PORTLANDIA

wearing: thrifted H&M tank, Zara scarf-print skirt, thrifted black leather flats, vintage Coach satchel, Charlotte Russe sunnies

Although we visited over three months ago, it looks like I haven't quite gotten over you yet. Mason jars, Voodoo Donuts, food carts and more. Portland, get on with your weird self.

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SEE SEATTLE

wearing: thrifted denim button up, Brandy Melville Grace dress, silver F21 necklace, gifted white crossbody, Dolce Vita Jamison booties 

Three days in Seattle and these are all the photos I have, which is a good indication that we were having too much fun to stop and take a photo. The mental snapshots of the trip will have to suffice. From coffee shops to gorgeous skylines, we ate, saw and did everything we could to soak up the beautiful life that Seattle has to offer. Highlights? Meeting and chatting with amazing foreign folks {hello gorgeous German roommates who likes to sleep in their undies}, paddleboarding with locals at the beach we didn't know Washington had, and seeing a bulldog that oinks. 

Until next time Seattle...xo

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BACK IN THE BEST COAST

wearing: light denim H&M vest, b&w striped tee {Taiwan}, dark denim Gap skirt {Crossroads}, black suede flatforms {Free People}, black Levis belt, vintage Coach satchel {thrifted}, T400 Austrian  Crystal Necklace {c/o AliExpress powered by Alibaba}

After a whirlwind of an August, I'm back! If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I've been up and down the west coast, which-after spending some time in Seattle, Portland and LA {photo diaries coming soon!}-is truly the best coast. While classes are once again in session, I am feeling way out of the loop already; my brain is still on vacation while my body is being forced to spend time inside those teeny tiny desks. What's a gal to do? All I can say is that my daydreaming is getting way out of control.

Dressing for class has always been a tricky business. If you get too done up, people will stare. If you wear sweats, people will stare. Having been the one being stared at and the one giving the stares, I can see the reasoning behind both sides. Even so, finding the right balance between looking decent and not trying too hard is something I struggle with to this day. 

I'm starting to find comfort in dressing up basic pieces, like this denim circle skirt from Gap I snagged at the Crossroads up in Seattle. Paired with my favorite striped tee, so obviously my favorite as the seams of my right sleeve has split but I can't seem to replace it just yet, makes for a perfect outfit to sit through lectures, discussions and two jobs {it's been a looong day}. I was never a big fan of flatforms, and I bought these on a total whim, but I'm ridiculously glad I did. Not only do they elongate my short legs but they're comfy! Being flatfooted, heels hurt more than usual {I have the blisters and scars to prove} and these are the perfect substitutions, especially if I'm going to be dragging myself up and down the hills of Cal. Still not done layering denim on denim, my trusty vest added another shade of denim that contrasts the darkness of the skirt fantastically. And no outfit is complete without a little bit of bling! A subtle detail that probably only I noticed, I love how the braided detail of the necklace matches the braided belt. Denim on denim and braid on braid, that's just how I roll.

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THIS OR THAT THURSDAY {#2}

Madden Girl Jacobz     ---     Dolce Vita Oxfords in Leopard

Leopard, from my experience, is an acquired taste. Much like the taste of vodka, few like it at first, but after repeated interactions with it, some will grow to love it. While I still am not a fan of vodka, I am a HUGE advocate of leopard; I like it paired with just about everything.

Menswear is the trend on everyones' lips this fall and I am the blabbermouth spreading it all over town. I love menswear, the boyfriend jeans, slouchy tees, boy blazers, pumped up kicks and button ups, I love it so much I may as well just be a boy. While that isn't happening anytime soon, I do plan on stocking up what I can for this upcoming fall, starting with brogues.

I do love my high heels, I love the swagger they give me, I always feel like such a P-I-M-P in them. Even so, there are days where "nothing but a t-shirt on" can do the trick and, for those days, flats are just enough. Being the complete sucker I am for brogues and leopard, it's natural for me to want to combine the two but it always comes down the the question, "is this just a passing trend or should I invest a little more?"

Two pairs have been tantalizing me, one from DV and one from Madden Girls. Alike conceptually but different in how they operationalized the design (my statistics lingo is starting to creep out...), I am swooning over both. The DV features smaller spots which is great to mix match with other prints as it won't overwhelm the other. The Madden Girl pair is a bit busier and louder, but it is almost half the price. Which do YOU think will be more bang for the buck?

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THIS OR THAT THURSDAY {#1}

This or That Thursday: 7/26 : leather wallets

My indecisive mind and taste has prompted me to introduce a new feature on the blog called "This or That Thursday," a weekly installment that will allow you to help me decide between, well, this or that. Let's start with wallets. Now, I never got the whole "I'm going to drop some serious dough on an accessory that is suppose to hold said money" notion that everyone else seemed to get. Now I get it.


I'm the gal who has her heart set on the classics; the beautifully crafted and wonderfully appealing piece that doesn't need to rely on flashy gimmicks to sell, but instead, relies on the only thing it boasts, its utter simplicity. This Comme des Garçons zip up wallet in white leather, will never ever go out of style and, instead, will continue to grow in refinement with years to come. It's like that tall, dark and handsome gentleman in the lovely three-piece suit in the corner of the party, the one that everyone is secretly eyeing but too afraid to touch.


Yet, at the same time, I am also the one with her eyes set on the frivolous fun piece that vaguely reminds me of little lady bugs and watermelon seeds. The fun itty bitty teeny weeny red and black polka dotted wallet from Marni is so precious that I can't help but think about it from time to time. Perfect for summertime, this wallet has me going gaga crazy, but is this real love or just a little fling?


Help a sista out! Which would you go for?


P.S. Congratulations to Samantha Tedesco for winning the Jason Wu x Target blouse giveaway! With over 135 entries (!!!), thank you all SO much for your amazing support and stay tuned for more fun things to come! xx

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SWEATER WEATHER

wearing: H&M coated sweater, neon pink denim vest, tribal printed shorts {PacSun}, ASOS metallic brogues, leather green bag {Taiwan}

What is a blogger to do when her baby runs out of battery and she can't find the charger? Pout, tear up, throw a hissy fit or two, and order another one online ASAP. Unfortunately, shipping does not feel the same sense of urgency that I feel, thus, we're still waiting on the mailman to make my day, nay, week. Until then, this little update from way back when I had a couple more inches of hair will have to do.

Head over heels in love with the comfort of these shorts, they are quickly becoming my favorites, even over my trusty ol' cut offs. Summer vaca usually involves packing on a few lbs and these shorts are far more forgiving than my high-waisted denim. Sweaters are a must, even during the summer months here as the weather changes it mind even more frequently than I, and the coated sheen looks so good under the sun. The neon pink vest and kelly green bag adds a little color to an otherwise monochromatic scheme. Easy, easy, easy and far more comfortable than the typical t-shirt and jeans.

P.S. Don't forget to enter the blog's birthday giveaway to win a JASON WU x TARGET blouse from my closet!

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TURNING ONE {GIVEAWAY CLOSED}

My blog is one! It's hard to think that my first outfit post was posted only 365 days ago because the amazing community that fashion blogging has introduced me to has become so integrated into my daily life that I honestly can't imagine living without it. This is the longest commitment that I have ever committed (!!) and I can not be more proud of what I have been able to produce. Not only has the blog given me some amazing opportunities, but it has also brought me some of the sweetest friends I could have asked for and I am truly excited for it to continue connecting me to likeminded individuals. On top of that, through each trial and tribulation, I have learned a little more about my style, my likes and dislikes, and, subsequently, more about myself. To show my true appreciation for you lovely folks, it's obviously time for a little giveaway!

Because it IS ze bloggy's first birthday, I have decided to make the giveaway a bit more up close and personal. I am giving away my favorite Jason Wu for Target blouse (size small)! This is the blouse that I woke up at 6 AM for, stood in the freezing cold for almost an hour for, stared down bitchy suburban housewives in sweatpants for, and I'm beyond thrilled to be giving it away to one lucky reader because I love you all THAT much. Oh yeah, I went there, I used the L-word and I mean it!

To enter:

1. Follow on GFC and/or Bloglovin'

2. Comment with your email!

& that's it!

For additional entries:

1. Follow on Twitter (+1)

2. Like on Facebook (+1)

3. Tweet about the giveaway (+1)

Giveaway ends on July 25, 12 am PST.

Thank you all SO much for all of your amazing support! You guys are seriously the bestest and I couldn't have gotten through the last year without each and every one of you! Each one of your comments, likes and tweets make me smile just a little bit bigger and just a tad sillier. All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you, and here's to many more birthdays to come! Cheers! xoxo

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HOUSEWEAR

wearing: black bandeau, thrifted & DIY floral high-lo skirt {thanks Jamie!}, black Levis belt, gifted white purse, neon green strapped heels {H&M}

Like I did when I was five, I still get all dressed up with absolutely no where to go, not that I mind...or mind too much anyways. It's always fun to put on an outfit that puts a smile on your face, even if you're just wallowing around the house, fluttering around from room to room, and the only person who can appreciate it is the mirrored image of yourself. No matter how old I get, the feeling of a great outfit still has the abilities to give me butterflies in the pit of my stomach and put an extra bounce in each of my wobbly step. I guess some things never change, thank goodness for that!

