Knit Tunic

Teal Tunic Chloe (here) | Black Leggings H&M | Short Suede Boots Steve Madden | Black Feather Earrings Wet Seal |Imagine my surprise when I found a Chloe sweater dress at a local Crossroads while I was selling some clothes. It was love at first sight, and luckily the amount I paid was covered by what I earned selling clothes I was tired of or did not fit me properly. In the past, I would buy clothes that were either just too trendy or a couple sizes too big, or a size too small, think I could make it work or alter it somehow. I would like to say I have purged most of my closet to things I actually wear, but sometimes I do hold on to things for sentimental reasons.

A big part of the reason clothing won’t be my exact size is because I end up going to thrift stores and finding great pieces that I want to be able to wear. I was lucky enough to find this Chloe tunic, and it is not only my first piece from this brand, but also a first in me buying a sweater dress/tunic. I typically don’t buy winter knits  out of sheer stubbornness because I never feel knits look good on me. However, I received a ton of compliments on this dress, and I already have some other outfit ideas that I know would work well in the spring when it is warm. Slouchy tan boots would go well with this tunic with a low slung belt in a neutral color, and natural necklace would also make this more bohemian. I also envision it worn with a faux fur vest over it in a neutral color. Today’s look is slightly bohemian with my feather earrings and leggings too. I wanted to braid my hair, but realize I am not skilled in that department. My hair is always down and curly because I know that works for me. Baby steps.

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Date at an Art Museum

Ivory Princess Coat Steve Madden | Black Collared Shirt Diane Von Furstenberg | Pants and quilted purse Forever 21 | Thigh High Heeled Boots Nine West

Hooded Leather Jacket 21 Men | White Collar Shirt Calvin Klein | Black Hi-Top Sneakers Steve Madden
I am so happy with how my weekend ended!

Armando purchased some tickets for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and we decided go on a date. We have been dating for about five and a half years, but have maintained a long distance relationship for most of it. He is always coming up with new things to do, and I was really excited to be going out on a real date. Because we have been together so long, we usually just spend time together cuddled on a couch watching a movie, but I love how there are just days he can be spontaneous and suggest new things for us to do together. It was also a bonus that it would be something I could dress sophisticated for.
We started our date by grabbing breakfast at Mel’s Drive In Diner. We went to the diner located close to the museum and right next to the Metreon. It was a pretty chilly morning, so we both ordered some hot chocolates and they were fantastic. I love waffles, and decided to have a Belgian waffle with strawberries. Armando prefers heartier breakfasts, so he went with the Diced Ham & Eggs.

After our  yummy breakfast, we headed straight to the museum. Upon arriving, we came upon the lighting fixture as seen in the first photo. It reminded me of rain, and then of stars. With the cold air though, it could also have easily translated as being snow.

I really enjoyed one exhibit where we walked in to a room with a screen projecting a word document. As people walked in, people were being described. I spotted where the person was typing from and smiled because she had typed into the document that she liked my coat.

We looked at all the exhibits, but my favorite medium was paint/oil on canvas. The only other exhibit I really loved was the last photo shown where a camera captures your image and slows down within the clock while everyone else moves around normally. Time slows down, and that’s how I feel when I spend my time with Armando. I never feel hurried or rush, and being captured on this canvas for that moment reinforced that sentiment.

After our time at the museum, we headed back to Berkeley to eat some Thai food. We returned to my apartment to watch a movie before he headed out to drive home to Salinas. I realized while writing this post that we both wore jackets that we bought for one another. It is such a minuet detail, but even if we are apart, we are still there for each other. It was a comforting thought as I watched him drive away to return home.

I wore a white princess coat with an all black outfit underneath for our date. I wore my favorite thigh high heeled boots for height, but also picked these out of my other shoes since they were more comfortable than the other heels I own. (And I wanted warm feet!) I picked out black and white since I thought they would look sophisticated and because I didn’t want something too distracting from the white coat.

He wore a classic button down white shirt, leather hooded bomber and dark wash jeans. His shoes are high top Steve Madden sneakers called Shockas, and they are pretty stylish and have fun laces with pops of neon green. He looked very dapper for our date.

Hope you enjoyed the recap of our date. What would you wear on a date to an art museum?

