A Day at Downtown

Happy September, everyone!

I spent a day in Downtown Los Angeles with one of my dear childhood friends. Let me give you a tour of my city!

The first spot we visited was Grand Central Market (upper photo), which showcases great local eateries. Along the street on the way to GMC was a sign that said "Decide what to be and go be it," which is a saying by which I live my life! 

The middle bottom photo is from one of the glass elevators at the Bonaventure Hotel, which showcases a lovely view of the city from the 32nd floor.

The two corner photos on the right are from Grand Park, which has a rather--wait for it--Grand fountain. Usually the floor around the fountain is open for people to wade in; unfortunately, it was closed when we got there, and we were forced to take a selfie with boring, dry floor in the background.

My favorite place in downtown is definitely The Last Bookstore! It's the last independent book store in the United States, and I love it so much. They have a whole floor dedicated to books on sale for $1, and they also sell local art!

Last but not least, we visited the Los Angeles Public Library Central Branch, which has such gorgeous architecture; the photo doesn't do it justice. The left photo was taken on a bridge leading to the library, taken only to feature the sculpture in the background.

Here's my outfit from that day:

Hat: Vintage

Dress: Nordstrom

Belt: Bettie Page

Bag: Vintage

Have you ever visited Downtown LA? If there are local spots that I need to visit, please let me know in the comments!

A Day at Koreatown

Hello, all!

I went out for lunch at Koreatown in Downtown LA today with my girls. We ate an all-you-can-eat lunch special at Oo-Kook BBQ, where you can cook the meat at your very own table. We had twelve rounds of meat between the four of us!

After we recovered from our food comas, we stopped by the cutest little bakery: Paris Baguette. They had such yummy pastries, and the store setup was precious! The music they played was also really entertaining. Unfortunately, I couldn't get any photos of the pastries we ate.

And, for the moment you've all been waiting for--my outfit!

 

Hat: Reflection

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Bag: Vintage

Shoes: H&M 

Thanks for reading!

An Ode to the Beach

Today, I visited one of my favorite places in the world: the beach! It's one of the best aspects of living in California. I'm really going to miss it when I move back east!

There's something about watching waves crash and pull back that I find so therapeutic. I love seeing the sun shining brightly in the midst of a perfectly clear blue sky. The sound of the water, the salty smell in the air, the feeling of warm sand under my toes... It's enchanting.

"How much virtue there is in simply seeing!"

There's also nothing like reading on the beach. It's such a calming experience. Currently, I'm reading Mr. Emerson's Wife by Amy Belding Brown. I just got to the Transcendentalist chapters, and they were so appropriate for where I was that day!

This photo basically sums up my feelings about the beach.

And, last but not least, some outfit snaps!

 

 

Hat: Reflection

Shirt: Zara

Shorts: Vintage

Shoes: Dr. Scholl's

Do you enjoy the beach as much as I do? Tell me your favorite beaches!

A Day in Hollywood

Happy official days of summer, everyone!

If you were keen enough to guess from my title, I spent most of my day in Hollywood! My friend and I felt like going out and impulsively took the train to Hollywood and Highland. Here's a photodump of all the sightseeing we did:

the Ghirardelli store // the Hard Rock Cafe // the best billboard I saw today

Grauman's Chinese Theatre // Michael Jackson's star // Godzilla's star // Shirley Temple's handprints

And of course, I couldn't help but take outfit photos! The train station is surprisingly a nice place to have a photoshoot. Here's what I wore:

Hat: Target

Shirt: Thrifted

Shorts: Nordstrom

Shoes: H&M

How are all of you spending your summers? Comment below!

Wanderlust: Volume Two

Hello, all! Today I bring you another edition of my little series, Wanderlust. This is where I go for a walk and share with you what I wore and what music I listened to.

I spent today's walk with a friend of mine; we walked around the park and shared music. It was rather fun! Everyone should share music with each other. I think it's a great way of getting to know your friends better.

Here's what I wore!

I'm addicted to this last pose, and I'm also addicted to my huge floppy hat! 10/10 would recommend.

Hat: Reflection

Dress: Vintage

Bag: Vintage

Shoes: H&M

And, of course, here's what we listened to (these were all the ones from my iPod, anyway):

1. She Wasn't Lying - Amos the Transparent
2. And I Love Her - the Beatles
3. Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - Bach
4. Sadist Sagittarius - Cinema Strange
5. Darling - Eyes Set to Kill
6. Misery Loves Company - Emilie Autumn
7. Gee - SNSD
8. The Reason - Hoobastank
9. Riding a Black Unicorn - Voltaire
10. Punk's Not Dead - the Exploited
11. One Step Closer - Linkin Park
12. I'm So Fancy - Iggy

Our playlist was kind of all over the place, haha!

What are you listening to this summer? Comment down below!

Another Day, Another Market

Last Sunday, I went to one of my favorite places to shop--the Topanga Vintage Market! Check out my last post about the market to know exactly what I'm talking about. Going around all the different booths is always fun. I find great bargains every time I go!

But I won't keep ya with all the details. Here's what I wore:

Hat: Target

Blouse: Urban Outfitters

Shorts: Vintage

Bag: Vintage

Shoes: Old Navy

Are there any vintage markets in your area? Comment down below, especially if any of them are around Los Angeles! I'd love to see them.

I'm So Fancy

You already know!

I love love love formal events. It's always nice to have an excuse to dress up. Last Saturday, I went to a wedding for my sister-in-law's sister. I wasn't part of the entourage, but I had a good time! Naturally, I had to take photos so everyone can bask in my glory see what I wore ;)

Dress: Ryu

Clutch: Forever 21

Earrings: Betsey Johnson

That's all for this post! Have you guys been to any formal events lately? Do you enjoy them as much as I do?

Wanderlust: Volume One

Today, I'm introducing a new series on my blog: Wanderlust.

I have a habit of wandering around aimlessly, sometimes for hours. I'm inherently bound to escape, I suppose. I walk around my neighborhood and reflect, just letting my mind and feet do what they will. I decided it would be neat to share my OOTDs from these walks and the playlist I listen to while on them.

But first, here's what I wore :)

Dress: A gift from a friend

Hat: Target

Boots: Kenneth Cole

Also, here's what I listened to! Seeing as I live in a big, urban city, music is definitely necessary to drown out the mobs of cars and people. My music takes me to a whole different place... Is that a little too cheesy? 

Anywho, this playlist is kind of gloomy, a little somber. It was one of those days, I guess.

1. Shallot - Emilie Autumn
2. Opheliac - Emilie Autumn
3. Swallow - Emilie Autumn
4. Heavy in Your Arms - Florence & the Machine
5. Pretty - Kidneythieves
6. Crazy - Kidneythieves
7. After All That, It's Come to This - Amos the Transparent
8. She Wasn't Lying - Amos the Transparent
9. Lacrimosa - Mozart
10. Requiem - Mozart
11. Kagami - Kanon Wakeshima

There'll definitely be more volumes of the Wanderlust series coming up soon!

Stay beautiful, 

Patricia

Urban Vamp

Happy Saturday, everyone!

So it seems that Urban Vamp is the best way to describe my outfit today. My sleeves are so poofy, it looks like I have shoulder tumors. No big deal.

Am I melodramatic or what?

I feel compelled to put a hand in my pocket when wearing pants.

Blouse: Vintage

Pants: Forever 21

Shoes: Reflection

I got lots of compliments today! Must be the shoulders.

Stay beautiful,

Patricia

Topanga Vintage Market

Hello, all! Long time no see (if anyone's reading this, that is)! School is crazy, but no excuses; let's get started with today's blog post.

Last Sunday, I spent a good five hours at the Topanga Vintage Market in Woodland Hills. In essence, it's a flea market that sells primarily vintage and antique items--right up my alley. It's held every fourth Sunday of the month at Pierce College from 8 AM to 3. I love it and go as often as I can.

Upon entrance, you're given a sticker that pretty much serves as your ticket. The stickers always have cute sayings on them. I went with my friend, and hers said "I have more junk!" in Spanish; mine said "vintage vamp" (quite appropriately, I might add!)

We scored a bunch of stuff at great bargains. Stay tuned for my haul from this trip! For now, here's what I wore:

Taking a back photo was my friend's idea, but I think I'll do it more often!

  

Hat: Vintage

Dress: TJ Maxx

Bag: Vintage

Shoes: Reflection

All photos were courtesy of my friend Bao and the friendly passerby who took this photo!

Wrapped up in all this excitement, I forgot to take photos of the booths and whatnot, but to anyone who lives in or is visiting the Los Angeles/Woodland Hills area, I definitely recommend stopping by the Topanga Vintage Market! Admission is only $2, and children under 12 are free. It's run by lovely people, and great crowds show up every month!

Stay beautiful,

Patricia