The LA Files

Dive into Summer . . . 

toes in the sand, watermelon kisses, partying till sunrise, margaritas in hand, tan lines, salty skin, summertime is just around the corner. 

With summer sunshine comes a new day to day uniform, primarily consisting of short flowy dresses that twirl along with the warm tradewinds, jean cuttoffs that are thrown on on your way to the beach or dressed up with wedges for a night of dancing with friends, and a pair of statement sunnies that compliment any look. Yet amongst all the fun of a new summer wardrobe the bikini becomes the southern Californian go to outfit as the weather heats up. As our agenda is taken over with pool parties at the Roosevelt, sunsets at the Bungalow and days spent at Zuma beach, everyone of us needs a new bikini to make us feel confident and flirty and most importantly to show off to our followers in our instagram posts.

Check below for my list of must have Summer 2014 bikini’s that will make you shine bright in this Hollywood sunlight. 

MONDAY SWIMWEAR

 Designed by the ultimate bikini babes Tash Ockley and Devin Brugman of the popular blog A Bikini A Day, this line is everything you could ever want in a bikini. With vibrant hues in reds and blues, black and white color blocking, and classic shapes, these two beautiful women created a line of swimwear as stunning as the beauty they radiate. Check out their first collection at the SwimSpot boutique at the Santa Monica Place Mall. 

BLUE LIFE

 

Like I always say, if there is anyone who knows Southern Californian style it's Planet Blue. With their first ever swim collection debuting this year, these sporty chic pieces are sure to sell out fast, so don't miss your chance!

BEACH RIOT x STONE_COLD_FOX

if you aren't already obssesed with the provocative simplicity of one of LA's most coveted brands Stone Cold Fox, and the versatile femininity provided by the popular bikini brand Beach Riot then don't waist a minute and check out their websites now. Their second collaboration together is even better than the last. Solid greys, patterned blues, high necks and the right amount of retro; it's everything a girl needs for the summer. 

ACACIA SWIMWEAR

 

It's not that I want to pick favorites, but Acacia Swimwear is consistenly on point. With innovative styles that have taken the bikini world by storm, to the softest reversable materials, and loveliest prints this company never fails to provide the most flattering bikinis for every girls needs. 

A bientôt!

bisou bisou, Catherine

☮

 

The LA Files:

Wildfox Lagoon @ SkyBar 

get totally lost 

When it comes to sunshine, relaxation, and most importantly parties Wildfox Couture sets the standard for the ultimate Los Angeles lifestyle. Last night we were invited to the Wildfox Lagoon spring 2014 collection launch party at the Skybar on the Sunset Strip. With a pool in the center of it all, candles twinkling along with the LA skyline we were transported to bliss. The new collection features a wide array of textures and styles from pink lobster print bikinis, embellished cutoffs jeans, and sweaters that encourage you to live life like you’re always on vacation. Keep your eye out for Wildfox lagoon you will surely want every item from the collection. 

A bientôt!

bisou bisou, Catherine

☮

The LA Files:

Dianne Von Furstenberg - Journey of a Dress 

"I wanted to be a certain kind of woman. So I became that woman"

A bientôt!

bisou bisou, Catherine

☮

The LA Files:

Lana Del Rey

“Who are you?

Are you in touch with all of your darkest fantasies?

Have you created a life for yourself where you can experience them?

I have. I am fucking crazy.

But I am free.” 

In the aftermath of a rough breakup this past December,  I became very attached to the music, monologues, and multimedia masterpieces of singer Lana del Rey. A young  woman who has made a mystery into a career. 

There is little we know about her, a few rumors (are her plump lips fake or are they real) and some theories (do you think her ex-lover passed away tragically) but the singer has hardly shared any of the intimate details from her personal life to the public. 

Instead, she has chosen to create a public image of herself by unveiling the "war in her mind" capturing into ghostly mesmerizing lyrics sentiments of joy, sadness, bliss, and fear that are felt as we ride through the beautiful chaos of life. 

She confesses the raw beauty and struggle that rattle her mind  without ever  proving any clear detail or backstory, creating the magic that is Lana del Rey. Her mysterious public image radiates into confidence and a sense that through it all she is able to accept herself. 

I immediately fell under the Lana spell my sophomore year of college, when my friend Dylan Goodale sent me the link to her first major music video Born to Die. Enchanted with everything about her  I listened to her first album on repeat for months on end. 

Later that year I fell in love, and as I lost myself in a haze of fantasy her music was now given a new meaning. With phrases like "you fit me better than my favorite sweater" because "now my life is sweet like cinnamon" rightfully expressed those warm unclear sentiments we feel when we fall in love.

As my relationship unravelled differently than I imagined, I let myself tolerate the many warning signs that arose in front of me because I refused to let go of the happy fantasy that I had created in my mind. A hope that everything was actually okay. For a while I stopped listening to Lana's music, I couldn't listen to jt because didn't want to acknowledge a deep sadness that was forming inside. 

In December, I finally took the first step, and allowed myself to fully detach from this toxic situation. One afternoon while walking home from class, Born to Die came on shuffle on my iPhone. It was a warm sunny day and although I already knew the lyrics by heart, the song stopped me in the street.

 "Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough I don't know why, and you and I we were born to die".

It was liberating to finally hear the emptiness I felt, feeling I couldn't quite understand, nor wanted to deal with (yet alone relay to others), manifest as a crystal clear lyrical confession. 

I had never felt this deep a connection to music before, it was as if her lyrics were mine, her sighs and hidden pain all paralleled what I was going through and by listening to her albums I could start to rebalance my mind. 

