Listen Up, Class!

Having said that I have several schizophrenic style tendencies, the one that I tend to revert to most comfortably and most frequently is what I call my Classics look.

 

Quite simply, it involves pencils skirts, pearls and pumps. This is one where I pretend that perhaps I am a librarian, or in honor of back to school week, perhaps even a school teacher! A role that makes a difference to the community and that feeds my fascination with stationery.

Top - J.Crew Back-zip Pullover

Skirt - J.Crew Double-serged Cotton No.2 Pencil Skirt in Natural

Belt - Ann Taylor

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Bright Pink and Blue

I like to think that I have a certain look. Actually, it'll be plural. Looks that are dependent on the weather, my mood, which side of the bed I wake up from.....you get the picture.

Today, I am wearing what I term as my modern/urban persona-- still working in the classics realm, but more
fashion-conscious - something a young professional working in a creative field might wear.  

J.Crew Talitha blouse in Vintage Berry (I *think* it is vintage berry...)

Pants - J.Crew Minnie pants in stretch twill

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs in blue suede

 

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.

First Day of Summer!!

 

Hello, summer!! And reader(s?)! It's been awhile since I posted -- when the weather has been as gorgeous as it was for the past few weeks, I can usually be found in paint-splattered shorts and a grubby tank as I work up a sweat in the yard. Definitely not post-worthy.

Tunic - J.Crew Big Apple Tunic

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs in Blue Suede

Necklace - J.Crew Monotone Beaded Necklace (Orange?) -- can be found in other colors here

Bag - J.Crew Edie purse in Flame

 

 

I've been contemplating the dress for awhile now, ever since it first appeared on the sale rack (I'm a sale shopper, what can I say) 

But at first cut price of $99 (original about $150, I think), I couldn't pull the trigger, so I decided to wait. Recently, JCrew had 30% off sale at their stores, so I flew over at lunchtime to check it out. And there it was, marked down 50% from original price, with additional 30% off. It's still not a super-deal, but sizes were running out fast. I'm wearing a 00, because they were out of my regular size 0. 

It does wrinkle easy though. But it's very pretty.

I can see it dressed up with Loubs and a clutch for a summer wedding, or with T-straps, a strawhat and a boat tote for casual running around in the summer.

 

T-shirt - free from a sponsored walk
Leggings - hand-me-downs 
Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs in Blue Suede 

And of course, when my kid saw me take the shoes out of the box, she scrambled out of bed and asked "Can I try them on for a little while, momma?"

Curious Occurrence

I was looking in my makeup bag for something for my lips when I got to work this morning

And I was flabbergasted by the sheer amount of lip products that have manage to converged in the bag

 

I believe that it started off with only the regular lipbalm (the freebie WebMD lipbalm from a health fair)

Seriously...how?!

And the sad thing is that they are all about the same shade/color family

 

One for the Money, Two for the Show...

"You can do anything, but lay off my blue suede shoes!"

I have a feeling that I'll be saying that a lot to get my daughter's grubby hands away from them

Manolo Blahnik BBs in blue suede
 

 I can feel an Elvis kick coming in =)

Check out that leg wiggle! 

Companion

Rainy and dreary today -- which called for lots of black. It's been awhile since I've put on heels

 

And my kid now insists on standing in front of the camera with me 

Sweater - Forever21

Tank - H&M 

Skirt - Express 

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs in Copper 

Bag - Chanel Cerf Tote in black caviar GHW

Our conversation in the car at the end of the day:

Daughter: Can we go to the store, momma?
Me: No, not today. My shoes are hurting me.
Daughter: So don't wear them ever again!
Me: WElllllll.......

The practicalities of a 3 year old. Sometimes, they may be the smart ones.

Current Obsession

My new watch - going old school. And cheap.

 

I may even get a rose-gold version. 

 

It's been a long time since I've bought new jeans, but when I tried these on, it was an immediate yes. Jcrew's matchstick jeans are soft, comfy and best of all, was found in the sale section with an additional 30% off.
(Although they look a little worse for wear in the pictures as it was the end of a long day of sitting, being glued to my computer at work)

 

And it is somewhat of a comfort to know that I am not completely off the targeted body type that J. Crew is catering for, because I've tried the Cafe apris and the toothpick jeans with disastrous outcomes. These are true to size. But seriously, their definition of "short" is still way taller than my short stumpy legs.

Sweater - J. Crew v-neck sweater in neon citrus (found here)

Pants - J. Crew Matchstick jeans (found here)

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs

Weekend Warrior

During the weekends when I am with my daughter, I tend to veer more towards comfort and practicality. Gone are 4" heels and handbags that require more than a careless thought towards its hardiness. 

There is no time nor extra hands available for me to have to worry about staining, marring or damaging any of my more "delicate" handbags, nor would my daughter understand how momma may not be able to run around and chase her (outside in playgrounds and in stores) due to gorgeous but dangerous high heels.

 

So when the weekend is here, I always revert back to a practical sling bag that is roomy enough to dump snacks, sippy bottles, a gazillion of her jewelry and toys that she absolutely MUST have before she leaves the house, but will discard throughout the day. 

And flats. Always. 

Dress - JCrew Maritime dress in Skinny Stripe found here

 (size XS - seems to fit better than the other Maritime dress I have)

Necklace - JCrew outlet

Bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs Lil Mia bag

Shoes - from Target

Fanfare

I LOVE blazers. I think it has to do with growing up in a tropical country where the most one gets to wear is a thin cardigan before others start thinking that one is a loon.

And I love that J.Crew has been doing a lot of Chanel-inspired jackets in tweed. The only annoying thing is that they are not really that cheap (although much MUCH cheaper than Chanel) and they get snapped up really quick when it goes on sale.

I saw this particular jacket in person for the first time when I was in Austin, Texas, visiting my brother. He called it an old lady jacket. Hah. 

I love the detailing on the back

 

I didn't end up buying it that time, even though it was on sale plus an additional 30% off, but a month later, I couldn't stop thinking about it and ended up getting the store to do a charge send. 

Jacket - Jcrew Fanfare in Peacock

Shirt - JCrew outlet

Jeans - Forever21

Flats - JCrew outlet

Clutch - Balenciaga

 

 

Blue and Copper

It is amazing the stuff one finds languishing in the ironing basket...I completely forgotten about this dress. Ironing is not my favorite domestic chore. 

Dress - H&M

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BB's in Copper

Bag - Louis Vuitton Alma  

BBs

I'm trying to expand my shoe collection. And since I really don't go anywhere but work, it's only natural to build on the basics first that is work appropriate.

Manolo Blahniks have a great range of pointy toed pumps that were apparently quite comfortable. So I finally bit the bullet when Neimans had a special gift card offer with purchase.

In terms of sizing, I am a 38.5 in Louboutins, and in the Manolo BB's, I ordered a size 8 and they fit perfect.

They were comfortable enough to stand during church service holding on to an additional 30+ odd pounds of tired toddler and her blankie.

Above mentioned toddler was less tired after church and wanted to know why I was taking pictures of myself...and she wanted in on the action

Believe or not, she was walking around the room with those on easily enough

Dress - from Ebay

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs in Copper

Swish, swish, swish

I love long, flowy skirts. I like to pretend that I am debutante about to go to her first ball of the season. Until we get to the part where I accidentally step on my skirt and stumble a bit. Then I may not love it quite so much.

 

Shirt - J.Crew outlet

Skirt - Anthropologie Lengthening Rays Skirt

Belt - Ann Taylor

 

Playing Around

Once in a while, I like to play around with my hair. I'll be the first one to admit that I know squat about doing hair and that it generally is too much effort for me in the mornings to do more than just yank a brush through it.

In fact, my daughter is having her first dance showcase in a few months and I am agonizing over the fact that I'm going to have to put her hair in some kind of updo so that her tiara won't fall out. Arrgh!

But thanks to the plethora of Youtube tutorials out there, once in awhile, I get ambitious enough to try. I found a "new" way to curl my hair using Jen's tutorial

 

 Sweater - Forever21

Skirt - J.Crew No.2 Pencil Skirt in Royal Paisley

Necklace - double-strand pearl necklace from Ebay

Shoes - Christian Louboutin Very Prive 

Bag - Chanel Jumbo in Beige Claire

 

Blazers and Jumbos

After almost a whole week of slumping it, I finally picked my act together and got dressed properly.

This reminds me of a question: Do you shop for your real or imaginery life? 

I would like to say that I shop for my intended life. But to look a certain way takes effort, and sometimes, it's more energy than I have (especially when the weather is cold and miserable) 

But when I do take the extra 5 minutes (or 15) to go through the motions, it results in a peppier and generally more productive self. Plus, the compliments don't hurt either ;)

 

Blazer: Gap

Top/tunic: bought from Australia

Jeans: Forever21

Shoes: Nine West

Bag: Chanel Jumbo in Beige Clair caviar leather