Currently Coveting Spring

Hat: Similar HERE| Top: Free People, sold out

Skirt: Old, another option HERE| Shoes: Similar HERE

Hey YOU!
I know I've been a stranger around these parts (i.e. on my blog), it seems like one thing after another came up. In the midst of life unfolding, I struggled to sit down to create content for this space (more on that to come). 
However, with the first hints of SPRING staring me in the face, I find myself overflowing with excitement for warmer temperatures, and... more importantly -->WARM WEATHER FASHION!!!
Give me all the colors, print mixes, frills, lace, and feminine embellishments that I can handle PLEASE!
I snagged this crop top at a Nordstrom sale a few months back. I anticipated wearing it on a girl's trip, but alas the temperatures were too cold and I had to save it for another time. No worries, spring weather has made a few appearances here in LA 😉 
Summer is still my absolute favorite season, however I'm willing to concede that spring is a very close second 😍. Are you looking forward to warmer weather as much as I am?
Until next time,
Xx

Denim Lovers, featuring LANE BRYANT

Poplin Wrap Top: c/o HERE

Super Soft Super Stretch Skinny Jean - Ruffle Hem: c/o HERE

This post is sponsored by Lane Bryant. All opinions shared belong solely to me.

Hey Babes! How are you surviving WINTER 2019?! It's been raining for what feels like forever in my neck of the woods. Don't get me wrong, rainy weather serves a benefit, however Los Angeles simply is not built for rain! 😩 I had to dodge raindrops to get a few shots in this look over the weekend. Thankfully, the rain offered a  brief reprieve - we made the best of it ❤

Today's post features a denim loving look c/o my friends at Lane Bryant. The Poplin Wrap Top is soft/subtle gingham print, it appealed to me because I am beyond ready for SPRING! Gingham makes me think of warmer days. In my opinion, it is never too early to pull in gingham prints, even under layers if need be 😏 We have to wish warmer weather into existence, right?! When the weather warms up, I can totally see myself wearing this top on repeat! For its initial debut I paired it with fun Stretch Skinny Jeans that are embellished with a raw-cut cascading ruffle hem. The ruffle hem adds in just a touch of feminity - I LOVE feminine details! Small details can really take an item up a notch and add in an additional wearability factor😉Do you love feminine touches?!  

BIG NEWS: 

Lane Bryant is hosting The Denim Event this Saturday (2/9/19)!!! I'll be in attendance for the event at Westfield Culver City!!! Are you planning to stop by? You should! You can score 40% off all denim, get a free panty w/ any denim  purchase, and enter to win giveaways 😍

Until next time,

Xx

Photos by A. Robinson Photography

Pearl Jam

Hat: Similar HERE| Top: c/o HERE|  Embellished denim: c/o HERE| Camera purse: c/o HERE| Tweed boots: MARSHALLS, another cute pair HERE

Hey Loves! I've been wanting a pair of embellished jeans for what feels like forever. I even considered making my own, and pinned several tutorials to my ever growing Pinterest boards. Before I had the chance to test out my DIY skills, I scored a pair of pearly blues c/o Charlotte Russe. They are so stinking cute! The only con: They are a tad too big...If you order these, please don't size up like I did 😉
For their grand debut, I paired them with a fun one shoulder top, tweed booties, and a cable knit black hat. As if the ensemble wasn't fun enough, I added in a camera novelty bag which really worked well to pull the entire look together.
I think I still may try my hand at embellishing a pair of jeans, but first - I have to find the T I M E 😊
Until next time,
Xx

Helpful Tips for Buying Clothes Online

Eyelet jumpsuit: HERE, other options HERE & HERE| Necklace: Similar HERE| Watermelon clutch: c/o  HERE| White leather mules: HERE

White after Labor Day?! All day, every day 😁Here in SoCal we are just barely outside the grips of a record breaking heatwave (and we're heading back into the 90s)! I snagged this jumper during a once-in-a-lifetime markdown + I was able to use a coupon!!!! Queue the applause!!! I am so happy that I stalked it & scored it before it sold out. If you haven't heard, the quality of Eloquii items never comes up short, and the fit is consistently on point 👍👍 
I purposely waited to wear and style this jumpsuit after Labor Day 😎.  I don't subscribe to the notion of so-called fashion faux pas and to be 100% transparent with you as I know I can: I pretty much don't care for rules in general 😌
When it comes to shopping for clothes online, I'll be the first to admit that in the beginning I was more than reluctant... My favorite way to shop for clothes is in-store, hands down. However, due to supply & demand logistics, I find myself shopping more and more online. Afterall, it is the way of the future...

