Finally, a vacation.

Tank, Belt, Necklace: J.Crew

Shorts: Hollister

Shoes: Martin & Osa

Scarf: Gap

Went away for the holiday weekend. The weather changed quite a bit and this 'impressionist' scarf from Gap is a great accessory to have on a trip like this. This is the first time I wore it as a scarf and I really like how it looks! I have to say this again, I love love loveee the colors in the scarf and the material can make a outfit look more classy. I want to try Elaine's scarf belt sometime with this and a white dress. Perhaps in a later post this week!

Impressionism.

Shirt: China | Cardigan, Belt: J.Crew | Jeans: H&M | Scarf: Gap | Shoes: Minnetonka 

I got this scarf yesterday at Gap (see item) - I love the blue colors! Gap calls it the 'Impressionist print scarf' and it totally brings back memories of my high school days, when I took an art history course and spent hours memorizing paintings. Impressionism was definitely one of my favorite periods because the paintings were less detailed, yet you can still make out the subjects. I also really like the material of this scarf...it's so soft and hangs nicely. 

Anyway! I tried the whole belting the scarf look today. Not sure if I like it - the scarf didn't really stay under the belt - maybe because it is too short, or I did not belt it tightly...or both. 

review: kate spade 'pasadena neda' wallet in citronella

it finally arrived today! when i purchased it, i was worried that color of the actual product would not match the picture but it's not bad at all. i would say it matches it  almost perfectly - the actual product is a little brighter and green in color (which i like). it is bigger than i thought it would be, fits all my cards, cash, coins, and even my iTouch.

it's nice to not have to carry multiple purses around and that this wallet fits everything.

pale watermelon

Tee: Gap

Skirt: Thrifted

Belt: J.Crew

Shoes: Banana Republic 

When I checked my outfit in the mirror, I definitely did not notice the wrinkles on this skirt...I blame my camera. At first I wasn't sure whether two pastel colors (pink and green) would look good on me, but after putting it on, the pale pink tissue tee brings out the faint pink lines on the skirt...so I guess with this color combo it works. Not sure about others though. 

Shoe, please don't die on me...:( I am really afraid the leather weaving is going to come apart when I am on vacation and walk around. These shoes are too comfortable and the brown leathery color goes with anything. ...Banana Republic better come out with something similar soon! 

A different kind of nautical

Dress: American Eagle Flirty Striped Dress in Grey
Belt: Ribbon
Shoes: Martin & Osa

More stripes! At least this time it is not navy and white...Although there is also a slight nautical feel to this one. These are great summer colors because it is a  pale gray with thin white and salmon colored stripes. I guess this these are more 'untraditional' stripe because it is diagonal. I really like the material of this dress and the look of it. There is a slight sheen to it, but it is very subtle, so it just makes the fabric look fancier and less like a dress from AE? Another piece of clothing that can be dressed up or down :) So resourceful...haha.

I just realized today that I can convert the straps into a halter! Before this, I knew that I can take both off but I wasn't sure if it was long enough to use it as a halter strap...finally tried it today and it works!

Polka dots and blue skies

Dress: China
Tee: J.Crew
Belt: thrifted
Shoes: Banana Republic

I love polka dots! Almost as much as stripes. I got this baby blue and white polka dotted dress in China a couple years ago. This dress actually came with a super tight black and white striped belt, but I never wore it with this dress because it just doesn't look right. Hm...I really like how the blue appears slightly faded

The shoes from Banana Republic are probably my most comfortable flats - the leather is very soft and molds to the shape of the feet very well. I am so sad that it is starting to fall apart (if you look closely at the shoe on the right, towards the bottom...one of the woven leather piece broke). I abused these flats too much, tripping a lot...I thought there would eventually be a hole in the front - guess not.

Purchased a bunch of things from Origins today. My skin is terrible these days and I think it's caused by the sample foundation that the people at M.A.C gave me. Since my current face wash is drying my face out and the Moisture Surge from Clinique isn't helping (it used to be so good!) I decided I need a whole new skincare line...Got the Foaming Face Wash (80% organics), Have a Nice Day moisturizer (it smells really good!), Stay Tuned foundation and Quick, Hide! concealer. I love the quirky names Origins has for their products, so cute! Tried the face wash tonight, it is actually not that foamy, at all. I like the foam because it makes me feel like I am actually cleaning my face, and I find that with cleansers that don't foam, my face still feels oily. However...with this one, even though it is not as foamy as...The Perfect World from Origins, it cleans pretty well. Hopefully this skincare line will work well for me.

Sequined collar

I love this tee. I got it two summers ago at the American Eagle outlet for $3 something. It can be dressed up or down, perfect for the day and (or) night! I really love sparkly things and tend to gravitate towards them in the stores. *ahhh! sparkles...my sparkles* Anyway, I also adore these shorts - got them last summer for a trip I was taking up north. I tried them on at Forever 21 with a white tank and fell in love with the color combination (so summery!) and the bow tie belt that came with these shorts. The belt can be also used in other outfits so I definitely got my money's worth for these.

