29 July 2013

Randomness Monday

pleated stripes

As I find myself lacking in the cohesive thought department today, I'll instead "grace" you with a bunch of mental randomness:

The SE seems to have been hitting that magical "perfect summer temperature" setting of mid-80s Fahrenheit recently and I've been loving it. Shorts and tee - fine. Any kind of dress - yes, please. Cropped pants and light jacket - why not?

Is it just me, or has anyone else not really felt like shopping lately? Come on new arrivals, I dare you to tempt me with something!

In my book, no one makes smoothies as good as Keva Juice. I may be obsessed with the Lime Me smoothie.

pleated stripes  pleated stripes

Anyone have a rec for a good under-eye cream? Impending wrinkles are mentally freaking me out.

Finished book five of the Mortal Instruments series over the weekend. Book six doesn't come out until next spring. What-the-what?!

My pup's mantra seems to be "hurry and let me in so I can go out again!"

I've been two days so far on cutting back on carbs and eating more whole foods. And I'm sorry to say that I'm still hungry.

What's random in your world recently?

pleated stripes

Top: J.Crew factory tissue (worn here - retail, sim, steal)
Skirt: Asos ponte stripe (sim, mini, as dress)
Belt: J.Crew embossed (sim, sim)
Necklace: J.Crew factory cameo chandelier (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Bracelets: Goodys double wear & Sage K and Co via Etsy (pricey)
Bag: Brahmin sadie (worn here - sim, sim, luxe)
Shoes: Vince Camuto bello (worn here - steal, sim, pricey)

25 July 2013

My Inner Fan

red floral

As much as I'd like to think of myself as someone who has grown into a modern sophisticated woman, in reality I've just gotten really good at hiding my inner fantasy world fan girl.

I was engrossed in superhero cartoons as a kid - Transformers, Voltron, She-Ra, Thundercats, Gargoyles. If it was some sort of sci-fi fantasy series with heroes in spandex suits, I was all over it. Instead of playing with Barbies, Little Me slew imaginary dragons with my Jem doll in Crayola marker warrior paint while she rode atop her fearless steed - aka Rainbow Brite's horse Starlite in plush form.

red floral  red floral

While my girlfriends were styling their hair and trying on lipsticks in high school, I was busy collecting X-Men comics and nose-deep in Anne Rice's vampire novels (Lestat, you're still the best). In college, I spent many a late night sketching medieval suits of armor and writing macabre emo dystopian fantasies.

In adulthood, I no longer wear my questionably cool hobby on my sleeve - seriously, I've long since gotten rid of my Darth Maul tees - but I still love escaping to mystical alter-worlds where the monsters are big and the heroes wield swords, cast spells or wear armor, so my Kindle has become my treasure trove. Like the Muirwood or Hunger Games trilogies. The Beautiful Creatures books. And currently, the Mortal Instruments series. 

What do you love that most people may find surprising about you? What kind of things are you a fan girl over?

red floral

Dress: Chelsea Girl via Asos (worn here - sim, same print, more cas)
Belt: Asos bow skinny (worn here - sim, sim)
Necklace: Emerson Fry (worn here - sim, sim)
Bracelet: J.Crew via Ebay (worn here - sim, sim, simpler)
Ring: c/o INPINK turquoise stone (worn here - sim, sim)
Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff (worn here -sim, set, w/cherries)
Shoes: Sam Edelman trina (worn here - look-alike, sim, platform)

Linking up with Tara at Mix & Match Fashion

Also, guest posting on Dayi's blog - Dayi's Sense of Style! Thanks so much and have a good weekend.

23 July 2013

Vintage

jeans + scarf  jeans + scarf

Thank you so much for all your feedback and advice on my previous post re: weight loss/maintenance. I'll be doing a follow-up post plus will respond to your comments shortly. I hadn't had a chance to do it yet because my laptop decided that it had finally had enough of this cruel world late last week and melodramatically died on me.

So after a weekend of "what to do with this 'free time' business when I can't access the Internet?!" I am currently on a loaner laptop while I wait for a replacement to come in. Bleh ...

jeans + scarf  jeans + scarf

Those of you who have read my blog for a while know that a large portion of my "fun" money (dollars left to spend each month after bills, groceries, savings, others, etc.) go to my foodie pursuits and shopping for clothes, shoes, bags, etc. I like to eat and I like to shop. My fun money most certainly does not go to technology.

I've whined my way through a new phone after detonating my original, talked about getting a new camera forever but have yet to commit, and now I'm sitting on my wallet after having to replace my laptop because I'm upset with having to shell out more fun money on considerably unfun things. To me, technology is not fun, it's useful. Plus things with microships in them are ridic expensive (Edit: or microchips. But anything in ship form must cost more than a chip). Seems silly to wait for weeks sometimes for a pair of shoes to get discounted $15 when here I am shelling out $$$ for a phone or computer.

I guess you can call me adverse to change. Or cheap. Both.

