Lil bits of Chic by Paulina Mo - San Diego based fashion + lifestyle blogger

Chic Spring Summer Outfit - at an affordable price!

2019-06-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

It's nothing new that I love a good deal, what is new is that I have become a pro at getting pieces that look more expensive than what they're ringing up at the register! I think after YEARS of being on a budget, I have honed in on these affordable fashion skills of mine (heh heh) and today I wanted to share this ultra chic Spring/Summer look as an example of these skills (because between you and I, this whole look cost me less than $150)!

SHOP MY LOOK
Wearing: Dress c/o Macy's Backstage | black straw round purse | Straw Hat | Earrings | Alex + Ani bracelets

How can you find a good deal?

It has a lot to do with where you are shopping and even better, going to stores that carry brand name items at a reduced price! One of the newest stores I have learned about is Macy's Backstage after they graciously invited me to preview their new location within the Macy's in Plaza Bonita! Macy's Backstage is located INSIDE Macy's only this portion of the store is filled with on-trend items that are reduced in price. I actually didn't know of this concept, but once I went to check it out I was impressed primarily with the selection. They have everything from home decor to kids clothes to shoes to clothing, all discounted! You will see what the "compare at" price of what the item retails for so you know when you're getting a good deal. They even had a "designer steals" section where I spotted a Tory Burch purse, Kate Spade tennis shoes that carried a $26 price tag, and even Miraclesuit bathing suits that I almost bought at regular price (over $100) the day before so I knew I had totally scored. If you want to see more, and other deals I found I have a whole highlight reel on my instagram profile here!

Today's outfit is c/o of the good deals at Macy's Backstage!

Styling a statement dress...

This dress definitely stood out on the rack so I knew that it was a statement dress. I picked up accessories that would take this dress in a Spring-Summer direction. This hat totally gave me "getaway chic" vibes and it has a cute bow detail in the back which made it perfect wearing it with a pony tail. I also got this cute black straw bag that I've seen everywhere only this time, the price was right and I felt it would be a versatile addition to my summer wardrobe.

Where to wear this to...

I have a thing for midi dresses, especially flattering striped ones (see this last one here) and in this one I was really drawn to the ruffles and the way the stripes were placed. I would totally wear this to the Del Mar Racetrack (because the season is around the corner!) or while out at an elegant event (trading out the hat for a nice 'do) or even the fancy night of a vacation.

Hope you all enjoyed this post! Let me know if you have any questions or if you have any additional tips on finding good brand deals!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

My Top 15 Memorial Day Sales

2019-05-25T08:27:00.001-07:00

Happy Memorial Day weekend friends! I was going to sit this sales weekend out but I fell down the sales hole and consequently pushed my bedtime sitting here shopping at 11:42pm on a Friday night knowing that I have a 50-50 chance that the baby will wake up in 6 hours... eek! but I haven't been able to pull away from the computer because the sales are THAT good!! Obvi as a good blogger girlfriend to y'all, I had to put this shopping time to good use by sharing my tpp 15 Memorial Day Sales! These 15 are the real MVP's... like they are not giving us dinky sales percentages or items!

Ann Taylor: 40% off w/ code SUMMERTIME

Anthropologie: Extra 40% off sale items, plus 30% the decorating event

Banana Republic: 40 % off everything (no code needed)

Bloomingdale's: Save up to 70% off

Club Monaco: 25% off your purchase with code SUMMERTIME

Express: 40% off everything

J.Crew: Extra 50% sales styles, 40% off everything else with code WEEKEND

JCPenney: Extra 25% off $100 with Code: 26GOSAVE

Macy’s: Extra 10-20% off select depts. Promo Code: MEMDAY

Nordstrom: Half Yearly Sale - Save up to 50% off

Net-a-Porter: Save up to 50% off

Oshkosh: 50% Entire Site & Store

Pottery Barn: 15-30% off sitewide. Buy More Save more Event with code SAVEMORE

Pottery Barn Kids: Up to 50% off with code SAVEMORE

Sephora: Save up to 50% off must-have beauty

Shopbop: Up to 40% off

Let me know if you shopped any of these sales! Happy Shopping!

Colored Blazer Outfit - Just Add Color!

2019-05-23T13:27:00.000-07:00

After so many blog posts devoted to blazers (see them here), it's safe to say I've become quite the blazer subject matter expert! I love seeing all my blazers hanging in my closet from light to dark and it wasn't until recently I expanded the color range of my blazers to brights! Now they look like a rainbow which makes my little organizing heart content! For any of you looking to spice up your blazer color range as well I have included some bright and colorful blazers below!

#Butfirst (Fellow Big Brother fans will recognize the hashtag 😜) this outfit...

SHOP MY LOOK

Why you need a yellow blazer...

If you are a reader of mine you know I keep raving about the color yellow this Spring, and while I won't go into the whole spiel (you can read said spiel here), a yellow blazer is definitely a must-have this season. You might remember this blazer from this blog post not too long ago where I styled it as part of a suit. I knew that aside from wearing the blazer with the matching trousers, it would look just as great with jeans! I love the juxtaposition of the structured blazer with distressed jeans make for a cool outfit.

Where can you wear this outfit to...

And what better way to feature colored blazers than to shoot the look inside The Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park! Filled with colored cement tiles and art studios, if you're in San Diego you definitely have to pay it a visit!

You can also wear this outfit to brunch with girlfriends, or any event where you want to look stylishly casual.

If yellow is not your color, you can totally use the jeans and white cami as a base and add a blazer in your desired color! Here are some colorful options for your shopping pleasure! If you have any questions feel free to DM me on Instagram here!

SHOP COLORFUL BLAZERS:

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of Photography Yours and Mine

Coloful Maxi Dresses for Spring and Summer

2019-05-15T19:47:00.001-07:00

While I typically indulge in the Spring pastels at this time of year, I can't seem to stop myself from getting vibrant pieces (as you previously saw here and here). I don't know if it's a 2019 thing, but this Spring I seem to want to live life colorfully, bright and cheery! Or maybe it could be that I'm craving a beach vacay and this dress just mentally took me there!

What I'm wearing: Chicwish Maxi Dress (here) | J.Crew Earrings (on sale here!) | Target Mules (sold out, but similar here)

SHOP MY LOOK

Let's talk about the dress shall we?

What initially drew me to this dress were the colors and stripes, but then when I received it I LOVED the fit and the slits. As I picked up coffee at Por Vida in Barrio Logan (which by the way is the coolest coffee shop in the barrio) before our photoshoot, someone in the coffee shop complimented me with "you look so pretty!" It's just THAT kind of dress! It's comfy, flowy, perfect for Summer or Spring/Summer vacation speaking of which, do you have anything planned for Summer?

While we don't have anything officially booked until November, this dress will definitely be on standby in case a lil vacay pops up 😉 Maxi dresses are always at the top of my list while on vacation because I just remember during my vacays being at the pool all day, taking a shower, tossing on a cute maxi dress, slicking the hair back and heading for dinner and still looking stylish!

For any of you looking for colorful maxi dresses for Summer I have linked up some of my faves in different colors, sizes and styles below! As always if you have any questions about this dress, sizing, etc feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram (here)! Happy Shopping!

SHOP COLORFUL STRIPED MAXI DRESSES

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of Photography Yours and Mine

Taking a Dress from Casual to Elegant

2019-05-08T14:32:00.003-07:00

With wedding season and summer upon us, I wanted to knock two birds with one stone in today's post by showing you how to take a dress from elegant to fun casual! My dress of choice is this beautiful "Drama" dress from cabi that just went on sale today as part of their 2nd New Arrival Release: Blooming Blush (more info on that below).

