No Way Monday

(Sunglasses from Selvedge Dry Goods, UNIF No Way Moto jacket, Thrifted Gap shirt, American Apparel skirt, Jeffrey Campbell Coltrane boots)

This jacket was the sole piece of clothing I received (aside from socks) this Christmas, and I'm incredibly happy with it. I didn't have a single moto jacket before this, mainly because I didn't want to buy a cheap one just to say I had one. If I'm going to buy a leather jacket (vegan leather in this case), it's going to be god darn special. 

I'm obsessed with the weight of this especially. Heavy jackets always feel better on my shoulders, or at least they do for the first half of the day. The metal plating makes this outerwear the most hardcore piece of clothing I own, which is why I'm planning on pairing it with sweet things to balance it out. For this post, I wanted to highlight the jacket by wearing all white, which created a wonderful effect of pureness tainted by a bit of evil. 

My fourth UNIF purchase is once again a success. Definitely one of the most fantastic brands I've encountered. 

(Photos by Tim Toda)

80 degree winter

(Madewell sunglasses, Necklace gifted from my aunt, Zara sweater, Urban Outfitters shorts, Johnny Was bag, H&M socks, Converse shoes)

So Los Angeles decided to be extremely annoying and provide at 80 degree Christmas season. I know those of you living in subzero and sub-freezing temperatures are probably offended that I claim this is annoying, but I'll put it this way: LA's climate is this warm half the year already without a hot winter, and I would appreciate some time for tights/pants/layers

. 

However, I can't complain all that much, and this warm weather has been a little bit of a blessing because I can wear this mid-sleeved Black Friday purchase from Zara without having to layer another coat or two on top. This whole get-up is almost inappropriately comfortable, but it was one of those days.

I'd been looking for a pair of sky-blue Converse for a really long time before I found these at the Rose Bowl Swap Meet. (FYI - I bargained them down $10 and was extremely proud of myself) I like the color because I don't see it around very much like I do white and cream but it has the same light, airy, and wearable-with-everything feel that both those colors have. Plus, in buying them at the swap meet I didn't have to worry about breaking them in or wearing them down a little before prancing around. 

(Photos by Valerie Nguyen) 

the best pre-black friday purchase

(Coat from H&M)

I don't live somewhere with a particularly cold winter. Buying this coat was practically symbolic of my longing to live in New York. Regardless, the warmth and length of this coat will surely come in handy, and I'm truly loving it. I bought the piece for about $30. Normally it was $80. And I bought it the Tuesday BEFORE Black Friday. And they were still having the same deal when I went shopping ON Black Friday, so I was pretty happy. 

I don't really wear much plaid but I always tell myself that I love the print. Now I can truly say that I have a statement plaid piece! This particular plaid is nice because it's subtle and can actually go with certain colors aside from neutrals. 

my favorite accessory

Since technology has become to deeply integrated into out lives, I've started to consider my phone a part of my outfit, as an accessory like a bracelet or necklace. Therefore, I continue to accumulate little decorations for it, and have acquired eight iPhone 5 cases since I've had my phone. Some are purely functional, such as my Mophie, while others, like Winnie-the-Pooh, are completely ascetic. However, I love phone cases in general for their protective qualities, and I hate how expensive they've grown to be. I'll completely admit that I've overpaid for some of these. And yet I'm currently looking into buying another online. (Who knew Zara had phone cases? I sure didn't.)

Beneath every case I put on my phone lies this little minnie mouse vinyl. Tim has mickey on his phone, and when we put them together, they kiss. (Yes, we love Disney, and yes, we're cheesy.) 

my ultimate inspo

When I was born, my father proceeded to say that I looked like Frida Kahlo. From that moment on, my unofficial middle name became Frida, and my childhood friends continue to call me that, to this day. I wouldn't truly understand who Frida was until many years later, but now I can truly say that she may be my greatest inspiration. Her art, the feminism it births, her tragic life stories, her expression, and her strength are a constant reminder of who I am and how I am connected to her through name, ethnicity, culture, and even spirit. In fact, I dressed up as her for Halloween this year.

My father sent me this picture not long ago and it stuck out to me drastically. Frida takes on a look here that most people have never seen her with. The flowers and braids of her hair are not present and she doesn't have on any traditional Mexican skirt or shawl. It's tomboy. And yet it's so truly her in a way that I can't even explain. I don't know where this picture is from or why it was taken or anything about it, but the effortless beauty within it shall be my inspiration.