Aly Knows Best

Guess Who’s Back…

Sunglasses : BCBGeneration ; Necklace (doubled) : Forever 21 ; Flannel : H&M ; Biggie/Tupac Tee : Forever 21 ; Shorts : Forever 21 ; Knee High Socks : Urban Outfitters 2/$22 ; Booties : Old Navy ; Backpack : Urban Outfitters.

Photos : Megan Weiss

I’d like to attribute this outfit’s eccentricity to my recent obsession with Bad Gal Riri and of course Yoncé who are some of the biggest influencers in fashion right now. Also, I am currently working on a project in evaluating trends of the 90’s, so I think this is heavily influencing the way I’ve been dressing as of late. Please note, I didn’t realize when I initially put this outfit together, but every brand I am wearing represents the “fast fashion” industry which I don’t normally wear, but affordability and trendiness have been winning me over in recent shopping endeavors.

I know I’ve been REALLY bad at keeping up with blogging for the past few months. I’ve been in school full time and really haven’t had time to invest in one of the things I really love to do. So, as one of my 2014 resolutions, I decided I need to start blogging more often and document some of my weird (and great) outfits on a daily basis.

Happy New Year! Thanks for reading.

xx Aly

Backyard Exploration

As I continue to miss Europe each day that it grows farther away from me (sorry I’m dramatic), I try to find ways to entertain myself in the beautiful city of Los Angeles. Don’t get me wrong, this city is amazing and has SO much to offer but since I’ve spent a majority of my life here, I need to find things that are new and exciting. Au contraire to most, I enjoy change and the challenge of trying new things. I’m not afraid of putting myself out there because what is the point of being alive if you’re not truly living?

Yesterday I decided to make a solo exploration to Downtown to a bookstore recommended by many of my friends and I’m so glad I did! I like to explore alone because I feel that I open up my senses more, I hear and see things I wouldn’t observe if someone was with me and sometimes you just need some alone time. On that note, I entered THE LAST BOOKSTORE with hopes of finding some great books on art history (one of my passions) and whaddayanoo I found a plethora of treasures on everything from Gothic Architecture to Surrealism. I was in HEAVEN. I was hoping to find a book on Salvador Dalí whom I find to be incredibly intriguing and spent most of this past summer studying and seeing his works first hand. Fortunately I was able to find a compilation on surrealism describing the movement in its entirety as well as an overview of Picasso (Dalí’s predecessor and somewhat mentor).

After finding and skimming thru many amazing books I decided to take a peek around the store itself. It is decorated in a sense to make you feel as though you’re in an old library but it has been revamped with modern twists. The worn-in comfy leather chairs are a contrast to the Harry Potter-esque books literally flying off the walls towards you. If you walk upstairs you find several artists’ studios and shelves upon shelves of books. I spent about 2 hours there but I could easily see someone spending nearly the entire day searching through classic literature, old records, books on language and more!

I highly recommend to plan a visit if you haven’t been before!

A quote for Monday. Have a great week.

xx Aly

LA Fashion Week

Yesterday I had the opportunity to volunteer backstage for Los Angeles Fashion Week presented by the Los Angeles Fashion Council at The Grove LA. It was a great experience getting to meet new and upcoming designers and seeing their innovative designs walk the runway. One of my favorite new designers, Rose La Grua had one of the most unique lines, with KILLER shoes (literally), I’m expecting to see more of her designs in the future.

Since I’m currently in school full time and picking up a part-time internship as well, I’m extremely busy and don’t have time to update the blog as regularly as I’d like to. If you want to see what I’m up to on a more regular basis please follow me on:

Instagram: aly_nagel

Here are some photos snapped from LA Fashion Week! Enjoy!

Sprinkles Cupcakes made special cupcakes just for the event! Yum!

Some of Rose La Grua’s FAB designs backstage.

Taking a moment with the girls to enjoy the photo booth!

Have a great weekend!

LA Textile Show

On Tuesday October 1st, I had the opportunity to attend the LA Textile Show with one of my classes from school at the California Market Center in Downtown LA. It was a very special opportunity seeing that students are not regularly allowed into industry events such as this. At the show we learned about color forecasting for the Fall/Winter 2014 season. We got the insight on what colors we should look forward to and where they will be used i.e: women’s wear, kids, or home to name a few. We were told by experts to expect many deep navys, nude/earth tones, purples and animal/skin prints for the upcoming season. It was really amazing to see all the fabrics that designers and buyers were browsing to actually use in future collections. I didn’t realize how big that part of the process is and it’s really where fashion begins. Textiles are where the creative process is born and I find it so incredibly interesting to see in person.

Next week I will be attending and volunteering at Fashion Week LA and plan on sharing some of my experience here. So be on the lookout!

Here are some snaps from the textile show:

Me on the left and some of my friends from class!

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend!

xx Aly

What I Wore: Europe Summer 2013

Here’s a look at some of my favorite outfits I wore (and re-wore) on my trip to Europe this summer. Keep in mind, while traveling, you have to get crafty with outfit planning and sometimes, can re-invent a tired outfit by simply changing an accessory, shoe, bag or even a hairstyle. I had to use these tricks while on my trip considering I had just one suitcase of clothes to work with for several months (oh, and the bit of shopping I did as well 😉

The trick to simple and effective dressing while you travel, is sticking to a few base colors in your clothing so you can easily mix and match. My default shades were (naturally) black, white/ivory and a medium wash navy. Use minimal prints and choose accessories that pack a punch. Bring one carryall handbag that works with any outfit, and a couple smaller ones that you can use to help change up your look (and lighten your load).

This is a sample of some looks I put together while on my trip:

Wearing one of my favorite dresses from Urban Outfitters and H&M sandals at Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid.

On a rainy day in June, I wore this to school: Nordstrom hat, Pimkie chambray top, Urban Outfitters tee (old), Joe’s Jeans knit ponte pant, Vince Camuto bag (my go to for travel) and Clarks booties.

My favorite LBD from H&M (only €9.99! proved to be the most versatile item I’ve EVER bought) paired with a Sfera necklace and of course my Clark’s booties!

Here’s the H&M dress again paired with the H&M sandals and a Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. at the Louvre in Paris.

Here in an American Apparel top and shorts with the best accessory of all (my GORG friend Alexis)!

Here in a vintage dress and Steve Madden sandals in Granada, Spain.

Cadaqués: A Hidden Treasure

While in Spain, I stayed with my friend friend Laura Roca of ROCAVENEN as I mentioned before. She invited me on the final weekend of me staying there to meet up with her family in the town called Cadaqués located in the provence of Girona on the Mediterranean Sea. The town is about a three hour drive from Barcelona around a mountain with sheer cliffs making it slightly difficult for people to get to (this journey also weeds out a lot of tourists there).

I not only wanted to visit the town of Cadaqués because I had heard of its amazing beauty, but I also knew that the artist Salvador Dalí, had a residence there for most of his life. I have studied him a lot and know that the unique beauty of Cadaqués inspired much of if not all of his artwork.

Here are a few snaps taken in the hidden and perfectly tranquil paradise of Cadaqués.

Laura took this of me on a perfect day wearing traditional shoes from Catalonia, they cost 8 EURO.

The main playa in Cadaqués.

The views are incredible there. I don’t think you can take a bad photo.

This photo doesn’t even do justice to the stark contrast between the bright white walls and vibrant flowers.

Salvador Dalí’s house and personal cove on the back side of Cadaqués called Port Lligat.

Backside of Dalí’s house surrounded by olive trees.

Let’s just day it was REALLY hard to leave…

Besos,

xx Aly

A New Chapter

WOW! What a crazy past few months it has been! Unfortunately, when I was in Spain I was too busy truly living the adventure to keep up my blog. (I apologize) but, I can certainly now share the wonderful photos and moments I was able to capture while on my life-chaning experience abroad.

While there I stayed mostly in Madrid, España where I attended Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. I also had the chance to explore Valencia, Granada, Toledo, Segovia, Barcelona, Cadaqués and Girona (all cities in Spain). I also visited Porto, Portugal and of course, Paris, France!

In the last two weeks of my trip I had the INCREDIBLE opportunity to stay with my dear friend Laura Roca of ROCAVENEN (who I met through blogging) and her extremely gracious and welcoming family in Barcelona. Learning to live like a true Spaniard and feel like I was part of the family was an invaluable experience and easily the best part of my trip!

I got back from my trip a month ago today just in time to start school at Woodbury University in Burbank, California. I am studying Fashion Marketing and Communications and couldn’t be happier. I see starting back in LA again is a new experience and adventure (it’s not a bad place to call home). Although, I do miss España TERRIBLY. I love LA (my first home) but my heart is back in España.

Aquí están fotos de mi viaje a Europa! Gracias para visitas mi blog!

(Here are photos from my trip to Europe! Thank you for visiting my blog!)

*Please note all these photos were taken by me unless otherwise specified

Madrid, outside the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia where the amazing

Salvador Dalí exhibit was on display.

My friends walking in Retiro Park, one of our favorite places in Madrid.

Banco de España, one of the busiest places in Madrid.

The incredible ancient city of Toledo (one hour outside of Madrid).

Me enjoying a sweet sip in Barcelona by la playa.

Amigas enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean Sea in Valencia.

And for the finale… The Eiffel Tower…

Until we meet again… Besos

XOXO Aly

¡Viva España!

¡Hola!

Tomorrow I embark on a journey of a lifetime to Madrid, Spain. I will be studying art, spanish and photojournalism for the whole summer! I am also lucky enough to visit my friend Laura en Barcelona after my program is over! Check out her blog here about travel rocavenen.blogspot.com.

Follow my blog here as I try to keep it as updated as possible about my endeavors abroad!

xx Aly

Spain 2013

Hello everyone,

Unfortunately, I have been neglecting my blog for the past few months due to being extremely busy with school, work, etcetera. However, I am very excited to announce that I will be studying for the summer in Madrid, Spain. I will be taking classes in art history, photo journalism, and of course Spanish!

I am hoping that this trip revives my love of blogging and I can share some of my experiences with all of you here. I just purchased a great new digital camera (Canon Rebel T5i) that I plan to take with me so I can properly blog fashion, food, site seeing and much more!

I leave in a little less than a month so stay updated for photos and fun!

xx Aly

Buckle UP!

So I have been neglecting Alyknowsbest.com for the past few months now and today I decided it was PAST TIME to get back into the blogging game. When I am not blogging I am frequently instagramming all kinds of photos. Follow me @aly_nagel

Lately, I’ve been completely obsessed with booties that have special details like buckles and hardware. Here are some of my favorites above. Which one’s your fav??

1. Jeffrey Campbell Gaelle Bootie $204.95// 2. Joe’s Dahlia Boot $224.95// 3. Everly Cutout Boot $205// 4. Chloe Suzanne Stud Buckle Boot $1,345.