Seersucker on Stripes on Nautical for Back to School Night

{dress: forever 21 (similar) (similar) | loafers: love culture (similar) | belt: american apparel | cardigan: old navy | necklace: baublebar | watch: marc by marc jacobs}

So, I'm super into this outfit. I randomly decided to pair these seersucker stripes with the thicker striped loafers, and added the rope belt because I thought it put it right over the edge into nautical. And I LOVED it.

I am kind of shocked by how impressed I was looking at these photos haha. Honesty time: I'm a bit self-deprecating much of the time, so it's rare that I look at myself in the mirror or in a photo and am super thrilled by what I see. I'm well aware that for every body type, there are certain silhouettes of clothing that are more flattering than others, and oftentimes, I choose to ignore that fact. I have what I suppose could be referred to as an "hourglass" figure (translation: large chest and equally as large hips...), which, I have to admit, seems a lot better on Scarlett Johanssen than it does on my own body. However, there was something A+ about this dress. I think this cinched waist is super flattering to my figure! Maybe it's time to get serious about rethinking my oversized tees! ;)

P.S. Today is the last day to enter my BIG ASOS GIVEAWAY - enter while you can!

Friday's Fancies: Short & Sweet!

{shirt / sneakers / chain necklace (similar) / shorts / monogram / rings / purse}

This week's Friday's Fancies theme is all about shorts! Of course, it's no mystery that shorts are a summer staple, but sometimes, you come across a piece that stylistically stumps you a bit! I've had a pair of green shorts for about 3 years, and I wear them from time to time, but usually they just hang out in my drawer, taunting me with their... greenness? Really, besides basic neutrals, what goes with green? Answer: nothing! So, while brainstorming how to style these green monsters, I kept it classic with some stripes, but pumped up the volume just a touch with a contrasting (and gorgeous) orange purse!

First Lady

{coat: kohl's (similar) | sweater: forever 21 | jeans: forever 21 | flats: tory burch | pearl necklace: forever 21 (similar) | monogram: baublebar | watch: nordstrom (similar)}

So, I wasn't exactly feeling like myself when I put this outfit on. Yes, I wear pearls. Yes, I love monograms. Yes, I go through stages when I live in my Tory Burch flats. But something about this outfit was much more preppy and classic than my usual style, right down to the hairdo. (I copied this hairdo from Hayden Panettiere's character on Nashville, by the way. What do you think?)

Anyway, when I got to work, I was feeling slightly Hyannis Port until my coworker laid this one on me: "You look like Barbara Bush." Now, I don't know about you, but I don't know any world in which this is a compliment. Now, I'm not knocking all of her great work with as First Lady or anything, but let's get real: does anyone want to hear that they look like an 87-year-old woman? No. No they do not.

That'll teach me to wear this particular combination ever again...

Friday's Fancies: New Year, New You!

{outfit 1: cardigan / flats / dress / necklace / earrings / bracelet / bag | outfit 2: necklace / bracelets / ring / blazer / bag / shirt / boots / skinnies | outfit 3: beanie / skirt / necklace / sweater / watch / boots / coat / bag}

I love this week's Friday's Fancies theme! The idea of this week's theme was to create an outfit that embodies what you hope for the new year! i.e. A bright & vibrant outfit = an exciting new year! I took it a tad more literally. My goals (not resolutions, cause who can keep those?) for 2013 are to GET ORGANIZED, to complete my elementary credential program, and to downsize & streamline my wardrobe & style!

That being said, I put together a few "teacher" outfits that I hope to get the chance to wear in the upcoming year as I transition from paint & glue-covered preschool teacher attire to a more grown-up elementary teacher attire! Truth be told, I think outfit #3 is going to have to make an appearance much sooner than next fall!

What are you hoping for the new year?

Celeb Style - My Way: Rachel Bilson

{blazer: alloy | sweater: h&m | jeans: seven for all mankind | boots: steve madden | gold bar necklace: bk & jio | monogram necklace: baublebar | watch: nordstrom}

I know, I know. Here I go again with Rachel, but I just love her! Rachel's style is just always so classic, functional, and well-put together! Such an inspiration!

Since I'm still on the hunt for the perfect (and affordable) low-heeled tan boot, I went with my black cowboys instead. [Boot suggestions welcome!] Otherwise, I thought I was pretty on-the-money with my interpretation of Rachel's casual layered look!

"I'm running out of polka dot blog post titles."

{dress: asos | sandals: old navy | bubble necklace: ily couture | monogram necklace: baublebar | watch: nordstrom}

I wore this over Thanksgiving weekend when I (1) took a final and (2) met Elle from Living in Color!

First, who holds a final on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend?! My school, apparently! Ridic. Oh well, at least I was complimented on my outfit and aced the class! ;)

Second, Elle and I have been blogging buddies for quite some time now, and since she's originally from the OC, I was so excited that when she came home from Thanksgiving weekend, we were able to meet up! We got coffee and shopped around South Coast Plaza! We were so caught up in being obsessed with each other that we forgot to take a photo together! Can you believe it?! Oh well, next time! :)

P.S. As we were shopping, I was, of course, attracted to everything polka dots! I told Elle, "I can't buy anymore polka dotted items because I'm running out of polka dot blog post titles!" And there you have it. Haha.

Friday's Fancies: Dress Yourself!

{Heart Pin/Jacket/Shirt/Cords/Monogram/Bubble Necklace/Watch/Bracelet/Boots/Ring/Belt/Purse}

This week's Friday's Fancies theme is "Dress Yourself!" aka make up an outfit that screams "you!" Or, rather, "me!" What I didn't realize is that it would take me three weeks to put one together! I know what you're probably thinking: there's a lot going on in this outfit.Well, turns out, a lot pretty much categorizes my style! I love a lot of things: I love accessories. I love anything Native American-inspired. I love denim on denim. I love monograms. I love bubble necklaces. I love seafoam green/mint. I love Tory Burch. I love oversized menswear-style watches (And this Marc Jacobs one is my new obsession - possible birthday gift?!). And apparently, I love eclectic outfits!

And how about yourself? What screams "you!?"

Feddas.

{Dress: Old Navy | Belt: Target | Flats: Shoe Mint | Chain Link Necklace: derng | Monogram: BaubleBar | Watch: Nordstrom}

I love feathers. Did you know? Always have, always will. I know feathers are super trendy these days, and I hit the feather hair extensions trend hard a couple years ago, but I've really always loved feathers. I even have a Pinterest board dedicated to feathers. I think it began with my love of Tiger Lily in the Mary Martin version of Peter Pan that I used to watch excessively when I was little. Followed by my love of Tiger Lily in the Disney version of Peter Pan. Followed by my love of Pocahontas. Let's just say, I'm into feathers.

[Reason for this post title? A few years ago, there was a boy at my work (I'm a preschool teacher) who pronounced feathers as, "feddas." Now, every time I think of or say feathers, I am always inclined to say, "feddas." Come on, try it. You'll like it.]

Ikat!

{Shirt: Target | Jeans: Seven For All Mankind | Sandals: Old Navy | Bubble Necklace: ILY Couture | Monogram Necklace: BaubleBar | Watch: Nordstrom}

I lusted after these jeans for months. I had a severe internal debate between buying these and the Citizens floral jeans. I finally decided on these pretties during an unplanned, after work shopping trip and just dove right in! I thought they were more versatile during the floral pair. [Note the patterned jean fabulosity of my blog header, please.] They also ended up going on sale about 3 days after I bought them, and the most fabulous of all stores, Nordstrom, gave me a price adjustment! Anyway, turns out, I've only worn them 3 times in 6 months... Perhaps they aren't as versatile as I thought?! Do you have any ideas on how to style these bad boys?

Happiness hit her like a bullet in the eye-eye-ye-ye-ye-yeyeyyeeeee...

{Blouse, Jacket, & Watch: Nordstrom | Jeans: Urban Outfitters | Moccasins: Minnetonka | Bracelet: Luna | Necklace: BaubleBar}

I wore this to the Florence + The Machine show at the Hollywood Bowl last weekend! My last Bowl show of the season was spent with good friends, eating cheeseburgers, and sharing a bottle of wine on a comfortable Southern California night (I actually got to put on a jacket! Omg!), and dancing to the beautiful music of Miss Florence Welch! Not only did Flo put on the most amazing show, but holy cow is she STUNNING! I tended to think she always looked a little too awkward and old for her age - but in person, oh my word, was she beeeautifulllll! Anyway, a wonderful night was had by all, especially me and my new military + leather jacket!