my style – Page 9 – calivintage

outfit: found company giveaway!

March 14, 2017 7 Comments

we’re in the middle of a heat wave in the winter, and while i know i should concerned because global warming is real, it’s hard not to enjoy such pleasant weather after so many cold, rainy days this season! and spring really is right around the corner. when i first picked up this jumpsuit, it was still too cold to wear it. so of course i was so happy when i could finally throw it on with a pair of heels and run outside to soak up some some. it is so perfectly summery, and so easy to wear. definitely part of the “mom uniform” in terms of comfort and functionality. and the washed denim fabric is insanely soft. softer than i ever would have guessed just looking at the product photos.

oh, and for those of you who are afraid to wear white, there is no secret behind keeping it clean. i just think of my white clothes as a painters uniform or a utility coverall– i find a nice sturdy fabric and just wear it and let it get dirty and stained. to me, it adds character. much like a leather bag or a pair of worn-in sneakers– or a marble countertop.

but enough of my rambling and on to the good stuff: i’m hosting a giveaway with my friends at found company! you can enter here for a chance to win a $250 store credit towards anything in the shop! it’s a small, woman-run business stocking some of my favorite women’s wear and kids clothing brands, including vintage and men’s clothes, too!

enter to win $250 here.

my style

the plunge with third love

March 9, 2017 7 Comments

if you’ve followed my blog for a long time, then one thing you may have noticed about me is that i hardly ever wear something low cut. it’s funny, because i think a lot of people assume it has something to do with modesty. but if i may be frank, it’s because i have really big boobs. my size fluctuates a bit, but i’m currently fitting into a 32F. and i know this probably sounds like sacrilege, but to be completely honest, i do not love it. and i am forever envious of my smaller busted friends who talk about the liberation of going braless– and wearing all sorts of revealing clothes while doing so. unfortunately for me, that is literally not possible– especially because i’m still breastfeeding, but also because it is not a comfortable (or socially acceptable) option for those of us who are naturally very well-endowed.

i tend to wear full-coverage bras with lots of support to hold me in place, to push everything upwards and inwards– and out of sight. it’s never particularly bothered me because in many ways, it’s just how i feel more comfortable. but lately, i’ve been itching for a change. maybe it’s because i’ve gotten older. or maybe it’s because i’ve had two kids and i just don’t feel the same way about my body as i used to. maybe it’s the patriarchy getting me down, but what they heck? why not show a little more skin every once in a while?

so this season, i challenged myself to try some new clothes. i picked out a few new things for spring, including this reversible tank top with a deep v that can be worn in front or in back. i thought i would just wear the v in the back, but then i discovered the new thirdlove perfect contour plunge bra. i often choose clothes with more coverage to avoid showing any lace or straps, but if you’re wearing the right bra, who’s to say it’s such a bad thing to get a little peek of an elegant detail? the perfect contour plunge has an elegant sheer mesh overlay along the front, and most importantly, it is made with super-soft memory foam cups that provides a very natural lift that is universally flattering, even for someone with an F cup like me. it is very soft and comfortable, while still actually providing support. and dare i say, i might be liking it even better than my usual full coverage bras. it’s given me the freedom to change things up with my wardrobe, and it’s made me realize that there are other ways to be comfortable in a bra that don’t involve always being covered up!

shop third love and find the perfect bra for your body. use the fit finder and try before you buy!

this post was created in partnership with thirdlove. all opinions are my own. thank you for supporting the sponsors that help make this blog possible!

my style

outfit: blluemade

February 22, 2017 11 Comments

i’m sure by now you know all about my dedication to linen. over the past several years, it has become a prominent textile in my wardrobe for a number of reasons. for starters, it’s a much more sustainable material than cotton because it requires far less pesticides to be grown. it also gets softer with each wash, and is incredible comfortable and breathable. it’s typically considered a summer material, but it comes in all different weights, making it a practical choice for all seasons, especially if you live in california.