Now it is April, and as I continue to release myself from the mental destruction of this breakup I been  moving forward and riding through life. Last weekend, I finally saw her perform live at coachella, and I felt alive. 

It wasn't until love evaporated into nothingness that I finally appreciated and understood the message of Lana del Rey, and I thank her for that. 

A bientôt!
bisou bisou, Catherine
☮

The LA Files

c o a c h e l l a  2014:

down on the west coast we got a saying...

Weekend One was a dream, when I close my eyes I am once again transported to this desert oasis where all our troubles disappear and music speaks to our souls. Every year is better than the last and each experience is forever imprinted in my mind. This year, I had the privilege of helping out with Bikini Birds popup shop located at the exclusive Vestal Village campgrounds. I was in charge of giving out this year’s most sought after festival accessory the Flash Tattoos (metallic temporary tattoos that feature palm trees, waves, and shell motifs) as we wore fresh flowers in our hair, and sipped on fruity drinks.

Coachella, how is it that in a span of three days over 90,000 people accumulate onto a polo field in the middle of nowhere, camp in the strong desert heat, and leave behind all the struggle and nastiness that plague our everyday lives and replace them with friendship, energy that never quits and constant happiness that fills us all with a interconnected euphoria something society lacks to maintain.

So thank you Coachella, for once again bringing joy into my life, and restoring my faith in humanity. I wish we could live each day like a music festival: happy - the way life should be lived. I can’t wait for next year, but until then I’ll be visiting you in my dreams.

 

A la prochaine Coachella!

bisou bisou, Catherine

☮

The LA Files:

Coachella Style

open backs, crop tops, flower crowns, nail art, fringe, jean shorts, ankle boots, kimonos, turquoise...

Coachella week is here, and all the festival goers are ready to party in the dessert, listen to the best music and enjoy a three day getaway with all their friends. However, one component that is just as important (if not the most important) in prepping for this festival is to answer the question WHAT AM I WEARING!?

The great thing about a festival in the dessert is that it's hot and sunny and therefore minimal clothing is required. So dust of your cutoff shorts, mini dresses, and turquoise jewelry and don't forget the sunscreen! Although the weather is exclusively warm during this time of year there is the chance of obnormalities and one must always be prepared for the worst. So pack a few warmer layers incase of a sandstorm or misty rain.

We all already have items in our closet that are perfect for this weekend. ie: a pair of gladiator sandals from 4 years ago, that perfect white t from Velvet, or those high wasted Levi shorts you found at the Rose Bowl flea. But if you're anything like me, there no better feeling than finding a new special item that will freshen your current wardrobe and make this years set of outfits feel brand new (even if it's the third year in a row that you're wearing them). So find a fresh pair of sunnies, a statement necklace, or a bright colored dress, and everything will feel brand new!

When looking for the perfect festival pieces, no one understands this lifestyle better than the fashion brands based right in the heart of Los Angeles. These companies know their California girls and build each collection with beautiful pieces that can be worn over and over again in many different situations. Check the list below for my favorite LA brands to wear this year at Coachella! 

PLANET BLUE 

Los Angeles and Planet Blue go hand in hand. These LA boutiques have everything you need from colorful sweats to the perfect LBD's. Their buyers have exquisite taste, and always bring together the best peices from all our favorite brands. When it comes to festivals their personal line, Blue Life will make you want to buy a VW van, find a hot boy with a guitar and beard and live a life on the road like Penny Lane. 

FOR LOVE AND LEMONS

Where do I begin to talk about for love and lemons. This company is perfection, from crisp white rompers, color blocking and neon yellow lace their new collection has everything you need to update your wardrobe and dance the days away in the dessert!

STONE COLD FOX

The ladies at stone cold fox know feminitiy, sex appeal, and cool. With each new collection they have blows us all away. So make a dent in your bank account and find yourself something pretty. 

FLYNN SKYE

This venice babe knows exactly what California girls need. From long maxis, flowy pants, and flouncy mini dresses everything was made to be worn at a festival, with the added bonus that it was also made for everyday. 

WILDFOX

It doesn't matter who you are comfy clothes are everyone's favorite. Now Wildfox manages to bring us the softest materials known to the fashion world and merges humor, graphics, and pop culture into the mix. Not only will Wildfox have you covered in the heat but they also have the best items to stay warm!

A bientôt!

bisou bisou, Catherine

☮

The LA Files:

☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ ☮ 

This can only mean one thing COACHELLA is upon us once again....

And it's time for us Angelinos to finally get a good tan, listen to live music, play with our friends, possibly fall in love and most importantly dress up like the dessert is our own personal runway show.

As someone who has been given the privilege to travel to many different places around the world, Coachella has topped my list of favorite getaways which include the beaches of Juans les Pins, city views in San Francisco, and secret hikes on Kauai. This dessert festival is unlike anything I've ever experienced anywhere else. A magical place where the word bliss doesn’t even begin to cover the feeling you get from spending three days in this music mecca.

Some people choose to ridicule this festival and all the people who attend, but they really just don’t get it. At Coachella no one is taking themselves seriously, its just three days out of the year where we can all escape from reality and just try to have a good time. I promise you, unless you have no soul or rhythm you will have the time of your life. 

Now for those of you that ridicule the importance placed on style at this festival, you can click the red x on the left side of this page because frankly I don't want any of your negative energy around here. Style is an important part of everyday life, and just like any other event people plan their outfits in advance to fit the environment. So why should it be any different for attendees of a festival that fuzes together music sunshine, and art.


So tune in later this week, for a breakdown of outfit inspirations and a list of local Los Angeles companies to check out! 

A bientôt!

bisou bisou, Catherine

☮