SHOP MY LOOK

Elegant Outfit Details: cabi "Drama" Dress | Christian Louboutin Nude Pumps (affordable option here) | Clutch (sold out, but similar)

SHOP MY LOOK

Casual Outfit Details: cabi "Drama" Dress | Levi's Jeans | Nude Sandals (similar) | Headband | Hoop Earrings

About cabi's Newest Arrivals

Just like the previous New Arrivals release that I showcased here, today's New Arrivals are an additional 12 pieces to the already amazing existing pieces! After checking this latest release, I feel like this new set of pieces (that include such items as this dress, this eyelet dress/coverup and a kimono) are perfect to transition your wardrobe into Summer. The cabi design team has definitely hit it out of the park once again with the vibrant prints and bold colors! Please note: that this dress is already highly coveted so I recommend contacting your cabi stylist (or finding one on the cabi website under "find my stylist") immediately to get your hands on it!

Styling Tip: It's all in the Accessories!

I have said it once and I'll say it again, the easiest way to switch up the vibe of a look is through accessories. My first instinct when picking out this dress was that it was perfect to attend a wedding, a baby shower, a bridal shower - basically any classy affair! Since the print is vibrant and colorful I kept everything else nude and added a touch of glam via the earrings and voila, ready to head out as a chic guest!

How to take a dress from elegant to casual:

Playing on this beautiful print and pink and red combo, plus being in Barrio Logan, a San Diego neighborhood infused with culture and vibrant colors, I wanted to make this look not only casual but FUN.

Step 1: Since this dress is a wrap dress, it was super easy to wear it as a kimono over jeans (as I did here).

Step 2: Since headbands are on trend this season, I picked up this cute red bow one that matched the dress.

Step 3: Hoop earrings always make a look cooler so I tossed these on!

Step 4: Wear it confidently and even do a little dance in it ;)

Hope you enjoyed today's post, if this dress sells out (which I believe it will) you can always try these strategies with other wrap dresses!

Elegant Outfit Details: cabi "Drama" Dress | Christian Louboutin Nude Pumps (affordable option here) | Clutch (sold out, but similar)

Casual Outfit Details: cabi "Drama" Dress | Levi's Jeans | Nude Block Heeled Sandals (similar) | Headband | Hoop Earrings

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of Photography Yours and Mine

Thank you cabi for sponsoring today's post.

Mother's Day Shopping - Las Americas Premium Outlets

2019-04-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

Here is your friendly reminder that we are T minus 13 days away from Mother's day (and T minus 11 for Mexican Mother's Day) BUT before you let the panic set in, I have something special for all of my San Diego readers: A place where you can find designer brand gifts at discounted prices for all of the special moms in your life, Las Americas Premium Outlets!

I have talked about Las Americas Premium Outlets before here and back then even got the stamp of approval from my own mom, but this time I decided to ride solo so I could get her and all of the special moms in my life gifts.

Located in South San Diego just off the I-5, Las Americas Premium Outlets is home to 125 outlet stores, including high-end well known designer stores like Ann Taylor Factory Store, New Balance Factory Store, J.Crew Factory, Adidas, Kate Spade New York, Bath & Body Works Outlet, Vans Outlet, The North Face, Polo Ralph Lauren, Kipling, BCBG MAXAZRIA, Watch Station International, Under Armour, and more! THE BEST PART is that you can get name brand items for a fraction of the price (up to 65% off!) which will definitely allow you to get more high quality bang for your buck. I know it can be overwhelming, but today I wanted to narrow your search to stores where you can find great Mother's Day gifts as well as give you some gift ideas (and things that I snagged!) Let's begin shall we?

For the chic mom at any age...

Kate Spade New York is a great place to find leather goods, handbags, and the cutest accessories. When I stopped by, they had a HUGE selection at all price points.

Gift Ideas: Handbags, wallets, jewelry, iphone cases. I snagged these dainty necklaces and a coin purse.

J.Crew Factory is a classic brand where you can find high quality basics, perfect for Summer clothing and colorful accessories!

Gift ideas: Statement t-shirt, jewelry, sunglasses, or shoes! I snagged some colorful statement earrings for Summer, some cool sunglasses, some sleek loafers (also great for the working mom), and a summer dress.

For the sporty mom...

Adidas: Since I am personally on a fitness kick, I had an eye for athleisure or just simply comfortable yet cool work out clothes.

Gift ideas: Cool hats, sweatershirts, tennis shoes, leggings.
Other sporty stores to note: Nike Factory Outlet, New Balance Factory Store, Vans Outlet, and Under Armour

For the professional working mom...

Ann Taylor Factory Store: As a working mom, I realize that you can never have enough basics for the office, especially when always being on-the-go in the mornings.

Gift ideas: Ann Taylor has a great selection of stylish office basics and elegant pieces like blazers, elegant dresses, and even suits!

Other stores to note for the working mommy: J.Crew Factory, Banana Republic Factory.

For the mom who needs pampering...

I mean which mom doesn't need pampering?! Bath & Body Works Outlet carries lotions, and spa-like goodies for when that mommy finally gets some me-time.

Extra Savings Tip!

As if you weren't already saving money, let me share with you this EXTRA savings tip! In case you didn't know Las Americas Premium Outlets has a free membership based club for savvy shoppers called The VIP Shopper Club. As a member you will have access to their exclusive online offers (not available to the public) and also receive periodic center updates! You can register here to become a VIP shopper! I put it to the test and ended up getting an additional discount on some of my purchases so I highly recommend this program.

I hope today's post helps you in your Mother's Day Shopping! If you are looking to get all of those names checked off in one place, check out Las Americas Premium Outlets!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

cabi Sunny Set + How to accessorize with clear accessories!

2019-04-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

Before I jump into my obsession with clear accessories and how I use them to give a modern touch to my outfits, I wanted to highlight (although it's already highlighting itself) this "sunny set" from cabi's New Arrivals!

SHOP MY LOOK

In case you missed it, cabi's Spring 2019 New Arrivals!

cabi unleashed 14 new pieces of which this "sunny set" was part of on March 27, 2019! These New Arrivals serve as an extension of the Spring 2019 collection. As a cabi Ambassador I get to preview and style some of these pieces to show how you can incorporate them into your wardrobe! If you are already a cabi aficionado you will notice that the new arrivals pieces mix and match beautifully with other cabi pieces taking out a lot of the guesswork that busy women like me can definitely appreciate!

If you have been reading my blog lately or follow me on instagram, my current love for yellow is NO secret! Yellow is the IT color of the season and has definitely won me over. That is why I didn't shy away from getting this vibrant "sunny set". I love the bold print which is lea bold leopard or floral print- totally up to our interpretation!

Styling Tip: When dealing with a bold top, keep everything else simple

A nice pair of jeans and a sleek pair of pointed black heels kept the outfit balanced, and then I locked eyes with this clear purse at the store and ding ding ding, I loved the way that it gave this outfit a modern touch! I traded out the insert for my Louis Vuitton clutch and I also styled it differently in this other outfit (here). I love that you can get creative with what you put inside, since the whole world is going to see what's in there 😲

The Clear Accessories Trend

Purchasing the clear handle purse really opened me up to more clear accessories and before you knew it I was searching "clear accessories" at all of my favorite retailers. In my search I easily found SO many cute pieces because clear/PVC accessories seem to be so IN right now. The best part is that most of the pieces are so affordable, from shoes to bags to belts, here are my picks all below $40!

Let me know, do you like the clear accessories trend?

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of Photography Yours and Mine

Last minute Easter Outfit Ideas

2019-04-19T01:03:00.002-07:00

I know Easter is just around the corner and although these are considered "last minute" outfit ideas, they are also good for the rest of the Spring season! Below I have rounded up four outfit ideas to look chic this Easter Sunday starting from casual to elegant!

What I'm wearing: Blazer c/o JCPenney | white v-neck cami (here) | Raw denim distressed jeans (here) | Shoes via Justfab (sold out but similar here and here)

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1. Pastel Colored Blazer

As a little girl my mom would always put me in the poofiest pastel dresses for Easter Sunday church. I am having flashbacks of even wearing little lace gloves and a hat! It's no wonder that when I think of Easter I think of pastel colors and feminine pieces! When strategizing for Easter fashion I usually am drawn to light pink and light blue. In a recent collaboration with JCPenney (who is having a GREAT sale right now btw), As soon as I saw this blazer that looks like tweed with gold buttons I was sold! If you look further into the collection you will also notice there is a matching skirt and top if you just want to go all out! I personally opted for this chic touch over a casual outfit, with some comfortable pink shoes!

