not so sure

I have been obsessing since September over these hot pink pants from JCrew.  I finally decided I had to have them since I had been thinking about them for so long.  In November I ordered them only to find out they were on backorder until the end of January.  I FINALLY received them and now I am not even sure I like them.  I don't think they are the most flattering for my figure.  I have decided to ask my readers.  Should I keep them or send them back?  Let me know what you think.  Thanks for the help!

Cheers!


Blazer - Urban Outfitters / Shirt - H&M / Pants - JCrew / Shoes - Dolce Vita / Jewelry - Vintage



friend's closet: jill v

Awe ya! It's time for another friend's closet post.  I knew when I approached my friends about this fun little project I would get great responses and I also knew that my friend Jill would be the perfect person for this.  She loves fashion (we have the same taste in clothes) and is a awesome photographer. I couldn't wait for her photos. I didn't even know were to begin so I made a bunch of collages with her photos so you can really get an idea for her sense of style. She has a great way of incorporating California cool with Parisian vintage pieces.  (Jill I think we need to take a shopping trip to Paris just for vintage pieces! Not joking!)

I know you will enjoy her closet as much as I do!  Thanks Jill!!!

Oh and I am obsessed with her vintage clutches.


Not sure which outfit I like best.  As you can see she loves dresses and accessories.

This is actually two photos.  The left side of her closet and half of the right side of her closet.


1) Describe your style.
My style is evolving. I try to take chances with my clothing which can be difficult living in a small beach community and no less easy living in Hawthorne. I am inspired by women who take risks and have the gift of layering various prints/fabrics and make it look effortless. Thanks to blogs like Little Black Sequin and Atlantic-Pacific, I find inspiration & courage to step outside my comfort zone. During the summer I lean towards a bohemian style wearing maxi dresses, sandals, lots of jewelry, and lightweight hats – I love anything that flows in the summer especially a boho top paired with destroyed denim jeans and a wedge or platform heel. Nicole Richie & Rachel Zoe are my summer style icons. When fall and winter hit I lean slightly more traditional with my work style, I usually wear tailored menswear inspired clothing – channeling my inner Diane Keaton, I am a sucker for a high waisted, wide leg trouser pant, fitted sweater, belt and high heels OR sheath dress, tights, heels or knee high boots. As for my every day style when spring hits, I find myself walking the line of winter and summer by pairing bold/bright colored dresses (short or maxi) OR striped tunics, motorcycle jacket with black tights and heels or leather boots. I try to find balance in pairing feminine and masculine pieces.

2) Where do you shop?
If money weren’t an issue I’d regularly shop Bloomingdales, M. Frederic, Free People and every boutique up & down the streets of Manhattan Beach and Melrose Avenue. I’ve learned to shop on a dime. Due to a budget that is much smaller than I’d prefer much of my wardrobe can be found at Forever 21, H&M, Nordstrom Rack, Target & Nine West. Most of my denim/jeans are purchased at Nordstrom Rack or M. Frederic because I believe denim is worth the splurge. I can spend hours in Forever 21, they offer an incredible variety at unbeatable prices. H&M offers great work clothing from trendy pieces to wardrobe staples at prices that can’t be matched. Nordstrom Rack offers me the Bloomingdales experience on a Forever 21 budget. Target pulls through with stylish dresses for winter and summer and never disappoints with their clearance pieces. Nine West’s Boutique 9 shoe line is a stylish girl(with big feet)’s dream.

3) What is your newest purchase?
Joe’s Jeans – The Visionnaire. I wear them at least twice a week. A tweed multi-colored belted coat with faux fur collar & ¾ sleeves from Forever 21 – it’s a statement piece.

4) What is your favorite accessory?
It’s a toss up: My brown snake skin clutch I purchased at a vintage shop in Paris and chunky rings that can be worn on any finger.

5) Five things you can't live without.
How about six-ish things: Black turtleneck, Denim, Platform heels, Maxi dresses, Black satin wide leg jumpsuit and ... accessories: costume jewelry/scarves/hats/belts

6) What is your favorite piece in your closet and why is it your favorite?
Black satin and crochet floor length dress from Forever 21’s Boutique Line: Twelve by Twelve. I wore it to a friend’s wedding rehearsal and most recently on NYE. While I have only worn the dress twice in the more the 3.5 years I have owned it, both times I felt sexy, comfortable, fashion forward and transformed. I can transform my look in just one dress depending on the accessories, makeup and hair styled with the dress. I included a silhouette photo of the dress and head self-portrait from NYE in the dress.

