LONG OVERDUE

I know, I know...
*WAAAAVES* Hi guys! I know it's been a while since I last posted. I thiiiink most of you guys know, but I work full time (extra full time?) in a non-fashion position, and things have been CRAY. My job hasn't left all that much time for working on this old blog of mine, but I've resolved to kick things back into gear!So much has happened since my last post--I got to go to Nashville for CMA Fest (already making plans to go back next year!), the blogger lookbook I shot with Simply Be came out, I chopped off my hair, posted a bunch of looks for People Stylewatch, AND flew to New York to hang out with Eloquii on a super secret project--details of which I'm SO excited to share with you guys!! (But you can check out a sneak peek here!)

In the meantime, I wanted to share a look I shot a few weeks back. Just looking at the photos makes me miss my hair! T_T lol
[ :: Gap denim moto jacket (similar) :: Peter Som for Kohls dress :: ][ :: Eloquii clutch (past season--similar) :: Torrid heels (on sale!) :: ] 






[ :: Gap denim moto jacket (similar) :: Peter Som for Kohls dress :: ][ :: Eloquii clutch (past season--similar) :: Torrid heels (on sale!) :: ] I hope you're all enjoying the long weekend! Happy Independence Day! :) Murrrica!



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WITH A KISS

I've departed from my usual above-the-knee skirts recently in favor of midi lengths. There is something so classic and refined about a slightly longer length, and nothing is as classic as a pleated skirt! In black, it's a piece you know you'll wear for years. You can shop for this skirt and more of SWAK's plus size clothes here!

[ :: Gap jacket :: pretty cami and lulu plus size skirt c/o SWAK Designs :: ]
[ :: Prabal Gurung for Target heels (similar) :: crossbody c/o RoviMoss :: ]
[ :: F21 bracelets :: Torrid necklace (similar) :: H&M spike ring :: ]






[ :: Gap jacket :: pretty cami and lulu plus size skirt c/o SWAK Designs :: ]
[ :: Prabal Gurung for Target heels (similar) :: mini square crossbody c/o RoviMoss :: ]
[ :: F21 bracelets :: Torrid necklace (similar) :: H&M spike ring :: ]




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Post sponsored by SWAK Designs. All opinions are my own!

ON WEEKENDS

Happy Monday! (Actually, WHAT IS SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS MONDAY, IT'S A MONDAY FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.)
This weekend wasn't nearly long enough, but it was pretty perfect. Homemade breakfasts, days at the Korean spa, and evenings shopping in deserted outdoor malls because rain is the SoCal equivalent of a blizzard--all punctuated with good food, great company, and some long overdue reading. Suffice it to say, I'm not ready for Monday. At all.

[ :: Gap leather jacket (similar) :: studded top c/o Umgee :: H&M skirt (similar) :: ]
[ :: Pietro Alessandro chloe bag c/o :: House of Harlow boots (similar) :: Banana Republic & F21 bracelets :: ]

Leather always makes everything better, especially when in the form of a classic moto jacket and the softest leather bag in my closet. And let me tell you--when I say soft, this thing is like BUTTER. In an industry overrun with mass-produced everything, I was thrilled when they reached out with their story. Pietro Alessandro is a family owned and operated business and the bags are all made of genuine Italian leather in NYC. The founder and owner, Pierre Dabagh, still hand makes the bags himself! Check out this clip for a better look at the brand!








I hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing weekend and that you're slightly more prepared for this week than I am! :P
[ :: Gap leather jacket (similar) :: studded top c/o Umgee :: H&M skirt (similar) :: ]
[ :: Pietro Alessandro chloe bag c/o :: House of Harlow boots (similar) :: Banana Republic & F21 bracelets :: ]



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OFF WE GO

As a California girl with a never-ending itch to travel, I just about DIED when I saw this Kate Spade clutch a year ago at Nordstrom. I couldn't justify shelling out almost $400 for a clutch (albeit an amazing one), so I held onto it for a few moments before placing it back on the display with a tear in my eye. I must have circled back at least 3 times to longingly gaze upon its perfection but in the end, I had to let it go.

Needless to say, when it popped up during one of Kate Spade's surprise sales for more than 50% off, I had to buy it! I added it to my cart and checked out with such an insane sense of urgency that my heart was racing. Have any of you experienced the adrenaline rush when you score something you've been coveting for ages?? So worth the wait!
If you're a Kate Spade fan like me, they're having another surprise sale now! I have my eye on the All Aboard Ship clutch and the Lemon Drop Lella (most adorable pineapple clasp ever!). Hurry though, because stock is super limited!

