Keepin' Kool in a Kimono

Kimono: Tylie Malibu (similar here)

Bikini: One Teaspoon (bottoms on sale from $165 to $60 here)

Wrap Watch: La Mer Collections (here)

I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend! I spent mine listening and dancing along to Jack Johnson at the Santa Barbara Bowl for his From Here to Now to You Tour, having movie nights with the family, and lounging poolside with my man once he returned home from Washington. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my free time with some of my favorite people. I really just can't wait for my hectic schedule to finally calm down! There's just one more HUGE event left this summer...my best friend's wedding! This weekend can't come soon enough!

Easy Does It

Silk Sweatpants: LnA "Lucas Silk Pant" (on sale from $264 to $210 here)

Crochet Top: Mink Pink "My Dream Crop Top" (for $54 here)

Shoes: Dolce Vita 'Elka' Heeled Sandals (on sale from $170 to $118 here)

Wool Blazer: Joe's Jeans 'Meredith Blazer' (on sale from $278 to$139 here)

Leather Backpack: Stela 9 ($224 at Revolve Clothing here)

I have never been a sweatpants type of person...until recently! I always thought that sweats were reserved strictly for gyms or lounging around the house but boyyy was I wrong! With the proper styling, sweats can actually be chic! Luckily in the past couple years, designers have really redefined sweatpants in a whole new way and I'm lovin' it! Now we don't have to sacrifice comfort for fashion! We can be both casually chic and comfortable when stepping out in public.

Below are some tips on choosing and styling the new and improved sweatpants.

1) Choose sweatpants in a thin & lightweight material to keep it from looking like you're ready to hit the gym. I personally choose them in silk because I like wearing my comfy sweatpants year round.
2) Make sure the pants are a slim fit and tapered. If it's too loose throughout the leg and ankles, it probably won't be too flattering on your body. 
3) Accessorize strategically. Sweatpants are easy to dress up or down with accessories. If you're going for a chicer look, choose a hemline that sits at the ankle and pair them with heels. If you're going for a more casual look, choose a hemline that hits just below the knee. Instead of heels, you can keep it casual with some cute slip-ons, d'Orsay flats, or sneakers. I personally prefer heels because I just prefer heels :) 
4) Top off your sweats with a structured fitted top or a crop top. 

Other ways that I've styled some of my other silk sweatpants: 

Don't Mesh With Me 

Cream of the Crop (Top)

June Bloom

Silk Dress: Parker "Cara" Dress (here)

Shoes: Dolce Vita "Elka" Heeled Sandals (here)

Purse: Sequoia Paris Leather Crossbody Bag (similar here)

All Bracelets: Vanessa Mooney

Because I wore this fun, flirty, & feminine silk Parker dress to brunch in Pasadena, you never would have guessed that I spent the rest of the day helping my boyfriend in the garage.  We mounted new tired on his truck and did a few other things here and there. No big deal...I'm just a total badass haha. I'm sure Eddie would beg to differ, but I'll let myself think I'm more of a helper than a hassle.

Cream of the Crop (Top)

Crop Top: Fairground 'Astra Crop Top' in Dali Lama Print - Revolve Clothing (here)

Silk Trousers: Olive & Oak - Nordstrom

Heels: Jeffrey Campbell 'Hough' (here)

Bracelets: DIY Swarovski Crystal bracelet & Vintage Bone Cuff

Ring: CC Skye 'Fools Gold' Ring (here)

Short body-con dresses are obviously sexy but silk trousers can be sexy too if you style wisely! Since the weather has warmed up significantly, I no longer have to bundle up with huge coats or leather jackets to go out. Instead, I opted for a printed crop top and some silk trousers for a girls' night out this weekend. I chose a sleeveless crop top as the focal piece of my outfit to keep things young and fun. I also kept the rest of the outfit fairly simple to balance out the busy printed top. 

Styling Tip: When going out for fancy drinks at a restaurant or bar, I personally like to choose either to expose my legs OR my arms for a sleeker and chicer ensemble. I leave the shorter skirts and dresses for the more wild and crazy parties.

Even though we "sprang forward" with daylight savings, I feel like it's 3 hours later than it actually is. I can't help feeling this way after the weekend that I just had. The last 4 days pretty much consisted of nothing but drinking, hiking, and swimming with some work squeezed in here and there. I am so exhausted that I was ready to pass out at 7pm today but then I realized that I hadn't worked out, eaten, or blogged yet. Now that that's all done....Good night, world!!!

Fake It Til You Make It

Faux Leather Shorts: MinkPink

Sweater: Swell

Heels: Jeffrey Campbell "Solitaire"

Necklace: Chan Luu

Bracelet: Luv AJ

 

When it comes to leather/faux leather shorts, I personally like to stick with a classic black style because I know that I'll get the most wear out of them. Leather shorts can be surprisingly versatile, sleek, and edgy.

Styling Tips:

For a more tailored look: I suggest tucking a nice silk or chiffon button down blouse into your shorts and pairing it with some classic pumps. And maybe top off the outfit with a nice tailored blazer for a more polished look. Try a printed blazer for more sass and edge. 

For a sportier look: I suggest tucking your favorite simple plain t-shirt into your shorts, and layering a cute bomber or Letterman jacket over. I would probably pair this outfit with some sleek girlie heels to contrast the sportiness of the look, but I think Converse sneakers would be a great alternative if heels just aren't your thing. 

I kind of did a casual look with some feminine touches for my outfit. I kept it simple with a knit sweater slightly tucked into my shorts, but added some pointed toe pumps and a clutch. If the weather were any cooler, I would have opted for tights under my shorts and a nice thick, chunky knit sweater. How would you girls style your leather shorts?! Feel free to email me and show me! Have a great weekend, y'all!

Black & Blue

Just keeping it casual in black & blue while chic-ing it up a bit with heels and a faux leather cap. I felt like I had take advantage of the sunny and warmer winter days last week so I paired my outfit with some open toe heels.

However, this week has been miserably cold for me especially because I start to shiver uncontrollably once the temperature drops anywhere near the mid-60s lol.  And according to the LA Times, "A cold Canadian air mass moving into Southern California could drop temperatures across inland valleys into the 30s and 20s beginning Tuesday night and is expected to last through the rest of the week." Sadly, I don't know if I'll last til the end of the week because I'm already freezing my bum off!!! 

Men's Sweater: Projek Raw

Tank: Zara

Pants: Gap

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell 'Hough' (here)

Necklace: Vanessa Mooney

Cap: Urban Outfitters

Bracelet: Luv AJ

On the Grid

Although I had a blast with my family and friends, I was still alittle sad because my Eddie was stuck working for the entirety of my birthday weekend and missed out on all of my birthday brunches, dinners, and drinks. But it's ok because he made it up to me earlier last week with a semi-surprise dinner at one of our favorite places...Roy's Restaurant!

Not only was I excited about eating at Roy's with my man, but I finally had the opportunity to wear this amazing dress that I bought online months ago lol! It's a gorgeous white dress with caged paneling on the front and back of the dress. It's detailed with puffed capped sleeves, contrast black trimming, and two front slits.

I kept the styling simple for this black and white dress because there was already so much going on. I paired the amazing dress with a pair of simple black suede Jeffrey Campbell heels, a Luv AJ cuff, and a Valentino clutch. 

Dress: Finders Keepers 'By the Way Dress' (here)

Clutch: Valentino

Cuff: Luv AJ (here)

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell 'Hough' (here)

Chevron Ring: TomTom Jewelry (here)