Monumental Washington

During our Summer vacation, I had to head back to San Francisco earlier than Z because of school starting. We decided to spend my last day touring Washington, D.C. and checking out the famous landmarks and museums. The weather was hot and muggy with some random showers sprinkled in...you know...just for fun. Each gift store had American flags, bald eagle statues, and Monument magnets that we could have purchased if we were not laughing incessantly about being so "patriotic". I think every time we said "America", it was in a hick "'MERICA!" kind of voice...followed by a cry for "Matt Damon!".  I made like a good Asian tourist and posed in front of the big white buildings to show my family later.

Outfit Details:
White Polka Dot Dress // Forever 21
Dooney & Bourke Bucket Bag // Vintage
Woven Oxfords // Vintage
Ginger Ottoman Jacket // American Apparel
Sunglasses // H&M

Brick Red

Walking around NYC was fun but Z and I definitely did not have enough time to fully explore that the city had to offer. I'm usually really picky when shooting film but I couldn't put my dang camera down. All the beautiful Brownstone's, rickety fire escapes and decaying subway platforms deserve documenting wouldn't you say? I am almost done sorting through these pics and I thought it was funny that my red shift dress emulated the brick pattern on the buildings.

Since it's fall now, here is a picture of a random turkey and its Owner that I captured when we were walking over to the Ellis Island Tour in Battery Park. Check out more pictures from my trip here via instagram.

Outfit Details:

Mod Shift Dress // Forever 21

Dooney & Bourke Bucket Bay // Vintage (gift from Z)

Woven Oxfords // Vintage
Sunglasses // H&M

Beach Boys

For a couple of days, San Francisco had a little mini-heatwave. We usually have an Indian Summer around this time, so it was no surprise when the fog rolled in again after three days of heat. The heat reminded me a bit of when I visited Ocean City, Maryland this summer to meet some of Z's family. I had a blast at his family's beach house where we kayaked, rode mopeds, biked, and enjoyed some good seafood. 

Ellis Island

Z and I tend to shy away from anything too touristy while on vacation, but this time we decided to go all out by visiting Ellis Island located in the upper New York bay. With Z being half Italian, visiting Ellis Island had special meaning since many many years ago his relatives stepped through this gateway to their new life in America. After braving the crowds to board the ferry, we toured the museum and were able to locate Z's family name on the Wall of Honor. What truly intrigued me was the forgotten immigrant hospital on the island that is now closed to the public. Opened in 1902, the hospital was America's first line of defense against contagious, often virulent disease. In the era before antibiotics, tens of thousands of immigrant patients were separated from family, detained in the hospital, and healed from illness before becoming citizens. Symbols were chalked on the clothing of potentially sick immigrants following the six-second medical examination. The doctors would look at the immigrants as they climbed the stairs from the baggage area to the Great Hall. Immigrants' behavior would be studied for difficulties in getting up the staircase. Some immigrants entered the country only by surreptitiously wiping the chalk marks off, or by turning their clothes inside out! Whoa! The things you learn! 

Outfit Details:

Mod shift Dress // Forever21
Dooney & Bourke Bucket Bag // Vintage (Gift from Z)

Woven Oxfords // Vintage

Sunglasses // H&M

Take You There

I finally developed the photos from my trip to the East coast.  It only took 2 months later, but I did it guys. Z and I stayed in Greenpoint, Brooklyn which was predominantly a  large Polish community. The flat that we stayed in had a black cat named Millie. She was the cutest and nicest cat ever, even though I was pretty much allergic to her fur and generous cuddles. The flat was beautifully decorated and made great use of space for only being a studio! Our first night, we had yummy Polish food cooked at a small mom & pop restaurant by Grandma herself. There she was...cooking away in a small kitchen the size of the studio we were staying in. I don't really know what I was eating but everything was just too good to even question it at all.  During our stay in Brooklyn, we checked out the Brooklyn/Williamsburg flea markets, local bars, and coffee shops. I wanted to buy some things for the apartment, but I had no idea how the heck I would get it back on the plane with me or be able to ship it.  The last portion of our short stay was to sight see in New York city itself. I wish we could have stayed longer because we definitely did not have enough time to explore what the city can truly offer.  The first stop in New York city was to check out Shake Shack and their burgers, fries, and custard that everyone is raving and ranting about. While we were eating, a playful squirrel decided that it wanted to nibble on some burgers and fries too! He braved all the tourists and managed to grab some food for himself as well. 

Outfit Details: Pink & Navy Polka Dot Babydoll Dress // Forever21 Black socks // Walgreens Tan oxfords // Vintage Dooney & Bourke Bucket Bag // Vintage Sunglasses // H&M More pictures from the East Coast coming soon with a touristy trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty! Looking at the photos makes me wish I was still on vacation! :(