Ritzy

Yesterday was a very social day. During the early afternoon, I went to a bridal shower at a Ritz-Carlton. In the evening, I had a raucous time with a group of friends over Korean BBQ. I wanted to wear something that would be classy for the first event, but not risk getting ruined by oil and smoke that night.

So what did I do? I wore an H&M dress to the Ritz-Carlton. Oh yes, I did.

[H&M dress, DKNY heels.]

Shining Through June Gloom

Helloooooo my pretties! Sorry I've been gone for far too long. Life in the past year has been crazy to say the least--lots of changes, lots of responsibilities, and not enough time for everything. Now that daylight lasts longer, I'm far less restricted in terms of when I can take pictures.

June Gloom is a very Californian phenomena. One would think that June is a summer month, but oftentimes it doesn't feel like it. The skies would be cold and gray for most of the day, followed by a brief appearance by the sun in the late afternoon. The mood gets depressing, and it's difficult to figure out how to dress for the cold mornings that could transform into hot days at any given moment.

Today was one of those days. It started off rather chilly and gloomy, but sometime after noon, it progressively got warmer. Time to wear the bright red shorts, crazy tights, and light layers up top:

[Forever 21 bow top, Blake ruffled cropped jacket, Gap shorts, House of Holland suspender tights, old Ray Bans, Ciao Bella booties.]





Although most people associate me with electric blue, I have come to discover that red is a pretty flattering color for me. When I saw these red shorts in a Gap ad, I knew that I had to get them. Thanks to a sale plus a couple of coupons, I got to bring them home sooner rather than later. These red shorts go well with a pretty camisole, a t-shirt, a tank top, a sweater...just about everything. The suspender tights simultaneously complement and contrast with the shorts--the colors contrast, but both are mischievously delightful.

Color can cure June Gloom, and so can plants--seeing them grow makes me quite happy. I bought this huge basil plant from Trader Joe's for $3 about a couple of months ago. I feel very fortunate that I live in a place where there is room to help them grow. I also inherited some green onion plants from a relocating friend. Today, I made an effort to rescue a dinky basil plant that had been growing by my bedroom window. Hopefully it'll make it!

Holes in the Night

As life got crazy and daylight became scarce, photo projects do not fit into my schedule very well. This weekend opened just enough of a window for something fun.

Since it is Winter after all, the temperatures have been understandably low. This week and weekend was unseasonably warm such that we had 70-80 degree weather. Although I have much work to do, a chance to take in a little sun was too good to pass up, so off I went with friends for a bit of food and fun.

The cutout is a design feature I've been digging lately. I didn't think I'd be able to wear my very summer-worthy tank top for a while, since I snatched it up at a heavy discount during the off-season, but today was as good a day to wear it as any. To polish off the hole-y theme, I paired the "business in the front, party in the back" top with cutout platform pumps that need to be broken in a little. They actually don't need that much breaking in--they are fairly comfortable.

Alas, daylight is fading, and it's time to get industrious. With today's great weather, it's a wonder that anything gets done at all.

[Under.ligne by Doo.ri Harness tank (from Tobi.com clearance), F21 knotted chain necklace, ABS glass cocktail ring, old Ray Bans, H&M shorts, Calvin Klein Christine cutaway pumps]





Happy Holidays, everyone!

Weekday/Weekend: Mack the Knife

"Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it … ah … out of sight."

Roughly-cut edges of drapey pieces are fun to play with--they add great dimension to everyday pieces. Overlaping drapery is even more fun.

The Marciano drapey sweater that I found at the Marciano outlet during the summer has been in the rotation quite frequently, since "Summer" this year in Southern California didn't get a whole lot of sun. More recently, I added a very soft Wyatt "Sharkbite" tank top to my collection. Although I intended to wear the tank top as a casual piece, it worked surprisingly well with the drapey sweater for work--the ensemble looked put together, creative yet sufficiently conservative, kept me warm, and was very comfortable.

[Weekday: Marciano cashmere-blend sweater, Wyatt "Sharkbite" tank (from Bluefly), Balenciaga skinny pants (from Barney's warehouse sale), Christian Lacroix gold flats (from DSW), Marc by Marc Jacobs pave pear watch (from Fossil outlet)].




Now that it is supposed to be Fall, scorching weather has arrived. The weather has been bizarre to the point that some people ominously refer to it as "earthquake weather"--as in the weather is so strange that the next "big one" is sure to hit soon. Fall started with hot weather, followed by a few weeks of light rain, pouring rain, thunder and lightning, flash showers, and cool weather, and is now back to hot weather again. Given that we are back to having hot weather, it was time to wear the Sharkbite tank as intended.

[Weekend: Wyatt "Sharkbite" tank (from Bluefly), F21 skeleton key necklace, Gap striped denim shorts, EQ IQ platform ankle boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses]



Although it can be fairly hot, it is the right time to bust out the ankle boots. I swooped these off the clearance rack in Hong Kong last year from a Causeway Bay store aptly named "Sole Town," and am happy to take them out of the dust bag again. They are simple but a bit sassy, thanks to the high heel and the zipper/button detail in the back.

Hong Kong is definitely a great place to pick up interesting pieces. I got some pretty cool stuff last time, and I'm looking forward to shopping there again.

Ties that Bind

Thank you so much for your comments! I'm so happy that you enjoy reading the blog, and I'm certainly happy to be back.

I've been rather dressed up for the last couple of Fridays, so it's nice to go with a more casual outfit this time. The town where I work now is far more populated by business attire, so I have to look a little more refined (even on casual days) to fit in.

Given the fact that I have to save up more money these days for my upcoming travels, among other things, I haven't really bought anything new for the last few months. However, when I ventured out for a friend's birthday party last weekend, I got a few things. One much-needed item is a thicker sweater for work. The cotton open cardigan that I picked up from the Gap (with a 30% off discount) is quite warm. Fifty bucks is a lot to pay for a cotton knit sweater like this, but since I've tried to find a cheaper alternative but couldn't, I just gave in. It is a pretty good investment, I dare say, considering that I've been wearing it practically all week.

The tank top is from Forever 21. Although it appears to be a casual piece to be worn with leggings, there is quite a bit of sophistication to it. I love how the elastic bands are cris-crossed in the front as well as the back. Considering that this is a "cheap chic" piece, I'm impressed by the fact that the bands do align and connect on the sides such that they appear to wrap all the way around.

Since the colors of the outfit are rather low-key, I decided to liven things up with a neon-colored bracelet-watch. I bought this from the Cabazon outlet just before Christmas and have worn it before, but this picture captures the color more accurately. It really pops out against an all-black business outfit as well.

My favorite accessory at the moment is my big ol' Calvin Klein electric blue satchel. Not being one to switch bags every few days, this has been my daily staple for the last few months. I also got this bag just before Christmas, when the Calvin Klein store in the Beverly Center was having a closing sale and everything was 75% off. Although the faux-leather material isn't all that sturdy (there are a few cracks where the bag tends to crease), this bag holds everything, and the color is just gorgeous. One comment I get the most is "that bag is so...blue." Although it sounds rather hesitant, most people I've talked to seem to like it because it is at once an unusual color and a great fit for all the grays, blacks, and blues that are prevalent in businesswear. You'll probably see this bag until it finally wears out, but I've gotten quite a lot of use of it for $40, and there's still has a mileage left.

[Outfit: Gap cotton knit cardigan, F21 tank, Paper Denim & Cloth jeans, Bloch London flats, Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelet watch, Calvin Klein bag.]

X-ray Vision

I haven't done outfit posts for a while...my GorillaPod kinda broke and I have yet to buy a new one. Not to mention I've been coming home at the end of the day with no energy to speak of. Hopefully I'll pick up the pace soon.

I've never been into wearing anything approved by Jolly Roger (I find them a bit macabre for my tastes), but the scientist in me just couldn't let go of this find from the H&M Boys section. For one, it's much cheaper and more practical than the Rodarte for Target sequined ribcage dress, which appears to be available no more. The sweater is also surprisingly soft and comfortable. I ended up getting another sweater (much more work-appropriate one) from the boys section too, but it's in the laundry. Maybe next time...

