Gallivanting around Berkeley

it was a perfect day.

packed up the car and drove to Berkeley to search of vegan deliciousness.

I found it. 

Read more about that here.

The restaurant that I was adventuring to was in a neighborhood I had never been to. I thought it would be fun to park a bit further, so I could walk around and see the area. It was pretty calm, not crowded. I found a small park where Maddie and I played around in. 

shoes: Sperry x Jcrew; jeans: old from Macys; top: target; glasses: Celine 

OVER IT

glasses: Celine, top: Vintage, overalls: Forever 21 (similar here), 
booties: Silence and Noise, backpack: Claire's.

Sometimes you just have to tell yourself that you're confident... even when you aren't.

I wore these and was so nervous, thinking people would make fun of a grown gal in overalls!! But that morning I told myself "Just do it!"

and to my surprise...  I received so many compliments for them. 

  

 

So the moral to my post is even when your nerves are telling you no, TRY or DO it anyway and you will be surprised. Even if no one responds to your daring act 

(like the compliments I received for my outfit risk) 

YOU will know that you tried and be proud of yourself for doing so!!

To dress them up I paired them with booties and bow tie dress shirt and a bold lip. I am in love with this Bordeaux color for fall and treated myself to this new lip shade. Its called Leo, and it's fabulous.

xo, ciao

6 Spring Must Haves

I really like to keep my look F.R.E.S.H. and it only makes me look cooler (ahem, narcissistic much?) when my friends look good too!.
So, My friends :)
If you are thinking of updating a piece, or two, of your wardrobe for spring-
I highly recommend these closet staples. 

 I know a lot of people really got into the "sporty chic" style for fall/winter.. and the hats and track pants should carry over to spring. 

1. Baseball Hat $31.99

Light denim is making a comeback guys. you know that bleach white color? 

Add some distress or a boyfriend style, and you're set!

2. Light Colored Destroyed Denim $42.90

This is going to be big, denim and leather jackets will still be popular for spring,
but more people will be..well, covering up more.
3. The Classic Trench coat $129

I know everyone is used to being a bag lady, but with technology advancing by the minute I feel as though more things are taking up less space in your purse AND taking more space on your smart phone. get yourself a mini purse for spring. 

4. The Petite Lady Bag $ 27.50 (budget babe) L

4.5.  The Petite Lady Bag $225 (high end) R

This became popular in Fall, and the bucket bag and backpack will be the popular choice for all music festivals this spring and summer season. 

5. The Bucket Bag $168

Whenever I'm feeling less creative and having a tough time with outfit choices... I remember to keep it simple. This dress is JUST that!
Simple. Clean. Classic.
(it comes in black too!) swoon

6. White Collared Shirt Dress $198

casual thursday

wearing :: thrifted tweed jacket + craft store flower pin + Zara green cropped trousers + cheapy tee from Target + Black Michael Kors heels.

This out fit was worn the other day and I have to say it was one of the most comfy things I could wear to work. the tee was soft and casual but looked put together with the blazer. The pants were cuffed a bit and hit just the right length. The shoes would have been better had they been a strappier version. I really want to learn how to do a topknot, but I have really long hair.. Any suggestions?

stripes and natives

Thanksgiving is this week, I can't believe it. I have already bought all the needed items for Thanksgiving number one with my Boyfriend's family on Wednesday night. I am in charge of the desserts, no surprise there. It is my favorite thing to bring to any party. Maddie and I played around with the camera and I tried on possible Turkey Day outfits. A new top from JCrew that I got this past weekend, I am so addicted to stripes right now. I was out shopping with my sister. {We got matching tops}  That often used to be the case when we were younger. A family vacation was always cemented with my sister and I getting new matching outfits... I still find some comfort in it, maybe for the memories. The turquoise jewelery is worn to represent something the Native Americans might have had. I also have my arrow necklace on in memory of the events at Thanksgiving and leaf earrings to remember nature. Maddie, just in the tu-tu that I made for her.

Here to Stay

Trends come and go as easily as the wind blows, does anyone remember when "babydoll" tops were the it look? Now, its all about sweaters paired over denim shirts. And I'm sure by Christmas every blogger will be featuring something totally new. So I did a little research and found some looks that I think are here to stay for the up coming Winter season. Of course outfit choices will be adjusted in order to incorporate new trends, but I think these closet staples will be sticking around for a bit longer than just a couple months.

