Midi Mania - 1 Skirt Styled 2 Ways

sunnies: HERE | top: HERE| skirt: c/o HERE| patent leather sandals: similar HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

A classic wardrobe staple is a midi skirt. The one featured in today's post stood out to me particularly because of its fabulous leopard print paired with red and pink hues 😍

I styled it in two simple ways that could totally be ideal for a summer day. 

Which look is your favorite?! I'm forever partial to red...

Until next time,
Xx

Color Theory

Sunnies: Free People| Dress: c/o HERE| Shoes: Similar HERE| Purse: F21

Photography by A. Robinson

Is there anything more synonymous with SUMMER than sundresses?! Okay, maybe swimsuits, shorts, or picnics...but you get my drift 😉 The weather has been unseasonably cool...I am trying to channel SUMMER weather and will it into existence! This sundress is lightweight, saturated in color, and topped off with functional buttons 😍 I see myself wearing pieces similar to it all summer long! Oh, and did I mention, it also has pockets!!!
Until next time,
Xx

Paradise Found

Earrings: Kate Spade| Dress: c/o HERE| Purse: ZARA| Slides: TopShop, sold out

There aren't many hidden gems in downtown Los Angeles, yet I officially declare the location of today's post as one of them. I stumbled upon it a few months back while attending a sample sale hosted by Cult Gaia. From the street view, the plaza looks dull and unordinary. However after a brief descent down a flight or two of stairs, it feels like you've stepped back in time. You stand smack dab in the middle of an old factory- with a vintage car thrown in for good measure. This site was particularly fab to me because I love old buildings, and somehow it gave me the feeling that I was someplace entirely different, even far far away from the hustle & bustle that is downtown Los Angeles. 
Until next time,
Xx

10 Things About Life After 35

straw hat: vintage, thrifted| sunnies: HERE| OTS bodysuit: HERE

skirt: old| shoes: similar HERE| purse: ZARA
Photography by A. Robinson

Now that I've officially entered the twilight years of my 30's, I thought it might be 'fun' to blog 10 things about life after 35 that no one told me 😉 As they say: Sharing is caring! In this way, when your time comes, you won't be blindsided like I was 😆 Don't get me wrong, my 30's have been the BEST decade of my life to date 🙌🏽 In fact,  I anticipate every upcoming decade. I love making new discoveries about myself and this thing called LIFE,  I want to do so well into my 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and so on!!! I've never worried about "getting old". From my perspective, it is an inevitable process. The longer that I'm alive, the higher my age number will be. That's logical right?! 

Nonetheless, there were a few things that I did not anticipate... Yes, a few 'special' things began to occur with my body 😜 
Let's dive right on in:
1) The skin on my face changed drastically --> A C N E <--Prior to my mid-30's I had never experienced acne and or blemishes/pigmentation differences on my face. In a word, my skin appeared to be flawless. Right around age 35, I started to notice small bumps/pimples popping up here and there. When they finally cleared up, they left noticeable dark marks on my chin, jawline, and forehead. In fact, during the height of it, I could barely stand to look at my face in a mirror. It was like I didn't recognize my own reflection. Thankfully, I developed a skincare regime that works for me! Now my skin has stabilized, and my acne scars are fading. I'll talk about the fine line that magically appeared across my forehead at another time...
2) Next up? Stray hairs started to grow in mysterious places, like on my chin and neck... The first time I felt one I thought it was a scab! WHAT IN THE WORLD?! I'm not referring to fine hair, like what makes up my mustache, oh no, this is different. Each strand feels hard, wiry, almost like stubble.
3) I've never had a large reserve of patience. However, after I turned 35, the limited amount that I did have, well it basically disintegrated. Presently I have ZERO tolerance for 💩, and to be totally honest, I don't feel apologetic about it, at all 💃🏽
4) The color of your hair changes. As in turns gray or white... This isn't a bad thing, truth be told, I wouldn't mind going gray rapidly all at once. I would love to have pastel gray or white hair... And yet, just because I want all gray hair, well it's coming in painstakingly slow and inconsistently.
5) I almost forgot! I can't leave out random aches and pains. Nowadays, they happen for no reason at all. I am not talking about severe or chronic pain, I'm talking about feeling mild discomfort in places that I never did before.
6) A change in weight gain distribution. My entire life my stomach has been relatively flat. Now, the dynamics have changed. Instead of all miscellaneous weight gain appearing in my hips and rear, I now have a nice cushion across my belly...
7) Also notable: A decrease in the ability to shed weight with minimal effort. In years past, I'd go on a brief diet or juice cleanse, and drop 10-15 pounds with ease. Now, when I'm ready to shed a pound or two, doing what I used to do doesn't work --  AT ALL!
8) So you thought you were done with your wisdom teeth? Not so much! Apparently, your 30's is an ideal time for them to come in. I have a new one, it has shifted my once naturally straight teeth. I've never worn braces, but now I'm considering getting them 😳. A trip to the dentist is in order, but I'm putting it off for as long as possible...
9) The density of my hair is changing...I've had thick hair that could seemingly withstand any type of treatment for as long as I can remember... however now, I've noticed that the density & strength of my hair is different. I don't know how it's going to level out when it is all said and done, as my age increases, but I'm ever so happy that there are so many wig options on the market now. 
10) Last but certainly not least, your sex drive increases in a major way... but then everybody already knows this one right?!

