H&M – Aly Knows Best

California Dreamin’

This summer I came up on this gorgeous UNIF kimono at a Buffalo Exchange for an absurdly good price and I couldn’t not buy it. For some reason, I haven’t figured out how to style it until now. Long kimonos work for me because of my height, but sometimes it’s tough to find a fairly understated/cool outfit to pair with such a stand-out wardrobe piece. My parents got me these awesome Ray Ban sunnies for my birthday a few weeks ago and the rose-tinted lenses that compliment the water color vibes of the kimono gave me the inspo to create an outfit based around them and the kimono.

What I’m wearing: UNIF Kimono// H&M crop top // Levis shorts // Ray Ban Round Folding Flash Lenses // Urban outfitters & Old Navy necklaces // Old Navy Bucket Bag // Charles David platform sandals.

Photos by my friend Laren Kai check out her site here laurenkaiphotos.tumblr.com.

I’m on a Highway to…

Since coming back from Vegas, I’ve been feeling a little off and have a bit of a cold. I don’t know if it was the lack of sleep, amount of alcohol I consumed while there or just plain exhaustion. Anyway, I still haven’t really unpacked so I’ve had to be kind of resourceful with my outfits lately. Here’s what I came up with yesterday.

AC/DC T-shirt Urban Outfitters (old) // H&M Jeans // Urban Outfitters Platform Oxfords (now on sale) // Forever 21 sunglasses // Lancome Lipstick.

Photos: Nicole Loftus

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

Hold Me Closer Tiny Dancer

Last week, I was lucky enough to be able to have some time off to go to one of my favorite places in Los Angeles. Los Angeles County Museum of Art more commonly known as L.A.C.M.A. I know I may seem old fashioned, but one of my favorite things to do in my spare time is to view artwork. My favorite era is the French Impressionist and Edgar Degas definitely is on my list of top 5 favorite artists of all time. I have seen bits and pieces of his famous “dancers” before but never before like I saw them at L.A.C.M.A. The piece that stood out to me was a small group of ballerinas casually stretching together clad in bright green tutus. Seeing this piece for me up close and personal was like meeting my favorite celebrity. NOTHING COMPARES to seeing a brilliant work of art in the flesh (I know I’m a nerd). Below I created a collage that I feel embodies what today’s fashion would mean to the amazingly talented Edgar Degas.

Items shown: Green Kate Spade Bow Bangle $78, Mint DvF clutch $325, Sunblaze Lace Dress $328, Jeweled Ring by Juicy Couture $88, Tabitha Simmons Evita heel $2,185 , Turquoise Cardigan $17.95, Lace Tulip Skirt $38.

Summer Party Essentials

Elizabeth and James Pink Anza sunnies $265, Proenza Schouler Suede Satchel $1,995, H&M Gold Hoops $2.95, Essie Nail Color in Tropical Aqua $8, Old Navy Polka Dot Dot Dress $25, Rebecca Minkoff iPhone 4S Cases $38, L.A.M.B. Inesa Wedges $345.

*Items available on Nordstrom.com, Oldnavy.com, net-a-porter.com, piperlime.com, hm.com and walgreens.com.