Outfit

What I Wore in Japan

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Japan in the summer is hot and humid with chances of rain and typhoons. Here are the outfits I was able to take a photo of to show what I packed (and was able to remix):
Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 4:

Day 5:

 Day 7:

Day 9:
Photos by Nicole S.
Since I did pull posts of  what I did each day it seems silly to go in more detail about why I wore each outfit. I carried around a handkerchief because of how hot and humid it was, and as you can see, my hair maintains it shape a lot better when we move to the dorms. Next time I’d love to do a post on what I pack and attempt to fit everything in a carry-on. So many goals for my next trip, I can’t wait! Hope you enjoyed my adventures in Japan!
Back to the normal routine now. 
Until next time,Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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Feathers

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Feather Print Back Cut Out Dress Alice Moon Collection via LE TOTE | Mint Flats DV by Dolce Vita | Leather Jacket Members Only | Feather Chandelier Earrings Forever 21 | Sunglasses DG | Photos by Vivian DoAnother outfit featuring an item from LE TOTE. This feather print dress came in my first box from them and I absolutely loved the print! Lucky for me, I had also recently purchased the Mint Dolce Vita Flats, and it matched the mint in the dress perfectly. I couldn’t get enough of the print and added my feather earrings to complete the look.
I had the leather jacket on all day and could not decided if the cut out in the back was subtle enough to wear and have it exposed at work. Should I have worn a tank top? This dress is not something I envisioned wearing to a club, but maybe it isn’t the best thing to wear to an office environment either now that I think about it. My bra strap was showing and I thought it was something Carrie would do so I didn’t feel it was too tacky. I loved the shape and print of the dress and the exposed back was a little bit unexpected but fun. What do you think?
On another note, I am so excited for my upcoming trip to Japan. Just a few more days and I’ll be out of the country! I am struggling with figuring out what to pack for 2 weeks while trying not to take too many things. If only LE TOTE could send me my wardrobe to my hotel in Tokyo so I could be well dressed everyday. *sigh* I am not finding too much (useful) information on what to wear in the summer so I plan on doing a post of what I take once I figure that out. My goal is to try to take plenty of pieces that can be mixed and matched and with space left over in my suitcase.  Hopefully I’ll still have plenty of room leftover for all of the goodies that I’ll want to bring back, so wish me luck!

Brandy| TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BLOGLOVIN |  INSTAGRAM |CHICTOPIA |

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23

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Chambray Shirt Ana | Skirt H&M | Scarf Unknown | Bird Necklace Wet Seal | Pink Stud and Pearl Bracelet Forever 21 | White Bangles Coach | Natasha Petal to the Metal Bag Marc by Marc Jacobs | Pink Stud Beatrix Flats Sam EdelmanIt was my birthday yesterday! Yay me! I turned 23 and let me tell you, I still find that a little hard to believe. I can no longer sing that Taylor Swift Song 22. I still feel 22 even though I am 23 now. After working 2 full days at Caltopia, I was pretty exhausted and felt like yesterday was more of a recovery day than my birthday. Most people take the day off on their birthday, and after working those 2 long days I felt like I should have but I am in a training in SF for today and tomorrow and will be going off to Japan in September for a 2 week vacation and felt a little guilty that I’d be out of the office for so many days. I know what you are thinking What? Japan!? Why?!
Well it just so happens my sister will be studying abroad for a year at Chuo University near Tokyo and I, needing an excuse to vacation and go somewhere far, decided to take some time off to help her move to her dorm and do some sight-seeing before her first day of class. I am so excited to be going to Japan again (this will be my second time there) and being able to experience this trip with my sister! 
In my last birthday post I wrote about accomplishing some goals, or resolutions, by my next birthday. When I think about what I’ve accomplished this year I feel very proud of myself for how far I’ve come. One was to have a full-time job. I accomplished that in April and love where I work. I do feel lucky to have a job so soon after graduating and being in such a positive working environment. My coworkers went all out to make me feel special yesterday by bringing me cupcakes, flowers, and gifts and for that I am extremely grateful.
My second goal was to improve the blog. I feel like it has improved tremendously since it first started and while I don’t have a consistent posting schedule, I am trying to write fewer quality posts rather than a bunch of so-so posts. I am putting a lot more of myself into my posts, so in my opinion my posts are better than when I first started. I am not as afraid of being critiqued and have been less frustrated with the world of web design and HTML.
The third goal was to be more sustainable, and that is a lot more apparent with my clothes and is slowly making its way into my lifestyle. I rarely shop at department stores now and buying new items sometimes makes me feel guilty. I feel like my wardrobe has improved tremendously by buying used items. This outfit is mostly finds from Crossroads Trading Co. (Top, Scarf and Skirt) and eBay (Flats, Bag, Sunglasses).
Now I have some new goals set for myself:
 1) Spend more time with my family/friends. Blogging has opened so many doors for me and has allowed for me to go to a lot of events and meet many new people. Often times it feels like I don’t have enough time in the day to work, blog, and stay connected with people, but I want to put more of an effort in spending quality face time with the people that are important to me.
2) Be more financially aware. I have gone a little overboard shopping at thrift stores and am not really saving as much as I should for the future. I am hoping to really pay more attention to the comfortable salary I make and really make an effort to save more. 
3)Travel! Now that I finally have a full-time gig I know it might be a little more difficult, but I would love to be able to take more trips and see new places. Even if it isn’t across the country, I’d like to be able to go someplace if I happen to find a good deal (and use some of the funds I will be saving up just for that!)
I am looking forward to being 23 and I hope you’ll stick around and watch as I continue growing up ( I know I am not done yet!) 