Hebden, who incorporate the skulls ever so skillfully in her outfits, inspired this one, which was worn sometime in December when it was a bit chilly but not that cold:

[H&M Boys sweater, Marc by Marc Jacobs neon yellow watch, Geren Ford shorts, J. Crew wool tights, Bloch London flats.]



While I was Christmas shopping at the Fossil outlet in Cabazon, I came across a bunch of M by MJ watches, including the fruit ones that I thought was long gone! They weren't cheap, but they were much, much more affordable than the full sticker price. Since they had a promotional deal, I went a little crazy with buying watches. I gave a white guitar-on-a-chain watch to my sister for Christmas, and she loves it, so it worked out. =) This neon cuff watch is just what I need to perk up all that black I've been wearing--it's bold, but not too wacky for work.

The Long Run

Happy 2010! May a new decade bring positive changes and strengthen lasting bonds. I still can't believe that it is now Year 2010; it seems like one of those years in science fictions from long ago that would never arrive. We still use roads, fossil fuels, and don't around Jetson-style in pods yet, but technology has been developing on an exponential curve, so the fictional visions of the future may become reality sooner than I think.

A lot of people make New Year's resolutions, which is good--it gives some goals to work toward. Not all of them may be fulfilled, but we all need some impetus to get started. Here are a few of my resolutions (in no particular order), which I hope will last beyond just this year:

1) Become more financially savvy--I'd like to think I do pretty well in saving. However, there's always room for improvement, and it's important to do more than just save. Given the uncertain economic times, and unexpected expenses, it's good to have a good financial cushion around. It's not just enough to save put money into a 401(k), which tanked for a lot of people. In addition to the retirement accounts, it's important to build up savings that is readily accessible.

Once a particular savings goal is reached (say, a year's worth of living expenses), the next step is to learn how to make some of that money work a little harder. That's something I really need to learn to work on. A savvy friend of mine recommended Motley Fool as a resource to start with. Now that the markets are starting to recover, it is as good of a time to think or rethink investment strategies.

2) Evaluate and/or revamp habits and customs--it's easy to fall into bad patterns without knowing it, especially when there are competing priorities. It's important to notice what's been going on, what's been going wrong, why it's been going wrong, figure out the root of the problem, and replace the bad patterns with good ones.

In the last couple of months, I've noticed that my eating schedules and habits have gone awry, I've practically stopped exercising, gotten a bit nonchalant about getting things done/getting to places on time (which is really not me), just stopped caring about many things in general (like watering my plants), etc. Most of these problems stem from being tired, and sometimes sick, which eventually lead to laziness and apathy. A very basic way of fixing the problem is simply getting regular and comfortable sleep, which often went by the wayside on my quest to do as much as possible with what little time I have. Sleep is not a waste of time--it's quite essential. Without energy, discipline and willpower will eventually wear away.

3) Exercise--my Wii Fit is completely underutilized. I need to pop in fresh batteries and start getting on that thing again.

4) Learn when to take a break--this has been the hardest lesson for me to learn. I've always known one speed in life, and that's fast and furious. However, life is a marathon, not a sprint to the finish; there will be no victory lap if the tank is out of gas. Since there are no summer or winter breaks in the life after school, it's up to me to learn when to schedule in vacations and use them wisely.

5) Edit my wardrobe--the growth of my closet has finally hit the hilt of rate-determining factors called time and space, which seemed infinite until now. There's no more room to store things, and there is an inversely-proportional amount of time to look through all the stuff I have. This means I need to reduce my inventory of casual things that I don't wear much anymore (I'm not a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl anymore), be more selective about things I acquire, and replace worn-out clothing with quality, professional pieces that will last for a long time. Given my professional development, it seems like my style has changed permanently from "all kinds of crazy" to "subtly grown-up with a few funky elements."

