[Fashion OOTD] Arrowhead

Outfit Details
Top: StyleMint Classic Pocket Crew (buy here)
Jacket: Urban Outfitters Members Only Quilted Vegan Leather Moto Jacket (buy here)
Pants: Lotus Premium Denim Inspire (buy here)
Shoes: Aldo (similar here)
Necklace: Madewell Arrowstack Necklace (buy here)

Bag: MyOMy My Paper Bag Baggy Original (buy here)

 

I scored 3 amazingly awesome pieces in around the same time frame, that I brought together into one laid back outfit.  I've been looking for a leather or leather-like moto jacket, a piece of jewelry with chevrons and the perfect slouchy tee.  Brought to you in one relaxed ensemble.  It must be providence. 

I also got some pretty fantastic lipgloss on by essence -- it's their stay with me longlasting lip gloss in 10-Pretty Witty thanks to Sophie of Sophie's Dish. It isn't goopy and the color comes through without being obnoxious.  Plus, it matches my shoes!

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[Fashion OOTD] Anthropologie Girl

Outfit Details

Blouse: Marc by Marc Jacobs Nikita Peter Pan Collar Shirt (similar here, here)

Skirt: Anthropologie Astral Swing Skirt (buy here, similar here)

Shoes: J Crew Abby Ballet Flats (similar here, here)

Necklace: Madewell Arrowstack Necklace (buy here, similar here, here)

Belt: Anthropologie (similar here, here)

Tights: Spanx (buy here, here)

There were a few elements that I wanted to try when I wore this outfit.  I wanted a leather or leather-like skirt for a long time, and finally scored this one on sale.  And, I wanted to wear an outfit with a light color palette on top and dark tights and shoes on the bottom.  I really like the result!  I wore this outfit while shopping at Anthropologie a couple weeks ago.  While I was checking out, the sales associated commented that I looked like an Anthropologie Girl that day.  Dang skippy.  I call that an outfit win!

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[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!

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[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.

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[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! 

[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?

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[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.

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[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!

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[Fashion Outfit] Errand Chic

 

Outfit Details

Top: Target

Skirt: J Crew

Shoes: Steve Madden

Sunglasses: Tulle

Scarf: Gift from Mom

Belt: Anthropologie Double Vision Belt 

  

The day I wore this outfit, I was running around making copies in preparation for a conference that I was helping at.  I wanted to show my colleagues that I was professional, but had to be able to run around a do gopher-ish tasks. Thank goodness for short motoboots!  They pull together outfits in such a nonchalant way.

What shoes do you wear to look casual, but chic?  Share in the comments!

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[Fashion] OOTD: All Dressed Up With Somewhere to Go

Outfit Details
Top: J Crew
Blazer: Bought on sale in Japan
Skirt: Bought in Italy
Shoes: Anthropologie
Belt: Anthropologie
Necklace: WorkPlayDate
Bracelet: Stella and Dot

Sometimes outfits just come together. Have you ever bought something so long ago that trends finally catch up with it? I bought this skirt 10 years ago (no, literally, 10 years ago) while I was studying abroad in Italy. I've always loved it, but felt it was too fashion forward to wear anywhere normal and too casual to wear to formal occasions. But, year after year, I could never bear to purge it.  Well, high-low hems AND military wear are in style, and I just happened to have had a fashion show to go to on this day. Sometimes you just have to wait a decade for that perfect storm to hit. Patience comes to those who wait.

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iFabbo Social Media Conference Recap

Outfit Details: Top: Madewell via Crossroads Trading Company/Tank: Yummie Tummie/Pants: Urbana Outfitters/Shoes: Target

This past Saturday was the iFabbo Social Media Conference.  I have to say, it was a fantastic event!  They brought together a wide array of new brands (BooHoo.com! Dermalogica! Becca Cosmetics! Lotus Premium Denim), engaging speakers (Tracy Sun from Poshmark! Marlena Stell from Makeup Geek! Christina Martinez from Luvocracy! Susan Yara from New Beauty Magazine! Annemarie Frank from HSN!) and super fun fellow bloggers -- all of whom made the whole thing super duper fun.

I'm not a Redditor, so I'm going to knowingly do this wrong.  Here's the TL;DL key take away of the conference:

Be authentic and use your voice on your blog.  Actually engage your users and, of course, keep creating content!

And you know, while this sounds like "duh" advice, it was amazing how consistently these different speakers and brands with wildly different backgrounds drove this message home. 

From Right to Left: 1. Plaid dress from BooHoo.com/ 2. Trying on Google Glass/ 3. BooHoo Display/ 4. My Skin Map from Dermalogica/ 5. The "Future of Fashion and Beauty" Panelists/ 6. Close up of my outfit pants and shoes (hehe)

And for those that are still interested, here's the highlights: 

• Bloggers are better en masse.  It's significantly better to band together to work with brands than to try to step on each other.  No YouTube trolling! (On a related note, anyone want to band together with me? :D)
• Quality readers are better than quantity of readers.  How often do your readers engage?  Can you motivate them to do things?  This is what makes brands notice you. 
• Personality and Authenticity is extremely important.  There's something endearing about being a liiiiittle bit weird with your content. 
• On taking pictures on your phone vs. a DLSR: Sometimes the best camera is the camera that you have.  
• You can get Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop on Creative Cloud for 9.99 a month - yay tools! 
• As a blogger, disclose all relationships with brands.  It can be something as simple as getting swag from a store -- ensure it's clear that you were given something to avoid legal trouble. 
• One way to get more following is to jump on a social media platform in its infancy.  Many of the big bloggers and vloggers got their start when YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram were just starting. 
• Engage with others - Find a community with the same interests as you! Reply to every single on of your comments.  Comment on other blogs! 

Honestly, there were tons more good tidbits, but this is what I took away.   Apparently iFabbo is replaying the conference on Spreecast if you missed it.  Check it out here.

Thanks to all the fantastic people that put this together -- it was a great learning experience!

Did you go to the iFabbo Social Media Conference? What did you learn?  Share in the comments?

Thanks for stopping by!