calivintage – Page 63 – mom jeans + puff sleeves

fashion, collections, fall 2013

winter wonderland by the whitepepper

December 3, 2013 3 Comments

it may not exactly be a winter wonderland in southern california, but i’m still taking tips from the whitepepper’s latest editorial. i ordered the velvet spangle collar dress (above) the moment i saw it with plans to wear it to a holiday gathering while i throw back a few glasses of sparkling cider, haha. it’s such a fun and easy dress with just the right amount of sparkle.

they’re also currently offering free worldwide shipping (lucky for us in the states!) for the next three weeks, which is enough of an incentive for me to go back and pick out a couple more items before the season is over!

photos courtesy of the whitepepper.

my style

maternity style: baby blues

December 2, 2013 10 Comments

…of the sartorial variety, of course! had fun in a pretty simple and casual look this weekend for a little bit of window shopping and a whole lot of relaxing. i picked up this skirt and a few others like it on my trip to st. louis with a $25 gift card from savers since i figured it would come in handy when most of my other clothes no longer fit. it’s got a nice comfy elastic waist band with pleats so it expands to fit my enormous bump, and while normal tops no longer cut it, this little cropped number is still working quite well with all of my high rise skirts. it’s a nice combination for these last weeks and will also come in handy once this baby finally gets here!!!

i also finally trimmed my hair up. it had been so long that the ends were getting pretty damaged and i kept getting ratty tangles at the nape of my neck. and since i figured it might be a long while before i make it back to the salon, i decided i might as well cut my bangs short, resulting in some pretty saccharine doll hairs. which i kind of love.

wearing: whit top, vintage skirt and vintage woven leather flats courtesy of savers thrift stores, vintage coach bucket bag

i look relatively normal until i turn to the side. but this boy is getting big! over 35 weeks along now and kinda praying he opts for an early arrival because this is getting tough! for all of you mothers, how did you make it those last few weeks?!

fashion, maternity, shopping

gifts for the mama-to-be

November 26, 2013 5 Comments

today i got a request for a few gift ideas for the expectant mother. since i’m sitting here trying to patiently wait for the baby to come in the middle of the holiday season, i may have spent my fair share of time laying on the couch thinking about what kinds of little luxuries would help me get through to the end. so since you’ve asked, here are some suggestions off my very own little wish list. it’s by no means comprehensive, but at this stage in my pregnancy, i can tell you that these types of gifts are pretty much the only thing on my mind.

1. hatch-to-hospital box: i’ve had my eye on this gift box for my entire pregnancy. honestly, it’s the type of gift that would make anyone happy whether pregnant or not. a super soft and stretchy jersey nightgown and robe, cashmere socks, and comfy undies? i want to live in this set and i know it will come in super handy on the big day. trust me when i say that comfort is key. the woes of pregnancy are many, so simple things like this make a world of difference.

2. herbivore botanicals makes some pretty lovely products like this complete spa gift set. the calm sea salts are made with dead sea and himalayan pink salt, scented with ylang ylang and vanilla. and the rose lip balm sounds divine. it’s one of those perfectly superfluous luxuries that makes anyone feel pampered. and it’s easy to forget to pamper yourself when you’re busy nesting and trying to wrap things up at work before going on maternity leave. i’m telling you, it’s the little things!

3. in the same vein, i’m kind of obsessed with the idea of getting myself a luxurious little travel set for the hospital like this aesop jet set kit. no, i am not about to jet off to some glamorous locale, but i wouldn’t mind feeling pampered at the hospital. and i’ve been told that the first bath or shower after giving birth is one of the best experiences ever. might as well make it count!

4. fog linen work slippers. yes, this list is all about maxin’ and relaxin’. i’m gonna need a nice pair of slippers to shuffle around in pre- and post-baby. in fact, who doesn’t like a good pair of house slippers? i’m particularly picky about such things and just can’t see myself in big fuzzy mocs, so this minimalist pair in linen is right up my alley.

5. dyptique candles. ok, they don’t have to be by dyptique, but i am personally infatuated with the crisp, clean scent of these candles, and it has become a daily routine for me to light different scents in different rooms to change the mood around the house and get relaxed. before my pregnancy, i never thought so much about pleasant smells before, but now i am almost obsessed. i know this isn’t the case for everyone: i for one, couldn’t stand most smells for the first four months. but nowadays, i can’t get enough of these!

6. massage and body work. when i discovered my prenatal chiropractor, it changed my world. i go to a place where they specialize in mothers-to-be, and a chiropractic session starts with a massage and ends with an alignment. they are also able to apply the webster technique to move the baby within the womb so that he or she is in optimal birthing position. for me, it has been a godsend because this little dude likes to cram his entire butt underneath my rib cage causing me almost constant discomfort and pain. now my only regret is that i hadn’t been seeing someone sooner. while these services are often covered at least in part by insurance companies, not everyone is so lucky. a gift card to a good spot would certainly mean a lot to a very uncomfortable mama.

