BIRTHDAY OUTFIT

Outfit details: Skirt: Forever 21 (similar) / Top: H&M (similar) / Shoes: Christian Louboutin Beauty 100 leather pumps (sold out) / Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 / Earrings: House of Harlow 1960 / Bracelet: gift / Watch: Michael Kors / Clutch: Express (old)

I am BACK!! Seems like forever since I've blogged, but I promise I am back this time :-) A combination of work and personal issues has kept me so busy that I had very little time to take photos for my blog. These photos were taken about a month ago on my birthday, my husband got me this lovely cake, shaped like a vintage hat box and he took me to a great dinner. I decided to keep my outfit neutral with a dark lip because I've been really digging a dark lip lately. I hope you're all having a great week, I am thinking of doing a fun giveaway soon, so stay tuned xoxo

PREPPY

Outfit details: Top: Forever 21 [old] (here) & (here) / Skirt: Forever 21 [old] similar /  Belt: Aldo This  one is on my wishlist) / Shoes: Jessica Simpson / Necklace: via Poshmark / Handbag: Angela & Roi (here) & (here) / Watch: Invicta Angel / Bracelet: Gift from Mom

Pleated skirt and peter pan collar blouse? Definitely reminds me of my school uniform when I was a kid. I adore peter pan collars, there is something so feminine and girly about it, and it looks good on every woman, regardless of age. I love the gorgeous mint green color of this blouse and the polka dots gave it that added touch of "girliness". There are also some very tiny knife pleats at the front. This is another outfit I wore to work, the great thing about it is that it can easily be transitioned for evening drinks, by switching out my handbag for a clutch and adding more jewelry.

On another note, it's been raining here a lot lately and I don't mind it at all, I love the sunshine but when December rolls around I like when it cools down and so far it's been perfect, I can finally start dusting off my blazers :-) I won't lie, I really miss snow, I am so jealous of seeing all my friends and family's beautiful pictures, a winter trip may be in the works. Have a great weekend. xx

THE FLORAL MINI

It's that time of the year again when I have to go through my closet and get rid of the things I don't wear anymore or that I've worn too much. I love this process because I get to declutter and I also find things hidden in my closet. I was very happy to find this little gem, it is quite old and is also one of my "college finds" from good ole Forever 21, so before I got rid of it I decided to give it one more spin around the block. I originally paired it with a polka dot pastel top, but really wanted to keep the attention on the skirt so instead I decided to wear this peplum top, last worn here. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Outfit details: Top: Forever 21 (similar) / Skirt: Forever 21 (alternative) / Shoes: (Nine West) / Bracelet: Gift / Watch: Invicta Angel

ABSTRACT + WHITE

When I'm looking for something easy to wear to work, my go to outfit is a dress sometimes paired with a cardigan or a blazer. This dress is quite old but still one of my favorites, I purchased it from the sales rack at Forever 21 in the fall of 2009 and wore it to my Athletics Department graduation party in December 2009, since then I have worn it countless times and it has never failed me. Considering the quality of Forever 21's clothes can be hit or miss, this one is definitely a hit! I love the abstract brush stroke looking print on this dress, it's colorful and bright and it's all me.

Outfit details: Dress: Forever 21 (similar) / Blazer: Forever 21 (similar) / Shoes: Jessica Simpson (currently on sale) / Handbag: Michael Kors / Watch: Invicta Angel / Necklace: Forever 21 (similar) / Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Photos by Marlon

STRIPES AND POLKA DOTS

Most people shy away from pairing contrasting prints for fear they'll look crazy, but I'm sure by now you guys have figured out that I never shy away from prints or pairing them. I love experimenting with my looks and to tell you the truth, I never really think that things can't go together, because I believe one can always find a way to make things work. There is something beautiful about a nicely tailored striped shirt, and the vertical stripes on this shirt is actually quite small so it added a nice touch to this black and white clustered polka dot full skirt. Strangely I have a tendency to always pair stripes and polka dots together  (I'll give you guys another look at the pairing in a future post).  I have a great love for polka dots and stripes and I take them as they come, whether it's a dress, shirt, pants, skirt, anything and definitely any size!

Don't be afraid to experiment with contrasting prints, because when done right you will definitely stand out and we're all about making a statement aren't we? Have you guys paired contrasting prints before? Tell me about your favourite combo.

Outfit details: Shirt: HM Similar / Skirt: Forever 21 Similar / Belt: Aldo Similar / Shoes: Steve Madden Similar / Handbag: Aldo (old) alternative / Watch: Invicta Love this one / Opal necklace and earrings: Gift from my husband

Photos by Marlon

PEPLUM AND FLORAL

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, I got lots of rest, and baked some delicious banana bread with my friend Marianne.

I am not one to plan my outfit the night before because I usually change my mind in the morning. I like waking up and putting my clothes together depending on my mood. And this morning was a peplum and floral kind of morning. The peplum trend is another one that's been making the rounds in the form of skirts, tops and dresses for the past few seasons, and it's another one I've embraced. A peplum top can be styled many ways; with the addition of a few key pieces, such as statement jewelry and a belt you can have a dressed up look. This morning, I decided to pair my peplum blouse with this lovely floral panel pencil skirt and my purple Coach handbag my husband got me last year.

What do you guys think about the trend? Are you a fan of the peplum trend?

Outfit details: Necklace (bought at Miami airport last Dec) alternative / Watch Michael Kors / Peplum top (Forever 21) alternative / Skirt (picked up at Marshall) this one's on my list / Heels Dolce Vita / Handbag Coach

Photos by Marlon 

THE PINK PANTS

Almost everyone I have asked has a favorite color, me? No ma'am, I refuse to settle for a favorite when there are so many pretty colors or maybe I am just indecisive in the color choosing department. As a child I remember my favorite color changing weekly, if not daily. I bought this pair of pink pants (or trousers, as my English boss would call them) on a work trip, when I saw them I was instantly convinced that pink is my favorite color, but somehow they managed to hang in my closet for months unworn, until this morning. So much for favorite color huh.

Am I the only one struggling in the favorite color department?

PS: I finally got box braids! I am one step closer to Janet Jackson Poetic Justice realness :-)

Outfit details: Top Forever 21 / Pants alternative / Handbag Olivia + Joy / Shoes Nine West  / Necklace (scored at Target last March for $2.99) Target / Watch Invicta Angel

Photos by Marlon