Cool white

I am totally in love with my white shirtdress. With the extremely hot weather we are having, wearing this dress is like wrapping yourself in a cool breeze. Red accents added a bit of interest to pure white.

Retro girl

This dress looks pretty retro, the style and the pattern both. It also has an all American feel with the red, white and blue patterns. For its first outing I added blue shoes and a navy bag and completely by chance ended up having dinner in an All-American sport bar! Sometimes, clichés are made unintentionally!

Holy Grail of Style: Light Chambray Shirt

Chambray shirts are something that I have almost no luck in finding the perfect one for me although millions of them are available in stores, anywhere from Target to Old Navy, forever 21 to J.Crew to Bloomingdales. The problem is my requirements. I want something in a light wash which is not too blue or to faded and with no pocket flaps. Finding a shirt with the right placement of pockets is hard. Also I want mine in a relatively thin and un-bulky fabric since I want to be able to layer a thin cardigan or sweater over it. Most importantly I don’t want to spend a fortune on it (ideally below a $100!).

That is why I have been looking for my ideal light chambray shirt for four years now. I have narrowed it down to these from my go-to stores: Mango, Anthropologie and J.Crew. 

The next step is getting the feel for the fabrics and trying them on in store, one by one, to see which one is the fairest of them all!

Peach or mango?

When I purchased these shorts, I noticed the polka dots but didn’t pay much attention to their color. When I received the shorts, I saw the dots are an un-descriptive pink that could be anything from peach to mango to salmon. Whatever they are called, they match my silk Henley perfectly.

The color of on the Madewell website for this top was called “Mango sherbet”. In real life it is somewhere between mango, pink and peach depending on the light. Anyhow, apparently this particular color is very trendy in Phoenix, as I saw a lot of ladies wearing it today. By the time I was coming back home I was starting to regret wearing it.

Hot pink and indigo

A combination that is eye-catching and addictive. I’d paired my navy shirtdress with pink accessories before, so with no new inspiration, it was easy to pair pink with my darling indigo chambray dress as well. I was happy with the results, don’t know about you.

This outfit would have been perfect with a hot pink handbag, wouldn’t it? I did find one (a really inexpensive vegan version which was environmental friendly and made from recycled material) but a discussion with my better half stopped me from buying it. It went like this:

Me: ooh, look! I really need a hot pink bag.

BH: this bag is nothing special. Do you really need it?

Me: but it’s pink and I don’t have a pink bag.

BH: do you have to have a specific bag for each one of your outfits?

Me: uhhhh… (putting the bag down)

Which as you can see left me to improvise!

Where to spend and where to save

I just read this article and felt a bit better about my shopping habits.

Based on this article, look for higher quality and the pricier versions of:

-leather jackets,

-bras,

-jeans (I would say, only when it fits you like a dream)

-black sheath dresses (could be in other colors as long as the color looks good on you)

-blazers,

…and save money and go with less expensive versions of:

-skirts,

-summer sandals,

-formal dresses,

-printed pants.

I would add to the list of items to splurge on:

-a great/classic winter coat,

-handbags,

-your hair cut and color.

Well, good luck my dears if you start hitting summer sales and keep your eyes open for great bargains!

Interview with friends

Meeting another group of my husband’s new friends, not knowing how formal the restaurant was. Good thing I went with a dress!

Black maxi:

The solution to all style dilemmas in hot climates! Wear it everywhere, from grocery shopping to dinner parties. It always looks great and if the fit and quality is good, you’ll always look appropriate. You can accessorize it with any color, specially with blue!

Depressed

I changed my outfit 6 times before leaving the house this afternoon. What I wore wasn’t planed or intentional, I just gave up and went with the most comfortable pieces.

I think I’m sinking into depression, with low energy and no creativity.

Inky blues

What it says about my state of mind when I submerge myself in navies and blues? I don’t want to think about it!

Despite my best efforts to avoid any blue based color, these are the outfits I ended up wearing. For the day, an inky button down and striped khaki shorts. The stripes are the most amazing blue ever, the exact color of ink in old fashion ballpoint Bic pens.

For the night, I wore my wide-leg linen pants and this Anthropologie's top. This outfit was as comfortable as wearing pajamas. I was feeling very resort-ready tonight!

Turning blue

No, really! It was too much to ask of me. Not wearing blue for a whole week? I couldn’t take it anymore and today I doubled up on blue: denim dress and shoes.

Hot pink

I’m starting to believe this color looks good on me. For an afternoon of exploring and finally relaxing in our neighborhood coffee-shop, I wore my hot pink top over printed pants. Going with neutral accessories and keeping the focus on the top. Not sure how successful it was though!

I’m being good, not wearing red or blue. How long has it been, a whole week? Oh, no, only four days! Feels like going into withdrawal!

What I loved …

this week… recently:

-Shorts: Forced by the weather and also by spring and summer trend of short suits, I’ve been wearing a lot of them. My favorites are soft cotton ones and those in linen. Also I’m eying a pair in Nantucket red. I’m currently going for lighter colors, as evident in previous posts.

-colorful clutches: specially in hot pink, orange, emerald green or any florescent/ neon color. I know, this was trendy last summer, I’m starting to feel the need for a pop of color right now due to dull landscape!

-Coconut milk: a snack in itself, it adds great taste to fruit smoothies. I will try using it in muffins and pancakes next and see what happens.

Good luck shopping

Whatever complains I have about Phoenix, shopping isn’t one of them. I think here is a Mecca for bargain shopping. I mean, a Lodis belt for $15? Yes, yes and yes!

Continuing to wear colors that are not blue or red, I went with my boxy yellow cotton top over white shorts. The top was thin and cool, perfect for pre-storm high humidity weather and 106 temp we had today.

Floral and coral

I found the thinnest jeans I own. It’s this black and white floral print pair from Forever21. Now I can wear jeans at night which gives a bit of variation to my shorts or dresses routine.

I used my coral silk henley to add a bit of interest to the jeans’ black and white. Then went overboard and added the colorful bag. This outfit felt really loud. When I plan my outfits, I usually go for one focal point item and keep everything else pretty subdued. Tonight however, I was feeling rebellious!

The golden top

I spent the whole afternoon in my closet, trying to come up with colorful combinations without using red and/or blue. Matching this polka dot gold top and white shorts is one of the results. I just dressed them up with a formal clutch for the evening.

p.s. 1: I love this top. I wonder why I haven’t worn it much!
p.s. 2: Oops, I included a red item! In my defense, I didn't have a bag in orange which would have been perfect for this outfit.

Lady in red

I confess to having a hard time not matching red shoes and red bag to this outfit… just saying! I am in serious need of inspiration for summer outfits. There are only so many ways you can wear a dress or tops and shorts. Anyhoo, I went with a bit of western vibe with the leather belt but added the ladylike shoes and raffia bag for its texture and to stop the outfit from becoming costume-y.

What to do…

...when you are new in town, don’t know the neighborhood and haven’t got your car yet?

Why, shop online of course! Here are my recent purchases. However, online shopping doesn’t feel as satisfying as shopping in an actual store. I admit that I am missing the hustle and bustle of a brick and mortar store, the colors and the textures and the background noise of music and chat and giggles… The thrill of trying on your new purchases as soon as you get home and matching them with the rest of your wardrobe is also missing.

All this suffering to survive the heat for the rest of summer, hopefully.  At least I can look forward to a package or two in the mail!

Updated,  7/24/13: shorts are from Forever21, dresses are from Tulle.

Monsoon

I can’t believe it! It’s actually raining… honest to goddess rain! Wow! After three days of wind and sandstorms, we got rain! Better yet, the temperature dropped by 20 degrees!

I celebrated this happy occasion by wearing one of my girlies dresses: a blush colored linen dress which has splashes of lavender colored flowers.

How to survive the heat?

It has been my burning question for the last two weeks from the moment I set foot on Arizona.