I thought it might be helpful to share a few tips that I have found useful along the way:

SIGN UP FOR EMAIL LISTS/CLUBS
I know, nobody likes spam mail. But oftentimes retailers send out special discount codes via email plus you get a heads-up or early access to sales or discount offers. 

FILTERS ARE YOUR FRIEND
I get so overwhelmed in staring at page after page of merchandise. Using filters saves my sanity. I select my size, the type of item that I am interested in seeing, along with brands I like. If I am on a website that I frequent, I often search for 'what's new' from newest to oldest. 

SET RECURRING REMINDERS
For retailers that often release new merchandise that sells out quickly, using a recurring reminder to check them out is helpful. I hate it when I miss out on a great find simply because I didn't know it was available! A calendar reminder can also prove helpful when watching/waiting for an item to go on sale.

UTILIZE WISH LISTS
I often save items that I am eyeing at Nordstrom in my Wish List. I love that you can select the size that you want and keep a track of it until you are ready to make a purchase. The only caveat is that it may sell out...

REQUEST TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN AN ITEM IS BACK IN-STOCK
Several retailers that I shop offer this feature and it is the best! They send you an email as soon as an item is restocked in the size that you selected.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF FINAL CLEARANCE SALE ITEMS
This was such a touchy area for me...Final sale generally means that a refund or exchange is out the window. Boo! However, the best deals are often found this way. I only risk it with tried & true brands that I know and ❤. I can trust their sizing/quality to be consistent. Even if an item comes and you don't love it for one reason or another, remember that you can sell it online, or gift it away!

ALWAYS READ THE REVIEWS
Literally the best information about an item is usually found in the reviews given by actual buyers. Is the fit true to size? How is the quality? Is sizing up or down recommended? Will it need to be tailored? Best part ever: See pictures of the item on everyday women versus the model that the brand has selected and tailor fit clothing to.

CHECK THE MEASUREMENT GUIDE
To be sure of how an item will fit your body, don't skip the measurement guide! Here you can usually find out if the brand lists an item as a size 14, what that really means IRL, i.e. inches in the waist/hips/length/etc. Sizing can vary greatly from brand to brand- especially when merchandise caters to a different demographic than your own.

HAVE ITEMS SHIPPED TO THE STORE
If there is a store near you that you frequent anyway, have the item shipped to the store. You can dodge shipping fees...plus browse new displays in-store while you're there for pick-up.

10% OFF REALLY DOES COUNT
I have griped about this before, like what good is it really? Well, it just might cover your shipping costs! We all know how much we hate shipping fees! LOL!

GOOGLE FOR COUPON CODES BEFORE YOU HIT THE PURCHASE BUTTON
I try to remember to do this every single time prior to checking out. Who wants to pay more for something than is necessary? I ❤ a last minute deal!

REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN RETURN IT- OR CAN YOU?ALWAYS READ THE RETURN POLICY!
Read the fine print! What is the return policy? Is this item from outside your country? Are return labels provided? If all is kosher, ship the item back ASAP, using the provided return label. Double check that they will not bill you for shipping costs... If possible, return it in-store! All shipping hassles can be entirely avoided when you take that route.

Well that's it for now Babes- I hope you've found a tip or two helpful! Now it's your turn 😁 What tips have you learned along the way? Please do share!

Until next time,
Xx 

Embroider Me

Hat: HERE| Earrings: c/o HERE| Off the shoulder top: c/o HERE| Chambray top: c/o HERE| 
Embroidered jeans: c/o HERE| Pink sandals: Similar HERE| Straw bag: c/o HERE

I have been hankering for a pair of embroidered denim jeans all summer long, ooops, actually probably since around the start of Spring😊 I even pinned a few tutorials to my Pinterest DIY board on how to make my own embroidered jeans, but then I got stumped in finding an applique as long as what I had in mind...SIGH. 
Fortunately for me, my friends at Yours Clothing sent me a purrfect pair with matching chambray shirt all the way from across the pond ❤
These jeans made me feel so cute and girly. I like that they are a step away from my typical pick of skinny jeans- they are true boyfriend cut with a super relaxed fit. I paired them with an OTS pale pink top as the weather was mild, but it was nice to have the added layer of the chambray shirt for the night air.  As each day passes, it is becoming more and more evident that Fall is on the way 💕
Until next time Dolls,
Xx

Set the Tone

Hat: Similar HERE| Earrings: HERE| Wood watch: c/o HERE| Duster: c/o  HERE| Off the shoulder jumpsuit: c/o HERE
Leather belt: Ralph Lauren| Peep toe booties: Steve Madden, old| Leather clutch: Vintage, thrifted

