paris

 She knew a part of her was afraid. Under the heroine black eyes and layers of leather and lace, she was really altogether delicate. Sometimes she put on her heavy-eye makeup and lace sets, and pictured where she would settle next.

A long flight from New York to Paris, and a new adventure on her hands. She'd rent a baby blue apartment on the West End, and read Hemingway over morning espresso on her balcony. She'd meet new friends, new artists and lovers. She'd wander the Champs-Elysees in her rose-colored dress and play with the silver necklaces hanging as she pondered concepts proposed by Vladimir Nabokov.

It was almost as if she could taste this daydream as she sunk back into her Brooklyn studio. "It was too good here," she thought. Too filled with colors, and sounds, and inspiration and love. New York was too good to leave, even for Paris.

Sangria Dress by For Love & Lemons

Bat Your Lashes Underwear by For Love & Lemons

X Revolve Little Kitten Slip Skirt by For Love & Lemons

Infamous Bra by For Love & Lemons

photos by Roon

ghd straightener product review

I Hate Blonde

I Hate Blonde

I Hate Blonde

I Hate Blonde

I Hate Blonde

I Hate Blonde

 The holidays are coming up, and that means gift time! I always think the perfect gift for someone is something they wouldn't usually buy for themselves. It's fun to treat friends and family to novelty items like a really nice yoga mat, a jacket from a designer they wouldn't usually shop, or beauty products.

I'm always super stoked when my Mom treats me to a new curling wand or hair straightener! I usually never upgrade for myself, so it's nice when she knows I'm in need. I find this hair straightener from ghd to be a really good gift buy. It's amazing quality for the price, and the color is so awesome! I think the color is the most fun when it comes to hair beauty products, I feel like you're more apt to use something if it's pretty (and colorful!)

But what are you guys shopping for this holiday season? What other kinds of gift ideas would you like to see on my blog?

much love

x x

lavender hair straightener by ghd

photos by Brittanny Taylor

canopy

The leaves fall, watery eyes. You gave up something and got something else. You paid in some way for everything that was good in your life. Like the beautiful leaves that fall to the floor, we have to endure the months of cold darkness for a passing season of lush beauty. But the highs are so high, you welcome the lows.

Somewhere deep inside the depths of our unconscious, we are inherently connected to the seasons. We feel what they feel, we fall when they fall. They affect us much more than our modern world will ever let on. Instead of letting the winter hinder you, keep you inside, or make you anxious, I pray you see the seasons for what they are - something that is so intrinsically a part of us, as we are of it, we are all one.

x x

sweater dress by Mor Dotter

clutch bag by Brahmin

photos by Phillip Van Nosstrand

FYM

Cop that FYM. Same hoes said I couldn't get it tryna kick it. Balmain dinner spent a thousand on a ticket. Roll the partition up.

gucci mane sweatshirt by Shelfies

kicks by YRU

photos by Brittanny Taylor

Magic in Jac Vanek

Here's three awesome pieces that my girl Jac Vanek sent me! She's one of my favorite people to promote on my blog. Not only do I love her funny and ironic clothing, but I actually adore everything she stands for. Her motto is, "Be brave, be kind" which speaks to unwavering balance. Her teeshirts and jackets are some of my favorite that I've worn on my blog, you guys usually flip for her pizza tees and "leave me alone" jackets!

This bed sweatshirt, purple leopard kimono and leopard dress are some of my favorite from her fall collection. The bed sweatshirt is literally so soft and cuddly on the inside! I love the leopard kimono for wearing around the house, while I sip kombucha at my desk in a leotard and listen to vegan gurus on youtube. But what I've probably worn the most is this leopard dress, it reminds me of Edie Sedgwick/the Factory. It has this 60s cut and flair to it. I've wore it to a few holiday events in the city last week.

I hope you guys have a killer Friday, much love!

x x

I <3 Bed Sweatshirt

Purple Leopard Kimono

Leopard Print Factory Girl Dress

photos by Brittanny Taylor

Motel Rocks Takes Chicago: Part 3

Here's the last of our three outfit series for Motel Rocks. This last one we shot on the rooftop lounge of the Dana Hotel and Spa. We had a complimentary cocktail and watched the sun set on the beautiful city of Chicago.

I think as we were shooting that last photos with our glasses cheering, I was complaining about my legs being cold. Shooka was like, "really?" "really? Look where we are!" And she was right, I wasn't focused in that moment, on how wonderful and beautiful everything truly was, and what an amazing day we had being creative for Motel.

Through everything, it is so truly important to be grateful. Even on our off days. I feel like that's the key, if you can maintain a heart of gratitude even on days that aren't going so well, you're gold. You must be the one that creates conditions that allow you to thrive. And you have to be able to love yourself enough to all yourself to do that.

I try to help the people around me grow creatively as much as possible, because they do that for me tenfold.

x x

grey + white fur jacket by Motel Rocks

hair + makeup by Katy Ramirez

photos by Kohl Murdock

special thank you to Dana Hotel + Spa

Obstacle 1

"I wish I could eat the salt off of your last faded lips. We can cap the old times, make playing only logical harm. We can top the old lines, clay-making that nothing else will change. And I'll never see this face again. And you go stabbing yourself in the neck.

But she can read, she's bad. It's in the way that she poses, it's in the things that she puts in my head. Her stories are boring and stuff. She's always calling my bluff. She puts the weights into my little heart, and she gets in my room and she takes it apart."

I don't know about you guys, but I grew up listening to Interpol. (You can even see some of their influence in my earliest blog posts.) They have hands down been my favorite band since I was fifteen. When I shot these photos for Foxiedox with my boyfriend, I immediately thought of the girl in the hallway in the Obstacle 1 music video. The way she just shakes it like a mental case in that big furry sweater against the wall, such inspiration!

But let's talk fashion! I am seriously in love with this black fur vest. I've been wearing it as a layering piece ever since the temperature started dropping here in New York. I wear it to yoga with my leggings and tee under my black leather jacket. Even if you're in LA, you can totally use this as a cool fur pop layer under any jacket.

And okay some of you may hate me for this, but I've also been using it under my other faux fur jackets.. yes... a double fur! Some people make fun of me for it, but I also get a ton of compliments like, "where did you get that two-toned fur jacket?" Little do they know it's a fur vest + a fur on top of it. It's one of my favorite stay chic, but stay warm tricks!

Also you all know I've been a vegan for 5 years so the fact that this brand is 100% faux + animal friendly just makes my heart sing!! There is no need to use animals in our clothing, and I'm glad this brand is representing that standard.

x x

black faux fur vest by Foxiedox

bodysuit by For Love + Lemons

thigh-high boots by Jeffrey Campbell

photos by David Aronson

Motel Rocks Takes Chicago: Part Two

Here's the second look from the Motel Rocks takeover Shooka and I shot in Chicago. I'm wearing a super fun playsuit from Motel which I think is perfect for the holiday season. I'm already planning on packing this one with me for holiday parties in December. Shooka is wearing an awesome oversized tee-dress. I love the pattern and material.

These photos were shot in a famous chocolate shop in Chicago called Leonidas. The hot coco and macrons were so fancy, I love the way they bring your entire order out on one tray with sprinkled chocolate.

Then we headed back to the Dana Hotel to shoot a little more in the lobby. I love everything about the Dana. If you have been following my blog for a long time, you'd recognize the decor. I threw my 21st birthday here, as well as a handful of other parties and photoshoots. It's really cool that now, I'm at the point in my career where they're sponsoring my stay. It speaks a lot to how far I feel like I've come in two short years.

I am enterally thankful to everyone that made this awesome week of shooting and blogging possible! Stay tuned for Motel Rocks Takes Chicago part three tomorrow!!

x x

clothing by Motel Rocks

photos by Kohl Murdock

makeup + hair by Katy Ramirez

Coco

I'm in love with the coco, and this new two-piece set by Minty Jungle.

that white

x x

photos by Brittanny Taylor

The Ace Hotel

During fashion week, Shooka and I stoped by the Ace Hotel to visit our friend Justin. He and I both moved out of Chicago around the same time. In Chicago, Justin owned the most amazing gallery in Wicker Park. He held gallery openings and shows that really gave the most relevant artists in Chicago a voice and a place to display their work. Since then, he's moved to Los Angeles and started collecting vintage clothing. He's always had the eye for eccentric and amazing pieces. The first time we ever shot (back in 2010 maybe?) he dressed me up in some awesome threads!

He's going to be traveling a lot more now between NY/LA and hopefully will start selling his clothes at the Williamsburg flea or opening a store of the like.

It's amazing to grow up with artists around you and watch them develop and change as well. I hope you guys enjoy these few film photos of me and my #1 girl dressed by the lovely, Justin Markin.

xx