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:

black on black on black on.

when in doubt, wear black.

(and a touch of leopard!)

black sheer top from Patty's Closet.

black faux leather shorts from Patty's Closet.

black beanie via sincerely jules, gift from Sisters Marie.

black bubble necklace via oomph.

black bag from H&M.

shoes via sheinside.

and some randoms:

i never thought i'd say this, but i miss running. it's been three days since my last run, and as i sit here after lunch, uncomfortably, with a belly full of pho, i'm just counting down the hours till i can get on that treadmill.

stay tuned for a cute giveaway coming up. if you have young children, you might appreciate this convenient way of shopping that just makes sense.

love talking about fashion, beauty, fitness, family, or entertainment? come join the conversation over at POPSUGAR forums. i'd love to chat and get your input on my latest question.

when in doubt, what item, outfit, or color is your go-to?

superbowl weekend eats...

shrimp, chili/hotdogs/burgers, and sangria...

and, of course, a celfie of the celfie!

here's a few to try:

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enter to win a $500 amazon gift card

(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:

camo + boots.

more and more prints have been finding their way into my wardrobe lately. and since my closet is usually a sea of solid blacks and grays, this works out nicely. this is the other camouflage piece from Patty's Closet i was talking about. i think the [faux] leather trim is an oomph-worthy detail that allows these otherwise casual shorts to be dressed up.

last week i mentioned how our casual lifestyle made it challenging to wear heels with short shorts. but i still like need height. so one way i sneak in heels is with boots, since they have a more casual vibe. even better if they're a neutral, skin-toned color that elongates and doesn't attract

too much attention.

have a great weekend!

(shorts c/o Patty's Closet; nine west shoes; f21 sweater;

sonia rykiel bag; bobby glam hair extensions c/o)

a few you might like:

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in need of some retail therapy?

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the wedge sneaker.

there are some trends you just gotta have.

there are ones you can't see yourself wearing. ever.

and there are those you feel lukewarm about and wait to see if they grow on you...like the wedge sneaker. i actually liked some of the original sneakers that first hit the scene but wasn't willing to pay their $600 price tags. so i waited.

sure enough, along came JustFab's Keena shoe with a much friendlier price tag. now that i've tried them, i'm a believer. they give just enough lift to lengthen the legs without being uncomfortable. now, why did i wait this long?

are you a fan of wedge sneakers?

if so, how do you rock yours?

nooooo...where has mini-he gone?
i begged him not to look into the light!
stay tuned to see if he returns.

(basic top & faux leather shorts via local boutiques;

JustFab Keena in navy c/o; billabong hat; ray-ban arista sunglasses)

ten down two to go.

october is gone, and in looking back at my resolutions,

here's a quick recap of the month:

sleep early - season 2 of walking dead on netflix

kept me up late.

exercise - check! ran on the treadmill twice a week. 

girl time - bday party and halloween block party with the neighborhood moms.

 read - eek, no reading AGAIN this month.

one-on-one mini time - check! lunch with mini-she.

try something new - check! made chili in the slow cooker,

tried jelly au lait, cut off my hair!

organize posts - check! caught up on a review for No nonsense.

how was your october? ready for the holiday season?

what's your favorite part of the holidays?

(shae sweater via ideeli; faux leather shorts, local boutique; shoes, sheinside (buy))

try this look:

  stock up on chains at lovely obsessions. 10% off with the code: rockoomph

the perfect job.

(found this while going thru some old emails)

my first job was working in an orange juice factory,

but i got canned...couldn't concentrate.

then i worked in the woods as a lumberjack,

but i just couldn't hack it...

so they gave me the axe. (never saw them again)

after that, i tried to be a tailor,

but i just wasn't suited for it...

mainly because it was a sew sew job.

next i tried working in a muffler factory,

but that was too exhausting.

then i tried to be a chef,

figured it would add a little spice to my life...

but i just didn't have the thyme.

i attempted to be a deli worker, but any way i sliced it,

i couldn't cut the mustard.

my best job was being a musician,

but eventually found it wasn't noteworthy.

i studied a long time to become a doctor,

but i didn't have any patience.

next was a job in a shoe factory...

i tried, but i just didn't fit in.

i became a professional fisherman,

but discovered i couldn't live on my net income.

i managed to get a good job working for

a pool maintenance company,

but the work was too draining.

so then i got a job in a workout center,

but they said i wasn't fit for the job.

after many years of trying to find steady work,

i finally got a job as a historian...

but there was no future in it.

tried being a stockbroker...no security!

hired on as a human cannonball, but i got fired.

my last job was working in a coffee shop,

but i had to quit because it was the same old grind.

so i retired and found i am perfect for the job!

taro "snow ice" with azuki beans.

(frozen fruit and juice bases mixed with milk and shaved thin,

company describes snow ice as frozen cotton candy)

(zoe zebra tunic and shyla skirt via oomph (buy)(buy); shoes, nine west)

tell me about one of your jobs!

[oomph.] is now on facebook.

drop it like it's hot.

yes, it's the shorts again.

i seriously love them.

pro'lly cause they're more dressy than denim.

and they're not that hot because:

1) they're shorts

2) they're pretty thin

what is hot is this shirt.

eh. win some, you lose some.

headed to the beach after work for some stand up paddling.

gotta love summer.

(top, victoria's secret; shorts, local boutique; shoes, delia's (buy))

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