It’s a new month! Hope you’re all well and sorry for being missing for a bit. I’ve been in LA, running around town from showroom to showroom, PR meetings, and shooting with my main photog gal Julia O Test. She’s never really been to LA, so it was nice to show her my version of my favorite city.
If you’re not familiar with Los Angeles, I think the romanticized idea of LA is everything the movies make it out to be. Have you seen La La Land? It’s kind of nice, because I think I lost the sparkle in my eyes towards my later years when I was living there and took things like LACMA or the Beverly Hills Hotel scape for granted. In between meetings, it was nice to capture things that I did miss such as these locations and show someone around with a clean slate.
Sebastian: “That’s L.A. They worship everything and they value nothing” – La La Land
Happy Monday all. As most of you know Los Angeles is my favorite city. I’ve lived, worked, and played here for many years, so it’s always nice to come back down for a little bit now that I’ve been in the Bay Area a while. Do I miss it? Hell yeah. I miss the daily grind of the city, the little magic if you will. We treated this trip as a staycation. It was nice to swoop in with @Twelfthknight and the fur baby for a few days to eat, relax, take in some art, and just be. No agenda, no work, just living that LA life as only we know how :D
As always, thank you for reading. And a big thank you to Sole of Brasil for adding some boho style to my look. If you’d like to shop Sole of Brasil’s online store for comfy Brazilian shoes, be sure to use “Lauren15” for 15% off at checkout.
Abbott Kinney Blvd, my favorite street in Venice away from the beach and tourists.Lemonade via the Main Squeeze Lemonade Truck. Shoes by Loeffler Randall.Abbott Kinney has some of the best murals in the area, this being a favorite.@twelfthknight and Moobie’s favorite mural :D – Abbott KinneyWe were excited that PDX came to LA! Blue Star Donuts, ladies and gentlemen. The blueberry bourbon rosemary donut…lives up to the hype.The perfect weekend ensemble. Wearing a Paige tank, Joes Jeans, Mgemi flats, and Minkoff bag.My favorite stop for plant life. Isabel Marant on Melrose Place (taken during Farmer’s Market)Farmer’s Market berries on Melrose Place.Picked up some Alfred’s coffee before heading to brunch with friends Amy and Paul. @Twelfthknight has never been and I was happy to show him my favorite coffee kitchen in the area. We also met a french bulldog there named Winston.#ButFirstCoffee thanks to Alfred’s. And now off to brunch.The interior of Republique on La Brea. We ate with my old friend Amy and her husband. She’s a talented makeup artist in the industry. FYI: There is always a wait for this place, and rightly so. If you eat for dinner, you may place reservations.Back at the apartment with my sun appropriate things. (we stayed in Miracle Mile, a few blocks from LACMA)Moobie loved having the place to himself a lot, he was truly on vacation :DLACMA at night. Earlier we saw Ryan Seacrest and Diane Keaton there for an event.Tsukemen at the best ramen house in Los Angeles, Tsujita LA. I took my parents here a long time ago, and now I’ve taken @Twelfthknight :) My favorite neighborhood in LA for authentic Japanese food.Purple rain, in honor of Prince. Our street was lined with these flowers every morning.Another local favorite, Joan’s on Third. A market, coffee spot, deli, and great food.Boho vibin’ with my gladiators thanks to Sole of BrasilLast breakfast at Stir Market on Beverly. The best bacon in town! And the entire staff is incredibly generous and kind, we will be back.
Happy First Day of Fall everyone, tis my favorite time of year! This little post is a mashup of my favorite things: coffee breaks, work, and fall fashion. I apologize for being missing in action though, I took some time to recover from styling a commercial in Los Angeles as well as wrapping the whole thing. After being gone from set-life for a wee bit, I am happy to say I nailed it. Getting that confirmation from an all male production company as well as Client is really satisfying. Per usual no photos or more info until the actual thing airs, however this was my 3rd International shoot that I have single handedly been Wardrobe Head. for; this time shooting with Nongshim Co. the biggest instant noodle and snack company in South Korea :D The Dominos of Asia if you will. The commercial will air overseas featuring a certain known actor, he has a movie out now in theaters, maybe you’ve seen it already…but until then I can’t say much more….I hate that. *waits patiently.*
Anyhoo, now that I’m back in the Bay, it’s starting to feel like Fall…kind of? It was about 98 degrees and rising in Los Angeles and I’m happy to be incorporating some of my favorite Fall trends into my closet such as the color Blush (pullover from Banana Republic) and this awesome faux suede 70’s skirt from H&M. I don’t normally veer too far from my relatively basic neutral outfits, however I like these two trends and I think I’ll be wearing more of these skirts with some button down blouses and T shirts just to get out of my wardrobe rutt. Gotta stay fresh, people.
