How I Do Spring

Wearing // Old LOFT dress (love this & this) Steve Madden sandals, Clare V bag, Gorjana rings

 I always struggle with sharing clothing that isn't available any longer, but I'm coming to the realization that a personal style blog should be...about my personal style. The point isn't about buying an exact item I feature, but to hopefully provide ideas more than anything. And can we all agree that everyone should own a flirty little day dress? I think so! 

I bought this printed dress from LOFT last year, and I've worn it to a baby shower, bridal shower, and out on the weekends. The flutter sleeves and flounced hem give it extra movement which I love. I normally prefer fit and flare dresses on my body, but once in awhile I like to try something different.  I'm not as comfortable in shorts so dresses are my go-to in Spring and Summer when temps easily hit over 100. I throw on some suede sandals (I have these in nude and black as well), a neutral bag, and simple gold jewelry to look put-together with honestly no effort! The warmer months should be all about ease. What's your favorite Spring outfit?

Linking up with Gina, Amy Ann, and Brooke

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Express Cardigan + Gingham Flats

There was a slight spring in my step last week, and I partly owe it to some new flats I recently added. Gingham seems to be everywhere, and although it's not a print I typically gravitate towards, the style and fit of these were too adorable to resist. I basically live in flats so when I see a pair I like, I know I'll wear them to death!

Wearing // Express cardigan, Similar cami, Old Navy jeans, Target flats

Beauty // M.A.C lipstick in Ravishing, Charlotte Tilbury palette

I've also been living in this cardigan that I've actually had since January. It's such a beautiful color that goes with all of the basics in my closet. I love pairing it with black, white, gray, and even blush. I find that when you have a simple way of dressing, branching out into different color combinations is the easiest way to liven things up without stepping out of your comfort zone. And with Spring temperatures around the corner, now is the perfect time to try some of the trends we'll be seeing in the next few months. I'm slowing incorporating some into my daily looks and I can't wait to show you ladies! I've already updated my "shop" tab if you want a peek at what I'm loving!

Are you shopping for Spring and Summer yet? What's on your radar? Linking up with Carylee and Rachelle today.

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Delicate Everyday Jewelry + Brands

 A few years ago, I loved wearing just one statement piece to dress up my everyday outfits. Remember the big floral necklaces, colorful cocktail rings, and chunky bracelets? Well I've mostly abandoned those in favor of dainty, delicate, and wearable pieces that can be mixed and matched, layered, or just worn as part of your signature style. I've always enjoyed the idea of collecting unique jewelry that is so simple and understated that you don't even need to take it off at the end of the day. It almost becomes a part of you.

I used to get so caught up in trendy pieces, and it's still tempting at times. But for the first time ever, I'm really happy with my downsized jewelry collection and I'm more particular about buying anything new. My rule is this: If I can't wear it on a daily basis, I know it's not for me. That doesn't mean I won't wear something more colorful or bold, but it has to have some versatility.

Stella & Dot Covet initial necklace, C.Henry crescent necklace, Ring Crush rings

Aside from what you see here, other brands that I love for beautiful delicate jewelry:

Elizabeth Stone
Lush Jewelry
Gorjana
Teressa Lane
Local Eclectic for a one-stop shop


I currently have my heart set on these:

 What's your jewelry style? I hope you ladies had a great weekend!

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Bows, Ballerinas & March Updates

I saw this sweater during a recent shopping trip and fell in love with the bows on the back. I didn't have time to try it on so I went with my usual medium petite and it is definitely a generous fit! I wish I would have gone down a size but after wearing it all weekend, I think it's evident that I'm keeping it. I decided to go casual glam with my favorite lived-in jeans and classic Chanel ballerinas. In all honesty, this was one of those weekends where I had no idea what to wear, and I always go back to simple pieces when that happens. Nate has been working crazy hours, so the last thing I want to do is fuss about getting ready during his days off. No time for that!

Wearing// Nordstrom sweater, Old Navy jeans, Sezane bag, Chanel flats, Ring Crush rings

Beauty // Lips in NARS Sex Machine

It's been a couple months since I last did this but here is what I'm currently...

1. Planning - A fun girl's day at Kendra Scott that my friend Gina is hosting. Two of my girlfriends are coming along and I can't wait to add a new KS piece to my collection. I'm thinking something in gold and turquoise?

