A better day of pastels

 Top//local boutique

jeans//H&M

bag//local boutique

heels//Jessica Simpson

triangle necklace//Forever 21

long necklace//Lauren Conrad

bracelets//Forever 21

It's been a little tough to get back into the swing of things. I almost even booked an abrupt trip to Paris due to my family's wishes but that fell through. I've never been to Paris and never thought my first trip there would be this kind of experience if it were to happen.

Thank you again for everyone's kind words. My family and I will make it through!

In keeping up with getting back into the swing of things...I attempted to brighten my day up a bit with bright colors - pastels! I love the color mint green and coral so this is outfit is secretly wishing for the spring days to arrive sooner.

What colors do you gals love for the upcoming spring?

a long night...

It was a long night dealing with the aftermath of the sudden death of a family member so please excuse me because I rolled out of bed and threw on what as closest to me! I wanted to feel comfortable and cozy today so I threw on my go to big sweater...

My mind probably has wandered off for a bit but it'll back in a day or two. 

Thank you so much for everyone's support and kind words.

top//local boutique

sweater//local boutique

jeans//Macy's

necklace//Forever 21

clutch//Forever 21

flats//Macy's

watch//Kenneth Cole

Pearls, Studs, & The Ellen Show

Last night I had the privilege of being in the audience for The Ellen Degeneres show. It was so much fun! She was super sweet, funny, and absolutely adorable. I can't believe her show is in its 10th season. Of course she had a lot of her audience dancing all throughout the show!

Outfit of the day to sport my new fav piece I made - strands of pearls and rhinestones. I appreciate how the pearls give a small gentle touch to the amount of studs on my jacket... also gave the black and white a pop of red! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

jacket//local boutique

sheer top//H&M

necklace//handmade

jeans//Kohl's

heels//local boutique

clutch//Express

Last but not least, I joined the link-up hosted by Peace, Love, Sequins and Messy Dirty Hair. Theme is Fearless Fashion Fridays! Would love to meet more bloggers who join this link-up (click on the button below)!

 

What I'm wearing to the awards

I'm just kidding. I'm just honored to be nominated for the Liebster award. The below picture is an old picture of what I wore when I participated in my friend's costume fashion show. He loves designing ball gowns so he designed every single piece I was wearing (including the mask) and did my hair and make up!

Today's post is dedicated to the Liebster award - an award that is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers! From what I've read, Liebster means "sweetness" in German. And I'm so honored to be nominated by CatherineBelle's blog! Definitely check her out when you get a chance:

                                                     http://catherinebelle.blogspot.com/

All you have to do is:

• Say 11 things about yourself
• Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger asked you
• Ask 11 questions to the bloggers you will nominate
• Nominate 11 new bloggers
• Make sure you notify the bloggers you nominate

So here are 11 things about myself:

1) I have 12 first cousins from my mom's side (9 of them are females!)
2) I was in a singing competition before (does not mean I'm any good though! haha)
3) I can speak 4 languages (including English)
4) I've known my bf for over 20 years (known each other since we were about 4)
5) half of my family currently resides in Paris, France
6) I've had probably more past jobs than anyone that's my age
7) I never work out, but sprained my knee on my second time (trust me I've stopped)
8) I LOVE I Love Lucy
9) I watch waay too much of Say Yes to the Dress
10) I went to a foreign school for 10 years to learn all the languages I speak
11) I just finished reading Twilight (the first book haha)

Questions from CatherineBelle:

1) Where would you travel if you could go anywhere right now?

I would go to Japan

2) What is your favorite quote?
"No guts, no glory"

3) What is your dream job?
To be my own boss.

4) Who is your favorite actor?
I love Johnny Depp.

5) What is your guilty pleasure?
my guilty pleasure is reading the 50 Shade of Grey trilogy

6) If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
Kate Middleton

7) What is your favorite song?
Pixie Lott - Cry Me Out

8) Do you have any pets?
Yes I have a dog.

9) What is your favorite fashion item from your closet?
My khaki cargo jacket with fur lining.

10) What beauty product can you not live without?
my black gel liner!

11) What is your favorite season?
Spring - so many outfits to be created!

