Photo Diary: A Day At The Beach

Okay, like half an hour at the beach. I was down close to the oceanfront doing some errands and thought to myself "Self, why not get some juice and go to the beach!". I miss going to the beach soooo much in the winter time. Since this is my week off all of my coworkers went on vacation to warmer places (Florida, South Carolina, The British Virgin Islands, Fuck you guys!), and since I just didn't have the time or energy to plan a whole vacation I just decided to have a staycation. I have since made lots of good meals, had a Downton Abbey marathon, done my taxes, painted my nails, scrunched the bottoms of a few of my bikinis, colored my hair, and all in just a few days! I'd say that was pretty productive. I've also been to the gym every day and I am so friggin sore. All-in-all, it's been a nice week so far. Here are a few pictures from my beach trip today, nothing fancy, just some stuff from my point of view!

(boots: Minnetonka)

 (necklace: Rockabella)

(jacket: Fjallraven, sweater: Nixon, jeans: Levis, glasses: Ray-Ban)

 (bag: Copper River Bags, blanket: Roxy)

 

(scarf: H&M, glasses: Ray-Ban)

I know it's no great feat of photography, but I had no tripod and some guy was walking his dog and I didn't want to look stupid taking a bunch of selfies. Anyway, hope you all have a good week!

My Christmas Favorites

Well, favorites is a strong word here. I loved all of my presents, but some stood out a bit more than others because they were things that I really really wanted. I got a really good loot this year. I got great stuff from my family, my boyfriend, AND my secret santa at work! Here are a few of the things that I got from everyone (including myself):

(L-R)

Saffron Jame Le'a Perfume Oil- Smells like a tropical paradise full of plumeria flowers and sexy sunsets. This is a good mid-winter pick-me-up since I'm sick of wearing actual clothes.

Minnetonka Short Fringe Boots- So cute a fringy, but not obnoxiously fringy. They have enough to be fun, but don't make me look like a wannabe hippy that's trying too hard.

Oribe Apres Surf Hair Spray- Really awesome beachy hair spray. It's on-par with Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray which is the best stuff on earth. It smells awesome and gives your hair a piecey matte look aka sexy-ass hair.

Ksumi Tea Essentials Sampler- Lots and lots of delicious Russian style teas that come in a buttload of flavors. There's black tea, there's mate, there's grean tea, you've got some much to choose from! Every one I've tried (probably four by now) have been awesome. Also got two tins of tea, one a chai and one a Christmas themed tea. All are great!

Bath & Body Works "Meet Me in Tahiti" Candle- Smells like vanilla, coconut, and tropical island flowers take me to another place when I'm sitting in my tiny bathtub. Plus it had Tahiti in the name so it's a given that I was going to buy this. PS- I bought this for myself. Merry Christmas to me!

J. Crew Infinity Scarf-My secret santa got this for me right under my nose at the J. Crew outlet. It goes great with my army green jacket and little boots. It's a nice neutral brown with a pop of fluorescent orange. Super warm and super cute!

I also got a really sweet record player from my boyfriend. It was a big surprise because I wasn't sure he would indulge my hipster tendencies, but guess who was wrong! Now I just need some records to play and I'll be set!

I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a wonderful holiday and those who don't I hope you had a great day off unless some butthole made you work. Until next time, see you in the new year!

Dawn Patrol: Doing Stuff I Like

Dawn Patrol by elbonner featuring knit sweaters

I haven't been to the beach, let alone surfed, in so long it's making me crazy! Usually around this time of year I get really brave/stupid and try to conjure up the will to go to the beach for a winter surf with a friend.Working full-time and away from a surfable beach has made planning this activity out kind of difficult (not to mention everyone thinking I'm dumb and crazy, including myself). I think of it as exercise where you burn twice as many calories because your body is fighting off hypothermia! I haven't done the whole "dawn patrol" thing since high school when my little surfer friend and I got up at the butt-crack of dawn to get to the beach before work or school. I miss those days of riding around in my surf truck, sweaters on, coffee or hot chocolate in the thermos, and being very vocal about the fact that someone should invent a genital warming feature to go inside the crotch of a wetsuit. You can only pee on yourself out there but so many times. Above I created a little piece of my past: an outfit perfect for a chilly beach day. There's nothing better after a morning cold shock to the system than to out on some soft, dry clothes that you threw in the dryer before you left the house and wrapped in saran wrap to keep the heat in (hey, it works!). The good part about winter surfing is that no one is there to see you fall, because they're all at home snug in their PJ's while. Maybe if I can convince myself to get up from my warm bed to throw myself in the cold ocean then I can relive that period of my life, even if it's just for a little bit. I only really remember the good times had during those frosty mornings so it's time to make myself look like a bad-ass and brave the frigid Atlantic!

Urban Gaucho

Urban Gaucho by elbonner featuring zip bags

If I'm going to have to wear winter clothes, then they're going to have to remind me of the beach and summertime  somehow. I think Southwestern prints are very beachy, but also great for the winter. They liven up the grey-white deadness and make life worth living. I call this look "urban gaucho" because that's what it looks like, a gaucho with a keen eye for fashion and mixing prints. So get yourself some funky prints and ride off into the Argentinian sunset drinking yerba mate! Ole!

Sweater- Jens Pirate Booty
T-shirt- Quiksilver
Jeans- Quiksilver
Bag- Carryall
Hat-RVCA
Bracelet-Jens Pirate Booty
Boots- Minnetonka

The Dude Abides

The Dude Abides by elbonner featuring oversized tops

Enza Costa oversized top, $165 / Quiksilver / Cheap Monday , $76 / Minnetonka shoes / Chloé satchel handbag

I feel that if "The Dude" in The Big Lebowski was a somewhat fashionable lady, she would wear an outfit like this. Especially with that awesome sweater coat. It really ties the outfit together.