Color Crush

Headband: Similar HERE| Sunnies: Sold out, try this pair HERE| Earrings: HERE

Dress: HERE| Patent leather sandals: Similar HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

RED is my favorite color of all time. The sight of it always serves as an instant mood booster. It is a reminder to appreciate the little things deeply, even something as simple as saturated color. Reminders like this feel more helpful now than ever. 
As I look out at the uncertainty of the world scene, I feel compelled to do what I personally can to effect positive, lasting change. I feel encouraged to lean into hope, to repeatedly set an intention to lead with love. 
Until next time,
Xx
P.S. For more examples of me in RED, see HERE, HERE, and HERE 😉

Spring Fling

Dress: Chelsea28, other options HERE, HERE, and HERE| Sunnies: HERE

Earrings: ZARA| Handbag: ZARA| Pink sandals: Enzo Angiolini, similar HERE

With all this talk about summer, it can be hard to remember that we are technically still in spring 😊 
At least for the next day or so...
I was reading an article a day or so ago, the writer used the phrase, "we've been saying ___ all summer". I immediately thought to myself, 'all summer? It isn't summer yet'- LOL! Now I have absolutely no right to serve as a critic - in fact, I myself said a few posts ago that I would rather skip over spring entirely and dive head first into summer🌠 
Summer is hands down my absolute favorite season!!! Nonetheless, I think it's important to highlight a few of the fashionable benefits that spring weather offers:

1- You can dress for every seasons during the same week

2- It's a perfect time to trial run all of your upcoming summer favs

3- Trendy items like off the shoulders pieces come out of storage and go into regular rotation

4- If you do have to wear a coat, it doesn't have to actually be warm

5- It's a perfect season to practice and master the art of layering

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments 😘

Until next time Babes,

Xx

Anything But Basic

Sunnies: OLD| Jumpsuit: c/o HERE & HERE | Bangles: Sweden & Kenya

Psssttttt, PSA: You can't go wrong with a classic jumpsuit! 
The one featured in today's blog post is a perfect example of how to update a basic style with modern features. Adding an off the shoulder topper takes an otherwise basic jumpsuit up several notches - I am HERE for it! This is why I l❤ve Eliza J., they get it right!!!! I've been shopping this brand for at least a decade...perhaps longer... My current closet inventory is a true testimonial to how much I adore their dresses 👀 Normally I shop EJ while perusing at Nordstrom, in-store, however the brand is also sold at a number of major retail stores online.
I wanted to add a splash of color to this classic ensemble, so I grouped a stack of bracelets that I have accumulated over the years on international travel. They go so well together, they almost look as if they were purchased in a set 😊
Don't you just love it when good things come together?
Until next time,
Xx

Shift into Neutral

Sunnies: HERE | Cardigan & dress: c/o HERE| 
Nude sandals: Another option HERE| Purse: TJMAXX

Today's look is a perfection transition duo to carry you from summer into fall. If the weather is hot, lose the cardigan, if there is a chill in the air-rock them both! I can even see pairing the duo with a long scarf if temperatures take a dip + adding a pair of booties or boots 😊
Temperatures are mild during the daylight hours in my neck of the woods, yet the cotton blend material was totally comfortable and breathable. 
I decided to stay in neutral lane, pairing with the ensemble a nude bag & matching shoes. BTW-This purse is so fun! I saw it in TJMAXX (I find the cutest stuff there) when I was out of town last month and I could not leave it behind. 
When I got home I realized that purse was a perfect match to this pair of shoes- I knew I had to wear them together, at least once 😍 Mission accomplished!
Until next time,
Xx

Blushing

Hey style loving babes! How are you? I’m doing well!!! Today’s style story features this blushed plus size romper from Forever 21’s plus size line. Confession: I recently spent a large chunk of time in a wonderfully stocked plus department/area by the retailer, and I must admit- I was equally shocked and delighted with the variety of styles on hand!

As a result, for several posts I plan to feature items from my mini impromptu shopping haul- just for you! Because I care! LOL! But seriously, what woman doesn’t love a god deal?! This blushing beauty is under twenty-five bucks in-store and online. Oh, and I’m loving the color up against my melanin. Rompers have been trending for a while now; Perfect for date night or Girls Night Out. I wore it out with my husband of 16 years (we recently celebrated our sweet sixteen anniversary) and let me tell you- it was a hit!

With Spring is on the horizon, now is a good time to take inventory and restock your personal wardrobe. My style habit for a number was to seasonally reassess what stays, what goes, nd what gaps I noticed. Now that I live in a predominantly warm climate, I find myself doing this bi-monthly versus seasonally. In the beginning, it took a period of time for me to understand/determine what items I really needed and would wear in my new climate. For instance, back east 50 sweaters made perfect sense, here- not so much. I found that if I even had the opportunity to wear a sweater, it was only once or twice a year, so I downsized my sweater inventory significantly.

Currently I’m in the process of adding more onesies, in the form of rompers and jumpsuits =) I’m also rethinking my shirt selections and skirt needs. Although I could hardly refer to my wardrobe as minimal, I am experiencing a sense of satisfaction with its current inventory and the reduction measures that have been taken.

This fun blush number is super versatile, I could easily see adding layers in the form of a long sleeveless vest, transitioning it to cooler temperatures with tights, or dressing it up even further with statement pieces. I love how it’s made, YES plus size women can rock rompers too! 