Monotone looks always give me warm and fuzzy feelings. I generously apply Iris Apfel’s famous words: ‘More is more’. Yes, less color is not more- MORE is MORE! 😎

I remember back during my very first year of blogging I shared an all orange/monochrome look that I had recently worn to the office. A reader commented that I had on entirely too much orange and that the look was distasteful. I took her sentiments in stride, thanking her for sharing her thoughts and then advising her that I would continue to style the look in exactly the same way for as long as I pleased…  A good chunk of time has passed by since then, I am now more conscious (than when I first started blogging) that others may not share my style affinity for monochrome color palettes. That doesn't phase me at all. Additionally, my style affinity is not limited to monochrome looks exclusively. I actually like a little bit of everything/every style genre. Rather than subscribing to a set formula whenever I get dressed, I simply wear what I like, whatever suits my mood. 
My secret is out! I wear what makes me feel good! 

When I learned from YOURS Clothing that I would have the opportunity to select a few items to style, including pieces from their brand new LIMITED COLLECTION, I instantly felt drawn to this pink bardot jumpsuit. The length is a perfect toss between shorts & pants, I knew that it belonged with me. Several days later I was perusing their site again, and low and behold I spotted the perfect accomplice via a matching duster. Yes it is pink on pink. Yes it is monochrome. And yes- I love how both pieces look together and I will wear them again and again for as long as I please 😍

Do share, are you a fan of monochrome palettes?!

Until next time,

Xx

Dark Knight

Hat: Nordstrom, old | Check shirt: c/o HERE| Camisole: Old| Jeans: Similar HERE & HERE| Shoes: Michael Kors, old| Clutch: Vintage

Unbelievably today marks the very last day of March 2017! Not only does it feel like this year is moving by at a alarming rate → this month in particular went in a blur. I guess the old saying rings true once again: Time flies when you’re having fun 😁

I wore today’s look out to dinner last week. Finally I had a chance to style this checked shirt dress sent to me by ELVI. Getting dressed for transitioning temperatures is an annual challenge; I find that learning how/when to employ layers is necessary for style survival.

On this day temperature highs hovered close to 80 degrees and there was a hint of humidity in the air. However, I knew that as soon as the sun went down temperatures would take a considerable nose dive. I opted for lightweight layers and the payoff was just what I hoped for.
Until next time Loves,

XO  

Two Times the Fun

Hey Babes, Today’s post features yet another hit from your spring fashion source Gwynnie Bee! I’ve really enjoyed sharing some of the fantastic offerings that they have for spring (see here, here, here, here, and here). 
This classic striped shirt dress is an easy closet staple. I decided to style it with layers because spring temperatures decided to take a brief nose dive …however trust me when I say it looks equally fabulous styled alone and is very flattering on a curvy frame❤
💨  Don’t forget to sign up for one month of FREE with Gwynnie Bee, your ultimate women’s online clothing subscription service! Try out top name brands, return them when you're done OR purchase them at a discounted price 😉

Until next time,
XO

LOOK 1--> Hat: Nordstrom| Sunnies: HERE| Chambray shirt: Ralph Lauren| Stripe shirt dress: c/o Gwynnie Bee| Belt: Old| Handbag: HERE| Booties: Old

LOOK 2--> Hat: Nordstrom| Floral Bomber: c/o Gwynnie Bee| Stripe shirt dress: c/o Gwynnie Bee| Blue shoes: Old

For the Frill of It

Autumn is upon us and I am so thrilled by the beautiful shades of rust, burgundy, and the like now in ample abundance.
Cold shoulders were HUGE this Summer (see previous looks here, here, here, and here) - I’ve decided that there is no sensible reason as to why I cannot carry my affection for wearing them over into Fall and Winter! There aren’t a lot of things that I can say that I truly LOVE about living in SoCal, but the phenomenal weather is definitely at the top of my list!!! One awesome thing about this over sized cold shoulder top is that it can actually be worn on the shoulders, off the shoulders, or one shoulder bare : )
Gone are the days that wearing white is reserved for certain days/months of the year Babes- I freely wear white all year around! Sometimes I hear: ‘How do you wear white after labor Day?’ My answer is: Simply put it on! LOL!!! Seriously, there is no need to feel apprehensive about wearing crisp white pieces well into Fall, Winter, Spring, and of course Summer.  Great fitting, well made white denim jeans are a wardrobe staple for me, I love pairing them with rich colors such as this burgundy cold shoulder top (see another look here). You can also pair white denim with layers, long vests, sweater coats, plaid/graphic blazers, and the list really goes on and on…

Until next time,
XO

Hat: Nordstrom| Ruffle frill top: Ross Dress for Less| White denim: NYDJ| Shoes: Franco Sarto