always go . . .

And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, 

your hair messy and your eyes sparkling.

- Shanti 

What I was Wearing:

Dress: Favorite embroidered dress F21

Hat: Iconic Straw Panama 

Shoes: UO

Bag: Sancia - Valencia Bucket Bag

Lipstick: 'Plushest Petal' Clinique Chubby Stick

Vintage Belt
Jewelry: Brooke Persich 

Don't forget, follow me on instagram: @CharcoalAlley

Random got beautiful found photos: via. tumblr

 Peace, Love & Good Chocolate

PARIS  

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Bring on the heat . . . ADORE ME SWIM!

Fresh ocean air, salty hair, sunny days, and a fresh, young coconut -- ahhh . . . Yes, life is better in a bikini.  Adore Me Swim is one of my top picks for swimwear this year.  I'm the type of girl who gets excited to pack for a vacation -- especially when my packing list consists mainly of bikini's.  If you're on the look-out for the perfect summer swimsuit -- call off the search!  Adore Me has the most darling styles from which to choose.  My sister, Zoë Maks, and I, had a hard time picking a fav, but, my style choice goes to the Jessilyn.  Which one is your favorite?  Hey summer . . . bring on the heat!  

  Go pick out your suit.

  →  ADORE ME ↲

Peace, Love & Good Chocolate

PARIS   ♡

Don't forget, follow me and Zoe on instagram: @CharcoalAlley + @ZoeMaks

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#TOMBOY

Let's hit the beach . . . then dress up in our favorite things:

 Acne jeans

+

Summer Sandals 

+

wildfox 

+

Calvin Klein undies 

Don't forget, follow me on instagram: @CharcoalAlley

Random got beautiful found photos: via. tumblr

 Peace, Love & Good Chocolate

PARIS  

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The beginning of everything . . .

Isn't it strange and wonderful, how a song, a scent, a touch, can call us back in time,  pinpointing a specific moment -- a memory that may have been, forever lost. From where did it arise?  How did it surface?  Regardless, it is often a little gift of sweetness that returns to linger once again, to perfume our life with a dream-like recollection of what once was:

Coffee and a real, chocolate croissant

twirling in a lilac garden

lemon curd icecream

Trail-90 cruisin'

favorite pair of lost sneakers

fire-flies on a summer night

that first kiss in Paris . . . 

Even as I write this, an old love song shuffles on my laptop.  I think of him, and gingerly

accept the invitation.  I walk down memory lane.

"There's a word for it," she told me, "in French, for when you have a lingering impression

 of something having passed by . . . sillage.  I'always think of it when a firework explodes

and lights up the smoke from the ones before it."  
"That's a terrible word," I teased.  "It's like an excuse for holding onto the past."

"Well, I think it's beautiful.  A word for remembering small moments destined to be lost."

--Robyn Schneider, The Beginning of Everything 

This just happened to turn into one of my most favorite shoots of all time.  The
Nicole Miller Ephemeral flora dress is simply gorgeous, slightly dressy, and the perfect thing to wear to a
summer wedding or evening event.  Of course, it calls for your favorite strappy sandal, but
I wanted to try something different, and I think the converse are unexpected and intentionally
casual. This Lone Soldier jacket carried it even further into the comfort zone that I love.  The overall color
mix of lilac, white, and army green is bangin' beautiful.  The rings and things are my new,
delightful treasures from Prince Puja -- total Charcoal Alley.  Oh, oh, oh . . . and this bag, this Monserat De Lucca, Bochoa fringe, bag . . . it's going with me everywhere!

What I was Wearing:

Dress: Nicole Miller 'Ephemeral Flora Gown'

Jacket:  Current Elliott 'The Lone Soldier' 

Shoes: High Top Converse

Bag: Monserat De Lucca 'Bochoa' 

Lipstick: 'Plushest Petal' Clinique Chubby Stick

Jewelry: Prince Puja  

Don't forget, follow me on instagram: @CharcoalAlley

 Peace, Love & Good Chocolate

PARIS  

FACEBOOK  | TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN' | INSTAGRAM