Hope you’re having a great week and as always thanks for reading!
Blush is the color for Fall, and since I’m not a pink gal I prefer this tone because it’s a subtle one :DDetails on this $35 skirt from H&M.My only down time for myself in LA was found at Coffee Commissary. They make a mean latte and are located in WeHo, Burbank, and Culver City.View from our shooting location in the LA hills. That’s a wrap folks.
I’d like to give a big thank you to Elizabeth from Clothes to You for nominating me for the Sunshine Award, it makes me incredibly happy to know that my blog is getting enough momentum that people are willing to share with the world. So thank you Elizabeth!
I really liked Elizabeth’s questions, I think you’ll learn a lot more about me, prior to Shoes and Sashimi :)
What did you aspire to be when you were younger?
Believe it or not, from a young age I wanted to be a Costume Designer. “Little me” grew up watching films, TV, and being enthralled with pop culture and music. I loved fashion, movies, and the idea of being part of the behind the scenes excitement if you will. So I thought hmm…”if I combined all my favorite things together I’d have my dream job.” And so I did. I graduated from the prestigious California Inst. of the Arts in 2009 with a BFA in Costume Design and I’ve been designing and wardrobe styling in LA since then. It’s not all glamorous though, it’s a dog eat dog world the entertainment and PR life. They say it’s tough, it’s probably 10x tougher than anyone thinks, but it’s sure exhilarating when you get to do what you love to do for a living.
On set in the 90210 with AT&TMy favorite studio to work out of, Slickforce Studio.Wong Fu Productions on call.
2. What is your greatest achievement outside of blogging?
That’s a tough question, because quite frankly I feel like I haven’t achieved all that much. I know, I know, maybe I’m being too hard on myself, but really I don’t think I can answer that one. I’ve had a good highlight reel, that’s for sure. I’ve had some terribly disappointing ones too. If I had to pick some proud moments throughout the years though, I think it would come down to these: Not having any debt, that’s something I’m really proud of. Also being able to move as often as I did and hustle in between shoots when there are bills to be paid and things to get done. Lastly, as I look through my portfolio I remember that I’ve had some really good moments in time and I’m proud of my work. I can firmly say that.
Actor & Model Rob Ryu shot by Sheri Angeles.Recording Artist Jason D Chen shot by Melly LeeWong Fu Productions shot by Melly LeeActress Ciara Hannah. Catch her as the Yellow Ranger on Nickelodean’s Power Rangers Megaforce.Q Modeling Agency Test Shoots in Palm Desert. Shot by Sheri Angeles.
3. Who takes the majority of your photos?
I’ve had a lot of great photographers over the year, Melissa de Mata (SF) and Erich Chen (LA) for starters. But as momentum builds with the blog, it’s becoming increasingly harder to shoot a full set when you’re not with a photographer day and night. This is where @TwelfthKnight comes in. He’s my rock, our fur baby’s papa, and man of the hour. I am fully spoken for and am happily living in the Bay Area this year, having best of both worlds :D He’s not a photographer, but we’re becoming a tag team in this blogging venture together and we’re learning along the way. It’s trial and error, and we’re having a lot of fun with that.
:DPlaying around with the Canon EOS Rebel T4i. What are your preferences when it comes to cameras?
4. What would you say is the biggest challenge about blogging?
Where do I start…being consistent with content. It’s even harder when you’re part time or full time elsewhere. There’s just not enough time in the day or should I say light in the day to drive the blog further. And if you’re like me, you’re not going to settle for poor lighting just for the sake of content, am I right? Right. How do we maneuver around this lighting challenge and time crunch? On the weekends we like to go out for day trips and you’ll probably find me changing outfits somewhere, creating different looks along the way in the hopes that they make enough content for the week to come :D Quick changes, I’m a professional. Literally.