SHOP PASTEL COLORED BLAZERS

2. Crochet/Eyelet Dress

Last year I opted for a white crochet dress so it's only fitting that I mention this as an idea. There is something about this material that oozes Spring, especially here in Southern California where we are starting to see our fair share of warm sunny days. This type of dress will keep you fresh and cute and you can choose from an array of colors like white or stick to pastels!

SHOP CROCHET/EYELET DRESSES

3. Plaid/Gingham Printed Anything

You can typically find plaid or gingham in black or navy blue, but around this time of year the color range of gingham goes into Pastel mania! Think pink or light green gingham *heart eye emoji* You all know I looove pastels so I am including some of my faves in the shopping widget below!

SHOP PLAID/GINGHAM PRINTED

4. Florals Dress or Tops

I know I'm stating the obvious, that in Spring you cannot go wrong with florals, especially during Easter time! I don't think I have to elaborate much more on this, but I will elaborate by giving you some floral dress or top ideas below!

SHOP FLORAL DRESSES

What I'm wearing: Blazer c/o JCPenney | white v-neck cami (here) | Raw denim distressed jeans (here) | Shoes via Justfab (sold out but similar here and here)

And with that I hope that you enjoyed today's blog post and these outfit ideas! As always if you have any questions leave them in the comment below or DM me on Instagram! Love hearing from you gals! I hope you all have a wonderful Good Friday into Easter Sunday!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of Photography Yours and Mine

Yellow Powersuit - The It Color of Spring!

2019-04-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

This look made an appearance on my Instagram a couple of weeks ago and it was such a hit that I wanted to dedicate a full blog post to it. For one, yellow is the IT color for Spring and two, I love me a good power suit! Yellow and power suit together, definitely a bold move which goes well with my whole "stepping out of the comfort zone" journey I am on. (More on that below)

What I'm wearing: Blazer (classic fit) I'm wearing this tall version c/o JCPenney | Trousers (I'm wearing this tall version) c/o JCPenney | Blouse c/o JCPenney | White heels

SHOP MY LOOK

Yellow is the IT color of Spring...

Yellow made many appearances across the New York Fashion Week runways and consequently onto my Instagram feed which may have subconsciously influenced me because I have been so drawn to yellow this season! When it came time to pick a look from JCPenney for this collaboration I instantly picked out this yellow suit in "pineapple". (side note: You can typically snag both for under $100!)

Back to the journey I spoke of, if you follow me on Instagram you know I am partaking in a 30-day healthy and fitness challenge and I've been sharing my check-ins, food journals and my sweaty work out face. This is all really out there for me as I usually tackle my physique privately.

I've been on every diet you can think of since I was a teen (I think this is the norm for most of us women) and have been a yo-yo. When I had the baby I was stoked because the weight melted off as I was breastfeeding, but then... as I phased out breastfeeding, I didn't adjust my calorie intake (because I was eating more calories for the baby), plus I was indulging in all of those marvelous things I couldn't consume while pregnant (sushi, deli sandwiches, margaritas, mimosas, etc) so before I knew it I gained most of the weight back. I then half-a*** tried different things and fell into the same eating habits when I didn't see fast progress and pushing fitness to the side. Then I got an email from @FitLifeTif who informed me about her challenge and how it was aimed at busy women and moms like me. While I won't go into the specifics of the challenge, the act of sharing on social media that I was committing to this challenge was really scary for me. I knew that once I put it out there there was no turning back, plus about 6 of my girlfriends signed up too (added pressure and accountability)! All of this to say, that has been what I consider a bold move for me, and with this bold move comes responsibility to see it through. (make sure you keep up with my journey on Instagram @lilbitsofpau, I have a "Body Bliss" highlight reel too)

What I'm wearing: Blazer (classic fit) I'm wearing this tall version c/o JCPenney | Trousers (I'm wearing this tall version) c/o JCPenney | Blouse c/o JCPenney | White pointed heels

I totally understand if a yellow powersuit is a lil much for you, so I have rounded up some yellow pieces I am loving at the moment for your shopping pleasure all at affordable price points!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of Photography Yours and Mine

Pink Vest Outfit - Just Add Pink!

2019-04-06T09:53:00.002-07:00

When in doubt, just add pink! You can say this is my new motto as of late to the point that one of my friends said that light pink has become my signature color! I'll take that as a compliment ;) While I'm not going all Legally Blonde status, I do LOVE adding a pop of pink! Today I'm showing how you can add pink in a chic way to an otherwise basic outfit by simply adding a pink vest like I did here or a pink blazer.

SHOP MY LOOK

Typically pink inundates the stores around springtime, but I feel like light pink has been a fixture all year round! I know many women stay away from it because it may be too girly but I think the trick is just adding one pink piece to an outfit and keeping everything else simple or neutral! (I have included some other pink chic items for you shopping pleasure below!)

About today's location: Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park

As many of you know I live in San Diego (born and raised) and have been to Balboa Park a gazillion times but had never actually toured the Japanese Friendship Garden until this day. I had always seen it from the hillside when walking to The Prado but the real beauty is when you go inside. There is an admission fee ($12 for adults), but right now it is totally worth it!

Once you go through the entrance you are lead by a trail throughout the garden. Right now their main attraction are the cherry blossoms that are in full bloom and like a pink oasis in San Diego. There is also hanging wisteria, ponds, fountains and benches that are meant for people to sit for a moment of peace and reflect. Also a tip: Go as soon as they open or early as it is a popular attraction.

I also am trying the headband trend!

I feel like I haven't worn a fashionable headband in ages, but I saw this cute knotted one and wanted to try it out. I ended up wearing it nonstop for the next few days that I decided I pick up a couple more! It's an affordable way to spruce up your hairstyle + it really helps me out when I'm having bad hair days!

Here are some other pink fabulous items:

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of Photography Yours and Mine

Springtime Black and White + cabi New arrivals!

2019-03-27T10:56:00.003-07:00

Spring is in full swing and I must say the sun has been gracing us with its beautiful presence and I couldn't be more grateful! Another thing I am grateful for is Cabi's New Arrivals that are available for purchase today! If you haven't seen my posts styling their very colorful Spring 2019 collection you can see them here and here.

What I'm wearing: Cabi Disco Dress | Mules (sold out, but similar here) | Necklaces | Transparent bag | Gold Choker

Today's New Arrivals serve as an extension of that collection as these 14 new pieces mix and match beautifully with the already existing collection. There are vibrant and great basics to choose from, but this time around I gravitated towards this black and white "Disco" dress. I also picked up this "sunny set" which I will show in an upcoming post (and gave a sneak peek below) that satisfied my color craving.

Typically, you wouldn't think of black and white for spring, but I love that this dress gives a chic yet chill vibe. And also love that it has one panel of dainty dots! It is a wrap dress and even though I usually size down in cabi sizing I ended up choosing true to size because I know I could cinch the dress as much as I wanted.

Styling Tip

To keep the chic and sleekness, I paired it with some gold accessories, a see through purse (as clear purses seem to be all the rage right now) and mule slip on heels. I could also see myself wearing it with sneakers and a jean jacket for a casual vibe. One thing I forgot to remove was my apple watch, it doesn't really go with this outfit, but it's practically part of me at this point so I forgot it was there. Next on my list is a chic'er apple watch band.

Please note that the collection is limited! If you see something that you like contact your cabi Stylist or get in touch with one through the website to call dibs on these cute pieces! If you have any questions about the sizing or outfit feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram! Stay tuned for this look...

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Thank you cabi for sponsoring today's post.

Pictures taken by Tuy of Photography Yours and Mine

Florals For Spring?

2019-03-22T20:33:00.001-07:00

It's the first week of Spring! And I know what you're thinking "Florals? for Spring? Groundbreaking" but let me tell you where I'm going with this...

