The Handbag Memoirs

Looking for inspiration part II:

2012-02-11T23:05:00.001-08:00

I went idea shopping! Diya from “In Her Stilettos” has an amazing sense of color and style and I took a dive in her archive and came up with these ideas:

Looking for inspiration:

2012-02-11T22:22:00.001-08:00

Tell me, what is the modern (2012) way of wearing this lovely?

My ideas include: the obvious black jeans, white jeans, light blue jeans, a denim pencil skirt, a white skirt,… ok, you get the idea, right? I seem to be unable to match this blouse with any other color. Ooh, maybe red? Then do I have a red pair of jeans? Not again!

I need serious help here!

Bag of the Week:

2012-02-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

This Barrel satchel from Dooney & Bourke’s Plaid and Patchwork collection is one of my all times favorites.

It measures as L 11” × W 6.5" × H 7.5", shoulder drop 10”.

I’ve had it for six or seven years and I am still in love with it. For the first couple of years, this baby was my main handbag. But these days, I don’t carry it much, only when I want to feel secure and lucky. This bag is my good luck charm and I don’t want it damaged!

This collection was limited edition with a mix of patchwork plaids and a few ladybugs and brand’s full name in loopy script printed all over. There are other plaid collections from Dooney & Bourke which look more conservative and mature. However they don’t have ladybugs on them and as you all know, I love ladybugs!

Discovered: Clinique’s chubby stick

2012-02-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm

I have been wanting one of these since they came out a year or two ago. They look absolutely delicious in the picture and ads, don’t they? But when I first went to buy one, my favorite color was not available and the rest looked a little pale for my complexion. So I gave up on them. Until this week, when shopping I found the color I liked: “05 chunky cherry” and of course, the rest is history. I’ve been wearing this lip balm/color everyday of the week. Its reddish pink goes well with my complexion and its staying power is much better than other lip balms I’ve tried.

All in all, it adds up to one new obsession!

Art of the week:

2012-02-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

“Water Lilies”, oil on linen, by Claude Monet, 1916

What I loved this..

2012-02-05T13:35:00.001-08:00

..~~week~~ weekend:

After a long week full of fiascos and catastrophes (buying wrong acid for the lab and had to dilute it three times to get the right Molarity, the strap of my brand new handbag snapping and breaking, a student being a jerk, a main computer getting virus, a few argument and acts of revenge in the research lab, an upset advisor, a whole load of homeworks to grade, have to attend a late night 4 full hours training until 10 pm one night, running a class from 7-8pm the next night, a career opportunity going belly up due to careless bureaucracy, and a few other bad things happening), I took this weekend to enjoy life and forget about real life (school, work, research, etcetera). No cell phone, no internet, no TV, no email at least for the first day!

So I loved my weekend which is full of:

- sunshine,

-Cats,

-naps, cat naps,

-gorging on chocolate,

-donuts,

-white daisies,

-going through fashion and art magazines,

-lots of virtual - catalogue and online- window-shopping (yeah, no shopping!)

Bag of the week:

2012-02-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

Today’s bag is a tote from Coach and my one and only Coach bag. It is a “Coach Ergo Leather Large Tote” and measures 13 1/2"L x 5"W x 12"H; 9" drop handle. The color is a gorgeous chocolate brown in person and the bag fits everything and the kitchen sink! I purchase it 6 years ago and it still looks like new despite a couple of plane rides! For me, aside from the great leather and its delicious color, the major selling point of this bag was its being logo free! I don’t like logos in general and Coach logo (being everywhere, on the arm of everyone, so gauche!) in particular.

This tote is pretty much the only Coach bag I ever bought or am going to buy. Well, maybe one of their vintage Saddle or messenger bags, beautifully aged, beautifully crafted! But definitely none of these huge C stamped canvas you see everywhere!

So close to losing it!

2012-02-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you are stressed, over worked and heartbroken. Sometimes, not only your efforts are not appreciated or praised but also whatever little achievement you have earned is taken away from you. Sometimes even your little happiness is stolen from you. Sometimes you are ready to have a nervous breakdown and forget about life, work and all your responsibilities.

You know what? Right now, I am one tiny step away from checking myself into a psychiatric ward, somewhere with a nice padded cell where I can stare at the window for the rest of my life in peace.

Discovered: Stila cosmetics

2012-02-01T15:52:00.000-08:00

When I first started to wear makeup, mom said two things. First: You don’t need make up! Second: OK, if you must, always buy the best!

So I’ve been keeping an eye on the new products in hopes of finding better quality. For years I’ve been devoted to Estee Lauder and Clinique for both cosmetics and skin care. My top drugstore brands and products are Neutrogena for skin care, mostly foundation and lip gloss, L’Oreal for lipsticks and eyeliner, Cover Girl for their new Lipperfection Lip colors and Maybelline for their Great Lash mascara.

I tried Tarte cosmetics since they are mineral base and organic but didn’t like their lip stain, mascara or foundation and bronzer. Their blush is great though!

Then I found Stila due to a very lucky shopping mistake. I tried their Michaela lipstick and loved it. It is soft, creamy and moisturizing. You can wear it by itself or apply it over another color for a bit of shine. Then bought an eye-shadow pallet and loved all the colors as well as their staying power (something I had zero success with from other brands). And finally I tried their eyeliner which goes on smoothly, stays long and doesn’t smudge.Well, it is the first brand that i loved anything I tried from their collection.

