Victorian

Navy Military Inspired Vest Twelve by Twelve (here) | White Long Sleeve Button Down  Alice + Olivia (similar here) | Black Brocade Print Pants  Alice + Olivia | Black Pippen Booties Sam Edelman (similar here) | Black  Cedar Street Small Elissa Bag  Kate Spade (here) |Good Morning!
Hope you made your mom feel special yesterday for Mother’s Day. I know mine was happy to see me (and didn’t mind being spoiled with gifts.)
Monday’s are sometimes the hardest days to dress for (in my opinion) because you need to get out of weekend mode and try to think about work. I especially struggle with waking up, and getting out of bed for that matter. When I do, putting an outfit together at the last minute usually results in me scrambling to get ready Monday mornings and potentially arriving a little late. When in doubt, through a vest on it. That’s what I discovered with this Alice + Olivia button down. I wore it with a black and white sweater vest in a recent post and now paired it with a military/Victorian inspired vest and it still looks put together. Instead of pairing it with some plain black pants, I opted to wear these black pants with a brocade/demask print. If you ever want to make your outfit a little more interesting, playing with texture is another way to go besides color and print.
The vest is listed for sale in my +Poshmark closet, and I even spotted the same pants listed in another user’s closet here. I found my boots and button down on +Poshmark recently, so it is completely possible to buy this complete outfit through the app with a little patience and by keeping an eye out for similar items. If you haven’t used it yet, you are missing out on some cute clothes. Download the app and start out with $5 credit by using my referral code HAEWR. You’ll see soon enough why I am such a fan.
Hope you are having a great start to your week!
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Zigzag

Black Diagonal Black Peacoat  Steve Madden (here) | Black and White Zigzag Sleeveless Sweater Alice + Olivia (similar here) | White Button Down Shirt  Alice + Olivia | Black Pants  Calvin Klein |  Cedar Street Small Elissa  Kate Spade New York (here) | Black Wool Felt Fedora Hat Express (here) | Black Scarf  Neiman Marcus x Target Marc Jacobs (similar here)| Play the Wild Card Words of Wisdom Bangle  Kate Spade New York  (here)| Gold Pen Necklace  Kate Spade New York | Black Harley Boots Circus by Sam Edelman (here)| Le Rouge Lipstick 306 Carmin Escarpin  Givenchy (here) |Happy Monday!
Ever since the beginning of April, I was very excited to start wearing light spring dresses and skirts from now until the end of September, but that plan was quickly shot down with the cold, foggy days we’ve been having lately. I got one cute dress in last week, but since the weather has been chilly I figured I’d share a layered look. The zigzag print sweater is one I found at Crossroads Trading Co. and I have had it more a lot longer than a year. I figured since I hadn’t worn it I should list it on the +Poshmark App. It sold a few weeks ago, but as a way to challenge myself and have better cover photos, I figured I should style this sweater. I loved how it looked with this outfit, but in the end I wasn’t wearing it and I felt it deserved to go on to new home. 
Although my sweater wasn’t really meant for me, I will note that my blouse and boots are actually recent Poshmark finds. Having a rotating closet is the best, and it is helpful to me to be selling my items to be able to purchase items I will actually wear. I’ve been posting a lot more items for sale in my closet lately as part of my Spring cleaning efforts, so don’t forget to follow me in order to see items before I wear them on my blog! My username is willbakeforshoe, and if you haven’t joined, do it! Your wallet and closet will thank you! You can use my referral code HAWER for $5 shopping credit and I am always happy to help new users make their first sales. 
I realize it is the beginning of May and I have still not shared my Posh Fest photos, but don’t worry. I won’t wait until a month before the next one to share them. I am hoping to have a few more tips and tricks for new users, so stay tuned for that.
May the 4th be with you and until next time!

