Well hello! I haven't posted since late June and now it's officially Fall, almost October. Where does the time go? I'll admit that I think about blogging more than I probably should these days. I do miss it, and I especially miss talking and interacting with all of you. Luckily I'm able to see many of you over on Instagram, and I still post outfit photos over there that I forget (or am a bit too lazy) to post here. I really want to show up more regularly here in the coming months though. We have so much catching up to do!
I'll start today with this dress I recently bought from Abercrombie. Even though the temperatures are still pretty high in SoCal, Of course I'm shopping with Fall in mind. When I saw this on Abercrombie's new arrivals section, I was really drawn to the ribbed knit fabric and the keyhole detail in the bust. I still love the cutout trend, but I think this feels more appropriate for cooler weather.
The fabric is even better in person! It's incredibly soft with a generous amount of stretch. It hugs my curves while still being a bit loose where I want it to be around my hips and thighs. I sized up for that reason and I'm happy I did. Abercrombie comes in regular, tall, and petite so finding your size is really easy. The midi length is perfect for showing off some pretty heels, and I think some tall boots or booties will be great in the Winter. Add a jacket like I did, and you have a beautiful transitional outfit that can be worn for so many different events or occasions. Honestly, this dress is comfortable enough to even sleep in! But, I'll leave that up to you.
I have to admit, this is probably one of my favorite transitonal Fall outfits I've ever worn. It's hard to explain why really, but I just feel so put together and chic without sacrificing comfort. I did also receive some compliments and let's face it, that's always a nice feeling! Living in sunny southern California, Fall weather is much warmer than say, New York. It's more of a wish than an actual season here, so it takes a little creativity to incorporate trends in a way that works for me.
(Don't mind that little string on my shorts in these pics. I had no idea it was there the whole time! Hey, it's life. No fancy photographer here.)
For the past few seasons, longer length or duster cardigans have been all the rage and while I love those and own a few, I'm actually really happy that shorter cropped cardigans are trendy right now. Cropped anything can be tricky to pull off, especially if you're a more modest dresser like me. But pair one with high waisted bottoms and any hesitation disappears! The best of both worlds. I love the juxtaposition, and ultimately I find the combination flattering. The cardigan can be worn open over a tank or bodysuit, but I prefer wearing it buttoned as a shirt itself. I wore these linen blend shorts a lot over the Summer, and because they are black, what better way to transition them into Fall than with a cozy, soft-as-can-be cardigan? This whole look is fun for a night out, or switch out the heels for some ankle boots or flats for a casual day.
What's the weather like where you live? I hope you all have a fantastic Halloween weekend!
I've shopped Gibsonlook at Nordstrom for a few years and have loved their soft, comfortable, elevated basics. When I found out that one of my favorite petite bloggers Nasreen was doing a collaboration with the brand, I knew I wanted to try one of their pieces. I was drawn to a few of the styles, but instantly fell in love with this beautiful blouson sleeve burgundy floral dress. It's perfect for Fall and the upcoming holidays.
I find that Gibsonlook runs large so I went down to a small in the dress and it fits just how I want it to. It's a pull-on style with lining in the body and sheer billowy sleeves that cuff at the wrists. I absolutely love the print! You can't tell from these photos but there is a really pretty metallic gold threading throughout. Nate and I have only done family photos for the holidays once, but if we were to do them again I would definitely wear this! I highly recommend it for so many different types of occasions this Fall and Winter.
I also wanted to briefly mention that Nasreen shared some heartbreaking news recently on her social media. She has breast cancer. Because October is national breast cancer awareness month and because Nasreen is making it her mission to help other women, I too would like to remind you ladies to please please make those annual appointments with your gynecologists. I actually had my first mammogram a few months ago when I found a rather large, incredibly painful lump. I first did the mammogram (which was definitely awkward but not painful) followed by an ultrasound. I had tears in my eyes while the nurse had me shift in various positions. I kept thinking of the ways in which my life would change if if she told me it was cancer. Thankfully, it wasn't cancer (just my hormones run amuck). There is no family history of breast cancer, but you still can't be complacent. That experience has shown me just how important self breast exams are, as well as making sure you see your doctor for those annual exams. I hope if you don't already follow Nasreen that you will do so now! Let's lift her and other women up in prayer and allow them to share their stories in hopes of preventing more people from going through the same thing.
Celebrations look a lot different in 2020. Most of us probably assumed back in the Spring that life would resume as normal by September. I remember having countless conversations with friends, and none of us really thought that we would still be in the midst of the pandemic for more than a couple months. How wrong we were.
September is my favorite month for two simple reasons - the 12th is my birthday, and the 21st is our wedding anniversary. Every year I look forward to them, not because we do anything particularly extravagant, but because they are markers for another year lived. I use those two days to reflect, and they felt especially poignant this time.
I've spent most of the last few months in a haze, rotating from sadness and paralyzing anxiety, to absolute gratitude for everything and everyone in my life. I've missed important milestones, like attending my sister-in-law's first baby shower (this was actually the dress I bought in June with the intention of wearing it to the party in July). But I've also spoken to my dad every single week since March, and our relationship has grown. There's been a lot of good, a lot of positive changes that I don't think would have happened if not for a world altering, once in a century event. I really try to focus on the good when my mind wants to wander over into the bad.
Although my 36th birthday wasn't what we had planned (in fact, Nate surprised me at the start of the pandemic with tickets to Maui, which we later canceled), I was honestly just excited to put on a pretty new dress and grab takeout from our favorite Italian restaurant. After months of leggings and a bare face, it was nice feeling "pretty" again. Our anniversary went a step further and we actually got away to Newport Beach for the weekend. But more about that in my next post...
I hope you are all doing well! Have you done any major celebrations this year, and what did it look like for you?
I've shopped the Nordstrom anniversary sale every single year since college, but things have definitely changed since then! I didn't think I'd partake at all this go-around, but I'll admit that after previewing the sale, a few things did catch my interest. I always debate posting about it too, because I know all the sale talk can get tired during normal times. Throw in all of the craziness and uncertainty of this year, and it seems even more over the top to spend time talking about a sale. But after some discussion with a couple of my girlfriends, I realized that most of us could use a fun shopping trip! One of my friends isn't even a shopper but she's looking forward to this sale after a months' long spending freeze. I can't personally get to a local Nordstrom (the one I loved has sadly closed) but I can shop vicariously through others and I do plan to buy a couple things online.
My biggest tips:
Stick to a budget! I know it's hard when so many people are sharing their giant hauls on Instagram, but it's not worth it to spend more than you can afford.
Go for more luxury items that aren't typically part of a sale. I used to buy a few essentials as part of my Fall wardrobe, and I'm still tempted to, but I don't go as crazy stocking up because so many retailers do similar items at already discounted prices. Honestly, the quality of some Nordstrom house brands are comparable to retailers like Target - which is fine! But they aren't worth obsessing over. If you have your eye on a leather jacket or a cashmere sweater, I'd go for that as opposed to yet another basic cardigan or pair of jeans that you can buy anytime, anywhere.
I also recommend looking at the beauty exclusives because that's where you'll find the best deals.
I own and love all of these beauty products! The only exception is the T3 hair brush set, which I'm planning on buying because I need a new paddle brush and wet brush anyway. If you treat yourself to one thing, I think a hair tool is absolutely worth it.
If you have any specific questions on any of these, let me know! I use them all on a daily/weekly basis.
As for clothing, there are a lot of "blogger" items that get talked about often, but I also think they're worth the hype. Last year I bought a Barefoot Dreams cardigan and I wore it practically every day in Winter around the house. It was perfect for the height of quarantine, and since I have no Godly idea when California is going to open up again, I may do the same again this Winter. I got mine in my true size.
The Spanx leggings are also hyped up, but agree that they are great. I have had mine for two years and they fit even better now after losing some weight. I would buy them again but in petite. Size up one in them.
My favorite anniversary sale purchase ever is this gorgeous suede moto jacket. You guys have seen it so many times! It's my standard "going out" look in the Winter, especially around the holidays. Obviously it doesn't get very cold here, so I treat this jacket the way most of you treat a coat. They have this jacket every year in the sale in different colors. I really like the taupe version for this year. Go up one size in it.
I'll share what I end up buying soon, but I hope those of you shopping enjoy yourselves. I know you deserve it.
Happy Wednesday friends! If you haven't read part one from my Monday style post, you may want to quickly head over and catch up because it's connected to what I'm wearing today. To recap some of those thoughts/tips: petites can definitely wear a long cardigan! There are just a couple simple styling tricks I find helpful for a flattering, elongating look. 1) Stick to loose, drapey knits that skim the body. 2) Also, wearing more slim fitting items underneath the longer layer will help create a streamlined, leg-lengthening appearance.
I love wearing cardigans over dresses, so I decided to see if the proportions would still work with a breezy mini dress. This dress is one of my favorites from Summer, and I wanted to bring it into the Fall season with just a few small changes. I swapped sandals for suede ankle boots, and then added this gorgeous orange duster. I guess it's more bohemian than I usually dress this time of year, but I was surprised at how effortless it felt. I'm all for ease!
I think the length of the dress pairs well and even compliments the length of the duster. Showing a little leg ensures you don't disappear in all the flowing fabric. I liked the effect so much that I plan on trying it with a Leith bodycon dress next.
Do you ladies enjoy this type of styling post? I know not all of you are petite so I sometimes refrain from posting specifically for petites, but some things can be fairly universal. These days I repeat and rewear everything! Even when I don't mention it on here, I hope you'll notice that I have well-loved and well-worn items. I'd love to create more of these posts if they're helpful.
Long duster cardigans have been trendy for a few seasons, but I wasn't really certain if the length would work on my petite frame (and when I say petite, I mean that only in height as I'm 5'2). I've admired the look on other, mostly taller women, which made me curious. When I saw this beautiful burnt orange duster at Target, I decided to give it a try. The color sold me but the question remained; Can long layers work for petites?
The short answer is yes! Petites absolutely can participate in the trend and actually look really great. I think there are just a few key styling tips to keep in mind,
1. The fabric and construction of the garment really matters. For example, knits have a flattering drape to them and will flow beautifully as you walk and move. They skim the body nicely without adding extra bulk. A more structured long coat in a heavier fabric is trickier to pull off which is why I prefer those to be shorter in length.
2. Make sure that whatever you wear underneath the duster is more slim fitting. like a crisp pair of skinny jeans or a dress that still shows off some of your curves. This way you won't feel like you're swimming in it.
3. Choose your shoes wisely. I almost wore this outfit with my favorite heeled sandals, but I opted for flat mules instead and I actually like the look. Just make sure that your shoes are fairly sleek.
Long duster cardigans aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I've surprised myself with just how often I've been reaching for one in these weird transitional weather days. It's fun playing with proportions and seeing what works versus what doesn't. I always thought that long layers were meant for tall women, but I'm finding that short ladies like myself can have fun with length too!
Would you wear this duster? I'll show you one more way to wear it on Wednesday so I hope you'll stop by!
As October moves along, I'm (finally) beginning to embrace Fall dressing. I've come to the strange conclusion that my reluctance towards cooler weather really comes down to the fact that I just feel more attractive in the Summer. I hate admitting that because it sounds so vain but if I'm being honest, breezy colorful dresses, air-dried hair, and sun kissed skin makes me feel happiest and just more...well, me.
That doesn't mean that I can't enjoy Fall fashion though because there's definitely a lot to love. During a cool spell last week, I pulled out some closet essentials I'd been saving, along with a brand new t-shirt I ordered during the most recent Shopbop sale.
