Checkmate

So the calendar says that it is officially Spring, but the weather in my neck of the woods has been all over the place (as crazy as it can get for So-Cal)! I hardly know how to dress, one day it feels like Summer, and the next like Fall, and then finally almost like a So-Cal Winter day O_O From what I’ve read, weather is on the flux all over the world, and that’s a sad thing…Heard of global warming anyone?

Today’s #ootd really came together based on the inconsistency of the weather! I figure if the weather doesn’t have to make up its mind, why should I? LOL! Insert summer scarf worn as a head-wrap, scuba sweater, leather skirt, white sandals, and a white fringed bag of course =)

Let’s start off with this peplum sleeved sweater from UK retailer Boohoo. So I’ve admitted time and again that I am not really crazy about online shopping. Not only do I find better deals in-store, but I enjoy the experience of brick and mortar shopping and all that it entails, versus scrolling and clicking and waiting on the mail. Nonetheless, there are times when I do peruse online retailers, and one day while doing so this baby caught my eye. 

So they say that peplum is out, but I say that it stays - and that it always has a place in my wardrobe. This sweater lingered in my virtual basket for several days, because let’s be honest: Boohoo’s quality is not the same as let's say Ralph Lauren... I kept debating whether or not it would be worth ordering. As it happens a coupon code started, and I decided that deduction actually took off the price of shipping plus the sweater was already on sale, so I ordered it. Would you believe that it took almost 2 months to arrive?!?! And when it did, I discovered that I probably should have went with a smaller size, but after all that hassle who wanted to send it back and so on??? This is why online shopping, especially outside of the USA, gives me cause to pause…

Moving on, you already know how much I dote on black + white combinations! I actually wore this sweater more casually to a Make-up Forever event over the weekend, but when it came time to dress it up a bit I opted for black & white, my beloved stand-by. It’s been way too long since I last wore this leather skirt (see here), a throwback from Saks in the early 2000's. I love how it looks with this sweater. I actually folded up the bottom of the sweater up to make the fit more appealing to my eye. Popped on my faithful white strappys, grabbed my fringe clutch and hit the door.

Until next time Babes!
XO

Scarf: Souvenir from Iraq| Sweater: Boohoo, size large| Leather skirt: Saks Fifth Avenue (Real Clothes, also worn here), size 16
Sandals: Tildon (also worn here)| Fringed clutch: Carlos Santana (also worn here)

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

Date Night: Cropping it Out Checkerboard Style

We've made it to Wednesday, so that must mean that there are only two more days until the weekend begins! 

I decided to post this fun outfit as date night inspiration before the weekend arrives. Although it's been 15 plus years of date nights with the same man (my husband), I still feel excited and anticipate dressing up! 

I've been feeling the trend of jogging pants worn dressy, but craved a bit more pizazz than the typical cotton jersey or jersey knit styles. When I spotted these satin pants at Nordstrom Rack, I knew that they would create the look that I wanted. I bought them slightly larger, and added sheer leggings with a lace edge underneath. Next I rolled the bottom of the pants legs up, to 'create' the look of jogging pants with a lace edge. I paired them with a checkerboard crop top and I was ready to roll.

 Wearing my pony to the side always feels so fancy free! Added bonus: You can actually see my highlights which are normally hidden under a mass of textured curls/ a bun/ or a hat.

 When in doubt, add bling!

A fur topper doesn't hurt since the night air is cool.

The highlight: Wearing my studded peep-toes! Unfortunately they always seem to lose a stud or rhinestone along the way...

Jewelry: Nordstrom

Chinchilla fur: Thrifted

Crop top: Forever 21

Satin pants: Sejour, Nordstrom

Clutch: Vintage, thrifted

Shoes: Sam Edelman (I originally had these in nude, now I wish I had kept them)

And for good measure, a close up of the Sam's! Aren't they lovely?!