I HEART CITY POP

finally…. a simple place where my little lovelies can become your little lovelies. SHOP HERE!!!!

My lovely fiance really wanted to get me away from the city for my birthday. There obviously were quite a few options and I knew that whatever I chose, as long as I was with him…I would be happy. But for some reason, the thought of us together in mother nature sounded like the perfect idea. I opted on Big Sur…a place I had heard was more magical than magic itself. The problem was that Big Sur is really…just that..big! The only places to stay are literally a campground or an Inn with no shower!! Well…needless to say…we decided we wanted to give each plenty of cuddles and not smell all weekend and decided to stay in Carmel. Which was just as beautiful and only 10 minutes from Big Sur. And on top of that we also visited the location where we want to have the wedding! So we killed two birds with one stone…or something like that. I fell horrible for just saying that..because the birds were literally singing to us on our hike. But I think you know what I mean.  In the end, we fell more in love and I fell in love with nature all over again. I had so much time to think about so many things and to just clear my head…and the number one thing I realized is…I am truly the most luckiest girl. The End.

The perfect French beauty…she is. Give her a listen and you will understand why she is so addicting. Voyage au bout de la nuit!

More images from my Mini Diana and my trip to Pat’s hometown Ohio….Enjoy!

One of my favorite gifts this holiday, was a small camera called the Mini Diana. It is a tiny little plastic camera that takes really eerie and interesting pictures in either square, or half rectangle frames. You can overlap images and even do half rectangles frames side by side. I was completely mesmerized. I had Patrick take me around his home town so I could take pictures of all the pretty trees and homes sprinkled with snow. I had not been in snow since I was a teenager! So I was happy to catch some great images with this little guy. I went to the river, to a beautiful wildlife park, and the lovely skating rink. Sometimes when I would see something so intriguing, I would wonder where are all the beautiful things like that are in Los Angeles. I guess our beautiful things just come in different packages. And so….I’m on a mission with my Mini Diana to capture them! 

My lovely boyfriend…who is now my fiance…(whooohooo!)…wanted to take me to Palm Springs to relax after we were in 30 degree weather in Ohio visiting his family. We stayed at the Riviera Resort and Spa…and it was the most beautiful treat a girl can have. Coming from the snow to laying out in the sun makes me love California more than ever. Although, as I type this..I am sitting at my computer with a severe cold. But I am happy I had an amazing end of the year and spent it with the most wonderful people ever and of course….my one and only. We got engaged over the New Year and so I am ever so happy and full of a renewed sense of life and purpose. I am so excited for all the new ventures that will happen this year and the next. It even gives me butterflies to think about all the fantastic things that are going to take place. I realized that everyone loves a new beginning…a fresh start and that is exactly what this feels like at the moment. We grow from our past experiences and become better people in the end. The point of it all, I believe, is to become better. To take every single great opportunity and run with it. So on that note, I hope you had a great and memorable New Year’s as well!

Happy New Year everyone!!  It is definitely going to be great one!!! xoxoxoxoxo!

Foley + Corinna Cropped Ruffle Sweater and Motoleggings

Foley + Corinna Sequin Bubble Dress

Foley + Corinna Striped Lurex Sweater

I decided that I would just use myself for the next Foley + Corinna mailer. It’s sortof a weird thing since I run the store to apppear in the mailers and then everyone thinks I completely obsessed with my job. Well, that’s not completely true. I am a tad bit obsessed with the line but if I could just be designing mailers and shooting all day I would be one happy camper..I wish it could be one or the other. But since I am a woman of many talents, I like to do whatever I can to stay inspired. I have been doing more graphic work for the mailers than the actual photoshoots but I felt the urge to shoot again. I wanted to keep it simple this time…and yes..honestly it was last minute. I just sort of went into it like I was shooting for my blog…nothing too crazy and nothing too serious (even though I have a much tougher corporate crowd to please). The store is on sale..so I picked some of my favorite sale items and shot them in my home. Obviously I would have picked another model for the mailer besides myself…like a pretty friend of mine and a much better location. But I have been crazy busy with other projects and my friends are as well. However, I PROMISE to do more location shoots like this one and step away from the “graphics only” for a bit when designing these mailers. I always have so much fun shooting friends for these things. Either way…we’ll see what happens! I guess I can say there is more to come!! Here is the final mailer:

