OnTheRacks

I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Forever 21, one of my go-to’s for affordable fashion, for a ‘Closet Invasion’ video! Given my upcoming move, I am especially happy to have this fun clip of my SF apartment to look back on.

Tune in to check out my humble abode and a few of my favorite pieces. Also, I should mention that Lola-dog makes a very special appearance towards the end…struttin’ her stuff around the neighborhood like only she can. We had such a great time filming this!

Hope you guys like it, and thanks so much for watching! ♥

This was our last full weekend spent living in San Francisco, and it couldn’t have been better. In attempt to rid ourselves of replaceable household odds and ends, we threw a “garage” sale (sans garage) in our living room on Saturday. While we were able to offload a number of things, it was the afternoon spent drinking Coronas on our stoop, with friends and neighbors, that made it a real success in my book.

This week is dedicated to tying up remaining loose ends and checking those final need-to-do SF activities off our bucket list. It’s been a great ride over the past seven years, and saying goodbye to this place is going to be tough. But the end of this chapter marks the beginning of another, and I can’t wait to make new memories in New York City!

*head to toe: vintage hat, Karen Walker sunglasses, Madewell striped sweater, Theyskens’ Theory leopard print blouse, vintage Levi’s cutoffs, Candela studded boots

You guys, I just booked a one way ticket to NYC! Now all that is left to do is pack up my clothes and swipe our place clean of furniture and toss-able knick knacks before we head on out for good next weekend. I am counting down the days in excitement, while at the same time trying to cram in all of my favorite San Francisco activities. So many places left to eat, drink, shop and see. Not to mention friends/family members to spend as much time as possible with! It’s bittersweet.

One thing, among many, that I am looking forward to is having a bare apartment to decorate. Nothing like starting from scratch, right? I have been collecting inspiration here and there for a couple of months, but would LOVE any home decorating blog/website recommendations, if you have ‘em!

♥

*head to toe: floral fedora from Zara, J Crew army jacket, Three Dots tunic, Rebecca Minkoff x Polyvore bag, Kenneth Cole see-through watch, wrap bracelets c/o Tokyobay,  Madwell dainty rings, Steve Madden boots

As I mentioned here, Blake and I were in New York this past weekend, touring the city and looking for a new place to live. After a whirlwind weekend, I am excited to say that we landed a place and I couldn’t be happier. I can hardly believe it, but we’ll be New Yorkers in a matter of weeks! Lease is signed, and we found ourselves a cute little one bedroom in lower Chelsea, just blocks from Chelsea Market, the High Line and tons of fantastic restaurants and bars. Amazing location aside, one of the major perks of our new place is it has four closets. Yep, FOUR CLOSETS! The possibilities are endless, and I cannot wait.

Thanks for all of your kind words and support this past week and for following along with me. With just about two weeks left in San Francisco I’m embracing non-freezing temperatures, visiting my favorite spots, and starting to pack my life away in boxes. I cannot believe it is all really happening… NYC, here we come!

*head to toe: Madewell beanie, vintage coat, Zara turtleneck sweater, Foley + Corinna handbag, H&M faux leather pants, Matiko boots

A few months back, Blake and I decided that we wanted to make a major life change. We have been talking about doing this for years, and every conversation always ended with “maybe in six months” or “after we save up a little more money”…there was always a good excuse to put it off. Finally, we sat down and came to the conclusion that while we’re young, we aren’t getting any younger, and this is something that will never be simple, cheap, or even comfortable. With that, our decision was made. We would pack up the life we’ve built here, throw caution to the wind, and move cross-country from San Francisco to another one of the greatest cities in the world, New York City.

San Francisco was the first place I lived after moving out of my parents’ house in Orange County at 17, and it’s since become home. Not only will I miss this city, but even more so the people that I have met along the way. Since starting OnTheRacks and being introduced into the San Francisco blogger community, I have made some incredible friends — many of whom will be a part of my life for years and years to come. And not only is it the people I have met here in the city, but also those of you who’ve read my blog, shared your comments, and supported me in my passion over the past two years, who have collectively given me the confidence to take this leap that I otherwise may have been too uncertain to take. I want to say thank you for that.

