Lien Nguyen

Professional Ballerina Allyson Barkdull purchased flowers from the Little Italy Farmer's Market

In Little Italy, Lien Nguyen held her fluffy Maltipoo, Kali, close as she made her way through the crowded Saturday morning Mercato on Cedar Street. Nguyen was on her way to brunch with her husband. The 29-year-old pharmacist looked polished. She paired expensive accessories with lower priced wardrobe items.

The classic Flap Chanel bag slung across her shoulder retails for $5,500. Her Gucci sunglasses set her back around $350. She also wore a gold Michael Kors watch ($200+). Her simple white tank and floral shorts are from Forever 21.

‘I don’t wear expensive outfits. I don’t like to wear the same thing twice. I wear it once and then get rid of it,” Nguyen explained.

Down the street, professional ballerina Allyson Barkdull (accompanied by cocker spaniel, Tot) stunned in an elegant full-length floral frock (from a Del Mar boutique) and perfectly blown out hair.

Sarah and Cora Suhonen

Barkdull is a ballerina for the California Ballet Company. She regularly performs at the San Diego Civic Theatre. The 29-year-old began ballet lessons as a child at the New West Ballet School in San Marcos. She rehearses with her company everyday starting at 10 a.m. Barkdull says the biggest challenge in her career is staying injury-free. Her go-to wardrobe items are dresses and cowboy boots.

Lastly, I found mother-daughter pair, Sarah and Cora Suhonen, shopping for fresh produce. The twosome looked like they just stepped out of a family magazine photo with their casual-cool California frocks. Sarah, a voice and piano teacher from Del Cerro, wore a Banana Republic hat and a Bohemian-print H&M dress.