outfit: ch-ch-changes

while uploading these outfit photos and writing this post, i realized that the past week and a half have been the longest time i’ve ever taken a break from blogging in the nearly 5 years since i started writing calivintage. it was wholly unintentional, but in hindsight it was definitely necessary. it can be pretty nice to step away from routines to gain a little perspective. and, of course, i was up to all sorts of stuff while i was away. it feels like an eternity ago, but i spent last weekend on a mini vacation in napa, wandering around and enjoying the views and not taking a single solitary photo while doing it. then i boarded a plane for los angeles to spend the week working on a project for modcloth where i wore something like this pretty much every day of the week. it was hot and humid and kind of glorious to get dressed everyday looking like i was about to go to the beach. and i spent most of my days running around taking photos for work and visiting with family and friends and exploring la in all of my spare moments.

because after living in the bay area for the past 12 years (drum-roll, please…) i have made the decision to pack my bags and make the move to southern california! yep, in the beginning of august i will officially become a resident of los angeles. i’ll still be working at modcloth (only now i’ll be working from their beautiful office in downtown la), and i’ll still be blogging as much as i can while making the transition, and i’ll probably be spending a lot of weekends on the hunt for a house because me and my partner have been doing our best to save up enough money for a down payment on our very first home! so yeah, just a few little changes happening over here. and i’m only barely skimming the surface! i’m excited and anxious and everything in between, and i’m going to do my best to get back online and share it all with you.

oh yeah, and this is my outfit. just a simple something to wear to brunch at boot and shoe service in my soon-to-be-former neighborhood in oakland. and it’s also what i wore for a little stroll through the morcom rose garden while i start to view my own fair city through the eyes of a tourist.

wearing: vintage dress from my mom, vintage jute tote, swedish hasbeens peep toe super high, rayban clubmasters courtesy of sunglasses shop, v steps brass necklace courtesy of young frankk, datter industries watchful eye ring, handmade bracelet courtesy of giantlion





young frankk summer 2013

i don’t often write about jewelry, but that doesn’t mean i don’t have favorites! one of the first brands to really push me in the direction of wearing a few statement pieces was young frankk jewelry. a couple of years back, christine was kind enough to send me the v steps brass necklace, which quickly became a favorite, and is one of only a few pieces of jewelry i now wear on the regular. so of course i always keep an eye on her ever-expanding collection and find myself drooling over her incredible lookbooks. such was the case with her latest collab lensed by the talented photographer amber mahoney in dreamy coney island.

photography: amber mahoney 
models: gabriella cetrulo and gillian herring
stylist: kate greene
makeup: allison paisley
clothing: need supply co.















myrtle “double ep”

today i’m excited to share the newly launched “double ep” lookbook for los angeles based myrtle boutique. i pretty much instantly became a fan after their tomboy style lookbook last summer, but this new collection of dreamy photos shot at echo lake is certainly a match. this time, they teamed up with photographers megan mcisaac and laura taylor who took turns shooting each other in looks from some of my favorite designers including samantha pleet, in god we trust, dusen dusen, and gretchen jones.

photographers and models: megan mcisaac and laura taylor
styling: whitney bickers
clothing: myrtle
sunglasses: gogosha optique
location: echo park, los angeles

















sf shopping guide: down at lulu’s

onto my second recommendation in my little shopping series. this shop isn’t actually located in san francisco proper, but it’s a short drive across the bay on the oakland/berkeley border. i used to live a few blocks from this place, and popped in every couple of weeks for affordable vintage wares…

down at lulu’s, 6603 telegraph ave. oakland

a favourite among students and locals alike, down at lulu’s is an explosion of glam style and cult kitsch on the border between berkeley and oakland. this tiny pink palace moonlights as a hair salon, record store, and ‘zine shop, not to mention its excellent selection of vintage gems for punk rockers and vintage aficionados, with a focus on fashion from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. the vintage selection is eclectic and unique, with plenty of statement pieces and classic vintage staples at accessible prices.

my city guide series was originally published in the guardian uk, photos by me.


to view my entire shopping guide series, click here.

calivintage in ballad of magazine

you may remember several months back, i shared some behind-the-scenes instagram shots on location at a little photo shoot. well, the latest issue of ballad of magazine is finally out, and i’m so excited to be able to share the finished product with you. the editorial was shot at the historic claremont resort and hotel nestled in the oakland hills. it’s a massive resort built in 1915, and a pretty iconic monument in the area. sometimes, when i see it looming in the distance, i get a little chill up my spine thinking about “the shining.” but it’s actually quite alive and active with charming tennis courts, a big blue swimming pool, and a very stunning restaurant on huge deck overlooking the bay. and it was the perfect backdrop for our 1960s brigitte bardot-inspired shoot for the “summer of ’69” issue of ballad of. i had a ton of fun sourcing pretty vintage clothes and playing dress up on our lovely model. get the latest issue here.

