Style Essentials

     I've sadly been neglecting this blog as of late because of my latest project, The FAST blog (fastatucla.com, Fashion and Student Trends). As the blog editor it's my duty to publish daily (ok, almost daily, I'm not super-human) content for the fabulous readers at UCLA. We've been making a lot of progress, but the blog has yet to really get off the ground. 

     On top of a full course load, my internship, my job as Assistant Design Director at my school's newspaper, my job in retail, my involvement with my sorority and my position as the blog editor, you could say I've been a bit busy. But that doesn't mean I've been neglecting the fashion world. On the contrary, I'm actually getting course credit to stalk trends, follow my favorite fashion bloggers, do runway reports, and write snarky blog posts at my internship. It's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

     Anyway, here's some of what I've been up to in the past few weeks with the FAST blog. I recently did a shoot with my assistant blog editor featuring our style essentials, or the things we can't live without. I recently got my brand new computer (after saving up for over a year), and was able to mess around in photoshop. My skills still need sharpening, but hey, it's something.

Cheers to productivity!

Sam

The Road Less Traveled

All images via Free People Lookbook

Paisley perfection. 

I look forward to seeing Free People's look books every few weeks, as they always have great styling and cool motifs. This theme,"The Road Less Traveled," reminds me of old European exploration and a romantic notion of new discoveries. 

I really like the way the baroque trend has translated into this bohemian/gypsy style with rich colors and intricate patterns. 

I think I see paisley printed leggings in my future. 

Cheers,

Sam

Geometry

 

So I've been taking notice of this new trend for awhile now, where everything seems to have some kind of triangle integrated into it. Photos, prints, illustrations, typography-- no medium can escape the simple white silhouette of an equilateral triangle. 

Maybe it's the OCD monster inside me that appreciates the symmetry, the clean lines, and the simplicity of perfect geometry, but whatever it is, I approve.

On the note of trends, I've also noticed the immense popularity of the plain white t-shirt with some kind of statement written in helvetica. Usually there's an overuse of ampersands and a lack of proper capitalization, and it seems to be more popular if the statement is written in French (regardless of the wearer's ability to pronounce/ understand the words).

For my next project I think I'm going to make my own shirt that reads, "this is my trendy helvetica t-shirt." Still working on how to throw in an ampersand. I do love ampersands (& t-shirts). 

Thoughts?

Anyway, have a lovely Wednesday.

Sam

Winter Blues (and Pale Pinks and Greens)

images via tumblr and fp blog

As the weather finally dips beneath 75 degrees here in LA, it's been a little easier to imagine wearing sweaters and sipping my favorite seasonal Starbucks drinks (which, if you were wondering, are peppermint mochas and creme brulee lattes). 

Rather surprisingly however I haven't been craving fair isle prints and chunky knits typical of the season; instead, I've been very inspired by frosty pinks and pale greens. I realize that these colors are much more reminiscent of late February than of early November, but I guess I'm just thinking ahead. 

There's a kind of magical quality in the above photos that reminds me why I love winter so much.

Cheers!

Sam

1. My eyesight is not that bad, but I wear my glasses often because they're cute.

2. When I bring my computer to class, it's not because I'm being a good student but because I want to do some online shopping.

3. If I don't see anybody important when I'm wearing a cute outfit, I'll probably wear it again within the week. 

4. A fault of working in retail: many of my paychecks go straight back to my employer.

5. Sometimes when I'm wearing an outfit that I'm not 100% sure about, I will return to my dorm midday and change. 

6. Any reflective surface can and will be used as a mirror.

7. Nothing feels as good as wearing a twirly dress on a sunny day.

8. Coffee is also an accessory.

9. I am guilty of buying clothes and then not wearing them.

10. Fashion has given me more confidence about myself than anything else could have.

Today, I made this list (and figured out how to scan and Photoshop this sketch).

Today, I did not do my statistics homework.

This still counts as being productive, right?

Cheers to Monday!

Sam

Because

Because I'm up late.
Because I just finished midterms.
Because I'm craving a Cinnamon Dolce Latte from Starbucks.
Because I've been feeling sassy lately and for some reason leather pants seem like a great idea.
Because sweaters.

Because I like it, that's why.

I realize that this post lacks the artistic energy I generally try to bring forth in my posts, but as I debated whether or not I was going to click "publish" I remembered this a personal space for personal things, and this is how I feel right now.

Inspired by my mother, the phrase "because" seemed suddenly to be the only justification I needed.

Also, I realize that the frame, the glasses, and the Starbucks cup are cliche, but all I have to say to that is:

"HIPSTA, PLEASE."

#sass

Have a lovely Monday, blogosphere.

Sam

"Meet Me Where the Sidewalk Ends"

images via ThreadSence

I know that I've posted many ThreadSence lookbooks in the past, but I when I saw the Fall 2012 lookbook, I couldn't resist reposting some of their gorgeous photos.

Call me a hipster, but I'm a sucker for dark moody colors and misty-looking photos reminiscent of 90's  grunge and mystery. When I saw the vintage sets that the photo shoot took place in, I pretty much saw where I envision myself five years from now: living in a small apartment in a big city and channeling all of my creative energy into transforming a small budget into beautiful decor and boho-chic outfits. The only thing missing is my well-dressed, intelligent, funny, and HOT boyfriend (obviously).

If you can't tell, I'm a dreamer. If I ever had the opportunity to work as a stylist on a shoot such as this one, or even as a graphic designer, photo editor, mood board artist (is that even a thing?), anything, I think I would die of happiness. 

Anyway, this was too good to not post.

Cheers and happy Monday!

Sam