See if you agree with my choices?

ciao xx

SLOUCHY PANTS

OVERSIZED JACKET

SLIM TRACK PANTS

SHRUNKEN SUIT

FLARED MINI

LEATHER SHELL

SLIT FRONT SKIRT

What I Want Wednesday

1] Vince Color Block Sweater :: 2] All Saints Repose Funnel Pullover 3] Paige Denim Paloma Legging 4] Club Monaco Giles Quilted Jacket 5] Anthropology Mugs 6] Whittard Tea Collection 7] Ugg Infinity Scarf 8] Tory Burch Wesley Boot  9]  Burberry Cashmere Earmuffs

This chilly weather is really starting to get to me... and I don't mean that in a bad way. Movies are way better when there is rain falling on the window next to where you sit. Soup tastes even more delicious when the temperature drops down low. And my afternoon walks are that much more enjoyable with the crisp air blowing past my face. Ya. I guess you could say I'm embracing the Fall weather, so here are some
pick-me-ups so that you can too!

little black dress

After a long week, we had an even longer weekend...

wait?! isn't it supposed to get slower by Friday?

Well for us it didn't... lucky for me my boyfriend is amazing and took me out for a night on the town after all the hectic-ness of working during the day. BONUS- I saw Looper, and loved it!! I highly recommend you see it while in theaters because you need the large screen to get the full impact of some of the scenes. I am wearing an { on sale } Urban Outfitters dress- anything backless and I’m instantly in love. And I’m wearing my ever faithful Dolce Vita sandals; they have been in heavy rotation ever since I got them. The last day of our long vacation was spent in San Francisco, as you can see from the photo of me taken in Chinatown. We also checked out Little Italy [[or North Beach as some call it]] it’s now one of my top three favorite neighborhoods there... makes me want to go to Italy for real.

all pics taken by the talented Bobby Menbari

hot pants

Picked up these last week. Now out for a walk with the babes

Summertime Style

Summer is here, and I am so excited!!

 Summertime is a great season for showing off all your hard work in the gym. Unlike the winter when all your cute outfits have to hide under big coats, summer is a time when you get the flaunt all that you have. There are so many different combinations of outfits; shorts/tanks, skirts/v-necks, dresses/platforms, and of course the ultimate cut off denim short (a staple) paired with anything. I have picked up a few new summer items but I know I'll never truly be finished lusting over the new designs. 

As I have been reading some of my favorite blogs, I can’t help but fall in love with some of the outfits that they are putting together. Some of their posts are reminding me of other sunny outfit choices that I was forgetting on my shopping list. I always pull inspiration from what they wear in their posts. I like to have a different look for what I am feeling at the moment. I couldn't really pin point one style that I tend to follow, there are far too many that I love. 

Taylor from SterlingStyle, has such a classic California girl image. Her looks are so easy and carefree- I love her simple tank and cuffed jeans... this is perfect for a trip to the boardwalk, farmers market or even a low key date night out to listen to music downtown. Plus her bag is amazing.

Bella from Vintage Lollipops, adds just the right amount of edge to her button up blouse. Whenever you add a pair of Chuck Taylors to an outfit it instantly makes it seem more casual- even if it’s a dress (one of my favorite things to do) plus the cut-offs add to the grunge a little... but the flowers in her shots balance it out.

Joanna (my girl) from Style Porn, is the perfect blend of hipster meets rich girl <jk>. Bottom line..She’s a boss and she knows it. Playing up the country girl image with the truck in the background really does make the perfect shot to showcase that amazing full skirt. I like how she knotted her chambray top in the front. My summer checklist is for sure going to include a chambray top and colorful full skirt.

Megan from Megan & Melbourne, is such an amazing makeup artist. I love getting tips from her site, but what I love more is that this girl isn’t afraid to push the limits... isn’t that what fashion is all about? Pairing a simple black summer dress that you wore in the day, with tights for the evening is an easy way to transition your outfit without any major changes. I want to look into getting some patterned ones for this season.

Rumi from Fashion Toast has a very girly/romantic vibe with the way she dresses. In the outfit I featured- I love her bubble skirt mixed with sky high platforms. I can’t wait to wear it out to a GNO (girls’ night out) dinner. Plus I can throw on a tailored blazer to keep the look chic, classic and simple.

Denni from ChicMuse has been anywhere and everywhere. So if you're looking for a new trend, she would be your girl. Whenever she travels she always tries to embrace the culture and dress, all while still being true to her own style. The beautiful sundress that she wears in the shot is one that I instantly fell in love with. In the summer I gravitate toward dresses because they're such an easy outfit and there isn't any guess work.. just accessories to add. I also can’t wait to bring out my "too big for your face" sunglasses- the perfect summertime accessory out here in California.

so readers... what are some of your summer must haves?

SterlingStyle

Vintage Lollipops

Style Porn

Megan & Melbourne

Fashion Toast

ChicMuse