TBMD

Hello again! I took a mini hiatus to spend time with family, but am now back on the wagon with blogging. Hopefully I can keep it up without too many work distractions ;)

Today's outfit is from... oh gosh, perhaps early August?! I'd describe it as a little business mixed with a whole lotta casual. I see women all.the.time pulling off chic looks with white sneakers (and not just for commuting purposes either). I think choosing the right type of sneakers is essential -- too clunky and they just end up looking like clown shoes; too worn and they ruin the whole look. The pair I'm wearing skews more towards the clunky side. I have fairly small feet for my height and they do not look dainty in these shoes at all (especially standing still). The crisp white leather is perfection though. And the touch of blue stripes at the heel? Love.

I'm showing my age again as I find myself gravitating towards another "long" dress (especially compared to my last t-shirt dress which was well-above the knee). I previously gushed over the weighted and drapey material and am so happy to find an equivalent fabric in this midi version! I feel like the longer length shows off the fluidity of the fabric even more without hindering movement. This dress is definitely an easy one to toss on and be instant chic. In fact, I feel like I'm not doing the dress justice in these photos -- way over-accessorized!

Sleeveless in the summer?! Yep, your eyes aren't deceiving you. This is such a rarity for me, but sometimes when the humidity is suffocating, there just aren't many ways to stay cool. Note that I'm clutching the jacket on for dear life, ready to be worn the second I step indoors.

Ripped shorts and a top are usually my no-fuss, on-the-go casual outfits for weekends. But sometimes, there is that urge to change things up. So staying true to the same theme, it doesn't get any more low maintenance than tossing on an easy-breezy dress. Boat shoes and a slouchy hobo round out the look. Lastly, I just had to make the outfit somewhat interesting somehow... so on went the cheerful lime bag charm that brings a smile to my face.

Skinny jeans will always be a staple in my wardrobe. However, for this spring season, I'm all about thinner, drapey materials in varying styles. Wide legged, ankle lengths, and cropped versions are just a few examples that I've already tried, currently trying, and excited to try. As temperatures rise, so do hemlines.

A neutral outfit doesn't have to be boring. I love mixing in textures (calf hair pumps), prints (when in doubt, leopard), varying metals (see closeup shot of jewelry below), proportions (short trench, longer peplum top), and finally, a subtle pop of color that is bottle green. There are so many details to draw the eye, but yet, the overall effect is quite cohesive.

Today's outfit is a contradiction. The weather was freezing, hence the reason I'm wearing an oversized down parka (and gloves to boot). But what's with the bare ankles?! There's no logical explanation other than fashion over function.

Today's one of those days where the top priority was to be comfortable first and foremost, then way behind was not looking too schlubby. I had a couple yikes moments as I added on the layers. Beige scarf with a camel coat? Navy purse with black jeans? Ehh... schlub test passed. This will have to do. Out the door I went.

I've now worn this pink dress + pink jacket combo for the third time this season on this blog (see previous two outfits here) -- and even more often in real life! When an outfit works, why mess with a good thing? As always, I switched up the accessories for a different look. Today's features two companions, piglets named Rosa and Scarlett drawn by the talented Catherine Rayner in a collaboration with Strathberry for Chinese New Year. Absolutely. Adorable. When not in use, I display the purse like a piece of art -- it's the first thing I see when I walk into my closet. For those who celebrate, Happy New Year!

I wore this same sweater + skirt combo earlier this spring. Fast forward to now... you name the winter accessory and I'm wearing it. Scarf? Coat? Gloves? Tights? Check, check, check, and check! Did I feel a little bit ridiculous? A tiny bit -- it certainly was a chore getting ready. But I also felt glamorous -- because a fur stole and ladylike purse will do that to ya.

As much as I pride myself for my practical nature, sometimes I'm downright unreasonable. I much prefer wearing dresses without tights... even if I do look a bit ridiculous with a heavy coat over. At least I'm wearing my coat instead of say, draped over the shoulders.

I wore a similar outfit a couple of weeks back -- same top, bag, and white/green color palette. I had high expectations for the outfit because it looked amazing in my head. But in reality? ...not so much. I think the sweater tee ended up looking too "heavy" with the delicate tulle skirt.

Today's outfit is my second attempt at finding the right balance for this white sweater tee and green pairing. Though the lace of this pencil skirt is fairly delicate, I think the structured shape of the skirt ended up working better than my first attempt.

I'm not a morning person at all. So when I'm forced to wake up at the crack of dawn, you bet I'll take my sweet time enjoying the first rays of sunrise. I kept my outfit simple (coordinating colors, minimal mixing and matching) which worked out well because the peachy colors of the sunrise really is the star of the show.