My Vegas style

I was pretty psyched when Vegas.com reached out to me to participate in their #MyVegasStyle challenge. I mean, what is not fun about day dreaming of spending a day at the Aria hotel and what I would wear for each occasion throughout the day?!

Duh, count me in!

So I spent some time looking around the Aria Las Vegas Resort and Casino page and their website to see what all it had to offer. Ah-mazing. Wish I was going there for real. (luckily I do have another trip that I depart for tomorrow anyhow!). Here's my account of how I would hypothetically spend my day.

MORNING
Being an early runner actually pays off in a town like Vegas. It means I can "sleep in" later than usual and hit the strip around 8 am for nice flat run and the streets will probably be pretty empty and quiet.
Post-run would have to consist of a stop by The Roasted Bean for some great coffee (and yeah, probably a pastry!) to get my day really started off right.

Running outfit:
Lululemon Swiftly Tech Racer Back Tank, $48.00
North Face Better Than Naked running shorts, $55.00
Mizuno Wave Hitogami running shoe, $99.99

MID-DAY
After I am showered and cleaned up, it's time to do some window shopping at The Shops at Crystals at Aria Las Vegas. Yes, just window shopping and browsing since it is all luxury designers like Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, FENDI, Lanvin, Prada, VERSACE...and the list goes on and on. Seriously. There is no way I could resist being in the presence of greatness like that. And of course, I'd prob grab some Pinkberry while I was shopping, too. Comfortable walking shoes and classic ensemble seems to suit this activity well.

I'm sure I would work up quite the appetite after all that shopping (and restraining myself from a purchase!) which means grabbing some sushi for lunch from barMASA is a necessity. Yum!

Shopping/Lunch outfit:
Necessary Clothing Heather Crochet Top, $29.99
Joe Fresh Floral Embroidery Short, $49.00
Mossimo Supply Co. Shauna Huarache Sandal, $19.99

AFTERNOON
There's no point in coming to sunny Las Vegas if you don't spend a quality afternoon lounging by the pool and soaking up some rays. Since poolside in Vegas—especially at the Aria LIQUID pool lounge—is a bit more glamorous than your typical pool (or beach) scene, I think you'd need to spice up your swimsuit just a bit. I really like this black suit from ASOS because it's not too scandalous, but still makes a statement. And of course a fab pair of sunnies and shoes are also in order.

Poolside outfit:
ASOS Cross Front Wrap Halter Swimsuit, $53.35
Forever 21 Metal Trim Sandals, $22.80
Urban Outfitters Spitfire Protopunk Sunglasses, $39.00

EVENING
No day would be complete without an incredible dinner to wrap it all up nicely. My choice of all the options at Aria (and there are lots!) would be at Julian Serrano Tapas restaurant. I just really enjoy ordering several things and passing plates around to share. Plus, the restaurant decor looks pretty amazing. After my belly is full, I'd go see the late night Cirque du Soleil show Zarkana—something I've always wanted to see! Maybe by the time the show is over, I'll be craving a late night sweet treat from Jean Phillippe Patisserie. Pretty sure I can always make room for dessert!


Nighttime outfit:
Lulu's Air of Elegance Light Peach Dress, $65.00
Charlotte Russe Single Sole Ankle Strap Heel, $28.50
Urban Outfitters Leaf Halo Crown, $24.00
Necessary Clothing Gold Bar Clutch, $34.99

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

What's in my piggy bank for February?

If my January picks were pretty much "essentials," then I think it's safe to say that this month's picks are essentials with a twist. A lot of these items are basic every day staples, but a fun print or shiny metallic or an added embellishment or unique shape seem to make all the difference to spice up your fashion routine.

1. Forever 21 Modern Lines Woven Top, $17.80.

2. Peter Pilotto® for Target® Sunglasses in Red Iris Print, $16.99 (in stores only). 

3. H&M Wide pants in dark blue, $34.95.
4. Small Lovely Heart Print Design Scarf, $6.55.
5. Zara Sheath Skirt with Zips, $29.99.

6. Express Quilted Studded Circular Cross Body Bag, $29.94. 

7. Necessary Clothing Screw You Cuff in Gold, $13.99.
8. Urban Outfitters Little Animal Ring, $10.00.
9. Charles David Frontier 2 Boots, $34.99.

10. Ulta Salon Formula Nail Laquer in Baby Doll, $2.00. 

What's in my piggy bank for January?

For some reason when it comes to looking at fashionable purchases at the beginning of the new year, I seem to gravitate toward simple, basic items in (go figure) basic colors. I guess I just want to get a couple of staples to get 2014 started off right. The rest of the more "fun" pieces can come into play later on in the upcoming months. 

1. H&M Viscose Blouse, $17.95.
2. Urban Outfitters Bold Initial Stud Earring, $4.99. 

3. Necessary Clothing Leather Snap Back, $21.99.
4. Joe Fresh Assymetrical Zip Moto Jacket in White, $59.00
5. Merona® Perforated Leather Glove with Buckle in Brown, $21.99.

6. Target Limited Edition Bucket Bag in Navy, $34.99.

7. Forever 21 Chic Accordian Pleated Maxi Skirt, $22.80.

8. Zara Chain Belt, $19.99.

9. ModCloth Unisexy Sunglasses, $11.99.

10. Fioni Womens Two-Piece Flat in black, $27.99.

It ain't easy being green

I'm not sure about the rest of y'all, but life has been incredibly hectic this holiday season. And sadly not a lot of it had much to do with a busy social calendar of parties and what not. Work has just been insane. In fact, I have been so busy that I couldn't even get these photos up on the blog until now...and my brother took them on Thanksgiving Day! Ridiculous.

Anyhow, I am here now and hoping that things are finally about to slow down as Christmas approaches. So yeah, my brother took these photos at my parents house after we all stuffed our faces with turkey and dressing and the rest of the "fixins." There's this abandoned barn across the street that the developer of the neighborhood has left on the property and I am personally thankful that he has. I've been wanting to get some shots out there for a while. So glad we were finally able to make that happen because that backdrop coupled with the glow of the sunset that day made for some pretty great photos I think!

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Green sweater, gifted (wayyy back, from my PawPaw)
2. Leopard top, Old Navy ($19.50)
3. Mint jeans, Necessary Clothing ($19.99)
4. Gold loafers, thrifted ($1.99)
5. Black hat, Target ($16.99)
6. RayBan sunglasses, gifted/passed down (thanks mom!)
7. Coat, Marshalls ($59.99)
8. Crossbody bag, thrifted ($3.00)
9. Turquoise ring, gifted (thanks mom!)
10. Ampersand ring, Hello Holiday (gifted - thanks Natasha!)
11. Dainty ring, gifted/passed down
12. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted

Total: Under $125.00 

 

 

 

 

photos: Josh Lewis

My cherie d'amour

I have no idea why, but for some reason looking at this outfit now I feel like I look a bit Parisian? Maybe it's the sunglasses, maybe it's the red lips. Not sure. But whatever it is, I am totally ok with it!

There doesn't seem to be much else to say about this outfit except that it's always fun to find a new way to wear a dress. I've pretty much only ever worn this one plain. You know, maybe change up the shoes or purse or get really crazy and throw on a pair of tights. But until now, I'd never thought to wear a vest over it to really change the overall look.

This new ensemble has made me pretty excited about the other possibilities of how to remix this sweetheart of a dress that I have a new found love for now (ahem...a nod to the blog title..see what I did there?!).

For now, here's this cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Dress, Rainbow ($5.00)
2. Vest, Forever 21 ($15.50)
3. Booties, Target ($24.99)
4. Clutch, ?? (??)
5. Sunnies, gifted (thanks Peach!)
6. Earrings, gifted (thanks Amy!)
7. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
8. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design

Total: Under $50.00

Photos: Leslie Evans

Mixing animal prints

So it's pretty subtle, but I promise I am mixing animal prints here. Scroll down. See, zebra print skirt and snake skin clutch. I'm wiiiillllddd.

For real though, I was pretty proud of this subtle creativity and risk I took. I think it works well. It's just enough to make you take a second look. Or at least I think so.

And I think I should also point out that it's obviously fall because yep, the bangs are back in town! It's good to have them back with the cooler weather, but they are taking quite the adjusting to this time around. I somehow forgot what it was like to have bangs in the past six months.

Ok, here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Chambray shirt, thrifted ($4.99)
2. Zebra skirt, boutique back home pre-college (?? - old!)
3. Booties, Target ($24.99)
4. Hobo clutch, ATL market ($35.00)
5. Sunglasses, c/o Sunglass Warehouse
6. Necklace, Urban Outfitters ($4.99)
7. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
8. Turquoise ring, gifted (thanks mom!)
9. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design
10. Dainty ring, gifted/passed down

Total: Under $75.00

Photos: Leslie Evans