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Black DVF Wrap Dress

Wool Wrap Dress Diane Von Furstenberg | Necklace and Bracelets Forever 21 | Black Ulltra Patent Pumps Steve MaddenAnother rainy day and an all-black outfit. This time, however, I feel really inspired to do a series of post with DVF wrap dresses, as I have collected quite a few different types. They are quite versatile, and I could not help putting on my black wool wrap dress today to stay warm and so I could wear the Chanel purse strap inspired necklace along with it. I love how this dress also has pockets and a very simple silhouette. This dress is very basic, and can go with just about every accessory and pair of shoes I own, hence the appeal of an LBD. I think the necklace is appropriate in referencing not only Chanel in terms of the handbag straps, but also in wearing the dress as tribute to her setting off the trend wearing a black dress as something chic and not only restricting it for funerals.
I should digress that most of my outfits revolves around my outerwear, which at this moment primarily consists of black pieces. I am trying to invest in other coats and jackets that are not black, but so far I have yet to find anything that I have to have in order to wear it when it is cold or wet outside. I am looking forward to the sales coming up on winter gear, and one day I hope to find a North Face parka or fleece jacket, thrifted or new, that is not black. I also am always on the hunt for a classic Burberry camel trench coat, but until then I make do with black outerwear. I have not been thrifting in awhile, but I know once I get paid I’ll be itching to go just to see what I will find. I am also in the middle of purging my closet in order to make room and let go of what I haven’t worn. I’d rather get rid of things I don’t wear or am tired of instead of buying more hangers and storage space!

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Matador

Bolero jacket Forever 21 | Ruffle Top Chelsea & Theodore | Pants Forever 21 | Jadore ring and Black Bow Headband Forever 21 | Black Zeda Boots Steve Madden |This month’s issue of Elle with Blake Lively on the cover featured some of spring’s hottest trends. One of the trends that really caught my eye was the Real Madrid trend-inspired by Matador boleros, high-waisted pants, and of course the gorgeous Christian Louboutin Torero Heels in ruby red from the Spring 2012 collection! And while it rained today, I felt inspired by those shoes and decided to rock my own take on the matador look.
The ruffles create just enough drama and the boots and jacket prevent it from being too loud. The lack of color also keeps this from looking too costume-like, but if I had the resources I would have added a red sash near the waist. My other favorite look would have been a the same bolero, but switching the pants with a red skirt would have captured the effect of a satin ruby skirt with black embroidery by Emilio Pucci on the same page as the Louboutins. Needless to say, I am very excited about this trend, and if I could get myself some fan earrings I’d be super stoked!

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Bandage Dress

Long Black Cardigan Forever 21 | Bandage Shift Dress Forever 21 | Koi Cuff Bracelet Forever 21 | Black Tights Forever 21 | Black Kalee Boots Steve Madden
Since the weather change I feel like my nose has been acting up from all the fresh pollen in the air. Add that to some stress at work and I’ve begun to feel a little under the weather.
The chilly weather influenced today’s outfit. I decided to wear an everyday dress that I could layer a classic pair of black tights underneath. Afterwards everything else fell into place. I am wearing blacks and grey again, but at least there is a small pop of color with the teal on the dress and bracelet.

This is one of my favorite dresses since I can wear it in many different ways. This pair of boots has been getting a lot of wear, because they are ideal to wear with jeans or dresses during the winter. I am really looking forward to spring weather because my flats and wedges are feeling a little neglected this Winter.

I’ve linked a similar outfit to shop below. What is your go to dress on chilly days?

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Gray Ombre

Black and Gray Ombre Pleated Dress Forever 21 | Silver Metallic Scarf Forever 21 (here) | Swan Ring Forever 21 | Gray Heaven Flats Steve Madden (here) | Grey Earmuffs Material Girl
Another rainy day!

I have been a little obsessed with gray and black pieces of clothing. Gray to me is like a neutral and something one can never go wrong with. I picked this dress up on sale at Forever 21 and love that it looks like a two piece outfit. You cannot tell where the top ends and where the skirt begins. The pleating detail dress is what sold this dress to me, especially because it looks like it was influenced by the ballet trend.

I layered this dress with my metallic scarf, black tights and earmuffs. I had a larger coat over this look on my way to and from work. To play up the ballet look I added this Forever 21 swan ring to pull it all together. 
How do you dress up when it rains?
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