The Late Summer Topshop Wish List

images via topshop.com

On most days you can find me browsing the new arrivals page of a handful of websites, Topshop included.  Ever since a trend forecaster mentioned Topshop as one of her go-to sources of inspiration in a presentation seven years ago, it's been on my shopping radar.  Although their price points are higher than the typical $22.80 (for a Forever 21 dress) or $24.95 (for a sweater from H&M) that I'm used to paying, I'm drawn to their edgy and sometimes quirky take on trends. With the upcoming openings of their Chicago and Las Vegas stores, it's only a matter of time before my dreams of shopping at Topshop in Los Angeles come true.  Until then, I can reminisce about shopping in their London and New York stores and continue to browse their site for covetable pieces to add to my always growing wish list.

1. Polar bear jumper, $92
2. Adina leopard boots, $160
3. Faux fur biker jacket, $160
4. Floral print kimono, $85
5. Lace flippy dress, $98
6. Premium leather tassel skirt, $160
7. Athletic wedge ankle boots, $150
8. Velvet bow chain bag, $50

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On a Deserted Island

After the rockiest boat ride of my entire life and a mild case of motion sickness, I arrived at Santa Cruz Island on Friday afternoon with some family members for some hiking and relaxation. Many visitors go to the island for kayaking, snorkeling, and camping trips, but we only had a few hours to enjoy the scenery and explore the trails.  After happily disembarking from the boat, spotting a few of the endemic island foxes, listening to the birds sing, and stowing our lunch in a raven and fox proof box, it was time for a short but steep hike.  Unbeknownst to me at the time, the island is home to 4' long gopher snakes, but fortunately for this ophidiophobe, we did not spot any. (Had I known about the aforementioned reptiles, I would not have enjoyed the hike nearly as much.)

Being on the quiet and pristine island certainly gives you a perspective on the impact humans have on nature. As close as the adorable and tiny island foxes came to us, we weren't allowed to feed the wildlife, nor could we leave behind any trash on the island.  (The lack of trash cans reinforced this rule.) It's quite a remarkable experience going from a bustling southern California city to a seemingly deserted island only about 20 miles from shore.

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Review of the Kardashian Kollection at Sears

The last two times I stepped foot into Sears were to buy a water filter for the refrigerator and to buy a replacement treadmill for the one whose belt and motor I destroyed over the course of five years. This time I had a more exciting reason for my visit.  Out of pure curiosity, I walked through the apparel department to browse the Kardashian Kollection clothing and accessories. I have mixed feelings regarding celebrity clothing lines, but I admire the Kardashian family for their marketing prowess and their ability to put together outfits that flatter their different body types. Being petite and curvy, I can relate to both Kim and Kourtney.  Unfortunately, I didn't spot any of the shoes when I was shopping, but I tried on three looks - one inspired by each sister. My overall impressions are as follows:

1. Cost - Prices are higher than I'd normally pay for such things as a sequin jacket, one-button blazer, or polyester jumpsuit.  (Regular Sears customers may experience sticker shock with many of the pieces priced at $99.) On the other hand, the pre-sale offered a 30% discount.

2. Construction - Fabrics and silhouettes are what you'd expect: sexy, body con, and mostly synthetic with lots of stretch.  Everything I browsed seem to be well made - no puckered seams, loose threads, or tricky fastenings (ahem, ahem, Target).

3. Variety - If you're looking for a glamorous party dress or fun accessories, you're in luck. If you're looking for something for the office in wool or silk, you're out of luck. There is a mix of styles in the collection that would work well for the office, lunch dates, or nights out.  One thing missing from the collection is denim, however, there are plenty of: blazers, rompers, trousers, tight skirts, body con dresses, casual tees, rings, sunglasses, cuffs, handbags, and leggings.  They covered all the bases here, although they're not exactly pushing any boundaries with fashion trends.

4. Hues - The color palette is mostly black and gray with a few blue, dark green, and pink pieces. Sequins, lace, and animal prints figure prominently in the collection.

5. Sizing - Of the four pieces I tried on, I found them to run fairly true to size. I tried on size smalls in everything, and the fit on each piece was snug and tailored with a bit of stretch.  The black jumpsuit was incredibly comfortable, and I probably would've bought it at a lower price point.

While I left the store without buying, I noted that the black blazer with the lace inset in the back (not pictured), the black jumpsuit I tried on, and the tiger print flap handbag (pictured behind the snake print bags in the 6th photo from the top) were my top three picks for this collection.

*Spring 2015 update - you can also shop the Kardashian Kollection at Asos and shop the shoes at Lipsy.













My Kim-inspired look, which was made of thick polyester fabric and had a solid white back with black trim. The print reminds me of recent pieces by McQueen and Mary Katranzou.


My Khloé-inspired look, which had a very low neckline, drawstring at the waist, and two front pockets.


My Kourtney-inspired look, with a full skirt and tucked-in tunic.