What I'm wearing: Chicwish Dress | Aldo heels (old, but similar here) | Galian "Evelyn" Top Handle Handbag (here)| Sparkly Floral Earrings (similar here)

SHOP MY LOOK

One of the things I realized as I decluttered my closet is that I have way too many floral dresses! Nothing like taking inventory of what you have to see evidence of your floral dress addiction. It is to the point that I think this little number will be the last floral piece I acquire for a while. Yes, ladies and gents I'm taking a floral dress purchasing break! After weeding out (no pun intended!) the floral dresses I can part with I decided that I would list them on my Poshmark closet to hopefully find them a new fashionable home. For those that I am keeping, if I do wear them I plan to get creative and style them differently!

On the topic of decluttering, it has allowed me to see my wardrobe as a whole and get a sense of where my personal style has been and is potentially heading. On the first round of cleaning out my closet I didn't get rid of too much (disclaimer: I didn't do the Marie Kondo method) and now on the second round I'm getting rid of more mainly because I feel like my personal style is changing and evolving. Yes, being a mom is a factor, but I don't want mommy style to become me. As I type this, I still feel like I'm redefining my style- all I know is I want to be comfortable, yet chic with a touch of bold, so we shall see where it goes in future blog posts!

Back to this dress...

I got this beautiful dress from one of my favorite brands here and it oozes elegance and class with its midi flowy length and pastel pring. Since wedding season is upon us I thought it would be the perfect dress to attend a wedding, a bridal shower or an elegant baby shower. If you love florals liked I do, I have included this dress and other gorgeous floral dresses below for your shopping pleasure.

And in case you missed it, I am giving away a facial at Sarah Elizabeth Skincare in this Instagram post! I recently got a facial with her and aside from it being so good for my skin, it was relaxing and soothing. Feel free to check out her services here as I highly recommend her if you're in the San Diego area!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of White Tee Black Dress

How I Got Out of Credit Card Debt

2019-03-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

Today's post will definitely stand out among my usual style blog posts but I felt compelled to write it because 1) I have mentioned this topic before and so many of you expressed interest in hearing my story 2) we live in the social media age where a lot of people live above their means to portray an aspiration lifestyle that has reminded me of me in my 20's and 3) I'm hoping that sharing my story will help any of you out there who may find yourself in a similar situation.

What I'm wearing: Chicwish Top | cabi Cropped High Straight Jeans | piggy bank | blush & beige rug

Before I jump in, this is a disclaimer that I am in no way giving financial advice and this post is NOT sponsored. It is just me sharing my journey out of credit card debt, now grab your cup of coffee or tea because it's a long one!

Background

I want to give a bit of background because how I grew up set the foundation for my relationship with money. I grew up in San Ysidro (South San Diego) to two immigrant parents who are the definition of hard workers. Even though we didn't have much money growing up, my parents would provide us with what we needed and were also resourceful with what they earned. We lived in low income housing until we had enough to buy our first home and from there through their hard work I saw us progress from that home to bigger homes (movin' on up!), to better cars to then crumbling when my parents got divorced. I wanted to include this tidbit because I started correlating rewarding our hard work and defining success with nice material things.

So where did my relationship with money go wrong...

When it came time to go to college (University of California, San Diego), I still made a financially responsible decision to live at home, commute to school and work part time throughout my entire college career. I only lived by campus my junior year to experience the college life. Even though I didn't rack up an astronomical student loan, I still began a not-so-good relationship with credit cards.

My first credit card was a student credit card to establish my credit. This little card which later I found out had the highest interest rate of ALL of them, kept raising my credit line as time went on allowing me to charge more on it. Meanwhile, I opened a few other ones including department store cards that get you with, "if you open this card today you get 10% off your purchase!" (my response to that line now is "I'm fine, thank you" and most of the time I have to say it twice to the salesperson - bless their heart as I know they are trying to hustle too). I was in my 20's and the combination of living the party life, being single, going on trips, paying for other people (beware the human financial leeches they exist), acting like I had accomplished the American Dream, all the while thinking that I would pay the debt off with the amazing job I was going to get when I graduated college. I was like the girl from "Confessions of a Shopaholic" only I couldn't sell all of my belongings to pay back my debt.

Then I graduated and landed a job in the financial services industry, the day had arrived for me to start paying everything off and regain financial stability riiiiight?? Nope, I continued my spending habits and fell into the next financial trap. Let me just set this up with, the housing market was booming, everyone was buying homes and taking out equity to buy other cool stuff, so I decided to do the same. I thought I would be able to pull out equity from the house to pay off my credit cards.

About a year after buying my condo the housing market fell apart right before my eyes, right under my newly purchased condo's roof! I became upside down on my house because the property went down in value about 40% meaning I owed WAY more than the property was worth so selling it was NOT an option. I was on the hook for the mortgage on the value pre-housing bubble bursting. That's when I just spiraled and started racking up credit card debt to try to keep my house and my lifestyle. The economy then went into full recession mode (around 2008) and although I didn't get laid off, I saw other people get the cut and there were no raises as everything was at a standstill. I will take responsibility for somehow still going on a trip or two to Vegas, buying outfits to hit the club, but it all caught up to me when I maxed out ALL of my credit cards. The nail on the coffin was when I had to charge my property taxes on a credit card because my dumb butt didn't have it included in the mortgage payment. I faced the shame of getting my credit card rejected at a restaurant- THE most embarrasing feeling ever! In the end, I was facing over 5 credit cards and over $30k in debt, all with crazy interest rates over 20-something percent. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't open my mail, I couldn't answer calls because it was usually a debt collector harassing me, I had hit rock bottom. Something had to change or else I was going to lose the house I tried to save, and declare the b- word.

So now, how did I pay off all of my credit cards?

The simple answer is, I found a non profit debt counselor who started knocking some sense into me and I went on an aggressive payment plan that took me 42 months to pay off. No it wasn't a debt consolidation it was literally paying every penny plus a s---- load of interest. Sounds so simple but the truth is the monthly payment was paralyzing, like paying someone's rent on top of your mortgage. It's important to distinguish the difference between paying off and conquering credit card debt. I write this post because I think to conquer debt I HAD to change my relationship with money to make better decisions and stay out of it. Below I am going to share the lessons and principles I used to change that mindset.

LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

This. I can literally just end the post here and drop the mic because that is the golden rule of getting and STAYING out of debt. Since I had lived outside of my means when it came time to pay it back, I had to live below my means for a while (even now because I'm traumatized). I had to make adjustments and keep an eye on my finances which leads me to...

SEE WHERE EVERY DOLLAR IS GOING

My first goal when tackling debt was categorizing ALL of my expenses and seeing where my money was going. In a session with a debt counselor, we looked through my monthly expenses so he could give me guidance. I think he was trying to get me to snap out of it by pointing out what were actual necessities. Things that I thought were necessities like cable, gym membership, dining out, travel, clothing, nails, hair, even the type of cell phone plan I had that I stubbornly clung on to had to be cut or adjusted in order for me to be able to make my monthly payment to the credit cards. Every penny counted.

To this day I keep track of everything that comes in and out of my account like a hawk, I look at my monthly expenses and I strategize on where I need to make adjustments. For example some months I notice a spike in eating out, so I'll make an effort to make more meals at home to save money. Or you can also notice if one of your bills goes up and you can look into why the increase (I notice this with my cable bill and we'll call them up to see what deals they can offer or threaten to leave, and their tune changes). I do all of this on an excel spreadsheet (because I'm an excel geek) but there are so many apps that can do it for you. Knowing your income and expenses even if the expenses are higher than income is a way to stay in control of your finances and know what to work on. The biggest mistake I made was the whole "out of sight out of mind" and it only bit me in the a--- because some of these companies were tacking on fees, etc. Had I caught certain things earlier I would have been able to avoid certain fees or make better decisions.

