Happy Monday everyone! I am super drained from such a fun weekend in Orlando with my dad + now I am off to San Francisco for two days…I am starting to feel like I am living out of a suitcase :p Fun fact, I am writing this post as I am stuck on the plane at the Orlando airport waiting to take off to LA…It’s already been over an hour and even a sleeping aid wasn’t able to get me to snooze after this major delay (seriously….delays are the w o r s t)!
Other than me sitting here complaining about my flight, let’s look on the bright side…I got to see my dad, visit Minion Mayhem at Universal + see Amy Schumer and Aziz Ansari this weekend…all in all the weekend was a win (minus this flight that is haha).
This outfit is an oldie but a goodie. It was actually shot by my brother last fall (I found it in the archives) and figured let me share it with you all because I mean it’s been waiting enough don’t ya think haha My entire outfit was purchased from various stores a year ago, B U T I found plenty of similar items below!
This beige faux fur vest is perfect for fall and it is super warm + cozy (this similar style at Bloomingdales is even on sale with coupons). My striped tee is a basic piece every fashionista needs because it transitions season to season + can be dressed up or down. My signature go-to jean (skinny dark wash) are also a fall must-have in my book!
As for my shoes, they are a favorite of mine and are from C Wonder (pre-going out of business :/). They are comfortable, match with everything and are the ideal fall hue — similar style here! I paired them with my Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag, a piece that has lasted me years now and is also great for any occasion!
I think it’s time to reflect…I have been in LA for about 3 months now and while I am far from fully adjusted and acclimated to m new surroundings (palm trees everyday is still so surreal to me) I wanted to take a moment to share some things I’ve noticed about LA as opposed to NY. Some may not agree but hey…this is a place for me to share what I like and don’t like, what I’m thinking + how I am feeling…right? 😉
Ok, so let me make some bullets (because that tends to be easier than me writing out paragraphs + it’s amusing to see the things that have popped into my heard since moving here)
1. The traffic is horrible! Yes…I know plenty of people told me traffic in LA sucks, but until you actually drive an hour and 10 minutes to + from work everyday, you don’t actually believe them…well now I 100% do. When asking for how long it’ll take to get somewhere, you must ask for a time with traffic factored in.
2. The people are far more laid back than NY. This is something I am still slowly adjusting to. After working in Manhattan for years, working in an environment where everyone is easy going and genuinley happy to be there is pretty awesome. Both at work and around LA, people for the most part are pretty chill (not like ‘bro surfs up’ chill but more of you won’t get hit by someones pocket book while waiting for your morning Starbucks)…NYers you totally know what I am referring to…battling to get on the subway, get your lunch, coffee etc.
3. Everyone is a health nut (for the most part). Ok now yes NY has plenty of kale + juice loving guys and gals, but LA takes it to a whole new level. There is literally (from my observations) more ‘healthy’ places than fast food. The line outside Urth Cafe is unreal…the place is always crowded + every juice bar is pretty packed.
4. It’s super pet friendly! Now this is something I LOVE about LA (if only Charlie was here). In my building alone, my roommate and I may be the only people without a pup (trust me I am trying to sell her on the idea of us getting one haha stay tuned :p) You see water bowls + dog treats everywhere you go and I even see a few people bring dogs to work (my dream)!
5. It costs a lot to live here! I think there was this misconception in my head that by not living in Manhattan anywhere else in the country would be cheap…well I didn’t factor in that LA is in fact a ‘city’ and is priced like one! Rent is pretty pricey (although you get more for your money here than in NYC) and to be in a decent area requires a pretty penny (I am in WeHo — short for West Hollywood).
6. Gas is expensive. Well gas for me is always troubling considering I drive a Jeep Wrangler (now I understand why Tesla’s + Toyota Prius’s are common in LA) but gas in LA is a dollar more (if not more than that) per gallon than I would pay on Long Island.