L to R - Vintage clutches and vintage camera / Vintage snakeskin clutch found in Paris / Vintage clutches found in Redondo Beach, CA / Vintage ring that belonged to her Mother / Necklaces from Urban Outfitters, Banana Republic and SF sspeciality store / Tribal necklaces from Forever21



Vintage camera  and turquoise ring from a market in Paris, Silver spoon ring from the South of France, Gold cuff was a gift, Silver and diamond bracelet from Stella & Dot, Red ring and feather earrings from Forever 21 / Just 1/2 of her belt collection. She doesn't go anywhere without a belt. / Vintage clutches and rolled chunky sweaters / Painted coat rack with accessories from all over.



Booties - Nine West Boutique 9 / Tall boots - Steve Madden



Here are a few of her favorite outfits.  She has combined vintage pieces with brand names such as Joe's Jeans, Forever21, etc.



friend's closet: jess d

I have decided to do a weekly post on my friend's closets. All my friend's have fun unique style and I am always curious what their closet's look like or what their favorite pieces are. I have asked some of my dear friend's to answer a few questions and send me photos of their closets, outfits, and favorite things.

So to start off my weekly posts let me introduce you to Jess. She lives in Southern California, had an adorable baby boy a couple months ago and believe it or not is currently in law school. I have always admired her "California Cool" look and love that her husband recently helped her reorganize her shoe collection (picture below).  Thanks Jess!!

wearing her favorite shirt / her bohemian look / all time favorite = jeans and a scarf

1. How would you describe your style?
Well, I’d love to be either funky Gwen Stefani or bohemian Sienna Miller, but I’m realistically much more vanilla in the Jennifer Aniston, white t-shirt and jeans category.

2. Where do you shop?
Macys, Target, Rimo (on Sawtelle on the Westside of LA)

3. What is your latest purchase?
Camel colored open toe high-heeled booties, tangerine colored skinny jeans, sequin tank top.

4. What is your favorite accessory?
Scarves!

5. What are five things you can’t live without?
Scarves, black watch, off-white wool blend jacket, lululemon workout pants, MEK jeans, and cross body bags.

6. What is your favorite piece in your closet and why is it your favorite?
My white and silver lace-hemmed tank top. Makes the boobs look good, is forgiving around the middle and has just a touch of funkiness to it!

diy: glittery heels

I have been looking for the perfect silver glittery heels for my sister's wedding. Of course, everything I liked was over $280 (without shipping).  I even found a pair of Jerome C. Rousseau's glitter shoes on sale for $200 and called every Saks Fifth Avenue, only to find out they are sold out of my size. What’s a girl to do? Oh, I know, make my own!  I had recently decided I was going to do a DIY project where I change a plain pair of black heels into black shoes with a glittery heel (thanks to a blog post from Pretty Shiny Sparkly), but why not do the whole shoe in glitter?  It worked and I love them.  See directions below on how to make your own pair of glittery heels.  Please note - you will get glitter everywhere.  Our apartment is now sparkling (my boyfriend is a real trooper).

Before and After.



Supplies Needed:
- pair of shoes
- 2 sizes of glitter (coarse and fine or extra fine)
- Aleene's Jewel-It embellishing glue
- Mod Podge gloss sealer
- foam and regular brushes
All these supplies were bought at a local JoAnn's.

Adding the Glitter:
1. mix the coarse and fine glitter into a bowl and add Aleene's Jewel-It embellishing glue
2. brush the glue and glitter on the shoe
3. cover the entire shoe by sprinkling the coarse glitter
4. sprinkle the fine or extra fine glitter to get a more complete coverage
5. let the glue dry overnight

Adding the Finishing Touches:
1. mix a bowl of the Mod Podge sealer and fine or extra fine glitter
2. using a foam brush cover the entire shoe with the Mod Podge
3. let the sealant dry for 24 hours 
This will seal the glitter on the shoe so you aren't leaving a trail of glitter when you walk.

The Finished Product.
The Perfect Bridesmaid Glittery Heels!!!! 
I can't stop staring at them.

Inspiration 1 are Something Bleu from BHLDN
Inspiration 2 are Jerome C. Rousseau. Photo from ShoeTease.com

another sparkly day

Did you think I was done with sequins and glitter just because New Year's Eve is over?  Heck no.  Actually, one of my favorite blogs Pretty Shiny Sparkly is doing her Bloggers Do It Better posts about sequins. Screeeeeechhhhhhh I am pretty sure it would be a sin if I didn't participate in this one. So here is another sequin outfit. Plus I just got these shoes and wore them on NYE so it was time to introduce them to the blog.  Happy Friday!

Sequin cardigan - vintage / Shirt - JCrew / Skirt - Single / Tights - Hue / Shoes - BCBG / Necklace - Vintage