Seeing Stripes

 Found this dress in the sale rack during one of the additional 30% off sales a few months ago (no idea what the style name is though)

 This is one of the reasons why I prefer to shop at an actual brick and mortar stores during the sale period -- I'll end up trying things that will garner absolutely no interest if I saw it online. The price was fantastic and it's turned out to be one of the staples in my closet.

Usually, I"ll just wear it as is without many accessories beyond jangling bracelets.

Today, the air is slightly chilly (with LOTS of rain) for this born-and-raised-tropical girl making it a perfect day to go to the movies with my little girl. She declared that it was a long-dress day.

 And so, here we are:

 

Jacket - Mike & Chris

Necklace - H&M

A slightly edgier/less casual look with a statement necklace and a comfy but more chic version of a hoodie. Mike & Chris jackets used to be quite the "in" thing a few years ago.

***

The dress can be turned office-appropriate by throwing on a structured blazer and concealing the elastic waistline with a patent belt:

   

Jacket - J.Crew Schoolboy Wool Flannel Blazer in Maraschino Red 

Belt - Ann Taylor

One thing I wished I've paid more attention to regarding the schoolboy blazer is that it runs big....I bought my normal size 0 but it is slightly too boxy on me -- the 00 is the perfect fit for me in the schoolboy. This unfortunately reduces the likelihood of me reaching out for this blazer, even though I love the bright pop of color.

 

Stroll

 

Top - H&M

Skirt - J.Crew Liquid Silk Skirt

Shoes - Dolce Vita for Target

Bag - Chanel 

My spring and summer project of turning the weed patch that is my whole entire garden into something slightly more presentable. A LOT of digging was involved. And dirty fingernails.

This strip is not done yet, but I am somewhat awed (and very much surprised) that the plants are still thriving. Cross fingers they survive winter. 

Black & Brown

Gasp! Black and brown together in one outfit...someone call the fashion police!!

Completely forgot about these pants -- it's been a long while since I've worn dress pants. And today, it was only because my original outfit has a stain on it that I didn't notice prior.

Top - Forever 21

Pants - Elie Tahari

Shoes - Pour la Victoire

Back to Business

It must be an attestation (is this a word?) that I have been dressing pretty sloppily in the past few weeks when a colleague remarked to me that I was looking all done up today.

I was most assuredly NOT all done up. But dress comfortably badly for 2 weeks only to revert back to semi-professional outfits will throw a monkey wrench into one's image.

Speaking of monkeys...

 

Notice anything odd in the picture above?

Cardigan - Forever 21

T-shirt - Forever 21

Skirt - J.Crew No.2 pencil skirt in Golden Burgundy

Shoes - Louboutin New Declics AND  a certain 3 year old's ballet slippers

Bag - Chanel Cerf tote

 Little girls are big trouble

And mine happens to be exceptionally good at walking around in 5" heels.

(pardon her room -- redecorating in progress)

Under 15

It is quite, quite challenging for me to get dressed during the summer. Because it is just so darned hot of the being-baked-in-the-oven variety.

But considering the fact that I am getting along in years (30 next year, say it isn't so!!), it's really about time I ease out of my short shorts and mini-dresses and into something more...age appropriate.

It is interesting that there are times when I can look like a freshman in college.
 Not really the impression I want to give, especially with my 3 1/2 year old tagging along side me.

Top: Target (Kids section)

Shorts: Land's End Pincord Shorts - Petite - sale

Belt - H&M (part of a 3 pack)

Shoes: Target - sale

Necklace: J.Crew - sale

Bag: Land's End - sale

So, here we are.

Bermudas.

 The plight of those who are (un)blessed with short, stumpy legs on not-quite-petite frames.

I feel like I'm hanging in limbo in the in-between stage of not being quite short enough (nor small enough) to be considered petite, but still not quite meeting the minimum height requirement of regular-height Americans.
(In Asia, it's quite different....I'm probably gargantuan in Asian standards. I'll be lucky if I can squeeze into a Medium.)

These 10" Land's End petite version of the bermudas seem to do ok -- although I think I would prefer it if it were a teeny bit longer...but not enough for me to bust out my sewing machine (which is sitting gathering dust in the closet).
It is SLIGHTLY reminiscent of mom-pants, with a slightly higher waistline that I am used to...I am hoping that the cobalt-blue accents will throw the scent off.

 Everything I have on was bought for $15 or less.