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) 

Black Tank

Just dressing up a basic black tank with a cool cotton vintage Harwood Steiger print skirt, and some silver accessories, the usual happenings in the summertime around these parts….

styling: sydney ballesteros
photos: puspa lohmeyer

wardrobe:

black tank: target | skirt: vintage : belt: vintage | silver mexican jewelry: vintage | straw tote: target
 black lace up espadrilles: nordstrom, a few years old (similar here)

xx~syd

The Shirt-Dress….

Since we are on the subject of wearing white cotton- along with the classic white shirt, comes the extended version, it’s sister.…the shirt-dress.

Note: another staple in your summer wardrobe. Cool, comfortable and classic, goodness knows mine has been with me a while.

I trotted around town in it all weekend long, it was 106 degrees on Saturday!

styling: sydney ballesteros

photos: stacia lugo

ps: the evidence of the arizona sun, is quite apparent by the sandal tan lines on my feet.

dress: old- similar versions of the shirt dress here, here and here | silver jewelry: vintage | sandals: franco sarto, similar here

xx~syd

Summer Whites

There is nothing better than the feeling of wearing a white cotton shirt on a hot summer day. This ultimate wardrobe staple can be dressed into so many ways. For this look, I was in the mood to tie it into a knot and pair it with some white vintage cigarette pants. Feeling a little inspired by a classic film actress, Grace or Audrey keeping things chic in the southwest perhaps.... 

creative director + stylist: sydney ballesteros
photos: puspa lohmeyer

location: tucson, az
wardrobe:

shirt: calvin klein | pants: vintage | sandals: target | silver jewelry: vintage 

xx~syd

Brown + Turquoise

Simply painted in the colors of the desert…

creative director + stylist: sydney ballesteros
photography: puspa lohmeyer
location: de grazia gallery in the sun (tucson, az)

wardrobe:

dress: vintage (desert vintage) | zuni turquoise squash blossom, cuff + ring: vintage (razzle dazzle vintage) | tooled leather clutch: vintage | boots: sam edelman 

xx~syd

Blending into the Cactus

This green dress reminds me of the beautiful color of a cactus, and the modernists era Trifari jewelry reminds me of the sharp lines on an agave cactus. On this day, I guess I was trying to blend in…..

styling: sydney ballesteros
photos via: puspa lohmeyer

dress, belt and jewelry: vintage | shoes: zara

xx~syd

Southwest Chic | Georgia O'Keeffe

Georgia O’Keefe and her minimalist desert lifestyle were the perfect definition of southwest chic. Simple elements mixed with a very select statement piece, be it a piece of jewelry for the wardrobe or a piece of furniture or decor for the home. 

I am inspired by her simple approach to her life and surroundings, yet her style was always in tact with a few basic staples-timeless. This is Georgia re-imagined in my mind for the modern day lady who like her southwest to be chic.

1. western chambray shirt | 2. black coated jeans  | 3. brown boots | 4. bull skull cuff | 5. hat

6. lamp | 7. pillow | 8. serving tray | 9. brown leather butterfly chair | 10. rug | 11. coat | 12. scarf | 13. georgia o’keeffe

*and just in-case you missed it…you can see some of my styling work, dedicated to the desert chic look in the september issue of matchbook magazine!

xx~syd

Desert Chic No. 2

The second part of my hometown series, Desert Chic. If you missed the first part, you can see it here.

styling: sydney ballesteros

photography: puspa lohmeyer

location: barrio viejo, tucson az

wardrobe:

quilted midi skirt: vintage | tooled leather clutch: vintage | copper accessories: vintage | silver + turquoise necklace: handmade by my father in the 1970s | silver rings + earrings: vintage

xx~syd

Desert Chic No. 1

 I was born and raised in the deserts of Tucson, Arizona, an eighth generation native. This series, Desert Chic is a homage to my hometown and the elements that make it so special and unique. It's landscape, spirit, culture, history and simplicity. There is just something so magical and peaceful about t the desert, the old pueblo.

styling: sydney ballesteros

photos: puspa lohmeyer

wardrobe:

vintage squash blossom: desert vintage | turquoise + silver cuffs: vintage | copper earrings: vintage

xx~syd