above: dress from pretty penny vintage.

photography: micaela hoo
styling: me!
hair and makeup: miche tan
model: tate moore with stars model management


vintage skirt set.


lauren moffatt dress, something else sunglasses.


vintage dress from bohemian bisoux, michael kors sunglasses


lauren moffatt top, vintage slip from pretty penny vintage


esther williams swimsuit.

orla kiely resort 2014

i have to admit, i’ve mostly been blind to the rush of resort collections that have been sprouting up on the web the past few weeks. some seasons i’m much more “tuned-in” than others, and this spring has just been so hectic outside of blogland that i haven’t had the proper time to just sit and enjoy the collections. having said that, i just got a peek at the orla kiely resort 2014 collection that has pretty much revived my interest in all things fashion. i thought that her fall 2013 collection was the best yet, but i really love the direction for spring. still a lot of very cute collared looks with expert layering and a certain schoolgirlish charm, but with fun polka dot and heart prints and jacquards. and i really had no idea that i would love that kelly green and pale peachy pink together. so yeah, i basically want this entire collection on my body. right now.

photos courtesy of orla kiely.

























join me at the lancÁ´me + vogue event!

today i’m excited to announce that i’ve teamed up with vogue to co-host an event celebrating the launch of the new lancÁ´me show by alber elbaz collection! come join me this saturday june 22 at nordstrom valley fair from 12am – 2pm for a fashion show featuring lancÁ´me eye looks and vogue fashion picks! guests will receive a makeover by top lancÁ´me makeup artists, plus take home a custom mini issue of vogue, and one-of-a-kind lancÁ´me makeup mirror, shopping bag and lancÁ´me show brochure, all embossed with elbaz’s chic signature artwork.*

saturday, june 22
nordstrom valley fair
vogue gifts and fashion show from 12pm – 2pm

beauty counter appointments from 11am – 7pm
*call 408.248.2180 ext. 1064 to reserve an appointment

sf shopping guide: static vintage

a couple of months back, i was contacted by the guardian uk to write-up a little bay area vintage shopping guide. they asked me to offer up my top 10 shopping spots for both vintage and designer, so i set out on a weekend excursion to visit and photograph all of my favorite spots. since i’ve gotten quite a few requests for shopping recommendations over the years, i thought i’d share my list in a little series here on the blog. so for my first stop…

static vintage, 1764 haight st. san francisco

while there’s a wide range of vintage boutiques in the famous haight-ashbury neighbourhood, static vintage stands out, with a massive selection of vintage clothing and accessories for men and women, including impressive designer finds for the true collector. you’ll find unique vintage wares to fit just about any style from every era from the 1920s and to the early 1990s in this brightly hued shop. and rumour has it they have a secret stash of rare pieces for the serious buyer, making this a must-stop destination for fashion fanatics.

my city guide series was originally published in the guardian uk, photos by me.

outfit: summer favorites

back again in some of my favorite articles of clothing. i can’t seem to resist wearing a pinafore just about every day lately. if not a pinafore, then a pair of jeans (which i really should document more frequently in photos). and this top. i want to wear it every day! lauren moffatt makes a new version of this silk pintuck top in a different print each season and they’ve quickly become my new go-to blouse. she is a print master, so they always add just the right touch of whimsy to a simple outfit. then top it all off with a pair of swedish hasbeens and this is pretty much my summer uniform.

wearing: lauren moffatt double pintuck top courtesy of article&, minnie dress courtesy of family affairs, swedish hasbeens peep toe super high, karen walker von trapp sunglasses, j.w. hulme mini legacy shoulder bag




ENDED win $50 to secret shop vintage!

today i am pleased to announce my latest giveaway courtesy of secret shop vintage. this awesome etsy shop features a huge selection of super affordable and super cool vintage apparel and accessories. above, i’ve shared a few of my summer favorites, but there is tons more in the shop!

to enter: simply visit secret shop and leave a comment letting us know what you might buy if you were the winner!

the fine print: this giveaway is open to international readers, so anyone can enter. only one entry per person. the winner will be randomly selected after tuesday, june 18 and contacted via email.

bonus: secret shop would also like to offer you 15% off any purchase using code “secretsummer” now through june 30!