My Favorite Denim

It's no secret that I am obsessed with denim. I wear denim almost every single day on my bottom half and, because of that, I have really narrowed down what I look for in a pair of jeans. My all-time favorite jeans have to be vintage Levi 501s, and while I did write an entire blog post detailing my tips on finding the perfect pair of vintage 501s, I wanted to talk about the jeans that I love that are readily available for you all to go and buy should the denim-buying mood strike you. 

With the rise in popularity of vintage 501s, Levi's has done a phenomenal job at trying to recreate the integrity and silhouette of their iconic vintage denim. That is definitely the case with their Wedgie Fit jeans. These jeans have a slimmer silhouette than 501s, however they maintain the vintage look with their rigid denim, high waist, and tapered leg. The Wedgie Fit jeans are some of the best jeans to get into if you are a die-hard skinny jeans wearer but want to get more into wearing straight leg jeans. I have a few pairs of these and I foresee myself wearing the dark indigo wash a lot during the fall and winter. 

Up until about a few months ago I only would wear straight, skinny, or boyfriend fit jeans. The thought of wearing a bootcut or a flare jean brought back some not so pleasant sartorial memories of wearing low rise bootcut jeans as a kid in the early 2000s. I had seen images floating around on Pinterest of bloggers wearing flared jeans, and while they looked incredible I doubted how they would look on me. However, the Madewell Cali Demi-Boot jeans have changed my opinion on flared jeans for the better. I have a pair of these jeans in a typical denim blue wash with a frayed hem, but the washed black with the exposed button fly pair are my favorites. These jeans are relatively skinny fitting over the thighs but have a gradual kick flare starting below the knee. Because they are slightly cropped as well (they hit just above my ankles and I am 5'6 for reference) they make for a very versatile piece, if you find yourself struggling to find a flared jean that goes with a variety of shoes. 

Last but not least is the newest pair of jeans to my collection, however they have quickly become my favorite skinny jean (and believe me I've tried my fair share). Everlane launched their denim about a month ago now and like everything the brand does, every step of making this denim has been done in an ethical and eco-friendly way. These jeans are 98% cotton so they have an incredible structure to them and don't feel like super stretchy jeggings, which I absolutely hate. While these are definitely a skinny jean they aren't skin tight so they don't have that sprayed-on look that so many skinny jeans nowadays have. Considering these are $68, they are also some of the best quality jeans (they sit up there with Levi's in my books) I have since they are made of Japanese denim, which is pretty much the gold standard in the denim world. 

What are your favorite jeans?  

Lipsticks for Autumn

I always find myself wearing more and more lipstick during the cooler months. I don't know whether its the fact that I enjoy wearing more makeup in general during autumn and winter, or if it's that darker lipstick seems more festive for this time of year, but I find myself much more drawn to lipstick starting around October. There are so many lipsticks that I love during this time of year, in fact I could write a whole post solely on my favorite red lipsticks, but for the purposes of this post I thought I'd narrow down my three favorite lipsticks and shades to wear from now until the end of winter. 

I'm usually not the biggest fan of nude lipsticks, just because I like the natural color of my lips and a lot of nudes can read as quite ashy against my pale skin. However, NARS Intriguing Velvet Matte Lip Pencil has become my go-to nude and is a shade that I will wear a lot with darker eye looks in the coming months. The warm rosiness of the lipstick keeps the lips from looking too pale or ashy, while being neutral enough to still be classified as a nude. The Velvet Matte Lip Pencils from NARS are also easily one of my favorite lipstick formulations because they are incredibly easy to apply, and stay on all day without feeling uncomfortably dry.

The red lipstick I see myself wearing a lot this autumn is actually a newbie in my collection. The shade is Scarlet by Make Beauty and it is a truly vibrant red that sits somewhere between a blue-based and an orange-based red. Because the undertones are quite neutral I can see this shade working on a lot of different skin tones. One of my favorite looks during the fall and winter is very minimal makeup with a bold red lip and this lipstick works perfectly for that look. The formula is also classified as a matte according to MAKE Beauty, but I would say it is more of a satin because it does have some slip to it. 

And finally, an autumnal lipstick post would be nothing without a mention of Glossier Generation G in Jam. I don't think there has been another color that I've worn on a consistent basis like I have with Jam. I love berry shades, especially for that stained look and Jam does just that. It is easily one of the most low maintenance lip products I own and because of that I reach for it all the time. I love wearing this lipstick all year round but because of its tone, it works the best in fall. 

My Month in Film | September 2017

I know it's cliched but I cannot believe that September is over and it is officially autumn! It's something I'm very excited about, but it is crazy just how fast this summer went by considering how much has happened in such a short period of time. September was a pretty busy month, I've been working a ton and have been loving every minute of it, but that also means that I don't have as much time to go out and about in the city. I love these images and while they aren't the most exciting, they are representative of the quieter moments during an incredibly busy month. 

This photo is blurry, which bummed me out but I had to mention that Brad and I went to Petit Crenn earlier in the month. It was the hottest day of the year and it was absolutely miserable weather but the food was insanely good. I would highly recommend going if you find yourself in San Francisco willing to spend some $$ on a really nice dinner. 

While I haven't had too many free weekends this past month it's been so nice to just go on a walk on a Saturday morning and get coffee, my favorite coffee shop being Four Barrel on Valencia (pictured here). 

Wandering through one of my favorite wooded parts of Golden Gate Park to shoot some content!

Getting so excited about the cooler weather and the leaves changing color, I just can't shut up about it.

One of the film shots Brad took in the midst of shooting part of the Transitional Pieces blog post that went up last weekend.

Most of our down time has been spent going on walks, which is something I missed so much about living here. We walked around Ocean Beach and the western part of Golden Gate Park by the windmills one morning. It's easily one of the best hidden gems in the city. 

The Divisadero Art Walk happened earlier in the month, and while the art walk itself was somewhat lackluster, the trip to Bi-Rite for ice cream was not. 

Spent a lot of time walking through Hayes Valley this month and looking in at all the amazing shops in the neighborhood.

Brad was particularly proud of this outfit (as was I) and insisted I document it on film. 

I picked up a few bits from MAKE Beauty, a brand I have been curious about for a while now and I am thoroughly impressed. I got the lipstick in Scarlet and the Defining Mascara, which I will talk more about it an upcoming blog post. I definitely want to buy more from the range!

I have a weird obsession with the BBQ sign from 4505 next to the auto garage along Divisadero. 

Alamo Square park was recently renovated and I finally took the time to go and see it. While this is such a touristy destination, the area surrounding it really isn't but is completely worth wandering around in.

Felt like a very cliched version of a French girl walking around the city with my bread in hand wearing a Breton stripe shirt. 

Brad and I went to the Big Book Fair put on by the SF Public Library at Fort Mason one Sunday and while we didn't find any books we had the best time just walking along the Marina Green and people watching. 

I got a new Eames Vortex style chair for my desk and it has made me want to sit at my desk so much more. I am definitely working bit by bit on making small changes to my room, which I will most likely update you all on in an upcoming post. 

One of my favorite intersections (weird thing I know) at Church and Market on a sunny morning. 

My Favorite Transitional Pieces | Summer to Autumn

As of now I am thoroughly over Summer. I have never been the biggest fan of Summer to be honest, which I think partially is down to the fact that I've never loved hot weather. Because of my aversion to higher temperatures I've also never been too keen on dressing for the Summer months. Luckily, having grown up in San Francisco, I never developed much of a Summer wardrobe because, well, we don't really have summer the way the rest of the world does. Most of the summer months consist of dense fog and some pretty heavy winds. Even though I'm not in the throws of hot weather, I still am eager for it to be Autumn because not only is it my favorite season, but it also brings with it Autumn clothing coming into stores.

I find shopping in between seasons to be near impossible because, more often than not, the selection just isn't too great. I tend to be drawn to classic, timeless pieces especially during transitional times because they also often coincide with being in the middle of a style rut. While it can feel a bit same-y at times, I think its nice to go back to basics sometimes and really hone in the pieces that work best for you. These in-between times are when I find myself shopping my own closet a lot more and therefore have nailed down a solid selection of pieces that work perfectly for the often awkward transition from Summer to Autumn. 

T-Shirt: Lisa Says Gah (old) | Bag: Madewell | Jeans: Levi's | Shoes: Converse

One of the staples in my transitional wardrobe is a pair of straight leg jeans. This particular pair pictured are the Levi Wedgie Fit Jeans, which are a great options if you are either struggling to find a good pair of vintage Levi 501s or if you are new to the realm of straight leg jeans and want a pair that err more on the skinny side. I've had a few pairs of Levi Wedgie jeans and this wash is by far my favorite for the transition to cooler weather The deep blue wash goes so well with both light and dark tops, but also looks a bit more formal with the right outfit. Because of the silhouette of straight leg jeans, they lend themselves to a variety of tops like a plain white tee (as pictured above) or a chunkier knit. 

A pair of classic black Converse High Tops also are one of the best items in a transitional wardrobe. They are definitely a casual shoe, but they work with so many different outfits whether it be a classic jeans and t-shirt look, a girly wrap dress, a pair of trousers; the possibilities really are endless. Because of their versatility, they work during this in-between period perfectly because they are such a reliable and iconic shoe. During the transition between Summer and Autumn, most people aren't also super worried about wearing shoes suited for very cold weather, but also don't want to be wearing a shoe with an open toe, which is the ideal situation to wear sneakers. I think that any kind of fashion sneaker is a must-have for transitional seasons, but Converse High Tops are without a doubt my favorite and the most comfortable (that I have found) in the category. 