Until next time,
Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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Dressing Up Denim

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Denim Shirt a.n.a a new approach | Yellow Skirt  Banana Republic | Necklace via LE TOTE | Nude Ulltra Pumps Steve Madden
This is on of those outfits that I just threw on and I am very happy with how it turned out. I have heard of denim chambray shirts becoming a wardrobe staple because of how versatile it is and I feel this outfit proves just how versatile it is since it can very easily be dressed up.
I tucked it in to my yellow Banana Republic skirt in order to work with the colors of the necklace I rented from LE TOTE. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, it is a clothing rental service that sends you 3 pieces of clothing and 2 pieces of jewelry for $49 a month. Not a bad way to try new things, especially if you are not a fan of shopping but still want to your wardrobe to be current.
This week has been extremely busy for me and I expect it to be difficult to be posting consistently. This Saturday I will be heading to Salinas to celebrate my Sister’s 21st Birthday/ Farewell Party. She is heading to Japan to study abroad for a year in September, and I will also be joining her for her first two weeks there! I am so excited and looking forward to this much needed vacation!
Sunday and Monday I’ll be in Berkeley running a booth for our office at Caltopia. My goal last year was to make this year a bigger success, and I already feel like it will be. I remember being so stressed out about running the booth for the first time and getting things ready at the last minute. This time it feels a lot less stressful, and it might be because I had the opportunity to really plan ahead.
I’ve been going to a lot of events as of late and doing my fair share of baking which you can catch on Instagram first hand. I originally didn’t know how Instagram would benefit me when it comes to blogging, but now I see it is the best way to keep up with what I am doing since I don’t post as often. Follow me @willbakeforshoes to stay updated with my daily adventures.
I will be updating you on more about my upcoming trip to Japan and anything else I forgot to mention here.
Hope you are having a good week,Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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Army Cargo Pants

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Cream Bomber Forever 21 | Brown Peplum Top via LE TOTE | Olive Cargo Pants 7 For All Mankind | Jasmine Patchwork Flats Coach | Brown Leather Hobo Bag Vince Camuto
TGIF!
I should be relieved it’s Friday, but I have a lot of work ahead of me this weekend. I’ll be focused on baking and decorating a two-tier cake! I was asked to make one for Monday to celebrate a co-workers upcoming wedding. I’ve been browsing through Pinterest trying to get some inspiration for a beach theme wedding cake. I’ve narrowed down what I want to add to the cake and I am excited to get started. This will be my first tiered cake, so keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!
My outfit was inspired by my brown peplum top. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll notice that this top came in my first LE TOTE box. Le Tote is monthly subscription clothing rental service. They provide 3 pieces of clothing and 2 pieces of jewelry for you to try. When you register, you fill out a style profile and afterwards, you can select items you want to try and put in your “closet” or queue. The best part is there is no limit to how many boxes you can get in one month. You’ll get your next box right after you return the one you are currently on. This is especially useful if nothing in your box speaks to you.
I am really in love with this top. I don’t have anything like it and I received a ton of compliments at work. I opted to go with an army camo color palette with the pants and cream jacket. I especially love my Coach patchwork flats and Vince Camuto bag. This top allowed me to bring these items out to play because I am very matchy-matchy. I’ve had these flats since the end of high school, so almost 5 years! They still look great so I attribute this to my skills with taking care of shoes and their overall quality and not just because I avoid wearing them to avoid messing them up.
Have a great weekend and look out for my beach wedding cake photos on Instagram @willbakeforshoes.
Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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Couture Sqd: Inside my Box

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Outfit 1 here | Outfit 2 here | Outfit 3 here | Outfit 4 here
My last post concluded the outfit series from my rental box c/o Couture Sqd. 
I returned all my items on Friday and surprisingly I was not too sad after I left my package at the post office. Usually I am trying to give items another chance to prove that hey belongs in my wardrobe, but I was able to let go of these items pretty easily. I guess it must be because when I go shopping, I buy what I love and that makes the relationship with my clothes deep and complicated.
Having the items picked out for me, even if I did indicate my preferences, was like being set up on a blind date. Sure, your friend knows your type and wants what is best for you, but its not the same as discovering and falling in love with someone, or an piece of clothing, on your own. With all that being said, magic does/can happen on a blind date. 
I would say that the two tops from the Mixed Print option were not exactly my cup of tea, but I was able to create some amazing outfits because it forced me to think outside of the box – no pun intended. I really liked the two dresses from the Work Ready option. The orange and black color block dress had just enough class for work and an equal part of sass for a night out. It was also a dress that helped me venture into the world of exotic skins with its faux python skin belt. I tend to avoid this trend, but it looked great in this small amount. The little white Tahari dress was the crowning jewel of the box. Not just because it is by a classic designer, but also because of the shape and fit. It made me feel like a million bucks and would have made a great addition to my wardrobe. Unfortunately I don’t have the available closet space and I wasn’t completely in love with it.
Overall, my experience with Couture Sqd’s service was great. It was easy to sign-up and pick out the types of clothes I wanted to try out. The return process was really simple to because they provide the return shipping label and take care of the dry-cleaning. Along with my box came the price break down of each item. It would indicate if you were the first to be wearing an item and how much an item would cost at its discount price. So in the end, all you have to do is enjoy what comes your way and keep something if it really spoke to you. It’s a great way to experiment with trendy items and with no monthly subscription fee. You pay by the box, so rejoice fellow fashionistas – there is a way to always wear something different without breaking the bank!
I hope you enjoyed my outfit posts featuring items from Couture Sqd and my personal opinion of their service. If you order a box let me know! I’d love to see what’s inside your box and/or how you style the items. And of course, if you fall in love with something.
Until next time,Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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