which brings me to blluemade. just launched earlier in 2016, the brand sources high-quality linen from belgium, and designs and manufactures all of their garments here in the united states. the husband and wife team behind the brand both come from backgrounds in art history and philosophy, and they’ve joined forces to create such an elegant and timeless collection. they are both huge fans of indigo, and are inspired by vintage workwear, which are two things i absolutely love. so of course you know i’m a huge fan. i’m wearing their modern smock shirt and wrap skirt, which look great together, but are also really fun to mix and match with your existing wardrobe.

the best part is that everything on the site is currently 30% off with code ‘FEB30’ from now until the end of february! after that, these pieces won’t be back, so hop to it while the deal is still on!

wearing:
blluemade black modern smock shirt
jesse kamm sailor pants in salt white
mari giudicelli leblon mules
guatemalan hat
clare v. petit kenya bag

wearing:
han starnes long sleeve jersey top
blluemade black linen wrap skirt
marais usa jardin heels in blue
guatemalan hat
clare v. petit kenya bag

my style

outfit: lacausa

February 15, 2017 8 Comments

can you believe it? i’m not wearing blue! i always always always fall back on my trusty blues, so i’m feeling rather proud of myself for wearing a different color haha. in the past, i’ve shied away from greens out of fear that they weren’t “flattering” against my pale olive skin, but that’s just silliness. i hate the idea of avoiding things because of silly “rules.” if you like something, you should wear it. and i’ve been drawn to all sorts of different shades of green lately. perhaps this is the color of the year somehow sneaking an influence on me? or perhaps it’s because i just desperately need to break free from my endless stream of blues?

anyway, if you’re really worried that a color won’t work for you, just keep it away from your face and/or try some lipstick or blush to balance it out. i did both of those things with this outfit. you can barely tell, but i’m wearing a peachy shade of lipstick from my new make beauty celeste e verde palette. that and the peachy sunglasses seems to do the trick!

the t-shirt and the pants are from lacausa clothing. in spanish, lacausa means “the cause” and this la-based brand has made sustainability and ethical conditions their cause. they carefully select fabrics for both ease and comfort, without losing sight of their ethical stance within the industry. and they’re totally affordable! sometimes it seems that these things don’t go hand in hand, but they do at lacausa! you can select from more timeless basics like what i’m wearing today, or you can pick something a bit more bold, all without having to save up a months worth of wages just to buy it.

wearing:
lacausa vintage frank top and isabelle trousers
steven alan bryce suglasses in peach crystal
make beauty celeste e verde palette
mari giudicelli leblon mules
vintage sweater

my style, kids

outfit: winter water factory spring 2017

February 13, 2017 6 Comments

whoa how did that happen? it’s suddenly spring around these parts! since moving back to southern california, i’m still surprised by how quickly the cool weather fades away and we get right back into warmer days. and of course it was the perfect opportunity for us to slip into our new winter water factory spring 2017 clothes. it’s funny, i used to make a lot of jokes about my matching “motherboy” outfits with adam, but i think this is the first time i’ve worn a matching outfit with ed! of course, she steals the show in her tiny summer romper. but if you’re a fan of their iconic kid’s prints, then you will be happy to know that they recently started making women’s sizes, too. i’m wearing one of their newest t-shirt dress prints that just came out today, but they also have several other dress styles and prints to choose from as well. what’s more, all of their clothes are certified organic cotton and made in the usa.

shop winterwater factory here. or get edie’s adorable petite soul ladybug bonnet here.

my style, kids

outfit: the baby backpack

January 18, 2017 4 Comments

remember in the ’90s when baby backpacks were all the rage? well, today i’m talking about a different kind of baby backpack. because i’ve got two babies now, and a teensy tiny backpack will no longer cut it. now i carry a backpack full of diapers, and it’s huge and fully loaded (the backpack, not the diapers– hopefully). since becoming a mother and accepting that i will indeed need to carry a diaper bag, it’s been really hard for me to find something that is both fashionable and functional. thankfully, there are a lot more brands understanding that not all parents want to carry around a puffy bag covered in cartoon characters. i mean, it’s cool if you want to, but i prefer something a bit less conspicuous.