2. Seeing - how I do in one of my copy editing classes. I'm working on my final exam this week, and then I'll have to wait to find out my final grade. No pressure.

3. Making - new recipes from Trader Joe's. I've gotten ideas from their website. Honestly, the easiest way to switch things up is to add new seasonings. The chile lime seasoning is a recent discovery and it's SO good on my morning eggs!

4. Pretending - I have it more together than I really do. Fake it til you make it!

5. Wearing - a standard uniform that includes my sezane bag, cozy pullover sweaters, and flats (see above). However, I have a few Spring things in mind and I can't wait to share with you what I've been eyeing. I plan on doing a Spring capsule post soon.

Linking up with Anne, Gina, and Amy Ann

What are you up to lately? Tell me everything 😉

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Olive & Blush Basics

Wearing // Old jacket, Tobi tee c/o Nordstrom jeans, Sam Edelman pumps

Hey ladies, just a quick casual Friday post to get you ready for the weekend! I've been really inspired by some beautiful color combinations geared towards Spring, and olive and blush tones are my personal favorite. I love taking basics and elevating them like this. A utility jacket, distressed denim, blush accessories...Except, something was missing...I've needed a simple white tee for awhile now, and this one from Tobi was just what my wardrobe was missing. It's a jersey material, which means it's super soft and has a nice flow. That seems to be the case for all Tobi items I've tried. You can't go wrong with a t-shirt and jeans! As a California girl, I live in mine. Day or night, as long as you add your own unique flair, you're good to go.

I hope you have a great weekend, I'll see you back here on Monday with what I wore for Valentine's Day.

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Dark Florals + I Sort of Tried Balayage

Wearing // Asos dress, BlankNYC jacket (on sale), Sam Edelman pumps

You might not believe this, but I tried dying my hair blonde in high school. Blonde. I actually wish I had a picture as proof, but all of my photo albums are at my mom's house probably buried somewhere. Needless to say, it wasn't flattering. It's crazy how different I wanted to make myself back then. You know, the tall blonde bombshell with blue eyes. Instead, I wound up with orange straw after a boy at the local beauty school ruined my hair. I took it well.

Ever since, I've enjoyed being a brunette. It's low-maintenance, it suits my coloring, and I only darken it a couple times per year to give it richness and shine. Except, it does get a little boring having the same hairstyle year after year, so for awhile now I've been thinking about trying balayage. Aside from not knowing how to spell it, I also wasn't sure if it would suit me. Scary images of bad brassy dye came to mind. My hair holds a lot of orange, so I'm very particular about who I let color it. Thankfully I have a great stylist and she's been gently trying to introduce the idea of balayage to me. We started last week, and even though it's incredibly subtle, I can tell the difference. She mostly painted sections underneath my hair for that "peekaboo" effect. When the sunlight hits it just right, some caramel pieces come through. I'm all about natural so although we didn't veer away from that this time, I may go lighter gradually. Or, I may not!

What do you guys think? Have you tried balayage?

Linking up with Rachelle and Carylee today.

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Black, Camel, & Leopard

                 Wearing // Similar sweater, Topshop jeans, Similar pumps, Similar bag,  Nordstrom scarf                     Beauty // Lips in M.A.C. "Hot Gossip"

There are a few classic color combinations that everyone should have in their Winter wardrobe; black and white, grey and red, and my personal favorite - black and camel. It always translates chic! This outfit looked beautiful on its own, but in place of wearing a long pendant necklace or other jewelry, I decided to put my leopard scarf to use. I originally saw it on Gina and Amy Ann (linked below), and I'm happy I added it to my closet during the holidays. You could easily wear something like this to work, or perhaps on a night out when you want to look more polished than your regular jeans + sweater uniform (which has been mine all month long!)

I'm still nursing a terrible cold/infection so I'm keeping it short today. Just a reminder to take care of yourselves this season!

Linking up with Straight A Style & On The Daily Express

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Check Mini Dress

Wearing //  Similar dress, Similar velvet blazer, Sole Society booties, Sezane bag, Stella & Dot ring  

Beauty // Lips in Clinique Black Honey

I got this check mini dress right after Christmas, and this outfit is head-to-toe what I wore on new years eve. Yes, I skipped the usual glitz and shine and just decided to go with something understated for my friend's party. I'm really loving the plaid trend. Asos has quite a few options, but this dress caught my eye in the petite department. Great for layering and extremely versatile depending on the season. I think it'll look nice in the Spring with a long cardigan and kitten heels. If you are currently in the midst of snow (hello bomb cyclone) pairing a dress like this with thick tights and a coat would be polished enough for work.

