Work and Play

Top, Shoes - F21, Shorts - H&M, Belt - Borrowed, Jewelry - Coral from Hawaii

If you're not new to this blog, then you know that part of the reason I started fashion blogging in the first place was to revolt against the oppressive and conservative fashion rules of the corporate world where I work. I know I make it sound like a war or something, but sometimes I swear it feels like it is.. And I am a soldier. In stiletto heels and cute clothes. Anyway, part of my battle against drab suits and monochrome color schemes is to try and find colorful and fun casual pieces that I can also get away with wearing to work if I get a little creative. Not only does this type of remixing make me feel cute and stylish while I'm slogging through the 9 to 5, but I also feel like I'm getting away with something a little naughty AND winning a battle against corporate fashion. Am I taking this war metaphor a little too far? I didn't think so. Scroll down to see how I remixed this top for work.

I fell in love with this top when I first saw it. I'm a sucker for anything flowy and flowery and romantic, and if you toss a splash of coral color in there, I am sold. I love that this top can be dressed up or dressed down and keeps both my casual and work outfits from being anything but boring.

Since cardigan sweater sets and pencil skirts are totally work appropriate, I pushed the envelope a little with this top when I wore it to work this week by pairing it with a bright colored sweater and a thick braided belt. .

How do you remix your casual and fun pieces for work?

Skirt - Banana Republic, Pumps - Nine West, Cardigan - Bass

Blazer of Glory

Jacket - Ann Taylor, Dress - F21, Shoes - Lucky c/o ModCloth

 So this post is dedicated to Kristen Wiig and Kendi of Kendi Everyday, two other girls who are fans of the blazer-dress combo. Kendi mentioned in this post last week that she loved how Kristen was constantly sporting a blazer with a dress in the movie "Bridesmaids" (a look I also loved!) but that some girl in the movie theater complained that she didn't like that style. Como say what? What's not to like? I'm a huge fan of the look. I like how a little blazer can tone down the femininity of a girly dress but still make the outfit look polished and structured. I guess this is just further proof that fashion is subjective and individualized. Or that that girl in the movie theater with Kendi was dumb. Just kidding.

 

Am I wearing these shoes too much? I just can't seem to get my feet out of them. I cook in them, I sleep in them. OK, not really. But I would if I could. Honestly, I adore them, and I can't stop wearing them because they really seem to go with everything. They're cute and comfortable, which is perfect for a girl like me who wears heels incessantly. Let me know if you're getting sick of seeing them, but hopefully you like them as much as I do!

The weather has turned odd and scary in my neck of the woods recently. It's suddenly chilly with thunderstorms, rain and tornado warnings (What?!). So I'm planning on spending the weekend cuddled up at home, watching movies, eating takeout, and planning out my outfits for a trip to Hawaii next week! I LOVE Hawaii, so I can not wait to leave behind this dreary weather for the sunny skies and beaches of Oahu. It will be so nice to actually NOT have to pack a jacket. Yes, it's the little things that please me. Have a great weekend!

Undeniable Attraction

Jacket - Gap, Skirt - F21, Necklace - H&M, Shoes - Santee Alley

There is something about a floral print that just begs to be combined with an easy denim jacket. I can't explain it, the two things are just drawn together. Like peanut butter and jelly. Milk and cookies. Tori Spelling and Lifetime movies. Me and shoes. It's an undeniable attraction that you just can't fight. At least that's what I tell the boyfriend every time I go shoe shopping. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Those of you who are not new to this blog know that I have a serious love affair with florals. (See here, here, and here, for starters). I have had this love affair for decades, and I'm so excited by all the floral that is out there this season. And I'm especially happy that Everybody, Everywhere is hosting a floral challenge today. Today is Flower Day, people, get your girly on!

I had a really hard time with today's challenge...not because I couldn't find something to wear but because I had SO MUCH floral to choose from in my closet. I finally opted for this cute navy and pink printed skirt and a simple coordinated tank top. Although I love pairing florals with coordinating colors, I have to admit that it can sometimes make me feel a bit like a kindergartner (am I the only one whose mother used to LOVE to color-coordinate my outfits before I started picking my own clothes out?), so I love how the denim jacket breaks up the coordination and keepts the outfit from looking overly feminine. No point in fighting that undeniable force!

Thanks EBEW for hosting this floral challenge...it's always fun to see how everyone styles the same trend!