I think I have fallen in love with this cosmetic line. Not that I am giving up my beloved Clinique, but it’s nice to have other options!

I wish!

2012-01-31T22:23:00.001-08:00

Art of the week:

2012-01-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

Peonies - William Merritt Chase , 1897, pastel on paper

What I loved this week:

2012-01-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

- Gray skinny jeans: not as much as “love”, “need” might be a better word for it. Strangely one thing my wardrobe lacks and it should be remedied ASAP!

-polka dotted rain coats. So cute!

-polka dotted handbags. Yeah, apparently I am developing an obsession!

Bag of the week:

2012-01-25T09:31:00.000-08:00

Navy/Lapis Fulton large tote by MICHAEL Michael Kors. This beauty measures: 15 1/2 wide x 5 1/2 deep x 11 high. Shoulder drop: 8”.

I have been on the lookout for this tote for 3 years, so when I found it this last September, I just had to have it. It goes great with half my wardrobe, from jeans to navy coats, or my navy cape, and all the whites and creams and camels, jade, and light grays. The only problem: since it is so large, I tend to overfill it and it becomes quite heavy!

Art of the week:

2012-01-23T10:11:00.000-08:00

"Almond Blossoms" by Vincent Van Gogh, 1890

What I loved this week:

2012-01-21T15:32:00.001-08:00

... this ~~week~~ month:

-Pink peonies… no, make that, peonies period; all colors… there is something about this large bloom and all those petals that goes straight to my heart. Not that I’m liking my beloved roses and orchids less, just adding variety, I guess!

-Rings with an unusually shaped stone. My best friend used to have a few rings with gemstones shaped like a pyramid, a full sphere and so on… It has taken me years (literally, 15 years) to start and really appreciate their uniqueness!

-Paintings… more specifically a review of my beloved impressionists’ works. As I concentrate more on science the creative part of my brain starts to crave color and nice compositions and… well, all things as far away from science as possible!

Sometimes,..

2012-01-15T22:38:00.000-08:00

…You just have to go with the flow!

Bag the Day!

2012-01-15T13:09:00.001-08:00

This beauty is my special-occasion/official/interview handbag. It is an “Alto medium Tassel Bag” by Dooney and Bourke. It measures as < L 12”, W 4.5", H 10" >.
An 8×11 folder easily fits in it, also my little laptop. What I like best about it is the simple lines, the structured shape and the short handles. It has a very professional look, the perfect accessory to go with a suit!
Finding it at one third of the retail price was a very lucky and happy accident. I bought mine 4 or 5 years ego and every time I take it out of its dust bag, I feel that special joy, the one that usually goes with big accomplishments!

Double Life!

2012-01-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

You know those cute suede vests with faux fur lining? Yeah, those!

If the fur side doesn’t show any seams, you can turn the vest inside out and remove the brand label from collar and Care label from the side, and El Pronto; you get a new faux fur vest!

Resolutions!

2011-12-29T14:08:00.001-08:00

I’ve not made New Year Resolutions for the past three years, the reason being they were building up and nothing was ever done! This year however, I’m thinking of setting some goals -and yes they are goals not resolutions- since I am usually very good at achieving my goals.

1-Treat myself better. My aunt always says: “treat yourself well and others will treat you well!” Regardless of what others are going to do, literally I will start to treat myself better this year.

2-Start using my “Good Stuff”. Why am I saving my quality stuff and for when? What’s the point of having nice things if you are not using them?

3-Invest in quality stuff. I have enough fillers.

4-Relax before I go crazy, have a nervous breakdown or a stroke.

5-Learn something new.

Yeah, that’s it! Just five, a good manageable number, keeping my fingers crossed!

Best wishes for you and your resolutions in this New Year!

Ho Ho HO!

2011-12-24T20:27:00.000-08:00

What I loved this week:

2011-12-23T15:12:00.000-08:00

This week lovelies have nothing to do with fashion unless you call them Home Fashion.

-Crystal figurines, either from Lalique, Baccarat or dear old Swarovski. I was looking for something else and happen to see these pretties and fell so in love that I spent the next two hours looking at them on different websites. Enjoy them with me!

-Jonathan Adler’s pottery, (check the link!) in every shape and form. I am so in love!

-Bark vases and candle holders specially Michael Aram designs. Very organic and natural feeling which provide enough texture for a modern and minimal interior.

Favorite Perfumes

2011-12-22T23:02:00.000-08:00

Since my post on awful perfume bottles, it’s only fair that I talk about my favorite perfumes and their bottles.

I’m not a signature scent type of person and believe different times and moods deserve different scents, so I have a little collection. A light perfume for summer and a warm one for winter. My day time perfume (light and cool) is different than my night time (heavier and more complex). Also what I wear going to parties (complex) is different than what I wear going out shopping (light) or to a coffee shop (warm and sweet) or to dinner (light and cool so it won’t compete with the scents from the food). So here are what I’ve been enjoying for the last…mmm… five years (maybe?) although some are much older.

As you can see, almost all have very simple but shapely bottles with uncomplicated streamlined caps. Simple, structured, and chic!

