Draping

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I adore draped garments for their flowy movement and the way tucks and folds transform an otherwise simple silhouette. A tulip skirt and a grecian dress later, now I can finally add this draped blazer to my wardrobe. I've been wanting it since last summer, but couldn't find the gray version in my size anywhere. I think I was late to the game, thinking stores hadn't received shipment yet when they were already out on shelves. Many people have tried helping me find it (too many to name, but thank you all!) to no avail. I then turned to stalking eBay, but nada. When Annie (thank you again!) offered to sell me hers, I jumped for joy even though it's a size smaller than what I had been looking for, lol.

For the most part, I'd say the blazer ended up working out. The shoulders feel fine on me but looks a bit tight in pictures. The sleeves hit me around the wrist bone, but it's not a big deal because I roll them up. Next on the to-hunt list, H&M riding boots that showed up on their website but was nowhere to be found in stores.

blazer: H&M draped (similar)
tee: H&M (similar)
belt: J.Crew piped glitter (similar)
jeans: Express (similar)

Shorts with Tights

Sunday, January 29, 2012

The last time bf bought an Old Navy Groupon, I left with $5 shorts. Fast forward a few months and it's like déjà vu all over again. Except this time around, I paid a whopping 25 cents! These shorts were on the clearance rack marked down to 97 cents, with an additional 50% off last weekend, and then another 50% off with the Groupon on top of that. This is hands down the steal of my lifetime.

What's the best deal you've ever gotten?

sunglasses: Old Navy round metal-hardware (similar; similar)
scarf: gift from friend (similar)
turtleneck: H&M basic jersey (may still be in stores; similar)
ring: Forever 21 delicate etchings (similar
shorts: Old Navy pleated cuffed (similar)
tights: American Eagle classic (this season's sold here)

*Photo thanks to my bf

Lace and Pearls

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Yup, it's another outfit with this lace dress. This time, styled in a daytime look for winter. I tend to play it safe when "winterizing" items, so black is often the accent color of choice. Pearls and a long coat rounded out the look.

Hope you're having a great Thursday!

sunglasses: Old Navy round metal-hardware (similar; similar)
turtleneck: H&M basic jersey (may still be in stores; similar)
ring: Forever 21 pearlescent cluster (similar)
tights: American Eagle classic (this season's sold here)

Cargos

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

My last pair of cargo pants was a boot-cut style that I bought back in college. I must have worn and washed it hundreds of times until one day I noticed a big ol' rip down the backside. I'd like to think that I was the first to discover the tear, but for all I know, a picture could've been snapped and uploaded without me realizing. Let's just say I've been more careful about inspecting my clothes since.

I was happy to find a skinny pair from Zara during their recent holiday sale. The fit isn't great but I love the style, so it's a keeper for me. Crossing my fingers that this pair has just as long of a lifespan as the last... without the same outcome.

blazer: H&M boyfriend (similar)
pants: Zara TRF cargo trousers (sold here)

Snow Snow Snow

Sunday, January 22, 2012

A casual outfit to run errands in before going home to watch footballlllll. Oh, and to spend time and eat with family. Happy Lunar New Year!

scarf: gift from SewPetiteGal (shop her Etsy store)
jackets: American Eagle surplus anorak (similar; similar);
Abercrombie & Fitch denim (similar)
top: American Eagle slouchy v (similar)
belt: Old Navy tie
gloves: Forever 21 cable knit fingerless (similar)
jeans: Hollister boot destroyed (sold here; similar
boots: North Face Nuptse Fur II (this season's sold here)

Lost and Found

Thursday, January 19, 2012

I dug up a few outfit pictures from last year that were lost in the shuffle (aka passed over for better ones at the time). Upon further inspection, some sure do look repetitive. Hopefully I'll be back in the swing of things soon with appropriate seasonal outfits. In the meantime, I'll be counting down the days to spring.

sunglasses: Old Navy (similar); ring: Amrita Singh (sold here); flower pin: Old Navy (similar); necklace: Forever 21 (similar); top: ASOS (similar); skirt: Forever 21 (similar); bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar); flats: Mossimo (similar)

scarf: Collection 18 (similar); top: Abercrombie & Fitch (similar); shirt: Gap (similar); bracelet: Forever 21 (similar); pants: LOFT (similar); clutch: Rebecca Minkoff; flats: Old Navy (similar)

necklace: J.Crew; shirt: Hollister (similar); top: American Eagle (similar); ring: Spotted Moth via Kendi's giveaway (similar); skirt: J.Crew (sold here); bag: Chanel (similar); flats: Valentino (similar)

scarf: eBay (sold here); blazer: theory (similar); top: LOFT (similar); belt: J.Crew (similar); ring: H&M (similar); skirt: Old Navy (similar); bag: Chanel (similar); shoes: Nine West (sold here)

sunglasses: Old Navy (similar); necklace: J.Crew (similar); shirt: J.Crew (similar); blazer: theory (similar); belt: Zara Girl (similar); bracelet: Forever 21 (similar); ring: Forever 21 (sold here); skirt: Zara (sold here); bag: Longchamp (sold here); shoes: Zara (sold here)

Zips and Fringe

Monday, January 16, 2012

I love everything about the Pinterest image that inspired today's outfit. Her color pairings, the starchiness of the scarf, grey skinnies, the black pointy pumps! Minus the scarf, everything else is going on my ever-growing wishlist.

Hope you had a great Monday!

scarf: American Eagle plaid lurex (similar; similar)
scarf ring as ring: Talbots - gift from Elle (similar)

Pink & Red

Friday, January 13, 2012

Hello three-day weekend! If you're off Monday too, I hope you have a great one!

sunglasses: Old Navy round metal-hardware (similar; similar)
scarf: gift from SewPetiteGal (shop her Etsy store)
coat: American Eagle classic peacoat (this season's sold here)
gloves: Lord & Taylor wrist-length silk lined leather (sold here)

In Limbo

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Lately, the weather can't make up its mind, so neither can I. A thin jacket to go with a cowl scarf (thank you SPG for a wonderful post-holidays surprise!)? Sure, why the heck not. With all the spring collection items rolling in, warm weather can't come soon enough.

Hope you're having a great Wednesday!

sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar)
scarf: gift from SewPetiteGal (shop her Etsy store)
jacket: American Eagle surplus anorak (similar; similar)
tee: Old Navy split-neck tab-sleeve (similar)
flats: Mossimo Desta ballet (similar)

Japan, Philippines, and Taiwan in 17 Days

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Warning: Long and image heavy post ahead.

I experienced some of the most fun and worst times during my trip abroad. We were constantly on the move, not spending more than 3 nights at one location. I've come to appreciate the meaning of "living out of your suitcase." Kudos to those of you who travel often for work; I know I would be in one foul mood all the time. For this trip, I was lucky to travel with my cousin(s), who not only put up with my slacker ways (last minute planning among my many offenses), but also had to constantly wait for me while I took pictures*. Thank you S and T!

First stop: Japan. This was easily my favorite of the whole trip. I had an idea of what to expect thanks to helpful suggestions by SS and katattack2000 prior to landing, but the culture, the people, and the food all blew me away. If asked to describe the Japanese in 3 words, I would say: efficient, clean, and welcoming. Those are some serious praise in my world :)


Cousin S and I landed in Osaka around dinnertime. We were sleepy, famished, and cold, so our first order of business was to eat some hot ramen. While walking to our hotel, we happened to pass by one with a short line and decided to give it a try. Of all places, this shop turned out to be Ippudo! We quickly devoured our $10 bowls of ramen, which were as good (if not better) than NYC's. I didn't see pork buns on the menu, but we did see many locals eating what looked to be a fried rice dish.

Petite Fashion Challenge #12: From Night to Day

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Hosted by Khatu @ i am Khatu, Petite Fashion Challenge #12: From Night to Day has us restyling a glamorous look that you would typically wear for a night-out-on-the-town into daytime casual wear. Easy right? Bonus points if you can restyle it for work!

Coming up with three outfits for this challenge was hard. When I think glamour, I picture something fancy, sparkly, black, or a mix. I nixed out styling around my most versatile dress because I've already done that in a previous challenge. I also ruled out a skirt because it would probably be too short for most office environments. That leaves me with some sort of top as the common piece between all three outfits. After rummaging through my closet, a white sequin top it is*.

Night-out-on-the-town look: I chose a classic color combination of white against black. A little bling and (faux) leather adds some fun to a night look.
necklace: Ann Taylor winter sparkle (similar)
blazer: H&M boyfriend (similar)
top: Ann Taylor sequin front (similar; similar)
ring: Forever 21 pearlescent cluster (similar)
skirt: Forever 21 leatherette (similar)
tights: Forever 21 sheer (similar)
bag: Chanel M/L flap (similar)
shoes: Ann Taylor perfect patent (sold here)

Daytime casual look: Continuing with the white against black bottoms theme, I dressed down this outfit with a casual tee and fur vest.
vest: Zara Girl fur waistcoat (sold here; similar)
necklace: Forever 21 leaf accent (similar)
tee: Gap v-neck (similar)
belt: Express wide (similar)

Work-appropriate look: And lastly, I swapped out dark bottoms for a dark jacket up top.
pants: Express Editor luxury stretch (this season's version sold here)

*I've been known to interpret past challenges in my own way, so hopefully I read this one correctly.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Happy new year, everyone! My flight landed on New Year's Eve, but I did manage to stay up to see the clock strike midnight. Shortly after that I slept for a good 12 hours. Jetlag, I'm over you.

I'll be honest, my 2011 resolutions were promptly forgotten after a few months *ducks head* and only resurrected because it's a new year.

How did I do?
(1) I did manage to stop buying useless dresses. All the ones I've bought in 2011 have been worn at least twice, I believe. Some were worn more than that (as they should).
(2) Fat to weight ratio have probably remained the same but redistributed throughout the rest of my body. Once a lazy bum, always a lazy bum.
(3) I did end up taking a vacation (at the end of the year, just barely). High five!
(4) I've surprised myself with heels this year. Not only have I been wearing them more, I've been easing into 4" territory. I'm still quite the wobbly-walker but slowly gaining more balance.
(5) I broke this one and it happened only 5 months into the year.

All in all, 3 out of 5 isn't horrible. I don't think I'll be setting any for myself this year, because well, I'll probably forget about them in mere weeks. Again.

necklace: Etsy SewPetiteGal via giveaway (sold here)
tee: American Eagle deep v-neck (similar)
cardigan: J.Crew perfect-fit mixed-tape (sold here)
belt: J.Crew piped glitter (similar)
ring: Forever 21 delicate etchings (similar
pants: XOXO flared (similar)
shoes: Ann Taylor covered platform bootie (this season's version; similar)

30 for 30 abercrombie abercrombie & fitch accessories adidas adrienne vittadini agnes b alejandro ingelmo alexandre birman ali ro alternative apparel american eagle amrita singh ann taylor anthropologie apple aqua armani exchange articles of society asos award bag balenciaga banana republic barbour bath and body works bcbg bcbgirls beauty bebe bensoni biltmore for madewell blank nyc blog every day bloggers do it better bois du boulogne bp. brian nagourney burberry by malene birger c. wonder c/meo collective canada goose cara accessories carlos by carlos santana carolina bucci cartonnier caslon casual cb2 celebrities celine chanel chantecaille chelsea28 chicwish china glaze chloe christian louboutin citrus clothing clu too club monaco coach coffee shop cole haan collection collection 18 color brigade columbia crate & barrel crewcuts cuyana cynthia rowley david yurman dc deborah lippmann decor delman disney couture diy dogeared dressy dsquared2 ebay elizabeth and james elleme equipment esprit etsy everlane express featured fendi forever 21 frank & eileen free people gap gara danielle gibson giles & brother giveaway gorjana goyard grace gift gucci h&m halogen halogen x atlantic-pacific halston heritage haul hearth & hand heirloom finds hollister how to hue hunter ikea ilnp in real life inspired by iris & ink isabel marant ivanka trump j.crew jennifer chamandi jenny yuen jewelry jimmy choo john hardy jones new york joules julie vos kate spade kristin coffin l'oreal lanvin lanvin x h&m lesportsac levi's loeffler randall loft longchamp look for less looks like summer lord & taylor lou & grey love 21 lucy m.gemi mac macy's madewell maje make make up for ever manolo blahnik marc jacobs mary katrantzou massimo dutti maybelline mercedes-benz merona michael michael kors misc miu miu mlb modcloth mossimo moulinette soeurs msgm mvmt nadri new balance new balance for j.crew nike nina ricci nine west nordstrom north face nyc nyc new york color nyx old navy olivia burton opi oscar de la renta pfc pierrepont hicks piperlime plastic island pleione polene polo prabal gurung at j.crew proenza schouler ralph lauren ramblings raphaella booz reader mail rebecca minkoff red valentino reed wilson design review revlon river island robert rodriguez ross-simons rsvp saint james saint laurent sales sally hansen sam edelman schutz shashi shinhwa shoes shopbop shopping shopstyle simply vera vera wang sinful colors professional soia & kyo sole society sony sorel sorel for j.crew sperry sponsor spotted moth stella mccartney stephanie b strathberry stuart weitzman style file superdry t3 tadashi shoji tagged talbots target the container store the horse the limited theory tips & tricks too faced topshop tory burch tous colors toys travels ugg uniqlo uniqueen unknown valentino veque for j.crew vera bradley via spiga victoria's secret vince vince camuto vineyard vines walmart ways to wear west elm white house black market wishlist work xhilaration xoxo yearly summary ysl zac posen for target zara zella