How Deep Is The Closet

Polished Purple

2011-12-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

I love, love this purple top.

Details:

Gray skirt suit,

Purple silk top with cutout neckline detail (thrifted),

Gray pearls (DIY), and

Purple heels

It Feels Real Nice

2011-12-01T15:17:00.000-08:00

Here I wore a scarf as a top. For modesty, I did have a tank top underneath. The scarf looks great once the blazer covers my "chubby wings."

Details:

Gray skirt suit,

Black tank top (unseen),

Hermes L’arbre de Vie Scarf, and

Black peep toe pumps with bow detail.

Cost Per Wear

(Hermes L'abre de Vie Scarf) $420/1 = $240

Scarf As Top

2011-12-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

I'm in the middle of packing, moving and unpacking.

The fashion part of my life is a bit hectic right now, but hopefully I can get moving again soon. Here is a photo of me using my scarf as a top. I just ended up tucking the bottom into my skirt. I really like the results.

Daily Show Fan

2011-10-31T23:33:00.000-07:00

"How wrong is it that I get my news from Mr. Stewart?"

Blues That Brighten

2011-10-31T23:22:00.000-07:00

Today the theme was baby blue. Baby blue top, baby blue scarf and baby blue shoes. This color is so bright and cheery. I am still trying to work out that side-sweeping bang.

Details:

Navy skirt suit,

Hermes Printemps Ete 69 scarf,

Blue crinkle silk scarf, and
Blue suede heels.

Cost Per Wear
(Hermes Printemps Ete 69 scarf) $330/17 = $19.41

Sideswept

2011-10-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

I have naturally pin straight hair, which of course means that I wish I had curls. I find my hair to be too simple. It is purely my personal opinion that dark, straight hair means that you need a great hair cut. Unfortunately I have what I affectionately call a "moon face" (round face cursed with chubby cheeks) and I prefer long hair.

I have tried curling my hair and a wet set the night before gives me the best results, but the truth of the matter is that setting my hair nightly takes time and effort. Blah, blah . . . I just cannot seem to manage all that fuss right now. I still intend on doing a wet set for those special occasions and for hula performances, but other than that I could not keep up the routine for work.

Thus I looked around for a super easy hairstyle and this is what I am trying out. I need a hairstyle that takes a minimal amount of time, looks like I at least made an effort and had some intention behind the hairstyle. It is a bit of side-swept bang look. I push my bangs forward to create an asymmetrical line and I make a deep side part to narrow out my moon face. I use bobby pins and hair spray to hold in place and keep the hair out of my face. I think it makes me look younger, which is a good thing.

Cutie Collar

2011-10-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

The purple, in the scarf and in the shoes, brings touches of royalty to this outfit. The bright color draws the eyes to my face.

Details:

Missoni floral scarf (Target),

Snake ring (Betsy Johnson, used as a scarf ring),

Black top (unseen),

Black skirt suit, and

Purple kitten heel pumps with black toe-box.

Missoni Scarf

2011-10-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

I picked up this Floral Silk Scarf of Missoni for Target on the release date. I had the release date on my calendar. Of course I had checked up their look book ahead of time and knew that I wanted to get all three silk scarves. I thought would just drop by the Target near work on my lunch break and pick up the scarves and maybe a dress. Well, I left for an early lunch to only discover that the Target near work was sold out. Completely sold out. The racks were empty.

In a panic, I called G to whine. He suggested that I head to the Target near home. I did as he advised and luckily grabbed the last of each of the three scarf designs from the nearly empty rack. It was crazy how fast the Missoni items flew off the shelves. The rush was so tremendous that it made the national news the next morning. Now this scarf is being sold for about twice what I paid for it at Target. I guess I was one of the lucky ones.

Nailpolish Tour: Golden Universe

2011-10-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

Name: Universe

Maker: Petites
Color: Gold with shimmer
Keep or Toss? Keep

I chose to take this mini polish with me to Las Vegas, because of its small size. It took about three coats to get full coverage, but I did not have the benefit of a white undercoat. The glitter is so well incorporated and microscopic that the golden color just sparkles with the light. The glitter sets of sparks of gold, white and orange. It is a lovely Midas touch effect.

Let's Go For A Ride

2011-10-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

This was the outfit I wore on the drive up to Vegas. I wanted to be comfortable, but still stylish. I also knew it would be a long, hot road trip. Now, you may wonder why anyone would bother to be chic on a road trip. You think that no one is going to see you, but that would be a wrong assumption. People still see you.

I did not want to fall into the trap of dressing like a snob even if the only stop I make is McDonald’s for a bathroom break. I am just too vain and respect my fellow man too much to not care.

Details:
Straw hat,
Hermes Astrologi scarf (tied onto the hat),
Jersey purple dress,
Purple and white print tank (for the modesty),
Gold Dove necklace,
Pink Love earrings (Lamb), and
White flats with gold buckle detail.

