Tag Archives: los angeles

In LA, I honestly wore this hat almost everyday. This past year, I’ve sort of sworn off wearing a hat. I felt it was overdone. Every blogger was wearing them, and I didn’t want to be that girl with “the hat.” But then I received the Stetson x Tasya van ree black hat on my doorstep, and I fell in love once again with the classic black hat. Whenever I’m on the West Coast, I rarely do my hair. I just put on some lip balm, fluff my bangs, and add a hat. And it’s that incognito feeling that I love. Don’t want to make eye contact? Yep, you got your hat. Super sunny breakfast on your back porch? You’ve got your hat. I’ll be hanging this one up in my new NYC abode soon. I’m excited to be taking it out for many more adventures. This one has already been around the globe with me.

Look 1: // Stetson x Tasyvanree hat, St. Roche blouse, J Brand jeans, M. Gemi flats //

Look 2: // For Love & Lemons knit dress, Amuse Society coat, Luisaviaroma boots, Marie Turnor bucket bag //

TAGS: home, los angeles, stetson, travel

Saturday, February 13, 2016

36 Comments

EN EL BARRIO

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Style, Travel

Visiting 87 year old Aunt Sally’s home in East LA is always a fun, and calming afternoon. We always end up drinking a ton of coffee, and talking about everything. But most especially, the past. It’s like going back in time, to when life was a lot more simpler. A lot slower. She was much like a mother figure to my father. He was born in that same little house in el barrio. Hard to imagine him being born in that tiny house, let alone having a dresser cabinet pulled out as his actual crib. Being the blonde baby he was with a head of curls, and big blue eyes (yes, my Latino side of my family were born with the iciest blue eyes ever)…he really stood out, and almost got kidnapped right on that very front yard where Dylana is sitting. Luckily, our grandma called in “Adrian! Adrian!” and grabbed him before the kidnappers got back in their van and sped off. A lot has happened in that house. Aunt Sally still lives there, her Christmas decorations seem to be up all year long, but that’s the charm. And she speaks of my Dad as a baby as a child of her own, and how our uncle was the most handsome actor in the area. The way she looks at my uncle’s photo on the wall makes my heart melt. We love you Aunt Sally.

// For Love and Lemons sweater, Amuse Society jacket, Sabrina SL choker //

TAGS: home, los angeles, roots, style

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

36 Comments

CATCHING PEBBLES

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Style, Travel

…from some sandy beach.

As of late, it seems I’ve brought out the inner art student in my wardrobe. Berets here. Stockings there. Scarves wrapped tightly around my neck. All of my travel go-to’s that I simply wear over and over again but just in different ways. But no, I was not headed to the library, but rather hopped in my car and headed down the coast. Seal Beach. Huntington. The cliffs and coves of Laguna. Places where the sunsets never cease to turn the sky a purple haze. There was an artist just standing and painting the scene, and it was perfect. Moments where you don’t have to think, just look and pause for a second. With the new year, my schedule and travels have been non-stop. I just landed back from the gorgeous Florence, Italy…and already scheduled to attend Sundance Film Festival (yes, SO excited). There really is no point in unpacking the ol’ duffel bag now is there.

// Diesel wolf jacket, White + Warren scarf, Amanda Uprichard dress, Miista boots, Marie Turnor handbag, DKNY tights //

TAGS: huntington beach, laguna beach, los angeles, street style

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

44 Comments

BORN, BRED, BE

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Style

I am indeed Los Angeles born and bred. I’ll drive an hour to Alhambra from the West Side just for a good bowl of pho. I’ll listen to my old high school cd’s on repeat in my little blue Prius. I’ll go through the drive through at Taco Bell just for that midnight bean and cheese (and take crazy videos). Yes, I’ll park where I shouldn’t park, and I just may go over the speed limit every once in a while. I’ll sit on the keyboard all day long in the music room, and plug in my microphone, belting as if I’m performing for hundreds of thousands of people…just like I did when I was little. I’ll go through my college books that haven’t been touched in years in my bedroom, and read the those novels with the notes in it over and over again. I’ll make any excuse to meet in Santa Monica because I love that city by the sea so darn much. I’ll do anything to get the perfect photo, to capture the most perfect moment. I’ll still wake up at 6am to go to a good Beverly Hills Estate Sale just to get first dibs on the designer coat before the next girl gets it. I’ll forever slip out my Valley “as if” accent. I’ll still consider everything “epic”, “sick”, and “rad”. I’ll always find a way to make fun of a situation.

But most of all, I’ll always have my Los Angeles friends and family. We could be sitting in my dining room table (friends, mom, dad, and the whole crew), and talk about absolutely anything and everything. I love my kooky characters. Like the city itself, it’s like you never left. That time didn’t change a thing. That I haven’t really been on the east coast for already 5 years. That I’m about to call myself a true New Yorker…for real. Your true friends will always remember you purely as you. As “Natalie”, or littler” (little sister), and love you just because they do…and always will no matter what happens. Your real friends and loved ones love you as you are. As you be and let you be. So it’s important to be you. Be genuine and real. Being in touch with your roots always keeps you in check. Don’t let go of those people who are always there for you, and don’t ever change. I haven’t, and you shouldn’t either. LA has those people, moments, and memories I’ll always hold on to. Just like the Pacific Ocean. Constantly changing, the waves in and out, but it’ll always be there to welcome you home. Los Angeles, I love you.