One Republic

I have had the One Republic song "Apologize" running through my head all this week because I have been a terrible, TERRIBLE blogger! I swear I have a good reason though, so I wanted to at least post something to share with you what I've been up to this week. Those of  you who are not new to the blog know that I have a full-time corporate job, a love of fashion...and a passion for soapmaking! I know, I know, the first thing popping into your head is, "Are you a part of Fight Club?" I swear, I get asked that question all the time, mainly from men. No, I don't make bars of soap from human fat. Gross. Although, maybe I would if I could hang out with Brad Pitt everyday. Come on, you would too!

But in all seriousness, soapmaking is something that started out as a hobby years ago when I thought they would make fun favors for friends' bridal showers, baby showers, stocking stuffers, etc. Then over the past couple of years, I started learning new soap making techniques and came up with some cool ideas for soap, and a little part-time business was born (yes, because I have so much free time...not!).  I've been doing a good number of special events, including weddings, since soaps make such unique and useful favors. The BF's mom also got me hooked into selling my goodies at select craft fairs and events in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, since she's a crafter and has been selling her stuff at craft fairs for years. So this week, I have been working in a sweat shop out of my house (don't worry, I'm the only sweat shop employee), getting ready for a craft fair this weekend. So, please forgive me for the lack of outfit posts, I have been wearing grungy jean cutoffs and an old tee shirt all week, and I wanted to spare you seeing that. I promise to be back to normal blogging next week.







Since I love food, it's no surprise that so many of my soap making products seem to revolve around food. I've got a whole line of dessert soap bars that come in flavors like Strawberry Lemonade, Mint Chocolate Chip, Banana Nut Bread, Lavender Vanilla Shortbread, and my personal favorite: Pumpkin Pie Milkshake. I also have soap that look like sushi bento boxes, complete with soap wasabi and ginger, and I've just started making soaps that look like Japanese mochi, as well as yummy looking French macaroon soaps. I will post a link to more photos next week. I'm hoping to eventually get my stuff up on Etsy before the holiday season, so wish me luck!

Have a fabulous weekend, loves...see you on the other side (of this ridiculously labor-intensive, busy week)!

B&W

Dress - Vintage (hemmed), Shoes - Lulu's

I can not tell you how much I absolutely adore this vintage 70s dress. I try not to play favorites in my closet, but I swear this dress would definitely be the piece that I would sneak extra bits of allowance and cake to, if I could. I love its swirly skirt and fun color contrast, as well as its distinct 70s vibe.  I also love that it was a rare vintage find in that it had never been worn before and still had the tags attached. Vintage, unique, high-quality clothing that's never been worn? Score! I couldn't resist pairing the dress with some sky high velvet platforms and minimal jewelry to keep up with the vintage character of the dress. Because the dress was so fun to wear, I had to resist the urge to spin the skirt around and around all night. Which was probably a good thing since I spent the night out with some of the girls at the swankiest bar in town. See, I've got self restraint. Just not around clothing stores. Or beauty products. Or shoe stores. Or designer bags. Or red velvet cupcakes.  Wait, what were we talking about again?

The Color Orange

Top - Love Story, Shoes, Skirt - H&M, Ring - Borrowed (sister)

Lately, it seems like I can't get enough of any item of clothing that even has the slightest orange hue. Considering I spent the first twenty years of my life staying away from orange, it's pretty remarkable that I find myself continually gravitating toward it now. And while I've been known on this blog to rock the orange with an equally fun, bright, and contrasting color, this outfit makes me realize how nice orange pieces can look with muted neturals as well. I love how the polka dots on this shirt keep it from being just your average old white top and that they gives me a chance to wear these heels from H&M that I've had for months on my shoe rack, begging me daily to be worn. Yes, I personify my clothes and shoes and accessories. They have feelings and personalities and emotions ... and I'll stop talking now before you call the paddy wagon.
 

I can't tell you how excited I am for the weekend. It has been an extremely long and tiring week, and I am looking forward to a chance to recharge my batteries, in between celebrating a belated anniversary dinner with Boyfriend (can you believe we both forgot to celebrate on the actual day three weeks ago?) and having a much-needed girls' night out. Happy weekend, everyone! 



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

One-of-a-Kind

Dress - Vintage (hemmed); Shoes - F21

I have been absolutely dying to wear this dress on the blog for AGES. It's my favorite vintage piece (so far). I just love the bright color, the light chiffon fabric, and the poufy, ruched sleeves. I also love how it's fancy and yet understated at the same time, but mostly I love how it's so unique! There is just something so satisfying about wearing an outfit that you are absolutely sure no one else at the party could possibly be wearing. That "one-of-a-kind" quality that comes with most vintage clothing is one of my favorite parts about vintage shopping. Another is the fact that I can take something that looks just OK and turn it into something fabulous. Like this dress, which was nearly ankle-length when I bought it. I just knew that if I could chop about two to feet off the hem that I could turn an oddly conservative, old-fashioned looking granny dress into a knockout party dress.  Was I right, or was I right?

Sorry for the picture overload on this one, I just couldn't resist giving this dress some extra "air" time because I love it so much.

It's So Simple

Dress - F21 (gifted), Ring - Bloomingdale's (gifted), Watch, Bracelet - Vintage

It's usually during September and the beginning of October that I am so thankful to be living in California, where the warm temperatures and sunshine can make me almost pretend it's still summer. (Can you tell that I am super in denial about the approach of fall? I promise I'll stop whining about it soon!) I am continuing my love affair with orange with this gorgeous dress that my sister bought me. She is my bestest friend and biggest fashion inspiration, and she knows how much I can't resist pairing orange with teal like I last did here. This dress makes it easy on me by putting the turquoise in the orange dress. It's like they're in the computer. It's so simple. Hopefully you get that movie reference because it's one of my all-time faves. If you didn't, sorry for the random non sequitur.

I can not wait for this weekend to get started. I'm making my way down to LA for a short trip to attend a swanky little rooftop party thrown by my ever fashionable friend L, a mini-college reunion since an old girlfriend is coming into town, and my dad's birthday party. You know what that means. Good food and friends? Yes. But more importantly, fun outfits! I'm especially excited to rock a "new" vintage dress that I recently had altered. It's been sitting in my closet, saying "wear me! wear me!" for months. Yes, my clothes talk to me. And no, I don't talk back. Unless I'm really lonely.

Have a lovely weekend, loves!

Fall Back

Romper - Calypso St. Barth for Target, Ring - ModCloth

As much as I hate to admit it, I keep seeing signs all around that summer is nearly over. Today, I stepped out of work at my normal time (7ish) and was astounded at how dark it was. Then I cried a little inside. Then I tripped over a rock in the parking lot. I don't function well on shorter days.

So I'm on a mission to wear a lot of my summery clothes while I still can, like this linen Calypso St. Barth for Target romper. It's so cool and comfortable, and I love that it's a halter romper. I have more rompers and skirts and sundresses to wear before the weather turns too cold, which is stressing me out a bit, but I'm trying to focus on the positives.  Lately, I've also been trying to pump myself up for fall by thinking of all the fun things that fall brings. Crisp air. Halloween (i.e. candy!). Creative remixing of summer pieces. Curling up under a soft, fleece blanket with a good book and a bowl of kettle corn. Basketball season (hopefully!). New season of TV shows. Holidays. Scarves. And of course my absolute FAVORITE thing about fall...pumpkin flavored ANYTHING! My perfect meal would include pumpkin bread, pumpkin frozen yogurt, pumpkin pie shake from Jack in the Box, and a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I. Love. Me. Some. Pumpkin.

What are you looking forward to come fall? 

Supergirl

Top - Mall store, Skirt - F21, Shoes - ModCloth

I feel like every article I've ever read on colorblocking tells you that the safe rule of thumb to color blocking properly is to choose colors that are near each other on the colorwheel.  Well, I've never been much for rules of any sort, let alone rules of fashion, so here is the perfect outfit to demonstrate how I think breaking the rules can lead to some fantastic results. Red and blue are nearly opposite each other on the colorwheel, so I feel like we rarely think of pairing them together, but I think these two vibrant hues play so well of each other and just love how this outfit turned out. Plus, the colors remind me of Supergirl, and who doesn't want to look like a butt-kicking female super hero? I wanted to keep the outfit edgy and fun, so I went with these new heels I purchased from ModCloth that I love love love!

I have been searching for the most perfect leopard print pumps for ages, and I finally found them. I love the tan color, the perfect extra large spots, and the cone heel, which is so different from the type of heels I've seen out there. I can already think of tons of ways to wear them come fall and winter. Of course, they might not be as edgy and Supergirl's shiny, bright red knee-high boots, but I still think she'd approve. Not all of us can be Amazon women in unitards and tall plastic boots everyday, but some of us do try our best every once in a while.