Mad about plaid (& print mixing)

So I tend to wear plaid shirts a lot in the fall/winter seasons. In fact, if I were a daily fashion blogger, you'd be like, 'yep, bored of seeing the same old plaid shirts every day.' Which is pretty much what I told myself when I looked in the closet and was reaching once again for one of my new fav plaid shirts (that I scored from a Madewell sale, thank you very much!). And that's why I tried to mix things up a bit.

This outfit is a little grunge, a little music enthusiast and a little business casual. And I think it's starting to grow on me a little bit as well. Really glad it's ok for me to push the envelope with my attire at work, btw. Not sure this would be acceptable at the majority of offices.

(also, you'll probably notice that I have a new pose I seem to keep using when I have a button down shirt wrapped around my waist - I mean, doesn't this look familiar? I'm so creative - insert sarcasm here)

Alright, enough already....here's the outfit breakdown:

1. Plaid shirt, Madewell ($24.99)
2. Charles Bradley concert tee, gifted
3. Pencil skirt, GAP outlet ($19.99)
4. Socks, ??
5. Boots, C. Wonder ($55.00)
6. BCBG bag, Zoe's ($30.00)
7. Hat, NYC street vendor ($10.00)
8. Sunglasses, c/o Sunglass Warehouse
9. Ampersand ring, gifted (thanks Natasha!)
10. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design
11. Triangle earrings, gifted (thanks Joy!)

Total: Under $150.00

 

 

 

photos: laura menconi

Boho Asian fusion

So it's been a month. Miss me?

Ugh, yeah, sorry about that. I've definitely missed you guys and blogging in general. Somehow I just haven't been able to squeeze in any time lately. Here's hoping that changes and I can be more consistent in the near future (fingers crossed.)

Anyhow, this little ditty of an outfit came about because I love this skirt that I scored from a post Christmas sale at Madewell and I have been dying to feature it. But I wanted to jazz things up a bit with it and not just do a same ole nice top and skirt combo. That's when I saw this top that has been hanging in my closet since I lived in NYC—um yeah, more than 10 years ago—and knew it was time for it to come out of retirement.

Once I started piling things on, it became apparent that even though I was rockin an Asian printed top, I  still couldn't let go of my boho ways. But I figured that was ok and I should embrace it. And that's how Asian Boho fusion was born.

Let's go to the cheapskate outfit breakdown, shall we?

1. Top, Chinatown in NYC (old - ??)
2. Skirt, Madewell ($34.99)
3. Knee socks, Century 21 (old - ??)
4. Boots, The Clotheshorse ($32.50)
5. Purse, gifted/handed down (thanks Granny!)
6. Hat, Target ($16.99)
7. Jacket, Know Style ($39.99)
8. Bracelet, Charlotte Russe ($6.00)
9. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design
10. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
11. Love ring, gifted (thanks Em!)
12. Sunglasses, c/o Sunglass Warehouse

Total: Under $150.00

Photos: Laura Menconi

Take a walk on the wild side

I don't think I've ever worn as much animal print as I have in the past month. I used to be majorly opposed to leopard print and I didn't take too kindly to snake or other similar prints. But I think this was mostly because I didn't know how to wear animals prints without seeming like I was trying to look sexy or worse, just end up looking cheap. Hopefully I've moved past both of those fashion faux paus though. Guess I'll let you guys be the judge of that!

It's funny because now that I have embraced wearing animal prints, I have really embraced them. I just keep mixing them together and really loving the outcome. Here I am this time mixing a leopard top with a snakeskin belt. And in case you missed the last animal print mixing ensemble, you can see it here.

Here's this cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Dress, Gulf Shores ($29.99)
2. Leopard top, Old Navy ($19.50)
3. Jacket, Know Style ($39.99)
4. Boots, The Clotheshorse consignment ($32.50)
5. Purse, Charlotte Russe ($9.99)
6. Belt, Charlotte Russe ($5.99/3 pk)
7. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design
8. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
9. Sunglasses, gifted

Total: Under $150.00

 

 

 

Photos: Leslie Evans

Maxi-mum spending

I distinctly remember when I purchased this dress. It was one of those moments where I was merely accompanying Laura (my now sometimes photographer) on a lunch break trip to Belk quite a few years ago. It was at the height of the maxi dress trend, like when they first came out and everyone was running out to get one. I saw this particular version and thought it was the most beautiful thing ever.

And even though it was more than I cared to spend and I was pretty sure a shorty like me shouldn't wear a long dress, I tried it on anyway. To my dismay it fit wonderfully and was even prettier on that I thought it could be. I know you're thinking I got that last sentence wrong, but I promise I didn't. I was now faced with the dilemma of whether or not I should plunk down $60 on a dress.

Yes, (as crazy as it sounds) $60 seemed like a lot of money to drop on one piece of clothing at the time. And honestly, I would probably still have to stand there and mull it over to this day! But obviously, I decided to just do it because what are the odds that I could find another maxi dress that actually looked pretty good on me?

And ya know, I haven't missed that $60 to this day. It was a good choice that has served me pretty well over the past few years. So if you're anywhere near as frugal as I am, go ahead and let yourself splurge occasionally. It usually tends to all work out well in the end!

Here's the cheapskate breakdown:

1. Maxi dress, Belk ($59.99)
2. Cardigan, Ross Dress for Less ($7.99)
3. Wedges, Charlotte Russe ($32.50)
4. Tote bag, giveaway
5. Headband, Urban Outfitters ($9.50)
6. Sunglasses, Dollar Tree ($1.00)
7. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
8. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
9. Earrings, Stella & Dot ($34.00)

Total: Under $150.00

 

Photos: Leslie Evans

Under the (fashion) influence: Eva Longoria

First I'd like to point out how ridiculous phony I feel when I wear a blazer. I see other girls wear them and they don’t look too "business-y" but I'm just not sure I can pull it off.

I mean, how cute does Eva look in her pic? Maybe it's because I often trend more toward a boho style, but I feel like this just doesn't even look like me. Oh well, mark it down in the fashion books that I tried to step out of my comfort zone. (side note: this seems familiar. I think I might've said something similar the last time I wore this blazer).

Next I'll go ahead and admit my hair is a bit of hot mess...and not in a cute bedhead way. (and again, my hair was a hot mess last time I wore this blazer, too. What is up with that?! Maybe it's just always a hot mess) Like did I even brush it that morning? Um, the answer is (always) no. But the good news is a hair appointment is set for Saturday morning! I mean, that won’t magically fix everything, but it’s at least good start.

Ok now down to business. So obviously I had to use Eva’s outfit as an “inspiration” and tweak a few things here and there. I mean, I don’t have the exact same items and I also needed to make it work appropriate (no shorts allowed in the office for some reason?), but all in all, I think it’s a pretty good interpretation.

Here’s the cheapskate breakdown:

1. Blazer, Banana Republic ($?? - old)
2. Skirt, AZ Well ($7.99)
3. Tank top, gifted/passed down (thanks Aunt Faye!)
4. Heels, Rugged Wearhouse ($9.99)
5. BCBGirls bag, Zoe’s ($30.00)
6. Sunglasses, Forever21 ($5.80)
7. Necklace, gifted (thanks Cathy!)
8. Earrings, Stella & Dot ($34.00)
9. Circle ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
10. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
11. Thumb ring, Charlotte Russe ($2.99 – part of stackable set)

Total: Under $150.00

 

Yeah, as cheesy as this last pic is, I had to put it in. I mean, it's classic newscaster-meets-post-college-interview. It just makes me laugh. You're welcome.


Photos: Leslie Evans