Baby Love
I know Christmas seems like ages ago already, but I’ve yet to catch you up on details of my holiday. I went to Ontario, Canada to visit my nephew, Miles, who turned 1 last month! Happy Birthday, Miles! As a Christmas gift to my sister and her husband, I brought along my trusty Minolta x-700 to shoot a few rolls of film of the little cutie. Of course, halfway through the roll of film, my camera decided to stop advancing so I was only able to take a few. When I got home I learned that it was just dirty batteries! Note to everyone shooting analog: take your batteries out and clean them! Then I finished off the roll (Kodak Portra, my fave for shooting color) with images from my lovely neighborhood. I thought I’d share the results with all of you! And I’m proud to say these images are totally unedited. Film is so much more magical than any Instagram filter! Also, isn’t my nephew the sweetest?!
I Want It Now!
Making a wish list makes goals seem a little more attainable, so I thought I’d jot down a few things I’m just jonesing for. This way, I always have something to work toward! Here’s what’s at the top of my must-haves-for-Spring list. That’s right—in LA it’s basically Spring already. Sorry about it.
#1 Drusy Quartz/Geode Rings
Ever since I first laid eyes on one of Dara Ettinger’s stunning drusy rings at Los Angeles’ Kellygreen, it became an object of desire. Ettinger makes elegant but still statement-making pieces that highlight the beauty of the rock’s raw formations. And considering how unique and special the jewelry is, it’s also well-priced. My advice when wearing such sparklers? Less is definitely more. These works of art don’t just speak for themselves, they sing!
#2 Cut-out Oxfords
Seasons in LA are totally schizophrenic, so I’ve found myself bouncing back and forth between sandals and boots. Cut-out oxfords are the perfect in between, and I love this style because it also bring some extra femininity to this otherwise masculine shoe staple.
#3 Sweet Patio Stuff
My landlord recently removed a large planter (that covered a good part of my apartment) and extended my porch area. Kind of a win/lose, but with a little succulent love and some cute patio furniture, it could turn out to be my favorite new spot to read, write, or sip coffee. It’s my new project…
*Heading image from Maya Star Austin Blog
Lomo Love
Lomography is definitely having a moment, and although new technology in photo editing software/applications can make it super easy to achieve the look of cameras like the Holga and Diana with a digital image, many photo enthusiasts (myself included!) continue to be excited about creating analog images that still offer an element of surprise in the development process.
Cameras like the aforementioned Holga and Diana have been popularized for their fixed lenses and side-effect of allowing light to leak into their cheap, plastic bodies. The resulting aesthetic is totally unpredictable, and sometimes surprisingly and oddly beautiful. Other types of Lomo cameras include Fisheye, Oktomat, and Sprocket Rocket (among many others) and the practice may also include experimental processing and specialty film. There are now several Lomography storefronts (one here in Los Angeles) as well as shops like Urban Outfitters who sell Lomo cameras and accessories.
On a recent trip to San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, some fellow photo-loving friends and I experimented with Fisheye and Diana cameras. The Lomo playtime also reminded me to process an old roll of 120 film from my Holga, used in an old shoot with Miss Jack Diaz. To fit the theme, I thought I’d share with you some of the highlights of those rolls of film. These images are totally unedited, though I might play with some a bit later. 
Hope you’re inspired to try a little Lomo love yourself!
Heath & Happiness
One of my interior decor goals is replacing all my old dining ware with a lovely new set of china that I can be proud to serve on. And when I say new, of course old will do! Especially in the case of Heath, a California-based, handmade ceramics brand that has been making minimal and beautiful pieces for over 50 years. Here in Los Angeles we’re lucky enough to have a Heath store, where you can marvel at all the stunning plates, cups, salt and pepper shakers, and the like. Because there is so much handiwork in the collection, they don’t come cheap. That said, you can sometimes save a little by buying used! While still pricey, vintage Heath items can be found on online sites like Etsy and Ebay, and I’ve been cruising both looking for the perfect pieces! Here are some one my wish list. Now, doesn’t it make you want to cook up a feast just to show them all off? I know it makes me want to!
Meowdy, Partner!
