Geo Print Tee > Ikat Kimono > Skinny Jeans > What I Wore

The evening after I took these pictures, I noticed two tiny holes in my shirt, which is sad, because this is an awesome, boxy tee. So now, its a sleep shirt. Womp. Oh well, I've had it for a few years, gotten a handful of wears out of it, and likely, it was a super cheap sale find, so I won't shed too many tears. Hey, is it just me, or do a lot of Urban Outfitters tees end up having holes in them? I feel like that's usually the way I end up parting with most of my purchases from that particular store... I  find a hole or two and end up tossing it, sometimes after only a few wears. And though it hasn't entirely stopped me from shopping there exclusively for the sales, it is definitely always in the back of my mind.

Enough about that. On another note, the necklace I'm wearing is one of my new favorite things. It's abstract, modern, and generally bad ass, and only cost me a dollar in a random store in downtown LA. Who's a winner? This girl, right here.

 Geo Print Boxy Tee x Urban Outfitters > Ikat Print Kimono x Cotton On > Skinny Jeans x 7 for All Mankind > Shoes x Vince Camuto

Green Dress > Chambray Shirt > What I Wore

One of my favorite ways to wear certain dresses is layered over other garments. A simple dress can easily be thrown on over a pair of leggings, a tank top, a turtleneck, or even a button down, as shown here. This is especially important to remember as the weather continues to cool down. Don't stop rockin' your favorite sun dress just because the season has changed! This green cotton tank dress almost begs to be partnered with colorful leg wear, tees, blouses, and sweaters, so much so that I actually hardly ever wear it on it's own. It actually reminds me of wearing jumper dresses when I was a little girl. Remember those? 

Well, knowing how to layer a dress won't just spark nostalgia, keep you warm, and prevent you from dying of boredom, but it will save space in your suitcase when you're traveling. I once packed this same dress for a week long trip to New York in the dead of winter and probably wore it about 4 different times, with no two outfits looking alike.

Green Dress x Forever 21 (a different green here, a longer one here) > Chambray Shirt x H&M (here's a nice option, and another here) > Leather Belt x Urban Outfitters > Denim Heels x Alloy (a VERY different version, but very bad ass) > Feather Ear Cuff x BohoFunk

White Tank Dress > Black Leggings > What I Wore

Clearly, Los Angeles does not care that we are going into November. The weather, though more bearable than months past, has been consistently super sunny and warm. I would actually love to put together some looks that feature [more] layers [than what I'm currently wearing] and boots, but the climate just won't let me. Oh well, I guess I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Dress x Foreign Exchange > Capri Leggings x Mossimo (Thankfully, always available at Target) > Shoes x Jessica Simpson > Thunderbird Necklace x Target

Mixed Black and White Prints

Mixed prints were all over the runways this fall and I'm sure you've noticed them featured in many a store window display, magazine ad, and fashion blog street style snap. Mixing prints can add whimsy and a unique edge to an otherwise everyday outfit. However, it can be difficult to pull off, and despite it's sometimes seemingly haphazard, accidentally awesome look, actually requires a bit of skill (and a little imagination) to orchestrate. The key is to find prints that share some DNA, and by that I mean, have some similarities. For everyone new to this fashion trick, the mixed black and white print is the perfect trend to practice on. You already have the commonality right there. Boom. 

Now, I recommend, for starters, you pick a theme. Mine was "tribal" or "ethnic". You know how I love a tribal print! I paired an off white and black tee with an over sized, very graphic tribal print with an off white and black skirt featuring a smaller, sort of abstract print and a border of elephants around the bottom. I actually created two looks with these pieces. The first is a casual, sort of edgy look that might be appropriate for a fun night out and the second is work appropriate. To create the more conservative look, I simply added a blazer and pumps. The addition of the top layer toned down the bold print of the tee and tied the two prints together.

Quick Tips for Mixing Prints

Create a theme, character or story for your outfit

Pick prints that share DNA

Tie prints together with the addition of a layer or accessory that features a color prominent in your prints

Have fun with it

Tee Shirt x Forever 21 > Elephant Print Skirt x Charlotte Russe > 3/4 Sleeve Blazer x Olsenboye (here's a VERY cute one) > Obi Belt x Asos (still available here) > Necklace x H&M > Kente Cloth Bracelet x Aqueene from Nines Queens Crew > Sandals x Jessica Simpson

3 Artsy Professional Interview Ensembles to Get the Job You Want

For the creative types out there, we've already discussed dressing for the job you want and the importance of projecting the image that you want to convey to others through what you wear. Well, now, let's say all of that projecting and impressing (or maybe just emailing your resume around town like a crazy maniac) has landed you an interview for your dream job? Now's the time to step your style up and refine your look. Abstract print pants, weird cut outs, and loud colors are all fine and good on your own time, but its a good idea to edit your look for your interview. Now, that doesn't mean that you should completely silence your inner innovator. For a job in the creative field, it's actually important that your look stands out and reflects your artistry. Try mixing traditional silhouettes like a great fitting pair of slacks or pencil skirt with standout pieces like bold (not distracting) jewelry or a shoe that hints at avant garde without going over the edge. Your qualifications, portfolio, and personality will make you the woman for the job, and your unique, pulled together look will leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.

Neon V Neck Tee > Tribal Print Black and White Pants > What I Wore

As the season becomes noticeably more autumnal, I'm trying to enjoy my serious summer pieces one last time. I'm sure there will be plenty of random warm days between now and spring that will require neon colors and easy breezy pieces. But in the mean time, I'm resigning myself to a few months of sweater-ville.

Neon V Neck Tee x The GAP (Cute ones here) > Tribal Print Black and White Pants x Forever21 (A non-tribal but very cute option here) > Sandals x 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent > Feather Earring x Boho Funk > Gold Necklaces x Brookadelphia and Gorjana > Friendship Bracelets x Urban Outfitters and Target

White Tee > High Waist Jeans > Yellow Blazer > What I Wore

It was a lovely day in southern Cali, so my fiance and I took advantage of the sunshine and a few moments of free time to go have breakfast. We followed that up with an afternoon of shopping downtown. I made sure to wear the most comfortable pair of sandals that I own, and by the end of the day, I was glad I'd thought a little more about function than fashion, though I do think this pair is pretty cute.

V Neck Tee x Forever 21 > Yellow 3/4 Sleeve Blazer x Cotton On (super cute option here) > High Waist Jeans x Urban Outfitters (good alternatives here and here) > Beaded Necklace x H&M > Leopard Print Skinny Belt x Asos (surprisingly, still available here) > Sandals x 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent