Let’s go Window shopping

Put it to my infamous laziness or slow internet connection, I didn’t post anything sooner. Sorry!
But one thing discouraging me more than anything else was the fact that I don’t have good pictures to post. It was next to impossible to use my camera in stores, so I asked my sister to use the camera of her cell phone. You cannot believe the amount of role playing we had to go through to take these following few.

And here is my dream Handbag, made of silver (95%). I keep visiting her day after day, not daring to even ask the price!

Hope you are greatfull ;) I went through a lot of trouble to put this post together!

How to Pack… (The sequel!)

You’ve guessed right! It didn’t work out! God bless Emirates airlines for allowing two 50 pounds luggage and a carry-on which I am taking advantage to the full! Huh! Me, traveling light? What a joke!

Last year I enjoyed my total of 12 hours transit in Moscow airport, people watching. I liked how all the locals were wearing stylish coats and boots. That observation fuelled my passion for trenches and coats this last winter. I added a few stylish long coats to my wardrobe and was very happy with the results.
This time around I’ll be staying in Dubai airport for a few hours. Let’s see what I’m going to learn.

For farther posts I plan to take you shopping wherever I go, internet speed permeating.
So keep tuned and let’s see where the life takes us.

What you pack for a month trip

… to visit your parents?
Let’s start with colors. I chose gray and white and navy as my basic neutral ones mainly because I’m going to live in my jeans and I have a couple in each color!
For accent colors I’m going with turquoise (because it is trendy this year!), purple (I’m in love!), ivory and cream (can’t live without them!).
I’m packing:
5 blazers, 2 trench coat, about 10 scarves, 3 skirts, 6 pair of jeans, 3 dresses, 4 cardigans, 7 blouses/dressy tops, 6 tank tops, 3 pair of shoes, 3 handbags and almost my whole collection of necklaces and earrings…
and for casual home-wear, 2 pair of yoga pants and 5 tees/tops.
Plus 2 set of pajamas and make-up and skin care and ….

Do you think all these plus all the gifts for my family are going to fit inside one 35 pounds suitcase?
Wait and see!

What I liked this week:

Last Saturday, my friend and I went for some necessary window shopping/girl time and I kept seeing pretty blush colored tops and dresses everywhere. My obsession continued through out this week as well. So here is what I’m dreaming about:

am looking for tan Flat sandals I can wear with my white jeans or olive cargo pants. I don’t like tong ones that look like fancied up flip-flops. I want something like these babies:



..and finally the Brittany Murphy’s costumes in the movie “The Ramen girl”. So urban, so comfy, so chic! I am so totally in love.

Later: I am sorry! As much as I looked, I couldn’t find any production pictures online (or any high quality pictures of the costumes, for that matter). You better go watch the full length movie!

Back on track!

The only upside of being sick with flu was dropping a couple of pounds. I was feeling pretty good about myself until I spent an afternoon organizing my spring wardrobe and dontcha guess? Some of my last year dresses and skirts are snugger than what they should be. All those afternoon snacks of cake and cookie are showing their effects finally!
To fit inside my skinny white jeans without a muffin top, I’m drawing battle plans.
Here are some of the high notes:
-Stop eating cake and pastry and cookies.
-Cut my portions of bread and rice in half.
-Stop snacking on chocolate spreads and instead take one square of dark chocolate daily.
-Instead of snacking icecream bars every night, drink a cup of vegetable juice.
-Incorporate more vegetable in my diet.
-Start doing Yoga again.
-Walk or hick for 3-4 hours every week.
I know these look pretty low key to some people but I know my offenders and weaknesses. I love sweets and cakes and bread. So limiting my carbohydrates intake should have high impact. Despite lack of exercise, my life style is pretty healthy, no bad habits, no alcohol or soda, no processed meat or ready-made foods or fast foods, no processed cheese… I just have a very sweet tooth and a weakness for creamy desserts.
So let’s see how these few strategy will work out. I keep you posted!

When you are sick,

…it is awful! Your hair has gone limp, your skin is yellowish and shallow. Your nose is like Rudolph’s and your lips are chipped. Well at least make sure you are wearing something pretty and comfy!

…and to feel better drink as much juice and tea and soup as you can! Don’t forget to use your face cream, moisturizer and lip balm.

What to wear with olive pants

Say you did it! After three months of looking, you finally found the perfect olive cargo pants. It doesn’t make your butt look big. It is slim and doesn’t make you look like a dwarf. It is 100% cotton and finally after half an hour with a pair of scissors, tread and needle, it is the perfect length.
Now, do you think you are done? That everything is perfect and you can relax? Not so fast! It is just the beginning! Ask yourself what you’re gonna match the pants with and your troubles start!
Despite all the hoopla about utilitarian and army looks this spring, olive is an autumnal color. I have been trying to come up with a color scheme that makes olive fresh and springy. Here is what I found, taking Fall color combos and reworking them for Spring:
- Olive and khaki: this is the color combo featured in most fashion magazines. But going head-to-toe olive or mixing it with khaki makes the wearer look like an army private on her hourly leave out on the town. Definitely not the look for me!
For Spring: Instead of Khaki, use cream and light beige and ivory, fabric should be delicate and airy like chiffon as far away from army twill as possible.
- Olive and mustard: these two go great together despite the fact that I hate mustard!
For Spring: mixing olive and yellow, from bright saturated yellows to cool lemony ones. They work great with olive and brighten it up.
- Olive and plum: all purple hues work well olive. The problem is plums and purples are strictly for Fall.
For Spring: using muted lavender and lilac colors with olive. Pastels are always "In" for spring and we all have at least one lavender top in our closets, don’t we?
- Olive and orange: orange is the most associated color with autumn. Remember the Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations?
For Spring: going for brighter lighter shades of orange, like coral and blush. Having a neutral third color helps tie these two together.
- Olive and wine: pour a glass of red wine and put a couple of olives beside it. You have the perfect still-life model for a painting.
For Spring: wearing lighter shades of burgundy like rose and light pinks with olive. This color combo reminds me of delicate blooms between fresh shoots and new branches. The ultimate picture of spring.

Let me know what other color you think looks good with olive.

Happy Persian New Year!

…and yes, I am four days late but who cares really! Between my spring cleaning, trips to dentist and taking pain killers, cooking and entertaining a couple of out of towners, I have been busy.
Admittedly not as busy as those of my friends living back home (in Iran) but more than usual. So be happy with my belated New Year greetings and start a good year!
Here is one of my rare appearances in honor of New Year.

Best wishes for the New Year!

My Top Ten or How to be a Minimalist

This post of Garance had me thinking about my top 10 basics and minimum pieces for a capsule wardrobe the whole morning. I thought hard on my favorite items and on my most stylish and practical ones. Did you know they are not the same?! I have worn my favorites only a few times but the work horses of my wardrobe are down to free cost per wear and still going unappreciated.

So let’s dedicate this post to those little heroes in my wardrobe. I am going to change the rules here and go with ten items of clothing and five accessories.

Top Ten basics:
1- A white button down or an ivory blouse
2- My slim fit dark jeans
3- My slim fit white jeans
4- A cotton black cardigan
5- A thin cream cashmere or lamb wool V-neck sweater
6- A navy corduroy or denim blazer
7- My nylon trench coat with its quilted lining
8- My high waisted denim skirt
9- A sleeveless A-line black dress
10- My gray cotton sheath dress

Accessories:
1- Tan strappy sandals (preferably my Michael Kors ones)
2- Black or navy flats
3- A cognac colored pair of boots
4- My tan Cole Haan Hobo bag
5- My black structured Dooney and Bourke tote/briefcase

I can live on this capsule wardrobe year round happily if I get to add unlimited colorful $3.00 camies and tank tops and unlimited number of scarves.
Now that I have all this in black and white in front of me, my conscience is asking me why I have to buy a new item of clothing every week! This list making stuff is bad for a person’s peace of mind! Despite everything I know I love variety. I would get bored with a capsule wardrobe fast. Going “Minimalista” is not for me.

