Turqoise Rising

Tunic: Skyla, ruffled vest: H&M, knit shorts underneath: LF, belt: LF, sandals: Sam Edelman, earrings: Urban Outfitters, ear cuff: Something Borrowed, Urban Decay eyeliner in "Electric."

Aaand we're still going with the 100 degree temperatures! This is nuts. Although I really don't mind; now that I've moved back home to Sacramento where it actually gets cold in winter, the extended summer is completely welcome in my book. Okay, enough about the dang weather.

This vest has been waiting patiently in my closet since I got it from H&M last year. I just haven't known what to do with it! It's one of my favorite colors -- blush -- and it's pretty enough, but it has a tendency to look fussy, and no one likes that. But lately I've found that if I put just a little more time into the getting dressed process, i.e. jumping in and out of different combinations to see what works, I'm more likely to find use for things that usually get overlooked. Go figure, right? But sometimes it's important to be reminded of the basics.

I like how these colors work together to reflect a desert motif - the rust, turquoise, and pink sand create a sort of sunset/oasis effect. What are your favorite color combinations?

Making Shapes

Tank and skirt: Madewell, lace shorts: H&M, boots: Forever 21, sunglasses: Urban Outfitters, necklace: from Mexico.

When it comes to style points, mixing prints is pretty high up there. It's one of those going-against-the-rules rules that we all know, but it can be hard to put it into practice. In case you forgot, the going-against-the-rule rule goes something like this: mix patterns as much as you'd like, as long as they're in the same color family.

Patterns aside, this skirt has been pretty challenging to match -- up until this point, I just wore it with a boring ole black tee tucked into it. Cute, sure. Adventurous, hardly. So you can imagine my delight when this morning I held this striped tank (that's in the same color family, huh huh?) next to it -- it was an epiphany of Homeland finale proportions. (I've been in a Homeland marathon spiral these last couple weeks, and just finished the finale last night. Can you tell?). Throw in the triangular necklace and I was pretty pleased with myself!

I wore this outfit to my favorite brunch spot with my friend Arielle and her daughter. Afterward we walked to McKinley Park and played on their epic playground; I love easygoing Saturdays!

Getting photo bombed by little Charlotte.

What a cutie. I'm wearing a tiny white daisy she gave me in my hair.

Indian Summer

Crop top and skirt: H&M, flatforms: thrifted from Bows and Arrows, necklace and earrings: Urban Outfitters, leather bracelet and gold cuff: from Israel, nail polish: Essie Enuf-is-Enuf.

Today after brunch my best friend, Stephanie, and I ventured out to the river at the very top of midtown. North of the railroad tracks and "the hangar" skate park, and through the thickets of brambles we went, all in the name of finding a peaceful stretch of riverbank. Once we did, I kicked off my shoes and waded in to cool off from the near 100 degree temperatures. Talk about an Indian summer!

Stephanie really knows her stuff when it comes to photography. She found her inner Tyra Banks --  shouting at me to "find the light" and "be a model." When I mentioned the ridiculous Tyra term, "smizing" (smiling with your eyes) however, she said she'd never heard of it. So from then on she shouted at me to "smeezel!". Coincidentally, that made me smile for real. :)

I wore this shirt because it's probably my last chance to wear it this season since it's strictly a summer shirt and the image reminds me of "The Circle of Life" from The Lion King. I mean, can you think of a better reason to wear a shirt than paying homage to a Disney movie? Neither can I.

These are the shoes I got for one dollar at the Bows and Arrows Dollar Sale! Woo hoo!

Canvas Oxfords and Cut-Outs

Dress: LF, bralette: Free People, belt: Petro Zillia, oxfords: Madewell, navy cropped jacket: Madewell by Alexa Chung.

This dress is one of the few items I actually bother to iron despite the fact that it transforms into a crinkly mess the moment I sit in my car. Fortunately the preppiness of these oxford shoes keeps the outfit looking pulled together. This is only my second time wearing these shoes since getting them a while ago. It turns out real leather is a lot stiffer and tougher to break in! My cheapy H&M oxfords are so much bendier. But I do love their collegiate, masculine feel. I can't wait to experiment wearing them with cropped ankle pants!

I'm pretty sure my attempt at a downward glance comes across as a bout of narcolepsy.

Brogue'in out.

Edward Scissorhands and Cameos

Blouse and purse: Forever 21, faux leather shorts: H&M, Sunset sandal: Madewell, belt: Madewell, earrings: Urban Outfitters, bracelet: Urban Outfitters, necklace: Urban Outfitters. 

Leather shorts are one of those pieces I was on the hunt for for a mighty long time. When I tracked these babies down at H&M, I was stoked, but weirdly a little sad that the hunt was over. Next hunt: a new leather jacket! Mine is pretty beat up, and not in a cool way -- it has a hole and a blue paint stain. Anyway, these leather shorts go with a surprisingly wide variety of tops: rocker tees, chunky sweaters, or in this case, a feminine blouse.

I wore this outfit to Shady Lady, where I got hit on by a guy who gave me the unusual but sweet compliment that I reminded him of Winona Ryder in Edward Scissorhands. (See the bar napkin below!)

Nail polish: Sephora by OPI, gold eyeliner: Urban Decay, lipstick: MAC Rebel

Cameo pose.

 

Eclectic Overload

What's better than scoring two pairs of shoes and a cute micro sweater for $4 total? Hm, maybe an apricot-lavender popsicle. It just so happens that I found both of these pleasures at Bows & Arrows's Dollar Sale today. Whoo, one dollar holler! 

I'm a big fan of the vintage haven that is Bows & Arrows, from its eclectic interior design to its misted patio garden. Since the sale was hosted in their parking lot sans mirror, however, it was a bit hard to decide whether I should get the black flatforms and gold leather braided sandals. But at one dollar a pair, the decision became a no-brainer. Got 'em both!

Dress: Urban Outfitters, boots: Forever 21, bracelet: from Israel.

Clutch: Scout Living, bag: Reform School.

Michelle wearing Essie's Tart Deco.

The Dollar Sale in action.

I want the blanket underneath this pile of shoes!

A nook with equal parts granny and hipster.

Mad Men by way of Tahoe.

Land Ahoy!

I love these little knit shorts - the pumpkin color and sweater-like material make them perfect for fall; they're like a beanie for your butt. But they're way too short to wear on their own, so once again my lace bike shorts save me from Hoochieville. They're so clutch!

I'm also happy to report that after many an internet shopping spiral, I finally found the perfect basic black boots! What do you guys think?

Tee: Kane, bralette: Free People, knit shorts: LF, lace shorts: H&M, boots: Urban Outfitters, purse: Scout Living, leather bracelet: handmade by an artist in Israel.