Ruffle It Up

Sunnies: Similar HERE| Earrings: Old, another option HERE 
Top & Skirt: HERE & HERE (c/o Rebdolls)| Shoes: Sold out; Similar HERE

A. Robinson Photography

What's red and comes in a size range from small to 5X? This two-piece coordinates set! I fell for the frilly details on the crop top (size up if you prefer a longer fit like what is pictured here), paired with the maximum effect multi-tiered skirt 💕If this were a regular summer, say one where an infectious disease was not an imminent threat - I'd happily wear this look for Weekend Brunch or Happy Hour! 
However, in an effort to make the best of current circumstances, instead I opted to wear this set on a brief mall run, along with a face mask that didn't match and flat shoes 😉 California is pretty much still on lockdown, we had a surge in COVID-19 cases for several weeks straight. The latest news reports indicate that the surge appears to be leveling out - however that can change at any time. How are things in your corner of the world? 
Be safe Babes!!!
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

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

The Shoulder Show

Dress: c/o Gwynnie Bee - you can purchase it HERE| Sunnies: HERE| Necklace: J. Crew, sold out| Purse: Vintage, thrifted| Leopard Sandals: Old

Happy Friday Babes!!! Today's post features a stunning,RED, knit, off the shoulder dress, teaming with frills, ribbed details, and scalloped edges.... Can we just call it FUN for short?! I live for FUN clothes 😍 They rank highly - as in neck and neck -with pieces that I categorize as providing a serious happiness factor (read more about that HERE). I snagged this beauty per a recent shipment from Gwynnie Bee (learn more about them HERE + get a free trial offer) when I took it out of the box the very first things that I noticed was its intense red hue. Ladies, you cannot go wrong with a GOOD red piece! 
I subscribe to the philosophy: When in doubt, go with RED...
Until next time,
Xx 

The Perfect Overcoat

Hat: Borrowed from Hubby| Overcoat: c/o HERE (💥snag YOUR FREE trial offer💥)| Silk blouse: Ralph Lauren, another cute option HERE
Dress: Sold out| Handbag: Kate Spade, similar one HERE| Booties, old - similar option HERE

I love textural interest, this look pairs a multi-dimensional window pane print with frilly lace. My overcoat was a recent win via my weekly GB shipment. I so look forward to receiving new goodies from them each week in the mail! I added the coat to my virtual closet (another handy feature for ensuring you get exactly what you want) a few weeks back and totally forgot about it until I saw that it had shipped and was on its way to my house. When I received it I noticed that it was pretty lightweight, which meant that I could be liberal with adding layers underneath-YAY! 

I started off with a silk blouse, topped that with a lace dress, then added on the overcoat. I really like this trio! I was warm (Autumn in SoCal is mild), comfortable, and stylish 😉

If you're not familiar with Gwynnie Bee, learn more about them HERE + snag your FREE TRIAL OFFER!

Until next time Babes,

Xx

Miniature Gingham

Hat: Vintage, thrifted| Dress c/o HERE (Use "inmyjoi" to save 20% off + shop more HERE), plus other gingham goodies HERE, HERE, and HERE
Red purse: Zara| Tweed booties: Marshalls, also worn HERE

Dressing for fall is a bit of a conundrum in SoCal. In fact, in case you haven't noticed, the weather is often a topic of discussion here on the blog. The reason? It has a major bearing on what I wear 😏 My husband and I originate from the Midwest (with an East Coast vibe). We were accustomed to experiencing four full seasons each year. Once we moved to the West Coast, that all changed. Several years in, I still at times find it a challenge to adapt...  For instance, thus far this fall, temperatures have ranged from 50-105° degrees Fahrenheit...
SHEIN recently reached out to me and invited me to snag a few pieces from their new plus size offerings. Believe or not, I actually had to check the weather before I made my selection(s). LOL! 
I ❤ classic gingham prints, in fact I was enthralled by the Gingham Storm this past summer... When I saw that mild temperatures were in the forecast, I immediately opted for this off the shoulder gingham ruffle dress. I sized up (a habit that I have whenever trying a brand that I am not familiar with), but as it turns out- I didn't need to with this dress 😳 Nonetheless, I made it work by adding in a belt. 
I styled the dress with a top and without a top underneath to give you an idea of how you might layer it. Actually a black turtleneck also comes to mind, as does a black leather moto jacket... My husband said that with a top it reminds him of something off of Little House on the Prairie - 😁😁😁
Until next time Babes,
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 