Editing is easier said than done. I've been clinging to the idea that one doesn't have to choose between quality and quantity--which was fine and all until a certain point. I think the space factor pretty much disproves my theory, much to my chagrin. If my days as a law review editor taught me anything, it would be to preserve as much of the author's intent and underlying character of the piece as much as humanly possible, while tossing out excessive words or florid language that distract the reader from the main point. Translated into sartorial applications, it means figuring out what my style really is (which I've done), and getting rid of things that really don't fit the bill.

I've been paying more attention to the frequency with which I wear certain things to determine what the true closet staples are. Those are the ones I'll stick with for years to come and worthy of investment. Here are my observations:

-One can never go wrong with leather (or pleather)--my leather hoodie gets worn the most because it goes with everything. It doens't hurt that the jacket has garnered the most compliments of anything I've worn.

-One must also have a pair of well-fitting black bottoms--they go with everything. My black slacks get worn the most during the week, while my black faux leather leggings are worn practically all the time on the weekends during these colder months (ironic given the fact that I've eschewed leggings for the longest time). My black wool tights allows me to wear practically any sort of dresses, skirts, and shorts these last few months.

-Long- and short-sleeved T-shirts in a couple of colors, patterns, and cuts will do wonders. My fitted gray Gap crewneck t-shirt is perfect with cardigans and blazers for work, and goes with literally everything I wear on the weekends. A slouchier v-neck t-shirt in a lighter color is great for a more casual weekend look. A few graphic t-shirt breaks up the color-block humdrum. That's pretty much all I need.

-Signature accessories--in a professional setting, accessories provide personality to otherwise standard fare. I wear fairly bland colors because it's easy, safe, and classy to do so, but I don't think I ever look boring. In the winter months, scarves are my friends. My black and white Gap scarf with bold stripes, which I got as a gift, is one of my best assets; it keeps me warm and looks great year after year. I have a few vintage scarves for the summer as well. Patterned and/or colored hosiery, ranging from subtle and loud, definitely add a pop to any outfit. Various combinations of jewelry can make varying degrees of impact, whether in the form of a single statement piece, a stack of mix-and-matches, or a few simple pieces together.

-Great shoes--the importance of great shoes can never be understated. People do notice these things, as shallow as it seems. They don't need to be expensive at all (plenty of my shoes come from Payless or Target), but they have to look solid and feel comfortable. It's hard to go wrong with patent leather (real or faux), even for the cheap ones (at least initially; they look great until they get scuffed up). While the stilettos are sexier and more artsy, the real workhorses are the ones with the thicker but not too chunky heels.

On my trip to Hong Kong, I had to pack for occasions ranging from formal to casual, and I narrowed down the essential footwear to 4 pairs: a pair of black Marc by Marc Jacobs mary janes with a shiny star and martini heel (for the formal occasion), an old pair of black knee-high boots with a blocky heel (to go with practically everything), a pair of classic flats in white with black captoes (for a dressier outfit on a day that requires a lot of walking), and a pair of blue and yellow Nikes (for a casual outing). Ankle-length boots are also great to go with slacks for work or something shorter for play. Not that I'll kick my shoe habit anytime soon, but I do recognize that if I really have to limit myself to as few pairs of shoes as possible, these are the true "needs."

-A good shift dress is a must. My blue DvF wool shift dress goes with everything--blazers and cardigans for work, leather jacket, boots, and a funky scarf for weekends.

-One or two good bags--a chic bag in a medium size, with some structure (either a tote or a satchel), and solid classic color (black, something neutral, blue, or dark red), without bells and whistles, will carry you everywhere. If it has an additional shoulder strap that could be readily put or or removed, then all the better.

-A good coat, a few cardigans, well-fitted blazers, light-weight silk blouses (in solid colors, a few bold prints, and a couple with asymmetric details), and undergarments (of course) round out the true "essentials."


What are your goals for life and style, for this year and beyond? Any particular essentials you can't live without? Discuss.

Alphabet Soup

[Edit: I was a law review editor, but I can't even edit my own blog posts. Shame on me...duly corrected. My brain is already on vacation even though I'm not there yet.]

When I was a kid, my mom used to make soup noodles with a can of Campbell's vegetable soup. I used to love taking my soup and fishing out the alphabets. The concept of alphabet-shaped letters pasta were was very fascinating to a young, impressionable lass (how did they make 'em?).

I still get the canned vegetable soup and use them for various things, but the soup I buy don't have the alphabets in them anymore. I'm suddenly feeling nostalgic for them after my much awaited crazy alphabet tights, which I wrote about months ago but were back-ordered, finally got here this week. I'm surprised by how easily they integrated into my wardrobe; while alphabet tights are not something that people see everyday, the colors are fairly muted, so the tights do not scream out loud. They do make enough noise, however, to keep things interesting.

[Michael Kors leather hoodie, Love Yaya tunic, The Limited necklace, House of Holland x Pretty Polly tights, vintage ankle boots.]





I'm going to be out of the country for the next couple weeks. I'll try to see if I'll be able to post--I'll have my laptop with me, but the question is whether I'll have the time to do it. If I don't get to post during my trip, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Layering Chains

My work style for the past several weeks had been rather woeful. I didn't really have much time to think about what to wear--just throw on something black or gray and face the long day ahead. This week I finally got back on track, and it's quite fun to make work outfits interesting again. It also helps that the heat waves have finally come to an end, and I can work with layers.

Although I tend to make some rather outrageous jewelry for myself and for the shop, I haven't been very adventurous about layering chains. My style tends to be fairly predictable--something bland mixed with a statement piece or two--so it's a good time to try something different. Like Elaine at Clothed Much, I got inspired by the J. Crew catalog's idea of layering necklaces. I'm more of a minimalist, so here's my take with faux pearls and a silver multichain cluster necklace I picked up from the BCBG outlet:

[Love Yaya tunic (worn as top), secondhand pencil skirt from clothing swap, a really old Tally Ho sweatercoat purchased from Ross many, many years ago, faux pearls ripped from a Forever 21 top and converted into a necklace, BCBG cluster necklace, Hue tights, Calvin Klein pumps.]





My eyes locked onto the cluster necklace the minute I saw it at one BCBG outlet, but I didn't pick it up until later, when it was marked down. The necklace a very simple piece, and it's easy to just throw over my head and go. The clusters are really cute (love playing with them) yet sophisticated. Since it is somewhat of a hybrid of a chain and beaded necklace, I can mix it with colorful beaded necklaces or silver chains. It is very contemporary and livens up a classic look--it punches up pearls in a "not your mother's pearls" fashion.

I've been debating about wearing patterend or colored tights to work. What do you think about that? I've seen a court reporter wear a plum pair of tights with a black shift dress, and she looked very polished (we actually had a conversation about that after a deposition, which was pretty cool). I have a lot of tights that have fairly conservative patterns, but once in a while I want to wear something more adventurous. The checkered tights above are a little more out there, so I kept everything else rather low-key (except for the layered jewelry). I probably won't wear these to court, but it was refreshing to see someone at a hearing wearing some fabulous knitted pattterned tights with a pair of black Loubotins and a beige trench--very businesslike, but definitely not boring.

Double Trouble

"A wide double-buckled stretchy belt that fits" is a fairly specific accessory, perhaps too much so--it has been oh-so elusive. Because my waist is fairly small, it has been all but impossible to find a stretchy belt that doesn't slide down to my hips.

Fortunately, I finally found one at Forever 21. The stretchy portion is constructed of a raffia-like material instead of the obvious elastic. Cheap without looking cheap...now that's what I'm talking about!

I've also wanted a skeleton key necklace for a very long time. I was looking for a single key on a single chain, but the necklace at Forever 21 that I ended up buying had two sitting on attached chains. I may take them apart at some point, but the status quo works for me right now.

[Forever 21 grayish-purple fleece bomber, necklace, sunglasses, and belt; Gap t-shirt dress; Giuseppe Zanotti grommeted sandals.]