Questions for my Nominees:

1) Where would you travel if you could go anywhere right now?
2) What is your favorite quote?
3) What is your dream job?
4) Who is your favorite actor?
5) What is your guilty pleasure?
6) If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
7) What is your favorite song?
8) Do you have any pets?
9) What is your favorite fashion item from your closet?
10) What beauty product can you not live without?
11) What is your favorite season?

My lovely Nominees:
 

Classroom Couture

Daily Fashion Dream

Feeling Good

Beauty Without Limits

ChicFabCorner

Writes Like a Girl

Isn't That Charming 

5ftandpetite

Forever 81

Jen's Outfit Journal

Walking in Memphis in High Heels

...and just for kicks I nominate back CatherineBelle!

I would love to visit any other bloggers that I have not checked out, so please leave me a comment!

Thank you again to Catherine for this opportunity. This means so much to me to be able to share this with everyone.

Do any other bloggers feel this way?

I get giggly happy when another blogger responds to my comments. Does anyone else (reader or blogger) feel this way? At that moment, even for a short while, I have this tiny connection with someone else out there. It feels good to have a connection and to meet people. It's a source of great motivation. And surprisingly in this short amount of time, I have met quite a few amazing women. 

Thank you blog-osphere!

On with today's program... I believe it's colder in my home than it is outside so with the temp no longer hovering around the 30's, I attempted another skirt. This time my high-low skirt I purchased from the outlets for only $10! This was quite a while ago so I don't believe it's currently for sale still (sorry ladies!). 

Another item I snagged for a good deal? My necklace from H&M was only $3.00! Yes a whopping $3.00. Oh, another thing I get giggly happy about is when I find what I'm coveting for a serious deal. =)

Have you gals snagged any good deals lately?

Oh, also I just joined StyleElixir's Link-up so definitely check out all the wonderful bloggers who joined!

 

jacket//local boutique

sweater//Forever 21

skirt&belt//Charlotte Russe

heels//Jessica Simpson

necklace//H&M

bag//Liz Claiborne

bracelets&bangles//Forever 21

What I'm Coveting

I have a bad habit...I'm always coveting something. It's almost like my closet is never ending of things I want to fill it with. It wouldn't be that big of a deal unless you have a small closet! In which I do...sigh. So I virtually covet things, I search and pull images of pieces I love and I thank the blog-osphere that I can share them with someone right at that moment. 

What am I currently coveting? Sequin skirts! Dress them up or down - it can give you the extra "pow" in your outfit. In my previous posts, I was coveting sequin sweaters and sequin clutches, maybe I have a thing for sequins at the moment?? I wonder how long this love affair will last...

Do you gals have a sequin piece you're coveting or own that you absolutely love? Let me know to join me in this affair! I thought the pieces below were worth sharing!

Oh, by the way, Forever 21 has a sale on top of their sale items - extra 50% off all sale items with code: EXTRA50. Woot!

Spruce up your Monday!

Rather than being a Debbie Downer because it's a Monday, I'm sprucing things up today with hot pink and cheetah. Woke up to a shocking 36 degrees so bear with me if you can feel me shivering in the pictures. After this quick photoshoot, I decided to throw on a pair of black leggings. Unfortunately I was on a dash so didn't get a chance to take the picture with leggings. boo.

What do you guys think? Would you wear this outfit with or without leggings?

Ugh! Tried a new way to take pictures and it didn't work!

faux leather jacket//Bebe

skirt//Forever 21

booties//local boutique

white blouse//Candie's

necklace//handmade

clutch//H&M

Paint the town red...

Yesterday was an extremely windy day where I buried myself in scarves (yes two scarves) and a coat and I was still cold! =/ Okay maybe I'm over exaggerating because I realize I'm complaining about the 50 deg temp here where there are blizzards in other parts of the world!

The sun was out this morning and barely any wind. It was a nice start for a Fri Fri Friday!

Tonight I'm headed out to a networking event with my friend but isn't it sort of ironic to go to a networking event with a friend? Well, she asked me to accompany her so I guess I'm going to paint Downtown red! J/k...

