Japantown

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

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

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!

Rollin' on the River

Urban Outfitters Sunglasses / ASOS Midi Skirt / Forever 21 Top /
Paquetage Purse (from France)

ASOS Belt / ASOS Ballet Flats / Spanx Tights

Eloquii Cardigan

Hoot! Hoot!

Eloquii Riding Cardigan / Old Navy T / Owl Rhinestone Pendant & Earrings / Ray-Ban Wayfarer XL

I'm totally obsessed with these cardigans. You'll be seeing a lot of them into Spring. They're so soft. And have pockets. I bought 2 initially (black, camel) , and then they went on sale for $25 and I bought three more (pink, fuschia, and teal). See an outfit with the black version here). As you can tell, I've been in a pink mood the last couple of weeks, as evidenced by my last 2 outfit posts. I'll try to think up an outfit without pink soon.

The outfit started with this whimsical owl pendant. I stole it from my Mom's and this was my starting point for the whole outfit.

Frye Boots

When I went out that evening this is the new satchel I wore. It's from Target and was on super clearance in the store but also online. I still definitely want one of the original Cambridge Satchel Company ones (available at ModCloth), but this will do in a pinch until I'm ready to invest.

Mossimo Supply Co.

Très Chic

Thrifted Skirt  / ASOS Blazer / Forever 21 Scarf

Today I had a semi-interview meeting for a long-term sub position teaching French. Since I was going to be meeting with Administration and meeting the students for the first time, I wanted to look the part of a French teacher. I've always had chic French teachers, and decided I needed to up my game from history teacher. And since it wasn't really an interview I didn't want to wear a suit. Also it was super cold this morning (it was 30 last night) and today, so I needed to be warm. I settled on wearing this new skirt I found at a thrift store this week. It's by Liz Clairborne and part of a suit, but the jacket is a little big on me and both pieces together look a little too British and/or matronly. However, I am excited to wear the pieces separately. You can see me wearing the blue version of the blazer here, and waxing poetic about how much I love them.

Naturalizer Boots from Piperlime

American Apparel Shirt / Old Navy Necklace 

After the jump, more accessories detail...

Special Family Brunch

My Dad and I are baptized Serbian Orthodox. We are not a religious family, but we like to do something special for Orthodox Christmas (meal, gifts) to celebrate our cultural heritage. Today (even though Orthodox Christmas falls on a  Monday, January 7th this year) we went out to our local Czech restaurant for brunch. I argued that the Greek restaurant would be more appropriate since Greeks are also Orthodox, while Czechs are Catholic, but I was overruled on the basis that Czech food is more similar to Serbian food. I digress. I used this occasion to wear my grandmother's gold cross. I also am debuting my new faux leopard coat. Despite the objections of my best friend, I decided to keep it. It is really soft and quite warm. I was inspired by all the fun ways Jessica at What I Wore has styled hers. I look forward to the challenge of creating more outfits around such a statement piece!

Target Dress w/ belt / ASOS Faux Fur Coat / Torrid Leggings / Nordstrom Boots / Kate Spade Purse  

Grandmother's Orthodox Cross / Gold Hoops from France

What I Got: Christmas

My parents (Mom) are really good gift givers. This year I got lots of neat things I wanted to share with you guys.

This bag from ModCloth will be perfect as my new teacher bag, I won't feel like a student any more with my backpack.

Books and DVDs are the foundational presents in my family. The books included John Hodgman and a book about the Women of Paris. DVDs to complete my collections included Reno 911! Season 5 and The O.C. Season 3. Hope Santa got you what you wanted this year!

Ad Musings: Louis Vuitton

Angelina Jolie in Cambodia.

My Mom was so cranky when she saw Angelina Jolie's new Louis Vuitton full-page ad in the New York Times. Mommy feels that it's in poor taste to sit in the middle of an impoverished country with a several thousand dollar handbag. I agree.  It is in poor taste, and feels very post-colonial. Especially since it's half-French woman with a bag from a French company in former French Indochina.

However, Jolie,  photographed by Annie Leibovitz, gave her fees to charity. Ironically, the specific bag she is posing with is discontinued.  That doesn't really matter, since they're advertising the brand and an idea, not a particular item.  You can read a bit more about Jolie's photo over at Huff Po.  Apparently this is the most recent in a campaign that I've mostly missed, or just didn't connect to one another. Here's Bono and his wife:

Read about Bono and Ali Hewson's spread in South Africa here.

After the jump, lots more about this campaign, including Sally Ride, Pelé, Gorby and more.

Michelle Obama and her affordable BR tote!

Banana Republic

We all love when celebrities incorporate pieces from retailers within our budgets.  The First Lady is the expert in this department, effortlessly combining Mall finds with ready-to-wear and couture designer pieces.

She looked lovely leaving on her trip to Brazil in a Marc by Marc Jacobs ($628) dress and her $120 Banana Republic tote bag.  After all, who better than Banana Republic to dress you for a South American vacation? (If that joke went by you, click here)
 
For a more casual option I've found another cute striped Marc by Marc dress and paired it with another one of our great leather totes for a cute summer vacation look.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Schooner Dress

ASOS: CC Skye Clarity Cuff

BR: Colorful Exotic Hobo

Whole Earth Festival

The Egghead sculpture with his huge beanie for the weekend was the best part!

So this afternoon I headed on over to the Whole Earth Festival  on campus. My plans to meet up with some people fell through, so I enjoyed a bit of hippy watching and took a few pics to share with you guys.

After the jump, more festival, food and fashion!

A few Mexican-inspired looks

Old Navy Maxi Skirt, Target Scarf,  Gap V-neck T

"You're the only person in the world who goes shopping for Cinco de Mayo. Mexican people already have appropriate clothes."

My best friend may be right, but after working on my gringa musings on Cinco de Mayo for tomorrow, I felt like putting together outfit incorporating some bright Mexican inspired colors and prints. I found this lightweight bufanda with an Aztec inspired print at Target and paired it with my favorite white maxi skirt.

 ON Gauze Top, Alloy Skirt (availble in XS-XXXL)

This second outfit is a bit more evening. This Gauze  top comes in a rainbow of colors, I chose the boldest, 'Warm Sunset'.  If you like this blouse, you may also want to check out the Trends We Love section of the site which lots of cute "Mexicali" pieces. Since Cinco de Mayo is an American holiday what's more appropriate than buying something Mexican-inspired manufactured in India at an Old Navy in Vacaville, California? Nada. Nothing is more appropriate.

I also think the outfit looks cute with my summer bag for this season (from The Sak)

The above skirt can also be worn as a dress. I defined the waist with a skinny gold belt (Old Navy) and added my Mom's necklace (Chico's).

The Tie-Dye Continues...

Old Navy Denim Vest

Among the benefits of living at home with one's parents after college, in addition to the financial solvency, is the ability to continue sharing clothes with your Mom. The dress and all of the necklaces I pair with it are from my Mom's collection.

I especially love this jade pendant!

After the jump, more variations on this outfit and a look at my jewelry collection and organization system!

Royal Wedding Style

Read more about the Queen's look

For starters, I thought the queen looked fierce in her canary yellow ensemble, and compared to the other guests her hat was relatively demure.

E! Online speculates that she was inspired by Grace Kelly

Tie Dye for Summer!

Alloy Taryn Tie Dye Dress (available in XS-XXXL!)

Vintage Purse

After the jump, a couple more jewelry alternatives and another tie dye-inspired dress!