LA – 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.

Walk on the Wild Side

Last week, my sister and I made a trip to one of our favorite stores in Hollywood, Amoeba Music (and spent a little more time there than we maybe originally anticipated). Every time I find myself in that amazing store, I discover that I need things I never knew I needed! This time I found an awesome poster of the late great Janis Joplin that will be perfect for my new apartment!

What I’m wearing: Urban Outfitters top // Levis vintage shorts (I own 3 pairs) // Dr Martens (my sister’s) // Gold chain necklace: vintage from my grandma // sunnies: street vendor in Venice.

**Side note: A lot of people have been asking me about my hair lately. It is in fact naturally like this, but to achieve this type of curl, I rely on Catwalk by TIGI Curls Rock to get this kind of look (along with the good favor of the universe). I will do a post soon on my hair ritual to fill you all in completely!

Photos by: My fab sis Sarah

Thanks for reading!

xx Aly

Like an American

These past couple of weeks I have been crazy busy with school and I’m starting to reach my breaking point. Luckily, blogging outfits, spending time with friends and attempting to channel creative energy in what I am doing at the moment have helped me to stay focused.

I’ve had this denim American flag print vest from Forever 21 hanging in the back of my closet for probably over a year now but have worn it only maybe once or twice. I decided to give it a fair chance after feeling inspired by Lana Del Rey’s song “American.”

What I’m wearing: Black crop top (under vest) Zara // Velvet circle skirt Urban Outfitters // Target booties // Bite lip color.

Take Another Little Piece of My Heart

Lately, I’ve been channeling my classic rock roots by letting my crazy hair go natural, wearing small amounts of makeup and choosing less tailored clothing I wouldn’t normally go for. I think it’s partially due to the fact that I rediscovered one of my favorite films Almost Famous, and have been listening to Janis Joplin and a couple other members of the 27 club a little TOO much lately.

Earlier this weekend, my friend Nicole and I chose to shoot some photos (and do some shopping) in the Silverlake neighborhood where there’s endless amounts of creative inspiration as well as bountiful sunshine!

What I’m wearing: BCBGeneration Sunnies // Topshop Silk Kimono // American Apparel bodysuit // American Apparel shorts // Steve Madden Schoolz platforms.

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

Smells Like…

… You know the rest.. This week, I was feeling a little (A LOT) 90s grunge thanks to a project I was working on in my fashion marketing class where I evaluated trends from the decade. What I realized after putting this outfit together was, I’ve had most of these pieces for at least a year. Lately I’ve realized that with mixing older items together, I come up with more creative outfits than just going out and buying similar things (that I probably I already own). One of my goals this year is to keep incorporating older pieces to make new, more interesting looks.

I’m wearing: Jacket: Urban Outfitters // Flannel: Target // Gold “Dream” necklace: Nordstrom // Crop top (underneath): H&M // American Apparel Disco Pants // Converse

Photos : Nicole Loftus

Vintage Adventure

Yesterday I made a trip to one of my favorite vintage shops in Burbank with a couple friends. The store Playclothes, is a goldmine of classic clothing, accessories, shoes and basically anything you ever would want to find from decades past. From their eclectic hat collection to their groovy 60s and 70s matching seperates there’s sure to be something there for anyone looking for a unique find. Morgan trying on a cool psychedelic maxi dress in one of the stores elaborately decorated fitting rooms.

I’m wearing a CAbi faux fur vest // Old Navy Chiffon Shirt // Guess Skinny Jeans // Marc Fisher Boots // Faux Leather fringe bag (similar here) // Vintage Necklaces Photos courtesy of Nicole Loftus

Current MOOD 1//31

I’m on Pinterest quite often because it’s a great place to get inspired! I decided to take a pointer from many other bloggers and start a board where I showcase my current MOOD. Above is what I most recently pinned. This seemingly endless summer in LA inspired me to choose warm colors with rosy and gold hues giving off a sun kissed vibe.

Follow me on Pinterest to see what else I’m posting and let me know what you think!

Happy Friday!

xx Aly

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

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!