XXI Navy Peacoat, American Apparel black leggings, Vintage gold belt, and Dolce Vita Ankle Boots

Okay..I have to admit that I have been rocking this outfit really hard the past couple of days. It’s been pretty chilly here in LA and for some reason this seems to be the most appropriate outfit to snuggle my body in. I often hit up the Forever 21 by my house looking for that treasure find. Well, the last time I went in, that treasure came in the size of a peacoat in the color of navy at a price of $45. It is made of wool, so those of you who can’t bare to deal with that itch are in no luck. However, it is nicely lined and is actually okay for me. I also love my new ankle boots from Dolce Vita…all black and shiny. This shoe is part of their new collection…which I have to say is FANTASTIC! I want every single shoe they have lined up for the fall! And of course add your favorite vintage pieces and you have a pretty, pretty, peacoat  adorned with the most prettiest shine.

Tim Burton…my hero…..most of his movies top my all time favorite list. Edward Scissorhands is the main one. I can just remember thinking as a kid, that this movie hit all the neurons in my brain that get all excited and mesmerized by something. I couldn’t really understand why. But I was the kinda kid that liked all the books in the library that were really weird and that had all sorts of strange drawings. But when I was growing up movies were pretty flat…literally. Sesame Street or The Muppets was the only three dimensionality I got. Oh wait…I forgot…the guy who did The Labyrnth and The Never Ending Story. Okay…well, Tim Burton hit the nail on the head in the 90’s with his deep, dark, fantasy like creatures and movies. Not too scary and not too cute. And even today, mix his concepts with fashion and here you go: these pictures blow me awaaaaay!!!  Enjoy!

Lately I have been having some really intense dreams. I feel like a good collage is a fine way to put those dreams into action. And anyways, I always loved to collage every since I was a child. It is the most simple way to create a masterpiece. I’m not too sure what this particular collage is all about and why I decided to add Bambi to it…besides the fact that Bambi and friends are incredibly adorable. I do know, however, that the real people in the collage are connected to me and on a daily basis….are a huge part of my life. My boyfriend, my sister, and my doggy. If I had a decent picture of my parents…they would be in here too. I have been working quite a bit and have been extremely tired..which can explain the intense dreams. Not all of them are this pleasant. But if I had a dream I could map out..it would definitely look and feel something like this….Bambi included.

top image: vintage coat, vintage jewelry, fox knot dress by foley and corinna…midddle image: ribbon vest, vintage jewely

My wonderful friend, Brittany, lent me her beauty for this Sunday summer evening photoshoot. On a rooftop overlooking the gorgeous Hollywood Hills, sans the awful fire smoked sky, we did a photoshoot mixing some new modern pieces of clothing with vintage. I, often, like to work with friends..not only because we learn from each other but the shoots seem more fun that way. My other friend, Michele, who has an impeccable vintage eye styled the shoot and added her amazing touches to the whole look. Ultimately we had a blast and the photos came out pretty damn good. Sometimes what seems to be the most chilled out thing..(yes we were all drinking Sangria at the same time)…ends up being some of the best work yet. Ofcourse, I have to admit having beautiful friends who are not only talented but photogenic helps out a lot as well. Cheers!

all photos: stephanie lampkin        

Because I am absolutely obsessed with pretty little things and pretty big things for your home…I will also share my tidbits as well. Here is a small view into my one favorite places in my home. One of my favorite artists of all time besides Pablo Picasso is Alphonse Mucha. His work is the epitome of everything I love about art. It was his style best known in the Art Nouveau period that I derive most of my inspiration from. So I found this gem (featured in the top image) by Alphonse Mucha and made it the centerpiece of my faux fireplace. I built around it with other little gems from the flea market and my favorite store on the planet, Anthropologie. Hope you enjoy peeking a bit into my home. More to come!