THE WEEKEND DIARY

EVENTFUL DAY IN THE CITY

2013-05-24T00:00:00.001-07:00

Jacket: Forever 21 | Shirt: GAP | Skirt: ASOS | Shoes: Zara | Bag: Tory Burch

This past weekend was pretty eventful for me. A friend from college came down to visit and we went to check out the Rebecca Minkoff sample sale event in San Francisco together. It was definitely an experience; you need a game plan when attending one of these (divide & conquer)! Then we spent the rest of Saturday in the city just doing the economy a little favor (by shopping) and grabbing dinner with another friend at Osha Thai, one of my favorite places in the city.

I also had the opportunity to stop by the Song of Style meet & greet event at Macy's which was also a highlight of my day. I've been following Aimee's blog for several years now and I really admire her bold style, mixing and matching different colors, textures, and prints. I was also surprised that she instantly recognized me from childhood (we went to the same school in South Korea) and was really flattered. She was so easy to talk to and nice, I can see how her incredible personality contributes to her success!

2CHAINZ & JEWEL-TONE HUES

2013-05-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Shirt: Madewell | Leggings: UNIQLO | Shoes: Zara | Bag: Tory Burch | Accessories: 2 chain-link necklace via PoshMark, J. Crew Factory colorful fan necklace

I received both of these necklaces in the mail today so I decided to try them on with no intention of wearing them together. If you've been following my blog for a while now, you'll know that I am not too great at accessorizing! I've always loved the look of stacked wrists and bling parties on the necks but haven't figured out a way to style in for myself. All the sparkle and shine just seemed like I was dressing up the outfit too much.

But truth be told, I have fallen in love with this necklace combination! The fit perfectly together and the simple outfit makes it ok for me to go a little crazy with the accessories.

What kind of bold challenges have you taken on lately?

PLUM & EMBELLISHMENTS

2013-05-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Top: Matty M via Nordstrom | Blazer: c/o Red Stripes Boutique | Jeans: GAP (on sale!) | Shoes: Alice + Olivia | Bag: Zara (similar here)

One of the reasons why I love this early Summer weather here in the Bay Area is because of the cool evenings. Around 7pm is when the sun starts to set and you can feel the cool breeze catching on. A nice, airy halter like this is perfect to wear under a lightweight blazer! I love the narrow strip of embellishments on this top, I think it adds an interesting touch to this look and saves you the trouble of having to find the right necklace to wear (since I'm not much of a jewelry person).

Also, I've been wanting to style this blazer for some time now because I was thrilled when it was given to me by Stephanie from Red Stripes Boutique. I had an awesome opportunity to work with Stephanie to help promote her Spring collection for her online boutique, go check it out :)

DENIM VEST & SUN DRESS

2013-05-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Dress: Zara | Vest: Forever 21 (similar here) | Bag: Botkier | Shoes: Banana Republic | Sunnies: Michael Kors

Through this outfit, I have developed a new found appreciation for vests.

Honestly, I never understood the point of wearing a vest because it doesn't have sleeves to keep you warm but the sturdy denim material of this particular one doesn't really help to keep you cool either... But I decided to throw on a denim vest for this look because I couldn't find a nice belt to avoid looking like I'm pregnant and I loved the way it made the outfit look! The cropped style of this vest really helps to define my waist in this flow-y dress and adds a bit of edge to a girly look.

EARLY SUMMER BREEZE

2013-05-16T00:30:00.000-07:00

Shirt: Express | Skirt: Forever 21 | Shoes: Zara | Accessories: Marc by Marc Jacobs watch, Pandora bracelet

I love driving up to San Francisco because of its beautiful scenery and the cool, breezy weather pretty much all year round! I'm not much of a Summer fan because I hate sweating but I can definitely appreciate this time of the year when I can sport a lot of cute cut-off shorts and fluttering sun dresses.

Before an interview last week, I stopped by my friend Ana's work place off of Embarcadero to catch up and have lunch by the bay. I picked out this outfit for the interview because I wanted to wear something business-casual without looking generic. I figured this skirt with a fun print could reflect a touch of my personality ;)

And because all of the items I'm wearing in this post are either old or no longer sold in stores, I put together this little gadget filled with similar items to help you recreate this look!

Thanks Ana for the photos :)

SO LONG, CHAMBRAY!

2013-05-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Top: Walmart | Pants: Paige Denim (simliar here and here) | Shoes: Sam Edelman

Do you have one of those items in your closet that you know it's time to say goodbye, but you just can't let go? Well, that's how I feel about this shirt. I bought it years ago at Walmart because I loved how soft the chambray shirt felt. However, I don't think I got my bang for my buck because a button fell off a few days after I bought it. The missing button was forever lost but I decided to keep the shirt since I could easily hide it. Now that another button has fallen out, I'm seriously considering on replacing this beloved top.

My favorite things in my closet are often things I bought on a whim, without really knowing how much I could fall in love with it.

GRADUATION STYLE

2013-05-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Dress: Express | Shoes: Alice+Olivia | Bag: Balenciaga (similar here and here)

My alma mater, University of the Pacific, held it's 2013 Commencement ceremony last Saturday and I had the opportunity to stop by the beautiful campus and catch up with friends I haven't seen in a while. It has only been a year since we parted our ways from this college but seeing them again made me feel like we never left. It was so interesting to hear about their lives after college and share tips and advice for the real world. I am so grateful to have had an amazing time of learning, fun, and unforgettable memories in the last four years of school.

I actually wore this dress for my graduation and I am glad it still fits me the way I'd like! It's still hard to believe that the year flew by so quick, but I feel good in knowing that I'll have some of the amazing people in my life to celebrate together in the future.

And happy birthday to my not-so-little brother Randy, he is turning 20 today!

P.S. Do you recognize my friend Jess? And congratulations Demon <3 , if you're reading this ;)

HIGH COLLARED DETAILS

2013-05-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

Top: J. Crew | Pants: BDG via Urban Outfitters | Shoes: ShoeMint | Bag: Balenciaga (simliar here) | Accessories: Marc by Marc Jacobs watch, Pandora bracelet, Swarovski earrings

This past weekend, my mom and I took a quick trip to San Francisco to go hunting for an apartment. I'm not entirely sure if the move is going to happen any time soon, but it was just nice to look at some options. Lately I've been stressing over the next step of my life; I've decided to pursue a career in the complete opposite side of the spectrum from my degree, so my main goal right now is to build experience.

The journey since graduation has been stressful but rewarding as well. I've come to accept that one of the most important things about finding your path is that you must love what you do and do what you love!

And first things first, I wanted to share this article I found online about finding happiness and inner peace. I agree with a lot of the items on this list simply because over time, I've realized that holding on to the things you can't change made me focus on the negatives.

SUMMER FAVORITES PT.1

2013-05-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

When I think of summer, lots of bright colors and florals come to my mind. This summer, I'm craving a lot of pretty petals (as you can tell) and colorful shoes. For me, one of the biggest fashion challenge is figuring out what to wear in the summer time. Personally, I love putting on layers of clothes and boots but as the weather is getting crazy warm, I'll be shedding out of those layers and slipping into some strappy sandals!

1. J. Crew Factory - Polka Dot Shorts

2. J. Crew - Crystal-Encrusted Collar Necklace

3. Tory Burch - Robinson Small Dome Satchel

4. J. Crew - Mari Piped Suede Sandal

5. Nicholas - Jocelyn Embossed Suede Sandal

6. Madewell - Striped Mini

7. Parker - Cassia Dress

8. Porter Grey - Wrap Overlay Dress

9. Madewell - Silk Cami

10. Juicy Couture - Tropical Jacket & Shorts

CHERRY BLOSSOM

2013-05-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jacket: Forever 21 | Shirt: Zara | Shorts: AE | Pumps: Alice + Olivia | Bag: Louis Vuitton

In an attempt to stray away from my usual basic, solid colored picks, I decided to pair this outfit with this fun and floral printed pumps. I love the multicolored cherry blossom pattern which makes it easy to style with multiple color schemes.

I am really thankful for the sun being up much later than usual now that it's almost summer, I have more time to find someone to help me photograph my outfits! One of the toughest things about keeping up with this blog is finding someone to help me take my outfit photos. Hopefully, my brother who's on his summer vacation now, will have more time to help me with this endeavor :)

PLAYING WITH PRIMARY COLORS

2013-05-03T00:30:00.000-07:00

Shirt: GAP | Pants: Forever 21 (similar here) | Pumps: Zara | Bag: Zara (similar here) | Accessories: Versace sunglasses, Oia Jules necklace

One of the reasons why I decided to start a personal style blog was to see how creative I could be with the pieces already in my closet and how I can learn to be brave with my style. A good chunk of things I have in my closet are solid colored, basic pieces which can all be easily mixed and matched. I love pairing simple things like this white t-shirt with bold colored pants and some fun shoes!