Leather Jacket: Madewell | Turtleneck: Uniqlo | Jeans: Topshop | Shoes: Madewell (old) | Bag: Madewell

A leather biker jacket makes for the perfect outerwear piece during transitional seasons. This is in part because leather biker jackets go with everything, from jeans and a t-shirt to a wrap dress. Because they are so versatile its a piece that you can rely on no matter the weather or the occassion. Another great thing about leather jackets is if you don't already own one, they are almost always available no matter what the season is. Even though the leather jacket I own is on the thicker side, it has been my go-to outerwear piece for cooler evenings and days, and even when it's a bit warmer I can justify wearing it with a lighter top underneath. 

Perhaps one of the best transitional pieces is a lightweight wool turtleneck. My favorite turtlenecks are from Uniqlo as they are both the perfect cut and they're only $30. While these are wool, they are a much lighter weight wool than a lot of other wool turtlenecks on the market and you don't feel like you're dying of heat exhaustion if the temperature rises above 65 degrees. Because of the ribbed texture, they sit in a super flattering way against the body and don't sag or look awkward in any spot. The tight fit of them makes for the perfect layering piece, in fact one of my favorite outfits, which I'm sure I'll feature in the near future in an upcoming post is this turtleck with a lacey cami over the top, tucked into some black trousers. Again, like the leather biker jacket, you can also wear a wool turtleneck for almost any occasion as well, which makes it perfect for this time of year. 

Reflecting On This Summer

I've not kept it a secret on this space that this summer has been pretty crazy and life-changing. It's something that I have consistently mentioned in my month in film posts, but while I've mentioned it a lot its not a topic I've dove too much into. That is mainly because when I was writing all of those posts I was in the thick of it. In other words, I didn't feel like I was fully on the other side of things to be able to process them fully in a post and truly be able to reflect on all the changes. I definitely anticipated this summer being a hefty one back in spring, when I wrote a post all about my thoughts on graduating from college. Although, I did not acknowledge the intense nervousness I had been feeling about the prospect of leaving school, which has been my comfort zone for the vast majority of my life.

I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge the fact that this summer got off to a rocky start. Graduation itself was one of the most stressful days not only because of all the intense emotions of the ceremony itself, but because of the fact that the day is all about the graduate, and for someone who does not like being the center of attention that can be very stressful. Not to mention the fact that most of my family was in town for the event (whom I love and appreciate very much), it was easily the hottest day of the year at that point, and I was in the process of packing up my little studio apartment at school and moving in the midst of it all. And just like that I was thrust back into city life, constantly applying for jobs, going to interviews, all while trying to catch up with friends who had moved back, and maintain my relationship. Needless to say it was a bit overwhelming. 

In the midst of applying to jobs and the all-too-often rejection email, I felt myself massively in crisis about what I wanted to do with my career and in what direction I was heading. It was incredibly disheartening and confusing, especially for a person who has always had a plan and a clear sense of herself. However, the constant during this entire summer, in terms of my professional interests has been this blog, creating content, and photographing what inspires me. I tried my hardest to at least post once a week (which I failed at the past two weeks), which felt like the most constant motivation I've had in a long time. After applying to job after job, it became clear to me that I needed to take a break, reset, and really think about what I want my career to look like or even be without the distraction of being in the cycle of job applications, interviews, and rejection emails. I applied for a retail job as a source of income, which I ended up loving, submitted an application for a part time internship writing for a San Francisco-based magazine, got both jobs and finally felt my life fall into place. While I never saw myself liking retail (I have worked in retail for a temporary summer job during college and liked it but always found it a tad difficult since I am naturally introverted), I have absolutely loved it. 

While it sounds über cheesy I think if anything I've learned this summer that I just need to give myself time. I can't and don't need to have everything figured out at once, and rushing to find your place in the world is a very temporary, and can be an ultimately unfulfilling solution. I still don't know where I'll be in ten or even five years but I'm more okay with that than I've ever been before. Rather than the uncertainty making me feel anxious, it makes me feel excited. Luckily I have two jobs that I love and am 100% committed too and family and friends that are completely supportive of wherever I end up career-wise. Every summer during my college years felt like the months where everything changed and this summer felt no different. Last summer I was in one of the worst places I've been with my personal life and this summer I went through an equally stressful period in my professional life. However, I've come out the other end (from both summers) with a better understanding of myself and what I want as I continue the albeit rough transition into adulthood.