so when i came across leader bag co., it was love at first sight. it’s my holy grail of diaper bags. and not just because it’s good looking, although that certainly helps. it was also designed by two mothers who are well aware of the organizational needs that one might have when lugging around a bag filled with baby stuff. before i got this handsome backpack, i carried around a fjallraven, which was awesome, but sorely lacking in all of the little compartments i needed to contain various diapers, wipes, toys, pacifiers, coloring books, snacks, bottles, etc. this one has tons of useful compartments, plus it’s handmade in new york city with soft leather accents and a durable cotton canvas body with a wipeable nylon interior and brass hardware. swoon. it also has padded shoulder straps and comes with two leather stroller straps. inside, there is a separate pouch that doubles as a cross-body handbag, and contains a nylon changing mat.

it’s so good looking, in fact, that even brendan is willing to carry it around. and i know some people may balk at the price tag, and i totally get that not everyone is willing or able to spend that much on a diaper bag. luckily, i also wrote this quick guide to finding a cute diaper bag, which has several more options that might suit your needs! and a little birdy told me that they will also be coming out with an all canvas style in tons of fun colors (think mustard, blues, purple) in mid to late february! so keep an eye out for those, too!

wearing:
colorant cashmere sweater
rachel comey slim legion pants
maryam nassir zadeh roberta heels
steven alan bryce sunglasses (in peach crystal, coming soon!)
young frankk orb cuff
leader bag julian julien set in natural

my style

outfit: these days

January 9, 2017 7 Comments

looking a little disheveled, but this is me, out in my natural habitat on a typical day. wearing clothes and drinking coffee, as i am apt to do. i swear i have other clothes besides kamm pants and these mules, but it’s almost impossible for me to wear anything different! i just love them so much.

wearing:
carleen pleat shoulder shell – this is currently on sale! you might not be able to tell in the photos, but this is actually made of a super soft cotton flannel, which makes it irresistable to wear.

jesse kamm sailor pants in bill cunningham blue – this was my first pair of kamm pants from a couple of years back. she’s improved on the fit since then, but i think i actually prefer these because they are shorter in length, so i didn’t need to get them hemmed. i always kind of hate to get my wide leg pants hemmed because you cut off some of the width in the process.

mari giudicelli leblon mules – yes, i know. i wear these nonstop. but they go with everything, so i can’t stop wearing them! i think i should just admit that the only shoes i want to wear are brown leather. i always think i should get a “statement” pair of shoes in some bright color or metallic, but even if i buy a pair like that, i always default to brown leather. i need to stop fighting it.

sylvain le hen xs barrette in gold – i got the xl barrette several months ago before i chopped off all my hair again. this one is awesome because it makes me feel like a mom in ’90s with the side pinned up.

young frankk orb cuff – i love this bracelet because it works with practically any outfit. it’s good with something super casual like this outfit, but it also looks really classy dressed-up. i recently wore it to adam’s winter recital paired with a really minimalist silk dress and i felt like a million bucks. young frank is easily one of my favorite handmade jewelers right now.

j.w. hulme legacy bag – we need to talk about this bag. i think i’ve had this handbag for 8 years now? probably one of the strongest workhorses in my closet, this bag was handmade in the usa and it only gets better with age. and it basically goes with everything. i own other handbags, but this one is almost always my go-to.

garrett leight wilson sunglasses – i love garrett leight glasses, but i’m actually on the fence about these. not because of the glasses themselves, but because i’m not sure if i’m pulling them off. i love the style, but every time i put them on i feel like they just aren’t me. but then again, i always have a hard time with glasses. i think it’s because i have bangs and i feel like the glasses and the bangs blend together and it’s like i’m wearing a giant mask or something. maybe i should try to grown my bangs out for the millionth time…

my style

outfit: the usual

December 22, 2016 3 Comments

calivintage

oh, you know. don’t mind me. just popping in with decreasing regularity to share outfit posts over here. i’ve been wearing some iteration of this look pretty much every day lately. the uniform, if you will. i now own three pairs of kamm pants in different colors and i just alternative between them. add a top or t-shirt and then layer depending on the weather.

i’m a bit rumpled and wrinkled and disheveled, but i still look more put together than i feel haha. both of my kids have been sick for the past couple of weeks and i’ve literally become a giant human snot rag. such is life when you have a toddler and a baby. so fast food coffee to the rescue while i try to get through yet another holiday season, ha!

wearing:
tradlands the ada in indigo
carven coat
jesse kamm sailor pant in tobacco
mari giudicelli leblon mules
j.w. hulme legacy bag
shinola the runwell

calivintage

my style, giveaways

outfit: enter to win the calivintage x only child jumpsuit!

