Just Good Things // Pool parties, Lemonade, & the Lady in Red

This weekend was absolutely stellar. Lots of friends and it was the first weekend in a long time where I felt sure of where my life was going and what I need to do to make myself happy... there were a lot of confirmations. Along with my exploring I, of course, took photos. With all the new editing apps out there for iPhone, it's difficult to chose just one! With the obvious choice of Instagram, I was ecstatic to know that VSCO also released their simple but extensive filter app. For .99 cents you can get your mobile photos looking close to their $80+ packages advertised on their site. I purchased their LR presets recently and I have nothing but good things to say about their work. It just streamlines everything so beautifully and makes everything look more consistent with any film work. Here are all my photos from this weekend edited in the VSCO iPhone app & Instagram (follow me @nathaliek!):

Saturday, I spent the day with some bathing beauties at the pool. We had mimosas (champagne & OJ supplied by me!) and the boys ordered pizza to munch on--because what goes better together than pool parties and pizza?

riding on cruisers too small.

Looks at Boardriders in Venice Beach, CA

Had a lovely weekend with some of my friends, both old and new, in my favorite LA area: Venice Beach. even through the grim, anyone can really see this place is a gem and such an inspirational place. Venice always gets me thinking about the bigger picture and just all the obvious potential this place has... and what I can do with it.

Chicago to LA: Welcome to the BEST Coast!

tweedledee and...

I had quite the eventful weekend with my sister and my friend, Michael, visiting me from Chicago (heart!). I think it was a nice little break for them on the Best Coast. We spent the time together mainly eating and exploring different parts of Venice, Hermosa, & a bit of San Clemente. 



the kooky weekend crew



The weekend started off with me picking up my travelers from the airport late thursday and promptly heading over to Ole's Tavern in San Clemente. Ole's Tavern is located in the triangle of dive bars around the main area of El Camino Real. 



Kissy faces with Snooki ads & my sister the pool shark.



If you're into late night pool games, cheap drinks and fun walks home down Del Mar, then the triangle area is for you. We stopped to pose with Snooki midway home and my sister found some coons to yell at on the walk back. Totally normal, I know. 

Most of the time was spent eating and exploring the Westside of LA. Early Saturday morning we went to Hennessy's Tavern on Hermosa's beach front. I'm not going to lie, there were better choices to choose from than this place. The service was subpar and the wait staff just did not seem happy to be there... I'm not a fan of their food either. but no room for this talk on Davy--I'll save it for Yelp.



Hermosa gave us a new friend



 After a lazy brunch, we headed back to the apartment--but not before I made Laura stop the car to have us all check out the big red barn of an antique store (Star's Antique Market) located right before the main Hermosa strip. I found an amazing suede fringe jacket that I will have to share in a later post. Unfortunately, Rod Stewart's record did not make it home with us. 



New neon orange Oakley FrogSkins to fit into Venice just fine. They were a hit with a homeless lady.

 The rest of our Saturday was filled with shopping on Abbott Kinney in Venice. I also introduced my friends to the awesome WurstKuche on Lincoln and Rose to have amazing hotdogs and beer (mine was the Apple Sage dog, so good!).

Sunday morning we headed into West Hollywood to grab some grub from Hugo's. I've never been there but it was honestly mouthwatering. I had the Go Green Frittata (veggie lover's paradise!) with their hash brown potatoes. The Frittata was to die for and I would think that the mint jam sauce drizzled over eggs would be gnarly but I had to seriously refrain from licking my plate! Everyone had a really similar reaction to their brunch plate--I think new love affairs and relationships were formed at Hugo's Restaurant. 



Bloody Marys & Instagramming lattes at Hugo's



All in all, a great weekend! Here is to my next chicago trip and for my sister to show me a good time--not that having a good time in Chicago is a hard thing to do!

What I Wore: (Gold)fish Outta Water.

tangerine halloween. I need to smile more!