Yuletide!

2011-12-21T10:38:00.000-08:00

Happy Yalda, Yuletide or Winter solstice!

Tonight is the longest night of the year and we celebrate it by food, drink, staying up way past midnight and taking an omen from our favorite book of poetry.

It is a night to wish for light and happiness in coming days and to forget the chill of the winter in the warmth of the family’s togetherness.

Whatever you do tonight, if you celebrate Yuletide or not, I wish you warmth in your hearts and light in your path! Happy Yalda!

(Last minute) Gift Shopping

2011-12-20T11:26:00.000-08:00

Are you still looking for presents? Or maybe you have been one of those incredible organized ladies and finished your gift shopping sometime before Thanksgiving. But if you’ve been extremely busy like me, there is still time, no need to panic! Right? Right!

Since it is usually our nearest and dearest whom are hard to shop for, I’m giving you a few ideas:

…and since some of those gifts look absolutely gorgeous, why not buy a few gifts for yourself? You know you deserve it!

Flower Horror!

2011-12-19T13:36:00.001-08:00

What is it? The invasion of ugly flowers or all the perfume (bottle) designers have taken a leave from the good taste?

I keep seeing all these monstrous flower caps on perfume bottles and they repel me so effectively, I’ve not taken a whiff of any of them!

It all started with Marc Jacob "Daisy" in all its reincarnations which in retrospect wasn’t so bad. Then “Oh, Lola!” came into being with the sole purpose of horrifying the consumer with that cap and sending them back to “Daisy”! Then Justin Bieber's imitation, “Someday”, hit the stores and now the latest and the scariest floral monstrosity “Lovestruck” by Vera Wang is available.

Seriously people, show some taste! (and all in time for the Holidays!)

Revised ( @ 12/22/11): To that list add the new BCBG Max Azria perfume too, although the floral cap is not as big or as hideous as those previously mentioned!

How to wear a gold metallic tunic?

2011-12-18T10:48:00.000-08:00

Since it is holidays and the time to shine, let’s count the ways you can wear metallics (in this case an antiqued dark gold):

1-For day time:

-under a black dress, with a charm pendant on a thin long chain and black leather or suede pumps or booties.

-over black Ponte knit skinny pants or black legging or black skinny jeans. Shoes could be black pumps, booties or ballet flats. Add a black vest or long textured cardigan.

-over skinny white jeans or corduroys, plus booties and either a black or cream thick cardigan.

2-For night time and parties:

-over black maxi skirt with a thin textured old gold belt and black booties.

-with a flowy black mini skirt, leopard pumps or booties and a short fur topper.

-with a shiny cream and gold mini skirt and nude pumps.

Well that’s it for the holiday season! Come spring, I have to think of a few new ways to wear this shirt/tunic!

What I loved this week:

2011-12-16T19:14:00.000-08:00

Being confined to laboratory from morning to night has put a damper on my enjoyment of finding cute and unique items but in my limited freedom I loved:

-Cell phone charms. Charms are so personal. Their meaning and significance is only clear to you. Someone I know has a panda and a little bell charm on her cell phone. My collection started last year with a cute white cat my sister sent me. Since then I’ve added a red high heeled pump and a cute ladybug. What I’m specially looking for is a nice handbag charm.

-Chain jewelry specially chain bracelets. If you are thinking of buying me one for Christmas make it gold with the thick chain, please!

-Tear drop earrings, just polished stone or crystal and not much metal. Simple and elegant!

Incidentally all these make great gifts for this holiday and are fun to own. You may start dropping hints to your nearest and dearest!

What I loved this week:

2011-12-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

-Non-paper coffee or tea cups. These are not as heavy as mugs, are the same size as Starbucks’s Grande (16oz), and keep the heat better than Styrofoam cups. They also have that little handle-thingy in the middle to protect your hands from heat.

-The color Navy, especially in silk scarves. I keep reaching for my navy stuff these days. Either it is my stressed mood which needs the reassurance of a strong and dependable color to feel better or I have too much navy in my closet and not enough time!

-Silk (or chiffon) bow tie blouses. I’m slowly assembling a collection. So far I haven’t met a bow tie blouse that I haven’t liked!

Have a good weekend!

What I loved this week:

2011-12-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

…or in the past couple of weeks! Amid stress and worry over my work, I took refuge in finding and loving things as far away from my project as possible. It’s good to forget chemicals and rates and reactions for a few minutes and look at pretty things.

-Rough stone rings. These have a very organic feel and are not for the faint of heart. Wearing them with a bohemian outfit is boring. I like to match them with a very polished and sophisticated outfit for some edge.

-Thick wool-y and knitted slippers. Yeah, it’s getting chilly and my toes are freezing!

-My all time favorites: cranberry and white chocolate cookies! These are heaven, I tell ya!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

This year I am thankful for:

-restaurants that serve turkey dishes even two days before Thanksgiving. A god-send answer to my turkey cravings when I’ve been reading thanksgiving recipes for a couple of hours!

-the vet and nurses in our animal clinic for their caring and kindness.

- the health of my kitties after going through a difficult couple of months. Both are now healthy if a bit overweight!

-my husband! He is wonderful and patient…well, most of the times!

-my family! I love you and miss you dearly!

- Shopping Gods for some amazing and unique finds and very sweet deals. Truly appreciate it guys, keep up the good work!

-salted and roasted sunflower seeds! They are wonderful stress relievers although my husband has started calling me “Cockatiel”!

-my favorite authors for writing mesmerizing novels and providing much needed refuge at times!

-Paradise Island in Bahamas for being the perfect background to my most relaxing memories this year!

-a glass of red wine for providing an instant mood lift, reducing stress and acting as sleeping pill. May California wineries always prosper!

-my health!

-all those little things that make me happy, like: cute and colorful tank tops, lace and crotchet, soft and cozy sweaters and knits, delicious pastries, green and herbal tea, hot chocolate, chocolate truffles, rum cakes, flowers including but not limited to roses and orchids, vibrant colors, creamy tomato soups, cranberries in all shapes and formation including pies and sauce, pomegranates, hats, gloves, coats, cute bags,…. Yes, well, too many to name; thank you all!

Early mornings

2011-11-15T13:11:00.000-08:00

It’s hard to convince people that I can only sleep walk before 10:00 am. So hate it when the work starts early and my brain hasn’t woken up yet! Now, there you go, the reason my outfit is so uninspired today!

Rushing out

2011-11-14T23:56:00.000-08:00

For days when I’m too busy think deep thoughts (about my outfits!), I go monochrome, simple and convenient! Blue and navy look good together and on me, add touches of black, tights and a sleeved tee underneath and a tote bag big enough to carry your life in, voila! You are done!

What I loved this week:

2011-11-13T10:39:00.000-08:00

In a word: Cranberry!

-Dark red or cranberry colored sweaters and cardigans. This color looks so good on me!

-Cranberry colored mums. Generally I don’t like these flowers (mums), but in dark red they are just phenomenon.

-Cranberry tarts! I know, I know, it’s close to Thanksgiving and I can’t take my mind off of cranberry!

Raining

2011-11-12T19:24:00.001-08:00

It’s cold, it’s raining and I don’t want to leave the house. Alas, no choice! Well, wrapping myself in layers would help, no?

Sometimes…

2011-11-11T18:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you want to crawl into a cave and forget an outside world ever exists. Sometimes you want to disconnect your phone, your internet, your TV. Sometimes you want to move to a time and place where no one can find you.

So little time

2011-11-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

Right around 1:00 am and while chatting with my sister, I remembered that I have an out of campus seminar to attend at 9:00 am. Also still have not finished a report for my advisor due at the end of the day. Which ensured a day of rushing around trying to get things done!

Dreams come true!

2011-11-09T18:17:00.000-08:00

I bought this little cardigan as soon as I saw it without trying it on in the store. I got home and put it on and … ooh, so soft, so cozy, so perfect! I didn’t take it off until bed time!

Just too much

2011-11-08T22:12:00.000-08:00

Some people expect you to do their work for them! Who would ask you to provide the Word version of your references? Someone who wants to be able to copy and paste others’ work in the most convenient way without doing any actual work himself, that’s whom!

Do I sound upset? That’s because I am!

Timed out

2011-11-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

“I can’t concentrate. I have too much on my mind. I am stressing too much. I can’t work! Not good! Bad Aradia, bad!”

After repeating all of the above ten times in less than ten minutes, I gave myself three hours of “Time out” in the library and forced my brain to work!

What I loved this week:

2011-11-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

Fur and Shearling vest. Most are faux so no worries about slaughtering cute bunnies, minks or foxes. I like the multicolored ones better than pure black or brown or gray… a little boho, but hey; I can’t help it, I was born in seventies.

Camel colored tote bags. First, I am a bag addict. Second, there is something about that lush caramel color which appeals to my senses.

Cute tiny little charm necklaces. Not only they are tiny works of art but also no one can see them clearly when you have them on unless they get really close to you. Wearing them is like a secret between you and the people you’re intimately close to. Very mysterious and romantic!

Rainy day

2011-11-04T15:11:00.000-07:00

A relaxed outfit for getting a haircut and running errands before the rain starts.

One of those days…

2011-11-03T22:10:00.001-07:00

One of those days that you curse the moment you got out of bed… and you know there is nothing you can do except grimace and endure and the day’s end is still too far away… yeah, one of those days… but at least I looked good!

Meeting wear

2011-11-02T19:30:00.001-07:00

I had an important meeting today and took the way of safe and conservative for my outfit.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T21:20:00.001-07:00

For this Halloween, I had a hard time deciding between becoming a pirate or a medieval lady. I was tweaking the pirate costume and liked the male pirate clothes better but then all on its own accord, the costume started to change and metamorphoses into a Musketeer or more specifically something D'Artagnan would wear. I blame the effect of Sunday night “Three Musketeers” movie on my subconscious!

So, here it is minus the ostrich feather and the shiny sword: "One for all, all for one!"

What I loved this week:

2011-10-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

I’ve been thinking of fingerless gloves. Although they look a little homeless-y, I think with the right outfit they would be cool.

Crazy color nail polishes. I am not brave enough to wear a trendy weird color as manicure but I can still enjoy them, from a purely artistical point of view!

Hot teas. So good for when a chill is settling in your bones, so good for an irritated throat, so good for sitting at small table looking at all the hurrying people going about their business … oh, just about perfect!

