TBMD

Today's navy + plaid + graphic tee combo is inspired by Marissa Webb. I usually steer away from wearing navy and black together (hard to differentiate between the two colors sometimes), but really liked how my last outfit turned out. As for today's look? I'll give myself an A for effort... probably should've swapped out the faux leather pants for jeans instead.

Today's outfit is inspired by Giovanna Battaglia's cute dress (or is it a coat?) with a little black bow. I've swapped out my trench coat's belt before and really liked how a new belt can transform an outfit. For today's look, I used a black sash from an old dress. The sash was too long, so I had to double up when tying the bow... and the result was sort of messy. I definitely had a better-looking version in my head. Ahh well, it was a fun experiment.

Today's outfit is inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge wearing a Matthew Williamson gray dress with turquoise stones on the neckline. The color combination is fantastic, one that I haven't attempted until now, but will be doing so more in the future!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

I was watching CBS' Super Bowl pregame show over the weekend and couldn't help but notice how stylish Clay Matthews looked in his three-piece suit (not that he needs any help looking good). I searched but can't find a photo online. His vest looked to be cut lower, so it framed his jacket evenly when buttoned. I used that as the source of inspiration for today's outfit. I went with a menswear theme and buttoned the top button of my cardigan to mimic the "vest." To tip the scales back towards the feminine side a bit, I chose a high-neck lace top.

On this summer-like day, I pulled out my linen pants for perhaps the last time this year. I copied AnnaLynne McCord's knotted blue shirt with white pants look, all the while daydreaming of a tropical vacation.

...and now snapping back to reality. Hope you had a great Wednesday!

I picked up this bow tie over Labor Day weekend, thinking it'd be a fun challenge to work into my wardrobe. I love Blair and Khatu's outfits with a bow tie, but the queen title goes to Diane Kruger. She pulls off all these different looks so well, with my favorite* being the one below.

I was "inspired" heavily by her outfit to recreate a more feminized version of my own. Besides this look, I'm thinking of going the traditional route of bow tie over a collared shirt next. Or perhaps even girlier with a bow tie in my hair. If you have any styling ideas, please do share!

Are you a fan of bow ties?

*Diane Kruger image courtesy of InStyle.com

I recently bought these Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Pump in black, size 6 (currently sold here). Thank you Jean @ Extra Petite and Cari @ Sisters Sincere for the suggestion! I'm now the proud owner of non-witchy black pumps.

Right out of the box, I was impressed with how shiny these pumps looked. I could see my own reflection! These pumps looked and felt more expensive than they actually were. I'd recommend them as a great Christian Louboutin Simple pumps look for less with their almond-toe and straight heel.

Many reviews suggested ordering a half-size smaller than your usual size, but I stuck with my normal US size 6 (never in my life have I ever worn size 5.5 shoes!) The fit was perfect, so I conclude that I must have normal-to-wide feet. The footpad had plenty of padding and is as comfortable as 3" heels can be. After paying around $100 for these pumps, I felt gypped for all my other shoes at this price point, lol. For the quality and comfort-level, I could see myself buying other pairs... that is, if I ever switch to a job that requires dressing up :)

Today's outfit is inspired by Kim Kardashian -- the girl simply never looks bad. I can't get enough of wearing this dress as a top ;) I've paired it with practically every skirt in my possession and not once have I worn it out as a dress lol. I love the color combo of Kim's outfit, but alas I had to make do with what I have. Hey, at least her top kinda matches my tights!

*Kim Kardashian image courtesy of The Look 4 Less

I actually bought this Ali Ro Hammered Silk Drape dress in orchid bloom, size 0 over the summer from Gilt. I love clothes that drape... especially ones that have a grecian feel. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong century for I would've loved walking around in togas, haha. There was actually a top version of this dress but I couldn't find any in my size, so when I saw this I just had to have it. The orchid color is so feminine and spring-y, perfect for Easter, bridal showers, or even work.

Somehow the draping across the front got messed up when I put it on (sorry!) I think the fit is pretty good, don't think I'll need any alterations. The material is hammered silk, pebbly and nice to the touch. Now I can't wait until spring!

I fell in love with this Tadashi Shoji Hammered Silk Crepe Draped Halter gown in jelly apple, size 0, but what will I do with a long gown?! It's not like my social calendar is filled with black-tie events... In fact, this dress is going under the category of, "when an event arises, I won't be scrambling around finding the perfect outfit." So for the foreseeable future, this dress will stay in my closet. It seems like such a waste of money, I know. I guess time will tell how many wears I get out of this. My boyfriend also doesn't like it. He calls it the "Ghandi dress" in reference to monks in red robes lol -_-

On the runway model, the hem of the dress doesn't seem to be hitting the floor. On Jennifer Stone, the dress looks to be about an inch too long, but I'm sure that's done on purpose. Is there a correct length for evening gowns? How do girls stand getting the bottoms dirty when the hem hits the ground?
I'm standing flat footed (bottom left) and the dress does look too long. When I stand on my tippy toes (bottom right), it's probably a good representation of how it looks when I wear heels, it looks better. Should I even take the dress in to hem the length? The rest of the dress fit better than I expected, so I don't know if it's worth a trip to the tailors. Thoughts?
*Ali Ro image courtesy of Gilt
*Tadashi Shoji image courtesy of Elle
*Jennifer Stone image courtesy of coolspotters

Hosted by PetiteLittleGirl, Petite Fashion Challenge #3: The look for less has us recreating a look for less of our favorite style icon. Everyone knows I love Olivia Palermo, but her style isn't really me, it's what I want to be. She's so put-together all the time whereas I'm more... simple and laid-back. Therefore, I chose Lauren Conrad of The Hills (sorry Olivia for cheating on you!)

After scouring the Internet for pics that I could possibly use, I came across one of Lauren wearing Christian Louboutin pumps and possibly J Brand jeans while carrying a Chanel bag. The items I dug out for my outfit are considerably less in cost, but I really wish I had round-toe pumps! The witchy ones I have on are better suited for Halloween haha. (Note to self: keep an eye out for black patent round-toe pumps)

*Lauren Conrad image courtesy of Celebrity Gossip

Hands down, Olivia Palermo is my style icon. I love her dressy looks as much as her casual ones. White top: check, statement necklace: check, dark shorts: check, black bag: check!

*Olivia Palermo image courtesy of The Purse Forum

My first time visiting the LOFT brick-and-mortar store was 2 weeks ago. Shocking, right?! Their clothes just never really appealed to me before -- I guess I'm still stuck in the dressing-like-a-teeny-bopper stage in my life lol. I saw this LOFT Twill Cropped Military Jacket in fresh navy and my heart skipped a beat. It looked so much like Olivia Palermo's Kimchi Blue Ruffled Peacoat!

*Olivia Palermo image courtesy of Celebrity Style Guide

I love Blake Lively's outfit at some awards show -- how she mixed the button-down with a tight white skirt and heels. Here's mine more laid-back version:

*Blake Lively image courtesy of Just Jared

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

Rebecca Minkoff's Black Basketweave Morning After Mini (MAM) bag was my true first "designer" bag. Up until then, I had been carrying around a brown nylon agnes b tote and decided I want a black bag because brown just doesn't go that well with everything ;)

I saw so many leather all black bags but always felt they were on the plain side. That is, until I stumbled across a picture of Lindsay Lohan with her Rebecca Minkoff BBW Morning After bag :O The basketweave detailing just adds that extra sumthin' that had been missing in my search. The bright blue zipper track sure does add a pop of color as well. As with most cases, by the time I find something I truly liked, they are no longer in production :(

But no worries, my scouring finally paid off when I finally found one on eBay a couple weeks later in the MAM size. I'm pretty petite and based on the dimensions, felt the MA was bigger than what I'd like, so I was glad I got my hands on the smaller version. I believe this is a recut of the original (as Rebecca Minkoff often does special orders) because the blue zipper track isn't as bright as the original. I was a bit disappointed, but it's something I can live with :) Just look at the gorgeous pebbled leather and the tassels! (I heart tassles if you couldn't tell already :P)

*Lindsay Lohan image courtesy of The Purse Forum