Midland Gal
When I really fall in love with something, I love it hard. It becomes my main source of inspiration and I obsess on an almost annoying level (well, annoying to others perhaps - I have no problem with it). Midland shop in Culver City is one of those things for me. My ridiculously stylish friends Paige Appel and Kelly Harris of Bash Please (one of LA's most killer wedding and event planning businesses) opened up this shop late last year and while I knew it was going to be good, I didn't expect it to feel like a new home. OK that's a bit dramatic, but it's kind of true. I can't go without staying for at least 2 hours. Probably a total inconvenience for everyone there but myself and Sailor who just settle right in.
When Midland opened, I was in the middle of a total style slump. I was wrapping up my first year as a mom (we all know how that goes for trying to be a stylish person) and I just wasn't feeling inspired. I had been doing the majority of my shopping online for the past couple of years which was making me look at fashion in a different way that was a lot less fun. If I was going to buy something, I would spend hours scouring the same old websites and felt like it was tedious work rather than a fun way to try new things and get excited about style. I was also trying to put my finger on exactly what my style IS now, and wasn't really landing anywhere. I'll talk about this more later but I honestly feel it's worth mentioning here because it's all related. I was just in style purgatory...
(My mom's Elm Street Textiles bloomers in the adorable kids' corner!)
(You need this lip balm! It's $5 and I like it better than my $60 La Mer one.)
Midland's distinct, carefully curated style was that something new I needed to take a closer look at and dip my toe into. It's one thing and it's a lot of things at the same time. It's handcrafted, Americana, southwestern, artisanal, authentic, and creative. It's all sorts of things you didn't know you needed until you're there taking it all in and realizing how badly you NEED them. Someone described it as the best kind of cult and I can definitely attest to that. I love how they introduce me to a new designer or coffee maker, and yet keep things on a level that doesn't feel untouchable or standoffish. Price points stay in a reasonable range , yet you can find amazing one-of-a-kind, local, handmade or vintage finds. Nothing worse than going to a store that feels downhome and warm, only to be chased out by a $100 mug or a $700 around-the-house dress.
I'm so proud of what these girls have created so I just had to share it with you guys! I figured you might be curious since it seems like the only store I shop in these days as I continue to strive to be a true Midland gal - effortless, rebellious, artistic, and natural. Every purchase I've made there has become an instant fave in my closet/beauty routine/home, but most of all I love how the shop inspires me to expand my style! Thanks so much to Kelly for hanging with me (Paige was out of town that day) and can't wait for my next visit as always. My mom is in town so we may even have to pop in today!
Photography by Ashley Burns