I Feel Pretty



Tee, Cardigan - F21, Skirt - Target, Necklace - Nordstrom, Shoes - F21 

Happy Post-Christmas! I hope everyone had an awesome holiday. Mine was filled with family, friends and fun, not to mention about 1,000 pounds of food. I literally could probably starve myself for about three days now. But we all know I won't. And that's fine. I'll just invest in a pair of suspenders. Or maybe elastic suit pants.

Over the holidays, my sisters and I took my mom to see "Westside Story" at the Pantages Theater for a belated birthday excursion. I don't know if it was because I was humming "I Feel Pretty" all morning, or because I just feel like a trip to the "theeeeaayyyter" requires a little dressing up, but I found myself wanting to wear something ultra-feminine. It was, after all, a girls' day out with my mama, right?

I love pairing the lace skirt with my ridiculously high-heeled platform mary janes. Plus, wearing my mary janes, which I swear are about 7 inches high, makes me so ridiculously tall, I love it. Seriously, I could probably play in the NBA in these shoes. Or be part of the circus. Or just actually be able to reach the overhead cabin in an airplane. Sky's the limit when your shoes make you all of 5'7".

I'm Dreaming of a Wet Christmas

Jacket - F21 2009, Tee, Jeans - F21, Necklace - ModCloth, Booties - c/o Marshalls

It seems that everywhere in California has been pummeled with rain over the past week, just in time to make holiday shopping, holiday travel, and all the craziness that characterizes this time of year just that much crazier. Thank you, Mother Nature. I usually hate dressing for the rain, but it gave me a chance to wear my new BLUE booties because they don't spot with the raindrops. I got these for $15 on clearance at Marshalls! Sometimes, it's nice living in a town where people don't buy heels. :)  I was afraid that I would have trouble finding things to wear with these booties, but they actually go with a lot more than I thought they would! I sported them both with jeans and with a dress this past week. And they are FUN, which is the whole point of fashion, right? 

I am currently up late attempting to pack for a short trip to LA to see my family for Christmas. I can't wait to go home, but I abhor packing with a serious passion so I'm lagging. I hate having to limit my outfit options and figure out what I'm going to want to wear in two days. I don't even know if I want to wear the pajama bottoms I have on for the next ten minutes. Yes, I have commitment issues (just ask the boyfriend), but that's for another blog. Or for a professional therapist.

My method for packing is to usually pick one outfit I MUST wear, and then build the rest of my outfits around that outfit, using different parts of that outfit in other outfits so you don't have to pack like 5 pairs of shoes, three different purses, and four jackets. I'm only packing 3 pairs of shoes, 2 purses, and 2 jackets. See? My way totally works. ;)

Happy Holidays everyone! So excited for family time, so excited to be off of work for four days, which means I get to wear whatever I want for the next four days! It's a Christmas miracle.

Eye Love Peacocks!

Cardigan - ModCloth. Scarf - ModCloth. Jeans, Tank - F21. Boots - Steve Madden.

I know that everyone is really into owl-themed fashion right now, but for some reason, I just find myself so into peacocks still! I love the brilliant combination of colors that peacock feathers just naturally encompass, plus I love how every peacock accessory I own looks totally different. I now have built up my collection to include a peacock feather headband I made (I'll post photos in a future post!), and three peacock accessories I got from ModCloth: this scarf, this bracelet, and these earrings. I'm thinking of adding this necklace to my collection, but am stilling mulling it over. I don't want to become a crazy bird lady. Well, any more than I am already anyway.



A cardigan, jeans, boots, and a scarf is a go-to Fall/Winter outfit for me. I love how scarves are functional but can make any outfit go from boring to exciting.



I will shamefully admit that I own about 50 scarves. And I find myself continually eyeing them whenever I'm in a store, despite how many I already own! It's probably because they are a more inexpensive way to bring home a little happy from the mall than buying a pair of shoes or new clothes.

Oh well, if I end up on shopping my way out of house and home, at least I can sew the scarves together to make a blanket when I'm on the street.

HA! Just kidding. Yeah, right. I have no idea how to sew.

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.

An Apple a Day...

Every year since I moved up to Northern California, I have looked forward to my annual trip to Apple Hill...a one stop shop for everything apple you can possibly imagine. Once I discovered it, this city girl was sold on the virtues of the outdoors. Of course, the fact that my trip to Apple Hill is always chock full of tasty treats had something to do with my conversion. This year was no exception...my eatings included an apple cider milkshake, apple dumpling, apple crisp, and apple donuts...which made my red jersey (read: stretchy!) dress a perfect choice for the activities of the day. :)

Rainboots - Target, Dress - F21, Jacket - the Gap

I always love an excuse to wear these rainboots from Target. The little cherries are so darling! Plus it makes me feel like a kid again. Unfortunately for me (and fortunately for my boyfriend), I couldn't find any puddles to splash in.

I hear that for SoCalers, Julian near San Diego has similar offerings to Apple Hill. If you get a chance, definitely check it out!