TBMD

These shoes. These pants. Yep, another outfit featuring these two again. I've been wearing them almost everyday since purchasing. Chalk it up to a comfort phase that I'm going through.

Today's outfit is a copy of this Pinterest image that I stumbled across. So simple and comfortable, what more can I ask for? I'll be wearing this all throughout spring.

Have a great weekend!

Hosted by Couture Coco, Petite Fashion Challenge #14: Holiday Emergency has us styling a travel outfit into a special evening look using whatever you carry in your purse and anything else immediately at hand (for a pre-booked dinner date due to a luggage delay).

Since I'm not a great traveler, I'm once again coming up with outfits that I would wear in my daydreams (exotic locales are only a thought away!)

For traveling: I kept my outfit comfortable with some layers (for temperature changes), flat shoes, and free of jewelry (hate holding up the line at airport security). A roomy bag was also a must for my carry-on items. I cheated with this challenge and just so happened to pack dressy shoes and a scarf. In reality, both items do come in handy. A scarf is great as another extra layer in case what you're wearing isn't warm enough. I also like to store odd-shaped items like shoes in my carry-on instead of using shoe boxes with checked luggage.

For dinner date: A quick change in the airport bathroom involving a shoe swap, unrolling of pants' hem, rearranging the top, and convenient accessories additions later, I emerge ready for my dinner reservation. No wallowing in sorrow for my lost luggage... until after a delicious meal. Or hey, there's always shopping at the new destination.

I went a little overboard today -- folds, drapes, pastels, flowers, I've got it all covered. Spring is finally here! Now if allergies will just go away, then I'll be all set.

Today's outfit is my take on the navy blazer with white pants look typically worn by men, topped off with a neon pink tee. I felt right at home strolling along a semi-deserted golf course :)

Have a great weekend!

A big thanks to everyone who shared their opinions to my Sperry dilemma. In the end, practicality won out and I chose to keep the linen/oat pair. The colors are neutral enough to be worn year-round and I won't be mistaken for a big kid (even though I act like one). If I ever decide to go for a second pair, you bet I'll be picking out something bright and colorful :)

I was trying to capture sun flares in today's outfit photos for no reason other than I love the look. Instead of one or two pretty rays shooting across the photo, I got what looks like the entire sun, lol. I tried guys, I really tried! No amount of Photoshop (to my knowledge) could fix it, so you'll have to use your imagination for this one: the skirt and blazer are solid black and gray respectively, but the black top has ruffles and polka dots.

I've been toying with the idea of boat shoes for awhile, for those days when ballet flats feel too dressy but flip flops are too casual. In terms of style, they certainly appeal to my preppy and tomboy sides. I've mainly heard positives on the comfort level, with varying experiences on the breaking-in period. So the hunt begins...

I first visited my local DSW and tried on a pair of Sperry Intrepid in my usual size 6. I found them to run true to size and width for my normal-to-wide feet. They were as comfortable as many had mentioned (hard to tell if they will need to be broken in until I wear them for an extended period of time). The shoe vamp was low and short, so combine that with my narrow heel, my foot was flip-flopping out as I walked. Tightening the laces helped but that means I won't be able to lazily slip my foot in and out with the laces tied.

While I was mulling over the pair I tried on, I suddenly had an ah ha! moment. Why not give the kids' version a try to save some money? I ended up ordering another style in kids, the Sperry Top-Sider Bluefish in size 4 wide US Big Kid (sold here) in two colors: linen/spring plaid (below left) and linen/oat (below right).

The kids' Bluefish came in two widths, regular and wide. I chose the kids' wide based on reviews and they are indeed comparable to the normal width in women's. If you have narrow feet, I'd recommend giving the regular width in kids' a shot.

I wish I had also ordered the Intrepid along with the Bluefish for side-by-side comparisons. Basing solely on memory and feel, the kids' Bluefish did not flip-flop on my feet like the women's Intrepid did, so I'd venture to guess that 1) the shoe vamp on the kids' Bluefish is higher than the women's Intrepid or 2) the women's Intrepid has been stretched out from numerous wears in store. It's entirely possible that the kids' Bluefish will stretch out with time, but it's a risk I'm willing to take. Now I just have to decide which color to keep. Would you vote for oat or spring plaid?

I thought I was trying something new with today's outfit... until I remembered this one from my archives. Same dress, same accessories, a jacket, different top (but worn the same way). Ahhh... chalk it up to faulty short term memory ;)

Today's outfit is inspired by a couple pinned images (1, 2) and created using Monique @ petite avenue's ever-so-helpful tutorial. The result? A little whimsy with my go-to color palette of choice, pink and blue.

Note to self: try with a longer scarf next time.

Today's outfit features a few oldies, some of which have been getting a lot of wears, others not so much. I feel like I haven't shopped in ages (equivalent to only a couple weeks in real time, lol). Instead, I've been rediscovering and restyling items from my closet in different ways. In some cases, it was discovering items with tags still on. Sigh.

I'd attribute my lack of shopping to a combination of factors: 1) No spring trends have caught my eye, 2) recent warm weather makes wearing old items feel like new again, 3) not able to justify paying retail for new items only to see it sold out in a few days (hindsight is always 20/20).

Just wait and watch. Knowing me I'll be singing a different tune next week today. I went and ordered boat shoes this morning -_-

Are there any spring trends you've been jumping aboard on?

I usually buy new items with styling ideas in mind and how they would fit with my current wardrobe. Rarely do I buy new pieces together for a complete outfit. Many weeks ago, I did just this. I had pictured this white sleeveless blazer/vest over a cute LBD with pointy-toed shoes. The shoes were a success, the LBD not so much, and the vest I had to think over. I kept putting off the thinking until the return deadline passed, so now what do I do with a lab coat-like vest? I turned to my trusty gingham shirt for a preppy look. I also see potential with the vest paired with a floaty sundress, or with my white linen pants (just have to make sure I infuse some colors or I'll end up looking like Kobe).

How would you style a white sleeveless blazer?

I love the draped front of my striped top, but wanted a more streamlined look today. Wearing the top backwards gives me the boatneck look in front and a slight dip in back (unfortunately hidden by the blazer for most of the day). I don't know why I haven't tried this sooner -- perhaps in fear of the tag showing? Good thing that's only an issue if you look really closely ;)

Today's outfit is a preppy cliché. Sweater over shoulder? Bow tie? Monogrammed bag? Pier setting? Checkkk! All that's missing is a row of docked boats in the background ;)

Hope you're having a great Thursday!

I live in Virginia, but most of the locals will tell you that the northern part doesn't feel very southern. There is little southern hospitality, not many speak with a southern twang (y'all does slip past my lips once in awhile), and life is generally very fast paced. To sum it up, the region doesn't really have a sense of identity and instead is full of workaholic transients.

I hate to say it, but I've never fully appreciated the area I live in (darn you traffic for messing with my head!) Amidst all the changes over the years, there are still remnants of the South, in the historical landmarks, architecture, and even some of the food. So as the weather warms up, I've promised myself to slow down and smell the roses so to speak. Truly take in my surroundings, both the old and the new.

Every once in awhile I try to mix things up here on the blog. Many outfits are experiments as I dip my foot out of my comfort zone. As a result, many looks are misses more so than hits. Today's trial item is a pair of leggings. I've been tucking skinny/straight jeans into boots, but can never avoid the bunching around the knees. Leggings solved that issue, but now I have no idea what to wear on top. I don't own any long sweaters or tunics, so that left a makeshift dress belted to resemble a tunic and a long boyfriend cardigan. Final verdict after seeing photos? Ehh.

How do you like to pair leggings?

Whoa, blogging everyday for the last five days? I haven't done that since... the last 30 for 30 challenge. I've run out of things to write about, so instead I hope y'all have a great weekend ahead!

I wore this outfit a few weekends ago to the movies with my bf. I think it was his first time seeing me wear this faux-fur vest because when I walked out, his expression looked like this -- body recoiled back, mixture of fear and disgust flitting across his face. The closer I walked towards him, the more he backed away. You'd think I was a bully about to steal his lunch money. Instead, all I wanted to do was show him that the vest doesn't shed like what he's imagining. Of course as I demonstrated, strands of fur floated slowly to the ground, hahaha. Sigh. So much for backing up my case.