This has been my go-to look lately, but I want to incorporate more skirts and printed pants into my wardrobe in the future!

LAZY WEEKEND

2013-04-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

Sweatshirt: Forever 21 | Shorts: Forever 21 (similar here) | Shoes: ShoeMint | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

I am finally back from my blogging hiatus!

I can't believe it's already been a month since the last outfit post, I just really needed to take a break to prioritize the things I need to focus on. As I've mentioned before, I love sharing my outfits and recipes through this blog but I wanted to make sure that other aspects of my life (i.e. my career, education, social life, etc.) were up to par as well.

I've been leaving the blog on the back burner for a while but I never had any intention to stop so thank you for sticking it through with me and continuing to check up on me :)

This is a pretty simple look for the day, I've been really trying to minimize my make-up routine (for the sake of my skin) and just because I wanted to take the extra time to get more sleep. I really think a pair of nice, casual wedges like these can quickly dress up a laid-back look!

What do you think?

And please be sure to check out your girl on Red Stripes Boutique's blogger of the month!!

DAY TIME SPARKLE

2013-03-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Blazer: Forever 21 | Shirt: Neiman Marcus x Target | Pants: American Eagle | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Shoes: ShoeMint

Happy Friday!

This week has been so crazy for me I barely had enough time to sleep for the last few days but I am so ready for my weekend to start (even though I'll be running more errands)!

This is what I wore to a dinner date with my new friend Lucy from the Daily Disguise this past Monday. I'm really glad I reached out to a few bloggers around the Bay Area a few months ago because the girls I met were all really down to Earth and nice! Sometimes I feel like it's a bit intimidating to approach other style bloggers because I wonder if they'll be snobby about their success but I loved that they were all genuinely fun girls.

So feel free to check out Kate from The Fancy Pants Report and Nancy from Adore to Adorn as well :)

(photos by: Lucy Z.)

SKY BLUE

2013-03-19T23:01:00.000-07:00

Holy, moly! Can you believe that I scored this beautiful, new Botkier Valentina shoulder bag for 50% off? I was blown away by the opportunity when I received an email a few weeks ago about their flash sale because I've been eyeing this bag for some time now. I decided to the bag in the color Sky because it's something different from most of the bags I have (many are neutral colored).

Normally, I would have gotten a warm shade maybe something like coral but I thought I should step out of my comfort zone for once and try something else. And I am so glad I did because this pastel hue will be perfect for Spring and many more months to come :)

GRID PRINT RERUN

2013-03-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Jacket: Forever 21 (similar here) | Shirt: Forever 21 | Pants: Forever 21 | Shoes: ShoeMint | Bag: Alexander Wang

Oh my goodness, my exposure in the photographs are all over the place! I couldn't decide which effect I liked more (since they were all taken in front of different things) so I just decided to throw it all in the same post :)

I like the look and the fit of this grid-print blouse a lot more than I thought I would, I've been grabbing for it a lot lately. As of lately, my go-to style for the office has been a statement blouse tucked into some pair of pants or a skirt. I think it's the easiest way to jazz up a work appropriate look but staying comfortable at the same time.

FEELING BRIGHT & DANDY

2013-03-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Jacket: Forever 21 | Tank: Forever 21 | Jeans: GAP | Shoes: Zara | Accessories: Oia Jules necklace, La Mer wrap watch

As Spring is quickly approaching, I've been seeing a lot of colorful outfits around lately. I'm definitely ready for a shift in my wardrobe from warm Winter layers to breezy sun dresses! I feel like wearing a lot of fun and bright colors make me feel a bit happier on a day to day basis.

As I've mentioned before, this Oia Jules agate necklace has quickly become one of my favorite accessories. If you haven't noticed already, I'm not the one to usually wear a lot of jewelry but I love the simple yet bold design of this necklace! I can see myself wearing this necklace with a lot of things especially in the Summer because of it's cool, blue color.

SPICY BARBECUE MEATLOAF

2013-03-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

Grass Fed Ground Beef | 1.5 lbs

Red Bell Pepper | 1/2 of one

Onion | one small size

Eggs | two

Serrano Peppers | three

Barbecue sauce | 1/3 cup

Minced Garlic, Salt, Peppers | as desired

Pre-heat the oven to 375°F on BAKE

I baked the meatloaf for about 45 minutes WITH a foil wrapped on top and 10 or so minutes with it off near the end.