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JUST WILD

wearing: cropped button up {Urban Outfitters}, black floral skirt {Urban Outfitters}, Dolce Vita Jamisons, vintage Coach satchel, Sunnies {Charlotte Russe}, vintage watch, assorted bracelets {F21 & Korea}

Isn't it wild that something that can seem like you're whole entire world one second can become a faint distant memory the next? Something you knew every teeny tiny detail about, have agonized over the littlest incident for hours on end, can seem so insignificant now? Feelings works in wonderfully mysterious ways, much like life itself, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Wearing far too much Urban Outfitters in one outfit, it has become quite the obsession and I don't really know how to curb it. But when top + bottom cost $5 each, how could I possibly resist? Paired it with my usual favorites, this makes for an easy breezy outfit during these random spurts of hotness the Bay Area has been experiencing. A few inches shorter, my hair has been snipped off. Although I was in love with the simplicity that long hair offered, letting me "bun it" and run out the door, I am throughly enjoying the lack of split ends since the bleach did quite the number on my poor ends. If anyone is looking for an amazing hair stylist in Berkeley, please please please check out Jeannie over at Edge Hair Salon on Channing and Telegraph. She is the biggest sweetheart and I am completely smitten with her, not to mention she is super gentle and calming for those afraid of going under the scissors (like me).

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GOING WITH THE FLOW

wearing: vintage Dior top, thrifted denim vest, borrowed floral pants, ASOS leather heels, leather black bag {Taiwan}, Levis braided belt

One really really early phone interview later, I had more than enough time to get ready for class and thus came the birth of my loudest outfit yet. It all started with the floral pants. Because of Berkeley's temperamental weather, I knew pants were the way to go and this pair is lightweight, soft and more appealing than jeans. Going off the color scheme of the pantaloons, the vintage Dior top I snagged for $3 was a perfect match, the coral on coral ties the top to the bottom. Never one to mix patterns quite like this, I took a chance playing around with the dynamics of stripes and floral, hoping to create a happy medium between the two that doesn't create an eyesore thus came the need to introduce the denim vest which acts like a buffer, you can think of it as a referee trying to delegate between the teams, team stripes and team floral. The leather accents, from the shoes to the bag to the belt, complete the look with little bits of black here and there, not too overwhelming nor to sparse. I got stares and confused looks for every step I took that day and then a "you should start a fashion blog," which, obviously, made my day.

Oh yeah, I got the internship! I'm a new editorial intern for Betty Confidential, writing for their Beauty+Style Section and then some. Sometimes taking a risk is well worth it, no? I'm going to attribute my stroke of good luck to this outfit, because I can and I will.

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RED, WHITE, & STUNNING

How do you like your independence? The sweet birth of a brand new country, one that we love to love and we love to hate -- a country that I am so proud to call home. Wearing red, white, and blue is a sign of patriotism, of love and devotion. While the colors may, after years of classical conditioning, directly bring up memories of flags, it doesn't necessarily have to look like you ripped off the one hanging on your neighbor's front porch and wore it around your waist.

USA by Day

I'm a casual gal at heart and I just love throwing on the first things my eyes set on in the morning. Sometimes this technique turns out beautifully and sometimes it looks more K-mart than couture but that's a risk I'm always willing to take. This outfit takes that concept and throws in a little pinch of red, a little bit of white, and smidgen of blue. A fun little number that'll have everyone seeing stars without having on too much to make them puke up the colors of the flag. I can't help but dig how the Dannijo collar necklace adds just the right amount of color to the sheer white button up.

America by Night

For the gal that likes to do her celebrating after the sun goes down, this outfit is more suited for a night on the town. A look that downplays the color scheme while staying true to it, it's like the flag went into the witness protection program and is incognito, trying to blend in with the crowd by hiding its...well, stripes. Strong pattern mixing and color splashing come into play, making this outfit bold, confident and utterly gorgeous. I love the combination of the red vertical and horizontal stripes, they contrast without being clashing. The periwinkle Liberty London scarf is the perfect shade of blue that reduces its obvious patriotic contribution.

While I won't be sporting either of these outfits -- even though I would saw off an arm and a leg to be able to do so -- I'm beyond excited to rep my stars stripes in my own way. As long as you're with good company, drinking a cold American brewski or two, what you're wear won't matter nearly as much as the memories you'll make busy making on such a spectacular day. So get up, get out, and have a beautiful fourth of July!

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