Speaking of which, I hope my friends on the east coast and beyond are staying safe and warm! I can count on one hand how many times I've even seen snow. Ridiculous but true!

Linking up with: More Pieces of Me & Pink Sole

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Holiday Outfit Idea: Cozy Cardigan

For my last holiday outfit idea, I decided to take things down a notch and dress the way I usually do for family gatherings - simple, comfortable, and casual. As much as I love getting dressed up this time of year, I must confess that my friends and family are more about sitting by the fireplace than partying it up somewhere fancy. Which ultimately translates into casual clothes that I can chase my niece in AND play board games involving wine (um, it's a thing around here). Bonus points for a ridiculously soft layer you can later sleep in too! I mean, after all that kid chasing and pinot noir...

Cozy Cardigan

Wear it to: 

Shopping on the weekend

Brunch

Party at a friend's house

Christmas Day

New Year's Day

Wearing //

Gibson cardigan

Asos skirt

Express cami, similar here & here

Halogen clutch, similar here

Stella & Dot covet necklaces 1 & 2

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Black Friday Purchases

Hey ladies, happy December! I just have a quick rundown of my purchases from last week when practically everything was on sale. I've never been much of a black Friday shopper but the deals were hard to resist this year! In fact, some of these items are still on sale and I have a feeling that most stores will continue to run promotions throughout the month so check often.
I'm finding that although I'm drawn to a lot of the current trends, I'm still committed to buying pieces that will get plenty of wear, fill a void in my wardrobe, and look great with things I already own. You know, the whole "buy less, choose well" mantra from Vivienne Westwood.

Aside from some gifts, here is what I picked up for myself:

1. B.P. Nordstrom leopard scarf - I can count on one hand how many scarves I own (I don't really need them living in southern CA) but I do love the way they make a sweater or coat look more interesting. After seeing this leopard print scarf on Gina and Amy Ann, I knew it would be the perfect neutral addition to my closet. 

2. Lush pocket tee - On my never ending quest to find the perfect t-shirt, I stumbled upon this one by Lush. I went down a size because they are quite forgiving. Love it in the taupe color I got, but also tempted to order another in white. They are incredibly soft. 

3. Old Navy rockstar jeans - The Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans are some of my favorites due to fit, length, and price. I have two distressed pairs that I keep in constant rotation, and I'm happy to add another in a darker rinse. They will go with absolutely everything!

4. Sole Society "Devyn" booties - I have a few pairs of Sole Society shoes and I've always been happy with the level of comfort and price point. 

5. Asos pink cord mini skirt - I just received this in the mail and I love it! It's definitely a "mini" but as long as the rest of me is covered, I can wear it comfortably without feeling too exposed. 

Did you participate in the sales this year? Share in the comments! Have a great weekend.

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Holiday Outfit Idea: Velvet

I wore this blazer twice over the long Thanksgiving weekend, and it's hands-down the current favorite in my closet. Out of all the looks I have planned for the holidays, this is definitely the most versatile. Trust me, you need some velvet in your life!

Velvet

Wear it to:

A holiday party or dinner

Date night

Girls night

New Years Eve

Anywhere!

This blazer is on sale too! 

Wear it more casually as I've done here, or drape it over a dress (it would pair perfectly on top of my first holiday idea).

Wearing //

Express blazer on sale

Lush clothing tee

Topshop jeans

Zara pumps, similar here & here

Sezane bag

C. Henry necklace

Stella & Dot covet necklaces (here & here)

Stella & Dot ring

Beauty //

Lips in M.A.C. "Ravishing"

There are so many beautiful trends making the rounds, but velvet is the one I'm crazy over.  It doesn't matter whether it's a top, skirt, or even heels, anything in this sumptuous fabric adds just the right amount of elegance. And the best part is that it doesn't seem to be going anywhere! Velvet is still going to be big well into next year, so you can keep the chic going long after the holidays are gone.

I hope you ladies had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and thank you to those who entered the Nordstrom giveaway last week! I'm jealous of the winner! 

Linking up with Gina, Amy Ann, and Brooke. 

