wanderlust: Vegas edition

Every year around this time I get really antsy to travel. The weather is starting to warm up, I haven't traveled in a while, and I'm ready for a break! I already booked a trip to Hawaii for my boyfriend's birthday, I'm headed to Amsterdam and Budapest in June, but I still want to hit Vegas before it gets too hot (it's already around the 80's!). Living in So Cal, a weekend trip to Vegas is one of the easiest weekend trips ever. It's a relatively easy drive, but it still feels like a complete departure from everyday life. I love it!

When I have a vacation planned, I tend get all one-track-mind with my purchases. I'm trying to be good and not buy too much in preparation for my trips, so I'm putting myself on a window-shopping-only-as-much-as-possible kind of budget. Does that make any sense? haha Anyway, I thought I'd share a few items I've been eyeing for a Vegas trip while I mentally pack my bags! :)

My go-to daytime look anytime I'm in the desert: breezy top, comfy jeans, a crossbody bag, and awesome accessories. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential!
[ :: Dorothy Perkins top :: Gap boyfriend jeans :: Victoria Beckham sunglasses :: ]
[ :: Asos necklace :: La Roche Posay Anthelios :: Rebecca Minkoff bag :: Vail cuff :: ]

More after the jump! :)

 Lots of people think Vegas is just for partying and gambling, and while those are probably what most people go for, there's a ton more to do! I L-O-V-E the shopping. There's a HUGE Forever 21+ section at Fashion Show Mall, an even huger H&M at Caesar's Palace, and enough luxury brands to make me wish I had a sugar daddy. (I kid, I kid. but really.)

There are also some amazing food places ranging from a huge $10 breakfast from Hash-House-a-Go-Go to a $350 16-course tasting menu at Joël Robuchon. As a self proclaimed foodie, I've tried a ton of different places, but my favorites that I always hit up are probably Hubert Keller's Burger Bar, Mon Ami Gabi, and Thomas Keller's Bouchon. Insanely good.

I also always make time to get my music fix in Las Vegas. There are tons of big concerts (Uh, Beyonce at the MGM? Two tickets please.), smaller club shows (we saw Travie McCoy last time!), and small jazz clubs or piano bars. There's something for everyone. Can't wait to go back! If concerts aren't your scene, just walking the strip is awesome. Seeing all the bright lights, watching the Bellagio fountain show, and standing next to the faux Eiffel Tower never get old for me!

P.S. I would post a nighttime look, but in Vegas, all you need are the highest heels you can find, the shortest, tightest dress in your closet, and something obscenely sparkly. Woohoo! lol. :P

leather on leather

More black on black, leather on leather today!
[ :: Forever 21+ peplum top (similar) :: Forever 21+ skirt (here) :: metal belt c/o Rachel Pally (here) :: ]
[ :: Calvin Klein heels (similar) :: H&M faux snakeskin cuff (similar) :: Coach clutch (similar) :: ]




[ :: Forever 21+ peplum top (similar) :: Forever 21+ skirt (here) :: metal belt c/o Rachel Pally (here) :: ]
[ :: Calvin Klein heels (similar) :: H&M faux snakeskin cuff (similar) :: Coach clutch (similar) :: ]

Last call for leather! I'm a huge fan of leather for Spring, but realistically, I'm not expecting to don any more leather or fur for the next several months (unless there's a cold spell!) as we're seriously heating up here (80's!!), and the thought of sticking to my clothes is abhorrent to me. Therefore, this outfit was a bit of a leather-last-hurrah for me.

I always love a mix of girly accents and tough leather so this leather peplum top with lace collar from Forever 21+ was a must for me! I added this awesome metal belt from Rachel Pally to break up all the black and bring a little shine, and added a printed calf-hair clutch from Coach to finish off this simple look.

xoxo! Thanks for reading! :)

PS. Did you hear that Google Reader is shutting down? Follow my blog with Bloglovin to stay up to date! :)

prints please

[ :: Everett dress c/o Rachel Pally :: Gap denim moto jacket (similar) :: ]
[ :: lydell NYC and dannijo necklaces :: olivia + joy bag c/o :: Steve Madden boots (similar) :: ]





[ :: Everett dress c/o Rachel Pally :: Gap denim moto jacket (similar) :: ]
[ :: lydell NYC and dannijo necklaces :: bag c/o olivia + joy :: Steve Madden boots (similar) :: ]

MOAR PRINTSSSS. As the chilly days begin to give way to the more temperate ones we Californians are used to (hello 80's last week), I find myself gravitating to soft fabrics in simple, flowy cuts. To keep things interesting, I've been loving pieces with lots of prints and patterns. Whether they're simply splashed with stripes and polka dots, or covered with something busier, like digital florals or this aztec-y tribal print, patterned pieces are slowly taking over my wardrobe.