Conversion

2011-10-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

I remover the elastic from the waist of a silk tunic and convert it into a dress. Yes, it is still short but with navy tights and a coat it looked respectable enough for a Friday.

Oh, I so love these navy booties. I kept looking at my feet the whole day!

Lab work

2011-10-27T23:27:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I try to avoid our lab is because it’s freezing in there. When I have to stay there for more than a couple of hours, I go prepared: an extra sweater, tights, scarf and a large cup of hot tea.

Your (very) personal style!

2011-10-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what your undergarment choices reveal about you? And I don’t mean bra straps, extra pounds, visible panty lines or cellulite!

Well, if you ever wondered why you always buy a certain type of underclothes, here is your chance to find out the reasons. Just a couple of minutes and two clicks:

- What your bras say about you.

- What your underwear says about you.

Have fun reading!

The weirdness of a numb face

2011-10-25T15:36:00.001-07:00

Have you ever tried to apply your lipstick right after coming out of dentist office, when half of your face feels… well, actually when you can’t feel half of your face? Try it some time; it is a new and disturbing experience!

This outfit doesn’t feel pulled together either. I was in such a hurry in the morning to give my cat her medicine, clean her, make my dentist appointment and the meeting with my advisor that I didn’t even take the time to brush the cat hair from my coat. So very sloppy!

Mondays!

2011-10-24T19:51:00.001-07:00

My hero, Garfield has very colorful and damning statements for Mondays. His observations are amazingly accurate!

I had a very busy start to my week. I’d bought this skirt in the beginning of summer but due to its lack of length (it is scandalously short!) I haven’t been able to wear it. Considering our rather chilly morning, I gladly matched it with tights and my cognac boots which had the benefit of making the short skirt sufficiently modest! Regarding my top, as rust is one of the dominant colors this Fall (honestly, which Fall it is not dominant?!); I was lucky. I just had to dig into my packed away clothes from years before (12-13 years ago) and pronto, there it was! Oh, the joys of being a pack rat!

Navy and Green

2011-10-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

I was very disappointed when I missed the navy and green striped dress from Thakoon’s collaboration with Target. The disappointment doubled when I missed it the second time around last year! Then last month I saw the striped dress from Francesca’s. “Should I get it, should I not?”, it has been driving me crazy. So hard to decide since this dress is very short and the fabric a polyester and rayon mix. Then I saw that third beauty from Anthropologie and I was a goner! How could I resist, a cotton and silk mix, the gorgeous colors, that cute little bow and polka dots! Yeah, yeah, I’m in love!

...and it goes really well with my green coat!

What I loved this week:

2011-10-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

To be honest with you, I liked not that many things this week. My kitty cat is still sick and feeding, cleaning and caring for her is a full time job. You have no idea how hard it is to give 2cc of antibiotic to your cat twice a day!

Anyhow, here is the list of my little pleasures for this week:

- My birthday present, so gorgeous!

- Black forest cake, the yummiest cake in the world! What I specially love about this cake is the chunks of chocolate on top!

- My amazing new booties which after a week of waiting were delivered on my birthday (count them as my birthday present to myself)!

Yeah, OK, everything was about my birthday, wasn’t it?!

What I wore this week!

2011-10-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

A few outfit that I liked wearing this week. Mixing my favorite new top with my old and ugly cardigan (remember it?!):

Developing a weakness for matching citron and Prussian blue (actually it is a strong weakness for Prussian blue, period!):

The result of my Missoni mania and what I wore while eating my birthday cake:

Cat proof

2011-10-17T23:37:00.001-07:00

My poor kitty is sick and I’m going crazy with worry. For our today’s vet visit I had to wear something low maintenance which won’t attract (or show) cat hair much.

Halloween Costumes

2011-10-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

My favorite holiday is only two weeks away and I’m thinking of costumes. Here are a few of my ideas, so far:

Thinking of my recent vacation to Caribbean, Penelope Cruz as Angelica, in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”:

Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”:

From “Alice in Wonderland” movie, either Alice or the White Queen:

As Lady Gaga in any of her costumes:

When the going gets tough…

2011-10-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

… the tough goes shopping!

A couple of days ago I drowned my sorrows in a shopping binge! Did I ever say I don’t like mustard? Well, the universe wanted to prove me wrong. In my defense, these being great bargains; I didn’t care much about the color! I can learn to like mustard, can’t I? Or maybe, I rename this color Marigold and get to know her better!

And a $12.40 dress from Forever21, just because it was too good to pass!

What I’m loving now:

2011-10-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

Long sleeved maxi dresses. If they are striped, so much the better!

Floppy hats in deep colors, wine, cranberry, dark plum, …

A mustard colored coat! I don’t like mustard and it doesn’t look good on me but for some weird reason I very much want a mustard coat!

Aside from these, I want the weather to cool down, so I can start wearing my autumnal duds. So not loving this heat!

Indian summer…

2011-10-12T20:53:00.001-07:00

…how much I hate you!

Temperature hit 102◦F today, as hot as this summer’s hottest day! I want to wear my coats and scarves and hats. When is it going to cool down, tell me; when?!

On a more positive note, I adore my hairstylist. She is a miracle worker. I go to the salon, grumpy and hating my hair and come out smiling and admiring my highlights!

