OOTD: Not so Simple

We've all know about the ever-so-popular white shirt and jeans outfit combo. However, there are so many possible variations to that combination. Recently, I've been playing around with ways to dress up the classic pairing. This outfit is the result. I incorporated a peplum top with contrast trimming to make the outfit classic, yet modern. The gold bracelets add just the right amount of "color", and the sunglasses with the baroque detailing add interest. My favorite part of the outfit is the shoes: they are just soooo adorable!

French Connection / True Religion skinny fit jeans, $260 / Madison Harding / Dolce & Gabbana shopper handbag, $990 / Shell bracelet, $19 / American Apparel cuff bracelet / Prada sunglasses

My Inspiration:

OOTD: Summer Breeze

Summer… It’s finally here. Yet, why do I feel so empty? When other people think of summer, they think of ice cream, lemonade, mall dates, beach dates, warmth, happiness etc. When I think of summer, I think of stress, work, sleep deprivation, loneliness, and emptiness. Maybe my pessimistic feelings are just signs that I need a clean start of some sort. Maybe I just need to spend time away from the world for a while and clear my mind. Maybe after feeling gloomy and depressed, I will wake up to an entire new world. This outfit represents what this summer will hopefully mean to me: innocence, rebirth, and happiness. The white dress goes beautifully with the woven bag, and the juicy-colored scarf adds the perfect touch of color.

*Sigh* Life is full of surprises. The only way to discover them all is to live. 

Orla Kiely tshirt dress, $425
Dorothy Perkins high heel shoes, $57
Stella McCartney shoulder handbag, £885
John Lewis black hat, £38
Woolrich fringe scarve, $19




My Inspiration:

OOTD: Nude Pastels

Out of all the trends that are trending this spring, pastels are probably my favorite. When I was in grade school, we would always do art projects to celebrate major holidays. Unsurprisingly, my projects would almost always have a pastel color scheme. I just loved the way the muted pinks, blues, yellows, greens, and purples looked in the sunlight. However, as I grew up, I also grew out of pastels; I thought that they were only for little girls, and I was embarrassed to be seen out in public with a pastel colored shirt on. This spring has helped me rediscover my long lost childhood love and has helped me realize that whatever your age is, pastels will always be appropriate and beautiful.

Miss Selfridge crop top, $50

Bodycon skirt, $45
Kate Spade stacked heel, $328
Reed Krakoff metallic handbag, €1.440
Moxham leather bangle, £60
Kate spade jewelry, $33
China Glaze nail polish, $3.65




My Inspiration:

OOTD: I Fly With The Birds

I've always loved birds. I remember one time when I was little and still living in sunny California, my dad and I found a little abandoned baby bird on the side of the road. We brought it home with us and put it in a cage out on our balcony and went to the store to get it some food. However, when we got back home, the door of the cage was open and the baby bird was nowhere to be seen. To this day, I still don't know who or what opened the cage. Maybe, just maybe, the little birdie miraculously opened it himself/herself. Well, that incident made me realize that birds are gentle, delicate creatures that belong in the wild-- free to fly and sing-- not forced to live out their lives cooped up in little metal man-made contraptions. I hope that the little birdie from my childhood is still alive and well, chirping to the sounds of freedom. <3

Rare floral print dress, £45

Valentino slingback sandals, £275
Dorothy Perkins flap handbag, $17
Vintage looking jewelry


My Inspiration:

OOTD: What I Wished For

Spring is finally here! And even though it means the start of AP test season and soggy, rainy days here in western Washington, I must admit that I'm rather excited for this season. To me, spring is more than just the end of winter; it is a chance for me to start over and reinvent myself. To me, the year never really starts until leaves being growing, flowers begin blooming, and birds begin singing. I am especially excited for all the amazing fashions that are trending this year: pastels, neons, florals, statement necklaces, etc...
This outfit is the perfect mix of neutrals and color; it reminds me of light pink blossoms blooming from the branches of a cherry blossom tree. Since winter has finally passed, my flirty, frilly, girly side is starting to come out again-- a rebirth of sorts I suppose. 

Fitted blouse

Miss Selfridge scalloped shorts, $26
Flat heels, $50
Alexander McQueen mini tote, $1,695
Essie sparkly nail polish, $8




My Inspiration:

OOTD: Sometimes It's Just So Damn Hard

There are times when nobody seems to understand-- times when people just don't seem to give a damn about you. However, you  have to realize that there's nothing you can do about it. All you can do is stand up straight, smile, and look good. The world is a cruel place and sometimes, you will inevitably be the victim of a cruel twist of fate. Although we all want things to be black and white all the time, there will be times when the two colors mix to give us a combination that can be both distressing and incredible; it all depends on what you make of it. The outfit I put together for today is relatively simple and classy; the distinct lines create an assertive yet romantic silhouette: bold enough to face any obstacles that may appear, yet soft enough to exude kindness and compassion.

