neutral prints.

this chilly weather is making me lazy. all i want to do is cozy up in a warm blanket [with a good book and a cup of tea], which is probably why i've been living in oversized sweaters and sweatshirts. it's the next best thing to a warm blanket when you have to leave the house. but i figured getting dressed on this monday morning was a good way to start the week.

throwing prints and textures into the mix here while keeping to a neutral palette. similar shades of brown keep the leopard and herringbone harmonious while the white denim freshens up the look.

do you like dressing up when temps drop?

how was your weekend?

(lips: avon scarlet siren)

(Patty's Closet blazer; Paige denim, heels via Lulu's; thrifted blouse)

the [updated] black blazer.

rediscovering my love of black as well as having an appreciation for simplicity, i've been updating my wardrobe with neutral pieces in varying textures. mornings run smoothly when i can confidently grab separates that i know will work together and look good together.

this textured blazer has a form-fitting shrunken fit, different from the oversized shapeless black blazers i've worn in the past. layered here over my favorite leather tank top, the textures give this otherwise simple black on black mix enough visual interest to get noticed.

i'm also rocking love & sunshine's newest design...

the crossbody bag.

how do you simplify getting dressed in the morning?

(black textured blazer c/o Little Mistress; top/denim/shoes via Lulu's)

here's a few to try:

the linen blazer.

we all know that blazers are a great way to pull an outfit together, business or casual. make sure to have a linen blazer in your wardrobe for spring and summer, because it is generally thin and cool and makes a great lightweight layer.

i was looking for a royal blue nail polish and found this one by Wet n Wild. if you haven't tried this megalast line ($2.59), it's awesome. in addition to having that super wide brush that i love, it claims to be chip-resistant for five days...and it certainly is. i'm on day six, and it is barely showing some wear at the tips. the only other polish that lasted this long for me was essie ($8). 

do you pair blazers with shorts?

have you tried wet n wild megalast nail color?

wearing Wet n Wild megalast nail color in coast to coast.

(i couldn't find this one online, but check your local drugstores.)

(Patty's Closet blazer; DIY shorts; Lulu's tee;

Sperry topsiders via Delia's; Ray-ban sunglasses (buy))

a week of white denim. black + white.

since i've been enjoying these Paige Denim skinny jeans, i'll be remixing them the rest of the week. yesterday, i paired them with primary brights. today it's a black and white look with some prints and textures. a black blazer may seem too heavy and dark for a spring look, but this fun blazer from Patty's Closet lightens up the look by allowing some skin to peek through.

i went to the bruno mars concert earlier this week, and it was awesome. despite the bomb threat interruption at the beginning of the concert, it was an amazing show full of lights and pyrotechnics.

do you wear black in spring?

what was the last concert you went to?

(Paula & Chlo Sunflower Crush Statement Necklace c/o (buy)

this beautiful mint necklace from Paula & Chlo adds subtle color to the outfit without taking away from the black and white.

we arrived about an hour before the concert only to be greeted by a long line just to get in the doors. so we decided to grab drinks instead. of course, all the surrounding restaurants were packed because everyone was doing the same thing...but standing with a drink is still better than just standing in line. besides, it started to clear out as the concert started. we knew there were two opening acts, so we hung out a little longer and enjoyed as much expensive drinks as we could before having to get really expensive drinks at the concert, haha.

(blazer c/o Patty's Closet (808-625-6441); 

Paige Denim (buy); JustFab shoes)

the elbow patch jacket.

i went crazy for elbow patches last year, and i still love them. even better when they are on a classic tweed jacket. this jacket from Patty's Closet [Windward Mall] is a great alternative...it looks like tweed but isn't tweed, making it do-able for the warmer temps we have here.

over the weekend, my friend and i hosted a small holiday shopping event with a few vendors...thirty-one bags, [oomph.], anuhea designs, island keepsakes & island sea salts. there was chocolate and cheese fondue among other things, and an avon beauty bar with tons of samples to try. after the event, we hung out for wine tasting and an amazing steak dinner.

asparagus wrapped with ham...so yummy! 

wine tasting.

some of the vendors.

what i wore...

just part of our amazing spread... 

(jacket c/o Patty's Closet; pacsun denim (coupons here!);

JustFab bag & boots c/o)

shop the look:

(p)leather shorts.

happy monday.

i visited Patty's Closet [at windward mall] this weekend and picked up these faux leather shorts. although i love the leather pair i currently own, it's too big and can be uncomfortable to wear. when i saw these on Patty's Closet's instagram page, i knew it would end up in the dressing room. these fit much better, and i'm looking forward to wearing these with oversized sweaters

and loafers.

had a great weekend with the neighborhood mamas. we spent friday and saturday discussing minor details of our halloween party and ended the weekend with our block party. while the turnout wasn't as big as last year, a good time was still had and we ended up with tons of food. it was a great way to kick-off halloween and get into the spirit of the holiday. next up? pumpkin carving.

what are some of the halloween activities you participate in?

dressing room diaries at Patty's Closet...

how adorbs is that heart cut-out maxi dress?

plus a yummy japanese lunch, because shopping is hard work!

(shorts c/o Patty's Closet (email for availability);

express blazer, f21 blouse; lulu's shoes (buy))

a few you might like:

style me. striped maxi skirt.

reader request:

my sister bought a black and white striped maxi skirt similar to this one and needed ideas on how to wear it to work.
"style me!!" she said. so here are my thoughts:
since she is in a management position, she should continue to look professional even on casual days. my suggestion is to pair her striped maxi skirt with a shrunken blazer that is structured and short in length. the shorter length balances the maxi and keeps the look from being too frumpy. i might also pair it with silky button-ups or crisp white shirts that are tucked
in and belted.

her skirt has thin stripes and almost looks solid black from afar, which works out better for the office. this is the only striped maxi skirt i have, but you get the idea.

maxi + tank + blazer

maxi + crisp white shirt

maxi + long-sleeved dolman tee

maxi + peplum top

maxi + peplum top + blazer

tips for keeping your maxi skirt office appropriate:

- avoid loose oversized tops which can look sloppy and too casual

- skirt should cover shoes without touching the ground

- keep the outfit simple and unfussy

- stick to [dark] basic colors

- avoid large prints

try these:

*need ideas on how to style an item? email me.

layered white.

wearing a white on a hot day will keep me cool, right?

wrong.

the idea that white keeps you cool is somewhat of a myth, and i tell you why on mobile morsels. i mean, ever wonder why many arctic animals are white? certainly makes me re-think my summer whites. in any case, it just looks cooler, wouldn't you agree? plus it makes the perfect backdrop for a colorful necklace like this one.

(honey love necklace)

(gorjana merced ring via gilt)

(JustFab New Orleans shoes c/o; mossimo tee; rampage blazer; ray-ban aviators)

you might like these:

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lulu & georgia for stylish home decor

stitch fix for those in need of a personal stylist

old navy for back to school shopping for the kids

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