SACRIFICE

Once I knew my income vs expenses I knew what I could and could not afford. It's important to note that once you are in the hole it's hard to get out of it, and for me I had to sacrifice the lifestyle I thought I loved and was going to lead. For instance, in the midst of this, I had to sacrifice getting a newer car because I couldn't afford it so I drove the same car for 11 years. I was embarrassed that I, a working woman with a good job, still drove her high school Honda Civic but I had to suck it up because I had no choice. Other sacrifices included not traveling (while I would see everyone else doing so), I didn't buy anything high-end (thank goodness the recession made Target a cool place to shop) and I started saying NO, a lot. For the first year and a half it was hard, there was a lot of FOMO (fear of missing out) but after a while I felt empowered because I was also letting go of the shackles of keeping up with the Joneses.

IT'S OK TO NOT KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES

I use to play the comparison game and gosh, that was torture! I saw this quote that pretty much explains what I became, it said something like "I'm too busy tending to my own grass to care if yours is greener". When push came to shove, I put the blinders on and focused on my own sh--. I became numb to seeing others posting amazing and fabulous adventures (something that comes in handy these days of social media), I recognized that was their source of happiness and how they choose to spend their time and money, and good for them, but that's not my journey or my priority. My priority was to get out of debt and become financial stable.

PATIENCE

If you are currently reading this and find yourself in a similar situation, I know you wish you could wave a wand, win the lotto and make the debt disappear, but honestly should that happen, our mindset and behaviors would not change so what's not to say you won't end up in debt again? The thing about shortcuts like debt consolidation or bankruptcy is that it's a band aid to our errors with money (unless the debt came from circumstances out of our control like medical bills, etc).

I am thankful that it took me over 3.5 years to pay my debt off because every day was a reminder that I was paying for the consequences of my reckless decisions. It's kind of like a diet, you want to lose 30 lbs but to lose it you have to sacrifice and work hard to lose a pound at a time, over time. I will say that unlike dieting, I couldn't fall off the horse when it came to my monthly payments. I was on the straight and narrow because one missed payment would cause the whole thing to fall apart because most, if not all credit card companies are not forgiving.

BUILD A SAFETY NET

The day I made my last credit card payment was surreal, I was in denial that I was finally credit card debt free. I have maintained the same living below my means lifestyle, and for a few months pretended I still had that credit card payment and put it in my savings account or put it towards my student loan instead. I TRIPLE checked that I could afford getting a new car, which I did because my civic was starting to stall and scaring the s--- out of me and when I went to get the car I realized my credit score had improved drastically. This whole part of my life has really traumatized me, and I NEVER want to utter the words "I'm broke" ever again, I never want to live paycheck to paycheck again, I never want to not have the funds to help a family member in need again, I don't want my son to learn these lessons the hard way either, so I'm extremely diligent about making sure I have an emergency fund. I would say do research on what an emergency fund would mean to you and know that when you're done paying your debt (which I believe you can do, I'm cheering for you) that journey is not over. Build your emergency, savings fund, college fund for your kid(s), retirement plan, and build your wealth- I think this is extremely important for us who come from immigrant parents or lower socio economic status. We got taught to work hard and with integrity, but not to handle our finances so a lot of us keep this broke mentality going for generations.

In conclusion...

Halfway through this journey, I met my husband at a random hole in the wall bar I had never been to (not those fancy clubs I kept buying outfits for LOL), he saw the car I was driving so he wasn't scared off then (lol, again) and we connected on our financial journeys too, although he is WAY more conservative with money than I am. After I paid all of my credit cards off over 7 years ago, I cut them up and never wanted to see or use them again. I still receive a gazillion offers to open a 0% interest rate card and it goes straight into my shred bin. I did finally get the courage to open one, that I researched in depth and I only use responsibly, but end up paying it off right away because again, trauma.

So as I wrap this post up, I can't help but wonder what would have become of me in this Instagram era had I not changed my mindset. It's SO easy to see the next IT purse or IT destination and get influenced to do the same. Old Pau would be all about it. But then again, I'll use me as an example, I was showing off my elaborate trips to Vegas, Hawaii and New York yet I was b-r-o-k-e so the lesson here is perception is NOT reality folks! Focus on your grass, if you need help, do your research and find an expert and know that it is achieveable. Hope you enjoyed reading this post! Want to keep the conversation going? DM me on Instagram here!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

The Ultimate Blouse for Spring

2019-02-28T15:08:00.003-08:00

Let's keep the colorful outfits coming shall we? Here is another outfit from Cabi's Spring 2019 collection featuring this Ultimate Blouse and their Cropped High Straight Jeans. In case you missed it, I previously styled 3 other pieces from this vibrant collection (here) taking them from office to happy hour. Today's outfit is for those days where you go are going straight to happy hour or for a weekend gathering.

In keeping with the Spring vibe, we shot this look at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla whose happy hour I definitely recommend! We had our work Holiday party here and I was reminded what a beautiful location it was. They have a terrace area and the best view of the ocean.

Back to the outfit...

This Ultimate Blouse from cabi is definitely appropriately named because it has all of the bells and whistles to make a woman feel good. It is colorful, with stripes that are broken in a way to flatter, it is a tad bit longer in the back (for those that like that length) and ah-mazing sleeves! It goes perfectly with a pair of jeans!

Talkin' about jeans...

I try to get a pair of jeans from every cabi collection because I'm such a fan of their denim and they'll have pairs with unique details. These cropped high straight jeans were such a great addition to my wardrobe and can easily be worn with a pair of wedges or pumps for a casual chic take.

Accessories...

I love the combo or orange and gold so I accessorized with gold jewelry, sunglasse and gold buckle Hermes belt. This Hermes belt is reversible, and I've been mainly wearing it on the black side so I was happy to switch it to the cognac leather side. I'll be honest, I feel like I'm over wearing it which can be a good (it's an investment piece) and bad (everyone's seen it on me a gazillion time).

And with that I hope you enjoyed today's spring-y outfit post! If you have any questions on sizing feel free to DM me on Instagram!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Thank you cabi for sponsoring today's post.

Pictures taken by Tuy of White Tee Black Dress

Cabi Spring 2019 Outfit from Work to Play!

2019-02-21T20:44:00.002-08:00

I interrupt the winter style posts to bring a ray of sunshine courtesy of cabi's latest colorful Spring 2019 collection! In today's post I'm showing how to take 3 cabi pieces from work to happy hour with ease!

What I'm wearing: cabi Valentine blazer | cabi Float Blouse | cabi petal skirt | Heels

I'm officially a #cabiSquad Ambassador!

Before I jump in, I wanted to mention that I have had the honor of working with cabi for years (as can be seen here) as a blogger and although I have felt like an ambassador at heart I can now say that I'm officially a #cabiSquad Ambassador! What does that mean? It means that I'll be a style voice for cabi by showcasing lots of cabi outfit ideas as well as highlighting the latest in their New Arrivals! Stay tuned as I'll be bringing you another fresh cabi look next week!

If you're new around here and haven't heard about cabi before...

Cabi clothing is designed for the everyday stylish woman with an affordable mix of professional separates and casual pieces that are refreshed twice yearly, in the Fall and Spring to stay on-trend. All of the pieces from the collection are designed to be easily mixed and matched taking the guesswork out of staying in style. The unique part about cabi is that the only way to purchase their items are through a cabi Stylist typically through a cabi fashion experience which is like a trunk show (but better in my view). These shows are hosted by cabi Stylists all across the country! In them, cabi Stylists show how you can style each piece and it is an opportunity to see the clothing up close and personal all while being in a fun environment where you can shop among friends. If you are interested in finding a cabi Stylist near you, you can search here!

Now back to today's outfit...

From their gorgeous feminine blouses to their comfortable, yet professional-looking blazers, a lot of the cabi pieces I have gotten throughout the years have become staples in my wardrobe. The other day I realized that I wear at least one cabi piece to work every day so when it came time to pick out items from their colorful Spring 2019 collection, I naturally picked items that I could wear in and out of the office.

Tip #1: Layering

A blazer for work is always a good idea, and this cheery Valentine Jacket is not only sleek enough for the office but also brings in color! As you clock out, you can simply remove the jacket to uncover the beautiful sleeves of the cabi float blouse which are fun and frilly. Plus can we talk about this skirt?! I'm living for the cinch detail on the side and this classy, yet fun floral print.

