Yes, I wear a dress to clean.

Easy cotton dresses are great for hot days, especially when those hot days involve cleaning house.  Cleaning is something I dread even during mild weather, and it's worse when it's hot.  The first picture is what I wore to clean, and the second picture is how I made it appropriate for going out to lunch.

 

Dress: Nordstom Juniors

Scarf: old

Shoes: Clarks

Undershirt: Hollister

Belt: American Apparel

Shoes: gift

Necklace: Forever 21

Busy Day

My Saturday was very busy.  It started with a work bbq at an executive's house in the hills, then I went to Dockweiler beach for a SWE picnic.  I followed that with a house warming party at my friends' new place.  It was a fun but tiring day.  Trying to dress for it was a challenge.  The first party was very hot, the second was chilly, and the third was more trendy.  I opted to wear a dress folded up as a shirt with shorts.  I brought along a cardigan for the second two parties, leggings for the beach, and heels/accessories if we decided to go to bars after the housewarming party.  I ended up wearing the same outfit the whole day, just added the cardigan.

Top/dress and ring: Forever 21

Undershirt: Hollister

Shorts: American Eagle

Shoes: Naturalizer

Headband: CVS

Necklace: Cost Plus World Market

The housewarming party pictures were fantastic because a guest is a professional photographer, so here's one of me that I found on facebook.  And check out his website.

Copycat Outfit

I was inspired by this outfit on the blog ...love Maegan.  My take isn't exact, but I used a few of my favorite pieces as well.  This was a perfect outfit for going out to Howl at the Moon at CityWalk on Friday.  My night involved a lot of walking and riding the metro.  Flats and stretchy cotton were super comfortable choices.

 

Top and Shoes: Target

Skirt: American Apparel

Earrings: LOFT Outlet

Ring: Forever 21

Pattern & Color

I've decided to try to wear more pattern.  I figured a fun camisole under a cardigan to work was an easy start, so I picked up this tank at Free People on clearance.  As you can see in the second photo, I took these pictures right after a doctor's appointment.

 

Tank: Free People

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Jeans: Lucky

Shoes: Naturalizer

I wanted to put on Mama Mia tonight to dance around to while I did some chores around the house, but I couldn't find it.  So I put in 500 Days of Summer because I really like the soundtrack.  It was not a good choice for being productive!  I ended up sitting and watching the whole thing.  I love that movie!

My Life in Music, Part 2

So in part one of the "my life in music" posts, I used music videos to describe my love life.  This post is all about music videos that make me swoon.

Outfits

Sometimes I don't have anything interesting to write about that's actually blog-related.  I have had a great week at work with some really interesting meetings and projects.  I'll spare you the details, but share with you some outfits I've worn recently.
What I wore last Thursday:

Top: White House Black Market

Tank: Banana Republic

Cardigan: LOFT Outlet

Jeans: Lucky

Shoes: Clarks

Headband: Cost Plus World Market

And what I wore to shop in on Sunday:

Top: Forever 21

Tank: Express

Shorts: American Eagle

Shoes: Cynthia Vincent for Target

Earrings: Savannah Art Market

Urban Outfitters and Forever 21

I bought a few new items at the mall today.  It was quite relaxing.  I put together looks with both new dresses and my new accessories.  The first look is perfect for going to Edison or another classy bar.  The second outfit will be perfect for an outdoor concert this summer.  Yes, there are still tags on everything.

 

Dress: Urban Outfitters - last one left and only $30!

Shoes: Target

Ring and headband: Forever 21 (similar ring)

Earrings: Savannah Art Market

 

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Belt: Old Navy

Shoes: Naturalizer

Ring and headband: Forever 21

I need advice on a great backless bra for the first dress, and a nude slip for the second dress (I'm wearing a gold tunic in the photo).

Country Night

For my friend Sarah's birthday, we went out to dinner and to the line dancing bar, Borderline.  As much as I like country music, I've learned that I absolutely cannot line dance.  I've tried, friends have tried to teach me, and it doesn't work.  So instead of wearing boots, I pulled out a pair of intense heels.  I had a feeling none of the "cowboys" would ask a girl in crazy high heels to dance with them.  I was right!  I had fun just chatting with friends and people watching.

 

Dress: American Eagle

Shoes: Nine West

Belt and Earrings: Forever 21

Necklace: Cost Plus World Market

And since this post is about going out line dancing, I can't help but include one of my favorite country songs.  It's light and fun, perfect for summer!

Bar Edison

I went to Edison, a very cool bar downtown, last night with my coworkers.  The only picture I got in the bar was of a very cool light fixture, but I took outfit pictures after I got home.

 

Dress: Forever 21

Belt: Charlotte Russe

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Shoes: Bakers

Necklace: Tiffany's

Weekend Outfits

So these are actually from last weekend.  The first outfit was from last Friday after work.

  

Shirt: Victoria's Secret Pink

Skirt: Target

Shoes: Clarks

Necklace: Cost Plus World Market

And a close-up picture of one of my favorite hairstyles, a messy bun.

I wore my new Anthropologie skirt to the farmer's market last Saturday.  It ended up being windy, so I actually pulled it down so it was knee length.  I prefer this look though.

Tank: Old Navy

Skirt: Anthropologie

Belt: Charlotte Russe

Shoes: Target

Headband: Cost Plus World Market

It's a jeans kind of week.

Yesterday's outfit on the left and today's on the right...

 

Blazer: White House Black Market

Top: Old Navy

Jeans: Lucky Brand

Shoes: Clarks

Shirt and Earrings: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Shoes: Naturalizer

Camisole (bright pink, but it doesn't show in the photo): Ann Taylor Outlet

Glee-ful Dancing Clothes

Since there isn't a new Glee to watch this week, I'll finally post what I wore to watch it last week.  When pinned to a tank top, this shirt is cute for work.  Without the pins and tank, it's very fun to dance in to the awesome music of Glee.  I also kept the tissues handy since I cried so much during the finale!

Top: H&M

Shorts: American Eagle

Earrings: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Slippers: Victoria's Secret

Casual Friday

My casual work outfit from Friday, featuring a sale purchase from Anthropologie.

Cardigan: Anthropologie - on sale for $20!

T-shirt: Bought at a jeans boutique in San Luis Obispo, CA

Jeans: Lucky Brand

Shoes: Naturalizer

Also, I figured out why I can't seem to get photos of my work outfits.  I am in some form of lounge-wear within 5 minutes of getting home.  I live on the top floor of my building, so my apartment gets hot during the day.  Unless I'm excited about my work outfit, it doesn't stay on long enough to take a picture.

Weekend Creations

A few pictures of things I made this weekend...
First up, centerpieces for my balcony table.  I am currently obsessed with mason jars.  This didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned it, but it works.  I was going for white sand with amber gems that catch the light, but I was limited to the vase filler options that Michael's carries.  Also, the candles I used smell amazing, and the lids will keep the candles from getting ruined by the elements.

  

Jars and candles: Cost Plus World Market

Sand and pebbles: Michael's Crafts

Now onto the food...

I made a snack out of the half bunch of white radishes that I got in this week's CSA bag.  I sliced the radishes and sauteed them in butter.  I added the tops to the pan as well.  With some salt and pepper, it was a great snack.  I highly recommend trying cooked radishes, they're much milder than raw radishes.

The highlight of this weekend's cooking was making something from this post on Joy the Baker's blog.  I picked the Apple Pie Granita because I thought I could make it with Splenda and not violate my doctor's recommendation of avoiding high sugar foods.  Fyi, I will not be making anything with Splenda again.  The taste of the fake sweetener is too noticeable.  I still enjoyed the recipe, but next time I will use real sugar.  Also you'll notice in the picture, I used my ice cream maker to make this more of a sorbet than a granita.

Now, this isn't exactly cooking, but it's beautiful.  Fresh farmer's market strawberries drizzled with local honey.  I had them with breakfast today.  Heaven!

A Real Outfit Of The Day

I'm actually posting an outfit on the day I'm wearing it!  I added a belt to this dress not for shape, but to break up the pattern.  I like that it's knee length because it balances out the very low neckline.

 

Dress: H&M

Belt: Forever 21

Shoes: Ann Taylor Outlet

Now I'm off to go see Sex and the City 2 with Melanie!  Yay for girly nights!

Cuteness

Dresses For Hot Summer Days

I have a large backlog of photos.  In order to not overwhelm the blog, I'm trying to post just a few at time.

Wore this last weekend to walk to brunch:

  

Dress: Victoria's Secret 

(was a bathing suit cover-up that I had a tailor turn into a dress)

Shrug: super old

Shoes: Cynthia Vincent for Target

Necklace: Cost Plus World Market

Wore this after work on Monday:

Dress and Shoes: Target

Belt: Charlotte Russe

My Life in Music, Part 1

I wanted to share with you how I view my dating life...via music.  I love most types of music, so these don't go together except for the theme.  I have more in mind for posts like this, so there will at least be a part 2 to look forward to.

Such a cute song about how I feel now.

And this one is just sweet and hopeful.

New Skirt

What do you think, should I keep it?  The first time I tried this on, I tried a smaller size and hated it.  I bought it on sale on a whim, and I actually like it now.  I normally stay away from fluffy skirts because I'm afraid they make me look huge.  I feel like this is actually working...but I need someone to confirm that I haven't gone off the deep end!

 

Free Skate Mini Skirt from Anthropologie - on sale for $20!

On Wednesdays we wear pink!

I watched Mean Girls on TV earlier this week.  I cannot resist that movie!

Shirt: Banana Republic Outlet

Jeans: Lucky Brand

Shoes: Naturalizer (new!)

Earrings: Savannah Art Market

I have this theory that if I force myself to post at least a week of work outfits, I might improve what I wear to work.  What I'm asking from you is, what are your suggestions?  I have to wear pants and closed flats for safety reasons.  I also try to dress very modest due to the fact I work primarily with older men.

Vacation Outfits

I met my dad in San Francisco for Memorial Day weekend.  We stayed in Vacaville with friends and wine tasted in Napa.  I posted my outfit for flying into SF on Saturday, so I'll start with wine tasting on Sunday.

 

Dress: American Eagle

Cardigan: LOFT Outlet

Belt: Forever 21

Shoes: Naturalizer

Necklace: Cost Plus World Market

Setting: Regusci Winery in Napa

Sunday night we went out to dinner in Vacaville.  I didn't get any pictures at dinner, so I took a few before I went to bed.

  

Dress: Arribada Current from Anthropologie

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Shoes: Target (old)

Necklace: Cost Plus World Market

Monday, Dad and I woke up early and drove into the city for breakfast then sightseeing.  I flew back to LA Monday evening.

  

A repeat outfit, but a great one!  Plus a picture with my dad.

I loved San Francisco and Napa.  I cannot wait to go back to the city though, so I can try more of the food!  I have several friends that live in or near San Francisco, so I must go back soon.