What I loved this week:

…our gorgeous weather, sunny, crisp, a little chilly, just perfect for spring. The sky was the bluest blue, the hills green and the trees blooming.



… light trench coats. To keep the chill out, to look pulled together and stylish and spring-ready nothing is better than light cotton trench coats. Cream, light khaki and light gray are classic but a little color makes you happier.

…pink nailpolish. I have been wearing dark purple and dark red for the last six months but today I started wearing my nice rose pink polish and strappy platform shoes. Hooray for spring! It is finally here! These are the colors I’m loving right now:

How I got my first bag

I remember it, buying my first handbag. What I couldn’t imagine then was that innocent shopping trip would start a life long obsession with handbags.
I was not quite five as I remember going to the store with my mother to buy a new pair of shoes. When Mom was looking at different shoes I was attracted to a sweet little bag made of cream corduroy. It had a golden chain strap, a golden frame and a little gold and red embroidery design in front. All those gold triggered some serious magpie reaction in my young brain and I couldn’t let go of the bag. My mom easily agreed to buy it but then I wanted to choose the matching shoes. I remember insisting on a pair of ill-fitting cream patent leather ones just because I thought chic grown-up ladies wear cream shoes (and have matching bags!). I recall hating the shoes afterward, they were pinching my feet every time I wore them. I wouldn’t complain, though. It was my own choice and I didn’t want to lose face in front of Mom, stubborn little five year old that I was.
I remember Mom throwing away the shoes relatively new and unworn. (Maybe she knew!) But I loved my little chic bag to tatters. She finally convinced me to let go of it three years later when the embroidery pattern was unraveling, the cord fabric worn and the strap and frame were tarnished!

What I loved this week:

Continuing my search for the perfect floral ruffled skirt I found this dress in Forever 21. Although the floral print is adorable, the colors lovely and the ruffles don’t make my back look big, the dress is too short for me. Nothing is perfect in this world. Sigh!

…ruffley cardigans. Cardigans with floral details or ruffles are so feminine and look really delicate. What transitional piece works with this crazy weather of ours better than a cardigan and layering?! And while you are looking for cardigans, go for bright and colorful ones. Spring is here!

… striped scarves. I am becoming obsessed with nautical theme and light neutral scarves are such great accessories. I am looking for a light filmy striped scarf in cream (or blush) and white to match all my cream and khaki and light neutral this spring.

Love is Blue

I fell in love with the multi-strand turquoise necklaces in spring fashion pictures and had to have one. A whole afternoon (3:00-12:00 PM) playing with my beads got me something similar to these beauties.

What I loved this week:

I am not a t-shirt person. I am not comfortable wearing tees out of the house. I don’t even own more than five basic ones, three black ones (long sleeve, short sleeve and V-neck), one white and one with faded artistic flower and a little bead work that I got last year. But as soon as I saw these floral print tees, I wanted one so badly.




…Flat shoes. I very well know that wedges are going to be the shoe du jour for spring and summer, clogs and platform strappy sandals a close second (and third). But for our transitional weather to spring (ummm, no, we are not buried under a few feet of snow!), I like flats and not those pointy toe two toned formal ones either. I like my flats comfy, light, delicate and feminine with flowers on top. Something like these babies:



…Apple tortes. Yeah, I know I sound like a glutton but all that sweet goodness is hard to resist!



…..aaannnnd on that sweet note, have a great weekend!

An urban experience

What I love about LA is the urban life which we living here in south OC pretty miss out on. All those little holes-in-the-wall cafes and little ethnic restaurants, (Himalayan cuisine, anyone?), all those people watching, boutiques and (no, of course not) the traffic.
Wearing head to toe black felt very urban to me. Yeah, I know, wrong city but I gotta work with what I got!!!

What I loved this week:

Well, not much really! I’m in the middle of winter depression, hating heavy and dark winter clothes and not finding anything airy and springy enough to wear.
What I keep looking for is airy chiffon and silk tops in nude and cream and dusty rose. Ruching and ruffles and lace trim and beadwork details are more than welcome on these sweet pieces. I am practically in love with ultra-feminine tops.

This gorgeous necklace from Anthropologie. It looks so simple, so childish and innocent. It is named “That’s a Wrap” necklace and comes in two finishes, Gold and Silver. With a price tag of $178, it is a little dear for costume jewelry but if you have a birthday coming up, start dropping hints left and right and hopefully someone might buy it for you!


And finally the color green. I guess it is all the green covered hills and new leaves which has started this obsession. But I was wearing green at least once everyday. A sage green cowlneck thin sweater, a light blue-green top, a green tunic, green jewelry, green suede handbag and my green and navy jacket.
What I’m looking for is a pair of green cargo pants in slim cut. Wish me luck!

Lace shoes, just because!

On the same day that I admire a pair of Badgley Mischka Ivory satin and lace slippers in a store, I get a comment about lace shoes! It has to be fate or something!
OK, I won’t bore you with my account of those satin and lace slippers with little bows and delicate beadwork and cute fringe, just let me say that they were fit for the queen of shoes, Marie Antoinette.
Now for the rest of us there are lacey shoes out there, some delicate and wispy, some seriouse and no-nonsense, some playful and happy, and some in styles that no self-respecting hard-working woman can imagine wearing.



Take 1,2,3 and 4, these are beautiful. You can wear them with long formal gowns or with cocktail dresses, you can match them with your dress or go for a complete contrast. wear black lace shoes with a colorful bjut simple cut cocktail dress. I like to view them as formal wear.
5 and 6 ; a little lace or a lot, sweet or playful. You can dress them up with ankle length feminin skirt or dres them down with skinny dark or white jeans and a t-shirt. They are happy, simple and delisousely casual.
7: a very modern lace for those who like unfussy modern styles.
8 and 9: delicate elegant lace, I like to wear them with skinny cropped jeans (or a simple black minidress with opaque tights) in an all black outfit and let the shoes to be te focal point of the outfit.
10: beginner lace or lace shoes for the conservatives. It is safe and elegant enough to wear at work or in day time.
11: oh, don’t! just don’t wear anything like this if you are over 5 years old! Although I think Paris Hilton might sport a pair!
12: modern lace but tricky to get it right. The shoes are so eye-catching that you have to keep everything else simple and covered. They are seduction incarnated, show-a-little hide-a-little, and to avoid going over board, be very careful with the rest of your outft.
13; beautiful on their own but I am not sure if they look respectable with any outfit.
These boots are close to that ladies-of-the-night look girls of the oldest profession sport.
If you are as conservative as me, you won’t get close to lace-y boots.

And finally, whatever you do, do not EVER wear lace shoes with a lace dress or skirt with lace shoes. Matchy-matchy is not a good look when it comes to lace.

How to wear lace

If you still haven’t heard, you’ve been living in another galaxy: Lace is going to be huge this spring. Annnnnd, it is tricky to wear. You can wear a little or a lot, head to toe or just a peek. But doesn’t matter where you get your inspiration, be careful how you put your look together. With lace, it is easy to end up somewhere no self-respecting woman wants to be, looking like a …. Wearing lace is a delicate balance. If you want to wear head to toe lace, pick a conservative style, demure cut and choose an elegant color. A bright pink lace dress with flowy skirt is not a good look when you are more than 7 years old. A black lace dress which is too short or ultra revealing and body-con might falsely advertise your job as a type lady who makes her living on her back.
Also, be mindful of proportions and for the sake of everything holy, please; don’t do this:

A little lace goes a long way. You can pull quiet a stylish figure with just a suggestion of lace around the neckline or shoulders. If you are wearing a lacy skirt or top, keep other parts of your outfit lace free. And if you are wearing a lace dress for day, pick something uncomplicated and casual, be mindful of your under things and match it with casual complementary pieces.

