My introduction to First Aid Kit actually came here at our home office, when they played a surprise show for us during lunch, and they’ve been winning me over with their sweet harmonies and graceful style ever since. Read More
Month: January 2012
January Lookbook: Behind the Scenes with 4th and Bleeker
Bella Donna Dress, Betty Platform, Whiskey River Pendant.
Cutwork Tap Short, Sequin Pullover, Darcy Cork Wedge.
Stripe Boy Tee, Washed Vegan Leather Short.
FP New Romantics Geo Embroidered Cutout Dress, La Playa Turquoise Collar.
Cropped Stripes Pullover, Destroyed Skinny Jean.
FP One Diani Dress, Daisy Chain Headpiece, Sanibel T Bar Clog.
So… who’s ready for a trip to Palm Springs?
View the full January Lookbook.
Style File: Assistant Stylist
It was so fun photographing our Assistant Stylist for this week’s Style File. Her carefree spirit just communicates through photographs so well. Living up to her aura, she has some of the best boho pieces around. Getting up close, you notice all of details she piles on, and sneaks in there. There’s no such thing as less is more with her, but she makes it work. She’s a true modern day hippie – loaded with fringe, feathers, and bangles. There’s something about this girl that makes you feel peaceful and smiley.
Load your wrists up with metal cuffs
Get the look with our Painted Distress Boots
The Sheer Buttondown Tab Shirt layered over the Dotted Lace Tee
The FP Velvet Extreme Wideleg Pants
The Striped Burnout Top is the ultimate layering piece.
How cute are the T-Strap Flats? These shoes can be styled so many different ways.
Good Day Sunshine: All About Alexandra Spencer of 4th and Bleeker
Our new January Lookbook features the lovely Alexandra Spencer of 4th and Bleeker – and although she’s an Australia native, she rocks the California style flawlessly! Tan skin, sun-kissed hair, barely there cutoffs and daring mini dresses are some of her signatures, and she showcases her bold style through the amazing photography on her blog. Take a look, and read on to learn a little bit more about this beach babe!
My name is Alexandra Spencer and I live in Sydney/Los Angeles/ London. I’ve been living here for splitting time for 3 years!
On a typical day off, the first thing I do is check my emails! I’m usually wearing who knows!!?
My favorite coffee shop is in Sydney- Andys coffee, In LA – coffee bean on Hollywood and Orange and in London – the Marylebone Starbucks, and my parents make the best breakfast!
If I’m in the mood for some shopping, my destination of choice is Paris!! My favorite store is Balenciaga on Melrose! Last time I went there I bought a white shirt I’m too scared to wear.
Shopping can work up an appetite, and the best lunch is the Spaghetti at Chateau Marmont.
I love checking out MoMA for a little culture and inspiration, and no day is complete without Nathan Webster!
The last movie I saw was The Bourne Supremacy. It was last night in bed at The Ace, Palm Springs.
A typical night out on the town for me consists of great shoes and a lot of wine!
If I feel like going to a show, the best venue is definitely O2 Arena in London. The best show I ever saw there was I took my parents to see Arcade Fire.
If my life had a theme song, it would be Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones or Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel for a dramatic flashback montage.
On my iPod right now you’ll find a lot of Neil Young, I got a harmonica for Christmas and I’m driving my boyfriend crazy with it one Neil young song at a time!
Three words to describe my style are 4th, And, Bleeker!
This summer I’ll be in the South of France! And back to Rio.
NY or LA: NY in Spring, LA in the Summer
Xxxxx
4thandbleekerblog.blogspot.com
Check out the full january lookbook!
The Year of the Dragon
Images of the Chinese new year celebrations are always so incredible. I love that they take each new year and the symbolism behind it so seriously. 2012 is the year of the dragon – a symbol of power, strength and luck…a year to take control and breathe fiery life into everything you do.
Monday Quote
“In this modern age everything, everywhere seems to lead the senses outward and away from oneself. Don’t be afraid of quiet. Find the time for peace and introversion, and life will have new meaning.”
– Aaron Fisher
Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Allison Narofsky (Round 2)
Last week, Allison and I showed you all how to make homemade babaganoush and pita chips. For our second round in healthy snacks for the New Year, we put together Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps. These are a great healthy option, so long as you use a hot sauce that is not butter based (we used Frank’s Red Hot). For those of you who are vegetarian like me, you can easily make this with tofu as well. =) Read More
Featured Artist: Bernadette Pascua of Decade Diary
Decade Diary is an illustrated diary chronicling past, present interests and future perspectives of a decade lived in New York City, by Illustrator Bernadette Pascua. The second I discovered her site, I knew I had to feature her on the blog. She has a wonderful creative eye, and is a very talented illustrator and collage artist. Her creations convey not only a sophisticated style but a unique take on fashion and the world around her as viewed through New York eyes.
Bernadette was kind enough to create this amazing New York themed collage just for us! Read on to learn more about her and see more of her lovely work.
Collage by Bernadette Pascua for Free People
City lights photo and all watercolor by Decade Diary.
Film still from Andy Warhol’s “Empire”
Press photo of the Neue Galerie
Patti Smith on the Bowery, photograph by Godlis
Press photo of Saturdays Coffee Shop
Press photo of Diner in Brooklyn
Where in New York do you live?
I live in Brooklyn, in the Southside of Williamsburg, right along side the bridge. It’s such a great location – the city is just a ride across the bridge and most of the buildings on our street are turn of the century cast iron, dating back to the 1800’s. The street is quiet but with a little liveliness that comes from having a row of favorite restaurants like Diner and Marlow and Sons (plus their amazing grocery store Marlow and Daughters).
What do you love most about New York?
