Circle Circle Dot Dot

Sweater: Esprit

Dress: Wholesale Buying

Flats: Nine West 

Ate brunch with one of my dearest friends at Bottega Louie today (check my Insta for the respective snap; the food there is amazing and don't get me started on the interior decoration). She told me my style has evolved. More refined, she said. I explained to her that I was, indeed, trying to become more Man Repeller meets French-girl-cool in attire. Replacing trends with more timeless patterns (polka dots, stripes) and adopting a strong affinity for the turtleneck sweater as well as (gasp!) basics. I know, I know. I never thought I'd be into basics either, but here I am, a young twenty-something in search of the perfect crisp white button-down and pointy-toe ankle boots (cough cough these ones from Acne Studios). I also, believe it or not, wear denim jeans with a V-neck at least once a week now. Ah, adulthood. 

Thus explains my outfit of the day: a creme turtleneck sweater from Esprit teamed with a polka-dot pinafore dress from Wholesale Buying and Nine West flats. I felt like a British librarian in the best of ways. 

If this look has inspired you to pursue the pedantic way of dress, the pinafore I'm wearing above is only 6 bucks from Wholesale Buying. You can pair it with a turtleneck, cable knit sweater, button-down or even a casual tee. The options are endless! Style it in whatever way you please and then scurry off to The Last Bookstore. It is so, so cool. Went for the first time today and plan to spend most of my LA weekends there, especially since it's literally down the street from my apartment. 

Music 

(Because I forgot how much I love Enrique Iglesias)

Hero

Escape

Do You Know

xx

When We Were Young

Beanie: eBay

Sweater: H&M

Jeans: Wholesale Buying

Shoes: Target

From middle school to college, boys would ask me, "Did you pay full price for those jeans with holes in them?" And I'd respond, "Yup, I did." And they'd shake their heads in flabbergasted confusion and chortle a bemused, "I don't get it." Needless to say, I've been befuddling the opposite gender with my choice of denim since the early 2000s. 

For some reason unbeknownst to me (and clearly to the myriad of men who take it upon themselves to question my sartorial decisions), I've always had an affinity for destroyed denim. The sight of abrasions make my eyes sparkle and my bank account weep because "jeans with holes" are ironically quite pricey and no I can't make them myself. Believe me, I tried and epically failed.

But sometimes. Sometimes, the retail gods decide to #bless us plebic consumers with a pair of distressed denim in the perfect fit with the right amount of tears that (gasp!) don't cost an arm and a leg. 

The ones I'm wearing above, for example, are only 9 bucks. No, that's not a typo. They're 9 dolla dolla bills y'all. (See for yourself here.) Like...when does that ever happen? Well, I can tell you it happens all day errday on this Chinese e-commerce site called Wholesale Buying. They sell all the latest trends for basically pennies. Go take a peek for yourself if you don't believe me: wholesalebuying.com

On an entirely separate note, this article from Man Repeller was exactly what I needed this week. Given the alarming number of senseless and heartbreaking acts of violence occurring around the world these days, I think we all need some positive words in our lives. Let's also remember to try to understand and listen to different perspectives with peaceful empathy. Everyone has their own truths. Spread love, not hate.

Music

When We Were Young by Adele

Water Under the Bridge by Adele

Coffee by Miguel 

xx