My love for Rachel Pally's perfect dresses is probably nothing new to you guys, but for those of you who are new to the label, let me just say: Every. Single. Dress. Is. Perfection. This one is no exception, so I let it be the center of attention with a simple denim jacket, gold jewels, and a clean cut bag.

What are you guys gravitating toward as it gets warmer? As cliché as it may sound, I really can't wait to whip out some new florals for spring! Thanks for reading! :D

PS. Did you hear that Google Reader is shutting down? Follow my blog with Bloglovin to stay up to date! :)

favorites

[ :: Gap striped knit moto jacket (here) :: Gap sequined tshirt (here) :: Torrid jeggings (here) :: ]
[ :: Evans boots (similar) :: scarf c/o fraas (here) :: Monika Chiang Raja clutch (here) :: ]
[ :: Forever 21/Prabal Gurung x Target/BR bracelets :: Gogo Phillip earrings :: ]




[ :: Gap striped knit moto jacket (here) :: Gap sequined tshirt (here) :: Torrid jeggings (here) :: ]
[ :: Evans boots (similar) :: scarf c/o fraas (here) :: Monika Chiang Raja clutch (here) :: ]
[ :: Forever 21/Prabal Gurung x Target/BR bracelets :: Gogo Phillip earrings :: ]

I'm sure my love of stripes is pretty well documented on this blog (and instagram, while we're at it--sorry guys), but this striped jacket has to be one of my all-time favorite pieces. Paired with a bright pink scarf and the best jeggings ever, I'm hoping this is one of those outfits I can look back on, 3 years from now and have zero regrets. I definitely can't say the same for some of my older looks, but you know, live and learn. :P

I'm also totally in love with these new-to-the-blog wide calf boots from Evans. I saw them on sale and had to get them! I know boot season is coming to an end, but these boots are so classic I know I'll get years and years of wear out of them. Totally justifies an off-season purchase, right? :P

P.S. LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH for all the sweet comments on last week's post!! Thank you! Best readers ever. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

PPS. Did you hear that Google Reader is shutting down? Follow my blog with Bloglovin to stay up to date! :)

Printed Pants! Duro Olowu for JCPenney

[ :: H&M+ oversized button down (similar) :: Duro Olowu for JCP pants (here) :: ]
 [ :: Jason Wu x Target clutch (similar) :: Jeffrey Campbell heels (similar) :: ]
[ :: Evans rings (similar) :: Nordstrom and Asos bracelets (similar) :: LOFT necklace :: ]





[ :: H&M+ oversized button down (similar) :: Duro Olowu for JCP pants (here) :: ]
 [ :: Jason Wu x Target clutch (similar) :: Jeffrey Campbell heels (similar) :: ]
[ :: Evans rings (similar) :: Nordstrom and Asos bracelets (similar) :: LOFT necklace :: ]

I'm not particularly ballsy. Actually, I'm kind of a wimp. When it comes to fashion experimentation, yes, I'll dabble in certain trends, but most of the time, I stick to my tried and true fashion favorites (skinny jeans and a blazer, anyone?). Every once in a while, though, I become fixated on a so-not-me outfit idea that drives me to absolute obsession.

For the past few months, that obsession has been finding the perfect drapey printed pants. So not part of my usual M.O., but I just KNEW I needed a pair, and I knew exactly how I needed to style them. Now, pants like these are available all over the place, but none of them were just right until I found this pair on Sunday from JCPenney of all places! The pants are from their collaboration with Duro Olowu, a Nigerian-born, London based designer. I'm in love with the print and fit, and the material is perfect for long days at the office. I could wax poetic about the perfection of these pants but honestly, all I want to do is lounge on the couch in these pants while watching a Castle marathon.

Do you guys ever obsess about an outfit or look until you get it? I can't believe how long it took me to locate the perfect pants but I'm so happy I did! :D