Don’t Call It a Diaper Bag

Fashion

So it’s taken two years since becoming a mom, but I think I’ve finally got my style mojo back! I actually want to wear real outfits again (aka just say no to anything with stretch). We’re also finally enjoying some real summer weather in San Francisco this week, so I thought it high time I share a style post. It has only been six months since my last one.

I am all about the wide-leg cropped jean at the moment. Yes, I hated them when the style first broke through, but I’ve come around and now have multiple pairs! It’s such a relief to say ta-ta to skinny jeans. The wide leg is much more flattering, not to mention more comfortable to wear. When cropped at the ankle, they pair perfectly with a fun summer heel. I’m obsessed with my pair of cream Rachel Comey jeans. I have a feeling I’m going to live in them this summer.

I’ve also succumbed to the other summer trend I’m seeing everywhere – the round woven bag. It is a really fun, graphic shape. It also kinda makes you feel like you’re on vacation on a random Tuesday in the city. The biggest coup though? I didn’t spend hundreds on mine. I found an authentic French bag on Etsy for $40! But just because I’m doing my best to not dress “like a mom,” that doesn’t mean I’m not prepared at all times. I’ve made it my mission to ditch the diaper bag, even while I carry all my mama-essentials. My secret is pouches. They’re the perfect way to keep everything tightly organized and easy to grab, no matter what bag I’m carrying.

After a couple of years at this mama game now, I’ve realized I don’t need to be over prepared all the time. So I’ve ditched the diapers for days, extra outfits and random toys. I’ve whittled things down to the supplies absolutely necessary for daily survival. This includes a couple diapers, a travel pack of wipes and diaper rash cream to take care of changing needs. An emergency pacifier helps ward off meltdowns. I carry travel packs of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to wipe down those questionable tables, shopping carts and communal toys at the park because I swear my kid always gets a cold after too many days in a row at the playground! My other secret weapon is the Clorox Bleach Pen. I love cream and white too much to avoid it anymore – especially in summer – so this is my solution for tiny fingerprints on my pants.

shop the look: the podolls hammok top / rachel comey wide leg jeans / cage sandals (similar) / woven round bag / clare vivier zip pouch / clorox disinfecting wipes / clorox bleach pen / lip gloss / diaper cream / hand sanitizer

It’s amazing to travel a little lighter and certainly look a bit spiffier (does anyone say that anymore?? No? It’s just me?) these days. I think I’m going to try this real outfit thing more often.

For my personal style archive, CLICK HERE.

For more of my favorite mama essentials, CLICK HERE

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original photography by andrea posadas

This post is in partnership with Clorox. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting collaborations that I’m excited about and that have kept apartment 34’s doors open

Best Bay Area Beaches + The Ultimate Beach Bum Accessory

Fashion

It’s already the middle of June {holy smokes, how’d that happen?!} and we’re officially itching for the dog days of summer to arrive, as quickly as possible, please! We want nothing more than to ditch the office to bask in the sun and bury our toesies in the sand. Luckily, here in San Francisco we have a ton of beautiful beaches as close as a 20 minute drive up the coast. And while the waters might not be warm enough to swim in, enjoying all-day picnics and catching up on tons of mags sounds like the ideal way to spend a gorgeous Saturday at the beach!

Here are three of our fave Bay Area beaches {tested and approved by our favorite always-shooting-on-the-beach photographer, Emily Scott!} to escape to during the summer weekends ahead!

Cowell Ranch Beach in Half Moon Bay is the definition of the perfect Northern California beach. It’s warmer {due to the cliffs shielding the winds} and more secluded than other beaches, making it ideal for watching the crashing waves and catching some rays. We recommend setting up a picnic and on a good day, maybe even changing into your swimsuit. It’s about a half mile walk to get to the sand, and worth it!

Carmel hosts a mile stretch of beach where you’re bound to find the most romantic “let’s park it here forever” spot. The fine white sand under your toes means you could honestly leave home without a blanket. Dog friendly, you could also bring your four-legged child, or your real child, to enjoy the gentle surf and sand with you and your honey!

Right in our San Francisco backyard, Baker Beach is the cool “hipster” hang spot. Almost directly under the Golden Gate , it has some of the most spectacular views of the bridge and is the perfect place for enjoying wine out of plastic cups, frisbee games, impromptu photoshoots and fun friends!

The one accessory you need to throw over your shoulder for all of these destinations? A fun beach bag, duh. Pack in picnic essentials, a sweater for those cooler temps as the sun sets and whatever else you may need for a day of beach bummin’. You can’t go wrong with any of these hot picks:

> 1. Woven Fringe Bag
> 2. Skinny Striped Drawstring Bag
> 3. Objects Without Meaning Cork Bag
> 4. Mar y Sol Collins Bag
> 5. Black and White Sisal Woven Tote
> 6. Cold Picnic Bucket Bag
> 7. All Hands Canvas Sailor Bag
> 8. Mar y Sol Caracas Bag

Here’s to many long beach days and super cute bags in all of our near futures! Where are some of your fave beaches to hang out during the summer??

CLICK TO SHOP!

images via Emily Scott

The American Jean: {It’s in Our Genes}

Fashion

Before we fully embrace fall in all its glory, we wanted to bring you one more post tinged with summer sunshine. It’s a well established fact that we all love our denim. It’s truly become one of life’s staples. Our Editorial Intern Victor, who has style for days, had a bit of a denim epiphany this summer. I’m excited to share his story – and gorgeous styling – with you today! — Erin

Before the summer I easily had only two pairs of jeans. They were in constant rotation — being lived in, gathering dirt, cycling through the washing machine {no anti-washing-denim-enthusiast here!}, and getting folded back into my closet. They weren’t anything special — just basics I needed to support my daily outfits. But this summer changed everything. And though I can’t quite pinpoint where or when the pivotal moment happened, as summer came to an end, I noticed that my closet was RAIDED by denim.

shop these items: J.Crew Denim Jacket // Anthropologie Envelope Journal // A Denim Story

They came slowly, one by one, without any obvious warning. I should have realized I had a “problem” when I found myself buying the same pair of jeans in two different sizes {in case I wanted a slouchier fit come Friday}. But no. Where did this obsession come from? At such an unlikely time of year at that — when men are ditching jeans for khaki shorts and girls are skirting around in flirty little dresses. And then it hit me, no matter how high the temperatures reached this summer, I always felt cooler in my denim {in more ways than one!}. And now the only thing I think of when a pair of Levi’s crosses my path are the different shades of the ocean. If you stare long enough, even the rips and tears on that distressed pair of jeans begin to look like waves crashing on the shore.

There is no doubt that denim jeans are the most iconic piece in American fashion. Evolving over the years from the reliant work pant of California’s Gold Rush and the perfect place to rest a gun holster in the wild west, denim has successfully maintained its relevancy. It’s become the symbol of so many prevalent subcultures — the unforgettable bellbottom, the rockstar ripped and teared and hip-hop brought the urban baggy jean — they’re all moments in fashion that we’ll never forget, even if we wanted to!

shop these items: Gap Indigo Henley // Madewell Hepcat Shades // EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint // L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream // Make Up For Ever Eye Cleanser // Essie Nail Polish in Bikini So Teeny

America’s love of denim doesn’t stop with the jean. The denim shirt is the new can’t-live-without piece for any closet. Whether it’s layered or worn on its own, chambray is easily going to give your favorite pair of jeans a run for their money. Like any piece of denim, really, the chambray shirt went from being a day off classic to an all day, e’ryday day office staple. You can even leave the blazer at home and layer a denim jacket {like this one!} over a crisp button up and it gets more than the job done!

That’s the thing about jeans, or denim in general, it’s practical and adaptable to virtually every occasion or lifestyle. Amy Astley, Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, recently spoke highly of denim in this when asked what’s been the most significant innovation in fashion. “Jeans are an American invention but a global uniform, worn every day by young and old, rich and poor, man and woman, cool and … not. Unlike most fashion, they suit everyone and get better with age.”

Whether you opt for the neo-classic skinny, a soft chambray, or the boyfriend jean this fall {this Nasty Gal pair was my summer love affair!}, you’ll never look more iconic than you do rocking denim. Here are some pieces and brands we couldn’t live without:

Get Your Shop On:

> Current Elliott Stiletto
> J. Crew Denim Jacket
> Nasty Gal All Torn Up Boyfriend Jeans
> Madewell Perfect Chambray Shirt

What are your favorite pair of jeans? Could you ever see yourself living without denim? We wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves! — Victor

art direction + styling by Victor Verdugo // original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Swim Season is IN!

Fashion

It’s a well-known fact that San Francisco “summers” are rather different than most other places. As Mark Twain too aptly described, “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco!” Karl {that’s the fog’s name!} has certainly been taking his job seriously lately, leaving us to suffer through gray days, chilly air and tons of wind. Blech.

Thankfully, bright, sunshiny 80+ degree weather is only a quick hop across the Golden Gate away! So last weekend the husband and I made our escape to wine country. I got to enjoy what could be the only pooltime I’ll get all summer so I was determined to soak up every second.

We headed to the far northern corner of Napa to the quaint {almost} country town of Calistoga. It was like passing through a vortex into paradise! The air was super warm, the nights long and slow and the wine generously poured. I was in heaven! It’s amazing what a 48-hour escape can do for one’s sanity. We certainly did our best to make the most of it.

I also decided to give a new swimwear look a try. I’ve long been a bikini devotee, but retro-inspired suits have been catching my eye for awhile! Something about being covered up suddenly seems more alluring than flashing all that skin. I was so excited to find a 40’s-inspired halter one-piece at Old Navy – for under $30! I loved the molded cups {they’re small-chest friendly} and the cute cut-out in the back. It was anything but your basic black suit!

And while there’s nothing I love more than soaking up some serious rays {and taking a quick dip to cool off!}, I’ve finally realized that pooltime doesn’t equate to sunbathing! These days, I make sure my favorite summer pool tote is packed to the brim with my rather long list of essentials; a floppy sun hat to keep the sun off my face, jumbo-sized sunnies, a gauzy coverup for poolside bar runs and plenty o’ sunscreen of course! I’m officially declaring pale is IN {and if I repeat it enough it will someday be true!}.

Sadly, I’m not sure where or when my next opportunity to rock a good pool {or beach!} look will come. Every once in awhile Karl does decide to go on vacation himself so I’m keeping this inspiration board at the ready!

I’m curious, where do you go to make your summer escape??

___________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Shop On:

> Sun Bum Sunscreen
> Necklace
> Old Navy Swimsuit
> Mirrored Sunglasses
> Gladiator Sandal {on sale!!}
> Beach Coverup
> Turkish Towel
> Old Navy Floppy Straw Hat
> Tote Bag
> “Girlboss” Book

Photos from our trip to Calistoga by the husband and me! For more of our favorite weekend escapes, CLICK HERE!

This post was sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy‘s latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com. Thanks for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open!

Laid Back Summer Style

Fashion

So today, I have a confession to make. I have a big, nasty, raging bad habit. But the first step to self-improvement is admitting you have a problem, right? So here’ goes: One of my longest running issues is that I never, ever slow down. It’s always go go go, one more event, on top of one more project, on top of one more to-do with no end in sight! I was able to get away with that modus operandi through my 20’s no problem, but it’s really starting to catch up with me these days.

I’ve realized two critical things. Your body does age. You do get tired. Things hurt that never used to {you know… those things you made fun of your parents for complaining about} and really, I’m not that old. But most importantly, I’ve realized it’s also not a great way for my soul to live. A life without a pause button means you leave a lot of people in your dust. That approach makes it challenging to extend the time and attention meaningful relationships deserve. So as we head into summer, I’ve come up with a personal challenge that I thought I’d share with you: to take advantage of the naturally more mellow season and dedicate time to really chilling out. And what better way than with a comfy dress & some good tunes?!

what I’m wearing: Old Navy Maxi Dress // Bang & Oulfsen Headphones // Tokyo Bay Watch similar // Sweet & Spark vintage bracelets // Dolce Vita Sandals // Make Up Forever Lip Gloss in Frozen Pink

Isn’t it amazing how the perfect song can completely change your mood? And while I love good tunes {I was even a hardcore festival-goer back in the day}, I too often forget to turn them on! So to help break up my usual agenda of go-go-go, for the next couple of months I’m setting aside Sunday afternoons for dedicated relaxation. With a super comfy maxi dress {seriously, I think I found my official weekend uniform no matter what I’m up to!}, maybe a pile full of magazines {or even a book!} and most importantly open-ended time, I’m hoping I can break my always-in-a-rush cycle.

To help me – and you! – get into a good health grove, we put together a slowdown for summer soundtrack. Have you found your signature summer song yet? Hopefully, one of these might help you relax and unwind so by the time Fall rolls around we’ll all be cool as cucumbers together!

> Latch | Disclosure featuring Sam Smith

> No No No | Pumpkin blood

> Bonfire Heat | James Blunt

> Sonnentanz | Klangkarussel

> Not Giving In | Rudimental

> Love like You’ve Never Been Hurt | Orion Hedvig

> Chocolate | The1975

> Riptide | Vance Joy

> Mountain Sound | Of Monster and Men

> Summertime Sadness | Lana Del Ray

> Nirvana | Sam Smith

> Float | Pacific Air

Listen to our Slow Down for Summer Soundtrack {and follow us} on Spotify!

original photography for apartment 34 by aubrie pick

This post was sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy’s latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com. Thanks for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open!

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