In the Flowers

Hey Folks!!

I finally have a new post to share with you all! August was probably the most eventful and exciting month I've had all year...I'm not even sure how to describe it other than remarkable, frightening, and exhilarating. So many changes happened in those short 31 days! The month started off with the end of the UCLA summer camp I worked at, then ended with a big move from Westwood to Hollywood and a "see you soon" to some people I grew to love. It can be scary making so many changes quickly after just moving to an area, but I feel like everyday my life is getting fuller and more beautiful. Sometimes you just need to take a break from your routine or (in my case: take a mini break from blogging) and just live in the moment and immerse yourself in every experience.

Lucky enough, I have my best friend Lin visiting me from NYC this week. I can't even express how much I adore her company and she's been so incredibly encouraging through all of these changes! We took a walk to Silver Lake today to get some Taiwanese food and stumbled upon this beautiful fence right near my apartment. I'm a sucker for flowers, and beautiful backdrops to photos...

I have been living in Brandy Melville clothing this entire summer. I have dresses, halter tops, pants, maxi skirts, knits, necklaces...I just can't resist picking something up and buying it every time I'm in one of their stores. This dress is one of my favorites because it's so simple and insanely comfortable. It's also the perfect LBD because I can dress it up or dress it down depending on how I feel or where I'm going on any day. It also has this amazing little cutout in the back...which I always appreciate in this intense summer heat. Today I decided to dress it up a bit and wore these gorgeous heeled sandals from Urban Outfitters and some jewelry my beautiful friend Jade gave me some time ago.

This Friday and Saturday I'll be taking over Others Follow Clothings Instagram. Follow their account to see photos of my weekend adventures!

I hope you're all having a lovely week and thank you so much for checking in!
xo,
Maddie

Outfit Details:
Dress: Brandy Melville
Heels: Urban Outfitters

Into the Swing of Things

Happy Thursday!

It's a happy one because it's almost the weekend, and this weekend I'll be celebrating my 23rd birthday (which is technically on Monday--but I work). This will be my first birthday EVER away from home and my family so I'm going to try to make the most of it and go on as many adventures as I possibly can. I don't really know what that entails yet but that's part of the excitement! I just know that I'll be spending it with some unbelievably wonderful people and great friends...which is honestly my favorite kind of gift.

This past weekend I had a photo shoot with Luke Herron, a Los Angeles based photographer. I couldn't have been more thrilled than when Luke reached out to me about doing a shoot for my blog. He currently shoots headshots and works with other fashion bloggers. Luke's work also made the cover of American Lookbook Magazine! I feel so fortunate to be working with someone so talented! And I had the best time doing our shoot in a field in Echo Park.

We were mostly excited to take photos around the pepper tree...but we were both pleasantly surprised when we realized there was a swing attached to one of the branches. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've played on a swing. I'm happy I decided to wear these shorts instead of a dress like I had originally wanted to this day...because I was able to swing as fast and high as I desired without any inhibitions. Feeling the wind sweep against my skin and running through my hair while I swung, coupled with the gorgeous view, felt magical and affirmed my impulsive move to LA and lust for new experiences.

I couldn't be more grateful to Luke for capturing these moments and I'm looking forward to the next shoot! Check out the rest of his stunning photography on his website: www.lukedavidphoto.com and facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lukedavidphoto

I hope you're all having a lovely week and enjoying the last day of July!
xo,
Maddie

Outfit Details:
Top: Charlotte Russe
Bralette: Urban Outfitters
Shorts: Forever 21
Heels: Urban Outfitters

Lavender Girl

Hey lovelies!

Sorry for the hiatus...it's been a couple weeks since I've last blogged. I recently just purchased a camera and an LA photographer has reached out to me so I can finally get back to dedicating a lot of time to updating. It's crazy how much adapting and adjusting you have to do when you move across the country...I haven't even opened a bank account yet! But I'm slowly getting everything together.

One of my favorite things about this beautiful California weather is having an excuse to wear little light dresses like this stunning lavender one. Okay so I'll use the west coast weather as an excuse but honestly it's to avoid wearing pants (I'm not especially fond of them). I had a little bit of a splurge shopping spree at Urban Outfitters the other day and found a few of these pieces. I started off laying this lavender dress with a black bralette and my new favorite jacket (I love the sparkly beaded details of this mesh sequin jacket)!  I even braided my hair. But towards the end of shooting I just wanted to take off all the layers. I let my hair down (it's always wild, so I felt more like myself) and wanted to focus on just how flowy and delicate the dress is. What do you think?

I hope things have been going well on your side of things!! I'm off to enjoy the weekend!

xo,
Maddie

Outfit Details:
Sequin Jacket: Urban Outfitters
Dress: Urban Outfitters
Bralette: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Vintage

Others Follow Clothing

Hey folks!

