March 2016 - LAFashionsnob.com

Finding Sanctuary in Taiban, New Mexico

Mar 31 2016

(Vintage Ethnic Dress- Honeywood Vintage, Vintage Moccasins- Honeywood Vintage, Scarf (as Headwrap)- c/o Johnny Was, Vintage Wood Bracelets- thrifted, Sunglasses- Zero UV.)

On our way back to Texas from Los Angeles, we stopped by Taiban, New Mexico- a mostly abandoned ghost town west of Fort Sumner. Before our trip, I had heard about an abandoned church in Taiban that is well-known to be a photographer’s haven. So I -being obsessed with old abandoned places- immediately Googled it and, to my delight, found out that it was somewhat on our route back.

While in LA, I stopped by Honeywood Vintage in Highland Park, as I found out about them through Instagram (where else). The shop is quite bohemian and offers the wardrobe essentials I’d want if I were to do a quick weekend desert getaway. Although I wanted practically every caftan, tribal/ethnic embroidered and print whatever, in the store; buttttt due to the budget, I settled on a vintage red ethnic embroidered dress and moccasins, knowing that I would be doing an impromptu Southwest-inspired photo shoot at the church. Finding vintage shoes in my size is such a rarity, so I was BEYOND thrilled that the vintage moccasins fit. They’ve since become a cozy staple in my everyday wardrobe. So ladies and gents, I highly recommend Honeywood Vintage if you ever pass through Highland Park.

The unincorporated town of Taiban is also famous for being the location where Billy the Kid (and associates) were captured in 1880. When we arrived at the lonely church, it was literally everything I thought it would be, and more. It is known as the Taiban Presbyterian Church and was built in 1908. It seems to be withstanding well against the elements and…time. I was able to explore all around the outside of the building and carefully ventured inside the small, bare sanctuary. I could have spent all day just sitting there. It was peaceful and just something about cool, abandoned places just gives me goosebumps.

If you ever venture out that way and love photography- DO IT!

Made In LA

Mar 30 2016

(White tee- thrifted, Vintage White/Red Plaid Pants- EBTH, Vintage Hat- Cottage Shop, Vintage Turquoise Lariat Necklace- Estate Sale, Vintage Southwestern Necklace- thrifted, Cork Wedges- Cottage Shop, Handbag- thrifted.)

*I wanted to give a HUGE thank you/shout-out to Kelly Kepner PR for locating this wall and instagramming it!*

MADE IN LA… Well, this wall has a couple meanings to me. One, it is a cool art wall to take outfit photos; and two, I was literally made in LA. I was born in Los Angeles, but after my parents divorced when I was three, my mom and I moved out-of-state. I’ve always thought of myself as a ‘California Girl,’ even though I didn’t fully grow up there. I moved back to LA for college and lived there for an amazing eight years before deciding that the LA traffic was too horrific and the rents were too astronomical.

Los Angeles will always have a special place in my heart. I grew up sheltered and miserably shy. When it was time to go to the West Coast for school, I happily went and left my semi-skeptical family behind (oh you’ll never make it, etc). I came to outgrow my shyness (to a point) and I am so proud to say that I survived eight roller-coaster years in the second-largest city of the United States! I know the subway system and downtown by heart. I’ve met some good people that I still call friends. Oh and COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF… (sorry Starbucks). Well, ok, so I’m not a fashion designer, as I first intended on doing, but I can still say that I did in fact, make it. Even though I’m not happy with a certain school, I wouldn’t take back (most) of the experiences for anything.

I enjoy visiting the city every chance I get, as there are still numerous pockets of the city that I have yet to see. I enjoy the mountains, ocean, and diversity that the city has to offer. And yes, I still say “the” before every freeway number (and I LOVE it). I miss smelling the orange blossoms while walking through Los Feliz, Pasadena, and Silverlake [etc]. I miss how walkable most of the city is…I got the BEST exercise! I love how historic Route 66 runs through the city and ends in Santa Monica. Lastly, I miss the quaint historic Spanish architecture and quaint craftsmen-style bungalows (basically the vast variety of architecture that the city has).

I am a creative, weird, unique (etc) individual…I am MADE IN LA…

If you’d like to check out the wall, on the side of Cisco Home Melrose (not sure for how long it’s there for), it’s on the corner of Melrose Ave. and N. Laurel Ave.

@myciscohome
#MADEINLA

Hands-Free Driving with Zuna Drive

Mar 30 2016

* I was given a case to review, however ALL opinions are my own *

I live in Houston- where there are currently no laws regarding hands-free driving. Since moving here in 2013, my anxiety regarding driving on the roadways has increased. People just don’t seem to pay attention while driving. Every time I’ve had a close call, or the car is moving too slow, etc., I’d peek at the driver, and they’d always be either texting or on the phone. I am a HUGE advocate against distracted driving, especially when phones are involved.

According to the National Safety Council– April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The NSC points out that just because you are driving hand’s free, doesn’t mean it’s always the safest. You can also be mentally distracted as well, by using the hands-free options on your vehicle’s dashboard. such as dictating a text or email. BUT, in my opinion, I still consider using a hands-free device as a step in the right direction.

When Santa Barbara-based company Zuna Drive started following me on Twitter, I was beyond thrilled and immediately reached out to them, because they believe in hands-free driving as well. They offer phone cases that have a built-in hook that attaches to your air conditioner vent. It’s a great and stylish phone accessory that is durable (with triple co-molded construction) and isn’t bulky.

After getting the case out of its packaging, I snuggled my phone into the case and went to run errands. Before driving off, I attached the hook to my horizontal air conditioner vent and let the phone vertically hang. The weight of the phone makes the hook stay in place. Once I’m at my destination, I just detach the hook and tuck it back into the case and I go about my merry way. One thing I will say, that do to the phone hanging there by only the hook, it will shift slightly when turning (as it did for me, but it’s not too noticeable). When I first attached it and started driving, I felt great knowing that my hands were on the wheel and I was more focused on the road. I mainly use my phone for navigation, so it’s been a blessing to not have to hold it. The screen is also easier to see because my air vents are close to eye level.

If you are looking for an affordable way to be hands-free, check out Zuna Drive.

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Archive - March 2016