Save Your CASHmere

Cashmere Sweater: Reformation (more sweaters here)

Denim Shorts: Oneteaspoon

Booties: Jeffrey Campbell x Nasty Gal

There's a reason why the word 'cash' is in cashmere...it typically costs a lot of money. So when you splurge on a cashmere item, the last thing you want to see are moth holes in it. In the past when I would bust out the cashmere for sweater weather during the fall, I would find holes everywhere! So I did some research and decided to save my cashmere and save some cash on the holes I'd have to mend due to those pesky little moths. Below are some tips and tricks on how to care for your cashmere (and wool) goodies.

Cleaning & Storing your sweaters properly when winter is over is key to keeping your threads looking nice and new.

Clean: Make sure you clean your sweaters before you pack them away for spring and summer because any bit of sweat will attract moths and other bugs. Plus, the smell of the detergent or dry cleaning chemicals will help keep the little pests away. Some people prefer to dry clean their cashmere but I like to hand wash mine because I find that the cashmere gets softer after every wash (and it's a lot cheaper than dry cleaning dozens and dozens of sweaters lol). If you're like me and want to hand wash, remember to wash with mild detergent, never wring out excess water, and lay flat to dry.

Wash: Use lukewarm water to dissolve your mild detergent, turn your sweater inside out, and just squeeze the soapy water through the sweater. Rinse with more lukewarm water.

Dry: Instead of wringing out the water, I put my sweater in between 2 towels and roll the towels up gently from one end to the other. Repeat this until you get as much excess water out as possible and then lay out to dry. Remember to NEVER HANG wet cashmere because it'll stretch out. Just let it air dry naturally.

Store: Store the washed and dried cashmere in a clean and dry space. In order to keep the moths away, there are plenty of products you can find at stores like cedar balls. But my favorite thing to do is tuck some sachets of lavender in the drawers where I store my cashmere and wool. This not only repels moths, but it also leaves a pleasant smell on your clothes instead of that nasty chemical stink from moth balls.

Let me know if you have any other tips to share! 

Capped It Off

Eddie and I capped off our Labor Day weekend by throwing a BBQ get together for a bunch of high school buddies. We decided to grill our usual go-to favorite...carne asada because you can never really go wrong with some carne asada, guacamole, chips, and salsa! We spent the day playing Cards Against Humanity (which is like an inappropriate version of Apples to Apples lol), eating and drinking, swimming, hot tubbing, and eating some more. It was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend with my love.

I wore the newest addition to my closet...this amazing One Teaspoon blazer (thanks to my amazingly generous aunt). I am so obsessed with it!!! The colors, the prints, the cut...it's all just so so so gorgeous! I've only had it for a few days but I know I'm going to be prancing around town in this piece quite often! It's just such a versatile piece that can either be dressed up or down. I decided to keep my look pretty casual for the BBQ with a simple white silk tank top, cutoff denim shorts, the blazer, and some beige colored peep-toe booties. I guess the heels and the silk weren't the most casual but it was meant to be a laid back look. 

I capped off my outfit with a leather baseball cap, which has been a favorite accessory of mine lately. Not only does it just look cute with everything, it also provides shade for my face. It's a total win win for me. Below are some tips for buying and wearing this leather cap trend.

Tips:

1) Buy a solid colored leather cap because they're easy to incorporate into any outfit. They add an instant touch of chicness and sleekness to any look. Note: I personally like solid accessories because I'm not really a pro at mixing prints. But if you are, by all means go crazy with printed and embellished caps!

2) You can style it with something feminine like a short dress or miniskirt to contrast the sweetness with some edge. 

3) You can cap off your casual t-shirt and jeans and instantly create a chic look. I personally like to add heels to most of my outfits (unless I'm running around all day) so when my clothes are more casual, I counter it with lots of accessories like layers of jewelry and heels.

Leather Cap: Urban Outfitters

Palm Tree Printed Blazer: One Teaspoon 'November Rain' (here)

Silk Tank Top: The T Refinery (Planet Blue)

Shorts: CarMar (LF Stores)

Peep-Toe Booties: Dolce Vita 'Niven' (here)

Bracelets: Vanessa Mooney (here and here) and Luv AJ (here)

Necklace: Vanessa Mooney (here)

My first plate of food...out of like 5 hahaha

Typical Natasha...Stuffing my face with food. 

Don't bother me...I'm eating, Eddie!

As the night went on, more and more old friends stopped by for pool/jacuzzi time! Notice how they're all guys?! Lol.

Nailed it!

Blouse: For Love & Lemons
Color-block Denim Shorts: Joe's Jeans (also on the blog here)
Leather Purse: Miu Miu 'Cloquet Nappa Leather Top-handle Bag' in Ink Blue (similar here)
Shoes: UGG 'Luella' Heeled Sandals (here)
Rings: Tom Tom 'Pyramid Spike' and "Chevron Mini' (here and here)
Nails: by me

I'm a huge fan of painting my own nails because why should I pay someone else to do my nails when I can probably do as good a job as them or even better? Plus...I got the Asian gene and I'm just naturally that good lol. In all seriousness, I think I did an awesome job on my nails this time around and I'm proud enough to really show them off! As much as I love them, I don't think they really compliment my outfit very well but it is what it is.

I consider this look a bit of a classier causal look because the blouse is just  really cute and dainty with the tiny bow details on the pocket and the girly ruffles on the sleeves. And my nails probably look better with an edgier look, which I typically reserve for the nighttime when I let my inner badass really come out hahaha. 

Since I headed to lunch with a friend, I opted for more of a daytime outfit. I paired this girly For Love & Lemons top with some denim  shorts, my UGG heeled sandals, and my brand new but old Miu Miu purse (I've had this purse for awhile but it's been tucked away in it's box because I tend to abuse my handbags and this was one of the first designer purses I actually bought all on my own with my hard earned grownup money).

Side note - I'm not really a fan of UGGs but let me just tell you...these are some of the comfiest heeled sandals ever. I feel like I could walk a million miles in them. Plus I think these heels were pretty cute, which is a nice change for the brand. They were actually cute, comfy AND they didn't have fur in them! I remember when even their sandals had fur...who wears sandals with fur?!?! Ayayay! Unless it's used solely in your private home, I don't think it's acceptable to own them!!! Just kidding...kind of. Anyway, I hope you all had a great start to your weekend! Have fun and stay safe!

City of Color

Earlier this week, I spent my day all over LA running some errands. So when I had some time for a break during my hectic schedule, I stopped by Amoeba Music to pick up a couple records. This place is absolutely amazing!  It's pretty much heaven to anyone that appreciates music! You're guaranteed to find any CD or vinyl record your little heart may desire. And to top it off, they occasionally have live performances there! I've only been to a couple shows, but it's always a fun time.

I honestly always feel a little overwhelmed when I enter the building because the place is ginormous and there's just so much to sift through to find one of the thousands of hidden gems there. Luckily the people working there are always happy to help me find exactly what I'm looking for.

I put together this outfit based on the types of errands I had to run. I had meetings to attend where I had to look somewhat professional (in a stylish and not conservative way). Since I wasn't literally running around, I opted for some cute stilettos rather than some flats. To add another level of instant class and chicness to my outfit, I layered my casual tank top and denim shorts with this printed blazer. At first I couldn't quite put my finger on what I loved about this blazer, but then I realized that it reminds me of something my Thai grandma would have worn. This print is so old Asian lady and I adore it!

To be honest, I was a little iffy about my outfit choice at first because my blazer was just a tad bit longer than my shorts from the front, but in the end who cares?!?! I felt comfortable in it, which is really all that matters. I hope you guys enjoy my look as much as I enjoyed wearing it.

 Tank Top: Sanctuary

Color Block Denim Shorts: Joe's Jeans

Printed Blazer: Costa Blanca

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell 'Solitaire' (here)

Bracelets: Vanessa Mooney (here) and Luv AJ (here)

Swarovski Crystal and Semi-Precious Stone Necklace: Chan Luu (similar here)