The Tiny Closet

 Our new, gorgeous park is nestled in between three buildings and now, my new favorite place to go.

We have a few big parks in downtown but none as close and as neighborhood-like.  For those of you who don't know L.A.'s downtown, it's not quite a community just yet.  After being abandoned for decades, it's only lately been growing into a new metropolis, made from ancient bank lofts and warehouses now filling up with artsy fartsy transplants like me and Theo.  We come from all over the world (none of us actually being California natives) to live in our quiet lofty spaces, do art and wear sunglasses so this new park is certainly changing the dynamic and making us all a bit warmer.  

 chambray: Shades of Grey / slip worn as a tank: Catherine Malandrino / skirt: The Tiny Closet Collection / shoes: Converse / accessories: bangles were for charity, 

cuff & necklace were bought in Philippines

Now that I am working in a fabric store, I am immersed head deep in scads of fabric literally 24/7.  When I'm working, I'm cutting fabric.  When I'm not working, I'm buying fabric.  It's a slippery slope of indulgence, imagining every amazing thing I could create with the plethora of options at my fingertips.  

But most importantly, I am learning a lot about the things I don't like.  

Which is actually why I accepted the job in the first place.  To understand textiles from a more well-rounded view rather than marinating in only things I like.  One big item I tend to skip over is prints.  Short of stripes and the occasional geo print, I never much cared for wearing prints...  Perhaps it's because I'm pint size and I've always felt that prints are ill fitting for my shape and stature??  Or maybe because prints can easily be a nuisance or a distraction from the natural flattery of styling?  

Meaning: the difference between receiving this compliment: 

"I love that print!" 

...and this (more preferred) compliment: 

"I love that print on you!" <--- I never hear this one.

I may hear "I love that color on you." or "I love the way that fits you."  But when it comes to prints, I've always had the narrow opinion that prints wear YOU.  

It's rarely a graceful collaboration.

However, now that I am faced with prints everyday, I've begun seeing the science behind printed textiles and more interestingly, learning the art of wearing them well.

So of course, I dove right into experimenting and decided to make an article of clothing with a print! 

 If I was going to wear a print, I would focus on color first since that is something I know well.  If all the colors in a print are flattering to my own tones, I figure I'm halfway there to wearing a flattering print, right?  I also chose to wear the print away from my face since I consider that for the experts - not to mention, my big hair and little face is enough as it is.  

Anyway, I came up with a pencil skirt.  A piece with simple lines, good tailoring, and I made it with an awesome print!

On my nails, I am wearing Revlon's Posh green.  I adore this color for manicures!!

jacket: American Eagle Outfitters / chambray: Shades of Gris / skirt: The Tiny Closet / oxfords: CMG 

So by taking this print in baby steps, I felt like I was able to control my look and not let my clothing hog the spotlight.  The downplaying pieces like my chambray and jacket (and no accessories) allowed the print to be a statement, while melding well in an understating ensemble.

But then again, I suppose it's all a matter of opinion! 

 What do you think of this undertaking?  Back to square one?  

In the matter of my opinion, this experiment has certainly opened my narrow viewpoint....  In fact, I'm in love with wearing this print!  And I'm so excited about the possibilities of using my new philosophy to tackle some other prints I've been eyeing!  

More on that soooooooon!

We still don't have curtains in our bedroom.  Or in our entire apartment for that matter.  Ah, but we love the light!  

When it comes to editing video, photos, and generally using a computer however, we're pretty much blind between the hours of 8am and 3pm.

So, Thursday we finally (begrudgingly) decided it was time for some curtains.   I don't care for curtains.  They tend to look messy no matter how you hang them or what material you use and over time, the pattern or color can make me feel stir crazy.  I love beautiful bare windows - especially against brick, which is coincidentally what we have - 

so if I have to cover them up, I decided to make my own.  

Being only a few walking blocks away from the garment district and a world of options for, well, anything - Theo and I set out to shop for some chic, simple curtain fabric.

Of course I got super distracted by all the street-side tulle and fabrics for costumes and Quinseanera dresses.  Siiiigh!

I also had to pick up the final fabric for a gown I created for a friend.  I am tremendously excited to see how this special project turns out.  

And of course, I will be showing it here soon!  

Eeeee!

Searching through my Tiny Closet last week, I was in mood to put together something outside of my usual bag of tricks...   After circling around 4 items I wanted to wear, but which one??, I realized I might be able to wear all of them at once.  Yes, I'm talking about layering :)

When I think of the style of layering, my mind instantly shoots back in time to the 90s when one layered themselves in a myriad of tops and jackets of the same family of material, genre and/or size - the top-most layer of course being oversize.  Think Fresh Prince of Bel-Air meets My So Called Life....  Basically, a brief explanation for awful.  But maybe my headache-inducing eye roll is just a reaction to the embarrassment I have of my endless experiments with layering during my adolescence.

Anyway, I transcended the shame of my past and broke into layering that morning with wild abandon.  And not much thought.  Because you cannot - I repeat - you cannot think too much about it.  Layering needs to be intuitive but thoughtless.  Or else you'll talk yourself right out of what could be a great idea.  Or right into what could be waaaay too pre-meditative.

 I adore this Shades of Grey chambray (I love it so much it makes me rhyme!).  I also love this sheer waterfall skirt that I always end up wearing as a top.  The leather paneled leggings I've worn through thick and thin (no really, when I was thicker and then when I was thinner).  And the BCBGMAXAZRIA blazer is right up there on my most-fave list. 

Why not wear them ALL??

Wearing the waterfall skirt and turning it to the side, it looks like an asymmetrical tunic.  Tying my chambray over it, cinches the skirt and also accessorizes as a belt.

Glam, bold jewelry of the same nature as my glossy heels was definitely necessary for this atypical ensemble.  And yes, Rachel Zoe is so right - jewelry really does pull it all together.  These fantastic earrings will go in and out of style throughout the years and I will never let them go.  A birthday gift from Theo.  The necklace I found on the floor of a vintage/consignment shop (more on that later!).

 heels: Diesel

blazer: BCBGMAXAZRIA / leggings: H&M / bag: Rebecca Minkoff

So now of course, this lil experiment and spark of confidence enough to play again!  And you know how my Tiny Closet and I just luuuuv us some versatility.  And speaking of versatile, yes, I have worn these items time and time again and do they get old?  Never.  Check out how else I've worn a few of these items recorded in different ways on different days....

 blazer: A Date with The Magistrate

skirt: After Dark

leggings: New Hairstyle

chambray: Color

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Color!

And I was thrilled to be wearing the perfect dress for such surroundings.

Since I already sweat through Theo's Deisel chambray in an earlier post here, I had no choice but to sweat through his other chambray from Shades of Gray as well.  Sorry honey :(  I will be getting my own chambray once we return to the states.

Its getting busier and hotter here on the island.  As the weather warms to a steady 90 degrees daily, the night storms are dying down.  Unfortunately, as you can see here, the once spotless white sand beach is  now lined along parts of the shore with green...ery.  Ew.  Apparently, a typhoon hit a nearby island and soon after, the waves brought us the dredged up seaweed.  Good thing its only in a small part of this lil island.  

And as you can see, that doesn't stop any of us from enjoying the exquisite sunsets.

 Today, I paired my trusty harem pants with Theo's chambray.  And you know, when it comes to clothing, once I get my top and bottoms on, that's my box, people!  I'm done and ready to head out.  I'm a conceptual thinker as well as a minimalist soooo honing in to the details doesn't come naturally.  Though I believe simplicity is the height of sophistication, details are just so damn fun and
I wanna play too!

My Tiny Closet and I are all about evolving so I decided to step out of the box today and dip my toes into something new... 

Detail

Where I would normally wear nude polish to blend and lengthen my fingers, my lemon yellow nails now act as great accessories to make my chambray and harems pop!

Also, these bangles have now made their 3rd cameo and I'm certainly not through with them.  They give more meaning to my ensembles and since my clothing choices are so simple, these bangles give me oomph without being bulky or unnecessary (in spite of their size).   Plus, they add to the overall esthetic of my shiny wooden necklace, which has also become a go to. 

Last but not least (and do I even have to say it)?  The neutral colors of these items go with everything (economically, this is thrilling to me).  Items that are able to be paired with everything in one's closet is like a Tiny Closet commandment so...end of discussion!