[Fashion OOTD] A Nod to the Tomboy

Outfit Details
Cardigan: Anthropologie Field Game Cardigan (similar here, here)
Dress: Madewell (similar here, on sale here)
Shoes: Keds (similar here)
Sunglasses: Tulle
Necklace: Gorjana Sand Dollar Necklace
Purse: MyOMy My Paper Bag

Folks, I used to be a tomboy.  I wore baggy jeans and sneakers, played sports, biked around the neighborhood in little pre-teen bike gangs (well, we weren't the SCARY kind of gang.  Just the group of kids kind of gang).  And then sometime in my mid-20's, I felt the subconscious urge to compensate for my lack of "girly-ness"and doll playing experiences by wearing dresses and skirts all the time, going to tea houses and learning how to salsa.  This outfit feels like the best of both - a definite free move-ability about it while still having feminine elements.

I hope you all had a fabulous Turkey Day and (if you participate), a fun-filled Black Friday!  Get some good finds!

Thanks for stopping by!

[Fashion OOTD] On the Blogging Bandwagon

Outfit Details

Sweater: StyleMint Hoffman Sweater (similar and on sale! here)

Skirt: Not sure, have had this way too long (similar here)

Leggings: Uniqlo (buy Navy version here)

Boots: Anthropologie Winding Ruffle Boots (Fun black option here, brown option here)

Necklace: Madewell (buy here)

Bag: MyOMy My Paper Bag (It's fair trade! Buy here)

The fiance and I took a 4 mile walk this past weekend and, upon finding this industrial garage, had a sudden inspiration.  Why don't I take a picture in front of it?!  It's the perfect ne'er may care backdrop to my fashionable outfit.  Just kidding.  I was just biting off every fashion blogger that I've ever followed or not.  But the thing is -- these closed garages really are pretty awesome backdrops.  So I'm going to go with this being a creative decision.  Yes...

I love that this outfit is super cozy, yet integrates a variety of textures and patterns.  The nubby sweater, the polka dotted leggings, the ruffled boots -- they all work!  Keeping within the same color palette really helps if you want to try it.

Thanks for stopping by!

[Fashion OOTD] Ladies Who Brunch

Outfit Details

Dress: Top Shop (similar here, mint option here)

Jacket: Michael by Michael Kors (similar here, with a hood here)

Socks: Top Shop (with pom poms here, burgundy option here)

Shoes: Nine West (similar here, here)

Belt: Anthropologie (similar here, here)

Glasses: Ray Ban (similar here)

 

I wore this outfit to the San Jose Polyvore Meetup event. I was just so inspired by the Polyvore set I created to PR the event (see it here) that I had to wear something similar to the actual Meetup!  Or maybe I was just lazy.  You be the judge.

This is a very rare post where my glasses make a cameo.  In full disclosure, I went to a bar crawl the day before and fell asleep in my contacts.  And I think they make me look smart.  Actually, scratch the first statement -- we'll go with the second.

The Polyvore Meetup was a great time!  We went to the Mountain View, CA Crepevine and just got to know everyone a little better.  Then we made a stop at the Therapy boutique, which has amazingly quirky fashion and home goods.  Feel free to follow them! (Blog links below).




From Left to Right: Sophie of Sophie's Dish, Nichole, Deanna of Looks I Love, Yours Truly, Kelsey of Rings and Redwoods

 

Sorry for the random guy in the entrance -- he wouldn't move! Thanks for stopping by! 

StyleMint Mystery Box Review

It goes by many names: Mystery Box, Mystery Bag, Grab Bag, Sample Box, Grab Box.  There's something about a box of some undefined number of items in your size that is almost irresistible.  And really, once I find a brand I like and I figure out my size, I really can't resist.

I discovered StyleMint a year or so ago, and while I was skeptical about subscription services, I admittedly got swept up in the hype.  And really?  I'm super glad I did!  I have loved 95% of everything I've gotten from StyleMint, and the last 5% come from Mystery Grab Bag offers that more than make up for their cost in the items that I actually DO like.  StyleMint offers classic, soft, comfy tees that have the right amount of slouchiness, comfiness and wearable-ness.  You just pay 29.99 a month for a credit that can be spent at any time for all time for items that are significantly lower cost and comparable quality to most high end brands.  And you can skip a month whenever you want!