Cost Per Wear
(Hermes Astrologi scarf) $385/5 = $77

G's Military Shirt

2011-10-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

Here is G waiting for the parking attendant to retrieve our car. I purchased this military style shirt for him. He is so dreamy.

So Chic I Can't Stand It

2011-10-25T23:16:00.000-07:00

This is the outfit that I wore in Vegas. I felt like a country girl in France with that circular-brim straw hat. So Madeline, especially with the side braid. I helped to keep me cool to have my hair pulled back into a braid.

Details:
Black wrap dress with white piping,
White tank top,
Gold Dove Necklace (Tiffany's),
Straw hat,
Hermes L'Art Du Temari scarf, and
White flats with gold link detail on toe box.

Cost Per Wear
(Hermes L'Art Du Temari scarf) $375/16= $23.44

Oh No Orange

2011-10-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

I love how striking the orange silk is when it is paired with those orange peep toe pumps. I did not believe I could wear orange until I got those shoes, then I only believed that I could do orange if the color was away from my face. A Hermes clerk convinced me that orange was a great color for my skin tone. With my mother’s assurance I took the risk. Now I can’t imagine why I avoided this color for so long. It a punch it the gut of color.

Cost Per Wear
(Hermes Astrologi Scarf) $385/4 = $96.25

Hermes Strikes Again

2011-10-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

L’arbre de Vie

Fall 2011
Designed by Christine Henry

Like a metaphor, this fabric tree speaks to us of the bond that unites mankind to the vegetal world, the essential ingredient of textiles. In the tropics, bark is beaten until it becomes soft and supple, in West Africa hibiscus, in India jute, or in Asia certain types of nettles. Flowers, leaves and fruit all lavish their colors. A portrait of the world, genealogy of techniques and resources, these are a bit of what these lines contain. Each leaf is decorated with geometric patterns symbolizing a culture, belief or social status . . . whose complexity at times conjures up a sort of magic protecting form harm or summoning lunch.

I picked up this beauty on the Vegas trip to attend my cousin’s basketball tournament. I took my cousins and my aunt to the Hermes flagship store on the Strip. My aunt, who is a book illustrator, and my mother, who is forever chic, helped me pick it out. The colors are classic.

Dotted In White

2011-10-24T23:18:00.000-07:00

Another suit shot without the blazer. I had no idea that a white tank top would "highlight" my "highlighters." Oh well. You live and you learn. I do love the retro feel of the dots. I also used the ties that the collar of this top to act as scarf holders for my black Tiffany scarf.

Everyone in the office just adored and noticed dots in my top matching the dots on my heels.

Details:
White tank top (which shows more than I like),
Black polka dot sheer top,
Black Tiffany scarf with white bow,
White belt (to define a waist),
White skirt suit, and
Black pumps with silver dots.

Sweet Stripe

2011-10-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

Lucky was super cuddly in this shot. She kept hopping up and down on my shoulder, so I had to hold her still for the photograph.

I'm actually wearing a suit, but I left the gray blazer off for the photograph. I love the bright stripes on this Coach scarf. It reminds me of rainbow stripped bubble gum.

Details:
Gray skirt suit (blazer unseen),
White tank top,
White sweater top with short sleeves,
Striped Coach ponytail scarf (with watermelon print on the reverse side and flower clip to serve as a tie pin),
Nude peep-toe shoes with a satin bow.

Flower Power

2011-10-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

Style tip: To hold my scarf in place, I just used a flower hair clip from H&M. So cute and romantic. Le sigh.

Dove Love

2011-10-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

"Hello, hello. J'taime, j'taime!"

Vegas Packing

2011-10-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

This is what I packed for a weekend trip to Vegas back in August. Wow! There is a lot to catch up on.

I was going to be walking around Vegas in the hot summer and attending several basket ball games for my cousin.

I took the following:
1. a straw hat,
2. two pairs of flats in blue and white,
3. three cotton dresses (purple, black and blue),
4. three tank tops to wear under the dresses (purple print, white, green and blue print),
5. three Hermes scarves (to tie around my hat).

So yes, I wore the same outfit nearly everyday. A tank top, a dress, a staw hat with a scarf tied on it, and flats. I liked not having to make to many decisions about what to wear. I also wanted to be comfortable, stylish and colorful.

Super Cute

2011-10-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

This must have been a casual Friday outfit, because it is not a suit. Not that my office has casual Fridays. I’m actually supposed to be wearing a suit everyday, but some days I just can’t. Since my normal mode of dress is rather formal (heels, skirt and scarf) I can skirt under the radar sometimes.

Details:
Blue and white polka dot sheer top,
Hermes Printemps Ete 69 scarf,
Black tank top,
Brown skirt (with pockets!), and
Brown pumps.

