Farfalle

If you still think that bow ties are just for boys, you're wrong! Over the past couple years, bow ties have been making a huge comeback in fashion...especially for women. But this trend is slowly drifting away again. I refuse to let a good thing go so I make it a point to work some bow ties into my outfits every once in awhile.

Since I went through a phase of DIY bow tie making, I just have too many bow ties to not wear. I classed up this outfit with my floral print bow in order to add a touch of femininity to my tailored look. 

Bow ties may be borrowed from the boys but they're oh so right for the girls! So help me bring it back in style, ladies & gents! 

Styling Tip: You can do as I did and add a bow tie to a tailored piece such as trousers or a blazer for a sleek and chic ensemble. For a girlier look, try tucking a blouse into a skirt and accessorizing with a statement bow tie.

Silk Tank: Maggie Ward (Saks Fifth Avenue here)

Cardigan: Maggie Ward (Saks Fifth Avenue)

Trousers: Geren Ford (here)

Heels: Jeffrey Campbell 'Solitaire' (here)

Floral Bow Tie: DIY by me

Hoppy Holidays

Christmas Eve dinner was almost a disaster...because my family forgot to make/buy desserts!!! But luckily my handsome hero, Eddie, came to the rescue with a box of DeLuscious cookies and milk. Anyone that knows me will know that I can't live without sweets and desserts. I mean...there must be a reason why literally 95% of people that gave me gifts added in bars, bags, & boxes of chocolates as a part of their presents to me. I'm clearly a chocoholic and there's no denying it lol. Ain't no shame in my game....

Because I tend to get carried away with food and sweets in general (especially during the holiday season), I decided to wear a loose fitting silk dress from Maggie Ward to hide my food baby after chowing down at the Christmas Eve dinner. I styled it with thick brown tights, crocodile boots, and a vintage bunny fur coat I found at a flea market to top off my look. I sloppily piled my hair on top of my head in a bun and called it a day.

Anyway, Christmas Eve and Christmas have been absolutely magical. I was lucky enough to see a lot of people I really care about and miss...especially my childhood best friend from when we were 3. She's been all the way in Panama and I haven't seen her since she left a year and a half ago for the peace corp so seeing her made my Christmas extra special!

I must say that there's really nothing as amazing as finding a friendship that will literally last a lifetime. This particular friendship has lasted over 20 years and it's got enough fuel to last a million more lifetimes. I love you to the moon and back, Tali!!! Ok...enough mushy gushy stuff. I hope everyone had an amazing time celebrating Christmas yesterday! I'm getting ready to head out camping soon and I can't wait to post about it when I get back!!!!

Bunny Fur Coat: vintage

Silk Dress: Maggie Ward (Saks Fifth Avenue)

Tights: Hue

Crocodile Boots: vintage

Earrings & Necklace: Vanessa Mooney

Rings: Jenny Bird & Spanish Moss

White Christmas

It's less than a week until Christmas and I can barely contain myself! I love love love this time of year especially because of all the fun gatherings that take place...like this ugly Christmas sweater party at my friend's house in Ventura.

Eddie and I were totally lame and didn't have anything super festive or 'ugly' enough to wear so we settled with whatever we could find in our closets. We weren't sure we would even be able to make it because we both worked this past weekend so we didn't have time to prep anything. I just threw on one of my mom's old embellished sweaters from the 80s (that I've had hidden in my closet for years) over a white bodycon dress, nude tights, and a pair of Jeffrey Campbell heels. I accessorized with a vintage cream & gold headband, Vanessa Mooney earrings & bracelets, and Jenny Bird rings. 

All in all, it was simply an amazing night filled with many many laughs with great friends, heavenly cookies & cupcakes, warm snuggles with puppies, and competitive flip cup (like the good ol' Santa Barbara days). 

Embellished Sweater: Vintage

Bodycon Dress: LF Stores (not visible)

Heels: Jeffrey Campbell 'Solitaire' (here)

Earrings & Bracelets: Vanessa Mooney (here and here)

Rings: Jenny Bird (here and here)

My lovers.

 

Elf boy and Olive

The winner of the 'ugliest' sweater, which tells an elaborate story of a marriage gone way wrong.

 

Drinking like we were back in college.

Snuggle sesh with Mufasa. 

On the Fringe

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend with their loved ones! 

I celebrated mine with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner Thursday night at my house and then took a family trip up to Pismo Beach the following day. While we were up there, we visited the Monarch Butterfly Grove, Lopez Lake, and went shopping at little boutiques in Arroyo Grande. I sadly missed out completely on Black Friday shopping, but that's what Cyber Mondays are for!

Thanksgiving is not about all those materialistic needs of ours and the crazy Black Friday sales, but it's about spending quality time with your loved ones and reflecting on how truly blessed we all are! It doesn't take a holiday to make me realize how absolutely blessed I am, but it does allow me to verbalize it and sound mushy gushy for a day. I know I have the most amazing and supportive boyfriend in the world, and the craziest and funniest family that I love to pieces, which I am truly thankful for!

Anyway, enough mushy gushiness from me! Check out some pictures from a day of exploring in Pismo below! 

P.S. It's my boyfriend's birthday so I'd like to wish him a very happy birthday! Thanks for being my best friend and the bestest best boyfriend! I love you to the moon and back, babe! 

Fringe Coat: American Gold "Holy Mountain Coat" (here)

Sky Brass & Kyanite Necklace: Spanish Moss (here)

Blouse: Ladakh (here)

Jeans: Dittos (here)

Black Booties: Jeffrey Campbell "Isley" Bootie (here)

Hat: Urban Outfitters 

 

Check out the butterfly that landed on my hat!

Natasha: accountant, fashion blogger, and BUTTERFLY WHISPERER

Sheer Pleasure

I also picked up this exquisite little number on my crazy shopping spree at the Isabel Marant pour H&M collaboration launch that I wrote about in "I maRant to H&M". 

This silk chiffon dress far exceeded my expectations. The lookbook really does not do this dress any justice (even though Milla Jovovich looks stunning as always). You have to see the dress in person to appreciate the intricate details that include: the subtle metallic embroidery throughout the dress, the peacock-like pattern, the puffed shoulders and ruching on the sleeves, the cinched waist, and the raw edges.  

I really love how this dress just effortlessly oozes class and elegance with its conservative yet form-fitting silhouette and intricate details. This dress hits just below the knee so in order to elongate my legs, I styled it with a nude heel. I kept the rest of the look simple for my boyfriend's family brunch with minimal jewelry, makeup, and a nude lip. For a nighttime look, this dress would look spectacular with some classic black pumps, a long black coat, and some red lips to add some drama. Now show me how you girls styled your Isabel Marant pour H&M silk chiffon dresses! 

Jacket: Isabel Marant pour H&M (here)

(Complete Lookbook here)

 Shoes: Steve Madden (similar here)