Spring Fling

Hi Lovelies!  Inspired by the beauty that is spring, I wanted to create a few looks for you: for work, date night, and the weekend.  These three stylings really sum up my weekly rotation of outfits - heavy on the work wear [hello, 50+ hour workweek!], date nights [every other week], and the weekend [my all time fave].  When I think spring, I think floral, lace, delicate, pastel, soft, light colors, and just . . . pretty.  What's your favorite look for spring?

[For Work]

I absolutely love this dress, you instantly look polished in it.

 This is one of my go-to work bags.  The top handle and structure make it a perfect fit.

 If these colors and flowers don't scream spring, I don't know what does.

[Date Night]

 I love pairing this little floral bustier with anything high waisted and could've easily transitioned it to weekend wear by slapping on some high waisted denim, a sweater, and flats.

 Although my boyfriend loves when I enhance my eyes, I just can't stay away from a good bold lip!

 I've been holding off on styling these shoes for an edgier / nighttime look, but they're actually a lot more casual and comfortable than they look.

[Weekend Wear]

 I thought my most dainty of my three pup companions would be perfect for this look (:

 I've wanted an off-the-shoulder top for a while and for some reason have never added one to my repertoire.  This one is perfect as it's so wearable and can be dressed up or down.

Denim, studs, and fringe. What more could a girl ask for?

What I'm Wearing in Look 1:

Earrings - Gifted

Bangle - Bebe

Dress - Mint & Pink [< - - click the link!]

Purse and shoes - Forever 21

What I'm Wearing in Look 2:

Bustier, clutch, ring, and armlet - Forever 21

Skirt - NY&CO.

Shoes - Crossroads Trading Co.

What I'm Wearing in Look 3:

Choker and backpack - Forever 21

Blouse - Bliss Boutique [< - - click the link!]

Denim - Gifted

Shoes - Wanted Shoes

*This post is sponsored by Mint & Pink and Bliss Boutique

Country Livin'

Hi Guys!  We are settling into our new country home quite nicely.  Being in this new environment and town has got me really embracing this lifestyle and inspired to create western looks.  Not to mention I have been drinking beer and watching Urban Cowboy the whole weekend [YEE HAW!]  Overall I find that I try and plan blog posts but end up reverting to whatever feels right in that moment.  Namely whatever I am immediately affected by - my environment, what I have to do, my mood, etc.  I won't stop planning [since I am a planner by nature], but it's interesting how what I do plan can do a complete 180 in a matter of a few days. Hope you all had a nice weekend.  We didn't get everything [or a lot of things] accomplished that we wanted to, but I think all-in-all it was a nice weekend and the essentials were covered ;)

I started the weekend off with pigtails because . . . WHY NOT?

I love putting the camera a little lower and angling it up.  Makes any stems look longer and leaner than they really are :x

Go uptown, New York City biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiish.

What's more country than concho and fringe?  IDK, but when you find out, LMK.

NYX is my new favorite lipstick brand.  They are cheap, easy to wear, and come in the most beautiful range of colors.

A little acid wash never hurt anyone!! [one of my many mottos]

I wanted to the end the weekend with a sweet Sunday look.

Of course I can never be too sweet [HA HA], so I had to edge it up with a denim / hoodie jacket and studs.

I love how different sizes of floral patterns can give you such different looks.

What I'm Wearing in Look 1:

Necklace - Gifted

Tank - Necessary Clothing

Shorts - American Apparel

Boots - Wanted Shoes

What I'm Wearing in Look 2:

Hat, Tank, and Bag - F21

Necklace - Crossroads

Denim - Echo Clubhouse

Boots - Wanted Shoes

What I'm Wearing in Look 3:

Jean Jacket, Choker, Rings, and Booties - F21

Dress - Bliss Boutique [< - - click the link!]

*This post is sponsored by Bliss Boutique

Mortal Kombat

Last night I received a notification that the blogger fashionlaine liked one of my posts on Instagram.  Naturally I went on over to her Instagram and subsequently her blog.  Her bio on Insta reads 'Be what you want.  Wear what you want.'  So simple, but I think it's a great reminder to embrace your sense of self when it comes to style and fashion.  Sometimes I can get caught up in wanting to emulate a certain image.  Look a certain way.  Send across a particular message.  Whether something might be "too much".  Or people might think "who the h-e-l-l does she think she is wearing something like that?"  When really I should be wearing whatever the heck I want!  I'll be happier knowing I'm being true to my self, and I think other people will be happier that I'm presenting the most genuine / raw version of myself.  Ordinarily I would overanalyze the outfit below.  I would think oh, I can't do ripped jeans, camo print, AND fringe.  That is just too, too much.  But instinctually when I looked in my closet this morning, this is exactly what I wanted to wear.  So I went with it!

I like to call this I'm-tired-couldn't-be-bothered-to-style-it's-cold-I'm-going-to-be-outside-first-day hair.

These jeans are unbelievably comfy and actually quite flattering on the rear.

I love how fun this shirt is.  I think the fringe detailing adds extra oomph to an otherwise pretty casual piece.

I really don't know what it is with me and camo.  I can't even pinpoint the moment in time where this love affair began.  '...but there's somethin bout your love that makes me weak...and knocks-me-off-my-feet.'

Knapsack guard in action #WOOF

What I'm Wearing:

Necklace - Ibiss

Top, Jacket, and Jeans - Crossroads

Bangles - Thrifted

Backpack - F21

Shoes - Wanted Shoes

Fashion Resolution: Repurpose

Another one of my fashion resolutions is to 'Repurpose'.  Repurpose clothing so that I can wear it year-round instead of having a strictly winter wardrobe, summer wardrobe, etc.  This can be a little tricky when it's cold outside and you don't want to bother with reinventing summer pieces and think about exactly how you are going to layer everything and still make it look chic.  Personally when I'm cold, I don't want to think about it.  Most of the time it's a sweater, beanie, jeans, boots, and I'm done.  Especially when it's in the morning / getting ready for work.  My feet are going in socks immediately and I'm grabbing the first clean item that will warm me up.  But i think there's value in taking time to think about how you can wear off-season pieces in different ways.  By taking a few hours on the weekend to come up with different outfits, you can save time getting dressed during the week.  And of course there's the monetary value of getting more bang for your buck the more you wear something.

I repurposed this summer dress by pairing it with a blazer, leggings, and boots.

It actually warmed up quite a bit today and while I was shooting out in the sun, I was able to remove the blazer and still refrain from being cold.  Plus I wanted to give you an idea of what the dress looked like without the blazer (:

I love how forgiving this dress is.  It's form-fitting but has the ruching detail that hides imperfections.  And lord knows I have not been wor-kin-on-my-fit-ness.

No pictures of the dogs today, so I thought I'd wear my dog whistle in spirit.  Only kidding, but they were just a little too hyper for photos today.  I think they know this is their last day to party before MONDAY (my arch nemesis).

I also like the winter floral feel of this dress.  I feel like the dark colors and purples make it less summer-y.

What I'm Wearing:

Dress and Boots - Crossroads Trading Co

Blazer - Francesca's 

Necklace - Stella and Dot

Leggings - Sportsmart

Purse - F21

Not So Basic Black

It's "fall" in California and I'm still comfortable as I am dressed below.  I wanted to create an all black look and figured I would go with this mini skirt that I rarely wear.  I love the 60s vibe with the daisy cutouts on the sides.  I'm pushing 30 so I better make the most of this skirt while I still can :D

My top picks to keep you trending cheaply:

 

From left to right (click the links!)

Retro Sunglasses - Isaac Mizrahi - $48.00

Retro Square Sunglasses  Kohl's - $9.99

Retro Style Big Frames - Chic Nova - $8.50

Zaballa Tank - Anthropologie - $39.95

Silence+Noise Backless Tank - Urban Outfitters - $29.99

Lend Me your Tiers Tank - LuLus - $25.00

Retro Sunglasses - Isaac Mizrahi - $48.00

Retro Square Sunglasses  Kohl's - $9.99

Retro Style Big Frames - Chic Nova - $8.50

Cut-Out Mini Wrap Skirt - Topshop - $40.00

Paloma Pleated Tulip Skirt - BCBG - $44.00

Leather Mini Skirt - LuLus - $43.00

Lace-Up High Heel Booties - LuLus - $29.00

Scrunch Ankle Booties - Macys - $39.99

Peep-Toe Wedge Booties - JCPenny - $34.99

---My Outfit Details---

(click the store name for links!)

Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

Tank - Supre'

Bangles - Thrifted, Forever 21, and Bebe

Necklace - Francescas

Mini Skirt and Booties - Forever 21

Remix: Hippie Headband

Something I absolutely love doing is choosing one item and seeing how many outfits I can come up with based around that one thing.  It forces me to think creatively and express myself in multiple different ways, oftentimes outside of my comfort zone.  I posted these three outfits on Instagram, and the verdict came in: most people preferred the pink look.  Which one's your fave??

Headband - F21

Denim Shirt - F21

Bralette - Francescas

Skirt - Francescas

Shoes - F21

Bag - F21

Necklace - Stella and Dot

Earrings - Francescas

Top - Crossroads

Bag - F21

Shorts - F21

Booties - F21

Dress - Purchased at a market while traveling in New Zealand

Backpack - Target

Denim Shirt - F21

Bracelets - Thrifted, F21, and Ibiss Boutique

Shoes - Thrifted