Center of the Ring

My life has been a bit of a circus lately, so this weekend I am headed off to San Diego for a mini vacay and to visit some of my good friends. What I am looking forward to the most is this Saturday's 7th annual Tour D'Deigo Cirque de Tour happening in Ocean Beach. Not your typical seaside cruise around the block, this OB adventure is definitely going to be a show! With this year's theme as Carnival, I am channeling my inner circus chic and coming up with something spectacular to wear for the ride. Let's just hope the costume can handle the heat! 

 

Killer Styling + JediSugar POP-UP Boutique

To all my San Diego style mavens, save the date for next week's uniquely fabulous pop-up boutique. Hosted by Jedisugar on January 31st, come out and join SD's only re-worked vintage and customized clothing shop Killer Styling at Bar Basic for one crafty night. Don't miss out on a selection of hand-crafted designs from local clothing, art and jewelry creatives paired with local craft beer and pizza. Featuring live music by The Brothers Grimm and David Afterlife, enjoy local beats while you shop local treats! For more information and to RSVP, check out the Killer Styling Facebook event.

 The Palmdale Dress $26

 Yellow Submarine Structured Mini Dress $46

Silk Made Me Blush Number $46

Find these Killer vintage pieces at the Pop-Up shop! 

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. 

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 

Watermelon & Lime

It's official, I have relocated. Goodbye San Diego and HELLO Los Angeles! As opportunities arise, it was important for me to make the right move for the right position and I can say I definitely made the right choice. Although I will no longer be living in America's Finest City, weekend trips down the 405 will occur regularly. Los Angeles may have my body, but San Diego will always have my heart. 

My new job has plenty of perks, one being the fact that my love for food is shared by one of my co-workers who is the foodie phene behind TruckFood411. Tonight I was invited out to join him and his family for a food truck adventure to Northridge Din-Din A Go Go. Not only did I experience the most juicy and buttery Lobster Sandwich compliments of The Lobsta Truck, but I also finished with a watermelon+lime snowball from Breezy Freeze.  

Let's just say, life in LA is off to a very good (and delicious) start! 

Katy Perry Party

You make me feel like I'm living a Teenage Dream, but I'll only be your California Girl if you let me see your Peacock. I know It's Not Like The Movies, but you're so Extraterrestrial you make me feel like every night is Friday. T.G.I.F. 

We sipped juice, without the gin; decked out in wigs and munched on colorful candy starbursts as we headed out to see Mrs. Katy Perry in concert in San Diego on Tuesday. 

 The Katy Perry Crew.

 Teenage Dream! 

 Pearl 

Circle The Drain

 E.T.

 California Gurls

WE ♥ KATY PERRY!

Old House Fair | South Park

Cute as a button. One of the first sunny Saturdays in San Diego this month and I was off with my friend Nycole to explore South Park's Historic Old House Fair. As one of San Diego's oldest communities, South Park is home to historic craftsman houses, local and organic eats and little mom & pop shops. The annual  Old House Fair is held to invite folks to take a peak inside these renovated homes with tours led by the folks whom are the homeowners themselves. 

Aside from local food vendors, an array of eco-friendly designers, contractors and craftsmen lined Beech Street offering advice to homeowners about how to achieve the home of their dreams on a budget. From recycled cabinetry to gardening FAQ, my Saturday stroll around South Park got me brainstorming about a few things I would like to have at my house! 

My favorite house was not even on the tour, it's official: 

I must have a sea green home! 

Perhaps the cutest of the shops was this local crafty gem!

944::The Music Issue

I definitely have a soft spot for music. Up until a college, being a musician was a part of my identity. My childhood was spent in song and behind the microphone: from the hours of private voice lessons, the talent shows, trying out for America's Most Talented Kid, the musicals, my six years in choir--and that is just to name a few. I appreciate musicians and especially those who are making a name for themselves.

Monday night San Diego's 944 Magazine hosted a launch party for this month's Music Issue at Analog. Lupe Fiasco is this month’s cover boy and he opens up to writer Ryan Cosby about his recent displeasure having to do with the recent tabloid news that his relationship with his record label has gone sour. You’ll also find highlights on San Diego bands to know if you don’t (check out: Family Wagon, Dirty Gold and The Burning of Rome) as well as snapshots of San Diego music lovers, top local music blogs and a look inside the indie dance scene.

It was fabulous being surrounded by the locals that are rocking the San Diego music scene. Here are a few shots from the night, take a look at the rest of the evening’s events here.  

With live performance by Family Wagon. 

Today's Treasures

A SNEAK PEEK:

Thanks Sherry Lou for showing me some awesome San Diego hot spots including Whatever in La Mesa and the Lemon Grove Am Vets (that is where I picked up the baby blue pumps!) 

I highly recommend Whatever, a cute & quaint store where you can find adorable new and even used finds! I bought a vintage 80's black & white dress, and two other steals for under $30. Now, that is a deal! Am Vets on the other hand was great, aside from the fact that there were a few items that were definitely over priced...and for AM Vets? But I did pick up the blue pumps for a super sweet deal of $6, cannot really beat that! After our thrifty afternoon, Sherry's mom made the most delicious burgers for dinner that had mushrooms, ahhhmazing! Expect a blog post about my attempt at recreating mushroom burgers of my own :)

3 Eventful Things

I've been busy lately, but I would like to think of that as a good thing. 

FIRST|Poetry Slam

What I've grown to love about San Diego is that there is a massive appreciation for the creative scene and tremendous amount of local support for amateur writers, musician and artists. La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas is a perfect example of where North County poets can step on stage for the Annual Poetry Slam and compete in a series of rounds for a cash prize. The coolest thing: this local find is free (but you'll definitely find yourself donating a buck or two in the end because all the money goes to poet with the most points!) I was throughly impressed  with all of the work!     

More photos @ justbails.tumblr.com

SECOND|V Day 

On February 19th, I attended UCSD's 2011 production of the Vagina Monologues, which I was a part of last year. Being my third time experiencing the show it was still as if I was watching it for the first time. This years cast was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed their energy and could not help but be proud that I had been apart of such a phenomenal program with such a powerful mission.

THIRD|Project Ethos

Where can you find local designers, up and coming musicians and artists all under one roof, in one night? Project Ethos is redefining how cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Scottsdale, Chicago and Miami are experiencing emerging innovators in fashion, art and music. 944 Magazine and DiscoverSD agree that this is more than just a showcase, but a contemporary cultural movement and one you definitely should not miss out on. Being my second time going, it was quite different from last year but in a good way. The location (this year it was at SD's Night Club + Lounge FLUXX) was great and I was able to chat with some talented folks that are making artistic moves!     

 

Art by Bret Barret

LA based rapper Mann in the building!