Hi! Welcome back.

So I’m introducing a new thing to this blog called “Two Ways Tuesdays”. This is basically going to be a blog series where I take ONE piece and style it TWO ways. The reason I wanted to do this is because I see a lot of bloggers always wearing different things and never wearing the same thing twice, and I believe it’s not only impractical but it also leads to another even scarier reality and that is mass consumerism and waste. I myself have been struggling with having such a large amount of clothing that I have to give it away, donate it, or sell it at such a fast pace that sometimes it starts to give me anxiety. Not only that but never wearing the same thing twice is expensive and irresponsible to the environment. Did you know that the fashion industry is the #2 cause of pollution on this planet next to only fossil fuels? Gross. Instead of being a part of the problem, I’d love to empower us all to actually reuse and rewear the things that we love starting with today. This is such a large conversation that I’ve been meaning to share more on here, but we’ll start with this series to at least showcase ways to wear things more than once. The checkered blazer is actually a piece you can wear 20 ways, but for the sake of longevity of blog posts I’ll be keeping it to two, lol!

One way I’m styling this is with a corduroy mini skirt, sock boots, a cropped black turtleneck sweater, and oversized sunglasses! You all have shown so much love about this look on Instagram, but it really is such a great look for any days you need to look pulled together this Fall. If you live in cooler weather, you could easily add tights under the mini skirt as well.

Now for look # 2. The second way I’ve styled this blazer (as you can see) is with ripped denim jeans, a printed cropped blouse, a printed head scarf, and combat boots. Both ways are definitely Fall approved and entirely different from one another. I love how I’ve mixed the prints in option two and how it incorporates denim and combat boots which are practical for Fall weather in most parts of the world! While I can think of 100’s of other ways to wear this checkered blazer, these two are a great start to incorporating a plaid blazer into your fall wardrobe.

Which look do you love more, 1 or 2?

Stay tuned for more “Two Ways Tuesdays” - excited to share more about this new column!

x,

Genevieve

Living on the Venice Canals for the past 3 years has been such a great experience. An area of L.A. that 10 years ago I barely knew anything about, the canals has now become near and dear to my heart. With it being such a popular tourist destination, I get asked A LOT of questions about the canals. The fact is, there's a lot of history about the canals, most that you probably didn't know. Check out below some of the most fascinating facts about the historic Venice Beach Canals, and how to get here! 

The Venice Canals are always a popular tourist and photo shoot location. Here I'm wearing a gingham skirt, orange sunglasses, and page boy hat. Photo via Stefanie Marie.

1) The Venice Canals were built in 1905.

Opening day was on the 4th of July, 1905! Yes, they're over 100 years old. When they were first built, they were originally for families to come for vacation or for weekends, which is why the homes were smaller and mostly just meant as boat houses. There's still a lot of houses that are original and you can tell they were meant to be boat houses!

2) There's 6 canals, and each one has a name. 

There’s actually 6 canals and they’re all named: Eastern Canal + Grand Canal run north to south and make the two borders, Linney Canal, Sherman Canal, Howland Canal, and Carroll Canal are the four that run perpendicular to Eastern and Grand making a 2 mile loop. 

3)  The Venice Beach Canals are a replica of the Italian version.

The streets around the area are appropriately named things like “Rialto” for the Rialto Bridge. Grand Canal is named after the Canal Grande which is the biggest canal in Venice, Italy. There used to be gondolas for visitors to rent and take rides in. 

4) We have annual boat parades. 

If you're lucky enough to live on the Venice Canals like I am, you get to participate in bi-annual boat parades every year for Christmas and the 4th of July. Every year resident's deck out their canoes and kayaks and get to participate. There's even prizes for the fastest wind powered boat (no paddles!). 

5) Abbot Kinney built them. 

Most people don't even know this, but Abbot Kinney was an actual person. That's who essentially built the whole canal system and most of modern day Venice Beach as we all know it now. The famous street now known as "Abbot Kinney" was named after him. He came to California with tobacco money from New Jersey in the early 1900's and fell in love with Venice, like most people do :) 

6) They used to be MUCH bigger. 

The original Venice Canals were around a 7 mile long loop, but the Venice Canals have had various points of falling into ruin since they were built in 1905. In 1929 at the beginning of the Great Depression, half of them were filled in with concrete, due to the rise in popularity of cars. The remaining canals were almost filled in entirely in the 80's over budget fights who would foot the cost to repair them. Thankfully, they weren't, and eventually they reopened in 1993 with the way they look today.  Windward circle used to all be water up to where the Venice Sign is. It was called "The Lagoon", with each street stemming from it being canals. The entire area between Abbot Kinney, Pacific, and Venice Blvd. were originally water canals.

Part of the Venice Canals that are now destroyed. Pictured in the middle is "Little America Island" an island where houses existed in the middle of the canals. Photo courtesy of the LMU library. 

These canals were:

• Coral Canal (now Main St.)
• Cabrillo Canal (now Cabrillo Ave.)
• Venus Canal (now San Juan Ave.)
• Lion Canal (now Windward Ave.)
• Altair Canal (now Altair St.)
• Aldebaren Canal (now Market St.)
• Grand Canal (now Grand Boulevard)

Siting on a bridge on Grand Canal - part of what still exists!

Relaxing on the canals with a picnic and a magazine is a great way to spend any summer day. 

Bag, Hieleven. Shoes similar here. 

How to get here:

The canals are easy to find. They are just off of the beach - one block east of Pacific Ave. between Venice blvd. and Washington Blvd. I would recommend start on one end and walking through to the other. Use the map below to get you here. 

 

All information in this post via Wikipedia, KCET, or from asking my neighbors :)  Check out this great article to learn more. 

Photos in this post of me courtesy of Stefanie Marie - check her out! 

You know what they say: Good things come in small packages. I don't know who "they" is, but it certainly seems to be true. I remember as a kid getting some of my BEST Christmas gifts in my stockings- there's nothing like a some diamond earrings or a gift card to Nordstrom to really make your Christmas, know what I mean? With Christmas just 5 days away I've rounded up 4 of my favorite stocking stuffer ideas for all your last minute shopping needs.

PSSSTTTT I do ALL my shopping last minute because I'm a procrastinator. It seems like you're like me, and that's why you're here reading this blog, trying desperately to figure out what to get for your aunt Cindy or your brother Luke for Christmas (or Hanukah) this year.

No worries. I gotchu. 

The Short and Sweet Stocking Stuffer List for Everyone

Gift Idea #1: Flores Lane Candles

Flores Lane "Beverly Hills" scented candle, $22

For basically anyone who's ever been to New York or L.A. (AKA EVERYONE):

I've talked about these candles before (read that blog here), and there's a reason I'm talking about them again. My girls over at Flores Lane are seriously amazing and keep coming out with dope candles with dope scents. I love to shop small and I love these candles. I've already known and loved their L.A. scents, but they've recently come out with a New York line entirely named after different boroughs in my favorite East Coast city. My favorite one from their New York scents is Chelsea, which also just so happens to be one of my favorite places in NYC, as well. Isn't it ironic, don't ya think? Anyways, pick a scent named after a nook of New York or L.A. and it's sure to be a hit with your Mom, Sister, Best Friend, Agent, whatever. I mean it, everyone loves these things. Shop them here. 

Some of the scents from the Flores Lane New York Collection, all $22

Gift Idea #2: Sudio Sweden Headphones

For the music lover (also EVERYONE): 

Sudio Sweden makes these cute little wireless headphones and I've used mine almost every single day since I got mine. I have the white color way but they come in an array of colors including black and blue for the males in your life. If you have a brother/ uncle/ cousin / ex boyfriend that just got an iPhone 7 this is the perfect gift for them. (I'm kidding though, don't buy your ex boyfriend gifts. Haven't I taught you anything?) Perk: Use code THESTYLESAUCE to get 15% off your order. You're welcome

Sudio Sweden Vasa Bla headphones, Daniel Wellington classic Sheffield watch, $199, Aenon charcoal face mask, $6 and Sage et Cie recycled paper notebook, $12 both via ShopWantList.

Gift Idea #3: ShopWantList

For the minimalist (aka me)

Ok I love to dress in color sometimes, but I also love minimal shit. I love anything with clean lines and the color white involved, so I'd be uber happy to get any of these little gifts from ShopWantList. Included in the photo below is Repeat & Co's black palm makeup (or pencil) case, $22,  Sage et Cie candle ($25) and recycled paper notebook ($12), and Shop Want List's own tassel bracelet and moon child ring (both $18).   These are also all from local artisans and small businesses. It just feels good to gift things that artisan made. At least I feel that way, anyways. Check out the entire selection of accessories and gifts here. 

Aenon Charcoal and Rose face masks, great for stockings, $6 via ShopWantList

Gift Idea #4: Daniel Wellington Watches

For the always on-the-go person in your life

Do you have a friend who is always late? Then this is perfect for them. It's also perfect for the person who's always traveling, the person always losing their phone who needs to still know what time it is, the business person you know, your dad, your brother Luke, and your dog. Ok scratch the last one, but maybe Hudson the golden retriever would even look chic wearing one of these watches. Major perk: Use code STYLESAUCE to get 15% off your order until January 15th. 

If you need me, I'll be here online shopping! Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays!

xo, Genevieve