Beach Day

Loving this canvas tote by the SF-based company, Amour Vert. Is that not the perfect little saying? I may be a little biased though since Paris is on my bucket list and I love being a Cali girl! I think the tote might be currently sold-out but I'll bet they'll get more in if you're interested. 

Steve Madden "Bride" sandals, old. Color Club nail polish in "Modern Pink"

Maxi dress by Loft (in petite), last worn below. 

It was so windy that we couldn't get one good single shot from this beach day. Below I'm more dressed up but that's the only difference. 

By now, you all know I'm a self-proclaimed beach bum. If I could live there, or even remotely close by, I would do so in a heartbeat. I'd even live in a shack, cuz that's about all we can afford! Unfortunately, I'm about 45 minutes away from the coastline and that often means road trips on the weekends. Even after Summer is long gone, my husband and I will bring blankets, sweaters, and usually a bottle of wine to share on the beach while the sun goes down (we have to be discreet about the wine because you aren't supposed to drink on the beach here in SoCal. Correct me if I'm wrong fellow Californians!) Any chance we get, we head for the ocean. They say that saltwater is the cure for just about any ailment, and I strongly believe that. It centers me, and allows me to feel present in my life. Most of the time I don't feel balanced, as I'm a chronic worrier and my anxiety gets the better of me. But hearing the waves and seeing how infinite the ocean is reminds me that I am here. And that I shouldn't take any minute of my life for granted.

By the way, Happy Friday! I'll make it to the coast at some point this weekend :)

Continue the post

Casual Sparkle

Wearing // 

Zara skirt (old) but pretty options here and here

Express sleeveless portofino

J.Crew Factory sandals

Kate Spade bag, in red for Fall!

Anthropologie necklace (obsessed)

Stella & Dot engraveables necklace

Forever 21 pearl stud earrings

Beauty //

YSL "Le Orange" lipstick

Chanel "Graphite" nails

Urban Decay Naked Palette

When I think about sequins, sparkle, and gold, I tend like many of you to associate them with getting all dolled up. But why can't a gold sequined skirt just be worn casually? Like to run to the grocery store or pump gas or visit the doctor? Okay, I'm totally kidding. I would never wear this outfit to the doctor's office. A grocery run or a gas station...maybe. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that I think we should break "the rules" sometimes and just wear whatever the hell we wanna wear, wherever we want to wear it. Me, well I wore this out to dinner. Hubby and I even took a walk on the wild side and ventured into the mall, despite protests that there would be too many high school kids roaming about on a Friday night. We walked anyways, and although I probably resembled a disco ball to some, I felt just as comfortable in this casual-ish outfit than I would have felt in jeans and flip-flops. I just felt a bit more glamorous.

Continue the post

Out on a School Night

Wearing //

Old Navy skirt

Express barcelona cami

Ivanka Trump flats, similar here and here

Kate Spade bag, loving this for Fall!

Target necklace, similar

Benevolent Jewels monogram necklace

Beauty //

Essie mint candy apple nail polish

YSL "Le Orange"

This mini photo session was completely impromptu. Hubby and I went out on a school night, and by that I mean we went out last week after work knowing full well we had to get up early the next day to go back to work. Well, he did anyway. I was lucky enough to have Friday off so I got to sleep in a little bit. We went to dinner and then saw Zach Braff's movie "Wish I was here". Go see it if it's playing near you! It was a beautifully written, thoughtful film that had me bawling like a baby by the ending. I needed a good tear-jerker though, and I definitely needed to get out of my usual after-work routine of making dinner, going to the gym (or not going), and watching re-runs of The Real Housewives of Orange County (don't judge me). It's nice to feel like a part of the world on a weeknight. So this is what I look like on a Thursday. Dirty hair and only a couple accessories, because I just can't be bothered. Now you guys know ;)

Continue the post

Rainy Day Details

Wearing //

H&M blazer (old), similar, LOVE this one!

Zara tee

Old Navy denim shorts

Zara pumps (old) but similar by Sole Society

BCBG bag (old) but similar here

Express chevron bracelet

Stella&Dot rebel pendant

Beauty //

Essie Mint Candy Apple

It rained all of last weekend, and it was the hot tropical kind. I for one love this gift from Mother Nature, but I know many do not. I often like to plan out my outfits for the weekend, but I had to change them because Mother Nature is a serious force to be reckoned with and my sequined gold skirt and nude suede sandals were no match for her (hopefully I can wear those this weekend). Like the saying goes, we make plans and God laughs. Although it was wet and gloomy, the humidity and heat were out of control so I went for covered on top, less on the bottom. I also sprayed my hair with anti-frizz serum but that didn't work out since my third day hair was a total mess (hence, no face shots today kids). But let's look on the bright side. Although it wasn't a good hair day, it was good for my existing wardrobe. I've had all of these pieces for quite some time now, so it was nice to be able to "shop my closet" for a day of laziness and homegoods shopping. I must say, this weather is getting me slightly excited for Fall! I have a wishlist post coming up soon so stay tuned for that! So far, the only Fall-like purchase I've made is this :

Caslon cardigan (Nordstrom Sale)

Surprisingly, it was my only buy from the anniversary sale this year. I usually get a few key pieces, but money has been tight these past two months since buying our condo. I'm excited about this little jacket though, I know I'll wear it a ton with denim.

Happy Wednesday Friends!

Continue the post

The Cobalt Maxi Skirt

Wearing //

Express barcelona cami (in many colors)

Old navy maxi skirt

J.Crew Factory sandals

Kate Spade bag

Gorjana cuff

Oia Jules bracelets

Boutique chalcedony necklace, similar

BP Nordstrom sunnies, check stores!

Essie "Mint Candy Apple" nails

I ventured into uncharted territory this weekend by wearing a maxi skirt. I can manage a maxi dress, but a maxi skirt? Well this is just risk-taking in Beautygirl24-land. I spotted this cobalt beauty while shopping for something else at Old Navy. I'm really liking the slouchy pants trend, so after seeing these on the lovely Lilly, I decided to try some for myself. I looked and looked but couldn't find them anywhere in the store. As I was about to leave empty-handed, delirious from this humidity-wave that we are having, I spotted my favorite shade of blue and was instantly drawn to it like a mirage in the desert. I was even more delighted to find out that it was on sale! After trying the skirt on, I knew it was meant to be so I forgot about the pants and went for some swaths of chiffon instead. Okay, so that's a lie, I haven't forgotten about the pants. I still want them desperately. But I figure that a long, flowy, stretchy skirt is just as good (and as comfy) as a pair of fancy pants so I'll live with this until I can get my grabby little hands on those ;) Oh, and a great big thank you to Gina for bringing the Express Barcelona cami to my attention! How can an Express addict miss such a closet staple? Hello options! Great for Summer, but I'm even more excited to layer it underneath a blazer for Fall. I'm going back for more.

Speaking of Gina, I'm linking up with her and Carylee today!

Continue the post

Beat the heat

Wearing //

Express lace crop top

Halogen pleated skirt (old) but similar here and here in midi version

J.Crew Factory sandals (on sale!)

Kate Spade bag, absolutely love this one by RM

Stella & Dot engraveable bar necklace

Benevolent Jewels monogram, similar

Boutique rings purchased by the beach

Gorjana mila teardrop cuff

Orly Fancy Fuchsia nails

Summer heat is in full swing, and although I love day trips to the coast and balmy nights spent outside, the humidity is really taking a toll on me. I can't complain, but I like to sneak one in here and there :) I'm pulling out all of my flowy skirts and tops and re-wearing them at least a couple of times per week. Do you ever do this? Have no fear, I wash them in between wears. I'm doing a lot more laundry this month! The thought of anything tight or any itchy fabric against my skin makes me freak out at this point so I'll do whatever it takes to keep the breeze a blowin'. Have a great rest of your week, and stay cool!

Oh and speaking of Summer, I'm linking up with Tara today for her Summer style series.

Continue the post