HOP SING VIBES with M'Lynn

I just love a girl with Salt water in her veins and willing to rock my fav-o-rite clothing item ever... OVERALLS and worn in the funky-cool not farm-y way they should be worn!  M'Lynn is that girl! She arrived at Hop Sing for her photoshoot in vibrant living color, with fun pastel pink ombré curls ready to play dress up! What a great time we had, and the images speak for the warm season ahead...  Hello Summer! Hello Road-trips! Hello Sand! Hello Music Festivals!!! 

NAME: M'Lynn
PLACE OF BIRTH: Sierra Vista, AZ
OCCUPATION: Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (I monitor nerves during brain and spine surgery)
AGE (if you'd like to share): 23

Describe your "signature look"... 

"Boho chic, relaxed, practical. I want to look fabulous but also be ready to ride my bicycle wherever or go hike in the woods with my dogs."

Who or what inspires you? 

Any woman who takes a new trend or fashion, makes it all her own and rocks it.  Confidence makes or breaks every outfit.

What makes you feel beautiful? 
"When I get to lounge with my dogs and loved ones after a long day of saltwater, sand, and waves. Sun-kissed skin and salty hair will always make me feel gorgeous."

Name an item of clothing you can't live without... 

My black fringe Minnetonka moccasin boots. Amazingly versatile.

    

                         

The biggest splurge in your closet...
Let's not talk about it...(looking at you, thigh-high black leather boots)

The biggest waste of money in your closet... 

Crappy flats and cheap blazers. Contrary to what your parents tell you, business wear does NOT have to be conformist or boring.

What's the most memorable piece of clothing you've worn, and what made it special? 

My father gave me a stunning black lace dress for Christmas one year. I wore it to ring in my 21st birthday and many times afterwards and I always feel completely gorgeous yet ridiculously comfortable in it. I haven't yet found a dress that classy and that much fun to dance in.                            

        
What's your guilty pleasure/something you can't resist?
"Sea salt dark chocolate, lavender biscuits, and a perfect cappuccino. Decadent, simple, perfect."

Do you have a style icon? Please describe: 

My mother. Our styles are radically different but she taught me how to love clothes and to love the game of putting them together unexpectedly to look fabulous. I know no woman with better style.

What is your beauty/skincare routine?
Wash twice a day with organic face wash, moisturize with rose hip seed oil,  apply mascara, maybe some eyeshadow, swipe my lips with some hazelnut oil and boogie out the door!    

                                      

                                  

     

What has been the biggest surprise about the age you are now? 

How young I feel, but how mature everyone seems to perceive me. I'm an adult! What?!

The best advice you've ever received? 

"Letting emotions guide your decisions for love, work, clothes, anything, is not weak, but the only way to love and live authentically."

Do you believe in destiny? 

I don't. I believe each person carves their own path and can change it as they please.

What's next for you? 

Getting out of the country as soon as possible and getting under the waves! 

Thank you M'Lynn! You inspire us! ❤️

Hi! I'm Lauren!

'

Hi! I'm Lauren.

The owner of Hop Sing Trading Company and a four year resident of Prescott. I grew up in Pacific Beach, California, and spent thirty three years living on the beautiful island of Kauai. Needless to say, I've spent a good portion of my life with sand between my toes, and I blame the beach for the unique fashion perspective I've carried across land and sea. If you've visited Hop Sing, you know it's unlike anything else in town, which often prompts the question: "How do you choose the fashions for your store?"  I'm quick to reply: "I buy what I love!". However, I also believe that we are all influenced by the people, places and experiences in our lives. 

Anyone with an original business concept will tell you that- like writers or artists, we pour our life's path of influences, passions and experiences into our work. Regardless of if we sell clothing or paint landscapes, we should all strive to be original and passionate about our chosen profession.

Many of my customers are surprised by the fearlessness of the fashions in my shop. I recognize that fearlessness as a direct result of having been exposed to many free-spirited individuals in my lifetime. I am also influenced by the bigger picture. I am an info-maniac. I am eager to know the backstory and provenance of the things I buy. It matters to me who made it and where, and what sets that item apart from the rest? I grew up in a family who made it a common practice to buy better quality everything- from organic food to unique fashion. Though money was not plentiful in our house, I was taught that it was more economical to purchase better quality and lasting style over quantity and short term satisfaction. Handcrafted trumped mass produced. My dad was a world famous pro-surfer in the 1960's and although pro-surfers today have multi-million dollar sponsorship contracts, I can assure you that monetary prestige was not part of the package way back when. 

I guess you could say that I grew up in a sort of "Gidget" inspired surfing-subculture. On a daily basis we were surrounded by family and friends who held many different life and style perspectives, but all of them fearless. Famous surfers and their lovely lady friends came from far away countries like Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. What I remember most is that these well-traveled bohemians felt completely free to express themselves, both fashionably and otherwise. My fashion foundation was laid with the bold fashion statements and glowing tans of surf gods and their goddesses. Another pillar of my fashion upbringing was my mother's sister. 

She was a true one of a kind, free-spirited 60's rebel who painted her surf inspired boutique, located in the middle of high-end, high-muckity-muck La Jolla, California, in an artistic rainbow spectrum, despite complaints galore! Many of her neighboring retailers were sure that the town had been infiltrated by hippies, and they were right! My Aunt held her head high, smiled and besides a few crazy stories that could be told... she won the hearts of many, her shop became highly successful and her clientele, was diverse. This wild child definitely influenced me, and my destiny. I'll forever remember the intoxicating smell of new clothes, freshly tanned leather and coconut surf wax.  Surf stars and movie stars mingled, as fashions high and low-end converged, to form a beautiful bohemian dream. It wasn't uncommon to find Patty Duke and John Aston hanging out and chatting with customers, as if they were just regular folks! My dear aunt impacted my life more than she would ever know... she helped create the quirky fashion junky I am today.  

So it seems as if you can take the girl away from the beach, but you can't take the beach away from the girl. Come in to Hop Sing to experience my own version of that bohemian dream, and tell me... who would you describe as your greatest fashion influence, or lifestyle icon?  I'd love to know!

                                                                                                                                  Aloha!