June gloom

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

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

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

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

How to wear a blush colored maxi skirt?

I’ve been salivating over street style shots of long flowy light colored maxi skirts so much that when I found a blush maxi in American apparel I just had to have it. It is a sheer chiffon and slightly see-through. So finding the right underpipping for it took a while. Do you know not all the nudes are created equal?!

The beauty of maxi skirts is in their versatility. They can be dressed down or up, worn to beach or a party, shopping or office.

Since this style skirt is a little voluminous, it’s best to wear it with fitted tops or to belt your top and define your waist. Otherwise it makes you look heavy. Also wear high wedges or chunky heels. Height balances the volume of the skirt.

Anyhow, the first time I wore it cool and casual with a shrunken jean jacket and striped top. The second time I wanted to try a new color combination I saw in a magazine and paired the blush with a berry colored top (and a cream knit hoodie to ward of the chill!).

What to wear to a Conference?

It feels like all I’ve been doing these days is attending conferences. Two in two months and there is still more to come! Which (maybe unjustly) make me feel like I’ve become an expert in the art of quick conference dressing! The trick is to prepare before hand, make a list, put it on, get all the ironing, pressing, dry-cleaning and alterations done and hang the outfits complete with all the accessories in a row ready to wear.

What to wear? Many people especially if they are traveling to another city for a conference, treat it as a vacation. A conference is not a vacation. It is a work event, a chance to meet new people in your field, hear new ideas and to network. It is a professional event, so you should dress and act as a professional.

It however doesn’t mean wearing your tired black interview suit. Take your que from your advisor, your boss, mentor or an older professional in your field. A hundred to one bet, they are wearing suits. And when a person who attends at least five conferences annually, is wearing suits, it means you should too!

Your jacket and pants/skits/dress shouldn’t match but have to be complementary. For example a dark gray jacket over a light gray pair of pants (just make sure they are the same color tone). Add a top in a soft drape-y fabric. Experience has shown that button-down shirts don’t lay flat under the suit jacket; the button-down collars stick out and are too stiff. A rounded or v-neck sleeveless top is your best bet. I like to go for bright colors to contrast the somber suit. In this case, the pop of color from your top works as an accessories so go for a very simple necklace. If your top is simple and in the same color family as your s uit, put on an eye-catching necklace.

Colors: Stick to gray, Navy, brown and camel to be safe. Go for muted greens (olive and sage), dark muted burgundy, forest green, dark plum and aubergine if they complement you skin tone and you want to be a little more adventurous.

Shoes and hosiery: pumps, ballet flats or wedges in color complementary to your skirt or pants. Bare legs or sheer stocking in off-black, gray or the exact color of your skin. Be very careful here!

Bags: this is where you can go colorful. Pick a good size bag to fit all your stuff. Don’t get those ugly conference bags they hand out at the registration. A hundred to one they will clash with your outfit. Get a tote bag in a color matching or complementary to your suit or a bright one that goes with your top.

Dos and Don’ts:

-Do buy suits made of fabric which contain natural fibers silk, cotton and wool (45-75%).

-For a mid-range quality and nice cuts look for suits at Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and Club Monaco. If you are lucky you can find a good quality suit “ON Sale” in these stores for around $200. Express, The Limited, NY and Company and many other chains carry suits but theirs are made of complete man-made material. And let’s be honest, poor quality fabric scream poor quality!

- Try to stick to solid colors. Solids are safe! Patterns are risky, your choice may come across as less than serious, too feminine, too wild, or too busy.

-Don’t wear khaki or jean skirts. Only tailored A-line or pencil skirts.

-Pay attention to the style and proportion of your jacket and you skirt/dress. If your skirt is tight at hemline like most fitted pencil skirt choose a jacket that is a little loose at waist. If your skirt is a loose pencil or a-line pick a jacket with a fitted waist.

-Your skirt hem should hit your knee. No skirt shorter than 1-2 inches above the knee. Miniskirts are not professional. Don’t wear a hem line longer than lowest part of your knee cap. They will look dowdy.

-Don’t wear a party style minidress. Satin or shiny material is for night(club).

-Wear clothing in your size. Too tight skirt and dresses tend to ride up when you walk. It is not attractive to fidget or keep adjusting your dress or skirt when you are presenting.

-Don’t wear a jumper dress with a puff sleeve shirt underneath and white tights. You are not seven anymore and not attending your school recital/play!