My game plan so far:

-Keep it simple: I have simplified my outfits to the point of bare minimum. No extra necklaces, no scarves, no belts, not even thin jackets and cardigans anymore.

-Wear non-confining dresses: Although I need to wear dress styles which define the waist, I’m wearing dresses that are nipped in waist but a bit loose still. Shift dresses and shirtdresses are my style of choice right now. Maxi dresses are also great and I’ve seen them on a lot of people.

-Pay attention to the fabric: cotton, linen, silk, rayon. Light and cool fabrics in lighter colors, despite my severe attachment to navy.

- Finding a new neutral: see above, my severe attachment to navy. I need to find a new power color which is lighter and more suitable to Arizona’s weather and its bright sun. Brown and khaki don’t work, because of my complexion and personal preference. Olive or military don’t either. I think heather gray is for the gym only. Which leaves me with… almost no neutral! There is always white and I have plenty of items in white, but… I also need a dark neutral to balance it out. Either I have to find a very specific shade of gray or go with lighter blues like chambray. Something to think about! Any suggestions?

-Get my hair off my neck: this is driving me crazy! I have started braiding my hair and bought hair clips although I’m not wearing it out of the house. My favorite style is a messy looped ponytail and a messy low bun. I am just thankful that the remaining keratin in my hair and low humidity have eliminated the frizz from my hair.

-Skincare: I have to figure out a way to stop my makeup from melting on my skin. I’ve gone for the bare minimum again and am only applying tinted sunscreen and anti-redness powder, still… I need to consult with a professional!

Blue chambray shorts

Chambray shorts are cool. They embody “summer” without any fuss. How can you make them elegant? Simple, pair them with button downs!

In a city famous for its casualness (and heat), I think my standards are slipping. I have to try and step up my game a bit. If not, you may start seeing slinky tank tops and short shorts here everyday! (Shudder!) This heat is seriously damaging my style.

Tee and skirt

I knew I’ve hit rock-bottom when my inspiration came from the K-drama I’m currently watching;”Panda and Hedgehog”. Still, Miss Panda’s outfits are cute and she has a tendency to match printed tees with sweet skirts.

I don’t own any printed tee, so I went with a solid navy one and matched it with a floral print skirt. Yes, pigtails completed my outfit. It’s so hot that I suffer any indignation to keep my hair off of my neck and shoulder!

White and blue

For spending the whole day outside in 110 degree heat, nothing beats a cool thin white dress. And I am unimaginative enough to accessorize it with blue. Or maybe I’m just lazy, since all my red and blue stuff are on hand but I have to dig through tons of stuff for other colors.

I fought the weather...

...and the weather won!*

My formula for surviving this crazy hot weather: wearing my coolest and the most uncomplicated of dresses. I guess I was lucky to snag this emerald and navy dress/chemise. It is perfect for Arizona’s weather.

…and after spending the whole day organizing my closet, I really wasn’t in the mood for an outfit that required a lot of effort!

* Ref. to " I fought the law and the law won" by Sonny Curtis. 

Poppy red

Dinner with friends which by a stroke of luck happened when there was an “art walk” in downtown Scottsdale. Phoenix has an active art community with lots of shows and I need to get my hand on the schedule!

Still subconsciously trying to balance the color scheme around me with reds. My Madewell poppy red dress, purchased a couple of months ago, got her first outing tonight. It was the perfect choice, like it had been made for a sultry night walking among beautiful paintings.

The moving company finally delivered our stuff. They unpacked and dumped everything un-ceremonially on the closet floor. I need to start organizing, before my precious babies suffer any more indignations.

What to wear for qualifying exam?

Back in October and November 2012, I took my qualifying exam and advancement to candidacy. For presenting my PhD proposal, I wore my navy shirtdress accessorized with a navy belt and necklace. I thought, navy being the color of authority as well as my power color, I was safe.

