When It Rains, It Pours...

Image via StyleList

Image via Folica

Image via Madewell

Image via J.Crew

Image via Lori's Shoes

When I was a kid, the passing of time felt like it took a lifetime.  Weekends felt a bit too long and I couldn't wait to go back to school to see my friends and be inside the classroom (yes, really...I was a bit of a nerd).  Seemingly, time was so important that even schools dedicated periods of time for the children to go outside and play (remember recess?).  Yet, time still seemed to take so long that I would use play-time and pretend to be an adult.  I would play dress-up and act out different roles as a teacher, a banker, or a librarian.  I would pretend to buy groceries at the store and have to go run errands with the other kids.  Everything seemed so easy and effortless.

Nowadays, time passes and I can't even remember what I had for lunch last week.  I'm rushing to make sure bills are paid on time, I leave a little earlier to ensure I get a good parking spot at the office, and I order food in advance so I don't have to wait any longer than I have to when I pick it up.  Before I know it, a week passes, then a month, and suddenly, I'm asking myself "why are the stores selling Christmas ornaments already?!"  As of late, time seems too short!

In order to accommodate more time into my life, I dedicate part of the day to "me time."  What I choose to do varies, but one thing I always do is shop online.  

This past weekend, we encountered a considerable drop in temperature and I experienced the first sounds of waking up to rain falling on the windows.  I decided to wake up, make a pot of coffee and shop.  I didn't buy anything (yet) but I have so many ideas swirling in my head of potential outfits for fall.

I was so inspired by the hair-dos from the Spring 2011 Rodarte shows that I started from the head down.  I love the ease of which the side swept hair is clipped to create the relaxed, scruffled look.  It made me look for pieces for the rest of the outfit that would be reflective of that "relaxed, scruffled look."  I love the idea of pairing a warm sweater over sexy leather pants and throwing on a pair of suede booties and be set.  Who wouldn't love to just "throw on" anything and be ready to go?  Believe me...there isn't enough time to stress over the thought.

On to the Next One...

Blazer:  H&M, Shirt:  Ruehl, Dress:  F21, Tights: F21, Watch: Burberry, Pin: Vintage & J.Crew, Bracelet:  Gifted by Mom, Shoes: Boutique 9

I was meeting people I don't normally see and thought I could be a bit more playful with my attire.  As it wasn't too hot or too cold out, I thought I could put my layering skills to work!

I haven't yet "shunned" my summer clothing to the rear of the closet.  I'm still loving the light-weight fabrics and the bold colors that have stayed loyal with me throughout the warmer days.  But, we all know that the cooler fall days doesn't always jive with our personal penchants for weather.  I pulled one of the easiest dresses from my summer days and used it as my base.  

I layered beneath and I layered above and I came up with what you see above.  I love the peek of color at the top of the V-neck and the lovely "poof" at the bottom created by the shirt.  I stayed close to the dark color palette with the gray and the black (allowing me to play-up the fact that fall is here despite wearing a summer dress) but added dimension with the texture of my tights.  I added some pins to my blazer just to jazz up the look.  I'm more than a bit of an accessory girl so I can't leave my home without adding something to my outfits.  "Less is more" doesn't sit well with me when it comes to accessories/jewelry.

I love how I can come up with an infinite number of outfits by utilizing my summer wardrobe.  Makes saving a little easier...

Fashion isn't only about staying "on top" by buying more.  Fashion's life comes from reinventing what has been done--even if that means borrowing from your own closet.

The Story Goes...

Dress:  Anthropologie, Cardi/Belt:  DIY, Socks, J. Crew, Necklace:  Vintage, Watch:  Burberry

I had such a busy weekend that I'm looking forward to the next weekend already!  I went down to LA to see family, friends and attend a wedding.  Every time I go to Southern California I always pack simply and light-weight.  Since the weather is typically warmer, I lean towards clothing that layer and travels easily.  I've traveled back and forth since college so deciding what to pack should be a snap...but not so much for a girl who would rather bring more than not enough.

While my outfit was a bit school-girl inspired, I like that I can quickly change out the socks, take off the cardi and be ready for a date with the love of my life.  This motivated my weekend packing and will be my inspiration for the rest of the work week.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend!  The Blue Angels were in San Francisco, the SF Giants played to win, and the weather was fantastic.  What more could one ask for...

