TARTAN LOVE

Happy New Year! I hope you've all had a great holiday season and are amped to make this year even better than the last! I was iffy about sharing my resolutions with the internets because, let's face it, accountability. lol! But one week in, and finally getting the nerve up to share, here goes a basic rundown...
Learn French.Already on this! Planning a family trip to France this year so my goal is to be able to carry on basic conversation. And you know, ask where the bathroom is, order cheese and a baguette, and make a purchase. I've clearly got my priorities in order. I'm using the Duolingo iPhone/iPad app and I can't recommend it enough!
Spend more time outside.Working in an office all day then coming home to work on my blog or catch up on How I Met Your Mother makes it way too easy to stay inside all day. Three easy ways I plan to get some more sunshine and fresh air in my life are 1) eat meals outside--pack a picnic and find a grassy spot to dine al fresco during the lunch hour, 2) get out of the gym--instead, go for hikes, hit the pool, and venture into "sports," lol and 3) take in all that So Cal has to offer--gorgeous mountains, soft sandy beaches, and all the pretty parks a girl could ask for. Being outside makes me happy, and I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to make myself happy this year!
Wear sunscreen.A lifetime of sunbathing, beach bumming, and crappy sunscreen habits has left me with less than desirable skin, and I need to remedy this ASAP. Currently getting my Aveeno on daily--on top of being SPF50, my face smells like a Hawaiian vacation. Win.
Be mindful of my food.It's easy to buy prepared, packaged food, like that triple-washed, already cut salad, but I want to do what I can to buy local, organic foods, support local businesses, and prepare meals at home. I've always enjoyed cooking (I wanted to own a restaurant when I was little!) but recently, it's fallen to the wayside. Gameplan: buy small quantities, buy often, and buy in season! Already signed up for a CSA share from Tanaka Farms. Super excited! To learn about CSA programs and find one near you, check out Local Harvest. :) 
Prioritize my happiness.It's too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of never-ending to-do lists and impending deadlines. Maybe it's a selfish resolution, but you can't take your career with you when you depart this earth, so you might as well take a step back from the chaos, smell the proverbial flowers, and relax.
 “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” ― Ernest Hemingway






[ :: tartan moto jacket c/o Wet Seal+ :: City Chic top :: Torrid skinny jeans :: ][ :: Bella Vita boots :: Forever 21 bag :: ]
What are some of your resolutions this year? :D Any of you have the same resolutions as me? Would love to keep track of progress with you guys! :)



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SIMPLY LUXE

Hey guys! First and foremost, thank you so much for the well wishes on Twitter and Instagram! ❤ You guys are too sweet. Getting some blogging done from the hospital because time waits for no one, sick or not! :P Granted, this is a teeny bit behind schedule this week, but hopefully it's coming better late than never! :)

[ :: Luxe dress c/o Simply Be :: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target bag (thanks for the hookup, Jeniese!) :: ]
[ :: ASOS necklace :: Evans boots (similar) :: H&M belt :: ]

Rounding out my looks from Simply Be USA with this adorable collared dress from their Luxe collection! The sparkly threading and the contrast collar are so very chic. Love this dress!

I'm so excited for boot weather to be approaching, and this pair from Evans is the perfect basic black boot--heeled but comfortable, slouchy enough to tuck jeans into, and structured enough to stay up on their own. Very excited to wear these this season!








Thank you guys again for all the well wishes! :) I seriously have the most awesome readers ever! ❤!
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coziest

[ :: skinny pants c/o Wet Seal (available here) :: Old Navy sweater (similar) :: LOFT tshirt (similar) :: ]
[ :: Torrid boots (similar) :: H&M necklace (similar) & bag (similar) :: Modcloth ring (similar) :: ]






[ :: skinny pants c/o Wet Seal (available here) :: Old Navy sweater (similar) :: LOFT tshirt (similar) :: ]
[ :: Torrid boots (similar) :: H&M necklace (similar) & bag (similar) :: Modcloth ring (similar) :: ]