Yay, happy Friday!

Back in college, I used to cook a lot because I had people to enjoy my creations.. But now that I've graduated and situated myself back at home, I'm too lazy to prepare meals on my own. However, all these months of eating out has finally taken a toll on me! So I decided to set aside a little more of my free time to cook and prepare meals for the week.

After my CrossFit class today, I thought of what I can do with some ingredients around the house for an easy meal and decided to make this meatloaf. I actually had a lot of fun cooking on my day off and taking breaks in between steps for these photos didn't seem like a hassle at all. I love that I can combine the two things I love, cooking and photography, all in one through these food posts! While I was preparing this dish, I realized that I really like the fact that I know EXACTLY what goes in my food.

I hope you enjoyed this post (a nice break from just outfits, no?) and have fun recreating this healthy and delicious dish :)

SPARKLING GRID LINES

2013-03-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Blouse: Forever 21 | Pants: GAP | Shoes: Zara (similar here) | Accessories: Forever 21 hat, La Mer watch, DVN CTZNS bracelet, J. Crew necklace

Now that we get more sunlight during the day, I'm excited about having more time to take outfit photos after work when my friends are free. The toughest part of blogging for me is finding someone (with a decent knack for photography) to help me document my outfits.. I thought about investing in a tripod and remote for my camera, but it seems like such a hassle to lug a tripod around in public! So I've been bugging my friend Monica most of the time when my brother or boyfriend isn't around.

Honestly, blogging is my biggest hobby (besides cleaning my room, since I seem to be doing it all the time!) and I really wish I had a personal photographer, haha. I've had my Canon 40D since high school but it wasn't until the end of my college years that I really started getting into using it more often. I took amazing photos (as compared to a point-and-shoot) for my yearbook class with my Canon, but that was just about it... I really want to take a photography class or arrange a photo-shoot date with a couple of friends interested in photography to practice shooting manual!

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

2013-03-12T00:02:00.000-07:00

When I first saw these gorgeous pair of wedge heels on ShoeMint, I was instantly in love with the criss-cross detail. However, I hesitated before buying them for a long time because I had a similar pair in black (see this post) and thought I should just save for a different pair. I guess luck was on my side because while I was browsing through ShoeMint's sale section, I found these on sale! I chose this nude color because I've been meaning to add more lighter colored shoes in my collection.

I tend to stick to simple pieces when I go shopping because I tell myself that they'll pretty much go with anything in my closet. But now, I want to be more adventurous and go for bolder looks to make my outfits a little more interesting. I guess these pair of Gina heels from ShoeMint is a good start, I can't wait to sport them more often when the weather gets warmer! They're so comfortable despite the 4-inch heel because they're wedges and if you know me, you already know I am a sucker for suede!

Guest Post Mondays | Joyful Outfits

2013-03-11T00:30:00.000-07:00

Shorts: Forever 21 | Top: Forever 21 | Hat: Forever 21 | Shoes: GoJane

Happy Monday, are you all ready for another week?

Today I wanted to share Joyce's blog, Joyful Outfits with everyone. Her name is a perfect match for the joyful aura she has in every photo! I love her style-blend of casual chic and trendy hipster looks, doesn't she look so cute in that hat?

I've asked her to share how she plans her outfits in the morning:

Hello readers! I'm Joyce from Joyful Outfits :)

I decide what I wear everyday based on how late I am for school.

So if I know I will be late for school, i'll wear my sneaker wedges so that

I can run to class. One time I made the mistake of wearing really high heels when

I was late and I attempted to run to class with a heavy backpack on and it was

a huge failure.

But anyway, now I know :) Thanks for letting me guest post!

A Floral Frenzy

2013-03-08T00:30:00.000-08:00

Jacket: Express (similar here) | Dress: Prabal Gurung x Target | Shoes: Steve Madden | Bag: Louis Vuitton

Happy Friday!

I was so in love with this floral gradient design from the Prabal Gurung x Target collection I had to pick up this dress as well as the blazer. I love all the bright colors of this print and the fact that this dress has pockets! I tried to tone down the bold look of this dress with a black leather jacket to help keep the balance.

As Spring is approaching right around the corner, I am anticipating the warmer weather to whip out my shorts and sun-dresses.