Tip #2: Switch out the accessories!

This one is one of my favorite tricks because with a quick tweak of the outfit you can change the vibe. With switching out the work pumps for some statement sandals (these many of you will recognize from a couple season's ago) and the work handbag for a nice going out clutch, you can go from business to happy hour vibes. I also changed my jewelry from stud earrings to dangly ones (you can layer on any of cabi's jewelry too!) and the Apple Watch to a cute cuff.

Tip #3: Change the Make Up

In the office I tend to wear more neutral lip colors, but if I'm going to an event or meeting up with friends right after I make a few adjustments to the make up by adding a bit of eyeshadow, blush and changing the lip color from neutral to a pop that matches the look. Picture me in my cubicle with all of my make up laid out - a quick 10 minute touch up and adjustment makes a difference!

And with that, I hope that you liked today's tips! They are super quick and easy and honestly it's what I do all the time! If you have any questions about the sizing or outfit feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram! Stay tuned for more Spring looks next week!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Thank you cabi for sponsoring today's post.

Pictures taken by Tuy of White Tee Black Dress

My Winter 2019 Go-To Outfit

2019-02-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

Just when I think it can't get any colder in San Diego, it does! And yes, I am fully aware that we are spoiled here and that the rest of the country is literally freezing (sorry rest of the country!) Today though I wanted to share my Winter 2019 uniform.

Now what constitutes an outfit "uniform"?

It is that go-to outfit composed of staple pieces that I keep reaching for. The uniform concept not only is a safe bet for me but it saves me time which is the ultimate benefit as a mom with a toddler running around. If I'm headed out and don't have time to think about what combination to wear I just grab these key pieces and run out.

So what are my current staple pieces?

Let's start with these over the knee boots that you've seen here and here. I am addicted to these because of them having no heel and being comfortable. Sometimes comfort has to be sacrificed for style or vice versa, but in the case of these boots I think it checks off both boxes.

Then there are jeans. I think I've featured more looks with jeans within the last 6 months than any other time in my blog! I've just been a jeans type of girl, especially when I fit back in them after having the baby - my time away from them made the heart grow fonder!

And let's be honest, the best part about this look is this Sherpa jacket via Thieves Like Us Collection. As I checked out NYFW street style online, I kept seeing sherling, sherpa and teddy coats everywhere! Although I noticed the trend of them being in pastel colors (of which I had styled one in this post and am now inspired to style it differently), this beige one that I'm wearing in today's outfit is a good one for every day thangs.

Hope you enjoyed today's outfit post. Don't forget you can find me on the daily over on @lilbitsofpau on Instagram and you can also shop looks that sometimes don't make it on the blog on the Liketoknow.it app here!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of White Tee Black Dress

Valentine's Day Sweaters

2019-02-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello February and hello Valentine’s Day season! I used to get glam for Valentine's Day (as can be seen here), but now I would rather chill with my boys at home and not have to fight the crowds at restaurants. My low maintenance celebrating, however doesn't mean that I don't love V-day. Valentine's Day is actually one of my fave Holidays because it's another excuse to dress girly- queue the hearts, the pinks and the reds!

What I'm wearing: Chicwish Heart Sweater (here) | Jeans | Zara booties (sold out, but similar here) | Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM

SHOP MY LOOK

This year, I'm opting for a cute heart sweater because I can still be festive & comfy at the same time!

This one from Chicwish comes in this black/red combo and also there is a white/pink combo. I paired it with jeans and these red pointed booties that I bought for last season of NYFW (however I didn't wear). Another option for this sweater/jean ensemble is to pair it with sneakers, which comes in handy for a toddler-chasing mommy like me!

And we can't forget the roses in the bag (a blogger's best friend!) Let's remember that Valentine's Day is a Holiday of love and friendship - whether you're single or taken, it's a great Holiday to show those around you some love!

Wanna snag yourself a sweater for V-day (or any day you just want to wear your heart on your sleeve, literally)? Here are some more hear sweater ideas!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

All pictures by WhiteTeeBlackDress

How to wear a suede Moto Jacket

2019-01-29T13:37:00.001-08:00

I've raved about moto/biker jackets before but today I'm zeroing in on the suede (or faux suede) moto jackets because they have become a constant go-to for me every Fall and Winter for the last few years. I find that they add such a cool-girl vibe to any ensemble, allow me to show you how!

What I'm wearing: H&M Blue Moto Jacket (sold out, but similar here) | cabi floral top (sold out, but similar here) | Jeans | Over the knee boots (similar) | Galian Georgie Top Handle Handbag

SHOP MY LOOK

It all started with a basic black moto jacket...

If you don't have a moto jacket and want to try it out for yourself, I recommend starting with a black one and testing its versatility. What I mean by "testing its versatility" is do you notice that you can layer it over your ensembles? Do you wear it often? Are you comfortable in it? For me the answer was yes, yes and yes before I decided to purchase other colors. I would continue to wear each one so much that eventually it turned into a colorful moto jacket collection and this baby blue one is the latest addition.

Styling Tip...

Layer it over a casual look with sneakers like I did in this post (hello athleisure!), or layer it over a dress like I did in this post or toss it on a top, jeans and over the knee boots outfit like I did here. Be careful to not be too matchy matchy with the boots and moto jacket as it can sometimes be overkill. I love the combo of a colored moto jacket and a different colored boot like I did with this light blue one and the black boots.

Moto jackets are such a versatile layering piece that I find that I can put together a basic look and with simply adding the moto jacket to it, it makes it so much better.

I also typically size up in these types of jackets because I have a bigger chest and I also like it to be a bit loose and comfortable.

Where to wear this outfit to?

I wore this to a lunch with friends, however it is a great outfit to grab cocktails (and don't want to be too fancy) or even a day-date in Fall/Winter.

While some are investment pieces (especially the real suede ones) here are some suede-looking moto jackets that are high quality at a great price point!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

All pictures by WhiteTeeBlackDress

Birthday Thoughts: What I know now in my 30's

2019-01-21T09:25:00.001-08:00

Today is officially my birthday and it's funny that over the years I make my birthday less and less of a deal. It not only has to do with being officially in my "late 30's" but also that I'm a mom to a very active little one year old and at this point just having a break or a nap is a gift!

I remember in my 20's coordinating my birthday months in advance. The outfit had to be a statement dress preferably sequins and the location had to be poppin' (or as the kids say LIT). Some birthdays extended over days (starting from Wednesday at Sidebar into the weekend) and into other cities (like Vegas). My-my times have changed! As I reflect on my life I think of how blessed I am, and so thankful to have been able to create all of those beautiful memories (and even create a little human) on my thirty-something years on earth.

What I'm wearing: Chicwish Tutu | Chicwish Top | Valentino Rockstud heel

SHOP MY LOOK

For today's post, I figure I would talk about 5 life lessons I have learned so far in my thirties that I didn't know in my twenties:

Turning setbacks into motivation "when one door closes, another one opens"
You don't see it on social media, but in life (especially in blogging) there is rejection and being passed on opportunities. In my 20's I would mope about rejection, take it to heart and let it discourage me. Over time, I have learned that it is better to embrace it and turn it into "watch me achieve something better" energy. Simple example: I was up for a feature on a national magazine years ago and they didn't choose me. Although I was bummed and wondering why I was passed on for the opportunity, it was the first time that the rejection vibes motivated me to pitch myself to other national magazines. One of those magazines (a bigger one at that!) took notice and featured me just a month later. Ever since then, when a door closes on me, I am motivated to go knock and force another one open.

I refuse to kiss anybody's a--
I don't care who you are or where I'm at (work, blogger event) but I am too old to be kissing anybody's a---. Ok, I know that sounded a bit rough, but I say this because I witness it sometimes especially in this age of social media where you can catch me trying to control my eye-rolling. At this point in my life, I refuse to let anyone make me feel "less than" because I am secure in myself, I am happy in my life and I have an amazing core group of friends and family. Moral of the story: I don't need to kiss anyone's bootay, okkkrrr! And neither should you!

Living within my means
Allow me to elaborate, I'll be the first to admit that in my twenties I was all about the label, all about portraying a lifestyle that I couldn't afford until I hit rick bottom financially. To top it off, I was somewhat of a lost soul partying A LOT (which now I appreciate getting that out of my system). I'm going to talk about it more in detail in a separate post, but this time in my life I was forced to change my mindset and really evaluate my priorities. I paid all of my credit card and student loan debts in the span of 4 years and in those 4 years of discipline and budgeting, I realized I don't care what people that don't know me personally think of me as long as I know who I am and how much I have in my bank account- dang, is old age making me sassy?

Time heals all wounds / This too shall pass:
We all have our ups and our downs, events in life that make us sad, mad, or challenge us like break ups, set backs, losses, etc. I learned that, sometimes you just have to give things time, to settle in, to grieve and to process. At this point, I know myself so well that when something upsets me I know it's only a momentary feeling and I need to give it time. When times are tough, if I can't control the factors that are upsetting me I maintain my faith in God that things will get better and so far they have!

Don't beat myself up, instead I celebrate myself
I have enough going on that I refuse to beat myself up over anything. I try to learn from my mistakes and keep it moving. I will say, I was scared that it was going to change when I had a baby especially with the mommy guilt. I remember the nurse sitting my husband and I down at the hospital before I was discharged and her giving us a talk about how critical self-care was in the months after having a baby because of hormones, the risk of getting post-partum depression, and how low in iron I was. She advised that I be in tune with myself and my needs because if I'm not ok, I won't be ok for baby which is my priority. So since then I make sure that I am taking care of me, if I mess up (dang that mom brain!) I have to just take a breather and indulge in me time when the baby sleeps.

And those are just some life lessons that stuck out to me to share. I think they have been lessons that have really helped me stay true to myself and my values in this age of social media. Hope you all enjoyed reading, let me know your thoughts!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

All pictures by WhiteTeeBlackDress

What to look for in a Reversible Dress

2019-01-18T11:26:00.000-08:00

With the start of 2019, I have hit the ground running on this year's goals: decluttering (as you an see on my Instastories I have accepted the #declutterlikeamother challenge, decluttering 30 mins a day for 30 days), eating healthier, saving money and being less wasteful, to name a few. Instead of doing my usual one-and-done approach to my goals, I'm trying to develop better habits because I want things to stick this time around! Wish me luck! And of course I will share with you what I learn from each journey, but for today you might be wondering what all of this has to do with a reversible dress?

In my closet purging (yep doing that like everyone else in America right now), I realized that I only want high quality and versatile pieces to take up the highly coveted space in my closet - enter this reversible dress (which is currently 65% off btw) that works TWO ways seamlessly. I previously wore it on the leopard side (here) and now I'm showing you the stripe side!

What I'm Wearing: Lafayette 128 NY Dress (here) | Top Shop Moto Jacket (sold out, but similar here) | Heels | ASOS sunglasses (sold out but similar here)

SHOP MY LOOK

What are a couple of things to look for when purchasing a reversible dress?

First I look at the quality, does it transition to both sides seamlessly? This dress in particular has an exposed zipper, but the top of the zipper goes both ways so it doesn't look like it is meant for one side only. Also the fabric is thick and you would never know there was a whole other print on the other side!

Secondly, are both prints or colors what you typically go for? The reason I say that is because as I was googling reversible dresses, some dresses have a great print or color on one side and another print or color I wouldn't typically wear on the other - so it defeats the purpose since I would prob only wear it on the one side I liked, which brings me to my next point...

Is it versatile? For this dress, it has two amazing and versatile prints on both sides, you can't go wrong with leopard or stripes!

Where to wear this to...

Because of the shape and striped print, I could trade out the moto jacket for a blazer and go to the office, or keep the moto jacket for a drink with friends. Both are classy looks.

Styling Tip...

Since this is a printed dress, in both ways I layered a black blazer or a black moto jacket- both super versatile pieces! (I promise to stop saying versatile after this sentence, I know it's annoying me too, but I can't find a better word to describe it) In both ways you can mix and match the outerwear and the shoes to your liking.

Not to mention, the biggest benefit of all, you get 2 dresses for 1 which is not only good for your wallet but also saving space in your closet! Here are some other reversible dresses I found:

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures by WhiteTeeBlackDress

Chic Warm Coat Ideas

2019-01-08T20:25:00.002-08:00

It's coat-wearing season y'all and funny story our little family and I headed to the desert for a few days where brrrrrr it was freakin' cold! We thought it was a desert thing until we came back into San Diego to find out that it was just as cold here too! And so for today I wanted to not only give you this chic coat outfit idea but also link up some other cute coats for this "brrrr" season.

Where to wear this to...

I wore this outfit to a local blogger event and I almost wore pointed heels, but I was in the comfort > heels mood so I wore these pointed loafers instead. These are so comfortable and chic looking at the same time that I have been wearing them to the office almost every single day. This look as a whole is a chic casual outfit for coffee dates or for outings where you want to be comfortable yet stylish.

Styling Tip...

A red lip or a red accessory (or in this case both) tend to be my go-to styling tip when wearing black and white- I think the look otherwise would look pretty basic. I added in this statement belt, that also elevated the look. This one in particular, has been my go-to since I purchased it, but then again I knew it would be which is why I was ok spending that much on it. It's one of those pieces that I know will stand the test of time.

I like to think of the black top, jeans and loafers as the canvas, and can be paired with any of the following coats:

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

All pictures by WhiteTeeBlackDress

My Blogging Goals for 2019

2019-01-02T23:03:00.001-08:00

WHAT DO I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH AS A "BLOGGER" IN 2019?

I usually know what I want to work on and what I want to aim for when it comes to my blog, but this time I struggled to put this list together. I think it's because this industry is changing rapidly that I don't know where it's headed and where my efforts will be best suited. I'm not going to get all existential in this post, trust me I've been thinking A LOT about social media's role in life in general, but as I think about my long-term future as blogger, I simply don't want to waste my time or energy on platforms that might not be around in X amount of years (a la Myspace, Friendster, Vine, Pose, Periscope, etc). So for 2019 my goals are simple, yet profound because they are rooted in why I do this and how I intend to continue to enjoy it despite all of the changes around me.

WHAT I'M WEARING: Lafayette 148 NY Blazer (sold out, but similar here) | Pink Top | Kendra Scott Necklace and Cuff | Jeans | Kikki K Leather Agenda (sold out, but similar here)

SHOP MY LOOK

1. Blogging with Intent: I realized that a lot of my blogging is not only to connect with many of you, but it's also for me to look back on. Going back to the whole reason I started this blog in 2011, to document my life, my creative endeavors and try to in some way help others, my goal was never to monetize or get recognition, although nice, it is not what fulfills me as a blogger. This year I will aim to write more meaningful posts such as how I got out of credit card debt, how I manage my life as a mom, career woman, blogger, and also blogging tips, all topics that I get asked the most about via emails and DM's. If there is something in particular you are curious about or think I can help in let me know!

2. Know my worth: As a person who has a lot on her plate with things other than blogging, I need to remind myself of the value of my time and the platform I have created. Knowing that, I hope to make better decisions on collaborations, brand campaigns I sign on to and events I choose to attend. I need to politely say no to things that I foresee will take too much out of me or are not valuing me as a creative/blogger. Although I feel extremely fortunate on the opportunities and invitations, I need to be more realistic with my crazy schedule and not bite off more than I can chew.

3. Be Organized & Efficient: This one rolled over from last year and I think some progress was made. This year I really want to be on top of my editorial calendar instead of feeling like I'm drowning in it. I aim to do this by taking time to plan out my months in advance and collaborate with my photographer(s) to get things checked off. I want to streamline the way I do things and find better ways to be efficient so that I can do more in less time.

4. Nurture connections and community: This year I focused a lot on networking which has allowed me to meet so many awesome like-minded individuals. This year I want to continue to nurture those relationships and friendships. On top of that, I want to focus more on connecting and engaging with those who read and support my blog via social media. Just like I want others to value my worth and time, I aim to value others' time, therefore I will do more to give back to my audience whether it be through better posts, better giveaways or better conversation starters.

