early departure

Shirt: Levis (similar style here); Jeans: Parker Smith c/o; Shoes: Henri Lepore Dezert; Belt: Moschino; Wallet: Emerson Fry c/o; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Sunglasses: Coach (similar style here)

Do you ever just feel so restless, it's hard to sit still? Even though it feels like just a few days ago, I literally got home and managed to unpack my bags (mainly because I was searching high and low for this pair of white jeans), I'm already itching to fly off again somewhere new.  

Luckily, my friend Heather is pretty persuasive and reminded me that we did have our sights set on Istanbul for later this year. And well, I may have my finger on that "purchase ticket" trigger now. Tell me, where you are guys headed this summer? 

Photos by Heather Clark

friday distractions {link love}

It's been a little while since we've had a good Friday distraction around these parts. So let's dive in...

1. The Pink Helmet Posse, aka three 6-year old girl skateboarders. Watch the video and see if it doesn't make you smile.

2. This journalist had her face Photoshopped in over 25 countries -- an interesting look at global beauty standards.

3. How to wear overalls. The right way!

4. Still searching for a swimsuit? Yeah, me too. Here are 25 tempting contenders. 

5. Wanderlust warning. This Instagram roundup has me itching to hit the road again (but what else is new?).

6. A Google employee's daughter wrote a note to her father's boss, asking for him to have time off for his birthday. And it worked. 

7. Remember that "Forever" wedding video that went viral a few years ago? Well this one takes the cake. Too bad the The Office isn't running anymore -- Dwight would have been awesome as the groom here.

8. I love the idea of a lace maxi dress worn with a scarf tied like this. 

9. Gimme, gimme, gimme.... (and they're on sale too!).

i'll have what she's having...

Click the black icons next to each product to shop...

Just a few odds and ends I'm craving for the season. What are you stocking up on?

postcards from london {travel diary}

Ever since getting back from London (almost three weeks ago now!), I've been teasing my friends and coworkers that I should have really just stayed over on that side of the pond. Of course, I'm only (half) kidding -- but there's something about London I just can't deny. I fell in love with it! The people, the history, the culture, the monarchy pride, the shopping -- and I really only scratched the surface. While I checked off a ton of things I had intended to do while over there, I still had pages of my notes left untouched.

It was a whirlwind and one I didn't want to see come to an end. It wasn't until sitting on my return flight home that I realized I had felt this feeling before. I studied abroad in Italy years ago in college but can distinctly remember how I felt when I packed up my little attic apartment on Via Genova into my two oversized suitcases. I can only really describe it as a bittersweet nostalgia. Fond appreciation for a time past, a lingering sadness to see it end, capped with a hopeful goodbye (because somewhere down the road, you know you'll be crossing paths again soon). So London, I'll be seeing you soon!

Huge thanks again to Regent Tweet for inviting me out! I'm forever in your debt. And stay tuned tomorrow when I'll be recapping my favorite London haunts, for anyone who might be planning their own trip there.

Keeping reading after the jump for more photos...

desert mirage {road trip playlist}

By now, you've probably seen lots of summer round ups, with folks waxing poetically about all the pieces they need to stock up on for the season (Birkenstocks, white jeans and #GirlBoss for reading material!). While I'm still putting together my own checklist (with some of the aforementioned items, guilty as charged), summer, in my opinion, isn't quite summer without a go-to soundtrack, so it just feels right, with the summer solstice around the corner, to kick things off this way.

Growing up, I've always taken music playlists pretty seriously (might explain the overabundance of mixed CDs in my childhood room now gathering dust) and usually, to this day, if left to my own devices in the car, I always end up parking on the oldies station. I have my dad to thank for this -- one of my favorite summer memories was a 2-week road trip my dad I took up the coast and through the Pacific Northwest with nothing but Beatles music blasting. I still can't listen to "I Am the Walrus" without remembering how we belted it out the windows while driving through some really small Oregon towns.

Here are a few oldies that are just too fitting for winding summer drives, road trips and wherever else these warm months may take you!

palm springs {travel diary}

If you happened to spy some sunshine-infused Instagram shots from me this weekend, you already know I ran off to Palm Springs for a quick getaway. My mom had booked her annual San Francisco trip a bit early this year so we decided to mix things up and head south for some much needed: 1.) sun 2.) pool side reading and 3.) retail therapy (hello outlet malls!). We even managed to sneak in a few bucketlist-worthy road side attractions, which included large robotic dinosaurs (quirky, but fun) and Salvation Mountain (a must-see!). It was my first time down in the Springs and I'll admit it right now, it definitely won't be my last! From the palm trees against stark mountain scapes to the saturated 60s-mod-inspired colors everywhere, I think I found my new weekend escape! 

