Day 11 -- Holly Housewife

Today I caught up on all the things I had planned to do yesterday before I was whisked away to the beach.

I had some top-secret business related errands to run, but in between I managed to go grocery shopping, re-organize my fridge and pantry, make iced coffee and flavored water for the week, whip up some pretty amazing french bread pizzas for lunch, make a loaf of bread, and a pot of soup.

Felt pretty domestic, if you ask me. 

I picked this little number up second hand last year, and it's come into heavy rotation in my schulmming-it wardrobe. It's Gap from the 90s, but it definitely has a 50s housewife feel to it. These sandals are comfortable and I have no other excuse than that.

Alex caught me cleaning in the middle of all my cooking. I'm always struggling for ways to cover up my hair on the days I don't wash it, and this little do-dad from Anthro definitely fit the bill. It's just a cute little beaded clip, but I pinned it on top of my hair tie just to make myself feel like less of a bum for wearing a ponytail.


I'm about to post some of the recipes from today, so definitely check that out too...

Day 10 -- Don't Rain On My Parade

Well, plans change, so y'all avoided seeing me sport leggings as pants for one more day.

Alex and I took a drive down the coast to Laguna Beach. He kindly snapped these photos of me after we has a little seaside seafood snack.




On my days off, I try to take advantage of clothes I can't wear at work. There's hardly a dress code where I work, but screen tees are strictly verboten, so most of mine rarely get worn.

I won this "don't don't don't" tank top from Vague in a Facebook contest.




After I put this top on this morning, I got really stuck as to what else I could wear with it. Most people would be like, "duh, jeans!" But, duh, I don't wear jeans! I mean, hello?!

I dug this berry beauty out of the depths of my closest and was actually pretty happy with the way the pencil shape worked with the tank top, so I didn't question it.




I finished the outfit with something else I can't wear at work -- this amazing California necklace by Maya Brenner (Thanks, Alex!!), some cheapo earrings from F21, my go-to every color flats, that MJ bag i wont put down, and some William Rast sunnies I picked up for 92% off at Nordstrom Rack!

See you tomorrow...

Day 9 -- Same Shoes, Different Day

Okay, so today I'm guilty of repeating my accessories from yesterday. Nude goes with everything!! So sue me.


This dress is probably one of the best thrift store finds I've had since moving to LA. When I lived in Boston and worked in a consignment shop, picking up great deals was so easy! The designer duds were right there and an employee discount was at my disposal! Since leaving that job, my wardrobe has definitely suffered. My go to place to pick up new fashion finds has become chain stores like Forever 21 and H&M.

There is a great resale store in my neighborhood called Wasteland and they generally carry pretty incredible gently used designer pieces. I've picked up a couple DVF dresses there, as well a Dolce Vita pumps, and a Marc Jacobs bag. This little number is by -- what is quickly becoming my new favorite brand -- All Saints.


I love the exaggerated pocket detail on this dress as well as the ikat weave. This peachy pink color is one of my favorites to wear; I love how femme it is and the way it complements my rosy complexion.

I was feeling a little lazy today, so my hair looks like a pineapple and I could barely manage to sweep on a lick of mascara. Oh, well.

Tomorrow's my day off and I plan on only leaving the house to go grocery shopping. So, put your shades on, because I might blind you by wearing leggings as pants.

Careful, now...

Day 8 -- Emerald City

A few weeks ago, the store I work in (Alexis Bittar), received a new fall collection that features the most amazing emerald green! We call this color Midnight, but I'm obsessed mostly with the pieces featuring this color that are painted to look like malachite.




When I saw this dress (at Forever 21, guilty as charged), I knew I had to have it just as an excuse to pile on more Midnight at work!




I love the print and I think it makes the dress look like it's much more expensive than the $19.50 I paid for it.

If you haven't noticed already, I love belts. I belt everything. I just like to feel like my shape is defined and that you know where my waist is. So, there you go -- a beige belt from H&M and some nude slippers by Steve Madden. Ta-da!

Day 7 -- Lazy Daze

See that bleary look in my eyes? Yeah, I just woke up from a nap.


This is what I really wear on my days off. I was just trying to impress you with that pants picture.

Let's get real -- this knit mini skirt and zig zag top are perfect for walking to and eating brunch, lying around and looking at pinterest, wolfing down 17 brownie bites, pretending to work on business plans, and then getting so exhausted from all that and taking a nap on the couch. Absolute perfect outfit for that.




I hid my tangled mess of hair under a bird feather headband, and stuck to my basics for accessories -- my Marc Jacobs watch that has become like a second skin, my engagement ring, and a pair of great Aldo sandals that amazingly, won't wear out.

Back to work tomorrow. Gonna ht the hay and dream up a better outfit to post!

Day 6 -- Garden Party

I chose this dress and pair of heels this morning know thy tonight was going to be Fashion's Night Out, so I wanted to be as cutesy as absolutely possible.

Little did I know what a long day it was going to be! Training two new employees, staying an extra hour and standing in these (beautiful) Via Spiga burgundy platforms all day really wore me out!


I'd say this blurry photo pretty much sums up my sentiment about today. Tired!

But fear not, I have way better shots of this dress that Alex took of me about a month ago at the Griffith Onservatory.


This is our favorite spot to bring visitors to take in some great views of LA. It's also a popular field trip locale.




It was super bright out that day and I could barely keep my eyes open in the sunlight! Kind of like how I feel right now... Barely able to keep my eyes open.

So soak in this last look of outfit #6, because I'm about to crash.




This dress is by Sarah Ball Photography. The print is a photo of someone's backyard with a tree flowering over a lawn and a garden hose tangled in the shade. It's spot on the photorealistic trend that is all the rage right now. I'm obsessed with this dress!

I finished the look with a top knot, a pink clutch, and a nude belt from H&M.

Day 5 -- Modern Vintage

That oxymoronic phrase is seriously one of the more annoying things to me, but it has become pervasive in the fashion and interior design world. Like an eclectic style? Oh.. You're "modern-vintage."

Nonetheless, this old-timey getup seems to ooze that phrase. It's a happy marriage of up-to- date trends like the maxi skirt and peplum, with just enough throw back flair to make it interesting.




More than once, Alex has told me that I look like a pilgrim in this skirt. I think it's more 1880 than 1620, if you know what I mean.

The white lace and slight proofed sleeve of this top, and the belted effect that creates a peplum gives this outfit more of a Victorian look, in my opinion.



Not to mention, my favorite new booties! If these don't put a modern spin on a vintage look, I don't know what does!



As always, I finished the whole thing with some AB jewelry. I chose to wear a long cameo necklace -- what could feel more Victorian?! -- and a stack of sparkly bracelets just to bring some fun to the party.


Note the engagement ring!! Still can't believe that part is real...