Tonight we’re flying out of SFO to begin the first leg of our journey, which will consist of three days running around Manhattan on a mission to find ourselves the perfect new home. Living in New York has always been a dream of mine so everything’s still a bit surreal, but I can’t wait to start this next chapter of my life with Blake and Lola on the East Coast! I’m also excited to share my adventures with you as I continue to blog, tweet, and instagram my way to and through the Big Apple. Thanks for following and stay tuned for updates as I adapt to life a new city, shake thinks up with my career, and welcome whatever exciting changes may come next.

Follow along for the ride…

After borrowing my sister’s Madewell cape several times over the holidays I decided to take the plunge and invest in my own. It is surprisingly warm and fun to wear…arms free is the way to be!

Been pairing this baby with everything from dresses to leather pants, and in honor of the uncharacteristically warm weather we had this weekend, I decided to bust out my trusty quilted shorts. That’s right, shorts in January — only in California!

*head to toe: Cheap Monday hat c/o Need Supply, Madewell cape, ASOS blouse, Alexander Wang shorts and Diego bag, leather bracelets c/o Tokyobay, spotted tights c/o HUE, Steve Madden boots 

Practicing my layering skills in prep for our trip to New York next week! Word on the street is Blake and I are in for some mighty low temps. These J Brand waxed jeans were a welcome addition to my ever-growing colored pants collection, though sadly they’re already losing their waxiness. Such is life, I suppose.

In other news, I’m addicted to my new Matiko boots from Collective Habit. Yep, addicted. They go with absolutely any outfit, and I know they’ll only grow cooler with age and wear. I even got my sister the same ones in black for Xmas, which I obviously plan to borrow on a regular basis. :)

Want a pair? Collective Habit is offering OTR readers 15% off sitewide for one week (expires 1/13)! Just enter promo code ONTHERACKS15 at checkout and you’re good to go. Enjoy!

*head to toe: Madewell beanie, Karen Walker sunglasses, Club Monaco faux fur scarf, Nine West coat, Theyskens’ Theory blouse, J Brand waxed jeans, Foley + Corrina bag, Matiko boots c/o Collective Habit 

It has become somewhat of a tradition for my mom and me to hit up OC’s finest shopping mall, South Coast Plaza, after Christmas. This year I was lucky to come across this gem of a blazer (if I may say so), absurdly marked down, like, 90 percent. Paired it up with the cozy Kelly Wearstler scarf I now refuse to leave home without, and some bright blue pumps to round out the primary color palette I was apparently going for. Guess I needed a little brightness to help take on another foggy morning in SF!

Hope y’all enjoyed the holidays as much as I did! May 2012 bring you health, happiness and amazing adventures.

*head to toe: Intermix Exclusives blazer, Kelly Wearstler scarf (c/o), Alexander Wang Diego bag, random old tee, ring borrowed from Jennie, Forever21 jeans, Michael Kors Elgin pumps

Took these photos up the block from my parents’ house in Orange County, where we were able to catch last few minutes of sunlight. You may have noticed me tweeting about these Michael Kors boots a couple weeks back, so you can imagine my excitement when Blake surprised me with them for Christmas! Whatta guy…he always gets it right.

Hope whatever holidays you celebrate have been happy! ♥

*head to toe: Karen Walker sunglasses, Free People tunic, Juicy Couture faux fur jacket, Nasty Gal hourglass necklace, Charlotte Bjorlin D’Elia ring (similar style here), Foley + Corinna bag, Michael Kors snake-embossed boots

Just a little mash up of things that I like. You know, Lola, Blake, shoes, wine…

I will admit it, I have become a bit of an instagram junkie. Follow along for updates and snapshots from my daily grind.

Confession: I copied my girls Liz and Blair with this roundup idea. What can I say? It’s a cute one!

♥