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Holiday Outfit Idea: Lace Dress

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and the holidays coming so quickly, I wanted to provide some ideas that can be worn on these special occasions. I know we all celebrate in our own way - some of us hit the party circuit, while some of us hibernate by the fire. No matter what your style is or what your plans are, I'll be featuring three distinct looks that hopefully will inspire you as we get closer to the holidays. First up...

The Lace Dress

Wear it to:

 Fall or Winter wedding

Company or corporate dinner party

Any "formal" event

New Years Eve

The lace dress is probably my favorite, and I've worn it to so many events like weddings, anniversaries, and a girls' night out. The key here is in its versatility. Lace looks formal, but it isn't as dramatic as say, sequins. The timeless elegance will never go out of style, and you'll be surprised at how much wear you can get from a simple lace dress. This one in particular epitomizes my personal style pretty clearly. It's a gorgeous jewel tone, the silhouette flatters my curves, and the length is so feminine. I feel that it's fairly universal and not only will you get compliments from your significant other, but your fussy aunt from out of town may just do a double-take as well :)

Wearing //

LOFT dress, similar here & here

Sam Edelman pumps

Stella & Dot cuff

Lush jewelry ring

Nordstrom clutch, similar

Linking up with Carylee and Rachelle today!

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The Wrap Coat

I love a good coat. The right one can instantly elevate an outfit into something more sophisticated, whether you wear it over a dress or with jeans. I hate to admit that I own more coats than is possibly necessary living in California. I have a trench coat, a duster, one decked in stripes, another in plaid. My friends often tease me - where are you going in that? Um, anywhere! 

My newest coat for this season is a wrap style in a gorgeous salmon color. What I love is that it provides warmth without being stuffy, looking bulky, or feeling too formal. I like to wear mine open, with the tie in the back looped into a big bow but it looks just as pretty cinched around the waist for more definition. This is a great transitional piece for those of you in colder climates, or the perfect weight if you live in a warmer area like I do but still want to have some fun with the idea of a coat. I can't wait to wear this over a black dress for a Christmas party next month. I have so many styling ideas, which means that I was right to buy such a versatile piece. 

Wearing //

Express coat, check stores or similar 

Topshop jeans

Sam Edelman pumps

Sezane bag

Lips in Nudestix "Mystic"

What do you think of the wrap coat trend? Linking up with Gina, Amy Ann, Brooke.

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New In: Sézane Bag

If you've been reading here for any length of time, I think you'll know how much I love a good handbag. I tend to splurge on them because I see a bag as more of an investment rather than clothes or even shoes. A beautiful bag can transform your look, and with careful consideration, it can last for years to come.

 I've been on the hunt specifically for a black shoulder bag with gold hardware. I always have criteria in mind and this time was fairly simple: easy to get in and out of (no front flap or cumbersome details), no big logos, medium in size, and above all, polished enough for everyday use.

Enter the French brand Sézane, which I have fallen completely in love with thanks to some of my favorite bloggers. Do yourself a favor and take a look at their site. So much inspiration! Introducing the "abelle".

Abelle bag

It has such an elegant look without being overstated. Zip top closure, brushed rounded gold chain that's incredibly light, feet on the bottom, outside and inside pocket, suede and leather body - It really is everything I wanted. Shipping only took a week. I had never heard of Sézane until the Summer, but now I want it all!

What do you ladies think? Have you made any exciting handbag purchases for Fall?

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Polka Dot Swing Dress

I'm loving the polka dot trend! Wait, are polka dots a trend? It seems like a fairly classic print to me, although it comes around every couple of years.

Wearing //

Old Navy dress

Sam Edelman pumps

Elizabeth Stone ring, similar

Stella & Dot studs

Beauty //

Lips in NARS "Sex Machine"

A swingy little dress like this is a curvy girl's dream. The jersey fabric feels as soft as pj's, but it's great for work and play. I love this style in particular because the silhouette skims the body in all the right places and allows for lots of movement. You can dress it up with pumps, or dress it down with ankle boots and flats. Pick your favorite accessories and you have a complete outfit you probably won't want to take off!

How are you ladies doing this week? I'm tackling my to-do list one item at a time and am feeling productive! After taking a couple weeks off from yoga, I'm back at it tonight. I can see why people get addicted - it really does have an impact on me, more so mentally than physically which is what I need. If your mind isn't in the right place, it affects your entire well-being.

I'll be back on Thursday with a fun post on my new Fall/Winter bag so be sure to come back then!

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