Face to Face

I love this face top from SheIn so much that I just had to wear it next to a wall with "love" written all over it! Plus, at a price point that's under $15, what's not to love? I received so many compliments regarding this top the day I wore it and it's easy to see why: the face detailing makes it so unique and I just love the red lips! (Of course my lips had to match!) The other detail that makes this top phenomenal, especially give the price point, is the fun ruffle sleeves! You definitely can't go wrong with something that's essentially a classic white blouse with just enough colorful and quirky details added for fun.

I shot this outfit at the famous "Love Wall" in Culver City. The last time I went to this wall, it was the weekend before Valentine's Day, which is definitely NOT the time to go there, as there was literally a line of women, children, couples, and dogs, all waiting to take their picture! This time around, however, there was no one but unfortunately the lighting conditions were less than ideal, as you might be able to tell from the pictures. There was also a fair amount of wind, which I could have also done without. Regardless of these drawbacks, I still really do LOVE this wall!

Shirt: c/o Shein here
Jeans: Old Navy "Rockstar" jeans here
Clutch: Milly here
Shoes: J. Crew Factory similar here
Sunglasses: Celine same style here, similar budget version here

Stripes, Dots, and Tassels...Oh My!

Even though I tend to lean a bit more on the dressier side of things, sometimes it's great to just wear jeans and a t-shirt. This is especially true when you're standing in front of a very loud and busy wall, such as this one that was designed by the artist Jason Woodside. This dotted, spotted and striped wall was one that was at the top of my list for cool walls to visit in the Los Angeles area. It just makes me happy to look at! Also, apparently, it made a bunch of other people happy too because a few people stopped just to snap pictures of it when we were there.

Even though jeans and a t-shirt may seem banal, a classic striped tee is never boring. I'll be the first to admit that I have way too many striped t-shirts. I have them in all different color schemes and variations in terms of the width of the stripes, yet somehow I am always willing to buy more. The one that I am wearing from J. Crew was appealing to me because it features my two favorite colors: purple and green. Below are some other great t-shirts that are both classic and, in some cases, also a little quirky at the same time.

This bag that I bought last spring from Rebecca Minkoff is another way that jeans and t-shirt can go from boring to fun. I love the tassels and all of the colors. I'm glad that they decided to continue making the bag in a variety of colors and styles. Below are some of my favorite variations of my bag for spring. The pink one is especially calling my name! I know I don't need another tassel bag, but like stripes, how can you have too many?

Tee: J. Crew here

Jeans: J. Crew similar style here

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff "Sofia" here, here, and here

Shoes: Forever 21 similar here

Sunglasses: Prada similar purple sunglasses here

Linking Up With: Style Sessions, Jersey Girl Texan Heart, Mid Week Inspo, What i Wore 

Thursday Fashion Files, 

Just Say "No"!

Do you ever have those moments when you're considering a purchase and you ask yourself: "Is this either really cool or really stupid?" I am not afraid to admit that I have those moments every so often when debating if I should purchase an item of clothing or an accessory. In theory, if you are doubting a purchase it might be best just to say "no" because you'll save yourself some money, not to mention valuable real estate in your closet. If the price is right, however, why not take the gamble?

Clearly, this was the case with my quirky "No" bag from Zara. When it first came out this winter it was priced at $39.99 and I was on the fence about whether or not to get it. I was drawn to it because it was sort of fun and quirky, but at the same time it is not something that would probably get a ton of wear. Also, I knew my husband would make fun of it. (But seriously, when has that ever stopped me?) When it went on sale for $19.99, I knew instead of heeding the "No" warning emblazoned on the bag, I should just say "Yes"!

These pictures were taken in Culver City at one of the coolest parking structures that I have ever seen. Whoever approved of the dripping rainbows definitely said "Yes" to some major color! Personally, if I were to have designed this, I would have made the color drip all the way down so that it would be easier for bloggers to take photos at this particular location, but what do I know about architecture? Regardless, it's a pretty cool sight to behold, not to mention the perfect place to show off a bag that makes a statement that's as bold as the colors.

Sweater: J. Crew here, similar version for spring here
Pants: J. Crew "Martie" here
Bag: Zara similar here
Shoes: J. Crew similar here
Sunglasses: Celine similar white sunglasses here

Linking Up With: A Labour of Fashion, Thursday Moda, Thursday Fashion Files
Weekend Wear, On The Edge ,Flashback Friday 

Cavorting Around Culver City

Culver City has it all: history, theaters, restaurants, museums, shopping and, of course, colorful walls! It should be noted that this was not my first sojourn to Culver City. I've traveled to the city at a few times before to attend some of their many theaters, mainly the Kirk Douglas, however I didn't realize that this city had so much more to offer until I started to do some research, which was mostly prompted by my desire to see the famous "love wall" before Valentine's Day. Anyway, I planned a trip to this destination in Los Angeles last weekend complete with an itinerary of things to do and see. Although I didn't get to everything that I wanted to, which means some day there might be a followup to this post, today I am featuring some of the highlights of Culver City along with the things that I'm going to save for my next visit.

The Culver Hotel is located in the heart of Culver City and is a must see for anyone who likes historical architecture, the movies, or just good drinks. The hotel was built in 1924 and has been a cherished city landmark ever since.

If you were wondering about the hotel's connection to movie history, look at the picture above and below for a couple hints. If you noticed the doll of Dorothy in her famous blue and white gingham dress in the window above and the frolicking cowardly lion below then you're heading down the yellow brick road to the correct answer. The Culver Hotel is the site where the cast of The Wizard of Oz stayed while filming the movie. I heard some salacious rumors regarding the going-ons of the filmmakers, Judy Garland and various cast members, including the Munchkins, from a few women in the bathroom of the hotel, but I won't retell those here!

We looked around the hotel to soak up some more history (it was also rumored that Charlie Chaplin who once owned the hotel lost it to John Wayne in a poker game) and then grabbed a couple of drinks during happy hour. I had a lavender collins that was very good, not to mention refreshing. Next time I would love to try their high tea, which we wanted to during this visit but there were no available reservations.

Another fascinating aspect of Culver City is that many old movie studios that still reside in the city. Culver Studios is one such studio and although it was not on my list of things to see, we stumbled upon it walking to one of our destinations. I love that fact that this particular studio looks to the unassuming eye like just another palatial estate, but it's actually the location where classics such as Gone With the Wind were filmed, although this structure was not used in the film.

Next up are the walls, which have so much color! 

The wall featured here is part of a thing called "The Platform". I don't know how to describe what "The Platform" is but it's described on their website as "a collection of the world's most innovative merchants, chefs, and creative companies located on the Hayden Tract." Basically, it's just shopping, dining, and office space. 

  

Below is a mural by Jason Woodside, which is located at Rapt Studio. At first I thought that Rapt Studio was some sort of music studio but it's apparently "a creative work space for design." As you can see "creative" is the operative word in Culver City! However, if that results in more colorful walls and spaces, then bring it on!

Of course, there is also the love wall, which was the impetus for our Culver City adventure. If you would like to read about my humorous odyssey to this wall for Valentine's Day, you can find my post detailing the adventure here.

Last of all, there was some interesting shopping, like this clothing boutique that I took a picture of while channeling my own artistic spirit. Clearly, Culver City is a muse!

I have no idea what this store is but apparently they will sell ladders for rabbits when they open? This is something I am going to have to follow up on for my next visit! Whatever it is, it looks super cute!

Another place I want to see on my next visit is the Museum of Jurassic Technology. I don't know exactly what this museum is about and apparently they won't tell you if you ask a staff member, but it looks like fun.  As previously mentioned, I also want to have high tea at the Culver Hotel and I will add to my list more vibrant street art like the California Dreaming Mural at the Chinese Laundry headquarters. That should be more than enough to fill another fun day in Culver City!