7. People either get super dressed up or are extremely casual. The style is completely different from NY. It’s rare to see someone in a business suit (except real estate agents) or someone in a matching skirt and blazer set. Office attire seems to be rather casual and outside the office I have found the hippie dippy gals that where booties, go bra-less and enjoy oversized tops and little shorts OR you have the complete opposite — the Barbie wearing Loubs, extensions (hair and lashes) + a tight Herve Leger dress. One extreme to the other…meanwhile I am sticking with my skater skirts, dresses and heels or wedges haha I always wonder if people can tell (other than by the license plate on my car) that I am not from around here.
8.Dating is horrible! Ok, I have been here almost 3 months and have went on a bunch of dates and there are three categories of guys that I’ve come across thus far…the total douche-bag (cue expensive car, watch etc.), the socially awkward (unsure of themselves, has odd tendencies + aren’t sure of what a date is) and the super lazy (the guy who says ‘wanna come chill‘ or ‘I’m out now come out‘) there is no thought or effort put in just a ‘let me get laid without doing any work’ mentality. Now don’t get me wrong I am sure there are plenty of guys in NY that fit into those categories as well, hell I probably went out with a few…but I am finding these kinds of guys way more common in LA. Dating has actually made me miss NY just a tad…now that’s sad.
9. No one goes to ‘The Valley’. For some reason this makes me think of Clueless (you know when Cher went to that party in ‘the valley‘) well apparently no one wants to drive to or into the valley because it is far from all the hustle and bustle of the city (WeHo is pretty much the center). I personally love the seclusion + suburban feel of the valley but most young people don’t (I guess I act like an old lady wanting peace + quiet haha).
Last But Not Least10. Bagels + Pizza are not the same! So this has been devastating. I have yet to find a place that makes a decent bagel…I’m talking a yummy, fluffy bagel with Bacon, Egg + Cheese…you know like one you would get at the corner deli in NYC or at the bagel store on Long Island (my mouth is watering just thinking about it)…well I tried a few places and the bagels were flat and honestly just tragic…I can’t wait to go home simply to have some NY style bagels and pizza (the dough here in LA is so far from anything to write home about).Shop More Handkerchief Dresses (I can’t wait to wear this one well into fall!)
Happy Friday Ya’ll! (yup I am pretending to be Southern for the day jk…just really wanted to say ya’ll haha)! I am making things hot this Friday with this hot pink button down that I actually shot back with my brother back on Long Island before I moved to big, bad LA (kidding it isn’t big + bad but it just sounded better haha) As you all know there is nothing I love more than some bright neon color, pair it with a simple pair of white shorts and I am even happier! Going through these photos made me A) Miss my little bro / Long Island + B) Made me happy because in LA, I can dress like this year round! Ahh <3
And the holiday weekend has unfortunately come to a close…Back to the rise and grind (ugh isn’t that the worst? A Monday after a nice, relaxing holiday weekend…#LegitTorture). I successfully survived my first 4th Of July in LA…naturally it was filled with outfit shoots, frozen yogurt and some fireworks (because I don’t care where I am living…a 4th Of July requirement for me is to see fireworks…Like I said, I am still a kid inside :p)
Today is a bit bitter-sweet…by the time all of you are reading this, I will be on the road for my big move to California! If you didn’t catch Monday’s post, I announced that I am moving to LA and leaving the only place I’ve ever known, Long Island, for a new journey filled with great opportunities and of course some adventure.
It’s crazy to think I will be leaving my family and friends behind to venture out on my own and really become an adult but hey…it has to happen eventually right? Well I decided today was the perfect opportunity to do a little flashback to a look I shot a few weeks ago at one of my favorite Long Island hot spots, Prime American Kitchen & Bar (during my college years I actually hosted there during the summer). I have always loved being by the water and soaking up some sunshine so hostessing there was one of my favorite jobs and not to mention the food was kindaamazing…(and by kinda I mean it was in fact amazing!). Ok so maybe I am getting distracted…I love this look and even more the scenic Huntington Harbor backdrop (hey maybe it’s meant to be I am moving to LA…there is a Huntington beach in Cali isn’t there?)
