Book Club: Chéri

While looking around for a good book to read this month, my friend asked me the type of book I would want to read. I told her I wanted something deep and moving but at the same time real and not cheesy. She immediately recommended Chéri by Colette and I'm very glad she did - I was unable to put it down until I was done.

No Shopping for 90 Days

I have an announcement: For the next three months, I will not shop for new clothes.

I came to this decision while reflecting on what my blog is becoming versus what I envisioned it to be. I wanted this blog to be a personal style diary, not something super high-fashion like many of my favorite blogs. While other bloggers have the prestige and the money to afford buying new things for every post, I have to really stretch a dollar. I want to focus now on more closet strategy posts and coming up with better rotations. I'm really hoping to get very creative with this and I hope you'll all be patient with me as I go along with my new goal.

Wish me luck!

Follow Your Bliss | Graphic Tee and Vintage Chanel

Hello beautiful people!

As they say, April flowers bring May flowers" but these rainy spring days have really been slowing me down. I dug into my closet and found this happy little shirt. "Follow Your Bliss!" What a great message to brighten up a dreary day.

Pinterest Roundup: Ramen Edition

Upon graduating college, I was so sick and tired of ramen and I swore that I would never have another bowl of ramen for the rest of my life.
And then I found myself in the real world with bills to pay, clothes to buy, and happy hours to network at and these things don't exactly come cheap. Ramen started to look pretty good again.

Chictopia Feature!

Hey guys! Just a quick post to announce I was featured in Chictopia.com!

I'm in the second column, bottom right

A Little Vintage | Knee Socks and High Waist Shorts

Happy Friday everyone!

It's such a weird time of year to dress for - the weather is sunny but it's still nippy outside. Where did spring go?? I mean, it's almost May and I feel like the temperature is just stuck in the 50s and low 60s. BUT I refuse to let a little cold take away my love of spring clothing. Like these high-waisted shorts! I just paired them with knee socks and a cardigan to keep warm while making my position on the weather known :]

How to Wear: Black and White

I love the black and white trend precisely because it's simple yet elegant. However I know that some people find the trend boring and unexpected but I don't think it has to be.

Guess Dress ($420) / Miss Selfridge heels ($74) / The Iconic envelope clutch ($31) / Guess necklace ($35) / Essie nail polish ($21) // Boohoo.com blouse ($32) / Wallis blazer ($70) / AllyFashion shorts ($20) / FashionUnion pumps ($37) / GoJane.com quilted bag ($26) /

Scallops and Bows | Knitted Cardigan and Ankle Boots

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

There's something so cozy about knitted sweaters. This has been my go-to sweater for chilly mornings at the office. Cute and comfortable!

Organizing my Life

Sometimes I think I’m quite anal. My friends always tell me that I am ridiculously crazy about being a perfectionist and organizing every aspect of my life. I don’t think it’s crazy - I just really like being on top of things and I hate being unprepared. There are many advantages to having a well coordinated life.

Here are some ways I stay organized:

Sketchbook | Pencil Skirt and Loose Blouse

Happy Monday!

I want to introduce some artistic creativity back into my life. I was recently inspired to start sketching again by a friend of mine who got her artwork featured at an art gallery. While I'm not exactly a skilled artist, I hope to get better at it with practice. I dressed for the occasion - my the print of my skirt is called, "sketched floral."

Pinterest Roundup: Spring Garden Party

I've been wanting to throw a garden party for a while now. The weather, however isn't letting me. It's been quite crazy over here - last week, we had temperatures in the 90s, but this weekend it's been in the 50s-60s. Where did Spring go??

Still, once the weather permits I really want to invite all my friends to brunch in the garden

Brunch | Polka Dot Dress and Red Accents

If there’s anything you should know about DC it’s this: We love our Happy Hours and we love our weekend brunches. I especially love the latter.

I wore this really cute A-line dress to brunch with the girls today and it got me a lot of compliments from strangers on the metro! That’s a success in my book. It reminds me of Audrey Hepburn from Roman Holiday, but the polka dots make it modern.

Shopping Spree: Makeup Routine

Smashbox Tinted Moisturizer ($32) / NARS Eyeliner ($27) / CoverGirl Mascara ($8)  NARS Orgasm blush ($29) / Revlon balm stain ($9)

New Girl

Like essentially every other woman I know, I love the show New Girl on Fox. Zooey Deschanel's character, Jess Day, is hilariously fabulous and I adore her style. Her outfits have been a great source of inspiration for me lately.

