The unspoken rule in fashion, don't mess with a chick in a cape. This rule could extend outwards into non-fashion related turf, like, for example, if Wonder Woman swept into your high rise office to save the city, or equally, if a homeless woman in a blanket-cape swept into your front yard to say hi. Just let it be.

I felt an air of Wonder Woman myself, in my vegan leather leggings. Although typically I am down for a kill in the name of fashion, it felt quite "LA" of me to choose faux for a change. And how picturesque might I add, that Santa Barbara, the land of farm-to-table living, welcomed these vegan leggings with arms skies open wide.

You know those moments when that random gown that's crunched in the back of your car, out of breath and out of season, can save your life? As if a seatbelt is your back seat's second best friend.

Driving deep north along California's Pacific Coast Highway {imagine desert cliffs and endless blue ocean sandwiching a small winding road together with nothing but a three- foot metal bumper barrier at most}, we stopped to take it all in, and save the life of a lone, suffocated gown.

The gown's fate has twisted-- first meant to be debuted at an appropriately seasoned black tie September wedding New York, she now finds herself sheer and uninhibited, blasted all over the internet; the true tale of a Hollywood star. And the best part? She's available to werk it out in your closet, too!

Exploring a new city is grounds for {situational dressing} = picturing yourself as a member of said movement and playing the part, but with icing on top.

Example: Confused Cali chick taken on a date to a New York Giants game. Dress code: High ponytail, vintage Giants tee cut into a crop top, high waist denim skirt, Gucci high top kicks, and two black lines under her eyes. Screaming: go team happy!

In my case, I rested my size 10 foot on fresh Santa Barbara soil and escaped into the world of a surfer-ette who tends to her garden on early mornings and to her wine cellar on late evenings. She's a fan of online shopping and gravitates to fresh, Australian designers. Her name is Rae.

I'm off to New Orleans with Urban Decay Cosmetics to announce some pretty totally tubular exciting news!!

Follow my journey through this colorful city on my instagram page all weekend long @elshanesworld.

xo

I've been MIA on the internet because I've been MIA in real life. If I told you I have been living out of my car for the past week, I hope you would believe me.

I have been living out of my car for a week.

If I had the chance to take a cute shower and put on some cute clothing, this would be the first choice. Sexy and comfortable. That's my jam right now.

WHY am I living out of my car? My #elspanishoasis construction (check my instagram hashtag for details) has me displaced. 

Once I move back in I'll feel like Elsa on ice...

Photography by Ashley Sky Walker

The energy I feel when I pair like-minded, attitude-infused pieces together is unexplainable. Dressing in color, volume, print or texture isn't always about the shock value to others-- it's something that just makes sense in my life. It's not dressing up to stand out. It's dressing up to fit in... with myself.

This shockingly cool coat mixed with my vintage cat-eye sunnies add instant attitude to an otherwise typical New York black on black moment; a hop in my step and a shoulder swag to match.

You can't wear cat-eye sunnies and pretend to be beige inside. Just like you can't wear a pink winter jacket and pretend that you're not the lead character inside the most picture-esque fictional snow globe bubble town. Let the sparkly snow fall all over you, and brush it off with a smile.

Photography by Ashley Sky Walker

A monochromatic looks takes the win time after time. It's quite possibly the most effortless way to journey into chic-ville. Grab two like-colored items in your closet and pair away. Of course, if you're going to choose pink on pink, like I frequently do, you may not end up in chic-ville, but rather Candy Land...which is equally, if not more heartwarming IMHO! 

Curious about what colors are best in a monochromatic scheme? Stick to safe hues to start like navy, olive, or ivory. Don't forget a smile and a shoulder swag to finish the lewk!

Photography by Ashley Sky Walker