Tee: American Eagle
Shorts: Forever 21

kate s. citronella

I finally gave in and purchased something from kate spade's private sample sale yesterday. I was debating between a handbag and a wallet but decided to go with the wallet because the only bag I was interested in was this crossbody that was bigger than I would have liked. Instead, I went with the kate spade 'pasadena neda' wallet in citronella. I went with the light yellow-greenish citronella color instead of the coral because coral seemed so...normal and if I have to spend $75 on a wallet, I want it to be more unique. Plus, this springy color is so perfect. It's definitely the most I have ever spent on a wallet and it was definitely a impulsive purchase.

But I can't wait to get it...goes perfectly with this banana cream macaroon from Lab

Pearl and Coral

Tank: Kohl's
Shirt: American Eagle
Cardigan: J.Crew perfect mix tape
Leggings: Marshalls
Shoes: Minnetonka

This is a pretty casual outfit. I think leggings automatically makes an outfit 50% more comfortable. I got this tunic/shirt from AE two years ago when I still had my 40% off coupon from there every three months. I loved the material - it feels so light and soft, perfect for the summer. That season, a lot of their clothes were made in this material and in vibrant colors. These leggings were the new ones I recently purchased - I do like it a lot, but it doesn't stay up perfectly well - it slides down a little, maybe a centimeter or two?

I really really need to come up with other color combinations besides coral/navy -.- it is beginning to become my default. I can probably do a 30 for 30 challenge with just these two colors.

Purple alligator

Shirt: Lacoste
Pants: H&M
Shoes: Aldo
Scarf: Gap

I got these shoes a couple years ago at one of the Aldo stores in Chicago. After wearing them a couple time, I find them extremely uncomfortable to walk long distance in- same with almost all Aldo shoes I have tried on so far. The bottom the shoes are not as cushioned as shoes from Banana Republic. I got these shoes mostly for the color - I love the plum shade with the wedged heel.

Yes, I am wearing the same scarf again...After I buy something, I find myself wearing that item repeatedly until I get sick of it...and then move on to something else.

Put on some pants!

Saw this image on here. Hilarious...but Jeggings and leggings are so comfortable! They are probably one of the few bottoms that fit me...almost everything else is too loose at the thighs.

So I did some research on purchasing leggings that 0. are not see through 1. don't fade 2. no little balls stick on the fabric after you wash it. Apparently, leggings that are not made out of cotton should do the trick...so materials like rayon, nylon, spandex should all work. I got myself a pair this past weekend, hope these are better than the two pairs I got from Express before!

Flower power

Floral again...It seems like whatever style that was popular in Asia becomes popular two years later in the States. I got this floral printed dress in China a couple years ago but I have only wore it several times. The patterns seemed too girly/flowery/Asian at the time and now this type of pattern is everyyyywhere. It's a dress but it's quite short so I would never wear it without tights/leggings. I really like it though, and it was pretty cheap....(I forget the exact price)

I've been wearing this cardigan way too much these days, but it's the perfect cardigan for the spring-summer transition. It is very light weight and the dark plum-brown color goes with pretty much everything.

Dress: China
Leggings: Express
Cardigan: J.Crew

Preppy Plaid?

So...plaid was popular what, last summer? I don't know about you but when I see plaid like this, I think 'prep'. I got these shorts a couple years ago (I think. I have terrible memory). I really like the colors...and it goes with almost anything navy/white/green. It's so easy to just throw on and go out the door - great for hot humid weather when you don't really feel like thinking and putting together more elaborative outfits.

Shorts: Hollister
Shirt: Kohl's
Belt: J.Crew

Caribbean Blue

Heavy on the photos this time. Dress: Victoria's Secret | Cardigan, Belt: J.Crew | Shoes: Martin and Osa

Tulips are so pretty! I really want to re-visit Holland, Michigan someday when the tulips are blooming (which is mid-May), guess I will have to wait until next year since I don't think I am going anytime soon. My legs are so dry -.- Blech.

This outfit was inspired by Kristine. Or Polly's post on "How to Wear Ruffles". I tried #5, buttoning and belting a ruffled cardigan at the waist. I don't think my pictures turned out so great...it was quite windy and the ruffles did not cooperate with me and lay the way I wanted. Oh well.

The dress was a birthday gift. I love love love the blue color - it reminds me of the time when I was in Cancun, Mexico...the brilliant blue color of the ocean was surreal. Gorgeous. 

I am a Sailor!

At least the color palette of my clothes.

Tee: Martin and Osa | Belt: J.Crew | Pants: Abercrombie and Fitch |

I love this striped tee I got from Martin and Osa several months ago. The material is so soft and flowy. I am pretty sure these are navy blue and white stripes but the blue is so dark it almost looks black. The cargo pants are pretty old...3 years? They are kind of big on me so I need to wear a belt.  :( I really want to find more white bottoms - I love any color + white for the summer.

Sorry about the blurry pictures....

Haha, funny how the colors for this outfit is the same as yesterday. Like I said, I really like these two colors together :)

Papaya and Navy

Dress: China | Belt, Cardigan: J.Crew | Shoes: Martin and Osa

I love this color combination - coral and navy stripes...so summery :) I go this dress in China a couple years ago for like 90RMB but never wore it. I didn't like how the top fits at the shoulders but then I figured out a solution - hider it with a cardigan...(I am so smart. I know). I also like how these flip flops look - with the studded detail...but they are so hard to walk in, it keeps slipping off.