Frill Seeker

Frill lace top: Similar HERE & HERE (plus size)| Floral pants: c/o HERE
Velvet platforms & clip on faux fur poms: Old| Patent leather clutch: Vintage, thrifted

Hey Babes! I'm sorry that I've been missing in action. Since this month started there has been one unexpected event after another - I can barely catch my breath - yet here we are almost halfway through September! One example of a recent setback is the fact that instead of writing this post from the sunny, pristine shores of the Caribbean, I am planted here in the city. You see Hurricane Irma destroyed all of my vacay plans, I vented about this on Twitter... I went from a canceled flight, to lodging reservations put under scrutiny, to modified accommodations (on an entirely different island), and finally to canceled reservations with a credit issued for future use... There were several highs and lows in trying to manage this emotional roller coaster of expectations versus disappointments. However, now that it is all said and done: I am not mad at all! Although I do not believe that everything happens for a reason (as the common phrase goes), especially when it brings suffering to others, I do believe in attempting to make the best of an unexpected situation. Not only did I learn several valuable lessons through this ordeal, I was also reminded of who I am and what is important to me as an individual. 
Without a doubt, I will have other opportunities to go on vacation. In this moment, my heart goes out to everyone around the world whose life has been or is being adversely impacted by natural disasters 💕
Until next time,
Xx

Silver Lining

Hat: Nordstrom, similair HERE & HERE| Bodysuit:Old, sold out (also worn HERE)| Statement necklace: Nordstrom

Jeans: c/o HERE| Velvet mules: c/o HERE| Purse: Thrifted

As much as I love tossing prints (see recent examples HERE & HERE) along with being drenched in bold tantalizing hues, I also thoroughly appreciate neutral color palettes. My personal style is a mixture, or maybe I should say a combination of a number of style genres. To be 100% transparent, I dress according to my mood, which fluctuates. LOL! I would be bored to no end if I could only delve into one style genre. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!!! I don't like to always look the exact same way style wise 😊

Today's look features a bodysuit that I scored last winter, along with newly acquired distressed denim jeans. Instead of adding in a pop of color (a familiar routine), I added in pops of black by way of a tweed pom hat, leather purse, and velvet shoes. This gave the look textural interest, which is yet another form of variety. This look was perfect for a chill evening, out and about shooting the breeze.

Until next time,

Xx

Totally a Repeat Offender

Sunnies: c/o HERE| Earrings: another option HERE| Top: c/o HERE| Shorts: F21, old| Mini purse: c/o HERE| Sandals: c/o Charlotte Russe

Babes I am totally a repeat offender - there are wardrobe workhorses that I rely on monthly (sometimes weekly) for effortless style. There are other pieces that I look forward to repeating from season to season. These printed black & white shorts acquired on sale last summer are a seasonal wardrobe workhorse. Although I don't wear them monthly, they are definitely a warm weather item that I look forward to wearing from season to season. Check out how I styled them last summer HERE.
I've long admitted my 💗 of black and + white color duos. This pair of shorts features the tried & true color scheme with a bonus feature: a unique twist on classic stripes! 
This time around I paired my shorts with a white long sleeve cold shoulder blouse trimmed with black stripes. I think the two go together like peanut butter & jelly 😋 and can also take me into the milder part of Fall with ease.
Until next time,
Xx