Gimme Shelter

Hudson striped jeans, Chaser Brand tank, Vintage vest, Stela 9 bag, Natalie & Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice Chloe boots, Vanessa Mooney necklaces, Vintage belt

NYC after it rains is always a delight for me. The city just feels and looks crisper. And the buildings gleam in a whole new way. Sparkly. That's a good way to describe it. Everyone starts to roll out of the bookshops and coffee shops to go back to what they were doing before the downpour. It's as if the rain was hardly a disruption at all. Me? I bop around town like I'm freaking Mick Jagger or Jimi Hendrix or something. Or at least that's what I was doing on this particular day. I love taking influence from the men of rock and roll, and Mick and Jimi were the two kings of it all. Men with flair, swagger and complete confidence in their own skin. I got a lot of double takes on the streets with my lilac boots and starkly striped jeans. But you know what? I never skipped a beat once. They're just staring because they wish they were wearing stripes, too. haha. Stripes or no stripes. Lilac or no lilac. The hours after a good storm are like a strong cup of coffee. A clean slate and a good jolt to get back to carrying on.

And now, some lyrics from my favorite Rolling Stones song, Gimme Shelter:

Oh, a storm is threat'ning
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Our very street today
Burns like a red coal carpet
Mad bull lost your way
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Off to NYC tonight and then East Hamptons. Not bringing my laptop, but best way to keep up with me until Monday is via Instagram :)

Girl, Brick and Cat

The result of an impromptu shoot I did with my friend Kylee a few weeks back in her beautiful Rittenhouse apartment. This girl don't need anything extra to look pretty for the camera. The exposed brick, her kitty Chloe and the beautiful weather we had that day inspired me to get some fun shots before we lost all light completely.

Today is Wednesday. Let's all do a little mid week dance! Gotta finish packing for East Hamptons tonight, then my friend Steph and I will be off tomorrow night. Gonna be a long weekend of beach chilling and total relaxation.Can't wait for this mini escape :)

** Photos by me

Color Tribe

Vintage jacket, Dolce Vita top, Free People skirt, Natalie & Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice Vintage Jett Boots, Stela 9 bag, Vanessa Mooney collar and beaded cuff, Karen London necklace and metal cuff

Sunny days call for more leg and more breezy jackets. Been having so much luck in the vintage department lately! Been keeping my eyes peeled for vintage ethnic prints and interesting color combinations. Anything that feels hippie and well-traveled to me is currently my fashion drug of choice. They make mixing patterns more fun than ever!

Been working on putting together a summer playlist. I keep adding to it every day with upbeat, danceable tunes. I'll share soon. Forest Whitaker by Bad Books is definitely on repeat right now. What's on your summer playlist?

** Pictures by Mckenzie Dowler

Beach Ready

Just a few more days until I hit up East Hamptons for Memorial Day weekend with my sister, her boyfriend and my friend Steph. My fingers and toes and eyes are crossed in the hopes that the weather forecast predicts no rain. Just sun and fun. PLEASE. I want to ride my bike and work on my tan and frolic in my bikini. Duh. Already I have started thinking about what I want to pack. Candy coated swimsuits and color blasted arm parties! Lolli Swim is my secret to looking good against a backdrop of golden sand and shimmering blue sea.

And I have everything I need to look like the bronze goddess I always thought I should have been born as, but in actuality was not. Estée Lauder is my fave when it comes to giving my face a natural summer glow, without frying it under the sun. I use Estée Lauder's Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer and Powder Bronzer. And I just discovered that my new favorite self tanner is from Victoria's Secret. I never find funny streaks after using it. I've been so prone to that with other brands. And Bang Style's Light Sea Salt Mist makes sure that my beach waves stay beachy and wavy all day/night long.

I think that I am going to have a harder time packing what clothes to bring along since my clothing rack collapsed and my new commercial replacement has yet to arrive. All of my clothes are on the floor in a big heaping mess. Packing is going to be fun :) NOT.

What are you all doing for Memorial Day weekend? Any sunny beach plans, as well?

Visions in Black and White

A few almost forgotten photos that I took in New York City within the past few months. I love city landscapes and the steady sense of action that I get from these. NYC is always go-go-go, and it's interesting to see how this translates into a picture. I still get a sense of rush and excitement looking at these. This direction, that direction, no direction. Whatever direction of pursuit one seems to be going in when in the city, it's always backed up by something . . . feeling that is driven by an endless stirring and motivation to keep grasping onto more. At least that's how I like to think about it.