Casual Living

Outfit Details:
cardigan - c/o American Living by jcpenney
shirt - Gap
belt - thrifted
pants - Forever 21
Romance boots - c/o Seychellesglasses - Ray-Ban

The kind folks at American Living by jcpenney allowed me to pick out a piece from their collection and I immediately gravitated toward this draped cardigan. I've noticed that I'm lacking more casual pieces in my closet, so I've been slowly stocking up on basics and comfy separates for Fall. I'm slowly bringing out the sweaters and the coats are waiting for their [unwelcome] debut. I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to Autumn weather and hope it sticks around for longer than expected. Fall, good. Winter, bad!

phone tag

Outfit Details:
striped sweater - H&M
leopard button up - thrifted
wide leg pants - c/o Gap and LookbookCoach classic shoulder bag - c/o CoachSeychelles Chant heels - c/o Seychellesbracelets - Nine West

At this point, I'm really just messing with Kim. As you may recall, my dear friend hates leopard print. After yesterday's spotted outfit post, she actually sent me a text that said, "F***ing leopard print Keiko da**it" - just like that. She was apparently so angry, she forgot to use punctuation.

Now, I love my Kimberly but I also like to push her buttons. It's just what we do (in good fun, of course). So, Kimberly, this post is for you. I was originally wearing a black button up but would have been remiss to overlook this opportunity to mess with you. Leopard, leopard, leopard! :)

p.s. This isn't a great "after" picture of my hair (full update later) but this is my new color and slightly updated cut. Subtle changes can make a big difference!

leopard

Outfit Details:
hat - Gap
ADAM blazer - Gilt
Equipment blouse (similar one here)- purchased with gift card c/o Loehmanns
lovely wave shorts - Queen's Wardrobe
Romance boots - c/o Seychellesbracelets - Nine West
Boxy leather tote - c/o Foley + Corinnaglasses - Ray-Banlipstick - MAC pro longwear lipcreme in Unlimited

I took these pictures right before I headed off to Arrojo Studio for cut and color. I let my hair air dry for maximum "this is what you're working with" effect - what a hot mess. It was maybe three or four different colors - what was going on? I stopped coloring my hair a long time ago and never corrected the rest. Look how disgruntled I look in that first photo. Don't let that happen to you.

I'll show you the after pictures, tomorrow. I'm super happy with it! It's a subtle change, which is exactly what I asked for.

In the meantime, I wanted to check in with all of you and see how you fared through the weather. We got lucky in our neighborhood - just a few trees down and temporary outages. I know a lot of people weren't quite as lucky in other states...hope you all are safe and dry.

Blinds drawn at twelve noon

Outfit Details:
hat - Gap
sweater - H&M
tuxedo stretch jeans - c/o Jessica Simpson Collection

I've been at the W Hotel in San Diego the past few days, hence the lack of updates. I came (on my way back today) with the rest of the CVS Beauty Board for a luncheon we hosted, and got to spend a little time with Miss Kimberly. We ate and shopped and ate some more. Thanks to everyone who gave us recommendations!

Shannon asked what I wear to the airport and since I was still wearing my airport garb, I decided to photograph it. Of course, I was also wearing shoes (my ubiquitous Tory Burch flats), a sleeveless trench and a blazer before I got on the plane, because I put on everything I can't fit into my carry-on bag.

And then I use them as blankets.

Don't worry, I'm not one to hold up the line. I'm fully ready once I get to security: laptop and baggie out, layers and shoes off in one fell swoop - it's something straight out of Up in the Air.

Since Kim came up from Los Angeles to visit me, we documented her traveling outfit, as well. And then we sat in front of the window and looked all pensive and stuff. It just felt like the right thing to do.

Snow White

Outfit Details:
Troubador Maxi Dress - c/o Spotted Moth
hat - Gapbag - c/o Rebecca Minkoff
La Curva sandals (on sale right now) - c/o Blowfish Shoesvintage glasses - Guvnor's Vintage (got them fitted with prescription lenses  at LensCrafters the other day)


If I had a dollar for every time someone has said, "B**** thinks she's Snow White," I would have a dollar. But if I had a dollar for every time I actually did think or wish I was Snow White, I could make it rain.  I haven't yet taught my animal crew how to clean but rest assured, I am working on it.

Bond Street

Outfit Details:
hat - Gap (men's section)
sheer blouse - Threadsence
belt - thrifted
skirt - thrifted
sequin bra - c/o ModCloth
Seychelles Hawk Wedges - Giltmadison leather satchel - c/o Coach (from last year; no longer available)glasses - Ray-Ban
lip color - Laura Mercier lip stain in HibiscusBobby's outfit: a t-shirt, lots of tattoos.

Now that Bobby is only working one job (woohoo!), we have a lot more time together. Lately, we've been hunting for an antique sofa, with no success. I guess I'm used to actually being able to afford the kind of furniture I like, since Florida has an abundance of antiques and less demand for them. Plus, I have that nifty daughter discount at my mom's store, which is where I have gotten most of my antique and vintage furniture in the past. New York, on the other hand - they know what they're worth and they know they can get what they're asking. I have a select handful of shops that I frequent and I often pick up pieces from the Brooklyn Flea, but sofas are harder to come by. If you have any tips on where to look (in or around New York), I would love to hear them!

