We Got It Goin' On

ModCloth Dress / Ebay T-shirt 

Last night my best friend Edwin and I went to our first Backstreet Boys concert, after being fans since elementary school. It was amazing. They were on point with the harmonies and choreography. I enjoyed most of their new songs, as well as their acoustic set.  Don't ask me who my favorite is, I've never been able to decide.

For my outfit, I followed Jessica of What I Wore's lead and paired this bold stripe dress from ModCloth with a old concert T I found on Ebay.  I love seeing my favorite straight-sized blogger wearing the same dresses I've chosen.  I call the t-shirt "old" since it's from the 1998 tour and I don't think 15 years old qualifies as "vintage". I'm not that old yet. For accessories I took my color cues from the shirt and went with a red lip and nails, white pearl studs and bracelet, and black shades.

Today I'm linked up with Monday Mingle & Visible Monday! Check 'em out.

Target Shades / Eloquii Studs & Bracelet

At the State Fair

Thrifted Tank, Torrid Bermudas, Havaianas Flip-Flops, Gucci Sunglasses via Nordstrom Rack

Necklace bought on Telegraph in Berkeley

Beach Days

 ASOS Dress / Target Shades

Last week, I spent a few days in Southern California with my cousin visiting from New Zealand. We went to Ocean Beach in San Diego and Venice Beach. I restrained myself and only brought one swimsuit and one pair of sunglasses, but mixed it up with different accessories (my new Ben Sherman men's hat) and cover ups (like this lightweight printed dress).

Ben Sherman Hat via Nordsrom Rack / Target Shades / Necklace truche on Etsy / Old Navy Swimsuit

Au Cinéma

 Old Navy Blouse / ASOS Skirt / Sam Edleman for American Eagle Sandals / H&M Clutch

Today I went to the Crest Theatre in Sacramento for the last night of the Sacramento French Film Festival. It was still in the triple digits when we left the house, so out of survival instinct I opted for a light jersey top and skirt with metallic accessories.

French Deco-Inspired Earrings

Wedding Guest Ideas

I didn't get any wedding invites this season, but the Prop 8 ruling in California has got me thinking of what I'll where when Edwin gets married someday. Here's the highlights of my online window shopping.

Formal:

ASOS  / ModCloth / IGIGI

Dressy:

ASOS /  ModCloth / ASOS 

Garden: 

IGIGI  / ModCloth

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

ModCloth Skirt / Old Navy Fan T-Shirt / Urban Outfitters Sunglasses  

As a family of Yankee fans living in Northern California, once a year we head down to Oakland when our team's in town. I love of course love a  jersey or team t-shirt, but I also love mixing in other pieces to pull together a whole ensemble in team colors. I've been wearing a lot of high waisted printed skirts recently, and I decided to pair this polka dotted one with a logo T for the contrast of sporty and cutesy.

Converse Jack Purcell Sneakers

Master of Style

ModCloth Dress / Prabal Gurung for Target Wedges / Old Navy Sunglasses

Today I earned my Masters of Arts in Education, and that meant another graduation ceremony. And you know me, I love any occasion to put special outfit together. I went with the stripe and floral dress from ModCloth, I'm really enjoying their increased plus size offerings recently. As for shoes, these Prabal Gurung for Target wedges were of course affordable and comfortable enough for the standing around waiting and steady enough to take me across the stage without wobbling like some of the girls in their sky high pumps.

Forever 21 Purse (in black)

On Mommy: F21+ Dress

Japantown

Torrid Chevron Maxi Dress / Old Navy Scarf / Kate Spade Sunglasses

Target Faux Leather Jacket / American Eagle Moto Boots / Vinage Clutch

Happy Mother's Day: May Flowers

On Mommy: F21+ Dress, Juicy Couture Sunglasses
On Me: Old Navy Dress (worn as top), ASOS Midi Skirt, Soludos Espadrilles Old Navy Sunglasses 

Spring Day on Campus

Yesterday, I went back to Berkeley for Cal Day, the university's open house day. I saw an amazing lecture on Django & Lincoln from my former advisor and a department legend, and then met up with Edwin to watch a free concert by some hipster band.  It was a lovely day. I quite enjoyed wearing this top. Even though it's basically exactly like the Prabal Gurung for Target "first date" print, I don't feel that guilty about Eloquii ripping it off since the Target line didn't extend into plus sizes.