7. spa day. another fun option is to invite your bestie on a spa day at a place that is able to accommodate pregnant women. i for one, can’t even reach my feet anymore without a struggle, so having someone massage and pedicure my toes is pretty special. and again, any opportunity to try and relax is not only good for an expectant mom, but also for baby.

my style

maternity style: sunny side up

November 25, 2013 22 Comments

oh man you guys, i officially feel like a big old oompa loompa. the doctor pushed my due date up to january 2, which means i’m now over 34 weeks along now! and boy am i feeling it. i have slowed down considerably, and doing normal everyday activities is becoming a thing of the past. thankfully the little guy could be here as soon as christmas (fingers crossed!) and since we’re heading into the holidays, i will finally get some precious time off from work before i officially go on maternity leave. it’s going to be nice to visit with family this week and basically just lay on the couch in sweatpants. but i’m still making an effort to get dressed most days, and this is one of my outfits as of late. separates are starting to take over and comfort is ruling my life more than ever. i am really beginning to see how motherhood has the potential to dramatically change my style.

in other news, i am unintentionally growing out my bangs because i’ve been too lazy to go get a haircut. my friend shannon dean (who has been cutting my hair for the past four years), is now living and working here in los angeles at refuge salon in echo park. he’s trimmed my bangs a few times since i got here, but now i’m just letting it grow wild and free. i’m sure i’ll get myself motivated to go back in pretty soon. the only question is, what do i want to do with it next…

wearing: yoko dress courtesy of family affairs, h&m cropped top, target maternity jeans, vintage coach bucket bag, ban.do bobby pin, woven leather flats courtesy of savers thrift stores

my style, press

maternity style: weekend wear

November 22, 2013 16 Comments

it’s been a little while since i’ve shared an outfit post, so today i thought i’d share a simple weekend outfit i put together for my latest post on refinery29 my stylist. being so far along in my pregnancy means that things have taken a pretty casual turn around here. last weekend, i went out and got a bunch of really comfy basics like sweater dresses and knit skirts in hopes that they’ll hold me over these last few weeks. up until this point, i haven’t had much need for a sweater or a coat in los angeles, but we’re finally getting cool enough temperatures to add just a few layers to our outfits, so i took the opportunity to finally wear this sf-made coat by poppy von frolich. it was handmade in san francisco using sturdy carhart cotton and it is now one of my prized possessions.

wearing: madewell dress, socks courtesy of hansel from basel, lumber jane coat courtesy of poppy von frolich, rachel comey mars boots, tote courtesy of lawrence.

giveaways

ENDED enter to win $150 to erica weiner jewelry!

November 19, 2013 228 Comments

for whatever reason, i’ve been obsessed with jewelry lately (i even have a pinboard dedicated to all things shiny). so when erica weiner contacted me about teaming up for the holidays, i was over the moon! erica got her start studying art history at vassar college, then headed out into the world as a costumer for broadway shows before she settled back into nyc and began her career as a jewelry designer. she began first making jewels in her brooklyn home, but quickly gained a following that allowed her to expand into the business she has today. most of the chains, charms, and findings in her pieces are reconstructed vintage finds. or else they cast jewels using found objects, making the entire operation eco-friendly and unique. what i like best is that the erica weiner collection is filled with fun, quirky jewels all priced below $200 making them great, affordable holiday gifts. and today we’d like to offer you the opportunity to win $150 towards any in-stock items in the erica weiner collection!

to enter: simply visit erica weiner and tell us which item (or items) are your favorite!

the fine print: this giveaway is open to international readers, so anyone can enter. only one entry per person. winner will be randomly selected and contacted via email after tuesday, november 26. winner will receive a $150 gift code good towards any in-stock items from the erica weiner collection.

don’t wanna wait? get 15% off your purchases at erica weiner with code “5OCAL1” now through december 1!

kids

ooh baby baby

November 18, 2013 13 Comments

ok you guys, consider this my first baby post. i’ve been pretty hesitant to share too much in the way of baby stuff just because this space has always been strictly about fashion and personal style. but i also have to admit that my life is changing pretty dramatically these days. we’ve been working on our apartment, trying to make it nice and proper for baby and family. and we’re even beginning to hunt for a proper house to buy, which is such a huge step for us beyond having the baby. so with a bit of encouragement from you guys (after asking the question on facebook), i’ll be throwing a few baby-centric posts into the mix so you’ll have a better idea of what’s going on in my world. i don’t have plans to become a mommy blogger, but even me, with my cold, cold heart can’t resist tiny things made for teeny tiny people!

enter misha and puff. i’d actually seen a few pieces floating around pinterest back when this baby was but a twinkle in my eye. looking through their fall selection seriously makes me wish i could knit anything other than a scarf. i can only imagine that our grandmothers spent many an hour knitting together little clothes just like this! i may or may not attempt to make one of those little pointed bonnets. or else i’ll just cave and buy it.

