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

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

Snow Day

Land's End Parka / Old Navy Leggings / Vintage Shades

This weekend, Edwin and I drove up and spent a quick night and day in Lake Tahoe. It was a fun clothing challenge, as I rarely go to the snow, even though it's really only about 3 hours away. We stayed at a cute little lakeside cottage (franciscanlodge.com), and spent the next day practicing and taking lessons in our chosen winter activities (cross country skiing for the first time as an adult for me (visit the nice guys at the Squaw Creek Nordic Center) ). I hope to be able to make it up again this winter, maybe for snowshoeing with my parents.

For my snow wear, I snagged this great Land's End Parka on sale with a promotion for only $60. I know it will motivate me to go to the snow for winters to come. I also found some affordable plus size snow pants my actual snow time (they do run big and long).

Nordstrom Boots

Après-ski:

Old Navy Jeans, Coat and Shirt, F21 Scarf

After my morning skiing and falling about the meadow (the golf course in summer), I changed out of my sweaty clothes and huge coat into something appropriate for the warmer afternoon temperatures and hanging out in the village. I added a black military cap to cover my messy hair.

Here's Edwin looking cool after his day on the slopes in his fingerless gloves and a pair of amazing $25 shades he picked up last minute at a resort shop:

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!

Obsession du Jour: Squirrels

ASOS Sweater / Old Navy Jeans / Naturalizer Boots from Piperlime / Gap Bag

Today my Mom and I went to the mall to with a few goals: to go to Sephora and get new makeup for me, to go to Nordstrom and buy some gloves for her and to look for some aviators for me.  For this quest I decided to wear this whimsical squirrel sweater, perfect for the continued record chilly weather we're having in the Central Valley.

Last night I saw Zero Dark Thirty (I loved it!)  and even before I saw it I knew it would motivate me to renew my quest for aviators that fit me. However, after trying on all the Ray-Ban and other brand aviators at Nordstrom, I couldn't find any that I thought looked good on me. This is a problem I have with aviators. I desperately want to be cool like Joe Biden and Maya in Zero Dark Thirty, but whenever I go to try them on I feel like I look like a mean lady cop. Alas, the quest continues. Instead,  I ended up finally buying a pair of real Ray-Bans Wayfarers  And given my obsession with and collection of cheap Wayfarers, it was probably a wise choice to invest.   Additionally, I was proud of myself that I resisted buying this amazing pair of Chanel cat-eye sunglasses that fit my face perfectly. #firstworldvictories

Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer XL in Tortoise

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 To Wear: Wedding Guest

It's that time of year again, when wedding guests are looking for that perfect dress.  Finding an affordable plus-size dress can be a challenge. Here are some ideas.

Recently I've placed my first order with Eloquii, The Limited's new Plus-Size Line. All the work clothes in my first order fit well, and their dressier options look lovely.

Neutral Shimmer:

Embellished Satin Dress, Belted Sequin Dress, Accordion Pleat Dress, Pleated Maxi Dress

Black Lace:


This one shoulder option is from Eloquii, the other two are from Nordstrom, which I still consider the best destination for classic plus evening wear.

Rosette Appliqué Dress, Belted Lace Dress, Lace One Shoulder Dress

Arrested Fashion: Bluth Wedding Style

The Bluths love a family gathering. And what family gathering is more important than a wedding. They step up their style appropriately.

George Michael & Maeby's Fake Wedding at the Hospital for the Alzheimer's patients:

After the jump, George Senior and Lucille renew their vows, and the whole family comes together to throw Michael and Rita a surprise wedding!

Style Icon: Nancy Botwin

Weeds is back with its seventh season! While one can debate the merits of the show, the fact that Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin is gorgeous, sexy, and stylish is beyond question. Today, to get ready for the new season, I've collected some promo images from previous seasons. I also pair the pics with a few dresses and some lovely lingerie inspired by Nancy, and of course, the green theme of the show.

Musings: Celeb Bikini Styles

So it might not yet be summer for many of us, but it is the season of celebrity beach pictures.  Here are a few looks I like plus some less expensive re-creations.

CIA.MARITIMA bikini /Crystal Jin tunic (GSI Images)

Tribal Print Bikini

  

Old Navy Embroidered Gauze Cover-up

L*Space Leopard Bikini (Pacific Coast News)

Leopard Print Bikini

Jack by BB Dakota Maxi Skirt

Forever 21

Rhianna in 2008

Old Navy Zebra Print Bikini

J. Crew: Glamour Girl Bikini Bottom

Forever 21+

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!

Arrested Fashion: Made in the Shade Part II

We've already taken a look at the Bluth parents and their amazing shades. The Bluth kids (and their partners) carry on the tradition of stellar sunwear.

Sometimes you buy a car for the sunglasses.

Maui Jim

After the jump, a look at the sunglasses of George Michael, Michael's ladies, plus the many shades of Linsday Bluth Fünke.