Pitch Black

This weekend, I went to the La Brea Tar Pits and the Page Museum.

Hancock Park is the home of the LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits which provides an interesting juxtaposition between the historical and the contemporary. At the museum, I got to check out the fossils that were fished out of the pits. It’s quite amazing to see the size and scope of these prehistoric animals.

After a tour around the Page Museum, S. and I wandered about the park. The LACMA sculpture garden caught me by surprise, but I loved its simplicity.

As for my outfit, it’s a small departure from what I usually wear.

My mom bought this top for herself, but later she thought it looked better on me. I wasn’t a fan of it at first, but it grew on me. I tend to stay away from all-black outfits because I think they’re depressing, but not this one!

Outfit Details: Esprit top – XS, Banana Republic Martin shorts -00P, Free People watch pendant, Forever 21 handbag, Muzina sandals

It’s All Military to Me

I don’t always wear outfits with pops of color, I can tone it down sometimes.

This military inspired jacket from Zara is a bit of a departure since I’m not so fond of the puffy strong shoulders look. I contemplated sewing it down but it loses a part of what makes this jacket special.

I’ve always loved military inspired clothing, especially the epaulettes, not sure why.

This jacket takes me back to the colonial days, there’s just something 1700/1800 about it that peaks my interest. I’m a bit of a history nerd, but I channel it through fashion…so that’s still cool right?

Outfit Details: Zara jacket – XS, Hollister tank – S, GapKids super skinny jeans – 12R, Forever 21 necklace, Aldo pumps

Pretty Little Preppy

I’m trying to go without belts, but it’s so difficult!

Maybe I’ll just wear more non-belted outfits but today…belted.

One of my guilty pleasures when it comes to TV shows is Pretty Little Liars. The storyline reminds me of Desperate Housewives but younger. Plus, Aria and Spencer are great style inspirations…a little boho and a little preppy…right up my alley.

So I pulled out this button-down shirt that I never wear and tried to make it look like something I’d actually wear.

I’ve always had trouble with button-down shirts. In petite sizes, the length is usually too short to be tucked into pants. But in regular sizes, it’s too loose to be fitted. Even when I had a shirt tailored to fit me, I couldn’t think of how to wear it.

After a couple of horrible combinations, I pulled out this little number.

Outfit Details: Banana Republic Factory Store shirt – XS, Forever 21 skirt – XS, random skirt, vintage pearl necklace, Payless pumps

What do you think?

What are you favorite ways to style a button-down shirt?

The Winding Road

I always enjoy getting away from the city.

Even if it’s just a scenic drive through the Angeles National Forest, I love sightseeing. The worries of so many yesterdays melt away as I absorb the beauty of my surroundings.

Life is full of twists and turns and the path to achieving your dreams isn’t always straight. Sometimes, you have to take the longer way, a way that seems to veer away from your intended goal. But having a great set of friends makes things so much better.

As for the changing seasons, I’m starting to feel it. The sun goes down earlier, the wind chill is picking up, and people are pulling out sweaters, scarves, and boots.

LA seasons aren’t as dynamic as other places, but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy cold weather gear. I can’t wait to bust out the heavier coats and jackets as I fully intend to take advantage of the crisp autumn air.

Right now, I’m obsessed with biker boots.

I got a cheap pair from Forever 21 and I’ve been trying to wear them as much as possible. Some may say it hits at an awkward length and it can make you look shorter, but I don’t care. To me, it’s awesome.

Outfit Details: Express pullover sweater- XS, Madewell jeans – 24, Free People watch pendant, random scarf, Forever 21 boots

Lettin’ Loose

I’m a belter.

When it comes to outfits, it usually involves a belt of some kind. It’s trendy and it’s what everyone is doing, right?

Well, my boyfriend gets tired of this look and he thinks it’s boring and stodgy. Loose blouses should be allowed to billow in the wind, he says. They’re meant to flow, not to be tied down by a belt.

I agree, but a belt makes the outfit look better. It separates the body segments and balances your proportions. Without a belt, you could look shapeless or worse…fat! Not that it’s a bad thing, but who wants to intentionally look bigger than they actually are?

So, I’ve been trying to go belt-less.

Call it a mini-challenge, but I do want to mix up the type of outfits I create since I tend to fall back on the belted look.

Outfit Details: Stella McCartney for GapKids cardigan – M, Martin + Osa tank – 0, Rock & Republic Kiedis jeans – 24, Ross flats

How about you?

Do you belt it up or keep it easy breezy?

Peplum Blazer Revisited

The Urban Outfitters peplum jacket has gotten a lot of press lately from the petite blogging community lately.

Check out their posts: Alterations Needed, ChloeConspiracy, Extra Petite, From Head To Toe , Petite Little Girl , PetiteXXS, Vicky’s Daily Fashion Blog.

Everyone styled the blazer to match their personalities and I enjoyed looking at all the different outfits.

Whenever I come across a clothing item, I try to think of three outfits before purchasing it to make it worth my money. Aside from the casual look, I wanted to glam it up for the office.

Taking some cues from the latest Fall’s trends, I created a look that’s fun but work-appropriate. Recalling the 50’s full skirt look, I pulled out this ochre colored skirt from J.Crew. The peplum blazer and skirt exaggerates the “smallness” of the waist creating a nice hourglass shape. In the photos, I love the side silhouette best!

This is my second outfit with this blazer.

Outfit Details: Urban Outfitters knit peplum jacket – XS, Topshop lace peplum tunic – 0P, J.Crew skirt – 00, Urban Outfitters belt, Express  braided headband, random amber necklace, Aldo pumps

Lounging Around

This week seems to fly by faster, but that’s probably due to the holiday.

Whenever I go home, it’s like I get transplanted to place where time moves slower. Things feel simpler and there are less worries. Perhaps it’s the fresher air, the diminished traffic, or the Bay Area fog that relaxes me. I always thought of myself as a city girl…I like the urban landscape and the fast pace of it all. But when I’m home, I’m just a suburbanite that enjoys the quiet stillness of the night.

I lounge. I don’t like getting dressed up to go out because the best part is the getting ready part. The clubs, the bars, and the most of the nightlife scene is just too glitzy for me. Instead, I’d rather watch old movies with a couple of friends or have kickbacks that don’t require a dress code.

Since most of my friends are guys, I get sucked into whatever they do…except I don’t play video games very well.

Outfit Details: Forever 21 tee – M, Lucy capris – XXS