♘ East Post ♘

Long time no see! It has certainly been a WHILE since I last posted. And what a lot has changed in the past few months since July! 

Since that time period, I have moved (to a new neighborhood that I LOVE, about 10 minutes drive from my work!); I am in recovery from a bout of sinusitis-antibiotic-induced candida overgrowth (low carb no more! you're now looking at a most-of-the-time pescatarian!); and I am in an ever-grueling tug-of-war with work & play. That last bit has certainly been the most grueling; balance is no easy endeavor. 

I am pleased to say that my life looks pretty good and is finally together at this point in time. I have a good job, a lovely apartment, am in good health, and feel supported and loved by family & friends. I've been in LA for nearly 9 months now! Since the day I came back, I've thought of my return as a fresh start, almost a rebirth of sorts. I can't say that my life is perfect, but with a 9-month incubation period, I feel more settled and content than I have felt in years. 

That being said, I did not leave Los Angeles County (that's right, literally stayed in the city!) for NINE MONTHS! Enough to drive a girl insane, am I right? Late October called for a trip to the (b)East Coast!

I visited Connecticut to see my dearest best friend, Miss Reina! It's been two years since I have witnessed a fall in New England, and boy was it good to be back! The crisp fall air, the wool & sweater vests & booties & tights, oh, how I missed living in real fall fashions (nevermind this 100-degree LA nonsense). But alas, it was a much-needed mini vacation, and coming back to Los Angeles never felt better!  

My style has always thrived in temperate weather; it was in college when I really started to get into fashion. It was also in college that I met Reina (!!!), studied Russian, and created the basis for what became Russian Dressing in my first post-grad few months. I regret to say that I missed my blog's 1 year anniversary, but better late than never, right? 

My recent return to the East Coast reinvigorated a tenderness I occasionally forget that I have. Beneath it is pain. There is something so beautiful, and still so gorgeously sad, about autumn in New England. An energy of warmth, harvest, and love, but also, the rich journey of life, as the transformation of the leaves unfolds before your eyes. 

All of this being said, LA is where I belong. :)

Cape: Halogen (Nordstrom) | Skirt: Eva Junie LA | Shirt: Eva Junie LA | Mary Janes: Topshop |

Sunglasses: Michael Kors (Nordstrom Rack) | Purse: Clare Vivier

xo ♡ SFB

○ Low-Carb Lust: 85 Degrees Cafe ○

Happy July! I started a new job recently and have been very very busy, from visiting friends/family to finding my work-flow to finding any time to relax, to be quite honest. Nonetheless, I always make room in my day for coffee, and the weekend is no exception. 

Being a South Bay native, a Taiwanese foodie (did I mention that I'm obsessed with shaved ice?), and a low-carb lady, enter: 85 Degrees Cafe (the Torrance location is my personal go-to!) 

I admit my focus on food, and specifically Russian food, has not been at its prime for a few months now, but who doesn't love a little cheat day (cough, months)? Cheats galore are exactly what you'll find at 85 Degrees, from their beautiful confections behind the glass case to their more "plebian" nosh that you (yes, you...no waiters here!) deliver to the cashier on a tray. 

Food aside, my main "naughty nicety" of interest is their rendition of SEA SALT COFFEE. Caloric indulgences aside, this treat is a low-carber's delight: sugar levels are adjustable; flavor is packed to the brim with rich whipped cream topped with cocoa powder and....you guessed it: sea salt. Keep in mind, weight watchers: the heavy cream does NOT make this a low-cal beverage. But is it low-carb? Go for the 1/3 sugar option (lowest level available) & the answer is YES. :)

I may or may not be more obsessed with this treat than I am with Taiwanese snow (as a frozen yogurt addict, that's saying a LOT!) I admit, I've let my keto-flow slide a bit since my move to Los Angeles (carb creep indeed) but this is the my solution to the less-than-tasty-sounding Bulletproof Coffee popular on the Keto subreddit. It's certainly an indulgence, but 85 Degrees knows their coffee, their carbs, and their versatility in addressing everyone's sweet tooth. 

I implore you to check out 85 Degrees Cafe if you're ever in the South Bay (there's also a Gardena location!), Orange County, or of course, Taiwan. 

xo ♡ SFB

♛ Trash Queen ♛

I'm like hey wassup hello, seen your pretty ass soon as you came through the door; I just wanna chill, gotta sack for us to roll; married to the money, introduced her to my stove, showed her how to whip it, now she's remixin' for low, She my trap queen, let her hit the bando. 

I admit, I have not been able to resist this song (as annoying as it's gotten at this point in its overplayed-on-the-radio cycle) since the get-go...and I dig this remix. I'm no trap trash queen, but these pictures may say otherwise. ;) 

Many thanks to Kaelin Bohl for these photographs.

Jacket: Thrifted (Wet Seal) | Pants/Culottes Le Joli Boutique (also here) | Sunglasses: ASOS | Top: Bebe | Booties: Bottega Veneta | Purse (gifted hand-me-down): Marc Jacobs

xo ♡ SFB