5. How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is pretty casual currently. Jeans, a dress shirt, shorts, and a sweater (It’s pretty cool and casual here in the Bay Area.) If you met me in LA though, you’d see me more on the dressier side every day, even going to set and especially on the weekends. I would be buying for multiple shoots at a time so I’d really have fun pulling and putting things together. Wasteland on Ventura or Melrose has some fun things, I’ve found amazing discounted designer finds there including Philip Lim and Givenchy. My secret weapon for my own shopping fix is going directly to the warehouses in DTLA for the samples. I’d swing by Lovers & Friends, For Love and Lemons, Joie, you name it. I sure miss those times, I’ll be back down soon for my next big wave of raiding hopefully.
Neutrals are the building blocks to a wardrobe, male or female. If you have cream, navy, black, and white, you can mix and match and look like a million bucks.Boo is neutral year round, unless he has a sweater on. We all should dress more like Boo :)
6. Is there a person who is a fashion inspiration to you? If so, who is this style icon, and why do they inspire you?
I’ve tracked Monica Rose‘s work as a stylist for some time now, and after chatting with her at her trunk show at Dash this year you could imagine my respect for her went up ten fold. She is incredibly chic, she dresses the Kardashians for Christ’s sake. But what’s really nice and refreshing is that she’s humble, a mom of 2 little ones, a wife, and she seemingly does it all in heels. Our mutual friend and owner of Slickforce Studio, Nick Saglimbeni was saying that a career is all about timing no matter how hard you hustle. I couldn’t agree more. Her timing couldn’t have been more perfect, I applaud her work ethic, and I wish her the best, truly.
The one and only Monica Rose.
7. What would you say is the greatest satisfaction about being a blogger?
There’s a lot of satisfaction that I get simply from penning my thoughts on a virtual paper, private or not. I like the idea that I might have an interesting story to tell when others have gone a linear path. I like that the blogging community is so supportive. I’ve gotten more love from strangers in different parts of the world than I have from people I know personally. That speaks volumes, so thank you for the undying support, near and far!
To keep the support flowing I nominate fellow bloggers:
Well, it was a whirlwind trip this time around but I’m glad that the boo and I could get away for some little sun and r&r for the weekend in LA. Staying in an apartment in Echo Park was great for those of you who know where this little neighborhood is. Just outside of Silverlake Junction, Echo Park is a tiny neighborhood that boarders the hipster coffee district of Silverlake and Sunset Blvd as well as bordering downtown LA. We did a lot, ate even more, snagged some new tops at the Greylin warehouse, and had a fun run in with Neil Flynn from Scrubs (he’s now on ABC’s The Middle.) It was nice to be back in LA for some relaxation, but now that I’m back in the Bay I can say it’s nice to be home. Until next time LA.
White Washed x Outside the Bates Motel Installation created by French Artist Vincent LamourouxDinner x First order of business: Daikokuya Ramen in DTLA. One of my favorite ramen houses in all of Los Angeles County.You love the man. Yes. Yes I do. Graffiti Art on Sunset.Smile for the ego. Always. #Butfirstletmetakeaselfie. Graffiti art found on Sunset and Bates.Echo Park Lake in all it’s glory. Downtown in the background. #NoFilter.Echo Park Lake and the Lotus Pond:) Also, how cool is this Cheap Monday tank? Underneath, wearing a Brandy Melville cropped bralette for layering purposes.Superb breakfast while you wait for the paddle boats.Square One Dining @ The Boathouse on Echo Park Lake. Left to right: Breakfast Tacos, Cheddar Grits and Bacon. Horchata. (The original Square One Restaurant is in Silverlake.)Lattes at Dinosaur Coffee. The boy flipped out and fan-girled so hard when he saw his favorite actor Neil Flynn behind me. I played it cool as they took selfies together. You can see his on Instagram @Twelfthknight :DWhite out.White out. Vincent Lamouroux painted these palm trees in ecofriendly paint for his installation.White Out at the Bates Motel. See for yourself if you’re on Sunset and Bates.Going home: You can’t go on a road trip and not get In n Out. That’s blasphemy. Animal Style, of course.