[ :: Gap wool moto jacket (navy and grey here!) :: H&M tee :: DIY BF jeans (similar) :: ]
[ :: Mossimo heels (similar) :: Kate Spade clutch :: DesignSix necklace (similar) :: ]






[ :: Gap wool moto jacket (navy and grey here!) :: H&M tee :: DIY BF jeans (similar) :: ]
[ :: Mossimo heels :: Kate Spade clutch :: DesignSix necklace (similar) :: ]



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layer cake

Forever falling back on maxi dresses and denim jackets as my summer uniform. More comfortable than jeans, and so easily dressed up for dinner, maxi dresses are a go-to for me once warm weather rolls around! I'm obsessed with this ruffled, layered concoction, and the fact that I scored it on super sale is just the icing on the cake! And if the dress is cake, then this amazing Henri Lou necklace would be the sprinkles, no? I'm a huge fan of Reagan Rowland's boho-chic pieces, particularly the necklaces made of gold and gorgeous natural stones and beautiful leather bracelets! So perfect.

[ :: Old Navy dress (past season) :: Gap moto jacket :: Calcidone necklace c/o Henri Lou Jewelry :: Gap belt (similar) :: ]
[ :: Prabal Gurung for Target sandals (similar) :: Forever 21 striped bag (in red here) :: ]
Continue reading for more photos!






One week until Hawaii! I'm SO. READYYY.
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in bloom

[ :: Prabal Gurung for Target blazer (similar) :: Gap striped t-shirt (similar) :: Stiletto skinny jeans c/o Torrid :: ]
[ :: Forever 21 necklace (similar) & clutch (similar) :: PG for Target bangle (similar) :: ASOS wedges (similar/similar) :: ]





[ :: Prabal Gurung for Target blazer (similar) :: Gap striped t-shirt (similar) :: Stiletto skinny jeans c/o Torrid :: ]
[ :: Forever 21 necklace (similar) & clutch (similar) :: PG for Target bangle (similar) :: ASOS wedges (similar/similar) :: ]

Happy Tuesday! Thank you guys so much for the sweet comments on my last outfit post! I loved hearing your stories about your love for stripes! :D

I've been on a printed-everything-buying-frenzy and I'm majorly in love with this blazer! I adored almost everything from the Prabal Gurung for Target collaboration and was disappointed when it didn't extend into plus sizes as other Target collaborations have before. Still, I tried everything I had my eye on because you never know what might work, and I fell in LOVE with this blazer! I love how bright and colorful it is against my new favorite Torrid jeans (same jeans from the photoshoot! :D). These jeans, by the way, fit incredibly well on a variety of body types--I was amazed at how well these fit everyone at the shoot, regardless of body shape. It was like skinny jean magic!

Have any of you tried the Torrid Stiletto skinny jeans? Curious to see if they worked as well for everyone else!

P.S. Google Reader is shutting down soon! Stay in touch via Bloglovin here! :)

fashion do: plus size stripes

Who says plus size girls can't wear stripes?
[ :: Asos striped maxi dress (similar) :: Gap denim moto jacket (similar) :: scarf c/o FRAAS :: ]
[ :: Rebecca Minkoff Ostrich Clutch (on super sale here!) :: two lips wedges :: bracelets from Forever 21 & Taiwan :: ]





[ :: Asos striped maxi dress (similar) :: Gap denim moto jacket (similar) :: scarf c/o FRAAS :: ]
[ :: Rebecca Minkoff Ostrich Clutch (on super sale here!) :: two lips wedges :: bracelets from Forever 21 & Taiwan :: ]

So tired of hearing the same plus size fashion don'ts cycled around everywhere. STRIPES ARE OKAY, YA'LL. Better than okay. They're awesome. Necessary. Essential. I'm obsessed, and frankly, sick of people saying plus size girls can't wear them.

I still remember being majorly bummed out as a kid when I was out shopping during a family trip in Taiwan (where everyone is tiny), and I was wearing one of my favorite striped shirts. Out of nowhere, my mom walked up from behind and told me I really shouldn't wear striped shirts anymore because I looked fat. The rest of that day I was so self-conscious I couldn't even focus on shopping. True story. Amazing mainly because I can't remember the last time something distracted me from shopping. Anyway, I wish I'd known then what I know now, because let's set this straight--I am plus size. I will be plus in a black dress, and I will be plus in a striped one. No amount of spanx, "slimming" colors, or fat-smushing-torture devices will change that.

Moral of this story? WEAR STRIPES. because they're awesome. and so are you.