Chic Style for the F_A_S_H_I_O_N Enthusiast

Whether she’s directing a McDonald’s commercial, photographing a lookbook, testing recipes for her cookbook, or being filmed for her brand new show, Food for Thought, Claire Thomas of Kitchy Kitchen seems to have the world at her feet.  Not only does this beauty seem to be able to do just about anything (and well to say the least), she manages to look incredibly fashionable while managing her busy schedule. Sounds like I need to add serious fashionista to her already jammed packed introduction. Lucky for us, Claire squeezed in a Chic Style to show us all how she wears Katie May.  Enjoy!  xx

Where the magic happens – well, at least for this lady.  Claire looks flawless in her family’s kitchen wearing the Alana top and a J. Crew skirt.

Lady on the run!  Claire paired the Boo jacket with a J. Crew shirt dress, a leopard Claire Vivier clutch, a vintage belt from her mom’s closet, and Topshop velvet loafers – chic AND comfortable!

Statement dressing at its finest!  The gorgeously chic Daphne coat paired with a Luv Aj head piece, Topshop platforms, and a vintage hook belt – AMAZING!

ME:  TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW SHOW FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

HER:  I’m so excited about it! It’s on ABC every Saturday morning. The goal is to try to get people excited about and engaged in food again. I get to go on fun little adventures where I get inspiration for recipes. On the first episode, I get inspiration for garden foods, so I visited the Venice Learning Garden to research it. It really opens up your mind about food. When you know how to cook with something, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be part of your palette. The idea is to get people curious about food. Food is a window to so many other different areas or subjects. At the end of the day, it’s something that everyone needs, enjoys and has an opinion about. I’m excited about the show connecting people to their food and making it fun for them.

ME:  WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

HER:  Getting to nerd out and create.  Sticking my nose in a book for hours on end, shooting a new recipe for the blog, or chatting up a chef on their new creations always gives me inspiration and motivation.

ME:  WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL?

HER:  Oh lord. First off, I wouldn’t want to know. It would totally ruin in.  Like that expectation that New Year’s Eve will be wonderful, and it just never is.  I’m at a tie between totally over the top and impressive (like making them reopen El Bulli just for me) or staying at home and just covering everything in brown butter.

ME:  IF YOU COULD BE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD YOU BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

HER:  I would be in Belgium, scoping out medieval architecture and soaking in the culture.  Ok, I’d be there for the waffles. Liege waffles, sticky and coated in caramelized sugar.  It’s a little secret, but Belgium has some of the best food in Europe and is just a train ride from France.  I feel like it would be a great starting point to explore all of the northern European countries I’ve been fascinated by.

ME:  SHARE ONE THING OFF OF YOUR FOODIE “BUCKET LIST”.

HER:  Eating at NOMA.  NOMA is a hyper seasonal, local, and culturally defined restaurant in Denmark that focusses on cuisine specific to the area.  The menu is extremely innovative, and the experience sounds fun and paired down, rather than super fussy.

ME:  THREE VICES?

HER:  French fries without a doubt. I will never ever be too full from them.  Double stuff oreos are my JAM. I love those things. The tomato tartine from Farm Shop.  I went a full week having one every day. It’s so simple, just wheat bread with homemade ricotta and slightly roasted tomatoes, but it’s heaven on a plate.

ME:  FAVORITE CITY FOR FOOD?  FOR FASHION?

HER:  I‘m an LA girl at heart, but if we’re going outside of my hometown, the Bay Area for Food and New York for Fashion. I go to Berkeley at least 4 times a year to visit my best friend, and we always gorge ourselves on the beautiful food the bay has to offer.  Plus, Blue Bottle Coffee. Argument ends there.  For New York fashion, it simply has the best access and best people watching.  My sister and I tag team whenever we go to Topshop and never leave without finding something amazing and affordable.

ME:  BEST MEAL YOU’VE HAD AT A RESTAURANT?

HER:  Oh man…It totally depends on what day you ask me and what mood I’m in. If I’m feeling fancy-ish the Butternut Squash Soup with Whipped Buttermilk and Cocoa Powder plus Seared Gnudi (like ricotta stuffed gnocchi) with Brown Butter Butter at Osteria La Buca on Melrose is my new favorite. Otherwise, the Mango Chicken Jalapeno Sausage and fries at Wurstkuche, the Pho Tai at Pho Cafe in Silverlake, the Avocado Sandwich at Forage in Silverlake, and the rotisserie chicken and fries from reddi chick are all pretty spot on.

ME:  WHAT ARE THREE ESSENTIALS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR KITCHEN?

HER:  It depends on what kind of cook you want to be.  For someone just starting out, buy a cutting board and good knives. That’s basically all you need to prep food easily and quickly.  If you have a birthday list or wedding registry going, definitely ask for the heavy lifting items like a KitchenAid mixer for baking and le Crueset cookware for it’s durability, cute-factor, and fantastic heat distribution. Plus a French Press for morning coffee never hurts.

ME:  THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

HER:  Unfussily sophisticated.  I like a bit of polish, but in a fresh, un-precious way.

ME:  TWO PIECES IN YOUR WARDROBE YOU WILL NEVER PART WITH?

HER:  I have a black Philip Lim blazer who’s lining is totally falling apart that my sister and got for 80% off that is too good to ever retire.  Also, my mom’s black and gold vintage belt.  It’s a major statement piece and adds an instant “wow.”

ME:  WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?

HER:  I’m currently shooting the show, directing commercials, and working on a cookbook, so I’m definitely busy through the new year.  I’m looking forward to developing other projects that tap into my aesthetic and my history nerd side.

ME:  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KATIE MAY PIECE?

HER:  I LOVE my new Daphne coat.  It’s straight out of a Doris Day film from the sixties.  I just need black leather gloves to pair with it and I’d fit right into the set on Mad Men.  I also can’t get enough of the Boo blazer.  The slim arms and bell sleeves are so flattering and add a lovely bit of polish to a t-shirt and jeans outfit.

ME:  FINISH THE SENTENCE “NO MEAL IS EVER COMPLETE WITHOUT ___________________?”

HER:  No meal is ever complete without someone to share it with!

All photos were shot by the lovely Nicole L. Hill at a private residence in Brentwood

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