Mixing prints

2011-09-27T22:21:00.001-07:00

Well, I failed miserably in my print mixing experiments but… I’ve been trying to mix print/skins and I think I can handle it in accessories.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when I dressed for a concert: calf hair leopard print pumps, snake skin clutch and a fur stole and it took off after that…

But is there any kind of rule about mixing your skins?

Flat Meows

2011-09-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

You know I have been on a quest for leopard print flats, don’t you? Last month after looking everywhere, stores and online; I ended up buying three pairs and taking them home to compare and choose in peace! A pair by Calvin Klein, a pair by Aldo and a pair by Aerosoles. CK and Aldo were from man-made materials but had better colors and nicer print. The Aerosoles one was made of leather. All three had the feel and appearance of calf hair. Which one do you think I kept? Which one you would have kept? Which one do you think was the most comfortable?

Hint: The one I kept looks a little like house slippers but it also feels like wearing slippers. I’m happy!

My new love

2011-09-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

What can I say, I’m a bagaholic! This pretty goes magically well with every outfit (or I like to think so!).

I’m right in the middle of that infatuation stage of love when the beloved has no fault and is totally perfect. Just bear with me!

Swimming

2011-08-28T21:27:00.001-07:00

With everyone looking for Fall key pieces, who’s going to buy swimsuits right now? Well, someone like me for instance. Our weather is between 80 and 90 degree and the water is finally warm enough for swimming. No, not really, you know me; I hate water! Let’s say it is warm enough for posing in a lounge chair beside the pool!

Polka Doted

2011-08-24T11:09:00.001-07:00

You remember my quest for a polka doted short, don’t you?

Well I finally found my heart's desire in the most unlikely place: Target’s Children section.

It is so pretty!

On other Target related news: after seeing cute Target flats on the feet of many fashion bloggers, I went in search of my own cute flats. Nothing, non, nada! Not one single comfortable pair! Or maybe I am a shoe snob!

Excuses, excuses!

2011-08-11T12:26:00.001-07:00

I’ve been really busy with writing a paper, attending a conference, a couple of talks, one million meetings and doing a little extra research. So these are my excuses!

With my unreliable posting I’ve probably lost my last 2.5 readers but there was nothing I could do. Sometimes life becomes more important than fashion. Shocking, I know!

I try to do better from now on!

Stripe Back!

2011-07-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

OK, I admit, I love stripes. And I have so many pieces that I can keep wearing them and not repeat an outfit in … a couple of weeks, a month… ummm, whatever! I don’t want to know! Staying in the library, trying to get some work done:

What I loved this week:

2011-07-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

Ugly Betty! I’d watched the first three seasons but not the fourth season, so this week I spend 2 days watching the final season’s episodes back to back. I knew it! They couldn’t resist performing a mini makeover on Betty regardless of all the talk about the inner beauty. And her clothes were not as loud or mismatched as the seasons 1-3.

Leopard print handbags. I know it was a big trend last fall but I couldn’t find my perfect bag then. I’m still looking! There is always something wrong with those I see: small spots, too large spots, gaudy colors, too big, too expensive… you know what I mean, don’t you?

Neutral make up. And by that I mean bronze and taupe and brown colors. Since I changed my hair color to medium brown I’ve been experimenting with brown and gold and bronze. I’m liking them more and more especially if I can add a little green or purple to it too!

Crochet Hoodie

2011-07-15T23:29:00.000-07:00

This knit hooded cardigan with crochet trim is one of the most important pieces in my wardrobe. I keep reaching for it day and night regardless of the season. What better way to ward of the chill of the beach air on summer nights or the cool breeze of a crisp January morning? It is soft and light and oh-so-cozy.

Crochet Flowers

2011-07-14T22:54:00.001-07:00

Layering a lacey top over a dress is a good thing, it creates a visual interest and a thin silver belt adds definition. I wore this top back to front and left the buttons open to create a nice collared effect. Recently I’ve become brave enough to try wearing stuff differently. I’ve also purchased a few items in larger sizes for a different fit and am very pleased with the result. Conclusion: clothes could be worn differently from what the retailer/designer intended!

Crochet tops

2011-07-13T19:31:00.001-07:00

I received my tops. Great shipping BTW, I was expecting them by the end of the week. Good news is they are not that similar so I don’t have to take extreme measures. Phew, no messing with dyes!

Crochet trim

2011-07-12T23:57:00.000-07:00

Let’s call this week’s theme Crochet and be done with it! This little top is by far too thin to be worn by itself on a chilly night. A delicate cardigan prevented much shivering!

Black bird

2011-07-11T23:17:00.001-07:00

Before I crash from severe exhaustion, let me confess to my love for the crochet. So much so that I did the unthinkable and ordered two very similar (in style and in color) crochet tops from the same store! After that idiotic action caused by the lateness of the hour last night, I kept thinking up ways to make one different from the other. How about dyeing one a crazy color like forest green or purple?!

In the mean time let’s play with those crochet tops I already own:

Weekend Round Up:

2011-07-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

I threw this on and was out of the door in a hurry mid-day Saturday only to come back home and find the latest issue of “In style” in my mail box with an article on styling a T-shirt dress. Their tips (and my commentary):

Choose a loose style, not body clinging. (Good thing I bought mine two size up!)
Avoid cinching the waist for an easy breezy feel. (I thought the lace neckline is enough embellishment and didn’t add a belt. Huh, lucky!)
Accessorize with layered necklaces and wedges. (OK, again; lace neckline= enough embellishment, wedges: well, missed out on this one!)

Going to my favorite restaurant, I was prepared for indulging in food and dessert. A long top to hide the tummy:

Enjoying a beautiful Sunday, a walk on the beach and discovering a new coffee shop with delicious coffee and scones:

What I loved this week:

2011-07-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

Grosgrain ribbons, with their texture and versatility are the most useful and underappreciated of the accessories. Tie it as a headband, use it as a belt, tie it around your hat or make a little bow and wear it as a brooch…. The possibilities are endless!

Polka dots, either shorts or a dress… ok, even the perfect mini skirt… I’m not fussy, really; just looking for perfection!

Frozen fruit bars and ice pops. The best summer treats… cute and cool and happy, the best reminder of childhood summers. They are so easy to make, just pour so fruit juice in the molds and put in the freezer. 3 hours later and you got yourself a happy snack!

A Busy Friday

2011-07-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

Think about it, my day actually started at 11:30 pm the night before when my frozen brain finally thawed enough to be able to write a few paragraph of my journal paper. Yeah, 11:30 pm to 1:00 am, great timing brain! Then our group meeting and reporting on our progress. Keeping with the nautical theme:

Tea with friends in the afternoon and dinner, going all sweet and girly, soft and summery:

Good Little Top

2011-07-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

Some little tops play so nicely with everything else in one’s closet that you decide to ignore their little short comings, like the fact that they are made from dead dinosaurs (aka polyester).

It does help if you wear it to a nicely air conditioned mall!

Nautical

2011-07-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

Good things about having one’s outfits matched and ready-to-wear beforehand:

-It actually inspires you to get ready and head out!

-It cuts preparation time in half.

-Everything work well together and there are no surprises.

-you are actually dressing around a theme or whatever inspires you currently.

-you get to wear your neglected items.

Back to work!

2011-07-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

After a couple of weeks of playing, my nose is back to the grind stone (yeah, sure!). I’ve become obsessed with nautical theme. So you’re going to see a lot of navy and white and red combinations.

today's outfit:

Had to make an instant belt from a grosgrain ribbon and a red flower brooch!

Weekend Round Up:

2011-07-04T23:49:00.000-07:00

I still have not found my prefect striped maxi skirt, so my striped maxi dress is doing double duty with a tank top layered over. Friday shopping and dinner:

I had friends over for the weekend which meant lots of window shopping and sight-seeing and fun. It was great spending time with my girlfriends…

Sunday was beautiful and balmy… clear skies, a picturesque lake and good friends… What more one wants from life? A delicious tea and gorgeous pastries perhaps…

Going patriotic on Monday (the 4^th) for brunch:

Watching fireworks in town center with all the other city residents:

What I loved this week:

2011-07-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

Cat bookends. I’ve rearranged my books and now I need a couple of bookends. There are some stylish options available, some cute ones and some very pricey ones!

Crochet collars. My aunt crocheted a delicate and beautiful lace collar for me many years ago but I never used it. This week I found it at the bottom of one of my drawers and decided to start using it. Just how to wear it to look trendy and cute? Inspiration, inspiration?

Chocolate milkshakes, Yum! There is something very satisfying about drinking 400+ calories per cup. Maybe it is the whole time thinking how bad it is for you!

Orange appeal

2011-07-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

What do you think of this baby? I’ve been looking for an orange pair of wedges and something was always wrong with them! Then I found this one which is extremely comfortable and has the softest leather straps ever. But the color is not as orange as I wanted.

So, should I keep it?

Simple life

2011-06-30T21:39:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know! My color scheme has become kind of limited: blue/navy and neutral. It is all part of the process of simplifying the life!

Ahoy Sailor!

2011-06-29T23:39:00.000-07:00

I’m pretty busy which means less complicated outfits. I love the color navy but I’ve been neglecting buying items in this color for a couple of years. No worries, I get to it soon!

Shop love

2011-06-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

One of those days that I keep saying “Thank you Shopping Gods! Thank you!”.

First I find the most perfect party dress and crochet top ever.

Then I finally finally meet the Denim dress of my dreams. Light, simple and uncomplicated. Oh love, I’ve been searching for you all over! (And it was so discounted that it was practically free!) World, meet my new Anthropologie's Rise and Shine dress:

The midsummer night’s dream

2011-06-21T18:06:00.000-07:00

Trying to put together my most “Queen of fairies” outfit but still not satisfied. An emerald green silk maxi wasn’t very fairylike in retrospect. May be for next year I have to stack up on white and cream chiffon dresses!

Red Hot

2011-06-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Our temp has gone over 75 degree. Bring on the dresses, miniskirts and shorts. Oh summer, I welcome you!

Weekend round up:

2011-06-20T14:07:00.001-07:00

For a lunch with friends, nothing beats a girly-sweet mixture. Add in my neon orange nail polish, orange flower on my bag and bright pink bracelet, and I was feeling fierce!