Cost Per Wear
(Hermes Printemps Ete 69 scarf) $330/16 = $20.63

Perched

2011-10-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

Well life got in the way. I was forced to take a short break from this blog to attend to more important matters. Now that things have settled a bit, I’m catching up on the photos.

Here’s Lucky being mischievous. She would make a great hat adornment, but I’m afraid that she is just too curious to sit on my hat all day. Most likely she would fly off to some great adventure. Unfortunately for her, I just love her too much to let her go.
I picked up that straw hat for a tuppence at Forever 21. It has a black band where the bow will has a loop through which I can weave my scarf.

The scarf is my bright orange Asstrologi scarf.

Cost Per Wear
(Hermes Astrologi scarf) $385/5 = $77

Nail Polish Tour: 3. Holy Pink Pagoda

2011-10-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

Name: Holy Pink Pagoda

Maker: OPI
Color: Bright Shimmery Pink
Keep or Toss? Keep.

A while back, I used to own a pair of bow pumps in this exact shade of pink. People would covet those shoes. I wore them into the ground, but they were well loved. The color is sheer so there is a white undercoat to allow the pink to remain bright. Without an undercoat, I imagine that it would take 3-5 coats to get full coverage. The shimmer is very subtle and not a full blown glitter. Holy Pink Pagoda is a very bright and feminine color.

The nail art is only on my left thumb. I work in a conservative office, so despite the fact that hardly anyone ever comments on my nails, I still hold back on the nail art. I think that my non-dominate hand thumb is the least likely place for nail art. Most nail art is displayed on each finger, on just the ring fingers, on the ring fingers and the thumbs, or on the just the pinky fingers. Here I am picking the hand that carries my watch and my wedding ring, but on the digit that is not in line with the others. This helps minimize the nail art, which I am just learning to master and also allows me to use my dominate hand to paint the details.

This nail art is white polka dots and a Hello Kitty sticker. The white polish is Sally Hansen "White Out." G gifted me the nail decals from Sephora. For my finger nails, I prefer no gems or 3D stickers. Now for the toes, I say go all out.

Not The Shoes

2011-08-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

Remember these?

These are my dark chocolate brown, mock crocodile pumps from Target. I was forced to retire them today. The inner soles had come loose and caused a very loud and annoying squeaking. The shoes are too cheap to mandate a repair. They will be missed. These babies garnered a lot of compliments and appeared so luxe. Le sigh. Hopefully before my annual shopping trip next year, I can go through the shoes again and make a list of new shoe colors to purchase. I am still searching for work appropriate gold pumps and now I may need to add dark brown to the list.

Wet Set for the Jet Set

2011-08-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

Style tip: Curl your hair with a wet set method to avoid damage.
So I have been using the wet set method to curl my hair for work for nearly one month. I have the system down pat. I set my hair every night before the work day begins. I have been experimenting with hairspray, setting lotion and frizz serum. I can do the routine very quickly now and I have devised a method that allows me to sleep in my pillow curlers comfortably.
I part my hair with a deep set part on one side. Then I separate out my bangs. I use a spray bottled filled only with water to spray dry hair, or just curly almost dry hair after a shower. Avoid dripping wet hair. The stands of my hair are thick and they take forever to dry. Also I have long hair which adds to the drying time. Just a light spray is enough. I spray the bangs and use 2-3 curlers to roll them under, towards my face. Then I separate the rest of my hair into 5-6 portions around my head. I braid the hair from about eyebrow level to chin level. Then I curl the long tail ends of the braids. I end up with a bunch of braids with a pillow curls on the ends. It looks silly, but the end result if fabulous. I use end papers (like those used in perms) for my curls to keep the ends from fraying. I sleep in the curlers because the braids are just enough length to allow me to rest my hair on my pillow comfortably.
To my surprise the curls will stay all day without any product in them. Technically, my hair is still curly on day 2, but I usually set my hair anyways because I want the look of big, defined and vintage curls.
Now I do find that curling my hair has only served to also showcase the frizz. Even with my naturally straight hair, I get tons of fly-away hairs and frizzes. Frizz and split ends are the next stage in my war for “good hair.” I had three inches of length cut off recently to get rid of the split ends. Now I am going to try the curly girl method of co-washing (conditioner only washing) to see if I can stuff some moisture back into my hair.

Dressed To The Nines

2011-08-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

I have to toss out that foundation. It is just too light. This was my fancy outfit for my anniversary with G.

Details:
The LBD (Little Black Dress),
Gold Dove necklace,
Flower and feather headband (diy),
Black clutch with Tiffany bow,
Black pashmina,
Black peep toe pumps with bow detail.

In case you are wondering why the pashmina is tied up like that, I like to tie a loop into them when I carry them around. This makes the scarf easier to carry when you are not actually wearing it. You just loop it over your arm like a handbag. This also allows to you to hang your scarf off your chair so it does not end up on the floor during your lovely meal. No one wants to be responsible for the waiter tripping over your dropped pashmina.