Zipper dress, $50

Christian Louboutin platform pumps, $845
Fiorelli white shoulder bag, £55
Silver jewelry, $162
Bernhard Willhelm striped scarve, £187
ASOS fedora hat, $45
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania aviator shades, £105


My Inspiration:
 

OOTD: Forever Young

I know a few of my last blog posts have been sorta depressing, so I've decided that it's time for a change. After all, I'm still young, and I have my entire future ahead of me. What's the use of stumbling now and hanging onto a past that I can't change? This outfit reflects the state of mind that I want to have: crisp, immaculate, and bright. The gold collar has really been in style lately, and it adds a great touch of the metallic trend that's coming back this spring season. I especially love the white wedges because they remind me that "good shoes take you good places". So why not make every future step snowy white and without regret? 

Wrangler white top, $100

Hudson Jeans cropped skinny jeans, $350
Zara ankle tie wedge, $159
Mulberry oversized handbag, £925
Kenneth jay lane jewelry, $138
Gucci brown belt, €249
Jimmy choo sunglasses, $232




My Inspiration:

OOTD: Fresh Breath of Spring

Sometimes, we need to make a clean break from the past. Sometimes, we need to forget everything and start anew. Sometimes, we need a clean slate. Sometimes, we just need to breathe a clean, fresh breath of air. Springtime is the perfect time to turn over old leaves and create a new, untainted life. The light and dark color scheme of this outfit fits in with the idea of a transition from the old to the new-- from the past to the present.  I love the girly scalloped detailing on the minty dress; it's probably my favorite part of this outfit. 

Marni short silk dress, $1,080

Miss Selfridge cropped blazer, $70
Kate Spade cotton stocking, $29
Caparros peep toe pumps, $35
3 1 Phillip Lim satchel handbag, $875
Liz Palacios green ring, $95




My Inspiration:

OOTD: The Fading Age of Innocence

Sometimes inevitable dark days creep into our lives. Sometimes we feel as if the world is against us. Sometimes we feel as if we have entered a dark age that obscures love and innocence. But sometimes, sometimes... we manage to see a scintilla of light. The dark theme made manifest by the black and white contrast of this outfit is offset by a flirty, feminine pink reminiscent of childish naivete. The flouncy skirt adds softness to the edginess of the geometric earnings and stiletto heels. My favorite part of this piece is the Chanel 2.55 chain strap bag that adds classiness to the sexy length of the skirt.

Dorothy Perkins v neck shirt, $9

Miu Miu short mini skirt, $750
Pretty Polly black tight, £7
Pour La Victoire platform high heels, $2,294
South sea pearl earrings, $105
Gucci shades, $160




My inspiration: 

OOTD: Requiem

Ivanka Trump stiletto heels, $145
Little black dress
Yves Saint Laurent black patent leather handbag

OOTD: Happy New Year 2012!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!
Sorry about the totally cheesy firework and golden 2012 decoration I added to today's outfit of the day. Other than that, I hope your year is full of wonderful moments!

xoxo, A

Short cocktail dress, $170
Fogal crochet tight, $60
Giuseppe Zanotti ankle strap pumps, £289
Miss Selfridge leather clutch, £29
Kate Spade south sea pearl necklace, $128
DOLCE & GABBANA MAKEUP Ruby Collection Classic Cream Lipstick In Devil..., £27
double layer eyelashes, $9




A little inspiration for a festive mood:

OOTD: Together, Let's Conquer The World.

Wearing a leather jacket always makes me feel...powerful. The tough-girl look is bold and edgy, but with the addition of a white fuzzy scarf and some hot red lipstick, an outfit featuring leather can become feminine and chic as well. The deep caramel color of this leather jacket is a great alternative to the traditional black. So don your favorite leather piece, and let's conquer the world together!

Genuine leather jacket, $349
True Religion denim skinny jeans, €349
Maison Martin Margiela leather high heels, €672
Karl donoghue, £190
Gucci square frame sunglasses, £165
DOLCE & GABBANA MAKEUP Ruby Collection Classic Cream Lipstick In Devil..., £27




My Inspiration (BCBG):

OOTD: All I Want for Christmas is You

For those that celebrate Christmas and for those who don't: Merry Christmas! For me, a non-religious girl, Christmas is more than just a religious holiday. It's a cultural holiday that means love, family, compassion, and happiness. The Christmas atmosphere, though frenetic with frenzied shoppers, is quite comforting and merry. It's a time to celebrate, to reflect on the year, and to get tons of fun presents! That's why the Christmas Day outfit is one of the more important outfits of the year. It should capture all the love and joy of the holiday season while at the same time displaying the individual's stylistic flair. The outfit I've put together features a beautiful white pencil dress that looks great paired with a bright colored jacket-- kind of a contrast between girlish innocence and feminist boldness in my opinion. Of course, no outfit can be complete without the perfect pair of heels and some cute girly accessories to finish it off. Oh, and don't forget, red lipstick looks great and pretty much anyone, so a quick swipe can make you look sexy and put together. Happy holidays! 

