new hair + iCare

Allene, myself, Shenna #LETSDOTHIS #SCA100NPS 

Kicking off my first of the last 4 weekends I have in California, it did not disappoint.  The weekend was one of epic proportions! First check out my new hair: lavender/unicorn. Pretty cool huh? I have been wanting to do it for a while but held off because of my corporate job. Sayonara marketing! Now that I am moving to NYC and pursuing design I can finally be what I want and more importantly, do what I want!

Fashion is certainly my first love, but as many of you may not be aware I am also very passionate about the environment. So much so, that I started a green initiative at the company I currently work for (DataStax) I named my green dream team #DataStaxDoingGood. This weekend we spent time @ Stinson Beach in Marin, CA doing a beach clean up for remnants of the Tsunami in Japan back in 2011 (garbage that has been floating across the ocean for 4+ years). Suspiciously, none of the garbage actually looked like it was from a Tsunami..most were cigarette butts and plastic bottle tops..Oh and Iain found a dead bird? Sweet.

Pre-Beaching: Shenna, Iain, myself, Or, Justin, Allene = DataStax Doing Good! #SCA100NPS

Post-Beaching: Justin, Or, Iain + Shenna! #SCA100NPS

There is no better way to spend my time! Volunteering with coworkers I am lucky enough to call  friends, making a real impact on that beach (500 points for Gryffindor!) How rare it is to see the same people 5 days a week and still want to be with them on the weekend! Working together making difference towards something bigger than yourself. Given this kicked off my last month in California, it will be hard to top!

XO

crop top, why not?

Crop Top Set: Romwe.com; Necklace: Nordstrom; Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana

All Photos By: Nina Garcia (Castro)

Location: Fort Mason Green, San Francisco

Fort Mason. A lot times this popular SF destination is synonymous with the word fun. Given I am originally from the Bay Area and have never been Fort Mason or experienced what it has to offer, is actually quite silly. This weekend that all changed - as I went there to celebrate an incredible co-worker turned great friend's birthday! 

For those unfamiliar with Fort Mason, like myself, the concept around it is actually pretty hippie, like much of SF. It is a huge open green area on a rolling hill where people essentially have picnics and play games. Which would be awesome, if the SF weather permits. As unlikely as it is to have a warm/summery day there this weekend the sun shined for Shenna's birthday! En lieu of this knowledge I chose to wear my new crop top set from Romwe.com with basic T-Strap sandals and a basic necklace. Let the good times commence!

the adventures of greyhounds + tooth (the loubs)

There comes a day in every woman's life when she becomes a mother.. of beautiful Louboutin twins. For some this day has come and gone, for others it is somewhere on a distant horizon. For me, it was this weekend. I've held off for all the normal reasons:

1. I'm only 25, is it totally ridiculous to buy these for myself?
2. PS: I'm also not a Kardashian
3. I was saving this for a special purpose/occasion that I deemed worthy 

I am pleased to report the latter of the above happened. I was somehow accepted to the Harvard of the fashion world, Parson's! It is in a lot of ways a dream come true, a very significant step in the right direction. Therefore, it was time to make my steps more significant - and what better way to do that than with my new loubs, greyhounds + tooth! As a typical new mom, I became very snap happy and decided to photograph their "firsts". 

Their first night at home! Look at how regal they are on top of their new bed! Hopefully they don't keep me up!

Classic sibling rivalry, "Mom aren't I taller? I'm taller aren't I?" 

Here are my children discovering the double edged sword that is the alcoholic beverage, "Mom why do we have to live in such a boring place, when are we moving? I consumed far too many greyhounds..again.." I let them know that alcohol intake gets easier to control as you get older and learn your limits. But, there are some that never learn them, and I am more than happy to send them to a beautiful "resort" on the PCH with other like minded individuals that are often famous for their indiscretions.

I am so happy that their big brother, Awkward Face Cheetah, is adjusting so well to having the twins in the house. Nothing makes parents happier than when they see all their children getting along! 

Here is big brother Awkward Face Cheetah being protective of little sis Tooth. I overheard a sweet moment where he said, "Never date a male shoe just because he looks good and has a promising career, date him because of what's in his sole..and quit drinking so many damn greyhounds!"

Greyhounds + Tooth intermingling with some friends on their birthday! #StudsNSkulls Mama approves!

As usual there are times when my girls feel insecure and start to compare themselves to the photos in the magazines. I shared this moment with Greyhounds the other evening, "Mom, am I pretty? Do you think other people think I'm beautiful? Will I ever be in Vogue?" I gently let her know that she was physically perfect in my eyes and that I would not change a thing. But more importantly, it was how she saw herself that really mattered. That a truly beautiful shoe had nothing to do with looks, it was more about what was on the inside and how she treated the other shoes. I assured her there were all different colors of soles out there, that other people might be jealous of her redness and how she should not let that effect her. That it said more about them that it did about her.

Here my babies are congratulating me on getting into Parson's! "Mom, can we go with you to New York City??!?!"

I told them of course they could come with me.. IF they learned how to type! 

fashion says, "me too," style says, "only me"

Espadrilles: Marc Jacobs; Black Jorts: Madewell; Cardigan: Kimchi Blue; Necklace: J.Crew

Photo Location: Napa Valley, CA

All photos by: Kira Wyckoff

For apparent reasons, or none at all, people get continually hung up on the "Rules of Fashion". Which I find inconsequential, my only rule is that there are no rules. Wear what you like, wear it where you want. It's obvious when something is worn as a trend and not a form of self expression. That's not to say self expression cannot correlate with trends, but trends should never be a pillar of personal style (unless you're LADY GAGA). My style pillars:

1. HEELS: I'm 5'9", most would gawk and say how ridiculous that I wear height enhancing shoes, to those people: I like to highlight my best assets, not hide them. Chunky heels, wedges, really any sort of platform elevating footwear. The edgier the better, my current favorite are these studded espadrilles by Marc Jacobs. Patent leather and studs? Does life get any better? Maybe, but only by a small margin.
2. STUDS
3. SKULLS