So how do you handle unexpected large expenses? And are there items you just can't stand to spend money on?

jeans + scarf

Top: J.Crew factory anchor (check stores - sim, sim, big anchor)
Jeans: J.Crew destroyed matchstick (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Scarf: silk via Ebay (worn here - sim, sim, luxe)
Bag: Coach flight in metallic mirror (worn here - same patent & quilted, sim, sim, clutch)
Bracelets: Ann Taylor pearl & pave cluster (sim, sim) & Knotical Knovelties via Etsy (simpler)
Ring: BR (sim, sim)
Shoes: Adrienne Vittadini yancy (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)

18 July 2013

Not Feeling Like an Empress

anthro black

I apologize in advance but I am going to be a bit whiny today. You see, I am bit frustrated with myself.

I've mentioned before that I've gained some weight over the past few months that I am less than happy about. I know I'm far from big and there are way more important things in life to obsess about, but it is really beginning to wear down on my confidence. I have this middle that just seems to want to keep expanding and nothing feels like it is working to get rid of it.

I don't want to be teeny tiny, I just want to quit having to suck it in and to be able to fit into the clothes I already have.

anthro black  anthro black

I'm trying to do better ... though I feel like I've been in the same cycle for months. I've started/restarted exercising regularly, doing at least 30 minutes about four-five times each week (Jillian Michaels videos or treadmill time). I've been reading different diet books. I've been trying to watch what I eat (really limiting fast food, fried food, eating more fresh veg and fruit, staying away from junk foods) - but it's hard because I love food.  And I've seen literally zero results. In months.

So what's a gal to do? I hate the idea of "being on a diet" because how does one keep the weight off when they stop dieting? I'd rather do something that takes more time but gives me results I can stick with. Plus ... carbs are like my best friends. Ones I don't get to see enough of lately. And honestly, I am not a huge fan of working out either but I guess I will need up the frequency and length of my exercises.

And keep my fingers crossed for some semblance of  waistband looseness. Bah!

Now I know everyone's different but I'm curious to know how you ladies do it. How do you manage your weight and stay healthy?

anthro black

Blazer: Cartonnier via Anthropologie hello sunday (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Dress: Lilka via Anthropologie empress (dif pattern, sim, sleeved, pricey)
Belt: Limited (sim, sim)
Bracelets: F21 (sim, sim) & Asos (sim, pricey)
Rings: F21 (steal, sim, sim)
Bag: Brahmin anytime (worn here - deal, sim, woven)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction pine a colada (worn here - sim, deal, spotted)

anthro black

Linking up with Tara at Mix & Match Fashion.

16 July 2013

Jelly Squiggles

squiggles  squiggles

Remember those butt-kicking glittery jelly sandals that were the rage when we were in elementary school? They made funny little squishy noises when you ran in them but they were cheap as dirt and came in a rainbow of hues. My friends and I all wore them to death.

Fast-forward to present day and jelly sandals seem like they are back. In adult sizes. And some of them are pretty grown-up kickass (like these - not so cheap as dirt, but awesome).

squiggles  squiggles

And with jelly footwear, so should come jelly purses. Now I know I am way late to the party, but I saw these Furla candy satchels for the first time a few weeks ago in a ladies restroom at the airport. One stylish gal carried a glittery purple number and another had a metallic grey one.

Always on the lookout for The Perfect traveling purse, I was in love. Perfect size to stow everything while traveling, fits under the seat in front of you comfortably, made out of rubber so it's water-repellent and durable. Of course I wants one. (But my old jelly sandals were like free - this jelly purse is so definitely not free ...)

So - big rubber bag, what do you think? And what are you lusting after recently?

squiggles

Top: H&M (worn here - sim, sim, deal)
Skirt: Maeve by Anthropologie shaped swirl (worn here - sim, as dress)
Belt: Asos metal keeper (sim, sim)
Necklace: J.Crew via Ebay bubble (worn here - sim, sim, smaller)
Bracelets: Asos (sim, sim) & J.Crew (sim, steal, bow)
Shoes: J.Crew cap toe etta (same solid, mary jane, low-heel, spectator)

12 July 2013

A Short Story

striped shorts  striped shorts

Every season, I seem to glom onto one kind of item that I just wear to the death. A few seasons back it was gingham shirts in every color of the rainbow. Last summer I killed the color "modern red" from J.Crew. Then I went on a colored pant bender. And I'm continuously hit-or-miss with the big ole chunky necklaces.

I think I am on a perpetual lovefest with stripes, so when I saw these shorts, it was an easy decision for me to make July the month of the striped shorts. And here are just two ways that I've worn them recently. Before prepared to see them again soon. And again.

What items can you not stop wearing this summer?

striped shorts  striped shorts

Top: LEC oxford (worn here - sim, sim)
Shorts: Gap striped welt pocket (no longer online, check stores - sim, sim, longer)
Belt: J.Crew (deal, sim)
Necklace: J.Crew factory cameo chandelier (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Bracelet: Ann Taylor pearl & pave cluster (worn here - sim, sim), Tag Heuer
Bag: J.Crew striped tillary (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Shoes: Sam Edelman trina (worn here - copycat, sim, sim)

striped shorts

striped shorts

Top: J.Crew gondola stripe (worn here - sim, tee, 3/4-sleeve)
Shorts: Gap striped welt pocket (no longer online, check stores - wide striped, chevron, yellow)
Necklace: Asos boxchain collar (worn here - pricey, more classic, bolder)
Bracelets: C.Wonder pave initial, YuniKelley via Etsy (sim, sim)
Clutch: C.Wonder colorblock (worn here - sim, crossbody, pricey)
Shoes: Artisan by Clarks kyna wise (worn here - sim, sim)

striped shorts
(My sole souvenir from recent London trip).