I love the constant flux that the city is in. It keeps a great balance of feeling like you are in your own world yet it brings people together in the most odd ways. There’s something magical about the way New York serendipitously brings people into your life. I love those moments of camaraderie New Yorkers can have, all of those chance encounters. Everyday is a big surprise.
Describe a typical day in NYC:
Each day is never the same for me, but I think the most typical day in NYC has to be the Sunday Brunch Day! It’s like an unspoken holiday of sorts that every New Yorker celebrates on the weekend. Waking up later, reading the paper and then going to a brunch with your boyfriend or friends. Then taking a walk around wherever you find yourself going.
What is your favorite coffee shop in the city?
Right now my favorite coffee shop is Saturdays Surf in Soho. It’s on the way to my subway station going back into Brooklyn. It’s a surf shop that has a small counter in the front where coffee can be ordered, there is usually only one attractive guy working the coffee who spends a really long time making your drink, so it always turns out good. They have a casual backyard with simple benches for hanging out which is great in the summer. In the winter looking at all the Surf memorabilia sort of keeps your hopes up for some sun.
Describe New York City fashion in three words:
Of the moment.
Where do you go in New York to get away from the crowds?
I love going to a museum or a gallery for some quiet time. The rows of galleries around 9th Avenue in Chelsea are along some very calm streets. My most favorite museum ever is the Neue Galerie by Central Park. It’s a small and uncrowded museum devoted to early twentieth-century German and Austrian art and design, housed in a beautiful townhouse. So it feels like you are looking at art in someones home. Downstairs it has a Café inspired by turn of the century Vienna, its like being transported out of New York for an afternoon.
How long have you been doing Decade Diary, and how did it come about?
Wow I’ve been doing Decade Diary now since 2009, so four years now! It seems like a really long time but I’ve actually been doing projects similar to Decade since my teenage years. In High School I used to make a lot of xerox copied zines with my Illustrations and stories, and would send or trade them via snail mail. So blogging only seemed like the natural thing to do!
Thank you so much Bernadette! xx
It’s all loafers!
Loafers seem to be where it’s at right now and a great transition shoe to take you into spring! Striking the perfect balance between cool and practical, they seem to be the all round shoe that’s trending. Wear as a preppy look with skinny pants and shirts or just have pure fun with them; the addition of glitter and leopard Will give these shoes a light to shine in the evening too!
Are loafers for you? And if so how would you wear them?
Standing on Stardust loafer Hardware loafer Metal Shimmer loafer Essie Loafer
Handpicked by Free People
I wanted to give you guys a heads up about a cool new section on our website where we feature our favorite accessories – handpicked! Out of our selection of bags, jewelry, hair pieces, belts and more, these are the items you’ll find at the top of our wishlists :)
Pull your hair back in the chic Lasso Pony Holder. Braids and Ponytails no longer bore with this grommet studded stunner!
Jazz up your hands with this collaboration of colorful stones and intricate banding – The Hermoso Stone Ring is our favorite way to showcase an everyday dose of color block pop!
With its heavy metal ridges and statement shape, the Hyde Ridged Cuff is one elegant piece of armor.
This jewel tones and contrasting sunset hues of the Bright Nights Crossbody are transporting us to a tropical paradise far, far away.
The Aggie Chain Wrap Bracelet is edgy yet simple with its unique wrap style and contrasting metal band detail.
The Western inspired Pastel Fields Belt won our hearts with its perfect pastels and striking pattern.
Whether long and layered or short and sweet, the Northridge Necklace strikes the perfect balance of texture and tribal-infused design.
With equal parts function and fashion, the Geo Print Turban is our go to for adding a bold dose of graphic to a simple outfit.
Wear it as a necklace, choker or wrap, the San Pedro Turquoise Wrap has got you covered!
Shop all Handpicked by Free People
Event tomorrow at FP Costa Mesa!
Come celebrate the new year AND the Year of The Dragon at Free People South Coast plaza! We will be having a special Lunar New Year celebration tomorrow, Saturday January 21st, 10am – 1pm.
What better way to kick off the new year then to refresh your wardrobe or try a style you’ve never dared to try before! We will be partnering with our lovely neighbors, AVEDA, to help you achieve the look you’re going for!
Of course there will be yummy treats for you to snack on while we style you from head to toe AND a gift from AVEDA with every purchase (while supplies last).
When you’re done with us go next door and let the ladies at AVEDA give you a whole new makeover!
We’ll see you there!
For more info and to RSVP visit their facebook page.
Store Style: Slip It On
This week we are featuring our variety of slips on our website – we truly do have a style for each type of girl! Slips are ideal for third piece layering – throw it on over or under your outfit to add texture and a bit of flirtiness. We asked our California fpgirls for some inspiration on how they’d style these beauties…
The fp one flock dot house slip is one of our new favorites… throw it on over a little black bodycon or a tank and shorts.
And on the right, the fp one poison pintuck slip looks super cute with a belt and tall boots!
Here’s a sweet look with the pintuck slip, cable pullover, polka dot tie turban and ankle boots.
The voile trapeze slip gets a fresh update with the western buttondown and vegan leather jacket.
The western buttondown also looks great over the pintuck slip!
Such a fab outfit – the flock dot house slip, cropped stripe pullover, embellished vegan leather jacket and boots.
The voile trapeze slip looks adorable with floral tights and tall boots.
Two ways to wear the pintuck slip: on the left with the colorblock crop cashmere pullover; on the right with the galloon lace halter bra, kimono striped sweater and ankle boots.
The pintuck slip again, with a floral crop top, flares, a statement necklace and feather headpiece!
So pretty in the flock dot house slip and village cable pullover.
Throw on a denim jacket for an extra layer!
Boy meets girl: layer the striped boy tee over the voile trapeze slip, add a denim jacket and sandals and you’re done!
Shop all slips.