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April Showers

Black Wool Hat Express (here) | Black Princess Coat  Steve Madden (here) | True White Portofino Shirt Express (here) | Navy and Black Color Block High Waist Skirt Express (here) | Crystal Statement Necklace Express |  Black Scarf  Marc Jacobs Neiman Marcus x Target  | Silver Bow Bracelet Kate Spade (here) | Silver and Black Bracelets Forever 21 | Black Thigh High Boots Nine West (old/similar here) | Le Rouge 307 Grenat Initie Lipstick Givenchy (here)
I am not sure how you feel about rainy days, but I tend to think as I am half-asleep how I’ll be able to put an outfit together that is warm yet stylish when I never anticipated rain in the first place. (My other thoughts when I hear rain outside is to stay in bed, but that is another story completely.) 
I’ve been saving this outfit for a rainy day (pun intended) since I took these photos before Christmas. My outfit is more geared for a really cold day in the winter, but it was also raining the morning of this photo shoot. I went on a huge shopping spree at Express during December and purchased this classic wool hat, portofino shirt and color block skirt. I’ve been obsessed with their skirts lately, and I feel I am finding really great pieces that flatter my body. Armando has always liked Express, and I finally get why – their work appropriate clothing is affordable and on point.
Although it seems like I bought a whole new outfit from head-to-toe (which I kinda did) I am actually wearing some of the very first pairs of shoes I ever purchased from DSW. These Nine West boots are from my first year of college, and they have been one of the best boots I’ve ever purchased (and they were even on sale!) I wore these to class a few times and to my work-study job and I always felt they were comfortable while they gave me the look of longer legs. The heel cap wore down quickly, and I took them to a shoe cobbler (another first for me) who gave them some new life. Shoes can last a long time if you take care of them, and I’m glad I have taken care of these because they are great staple to my wardrobe. The coat and scarf are also old favorites that I am constantly reaching for during the winter. There is just something about a black coat and simple black scarf that is hard to resist.
To ease my decisions of getting dressed for a rainy day, my new formula for rainy days will be: hat + boots + coat. And of course an umbrella, can’t forget the umbrella.
Hope you are having a great week so far!

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Search for Sanity

Black Peacoat Steve Madden | Black Shirley Top Splendid | Adel Skater Skirt Search for Sanity | Black Wool Felt Fedora Hat Express (here) | Annalie Helinski Crown Stud Bracelet Adia Kibur | Estelle Charm Bracelet  Noir Lux |  Gold Leather Wrap Tassel Bracelet  E. Kammeyer Accessories | Play The Wild Card Words of Wisdom Bracelet Kate Spade (here) |  Athena Cuff Ring Gorjana  via  Rocksbox | Harleey Black Booties  Circus by Sam Edelman (here) | Cedar Street Black Tote  Kate Spade (here) | Le Rouge  Lipstick 307 Grenat Initie Givenchy (here) 
Today’s blog post title may sound a little philosophical, but it is actually the name of a brand. I am wearing a Search for Sanity skirt and it was in my latest LE TOTE box. Using LE TOTE, I have been introduced to labels I have never heard of before, but it makes me wish I had! I love the subtle pattern on the navy skirt and, although you can’t see it, I like the thin faux leather waistband it has.
I opted to wear this skirt with the Splendid black top and Crown Stud Bracelet that also came in my latest TOTE. I recently came across the Circus by Sam Edelman boots and Steve Madden Coat on Poshmark and got them at a great price. I love all of the detail in this outfit, but the boots are definitely my favorite. 
This past month I feel I haven’t set aside as much time as I’d like to for blogging, but on the bright side I have made a lot of progress addressing some other ongoing projects. The battle of reducing the number of items in my closet continues, and the pile of items I have is gradually thinning out. I used to spend more time blogging on the weekends because I would be home alone unless I went to visit my family in Salinas for the weekend. Armando started working at the same office as I do, and now has weekends off. While he does get around to doing homework, it is nice that we finally can spend more time together and work on other projects together. For example, on Sunday we went to the city to pick up some shelves I bought in order to replace some short shelves part of a Ikea headboard that I unofficially converted into a makeshift shoe holder. 
I am pretty excited about it and am working on arranging and rearranging the shoes and bags I own in there until I am happy with it. I always knew I owned a lot, but it made me realize how nice things can look when you have the space to display them. I also noted how many items I probably don’t need, so there is a good chance I’ll be adding even more items for sale on my Poshmark closet. Once I am satisfied, I will definitely be sharing some pictures. (It feels like something out of Pinterest, and I am so grateful to Armando for helping me pickup the shelves and putting it all together.)

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Snow Leopard

Black Princess Coat Steve Madden | Silver and black Leopard Print Dress Trina Turk via ThredUp| Statement Necklace Express | Ulltra Patent Black Pumps Steve Madden | Le Rouge 307 ‘Grenat Initie’  Lipstick Givenchy (here)
Valentine’s Day came and went and I did not make any cupcakes. I did however make some Valentine’s Day themed cupcakes for the beginning of the month as a good-bye treat in honor of a coworkers last day. She was actually my cubicle neighbor and it was a big deal to me to go through the process and motions of feeling sad that she would be gone but also thrilled for her new job and her new adventure. I think it has taken me awhile to get over that considering I felt we had a close connection. I did make a pretty cute gift basket for her which I will share in a DIY post next.
I am ready to stop moping around and to get back to blogging. This is an outfit I wore to a Holiday party in December, and the shine to the dress makes it perfect for any night out. I wore it to the office too, but the dress has a very sophisticated cut and the metallic shine works for slightly formal occasions. And don’t even get me started on the tassel belt!
This beautiful Trina Turk dress is actually something I scored using ThredUp. I feel like ThredUp is really addictive as it is a mobile, curated thrift store. Items can potentially be new with tags, but at a fraction of the retail price. This dress looked too pretty to pass up, and with their return policy, I felt pretty good about buying it. Had it not fit, or if I was debating whether I should keep it, I would have had 30 days to return it. I have the best luck finding items on that sight and I would recommend checking it out. As of now, I have not send in a bag of items I wish to sell, but I expect I’ll be trying that pretty soon as the need for space in my apartment is ongoing.
My blog turned 3 sometime this month, and I can’t believe it’s been that long since I’ve started! I think a post dedicated to that is also in order. In the meantime, thanks for sticking with me this long and/or welcome to my third year of blogging!
Until next time,

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Cupcake Liner Skirt

Black Princess Coat Steve Madden | Black Mitchell Blouse Glamorous via LE TOTE | Black-and-Tan Cupcake Liner Skirt ModCloth | Black Suede Secret Wedge Boots Steve Madden (here) | Black Cedar Street Elissa Bag Kate Spade (here) | Scarf Marc Jacobs x Neiman Marcus x Target (similar here) | Gold Wrap Leather Tassel E. Kammeyer Accessories (here) |  Braided Pave Bangle in Black House of Harlow 1960 via Rocksbox | Gold Nadia Arrowhead Bracelet Adia K via LE TOTEMy first outfit post of the new year! I’ve been preoccupied with reviews but I finally have had a chance to go through some outfit photos I took a couple of weeks ago. I am wearing a new skirt I found on Modcloth and while I love the skirt I still have mixed feelings about the site. I ordered 3 necklaces and returned them all because two of them were damaged during transit (and the other just didn’t work with my style.) So far I am really happy with this skirt: It is super cute with the pleats and really does resemble a cupcake liner. I figured this would really suit me because it is pretty neutral and because of how fun the shape is.
I bought another skirt from Modcloth which I still need to take a photo wearing, but after only two wears I noticed a small hole. I wonder if it is just bad luck for me because after reading other reviews it feels like everyone else has had a pleasant experience and are satisfied with it. I usually don’t go through this much stress shopping online, but all your purchases can’t always go smoothly. Luckily they seem to have a pretty good exchange policy even after 30 days, so if I can’t fix it maybe I’ll get another one.
At least my LE TOTE subscription has been going smoothly. How cute is this black blouse? It would look great with skinny jeans, but I just had to pair it with this skirt. I am also really stoked to be wearing my suede wedges I scored at DSW last November. I always visit their boot section which is always slightly dangerous for this shoe lover. I have worn them plenty of times before, but never got around to taking an outfit photo with them. This year I am hoping to wear all of my clothes at least once. I really stuck to a dark color palette, but don’t worry, I’ll be incorporating some color soon.
Hope your week is off to a great start!
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