December 15, 2016 No Comments

before embarking on this collaboration with only child, i really had no idea what to expect. all i knew was that i was super excited to be involved in the design process, and to be working with such an awesome oakland-based designer like haley tucker. i had a certain level of confidence because i got so much helpful feedback from everyone on instagram, but i was too anxious to think too much beyond that. so it wasn’t until the first few orders were being made that i became overwhelmed with excitement. it is such a good feeling to work on a project like this and to know that there will be people walking around wearing a design that i helped to create! i’ve seen a meme floating around that says something to the effect of, “when you make a purchase from a small business, an actual person does a happy dance.” and i can personally tell you that is 100% true in my case.

so today i thought i’d give back a little bit and offer you the chance to win your very own only child x calivintage jumpsuit! i even took it out for another spin to show you a different way to wear it. i am so pleased that it ended up being the versatile type of wardrobe basic that i love to have in my own closet.

enter to win the only child x calivintage jumpsuit!

and keep an eye out on my instagram for an additional way to enter!

my style

the 24/7 classic by third love

December 1, 2016 11 Comments

true story: i was a bit of a “late bloomer” as they say. starting around junior high, my mom and grandma would take me to mervyn’s (rest in department store peace) every year around the holidays to ceremoniously pick out a new bra. mind you, i had no need for such a contraption at that age, but i was far too old for the training bras you would find in the little girl’s department. so i would wander through the racks of plastic hangers with magic brassieres stuffed like pillows, on the hunt for a lady bra that would somehow fit my stick thin frame. my mom would shoo me in to the dressing room unattended, where i would struggle with the straps and hooks, and break into a sweat trying to wrangle one on. of course, i knew nothing about proper fit, so the band would inevitably be about 3 sizes too big and the cups had no purpose at all. and i would spend the rest of my pre and early-teen days playing tug-of-war with my bra while it migrated up towards my neck beneath my shirt.

fast forward more years than i’d like to count, and things have obviously changed. somewhere in my twenties, i gained about 5 cup sizes and now i have the opposite problem. post-baby #2, it’s no secret that my body has changed quite a bit. in fact, it still hasn’t stopped because i’ve been gradually losing those last few pregnancy pounds and i’m currently breastfeeding, so my bust size is literally changing from hour to hour. and if they were big before, let’s just say that my cups now truly runneth over. needless to say, it’s been an interesting experience stepping into the department store and having to ask for a size 32G, which at this point is closer to a hat size than an actual cup size. if you have a small band size and a large cup size like i do, then you know the selection at most stores is slim to none. you might walk out with some vaguely skin-colored minimizer bra fit for a granny, or else you’ve got to drive over an hour to an expensive boutique just to find your size. so you can imagine my relief when thirdlove asked me if i’d be interested in partnering-up to experience their one-of-a-kind “try before you buy” program that matches you with your perfect bra, giving you 30 days to try it out before you make a purchase. i was skeptical at first, but after trying the fit finder, there it was: the 24-7 classic in a size 32G.

these days, i’m mostly interested in something that looks natural and feels like a second skin. i really don’t want to fuss with itchy lace, and i have to be careful not to wear anything too restrictive. but at the same time, let’s be frank, my boobs are huge. so i still need some level of support beyond a flimsy bralette. the 24-7 classic ticks all the boxes. it’s made of a very soft and stretchy microfiber jersey with just the right amount of memory foam in the cups to make sure you’re comfortable and covered. and it comes in a variety of band sizes from 28 to 38 with full and half cup sizes from a size A to G. they have a 100% fit guarantee meaning returns and exchanges are free, and they’ll even connect you with a fit expert who can help you trouble shoot to find exactly the right fit. it’s a far cry from those early days of bra shopping with mom and grandma in tow. bless their hearts, but i’m glad i’ve found an alternative.

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