Day 335 -- Summer Goddess

When: Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

Where: Work at IOAN, Hanging around Venice Beach

I may be alone in this, but I feel like August is really the heart of the summer. The hottest days roll in, excitement over school starting again begins to sizzle, and that endless summer feeling starts to set in. To honor of the eve of my favorite month of summer, I decided to don my breeziest outfit. Walking into the Venice sunset with the wind catching my skirt and the rays spilling over the floral print of my blazer, I felt like a total goddess, if only for a second.

I may be alone in this as well, but clothing makes me really happy. It not just the joy of owning something beautiful, but it's the pleasure of embodying what that garment was meant to be. With the change of an outfit, you can become an entirely new person. When I'm wearing a new outfit, or even a new combination of pieces I already own, I just feel awesome.

Blazer: Principessa Venice | Tank: Target | Skirt: Anthropologie

Shoes: Rocketdog via Marshall's | Bag: Kate Spade

Necklace and Earrings: Forever 21 | Sunglasses: Raybans via Rue La La

Day 334 -- Summer Layers

When: Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Where: Work at IOAN

With the weather heating up, there was no way I could bear to wear pants to the workplace! I still like to stay covered up at the office, so I thought pairing these two light pieces together would keep me both comfortable and conservative.

Now, I'm not one to wear all solids and basics, so I had to add a little touch of leopard print!

Dress: Gap | Shirt: Forever 21 | Shoes: Rocketdog via Marshall's | Necklace: Maya Brenner

Day 333 -- Style and Comfort

When: Monday, July 29th, 2013

Where: Work at IOAN

When I go to work at Industry, I like to mix the right amount of casual, stylish and comfort without being too girly. I'm sure the three guys that I work with don't care what I wear, so long as I'm able to lift boxes and walk across the street to FedEx... But I care!

If I could only keep one pair of pants for the rest of my life, it would be these. I love the classic high waist, pop of color, and the ultra comfortable stretch fit. So good. Can't wait to rock these in the fall and call them my pumpkin pants!

Jacket: Max and Cleo via Goodwill | Tank: Make Believe Clothing

Pants: BDG via Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Keds

Day 332 -- Ditzy Girl

When: Sunday, July 28th, 2013

Where: Studio, Getting Alex's mom at the airport

This dress is a summer go-to. It always fits and flatters, never makes me feel fat, or clings to me in the heat. Its ditzy print and faux vest give it just the right amount of quirk, while the neck- and hemline reveal just enough to allow a healthy breeze without overexposing me.

This look worked perfectly for the last minute pre-guest clean up madness, and was comfy enough to wear while sitting in airport traffic for two (!!) hours with a dog on my lap.

Dress: All Saints | Sweater: Staring at Stars via Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Aldo

Day 331 -- Morning Meeting

When: Saturday, July 27th, 2013

Where: Meetings

Sometimes I subconsciously fall into my own little fashion trends/ruts. I wore a striped cotton dress last night and got a positive response, so my morning pea brain told me to select a similar style for today.

I don't wear this dress often -- in fact, I can only remember wearing it one time before -- but it seemed to be the perfect thing to wear to a hot summer morning meeting for a fashion related job. It was light, airy, covered enough to be appropriate, but showing enough to keep me cool, and the bright stripes kept it fashion-y enough for me to forget that is dress truly is so last season.

Dress: Cooperative via Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Dolce Vita | Necklace: Maya Brenner

Day 330 -- Vintage Wears

When: Friday, July 26th, 2013

Where: Blue Whale

While wandering around the flea market last weekend, I spotted this dress hanging in a booth full of bright vintage wears and was instantly drawn to it. I loved that it was colorful, made out of cotton and in amazing condition. I would imagine that this dress is from the late 60s, and judging by the tag, made in China for the Chinese market. It's so hard to find vintage dresses that aren't polyester, and the natural fibers in this piece really sold it for me.

I love the way that these Elizabeth and James heels reflect the striping in the dress. It perfectly tied the look together. I got a lot of compliements on this outfit, which really reminded me of when I was in high school and would wear fabulous vintage finds and wow my fellow students with funky, unique looks.

Dress: Vintage, Melrose Trading Post | Shoes: Elizabeth and James via Marshall's | Bag: Kate Spade

Day 329 -- Overdo It

When: Thursday, July 25th, 2013

Where: Work at Trinkets

The first time I got dressed, I paired this striped pink skirt with this pink peplum top. Alex declared it to just too pink, despite the fact that I've worn it this way before. Instead of wearing a big mess of pink, I decided to overdo it on the stripes instead.

Since I don't own any striped shoes, I paired these leopard flats with my look to match the neutral tones in my top. While at work, I wore some fun pink jewelry. Should have snapped a pic!

Top: Forever 21 | Skirt: Maeve via Anthropologie | Shoes: Rocketdog via Marshall's

Day 328 -- State of Mind

When: Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

Where: Studio

This entire outfit consists of items I brought to Maine. While I didn't get a chance to wear these shorts, my keds and new fave lobster shirt made an appearance. I had tons of work to do, but got into that vacation state of mind in this look.

Even though I was hunched over a sewing machine all day, I still felt happy and relaxed to be working of my brand in a fun and funky outfit. Clothing really does affect my mood!

Shirt: Old Navy | Shorts: Forever 21 | Shoes: Keds

New Since the New Year

So far my year without shopping has been going alone swimmingly. I haven't spent a dime of my own money on new clothing, shoes, or accessories. But that didn't stop me from acquiring a few new pieces. Thanks to some generous friends and a few key trades, I'm the proud owner of the items below.

1. Ellen Tracy knit pencil skirts from Costco. My mom gifted me the camel colored version of this skirt just after the New Year, and when the black and charcoal styles popped up for just $12.99, she generously scooped up those for me, as well! These are great basics. I've worn them here and here, and countless times I haven't photographed.

2. Lobster shirt from the Men's section of Old Navy. I simply had to have this shirt for my family trip to Maine. Alex was kind enough to treat me to this small wonder. I've only worn it once, but I'm sure I'll get tons of use out of this quirky print!

3. While we were out getting the lobster shirt, I walked past a sale rack and remarked about how cute these gingham shorts are. After a popped out of the dressing room with shirt and shorts, Alex added them to the stack and I got both! Here they are on my body.

4. While in Boston at the end of June, Alex's mother treated me to this new Kate Spade bag. It's my new favorite thing in the world and I can't stop wearing it! Check it out here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Love it!

5. I made the very big mistake of walking into Urban Outfitters during their 50% off sale Sale. Luckily, I has just done some tailoring for a friend, for which he owed me the exact sum of what the shoes rang up for. In lieu of payment, we swapped for shoes! Yippee!

6. While on work/vacation in Las Vegas, I wore a hole clean through my trusty black flats. Alex stepped in and took me to Topshop to pick up these basic flats which also served as my Valentine's Day gift!

So there you have it. Six months into my year without shopping, and I have 6 new items. Of course, there are a few basic things that I've noticed are missing from my wardrobe that I can't wait to invest in when I can shop again... As well as fun items I've drooled over. But I'll save that for another post!

Day 327 -- Pink Panther

When: Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013

Where: Work at IOAN

My second day at IOAN was less of an office day, and more of a manual labor day. We unpacked 34 cartons of new fall pieces (which were awesome by the way -- I may need a sex change just to wear the awesome, organic, clean, eco-friendly goodness!) and it was a ton of dirty, sweaty work. Can you see how scrubby my pink jeans got?

All that being said, it probably wasn't the best fashion choice to wear metallic sandals and light wash colored denim. But hey... What cha gonna do?

Top: Urban Outfitters | Jeans: BDG via Urban Outfitters | Shoes: DV Dolce Vita

Watch: MARC by Marc Jacobs | Earrings: Alexis Bittar

Day 326 -- Cut Off

When: Monday, July 22nd, 2013

Where: Work at IOAN

It was off to the office for me again this Monday to lend a hand at Industry of All Nations. Usually, I'd say that if you're going to work in an office, cut off shorts are not appropriate. However, the atmosphere at Industry is very casual, and I made these cut offs out of a pair of men's organic cotton IOAN jeans. Aren't they cute?

I kept the rest of my look easy and basic. Brown leather accessories, a geometric necklace, and a simply grey tee completed this ensemble.

Tee: TJ Maxx | Shorts: Industry of All Nations, altered

Belt: Thrift Shop, self embossed | Shoes: Free from the street! | Necklace: Forever 21

Day 325 -- House and Home

When: Sunday, July 21st, 2013

Where: Work at Trinkets, Random house hunting

The weather had cooled down well enough for me to feel comfortable wearing jeans to my air-conditioned job at Trinkets and Treasures. When I wear jeans, I find that wearing a "top" rather than just a simple tee can make all the difference in terms of looking put together and professional. I give jeans a bad rap for being too casual, but I'm happy with how this turned out.

After I left work, Alex and I cruised around the neighborhood looking at the Sunday open houses. Alex and I are super into DIY/decorating/home improvements etc, and we can't wait to buy a home and make it our own! The trouble is, all the houses in our area are listed for close to a million dollars. Do I look like a millionaire? (Well, I might dress like one, but I assure you I'm not!) So, we've started an aggressive savings plan, and we're looking to buy a real fixer and put our own touch on it. We probably won't be in a position to buy for another year or two, but it is so much fun looking at places!

Top: Girls From Savoy via Anthropologie

Jeans: Rich and Skinny via Marshall's | Shoes: Rocketdog via Marshall's

Day 324 -- Bagillionty

When: Saturday, July 20th, 2013

Where: Studio

It seems like I have a bagillionty things to do and simply not enough energy to go around! I counted yesterday, and it's official, I have six different jobs, a business to run, a wedding to plan, and a new puppy to look after. (And not that this blog is a burden, but yes, it is another thing to keep up with.) It's too much!

I skipped hair and makeup this morning in order to save any little bit of time and energy I could. These loose fitting shorts were the center of my outfit and I based the other pieces off of the colors in the print. Pairing a stylish, yet comfortable key piece with easy basics simplifies getting dressed, and keeps me comfortable on even the hottest of summer days.

Shorts: Urban Outfitters | Tee: Dolce Vita | Sweater: Staring at Stars via Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Urban Outfitters | Necklace: Forever 21 | Bag: Kate Spade

Day 323 -- Dress for Days

When: Friday, July 19th, 2013

Where: Work at Trinkets, Studio, Dog Park

This outfit took me all over the place. From working my first shift alone at my new part-time job, to squeezing in some pattern drafting in my studio, to taking Bucket out to the park, this swinging dress and lightweight sweater kept me cool and on the move. 

This is one of those dresses that was too good to just own one. That's why I have one in mint and one in yellow. The cotton lace is lined with jersey, which makes this dress so comfortable and breezy. The only problem is that it is almost completely backless, so it's impossible to wear  regular bra with it -- which is very important to me. So, I usually wear a bra, layer a sweater over the dress and forget about it being backless in the first place.

Dress: Pins and Needles via Urban Outfitters | Sweater: Pas Un Ange

Belt: Target | Shoes: Topshop | Bag: Kate Spade