10 July 2013

Imperfect Hems

white eyelet

I really love this dress. It's light, summery, it's got a cotton lining, a forgiving fit and a really cute hem. Plus it was cheap. So of course I had to order it pretty much as soon as I saw it online.

Then I got the dress. The material was a little stiffer than I thought, but that's OK, it's got little eyelet sleeves. It is a pullover fit so I kind of have to hulk it over my apparently huge shoulders to get it off, but that's OK, look at the scalloped hem. I kind of look preggers in the dress, but that's OK ... ?

white eyelet  white eyelet

I know, I know, I can probably spend a little money to have the dress tailored to fit, but not only would it need to be slimmed but I'd probably have to add a zipper so I can get it off, and do I really want to spend additional dollars on a Forever 21 piece? (Doing anything myself is not an option, buttons are about all I can do).

So this dress doesn't really fit me as well as I'd like but I still love it. And want to wear it, despite that I think it makes me look a bit heavier than I am. But it's got a cotton lining! And that hem!

Do you have pieces that don't quite work for you but you can't give up? What do you do to make it work?

white eyelet

white eyelet

Dress: F21 eyelet shift (deal, sim, more sheer)
Necklace: J.Crew fan fringe (worn here - sim -ish, solid, smaller, Etsy dupes)
Bracelets: Sage K and Co via Etsy (sim, sim)
Ring: c/o INPINK turquoise stone (worn here - sim, sim)
Bag: Coach poppy flight in mirror metallic (same solid, sim cas, actual mirror, clutch, tote)
Shoes: Adrienne Vittadini yancy (worn here - sim, sim, wedge)

08 July 2013

Everything and Apple Pie


striped denim  striped denim

Happy July, ladies - I hope you all had a fantastic past couple of days! It was a casual but fun Independence Day long weekend for me, I went up north to visit some family and friends. There were loads of grilled goodies, fuzzy animals, much laughing, my first home fireworks and unfortunately a whole lotta rain. Plus copious over-use of Off! kept the mosquitoes at bay.

How were your weekends?

striped denim

Top: F21 striped denim (sim pricey, floral, solid)
Shorts: J.Crew factory chino (worn here - retail version, sim)
Necklace: C.Wonder (sim, round)
Bracelets: J.Crew (sim), C. Wonder pave initial, Yunikelley via Etsy (sim, sim)
Bag: Longchamp (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Shoes: Artisan by Clarks kyna wise (worn here - sim, sim, sim)

the 4th
First time we bought some fireworks for at-home blowing up. I played Fire Marshall Lisa and doled out sparklers, lit bottle rockets and reminded people about fireworks safety - i.e., light it and run!

the 4th  the 4th
Fun was had by all with only minor shrapnel damage. Afterwards I wish we had bought more!

the 4th
Some new flip flips masquerading as sandals and an old dress.

the 4th  the 4th
One of my many pup friends during the weekend. / A brief break in the rain.

the 4th
Some All-American photography was perused.

03 July 2013

Long on Stripes

striped maxi   striped maxi

I swear I put on makeup before I took these photos but alas somehow I still managed to look like I do before I wake up in the morning.

Granted, I'm not the most adept in the beauty department. My daily makeup routine consists of concealer, pressed powder, some shade of nude lipstick and sometimes mascara. That's it, seriously.

striped maxi  striped maxi

On occasion I may do a swipe of blush and some shadow for my brows, but somewhere along the way, I realized that I was bad with makeup and just plain gave up trying to learn. Things like eye shadow - and eye liner especially - give me the jeebies. I've tried looking up video tutorials but they just depress me. Usually anything I put on my lids end up migrating down to my cheeks within a few hours.

What I won't leave the house without putting on? Concealer (gotta hide those relentless under-eye circles! I like this cream, this powder and this combo) and Burt's Bees lip balm to keep those chapped lips at bay.

Is there any type of makeup that intimidates you? What do you have to use on your face before can start your day?

striped maxi

Jacket: Zara bleached denim (worn here - sim, sim, over-sized, pricey)
Top: Gap (worn here - sim, sim)
Skirt: Mossimo by Target knit maxi (preppy, pricey, simpler chevron)
Necklace: Asos boxchain collar (worn here - sim elegant, over-the-top)
Bracelets: F21 southwestern, Sage K and Co via Etsy (sim, sim)
Bag: Longchamp (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Shoes: Artisan by Clarks kyna wise (worn here - sim, sim, sim)

My Mr. T-worthy necklace and I wish you a happy rest-of-the-week, ladies! For those in the States, happy 4th!