My East Coast Take on Dressing California Cool | OC Donut Shop Hangs

I usually go through phases of my outfits and wear them non-stop like a little kid for a few weeks and then don't even pick them up again for another 6 months. With the end of summer here, I have been living in a favorite crop top of mine and frayed jeans. 

If you know me, you know that I am never in one place really... ever. Depending on whatever is going on, I'm in LA, Orange County or San Diego. While all 3 have distinctly different styles, I've found that a great pair of jeans and a crop or tank top is one combo that is a solid go-to no matter which part of SoCal you're in. 

I have been living in these jeans from Zara and ruffle crop top from Melrose in the O.C. and it's the perfect combination of that true "California cool" style we all know, love and try to translate into our own style. Even before I was living in California, I took inspiration from shows like Laguna Beach, The OC and Summerland and incorporated it into my own outfits. It's hard not to want to dress so effortlessly cool like Marissa Cooper or Kristin Cavallari. The real question is, why do I still revert back to characters on shows that ended nearly 10 years ago? I think the whole early 2000s style was so distinct that it made a footprint for what the "California cool" style should be.  To be honest, I love it to this day. 

As a native East Coaster, I am not sure if I could ever go full-fledged California beach bum, but I am happy I can wear crop tops even more often than I could back home. I think the crop top has actually become my signature clothing item... and I'm not mad about it. 

Just add some heels and a choker and I'm (kind of) on that laid-back California chick level with an East Coast edge.

I took me and my end of summer uniform to a cute donut shop called Good Town Doughnuts that I had been wanting to try in Costa Mesa. Because.... ya know, you have to indulge every once in a while and why not look cute doing it? 

So many yummy options, but I went with a vegan matcha donut. I'm a matcha freak so I was excited for this. For my fellow vegan friends, and also my non-vegan friends... this donut tasted more amazing than ever. You would have never guessed it was vegan! It was so sweet and perfectly fluffy, iced with matcha frosting and dusted with matcha powder. Oh, how I could go on and on about how much I love this donut.

Not to mention, it is quite Instagrammable in addition to the space itself. The decor definitely had a low-key California vibe with a vintage touch. It had a gorgeous natural, bright light shining in throughout the shop that really set the tone for a promising donut experience. 

I love finding local hidden gems, and this place is certainly one of them. I feel like sometimes I don't go out of my way to do it enough, so I really enjoyed trying something new. Now, this place is totally on my list of recs for donuts. Just like how I feel that a good brunch experience definitely includes ambiance, so do places like Good Town Doughnuts.

So next time you're there, indulge, take photos... wear a crop top. You can work off your donut filled tummy tomorrow. 

Photography by Emma Lynn Cinema