A year into the subscription, I don't really buy single items from the site anymore.  I've scored most of the stuff that I'm willing to pay full price for.  That said, whenever a Mystery Box comes out, I get SUPER excited.  I love their easy, weekend style!  This unboxing is was a recently offered Mystery box for $35 that would offer 3-5 items in the size that you specify.  And miracles of miracles: I got 5 awesome items!  And I will share them with you now!


Reeve Sweater ($59.98): This piece is awesome for layering and I love the salmon colored stripes!  I like to take a long tank and put this over it. 


Cass T ($29.99): This is a little longer than a typical tee, which is great for folks with a long torso or petites that want a shirt to reach past their bottom.  Plus, stripes anyone? 


Dixon Shirt ($29.99): Just in time for the light sweatshirt trend!  I'm going to glam this up with a collared shirt and a fun twirly skirt. 


Maggie Dress ($59.98): This dress is so easy and throw-on-able (is that a word?) that I already have it!  Wear it with sandals in the summer and with tights and boots in the winter.  If you're interested, I'm selling this baby in my Poshmark closet.  Check out user name "tolookforstyle" (really, are you surprised?). 


Hoffman Sweater ($59.98): An amazing, oversized, cozy sweater.  I can wear this with everything! 

I think I scored with this Mystery Box.  Everything fits well and integrates into my wardrobe.  And I'm really into sweaters right now, so the 3 that came in the box were spot on! 

If you're interested in trying out StyleMint, you can check int out here.

Thanks for stopping by! 

[Fashion OOTD] Roll Out of Bed, Look Decent

Outfit Details

Dress: Anthropologie (similar here, here)

Scarf: Top Shop (fun red, white & black option here)

Shoes: Target Merona Chunky Heel Pumps

Sunglasses: Tulle (Rayban Wayfarers here, more budget friendly here)

This is one of my go-to easy work outfits - a throw on dress, a fun scarf and pumps.  One of the things I absolutely love about a vibrant, printed silk scarf is it's versatility in an outfit.  You can take a neutral dress up a notch or pattern match with a complementary piece.  And, for those with sensitive skin, it's a great alternative to a necklace.  All you have to do to get this look is to get a square scarf, fold it in half to make a triangle and tie the two ends along the longest side together.  Then you just put it over your head and you're done!  Fast, easy and you look completely together.  Because, let's face it, on a Monday morning, it's all you can do to make it out the door on time, let alone looking decent.

How do you cheat your way into professional looking in the morning?

Thanks for stopping by!

What to Buy: Sephora VIB Insider Sale

Halloween is over and the holiday season is most definitely in full swing.  That means red Starbucks cups, Christmas decorations and, most importantly, sales!  In celebration of the Very Important Beauty Insider 20% off everything in Sephora, I'm sharing my top picks to kick off the weekend.  Just enter VIPTOPIA at checkout and you're good to go! Not a VIB Insider?  Check out the program here!

Have you heard about Luvocracy?  It's the Pinterest for shopping! Join and trust your friends and, if they buy products from your store, get credit!  I could scroll through the products for HOURS.  Trust me here to see the what I'm stalking on a daily basis.

Here's what I'm feeling for the Sephora sale:

Naked Basics Palette by Urban Decay:  I love, love LOVE the Naked Palette.  It's versatile and compatible with any outfit you could put together.  My only issue is that it didn't fit neatly into all my purses!  This one is a great on the go alternative.

Ocho Loco 2 by Urban Decay: Urban decay makes color saturated, fun eyeliner variety packs.  Gift this to your most beauty loving friend and she'll thank your for it!  Or, you know, just keep it for yourself.

Deck the Halls with Ribbon Hair Ties by Sephora: I got one of these hair ties in a Birchbox a while back and they are FANTASTIC.  Reduce the kinks in your hair that come with normal hair ties and throw in a pop of color while you're at it.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir  Limited Edition by L'Wren Scott: I discovered this facial spray while traveling in Paris (whoo - that sounds so fancy!).  I was skeptical, but it does work!  Your face just wakes up after the 2pm daily crash with just a few spritzes.  And who doesn't like limited edition packaging?

Benefit Badrageous Love! BadGal is one of my go-to mascaras.  I love Christmas because you get such fun gift packs!  This one gets you one mini for on the go and one to stash in your bathroom make-up drawer.