and in other news, i finally decided to make my baby pinterest board public so you can follow along if you’re looking for inspiration, or just want to squeal at all the cute baby stuff. i started the board back when i found out i was pregnant, but i didn’t want people getting any ideas before i was ready to make the announcement. then i worried that i would be spamming my followers with baby stuff. then i realized i was just over-thinking it. i mean seriously, how can you resist this much cute?

fashion

nico and… magazine

November 15, 2013 12 Comments

after sharing a few maternity looks from hatch collection fall 2013, bianca left a comment mentioning that it was very “japanese street style” and that she would totally wear all of the clothes. i didn’t recognize it at first, but now that i see it, i’ve been pulling up all of my old japanese style inspiration for a little direction. one of the the things i love about japanese style is that it can be so different from what most americans wear. bear with me because i know there are tons of different styles in japan, and you can’t narrow it down to just one look. but at least in america, it seems most women are really set on body-con clothing, or at least emphasizing the waist. i don’t know how many style advice columns i’ve read where the main tip is to “put a belt on it.” even when i go shopping and try on a simple shift dress, the shop girls always come along with a skinny belt as the perfect accessory, haha. i always kindly decline, but it does seem that there is a huge obsession with the hourglass shape. i mean, don’t get me wrong, the hourglass is pretty awesome. and sure, this isn’t even an america vs. japan style thing. it’s just a reminder to myself that there are so many options out there and it can be really fun to experiment with different silhouettes, even those that may not be culturally “flattering” or fit into the feminine ideal.

i was almost immediately reminded of these images from nico and… magazine that i’d been hoarding in an inspiration folder on my desktop since earlier this year. every month, they have a different stylist share 30 days of outfits and this particular girl really caught my eye. i think it’s because she has the most angelic face and perfect hairs. but her style is also so very cool and japanese and totally something that could be worn by any girl. since i’ll be needing to incorporate lots of loose, comfy separates into my wardrobe for the next year, this inspiration is certainly going to come in handy!

fashion, collections, fall 2013, maternity

hatch collection

November 15, 2013 8 Comments

at 33 weeks along, i have finally come to the realization that not only will i need to give in and buy a few more maternity pieces, but i will also have to dramatically alter my wardrobe once the baby arrives! i’ll probably be breast feeding for at least six months (how long do people breast feed for? i don’t even know yet!). and that means that i will need attire that can either be easily pulled down or easily pulled up. so all of those cute mini dresses with high necklines? yeah, those are going to have to retire to my closet for much longer than i realized. instead, i’m going to have to embrace separates in a way that i never have before, and more than that, i think i might need to accept that many of my tops will need to be either stretchy or low-cut. the horror! but i’m glad that i’m figuring that out sooner rather than later because it gives me time to pick up a few pieces of clothing before the big day.

the problem i have with most maternity clothes that i’ve seen is that they all focus on somehow emphasizing your belly. i can’t tell you how many times i’ve seen the exact same button front tunic with an empire drawstring. i’ve also seen many a side-ruched top and plenty of stretchy jersey dresses with impossibly high empire waistlines. i know it’s probably the most practical thing for many women, but it’s just not something i can ever see myself wearing. in fact, i still plan to continue wearing an array of non-maternity wear that will be most practical: button front blouses and pinafore dresses still have easy access. and i’m sure a plain t-shirt and sweatpants is all you really need when you’re going to be spending the entire day indoors with an infant.

but thankfully there are other options. for my entire pregnancy, hatch collection has been on my radar. i haven’t bought anything yet, but now that i’m realizing my needs a bit more, i’m really starting to appreciate their style. the concept behind the clothes is that they are designed to be worn before, during, and after your pregnancy. it’s much more casual that what i might normally wear, but when you’re carrying around an enormous basket ball-sized belly, you’ll begin to understand why comfort suddenly becomes the most important function of your wardrobe. and hatch collection is all about creating fashion-forward basics, so most of the pieces can easily be translated to just about any style. the prices are not as budget-friendly as some, but as i realize that i’ll probably be wearing a lot of this stuff for a long time to come, i don’t mind investing a bit in my comfort and sanity.

fashion, collections, fall 2013

mod dolly

November 13, 2013 11 Comments

on the hunt for some cute holiday clothes (i’m still refusing to wear most maternity clothes), i stumbled upon mod dolly in the asos marketplace and immediately fell in love. this cute little shop features a handful of simple smock and pinafore dresses that i could basically live in for the rest of the season. the easy shift and tent shapes are good for just about any body shape, and the pinafores are especially great for layering. i’ve already got the tartan babydoll smock dress in my shopping cart, and now i’m just doing my best to resist buying the entire collection!

photos courtesy of mod dolly.