In the Emerald City

Top - Vince Camuto, Belt - Banana Republic, Skirt - Vintage

Almost exactly a year ago, a long treasure hunt for a vintage green pencil skirt ended in a teeny thrift/vintage shop in North Lake Tahoe. I'm not sure why I craved a green skirt like this at the time, but when I heard that emerald green was THE color for the spring season, I unabashedly patted myself on the back for being so fashion forward. Sure, it's possible that I'm such a shopaholic that my desire for a green pencil skirt stemmed from nothing more than an obsession to own things in all colors, but I'll pretend that it's actually because I'm just so ahead of my time.  I've been planning all sorts of ways to wear this skirt, but I knew my first foray for the season had to include my new leopard skinny belt. I love how emerald and leopard complement each other. It should have been a cowardly leopard that went to see the Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City, not a cowardly lion, dontcha think? Of course, if someone's got a lion print belt out there, I'll stand corrected. 

Sometimes Slouchy

Sweater - Banana Republic, Jeans - JBrand, Boots - Urban Outfitters, Tee- Target

Just because I'm a girly girl who loves frilly, feminine clothing and accessories and the like doesn't mean that I don't like to be comfortable. All winter, I was on the hunt for the perfect slouchy, oversized cardigan that I could pair with a dress just as easily as jeans. This cardigan, which I FINALLY FOUND, is perfect. It's thick knit makes me think of a comfy throw blanket, and wearing it makes me feel all warm and snuggly. It's like wearing a teddy bear or a Snuggie, without making people think you're a crazy person. 

Even though I'm a little bummed that I probably won't get a ton of use out of this sweater this year as the weather has been warming up, it's been a go-to for me in the cool evenings when I need something to throw over a dress or a short-sleeve shirt and jeans. Now if I could only get this snuggly thing to feed me chocolate and wine, it would really be the ultimate comfort-wear.

Have a great weekend, lovelies!   

I Love Lucy

Dress - ModCloth, Bracelet - Vintage, Pearls - Gifted, Lipstick - Milani

Over the weekend, a dear friend of mine had an "I Love Lucy" themed bridal shower, which is a dream for someone like me who absolutely loves having a chance to play dress up. I already had the dress, since my love for vintage and vintage-inspired wear goes far beyond one party. All I needed were a few finishing "Lucy" touches, like the pearls (of course), the red lipstick, and the petticoat, which I just love. There's something so...Gone With the Wind about a petticoat, even a short one like this, and I'm wondering why women everywhere stopped wearing them. For a curvy girl, they accentuate your waist and expertly cover any "wobbly bits," as Bridget Jones would say. I'm going to try and see if I can figure out ways to wear it more often, although for now, Boyfriend has restricted to allowing me to wear it only in the confines of my own home.

I also tried to do a 50s pin-up makeup look, which was challenging for someone with my skin tone. Luckily (after a lot of Googling), I found a red lipstick that suits Asian coloring, and voila! Instant 50s. I hardly EVER wear red lipstick, but I have to admit that I felt ultra glamorous in it. I might try to figure out a way to incorporate it more into my look. Maybe with the petticoat. While I do the dishes.

Cute centerpieces!

UH-mazing cake...

Cutest party favors...aprons that we wore over our 50s wear.

Maxi-mum Versatility

Dress - F21, Jacket - Gap, Sunnies - Foster Grants, Watch - Target

I'm not sure if it's because the seasons are transitioning or because jeans can just sometimes feel very binding on a curvy girl, but I have been so addicted to jersey maxi dresses lately. They're so simple and uncomplicated but give the impression that you put a lot of thought into your outfit. A black maxi like this one has become a serious closet staple for me. It's can be casual or fancy, dressed up or dressed down, but it's always comfortable, no matter how you doll it up. I've already worn this dress belt-less with an infinity scarf, with a colored belt and funky jewelry, and even with motorcycle boots for an edgier look. Its versatility is making it rise quickly in the ranks of go-to pieces in my closet.

Ever since I bought this maxi (for like $12 no less), I have been hunting for more and more maxis to add to my wardrobe. It's a challenge for a shorty like me because maxis are usually too long for me, and jersey is such a pain to hem (So I've been told, I can barely thread a needle). One little tip I've figured out with maxis though is that you can belt them with a wide belt (like I did here), and tuck some of the length up under the belt. Voila! Instantly shorter hem, and I didn't even have to pull out the sewing kit. Again, I imagine that's what you do when you need to hem something. I don't own a sewing kit.

Wine, Dine and More Wine

Sweater - F21, Dress, Boots - ModCloth

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to meet up with some friends in Napa for some delicious wine tasting, some good eats, and some fabulous company. After a few tastings, I tried not to fall over since I'm a lightweight to take outfit photos and just loved the gorgeous scenery that you find all over Napa Valley. I particularly love the clouds rolling off in the background after the rain cleared up and the sunshine came out.

With spring weather (finally!) upon us, I couldnt' resist breaking out a dress...and a springy, floral dress at that. To tone down the girly, I went with a grandpa sweater and my fave lace-up boots to complete the look. I love combining frilly and casual pieces to balance things out. Plus, the dress (with an elastic waist) proved to be the perfect complement to a day that was spent gorging on Ad Hoc fried chicken, creamy cheeses, meats, wines, more wines, and then more wines. Kudos to the Boyfriend for being able to take these pictures with a steady hand after drinking. The ability to take drunken outfit photos is one of my prerequisites for a man. What a keeper.

Going Casual

If you're not a stranger to this blog, then you know that I sometimes struggle with dressing casually. I'm just one of those odd girls that feels much more comfortable in a dress and heels than jeans and flats. But every so often, when I'm feeling bold and daring, I try to do the casual thing, and I think to myself..."Wow, so THIS is why so many people go the casual route. I'm so...I'm so...COMFORTABLE." 

I challenged myself this past week to style a T-shirt and with some jeans and flats. It was rough. It was painful. It was stressful. I felt so plain and boring and unaccessorized. Then I realized...I can accessorize! I added this pretty printed scarf and some simple jewelry, and voila! I felt a little bit more like myself. I also love how wearing a scarf in the same color (as opposed to contrasting colors like I usually do) had the cool effect of making the print on the scarf really pop. 

I feel a little like Joan Cusack's adorably tacky character in Working Girl when she tells Melanie Griffith that an elegant, sophisticated black dress "needs some bows or something." I need accessories! Scarves! Bells! Whistles! But I always wonder why I feel like an outfit isn't an outfit if it doesn't have all those additional touches. Am I adorably tacky?! My sister's style is always ultra simple and uncomplicated, and she looks sophisticated and fabulous. 

What about you? Is your look simple and complicated? Or does it needs some bows or something? 

To Taupe it Off

Top - F21, Jeans - J-Brand, Booties - Marshall's

I have spent months and months searching for the perfect pair of suede taupe booties. And let me tell you, it was rough out there. Some were too brown, some were too grey. Some were too high, some were too low. Some were too country, some were too city. I almost gave up all hope and wandered the streets in despair. Gosh, life is so hard. But then, salvation came in the form of $16 clearance booties at my local Marshall's. They look a little grayer than they are in the photos, but they are the perfect shade of taupe I was looking for. Whoo hoo! They're also a size too small, but with some Crisco, the jaws of life, and some foot binding, I can wear them. I kid, I kid. They are a tad snug, but they fit well enough for $16!  

Now I want a pair of beige ones...do I dare start the long and discouraging quest again? Yes, I am the queen of First World Problems, I know.

Happy Hump Day, y'all!



Easter Egg

Dress - H&M, Blazer - Nordstrom Rack, Shoes - JustFab

Even though I spent most of the weekend sick in bed, I mustered up all the energy I had to celebrate Easter in my best spring colorblock look yesterday. I have been wanting to try this outfit for a while, after I saw this pin, and I figured Easter was a great day to try out looking as pastel-y as an Easter egg. I love Easter. I love getting up early, dressing up in my Easter best, seeing the church all decorated in pretty spring flowers, and watching all the adorable kids participating in egg hunts in their Sunday best. It also makes me realize every year that spring is just around the corner, and I do a little happy dance. Although this year, the happy dance made me pass out on the couch from fatigue because of this stupid cold I can't seem to kick.

On the plus side, being in bed all weekend meant I got to catch up on bad movies I've been meaning to watch when I literally have nothing better to do. I was pleasantly surprised by Rock of Ages. I loved every song that was in it and did a horribly hoarse singalong from under my covers as I watched (my poor dog was probably wishing she could cover her ears). I also felt very old for liking/knowing every song in it. I guess I'm truly an 80's baby, except that means I'm far from being a baby anymore. Sigh. I need to find me some Easter candy to cheer myself up immediately.