i love a good belt

j crew cardi, urban ruffle top, thrifted belt, express pants, jessica simspon shoes, bracelet from italian street vendor brought back by a friend

Because my style tends to be on the classic side at times, I always love a good belt to jazz (did i really just use that word) things up a bit. My go to place for belts is Good Will for sure. No mater how sucky the clothing selection is on a particular day, 9 times out of 10, I can always walk away with a good belt :)

Happy Monday! So excited about a short work week. Can you tell?

a somber day

bandolino top, thrifted skirt, steve madden shoes

Today's post was going to be completely different, but I am so taken aback by the death of Michael Jackson, that I can't get my thoughts together. To say that I was not a huge, die hard fan, I am really sad about his death. I guess icons are icons because they have that kind of affect on people :-( And I can not forget to mention the fabulous Farrah Fawcett. I have a picture of her that I bring to the hair salon with me from time to time for inspiration :)

I must point out that these fun, happy go lucky pics were not taken today. This is what I wore to work earlier in the week.

summer scrapbook

Summer is finally here, and I have nothing planned. UGH! This is the first time in a while that I don’t have some sort of fun/semi big vacation planned, and I have minor panic attacks every time I think about it. Between family, friends, and the bf, I can always get one other person (which is really all I need) to join me somewhere, but not this year. It seems like the older we get the busier we get, and the harder it is to make stuff happen. I’m sure something will pop up between now and the end of Summer, I just wish I knew what :-/ Enough of my rant…last night, to make myself feel better (or worse), I was looking through photos from various trips I’ve taken over the last couple of years, and I figured I share some here. Enjoy :)


2005, on kukulcan, one of the main streets in cancun. mexico beaches are beautiful!


2006, 162 feet in the air atop the beautiful arc de triomphe in paris. it was clearly windy up there.


2006, in south beach with my dear and fabulous friend nkechi. i think this may have been the last girlfriend’s trip i’ve taken.

2007, at a lake back in cali where I was born in raised. the adorable one is my nephew naasir.

2008, in san juan, puerto rico sipping on the best drink i’ve EVER had, which was accompanied by the best and biggest pork chop i’ve ever had.

2008, in vegas at planet hollywood hotel for my bday.

2008, outside my resort in scottsdale. i need to make this a yearly trip. i’ve never been more relaxed coming off of a vacation.

watch me go

marc by marc jacobs bag, banana t-shirt dress, thrifted (talbots) denim shirt, dv dolce vita fringe sandals

I was in such a rush to get to my hair appt this morning that I didn't have time to stop for the camera ;) But I love this little t-shirt dress. It's so comfy and so perfect for the 100 degree temperature out here. The only thing about it is that it is also so fitted and so not forgiving, hence the denim shirt wrapped around my waist. If I ever plan to wear this dress without some sort of "cover up", I need to invest in some Spanx or get in the gym ;)

spotted

thrifted talbots dress, thrifted belt, kenzie shoes

I wrote about shoes all day today, and Crocs at that. Can those things even be considered shoes? Ick! Anyway, I am brain dead and have nothing more to say. Enjoy the pictures :)

Note to self, make sure belt is straight going forward. Haha!

shopstyle psa

cardigan wrap from local boutique, thrifted belt, express cropped pants, dolce vita shoes

ShopStyle saves the day once again! I know most of you fashion forward bloggers already know about it, but for those of you who don’t, you have to check it out! It is an essential tool, for those of us who hate the mall and love to shop online, OR if you’re having trouble finding something in the stores. What you do is type what you are looking for (in my case cropped pants) and it will give you pages upon pages of websites/stores that are carrying that item. Basically, it’s a virtual personal shopper, and it’s free! That is how I found these awesome high waisted cropped pants from Express for $8…yes $8!!!! Because I am leery about Express, I only ordered one pair, but had I known these pants were going to be exactly what I was looking for, I may have ordered a second pair b/c I can already tell I am going to wear these out. The only thing better would be if they came in a color!

the hangover

i can only imagine what my photog said to me to make me make that face :)

thrifted biker shorts, belt and necklace, tj maxx top

No, I don't have a hangover, but I went to see that movie last night, and I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life. From beginning to end, that movie is pure comedy. If you haven't seen it yet...GO, and if you have, see it again! There is nothing like a good laugh.

When I am off my shopping diet, I think I am going to buy some longer biker shorts. These are cool, but they ride up, so I think it's best to go a little longer...

three way

urban skirt, thrifted jacket and biker shorts, naught monkey shoes

One skirt worn three ways :)

The first picture is what I ran around the city in earlier today. The second is what I am going to wear to run around the city tonight and the third is a throwback pic from last year in Puerto Rico. I like this look the best! Too bad my white button down is dirty.

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. Toodles.

jumpers/rompers

I've been wanting a jumper and/or romper since last Spring. I haven't looked much this season, but last year, the few that I tried were too girly, and made me look 12. This season, I think I need to stay clear of prints, especially florals, and maybe lean towards something more casual. Here are few options:

FCUK, $148...I'm a sucker for anything with a racerback. I also really like the longer length, and the baggy, less tailored silhouette.

F21, $19...I suspect this is pretty terrible in person, but I like the idea of it :)

Urban Outfitters, $78...I typically don't do strapless, but I can see myself in this. I especially like the versatility of it. I think it can be dressed up as easily as it can be dressed down.

Steven Alan, $245...I want to wear this with a fun shoe, in an obnoxiously bright color.

Robert Rodriguez (shopbop), $374...This is exquisite! If only money were no object. Anthropologie, $178...Last, but certainly not least, I WANT I WANT I WANT!!! This color is beautiful. I'm making a special trip to the mall this weekend to see it in person.

prep school

j crew button down, old navy shorts

My photog/partner in crime is out of town for a while, so bare with me and my posts these next couple of days :) I had a very low key, but productive weekend. I was feeling studious today so I put on some linen shorts, and a crisp button down in a pop of color, and headed to the bookstore/coffee shop with my laptop and glasses for hours of fun! Thrilling, I know!

watch it

urban jeans and sweater, TOCS watch

I am so excited about my new timepiece ;) I never realized how important my watch was to me until I broke mine last month, and I also never realized how expensive watches were until I started researching them. I wanted an oversized face, so I tried the men's thing, but that didn't really work because my wrist is tiny, and it was nearly impossible to find women's watches with big enough faces, in my budget. So I had basically given up hope until I discovered http://www.tocswatches.com/ TOCS (Time Pieces of Color and Style). This brand is basically heaven sent. I started with black because I needed something basic, but I plan to get one in pink, and purple and blue and green and so on and so forth :)

I also really love Marc Jacobs watches (I love all things Marc). Here are a few that I am eyeing from him in case anyone is reading who would like to gift me one...or all:

neiman marcus, prices between $200-$275

a new day

f21 jean jacket, urban outfitters dress, nine west booties

Yesterday I rolled out of bed and into work looking like I should be on the corner begging for change. I mean, I even FORGOT TO PUT ON EARRINGS!!! Ugh! Monday's are so tough. At any rate, because I was so embarrassed by yesterday's disheveled appearance, I overcompensated today and wore my Valentine's Day dress from last year. Ha! I tried to dress it down with booties and a jean jacket. I think it worked.