Powder Blue

blue dress, boots and silver clutch: vintage | jewelry: patania 

xx~syd

Azteca

two piece tunic + pants, with aztec calendar print: vintage | silver jewelry: vintage | red velvet boots

xx~syd

A Desert Coat

Early mornings in the Old Pueblo. There is always a chill in the air.

 

Xx~Syd

 

coat: vintage (how sweet it was) | boots: 1990s charles david | black turtleneck: splendid

 

 

Red Velvet

red velvet bolero: vintage | black high waist jeans: levi's | boots: vince | silver belt + jewelry: vintage

 

Xx~Syd

Brass Buckles

glasses: celine | black turtleneck sweater: ralph lauren | mixed metal neck cuff: vintage | suede skirt: vintage | brass belt: vintage | boots: cole haan

Xx~Syd

Touch of Emerald

dress, clutch + hat: vintage | silver georgia cuffs: sam patania (tucson, az) | boots: vince

Xx~Syd

Monday Muse

" I find mediocrity hard. I find that whole area difficult. I'm a very passionate person; I care very much about what I do. I believe I give it a lot, so it's gotta be good; otherwise what's the point?"

~Phoebe Philo

photograph by Davis Sims for The Gentlewoman.

Dark + Mysterious

"There's something about black, you feel hidden away in it."
~Georgia O'Keeffe

wardrobe, hat + metal belt: vintage | boots: cole haan

Winter in the Old Pueblo

"The air is cold, but the warm sun still shines on my face. It feels like winter in the Old Pueblo."

~gg of the west

glasses: celine | blazer: dkny (old, but similar here) | white shirt: calvin klein (similar here) |
bolo tie + ring: vintage

Black: Transitioning to Fall

In the mood for a black uniform, as we transition to a slow fall in the old pueblo....

 

"Women who wear black, lead colorful lives."

~Neiman Marcus

 

skirt: vintage | boat neck top: gap | shoes: loeffler randall | jewelry: vintage

 

Cactus Mother

I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to have been born and raised amongst these beautiful cactus creatures. The desert is a place of healing, peace, beauty and nature. I would be lying if I said that I never felt the need to get out and explore life and opportunities in other cities. To see and appreciate different architecture, culture and landscapes, but my heart always brings me back to this place…. my home, my desert, my Tucson. On a lovely Tucson winter afternoon, Puspa Lohmeyer ( my friend, creative partner and photographer) and I visited one of our favorite local cactus nurseries. Dressed in a palette of winter whites and placed in front of a backdrop of cactus green. I immersed myself in a sea of saguaros and breathed deep. These particular cactus, only mere babies in comparison to the sea of ancient ones found in the deserts wild, were so promising. Each one so similar, yet so different, protected and nourished in their own skin. Healthy, youthful and content, the desert alone naturally provides everything they could ever need, a force of nature that is overwhelming in it’s own thoughts. It is when I am in the nature of the desert, that I always find my peace and clarity. The place that I venture out to walk alone in the stillness of it's modest grace. The sonoran desert is the only region the saguaro naturally grows. It is where it belongs. Gratefully, this vast landscape is right in my backyard and at the end of the day, of my travels or big city fixes, there is really no place I would rather be, nowhere else I belong. Life may take me on a journey to other places, but my heart and my roots will always be here, walking among the cactus. 

Xx~Syd

 

credits:

creative director + styling: sydney ballesteros

photography: puspa lohmeyer
wardrobe: maxi skirt, jewelry + accessories: vintage
boots: cole haan
1960s bertoia chair: hot cool vintage

location: old pueblo nursery: tucson, az 

Oxblood + Velvet

The winter season in Tucson is such a special thing, the days are overcast and the air is crisp, (but not frozen over), and the spirit of a desert Christmas weighs heavy around the corner. On one of these beautiful winter afternoons, Puspa and I wandered around the original adobe barrios of downtown Tucson, I in my vintage 1970s oxblood and velvet suit of course! I just couldn't wait for the cool winter days in the desert to come, so I could wear this suit I had been so anxiously awaiting to, and on this day I did- enough said. Wishing you, my lovely readers a happy holiday season, from the old pueblo. Many blessings and peace for the new year to come! xo

photography: puspa lohmeyer

creative direction + styling: sydney ballesteros

location: barrio viejo, tucson az

1960s turquoise squash blossom: vintage (razzle dazzle, tucson az)
1970s velvet suit: vintage 

Shades of Olive

Green has always been on the list of favorite colors, but lately I've been obsessing over the color green, olive green to be specific. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite colors to wear this season. The actual fall weather reaches the desert a little later than the rest of the world, so this news flash may be late. Some of these items would argue to be called the color moss. Indeed it's very close in scale, but maybe a tad bit more brown in it. I think I just like the word  "olive" better, don't you? Here are some of my favorite selections in the world of olive.
PS- I am coveting those SW boots, and Christmas is around the corner (hint, hint).

 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

xx~Syd

Indigenous

Just chasing summers light and saguaros, and painting pictures in the sand. Another day outdoors in the life of the beautiful desert mountains, in my native home of Tucson Arizona. This overwhelming landscape never gets old and never ceases to amaze me. Grateful.

creative director + stylist: sydney ballesteros
photos: puspa lohmeyer
location: gates pass, tucson az

wardrobe:

dress: how sweet it was vintage (tucson, az) | hat: vintage | shoes: handmade espadrilles from spain (similar here) 

Hail to the Straw Hat

Protector of the summer sun and timeless style accessory, we salute you.

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xx~syd