Casual Friday

This is how I do "Casual Friday": a relaxed blazer, white jeans to honor the spring, silk shirt and gold for a touch of luxe, a structured bag to pull everything together and comfortable shoes to walk in for four hours, shop for unnecessary stuff and relax with a cup of tea and a magazine in a favorite cafe.

White Utility

Here it is, my utility jacket in a white outfit. There are a few trends combined in this outfit, the bohemian touches, the 70s silhouette, the utilitarian, the all white... strangely enough they all worked together to make an understated outfit!

Spring cleaning

I've developed a major crush on neutrals and lighter shades. I feel my wardrobe needs a bit of rest and cleanse and the whites and off whites seem very appealing right now. I throw in a bit of blush or beige for visual interest.

The best "Nude" lip color

Finding my perfect Nude lipstick has become something of an ongoing quest for me. I've been trying and discarding lipsticks (and lip crayons and all the other variations) in search of my lips exact color for so long, that some years I give up the notion completely and decide to live with red or pink lips for the rest of my life!
Joke aside, I have given every hyped color a try and here is what I've finally learned: my lips are not one exact color! Depending on the season, the temperature and my health, the color varies from a cyclamen pink to a very light coral. So instead of one "Nude", I should have several. Here are my favorites at present:
-Neutrogena MoistureSmooth color stick in Soft Raspberry (60), a brownish coral.
-Revlon Colorburst Balm stain in Honey (001), light pink with purple/blue undertones.
-Clinique Chubby stick color balm in Chunky Cherry (05), equal amount orange and pink and very light.
and my recent find,
-MAC Matte lipstick in Velvet Teddy, a pinkish beige.

Doesn't mean I am satisfied. I still need a light coral which means another few years of research!

Sunday Artist

Cloudy days in Arizona are precious and rare. An afternoon of long walks on the river bank becomes more romantic under the white skies.

Also cloudy skies provide the perfect light for photographing the new blooms. Just look at those birds!

Dark and edgy

Sometimes I get tired of my own over-educated suburbanite personality and prefer something edgier. A little leather, sheer silk, high heels, head to toe black, smoky eyes... pretending to be a badass!

Trench time

I was thinking only a few days ago that weather warmed up too early this year and I didn't get a chance to wear my light trench coat. Well, yesterday was cloudy  and the perfect excuse to wear this darling trench. I love it, you know!

O glorious weather!

I feel so bad for people on the east coast and midwest going through such horrible weather. Here in AZ we are enjoying mid 80s temperature and clear skies. It also means we are going to have an awfully hot summer (above 117 probably). But for now, the weather is just glorious!

Utilitarian

The nights are perfect for wearing my utility jacket. Matching it with jeans however might have been a mistake. Next time I wear it with white jeans....

Full denim

When I was dressing I had no notion that a short trip to library might cause a full day of shaky nerves. Before that I was happy that head to toe denim is a trend again. Afterward... I couldn't care less!

Military trend

I am warming up to this military trend slowly. It doesn't hurt that I've bought a few sage/army green pieces in the fall either. No, I wasn't thinking about this trend when I bought them, just random shopping. To tell you the truth, I am relieved right now that military has become trendy this spring!

PS: This time around it's being called Utility trend. Same dog, different collar!

70's Revival

This new interest in high waisted jeans couldn't have come at a worst time for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the 70s.Those big lapel sharp jackets, bell bottoms, maxi skirts... love them all. No, the problem is I have to lose a few pounds to fit comfortably in my wide legged jeans. Ah well, good motivation to lose weight I guess!

Valentine's dinner

After so many years of marriage, our Valentine's day date is more along the lines of a great BBQ meal and a fun movie. Fun but not obligatory sugary and romantic, either the movie or the date! Last night for example we went to watch "Into the woods". However it doesn't mean I won't acknowledge the romance of the occasion: a bit of silk and lace (for peek a boo teasing) plus layering two of the pendants my love has given me in our early days of dating. Ooh ... and red lips, definitely red lips!

PS: hmmmm.... upon further reflection, a pair of red heels would have been perfect...except I don't own a pair. Why don't I?

The quick fix

Let's say you didn't notice your outfit's color combo won't look so great on you until you are going out the door. Your sallow skin is due to your recent bout of flu... and you don't have time to change. A great red lipstick can cure many ills, my dears!

A few of my favorite things

This is the fourth day I am in bed and sick with the flu. These are the little things helping me feel better:

- Hammond's chocolate, nearly the perfect chocolate! I loved all the flavors I've tried so far.
-White Hydrangeas in a glass vase. Elegant, chic, simple.
-Tiny gold initial pendants. These are less than 1/8 of an inch (about 5mm) and perfect for layering when they rest right at the hollow of the neck.

Golden touches

There are two reason why this outfit made me happy: first because of all the little gold details and then because every single element of this outfit is precious to me.

Impromptu party

The dinner invitation came out of the blue with only two hours notice. We had to rush home to change and feed the cats first. But I think this rushed outfit hit the nail for a balmy evening spent on chitchat and wine.

PS: This whole outfit is a symphony in texture: croc, suede, canvas, silk...I liked that better than the play on colors.

Practical psychology

An interesting observation on human nature: what attracted me to this jacket a few years ago was its rough and unfinished hems. What drives me crazy every time I wear this jacket? You guessed it, those unfinished hems!

The colors of comfort

Currently I am in the mood to curve into a ball under a blanket and eat comfort food but I had to get out of the house to get that food first. So here it is, an outfit made of my comforting blue and navy colors, all soft and cozy textures with dark lips and a bit of gold; totally perfect for binge eating sushi and hot and sour soup.

Hello spring!

Well, spring is here and even at night it is warm enough for wearing just a light coat (mine is velvet). I better wear these wedges as much as I can because pretty soon it would be sandals' weather!

En noir

Referencing yesterday's outfit, here is another version in black. I have to take advantage of the weather and wear my favorite outfit combo before the weather heats up too much.

Ideal outfit

This outfit includes every single element that I love: a structured jacket, skinny jeans, a silk blouse, a structured bag, comfortable heels and a hint of gold... structured, luxurious feeling, unique accessories. I think I can live everyday of my life happily wearing a variation of this outfit.

Black silk

The heroine of my current favorite book series is an assassin with a penchant for black silk. I was still under the influence of the story when I was dressing for dinner. A black silk shirt felt very comfortable, chic and deliciously decadent as a result.

A few more wear

Although the weather is warm and sunny during the day, we still need to wear a coat at night. My most serious question right now: what other color I can wear with this black and white coat? Blush worked pretty well but anything else?

Bright blue world

My mood is so blue these days it is reflecting in my clothing. Honestly when I go into my closet I can't pick any other color.... believe me, I tried. Before settling on this outfit, I tried an army green color scheme and then a black and white one but none looked good in the mirror. Since the elements were basically the same and the only difference was in color, I am forced to only one conclusion: my blue and funky mood is to blame.

Super sunday

How was your Sunday? Instead of watching Superbowl, we spent the afternoon with four screaming and giggling little girls, playing and eating excellent food. I take a princess cartoon over a football game any day!