Fresh Sugar Treasures: These soften your lips up in a heartbeat and have some awesome tinting powers.  I lose my lip products so often that minis are actually a great option for me.  Stash one in every purse!

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo: I've learned the merits of not washing your hair every day.  This is my favorite product to ditch oily roots. Don't be intimidated by the white powder -- I have black hair and still love it!

Ole Hendrikson Ole La La from Head to Toe Blockbuster Set: Holiday sets give you the opportunity to try otherwise too expensive products.  I already use the Truth Serum, which works amazingly, but would like to see how the whole product line works in tandem.  I may have to put out for this one.

NARS Guy Bourbon Holiday Collection: This brings saturated lip color in mini sets the same way that the Fresh Sugar pack does above.  I love the NARS pencils for their strategic color selection and, really, I just like pencils.  Store one in every purse and you'll be sure to have amazingly hot lips!

Interested in any of these products?  Go ahead and click on the image!

[Fashion OOTD] Prep-tacular

 

Outfit Details

Sweater: Vivienne Westwood via Crossroads Trading Company (similar)

Collared Shirt: J Crew (similar here and here)

Jeans: AG Stevie Crop Jeans (AG Stevie Ankle Jeans)

Boots: Steve Madden Intyce (buy here)

Sunglasses: Tulle (similar here and here)

  It's weird.  Last year I was strictly against sweaters in my wardrobe.  Not consciously, but I really didn't purchase any -- I stuck mostly to dresses and cardigans.  This year, I've already collected a fair amount of sweaters to wear  because (lame Game of Thrones reference here) -- winter is coming.

I think it has to do with trying to stabilize my wardrobe after so many years of buying fun, color-pop, patterned pieces.  I needed nice, complementary sweaters to create a cohesive outfit a higher percentage at the time.  This grey shrunken one is no exception.

Admittedly, there are two reasons I bought this specific sweater recently.  1 - it's Vivienne Westwood.  My eyes literally bugged out when I saw it at Crossroads.  2 -- I love the embroidered planet on it!  It's this weird preppy piece from a primarily punk designer.  And I made it spectacularly more preppy by layering a collared shirt from J Crew under it.

Thanks for stopping by!

[Fashion/Adventure] Engagement Shoot

So things have been pretty quiet over at the to look for: Style front.  I know, I know, I'm lame.  And honestly, I can't promise anything about regularity because of all the wedding planning ups and downs!  But I couldn't help but share some of the engagement photos.  Only because the pictures look goooooood.  At least in my opinion.  Thanks to Michael Ying for the photography session!

 Thessa Outfit 1 Dress: Anthropologie New York New York Dress/ Shoes: Tahari Thessa Outfit 2 Dress: Anthropologie / Shoes: Frye Thessa Outfit 3: Top: Bears Jersey/ Bottoms: Lotus Premium Denim Love Jeans/ Shoes: Top Shop

We did 3 outfits to represent the formal, less formal and casual aspects of our life.  It was really important to me to get a photo journalistic photographer, which means that we were captured in more or less everyday life instead of cheesy posed shots.  The locations were in the downtown San Jose area including the San Jose Tech Museum and one of our favorite bars, Original Gravity.  I think Michael did a fabulous job! 

Where have you/would you wanted to take your engagement photos?  Share in the comments, I'd love to know! 

Thanks for stopping by!

[Fashion OOTD] MOAR Tartan

Outfit Details

Dress: BooHoo Mel Tartan Skater Dress

Cardigan: J Crew Boyfriend Cardigan (similar in cashmere)

Shoes: Target Merona Chunky Heel Pumps

 

I don't know why, but I always associate skater dresses with pre-teen girls.  That, along with the fact that I occasionally still get asked for a hall pass when visiting my fiance at the high school he works at, makes me avoid younger looking clothes like the plague.  But, BooHoo was giving these away at the iFabbo Social Media Conference (yes, I said GIVING AWAY.  Oh, and you can watch the conference replay here) AND it's tartan, so I was more than happy to give it a fair shake.  I have to say though, that this dress fits MUCH better than I thought it would.  It's a pull on and go type, so no fussing with zippers and the fit and flare is excellent.  Oh all right, I guess I'm a believer.  Thessa out.

What trends have you been pleasantly surprised by?  Share in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by!