Shop the Kardashian Kollection at Asos or the shoes at Lipsy.

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Beach Bunny Malibu

I attended the opening party of the Beach Bunny swimwear store in Malibu last night.  After a day of temperatures near 100 degrees and navigating the hairpin curves and hills of a nearby canyon road with the glare of the sun in my eyes, it was just what I needed to unwind: cool weather, upbeat music, cotton candy, mini burgers, and lots of eye candy in the form of well-dressed attendees and the shop's colorful beachwear. Located just steps from the beach at the Malibu Lumber Yard, the store's offerings include: lace bell bottoms, jeweled sandals, chiffon tunics, ruffled bikinis, colored cutoffs, printed beach towels, and lots of lace.  I can imagine many of the pieces transitioning effortlessly from a day at the beach (or pool) to a nice dinner or casual party. It's the kind of store that epitomizes the southern California beach lifestyle, and its casual yet glamorous (and on-trend) merchandise makes me want to just lounge by the pool all day and be unapologetically counterproductive.

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The Missoni for Target Wish List

Another season, another masstige designer collaboration. With current and future collections such as Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's, Versace for H&M, Giles for Nine West, and Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's, my head is spinning. The big day for Missoni for Target is Tuesday, September 13, when they'll unveil a 400+-piece collection with the iconic Italian knitwear label. Although I'm not mesmerized by their signature zigzag prints, there are a few pieces I'll be inspecting when I shop the collection.  (The presence of four Target stores within a 15-minute drive doesn't help me stick to my wish list, either.  Each store's selection seems to vary widely with these collections, so I like to shop around.) At the top of my list are the silk scarves, the floppy hat, the glassware, and perhaps a sweater or dress. 

Having studied the lookbook, I think that the potentially unflattering zigzag prints and price points over $50 might not make the Women's dresses widely appealing, however, I think the housewares and accessories will appeal to a variety of shoppers. 

I'm betting that Target will hold a NYC pop-up shop in early September to coincide with Fashion Week.  With slightly under one month before the release, there's still plenty of time to pick your favorites.

Images via Target.com. Pictured above:

1. Floppy hat, $24.99
2. 3-speed Ladies' bike, $399.99 (online only)
3. Silk scarf, $19.99
4. 4-piece brush set, $18.99
5. V-neck combo chiffon sweater, $44.99
6. Knit hoodie, $49.99, short-sleeve knit dress, $54.99
7. Throw, $39.99
8. Martini glass, $4.99, stemless wine glass, $4.99, martini shaker, $16.99
9. Knit poncho, $49.99

**Sept. 16, 2011 update - Read my Missoni for Target shopping review for some insight into my personal experience.

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Back in Black - The August Wish List

images via urbanog.com, gojane.com, topshop.com, shopnastygal.com, and boohoo.com

It's actually a coincidence that each item I chose for my August wish list contains black.  Perhaps it's my anticipation of the start of fall, or maybe it's the influence of the gloomy weather and lack of sunshine that summer mornings bring here in southern California.  (I blame it on June gloom and the infamous marine layer.) Each one of these pieces has a slightly subversive appeal to me, and I can easily imagine using each item as the building block of myriad fall outfits. As we move closer to fall, I anticipate wearing lots of lace, crochet, animal prints, kimono tops, platform boots, and faux fur - albeit in darker, more somber hues, including jewel tones.  Regarding fall shoes, I'm still looking for the perfect pair of creepers, and Jeffrey Campbell's Warrant boot blends the perfect mix of an upper with creeper styling and a chunky platform and heel that would make any '90s shoe proud.

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Trippin'

It's the height of the summer travel season, and I've been hit with a mild case of wanderlust. Whether it's a short road trip up the coast or an exhausting plane trip across the pond, the idea of going somewhere new or different always sparks excitement in my imagination.  Partly to console myself for not having an upcoming trip planned and partly to relive my memories of past vacations, I've created two collages with some of my fondest travel photos from the past five years. While each destination had unique qualities, I'll always remember each place for the following:

Buenos Aires - where even a brief cab ride can be just as thrilling as a roller coaster.
London - by far the best shopping, diversity of food choices, and street style in the world.
Seattle - great city for coffee, boba tea drinks, and music. Just bring a decent umbrella and waterproof footwear.
Vancouver - home of quiet and clean city streets, walkable neighborhoods, and gorgeous water views.
NYC - a city with frenetic energy, endless shopping, and top notch entertainment.
Stockholm - charming medieval architecture mixed with beautiful people who manage to look great even in freezing temperatures.
Copenhagen - eclectic stree style, happy residents, incredible art museums, and the most expensive meals.
Rome - hectic drivers, gorgeous churches, incredible history, and more pizza and gelato than you ever care to eat.
San Francisco - my favorite city in California due to its charming architecture, refined street style, diversity, and wide selection of secondhand clothing shops. It's also the home of many personal style bloggers that I admire.

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