Luv is the New Black

CMND-Z was fortunate enough to be featured on San Francisco style blogger Katie Sunderbruch’s Luv is the New Black blog. This lovely lady snuggled up in our “ ‘Bearwolf Strikes Again’ Brad Print” fleece around her town, putting a funky urban twist on the garment. We are delighted by Sunderbruch’s innate eye for style and knack for making it look easy; hence, our excuse to pick at the fashionista’s brains in hopes of finding out her secret.

Alas, your questions can be answered as fashion guru Katie Sunderbruch talks blogging, fashion, life in San Francisco, and why she thinks the Luv truly is the New Black.

1.)  What were your initial intentions in starting LITNB?

I frequently visited other various types of blogs and I was always incredibly inspired. Starting my own blog seemed like a great outlet to express my own interests in art, fashion, music and the like. An added bonus would be subsequently inspiring others to start their own blog or chase after a hobby that gives them enjoyment.

2.) What differentiates you from the rest of blogger’s out there?

I’m not sure this makes me all that different, but when it comes to my personal style I love mixing highs and lows. Meaning that I think it’s important to spend your money on key signature pieces and save money on the trendy things. For example wearing a nice silk button up with a pair of cheaper colored skinny jeans. It’s less about what you’re wearing and more about how you wear it.

3.) Living in SF, how do you get inspired by the flavor of the city? Better yet, what is the flavor of the city?

The essence of SF is an all-embodying spicy, tangy, sweet, and sometimes sour. But that zest… that flava… always keeps you coming back for one more taste. The vibrant people, high-rise buildings, the gloomy weather, the restaurants, the street art all infuse my daily style choices.

4.) If you could sum up your style in 3 words or less what would it be?

avant-garde attitude

5.) What is your fashion mantra? In other words, what fashion lesson do you live by?

Have fun and don’t take yourself or fashion too seriously. By taking chances you really learn what works for you and what doesn’t.

6.) 5 Must Have Pieces for this Fall?

1.) 70′s inspired Flares
2.) Statement Coat
3.) Anything bordeaux(wine) colored
4.) Python Heels
5.) Top Satchel Bag

7.) Playlist that describes the essence of your blog?

The sound track to the movie Space Jam

8.) As far as SF culture- what are the key spots for food and fashion?
Food: NOPA
Coffee: Blue Bottle
Music: Cafe Du Nord
Outdoors: Crissy Field
Fashion: Wasteland (vintage) and Via C (new)
Art: MOMA and The De Young Art Museum

9.) How do you spend your days?

When I’m not working I spend my days exploring the city with my wonderful boyfriend and pups, re-organizing my closet to “make more room”, playing with my crazy-fun and talented friends, bikram yoga-ing, eating sushi and consuming more Diet Mandarine Lime Hanson’s than is socially acceptable.

10) Give us an idea of a day in the life of a 20 something fashionista?

coffee. work. coffee. play with pups. blog. cook. eat. sleep. sooooo glamourous.

11.) What are your favorite designers?

I admire so many designers that I could go on for days with the answer to this question. However on a slightly more attainable level than YSL and McQueen my top designers would be: Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim, and Olivier Theyskens.

12.) How much time do you spend working on the blog? Priority wise where does your blog fit in?

I don’t consider my blog a job it’s really more of a hobby. So I don’t put too much pressure on myself to fit it into my already crazy schedule. But in ideal world with 26 hours in the day I would blog five times a week.

Art Nouveau

This past year has humbled me in proving the immensity of art’s impact over life itself, and left me baffled in the realization that we have squeezed such a vast topic within the boundaries of its three-lettered label. Being a recent intern here at CMND-Z and contributor to Art Nouveau magazine, I have naturally developed more of a wholistic approach in dealing with the so-called “art world” and come to the realization that every artist deserves a voice; but when all is said and done, the responsibility to articulate them falls into the hands of us writers.

Here’s where I come into play, working somewhere amidst these two spheres, contrasting in their personalities. Yet, by title they are all “art”, and it is I who must speak in my endeavor to somehow intertwine the two. From my experience with the “backbone” of CMND-Z, I have seen the transformation of creativity into a lifestyle. The more time I spent in founder Lindsey and the CMND-Z team’s presence, the more I realized it was a beautiful story that need no longer wait to be shared. In my first effort to awaken the world to their message, I chose to feature it on the Art Nouveau site which is self-explanatory in its English translation: “New Art”. I now present you with the story of our very own Ms. Lindsey Mickelson and how she went back and found her Artistic Voice Amidst the Boldness of California.

Sharing the Love with Mikana

“…so picturesque and avant-garde, you can wear your new favorite tee anywhere.  State Street beware, these sexy creations are bound to turn heads as you stroll.”   LOVE MIKANA on CMND-Z

CMND-Z was recently featured on LOVEmikana.com, style blog that delivers the latest and greatest in art, culture, food, trends and fashion in the Santa Barbara area. The Mikana chicas tracked us down and fell in love with our “holey”-ness, as we did with their witty persepective on the place in which we live and love. From food to frocks, red wining to fine dining, we look to these ladies to answer all of our questions. As far as style goes, LOVEmikana chose us here at CMND-Z to convey how to fashionably Live Life the Holey Way.