1,2,3: Anthropologie
4: Diane von Furstenberg 'Arcelia' Crochet Lace Dress via Nordstrom (shopstyle.com)
5: Trina Turk 'Zafira' Lace Dress & 'Bellflower' Cardigan via Nordstrom (shopstyle.com)
6: newportnews.com
7: Serena in “Gossip Girl” via Instyle.com

Winter Blues or what I didn’t like recently

Ahh, I’m becoming really irresponsible with this weblog. Not my fault really! I blame it on monotonous winter days. After a week of rain, we are having a couple of weeks of half cloudy weather with tangy chilliness. Yep! That is a very accurate scientific description and my dad would be proud of me (he is a retired meteorologist). And I got winter depression. Or to use a very common expression, I’m in a winter style rot. That whole challenge with skirts didn’t work out. Apparently I am not in the mood for skirts this winter. It is much easier to layer a dress over one of my barely worn button downs and just stress over the matching of my scarf and coat.
Then I ordered a pleather rain boot and it took two weeks to get here. Now that I got it, the rain has stopped.
I feel like getting dress is taking too much effort and makes me tired. I’m preferring to wear jeans and a comfy long sweater and flats (oh, horror!).
Else? I went to look for transitional breezy pieces for spring and couldn’t find anything suitable. The silk skirt I fell in love with was extra flowy and voluminous. Looked very nice on the hanger but not-so-flattering on me. The geometric print cotton dress I loved was too short (barely covering the essentials!) and the boutique was out of that silk dusty rose top in my size.
Should I add that the scarf I was admiring was sold before I could get to it?
Not a very happy uplifting shopping experience, I tell ya!
To get my fashion fix, I started watching the “Ugly Betty” Season three DVDs but the unhappy ending and all those bad things happening to all the characters just added to my funk.
I started a couple of illustrations and made such a mess of lines that I gave up.
I am tired of heavy dark winter clothes. I am fed up with my boots, I want to wear nice shoes, and not clogs either!
I have a large list of essential items for spring and I can not find them anywhere (with a reasonable price tag, I mean).
And my husband’s birthday is in two days and I still haven’t bought his gift. Worse yet, I don’t know what to buy for him!
Winter blues? Oodles!


On a less depressing note: if you are planning to mix patterns this spring, be very careful. Let’s Betty be your warning. Do not, (repeat) do not, under any circumstances; mix large or bright colored patterns. Go with one small and one large pattern which are similar in color or shape or theme.

What I loved this week:

Amy Adams’ light and airy style in the movie “Leap Year”. Aside from clothes, beautiful scenery and one cute actor make this movie an ultimate chick flick and a must see.
Amy’s wardrobe is gorgeous and oh-so-suitable for Spring that I’m going to start looking for that blouse and cardigan combo as soon as I can.

My four strands of colorful freshwater pearls with the total price tag of $20.00. I know! A total bargain! These strands are long and I’m wearing them knitted together or with a knot to make them Y-shape.

Colorful umbrellas. Why everyone is carrying black umbrellas? There are so many interesting colors and designs, florals, dots, geometrics, even logos.

Make your trench casual

Sometimes, it’s that laid back and casual feel you are after. Well, a few little changes and your dear faithful trench can look and act casual. The poor thing is a real work horse!

