tomboy

Shirt: Levis (men's); Shorts: Isabel Marant via Elizabeth Charles; Shoes: Isabel Marant (old, similar style here); Sunglasses: Coach; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Wallet: Emerson Fry; Necklaces: Jennifer Zeuner; Bra: Third Love

Growing up, I really bounced around the style spectrum a lot (as any kid should). Belle was my muse in the first grade, then there was the tie-dye phase in middle school (i.e. the lost years) and high school was all about sporty Abercrombie basics (with low-rise distressed jeans, naturally) . Given that my 10 year high school reunion is just around the corner, er, later this week, I thought it would be fun to take the tomboy basics of something I used to wear and turn it on its head with layered gold accessories, heels, peek-a-boo lace and a bold, red lip. 

Confession time: What was your style like in high school? 

Photos by Heather Clark

belted

Dress: Proenza Schouler via The RealReal; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Coach; Shoes: Henri Lepore Dezert; Lips: Stila "Beso"; Hat: J.Crew; Watch: Daniel Wellington ; Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner

I feel like it wasn't all too long ago I was happily belting my dresses whenever I got the chance to cinch my waist in. And now, for some reason or another my belt collection has slowly dwindled to this lonely Moschino survivor (that I nabbed at a flea market, no less!). Not that I'm complaining. He goes quite nicely with skinny jeans as he does flowy chiffon-like dresses, but I do think a few other belt contenders are in order. Here are a few I'm considering pulling the trigger for (with their flowy dress counterparts, of course)...

Photos by Heather Clark

ruby {red} tuesday

Vest: Alexander Wang (old, similar style here); Jeans: Abercrombie; Shoes: Valentino; Wallet: Emerson Fry; Cuff: Hermes; Sunglasses: Target (yes, Target! Look like Celine, no?); Necklace: Givenchy

It's quite possible I'm approaching an almost embarrassing collection of these Valentino rockstud heels now. The reasoning for these? Well, aside from the fact they look like modern day ruby red slippers, they were also crazy on sale at my haunt, Jeremy's, this past weekend and a few happy hour drinks had me thinking it was the right decision. My sober self happily agrees. 

Photos by Heather Clark

i'll have what she's having...

Mother of Pearl dress // Saint Laurent shoulder bag // Mother of Pearl peplum top // This Works sleep oil // Saint Laurent mascara // Mother of Pearl trousers // Grey Ant sunglasses // Reed Krakoff sandals // Alexis Bittar ring // Garance Dore greeting cards

I was recently turned onto the designer Mother of Pearl by my friend Adelle (who's making the leap over to NYC this week!) -- and I just have to say, I'm hooked already! While the prints are totally on point (like this dress), it's the clean separates that draw me in (like this peplum top and trouser combo). All of which would look just too good with that Saint Laurent bag I've been eyeing for forever now, right? Right? 

bell curve

Bustier top: Josh Goot via The RealReal; Skirt: H&M (old, but similar style here); Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Target; Necklace: Anthropologie; Shoes: Louboutin; Watch: Daniel Wellington

If you've been reading this blog for a while now, you know I typically shy away from anything too form fitting. Not sure what's to blame there, but it usually boils down to wanting to avoid pulling or tugging at my clothing to make it sit just right on me throughout the day. However, when life throws you a Josh Goot bustier like this guy (I mean, hello bell curve!), sometimes you have to take a few pages from TTH's book and just go for it.

Which reminds me, I now need a high slit, pencil skirt, like the one in the aforementioned link. Any leads? 

Photos by Natalie Goel

pause // reset // play

Skirt: Tibi (similar style here); Top: Mason (in black here); Shoes: Charlotte Olympia (via The RealReal); Clutch: Charlotte Olympia (from a few seasons ago, but similar style here); Necklace: Anthropologie; Lips: Stila "Beso"; Bracelets: Vita Fede; Sunglasses: Target

It's been a while since this skirt has come out to play but luckily, a little closet reorganization (and RealReal consignment spree) goes a long way in making you look at your wardrobe a bit differently. In fact, I think it's high time I made this a seasonal habit -- especially when it's easy to fall into the slump of "I have nothing to wear" (which trust me, happens around here a lot), it's great to feel energized again by what you have, instead of lamenting over what you don't have. 

Of course, that doesn't stop me from lusting over this dress (I'm only human, after all). It just means I weigh some of my other shopping cravings a bit differently. Ah, getting wiser in my old age, perhaps? ;) 

On a side note, how adorable is this house?! It's my new favorite in San Francisco. 

Photos by Heather Clark

blue jeans // white shirt

Blazer: Helmut Lang; Shirt: Equipment; Shorts: Levi's (similar style here); Shoes: Zara; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Coach; Necklaces: Jennifer Zeuner; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Lips: Stila "Beso"

I think it's safe to say that I've been living in these cut off shorts since the Fourth. And, perhaps you'll agree with me, once these guys get in the summer rotation, they're really hard to resist. Like really difficult. Granted, while they do hover around the "Daisy Duke" territory, I rather like them paired with crisp basics like a silk button front shirt and a sharp blazer (bonus points for a little peek-a-boo lace action). 

How have you guys been styling your cut off shorts? More casual or dressing it up a bit?

Photos by Heather Clark

i'll have what she's having {work it out}

Kick starting my running routine lately and craving a bunch of new basics. Click the icons next to each product to shop!

second chances

Top: Bebe (similar style here); Pants: 3.1 Phillip Lim; Shoes: Zara; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Elizabeth & James; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Lips: Stila "Beso"

I went through a phase in college where I loved gaucho pants (and usually of the jersey knit variety -- yes, I know, I know, no judgement, OK?). But since we're all about second chances around here (hello, Birkenstocks!), I have to admit I'm all about this wide leg cropped pant thing going on now. Granted, they're harder to pull off for someone around 5'4" (5'5" on a good day, mind you) but that's where cropped tops come in beautifully. I threw on a white blazer later on in the evening once it got cooler and instantly felt a tad bit Annie Hall chic (and Diane Keaton can do no wrong in my book).

Photos by Natalie Goel

round trip

Top: Isabel Marant via Elizabeth Charles; Jeans: Frame; Shoes: Zara; Bag: Chanel; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Sunglasses: Elizabeth & James; Lips: Stila "Beso"

Alright, after much debate (mainly around timing), the Istanbul trip has been booked! Which means, ready, set, GO! Would love any and all trip recommendations you guys may have (thank you again for all your sweet emails in the past -- our New Zealand/Australia and London trips wouldn't have been the same without them!). I've been researching like mad already (naturally) but haven't started compiling a list past this hot air balloon ride.

Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend with plenty of BBQs, friends and fireworks. 

Photos by Natalie Goel

the great birkenstock debate

Blazer: Helmut Lang; Camisole: Mason (love the dress version here); Jeans: Gap via Regent Tweet; Sandals: Birkenstocks; Necklace: Givenchy; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Wallet: Emerson Fry; Sunglasses: Coach (similar style here)

This outfit is something I'd probably joke with my coworkers about as being incredibly video conference friendly. Business up top, beyond casual on bottom (and no one in your meeting has to be the wiser of it!). Speaking of beyond casual, these Birkenstocks and I are getting along swimmingly at the moment. Albeit, I do feel like I'm kinda wearing mini boats on my feet and have gotten my fair share of the"Oh, Birkenstocks? Really?" raised eyebrow look at work -- but let me tell you, a fleeting trend has never felt so darn comfortable! So I'll take it. 

Have you guys tried out Birkenstocks yet? Any styling tips?  

Photos by Heather Clark

bottled up

Dress: Carven, last seen here (similar style here); Shoes: Zara; Clutch: Charlotte Olympia; Sunglasses: YSL; Bracelets: Vita Fede; Necklaces: Jennifer Zeuner

I forgot just how much I loved this dress.  The color. The flare. The cutouts. And the excuse it gives me to tote around this perfume bottle clutch, that I'm absolutely obsessed with. Admittedly, I had this dress on heavy rotation last summer for our circuit of weddings and baby showers but I think it may make a few repeat performances this summer, including a certain high school reunion coming up.

Yes, I do believe I just dated myself.

Photos by Heather Clark