crazy for kayu

I'm so excited to finally share some photos of my shoot for KAYU - gorgeous bags with a mission.

I met KAYU's founder, Jamie Lim, via Twitter and as luck would have it she's originally from Malaysia. She was in town over the holidays to visit family and take care of business (her clutches are hand made in South East Asia) so we were able to meet in person and collaborate for her Spring look book photos and graphic design. We hit it off immediately and I was in total awe of her designs. She has somehow accomplished making the traditional artistry of weaving look completely modern and sexy. And as if good looks weren't enough, a portion of sales is donated to perform sight-restoring surgeries in India and to purchase backpacks and school supplies for children in Cambodia. Win-win.

I had a blast walking around KL together with only a bag full of clutches and a determination to "get the shot" despite the hot day and hungry mosquitoes. Felt like quite the urban-jungle warriors at the end of the day!

I can't finish writing this post without mentioning the stall owners at Chow Kit Market. They thought we were nuts every time we asked "can I put this bag here and take a photo?". Sure, crazy ladies...go right ahead. The strange looks were totally worth it as my fave shot is the trio of clutches on the Durian scale. It doesn't get any more Malaysian than that.

Shop KAYU at kayudesign.com and Shopbop.com

a month of love

Home sweet home. I'm back in KL and I've been unpacking, doing laundry, and catching up with Joe, work, and of course, Downtown Abbey. I had a full marathon via our iTunes subscription since the entire season is now online - I couldn't believe it!

Our week before flying to Colombia is already jam packed so it's a fun treat to kick it off by being a part of Cuyana's 14 Days of Love campaign where I share my personal and brand-love stories. I absolutely love what those ladies are doing in giving artisans around the world a beautiful and stylish platform to share their work.

Being asked to be a part of their campaign couldn't have come at a better time. February is a special month for Joe and I as it is our "Valenbirthsary" when we celebrate everything at once: the day we met, valentine's day, and my birthday. And this year we get to add a wedding date! Add the fact that we get to share that date with the people we love and there's all sorts of warm and fuzzy feelings going on. February, you're my fave.

{let's} getaway

1.  Vita Fede  /  2.  Chinti and Parker  /  3. Jimmy Choo  /  4. Lotuff  /  5. 7 For All Mankind  /  6. Divine Chocolate  /  7. Corso Como

Living close to the equator has its benefits (like year-round flip flops and poolside lounging) but there's no doubt that I will miss the cool crisp air that comes with the Fall season. The way it feels on your face is so refreshing and I love that short window of time when all you need is a great cashmere sweater and a scarf. This is my current dream outfit for an Autumn day out in the city complete with a cup of hot cocoa to snuggle up with at night. Maybe I'll just crank up the A/C and make believe :)

let's play house {office}

1.  REDSTAR Ink  /  2.  Linda Monfort  /  3.  Pablo and Fernando Pardo  /  4.  Hee Welling  /  5.  IKEA  /  6.  Paperweight  /  7.  Nicopapergoods

I've been having a lot of fun lately but it's time to really get back to work. There are a few new ventures that I'm prepping to launch this month (fingers crossed) and that means that I'll be spending a lot of extra time sitting at my desk. If I had the chance to decorate anew I would choose modern blacks, natural textures, and pops of inspirational colors and patterns. All three combined would make for a casually sophisticated and artful place - perfect for getting things done. What's your workspace style?

friday pic & pin

Happy weekend, everyone. We're off to London for a few days and I am really pushing my packing time to the limit. It's always such a last minute thing for me but I'll do my best take the pieces that have been out of rotation since we moved to the tropics  (poor sweaters ain't getting any love!). I'll use the sassy lady above as inspiration, she is just too perfect.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

This week's three rad links...

• I Need Nice Things is open for business. Super rad and affordable art.

• Field Trip, a new free phone app that reveals quirky, fun and secret places that are near you as you walk via Say Daily

• LA's biggest block party, CicLAvia, is this Sunday. Experience the city in a brand new way. We did and we LOVED it.

(image left: view from the London Eye, London by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Stunning Street Style)

let's play house {palm springs}

1. Curtis Jere  /  2. Rust Belt Threads  /  3. Mad Mats  /  4. Viesso  /  5. PopOColor (green, orange), Trina Turk (yellow)  / 6. CB2  /  7. inmod

As much as I love LA, my dream is to own a home in Palm Springs. I love the architecture, the slower pace of life, and the dry heat that makes my thick and wavy hair feel silky and flat. My home will have a fabulous backyard with a pool + lounge area and I'll always have my fabulous friends over for fabulous cocktails. I will go absolutely nuts decorating with a mix of vintage and modern pieces, making sure to pay homage to the structure of the house while still keeping things fresh. And yes, the house will of course be one of those iconic single story homes with perfectly balanced asymmetrical lines and no-fuss native landscaping. It will be fab-u-lous. Shall I fix you a drink?

let's getaway {newport}

1. J.Crew / 2. Tiny Armour / 3. Kiel James Patrick / 4. Land's End Canvas / 5. J. Crew / 6. Neuaura 

I know I know, I've only just returned from a weekend getaway but summer is nearly over and I can't help but think of Newport, Rhode Island. I spent the Fall semester of my Junior year of college at URI and I fell in love with it. Everything was so different from LA: the people, the scenery, the ocean, the style - I didn't need to study abroad to be in a totally different world. It was the first time I had ever seen and experienced real autumn foliage and I even learned how to sail thanks to the free lessons on offer from the cute boys on the sailing team. While out in the bay during sailing practice, shivering from the freezing temperatures of the approaching winter, I imagined what RI and Newport would be like in the summer. Touring the old mansions, eating quahog (local name of a shellfish, not The Family Guy's town), and enjoying a refreshing ice cream during a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. That place was built for summer merry making and I did promise myself that we would meet again. I might even see how much jib sheet and knots action I remember ;)

{happy friday} pic & pin

Goodbye June and hello July - my official summer month. The Fourth of July has always been my kick off to the season so we're practically there, even if I'm not in the States to celebrate. I'd love to welcome it with this orange number by Reformation. Don't you just love the structure? Wait until you see the back...!

This weekend I'm crossing my fingers for some sunshine (it's been awfully hazy), looking forward to a succulent planting craft party, and maybe getting a start on our new shopping list.

I hope you have a great one!

This week's three rad links...

• a few songs of summer via State of Unique (expect one or two of these on next month's mix tape)

• get crafty on demand with Creativebug video workshops via sfgirlbybay

• ladies, let's take these from the fellas via Design Crush

(image left: Barcelona beach by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Reformation)

{worth watching} "...every era builds character"

My friend Laurie came over to say goodbye and being the professional style consultant that she is, she eagerly asked if she could see my closet. A mini-consultation later and I had several outfit ideas and a clearer picture of what clothes to take with me to London. However, one of the things she said that struck a chord was "you are so much more chic than this!" She was referring to my ho-hum collection of tops that I'll admit, has barely been updated since Freshman year in college (it's a work in progress).

We discussed how inspiring Europe will be for the style senses and how the beautiful and romantic backdrops seem to grant further permission to play dress-up. I can already feel my wardrobe changing just thinking about it.

After Laurie left I was reminded of a video, Advanced Style: Age and Beauty, that has been making the rounds in the blogsphere. It's fun, inspiring, and fabulous. These women know who they are and they celebrate it every single day through the clothes they wear. One woman said that dressing up is "an exercise in creativity" and I couldn't agree more.

I will be the "more chic" me, Laurie. I promise!