Alexander McQueen pencil dress, £840
Diane von Fürstenberg belted coat, £474
Christian louboutin pumps, $945
Betsey Johnson crystal earrings, $45
Moschino Cheap Chic bow glove, £144
Perfect Red Lipstick | Chile - Ultra Luxe Lipstick With Peptide..., $15




Some Christmas Inspiration:

OOTD: True Beauty is not Ephemeral

This is a spring outfit (yes, I like daydreaming about spring in the dead of winter) that is cute and (relatively) modest. It reminds me of the innocence of childhood and the warmth of true beauty. I paired the black vintage cocktail dress pinkish-nude accessories and a light pink cardigan in order to contrast the sexiness of the dress with the cute and girlish innocence that resides in all women in one form or another. 

Vintage cocktail dress, £550
CO OP Barneys New York v neck cardigan, $59
Mark+James by Badgley Mischka slingback heels, $98
Mango knitted shawl, £20
Steven Alan wool felt hat, £130






My Inspiration:

OOTD: If You're Yellow, Then I'm Purple

To me, yellow and purple are the perfect complimentary colors. They are opposite on the color wheel (definition of complimentary), and they clash in such a harmonious way. I love this outfit because it reminds me of late fall, which I pine for seeing as it's now winter and rainy. I especially adore the purple suede heels with the gold zigzag detail; the detail just makes the whole shoe seem more expensive and high-end. With the golden leaf bracelet as a finishing touch, this outfit is sure to stand out at any formal event. 

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Short grecian dress, $180
TopShop peep toe platform pumps, £50
Mulberry clutch hand bag, $325
Stretch jewelry


Harmony exemplified:

OOTD: Green for Blair's Closet

Yesterday, I wrote a blog post about Blair-inspired hairbands. Today, I'm posting an outfit inspired by her. It goes to show that I am pretty much head over heels jealous of her style. Before watching Gossip Girl, I never would have thought to pair yellow and green together. I mean, think about it. It kind of sounds like a puke-worthy color scheme. But after seeing Blair Waldorf don a cute outfit with the aforementioned colors, I knew that I had to try it out. So after musing it over, I've come to the conclusion that green and yellow work quite well together-- but only when the shade of each is just right. 

Metallic cocktail dress, $50
Giuseppe Zanotti leather shoes, $385
Kate Spade flat bag, $295
Deepa Gurnani gold hair accessory, £42

OOTD: Golden Veins

This outfit is one I would love to wear to a New Year's Day party. The contrast of gold and black creates a festive mood that can light up any room, and the edgy necklace looks great as compliment to the girly bow clutch. Although the dress is the centerpiece, my favorite part of this outfit is the shoes. The soft rose gold and the killer stiletto is enough to make any girl squeal with pleasure while sharing that midnight kiss with Mr. Somebody. ;)

Kelly Ewing strapless dress, $141
Bebe platform stiletto heels, $120
Chloé clutch bag, $945
Under One Sky yellow gold earrings, $8
House of Harlow 1960 triangle necklace, $75




My Inspiration:

OOTD: Chanel Meets Her Muse

This dress is the perfect combination of quirky and classic. The edgy lines and color blocking give a modern twist to the classic Chanel jacket design. It kind of reminds me of piano keys, which explains the seemingly irrelevant background. Admittedly, the nude bag and flats aren't the best compliments to the off-white dress, but the outfit still looks cute nevertheless. 

By Malene Birger shift dress, $241

Flat shoes, £100
Chloé leather handbag, £1,235
Asovia Musical Note Metal Wall Art - Music Metal Wall Art, $79


My Inspiration:

OOTD: Camel Cape in Caramel Creme

I love camel because it's such a soft, nude, warm color that will go well with pretty much anything and is great for any time of year. In order to contrast the softness, I paired the camel cape with some black booties and gloves to give it an edgier look. The black toggles give the cape some cool contrast as well. This outfit is a city-sleek look that would be great for a night out in New York City, Chicago, or Boston during the wintertime. I can almost even see this as a cute ice skating outfit!

Beige coat, €170
Balmain back zip pants, $1,008
Alexander mcqueen boots, $1,155
Marc Jacobs tote handbag, £965
Miss Selfridge camel hat, £13
Sportmax long opera glove, £168
Gucci striped sunglasses, £180

My Inspiration:

Sand Dunes in Erg Chebbi, Morocco

OOTD: Selective Color Photograph

What I absolutely LOVE about this outfit is the way the red ferociously POPS out of an otherwise monochromatic color scheme. I wouldn't really call it color blocking, because the effect that it creates is not the same as if I were to pair a yellow shirt with a purple skirt. Whatever you call it, it's undeniable that the pop of red really adds fire to the piece.

Camilla and Marc scoop neck dress, £238
Rock & Republic platform heels, $247
Rebecca minkoff handbag, $222
House of Harlow 1960 geometric jewelry, $75
Tasha hair accessory, $38

My Inspiration: