Winterberry Cheer

Hi all! I know it's been a long time since I did an outfit post so here it goes. Unfortunately, I couldn't come back full force with a decent photo for you all as the coloring of this picture is completely terrible due to my being late for work and not having enough time to retake the shot. Anyway, with the weather in LA staying a warm, breezy 80-something degrees, I've been able to get away with wearing my skirts to work lately.... which has been awesome! I hope we're lucky enough for it to last just a little while longer. :)

Details are simple: Halogen skirt from Nordie's, blouse from Zara, and Ann Taylor Perfect Elle Pumps. I love this Halogen skirt because the A-line silhouette is a perfect alternative to the more conservative (and constricting) pencil skirts I usually wear. Plus, it has pockets, a bow-tie belt, and buttons all down the front! So much added detailing in addition to the fact that I can eat a little more than normal and there's no need to worry about the good old tummy pudge showing. I picked this up during the Anniversary sale and love that I can dress it up or down. For today, I paired the skirt with this pretty dusty blue top from Zara. Most of you know how much I love Zara and I have to admit that I've been lucking out in terms of finding some really cute stuff there lately. The store came out with a line of pretty blouses for the fall and this was the second one I've purchased this month. The rayon material is light and comfy and the polka dots are super cute... almost like little winterberries! The overall fit is also rather flattering and I like that the billowy sleeves aren't too overwhelming for my frame. I've been buying more tops like this because they're a nice update to my ordinary tank + cardi combo and are a quick and easy way to dress up even a casual jeans + flats outfit. The goal is to look more grown-up, right? I finished the outfit off with my new favorite Ann Taylor pumps! How awesome is it that Heidi Klum is the new AT spokesperson? I really am impressed at the fact that the brand did an amazing job of repositioning itself over the past year or so. Cannot wait to see what other goodies they have in store next!

Although not completely evident in this picture, I'm also wearing kate spade metropolitan pearl studs, which I picked up during their most recent 30% off sale (which they have very often!). If Zara is synonymous with clothes, kate spade is synonymous for accessories in my world! I love, love their shoes and am just beginning to start collecting their jewelry. The price points are so affordable and the quality is so much better than what you're paying for! I've been wearing my floral earrings for months now and the gold has not faded or dulled whatsoever. I'm also a sucker for pretty packaging and the store does an amazing job of making sure your jewelry arrives in cheery gift boxes. As the holidays are quickly approaching, I would definitely recommend picking up some earrings, bracelets, or necklaces for the girlies in your life. I know I will be buying more!

Love the fact that these come wrapped up and ready to go!

Adding a Perfect Touch with Pearls

Lately, I've become absolutely obsessed with accessorizing with pearls. As a little girl, I was gifted with a pink strand and was adamant about wearing them everywhere. Now at the age of 23, I remember why I always loved them. They're a perfect way to dress up any outfit! Check out one of my favorite looks spotted recently on One Tree Hill (I know, no one watches this show but me):

Just found Tiffany's style blog recently and am loving it (I think it's my new favorite blog of the moment)! Her post here shows a beautiful pearl necklace from Marika King that I am dying to get my hands on! It's sold out for now, but will hopefully be available again soon.

I picked up a simple long strand of pearls from Nordie's recently and am going to keep my eye out for more to add to my collection. They will be the perfect touch to my darker fall/winter wardrobe. Here are a few other pieces that have caught my eye:

Betsey Johnson Tulle Trim Pearl Necklace ($48). It's simple and elegant, and the black tulle adds a fun touch! The black and white effect offers some similarity to the Marika King one.

Nordstrom Long Strand Illusion Glass Pearl Necklace ($48). I'm loving the layering possibilities and the fact that the pearls are spaced farther apart.

Forever21 is always an easy stop for fun and cheap accessories. Here's a pretty strand of faux pearls with a blush pink satin ribbon interwoven throughout. Priced at only $6.80, I love!

And just for fun, I saw this while shopping in SF last weekend. With a price tag of $598, it's probably a bit out of my price range, but looked so gorgeous wrapped up in a row of 4. I will probably have to stick with more affordable pieces for now, but am going to love all the fun possibilities they offer! Wear more than one piece at a time, tie on a satin ribbon, take them out to play or off to work. Why not have some fun with a classic staple?

Once You Start, You Just Can't Stop...

I hate that shopping can basically cure all. After feeling a little down lately, I've forgotten how easily a girl can get lost in the excitement of new purchases! I desperately wish I was more immune to this weakness... but alas, once you start swiping that card, it's pretty much never going to stop. My current obsession: SHOES.

While doing a little roaming around in SF this past weekend, I stumbled upon these Michael Kors 'Berkley' sandals... on sale for $98 from $128!!

I've been looking for some "trendier" shoes to add my embarrassingly nonexistent collection of shoes and these were perfect! I love that they're simple, but offer a little more with the zipper detail. The SF Nordie's didn't have my size, but I was able to pick up a pair today in LA on the way home from work. They are amazingly comfortable and will be a quick and easy way to dress up a pair of skinny jeans. I'm also looking forward to throwing these on with a mini skirt and tank top for those nights out. These will have to do before I can afford anything like the hot Manolo's that my friend picked up this weekend. :)

I did some more browsing around while killing time before my Bar Method class (more on this in a later post) and quickly fell in love with the kate spade 'felice' flats!

I haven't found a pair of flats that I've really liked in forever and these are not only the perfect combo of cute and girly, but are SO comfortable. The price tag of $195 was a little too steep for me at the moment, but Fate works in mysterious ways. Although I had doubts, I scoured the internet in search of these cuties on sale and somehow, THEY WERE ON SALE. At 40% off on Nordstrom.com, my fingers did some clicking and by this time next week, I will have some adorable new flats to wear for the fall. I'm certain that these beautiful flats will quickly replace my black patent Revas as my go-to pair since the nude color will serve as a great pairing for any outfit.

Two great shopping excitements in one day made for a great Monday. As the fall season is finally starting to set upon LA, I'm looking forward to adding to my cold season wardrobe as well! Let's hope for some exciting new looks in the weeks to come.

Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale

It's here! Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale, which only happens once a year, and is different from all other sales because the prices drop BEFORE the season starts. Which means there are actually all sizes and colors available! But you gotta act fast, because the sale ends August 3.

The Anniversary sale features the newest fall styles at lowered prices, so you can nab that coat/jeans/sweater/dress/boots you would've bought ANYWAY right now! Usually, I like to buy for the season, and am terrible at taking advantage of stocking up on pieces for the opposite season. Yes it's what you're should do, but who can think about puffy jackets when I want to do is run out to Central Park and soak up the kisses the Sun generously gives out?

Maybe I'm growing up, but I'm learning an adult skill called planning ahead. It's smart to start collecting for the fall/winter while the getting is good. I picture myself as a squirrel boarding up acorns for the winter haha. Here are my top picks for the Anniversary Sale:

Adriana Papell dress in Deep Blue.

Beautiful and work appropriate dress. I love the neckline - mandarin collars are so flattering and the V isn't too deep.

A girl needs to have some florals in her closet.  The dark background and chiffon material makes it less casual, and underneath a leather jacket would edge it up even more.

Michael Michael Kors double breasted jacket

Thinking ahead to winter, need more jackes and I like the color, but am wondering if this is too similar to my Theory jacket? That one is dark blue, also double breasted, with three rows of buttons..

Omg if there were a perfect little leather jacket, this would be it!! The collar is perfect, and I think the collar is the most important part of a leather jacket.  The color is unique, it's cutely cropped, it has epaulets, and slashy zippers! $300 is a little steep though... hmmm.

/edit: I took the plunge and bought the leather jacket, buuuut it was disappointing. The picture doesn't show just how flashy shiny the buttons are, and also that the zipper is actually asymmetrical and goes diagonally across the chest. Those features, along with the epaulette shoulders and slashy zippers on the front make this jacket entirely too much to handle. A leather jacket is already calling out for attention, so I prefer more toned-down details. Back to the warehouse this one goes.

I miss California and all the Nordstrom stores. There are none in NYC, how tragic!

In the Nude

When I find a pair of shoes I like, my sequence of thinking goes like this: 1) do they have it in my size? 2) should I get black/silver or brown/gold? It always kills me to have to choose between the two - black goes with everything, but I love goldish tones for my skin and for an extra dash of warm sparkle.

Recently, I've decided nOt to choose, and instead go for nude-colored shoes, which presents a perfect compromise in the black vs. brown dilemma. Nude in itself can range quite a gamut of shades.. from beige, to yellowish cream, to pinky peach.  I have a pair of nude pumps for work, and it just works with everything.  Plus, it makes me feel taller because the color extends the leg and gives the illusion of length =)

Yesterday, I got a package from Nordstrom with a pair of nude shoes and a cardigan.  Sidenote: I love packages.  I love the anticipation of getting the notification email, ripping off the tape of the boxes, and shrieking in high-pitched glee when everything arrives intact and actually fits perfectly. Such was my package yesterday.  After clicking on the Nordstrom site for weeks and biting my fingernails over whether to buy it or not (I'm just a little indecisive), I pulled the trigger and got these pretties:

please don't hurt me, 4 inch heels

Mmm, cant wait for summer! Love the heel, the patent leather, the interesting cut. Looking at that skinny stick stiletto though is going to make me paranoid of potholes, gutters, and any sort of vents on the ground.  Best of all, these match everything for those summer dresses! Black? Yes. Brown? Yes. Red/purple? Yes, yes, yes!  Do-it-all-ness is a quality I appreciate in people, as well as shoes.

frontal view, on my hardwood floors