Thanks for reading, you can always find more daily photos during the week of my adventures on Instagram @shoes_and_sashimi
This may be my favorite set for certain reasons. If you have ever been to Little Osaka in Los Angeles you will find yourself in foodie heaven. It’s a hidden quiet gem in such a crazy city. Though I am only half ninja myself, I have considered the Sawtelle neighborhood of West LA my home away from home for many years. I even searched for property out there when the condo boom swept the area. Here you’ll find some of the best ramen houses in LA County, curry options, exquisite sushi bars, Japanese markets and grocery stores as well as newer establishments such as Bachi Burger, Blockheads, and Seoul Sausage.
I have fond memories here, some of them sad but still meaningful. Passing by some familiar homes here the other day, I couldn’t help but think of certain faces. You just can’t help it. Sorry, just walking down memory lane, don’t mind me.
Bittersweet, absolutely. Not entirely because I was reminicisng, but also because I was packing that day for a permanent move. That’s right, I have now moved out of LA and back to my original home, the Bay Area. Not entirely a shocker to some of you who follow me on Instagram. This shoot in Sawtelle was literally the last series I shot, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way in my most favorite part of Los Angeles. It’s been a wild ride, but I’m happy to live and document my next life chapter still doing what I love to do in one shape or another.
Thanks for the wonderful memories LA. I’ll be back to take on temporary projects, but until then Sayonara.
Perfect outfit for strolling Sawtelle. On the look out for ramen.Bag by Deux Lux (Shopbop.com)Aviators by Le Specs.Necklace by GorjanaTsujita Annex. Home to the only artisanal pulled noodles in Southern CA and comes with my highest recommendation.
G’morning ya’ll. I find this post so fitting. This was shot a few days later, post Runyon Canyon. If any of you really know me, I’m not a runner. Like, at all. Don’t get me wrong, I love to work out. I just do other means of exercise, preferably in temperature controlled rooms such as spinning and yoga. I have love for Mother Nature absolutely, but I don’t really do the whole hiking thing especially when it’s pushing 90 degrees dry heat. That’s bordering suicidal to me, personally.
Last week however, I was coaxed into doing Runyon which is rather rare. Apparently I was feeling bold that day, but was with nice company, so I sucked it up and swapped my tranquil routine yoga flow for the vertical dusty incline stairs. It was hot. A dry 94 degrees to be exact. No sane person in their right mind would voluntarily be out there running up a damn mountain enjoying it. The little puppies at the base of the mountain were whining and I don’t blame them. One weenie dog named Twig planted his paws in the dust and refused to go any further. I’m with you Twig, I feel ya.
But we did it, actually we killed it. And the views from the top of the ridge are quite nice once you get up there. God speed, Twig.
What’s your workout of choice? :D
Sweatshirt by Wildfox CoutureTevas. Because the Birk is last season.
I’ve been back in LA for some time now since I last posted and I apologize for the lull in content. I’ll be getting back on track here shortly as I have more photo sets to post soon.
This post goes out to the rule breakers, the ones with a little more fire than the next, the ones who were bold enough to go after what they wanted to do and did it well. My photographer friend Hannah Gweun graciously came to shoot with me in my neighborhood of Sherman Oaks recently. I met Hannah a while back on a film set we both were working on and she’s a stellar photographer and even more human being. I say that because she, like myself is dedicated to her craft in a city that will unapologetically overlook it. But yet we try try again. In essence, Hannah and I have earned our stripes, whether or not the industry will honor that we may never know.
Whatever it is you’re doing or pursuing, do it with full speed and tenacity or not at all.
Who goes to a cupcake shop for the coffee? This gal apparently. It’s hard not to be tempted by Velvet’s sweets in the window. I’m a sucker for their red velvet, banana chocolate, and pumpkin. However I did manage to resist and just prance in one day for a cup o’ joe. Also, excellent :) If you haven’t stopped by their Sherman Oaks location, do so when you’re in the area.
Nailed it. Turquoise ring by gypsy jeweler Vanessa Mooney.Fat Cat. I love a good print. Sweater by MinkPink.My hat’s off to ya. I wear this hat a lot, and for good reason. It’s a great accessory from one of my go-to sites Shopbop.comI know, I wear a lot of black. It’s kind of the quasi uniform, and it’s easy. Jeans by J Brand. Boots by Dolce Vita.I don’t usually wear pink. But these cuppies wear it well :)