5. Enjoy it! Believe me when I say, if I don't enjoy it, I won't do it. I've enjoyed doing this (blogging and social media) since 2011 and aim to continue to do it on my own terms. I read SO much about those who are frustrated with the algorithms, instagram in general, the "death" of blogs, the pressures of social media and to be honest, I don't spend too much time worrying about it, because in the end what's important to me and what TRULY makes me happy is completely offline (my son, husband and family). When I think about this journey, I feel like I'm the lil engine that could... I think I can, I think I can, over here, working on what I enjoy the most and what I feel my readers enjoy.

Honestly, I didn't think my goals would get all deep but I hope you enjoyed them or could identify with them!

You might be wondering what my my personal goals are, those are completely different than my blog goals in that I am much more strict and they are measurable. I tackle those goals in what we call a "Hustle List". Every year for the past 11 years, two of my girlfriends a.k.a. #hustlesisters and I write out our annual hustle lists and get together for a corresponding hustle meeting.

At the beginning of the year we get together (or skype) to recap the previous year's list and then read out loud our new list for the year. This allows us to set our intentions, listen to each other, give each other kudos and feedback. Once our hustle lists are set we will check in throughout the year, which allows us to stay accountable and/or reminds us of our goals. For the past 11 years my goals have gone from getting out of debt, paying off student loans, starting a blog, paying for a wedding, etc. It's crazy to see how much my hustle sisters and I have achieved and gone through.

Our hustle lists are broken up into categories and I bullet out how I intend to achieve them (if I don't know how to this is where my #hustlesisters help). This year my categories are: Health & Fitness, Spiritual, Relationship, Finances, Career, Blog, Miscellaneous, and Motherhood. In each category I have outlined a couple of goals, I am not sharing them here because most are very personal and confidential, but I'll be sharing some here and there as you see me work through them this year.

God Willing, I am meeting with my #hustlesisters this weekend and will be able to finalize my Hustle List for 2019, it honestly feels like I can't REALLY start my year without our meeting. I'll show a bit on #instastories so stay tuned!

I also want to mention, that I rely very heavily on planners, I'm trying out digital ones now that I have an iwatch but also have a paper one on-hand because I love decorating it and writing things down. My favorite right now is The Happy Planner- I've had the classic one for the past 3 years with the vertical rows. I'll link some below if you want to give them a try, they're pretty affordable and cute!

SHOP PLANNERS

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

All pictures by Sutography x Create with Gusto

Looking back at 2018

2018-12-31T11:21:00.000-08:00

Because 2017 was a slow year due to my pregnancy, 2018 felt like an action-packed year in all areas of my life: as a mom, as a wife, as a career woman, as a blogger and the list goes on. I started 2018 on maternity leave, adjusting to my new life as a mom. Once I started to feel like myself again and getting out there little things like getting my nails done, brunch with friends, and local blogging events really inspired and motivated me. In think I wanted to prove to myself I could still kick butt even now as a mom.

When I came back to blogging this year, I realized the blogging landscape was totally different and the bar had been raised so high that the way I used to blog or instagram weren't going to cut it anymore. It was because of what I observed that I had to be strategic and efficient because I don't have that much available time in the day anymore to "mess around" like I use to. And with that in mind, after the baby went to sleep I worked on my blog "comeback" so to speak, and since I found it therapeutic I was so motivated! I want to highlight some of the great things that happened this year in my blogging life and want to add in that behind all of these highlights was a lot of late nights and hard work behind it.

SUPPORTIVE BLOGGER FRIENDS AND COLLABORATORS

I've always found a tribe in the blogosphere, but as I came back into what was now called the "influencer" world (maybe later I'll go into why I dislike such buzzwords as influencer and content) I realized it was like the wild west! I started to seek guidance from fellow bloggers and found a core group of girls who were so supportive, generous with their advice and were a great sounding board for ideas. Cheers to all of those blogger ladies who have been so supportive to me in 2018, who I collaborated with- you know who you are!

COOL OPPORTUNITIES

I started the year with a clean slate when it came to working with brands because of being on maternity leave and focusing on our son. As you may or may not know if you're new, I have a full time career so brand work is not my bread and butter, however I will working with brands because I genuinely love them. This year I was blessed enough to host an event at Kendra Scott and Macy's, have a staycation at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, I was introduced to Lafayette 148 NY that is a wonferful and elegant brand and resumed my relationships with JCPenney, Chicwish, cabi, Toyota, Lexus, Olay, Pixi, MAC, to name a few. I truly value their trust in me as a blogger and their continuous support.

NYFW

I won't pour my heart out about what going to NYFW meant to me (because I did so here), but it was a HUGE deal for me. It was one big motha f'n check on the bucket list and I learned SO much about fashion, about NYFW, about other influncers, about myself- and in general the power of supportive family and friends. I attended three days of shows and in case you missed it you can catch the recaps here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.

NOTABLE MISC.

I wasn't sure how to categorize these mini achievements so I am categorizing these as "notable miscellaneous". 1. I was a finalist in Fohr's Freshman class, was in the last top 86 from over 1600 applicants. Even though I didn't get into the top 10 who were flown out to NYC, I was really proud of my application where I talked about the need for diversity in age, race, body size, etc in this industry. I was even more proud and grateful for the testimonials that were submitted by my friends and readers. 2. November 2018's monthly page views were the highest I have every had in my whole time blogging. I don't really know why, but I'll take that spike as note-worthy!

And with that, I conclude my 2018 blogging year highlights, obvi there were a lot of highlights in my personal and career life, but it's been very hard to quantify those, all I know is that the biggest achievement of all has been my life as a mother and watching our son grow.

I will be coming back soon with my 2019 Blogging goals in the next blog post. For now, I wish you an amazing New Year!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Merry Christmas 2018: Family Pics & More

2018-12-25T00:12:00.001-08:00

A typical Christmas for me goes like this: Christmas eve at my husband's mom's house surrounded by his family, Christmas morning at my sister's house with my mom and immediate fam, then in the evening we see our dad for an intimate gathering. It can be madness, but I wouldn't have it any other day! I am very thankful that baby Julian will grow up surrounded by family and his cousins!

I leave you with some pictures we took for our Holiday cards. We have been matching in plaid for every session so I wanted to change it up this time around and get a little creative, so I bought this little green velvet bow tie for the baby so he could match my green velvet blazer and we all wore white shirts.

And we can't forget about Mr. Coco our wonderful lil shih tzu. He's part of the family too and got in on the green velvet fun.

"We have a runner!" This little boy has been keeping us on our toes! It's a workout when he's on the run!

And with that, From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays!

Super last minute gifts

2018-12-22T13:40:00.002-08:00

This one is for all of my super last minute peeps! Here are some gift ideas I posted about on Instagram, however if you have a local JCPenney by you, you can pick "store pick up" if the item is in stock!

White elephant gift exchanges can be the trickiest to buy for because you don’t know who is going to end up with your gift, but thanks to the novelty section at JCPenney I found some funny and functional gift ideas that are cool for both men and women! 🐘🎁🎊

Like this Wine accessory gift set, or this folding chair that doubles as a cooler, or even the plaid picnic blanket that folds up into a bag (and that I couldn’t get Mr. Coco off of because he loved it so much)! Find some fun gifts for your upcoming gift exchanges here!

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS

Holiday shopping on a budget doesn’t mean foregoing luxurious looking gifts, especially when you’re shopping at JCPenney. This elegant necklace from JCPenney’s Fine Jewelry is currently on sale for $25 from $125 and is a great present for a loved one or friend! Plus it comes in the cutest box so it’s one less present to wrap (woo hoo! 🙌🏼) Shop this great deal and more here!

SHOP MY JCPENNEY FINE JEWELRY PICKS

And in case you missed it, see some last minute beauty gift ideas with Sephora inside JCPenney on the blog post here!

Best {Fashionable} Regards,

Paulina

Pictures taken by Tuy of White Tee Black Dress