let’s start with the basics

i remember when i first started wearing everlane. it was right after adam was born, so getting close to 5 years ago. i think it was the first time that i purchased a basic t-shirt for a $15, which seemed like a lot at the time. it’s funny how so much can change in such a short amount of time. back then, i had already been pretty focused on smaller, independent fashion brands. and i had a job at a large online fashion company that was working towards more transparency in the supply chain. so i was definitely becoming more aware of some of the ethical issues around production. but i was still having trouble justifying a higher price point for an item of clothing that i knew i could grab at a big box store or fast fashion retailer for a fraction of the price.

i got three box cut tees in white, black, and navy. and i picked up a chambray shirt, all the foundation of my new “mom wardrobe” as i called it. i had a newborn at the time, so i was creating what i later came to learn was my own little capsule collection. i had dramatically shifted focus towards really good basics that i could wash and wear comfortably while still feeling pulled together. and from that point on, i never looked back.

since then, my budget really hasn’t changed dramatically, but i’ve learned how to shift my focus from quantity to quality. today, my wardrobe is much smaller than it ever has been. people are often shocked when they see my closet because they assume that, as a fashion blogger, i would have way more clothes. but the reality is that if you focus on the basics, you can build a really practical wardrobe that will last from season-to-season, so you don’t have the need to constantly add more and more. and whenever a friend asks me for fashion advice, i usually point them in the direction of everlane. it’s kinda like the gateway drug for ethical fashion. and they have really good basics. so of course, i was more than happy to partner with the brand to highlight two simple outfits that serve as a great foundation for an easy wardrobe that’s focused on quality over quantity, while still being totally affordable. scroll for all of the details!




look one:
everlane bikini in pale pink (not pictured, but trust me)
everlane cotton box cut tee in white
everlane cheeky straight ankle jeans in sky blue
everlane day heel in cognac

my first look is a really great primer. the basics include a bikini, a simple box cut tee, a fun pair of high rise jeans, and a pair of heels that you can wear all day. i can tell you now that the underwear are a dream and i’ve already ordered several pairs of the high rise. they are really think and stretchy so that you don’t see any lines under your clothes, which is surprisingly hard to find! and if you’re looking for a good pair of mom jeans, then these are it. you can wear your usual size for a slightly more relaxed fit (which i personally prefer) or size down if you prefer a fitted look. and i was really skeptical about the day heel, but the product design team knows what they’re doing. they look good, they feel good, and you really can wear them #alldamnday, as the hashtag suggests.



look two:
everlane square mockneck tee in olive
everlane straight leg crop in bone 
everlane v heel in light blue suede

my second look features some new additions to the everlane lineup. it’s a transitional look since we’ve still got one foot in summer over here, but i think everyone is ready for cooler temperatures. the mockneck tee is one of my favorite silhouettes to wear in the fall. and don’t get me started on the pants. i had been eyeing the original wide leg crop for ages, but just never took the plunge. and i have to say, i was really impressed with the quality. the cotton is a substantial, but it has just the right amount of stretch so that they are comfortable even after a big meal haha. and the v heels are so much fun. i’ve been wanting to play around with some different colors and who can resist a pair of powder blue suede shoes?

this post was created in partnership with everlane.

outfit: revelle collection

today’s post is my little send off to summer. here in southern california, we’re still experiencing highs of 90 degrees every day, but it’s about the time when i start to transition to a slightly different color palette while dreaming of those picture-perfect autumnal scenes that i only get to see in movies. these two looks from revelle perfectly sum-up my late summer/early fall wardrobe.

if you’re not familiar with the brand, revelle is a one-woman show based in los angeles, california, dedicated to providing thoughtfully designed and custom-made clothes with a certain retro appeal that’s hard not to love. i first fell in love with her clothes when i laid eyes on this absolutely perfect grey cropped sweatshirt. it’s a style i’ve always loved, but i’ve never quite been able to pull-off the menswear version. the 1950s sweatshirts i’ve found are always way too boxy in the top and far too long on my incredibly short torso. but designer lisa nicole harbottle knows how to handle curves. she sent me this made-to-measure sweatshirt that is making me feel so very va va voom. and that’s not something is say often! when i put it on, i feel a bit like a pin-up portrait of someone iconically sexy like marilyn monroe cheekily lifting weights without breaking a sweat. and it is simultaneously something i can throw on with utility jeans most days of the week while working from home, running errands, and picking up the kids from school.

and this darling gingham market jumpsuit is making me feel some kind of way. this one has definitely got a certain girl-next-door vibe. it’s still totally comfortable and practical for day-to-day, but it’s got a certain sex appeal that really hits the mark for me. and just like the sweater, you can customize it to fit your shape, and you can choose between this black & white gingham cotton twill or black linen, a tapered leg as seen here, or a wide leg trouser. any variation feels so perfect for this time of year when we’re transitioning from peek summer into shorter days and slightly cooler temperatures. i think gingham is an especially nice early fall pattern that still feels appropriate for 90 degree days!

wearing:
market jumpsuit courtesy of revelle
isla slide sandal in black courtesy of nisolo
avenue boutique espanola hat
circular handwoven palm bag in small courtesy of artisan & fox




outfit: desert days

it’s really hard for me to believe that we’ve spent most of the summer out here in the desert, so far removed from our typical routines, our favorite local spots, our home! to be completely honest, i was pretty nervous about the idea of staying with my mom for 8 weeks. not because i don’t get along with her– we have a pretty solid relationship. but because it’s hard to be away from home, especially when you have two little kids. and she lives out in the desert where the stores are just far enough that you better hope you didn’t forget a crucial ingredient for dinner or you’ll be gone for at least 30 minutes to grab what you need. yes, i’m a city mouse, and moving away from big cities like oakland and los angeles was hard enough for me!

but as time passed by and i got used to our new normal, i can actually say that i’m gonna miss it. these photos were literally shot in my mom’s back yard. she lives nestled up against a beautiful wilderness area on one side and pretty fields of horses and cows on the other side. and being away has actually made me miss our home in a way that feels good. absence makes the heart grow fonder? i’m excited to hit up all of my favorite coffee shops, and to go on easy walks downtown with the kids. and to see our house! i haven’t talked much about what’s been going on with our house, but if all goes according to plan, it’s gonna be good. and the reveal will be coming soon!

wearing:
delia jumpsuit in midnight denim courtesy of jean franklin
vintage blouse
clare v. pot de miel
veggies are friends cotton/silk bandana courtesy of centinelle
maryam nassir zadeh sophie sandals

 



outfit: heat wave

it’s that time of year. when the entire fashion world is collectively gearing-up for fall and promoting sweaters, while i’m sweating it out in 100+ degree weather. the high today is literally 107 degrees. so i’m really just hitting peak summer wardrobe. in fact, it’s almost like a different season. there’s regular summer and then there’s hell-on-earth summer. and the heat keeps on going well into october where i live, so there’s really no end in sight.

fortunately for me, i recently got my perfect pair of dream shorts from san francisco-based muumuu. i came across her feed on instagram and there they were in all of their high-rise, pleated glory. it was a match made in heaven, even if the weather does indeed feel like hell. and they’re definitely going to be in heavy rotation for the next couple of months.

wearing:
ilana kohn roxey tank in denim 
muumuu pleated paper-bag shorts
maryam nassir zadeh mules
bamboo clutch courtesy of moorea seal



 

outfit: win $150 to lindsay robinson!

calivintage + lindsay robinson

hope you guys are in the mood for a giveaway! this time, i’ve partnered with my friend lindsay robinson to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a $150 shop credit! i’ve been a fan of this san francisco-based brand for a few years now and i just love the new collection she’s released this summer, including the field blouse i’m wearing now (and a dress version that i want, too)! in addition to these gauzy pieces, she has a great selection of jumpsuits in beautiful colors. hard to resist getting one of each!

enter to win $150 to linsday robinson by visiting this post on instagram!

wearing:
field blouse courtesy of lindsay robinson
ilana kohn boyd pants in denim
loq ara sandals
clare v. petit alistair

calivintage + lindsay robinson
calivintage + lindsay robinson
calivintage + lindsay robinson
calivintage + lindsay robinson

outfit: romantic

something about this old railway station is just so romantic. i often try to imagine what it was like when it was built in 1910. who were the passengers, where did they come from, where were they headed, what did their clothes look like? even though it’s been closed since the 1970s, the whole place has such a cinematic feeling to it. and i was certainly going for the drama with this outfit. i’ve been pushing the boundaries of what i normally wear, leaning into some of the details that i really like, and experimenting with my style a bit.

there’s definitely a lot going on with this look. but sometimes it’s fun to go a little over the top. it keeps things interesting, and that’s just what i need right now.

wearing:
vintage blouse courtesy of rawson
mara pant in olive denim courtesy of reifhaus
woven tote bag courtesy of moorea seal
women’s isla slide sandal in black courtesy of nisolo
espanola hat from avenue boutique





outfit: picnic plaid

what i wore for a little date night with brendan. since we’re much further from civilization for the summer, we have fewer options for going out, but it’s still fun to steal away for a little bit, even if it’s just for margaritas at a local dive. in fact, all the better!