Until next time Beauties,
XO

Necklace: Ross Dress for Less| Romper: Forever 21+, size 0X| Shoes: Enzo Angiolini| Clutch: Lord & Taylor

Flushed With Blush

I have a confession…
I have a new color crush….totally different from those of the past….

Vibrant, rich, tantalizing hues have been my M.O. for 20+ years, but lately…well…I find myself intrigued with neutral color palettes. What’s happening here?!
In a word:  C H A N G E.

There’s something about the color blush , it’s not quite pink, yet it is not quite beige or tan either---> it’s blush! While perusing Pinterest I’ve come across several combinations of black & blush that are classically fantastic.

I picked up  this hi-low blush top a month or three ago (debuted it on date night) - it’s high time that I sift more blush colored items into my collection.

TGIF Beauties & have a wonderful weekend!
XO

Sunnies: Jessica Simpson| High-Low top:ASTR | Jeans: NYDJ| Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (worn here)| Floral Clutch: Vintage

Mix & Match

Black + white delivers winning combinations, add a pattern mix to the scenario and you’ve reached fashion nirvana.

My affection for black and white duos is clearly not new to the blog, see other PDAs here, here, and here.

In my mind it is fresh and crisp; cohesively consistent. If you’re new to the pattern mix game, it’s a safe way to test out the waters gradually.

For this mix up, I went with bold vertical stripes and soft window pane checks. It’s totally doable for the office, after work meet-ups, and weekend nights.

Sunnies: Allen Schwartz| Stripe top: Custom| Pants: NYDJ| Shoes: Enzo Angiolini| Clutch: Kate Spade

Pastel Wardrobe Capsule | Take 2

As referenced in yesterday's blog post, I'm experimenting with creating my very first wardrobe capsule! 

In review, a wardrobe capsule is said to be 'a set of clothing items that satisfy style needs in one or more areas of your life.' This definitely proved to be more challenging than I had initially anticipated (due to my innate passion for variety), but I thoroughly enjoyed the test.

Since this is my first go at the concept, I opted for a very simple approach. Four main pieces, four separate looks. Here's a look at yesterday's post, Take 1:

How did I mix it up? Well yesterday's jacket became today's blouse, I added a matching linen jacket, kept the same socks, same shoes, swapped a different clutch, jewelry and took away the fedora. Next up: Take 3!! 

Sunnies: TJMAXX (worn here) | Jewelry: Vintage | Mint linen blazer: Ellen Tracey | Peach linen top: Custom made 

Mint trousers: Vince Camuto | Fringe clutch: Carlos Santana | Socks: Nordstrom (worn here) | Slingbacks: Enzo Angiolini

Pastel Wardrobe Capsule | Take 1

I’m struck by the wave of minimalism in fashion. I personally prefer to have an ample variety of clothing, of multiple genres, to select from at all hours of the day. It’s highly unlikely that I will become a fashion minimalist. Additionally, I currently feel like I cannot limit myself from the vast amount of colors, patterns, and prints that feel like oxygen filling my lungs. With that said, I do genuinely appreciate the fact that ‘less is more’, which is one element of minimalism. 

Therein sprung an idea, which motivated me to experiment with wardrobe capsules. According to YouLookFab.com a wardrobe capsule is: “a set of clothing, footwear and accessories that satisfy the style needs in one area of your life.” 

The idea behind creating a wardrobe capsule targets making getting dressed simple, saving time, and choosing more cost effective purchases. I'm here for all of that! This was an interesting project for me, challenging yet enjoyable all the while. The end result? I plan to experiment with creating additional wardrobe capsules in the future ;)

For my very first capsule, I kept it simple. I selected pastels as the theme, and my capsule consists of four main pieces. From those four pieces I created four separate looks. Take(s) 2-4 will be posted to the blog this week. Stay tuned Beauties!

I’m pretty happy with "Take 1", even nicknamed it “Peach to the Mint”, LOL!  It’s great for the office, running errands, and stepping out- essentially every area of my life! 

Please do share, have you created a wardrobe capsule? Does the concept of wardrobe capsules appeal to you?

Wool fedora: Vintage (worn here) | Linen peach jacket: Custom made | Rose blouse: Vintage (worn here) | Mint trousers: Vince Camuto

Peach socks: Nordstrom (worn here) | Pink slingbacks: Enzo Angiolini | Knit clutch: Vintage (worn here)

Sweet Plum Meets Pastel Blue

Can you believe that there are only 4 more days left in the official Summer season?! 

I say “official” because although some are likely experiencing Fall-like temperatures, here in SoCal we’ve been contending with the 100's (Fahrenheit) and humidity to boot O_O!

What’s a gal to do when she is Fall-ready but the temperatures in her neck of the woods simply will not cooperate? 

There are several ways to handle this type of crisis (LOL), however this time around I worked to style a merger between the two seasons. Who says that you can’t have your cake and eat it too?!

I paired a deep wine colored silk blouse with a summery blue pastel midi skirt. To seal the merger I added a crisp white handbag. This idea was inspired by an ensemble set I saw on YouLookFab! Check it out on my Pinterest board, “I’m Inspired” here. Overall I like this color combination, and plan to try it at least once more. 
Thank you for checking out today's post and commenting below ;) 
Until next time Style Lovers!

Sunnies: Francesca

Earrings: Natasha

Silk blouse: Ralph Lauren (also worn here)

Statement ring: Loehmann's

Bangles: Nordstrom

Pastel blue midi skirt: boohoo

Handbag: Coach (also worn here)

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini