spring

and just like that, it’s spring! so i’m shedding my layers and prancing about in this skin that hasn’t seen the sun in months. it feels good. i’ve been tending to my garden, which is something that my mom always did when i was a kid growing up, but nothing i’ve ever tried on my own. mainly because i’ve never had a yard! but we’ve been living in our house for almost four years now, and between moving-in, having another kid, massive renovations… i hadn’t gotten to that big patch of dirt until now. so perhaps it’s fitting that the first springy look i’m sharing this year has a bit of a utilitarian vibe. the straw hat for sun protection, a fanny pack for easy access. but fashion, so you know, a crop top and a high rise skirt with these mules that i think i’ve pulled out of my closet for the third year in a row?

and this is a pretty solid example of how i’ve been dressing most days lately. easy separates, so that i can swap out whatever bottoms i’m wearing with an old pair of levis so i can head out to take care of my baby plants. but also some really cool brands that are worth sharing. if you follow my blog, then you probably already know about elizabeth suzann, they have a pretty solid reputation for their approach towards garments, from their design to their made-to-order production in their nashville studio. this simple linen tank top is something that i wear year-round as a base layer in the cooler months beneath wool sweaters, or on it’s own when the weather is pleasant. this straw hat was created by my friends at fauxgerty, a st.louis-based brand dedicated to sustainability and the environment. i’ve been working with them on an ongoing bases and will be sharing some new designs very soon!

but one brand that you may not have heard of is label by three. though their selection is small, this arizona-based brand caught my eye with their beautiful product photography featuring a variety of models, so you can really get an idea of both their design philosophy and commitment to creating clothing for all sizes and all people. not only that, but as a mexican woman myself, it’s also incredibly inspiring and uplifting to see a fashion business run by women of color, dedicated to sustainability and versatility. this skirt and everything in their current collection is on sale to make way for new stock, so if you were on the fence, now is the time to snag something!


wearing:
fauxgerty woven straw hat
elizabeth suzann petra crop
label by three vela skirt in black
vintage leather fanny pack
maryam nassir zadeh mules



super awesome springtime giveaway!

hello, hello! springtime is here, we’re all lifting ourselves out of the winter funk, and i’m back with a fresh giveaway in partnership with my pals at reifhaus. we’ve teamed up with an incredible group of talented designers to offer you the opportunity to win this super mega awesome springtime gift! what’s up for grabs? everything you see in the squares above:

luz ortiz daily hoops
seaworthy arium ring
vincetta studio silk cocoon caftan
rosebud cbd bath set
botanica workshop organic cotton undie set
megan huntz fine arts sweatshirt
reifhaus lani wrap pants


to enter, simply click here and fill out your name and email!

and follow all of the brands in this instagram post for additional entries!


public goods launches food!

you’ve already heard me sing praises about public goods. so you won’t be surprised that i’m back today because i’m super excited about their latest foray into (drum roll, please…) FOOD! so far, 2019 is definitely the year of the house for me, which has been especially challenging thus far because i still can’t share the results of our big renovation project! but i can show some of what’s been cooking… literally, in the kitchen. we got our first sampling of some of the new public goods food offerings just in time for the rainiest of weekends. rather than run out to the store, i reached into the cabinets for the basics: a crusty loaf of bread dipped in organic olive oil and vinegar, a flavorful tortellini soup made with chunks of italian sausage topped with hot sauce and a side of organic crackers, and a piping cup of organic coffee to top things off. just the types of items you keep in the pantry for a rainy day.

i’ve already talked a little bit about how it works, but the easiest comparison is that it’s basically like costco. you pay an annual membership fee of $59/year (starting with a 30-day free trial so you can decide whether or not you like it), and have access to the all of the goods at direct-to-consumer prices. i was skeptical at first because i’m always skeptical of anything that requires a membership, but what really sold me was their home goods like reusable cotton mesh produce bags, eco-friendly detergents and cleaners, wool dryer balls, etc. but their latest addition of (mostly) organic foods is just as exciting! it’s so expensive to nab these types of pantry items, so i’m always interested in where i can catch a deal.