Oh, and apparently, the  President is on the same page -- his Air Force One made our flight back home quite tricky (read: several hours delayed). 

Our home away from home. I loved the fact they converted an old Howard Johnson and Denny's restaurant, maintaining the original road side hotel + diner vibe with extremely covet-worthy decor.

I've wanted to visit Salvation Mountain ever since that scene in "Into the Wild" (also known as the only movie I can really stand Kristen Stewart in).

The pool side essentials. #Obvi.

When I wasn't lounging in my bathing suit, I lived in these white Guess overalls.

Each day, they had a new saying listed out on this old marquee board. It was fun to check each morning. // Pool party life!

A fun idea for patio furniture -- brightly painted, but chipped, mismatched chairs.  

Photos by Krystal Bick

intermix palo alto + google gals

A few weeks back, right before I left for London, the Intermix team invited myself and a few of my other stylish coworkers to break in their new Palo Alto store. In true Silicon Valley fashion, we stopped by before all of our meetings for the day (read: EARLY), coffee in hand and explored the store before opening hours. Let's just state the obvious here and say, more work days should really start with a little retail therapy. 

You can see more photos and read our little Q&A here on the Intermix blog. And if you're in the area, do stop by their new Palo Alto store in the Town & Country Village. Thanks again for having us, Intermix -- we'll be back again very soon! (Especially, because I think I NEED that gray IRO jacket in my life.)

The entire store was ours. OURS. Muhahaha.

Trying on new shades for summer, with my incredibly cute pregnant coworker, Irene (check out her blog here!).

I eventually talked Laura, our marketing guru for Google Shopping Express, into trying a pair of overalls on. And while she won't admit it, I think she kinda liked it. ;)

Regretting not getting this Nicholas crop top and skirt combo.

The grey IRO jacket that will forever haunt my dreams. Debating if I should go back and scoop it up...

How cute is she?!

Pattern mixin' it up!

Photos by Noriko Shiota Slusser

kate the great

Blazer: Helmut Lang; Shirt: ElevenParis; Jeans: J.Brand; Shoes: Henri Lepore Dezert; Bag: Proenza Schouler; Sunglasses: Coach; Necklace: Givenchy; Cuff: Hermes

After living out of a suitcase for the past several weeks on and off again, it feels so nice to be back home. Of course, I can't complain, especially after getting a much-needed tan while down in Palm Springs this past weekend (Seriously, 100+ degree heat? I'll take it!) I'm in the midst of sorting through all of my photos, both from London and our trip down south, so stay tuned this week for some serious wanderlust recaps.

As for this outfit, I wore this for one of my last full days putzing around London. My new friend (and talented photographer to boot!), Nancy and I shopped around Portobello Road Market, admiring vintage tea seats and old Beatles records before (quite appropriately) hopping over to the infamous Abbey Road crossing. Unfortunately, we were one of many folks there (tip: get there SUPER early in the day because it's still a busy traffic intersection) so most of my snaps have a ton of other people and cars in them. BUT, I still had that "pinch me" feeling while I was there. How could you not?

Photos by Nancy Gibbs

designer crush {brooke roberts}

Jumper and skirt: Brooke Roberts; Shoes: Henri Lepore Dezert; Bag: Proenza Schouler; Sunglasses: Elizabeth James; Necklace: Givenchy; Cuff: Hermes

The world really is a small place when you think about it. 

Case in point? Before heading out for London last week, I received an invite to a presentation with London-based designer, Brooke Roberts at the Battery Club here in San Francisco. The presentation was literally the night before I flew out, which as you might guess, meant I had lots of packing left to do, but I loved the idea of meeting a London-based creative before hopping over the pond. Plus, her story absolutely hooked me -- a radiographer by profession turned knitwear designer, using actual MRI brain scans as the basis for her print work. I mean, talk about trailblazing your own path! 

Naturally, I loved getting a glimpse into her design process and seeing her work up close but unfortunately, had to duck out before getting a chance to really introduce myself. Fast forward to later that week and both Brooke and her fiancé invited me out for a night of dinner and drinks around London, chatting about her design work, jobs we've liked (and didn't like so much) and who serves up the best burgers in town (Meat Market for the win!). It was one of those evenings that was completely unplanned and spontaneous and I loved it. 

Oh and, of course, when she asked me if I wanted to style a few of her A/W pieces, I (happily) jumped at the opportunity. I'm just bummed I didn't have time to also take this dress for a test drive. Reason to visit again soon perhaps, Brooke?

Photos by Nancy Gibbs