fat tuesday

I celebrated Fat Tuesday at Miss Pearl's Restaurant & Lounge and appropriately wore a lot of color and had some yummy gumbo and daiquiris while sitting outside next to a fire listening to a blues band. It was a perfect evening, but when I got home I realized I didn't get any beads :( 

HURRY!!! Only a few more days to enter my TIFFANY & CO GIVEAWAY.

wearing: old navy sweater, gap jacket, fcuk skirt (SIMILAR), steve madden luxe heels, necklace from nordstrom, gifted bracelet, michael kors watch (PURCHASE)

worn to: MISS PEARL'S

from my heart to yours: a tiffany & co giveaway

In keeping with the theme of love and knowing your worth, I want to express my love and appreciation for all of you by offering Simply Chic's biggest GIVEAWAY yet! This double heart Tiffany & Company necklace could be yours by simply:

Required (1 entry)

1) Follow via Google Friend Connect by clicking "Join this site" on the left side of the page

2) Let me know what name you are following me under so I can easily find & confirm you if your lucky name is selected :)

3) Leave a comment with your email address and all the ways you've entered

Optional (1 entry each)

1) Follow on FACEBOOK

2) Follow on BLOGLOVIN
3) Follow on PINTEREST 

4) Follow on TWITTER & tweet about this giveaway saying "@simplychic08 is giving away a tiffany & co heart necklace. check it out here http://bit.ly/xAijRr"

The winner will be selected using random.org on February 29, 2012. Good luck! 

you are good enough

I was having a conversation a couple of nights ago with someone associated with a prestigious institution and he was talking about some of the women he’s come across who are part of this institution and therefore obviously smart, intelligent, worthy of being there but somehow still felt inadequate.

Then today I was watching Whitney Houston’s funeral and I was listening to Kevin Costner speak about how Whitney was one of the greatest voices and talents in the world and she still didn’t think she was good enough. He ended his eulogy by saying “Off you go Whitney. Off you go. Escorted by an army of angels to your Heavenly Father and when you sing before Him don’t you worry, you’ll be good enough.”

I typically don’t deviate from fashion, food or overall fun on this blog, but today I want to remind women how important it is to know your worth. You were good enough the day you were born. You're not always going to be the the prettiest, the smartest, the skinniest or whatever your insecurity may be, but you will ALWAYS be good enough :) 


Up next, a giveaway you don't want to miss! 

when love is a verb...

Between school, work and overall busy schedules I can't tell you the last time I actually celebrated Valentine's Day on Valentine's Day and this year is no different. One of my lovely professors decided to make a massive midterm due this week, but I did manage to make time for brunch and a basketball game this weekend. And thanks to EBEW & BDIB it wasn't very hard deciding what to wear. Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I leave you with two great quotes on love, from two very influential people ;)


"Only when love is a verb and put into action does it thrive. It's a mistake to think that a loving relationship is going to automatically sustain itself. Nothing worth having happens without work." ~Oprah


"You know you are in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." ~Dr. Seuss 


wearing: old navy blouse (PURCHASE) & earrings, express slacks, calvin klein heels (SIMILAR, SIMILAR), thrifted necklace
worn to: brunch at PICAN


BTW if you are local and free on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. please stop by Macy's in Union Square. They are doing a great thing this Black History Month and honoring the legacy of famed artist Romare Bearden and they are kicking off the exhibit with a reception this Thursday 2/16. To RSVP, learn more, or see if Macy's in your area is doing something similar please go HERE. Maybe I will see you there :)

zebra watercolors

Given this post and the last, you would think I have a thing for zebras. I don't. Anyway, I met up with a friend for lunch today. I love when I discover new gems in my area, and SELLERS MARKETS is definitely a gem. I had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich with house-made sea salt potato chips. Gosh it was good. I guess from this post and the last one you would also think I'm a bit obsessed with food. That, my friend, is true :) 

wearing: RACHEL ROY BLAZER, urban top (SIMILAR), matiko wedges (SIMILAR), macy's necklace, kenneth cole watch

worn to: lunch at  SELLERS MARKETS

crabs, cocktails & cardigans

I'm not sure why it took me almost 30 years to go to my first crab feed, but I am so glad that I finally got to go. It really doesn't get much better than buckets of crab at your disposal. After my belly was full and my cholesterol was high, I hosted a mini cocktail party. I'm a a vodka tonic or vodka lime juice kind of girl so coming up with a yummy cocktail or two was a challenge, but I think I did alright. I learned that you can't go wrong with sweet & sour. Recipe below...