Golden Girl

 

 

Shoes: Boutique 9, Tights: H&M Kids, Skirt: Club Monaco, T-Shirt: Ruehl, Tank: Target, Jacket: H&M, Necklaces: F21 & J.Crew, Watch: Burberry, Bracelet:  Gifted by Mom

There's something about this skirt that makes me just smile.  I love the color, the glimmer, the spaced-out pleats, the pattern...when I first laid eyes on it, I knew I had to own it.  I love how the skirt can make a seemingly simple outfit stand out.  While I haven't worn it often, I cannot imagine my wardrobe without it.

Even more amusing to me is how I have found my love with the color gold.  As a child, I held a strong aversion to the color.  When I was gifted the bracelet I'm wearing by my mother in middle school, I secretly disliked it all because of the color.  I wore it anyway but didn't come to appreciate it until I was in college.  I have never taken it off.

To top it all off, this outfit is everything I was told not to do--mixing gold with grays/silvers, wearing fancier items with casual, wearing more than one piece of jewelry, and wearing black during the day.  I break these rules ALL the time. 

In essence, this outfit is reflective of me.  The clothes tell a story, even though it's not obvious.  One item connects to the other and they share a memory--a time and a space that belongs to me.  After all, isn't that what fashion is about?

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

SF Giants Game -- Hat, Shirt:  Giants Gear, Hoodie:  H&M, Sunglasses: F21

Disclaimer:  This entry is not for the regular fashionista...nor for die-hard rival fans of the SF Giants...

As you can see, this is not a typical style post.  But, this was not a typical baseball season for the SF Giants.  For the first time since 2003, the Giants have made it to the post-season.  I'm a baseball junkie and it was a nerve-wrecking end to the regular season--but the Giants came out winners!

In honor of the post season, I am dedicating this entry to the SF Giants and the first game tomorrow between them and the Braves.  Baseball is classic American and I enjoy the entire experience of attending a game.  Nine innings in person is never the same as it is on television.  While I won't be attending any games at the stadium for the post-season, I will reminisce my times there during the regular season...garlic fries, hot dogs, giant cup of soda, and all!  

I will root, root, root for the home team....from the comforts of my home.  

 

Along Comes Fall

Dress:  H&M, Belt: H&M, Jacket: Little Lucca, Boots: Vintage, Pin: Vintage, Sunglasses:  F21, Bracelets: Urban Outfitters, Vintage Shops, Watch: Michael Kors

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Fall has obviously arrived.  While some are still lamenting the loss of hot summer nights, I am (not so) secretly adoring the cooler weather.  I am a fan of layering and the cooler weather encourages this.  I like how I can take all the pieces of my wardrobe and try to think of new ways to wear them.  I can add an extra accessory here, throw on some jewelery there and...voila!  I have a new outfit to wear out and about.  I don't need to go out shopping when I allow my creativity to outweigh the urge to buy something new.  I'm sure my savings appreciate this fact.

I have been wearing this little jacket out since I got it.  I'm a big fan of stripes (as you will come to know) and this jacket is all about stripes!  Although it's a children's piece, I find the cropped fit and the shorter sleeves endearing.  The fit is still right and it's become a favorite layering piece.  I can throw it over layers or keep it under layers with the stripes peeking through and my outfit still "works."  Don't let the stripes fool you!

So, while the colors become darker and the layers become thicker, my clothes still reflect a happiness about me.  I am completely content with this time of year.  I do miss the light and heat of the sun and I miss evenings where I can walk without a jacket on, but when else can I layer all my clothes and get away with it?

Missing in Action (Already)

UPDATE:  I decided to remove the direct image and have you view the image by clicking on the link instead (being new and all...I don't want to break any laws already!)  inspiration image @ The Satorialist

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A surprise that comes to no one--time has flown by and unfortunately, I neglected my blog.  I used up my (eager) energy reserved for my blog towards new changes that occurred within my life.  In a nutshell:  I changed jobs, moved in with my fiance (which coincided with re-decorating), had several trips up and down California (family), attended a wedding, and made one of my first major purchases--a CAR!  Whew...

Needless to say, I was exhausted at the end of the day and having time to catch up on mundane items like television shows became a chore!  But, I want to re-direct my efforts towards my blog and maintaining regular updates.  

I included the image above (courtesy of one of my favorite photographers, Scott Schuman at The Sartorialist) as a representation of all that I adore:  effortless chic, black & white, Chucks, camera.  Hopefully, the same kind of ease that is displayed by the female in the photo will be representative of the kind of ease I would like this blog to be for my readers.

Some might wonder:  Why bother with a blog at this point?  That is a good question for which I do not have any good answers.  I don't know where this blog will take me, but at the very least, I can hope it will be a voice of my creative energy and allow me to continue to be inspired in my life. 

So here's to a (re)start of my blog! 

Image taken by me (on a plane)