I think I see him here almost every time I come to this coffee shop. I guess that means we are both here a lot. He is always sitting in front of the shop when I arrive- in his uniform- slim fitting dark blue jeans, a heather grey t-shirt that looks like its been through every misfortune he’s ever experienced. He wears these brown tattered boots that he laces up halfway and lets the tongue flap out like a panting dog. He’s kind of small, definitely slender, but not weak. His nose slopes down his face stopping just before his top plump lip. His thick mustache covers, what to some, might be a slight imperfection- I however find it stunning. I’ve always found beauty in things that are different. And he is definitely different, in a normal and unthreatening kind of way if that makes any sense. His hair is combed with silver yet he doesn’t look a day over 30. I wonder what he does. I imagine that he’s a writer. Who comes to the coffee shop every day and sits in the front to people watch. As he conjures up characters in his mind. Today, he is trying to construct the female heroine of his new book. He likes the hair color of the woman who just passed him- an umber brown thick and fluid like molasses. But, he likes the texture of the woman’s hair sitting next to him- a halo of spiral curls. The female character he is developing is for his new romantic comedy novel- he’s never written one before- he normally sticks to more serious pieces but since  a critic from the New York Times accused him of being a “stuck up rigid writer that is too dark and melancholy for his own good”- he decided to show what a diverse writer he really is. He enjoys the loud talking woman on the phone standing in front of him, completely unaware of her surroundings. She’s wailing about the recent demise of her two month long relationship- she thought he was the one. He likes her- but she’s too sad. 
I wonder how long he has been sitting there. 
He slightly leans back in his chair and slants his head to the left of him. He’s listening to the jokes of the redhead sitting next to him. She has a cackling laugh and big white teeth. She’s funny, he thinks. But too annoying. 
He leans  forward, lifting his head back to an up right position. 
He looks discouraged. 
He heads over to his lacquer black bike- old school style- with a basket on the front and big tires with wide handles. Places his notebook and pen into the basket. And pedals off. He’s had enough observing for the day- now he’s off to write.
But he’ll be back tomorrow. 



Until tomorrow dreamers…


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Happy Monday my fellow fashion lovers and dreamers! I have been a little out of commission lately due to all the moving responsibilities, but I think I can confidently say that I am back in the groove of things! We finally got the internet to work in the apartment and I am pretty much all moved in- so no more excuses for me! 

I still don’t have a DVD player for the apartment yet, so for now I have been watching movies on my laptop. The other day I watched An Education. It was by far, one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Not only was the acting superb, I finally understand the hype that has been surrounding Carey Mulligan- but the message of this honest film resonated deeply with me. Without giving the story away- the movie is about a young girl who has dreams of studying at Oxford. She loves everything French. French music, french food, the poetic language. Her dream is to go to Oxford where she can play out her dreams of indulging in everything French all while receiving an education. She is in her final year of high school, at the top of her class, with everything she has been working towards and dreaming of at the tip of her fingers- directly within her reach. Along the way she meet a man, who offers her adventure- trips to Paris, nights at the theatre and fancy clubs. She then is faced with the decision- to follow the dreams she has been working for, or to obtain an aspect of her dream down a very different avenue. I won’t say to much more, I don’t want to spoil it. 

I will say only this dreamers. 
If you have a dream, don’t let anyone, or anything deter you from making it come true. 

I hope you all go out and rent An Education this week! Tell me what you think after you have watched it. 

Now, time to get to some fashion! 

I still have a ton of photos from New York.

 I have been busy compiling my fall fashion essentials list and have found myself gravitating towards J Crew. I absolutely LOVE J Crew. They manage to provide customers with classic and timeless pieces that are up to date and fashion forward all while having great execution. Unlike some brands out there- which are “one-wear-throw-away”s- J Crew provides pieces that can last you through the seasons. 
New York’s fashion conscious, at times, feel like they are straight from the pages of a J Crew catalog. Like our Bespoked Stanzas guest for today…

Meet Nkechi. 
Nkechi: Magnolia Bakery [New York City]
Until tomorrow dreamers… my fall fashion wish list and some of my new poetry. 

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Happy Friday my fellow fashion lovers and dreamers. What a beautiful morning it is today. Another culmination of the week is approaching and again this week I am dancing- eyes closed- head back incredibly thankful for all that this week has brought me. 

For those of you who follow the heardemsay company (the art collective company that I collaborated with) last night their new website was launched. 
Dreamers, if you are looking to be inspired, please
check out their new site and watch the video on the homepage. 

I will post a Taste of New York a little later today.
I just couldn’t wait to share this with you all. 


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Well hello my fellow fashion lovers and dreamers. Once again I find myself saying that it has been far too long since I have checked in with you all. Last time we spoke I told you about my new apartment. I have been busy running around this town trying to get it all together. After endless hours spent in Ikea and West Elm (my new favorite store), countless dollars exhausted at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond- and still not fully moved in, I can tell you all that I never knew moving required this much work! I am nevertheless, thoroughly grateful and appreciative that I am even able to say any of this.


I am sitting now at my kitchen table. It’s in a nice size kitchen nook that is framed by large bay windows. The view is absolute perfection. I feel like I am in New York’s Greenwich village- with a splash of Los Angeles’s spanish influences. And the building next door- is an amalgamation of worlds. Southwestern flare with a dab of old Italian charm with Spanish inflections and Southern California freshness. There is a small wall that separates my quaint bungalow building from the one next door. It’s one of those walls that descends in levels, like stairs. It’s a coffee color tan that when softly pecked by the light, casts sun beams into the apartment. Each step is lined with red clay pots filled with luscious succulent plants, prickly cactuses and brilliantly bright colored flowers. Pouring from each tenants windows, draped from the iron balconies, are green vines. Tall glass bottles filled with one single flower adorn the window seals. And that, is simply the view from the window in the kitchen nook. Each building on this street has its own personality-it’s own blend of vintage and modernity. I have my windows open now. The street plays a symphony- the humming of cars, the patter of footsteps, clanging from the garbage cans and the fragmented stories of neighbors as they pass by on their evening strolls. There is an energy that lives on these streets- any energy that I have been longing for- an energy that I have been seeking since I left my beloved New York City. Simply put, I am inspired dreamers.


This move has allowed me to feel that I have a new lease on life. The sun seems to shine just a little brighter, the air feels just a little crisper. I keep feeling like I am back in elementary school- first day- with my new outfit from my “back to school wardrobe.” My hair is perfectly done, I have my new backpack and lunchbox, and all my new supplies from Staples. And I have that nervous-happy-excited-mushy all over-“I could just burst out and scream for joy at any moment”- type feeling. 
I want to share this experience with you all dreamers. I am not quite sure how I will document it all, but I will.


Anyways, as a result of my momentary neglect, I have not yet shown what my 100th Post Winners will receive! 



As many of you may know, I did a tote collaboration collection with the art collective company heardemsay. This past weekend I helped out the heardemsay team at their booth at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. We had an amazing turn out! And the tote that my 100th Post Winners will be receiving was one of the best selling items! With the permission of the heardemsay team I will be selling my collab totes through the Bespoked Stanzas website. All you have to do is send me an email (bespokedstanzas@gmail.com) if you are interested and we can go from there! All totes are $15. The bags are the perfect size for toting around your laptop or school books or for grocery shopping. 
Nothing is better than fashion that has a message- which I why I am honored to be collaborating with heardemsay! 
Anyways dreamers….until tomorrow- a Taste of New York, it’s been awhile. 

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Hello my fellow fashion lovers and dreamers! Interesting thing- today, my fingertips have been tingling all day- probably because I haven’t checked in with you all since TUESDAY! Madness, I know. My fingertips were feeling the withdrawal  as well. 
A lot has happened since last Tuesday when I checked in. My beloved Mac had to spend two whole days getting repaired. A new battery and new display screen later and we are back in business. Also dreamers, I finnnallllly got the apartment I have been dreaming of for five years now. It is the cutest small bungalow on the cutest street with beautiful wood floors and crown molding. I can’t wait to cook dinner in the nice big kitchen and have movie nights with my boyfriend snuggled on our comfy loveseat. Yes, I am excited dreamers. I have been over here endlessly daydreaming of what it will be like in my new place. I must admit though, I am also nervous. 

[a doodle from my sketch book]


This post is to new beginnings, the sheer terror that comes with it, and the amazing experiences that will undoubtedly come from it. 

I have been dreaming of this day for quite some time now. Having my own space, making my own rules and living my life on the routine that I imagine. But like most dreams, the reality of them can be scary. The reality of the perfect dream you have constructed in your head, for five years strong- you begin to question- “Is this what I really want,” you think. I am feeling much like I did when I received my acceptance letter to NYU. I am nervous, excited, anxious and scared. But, if this move is anything like my time in New York, then growth, adventure and unmeasurable experiences are awaiting me. 

So dreamers, here is to dreams come true. To new beginnings. To embracing the scary new experiences and cracking them open only to find happiness, opportunity and sheer joy. 

I can’t wait to share this new journey with you all. 

ALSO, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
for all of your beautiful emails for the 100th post Giveaway. 
THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN @ RANDOM!!
SO check your emails to see if you were chosen! 

For those of you who missed out on the contest,
don’t worry-there will be another contest soon! 

Until tomorrow dreamers . . . 

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 Hello my fellow fashion lovers and dreamers! Another beautiful day to relish in. I am taking this day to write, reflect and create. That’s all I want to do today- no running around, no hectic schedules- just relaxing. So, I’ve stationed myself at my new favorite coffee shop, Intelligentsia. I have a piece of the delicious coffee cake and an ice cold cup of the famous Angeleno coffee (this time with only one shot-I’m a coffee lightweight) and I am ready to unwind. 

There is something about the perfect coffee shop. It’s perfection is different for everyone. Some, like an upbeat shop-with music that sends vibrations through the tables and the patrons buzzing conversations act as harmonization. Others, prefer a quiet getaway- with little to no music, only the clicking of computer keypads and the quiet slurps of coffee. I like something in the middle, I like music in the background that I can subtly move to in my seat. I like the humming of conversations from the patrons, I like an energy- an energy that people around me are working to create art, to create something profound in whatever their area of interest may be. Whatever it may be- when you find the right one, ahhh it’s like finding the perfect pair of jeans that hug you in all the right places. 
Intelligentsia is like the perfect pair of jeans for my creative soul. When I’m here, it’s like all of the writing juices and creativity bugs just come rushing from me.

The beauty of coffee shops, if you allow yourself to peel your eyes away from your computer screen, your book, away from your own conversation for just a moment- there is an exciting, interesting, intriguing world that surrounds you. 
Friends  are talking about life-about the triumphs and tribulations they face. Intellects and creatives diligently prepare masterpieces with their coffee next to them- their handy and magical soothing elixir. 
I always wonder what the person next to me is writing about on their computer- What stories they are concocting, what projects they are working on, why they decided to come to the coffee shop today. 

Me, with my imagination-thought it would be interesting to create my own stories for these people. So, I decided to start a new section called Coffee Talk. Every time I visit a coffee shop I will choose the most interesting person around me, and create my own short story or poem about who I think they are, why they are here, what they are doing. Me and my boyfriend do this a lot. Make up stories for people we see- we laugh and imagine how completely off we probably are. This should be interesting.
Here we go: 

She was incredibly nervous. Nervous is an understatement, she was terrified. Her stomach was in knots and she kept twirling one strand of her curly brown hair as she lightly tapped her foot to the music playing in the background. She couldn’t believe that she allowed her friend to set her up on a blind date. 

She had spent the whole morning trying to figure out what to wear. Her tight indigo jeans that she normally wore out to the club were too sexy, but her ripped jeans were too casual and the black shirt that had become her go-to-piece wasn’t the stellar garment she had once thought. She wanted to look perfect, but she was so out of her element she couldn’t even think straight. After an hour of sitting in a pile of her clothes on the floor starring up at her closet as if it would throw down to her the perfect outfit she was looking for- she finally pulled it together, and settled on her plain white oversized James Perse white utility button up and J Brand skinny jeans with her JCrew ballet flats. “Simple and understated,” she thought. 
The night before she had written a list of things that she could talk about with him. She pried open her small leather moleskin notebook and ran her fingers up and down her list as she tried to memorize the questions she had prepared. She didn’t know why she was nervous, this is what she did for a living, her career as a publicist was centered around meeting new people and making them love her. This was different though. Love had always been a shy area for her, especially after her five year relationship- that was on the fast track to marriage- had  ended abruptly a few months ago. The break-up that had moved her all the way from New York to Los Angeles in an attempt to escape the heartbreak. But as we all know, heartbreak knows no boundaries and followed her straight to the city of angels. 
 So here she was now, millions of tears later and months of sleepless nights waiting for a mysterious man to enter her already broken life. 
She didn’t even know what he looked like. All her friend told her was that he was tall, dark and handsome. “Yea right,” she thought, “that’s what everyone says.” He was probably short, starkly pale and awkward. 
She went back to looking at her notebook, trying to push away all the negative thoughts she was having. As she was thumbing through her notebook she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She slowly lifted her head, “this is it,” she thought. She quickly closed her eyes, praying that this would be good, she desperately needed this to be good. 
 A tall, carmel complected man with perfectly disheveled hair, big brown eyes framed by thick black glasses stood in front of her. The light from the open coffee shop casted a glow on his square face making sun stars at the end of his brown curls. He smiled and extended his hand. 
“Hi, I’m Jason,” he said. 
This is exactly what she needed. 


We’ll dreamers, that is all for our coffee shop dreaming. If that was in fact a blind date, I hope she finds all the love she is looking for.

Tomorrow, another Taste of New York. 

Until tomorrow. . . 

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Good evening my fellow fashion lovers and dreamers. I regret to inform you all that my brain has officially turned to reality-television mush after a day of complete and utter laziness. Tomorrow will be a TV FREE day to make-up for the ridiculous amount of TV that I watched today. 
Yesterday was my boyfriend’s birthday and we spent the entire day at the spa. From mineral baths to the steam room and mud baths the day was filled with complete relaxation. Then, at night I took him to Bandera in Brentwood where we feasted on their in-house roasted chicken, the prime rib sandwich and of course for dessert the House Made Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich. All of which was devoured. 
So, for good reason- after a day of spa relaxation and being stuffed to the brim with good food- I had a hard time snapping back into reality today. So I spent much of it catching up on my Tivos (So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef and Work of Art the Next Great Artist).  
Now that I have left my laziness behind- I literally don’t think I can watch another ounce of television for the rest of the night- It’s time to get back to work, to get back to dreaming. 
I did spend a part of my morning researching apartments like a mad woman. I am on the hunt for my perfect haven and I am leaving my patience behind! The search is serious- consuming almost. I woke up in apartment finding mode. I literally awoke from my sleep, still groggy and half awake, I reached for my laptop, flipped it open and went straight to Craigslist (Which has not been entirely helpful if any of you know another free search database to use please let me know!) Anyways I did find a few places I was interested in and called to set up appointments to view the spaces. 
I love when you can strike up conversations with people over the phone that you have never met- when the desire for an in-depth conversation is mutual. I do not however like when you call to make an appointment for the doctors or call the phone company about your broken blackberry and the person on the other line wants to have an extensive conversation when you only want to get your phone fixed or make an appointment. Today however was mutual. 
What was supposed to be only a call to make an appointment. Turned into a self-realization moment that left me feeling empowered. 
The woman who I talked to, who was the manager of one of the buildings I am interested in, asked me what I did for a living. I’ve talked about this before, owning your talents. My response, was most poignant for me. Rather than saying I am a publicist, which I am. Or saying that I am a student, which I am. Without saying the easy, and safe responses. I stepped out on the limb. “I am a writer,” I told her. Which was probably the first time I ever responded to that question with that answer. “I am a writer,” I said. 
Come to find out, she was also a writer and recently got her masters in creative writing. We went on to have a conversation about writing and the different avenues we both would like to explore through writing. 
The greatest moments, where we surprise ourselves, are in the seemingly smallest moments. I think that the best thing that any of us can do is to define ourselves, and own it! 
Something I am still working on. I feel good though, today was a good day, despite all of the laziness- there was a glimmer of productivity. 
I’ll take it! 
Well I just wanted to check in dreamers. 
Tomorrow: another Taste of New York! 
Until tomorrow dreamers . . . 

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