The first few weeks of January always have me on the verge of getting sick (I chalk it up to the awesome holidays coming to an end), so I'm constantly reaching for my comfiest, coziest knits! This oversized sweater is an old clearance find that I picked up during one of my date nights when I'd decided to wear the ~cute~ outfit instead of the practical, warm-enough option. The things we do for fashion! :P

These skinnies from Wet Seal are probably my new favorite lounging pants--they're ridiculously comfortable (like sweats!) but cut with a skinny fit so the overall look isn't sloppy. Looove. Word of advice, if you haven't bought from Wet Seal in a while, order your usual adult size! I sized up since I thought the junior sizing would run small, but my regular size would have been perfect. Oh well. still love these! :D

I hope you're all having an awesome week! Thanks for reading! ♥

bewitched

[ :: Simply Be dress (similar) :: H&M belt (similar) :: H&M necklace (similar) :: ]
[ :: Cynthia Rowley clutch (similar) :: Torrid boots (similar) :: ]





[ :: Simply Be dress (similar) :: H&M belt (similar) :: H&M necklace (similar) :: ]
[ :: Cynthia Rowley clutch (similar) :: Torrid boots (similar) :: ]

Last minute Halloween costume, anyone? All you need is a black dress, black boots, and a 99 cent witch hat! Easy peasy. ;) Bonus points if you can find an old school wooden broom!

On a serious note, I hope everyone affected by the hurricane is safe and well. Stay warm, stay dry, and please don't do anything reckless! Lots of love from the west coast! ♥ ^_^

currently coveting: plus size & wide calf boots

[[ shop them here! one.   two.   three.   four.   five. ]]

In the past week, Southern California weather has done a complete 180 and it's now super cold and rainy. I can feel a cold coming on (ugh!), and in this chilly weather, all I want to do is layer on sweaters, scarves, and jeans! What better to pair with those than some new boots, right?! :D

I invest in a new pair each year, and I know how difficult it can be to find cute wide calf boots, so I've rounded up 5 of my favorites this season! They're all gorgeous and are true plus-size/wide calf boots with over 17" circumferences. I'm particularly in love with number two's gorgeous rich purple-ish hue. How amazing would those look with black skinny jeans or leggings and a slouchy, oversized sweater?? Adding to my cart now.

Are boots one of your Fall wardrobe staples? What are some of your faves? ♥

hello from nyc!

[ :: Torrid blazer c/o (here) :: H&M tank :: Torrid jeans (here) :: Simply Be boots (here) :: ]
[ :: H&M clutch (similar) :: Forever21 necklace (here, also awesome) :: Chloé sunglasses (here) :: ]





[ :: Torrid blazer c/o (here) :: H&M tank :: Torrid jeans (here) :: Simply Be boots (here) :: ]
[ :: H&M clutch (similar) :: Forever21 necklace (here, also awesome) :: Chloé sunglasses (here) :: ]

Hey guys! I'm in New York right now but I thought I'd share an outfit I wore during the ONE day it dropped below 75 degrees last week! You know, before it shot up to a blistering 99 degrees. >_<

I've been on a blazer kick recently (scroll down for evidence!), and this striped one from Torrid is probably the most comfortable one I've EVER owned! It's sweatshirt-y, and the whole thing is knit, so it's like wearing pajamas! It's the snuggie of the blazer family. But in a good way. With way more polish. Love!

Kept thing simple with skinny jeans and new riding boots from Simply Be. Also, how kick-ass is that spikey necklace?? It's all 3D and spikey and shiny. Good traits for a necklace to have.

Honestly, I just want it to be cold so I can start wearing things like my capes and boots, and scarves, sweaters, leather, tights, more blazers...can't help but feel like I'm in a fashion rut until it cools down! Anyone else in the same boat??

Edit: I got a few emails last week about whether I permed my hair or not, but all I did was curl my hair using a hair styler from ghd, which is probably the best flat iron I've used! It doesn't snag hair and preheats really quickly. Either way, it's an awesome styler, and is great for creating loose beachy waves that last for a long time! :) I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality styler. :)