So did I miss anything Babes? What differences did you notice after 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, and perhaps even 75?! 

Until next time,
Xx

Extra Sprinkles Please

Sunnies: c/o HERE| Earrings: Similar HERE| Off shoulder top: HERE| Taffeta ballroom skirt: HERE| Clutch: Vintage, thrifted

I've snagged a number of goodies over the past month or so by way of the summer sales that have been stalking my inbox. 
Full admission: I completely lacked the desire to try to avoid opening the flood of emails that I received containing spectacular summer sales. SIGH. 
Yes, in true shopaholic form, I eagerly opened every  s i n g l e  sale mailer, and then I frantically scrolled through selection after selection only to obtain a few items to add to an already overflowing wardrobe...
And guess what? I HAVE NO REGRETS 😂😂😂 My top & skirt were both snagged for $20 each!!!!
Ok, ok, I am being a bit sarcastic 😏 I do have control over myself and what I purchase. In fact, I am quite structured and intentional. 
I look forward to annual summer sales to obtain items at a great discount, prep for upcoming travel, and to prep for the next  summer.
Am I alone in my strategy? How do you feel about summer sales?!
Until next time,
Xx

Denim Days

Pink baseball hat: Nordstrom, similar HERE, HERE, HERE| Sunnies: c/o HERE| Kimono: c/o HERE| Wood watch: c/o HERE

Chambray shirt: HERE| Chambray shorts: Sold out, similar HERE| Purse: Kate Spade| Glitter sandals: Steve Madden, old

I love a denim on denim look, I decided to take the classic pairing into summer mode by opting for shorts instead of jeans. We are after all in the full thrust of Summer 2017! I used an over sized top that I've blogged before (see HERE) and recently acquired smoked chambray shorts (at a fab BOGO sale).
When combined they almost look like a romper, but with the ease of separates. To finish off the look and because I am a girly girl through and through I added in pastel pink by way of a short floral kimono, and accessories. 
Omission: I am not a fan of short kimonos paired with denim pants, but by opting for denim shorts instead I found a way that the trend works with my personal sense of style. Remember my lengthy post about visual balance?
This look was perfect for stepping out, and of course I look forward to debuting it at the office 😎 (not having a dress code is one of the things I appreciate 100% about my job).
Until next time Loves,
Xx

Seeing Stripes

Top: c/o HERE| Stripe culottes: c/o HERE| Leather mules: Sold out, similar HERE (Poms are clip-on's)| Lemon clutch: c/o HERE

