How I lost weight...unintentionally...

I had briefly mentioned previously that one of the new things I tried this year was being a vegan for a week. A strict vegan - no butter, milk, eggs, chicken broth, chicken seasoning - nothing. Turns out it was hard being a strict vegan because I didn't eat sauces or anything that even had milk, butter, cheese. Which surprisingly a lot of foods included without us knowing. 

For example, I was looking through the ingredients of a balsamic dressing, with plain sight you wouldn't think there was cheese included but there was actually finely grated cheese listed in the ingredients.

One awesome thing though that I noticed? No preservatives in the food in the food I ate because they had to be prepared healthily and by myself. I didn't feel sluggish all day (just extremely hungry every hour). 

So I started eating meat again couple of days ago and I immediately fell into a food coma. Immediately.

Another result? My tummy slimmed down and the pair of jeans I wear in my outfit below usually fit very snug, but they didn't. They were just comfortable enough. I even wore a belt with my peplum top and it was at it's last loop!

I wasn't trying to lose weight but I felt the differences in how my body felt. But I couldn't say much for my mood though because I was hungry almost all day because I craved chips, chocolate, and junk food.

Would you gals ever try being vegan, even for a day?

blazer//H&M

top//Express

jeans//Macy's

heels//Mossimo

bag//Dooney & Bourke

belt//Forever 21

necklace//handmade

Ugh, why?

I had a pulled a long night last night, not due to work or anything, I was up watching this series that I could not put down. Nor did I have to get up early this morning. I was thinking ahh, perfect, sleep in late a little. 

But noooo..... I can not expect the world out there to not move, not product any noise, or just rest all morning. 

There was light construction going on outside, a lawn mower that was busily buzzing away, and a dark barking. This didn't happen all at once, just simultaneously as if they were on queue. 

Anyone ever feel this way? Ok, maybe I'm just a weee liiittlle tiiiny sensitive right now. Haha.

I tell myself I can not let this control me this morning. So yes, like I mostly do here I have my casual Fridays!

sweatercoat//H&M

inner top//Express

jeans//Macy's

boots//Forever 21

bag//Dooney & Bourke

jewelry//Forever 21

I just can't get over it

I just can't get over it. Some past experiences have been pulling at the back of my mind. They were mentally wrecking experiences. I can't get over them and am trying my best to move on from these experiences and not let them shape the way I see my relationships with others. It's been almost a year now.

I started this blog over a month ago and am so glad I found this as an outlet for me to put my thoughts out there because sometimes even my thoughts and feelings are hard to verbalize to those around me. 

I like the creative outlet this provides me and also forces me (not in a bad way) to refocus on improving my thoughts and emotions.

Do you know what this "forces" me to refocus on? Personal style! I brainstorm on creating outfits and it makes me excited to try things on. I admit I have days where I just want to throw on my old sweats but putting images out there almost everyday, makes you really refocus on yourself.

Have you gals ever felt that way? Like even if you reach only a handful of people, you get excited and start throwing yourself further into your blog?

sweater//Forever 21

plaid top//local

jeans//Macy's

heels//Aldo

jewelry//Forever 21

bag//Steve Madden 

Join me in meeting some great bloggers over at Style Elixir's Style Sessions link-up!

 

What I would never wear again

Yesterday I had mentioned that I'm trying different colors; colors I've never imagined myself to even dare try. My new fav color is neon/bright yellow. I do love yellow but always the pastel shade of it. I always thought wearing anything brighter I would be a walking lemon. 

I am absolutely in love with this sweater but probably would never wear it again. Why you might ask? Because it snags everywhere! I had slipped on this sweater for a second and while flinging it over my head, a tiny thread got caught on a splinter of a hanger. To make it worse while I was pulling it out of the closet rack, it was not budging so I pulled harder thinking it was too snug on the rack but no! It was caught on another button and a snag was dragged even further.

I was getting upset at myself for nothing! I love this sweater but I'm afraid to move it in.  By the end of today, it'll probably just be a large knit HOLE.

What do I do? What would y'all do?

Nonetheless...

  

 

sweater//Express

necklace//Forever 21

jeans//Macy's

heels//Cathy Jean

clutch//H&M

Today I'm linking up with Penniless Socialite for their Look What I Got link up.

And would you believe that I got this necklace from Forever 21 for only $10.80?? Yup, gotta love their deals!

Join us in this link up. I'd love to know what you got for a deal!

  

My first haul post

When you are trying to distract yourself from something on your mind, shopping can be a good outlet. But a very dangerous one. I mean really dangerous, unless...you find an unbelievably awesome deal! In one of my previous posts I mentioned that Forever 21 was having a 50% sale on top of their already on sale items. I am somewhat proud of myself to say that I didn't totally go crazy (haha). 

Here's what I got and the total I got everything for. I know I can't believe it myself either! 

-I purchased this sequin sweater in black and have been dying for a sequin sweater so was practically floored when I got it for less than $6!

-The black flats actually were in available in cream with a black bow.

-For some reason I thought the strip in between were a shiny patent gold but it is actually a matte cream color. I might perform a DIY on these to make the cream strip black. I just couldn't resist them for only $7.99! Also, a little minor detail I liked about these shoes were that they came in a neon pink box.

-Been also coveting leopard flats and these had pretty good reviews so score. Come on - $3.49! For two pairs of flats that are less than $7.00 combined, I'll just skip a fancy lunch for a day! (That sounds like an issue doesn't it??)

-The rhinestone necklace was available in black so I went straight for that one. It is a lot daintier than I expected but still cool.

Did you gals purchase any great deals lately? A lot of stores were trying to get rid of last year's Fall/Winter inventory to get ready for 2013 Spring/Summer inventory so there probably were a lot of deals!

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

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!

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

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

Peppy Peplum

My current fashion obsession this weekend? Peplum tops, not just regular peplum tops but peplum stripe tops! They're just too gorgeous to just get one.

Peplums are girly and has a vintage feel to them. Yet they're like skirts but not like them because they sit at your waist. I was hesitant at first  because I wasn't sure my waistline could handle it but you know what? After putting one on, I felt it helped out my waistline a bit. There's no harm in trying one at any store so I highly suggest it!

I picked up a few at Forever 21 this weekend but then saw some I adored online after. Ever feel like you had buyers' remorse even if it just a few dollars? I think we know how that feels.

I've chosen a few that I couldn't keep my eyes away from online. Had to show you gals...

Rawr w/ a dash of pink!

It's still a bit warm in Los Angeles so I decided to savor the warmth as long as possible with my animal print dress and pink accessories!

 

Dress: TJMaxx, Necklace: local, Bracelets: Forever 21, Watch: Juicy Couture, Bag: Liz Claiborne