Liberty print

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

Orange and stripes

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

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

Sage and powder pink

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

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

Patterned and white

I was hoping for the overcast to follow with rain and the mercury dropping. Needless to say, I hoped in vain! By mid afternoon we were back to mid 90s and the sun was shining.

I let the patterned pants take the center stage by wearing a simple white shirt and adding black accessories, taking the colors from the pattern. A white leather bracelet and my zodiac bangle completed the look.

Got complements on the bracelet and pants!

Shades of gray

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

Viva la weekend

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

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

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

Black and Ikat

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

Holy Grail of style: Tank tops

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

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

Bordeaux and cream

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

Labor Day

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

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

Gray peplum and Turquoise blue

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

Yes, when I want to try a new outfit combination, I wear it either to grocery store or to a late night fast food run when not that many people are around.

I fell in love with this turquoise scarf print top in spring. This is another top I used to wear with white jeans back in OC, but here I am going with a skirt in the same color. 

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