New Year, New Muse

Well 2011, you weren't very nice to me.  In fact, you were a bit of a bully, but the thing is I am okay with that. I should have known that when one year is over and a new begins, the last expectation I should have is the year will treat me well. Pessimism is not my aim here, because I learned quite a lot in 2011. Admittedly, 2011 was perhaps the year I came to realize the most about myself, my beliefs, my family, my friends and my faith in humanity. Last January, I decided to nix the 2010 New Year's Resolution tradition and set a organizational timeline for the pieces of my life that were a bit out-of-place. While I feel I have followed through with getting my life together, I have also learned that having total control is really never possible. As 2012 begins, I will be setting my standards high. This time not for the year itself, but rather for my own  well-being and staying true to being positive, productive and progressive. My hope for 2012 is that there will be a lot of doing what I can everyday to be a better person all around. Remembering, regardless of whatever I may be told, that in the end it's me, myself and I. Cheers to making this next year a one I'll never forget.  

In Photos

From Christmas to Hanukkah, the Holidays always are the busiest time of year for me. I'll let my pictures do the talking.

Sparkle Season

What more reason is there to sparkle during the season that screams decoration and detail overload? That's right, I'm talking about sequins. See and believe it: this shiny trend is not just for costumes and kiddos, but the perfect way to jazz up any Holiday outfit. Whether as an accessory or overcoat, adding a pinch of sequins to your ensemble will have you the star of any party and not looking like a cheap Christmas ornament. 

The Advantage of Vintage

The thing I love most about vintage clothing is that it always begins a conversation. I'm not saying that I justify my purchases on the basis of talk-ability, but I feel that some clothing truly speaks for itself. Thrifting is one of my favorite activities because there is something about finding the oh-so-perfect treasure from the past that captures a moment in time. Clothing, itself is entirely affected by the context of it's generation, whether that's polyester in the 70's or cotton Levi's from the 90's. More importantly, I feel there is an advantage to all this. Nycole Garza, curator of Killer Styling, is changing salvaged drab into totally fab with her eye for re-worked vintage. Originally from the bay area, Nycole's sixth sense strictly in fashion has led her to work with the likes of the independent design shopping trade show THREAD. By "re-worked", I mean each piece is hand cut and edited to create something a bit more modern.

Last night, Killer Styling collaborated with jewelry designer Elisa Gonsalves and a few other local San Diegan creatives at El Camino for a Holiday Trunk Show. You can find Killer Styling on Facebook for upcoming events and etsy updates. 

Christmas came early for me when I got to go home with this incredible Cherry Bomb mini dress in red. 

With 2 for 1 drink specials, El Camino was packed in spite of the drizzly afternoon. Nycole and I below. 

Pink, Purple & Pastel

Pretty pink, purple and pastel color combo fashions combine just the right amount of sugar and spice that will be sure to help brighten up any rainy day. Think winter sorbet: a splash of sweet pink and violet perfectly compliment the sour baby blue. Today, I spent the afternoon on Melrose scoping out some of my favorite places such as The Wasteland and SLOW with my friend Josue. Then it was off to The Grove to hang with Maria and Stacy for some Holiday gift getting at Anthropology and Crate&Barrel. Let's just say everyone on my list this year will not be disappointed!

Source: Atlantic-Pacific, collage above: Vintage Pink Mini Dress (top), Anthropologie (middle), Kimchi&Blue (bottom), turquoise wooden and pink thrifted bangles   

Mad for M.dot Design

This past Friday, the opportunity arose for me to sit runway side to watch San Diego's home-grown cut & sew line by mastermind  Michelle Aquino of M.dot Design. For the premiere of her latest holiday line "The Siren, the Muse and The Goddess", M.dot hosted a fashion party showcasing her newest collection. I was definitely excited to see so many flirty and functional pieces crawl down the catwalk. I was joined by two good friends and we enjoyed sippin' and schmoozing at the San Diego W Hotel. Designer and cut & sew extraordinaire, Michelle creates one-of-a-kind pieces out of her downtown workshop. Michelle is a graduate of FIDM and also an active  member of San Diego's fashion community. Each of her designs are custom created out of her studio in San Diego. For more information on M.dot Design and check out her blog and find her on Facebook.

From fun and flirty prints, flowy and feminine monotone dresses, and contrasting color blocking--I could not but help but think how I wanted to be a siren, muse and goddess this Holiday season. 

Take a peak at the new line for yourself! 

  

The Fashion Show Re-cap, shot live at The W Hotel