I am so predictable. Several months ago, my good friend Eve Sturges of The Magpie List asked me if I’d yet been to a new store in nearby Los Feliz called Meowdy. I had not. She went on to explain that Meowdy contains many things cat: crocheted wall-hangings of cats, Garfield phones, cat sweatshirts, etc. They also carry many things vintage: said cat items, shoes, books, puzzles, jewelry, home goodies, jean jackets, jumpsuits, dresses, and more. Eve knows me well, and of course Meowdy is everything I wanted it to be. As I love giving vintage for Christmas, and the entirety of my family shares my affinity for cats (between my mom, sister, and I, we have 6!), it seemed like an obvious place to hunt for presents. While there I stopped and chatted with the adorable owner Mikie. What did we chat about? Do I even need to tell you? Ironically enough, Mikie doesn’t have a cat of her own but she excitedly showed me pictures of her neighbor’s cat, Sinatra, and let me indulge in showing her pictures of my own Robot and Sancha. Here’s a few of the goodies the store has to offer, though they are always getting in fabulous new/old things! Stop by if you get a chance and feel free to share cat pics with Mikie!
If my sister Brittany would even remotely consider putting my nephew, Miles, in this vintage chenille baby sweater, I would have scooped it right up! But alas, he’s more into Polo gear 
Vintage 35mm cameras & velvet unicorn paintings!
I mean…what’s not to love?!
A rainbow of pretty vintage pumps!
I do not endorse smoking, but these would be great little decorative accents!
For someone constantly losing/breaking their sunnies, these $10 cuties are the perfect solution!
If Santa got me an espresso machine, these vintage cups would be perfect for drinking cappuccinos!
Meowdy in a nutshell!
*Meowdy is located at 1939 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Behind the Scenes with Bunch Magazine
As I’ve previously mentioned, Bunch is a new publication for which I’ve been doing some styling/writing. We’re all just putting the finishing touches on the winter issue, due out this January. Last weekend the dream team got together (myself as stylist, my dear friend and photographer Dabito of Old Brand New, art director Lani Trock, hair extraordinaire Lacy Lee, and West Coast editor Astrid Carillo) at the perfectly decorated house of Paige and Steven of The Peach Kings in Highland Park to shoot an editorial spread featuring upcoming lines of jewelry by George & Laurel and intimates by Stella Berkofsky. While I can’t show you all the gorgeous set-ups we did (buy the magazine!!!), here’s a sneak preview!
Bunch gave me a mood board with of images of Brigitte Bardot for styling inspiration and since it’s going to be a winter issue, we wanted cozy accessories to accompany the jewelry and intimates. Forever 21 graciously let me pull a rack of clothes which included tons of chunky sweaters, socks, and leg warmers and we added some vintage scarves as well for a nostalgic look. The lovely Lauren Paez modeled and was a total dream. In fact, it was such a great way to spend a rainy Sunday: great people, lots of coffee, pastries, jewelry, and plenty of eye candy!! Can’t wait to see the final images! Stay tuned and enjoy the preview in the meantime!
Accidental Fashion Icon: Melanie Martinez
Ok, confession time: I am completely addicted to most singing competition shows. Sometimes I watch them to feel better about my own mediocre singing voice (“Maybe I could do this…”), sometimes I watch to get a good laugh or have a reason to go on a rant about the sad state of pop music, and other times–and this is a rarity–I watch to be inspired by some true artists and the fact that they could get a big break from this kind of forum. Enter Melanie Martinez. She’s currently a contestant on The Voice and earned attention after doing an amazing cover of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” in which she played the tambourine with her feet.
Melanie’s cool vocal tone is one thing, but her style is the reason she has landed here in my first edition of a new reoccurring topic: Accidental Fashion Icon. This will be devoted to any source of fashion inspiration that I never saw coming. I mean, who would have thought I’d be inspired by someone from a reality show? Maybe it’s Melanie’s two-tone hair, gap teeth, ever-present Peter Pan collars, baby doll dresses, or red lipstick and pale skin, but I think mainly it’s the fact that only 17 years old, on a television show on a major network, Melanie has managed the rare feat of actually having an original aesthetic (aka not forced upon her by an overzelous stylist or team of execs) that also works so well with her musical style. Get it, Mel!
