Right on Track

   Have you ever had those moments when you’re reading Kendi Everyday and instantly fell so in love with her outfit that you jumped on the chance to be as close to cool as you can get to her by buying the similar style? Well, that’s what happened with these jogger pants. I’ve been wanting to follow the trend for awhile, but always felt like my body wasn’t well proportioned for them, but after seeing Kendi rock them, I just had to try for myself.

Luckily I found these beauties at J.Crew on sale (with an extra 30% right NOW 9/23) and just had to snag them. The elastic waist gives me comfort as well as extra wiggle room just in case I…you know…want to eat that extra cookie. 😛 These pants are  also equipped with zippered pockets that are positioned perfectly to create a slimmer look. I can’t wait to style them differently in upcoming posts!

So in conclusion, am I sold on jogger pants? It’s a solid, YES.

Thanks for the inspiration, Kendi. 

15305869112_d8a2545508_o15306250615_e7c8d94fa6_o

15119522900_ae3cd36f76_o

15306234455_ab4e1a673e_o

15119697837_05469d3fcb_o

15119467749_6d35ac33f0_o

Pants: J. Crew (sale plus 30% off 9/23) // Blouse: Banana Republic – Similar // Shoes: CrossroadsSimilar // Purse: Abaco Paris // Necklace: Anthropologie – Similar

Hope your day stays right on track! 🙂

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop

Blazers and Braids

Hi beautiful readers. I just wanted to start by saying that I am so grateful that you have come back to read my babbles and little snippets of my life, fashion tips, and rambles. You have no idea how heart warming and humbling it is to know that someone outside of my mom, grandma, and curious students is scrolling through. 🙂

I’ve had to reduce down to one post a week due to the stresses of a newbie teacher and so I apologize. Hopefully as the school year progresses and I get a better handle on things, I can invest more time in this blog. But as for now, just look forward to having a weekly dose of SWA. 🙂

——–

So last Saturday, I set aside a couple of hours to not work or have plans which is so hard for me to do! A teacher’s TO-DO list is never-ending, but I’ve realized that in order to keep my sanity, I need to purposely set aside time to not work and not have a plan.

No work, no plans, so what does this girl do? She finally learns how to Fish-tail braid her hair! After many years of envying those girls who always seemed to have the perfect braids, I’ve finally learned. How did I do? 🙂

Y14_4157

Y14_4151

Y14_4172

Y14_4168

Y14_4175

Blazer: Anthropologie – Similar {sale!} // Tee: “Make a Difference Today” c/o She Does Justice // Pants: Gap – Similar // Shoes: Talbots – Similar // Necklace: Talbots – Similar

Until next time…

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop

Little Red

 When I got dressed this morning, I just thought that I’d style this classic red brocade dress in a different way. Who would have thought I would get such a wide response from my students! Supposedly, in their opinion, my outfit resembled a gothic Dorothy, Little Red Riding Hood, or Harley Quinn (the Joker’s girlfriend). Um, I guess I got a jumpstart on my Halloween costume.

**Tip: Change up a classic dress by layering a collared blouse underneath with a different texture!

Y14_3065

Y14_3068

Y14_3092

Y14_3096

Y14_3102

Y14_3107 

Dress: Anthropologie – this one!  // Blouse: Urban Outfitters – Similar // Boots: ShoeMint {on sale!} // Watch: Michel // Cuff: Kate Spade

 

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop 

Mix and Match from the Past

This school year has found itself to be busier than ever! I won’t bore you with education jargon, but let’s just say that I already broke my “no working from home” policy. Busy life = no time to waste planning a super trendy outfit. So here’s to a mix and match outfit from the past (Faux Fur, Stripes and Blue).

**Tip: Spice up an old outfit with a pretty scarf! 🙂
Y14_2994 Y14_3000 Y14_3016 Y14_3027 Y14_3033

 

Skirt: Thrifted via Crossroads – Similar  // Top: Free People via Buffalo Exchanged – Similar {on sale!} // Scarf: Madewell – favorite! // Belt: Anthropologie – Similar // Cuff: Kate Spade // Bracelet: J. Crew

Have a wonderful Thursday and thanks for reading!

