I don’t know about you, but I grew up watching the TV show What Not to Wear. I loved seeing not only the outer transformations of the subjects, but the inevitable inner transformations that occurred as well. I always admired the participants for their vulnerability and courage in surrounding themselves to the capable hands of a team of stylists. It’s a mental exercise more than anything else. After all, your appearance dictates how you are perceived by others which translates to how you feel about yourself.
The magical oasis of Wabi Sabi Beauty.
I discovered Wabi Sabi Beauty, a San Francisco-based eco beauty and wellness studio at the beginning of the year. I chatted with Kristina, the founder and owner, about collaborating on a transformation video in which I would give her creative license to decide my haircut. At the time, my hair was mid-chest length with long layers that lent themselves as the perfect blank slate for Kristina to work her hairstylist magic. Fast forward to 6 months from then when we actually did the transformation, my hair was even longer, making it an even more drastic transformation. I had not cut my hair in over a year.
Right after the first chop!
I tend to be a Type A control freak and this exercise in letting Kristina cut my hair however she saw fit was a good way for me to trust fall into her caring, hairstylist arms. It was super fun to see how she envisioned me looking. We ended up going for a bob with long bangs that are versatile in the way they can be styled. I’ve been wearing this hairstyle for two weeks and so far, my favorite way to style these bangs is to part my hair in the middle and do curtain bangs.
We made my chopped hair into a heart!
Cutting bangs and not having a clue what they’re going to look like.
In addition to the haircut which was the biggest transformation, I also got a facial at Supple, makeup lesson from Kristina at Wabi Sabi Beauty, and personal styling session at Lisa Says Gah.
The final look!
I wholeheartedly believe that it’s healthy to change elements of your life even if things don’t necessarily need changing. My decision to let Kristina choose my haircut was instigated by the desire for something new and different. Not necessarily better, just different. I think we put this unnecessary weight on change that if we make it, it needs to be better. To me, changing just means evolving. Usually for the better, but sometimes just for a change of pace. And changing elements of your life in even the most seemingly petty and hedonistic capacities — such as a new haircut or dress — can seem insignificant. The only thing constant is change, so if you can embrace change in the little, petty things in your life, it helps keep your mind open and perspective fresh for when big opportunities and changes arise.
Having started my blog in November 2008 (I was 14!) and since launching Drifter Organics 3 years ago, I’ve made a lot of online friends turned in real life friends and a lot of them happen to be talented makers. I’ve also realized that owning your own online business can be very isolating which is a shame because a lot of the magic happens when creative minds come together in person. One of the main joys I derived (and still do) from blogging is connecting with other like-minded creative individuals.
Although it’s amazing you can chat with someone across the world, I’m sad that there exists a gap between “connecting” over the Internet and establishing a tactile real life connection. Over the past few months, I’ve been planning a small pop-up with a few small business friends in LA. Last week, the pop-up came to fruition. The purpose of this pop-up was to promote community. We kept it super casual and held it at my friend Puno’s loft in DTLA using her furniture as makeshift tables to display our products. It felt very special and intimate.
We had a turnout of about 100 people which is extremely mind-boggling and humbling to think people would come to this shindig I created from an idea that sparked in my head. I’m a huge believer that there’s room for everyone, so you might as well help your fellow creative folks out. A huuuuuge thank you to all the other vendors for being so talented and making awesome things, Puno for graciously opening up your home, and you shoppers who came out to support us small business peeps. Feeling very inspired and fulfilled by the creative community and know that looking back on this past year, this will definitely be a highlight of my year.
Check out what else we did in LA in the vlog below!
We’re well into the month of September, Vogue’s September Issue has been out for weeks, and retail has been rotating in their fall looks since like the day after the first official day of summer, so I thought I’d share with you what I’m wearing this fall. I don’t have beaucoup bucks to spend on an entire new fall wardrobe (plus I’m trying to 100% thrift and/or buy sustainably-made independent designer), so this is more of a how-I’m-making-items-of-clothing-I-already-own-as-well-as-a-few-new-things-I-bought-and/or-thrifted work for fall 2019. I’ve noticed a few new trends cropping up this season and sneakily implemented some of those trends into what I wore in San Francisco a few weeks ago so that I could make a fall lookbook video and this blog post out of it.
Friday, my mom and I arrived in San Francisco and walked around the Mission in the latter part of the afternoon. With the reboot of Gossip Girl in the works, I pulled inspiration from the classic prep girl style and wore this yellow plaid mini skirt with a hot pink knit polo. To tie in the ‘90s which has been a popular trend for the past year or so, I wore my Nike Air Force Ones but paired them with sparkly sheer socks for a schoolgirl twist. My neon pink polo is also pretty ‘90s as well as this amazing vintage Prada nylon bag which I found on eBay for $60. To channel my inner Blair Waldorf, I accessorized with a velour headband. I like to think of this outfit as Cher Horowitz meets Blair Waldorf.
Striped slip dress: Reformation (sold out, similar) Crewneck top: Reformation Necklace: Munbeibi Pom pom hair ties: PIDOUDOU Sandals: Birkenstock Black purse: Prada (vintage from eBay) Sunglasses: Joel Ighe x Chimi (sold out, similar)
Saturday, we did tea tasting at Song Tea and walked around Lower Pacific Heights and Japantown. I was still on the ‘90s train and wore this midi length slip dress from over a slim ribbed crewneck top. The midi dress has this fabulous disco stripe pattern that feels very fall and wintry to me. I love the versatility of slip dresses and have seen them worn a multitude of ways: as a skirt, over jeans, and with a jacket over it. I twisted my hair into two low baby buns and added these funky pom pom hair ties from Amazon that serendipitously matched the pinks in my dress. To top off my ‘90s look, I wore these white narrow lens sunglasses and my Prada nylon bag. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more like Phoebe Buffay in an outfit.
My mom and I started Sunday morning off with yoga on the beach. When I asked on Instagram if you wanted to see me style something specific in this lookbook, some of you said you wanted to see how I style athleisure. I love the look of a dressier t-shirt tucked into a pair of baggy nylon shorts—keyword “dressier t-shirt” or else otherwise you’ll end up looking like one of those kids at Disneyland with overprotective parents who have them wearing a backpack with a safety leash so that they don’t lose them. I wore this mustard graphic tee to offset any gym shorts vibes given off by these royal blue nylon shorts. I topped it off with this vintage denim bucket hat that looks almost identical to a hat I wore when I was 5, a fanny pack, and my trusty white Birks.
Later that day, my mom and I saw a movie, so using the same tee as the control in the scientific experiment of my outfit, I dressed up the look with a wrap skirt. I paired these indigo dyed thick socks with cream colored slingbacks and a rainbow beaded necklace by a jewelry designer I met through Instagram. I tied together the beads in the necklace with my favorite Susan Alexandra crossbody that literally fits two things in it but at least it looks cute. I have to say, this was one of my favorite outfits from my trip.
Heart sweater: Reformation (sold out, can’t find a good similar, you’re best bet is looking on a resale site for the Reformation Daisy Sweater boo) Pink trousers: Rachel Antonoff (sold out, similar and similar) Sandals: Miista (almost sold out, similar and similar) Locket necklace: Tiffany & Co. (sold out, similar) Barrettes: ban.do (sold out, similar and similar) Beaded purse: Susan Alexandra
Monday, my mom and I went to the SFMOMA and then to Chinatown. Both places have tons of color and I wanted to match the vibrant locations by wearing something bright myself. I paired these hot pink trousers with a short sleeved sweater. The sweet heart pattern on the sweater reminds me of something vintage from the ‘60s. Topping off the colorful outfit, I wore my Susan Alexandra crossbody again.
Tuesday was our last day in San Francisco. As much as I love dressing up, I love a good casual day as well. I went for a cozy monochromatic look in this yummy oatmeal color. I found this Creatures of Comfort oversized sweater tank secondhand at Crossroads and I’m too modest to wear it alone, so I layered it over a mesh turtleneck which is something else I would never wear alone, but actually works out well because you want an extra layer of fabric to stay warm in the fall.
The back of the vest has these ties which are a nice touch. Short story: This Coach purse is my first thrift store find ever and remains to this day the best thrift store find I’ve ever scored. I got this for $10 which is roughly the same price as a piece of avocado toast in San Francisco. I must admit this was one of those outfits I put together in my head and wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, but I actually really loved the way it came together.
I hope these looks gave you inspiration for putting together outfits for fall. Putting together outfits for different occasions is one of my favorite things to do in the world, so I had fun shopping my closet for some new looks to wear this coming season. Comment down below what you’re looking forward to wearing this fall!
I’m a lifestyle entrepreneur in Los Angeles, CA. I'm a recovering perfectionist with truckloads of gut issues who loves fashion, but doesn't take it seriously. I started this Internet thing in 2008 and this is my 5th time rebranding — it’s definitely the last, but I can't make any promises. Welcome to me.
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