wearing: j crew cardigan, old navy sweater, urban pants, MOJO MOXY LOREN PUMPS, scarf from tj maxx

worn to: crab feed

A Strawberry Cocktail

*1 or 1.5 part(s) vodka depending on your taste and tolerance

*1 part sweet & sour

*muddled fresh strawberries

*big splash of strawberry nectar 

mix all ingredients along with some ice in a shaker and serve in a chilled martini class

for an alternate recipe replace nectar with sprite and leave out the muddled strawberries

ENJOY!

the next big style blogger

Not sure how I missed this last year but one of my favorite sites, REFINERY29, is hosting its second annual search for the next big style blogger and I would love your support! You can VOTE HERE by clicking the heart on my photo. You can find me easily by looking for the girl in the sequin pants ;) or doing a control find (F) for "SIMPLYCHIC". Thanks in advance for your votes. You guys always do me proud! 

eskimo

I bought this coat with my December NYC trip on the brain, and I didn't get a chance to wear it while I was there. Clearly I was going to return it because who needs a parka in California? Well last week it got pretty chilly out here. No, not NYC chilly but we don't know what to do with ourselves here when the weatherman speaks of low 50's as the high. Thank goodness for unreturned parkas, Mexican hot chocolates, and warm fireplaces :)

wearing: parka from macy's, h&m scarf, j crew cardigan, HUNTER BOA boots, michael kors bag

worn to: coffee/hot chocolate date at ZOCALO

A special thank you to CARTE BLANCHE COUTURE for the I LOVE YOUR BLOG award! 

last of the sequins

I'm finally getting around to posting my NYE look and I promise (with my fingers crossed) that you won't see anymore sequins from me for a long time. I had my eye on these leggings for quite sometime. In fact, I posted them in the WISHFUL WEDNESDAYS album on my FACEBOOK page back in October. I was finally able to get them at a super duper discounted rate in November and even though the sales associated told me "you are the only person I've seen even bold enough to try these on" I made the purchase. I had planned on glamming them up a bit, but my NYE plans were a little more low key and thrown together then I had anticipated, and I actually threw this look together because I had 15 mins to get dressed and none of these pieces need to be ironed :) 

wearing: express blazer, top & leggings, kenneth cole chain, f21 clutch, matiko wedges

worn to: SOMAR BAR & LOUNGE for NYE

outer beauty

Whoever said it's what's on the inside that counts, clearly doesn't understand the importance of a good coat :) 

wearing: ??? coat, fab'rik top, macys necklace, urban pants, HUNTER BOA boots

worn to: lunch at LITTLE SHIN SHIN by day and with a switch of the shoes and pants SLOANE SQUARED at night

For those of you who haven't seen it, and would like to, HERE is my Google Doc "Hair Story". It can also always be accessed on the left hand side bar... 

nye pregame

On the eve of NYE I went to an invite only party hosted by Hennessy. Not sure how or why I got invited because I don't drink Hennessy (unless it's the sponsor of an event & free, of course), but I'm glad that I did because it was fun, fun, FUN!! It was so fun, I almost opted to stay in the next night for NYE, but I didn't ;) It was the ultimate pregame to NYE night.

P.S. I might be wearing these pants out again tonight. It's soooo freezing by California standards...a frigid 47 degrees and dropping. Don't know if I can do a skirt or dress...

wearing: nordstrom necklace, J CREW TOP, ZARA PANTS, christian louboutin booties, f21 bracelet

worn to: ERA ART BAR & LOUNGE to the hennessy remixed party

ebew: black + white

I should be posting my NYE outfit, but I figured I'd take a break from posting sequins and take part in the EVERYBODY, EVERYWHERE black and white challenge. Am I cheating by wearing so much purple? It's a rare occasion that I wear black and white with no color, although I do think just black and white is so simply chic ;)

Speaking of NYE, did anyone see that movie? It was not on my list of movies to see, but I decided not to pass up an opportunity to get out of the house, and I actually thought it was pretty good. I give it a solid 6.75 out of 10. 

wearing: scarf unknown, banana republic sweater, AMERICAN APPAREL SKIRT, f21 bracelt & necklace, michael kors watch, steve madden boots 

worn to: drinks at LIFT LOUNGE & the movies

sequins, again

Yes, I'm wearing sequins again :) It's partially because sequins is the theme of the latest BLOGGERS DO IT BETTER challenge, but mostly just because I can't get enough of it.

I only bought this skirt because it was $7.99, and I'm a sucker for a good deal. I thought it would serve as a nice closet accessory, but wasn't really sure I would ever wear it. That was until the perfect opportunity presented itself...a winter white ball. Yes, you are reading that correctly. I was invited to a winter white ball and I thought that would be the perfect time to whip out a silver sequin mini skirt. As I've stated before, I don't really like to follow rules ;) 

wearing: h&m button down, gap skirt, f21 bag and necklace, thrifted belt, dolce vita heels, kenneth cole men's watch, revlon polish in silver dollar

worn to: winter white ball at SUPPERCLUB