Forgiving Floral

Top - Rumors c/o Marshalls, Tank - H&M, Shoes - some mall store, Bracelet - Vintage

I think some of my favorite pieces of clothing are ones that look feminine and pretty but are also extremely comfortable and extremely forgiving. This chiffon floral top is sweet and flowy and colorful... and pretty much covers up EVERYTHING. It's ideal for those days when you're just not feeling thin and don't want to worry about what might be bulging where. It's like "fat pants," but in a top. In a pretty patterned top. Which is funny because I'm pretty sure that trying to wear "fat pants" in a pretty pattern would really defeat their purpose. But I digress. What I'm trying to say is that girls no longer have to spend their "fat days" in oversized sweatshirts or loose-fitting boring t-shirts. We can still be pretty on our fat days...hurrah!

I wanted to go with a more casual look for this girly top, so I opted for cuffed jeans and casual wedges, but I can see myself wearing this top with my high waisted denim jeans and sky-high shoes for evening, or with white distressed jeans and embellished flip flops, or even jean cut-offs for a summer barbecue. I guess I can add versatile to the things I love about this top!

Taupe of the World

Dress, Bracelets - F21, Shoes - c/o Santee Alley

This week, the weather has been balmy and warm, and I have not been able to resist making the most of it by wearing jean cutoffs and little spring dresses. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that I have so HAD it with winter! It finally has started to feel like spring, just when I was starting to think I couldn't take another minute of the frigid rain.

I picked up this little dress when I was in NYC. It was 40 degrees out at the time, and this sort of springy, Western floral print was exactly what I needed to remind me that warmer temperatures would be here soon enough. Please excuse my paleness. I'm working on it!

These are the second pair of shoes that I picked up at Santee Alley a couple of weeks ago. I absolutely adore them! I don't normally go for a sophisticated taupe-colored shoe like this one, but I love how its neutral color sort of elongates the legs (something my 5'1" frame needs!) and doesn't distract the eye from the focal point of the outfit, which is, of course, the dress. Sometimes the most understated of pieces can be the best way to tie an outfit together. Plus, I love the wedge heel, which makes the shoe comfortable AND wearable with a shorter dress like this one.

Looking forward to a nice warm weekend, checking out a mobile food cart festival and catching up with some friends for a yummy birthday dinner. Hope you all have a good one!

Rodeo Rose

 

Dress, Belt - F21, Jewelry - Vintage, Tights - We Love Colors, Boots - Steve Madden

Didn't I tell you that the long-sleeved mini dress with tights and boots was one of my fave go-to outfits for cold weather? I love how this one has a bit of a Western feel to it...AND it's floral, which is always a bonus for me, since I love floral dresses! I worried that the dress was too short when I bought it, but with tights, it didn't seem too bad. And remember, wearing short skirts elongates my legs a whole half-inch. Cha-ching.

The mans and I had some errands to run in the East Bay, so we decided to grab a delicious brunch at Bette's Diner in Berkeley (check out the delicious rum banana souffle pancake I inhaled ate daintily!) and walked around the cute little shops on 4th Street.

I love the Bay Area because of all the places there are to walk around outdoors. It's one of the things I miss most about LA. There's nothing I enjoy more than strolling down a street with my pup in one hand, warm and steamy coffee in the other, window shopping and people watching. Especially when I'm wearing comfy flat boots.

And yes, I am wearing colored tights again! Yay, me! Brown this time. I'm getting braver and braver. I'll work my way up to an actual bright color any day now.

My little pup Shumai was such a good sport while I took my outfit photos, so I decided she deserved a shot of her own. She's a little fashionista herself in her little red quilted cape!

Oh, excuse me. Shumai just informed me it's a capelet.

I Left My Heart in Chinatown

Dress: ModCloth; Boots: Steve Madden; Belt, Purse: Santee Alley, Downtown LA

One of San Francisco's greatest treasures (according to me) is Chinatown. I just love it! It's so colorful and bustling and there is always so much to see and buy there. The bright colors of the buildings make it one of my favorite places to take photos. Plus, it reminds me of the street markets in Asia. Everything is cheap, and everything is negotiable. Except I am terrible at bargaining. I feel so bad! So I make my boyfriend do it. (That's what boyfriends are for, right? Right.)

I am really into floral dresses right now (must....stop...buying them...), and this one from ModCloth is one of my faves. I love how it transitions easily from summer to fall with just a pair of riding boots. Plus, did you notice how it matches the streetlamps in Chinatown...how perfect is that?! And yes, that's why I'm hugging the lamppost. And yes, that's why people were looking at me funny. I think.