Weekend Wear

Outfit Details:
Foley + Corinna Mid City Tote in Poppy - gift from Foley + Corinna
striped top - J Crew (actually from the crewcuts section)
polka dot shorts - Forever 21
belt - thrifted
straw hat - Gaplip stain - Laura Mercier in Hibiscus

Frizzy hair + hat + loose shorts + flats + roomy bag = weekend uniform. My best friend Lauren was in town and we ate, shopped and walked our way through the holiday weekend. More pictures to come!

Butterflies

Outfit Details:
Tennessee Dress - courtesy of Spotted Moth
grey sweater coat - courtesy of LuLu*s
HUE tights - Nordstrom Rack
Calvin Klein heels - Beacon's Closet
navy scarf - Gap

(I also wore shorts underneath this little number; it's not polite to flash people while getting in and out of cabs.) 
Tomorrow is the IFB Evolving Influence Conference! If you aren't able to attend, you can watch a livestream here. I have to admit I have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about speaking in front of such a large audience. I also have no idea what I'm wearing; it will be a surprise to us all. I never plan out my outfits, which is probably why I'm always running late. On that note, perhaps I should get my act together and be a little productive before the rest of this week consumes my life.

an all night mission to have fun

Outfit Details:
Leather jacket that I always wear and you're probably sick of it - courtesy of Coachscarf - Gap, borrowed from Bobby, who got it from my momtri-blend shirt - also from Gap, and it was $4!shorts - courtesy of Queen's Wardrobetights - Targetboots and belt - thriftedspoon ring - gift from my mom
Makeup Details:Smashbox primerLaura Mercier oil free tinted moisturizer (in Porcelain)Smashbox blushLaura Mercier lip stain in HibiscusMAC paint pot in Bare StudyE.L.F. pencil eyeliner MAC Fix + spritzed over whole face to wake up my tired makeup

This is me in yesterday's outfit...today. Yesterday's clothes, yesterday's hair and makeup (with a little touch up, of course). I had the intention of going to bed early, failed miserably and instead, stayed up all night. I got some sewing done, did the dishes and vacuumed the floors, listened to some party music and generally had an awesome night. I'm not being sarcastic - I love staying up all night. I know it's not a good thing to do and I don't do it often anymore, but skipping sleep and having a full day ahead of me is one of my guilty pleasures.

When I was in high school and college, I used to pull all-nighters all the time because I thought that's what young people were supposed to do (or maybe I just felt like it). Of course, it's a lot more fun when you're on a midnight adventure that lasts through sunrise and you end up on a beach or in another city. This had nothing of that sort - but you better believe that if I had a car of my own, I would already be outta here on a road trip with little Miku in tow. Instead, I'm just going to take a shower and put on some new clothes, get a little more work done and then get the heck out of the apartment for awhile. Party of Helicopters' Please Believe It (old but still the best) is today's official soundtrack and I'm set on having a good day.




p.s. Did you notice that Miku has been working her way into all of my indoor pictures? You lucky bastards.

To Grandma's House We Go

Outfit Details:vintage gauzy dress - found in my old closet at mom'stri-blend long sleeve top and knit scarf - GAPtights - gift from my momdany platforms - courtesy of Jessica Simpson collection


From time to time, I get requests from readers to share my apartment decor, closet organization, etc. The truth is, I'm not crazy about my current apartment - and my closet has no rhyme or reason to it (seriously, I'm the last person you should ask about organization). I love my neighborhood, dislike my place. I have a tiny, dimly lit, railroad apartment and it drives me a little crazy to be in such a small space since I work from home. I had to set up shop in the living room because my office is more like a closet and there was no room to cut fabric, only to sew. It's not a huge deal to me; we are beyond fortunate to have a roof over our heads, let alone solid furniture and food in our refrigerator. But it's far from ideal and I've decided not to put a whole lot of time and money into decorating, since I would love to move to a larger place in the near(ish) future.

That being said, these pictures are obviously not of my apartment. They were taken at my grandma's home, in one of the guest rooms that I'm rather fond of. Though our birthdays are only a day apart in September, she is much more of a Virgo: extraordinarily organized and has everything just so. I like this room's decor in particular because it's very feminine without relying on typical girlie hues and is assembled from thrifty resources (second hand and discount stores) and a lot of elbow grease. The headboard was a find at my mom's store (she repainted it) and the dresser was a fixer upper that my mom happened upon, which was stripped, sanded, refinished and had its hardware replaced by my grandma. My very favorite part of the room is the framed photograph of my handsome great-grandpa, Papa, who is no longer with us but was my hero and one of the most influential people in my life.

Apparently my grandpa refers to this room as "Keiko's room" but strangely enough, it's actually the other guest room that served as my sleepover spot when I was younger. I've always known this room as my grandpa's closet, since my grandma takes up the closets in her room. Maybe I should take pictures of her closets and claim them as my own, because they're impeccable;)

Special thanks to my little sister Tessa Marie for taking my pictures!