shirt and sunglasses from Urban Outfitters, Vintage jacket from etsy.com, Pants from American Apparel, Shoes from Topshop, Vintage green sweater from Iguanas, Outsidelands hat, Free People backpack)

Day 2

(TUK creepers from NastyGal, random socks and tights, Vintage skirt from etsy.com, American Apparel sweater found at Wasteland, Dad's jean jacket, Hat from NastyGal, Sunglasses from Free People)

Day 3

(Vintage pants from Black Market Clothing Boutique in Bellingham, Washington, Random socks and tights, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, Shirt from an arts fair in Anacortes, Washington, Thrifted coat and sweater, Hat from Free People)

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Outsidelands, it is an incredible music festival in Golden Gate Park in the heart of San Francisco. The food, music, and environment is wonderful. I was able to see legends like Paul McCartney and Hall and Oates as well as some of my personal favorites, such as Vampire Weekend, Daughter, Milo Greene, Thao, Little Green Cars, and Twenty-One Pilots. Though the temperature didn't get much above 60 degrees, the cold is better to me because it allows me to wear more clothing and therefore forces me to put more thought into my outfits. I layered a sweater and a thicker coat each day, and I also wore a camisole under each shirt I wore. This allowed for extra warmth without adding volume or distraction.

By the way, I cut my hair! It's much easier to manage and is extra easy to care for. It also doesn't cover up any clothing I choose to wear, which is better for those of you looking at these pictures. 

Photos by Timothy Toda

child of disney

(Vintage dress from Mad Hatter Clothing in Bellingham, Washington, Shoes from Converse, Socks from American Apparel, Hat and Backpack by Free People, Eye ring from Black Market Clothing Boutique in Bellingham, Washington, Second ring from an arts and crafts fair in Anacortes, Washington, and nose piercing done at Nathan's Tattoos and Piercings in Canoga Park)

Tim and I took another trip to Disneyland (our third to be exact). We're a bit excessive. Normally my Disneyland attire is Disneyland inspired, with my Mickey shirt and what not. However, this time I felt like being girlier and more elegant, so I chose this long dress that I just recently purchased in Washington. It was very lose and perfect for walking around and enjoying the park. It also never made me uncomfortable, mainly because of its length. I love the little embroidery on the neckline and the flowers that almost look hand-painted. 

I took my trusty backpack, which was once again perfect for carrying everything. 

I'm in love with the slightly creepy but wonderful eyeball ring that I recently obtained. I saw a similar bracelet and necklace on NastyGal, but I never brought myself to buy them. When I saw this ring for only $3, I absolutely had to! 

The shoes I wore are your typical Converse, but they have this weird twist that I don't actually understand. I bought them for sale awhile back at the Camarillo Outlets Converse store, and they had this funny tag that said "Vintage Feel." They're all white/cream, without any blue or red lines like the other cream or white Converse, and I really like that about them. They also have these brown soles that look like leather, which is a very nice touch.

Lastly, I got my nose pierced! It was much more painful than I expected it, and I have to keep in the ring and clean it for six months, but it's worth it and I love it! (Luckily I haven't had to blow my nose yet!)

All photos by Timothy Toda