Feathery Free OOTD:

This Monday it seems that I actually got up early for a change. I think it was the fact that it was a little breezy and cool in the morning. I won't complain considering that a majority of L.A. summer's are blazing hot and make you incredibly groggy. The cooler the weather, the more clothing options. I was able to get a chance to wear my pretty feather shirt. ^^

You might remember this shirt with one of my previous hauls. It's super comfy since I the back is made of stretch jersey. Though, the neck line does occasionally ride up; I think thats because of the combination of different fabrics. In any case, I love the way that it moves with me. It's perfect for the breezy beach weather around here. I work close to the beach (which explains the traffic I go through in the mornings.) It's a great perk to have when you want to de-stress and find a place to stroll after a long day.

Blouse: Lane Bryant

Skirt: Lane Bryant

Sandals: Payless

Triskle Necklace: art shop in Santa Monica

I love how the colors match my newly dyed hair.  Lots of faded flowey colors. I even wore my triskle necklace to continue with the theme. I don't think I've ever shown you guys my engagement ring either, well viola! Here it is... Eugene designed it himself, even down to picking the diamond from Italy.

 I think I figured out how to get through Monday's. Well, at least a little something... dress comfortably and pace yourself. And if your curious, I bring plenty of loose tea from home to brew through the day to keep me moving.
 

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OOTD: Business Redux

 

Hi everyone,
I hope that you're having a wonderful weekend. As we creep into the second month of this year I'm wondering if things will ever slow down. I had just finished taking care of some very important business for my non-profit today and I can't wait to share it with you. One of the great thing at about owning your own business is wearing anything that you see fit. We have a joke whenever anyone asks what the dress code is we tell them "Fabulous!"; this was one of those times...

This OOTD has many new things in it, things that I need to explain that have crept into my little treasure trove. Mainly my decision to start experimenting with hair extensions as I cringe at the idea of a ugly stage, another being the beautiful Lychee Bag that I got from my Aunt's company. This sweater,pencil skirt, and laptop bag business look is the least bit boring. I had fun sporting this jewel toned number through Little Tokyo today.

Sweater: Lane Bryant, Printed Tank: Lane Bryant, Stretch Pencil Skirt: Style Inc.,

 Moccasins: Rite Aid, Laptop Bag: Kilus Foundation (custom)

Do you have a favorite outfit for work?

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The Lane Bryant Holiday Haul

I've been meaning to come in here and tell you of my lovely Lane Bryant Haul for some time now. I feel like I've been snowballing in the shopping department since everything is so darn cheap! Believe me, I've been still sticking to my half off only policy, yet everything seems to be dropping cheaper and cheaper. Where as the fact that products are practically being given away these days means the economy is not so great, I've never had the opportunity to refresh my wardrobe so quickly! Even the fact that I was better off financially last year than now doesn't seem to be holding me back in this department.

For those of you that follow my Instagram, you may have noticed this photo for awhile sometime. This was my receipt from the haul, something that I'm terribly proud of. Seems like being good paying the bills all year and waiting for the clearance to go an extra 50% off has it's bonuses. Spending $70 for well over $200 in items can't get any better. I got some wonderful useful items for everyday which I'm super happy about.

Here's what I got:

I just love this little thin print shirt. It's a bit baggy on me but I love the way that it goes with leggings. I wore this to Palm Springs and it was a great shirt to layer and wear with my favorite jeans. This little Anglophile is gleaming with happiness.

I love this feather watercolor shirt. It's silky in the front and has a stretchy cotton back that makes it very light. Wearing it just makes me feel pretty. I think I should go on the hunt for a dream-catcher pendant. I also enjoy that it's one of those pieces you can dress up or down depending on what your day calls for.

It was about time that I got myself a denim shirt. I was fortunate to find this peasant blouse one. It has that industrial look with a little bit of girlish touch. I love it! I'm looking forward to pairing this shirt with my brown vest for an everyday steampunkish look.

I love these button up dresses and have a slowly growing collection of them. I was happy to find this in Olive Green because I promise come around St. Patty's that I'll get more green in my closet. Well! I beat myself to it early this year since I've been really into green as of late. I also enjoyed that it came with a nice belt that I can use with other outfits. Best part about this dress is how flowy the fabric is falling in all the right places without pinching and being too stiff. I'm saving this dress for a special occasion.

The priciest item I got were these boots which I didn't mind one bit! Be it the weight I am now or when I was much thinner in my high school years I was NEVER able to quite fit into knee high boots. I just about gave up on the idea until Eugene found these and suggested I tried them on. I bought them in a heartbeat! The stretchy backing made it easy to wear without looking to tacky being stretchy all over like most boots that I've seen. I also love the thick rubber souls for all day wear without looking too much like a sneaker. I wore these once before taking these photos and they've become a winter staple for me this year. Ladies, do yourself a favor and invest in a good pair of boots if you haven't. I have a feeling these will be with me for a good few years to come.

And last but not least, a big bottle of Cacique Perfume...

I can go on with the praise about this perfume all day. As seen I had bought a small travel bottle to try for the meantime and I just couldn't stop wearing it! What I love the most about this scent is that it's bold without being obnoxious. It's so common to want a bold perfume and people suggest citrus scents. Personally I like citrus, but what I really love is the delicate naturally sweet scent of flowers. Cacique does a great job of combining both to where the floral scents take center stage and keep a presence through the whole day. The woodsy under notes combined with me mandarin just punch take the florals and make the deeper if that makes sense. I feel bold and beautiful when I put this on, its a scent that Eugene prefers over all my others.  And to think, this perfume is cheaper than most brands I enjoy and I can find it at one of my favorite shops. Such a win win!

Hope you've enjoyed this and you've been struck with shoppers luck lately.

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Thanksgiving!: OOTD and Blessings

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving! So far this Holiday has been a wonderful time to spend with family and catch up with each other. I just finished a quiet Lunch/Dinner with my family.  This Thanksgiving has been slightly different for me as this is the first in a long time that I haven't had to worry about finals. The college I attended gave us a two day break, but plenty of homework to take home. It was liberating to wake up and enjoy the day and savor every moment of it.  

This year I dressed up nice by sheer fluke. I got this top at the outlets on my Mini Holiday, and it just seemed to fit in perfectly with the fall colors.

 Butterfly Headpiece: Michaels, Necklace: Gift from Mom, Watercolor Top: Lane Bryant Outlet, Slacks: Lane Bryant, Wedges: Dr. Scholls 

 I also found the butterfly yesterday browsing for a new ball of yarn. I love the large headpiece look on my growing out bob. I'll be sure to do similar looks in that style.

Eugene also surprised me coming over in his Linen Suit. I love that suit on him, it just seems to be formal enough; but a touch casual enough for his hair. I couldn't resist taking pictures of his OOTD. Doesn't he look handsome?

Our family usually digs into the dinner first; then we get the occasional visit from relatives and friends through the day. Today felt special in the sense that it was magical. I felt like today marked a point in my life where I could actually look back and say that I had conquered over my hardships from the past. I stand a little taller because of today.

I've been saving up my 25 days of blessings and I've rolled them into a 25 summarized list. Here they are in no particular order:

Hope: With hope there is a future. I never want to lose sight this simple powerful truth. Love: With love we are all able to grow and move forward in this life we have. With love we are all humbled and graced. Family: Though parts of us are broken, we have a strength that comes from our unity.I miss them when they are gone, as they miss me. Graduate: I haven't felt like this for 5 years! I can celebrate Thanksgiving without the worry of finals. I also have a tool that will help me in my future.I can finally say it; I carry my Bachelors.Talent:Where would I find the drive to continue without it? I'm blessed with creative talent. I know that this is a gift and should not be used to harm or offend. 

Home: I have a beautiful home with a beautiful Study and a Sublime Bedroom. Not many have that. When I wake up in my bed every morning, or read a book on my couch, I know that I have something that I should never take for granted. Books: To relax, to learn, to retreat; all in one books are a beautiful thing that I am so grateful is apart of my life.Meditation: A solace when I can discover things I've buried in my sub conscience. I feel more like a person again and I never want to look back. Despereaux: Two years ago my dreams of owning a Schnauzer puppy came part true with a little mut. Since then the other parts of him have given me a peace and companionship that only his little Chizer self could fill. Eugene: Best friend, trouble, and partner. I love him more than can be contained in words. Ad we come up on a decade of our relationship I dwell in the joy that I grew up with this boy thats now a gentleman.

Tea: A brew that can grow with my ever changing pallete, reflect my mood, and bring back memories. There's a tea for everything, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Inspiration: That looming child you never chase but always wait to return. The relationship with an artist and their inspiration is something that is best experienced rather than explained. Blog: My life has changed because of writing a bit about my life daily. I get to keep it like a scrapbook when I'm feeling blue, and a way to share my interest with the wonderful people of the world. Writing: Writing has given me a passport to something beyond me. I am so blessed to say that I'm a writer, much like one is proud of being a mother to a child. Opportunity: I can't seem to get my fill with opportunity this year. With all the friends, business proposals, and jobs, I am truly blessed.

Transportation: Be it my Scion or Eugene's Yaris, I love my fill of daily travel. This is a daily thing I don't want to ever be without. Adventure: Big or small, I love my fill of exploration and the stories that come with it. Azure Lorica: I have grown up with my non-profit. I love that I have a haven where I can truly apply everything that I love doing into one production. I've also made some incredible friends this past year because of my company. The brainchild of Eugene and I, I couldn't be more proud of 'bringing Theatre back to Family'. Friendship: To the ones I've lost and the ones I've gained. They are what helps me shape and color this beautiful life. I'm so grateful for the color friends that I have that chase their dreams and never let go. Abundance: I have been given more than a humble life. When things come from God, they seem to be poured out over me. I will never take this for granted.

Faith: My faith in God has kept me alive and thriving. I feel safe knowing that there is someone out there bigger than me and the problems I have. Revive: Like a phoenix I have the blessing to be able to restart and try again. I love that my life comes in chapters and that there is always a place for reinvention ones self. Discovery: Learning new things about the world we live in is a blessing. This is what nurtures my growth and makes me aware. Lately the greatest discovery has been myself. I am coming to terms with who I am. Health: I'm blessed to be healthy and at an age where I can learn how to care for myself. This truth is powerful. Pilgrimage: What would a life be without a journey? I'm blessed with the pilgramage that I currently face in my life. I carry in my heart the ones of the past and I look forward to the many more to come.

 Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

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Lane Bryant Late Summer Haul

It's that lovely time of year in SoCal where the Summer clothing goes on sale to make room for the Fall.  The great thing about this is that Summer weather lingers well into late October like it is this year. Another bonus is it never gets all that cold (other than the occasional hail storms) and you can wear just about anything with a good coat or sweater. I went on a haul with a coupon in hand and got some really good finds! I figured it's about time I do this post since I've already done two OOTD with this haul. You can see those here and here.

Here's what I got:

I love this top as it's sheer in the back for those extra sticky hot days here. I've been wanting one of these but could never find anything tasteful in my size. Clever Lane Bryant only made the back sheer with a super light cotton in the front. I adore the screen print with has half dots in gold glitter under it. I'm totally rocking this to the Tea Festival as the hot weather is slightly picking again.

 I found a Seven dress at such an affordable price! I was so shocked! I've been looking for good versatile dresses lately as I carry alot of light sweater and over vests in my wardrobe. I love this because it's so hard to find a long cotton dress. I also love that the stripes are subtle and go with almost everything.

I call this my Echoing Green shirt! The artwork on it looks like something that would have been on their early 90s albums. I love the way everything is grey-scaled and the flowers just pop it to life.  Charcoal Grey is also my absolute favorite color and it's so hard to find nice shirts in that hue.

I love this tank because it has this slight shark bite taper and it's long. This will be so great to rock with leggings. I also love the little bit of glitter on it so I can sport it with some of my pop or rockability looks.  The blue stripes are also a beautiful shade.

This shirt is so soft and relaxing. I just loved the way that the sleeves slouched on my arms to give it a great curvy look with the boyfriend shirt appeal. This shirt also has these pretty stripes with a bit of metallic silver thread spun in it. It's so easy to dress it up or down. The screen print just adds the right amount of texture to dress up or down the accessories. 

Isn't this the coolest shade for a chunky sweater? I really love that fire red orange tone that goes great with any neutral shade! It's also rare to find a chunky quarter sleeve sweater as well, and it falls just above my waist so that I can wear it with a short dress or skirt without killing the lines of an outfit.

I was a couple of dollars short from my coupon working so I got this nail polish in the color of 'Morning Dove'. I'm so glad I did! This nail polish goes on super thick and only needs one coat. It dries fast and is very flexible resisting chipping. Their nail polish all have a super shine metalic finish. It's really playful!

I'll be having fun with these finds, so expect to see more of them. Happy shopping everyone!
-Stef

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OOTD: Ramona High

 

I love my job! I hope that one day my job as a CEO of a non-profit will become a full time and not seasonal career. We're coming up on our 3rd year which means we're finally eligible for grants, which in turns means our operations staff can finally have a chance at a regular stipend paycheck. It take plenty of love, self abandonment, and risk taking; and its been worth every heartache. It completes me, gives me that fast life I wanted, places to see, art to crack open from their shells.

Sunglasses: Lane Bryant, Necklace: Miscellanous Creation,
Sweater: Coldwater Creek, Shoes: TJ Maxx

I've become comfortable being a public speaker. I used to be conscience because of my weight, but when I started to do it more, I realized that people want to listen to what I have to say. Since then I look forward to when I can spread the word about my organization and my experience. I love the fact that I can give the future leaders a helping hand. I also feel like me in the right clothes puts a positive face to body image and confidence that they need to hear. I was tickled pink when I had the privilege to go to Ramona High School.

Ramona High is a private all girls catholic school. I didn't speak at this event, but Eugene and I brought a booth to represent my company. The assembly was created to honor girls that have done over 100 hours of volunteer service this year. That's a big deal! In a world thats lacking awareness and humanity, it's good to know there are the few that are willing to get out there and lend a hand. They had introduced the organizations there and allowed them to visit and talk with them like a mini volunteer fair. The girls had even created presentations of previous charities and clubs they helped at.

We were welcomed with open arms! I was so honored and humbled by these willing beautiful ladies. We got an ample amount of volunteers and good feedback. It's these events that give me that extra assurance that my mission is one that people need and are indeed listening to. My cause brings smiles, public conversation, and a haven for people to take a chance and be apart of something bigger than themselves.

So to all of those struggling with you're self image, keep in mind that there is more to you. Don't punish the world with your insecurities, there's a beautiful character waiting to be introduced. These girls are in the prime of insecurities: high school, and I cannot even imagine judging their willingness based on their inner securities. It's tough to fight your fears, but to live with it is far worse. Goodness knows if I let my fears guide me, I wouldn't be the bold role model I was blessed to become. Live your life, be you, be strong.
-Stef

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