it’s the first day of spring! finally!

not the warmest, but we’ll take it…

this t-shirt seems necessary, no?

I grew up on Sunset Boulevard. The neighborhood was terribly suburban, but there were certainly a few wonderful hidden gems nearby.

Take as the most prime example the Eames house. Have you seen the photos? It’s beautiful and interesting and perfectly emblematic of the dreamier realities of the Golden State.

PS Have you seen “Eames: The Architect and The Painter”?

This week, we HANG 10 with Ella from ellaetcetera.com!

This Los Angeles native has a better eye for fashion than most - not to mention she’s 17! Her stellar style is a regular fixture on Teen Vogue’s fashion click. Beyond her killer outfits, creative knitting and jewelry making projects, and trend  and product round ups, she also is a whiz with a camera: check out her photography here.

Did we mention she’s 17?! Ella’s definitely the real deal. 

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I’m still little!

When I’m older I’d like to work at a fashion magazine. In our digital world it’s always refreshing to look at physical print. I love reading articles about the latest collections, being in total awe over beautiful editorials, and getting inspired with every flip of a page.

2. Who do you look up to?

My mother and father are both humungous influences in my life. They’ve raised me in such a creative household and they are both extremely supportive of everything I do.

I’ve also looked up to Kate since I was very little; she’s the older sister I never had! Without Kate, I probably wouldn’t have grown to love fashion and French as much as I do today.

3. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Always send a thank you note.

4. How have you changed in the past year, and how do you hope to change in the next?

I’ve grown up a lot in the past year. I had a pre-college experience during the summer at Rhode Island School of Design. After taking a rigorous fashion design course I learned so much about my own creative aesthetic, discipline, and independent living. In addition, I got my license this past year, which makes me feel super mature!

Next year I’ll be applying to college, and I hope that I end up going to a school that’s a perfect fit for me.

I’d like to continue doing well in school and growing my blog.

5. What do you love about what you do?

Technically right now my “job” is high school, so I wouldn’t say that’s my favorite thing ever. However, I absolutely love blogging, which is my main extracurricular. Since ninth grade I’ve been posting on my fashion blog, ella et cetera, and it has served as a wonderful creative outlet. It’s also opened up a lot of doors for me; I’ve been featured on Refinery 29 and I’m regularly featured on Teen Vogue’s Fashion Click.

6. What is your idea of the perfect day (or night)?

My perfect day would begin waking up in New York City. I was born there, so I’m an east coaster at heart. I’d love to spend the day with my sister and my best friend Cleo. It wouldn’t matter what we did, because we always have a great time as long as we’re together! Good food and some shopping wouldn’t hurt!

7. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

While I’m young, I’d love to live in New York City. It’s such a thriving place for art and fashion. When I’m older I think it would be nice to move back to California. Santa Monica is such a beautiful city, and I’ve feel very lucky to be growing up here. It’s pretty great to drive to school every morning alongside the sparkling ocean!

8. What are your favorite places in your neighborhood?

- Blue Plate Taco. The lobster truffle oil tacos at Blue Plate Taco are insane!

- Abbot Kinney for shopping, and the thin crust pizza at Gjelina is delicious.

- The beach; I live a few blocks away!

9. If you had three wishes…

1. To always be creative and express myself.

2. To maintain close relationships with my friends after high school.

3. To be more motivated to exercise on a regular basis.

10.    Last word!

Musical gems:

- I’ll Try Anything Once by the Strokes

- Unattainable by Little Joy

- Here I Am by Adam Green & Binki Shapiro

It should go without saying that Caran d’Ache makes the best pens, but I’m saying it anyway: CARAN D’ACHE MAKES THE BEST PENS.

The perfect balance of weight and fluidity - the smartest office supply around. 

Available online at Sir Jack’s (I got mine in this lovely decoupage pattern at Plastica in LA).

To continue with our post-hiatus fashion fallout, Sofia Coppola is at it again with the help of Natalie Portman.

The video for Miss Dior, much like its famed director, combines elements of California cool, girlish charm, and an American eye for Parisian chic. It’s flirtatious and elegant at once. And did I mention it features Grace Jones’ rendition of “La Vie en Rose”? 

Plus a peek behind the scenes!

We have a soft spot for HAIM. These LA sisters totally capture the laid back cool of California. And how perfect is their new vid for “Falling”? It has the almost jurassic wilderness vibe that seeps into LA life (am I the only one who thinks the greenery around the 405 looks like dinosaur habitat?).

PS pretty into this song, too.

Happy Monday!

Kate is in LA this week - ready for some sun?

It can be so easy to intellectualize television once you start – whether or not it is the intention of the creators. I took a course in University called “The Poetics of Television”, and it was completely fascinating. Agree or disagree, television can be seen as one of the great art forms of our time (though the internet is quickly rising on the list).

In honor of International Women’s Day, check out this wonderful episode looking of America in Primetime: Independent Women. It examines the evolution of women’s roles in the visceral and visual world of TV.

(Don’t worry non-lady readers, the roles of “Man of the House”, “The Misfit”, and “The Crusader” are also explored…pretty interesting stuff.)