Both outfits today feature the navy circle skirt that has been in constant rotation as of late. After wearing the skirt with fitted tops early on, I've been experimenting more with looser blouses in fun prints. I'm loving all these various combinations.

Have a good Wednesday, everyone!

Bloomingdale's Friends & Family is currently going on until 4/7. Use code FRIENDS for 20% off almost all items.
- Longchamp LM white tote is my workhorse bag (read review / see bag with outfits) - small size is $124 with code, large size is $140 with code
- Burberry Marystow trench coat (see outfits - I'm wearing sz 2) - $876 with code
- Sperry Top-Sider Bluefish boat shoes (read review / see outfits) - womens is $68 with code, kids is $44 with code

I've also had past success asking Nordstrom to price-match. I would print out a copy of the item from Nordstrom's website along with Bloomie's F&F (shoot me an email if you need one) to use in stores. Or if you prefer shopping online, chat with customer service and they should be able to add the discount.
Same items from this retailer: Longchamp tote (small with short handle, large size) / Burberry Marystow trench coat / Sperry shoes (womens, kids)

On to today's outfit. One of my favorite purchases from last summer is this dalmatian print dress. Sadly I didn't pay attention to the care label and now it's shrunk to a length that's indecent to wear by itself. The only option left is to wear as a top, which happens to be a favorite trick of mine (see past examples: one, two, three, four). I normally don't mind tucking in excess fabric, but the material on this dress is on the thicker side, so I'm contemplating chopping off a couple inches.

Today's outfit was taken a few weeks ago, from when the weather was much nicer. It's been raining all week long (with possibility for snow today!), so I've been on a mini-break with no new outfits to share.

In past winters, I would take photos in my work bathroom. But this year, I've been spoiled by natural lighting and varying scenery, so I don't know if I'd go back to the bathroom route. How do you put up with photo taking in the cold? Always keep a jacket on? Quick snapshots with jacket off? Don't even bother with the outdoors? I'm freezing just thinking about it.

Oops, I did it again. What is it about gingham that I just can't resist?! That's a rhetorical question I'll save for a rainy day. Joining purple and pink, the newest addition is navy colored in larger squares. I picked it up when Vicky (many thanks!) blogged about an abercrombie kids' sale last week.

A quick comparison between the three gingham shirts that I own:
[from left to right] *measurements are approximate:
(1) abercrombie kids Samantha in navy/white plaid, size XL (sold here) - chest: 15" lying flat; sleeves: 23" long; length: 23"
(2) crewcuts Boys' popsicle gingham in shore purple, size 14 (tailored to slim the sides) - chest: 16" lying flat; sleeves: 22.5" long; length: 26"
(3) Hollister Clobberstones in pink check, size S - chest: 16.5" lying flat; sleeves: 25.5" long; length: 23.75"

Hollister's fabric has the most casual feel, almost flannel-like. abercrombie and crewcuts are both made of stiffer fabric with a dressier feel. I've tried on various kids' clothing over the years and this abercrombie shirt has the slimmest cut I've ever encountered. Wide and boxy stereotypes sure isn't true in this case. I'd recommend it for anyone my size or smaller. I bought the shirt for $19.80, but was able to get a price adjustment down to $9.90, thanks to the most patient and nicest SA. There's currently an additional 50% off redline items until tomorrow 2/4, so the shirt should still be $9.90 (free shipping with any girls' perfume purchase). ETA: I'm so sorry to say that I'm wrong about the price. I just read the fine print online. The online price already reflects the discount :(

The color palette today is all neutrals, from shades of beige to gray to black. To keep the outfit from being bland, I mixed in various textures: sequins, crochet, and snakeskin. All could be statement pieces on their own, but surprisingly worked well together in an outfit.

What are some of your favorite combination of textures?

It was a beautiful day for picture taking along a "beach." Regardless of my better-suited-for-the-office-outfit, I wanted to take a jumping picture. Because sand = soft landing. Or so I thought. Not only did the self-timer not capture my jump, I lost a shoe! It did however, capture the moments after my spectacular fail.

From left -> right: (1) Err... just my luck, camera is still going and I lost a shoe. At least I didn't land on my butt (2) Huh, the shoe is a lot farther than I thought *scratches head*  (3) Uh duh, hop on one foot of course. So what if I'm flashing the world, one step at a time (4) Eww, there's bits of sand inside (5) Ahh well, lesson learned. The camera is still on?!

Do you have tips for a newbie jumper?

A big, huge, gigantic thanks to the lovely Ms. Elle for practically giving this blouse away for free. I've now satisfied my polka dots craving :) On second thought, I should just dedicate this post to her, because along with the blouse, she also gifted me the scarf ring and the top (that you can't really see, but prevents the blouse from being see-through). So, THANK YOU THANK YOU, ELLE!

I hope everyone had a nice long weekend. Happy belated holidays! (Just realized I never wished everyone in the last post -_-). I didn't do a whole lot besides spend quality time with family and friends. Some friends are only back in town during the holiday season, so this time of year is always super busy for me (by my introvert standards anyway lol). Sometimes emails and GChat just don't cut it :)

Boyfriend and I decided not to exchange presents this year. Ok, truthfully we haven't been exchanging presents for any occasion for years lol. He says I'm too hard to shop for and I buy everything I want... almost immediately. What an odd relationship we must have, right? It works for us, plus he spoils me in his thoughtfulness daily, so I can't complain :) What did you give and receive this holiday season?

Hosted by Curls And Pearls, Petite Fashion Challenge #4: Holiday Party has us creating a holiday party look using festive colors without looking like a greeting card.

When I think of the holidays, I picture dressing in jewel-tones. Sparkling greens, vibrant reds, shiny metallics come to mind. I picked out accessories from these colors and created an outfit that would be appropriate for my company's holiday party.

The dress is an old one I dug out and I think the shiny material fits the holiday mood, even if it's a darker color. As for the shoes, the only metallic pair I own are strappy sandals, so they'll have to do even though we are in the middle of winter :) How would you accessorize this dress? Should I have added some sparkly bracelets? My arms do seem sort of bare.

Today's outfit is another sash-related post once again inspired by Chole @ the chloe conspiracy. Hands down, she has got to be the queen of accessorizing!

I know Uggs are a no-no depending on who you ask, but they are just so darn comfy. I wear it most weekends (ok, sometimes for work too =P) because being practical is more important than looking good. All I'll say is, don't knock it 'til you've tried it!

All the pieces from today's outfit I've worn before, but this is the first time I've paired them all together (I think?) Nothing special really, just casual and bummy, fitting for Fridays.

Even with a short work week, I am so ready for the weekend. Lots of things to look forward to: 1) hopefully I'll be receiving packages from Gap and Forever21/LOVE 21 soon because I've been online shopping like crazy lately (gahhh!) 2) crossing my fingers for a Nadal/Federer final on Sunday... with Nadal being victorious of course :) Ok that was only 2 things lol. Hope y'all have a good weekend!

A lazy weekend outfit with a touch of girliness is what I wore today. At first I wore the Merona necklace as a bracelet and topped it off with a bow. But after awhile, the layers that I wrapped around my hand started to get uneven... so it started to look a bit awkward. So much for me trying to be creative :P

I fell in love with this pearl cluster necklace from Merona (sold by Target), which coincidentally is a lookalike for a more expensive J.Crew version.

But as usual, I'm months (maybe years) behind on trends :P So after searching high and low for anything similar, I finally stumbled across MarlaJDesign's Etsy shop where she was selling this gorgeous necklace (bottom left). Looks pretty similar, right? I was so excited to order it, but when I received it, I was a bit disappointed in how it looked on me.
Notice how it sort of all hangs together near the bottom? I was hoping it would be more spread out like her Etsy photo or J.Crew or Merona's version. Nonetheless, it's still a gorgeous piece of jewelry and I love how all the pearls make this tinkling sound when I walk :)

Bear with me, here goes another pearls post :) This time, imagine pearls stranded together with a ribbon. Doesn't that just seem ultra feminine to you? Behold Sarah Michelle Prinze (nee Geller) in Lanvin's ribbon necklace *swoons*
For a couple hundred dollars, that necklace could be yours. But... for under $20, Target's Merona's necklace is shorter, black in color, but also multiple times cheaper!
I promptly went to my local Target and picked up this necklace as soon I laid my eyes on it. It's not long like Lanvin's, but long enough so it doesn't look like you're wearing a choker. It's pretty heavy and everytime I wear it, I have to make sure that the knot in the back is tied nice and secure. Definitely one of my best buys!

*Sarah Michelle Gellar images courtesy of FabSugar
*Merona image courtesy of Target