Summer is in full swing and as things heat up, I’m gravitating towards clothing that is lighter and more breathable. One of my recent finds is this t-shirt dress and it’s been in constant rotation over the last month (see it here and here also).

What I love about this piece is that it’s affordable (under $50.00!) and super versatile — the pre-tied front adds visual interest and gives it shape. Wear it with sneaker wedges and minimal jewelry for a daytime look and add boots and a bold necklace to transition to nighttime.

Little Rocky joined me for a few photos — I’ve known him since he was 3 and now, he’s 10! I don’t know where the time goes. To even get him to look at the camera, you have to promise him cheese! He knows all the tricks to get what he wants. 😉

I’ve always found summer clothing to be trickier than that of the colder months because I love the look of layers. Tanks, cut-offs and sandals aren’t my thing so this dress gives me some polish without holding in the heat.

I wore: Forever 21 straw boater hat, Urban Outfitters T-Shirt Dress, Zara boots (no longer available) and YSL “Y-Mail” bag (no longer available).

P.S. Thanks for your comments on my previous post — it’s really good to be back! I’ve missed you guys a ton. xoxo

It goes without saying: this coat is my new obsession. It’s a modern day nod to Cruella Deville, don’t you think?!

As much as I dread cold weather, the longer I can wear this before Spring finally hits, the better. I’ve been wearing it over all my basics including these jeans paired with a black scoop neck bodysuit and a jaunty little knotted scarf. I love looks like this because for the most part, they’re made up of basics I already have on-hand with one special piece added, like a cherry on top!

So, let’s talk about this location: Canteen serves some of the best fresh juices in town! I LOVE their all black exterior, too.

At the moment, I’m feeling the graphic jolt that black and white bring to the table (forever and always!) and neck scarves instead of chokers. They’re slightly warmer in this weather and add polish to a simple t-shirt and jeans combo.

Current inspiration: Striped Nuuna notebooks. Vintage Brigitte Bardot photos. Urban Outfitters scarf. Canteen. Fluffy faux furs. Refined, modern type.

I go through stages where I tend to put off personal style in an effort to be efficient and get things done but what I’m realizing is that a great coat, a little scarf and shoes other than sneaker wedges don’t take any more time to add into a look when you’re getting ready. Those small shifts can add a dash of glamour, even if you’ve really just rolled out of bed!

I have some more fashion finds I’m excited to share with you in the next few weeks — and it feels good to be inspired to dress up again after such a long, dark, dreary Winter.

I Wore: Faux fur coat, Nasty Gal (sold out). Bodysuit, Forever 21. Scarf, Urban Outfitters. Jeans, Guess. Boots, Populaire via Yoox (sold out).

This Winter in Portland has been an unseasonably cold one and there was a point a few weeks back where it even snowed a foot in less than 24 hours (highly unusual). I’ve always had a hard time with Winter Fashion because it tends to involve a lot of bulky layers.

In an effort to break out of my heavy black Zara nylon parka, jeans and flat motorcycle boots, I’ve been trying to dress up more while still staying warm enough to brave the freezing temperatures. My favorite cold weather staple is this spruce faux fur jacket Joey bought me for Christmas two years ago — layered over a black sweater, it’s super cozy. I also wear it on a lot of flights in the colder months because it doubles as a great blanket!

I have a lot of tall boots in my closet but for some reason, have avoided them for years. That is, until I was recently in New York and it seemed that every stylish woman was wearing them. I remembered that I had these black Chloe boots from around 2008 and dusted them off. The horseshoes on the soles have always been my favorite detail.

The base layers of this look are super basic, with just a Zara mock neck sweater and a pair of Victoria’s Secret leggings. But with the faux fur thrown over the top and tall boots zipped up, the look completely transforms. When I visited Gala last month, she’d thrown a bubble gum pink faux fur coat and tall black suede boots over black leggings and a loose sweatshirt; those comfy layers suddenly looked so glam.

The weather is just starting to warm up this week and I can feel Spring creeping in so this post is a final ode to faux fur before packing it away for another year. The great thing about Winter coming to an end is that all those heavier jackets are now on sale! I am OBSESSED with this one. Hello, Cruella!

Here’s to Spring, lighter layers, getting outside and not being the color of death! 😉

I wore: Silence + Noise faux fur jacket (old), Victoria Sport high-rise tights, Zara mock neck sweater (sold out) and Chloe knee-high boots (old).

I’m sure some of you wonder why I’m so obsessed with Palm Springs and here’s one of the main reasons: these photos were just taken in Winter. WINTER!

I’m used to endless overcast days and layers piled on thick as the seasons change this time of year. It’s what I’ve known my entire life. While I enjoy the crisp air, sipping hot apple cider, pulling out scarves and seeing frost on the trees first thing in the morning, I also love the sun.

When Joey and I checked out of The Avalon, this sunburst situation was happening and I wanted to document it. The grounds of this hotel have a modern garden vibe with a lot of hedges and plenty of trees full of citrus fruit. Paths wind around tiny bungalows and swimming pools. Most of the hotel is black and white but plenty of foliage and colored doors give it depth.

I love wearing lightweight dresses and having bare legs without freezing. I can’t get enough of light desert breezes and palm trees. To me, these things feel like such a luxury in Winter. And, get this — Palm Springs has an average of 269 sunny days (!!!) days per year.

Where’s your happy place? Where are you dreaming of visiting right now?

I wore: Dress, For Love and Lemons. Boots, Populaire. Choker, Forever 21.

Heads-up: This is not going to be a typical outfit post because this week has been a tough one for so many of you, for me and for the world. Over the weekend, I was hopeful and still on a post-Designer Vaca creative high. Then, Tuesday night happened and there’s a lot on my mind.

I had so much faith that we were better together, only to wake up the next morning feeling sick but knowing I had to show up to work. A tweet I came across on 11/9, the day after the election said, “WWMOD? (What would Michelle Obama Do?) She’d get up, She’d get dressed. She’d go high. And hug someone.” I love that so much.

We’re all entitled to our personal beliefs and we should exercise them every four years. I take voting very seriously but it took a wake-up call to get me there. Back in the Fall of 2000, I’d just started college. I was old enough to vote that time around but did not. I remember my writing teacher saying, “If you didn’t vote in this election, you can’t complain about the outcome.” I registered to vote after that.

I’ve always lived in a liberal pocket of the country and I’m aware it is a bubble. Right now, I know that somehow I’ll be okay but I feel afraid, scared and anxious about changes that could effect people of color, the disabled and the GLBTQ community. At the same time, this is an opportunity to fight harder for them and donate money and creative services to causes that support active change.

During these uncertain times, I choose to believe in love, compassion and creativity. I choose to believe that we can all make a difference for good. I also know that when things don’t go our way, anger and grieving are normal. And then, it’s time to get to work. As Tina Fey says, “I’m unstoppable because I don’t know how to stop.”

I’ve never been overly political in this space because I believe we each have the right to our views but change won’t happen if we sit here silently. This is the time to speak up.

When I took these photos while out exploring Palm Springs with Joey last week, the world felt lighter. We drove past this wall of flowers growing through a chainlink fence and I fell in love with scenery. Right now, like many of you, I’m holding onto those small moments of beauty, knowing that there are many if you take the time to look around you.

I also want to say that as a creative, whether you’re a designer, artist, photographer, writer, shop owner, blogger….whatever you do, know that your work has meaning, what you do has significance. Use your talents to make a difference. You’re never alone — I believe in you.

I wore: Dress, Nasty Gal. Boots, Populaire.