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)

I'm Back!

Asymmetrical Dress: Finders Keepers (similar here)

Velvet Bralette: Free People

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

Leather Backpack: Stela 9 ($224 at Revolve Clothing here)
Necklace: Chan Luu (other styles here)

I'm finally bouncing back from the laziness that had taken over my life! Eating and drinking whatever the heck I wanted and not working out at all while on vacation in Portland last month had finally caught up to me, which explains why there haven't been any posts for awhile. I've been feeling a lot like a lazy slob lately so my boyfriend and I are making it a point to get fit together. We've been swimming, working out, and taking our dog on walks together after work instead of our usual (baking cookies & cinnamon rolls to eat while binge watching shows on Netflix until we pass out on the couch). I'm sadly admitting to this so you'd understand why I've neglected my blog for so long. I know...I suck...but I'm working on getting back into the swing of things! Hopefully that means at least 2 posts a week. Thanks again for following along, everyone! 

Stripe Hype

Striped Top: Bec & Bridge 'Elements' Top (on sale from $125 to $84 here)
Silk Shorts: Parker 'Pacific Kane' (on sale from $223 to $78 here)
Wool Blazer: Joe's Jeans 'Meredith Blazer' (on sale from $278 to$139 here)
Shoes: Dolce Vita 'Elka' Heeled Sandals (on sale from $170 to $118 here)
Leather Backpack: Stela 9 ($224 at Revolve Clothing here)
Necklace: Chan Luu (similar here for $155)

What's the hype with stripes you ask?! They're simply a perennial and versatile staple. You can style them with just about anything all year long ...which means more bang for your buck! Plus, they can easily be dressed up or down. 

That's why I'm currently obsessed with this Bec & Bridge 'Element' top. It's my ultimate go-to piece at the moment. When I'm feeling lazy, I just toss on this top and pair it with some jeans, shorts, skirt, or pretty much anything. It honestly goes with everything! Unfortunately there aren't any pictures showing the back, which is what sets it apart from other simple black and white striped tank tops. It has an adorable open tulip-style back with contrasting stripes, which shows just enough skin to keep it classy and a little bit sexy. 

Choosing and Styling Horizontal Stripes:

1) Choose a top with thinner black stripes than white stripes. This will help counter the illusion of making you look wider when wearing horizontal stripes. 

2) Break up the stripes with solids. As the name of the top suggests, use the stripes as an 'Element' of the outfit because full stripe outfits will create the illusion of a wider frame. For example, I added my solid black blazer to break up the impact of the stripes, which helped slim my figure a bit. 

So just remember that horizontal stripes are not the enemy. If styled strategically, it could easily become one of your favorite go-to pieces too. Andddd...this amazing top is on SALE! So hurry up and get yours before it's sold out!

*Just as a side note, this was taken while I was in Portland where the weather was significantly cooler than Los Angeles. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a wool blazer in LA right now...it's too damn hot!!! 

inVESTing

Necklace: Vanessa Mooney "The Sheba" Necklace (here)

Vest: Stylestalker "Biker" Vest (here)

Leather Backpack: Stela 9 (here)

Long Sleeve Linen Tee: Joe's Jeans "Dames Tee" (here)

Bracelet: Vanessa Mooney "Roxanne Cuff Bracelet" (here or here)

Leggings: Romeo and Juliet Couture

Heels: Charlotte Ronson "Hayworth Studded Heel" (on super sale here)

STYLE TIP: Add some personality to a plain and boring outfit with accessories! I started with some basic staple items that most girls can find in their closets but then I spiced it up and added some of my own personality by throwing on a vest, a statement necklace, and a black leather backpack. Without my accessories, my outfit would just be a simple grey long sleeved shirt and some black leggings....nothing exciting there! 

This tip really comes in handy especially when I'm in a rush out the door. I typically throw on a tee, a blazer or leather jacket, and some jeans. I'll grab a nice statement necklace to top it off...and VOILA! A cute and stylish outfit within 5 minutes!!! 

Additionally, I believe that investing in quality accessories is key. I personally grow attached to all of my clothing and accessories so it's really important to me that my items last me through the years. For example, I've had these Charlotte Ronson heels (which are on super sale now!) since my college days and I'm hoping that my brand new Vanessa Mooney turquoise necklace also lasts me many many more years to come.

Takin' It SLO

Life has been moving so quickly, so I slowed it down with a mini day trip to San Luis Obispo (SLO) to relax and clear my head. I started the day off with breakfast at Paula's Pancake house in Solvang and then continued my trip up to SLO to visit some friends. 

I kept my outfit simple and neutral with a white dress, brown knee-high socks, brown boots, and a brown asymmetrical cardigan so I could showcase my awesome new and colorful Stela 9 backpack that I just got! I'm so obsessed with it! The colors, the patterns, and the soft leather...it all just makes for the perfect little backpack! I used it to carry around Mr. Milo's and my water, food, and snacks while we were strolling the beach, shopping, and hiking. All in all, it was a great day trip for Mr. Milo and I. 

Backpack: Stela 9 (similar here)

Dress: Muji (similar here)

Socks: Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Boots: Seychelles (similar here)

Necklace: Vanessa Mooney (here)

Belt: Vintage

Cardigan: Nordstrom

 

Sand dollars make ya holla

At Ron's shopping for home decor and succulents.

Ron's has the cutest ceramic plant decorations like these sheep!

Stopped by an organic farm for fresh veggies on our way home.

American Woman

Fourth of July is usually pretty mellow for me. I typically spend it with my boyfriend and family...and this year wasn't really any different. Spent the day eating smoked pork chops, chips and guacamole, grilled veggies, jello, and whatever else I could get my little paws on. I swam around, worked up an appetite, and then stuffed my face again.  Later when the sun began to set, we headed off to watch fireworks out in Valencia, CA. Overall, I had a nice and relaxing day with people that I love.

The obvious choice for this holiday is to wear red, white, and blue, which made the outfit choosing process a lot quicker. I channeled 'old' Miley Cyrus circa 'Party in the USA', and went with some polka dot cutoff denim shorts, a soft white T-shirt with an American flag graphic print, and an old pair of my red cowgirl boots. I completed the look by piling on some jewelry from Vanessa Mooney, Amrita Singh, and some vintage treasures. Hope everyone had a safe and happy Independence Day/4-day weekend!

P.S. Isn't my boyfriend's little cousin, Erika, the cutest thing in the world?! She works those milkmaid braids and overalls so gosh darn well. Gotta love that little cutie pie! ❤

T-shirt: Chaser (more American tops from Chaser here, here, and here)

Red Cowgirl Boots: vintage

Jewelry: Vanessa Mooney (here and here)

Denim Shorts: One Teaspoon 'Bandits' in blue polka dot (now on sale here)