instaberry: memorial day weekend

I have a Blackberry and therefore STILL don't have Instagram, but that doesn't mean I can't share my Memorial Day Weekend fun with you through the eyes of my cell phone camera. I stayed in the Bay Area, but had a friend in town which made it feel like a vacation. Fun times! 

shopping for shoes & lipstick

tourist by day (UNION SQUARE), party goers by night (ERA ART BAR & LOUNGE)

chicken apple sausage omelet, strawberry & grapefruit mimosas at LAKESHORE CAFE

metallic heels (SAM EDELMAN YELANA ON SALE) & denim jackets

wine with a view at ROCK WALL WINE COMPANY

cucumber water (FARMER BROWN) + pretty flowers = SUMMER

hat lady

On my trip to Hawaii I made a pivotal self discovery. I like hats!!!! Why didn't anyone tell me when you wear hats you don't have to wear makeup or do your hair? 

wearing: NINE WEST CLOCHE HAT, TOMS KATHMANDU SUNGLASSES c/o, forever 21 jumper (I WANT THIS ONE), necklace from nordstrom (SIMILAR), old navy ring

worn to: explore hawaii

Here are some cute hats for those looking to build or add to their collection

1) FOREVER 21 ZEBRA BAND FEDORA 

2) SAN DIEGO HAT COMPANY BOWLER 

3) EUGENIA KIM BIANCA VINTAGE FEDORA 

4) ERIC JAVITS FEDORA 

5) FOREVER 21 OPEN WEAVE FEDORA 

luau

Physically I've left Hawaii but mentally I'm still there, and sorting through my pictures is not helping me to reinsert myself into the real world any quicker :-/ On this particular day I went to a luau and it was such a treat...unlimited food and island drinks, men with no shirts or shortage of muscles and beautiful women with hips that would make Shakira blush :) SO.MUCH.FUN!

(PURCHASE)

When I ran across this dress, I immediately knew I wanted to wear it to the luau. With the midsection cutout detail, it's not something I would wear day to day, but for 20 bucks, I figured why not. And I'm completely obsessed with this 60's footwear trend (just purchased THESE on super sale). The chunky semi-low heel was perfect for strolling the island.

wearing: forever 21 dress (PURCHASE), CALVIN KLEIN LANETTE SANDALS
worn to: a luau...ENJOY THE VIDEO!

april showers, may flowers

It rained a lot in April, but the first half of May has been beautiful! Let's see how long this gorgeous weather lasts. Happy Wednesday :) Hawaii pics up next! 

P.S. I took the flower pictures in my very first photography class with KATRINA DAVIS :) Not bad huh?

P.P.S I paid $7 for these Levi jeans :) 


wearing: f21 necklace (SIMILAR) & bracelet, urban sweater (I WANT THIS ONE), burberry jacket (ASOS VERSION), levis jeans (SIMILAR), hunter boa rain boots (SIMILAR)
worn: shopping & lunching

packing for...

HAWAII!!!!!!!

In the midst of all the Lucky FABB excitement and preparation, I forgot to mention that I GRADUATED :) That's right folks, I graduated and I can barely believe it. As part of my graduation celebration I'm doing what I do best, and love most...taking a vacation! I've never been to Hawaii but it just seems like the perfect place to decompress after the ridiculousness that is grad school. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to taking a nap on the beach underneath a palm tree...ALOHA!!!!!!!

oldies & goodies

I like to shop. I have a lot of clothes. Sue me. One thing I can say is that I keep and wear my clothes for years. Whether it comes from FOREVER 21 or SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, I will wear it until it can't be worn anymore. This skirt and these shoes are exhibit A & B. I've had both for at least 3 years and although I have purchased plenty of skirts and black heels over the course of those years, I don't plan on getting rid of either of these anytime soon. I love new stuff, but there's something special (and cost efficient) about oldies and goodies. 

I've also had my Michael Kors tortoise watch for years and I literally wear it everyday. Literally. It's such a good piece to have in your jewelry box and believe it or not (I didn't believe it) it's ON SALE!! Not sure how long this sale will last, so run, don't walk...

wearing: gap sweater, forever 21 skirt, steve madden luxe heels, jewel mint earrings, forever 21 & old navy accessories, michael kors watch (ON SALE!!!!!!) 

worn: lounging at the W

lucky FABB

I got back from Lucky FABB yesterday and a few hours later I was headed out for drinks and dinner for a friend's birthday. I was so completely exhausted, couldn't think straight, and had no desire to put together something cute to wear. Thank goodness you can never really go wrong with jeans and a white tee, especially when worn with cute heels and a jacket with leather sleeves...

wearing: zara jacket (SIMILAR) and heels (FANCIER VERSION), j crew white tee, gap jeans (SIMILAR), my mom's nannini bag (CUTE OPTION), nordstrom bp necklace (LOVE THIS ONE)

worn to: happy hour at LAKE CHALET & dinner at KINCAIDS 

So Lucky FABB was an incredible experience. Aside from the great speakers ranging from Jessica Alba and Zac Posen to Randi Zuckerberg, it was so inspiring to be in a room full of well dressed women who also happen to share your same passion.The Editor in Chief of Lucky, Brandon Holley is sooooo fierce, and while she loves her job at Lucky, she was encouraging us women to be entrepreneurs, quit our jobs and really turn our blogs into a business. Food for thought for sure. Anyway, I was stressing myself out trying to figure out which photos to post, so I just created two Facebook albums one with pictures (and comments) from THE LUCKY FABB CONFERENCE and one with photos from the KICK OFF PARTY AT KELLY WEARSTLER'S BOUTIQUE. I hope you enjoy them!

three

It kind of blows my mind that this blog is 3 years old today and what really blows my mind is how many people read, follow, comment and support it. When I started with my little point and shoot camera, taking pictures of myself in the mirror, I never would have assumed so many people would actually care about what I have to say or what I wear day to day. But I am so glad you guys do care and I really appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

This weekend, I am headed to LA for Lucky FABB, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate 3 years! Make sure you follow me on TWITTER. I will try my best to live tweet while simultaneously paying close attention to all the speakers ;) 

wearing: ny & company cardigan (SIMILAR), levi's jeans (SIMILAR), forever 21 necklace (SIMILAR), michael kors watch (SIMILAR), dolce vita heels

worn to: church & birthday brunch at SOULS

P.S.-Please check out what's on my current cravings list over at MAVENS & MUSES. It's definitely one of my favorite features thus far! 

accessorize

michael kors watch, f21 & target bracelets 

zara heels

old navy stack rings & necklace, david yurman ring, soulstice nail colour in cape cod

h&m blazer, tj maxx top 

I was so against these heels because every blogger has them, but they were too comfortable and inexpensive to pass up. So, not only did I initially buy them in black, when I saw the red/purple combo I had to have them  too :) 

photos by CHARISE

casual fridays

Yes, I'm aware that it's Wednesday, but this is what I threw on a few Fridays ago to shop and lunch in San Fran. I enjoy getting dolled up like the next lady, but the California girl in me also really appreciates a laid back casual look. 

On another note, I DO wish it was Friday already because the weather is supposed to be gorgeous this weekend and I plan to be out and about and enjoying every minute of it, because I am officially DONE WITH SCHOOL :):)

wearing: french connection dress (SIMILAR), h&m trench, steve madden shoes, f21 necklace (SIMILAR)

worn to: shop in SF, lunch at cheesecake factory (fish & avocado tacos)