Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year Eve

I like everything glittery and shiny. I joke sometimes that in my past life I was a magpie. The opportunity was too good to pass on going all shiny and sparkly for the evening! Although I am more of a gold lover, this time I went for silver. The lace top has a subtle pattern of white and pearly silver sequins all over it and the jeans were taking the center stage by their pewter metallic sheen. My flat shoes were comfortable for standing and walking for hours.


 Happy New Year to all!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Ready for festivity

While doing chores and preparing for tomorrow night’s party, I wanted to feel a bit dressed up and festive and to get in the mood for the New Year. I let the shirt’s neon yellow collar, cuffs and hem to peek from under the sweater which added a bit of visual interest to the otherwise neutral outfit.


Sunday, December 29, 2013

Rest and Relaxation

Instead of thinking about 2013 and making resolutions for the New Year, I preferred to spend the evening with a nice book and a cup of hot chocolate. Much more restful!
This cozy sweater has become one of my comfort pieces.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Indolence

After a couple of days full of activities, I took a day off to enjoy being relaxed and lazy and recharge for next week and the preparation for our New Year’s Eve party. Life is tough this year since I am the one playing hostess during the holiday season! I guess I was due some hard work after enjoying the hospitality of friends for so many years!


I will tell you the source of inspiration for this outfit if you promise not to laugh. Promise?  Ok, it was white chocolate cranberry cookies, my all time favorite!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Boxing Day

Starting by brunch, the whole day was spent on sight-seeing, taking our friends to the oldtown and art galleries, a trip to the mall to check on the local shopping scene and in the evening for dinner and a walk in an open mall. I wore something that could withstand temperature changes and long walks!

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

We had friends visiting from California. So starting the day with along leisurely brunch seemed like a great idea.

For the first time in my life I made roasted turkey and a full range of trimmings. I can call myself a full fledged hostess now! After popping the turkey in the oven to roast for 4 hours, we took our friends sight-seeing.
Then back to enjoy a beautifully golden turkey dinner, chocolate and fruit tart and my special hot chocolate! 

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Eve

We went out to run some last minutes errands, did some shopping and then took a break and relaxed in a nice coffee shop with a triple chocolate chunk cookie afterward.
This dress has some gold thread running through it, which gives it a bit of shimmer. I call it understated-festive.

Happy Holidays!

 

Joyeux Noel! 

Merry Christmas! 

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all joy!

Monday, December 23, 2013

Countdown

An exhausting day full of chores and To-Do lists, all in preparation of holidays. I wanted to be comfy, so at first I tried this outfit with my navy suede oxford flats. It looked a bit unfinished, so I chose to suffer for the sake of fashion and switched to high heel boots! Trekking around in these boots for nine hours was an exercise in endurance.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Sunday

I love lazy Sundays, waking up late, eating leisurely meals, spending time doing all those little unnecessary but enjoyable chores you can’t get to during the week. And of course lighting a pumpkin cookie candle and kicking back at night in front of the fireplace, sipping “Night Calm” tea and watching the lights glitter on your tree.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Winter Solstice

We spent the morning and afternoon exploring and had lunch in a tiny diner. Oh the delicious food!


Our friends were wonderful and invited us over for solstice celebration. So much talking and eating and fun. The pomegranates were juicy, the watermelon sweet, and the omens were all good: life will be a picnic in the coming year. Wishing you all a joyous year and a sunny attitude!

Friday, December 20, 2013

Holiday shopping

The only place you can feel the holidays approaching is in the mall. After a big lunch at my favorite seafood restaurant I decided to get in the holiday spirit (and burn some calories) by a trip to the mall. I summarize: Three hours later I headed home, still feeling stuffed this time with shopping bags. The true spirit of holiday is in mindless shopping!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Denim minidress

When I want to get things done, I give myself some timeout in the library and finish all my reading and writing assignments! And yeah, it seems contrary, to do real academic work in a library full of tempting and fun books. Let me tell you a little secret, facing all those rows after rows of fun and engaging books, I become so overwhelmed that I prefer to keep things simple and do scientific work instead!


The only time I wear real minidresses is in winter with knit tights and boots. Another crazy quirk of mine!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Black and white

I’ve become so predictable in my outfits, just a longish top and leggings and boots. It is starting to look a bit scary. Am I bored or AZ is turning me sloppy?


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Weekend roundup:

We spent the whole weekend exploring new neighborhoods in Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale. The weather warmed up nicely to upper 60s which made a lot of people to dress in shorts and tees! Me? I went for my winter light stuff.
Saturday: White jeans and ridding boots have that cool English air of “I rode earlier and now I’m going for a bite with my mates” feel. 

Sunday: The recent lack of color in my outfits was killing me. I had to go for orange, had to!


What I liked this week:

-Metallic pumps, especially these from J.Crew. The heel is pretty high but the shine… ah, the shine!
-Red scarves. I own a few red patterned ones, but a bright solid red is missing from my wardrobe. Something in a fluffy texture or a soft cashmere.
-These “hot chocolate mix in a jar” sets. Great for DIY gifts or just to have a few in the pantry in case of chocolate emergency. 

Friday, December 13, 2013

Neutral overload

Here is another neutral outfit, gray and black. I’m guessing I was in a pretty boring mood this entire week, judging by colors I chose. As most of my winter wardrobe is in neutrals, somethings can’t be helped!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Cold Comfort

This outfit is becoming my comfort outfit (kinda like comfort food!). When it’s cold and I’m unhappy I go for this plush and fluffy vest. The chocolate color also helps! Soft textures of fur, suede and cashmere and comfortable worn out boots, a good book and a cup of hot chocolate, what more can you want on a cold evening?!

Party Essentials

It’s that wonderful time of the year… the party season. The time for all things shiny and sparkly and eye-catching. So either if you are digging into your existing wardrobe for party-wear or going out to shop for new bubbles or waiting for Sales after the holidays to renew your stack of glitter and glam, keep these essentials in mind. They can be used year after year to create new outfits.

       1- Shiny, metallic or embellished shoes in both silver and gold. Better to have each color in flats and heels. I like metallic pumps.
2-    2-Metallic clutches: silver/gunmetal and gold are classic. Pearl and champagne are unexpected and black with embellishment is always handy. Also bronze, copper and jewel tones.
3-       3-Embellished cardigan: basic black with some sparkly beading would do. Better to have gray and cream/beige/brown and one in navy too. They are the au courant versions of wraps and shawls.
4-    4- A long formal coat: a black below the knee version in the highest quality you can afford. Cream and gray are also useful!
5-    5-Statement necklaces: the bigger and shinier the better. These would dress up a simple neckline either on a sweater, a button down, a plain dark dress or simple tee. They are the wonder-makers!

Everything: Anthropologie

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Gray on gray

I thought it’s time to shake things up a bit and put an end to my uniform of: boots + leggings + sweater. So I made the big earth-shattering change to … (drum roll, please)…. shorts! Yeah, that’s all. I’m very set in my ways!


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Lime and olive

Letting a little bit of lime (actually it is more a light neon green) to peek from under the sweater (just the collar and the hem) in this outfit gave it the right amount of zest. It also contrasted beautifully with the somberness of olive.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Sunday Brunch

When are you going to feel settled in your new city?
When you finally find the perfect brunch spot with delicious French toast, crispy bacon and great… Mmmm… yum yum…
I have to go back soon!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Double the trouble

Shopping for last minutes gifts is not easy, especially if you don’t want to end up with some cliché purchases. Unfortunately it is a lesson we don’t learn!


 Holiday dinner party and loads of fun:


Friday, December 6, 2013

Company party

Let’s be honest, they are never fun. I attend because I know how to play the part of dedicated and supportive wife even if the party bores me tears. Problem was this party bored all the employees to tears too!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Purple and gray

A soft dove gray needs a bit of pick me up in the form of a majestic purple. Since it’s me, the super matchy-matchy, I kept piling up on purple!



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Leather leggings

Yes, I finally gave up and bought a pair. Now, help me figure out how to wear them!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Sage and Bordeaux

Two colors I like and can’t usually decide between. So why not wear them together?


Sunday, December 1, 2013

Break them up!

A light blue silk button down to break apart the jeans and stop the outfit from resembling a Canadian tuxedo.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Black Friday

In the afternoon, we went to check out the Sales and came back home with a pair of leggings for me and a sweater for him. It’s official,we can’t shop Sales! 


Thursday, November 28, 2013

Giving Thanks

I am always grateful when friends take the burden of thanksgiving meal and invite me over. However my enthusiasm dims significantly when instead of traditional turkey dinner, they serve other foods. Sounds ungrateful, I know; but I do love roasted turkey and all its trimming!
  

p.s. I have so many things to be thankful for this year, which I have to sit down and do a separate long post on. Later for sure!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Orange you glad…

You are back in AZ?
The answer: not so much!  I was on a nice long vacation and coming back to real life was really hard.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Liberty print

Despite the 100 degree heat, I threw on my Liberty jacket from J.Crew, afraid that I never get a chance to wear it before next spring. I fell in love with this jacket as soon as it was out last winter. I waited a long time for it to go on sale and finally snatched it up in June. But the heat of AZ won’t allow wearing it.  Well, heat or not, I thought it should have its moment of glory. Plus, in my opinion, flimsy tank tops and shorts don’t make an outfit. Adding some polish is always better.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Orange and stripes

Another color to satisfy my fall cravings: orange. I thought adding orange accessories to black and white stripes is a fresher take than adding red. What do you think?


Caution: don’t wear a slim fitting dress to a buffet dinner where you plan to indulge!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Sage and powder pink

Looking for an autumnal color scheme that still could stand the 95 degree heat. Powder pink is going to be one of dominant colors this fall.

My sage skinny cargo pants are a great indication of my healthy weight. After a full year of wearing them with waist band extensions, today they buttoned easily. Success: I’ve gotten rid of my troublesome muffin top!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Patterned and white

I was hoping for the overcast to follow with rain and the mercury dropping. Needless to say, I hoped in vain! By mid afternoon we were back to mid 90s and the sun was shining.
I let the patterned pants take the center stage by wearing a simple white shirt and adding black accessories, taking the colors from the pattern. A white leather bracelet and my zodiac bangle completed the look.


Got complements on the bracelet and pants!

Monday, September 9, 2013

Shades of gray

With the rain coming down in buckets and temperature dropping to 70s, I was happy to wear my jeans, floral jeans at that. Ah, how much I’ve missed wearing jeans! Finished the look with a gray top and a jersey jacket.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Viva la weekend

Friday: pilling up reds to accentuate the red on this dress. Too much red maybe?!


Saturday: didn’t I say the only way to style these short is to wear them with blue or navy tops? Here is another variation.

Sunday: I saw a similar outfit the last time I went shopping with my friend back in OC, in Banana Republic on a mannequin. Well not the sandals but the combination of sunflower yellow and white broken by a cognac belt.  

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Black and Ikat

Apparently my favorite print this spring/summer has been Ikat, as evident from all the Ikat pieces I’m wearing recently. But it all started with these printed pants.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Holy Grail of style: Tank tops

Tank tops are the most unappreciated clothing item in my opinion. They are the base, they are just there. Unless of course it’s the middle of summer, then they become visible. There are many variations on these tops, cami, racer back, spaghetti strap, sleeveless and simple shells. Some are definitely shapeware, holding in and smoothing. Their type and style is definitely a matter of personal choice and style. I have gone through my share of tank top variations, starting with simple undershirt style, to shells, then the spaghetti strap camies and ribbed, always going for slim fitting and body conscious. Recently however, I have become enamor of those cut a bit loose and more A-line. They drape better, hide the muffin top and look better untucked. Rayon and cotton are my material of choice, soft, silky and cool.


I have been snatching them up as I could find them mostly in black and white, although my new purchases and current favorites are fromGap. What’s your favorite style of tank tops?

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Bordeaux and cream

For quick evening walk and dinner, I switched to fall colors. It’s time, isn’t it? The day after Labor Day? A nice burgundy color is everything Fall to me, no matter the temperature is still at 101.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Labor Day

Convinced the hubby to hit the sales in the mall and came back home with two T-shirts, just to have something to show for our efforts. Some days are not for shopping! Layering the thinnest tank top I owned under my flimsy linen jacket, adding a denim hair bow and trying to counter balance the white with navy and blue.


It’s officially time to switch to fall wardrobe, hence the jacket!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Gray peplum and Turquoise blue

A run for groceries in the morning gave me the opportunity to test drive this peplum top. Added hot pink lipstick and pendant as accent.

Yes, when I want to try a new outfit combination, I wear it either to grocery store or to a late night fast food run when not that many people are around.
I fell in love with this turquoise scarf print top in spring. This is another top I used to wear with white jeans back in OC, but here I am going with a skirt in the same color. 

Planning and hosting a dinner party with less than 24 hrs prep time is hard work!

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Orange clash and going all white

When your significant other remembers an urgent appointment 30 minutes before hand, you usually don’t get a chance to pick the best outfit. If it’s not working you just have to go with it.  There is an enormous color clash happening in this outfit since the shorts are more red than orange in real life.

Taking advantage of last days before Memorial Day to get at least one wearing out of my new white shirtdress and paying a couple of visits to friends.