Birthday Celebrations!

I celebrated my birthday with friends a few days early.  We went out to Edison in downtown.  Here's some highlights!

      

One Dress Three Ways

I bought this dress from Anthropologie using my 15% birthday discount and it was on sale.  I'm calling it my birthday dress this year.  So far I've worn it two different days, three ways!  I have even more ideas of how to accessorize it.  I think it's a great purchase!  First, I wore it as is, with the sash that came with the dress.  Please pardon my wet hair in this picture.  I wore this to go outlet shopping with friends.

Shoes: Naturalizer

Earrings: Barbara half dollars from a SF artist

Today I wore the dress to work.  After work I took off the cardigan and added my birthday candle necklace from Anthropologie.

 

Belt: Target

Cardigan: LOFT Outlet

Flats: Clarks

Sandals: Target

Angeline's Wedding

On Friday I went to my friend Angeline's wedding.  It was so much fun!  She was a beautiful bride, the ceremony was sweet, and the reception was a great party.

  

 

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Belt: Target

Earrings: Savannah Art Market

Necklace: LOFT Outlet

Ring: Forever 21

Shoes: Target

Flip flops: from the wedding

Happy Birthday Mom!

Fun With Work Outfits

I like putting together new and different work outfits.  Takes me out of the ruts I get into.  Last week I woke up with a strong urge to wear American Apparel to work.  I paired a tunic that I hadn't worn in months with a pair of black khakis.  I prefer this shirt with leggings, but it worked with the pants as well.

  

Tunic: American Apparel

Pants: H&M

Shoes: Naturalizer

Today I wore a new shirt I bought at Anthropologie this week.  I used my 15% off birthday discount to pick up a few sale items.  I've been wanting a striped boat-neck top for a while and this one was too cute to pass up!  It helped me get over my fear of wearing stripes too.

 

Top: Anthropologie, Little Yellow Button Curator Top

Pants: H&M

Shoes: Naturalizer

Summer Berry Cobbler

This afternoon I risked melting in my top floor apartment in order to bake a perfect summer cobbler.  I used this recipe and blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries I purchased at the farmer's market yesterday.  I cut the sugar a little, and added vanilla and cinnamon.  It's so good!  I highly recommend it.

Saturday Outfits

I got to wear one of my new dresses yesterday.  It's so cute!  I wore this to run errands, including the farmer's market and a gym to sign up for personal training.

Dress and headband: Forever 21

Belt: Target

Shoes: gift

In the evening I went to the Ventura county fair.  It was like a traditional country fair but bigger and on the beach.  Unfortunately, it was freezing cold too!

 

Top: Wal-mart (very old)

Jeans: Paige Denim

Cardigan: Anthropologie

Shoes: Target

Headband and necklace: Cost Plus World Market

Work Outfit of the Day

Today I had a rough day, but at least I really liked my outfit.  It was comfortable and cute, plus I'm wearing a new belt.

T-shirt: H&M

Vest: American Eagle

Jeans: Lucky

Shoes: Naturalizer

Belt: Target

I caught my cat laying on my shoe.  So cute!

Weekend of Morning Events

Yesterday I went to a baby shower in the morning for my friend Crissa.  I got to wear one of my favorite dresses.

Dress: Anthropologie Wright Dress

Shoes: Naturalizer

Belt: Old Navy

Earrings: Forever 21

Necklace: from Mexico

This morning I met my SWE friends in Monterey Park for Dim Sum at NBC Seafood.  It was my first time having dim sum, and it was delicious and SO much food!  I'd gladly go again.  Anticipating a big meal, I wore a nice loose dress.  Also, check out my messy bun!  I love this hairstyle.

 

Dress: LOFT Outlet

Cardigan: Division

Shoes: Bass

Messy bun: learned from What Would A Nerd Wear

Venice's First Friday

Last night I went to the First Friday event in Venice with a few of my coworkers.  I dressed in layers since the forecast was a low of 58 last night, but the crowds of people were warmer.

 

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Cardigan: Anthropologie

Belt: Old Navy

Boots: Bakers

Necklace: Cost Plus World Market

I had no idea how many food trucks would be there.  It was fantastic, but I learned a few things.  This event is the first Friday of every month, all year long, so I'll have to go back in the winter when the lines are shorter.  Also I'll remember to bring a lot of cash and come super hungry next time!  I ate at the Kogi truck and Cool Haus, two of the most well-known food trucks in LA.  Both were amazing!

 

Kogi BBQ Truck & Short Rib Taco (Images from menuism.com)

I had a short rib taco, calamari taco, and part of a kimchi quesadilla 

 

Coolhaus ice cream truck (images from foodtrucktimes.com & eatcoolhaus.com)

I ordered chocolate cookies with balsamic fig & mascarpone ice cream

It's been awhile.

After my overload of shopping posts from this weekend, I needed a break from the blog.  Here's the outfit I wore for shopping on Sunday.  You can't see it, but I also had a gold hair pin.

Dress: Victoria's Secret

Shoes: Cynthia Vincent for Target

And Saturday night I went out to the country bar with girl friends.

Dress: American Eagle

Boots: Bakers

Necklace: Cost Plus World Market

Finally, wedding attire options I can afford!

This weekend's quest to find a dress to wear to a wedding this month may have finally ended.  I bought 3 $30 party dresses hoping one works.  The first option is from Forever 21.  I love polka dots, and this dress brings black to the standard navy and white polka dot combination.  I would pair this with a pendant necklace, with pearls or a locket.  The straps need shortened on this.

 

The next dress came from the sale room of Urban Outfitters.  I was drawn to the jewel tone and the detail on the back.  I would pair this with a necklace of the same weight as the one I wore for the picture but in silver and black instead of gold.  The straps on this dress need shortened a lot.

 

The last dress is also from the sale room of Urban Outfitters.  I love the bubble hem.  I felt like it needed a wide black belt, but once I put it together, I think it could go either way.  I'm also not sure about accessories yet.  I could have the neckline ruched at the tailor to make it a slight sweetheart, a very flattering shape on me.

  

And I've been feeling extra skinny this weekend, so here are two silly photos that I just liked because I look thin!

 

So, which should I keep and which should I return?  The black and pink dress from H&M could still be an option as well.