BEACH SUNSETS

Happy Monday to all!  I hope you all had a fun weekend.  I for sure did.  =)  It all started when I won tickets to the Bike to the Beach Bash from Chicago Blog Network.  I never win anything so this was pretty exciting for me.  Not only did it allow me to bike along the lake, but also made me venture to Montrose beach, which I have never been to.  The ride along the lake is so fun and pretty and Montrose beach was breathtaking.  The event was held further away from the water right next to The Dock at Montrose Beach, which is such a fun place to grab some drinks and some food.  We ate our dinner next to the awesome sounds of Ra Ra Riot performing right next to the Dock.  It was a sick performance and they definitely rocked the house.  I love seeing people get their groove on any time and any where so it was amazing to see people having a great time.

"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance"

I was itching to take some beach pics so we snuck off closer to the water as the sun was setting.  So pretty!

Top - Free People (old)  |  Bandeau - Free People (old)  |  Shorts - Brandy Melville  |  Sweater - Brandy Melville  |  Bag - Proenza Schouler  |  Sandals - Tory Burch  |  Sunnies - Paul Smith (Morley)  |  Watch - Michael Kors  |  Bracelets - Brandy Melville, Stella & Dot, ASOS  |  Earrings - Urban Outfitters

See y'all later!

-DOS

SHOP THIS LOOK

THIRD STREET PROMENADE

More California pics!  Woohoo!  I think this is the last batch.  These were taken in Santa Monica and more specifically, Third Street Promenade.  This was such a cute shopping area.  It's kind of like an outdoor mall, but it's also a street, but no cars can go down this street, but it looks like a street with sidewalks and everything.  We did go to the pier for a bit and tried to hit up the beach but it was actually pretty chilly.  I thought I would be able to soak some rays and had my suit on, all ready to go but it was total fail.  So we went shopping instead.  Specifically for sweaters.  

This was where my sister and I discovered Brandy Melville.  I haven't had that much fun shopping at an actual store in quite some time.  As you may know, I am a big online shopper.  Mostly because I barely have time to peruse stores.  Brandy Melville was amazing.  I loved the very California feel of the store.  Loose knit sweaters, cut off tanks, distressed shorts and jeans, skulls, leathers, studs... it was heaven.  Needless to say, I found a cardigan for the day, and then some.  It was also really fun because I got to watch my sister go nuts.  This store is totally her style.  I found it extremely entertaining because usually I am the one that goes overboard when we go shopping.  This time, she was the one with a huge pile going into the fitting room.  At one point she looked at me and yelled "I LOVE EVERYTHING!"  Hahahaha...  And when she hit the jewelry section, it really got funny.  It was lots of "Oooh cute!" "Oooh love!" "Awww adorable!" "Need this!" "I think I want two."  She definitely did more damage than I did that day.  If you are in the Santa Monica area.  I highly recommend spending half the day at Third Street Promenade.  Also allocate about 2 hours to Brandy Melville.  Hehehe... =)

Top - Kaitlyn  |  Shorts - Kaitlyn  |  Cardigan - Brandy Melville  |  Shoes - Gucci  |  Bag - Louis Vuitton  |  Sunnies - Kaitlyn  |  Jewelry - SUO, Brandy Melville  |  Watch - Michael Kors

-DOS

UP HIGH WITH TIE-DYE

Happy Monday all!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I, myself, had a pretty relaxing one.  Very much needed.  I spent it pool side, going to the spa, and watching endless episodes of Breaking Bad.  That show is addicting as hell.  Definitely a recommended show to watch.  I also watched the last Batman film.  Every bit as amazeballs as everyone thought it would be.

This shoot is another one from my California trip taken by the talented Papa DOS.  This was the day we tried to find the best place to view the Hollywood sign.  The Griffith Observatory is a beautiful sight and definitely worth the trip but I was hoping to get a closer view of the Hollywood sign.  I know there is a way to get up there using residential roads but our phones were all fail on the route so we ended up here.  The views of LA were gorgeous from this height and there are so many great hiking trails.  I'll definitely be back with obviously better hiking shoes.  Hehehe...  I finally got an opportunity to post some photos of my favorite summer jeans.  Made by Rich & Skinny, the Hendrix jean is super fun.  Not only is the purple color amazing, but the white tie-dye up the sides are a great added detail.  I am also so glad I brought along some type of sweater on this trip.  It got a bit chilly as the sun went down which we did not really anticipate when we were packing.  After we were done with this shoot, we headed straight for K-town and killed it with a huge order of Boiling Crab.  Just thinking about it is making me drool.  If you ever find yourself in LA, Boiling Crab is a MUST HAVE!  You will not be disappointed, as long as you order it with "the whole shi-bang"!

Sweater - Free People  |  Top - Urban Outfitters  |  Jeans - Rich and Skinny  |  Shoes - Christian Louboutin  |  Bag - Louis Vuitton  |  Sunnies - Kaitlyn  |  Watch - Michael Kors  |  Jewelry - ASOS (ring) , SUO, Stella & Dot, CUSP

-DOS

SHOP THIS LOOK

WEDNESDAY WISHLIST 7/18/12

Finally, a Wednesday Wishlist!  This is me basically missing California.  I love how you can wear a light sweater because it's not too blazing hot but can also wear cut off shorts with the sweater because it's not too cold.  That type of weather is very rare in Chicago.  So usually if you wear an outfit like this, you are a little weird because it's either usually too hot, or too cold.  Sigh.  Don't get me wrong.  I love Chicago for other reasons, just NOT the weather.  Like today for example.  The humidity is so gross.  You could walk out the door nekkid and still feel like you want to peel off your skin.  But enough about the weather.  This look is California inspired.  Easy, casual, comfortable, and stylish don't you think?  FYI, I am adoring this bag.

David & Young 'Neo Noir' Fedora - $24

Brandy Melville Jean Shorts in Burgundy - $66

House of Harlow Pyramid Station Necklace in Mint Green - $75

Alexander McQueen Skull Charm Leather Wrap Bracelet - $230

Jeffrey Campbell Brit Wrap Strap Booties - $230

One by Meli Melo Thela Bag - $760

Zoe Karssen Oh La La Cotton Blend Jersey Sweatshirt - $160

ASOS Armour Fan Earrings - $16.57

Warby Parker Tenley Glasses - $95

-DOS

THE BLACK TRENCH

And so we continue on our journey through my California pictures.  If you are paying attention, these shots are from the same day as "california lovin'".  The only difference is that I am sporting this awesome black trench.  =)  After we drove around and down Mulholland Drive, we decided to stroll through the Sunset strip.  The last time I was in California, I remember having a fun time perusing all the shops that line this street.  However, the problem that day was that the stores were closing as soon as we got there.  Epic FAIL!  That's the tricky part with California.  The stores start closing but the sun is still up and shining.  In Chicago, I associate stores closing with the sun going down.  It didn't occur to me that at 7pm in California, the sun is still fairly high above us.  Luckily there was one store that still had it's doors open.  Kin Los Angeles FOR THE WIN!  And like a true shop-a-holic, I was lured to the store by racks of clothes displayed outside with a sign that said 50% off sale. My dad quickly ran to the other side of the street.

Although I did not find anything on the 50% off rack due to sizing availability, I spotted this thin black trench hanging on a mannequin.  Something about it's shapelessness and flowy thin fabric called out to me saying "You will need me on those 8 random days out of the year where it's about 60-70 degrees in Chicago."  I looked at the price tag and it was about $100 and it was a done deal.  And of course having Papa DOS nearby, I had to get some shots with it so I could share them with you guys.  I also did get another jacket from Kin Los Angeles that is a bit heavier for the fall.  I can't wait to bust that one out as well.

SPECIAL THANKS to Morgan for being so awesome to me at the store and making me drool over so many hot LA designers.  I am still lusting for that forest green hat on the hat wall.  Hmmmmmm.... =) Morgan, you were so fun to shop with!  I wish I had remembered to take a photo with you.  Gah I'm an awful blogger.  I guess this guarantees that I'll be back!

Trench Coat - UNIF  |  Vest - Elizabeth and James (old)  |  Tank Top - Free People  |  Jeans - Rich and Skinny  |  Shoes - B Brian Atwood  |  Bag - Chanel  |  Accessories - Cusp, Stella & Dot, Suo, Brandy Melville

-DOS