Joshua Tree National Park

photos by Tom b.

- Milky Way dress courtesy of Family Affairs
- Jeffrey Campbell sandals
- vintage hat



So far in documenting our California adventures I've tried to keep things in chronological order but today I'm going to jump ahead just a bit to our days spent in Joshua Tree National Park. I think this was our third or fourth visit to the park and it's always just as spectacular as the first time I saw it. It's easy to feel like you're walking around some lunar landscape once you're out in the middle of all those barren hills and strange prickly creatures.

On this particular day we woke before dawn so we could make it into the park for sunrise. There's no place I've been that's quite like the early morning desert. There were so many rabbits hopping around! We also spotted lots of ground squirrels, desert quail, about a million other birds and two snakes (no rattlers).

I knew it was going to be a scorcher once the sun was high but the morning started out pretty chilly. I actually had to wear a sweater over my dress until it started to warm up. Speaking of my dress, it was fun stomping around in this Milky Way dress that Nina was sweet enough to send to me (it's on sale!). Of course I was completely overdressed and had to change into my hiking shoes later on but I just wanted a moment of luxury and this dress was just the thing. I was going to comment that it has yards and yards of fabric and then I read the description from the website and it literally says that exact same thing. I'm also wearing a sunhat that I picked up at American Rag on La Brea during my shopping day in LA.

White Skirts

Francesca via Street Peeper ... Blushing Ambition

I saw these photos and instantly added a long white skirt to my list of things to add to my wardrobe. This one is lovely, though out of my price range. I'll have to keep my eye out at the thrift store.

Etsy Update: Americana

Row A: 1... 2... 3... 4... Row B: 1... 2... 3... 4... Row C: 1... 2... 3... 4...

Etsy Update: Pastoral Pastels

Row A: 1... 2... 3... 4... Row B: 1... 2... 3... 4... Row C: 1... 2... 3... 4...

BSF at the Trocadero

photos by Tom b.

- 80s knit top
- UO jeans
- Rachel Comey boots
- vintage Coach purse
- Garnett Jewelry necklace



This past Thursday Tom and I headed to Philly to see Boy Sets Fire play at the Trocadero. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that most of you probably did not spend your adolescence going to 90s hardcore shows (I think most fashion bloggers were probably born in the 90s) or perhaps I'm wrong and we were all at the same Snapcase show at some point in time. There was a club called Frankie's that was located under a pizza parlor in 5 Points South in B'ham where I spent many a night taking in local bands or whatever traveling band might be passing through at the time.

Of all the bands that I've listened to over the years, I must admit that BSF holds a very dear place in my heart. I actually remember the exact first moment I heard After the Eulogy. I was completely blown away and still can't help but get all wired when I hear "Rookie" (who can resist that song?). I played the entire album on repeat for the next year or so. The band hadn't played a show in the US since 2007 and we hadn't seen them live since a show at The Knitting Factory when we lived in LA so getting to see them on Thursday was a real treat.



Lucky for us, Tom is actually good friends with several members of the band from his years working in the music industry. Since they live close by in Delaware we've been able to hang out with them a few times since moving to PA and always have a good time when we're with them. Tom designed the artwork you see on their web page (it's also on their merch) and photographed the entire show (you can see more photos here).

So... the night of the show we made a very slow trek to Philly (it took us 2 1/2 hours with traffic!), met up with Nathan beforehand to have dinner at a pho restaurant right across the street from the venue then headed in to catch the opening bands from side stage. When BSF finally took the stage I was pretty excited. Tom was running around doing his photography thing while I watched the show from the stage. They certainly did not disappoint! The cutest thing about the show (if there can be something cute) was that most of the guys in the band now have kids... so I was sitting along the stage with a bunch of little girls who were singing along to all the songs.

As for what I'm wearing, I've been feeling a little more casual lately so I threw on a pair of jeans, a knit top and these Rachel Comey boots that I haven't stopped wearing since I got them (someone asked how they fit... a little snug so I'd size up if you're in between). The funny thing is I thought I was looking all casual but when I was getting ready, Tom walked into the room and said, "wow, you're all dressed up." Ha, ha. I think it's the shoes.



P.S. If you'd like you can check out a guest post I did at Lulu Letty...

Photography: At Home with Erin Fetherston

I discovered this collection of photos from Erin Fetherston's apartment via Francesca's twitter. Apparently her talented friend Jeff was an assistant at the shoot. Lucky him! I love getting a little peek into anyone's closet, but especially when it's someone as fashionable as Miss Fetherston. Oh my goodness, that closet! It seems that she actually has two closets... one for inspiration and one for getting dressed. Wouldn't that be grand? Her collection of glove forms reminds me that I have one that I bought ages ago at Fishs Eddy. I need to find more!

Fairfax Flea Market

photos by Tom b.

- 60s cotton dress
- Fletcher for Lyell cardigan
- vintage Etienne Aigner flats
- vintage hat
- vintage Coach purse
- Fox tote from Libris Lunaria



One of my favorite things to do when we lived in LA was wake up early on Sunday morning and walk to the Fairfax Flea Market. I do miss having a flea market within walking distance! I nearly always came home with a vintage dress or some sort of trinket. I made sure to keep our Sunday morning free for this trip so I could return to the flea market.

It was a beautiful day and lovely to be outside. Sadly the flea market did not live up to all my expectations. It was mostly cut-off blue jeans and hemmed polyester dresses. I did find one lovely 40s cotton dress but I knew by looking it wouldn't fit me so I didn't even ask about a price. I didn't buy anything for myself but managed to find some souvenirs for friends back home. The best thing we found all day was that adorable little pup chillin' by his owner's stand and soaking in the sun.