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop

Layers of Transition

Temperatures are slowly dropping, mornings are a little more brisk and crisp, and I am just itching to layer up. But despite the fact that it’s supposed to be 80 degrees later today, I am going to dress like it’s going to be 69. That’s just how I roll 😛 . 

         Y14_2943

Y14_2890

Y14_2893

Y14_2934

Y14_2887

Y14_2909

Y14_2915

Y14_2923

Y14_2897 

Dress: Anthropologie – Similar // Sweater: RD style via StitchFix // Booties: ShoeMint {on sale!} // Cuff: Kate Spade // Rings: c/o Rings & Tings , and Wrenn Jewelry // Elephant Necklace: J. Crew Factory // Pocket Watch Necklace: Flea Market

 

BTW, Can you tell that school is practically my life right now?

 

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂

Naturally, I Would

It’s been way too long! Sorry for the minimal posts this week. The first couple of weeks of school are always a little crazy, especially for a newer teacher. But good news, all my classes seem super sweet. Yea, we’ll see how long that lasts 😛

Okay, so please pay attention to my shoes and continue to read to see where I got them! 🙂

001 014 018 027 038 039 050 060 

064

Top: c/o eShakti (last seen here) // Pants: Gap // Jacket: DKNY from Crossroads // Shoes: Naturalizer // Watch: Michele // Purse: Juicy Couture from Crossroads

Yes, you read it correctly…I bought my shoes from Naturalizer! Am I ashamed that I shop at a store that is geared more towards older women? NO WAY. These babies are the most comfortable thing in the world, especially for a gal that is on her feet literally all day. You should have heard me the first week I got the shoes. I couldn’t take them off. 🙂

I am seriously close to ditching my heels. 

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop

 

Fooled You Not + Giveaway Winners

There once was a girl who lucked out in finding a beautiful dress for only $20 thanks to her wonderful fairy shop mother — Crossroads Trading Company. The design was divine, the fabric was elegant, and the girl left the store excited to wear the dress to her next ball. Then a week flew by  with no ball in sight. Then another week flew by and it felt like she would never be able to wear it. Eventually she said “Oh what the heck. I’m going to wear it to work instead!”

And off she went the next morning.

Y14_2217Y14_2223Y14_2225 Y14_2232 Y14_2239

Y14_2218

Top/Dress: H&M – Similar // Pants: Gap // Jacket: StitchFix (check out my review post)  // Purse: Abaco Paris // Flats: Anthropologie – Similar // Necklace: Lauren Conrad via Kohl’s – Similar

**Tip: Fold/scrunch/tuck a dress to wear it as a top! Who needs to wait for a special occasion? 🙂 

This particular dress had a slim fitting thin layer underneath with the patterned chiffon layered over and so it was easy to fold the bottom under. When choosing a dress to wear as a top, make sure that the bottom half of the dress is more snug (sort of like a body con dress) so that if you fold it, it can just sit on top of your hips. It’s just an option.

I had quite a few people come up to me today complimenting me on my “shirt”. Little did they know… 😉

Happy Thursday!

—-

Oh and the eShakti giveaway winners are…

Ashley Desire and Denise Gadson! 

Congratulations! I will be emailing you shortly!

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop

Snake and Shake

 

Okay, I know the title doesn’t make sense besides the snake part but I just couldn’t help myself. 🙂

Anyways, my life and schedule has finally winded down with little breathing room to spare. I’ve been jumping from being the VBS director at my church, to a mini Disneyland vacation with the family, and then the church family retreat. Yes it’s been fun, but there have been lots of moving around, so it’s nice to feel a little more settled as the school year is about to begin.

 

I’m so excited for this new school year! With one year of teaching high school under my belt, I feel a little more prepared for this year and ready and motivated to implement new teaching strategies and  excited to meet my new students. 🙂

 

So as the new year begins, here is a new look with a not-so-old gem of a top. This snake print top (only $28!) from Norka has been one of my go-to tops with it’s neutral tone and versatile shape. Last time (“Snake Bite“), I paired it with a fitted skirt and heels for more of a night-out look. Today, I went for a casual day out by layering the tank over this simple black maxi. 