Well Babes, here we are in the 1st week of J U L Y!!! Let chapter 7 of 12 commence! Generally, at the mid-year point I like to take a personal self-assessment, to determine what I’ve accomplished, what remains to be accomplished, and specific lessons learned along the way. Do you do something like this? I am actually running a tad late, as June marks the halfway point but this year my annual self review completely slipped my mind. Nonetheless, it is what it is and here I am😄
A few things that I would like to accomplish before the year ends are:
• More travel (this is an ongoing goal)
• Get back on track with my fresh vegetable juice regimen
• Get a full physical
A few things that I have accomplished are:
• Travel (thus far I’ve been out of town every single month this year)
• Survived the busy season at my office
• Reconnected with old friends
And last but certainly not least, a few lessons that I've learned along the way are:
• Taking care of my health is important
• Continue to say no as appropriate
• Believe people when they show you and or remind you who they really are
• Perception is everything
• Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize
Until next time my Loves,
XO

Rainbow Bright

Sunnies: c/o HERE| Earrings: HERE| Top: c/o HERE|  Skirt: HERE| Apple purse: c/o HERE| Red sandals: Older, similar options HERE & HERE

How was your weekend Loves?! Mine was pretty good- I mean just that fact that it was a W E E K E N D makes it GOOD right?!

Today’s style story revolves around this rainbow-like beauty (actually called Vibrant by the retailer) that I spotted HERE a few weeks back. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the rainbow color combination and the full/midi length design. I was skeptical about ordering it because I wasn’t sure how voluminous it would be or if its design would prove to be bulky on me… I read through the reviews and decided to throw my apprehensions to the wind- if it didn’t work out I’d simply send it back! Well it arrived and wouldn't you know that it totally met my best expectations. Don’t you love it when that happens?! 
Sidebar: Reading reviews are super helpful for me when ordering clothing online. I especially love it when I can see pictures of an item on actual customers versus the brand/retailer's model.

Back to the story: I already had an idea in mind to pair this skirt with red (my childhood favorite color – stories of which I’ve bored you with several times) and this OTS top was a perfect companion.

Actually, I have an ample selection of OTS (off the shoulder) tops right now, the thought has crossed my mind of what will I do when I’m tired of this effect (I'm a chronic planner)… The obvious conclusion is that a few favorites will make the cut- while others will be donated during my monthly purge cycle(s). Even still, have you noticed that it is a challenge to find/purchase a top nowadays that isn’t off the shoulder? Hopefully when the times comes, designers/brands/retailers will step up and get back to the business of providing regular old fashioned shirts- LOL! Until then: Long live shoulders!!!!

Ciao for now,

Xx

Siren Call

Sunnies: HERE| Earrings: ZARA| Dress: c/o HERE| Sandals: Similar HERE| Clutch: Similar HERE

I began picking out what clothes I would wear each day in elementary school. Red was my absolute favorite color, in fact I wore it so frequently that my uncles nicknamed me after it. As time went on, thankfully I developed a full appreciation for the entire color wheel. By the time I reached my early 20s, bold colors were my signature style in fashion and decor. No matter what other color comes into my life, red will always have a special place in my heart 💓
I snagged the dress in today’s post during a recent run to JCPenney. The color, the cut, the sleeves- the answer was YES from 1st sight 💕 Thus far I've styled it twice, which really means I love it according to my husband, who says that whenever I get something new that I really love I have to wear it multiple times in short succession 😃
I first wore the dress a couple of weeks ago to a blogger sale in LA and then secondly to a party with my husband. For both venues (which were a day apart) it was an absolute hit- plainly speaking, this dress is a WINNER Ladies! So much so, I packed it away for a third run on a getaway with the Hubster- thus the pictures in today's post.
Now online the color is listed as “red”, but is it a true red? It really reminds me of the color of another dress that I recently wore, also on the blog HERE. Remember my spring fling, Fire Orange?!
Hmmm, shall we call this dress ‘Exhibit B’? Please see my previous blog post HERE for full context.
Until next time Loves, 
XO