Also, I've just met some lovely bloggers through a super fun link up! Check out the link up through The Tiny Heart's blog here: http://thetinyheart.blogspot.com/2013/01/look-what-i-got-link-up-knit-scarf.html

In the above accessories pic, I stood in the direct sunset (thought it was cool how it seemed like I was at the beach).  

collar top (detachable by the way!)//Forever 21

pants//local boutique

heels//Express

necklace//Express

pearl bracelet//Forever 21

clear bracelet//Banana Republic

bag//Forever 21

Skulls & Sweaters

Trying to keep it warm today (been a dreary day). 

I truly believe fashion is always recycled and renewed. For example, I was watching a foreign tv show and saw one of the characters wearing a skull scarf. I thought, interesting, never seen a skull scarf. That was 2.5 years ago. 

Fast forward today? The skull scarf is so in! How did the stylist know? Well, maybe it was started in that way... who knows but luckily it did!

sweater - H&M

tank top - Abercrombie & Fitch

Jeans - Lucky

Boots - Forever 21

Bag - Forever 21

Jewelry - local boutique

Watch - Kenneth Cole

Current obsession...

My current obsession? Sequin sweaters! I can't explain it. When I become obsessed with looking for something, I become obsessed!

The thing is, I haven't been able to find it. I've seen some on blogs, some on models, some on tv. But I can't find one that I want. Help!

Do you guys have a current obsession you guys can't let go of now? Here are some runner ups but still none have capture my attention...

Where would you go?

Nothing like a casual Friday to kick off relaxing for the weekend due to hectic festivities that ended 2012. It's warmed up just a tiny bit in CA, a whopping 72 degrees high today. I'm pretty sure soo many are hoping for out there. 

Have you gals ever thought of living anywhere besides where you are now? For example, I've thought of living in a rural area, something completely different from the CA lifestyle, but didn't know which city would sit me best... hmm, have to give this some thought. 

Would you live out of country even? I heard Singapore is beautiful and easy place to live and adapt to. Or how about Switzerland where I've read has an above average standard of living?

Anyways, just a ponder here and there... here's what I'm sporting today.

Chambray top - local boutique

stripe sweater - local boutique

necklace - Wet Seal

Jeans - Levi's

Booties - Charlotte Russe

Ring - Forever 21

New Year, New Beginning

Happy New Year lovelies of the lovelies!

As a lot of people are putting out there, where did 2012 go? What has been accomplished in 2012? Not much I can tell ya. The worst part is I have a quote I ripped out of a magazine to motivate myself right in front of my desk, I try to remind myself everyday... "Start believing in your destiny. All the great ones do. If you can't, 2012 will be just another year." Do I believe? To every core in my body! Did I follow it? None the least to say...=/

This quote will be updated to say 2013! Here's to best coming to everyone in 2013. I literally mean it. I have to get it through my head that even if I might not necessarily have what I see others have but it still makes me so thrilled to see others happy.

Also, I've just met some lovely bloggers through a super fun link up! Check out the link up through The Tiny Heart's blog here: http://thetinyheart.blogspot.com/2013/01/look-what-i-got-link-up-knit-scarf.html

Or check out the link up through Penniless Socialite's link up: http://pennilesssocialite.blogspot.com/2012/11/look-what-i-got-link-up-black-friday.html

Thank you and love y'all!

Blazer - H&M $20.00 (sale!)

Polka dot top - Forever 21 $17

Black jeans - Levi's $20 (sale!)

Necklace - handmade

Ring - Charlotte Russe $6

Bracelet - Forever 21 $8

Heels - Forever 21 $15

Total: $86.00 for an entire outfit (not bad, eh?)

Post Christmas Casual-ness...

It's one 'em days. After Christmas...where all you want to do is lounge around and think about all those sweet deals going on, almost like Black Friday. But there is work today...boo...

I felt really casual today so mustered up this outfit together. My entire outfit including jewelry (excluding watch (was a gift!)) and shoes cost me less than $100! Woot, woot!

Do you gals have a go-to casual outfit you go by? Casual is so comfy!

I'll try my best to remember where each item came from...

white collar top - H&M

khaki jacket - Old Navy

pink coral jeans & belt - Forever 21

gold bangles & bracelets - Forever 21

flats - Wet Seal

watch - Juicy Couture