Our Neighborhood coffee shop has remodeled recently, putting in lots of black leather couches and cushy armchairs with burgundy pillows and burgundy leather covered side tables. After a few hours of playing in the park, having a cup of hot chocolate and sinking into those cool comfortable chairs was the best thing ever:

Since I still haven’t found the striped maxi skirt of my dreams, I had to compromise. Using my striped maxi dress as my base, I layered a black top and black cardigan and pronto! It’s alive!

What I loved this week:

2011-06-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

My new nail polish from Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel in “Big Daddy”. It is a bright orange and I feel so bold wearing it!

Shorts. Well in my opinion the best length is 3 inches inseam, not too short but not Bermuda-like either. My favorites are the utility styles in a soft chambray fabric. Now only if the weather would cooperate!

Blueberry tarts. Hmmm, so good! They don’t count as pastry since they are so full of berries. They go into the fruit and vegetable category in my book. So I can eat as much as I like without the guilt!

Crocheting

2011-06-16T23:34:00.000-07:00

I used to know how to crochet a little, enough to make scarves and hats for my dolls, or a little uncomplicated pencil pouch. These days though, I just enjoy wearing someone else’s artwork. So much easier!

June gloom

2011-06-15T21:22:00.001-07:00

To fight it: take one Ikat print maxi dress, add a thin crochet sweater, a hot pink bag and cork wedges and you are summer personified. At least until it becomes so gray and foggy that you can’t see 20 steps ahead of you!

Serving dinner

2011-06-14T23:58:00.000-07:00

Hosting a party requires lots and lots of work especially if you have only three hours to prepare a four course meal. Then there is your outfit, something simple, elegant, easy to move in, not so revealing and comfortable that doesn’t show food stains… such a tall order!

Earn your stripes

2011-06-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

I was taking inventory today. How many striped items do you think I own? Apparently, a lot! I was surprised. Now I have to stop buying any more and start putting some ingenious outfits together.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten to include a few in this list. But, you know what? My collection needs a red striped top and a striped skirt to be complete!

Weekend round up

2011-06-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

I wish people would include the dress code on even the simplest invitations. It is so hard figuring out how formal a dinner party is going to be. My usual solution is to dress casual for small (under 10) gatherings and then dress up more as the number of guests goes up. But sometimes I end up in a little dinner for 5-6 people with everyone dressed to the nines, all shiny and made up. On the other hand, I’ve been to parties with 25-30 guests and almost everyone has been wearing jeans! So very frustrating!

A tried and true outfit for a day of walking and a leisurely brunch with friends. An outfit for being comfortable and having fun:

What I loved this week:

2011-06-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous nautical flat. From Anthropologie and little expensive for ballerina flat, but “oh, so pretty” to look at. (I’m rhyming!)

Straw fedora hats which unfortunately don’t look good on me. However, I can still admire their cuteness and fantasize about them.

String and wrap bracelets. I’m collecting these cuties. I still have not managed to master the art of piling them on though! I feel self conscious when I have on more than one. Hey, summer just started and there is lots of time to practice!

Befuddled

2011-06-09T10:02:00.000-07:00

I’ve had this little shrug/bolero for ages (five years or so) and worn it once or twice. Now that crochet is trendy again I dig it out from the depths of my dresser, trying to build a few outfit around it. So far this is the only one:

Not one of my best, I know! Any suggestions?

To the nines

2011-06-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

Remember that dress I used as a tunic? Well I shortened it and it works rather well with skinny jeans and a short trench coat. Since the neckline is embellished minimum frippery is needed. I’m becoming dependent on this top.

Time for a confession: I bought another one of these dresses in a size Large to wear as a dress. The larger size makes the dress more modest and not so skin tight and skimpy! Now if only the weather would warm up enough for bare legs and short hemlines!

Grasping at straws

2011-06-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

Based on my research*, this is the summer for straw bags and totes. I have a wooden handle one and a couple of clutches. What I really like is a leather strap tote one. Nice, simple and natural!

* Yeah! I’ve got nothing better to do than researching handbags. No papers to write, no presentation to prepare, no data to analyze! Not me, no sir-y, not me!

Make-under

2011-06-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

Sometimes little extras are not so little! Take this stripe top for example. That little patch is extra, doing nothing for the top.

Three minutes with a seam ripper and we get ourselves a classic Breton tee. There! Much better!

p.s. I happen to perform this little surgery on a white (with navy stripes) version.

Pretty Exotic

2011-06-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

Who says leafing through non-fashion rags while waiting for your appointment is a waste of time?!

The idea is Combining Trends and it came from “Redbook” magazine.

So here it goes: take one part Exotic prints, mix it with equal part preppy and voila! You got yourself a summer outfit!

My version is something similar to this one:

Emerald City

2011-05-02T14:53:00.001-07:00

No, I’ve not gone to Seattle (or OZ for that matter!). I’ve been eyeing spring’s emerald colored tops and dresses and finally caved in! Today the weather was warm enough to grant wearing my new dress. I’ve matched it with a blue-green tailored jacket. After four hours of looking at myself however I’m starting to think it looks too matchy matchy! Should think of a new color scheme for the next time.

Mini terrariums

2011-05-02T14:28:00.001-07:00

Aren’t they cute?! The perfect mix of textures and colors, soft and rugged. I’ve been liking these little landscapes too much recently. I want one so badly!