Last month a clothing brand called Others Follow reached out to me about sending me some gifted items from their summer line! They're a clothing brand for the girl who is wild at heart, nonconformist, and has an untamed passion for life! Others Follow is a fresh, young clothing line that embodies a fun sense of adventure and whimsy. Constantly inspired by the laid back California lifestyle, Others Follow focuses on ease and versatility, creating a line that is neither complicated nor exaggerated. They sent me some beautiful outfits and this gorgeous striped dress that reminds me of French Nouveau films! But I also think it's the perfect dress to wear during the 4th of July...it's just the right amount of patriotism without being too literal or garish.

The best part about this dress is (other than how obviously adorable it is) how well it fits! I love the high neck and how it flares out a little at the waist. And the belt comes attached but can easily be removed so you can always change up how you want to style the dress! You can find Others Follow  clothing on Tilly's and Lulu*s! Definitely check them out, they have AMAZING summer pieces. Thank you again Others Follow for the lovely gifts!

I took these photos with my good friend Katya McCoy a few days before I left Pittsburgh for California. I just can't get enough of her beautiful photography and I love working with her! I'm definitely going to miss our impromptu photo shoots. You can check out other shoots we've done together here, here, here, and here!

So I'm finally getting somewhat settled into my new place in LA and my best friend from home is coming into town tomorrow (4th of July) and staying for a week! Ahhhh I can't wait!! I already miss my friends in Pittsburgh so it'll be nice to have him here, go on adventures, and celebrate the holiday together! I have to work until the afternoon (ewwww) but afterwards we're heading to the Santa Monica Pier to watch fireworks, play on the beach, and go on some rides. What are your plans for the 4th??

Thanks for checking in! If you're digging this dress then be sure to browse Others Follow's Lookbook and check out Katya's Photography!
xo,
Maddie

Outfit Details:
Dress: c/o Others Follow
Sandals: Forever 21
Purse: Vintage Coach

Long Beach Living

Hey Lovelies!

It's been awhile since I've posted. I got a job at UCLA and had to scramble to move to California a week sooner than anticipated. It's my fifth day in beautiful sunny Southern California and I am loving it! I'm currently staying in Long Beach (which I LOVE) and commuting to work (8 hours a day....it's awful) by bus and metro until I get a car. But I'm moving within walking distance of work this week!!!

Since I've had the longest busiest work week, I decided to revel in the weekends. Yesterday my friends and I went to a pirate/mermaid festival at the Belmont Pier. So I threw on this bandeau bikini top from Victoria's Secret and my favorite maxi skirt. I added these vintage earrings to emphasize the mermaid inspired look. I had the best time, and I feel really lucky to be living right next to the ocean.

I hope you're all enjoying the summer and having new adventures! I'm hoping to post more often now that things feel less chaotic. Thanks for checking in!
xo,
Maddie

Outfit Details:
bikini top: Victoria's Secret
maxi skirt: H&M
earrings: Vintage

Day2Night

Hey Folks!
Last weekend I had the absolute pleasure of working with my dear friend Katya McCoy and her cousin Rachel Crane for some new products by Day2Night, a collection of multi-purpose and convertible fashion apparel and accessories.

Day2Night's accessories are my favorite. They're incredibly practical and versatile. The highlight of this shoot was modeling this Convertible Handbag/Backpack. In just seconds it can go from a cute handbag to a backpack and vice versa. By pulling up the straps it becomes a handbag and pulling down the straps it turns into a backpack. Personally, I love wearing it as a backpack because I do a lot of walking and shopping. It's also 100% vegan leather!

Some other super useful accessories by Day2Night are the Bangle Bracelet with Hidden Hair Elastic and Convertible Ring Hair Elastics. The bangle bracelet comes in silver and gold and in the center of the bangle is where the hair tie is hidden. It's incredibly convenient because we all know how tacky or unprofessional a hair tie can sometimes look around your wrist. And let's face it, the desire to tie your hair up when it's hot/humid or just unmanageable is nearly unavoidable. The ring comes in a variety of colors and styles and it's just as simple as pulling out the band to turn it into a hair tie! 

The D2N Belt with Hidden Pocket is another accessory that's perfect! Say for instance you're going out and you want to wear a dress that doesn't have pockets or you don't want to carry your enormous handbag all night...you could just throw on this belt and keep your cash/lighter/cards/gum in the hidden pocket! GENIUS!

Thank you again Katya and Rachel for letting me be a part of this shoot! If you're interested in their other products like the convertible high heel or skirt then check out the Day2Night website!

Thanks for checking in!

xo,

Maddie