In Spades

Style... in abundance

Agape

Shawl3 Shawl4 Shawl5 Shawl1 Shawl2 Shawl6 In Greek, we have many words for love, but there are four that serve as the pillars for all relationships. Philia, a mental love, refers to the love and loyalty we show to our friends. Storge, an affectionate love, is the kind we have towards family. And eros is a passionate, romantic love. It’s Agape, the fourth and most important pillar, that describes the truest kind of love. Agape is unconditional, selfless love. One that is given whole heartedly without ever expecting anything in return. It shines the brightest and can never be extinguished even against insurmountable odds.  Two years ago today, I celebrated this incredible love by marrying my best friend.  Happy Anniversary to the kindest, most amazing man I know.  S’agapo.

My mother gave me this shawl to wear on my wedding day.  Even though it’s suited for an insane, voluminous work of art, it shines just as bright with a simple silk top and a pair of jeans.  Each year on this day, I wear it as an homage to the happiest, most love filled day I’ve experienced.

BHLDN shawl // Banana Republic silk top // Rag & Bone jeans // Prada shoes // 
Tiffany green quartz earrings and Venetian link bracelet

Signora

BW5 BW3 BW4 BW6 BW2There’s something about voluminous white midi skirts that make me feel Italian.  Perhaps it’s Diane Lane’s infamous white dress in Under the Tuscan Sun or practically every Dolce & Gabbana ad where the entire family goes to the farmer’s market, someone somewhere should probably be addressing me as Signora.  The look can teeter on absolute lady, so I prefer to throw on some edgy tuxedo booties instead of dainty pumps.  Gotta have that juxtaposition.  Oh, and the black panther ring with emerald eyeballs solidifies my status not as lady, but boss lady.
Banana Republic cropped top and clutch // Zara midi skirt // Max Studio booties // Kate Spade earrings // Noir panther ring

The Boot

CB5 CB7 CB1 CB2 CB4 CB3My great auntie gave me these boots.  She wore them in her early twenties while working one summer on a ranch.  I have always known her to be a pioneer, but imagining her working with the boys in the 1940’s makes me extra proud.  To think of the life these boots have seen and the stories they could tell prove that clothing is so much more than mere necessity.

Dear readers, I’d love to add one more incredible story to the life of these boots.  I’ve entered the Chictopia + Ariat “style your favorite boots” contest to win a trip to New York Fashion Week.  If you like what you see, please help a girl out and vote here.

O&J dress // Target hat // Vintage boots // 
Banana Republic and Amrita Singh bangles // Dogeared ring

Fashcap

Fashcap2 To usher in the weekend, here is the second installment of Fashcap. Click the links in the descriptions below. Happy Friday!

1)  I’ve purchased high heel protectors for events in which I’d be outside in the grass, but German company Heelbopps takes it to another level. With solid color and jeweled options, I can’t tell if these are crazy or crazy.

2)  An amazing look into the life of screen siren and style icon Lauren Bacall.

3)  To add to my post about caring for your clothes, check out this former Elle intern’s advice for tips she learned on the job. There is more than one way the freezer will save your garments and beauty products!

4)  Fashion and food blogger Luxirare is back after a one year hiatus with a new, raw, sweet-with-the-sour outlook. Let’s just hope she goes back to designing insanely masterful pieces like this one.

5)  At Start-up Weekend San Diego, I heard seven amazing pitches for new start-ups, but it was the second place winner that really caught my eye. Style Me, set to launch this Labor Day weekend, is an outfit sharing app where you upload images of your clothes and create events around each ensemble. You’ll never have to ask your friends “What are you wearing?” ever again.

Classic Californian

Beachy3 Beachy4 Beachy1 Beachy6 Beachy2 Beachy5 Although I’m an expert at riding a bike while wearing heels, these endless summer days call for classic Californian attire during my all day rides. You can’t get more quintessential California than Vans slip-ons. A gorgeous druzy necklace adds the perfect touch to a menswear inspired shirt and destroyed cutoffs. Just have to grab my beach cruiser and Beats Pill for an afternoon of every song I know with California in the title.
Zara shirt // Forever 21 shorts and sunglasses // Dogeared and Favor Jewelry rings // 
Karlita Designs druzy and Kate Spade idiom necklaces // 
Vans The Beatles Yellow Submarine shoes