Eloquii Top & Colorful Skinnies (sold out in teal, available in a rainbow of other colors) /
 Target Satchel / Jessica Simpson Sunglasses / Kate Spade Earrings

Showing of my sparkly manicure, I never get my nails done!

Au Revoir, Eloquii

Eloquii Top / Torrid Pants / Vintage Purse / Jessica Simpson Shades / Ferragamo Shoes / Eloquii Bracelet

Today I had the pleasure of attending a nice, low key bridal shower for two of the lovely ladies in from my teaching credential program. Since it was on the cooler side today, I took the chance to wear some of the colored denim I bought recently instead of a dress. I'm also wearing my one of my many new Eloquii tops. The great deals in their going out of business sales don't make up for my extreme disappointment of them going out of business, but it does help dull the pain.

Rainy Easter

I've been so busy recently substituting French (four different levels) that it took a Spring Break and Easter to get me to take a new outfit photo. The clouds looked pretty heavy this morning, so I had to forgo a traditional Easter frock for something more rain friendly. In order to add that pop of springtime color, I added hot pink accessories. This is my second black and white polka dot outfit with pink accessories, check out the other one here.

ASOS Blouse / Eloquii Tulip Skirt / Torrid Leggings  / Target Umbrella & Satchel
ASOS Belt / Betsey Johnson Sunglasses from Tuesday Morning / Nordstrom Booties

Happy Valentine's Day!

I didn't need to dress up today, I was just working on my Master's project. I did however, need an excuse to wear this dress before it warms up too much. I love prescriptive holiday dressing (see tag "Holidays"), dressing up in the colors or themes of a holiday. I went for a palate that could best be described as construction paper colors kids use when making Valentines. If I was wearing this dress on a normal day, I would have worn black or gray leggings and boots. However, on Valentines day, grape is a neutral!

Forever 21 Dress / Old Navy Leggings / ModCloth Wedges /
7 Chi Bag from Piperlime / Jessica Simpson Sunglasses from Tuesday Morning

Obession du jour: Prabal Gurung for Target

Like everyone else in the universe, I love me a Target designer collaboration. Did I know who this Prabal Gurung was before the collection? No. Did I still have to double check his name when typing the last sentence? Yes. None of this diminishes that I really like the prints and colors in his capsule collection for Target.

Forever 21 Belt

In order to get this long t-shirt, I cut off the  ruffle hem of the drop waist dress. That styling does not do me any favors, as I discovered in 10th grade English during our Great Gatsby unit wrap up party. Drop waists are for women with boyish shapes, or at least more boyish shapes than mine.

Drop Waist Dress

Once I cut the hem off, I found that it was the perfect length to loop around my neck and wear as a scarf!

Forever 21 Cardigan

And finally I picked up a couple pairs of shoes from the collection. Keep an eye out on the blog in the future, I have big plans for them.

Wedge Sandal (also in black & white) / Flat Sandal (also in yellow)

Vicarious Dress-Up

Last night, my parents had a black tie event to attend. Due to my Mom's continued weight loss, she had nothing formal to wear. This is where I came in and helped her pull an affordable outfit together that would be appropriate accompanying my Dad's tuxedo. I don't have to many formal occasions to dress for, so I had a really great time helping her out and putting some of my fancier accessories to good use.

The foundation piece: It's on clearance for $25 at Land's End.
I got one for myself at that price!

The statement piece: a $16 bubble necklace from Esty 

The icing: An evening bag from Etsy and a gold disc bracelet. 

The finishing touch:  Kate Spade Gumdrop Stud Earrings