use code CALIVINTAGE for a free tote bag with your public goods order!

or use this link to sign up and get $20 off your first order!


garlic habanero hot sauce

tortellini dried soup mix

balsamic vinegar

extra virgin olive oil

thin wheat crackers

organic ground coffee

enter to win $250 to rachael harrah!

back to the blog after a lot of time off, and i’m so excited to be announcing my latest giveaway with rachael harrah! she designs the dreamiest linen garments, sewn right in los angeles, and her latest launch is this fun pair of overalls! i love the way she styled them with a chambray blouse so much, that i did the exact same thing for my own shoot. what i love about garment like these is that they really are all-season. the weather is still a little chilly most days, so i’ve been pairing them with my trusty babaa cardigans to keep warm. and of course, these will be awesome worn simply over a t-shirt with a pair of sandals when the weather heats up!


to enter to win $250 to rachael harrah, simply visit this post on my instagram and follow the directions to enter!


a new year’s refresh with public goods (and a discount!)

it’s january, everyone is watching tidying up with marie kondo on netflix, and i’ve made one too many jokes about konmari-ing myself within one inch of existence over here. but seriously, the abundance of stuff that comes into our house during the holiday season is enough to make my head spin. i’ve been sorting and organizing and donating as much as i can, just trying to get things to a simpler place so that we’re not all swimming in a sea of junk.

and you wanna know something that always sparks joy for me? pretty packaging. there, i said it haha. but it’s not just about pretty packaging! i really am into substance, and i want both in equal measure. i was introduced to public goods a few months ago, and am head-over-heels for not only the simple design, but their eco-conscious, budget-friendly selection.

they sent me this beautiful sampler of body and skincare products including the cutest refillable glass dental floss dispenser, a classic wood-handled razor, and a little tin of mints for my handbag. these drew me in, but what really kept me was their selection of things like reusable produce bags, eco-friendly cleaners, biodegradable trash bags… they even have hand and bath towels!

the way it works is that it’s a direct-to-consumer subscription service, so with an annual membership (think: costco) you’re able to shop for whatever you need in both personal and home goods without any of the usual retail markups. the products have safe ingredients and clean packaging, perfect for your minimalist home goals in 2019.


use this link to get $20 off your first purchase from public goods, or use code CALIVINTAGE for a free tote bag with your first purchase!


reusable cotton mesh produce bag

organic cotton kitchen towel

castile soap

walnut scrubber sponge

hand soap refill

wool dryer balls

liquid dish soap

dental floss

ayate washcloth


new year’s eve entertaining (with bed, bath, and beyond)!

i know that new year’s eve is often celebrated with over-the-top glitz and glamour– and partying into the wee hours of the morning. but for as long as i can remember, my new year’s eve tradition has been a lot more casual and low key. i mean, i love a good party, but after all of the festivities of the holiday season, i’m usually ready to just relax and unwind with a few close friends and family members. one last warm and cozy gathering before we refresh our palettes and look forward to new beginnings.

and speaking of new beginnings, i don’t know that i’ve mentioned it much, but we just got through a pretty major home renovation a couple of months ago and have yet to show it off! we have some time until the big reveal (more details on that to come), so we’ve been taking it easy and slowly refreshing the decor throughout the house in anticipation of the big day. one of our main goals in renovating the house was to be able to do more entertaining. a lot of my family lives here in town, and we really like having our doors open for family dinners, play dates, impromptu bbqs. so when bed bath & beyond asked me to share some of my tips for new year’s eve entertaining, i was all over it. i’ve basically spent the past 3 years in our house just planning out how to use this space once we were able to invite guests over, even if it is just a casual affair!


my bed bath & beyond NYE checklist:

nambe grove candlesticks (set of 3)

dailyware stempless champagne flutes (set of 4)

libbey glass signature kentfield champagne flutes (set of 4)

godinger hammered stainless steel bar set

artisanal kitchen supply cheese knife set

j.k. adams co. 3-piece appetizer tray set

artisanal kitchen supply acacia footed paddle board

dansk matera napkin in bark

relaxed cotton tablecloth

artisanal kitchen supply edge 20-piece flatware place setting in satin

artisanal kitchen supply edge bowls in linen (set of 3)

artisanal kitchen supply edge dinnerware collection in linen


like i said, i’ve been scheming all of the things i need for entertaining for quite a while, so i felt like a kid in a candy store shopping around at bed bath & beyond. for our new year’s eve gathering, i knew i wanted something that was totally decadent, yet still comfortable and casual. it took a lot of restraint on my part, but i opted to go super neutral with the table settings because i knew that i wanted to add lots of color with bright red peppers, deeply hued pomegranates, glossy black olives, rich cheeses, and fatty meats. i even added vodka and cranberry to the champagne! so for the tableware itself, i decided to stick with neutral colors and luxurious textures: perfectly rumpled napkins and a tablecloth fashioned into a runner, matte dinnerware and bowls, natural wood-grain peeking through the serving boards and trays. and i added a spray of foraged dry florals over the table to add a breath of fresh air to remind us of the coming new year, even when it’s gloomy and cold outside.

as i was shopping for all the perfect pieces, one theme that started to emerge as i started to put my list together? i really love their in-house brand, artisanal kitchen supply. it was a great starting point for me because they have a lot of very on-trend options like marble, wood, and cast iron in really beautiful complimentary color schemes. i decided to go for the linen colorway on the dinnerware and expanded from there. a quick search for cotton and linen came up with beautifully textured napkins. i went for a mix of both classic and stemless champagne flutes. and since we have a lot of mid century furniture in the house, i was even able to find a set of perfectly retro candlesticks to tie things together. i literally didn’t have to step foot into any other shop (besides the grocery store) and my place is now totally holiday ready. if you need your own starting point, they have tons of holiday shops, which include hanukkah, christmas, even halloween all in one destination so you can sleigh the holidays.








this post was sponsored by bed bath & beyond. all content is by calivintage.

simplify gift giving with the brass clothing kit gift

giving gifts is always very tricky. you have to balance your own taste with that of the receiver. you have to know them well enough in the first place to even know what they might like at all! and even then, there’s still that looming fear that you’ll either miss the mark or you’ll get it so right that they already own the darn thing. i’m already having flashbacks to the last time i had to buy birthday presents for adam’s classmates. i spent over an hour at the local toy store trying to find the most thoughtful and well-curated gift only to throw my hands up and buy gift cards so that those sweet kids can just get what they really want. i mean, what’s better than that?

so when brass reached out and asked if i would be interested in trying out the kit gift, i was there for it. because seriously, who doesn’t love getting to pick out exactly what they want? so of course, i got myself a kit to try out on my own. but you know who else would appreciate the kit gift? my sister. and my sister-in-law! probably my mom. the list goes on! when you place an order, they send you:


the kit gift from brass

the closet kit gift card: a gift card that allows them to create a closet kit of their choice: 3 foundation pieces plus the clean out bag – a pre-paid mailer that sends old clothes directly to a recycling facility. ($310+ value)
the black everyday sweater: the brass clothing best-selling sweater that they’re guaranteed to love. ($98 value)
a facetime appointment: 1-on-1 time with an expert stylist to talk about upgrading their wardrobe and how to style their new clothing. ($50 value)
free shipping: a code to use through february to get anything else they might want! ($20 value)
(total value: $478)
YOUR PRICE: $348



and i can now tell you why the everyday sweater is their top-seller. it’s a dream! super soft and comfy, i’d be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t like it. it’s a great introduction to the brand and a perfect starting point for building a more thoughtful closet. from there, you can schedule your face-time appointment with a stylist who can help recommend what to get with your gift card. a quick browse through the site pulls up a selection of really great basics to add to your wardrobe, so you really can’t go wrong for even the pickiest gift recipient– myself included haha.


get free shipping on all of your orders at brass with code CALIXBRASS now through the end of the year!


 

outfit: festive season

it’s official. the festive season is here and i’ve got mariah carey christmas songs playing in my head on repeat. i don’t really go over-the-top for the holidays, but i do enjoy a lot of the traditions. we went out and got a christmas tree the weekend after thanksgiving, we strung christmas lights on the house the other day, and i even made some wooden ornaments after i saw a diy whole scrolling through pinterest haha. and today, i pulled out this perfect kimono jumpsuit from milk & thistle that i’ve sort of been saving for this time of year. i love it because it’s so comfortable and easy to wear, yet it really has a high impact with that beautiful paprika color. the type of thing that you can wear on christmas day and then turn around and pack for a vacation the day later– which is exactly what i’ll be doing this year. we’re heading to hawaii for our first family vacation in quite some time. i think the last time we packed up the whole family and went somewhere on a plane was when edie was only a few month old! so this year, i guess you could say we’re going a little bit christmas, a little bit resort. not sure exactly how it will all pan out, but at least i’ve got the right jumpsuit for it!


wearing:
milk & thistle kimono jumpsuit in paprika (also comes in chalk and blush)
clare v. pot de miel
mari giudicelli leblon mules






outfit: coveralls, but make it fashion

now that the holidays are upon us, my solution to “dressing up” has been to add a blouse with big, puffy sleeves. done.

case in point? i could have easily worn these coveralls with a t-shirt and sneakers. and i have done just that. but when times are festive, you gotta turn things up a notch. add heels and lipstick and you’re ready for a proper party. unfortunately for me, most of my parties invites actually require me to be a chaperone for toddlers at venues such as school plays, indoor playgrounds, and chuck e cheese. but that’s where the coveralls come in handy, right?


wearing:
doen o’keeffe blouse (past season)
loup dark indigo rhoda coveralls
clare v. petit alistair in cuoio leather
nisolo ecuador huaraches (this link will take you to a 10% off code)



outfit: ten years

at some point in the year 2008, i started the calivintage blog as you see it today. i don’t remember the exact date i started, because at some point i went back and deleted some of my first posts out of sheer embarrassment. i’m not sure how many of you have been around since i started (or even before i started, when i was on weardrobe and chictopia and lookbook.nu), but if you have been around since the beginning, i started by sharing daily outfits of myself inside my old apartment in oakland. at a certain point, i graduated to the tiny balcony outside our house, and most notably, to the rooftop of our apartment building overlooking the grand lake neighborhood. i remember getting comments from people who were afraid i might fall off, but i promise it was safe!

it was and still is a creative outlet for me. at first, it was because i really didn’t know anyone who had the same interest in fashion as i did. then it actually catapulted me into a legit career in fashion, which was totally unprecedented and such a wild ride. i was going to nyfw every season, meeting with designers whose clothes i only ever dreamed of wearing, partnering with brands and getting paid to basically just wear pretty clothes?! my blog actually got me a job in the fashion industry, and then later became enough to sustain me independently so that i could quit said job to stay at home and raise my two kids who are now nearly 5 and 2.5-years-old. it was and is way beyond anything i ever could have imagined. and i know i’m not in the “big leagues” over here, either! these days, my “fashion blog” isn’t a whole lot like it was in the beginning, but then again, neither is anything! it’s been 10 whole years!

but here i am. still in this space, still doing this blog thing. still learning, experimenting, stumbling, and getting back up again.

i actually snapped these photos this morning without any intention of even sharing them. it’s a format that i never use for my “outfit posts” and the look isn’t anything i would normally share, i don’t even know why. but this is me. on a wednesday morning without my hair and makeup done. finishing my cup of coffee and getting ready to style a shoot in this exact room for a client that i’m really excited about. i don’t really know what the next 10 years will look like, but i can only hope it will be as amazing and challenging and rewarding and complicated as the last 10. and i hope you’ll stick around for the ride with me!


wearing:
babaa knitwear sweater
elizabeth suzann petra crop in ivory
jesse kamm sailor pants
mari giudicelli leblon mules