This belted camel wrap is unfortunately sold out. It's such a shame because it's the perfect transitional piece to throw on over basic tanks and t-shirts. I wore it open and closed, and I really can't decide which way I prefer. Both options are great! I live in floral kimonos during the Summer, and this knit wrap is similar while still providing a layer of warmth. Plus camel is so chic, isn't it? Pair any pair of jeans with a camel sweater or coat and you instantly look polished.
Speaking of jeans, I'm realizing that this is my first post wearing pants since June 17th! I've worn them a few times off the blog, but that just falls in line with my whole Summer of dresses thing. These crisp, dark wash skinny jeans are a new favorite even though I bought them months ago. They are the curvy skinny jeans from Loft's petite line, and they are true to size. They lay flat against my tummy, are roomy in the hips and thighs, and have the right amount of stretch. I highly recommend them if you're looking for an affordable, comfortable pair of classic skinnies.
Now, I can't really justify the leopard print tee even though I love the fit, fabric, and design. Rails is one of my favorite brands for luxuriously soft shirts, but the prices are honestly kind of outrageous and I'm actually embarrassed I paid as much as I did on this t-shirt. (Macklemore's thrift shop song comes to mind). However, it was on sale and I've already worn it a couple times. Quality over quantity wins again.
Some variation of this outfit is bound to become my Fall uniform. What will be yours?
It's finally beginning to feel ever so slightly like Fall around here, although it's supposed to be over 80 today! We go back and forth a lot, but even if the weather isn't cooperative, I'm slowly putting away my Summer accessories and shoes in favor of more seasonally appropriate options just to get myself in the mood. My friend pointed out that just because California doesn't experience four seasons doesn't mean you can't create your own version of them. All the more reason to actually. And she's totally right.
I like a very casual bohemian style in Summer, but come Fall, I'm all about classic pieces. Think dark denim, chic flats, long cardigans, cable knit sweaters, and plenty of texture. I have most of these basics in my wardrobe already, but there are a few things I'd like to buy not only for Fall at home but also before I head to New York City in just a couple weeks. It's fast approaching and I really need to get on top of it! usually I have more time to prepare for a trip since Nate and I aren't exactly world travelers, but I can't express enough how excited I am to just go without overthinking it.
These are the things on my current wish list. I'm unsure if they'll all work for me, but I'm going shopping next week to try some on in person. I'll report back after my trip so I can explain in detail everything I packed and wore.
Thankfully, my shopping list is fairly small because as I said before, I already own some great essentials. I do worry about getting cold in New York so I plan on bringing some layering pieces like a scarf and some tights. I know layering is the key! Our trip is less then a week long so rotating between 7 or 8 pieces total will be easy. It's all about comfort, practicality, and obviously feeling as put-together as I can because it's NYC after all.
The items (or similar) below are all coming with me, and they're all perfect basics that I think you will love for Fall and beyond. I've worn them all in various posts, especially the Sezane bag that I still can't get enough of!
Nate and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary on September 21st, and we kept it pretty low-key. I wasn't sure what the plans were because it wasn't my year to plan...we rotate! One year I'm in charge of what we do to celebrate, the next year Nate does. It was still pretty warm out so I went with my favorite Ann Taylor dress (last seen here) and added a floral kimono to bring in an extra layer since nights are getting much cooler now. I can't stress enough how much I love re-wearing things but switching up the styling to make it feel more current. I typically wear kimonos with a tank or t-shirt and jeans, but they also look great over dresses.
Aside from cardigans, I think kimonos are great transition pieces for Fall. Most people associate them with Summer, but if you live in a warmer climate they are perfect for those in-between days.
So after dinner, Nate actually surprised me with a gift - not something we do - with two plane tickets to visit New York City next month! If you've followed me from the beginning, then you know we went to NYC in 2010 after my college graduation. It was a very short trip though, we were only there for 3 days total, so going back now for almost an entire week is such a treat and one that nearly brought me to tears.
We have friends across the bridge in New Jersey that we will be staying with, and I'm so excited to see them too! I honestly have so much outfit planning to do right?! But more on that later. and please feel free to give me any tips or recommendations in the meantime!
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