in terms of my sartorial choices, i’m sure you may have noticed that i’ve decided to wear all of the colors this summer. and i’m wearing dresses again, too. so what better than a bright pink plaid with fluttery sleeves? i mean, really, who needs a picnic when you’re already dressed like one? just toss some cheese and crackers in my bag and i’m good to go haha!

get $44 off the family affairs paris madras dress with code FILMNOIR

wearing:
paris madras dress courtesy of family affairs
maryam nassir zadeh sophie mules
bamboo clutch courtesy of moorea seal





outfit: swim wear

calivintage + deta swimwear

i can’t remember the last time i loved a swimsuit quite as much as this beautiful mustard one piece from deta knits. for starters, it doubles as day wear. and in my case, lounge wear as well. yes, i’ve literally just pulled it on to wear in bed while reading a book or lounging on the sofa when no one is around. it’s made of a fine knit so it’s a perfect cross between a bodysuit and a more traditional swimsuit. and you can’t go wrong with the color! i’m also particularly fussy about the way swimsuits can kinda cut into your skin, but because it’s a knit, you don’t get any of that! so you’ll be hearing me sing praises about this for the rest of the season, for sure.

oh, and it’s ethically produced in new york city by anna berger, a communication designer who recently moved from berlin to nyc. what’s even more interesting is that her line is not just experimenting with knitwear design, but also co-developing and producing designs with local seniors. of the work, berger says:

We’ve heard from a lot of our senior collaborators that it’s been a good use of their time as well as an outlet for their passion for handcraft. It’s proven to be a mutually beneficial relationship: the seniors help the label with their skills, and the label provides them with additional income. It’s been rewarding working together with a cross-generational team on a product that normally would not be expected to unite different age groups.

so wonderful! i really love the way she’s thinking outside of box and i’m so excited to see what else she comes up with! not only that, but today we have a deal for you:

use code “calivintage” for 20% of deta knits through july 25!

wearing:
one piece mustard swimsuit courtesy of deta
ilana kohn cielo skirt courtesy of mada
maryam nassir zadeh mules
thrifted vintage belt

calivintage + deta swimwear
calivintage + deta swimwear
calivintage + deta swimwear
calivintage + deta swimwear
calivintage + deta swimwear

outfit: the mada summer sale (and a $100 giveaway!)

i can’t believe how long it’s been since i’ve hosted a giveaway! they’re one of my favorite things to do, so today is a very sweet welcome back. i’ve partnered with seattle-based mada boutique to celebrate the launch of her mega summer sale, and we’re kicking things off by offering one lucky reader the chance to win a $100 gift code to shop.

and get 20% off at mada (including sale items) using code “madavip” through july 27!

now onto these photos! i had so much fun shooting this mini lookbook for the shop. this desert backdrop is literally our back yard while we’re staying at my mom’s house for the summer, and it was the perfect place to showplace these fun summer looks that i’ve been wearing nonstop. all available at mada right now. so don’t forget to enter the giveaway!!

visit this post on instagram and enter for a chance to win $100 to mada!


above:
espanola hat from avenue boutique
first right tank top
ilana kohn cielo skirt courtesy of mada
maryam nassir zadeh sandals



above:
whit esme dress courtesy of mada
loq sandals



above:
espanola hat from avenue boutique
ace & jig heights jumper in nymph courtesy of mada
maryam nassir zadeh sandals



above:
custom t-shirt courtesy of silvae
re-done ultra high rise jeans
maryam nassir zadeh pumps

 

outfit: suburban summer

i may have forgotten to mention this… but a couple of weeks ago, we quietly packed up all of our belongings and temporarily moved out of our house for the summer. we’re in the middle of a big house project that has forced us to leave while work is being done, so we’re staying with my mom out in the desert for the next several weeks. it’s a pretty big change for all of us, and it’s definitely taken some adjustment. but it actually turns out to be kinda like a mini vacation. if for nothing more than just the change of scenery. that and the fact that my mom is around, spoiling us with home cooked meals, and even letting me sneak in some much needed naps.

she lives on a nice big property with a vegetable garden and a swimming pool! so we’ve been enjoying that quiet, suburban life. and wouldn’t you know? it seems to be affecting my style, too. someone mentioned that this outfit was a bit of a “calivintage throwback,” and i have to agree. it definitely feels like i’m stepping into a new chapter in life these days, too. my kids are kids now! the baby phase is over, we’re all getting more sleep, and dresses don’t seem quite as ridiculously impractical anymore!

wearing:
vintage crop top courtesy of rawson
rachel antonoff barbie dress (i got mine from myrtleit’s currently sold out, but you can pre-order it in ivory denim!)
everlane modern buckle sandals in dark green suede
clare v. petit alistair in veg tan