Wow...I didn't realize that so many components of my outfit came from Forever 21. I really don't shop there all that much, but when I do, I tend to be pretty picky about the pieces I buy because I want them all to last. The fleece bomber, which I found for $5 a few years ago, has been one of the most versatile pieces in my closet. California weather veers from cool to hot and back again all on the same day; warm layers with short sleeves are the most appropriate pieces for bridging the gap. When I'm sick and the outdoor temperature has a 10-15 degree differential on the indoor conditions (80-something degrees vs. the low 70s), I count on jackets like these to keep me from getting even more sick.

(Color-)Block Party

After having zero energy for weeks, I'm feeling much better this weekend. I still haven't figured out what exactly is making me so tired--could be allergies, could be not eating well because I have no time to cook lately, or it could be (ironically) too much caffeine--but I'm trying to get back to living a healthier lifestyle. The hardest part is motivating myself to take the time to rest, cook, and exercise. It's a bit of a Catch-22: it seems like there is no time to do any of those things (especially when I get home really late), but if those things aren't done, the body will just get tired and productivity will keep on sliding downhill. It's just a vicious cycle. If you can get your hands on a Wii Fit, I highly recommend it--it really does work you, yet it doesn't feel like a workout. While that little 30-minute fanfare music is a bit cheesy, it sets an easy goal to shoot for.

Anyway, on with the real post. I know that I've been teasing everyone with mentions of the crazy House of Holland colorblock tights. They're tougher to work with than I thought, but I really like how the initial experiments worked out. There will definitely be more experiments with them, but it depends on how long the tights last. Sadly, on the first day I wore them out, a splinter from a wooden chair caused a run and a hole. I patched it up a bit, and it lasted through the second wear fairly well. Let's hope that it'll hold up a lot longer...

I started with some obvious companion pieces on the first try--a pair of shorts similar in color with the separation bands, and lots of black.

[Gap t-shirt, Development blazer, Red Rocket Glare necklace made by me, Miu Miu sunglasses with silver rectangular frames, rings from Etsy, American Eagle Outfitters shorts, House of Holland x Pretty Polly tights, Ciao Bella peeptoe booties.]


The second experiment involved a different strategy--bringing in something brightly colored to contrast the grayscale tights. I definitely took a risk with this look, and people probably thought I was crazy to wear this out.

[Target tank top, White by Development corduroy mini ($5 from a parking lot sale), Mike & Chris hoodie vest, House of Holland x Pretty Polly tights, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes.]



More looks with these tights are sure to come in the future, but it is hard to say when. This is not something I can wear to work, that's for sure.

Autumn Whites

The "no white after Labor Day" "rule" simply cannot apply to Southern California. While it is now officially Autumn, the temperature is still hovering around 90-100 degrees.

Yesterday was one of those hot days. I woke up late in the morning to a phone call inviting me to visit my friends' newborn. I had to put together an outfit in a hurry. It was already 90 degrees at that point, so it made sense to wear something light and casual:

[Gap eyelet blouse, a 3-rhinestone necklace that I got for a buck at Robinsons-May years ago, American Eagle Outfiters shorts, cuff from Etsy, Pour La Victoire sandals, Liz Claiborne bag, Raybans. No, I do not have two-toned hair; I'm not sure what funny tricks the camera was playing on me.]





I've been eyeing this Constellation cuff from Clare Stoker for quite some time, and I'm so glad that I finally got it. I like jewelry that are subtle but eye-catching, and this fits the bill--the brushed brass surface and the random holes of different sizes make the cuff simple and beautiful. It also fits my small wrist very well. The holes also happen to complement the eyelet blouse.

What a difference a day makes. The weather really cooled down today, so I finally got to wear those colorblock tights. Sadly, a splinter on a wooden chair I sat on snagged a hole already. I did some repairs, and I hope that my handiwork holds up. Pictures to come after I manage to make a few more outfits out of them.

Classic Metal

When I was a student, I believed that I needed to start building a wardrobe of dress shirts for my impending entry into the professional world, even though I never liked wearing them. However, I overestimated the true need for these shirts, and most of them have been banished to the very corner of the closet. I've come to realize that I've been behaving somewhat like a kid who does not want to eat her veggies--the closet staples are good for me, and I should learn to embrace them instead of being wasteful and banishing them to a corner.

