I HEART CITY POP

To visit her works: go Laura Laine

Gold Hawk Tunic, Twelth St. by Cynthia Vincent Purse, Freelook Rose Gold Watch, Ray Ban Wayfare, Foley and Corinna Hobo, Kimberly Ovitz Plaid Tunic, Report Signature Black T-straps Heels, Madewell Necklace, House of Harlow Ring and Bracelet, Dolce Vita Boots

Could this picture of Lykke Li be more amazing or what? Everything about this chic screams “AMAZING” to me. I mean…if I could bottle up whatever makes her so fly…I would. But I can’t…so I can just pretend and practice…till one day I can eventually find the formula. I have been watching her for a minute now, and her style has definitely been evolving. But the one thing that stays the same and the one thing I know we have in common is the love of neutrals and the color black. And I definitely feel the best in black when I do it from head to toe. Like Lykke, I usually pop on some vintage  jewelry and that always help to make more of a defined statement. I mean I don’t own a gold kazoo necklace but if anyone can wear one, it would be her. I love to play around with different looks and so I decided to create a collage of some of my favorite things that I own or that I want to eventually own that are really inspired by this lovely lady. Ultimately, the main idea, I believe…..is to keep it simple but yet super fly!! I mean…there is nothing wrong from learning from the best….especially when she is flawless.

pink vintage dress & vintage boots

Nothing can make you feel any prettier than a pink floral vintage dress. Everytime I see this dress in my closet it makes me smile! Something about the colors and the little red flowers reminds me being a little girl. Even though I am still one at heart, I know it is still important to “act your age..not your shoe size.” However, I always find myself scouring the vintage racks for the sweetest version a floral dress. Since I already own this one, I took it upon myself to enjoy another beautiful day in Southern California. And it was cool enough for me to wear one of the 50 vintage boots I have in my boot bin. Next time I might even pack a basket and let you all come and join me for a picnic! Enjoy!! xoxo!

all photos: stephanie lampkin

80%20 Hazel Boots in Charcoal and Mocha ($174), Prince of Posse Collection

One of my favorite things are people who have vision and people who think outside the box. Well, that is exactly what 80%20 does with shoe concepts. My girlfriend, Katharine, who gets to see these gems up close and presonal on a daily basis..gave me a rundown on what her favorite shoe that is coming straight out of the Holiday collection. And basically why the line is so special. 

The 80%20 brand-

The lifestyle you live, the footwear that gets it. This is the world you create out of your own passion. You live your aspirations; we provide the shoes to take you there. Living the life: fun-loving fashion and easy, effortless style. 80%20 footwear. After cutting her teeth designing for powerhouses like Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and DKNY, in 2004, owner and designer Ce Ce Chin jumped out on her own to design the perfect lifestyle shoe, thus 80%20 was born. The concept behind 80%20 came from Chin’s observation that we tend to wear our favorite 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. The smallest percent has the greatest impact. The ratio of knowing your style and what you want. 80% life, 20% shoes=100% love.

Her favorite shoe from the Holiday season-

The Hazel! It’s a boot that has a built-in hidden wedge (which is the 80%20 signature) AND that hidden wedge is sitting on stacked heel and it has this funky spur-like hardware. It’s almost like a modified cowgirl boot. It gives a ton of height to shorties without looking like you’re wearing a 4 inch heel.

Love..love…and more love! There you go! Now go and check it!! Thanks Katharine!!

I love to do a beautiful window display. It is literally one of my favorite things to do. I often design the window of the Foley and Corinna boutique on Melrose Ave. It all starts with a nonexistent budget. So whatever I do…I have to get pretty creative. I choose what pieces of clothing from the new collection I want to showcase in the window. Then I build around it. In this case, since the  dresses I was working with were very sparkly and reminded me of something mystical..I decided to use my favorite thing..which I always include in my designs often…butterflies!!! I had lots of painting paper lying around from my move into a new place…literally rolls of it! So I wanted to be as frugal as possible and use something I already had instead of  buying new things. From there, I drew a butterfly on a harder piece of cardboard, cut it out with an xacto and used that as my stencil. With my stencil, I then, traced the butterfly on square-cut pieces of paper that were stacked together…and then cut the traced butterfly out. In the end, I scattered hundreds of paper butterflies on the floor and taped some to the window…as if they were flying. And thats all it took! Some paper I recycled, some great imagination, and some beautiful sparkly dresses…oh yes….what a great combination!

(top image) sergio zelcer patent leather heels ($248), (bottom image) pelle moda pony hair leopard heels ($224)

It’s hard to not think about boots when we start the Fall season. I have my boots lined up and already calling my name! But I just wanted to take a moment to shout out some great pairs of heels that I found the other day. When boots are on the brain, it’s hard to focus on which heels would be great for the Fall…especially when you already have so many pairs. I came across these heels by Sergio Zelcer and Pelle-Moda and could not pass them up. I mean, you can’t have too many pairs of patent leather pumps or pony hair leopard shoes! And the prices of these shoes were really incredible…and did not break the bank. With great prices, you can have a set of fabulous heels for Fall while still saving money to buy your favorite boots too! Check them out!

vintage sunglasses, ba&sh bohemian maxi dress from Jill Scott Boutique

Yes I do! I couldn’t wait to hit the beach for a photo op after we walked around the Abbot Kinney Festival. Despite my annoyance with large crowds, the festival was quite fantastic and there were actual several great bands playing as well. (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s). My boyfriend and I walked, chatted, ate, and enjoyed the always so amazing weather that Southern California drums up around this time of year. I decided to wear a dress that I had purchased awhile back but never wore before. It is by  ba&sh and it is absolutely beautiful piece. I guess I just never had the right place to wear it to. So when I was digging through my closet, Venice Beach would inspire me to wear the dress that was never worn before. Ultimately, I love those kind of moments…. you know the inspiring kind…especially when it surrounds my favorite place in the world. After we took some snapshots on the beach we went down to Main Street and had a fantastic dinner at a really cute seafood restaurant. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day. Xoxo!

Vintage Leather Coat and Lion Necklace, Noir Bracelet and Ring, Blue Jumper at Urban Outfitters           

My new obsession at the moment has got to be the leather jacket! I scored when I found this amazing one that seemed to blast me back to the 70’s…with the coolness of the 80’s. I can’t handle how excited I was when I discovered it was my size…you know how vintage goes. Immediately my brain starts to process the whole look. What could I pair with the most adorable jacket on the planet? Nothing more than the most adorable jumper on the planet and topping it off with a gorgeous vintage abalone shelled lion necklace…and some fabulous vintage inspired jewels by Noir. Leather jackets are the ticket item of the season so it won’t be too hard to score one that works for you. If you are looking for some cool vintage ones you can always hit up your favorite vintage store and do some major digging. That is the only way to find the true treasures anyways. You may even actually dig up some vintage bling. Or you can stop by: Shareen Vintage Vintage in Downtown Los Angeles or check out Noir Jewelry at www.noirjewlry.com.  Fantastic!!!

top image: vintage diane von furstenberg dress, vintage necklace (bottom image) sparkly mod vintage dress

My heart does a pitter patter when I get my little hands on an extraordinarily gorgeous piece of vintage. I especially love anything sparkly and black! Naturally, I am wearer of many colors. I love all the colors of the rainbow but maybe in a more pastel pallete. But I am in secretly in love (okay maybe its not that secret..) with black and greys. For some reason, when I wear black I feel even more beautiful  and a bit more mysterious. I even love to smoke out my eyes and get into the moment. As in the case of these photos…I had to bring out this fabulous dress by Diane Von Furstenberg that I stumbled upon in my closet. In person, this piece is a stunner. And is so perfect for the Fall with a pair of black boots! The bottom image is a little mod style sparkly mini dress that I haven’t yet worn out. I think with tights and again black boots, I will now that the weather seems to be cooling down. I paired it with simple vintage jewelry to let the pieces speak for themselves. Keeping all simple…sleek…and smooth baby!

all photos: stephanie lampkin

I decided that I would volunteer myself as the model for this photoshoot. One..because everyone I knew that could help me was busy. Two…well….damnit…if I was going to model anything it would be this gorgeous cover up. Could there ever be something made with the great functionality and chicness at the same time? Well, this sparkly piece definititely fits the mold. Made by Foley and Corinna and part of their current collection this dazzling cover up makes you look like a rock star on even your bad days.  You will always need a great cover up for the greatest city on the planet….because the lights of Hollywood are always shining so bright! Your sparkly cover up will be the perfect way to show your love back. Love…love…love….and more love. Visit them at www.foleyandcorinna.com. You might see yours truly on the Lookbook for Handbags.

all photos: stephanie lampkin

XTC Snake Black Wrap Around Heels, Report Signature Creme Heels

I must admit I occasionally feel the need to “strut” my stuff. If at possible while not trying to break an ankle, I go for the highest heeled heels in the store. I always ask the sales girl…”what do you think?…will I break an ankle?” She says to me, “Maybe…” Knowing that I love a good challenge and an excuse to stay home from work, I proceed  to say, “Wrap it up!” These were the latest in my shoe collection. Really pretty, really tall, and really ready to strut my stuff. My favorite store at the moment, believe it or not, is XTC Shoes on Melrose Ave. They have the best undercover hot shoes that you won’t usually see at your normal shoe store and the prices are not that bad. And they usually have a sale section that is out of control.  I mean…I am a Dolce Vita kinda girl (and yes they have those there) too but if you wanna stray away from the “oh so normal” and try something super different…go there! The best part is that they will work you deals like no other and if you are on a tight budget you can even put money down on the shoe…damn. Do it!