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

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

Plus Size Prom Looks: Strapless Sheaths

Delia*s Dress (available in up to 13/14) / Kenneth Cole Necklace / Kate Spade Studs / Tahari Pumps /
Marc Jacobs Clutch / Marc Jacobs Watch

Forever 21 / Michael Kors Heels / IGIGI Clutch

Wet Seal Plus Dress / Badgley Mischka Heels / Hive & Honey Neckalce

Torrid Dress / House of Harlow 1960 Earring / 80s Vintage Clutch on Etsy / Lauren by Ralph Lauren Heels

Obsession du jour: Sparkle

F21 Sequined Sweatshirt / Necklace on Etsy

ASOS Blazer / F21 Dress / Necklace from DeLuna Jewelers (Davis, CA)

Getting the Necklace for Graduation

Obsession du Jour: Framed Art

Recently I've been working a lot on my bedroom decor. I just got two different art pieces, and they're my obsession du jour. Each feature one of my favorite things: France and Arrested Development.

Online:

 Urban Outfitters: Irene Suchocki

I love this print and the frame's color works perfectly with my color scheme. However, in order to get this particular framed print from Urban Outfitters, it took me three tries for one to arrive without broken glass or a chipped frame. As such, I can't recommend it 'cause I'm not confident that it'll get to you whole. That being said, they did send them each time quickly and without me having to send the broken one back. So I have 2 extra posters of this  print, I'm going to give one to Edwin and keep one for a future (French?) classroom. 

In my space:

Online:


This second piece is so amazing, it makes me smile every time I look at it. It arrived quickly from the UK, well packaged and with the class intact.

Etsy: Rather Unseemly

In my space:

Author Style: Annameekee Hesik

When I told my friend and new teacher mentor, Annameekee Hesik,  that she should do a post on her blog on all her cute outfits from her book tour, she invited me to do a guest post on the topic instead. So here we are. Once you're done with this post make sure to read our interview too!

Annameekee has just published her first YA novel, The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year. It is the first book of a planned four book series. She was inspired by how J.K. Rowling chronicled each of  Harry Potter's years at Hogwarts. Luckily for Annameekee's characters, non-magical high school doesn't take 7 years. Her book describes the adventures and coming out of the main character, Abbey. Annameekee's goal was to write a gay YA novel with relatable characters that mirrored the diversity of her upbringing in Tucson and her students in the Central Coast of California.

I loved the book and I know you will too! You can read more about it,  including my review (Julia) on Amazon.  For more information about Annameekee and her work, you can go to her website (including her blog) or  friend her on facebook: (Annameekee Hesik (YA Author). Her Twitter is currently recovering from an evil spammer (obviously a  jealous YA rival author, yes, I am starting that rumor here), so I won't send you there.

Back to the task at hand: fashion. Annameekee recently did her first bookstore readings.
While there's lots to love about this outfit above, one area I would like to focus on, particularly for you young adult readers, is the styling of the blazer. They don't call them wardrobe essentials for nothing.You're never too young to add a black blazer to your wardrobe. Not only will it serve you well at debate tournaments, you can use it to dress up any outfit, making an outfit at least 50% more sophisticated. In this case, the blazer screams "I am a published author. Hear my narrative voice!" Here are a few affordable  options:

1. Forever 21 2, Tinley Road on Piperlime (comes in a million colors!) 3. ASOS Curve (sizes 14-22) 

After the jump, lots more of Annameekee's outfits, look-alike items, my musings, her musings, and lots of shoes!

IPhone Cases

So I finally broke down and upgraded to an IPhone. Of course the most important consideration for me was to get a cute cover. I wanted to get one really quickly, so I ordered a dirt cheap one from Amazon that I could get in like 2 days while waiting for my custom one from Etsy. They both are cute in different ways.

From Amazon:

White Silicone Cassette Tape Case

And from Etsy:

Pencil Shavings Studio

Trend Watch: Pre-Colombian Prints

Ruche Curvy

As an white American History major with a concentration in black history, I have also earned my official Liberal certification in political correctness.  This is why "ethnic" fashions make me slightly uncomfortable.  Obviously, it doesn't matter what your heritage is, you can wear what you like. It's more how the labels and terms are thrown around. What is an "ethnic" or "tribal" print?  I'm not really sure. It just seems quite vague, patronizing, and not quite right. On the other hand, since I'm starting on my path to becoming a Social Studies teacher, I also want to be wearing interesting prints representing the world's cultures.

With that disclaimer out of the way however, an interesting print is an interesting print. It doesn't matter whether it's on an authentic traditional garment or a tank top made in Forever 21's just-above a sweat shop. If it's cute, why not wear it? This season I'm really digging all the Aztec-inspired geometric patterns. I'm no expert on Pre-Colombian design, so I can't speak to their authenticity or the correctness of labels.

Enough of my white guilt, here are the pieces I'm talking about:

Forever 21

Ruche

After the jump, more geometric Aztec-inspired motifs on standard and plus-size styles, menswear, and accessories.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

I spend so much pop culture energy on blogging about Arrested Development, I feel like I've been neglecting movies lately.  As such, I have resolved to make sure to go to the movies once a week this summer.  I'm already a little behind, so today I saw Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. It obviously wasn't the best in the series, but I was sufficiently entertained.

The most significant difference was Penelope Cruz stepping into the Keira Knightly lead female role. She certainly has the advantage in the heaving bosom department, and I liked her character. I thought the recurring theme of religion in the movie was interesting from a historical perspective, with the handsome missionary and Spanish characters.

I'm kind of really into the history of piracy in this period, so I could go on all day. Instead, I'll share some cute pirate inspired jewelry. To start with this pendant from ModCloth captures the feel of the one worn by Cruz' character.

ModCloth: Cross Marks the Spot Necklace

After the jump, lots more fun nautical treasures to bring some rebel pirate spirit to your jewelry box!

What I Wore: Arizona Wedding

My current lifestyle doesn't include many formal occasions, so I'm always excited to have an opportunity to put together an evening ensemble.  Here's what I wore to my Cousin Maggie's wedding.  It's Tucson, so the weather was in the mid '90s, so I decided to go with a satin cocktail-length dress by ASOS Curve.

ASOS Curve Dress, ASOS Bangle, Vintage '60s purse, Andrea Jovine sunglasses

Zappos: Annie Venita

Here's the price price breakdown, I thought I did a pretty good job, budget-wise:

ASOS Dress $70
Annie Shoes $50
Betsey Johnson Earrings $25
ASOS Bracelet $18
Vintage Purse $5
__________
Total $168

After the jump, my parents outfits and my red carpet-inspired updo!

Musings: Prom!

It's that time of year again! I'm pretty sure I don't have very many readers in the high school age bracket, but who knows. I'm going to take a moment to share my Prom looks, philosophy (thrift store dresses and then splurge on accessories!), and suggestions for great dresses (traditional and non). While these selections are chosen with a High School Prom in mind, but many of them would also be cute for a guest at a summer wedding or other grown up event.

Hair by Sharon Jackson--head on over to her Salon's site if you're looking for a great hair stylist in Davis.

My thrift store dress featured a velvet bodice embellished with paillettes and a satin skirt.

I found this dress with a lovely bustle in the back at a consignment store in Palm Beach, Florida.

Well that's enough of my dresses. After the jump, there are lots more unique dresses and jewelry perfect for any evening occasion.