Rainstorm, tornado alarm and what to wear

These days with the rain pouring and wind lashing, it really doesn’t matter what you are wearing. What is important is having a warm water resistance raincoat over your clothes, a cozy scarf and warm hat protecting your head and a large umbrella shielding you from rain. By raincoat I’m not talking about fancy expensive cotton trenches either, I mean those nylon ones with a quilted lining, with a hemline down to your knees.
Also boots are a necessity. I mean aside from getting splashed by passing cars and falling into puddles, when the rain hits you at 60-45 degree angles; even your umbrella is not much help. A good knee length water proof pair of boots can save you from a lot of wetness and muddiness and calf pain and cold. Knitted slipper boots, fancy suede ones or even authentic Ugg boots are not cutting the custard here. I am even starting to doubt my leather ones. They got so wet, the water was getting into the lining. I guess this is where solid good polyurethane or pleather is the best. Or we should all borrow a leaf from British and buy wellies.
If you are going to walk the length of the campus twice in high heels, struggleing against wind and having your umbrella blown out of your hands a few times; at least make sure that you have your check book with you because Cashier’s office does not accepts credit cards!
Ooh, and your handbag better be of synthetic material with a secure closure and flap over to stop the water from soaking all your notes. A messenger style bag is the best. Carrying your fancy new brown leather handbag is not recommended!

My dream outfit

I guess the “dream dress” or “dream outfit” for most people is something like a gorgeous party dress or a cute top or a head to toe chic look or an awesome designer piece but for the last year and half, my dream outfit has been a simple ruffley skirt and sweater combo. I envision myself wearing it at home, hosting an elegant tea party or lounging on the couch watching a period movie and sipping chamomile tea from a huge mug or sitting in the garden paging through a magazine with a tall glass of lemonade by my side. It’s that kind of outfit. The homey relaxing elegance of mid-century English ladies walking in parallels of their centuries old mansions, looking at acres of green hills wrapped in fog.
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? If so, why I haven’t been able to find it anywhere?! In Fall 2008, I saw this outfit in a magazine. I was in love! I spent six months looking for the perfect pale silk and satin ruffled skirt (on a budget!) and I couldn’t find it. Everything was too coarse, too short or the colors too harsh, not the soft delicate feel I have been dreaming about. The closest I came was a lingerie/slip in lavender chiffon with a ruffled skirt which was too short to wear as a serious skirt.

Then I gave up, got disappointed and start sneering at all floral chiffon miniskirts the whole summer. But as fate had it, I came across this outfit in December 2009 issue of “In Style” and my heart start pitter pattering again. Ooh, my love, where can I find you?

So I’m looking again for that perfect silky ruffley skirt and the softest sweetest sweater ever.
And you know what? I’m not going to give up this time. I’m going to check every store and website I can think of until I find and put together this outfit.

What I loved this week:

Well, this is a new series of posts I’m going to have every Friday.
This week I’ve been truly enamored by my Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Merlot. It is a lip balm/lipstick, slides on creamy and cooling and has a soft color suitable for a daytime lipstick. It is %100 natural, soothing and a good moisturizer.

I’ve been lusting after colorful to coats. Blue, green, yellow, purple,…the more colorful, the better. I love bright intense colors: So eye-catching, so happy!

Have been enjoying my Cranberry crocheted beanie hat with its cute side flower. Hats don’t look good on me in general but I finally found the trick to wearing this one:

And loving color Red the whole week, red skirt, red beret, red coat, red lipstick, red handbag, even a bright red glasses-case! I felt hyper the whole week! And to complete my "RED" collection I’m thinking of this beauty:

The Last Standing Red

I admit, it hasn’t been such a clever idea wearing the same skirt day after day. For next week, I’m going to rotate three skirts in two weeks, wearing each one at least 3 times.
I am fed up with my high waisted skirt, it pinches, my ribs are bruised!
But I wore it this one last day just to prove to myself I can and get at least five times wear out of it.

p.s. I have gone with the “Main Outfit’ these past four days. But have been thinking maybe the “Alternative” on Thursday was the better choice. It was hot and brown on brown is not very flattering on me.