Part of my prejudice against dress shirts is the perception that it is too corporate, too preppy, too "classic," too stiff and uncomfortable. I'm trying to challenge myself to convert these shirts into outfits that I am comfortable with and fitting with my style. I started doing that on a very hot Sunday with a loose-fitting and light white shirt that I picked out from a Robinsons-May clearance rack for $7 a good number of years ago (I think 6-7 years ago), when I was still not completely versed in the art of finding a shirt that fits properly. I haven't worn this dress shirt in ages because it is too loose, but the looseness is perfect for a relaxed outfit on the weekend. Also, a conservative shirt allows me to wear less-than-classic pieces--shorts and my new sky-high Pierre Hardy sandals--without looking like a streetwalker. As a fan of color gradients and geometric forms, I just love the straps of the sandals--very edgy, but also ageless. A "modern classic," if you will. The back closes with a Velcro strap, which is an unexpected touch.

Pearls (real or faux) have a conservative bent, but I've always enjoyed designing jewelry by combining pearls and other materials to create sleek contemporary baubles. I don't have any time to design jewelry these days (though I hope to start making things again once an upcoming trial is over), but I do have time to wear them. Wearing pearls with a white shirt is a bit too classic for me, but juxtaposing pearls with a contemporary metallic piece results in a look I want to achieve--timeless, but seemingly ahead of time. A cauldron of contradictions.

[Valerie Stevens shirt, Ben Amun necklace, faux pearls that I took off of an F21 tank and converted into a long necklace, various rings from Etsy, Gap shorts, Pierre Hardy sandals.]

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

If I look at things logically, I ought to have outgrown glitter and stars. However, sometimes I just can't help it.

I've been ooohing and awwwing over a pair of shoes with a martini heel and a pave-laden star on it, but the price was just prohibitive for a pair of shoes that better suits someone younger than I. After months of waiting, the price at DSW finally dropped to about 80% off retail, and surprisingly, there were many pairs left, including a pair in my size. Part of me thought that it is rather foolish to buy something that is arguably too cute for a grown woman. The other part of me thinks that I am still young enough to make them work, so why not have fun with them while I still can? The latter school of thought won out--carpe diem, right?

There's no doubt that they look cute, but to my surprise, these shoes can actually look quite glamorous, whether I'm wearing a vintage dress or a Casual-Friday-then-straight-for-the-weekend outfit. I think that they would be fairly discrete when partially concealed with a pair of long slacks as well. It's hard to go wrong with a black patent leather base, no matter what the embellishments are.

[Vintage look: hair flower from Arden B from ages ago, vintage dress thrifted from Goodwill, Liz Claiborne reversible belt, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes.]




[Casual Friday: tweed jacket from Express (clearance + gift card = a clear winner), t-shirt from a dance club, Goldsign "Envy" jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes. Rings--rock crystal ring made by me, the other two are from Etsy.]

Liquid Silver

I wore this a while back, and thought it would make a great Fourth of July outfit...


[H&M jacket ($15 on clearance), Old Navy camisole ($3), dagger necklace made by me, Gap striped shorts, Pour La Victoire faux snake skin sandals]

...but the weather would not permit the jacket on the actual holiday. Time for Plan B. I resorted to something that was light and captured the spirit without the obvious color scheme. The hoodie is white, the sunglasses has blue frames, and the eyeshadow was a flaming copper red. Everything else sparkled like embers of fireworks.

[Marc Jacobs sunglasses ($15 from Loehmann's clearance), Ben Amun chain necklace ($7, also from Loehmann's clearance), Park Vogel sheer hoodie, Old Navy lurex racerback dress, Givenchy Gillie jelly sandals, silver nail polish for the toes.]


I just love fluid forms in bright, reflective silver--simple yet striking and sophisticated. In addition to the big chunky necklace above, I picked up a couple of smaller baubles. They are perfect for going with all the dark colors and simple pieces that I've been wearing for work these days.

[Argento Vivo sterling silver twist pendant necklace ($10 from Loehmann's. I wore it here, but it didn't show up so well in the pictures), Forever 21 plastic dome ring ($2.80).]