Ah, my first outfit post since I moved to SOUUUUTHERN Orange County. I do like taking these photos although I have yet to find some good spots for quick poses! Real quickly, this is the low-down on my outfit:

Orange Top that makes me look pregnant in the wind: Marshalls

Tank under: H&M

Leggings: H&M Basics

Shoes: Deena & Ozzy (UO)

Jewelry: Thrifted, Vintage, Flea Marketed

Sunnies: Luxxotica Avant Garde thrifted.   

The orange color I love because I've been out in the sun a little more... I have a little more color on my skin! I've been playing around a lot more with color--I've always favored black, so I'm excited to see what else I can come up with (along with my handy sewing machine!). The top is a cheap find from Marshalls. Besides thrifting a good chunk of my closet, Marshalls and TJ Maxx cannot be beat! I actually got a lot of flack for not always wearing my employer's sunglasses but I actually found these sunnies in a Burbank thrift store before I moved--when I looked at the ear stems yesterday, I found out they were owned by the same company! So, I can't wear them to work yet... but at least no more flack. 

These Deena & Ozzy wedge boots I got from Urban Outfitters--they were an online only sale item. Boots for $30? I'll take it. I admit, I love them and I get lots of compliments on them, but they are a bee-eye-tee-see-aych to put on. The snap enclosures don't come out of the rings they're wrapped around so you're forced to shimmy your foot into the boot! The rings are just too long and narrow for the thick snaps so they have to stay put. Also just be aware this isn't real leather so the paint/finish on the boots can wear off easily and they have a thinner sole by the toes so get some gel inserts! IF you want to wear these boots with tights or thick socks, you have enough room for that... just be wary you may have more trouble with the thick socks! I'm just glad I got these for $30 instead of the $90 or so advertised because they're definitely not a high-end boot. Overall, They've got style and just enough comfort to last you throughout the day. 

vintage NYPD pendant. Do you know how these were used?

The police pendant/medallion I am wearing is probably one of my most favorite possessions next to my Hasselblad camera. I actually got this piece at Melrose Trading Post from a guy (wish I knew his name!) who sells silver/metal pieces, tags and whatnots 20-years-old or older. I wonder how old this piece is and what it was used for? Any readers know? It's a great conversation piece and I get to share a little bit of Los Angeles to-dos with people who don't know the area yet!

So, life in the South. I love my job although I miss LA like crazy. My current job has allowed me to get a lot of goals done. Like three magazine publishings with my photography! Baller! Not going to lie-my move has been a culture shock of sorts. You would think that a person moving from Midwest Ohio to Los Angeles would have an insane amount of culture shock, but think again. Orange County is a different animal. For both LA an Orange County... I don't think you would get it until you've lived in both. Anyway, My adjustment to Orange County (OC for typing sake even tho NO ONE calls it the OC... you're a tourist if you do) has been slow. This outfit was probably something not really seen every day (although this is a typical outfit for me) with the high  heels. Sandals or bust in San Clemente!

I honestly feel like a fish out of water down here. Imagine building a life for a year and a half and then moving in two weeks for something that you know is completely foreign! It's been kind of lonely but I'm slowly making friends-it is hard to make new friends when you have a 9-to-5 job! I miss LA like you would miss a dearly loved one... or a cherished pet. It's a living and breathing... thing that you cannot get away from. Los Angeles: be in my life again, I took you for granted and I never will again!

beets as big as yo' head & beet juice! om nom nom!

What else I took for granted was weight loss. Forget anything from that past few months, I've gained it all back (well, ten pounds of it). I feel it is honestly all the driving I do and I LOATHE it. I rarely walk anywhere, let alone ride a bike. Blasphemy! Anyway, I take these photos and I will admit, I lower my self confidence sometimes instead of raising it. I feel like it's a good thing to take these photos because I see where my style and body have been going... but it's hard to not compare yourself to the ladies you see on personal style website (hence, why I am hardly active on those... horrible body image vibes). I've really been trying to learn from my raw foodie roommate (awesome girl she is) the basics of getting back to a normal and healthy diet. Cheese and bread ruins my life so I need to be disciplined. I made this awesome smoothie this past week i will have to share with all of you so stay tuned for that!