Thanks for reading!

Closet Strategy: Maxi Skirt

I remember when maxi hem length started to come back in style I wasn't sure if it was going to last this time or not. I usually don't jump onto a trend until it's around for a while. Well, I think its safe to say that maxis are here to stay - at least for a while longer! While I love maxi dresses, it's a bit harder for me to pull off without shortening the hem or wearing crazy high-heeled shoes (I'm only 5'3). That's why I invest in maxi skirts instead! You can wear it up higher and no one would notice!

Forever 21 chiffon maxi skirt

Here are a few ways I wear my maxi skirts:

The Truth is in the Eyelet | White Dress and Chambray Blouse

Hello lovelies!

Recently I've been on an Audrey Hepburn movie kick. It started with Breakfast at Tiffany's, but I ended up watching How to Steal a Million, Sabrina, Roman Holiday, and Charade all in one night. That's right, I'm obsessed. Maybe it's the cheesy, yet romantically sweet plot lines, or the beautifully graceful Audrey Hepburn herself, but I am falling more and more in love with Audrey Hepburn's view of the world, as told through her movies. 

Pinterest Roundup: Cameras

Happy Sunday everyone! Did you have a good weekend?

Wish it, Want it, Gotta Have it: Strappy Sandals

Givenchy sandals ($935) / Michael Kors sandal ($150) / Chinese Laundry sandals ($60)

How to Wear: Florals

 Zara shirt ($60) / Lace skirt ($15) / Newlook ballet flats ($15) // A|Wear lace top ($34) / Tilly's floral shorts ($20) / Converse sneakers ($84) // Target peplum top ($23) / House of Fraser jeans ($220) / Nine West sandals, ($99)

We Are Who We Are | Coral Maxi and Teal Tee

Happy Humpday!

The title of this post is from a song by the band Tuppelo Honey. Their style is a kind of beachy-rock that I enjoy on warm lazy days. I drew inspiration from that song and decided to pair a coral maxi skirt with a teal shirt - a color combination that I was pleasantly surprised to see worked surprisingly well! Maybe I should try other unexpected color combinations. I am who I am, after all! :]

STFU and Listen!

Sometimes, I feel like I’m not being heard.

A few days ago, I was having a conversation with a friend that went something like this:

Warm Weather Uniform | Pink Blouse and Beige Skirt

Happy Monday, lovelies!

I feel like I don't have a lot of posts on my work attire so here it is - my warm weather work uniform! I feel like when the temperature rises, you can get away with wearing brighter colors to the office. Obviously, it's important not to go overboard, but I think a light pink blouse paired with an olive skirt is perfect for any workplace.

Strolling Through the Garden

Hello beautifuls!

I was reunited by my favorite photographer at the Botanical Gardens in DC this past weekend! It was a bit chilly outside but it was warm inside the greenhouse - a great day to pull out my favorite trench coat.

Shopping Spree: Book Edition

The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene ($17) / Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn ($14) / The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien ($8) / World War Z An Oral History of the Zombie War ($13)

Inspired by: Las Meninas

Little Mistress dress ($45) / Yves Saint Laurent shoes ($560) / Delfina Delettrez pendant ($790) / bhs headband ($13)

Closet Strategy: Denim Jacket

A denim jacket is a wardrobe basic that should be in every woman's closet. The thing about jean jackets though is that they go in and out of style every few seasons! I think if you find one denim jacket you love, you should keep it, even when it goes out of style, because chances are, they'll be trendy again in no time. Anyways, here is the jacket I'll be styling today:

H&M Divided line Denim Jacket

So let's get started!

Movie Night: Flowers of War

I remember the first time my great-grandmother told me about her sister who was taken by Japanese soldiers during their occupation of Korea in the early 1900s. She was kidnapped by some rogue soldiers who proceeded to force her into becoming a "comfort girl." My grand-grandmother recalled with tears in her eyes that sometimes 15 men would line up in front of a tent, waiting for their turn at the comfort girl, one after another.

I never truly could comprehend the atrocities of war because I never saw it happen. Until I saw Flowers of War, that is.

Transitions | Chambray Top Cut Out Sandals

Happy April Fools, everyone! Did you enjoy my earlier post? :]

This time of year is so tricky to dress for - The weather isn't warm enough for shorts and such but it's still technically spring. The transition weather is difficult.

Paw Print | Pajamas

I have an announcement: I'm going to wear this outfit for the rest of my life:

I think it's so chic and super comfortable and I will never take this off.