What kind of pieces are you excited to sport this Spring/Summer?

Leather & Chambray - A Match Made in Heaven

2013-03-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Shirt: Walmart (similar here) | Jacket: GAP | Pants: H&M | Shoes: Forever 21 (similar here) | Bag: Balenciaga (in blush or light gray )

Happy hump day everyone!

It feels like I haven't posted an outfit look in SO LONG, I apologize for my mini-hiatus. My family moved to a new house last Thursday so I've been pretty swamped cleaning and unpacking as well as my internship and night classes as usual. It's pretty tough pursuing a new direction but I love the things I'm learning and I'm also really excited to move forward!

Anyways, I've been meaning to do a post containing a collection of key pieces in my closet but haven't had the time to put it together yet.. However, this chambray top from Walmart and the faux-leather pants from H&M have been among my favorite go-to items lately. I think this combination is so chic and easy to throw on, don't let the leather look intimidate you! It'll probably be on my list of key pieces in the future ;)

Guest Post Mondays | Coast With Me

2013-03-04T00:30:00.000-08:00

Jacket: Bebe | Top: Aqua via Bloomingdale's | Skirt: J.Crew | Heels: Zara

Happy Monday everyone!

This week, I'd like to introduce Rita from Coast With Me.

Every time I see her post an outfit on her blog, I tell myself "wow, I can totally see myself wearing something like that too!" I love her style because I can relate to it and often times, it's work-friendly as well. Along with fashionable advice, you can also find a load of yummy recipes to satisfy your sweet-tooth cravings on he blog!

I've asked her to share a little bit about how she chooses her outfit in the morning:

Hi Friends, Followers, and Fans of Weekend Diary :)!

Sarah was nice enough to let me guest post on her blog and I am honored to be here!

She asked me how I decide on an outfit each day and I'm more than happy to answer that question!

As most of you know, coming up with "blog worthy" content and outfits is challenging, but often gets our creative juices flowing:). Do I feel the pressure to put together the perfect outfit? Sure. But really, perfection is an unrealistic goal. As long as the outfit feels true to you and your style, that's all that matters!

As for how I decide on my outfits, I definitely like to plan in advance, but sometimes life gets in the way....and we're left scrambling at the last minute! Having said that, I feel that some of the best outfits come together when we don't have much time and/or don't put much thought into it!

Do you agree with me?

Also, I like to go to pinterest and our fellow bloggers for inspiration :)!

Anyways, it's been a pleasure meeting you all (via blog)!

Thanks again to the fabulous and stylish Sarah for giving me the opportunity to guest post :)!

My Prabal Gurung x Target Picks

2013-02-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

Blazer: Prabal Gurung x Target | Shirt: Zara | Jeans: GAP | Shoes: Prabal Gurung x Target | Bag: Louis Vuitton

When I first saw the photos from the Prabal Gurung x Target collection months ago on Elle, I was super excited to actually see the colorful floral prints in real life. The promotional photos made the colors look so vibrant I had to see if it was true! After the disappointing launch of the Neiman Marcus x Target collection, I was pretty surprised how they turned it around with this one.

I am in love with the look and fit of this blazer as well as these heels! Too bad I couldn't get them in the original color I wanted (black or red) because they were sold only online... But I am still glad I was able to pick this Sulfur colored ones in store :)

Guest Blogger Monday | Shanelé

2013-02-25T00:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

This week, I am so happy to introduce Sheena from Shanelé! When I first came across her blog, I was instantly in love with her feminine and bold style. I admire her darings choices of statement pieces in every outfit whether it's a full tulle skirt, furry vest, or colorful items, she knows how to make it work!

Here's a little blurb from Sheena:

Hello Weekend Diary Readers! I'm so happy to be joining you as a guest blogger today. My name is Sheena and I write the blog Shanelé, a personal style and lifestyle blog documenting my life and what inspires it in New York City.

When Sarah asked me to share a little bit about how I decide on an outfit, I had to think a bit because each day can be so different in a city like New York. One of my biggest style icons, however, is J. Crew Chief Creative Officer Jenna Lyons and her unparalleled 'hi-low' style. I strive to do just that like in the outfit photographed above. Whether it's a girly tulle skirt with a sweatshirt, sequins and chambray or a simple tee and a sparkly necklace, I love unexpected mixes of textures, patterns, materials and colors.

Feel free to stop by Shanelé for more and thanks, Sarah, for having me!