 

**Layering a tank over a maxi is a great way to change it up a bit and get more uses out of your pieces. 165 167 178 184 201Top: Snake Print Top c/o Norka $28 // Dress: Forever 21 – Similar $15 // Necklace: Anthropologie – Similar $30 // Purse: Abaco Paris // Sandals: Nine West – Similar $40

 

Happy Monday!

Oh and TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to enter the giveaway!

Screen Shot 2014-07-30 at 9.42.44 AM

Don’t forget to enter the EShakti giveaway for a $25 gift cards* for TWO lucky readers**. Giveaway goes until Tuesday, August 12th at 12AM PST
Click HERE for the rafflecopter page! – You will automatically get $25 just for entering!

*Note: Unlike a gift coupon, a gift card is as good as cash. It can be used over and above any other promotional offer / gift coupon in the same order
**Giveaway is only for U.S. and Canada residents only. 

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop

 

Mix it Up

Today I looked into my closet and felt a little bored. Then I snapped out of it and realized that that’s ridiculous! Ladies (and gents), never get into the mindset that you “have nothing to wear”. Puhleeeeez, you just have to be a little creative!

I found my floral shorts and this striped button-down and thought they would look good together. But to tone down the stripes, I decided to layer on an old cropped blazer to pull everything together. 

217

221

227 232 237 240 244

Blazer: Anthropologie – Similar $30 // Shorts: Gap – Similar $58 // Top:  Banana Republic – Similar $60 // Purse: Abaco Paris // Cuff:  Crystal Hexagon Cuff from INPINK ($18) // Watch: Michele // Shoes: DSW – Similar // RingDouble Druzy Ring {$35} c/o Wrenn Jewelry // Necklace: Anthropologie – Similar $30 // Sunglasses: Thrifted

—-

 

Screen Shot 2014-07-30 at 9.42.44 AM

Don’t forget to enter the EShakti giveaway for a $25 gift cards* for TWO lucky readers**. Giveaway goes until Tuesday, August 12th at 12AM PST
Click HERE for the rafflecopter page! – You will automatically get $25 just for entering!

*Note: Unlike a gift coupon, a gift card is as good as cash. It can be used over and above any other promotional offer / gift coupon in the same order
**Giveaway is only for U.S. and Canada residents only. 

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop

How to: Bring Back the Bright Colored Denim

Back in 2012, I caught myself red handed in following the trend when I bought this pair of bright colored jeans. I really couldn’t help myself, but now what do I do with them now that the trend has come and gone? I dug this pair of bittersweet (yes it is a color) colored denim out from the bottom of the drawer and was so close to throwing it into the Good Will pile, but then I accepted the challenge of creating a 2014 look with these 2012 pants.

 087 095I decided to tone down the bright and warm orange-pink color with the cool pastel blue and the dark purple. My tip is to contrast bright pants with neutral and/or cool colors. Then add a neutral statement necklace and black shoes, and you’ve got yourself an #ootd that saved you a went-with-the-crowd guilt trip.098

103 110 119 122 145

Jeans: Gap-  Similar $38 //  Blouse: Anthropologie – Similar // Purse: Adele Satchel in Purple c/o Ora Delphine // Ring:  Double Druzy Ring {$35} c/o Wrenn Jewelry // Cuff:  Crystal Hexagon Cuff from INPINK ($18) // Sandals: Talbots – Similar

Happy Monday!

Screen Shot 2014-07-30 at 9.42.44 AM

Don’t forget to enter the EShakti giveaway for a $25 gift cards* for TWO lucky readers**. Giveaway goes until Tuesday, August 12th at 12AM PST
Click HERE for the rafflecopter page! – You will automatically get $25 just for entering!

*Note: Unlike a gift coupon, a gift card is as good as cash. It can be used over and above any other promotional offer / gift coupon in the same order
**Giveaway is only for U.S. and Canada residents only. 

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop