Painterly

When: Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Where: Home Studio, Work at Trinkets

You know how a really good pair of heels can make you feel extra special? You stand taller, walk with confidence, and feel more feminine. These chunky, strappy, suede wonders are my go-to when it comes to shoes with height. They are super comfortable thanks to the solid platform, and the ankle strap makes me feel so secure in them. Love!

Since this week's spotlight weekly link up theme is favorite heels, I decided to base my whole outfit around the rich burgundy color of my shoes. This color -- also known as oxblood -- was huge last fall, but since it feels more like summer than winter over here, I wanted to give this look a more springy spin.

This dress (which I received as a hand-me-down form Maija, thanks sis!) is the perfect pair to my shoes. The painterly print with dabs of burgundy, sky blue, and off-white lend itself perfectly to the color scheme I was going for. And just to be a little extra matchy-matchy, I threw on this burgundy powder coasted crystal necklace I snagged at J Crew last month for $12.49! Yay for sales, matching accessories, and previously-loved dresses.

Dress: Anthropologie via my sister, Maija

Shoes: Via Spiga via Marshall's

Necklace: J Crew

Belt: Gap Outlet

What's Winter?

When: Monday, February 23rd, 2014

Where: Home Studio

Only in LA can you wear a sleeveless mini dress and a fluffy scarf at the same time. I still like thinking that it's winter, so cozying up in this soft, thick scarf makes me feel like we might get a glimpse of some weather sometime soon.

It's amazing how clothing can hold strong memories for me. I last wore this dress to my bridal shower (west coast edition), and wearing it makes me feel happy, loved, and well, bridal. Something about white and lacy details that just screams wedding!

I'd like to thank Walking in Memphis in High Heels, The Fashion Canvas, and Living in Color Style for hosting this weeks Winter White Trend Link Up. Be sure to run over there are check out other wonderful bloggers wearing white!

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Scarf: Gap

Shoes: Pedro Garcia

Earrings: J Crew

Burst My Bubble

When: Saturday, February 22nd, 2014

Where: Work at Trinkets, Home Studio, Dog Park

It doesn't even feel like winter came to LA in the first place, but it's definitely over and it's time for spring! I'm ready for fresh, soft, pastel colors.




Mint has been popular for the past few seasons for winter and spring, but I wasn't able to get my hands on any mint clothing while I was on my spending freeze last year. When I saw these mint skinnies on sale at the Gap Outlet for $8, I had to have them! 

I've had this top for a long time, but haven't worn in on the blog yet because I hadn't found anything I loved wearing with it. It has a nice flouncy peplum, but its overall boxy shape makes it hard to pair with skirts or loose fitting pants. These skinny jeans have the right fit and the color perfectly matches the bubbles in the blouse.

Today I'm connecting with some amazing other bloggers. Living in Color, Stylin St. Louis, and Code Overdressed are hosting a fun springy pastel themed link up! and You can see more pastel looks here!

Blouse: Anthropologie

Tank: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: Gap Outlet

Shoes: Sam Edelman via Marshall's

Necklace: Kate Spade

Neutral Territory

When: Friday, February 21st, 2014
 
Sometimes you think you just put on a dress to take pictures for your blog so you can link up with Walking in Memphis in High Heels, The Fashion Canvas, and Art in the Find. And then sometimes your husband needs to take a break from his work to set up a whole photo shoot with moody lighting and fancy photo editing. And sometimes it comes out pretty well.

 Dress: Rachel Pally via Wasteland

Shoes: DVF via Marshall's

Rings: Vintage and Forever 21

Necklace: Kate Spade

resolve

I didn't make any resolutions this year. I guess I was a little distracted. But it's never too late to resolve to improve right?

1. WEAR MORE HEELS. I am such a flats devotee, that I feel like it has put me in a rut lately. Heels have a way instantly elevating (see what I did there?) your style. I have so many of them, it's probably about time I take a few pairs out for a spin.

2. FLOSS. Let's be clear. I could really stand to care for my teeth better overall. Losing my teeth is one of my greatest fears, and yet I find myself eating in bed late at night and not getting back out of it to brush or floss. Gross. I need to fix that right now.

3. TAKE CARE OF MY SKIN. There are many nights when I am just to lazy to wash my makeup off before bed. Literally. Too lazy. I do my best to wear SPF everyday and I never tan, so I'm not so worried about that end of things, but it can't be good to sleep in makeup a couple nights a week. It's time to change that.

4. HUSTLE. One thing that really held me back in 2013 was being afraid to put myself and my business out there. I was so worried about approaching stores, bloggers, shoppers, etc because I felt that their rejection would ruin me. So frankly, I didn't even try. That ends now! It's time to be bold and make it happen!

5. BE HAPPY. This might sound like a silly resolution, but it's very real for me. I tend to get so bogged down in anything I'm struggling with that I let it run my life. I find that it seems I'd rather be upset, sad, frustrated, or just plain down, than push all that aside and fight for happiness. For a lot of people, I'm sure this isn't a problem. I'll bet that telling myself to just snap out of it won't fix everything, but, I think setting a goal of finding something to be happy about once a day will really improve my overall quality of life.

Anyone else have some mid-February resolutions?

Decked Out

When: Thursday, February 20th, 2014 -- Happy Birthday, Dad!! Love you always!

Where: Home Studio

Well, there you have it. My second blog post in a row inspired by the Coast to Coast Challenge. Sometimes, I think it's the only thing that gets me to dress interestingly in the morning. Seriously, yesterday I wore a grey maxi skirt with a black shirt and a pair of flats. It was boring and unblogworthy. Yeah, it was so bad, I made up a word.

Today's theme is Embellished. I actually struggled with this one. Most of my my decorated pieces are sequined dresses which served me very well for New Years Eves and bachelorette parties, but aren't really suited for the day time or working in a home office. I dug through my closet and found this decked out tank dress I literally haven't worn in two and a half years.

This rough-edged look is a little bit out of the box for me lately. I've been trying to direct my style into a more feminine, girly, frilly, and foofy direction. I like to think that look suits my bubbly, giggly personality best. But I have to admit, this outfit was fun to play with! It even inspired me to smudge a little dark eye makeup on, which garnered more than one compliment from my husband! Success!

Tank Dress: Design History via Second Time Around

Sweater: Pas Un Ange, hand-me-down 

Leggings: H&M

Booties: DV Dolce Vita

Watch: MARC by Marc Jacobs

Necklace: Kate Spade, gift from Alex

dot your i's and cross your t's

When: Tuesday, February 18th, 2014

Where: Home Studio

Wow. I can't believe I ever said I hate pants! Seems I've been loving pants lately -- especially the cuffed variety. I had been dreaming of some dotted jeans since forever, so when I saw these polka pants on clearance at the Gap Outlet for eight bucks, there was no way I was going to say no!

Lucky for me, this Tuesday's Coast to Coast Challenge is polka dots. I'm a fool for dots and if someone tells me to wear them you best believe I'm gonna wear some dang dots, mmkay?

 
This might seem like a lot of dots to someone who is actually sane, but for me, it's just right! In fact, maybe I should have worn polka dotted socks and shoes too?

I think what makes this outfit work is the subtle difference in size of each dot. If I had worn all head to one black and white medium scale dots like what's on my blazer, it would have looked a bit dizzying and overwhelming. The fact that the dots on my jeans are light and faded allows them to fall into the backdrop of this look, and let the other dots shine. Also, keeping the color spectrum narrow held the look together. Let's not imagine what would have happened if I had dressed in technicolor dots!

I love Coast to Coast because they help me get dressed in the morning when I'm not sure what direction I'm going to go in, but this particular blog and group of girls is much more than your average fashion-focused crowd. The good they do for the world, not only with their positive outlook and energy, but the fight they are waging against sex trafficking in the US and abroad is one of the most honorable uses of the internet I have seen in a long time.  You can read more about their cause here. I hope I can someday make a difference like they have and continue to do. Huge high-five to you, ladies!

Jacket: Comme to... Via Soto Sherman Oaks

Tank: Urban Outfitters

Jeans: Gap Outlet

Shoes: Guess via Marshall's

Mrs. Necklace: Kate Spade, gift from Alex

Statement Necklace and Stud Earrings: J Crew

Go for Gold

When: Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Where: Our Olympic Games Viewing Party!

In case you're not so sure, yes, my pants are gold. What else am I supposed to wear while watching the Olympics? Silver pants? Oh hell no! This outfit is more or less a blatant rip off of an outfit I wore over a year ago. I restyled this look by tucking in my shirt to make myself look 99% less short, jacking myself up on some sky high heels, and adding a touch of sparkle with my belt and necklace. Ta da!

I'm really digging on the cropped pants that I've seen popping up all over the place (*cough* J Crew *cough*), and I love the way simply cuffing these skinny jeans reveals more of my ankle and lengthens my body line a teensy little bit. Now, I gotta go get myself some actual cropped skinnies! Yay!

Blouse: Forever 21

Tank: Target

Jeans: BDG Urban Outfitters 

Belt: Gap

Necklace: J Crew

Watch: MARC by Marc Jacobs

Shoes: DV Dolce Vita via Wasteland

Olympic Games Viewing Party

Ever since Alex and I got married, I've been dying to throw another party. Okay, so it's only been 5 weeks since then, but still! All I needed was an occasion for a fete, and the Olympics came just in time. I had the best time decorating the table like a winter wonderland complete with luge-like candle sticks, and winter woodland creatures. I served up my new drink creation, The Olympic Torch, and kicked the night off with a delicious cheese plate that I nearly filled up on.

I served Russian inspired food for the dinner - including oxtail stew and cucumber radish salad. And I finished off the night with sweet blinis, and Olympic torch shaped cupcakes. It was a beautiful night full of dear friends, lots of laughs, and of course several hours of competition on the TV.

I can't wait to throw another party... Now I just need an excuse to do so!