Tiered Slip Dress

I'm becoming such a hard-core, West-sider these days. It's funny, when the Hubs and I lived in Manhattan we never had an "east side/west side" relationship with the city. But upon moving from amorphous, west LA to Santa Monica I really am turning into one of those people who hate leaving the west side of town. It's partly the ocean, it's partly the light and the breeze and the people who say hello every morning as they walk their dogs up my path. It's the way my kitty bounces from window to window. It's the atmosphere on Montana. I found my bliss, one little cottage away from it all. There's a peace and calm here that is still part of the urban framework, yet so serene.

And speaking of serene, I discovered an utterly addictive boutique on Montana called Jane that is dangerously close to my home, (about a block's walk). This buyer stocks nothing but clothing that is absurdly comfortable, yet completely beach chic. The clothing makes me feel so calm, it's like mellow shopping, 101

Dress: Final Touch, Booties: Dolce Vita, Bag: Elliot Lucca, Necklace: Lia Sophia, Jacket: All Saints

My latest acquisition is the above dress, which I ended up liking so much that I went back yesterday and bought the same number in black. The lining is cotton tricot, (once again, ridiculously comfy). It's small details like that which separate good casual wear from crappy, lesser manufacturing.

I'm finding my bliss right here at home. Where are you finding yours?

With love,

Noa B

Remembering Why We Do...

It's always a treat to discover some unique piece of clothing at a reduced price. Walking through my neighborhood this past weekend I happened upon a tag sale that had some great clothing items for sale. I stopped to nab a few things and was further inspired to spend when I found out the sale was to raise money for a shelter dog who'd just had puppies. This Oscar de la Renta knit came to a whopping $2.00, and my new, Free People maxi skirt was a direct trade at Crossroads later that same day. The price of thriftiness is a classic look for summer, bought for pennies on the dollar.

But the reality is that a part of my frugal shopping was pure distraction, a tactic to have something else to focus on, if only for a little while. This past weekend my husband's university lost members of its community when a young man armed with multiple firearms entered the campus adjacent neighborhood of Isla Vista and killed half a dozen people while injuring several more. I was thinking long and hard about the people who lost their lives during my weekend home in Santa Monica with my husband. So all I can say today is, take the time to love the people you're with. Remember to say and do everything you can. Because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

With Love,

Noa B

Sunday Fleamarket

It's been months since I had a chance to swing by the Pasadena, Rose-bowl flea market. (One of the largest in the United States and a once-a-month, antiquarian heaven).

If you've never been it's an incredibly enjoyable way to spend a Sunday. Being a lover of mid-century, modern furniture and design, I try to hit the "Bowl" at least quarterly to get my fix.

On the hunt for end tables, I wore one of my favorite vintage dresses which, when bought, still had the old tags on it years ago. It seemed appropriate given the nature of my jaunt.

There was so much to see. Like this retro lamp that looked suspiciously like it was covered in "lady parts". 

Or this rad, bear sign next to a variety of "found" wood objects.

 

 Old trunks, great chairs. Funky upholstery...

 Fabulous, Danish design. And of course, the clothing...

 Dress: Vintage, Necklace: Lia Sophia, Sandals: Zara

Next month I've vowed to go for a clothing-only run. With thousands of stalls on view you have to pick your battle before you walk in. Furnishings? Or clothing?

With Love,

Noa B

Windy Daze

It's funny how the weather just sneaks up on you. From a 90 degree heat wave to a low in the 60's with high force winds, Santa Monica always confuses one's wardrobe choices. I began the day in a skirt and tank top, but had to throw on this sweater-shirt to stay warm towards the end of the day. I guess it's still too early to pack away all my winter duds.

I go from early-summer to mid-fall in a five hour loop near the ocean. But there's something refreshing about that. The smell of sea water, the breeze, the sunsets here. It's all pretty darn magical.

Top: Free People, Shoes: Marc Fisher, Bag: Elliott Lucca, Skirt: Zara

And I couldn't love it more. I wake up every day, still delighted with the new digs and the new hood. Change can be really, really good! (Can't wait to share some pix of the teeny, tiny, new homestead soon).

With Love,

Noa B

It's a County Fair!

On a completely spontaneous note, I forced my poor husband to take me to the county fair this past Sunday in Santa Barbara. I couldn't resist a chance to eat funnel cake, feed livestock at the petting zoo, play with pygmy goats and sheep, and look longingly at stuffed animal, toy prizes. (None of which I took home)...

It was crazy windy, so I threw on a silk kerchief right before we walked out the door. Petting zoo? Goats? No dresses!

I love, love, love animals. They definitely trumped the rides and candy. And the goat only got the hem of my pant in the end...

A little Biba vintage. A little sun. A little goat.

Pants & Sweater: Zara, Flats: Report, Scarf and Necklace: Vintage

With Love,

Noa B

Plowing Through

It's a gorgeous day and I'm running errands and racing about town trying to clear my extremely backlogged, to-do list.

Never easy to dress for task management, this oversize sweater is a piece of cake to layer over a slim, pencil skirt.

A day filled with a week's worth of hectic  errands demands a big bag and comfy shoes, (even if they are heels).  Kitten heels or a 1.5" lift is still pretty but practical.

Sweater: LF Store, Skirt: H&M, Heels: BCBG, Bag: Gifted, (Vegan)

Soak up those last days of freedom before the next, big, rush...

With Love,

Noa B