-Wear suitable, supportive and invisible underwear. Showing bra straps, bra colors or visible panty lines are a serious NO-NO. Not only for conferences but everywhere else too!

-Don’t wear a button-down shirt if you have short neck. The collar obscuring half your face is not attractive.

-Don’t wear tank tops and t-shirts, vests and jeans, especially when you are presenting. It makes you look immature.

-Don’t wink at the audience; don’t do hair flips or any other flirty gesture! You want to look professional.

-Don’t wear white hosiery, sneakers, flip-flops, shorts, faded holey jeans or thin see-through tops. Not professional!

Bag that bright

With all the bright colors going trendy this spring, I’ve been thinking of embracing the trend. First I went back to my closet and pulled out all my royal blue and teal and cobalt pieces that I had. Then all the red and pink ones. Sadly my pinks are muted and light, very ladylike and not trendy at all. Then I made a shopping list:

So far, I’ve found an orange tunic that makes me look like a pumpkin! I have a green dress on my shopping list and am looking for an orange skirt. Pink (sorry, honeysuckle!)hasn’t figured in my calculations yet. A top, maybe?!

Then bags. Ooh, bags! Today coming to school I was thinking I need a bright yellow clutch, a green purse or clutch, an orange tote, a blue-purple top handle one and a purple satchel with a long strap. Do you think it’s a bit too much?!

Shoes

Why have I gone shoe crazy this spring?

Because my favorite styles are trendy and in abundance. Platforms sandals and wedges in all shapes and colors are calling me and I listen!

And after two seasons I finally gave in: caged booties are here to stay!

Striped

A new addition to my striped collection and my first striped dress. I bought it as a summer dress and I have been wearing it with leggings and boots and a cardigan since the weather is chilly. But me think this beauty is a little too short and a little too tight to be worn by itself, way skimpy for school.

Well, it fits me like a glove and is a “Small” size-wise. Do you think if I buy another one a of couple of size up, a medium or a large maybe; I can wear it by itself as a dress? Makes sense, no?!

Mega bags

Go check this link my friends and prepare to be amazed, awed or disgusted!

Click here!

The world’s most expensive bags, most of them undeserving!

My Valentine

This beauty got home yesterday: my Valentine’s day gift!
A 60’s vintage python skin, roomy and perfect!

What I loved this week:

Well, not exactly this week! Since I am trapped in school every day from dawn till dusk (ha ha ha!), I can’t find much visual inspiration so these are the stuff I loved recently.

These gorgeous shoes have been on my mind for last month or so. With their architectural design, being a cross-breed of wedges and platforms and their relatively affordable price, they have become my new obsession. I am specially in love with nude/neutral ones. Should I buy them?

Nude color handbags. I have to have one, the sooner the better! ‘nough said!

Relaxed paper-bag top pants. They don’t look good on me. That’s why I have avoided them but seeing a lot of them in street style weblogs and fashion rags, I have a crush on them. I should give them a chance, shouldn’t I? Well maybe; if I can muster up the courage try them on at least and more importantly a little shopping time!

Green week

Continues with these outfits:

I have experienced all shades of green this week, from olive to Kelly to pistachio and citrus and I come to one realization: I look good in green!

So much for me not liking green before because I thought it won’t look good on me!

And for whatever reason wearing green made me appreciate our gorgeous spring weather more, go figure!

Going Green

That’s what I’m doing this week and it’s not out of envy or concern for the environment. I am wearing green!

That’s said, I try to do my part for a greener planet. I recycle, buy and use materials from regenerating resources, all the appliances in my home are water and energy efficient, I buy local produce and try to minimize my carbon foot print, …

Also the big one: I’m researching and working to treat contaminated water, reduce pollution and reclaim water.

I think that’s more than enough, don’t you? So let me dress in peace without showy claims and declarations about being Green and Eco-friendly!

A week in chocolate

Or at least that was my intention last Monday. But as the week progressed I ventured into mocha and cognac and caramel territory. None as tasty as chocolate, I admit; but they added a much needed variety and kept my appearance from becoming boring. For that I am thankful!

Shopping happy!

Kind of like trigger happy but much safer to be around! Anyhow, two finds that I’m very happy to have bought and one I regret not buying. You agree, don’t you?

Themed week

I’ve been really busy and haven’t been able to post anything new, despite the fact that I’ve been dressing up every day.

To get back in the swing of things and start posting I came up with the idea of themed weeks and would dress in one color primarily for a week.

So here are my outfits for this week so far.

Can you guess what the color is for this week?