My committee grilled me for 2.5 hours starting from the first slide. At the end, they accepted my proposal and voted that I have enough scientific knowledge of the topic to pass the qualifying exam. However they judged my presentation skills subpar. I had to redo the presentation next month. In retrospect, I made two mistakes: first, I dressed feminine and not businesslike enough. The color alone did not save my bacon so to speak. Matching the sandals was also a mistake. A closed-toe pair of shoes would have been much better. Second, I sat down during my presentation and while answering questions and only stood up to write on the board whenever necessary. Both these mistakes enforced a less than serious and competent image.

For my second presentation I aimed to avoid any mistaken impression. I wore the traditional black and more business-defined pieces. A silk button down, black vest, a black and white necklace and boots provided a sleek silhouette which was a bit school-girly, a good image and  a bonus in this case.

The lessons from this experience:

-your average science or engineering  professors are not renowned for their sense of style. Stay in business-casual tried and true territory.

-although a more trendy or stylish outfit grants complements around the department, for official occasions people prefer more conventional outfits.

-an official event is not the time and place to demonstrate your creativity or sense of style. Stick to the more familiar visuals for the sake of your audience.

Edited: Here are what I wore to my defense and to my graduation ceremony.

A balancing act

My attempt at starting the week with a serious and businesslike attitude. A formal top, a belt and a clutch would surely formalize white shorts and sandals.

 With my limited wardrobe options (the movers haven’t brought our stuff yet!) I’m trying to balance out the beiges and browns around me with reds and blues. I just wish I could do the same thing to the landscape!

Sunday fun

Another day of exploring the neighborhood and then taking refuge from the heat in the local Barns and Nobel. The inspiration for this outfit came from today’s post on “Blue is in fashion this year”. For the day these Joe Fresh^TM shorts were turned casual with a tee and sandals for their first outing. Next time I will wear them with silk button downs!

For the night, I braved the elements and wore pants for the first time here in Arizona. The fact that our destination was the local theater and I was sure it would be super cold played a major role in my decision!

Exploring our new habitat

Spending the day exploring our new city and trying to find good food, some place to hang out with friends, a favorite coffee shop and my most necessary stores (I am counting Anthropologie and J.Crew in this category!).

For the day:

For the night:

The results of these excursions were finding a Sprouts (so comforting!), a barbeque joint (the best beef briskets I ever had) and the city’s main mall! I think I can live here… if forced! Ooh, almost forgot, I've found the city's public library, yoohoo!

First dinner party

Since my better half is very social and always making new friends or reconnecting with old friends and their families (from old kindergarten-college classmates to teachers to coworkers), I have to meet “the in-laws” over and over again in a sense. To meet these pseudo in-laws I’ve developed a fail-safe outfit strategy: a great dress in my power color, navy, with interesting accessories. This outfit reinforces my goody-two-shoes image which is not necessarily a bad thing.

For attending an informal dinner party and meeting hubby’s new friends (and their parents!), I went with my fantastic navy shirtdress spiced up with blue accessories:

Happy Fourth!

My yearly declaration of patriotism modified to our new climate:

I’ve moved…

…from beautiful Southern California to the deserts of Arizona. The temperature is between 115 to 105 in daytime and somewhere around 100 at night. The humidity… what humidity? The air is as dry as old bones! The landscape is a monochrome of khaki, beige and brown with splashes of cactus green. The houses are in the same sandy and khaki colors. The interior of our house is also an eye scorching symphony of beige and muddy green with yellow oak floors and cabinets.

 All this to say, I am in a cultural and physical shock and my artistic sensibilities are fatally injured. I don’t think I can live with this color scheme at all.

The most uncomplicated of my dresses had to be employed to battle the heat and a thin cardi for “AC + ceiling fan” interiors. 

On a positive note, we discovered Pheonix’s equivalent of BJ’s. Same loud atmosphere, same sampler of beers! The soup wasn’t equal to BJ’s clam chowder but the sandwich and salad were much better. The pizza you ask? Oh my god! So delicious it almost made up for all the faults Phoenix may have!

Oops!

Note to self: when packing, please remember to leave out the outfit you plan to wear on the way or you may end up with whatever is available and accessible!