The “Oh, so Pretty” Midi

Posted on April 27, 2015 by alexnguyen

Wow, a 2 week break ended up being a 12 week hiatus from blogging. My apologies to all of you readers for my absence. Life sometimes just consumes you, you know? The past couple of months in just a few phrases — late nights at school, no shopping resolution, a bomb threat at school, and pumping iron. I won’t bore you with the details.

Anyways, for the first outfit back, I give you a look into this spring/summer trend of midi skirts. Sentimental reasons aside, this skirt literally needs to hop into your closet right now. The lively bright color, the feminine shape, and the way the fabric just makes you feel like you’re the amazing Julie Andrews frolicking in the hills. I mean, don’t you tell me you’ve never wanted to run around and break out into song…okay, okay, maybe I’ll have to stand alone on that one.

Why I like Midi Skirts:

Multi – seasonal
Multi – occasional
Multi – generational

‘Nuff said.

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SF1

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Skirt: Anthropologie // Top: c/o Roe Blvd. // Shoes: Gift – Love these // Sunglasses: Sunglasses stand in SF Belt: Anthropologie – Similar (Sale!)

And because I don’t mind sharing my dorky self with you all…..

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Yellow Blues

Posted on July 2, 2014 by alexnguyen

I don’t know about you, but dressing up for work in the summer is such a pain in the butt. I’ve been getting lazier and lazier in dressing professional for my summer gig. Seriously though, yesterday I came in jeans and a top that made me look even more like a high school student. I was overwhelmed by dissatisfaction about my style choices yesterday, so I decided to step it up a slight notch today — wrinkly pencil skirt and wrinkly button up top.

Hopefully my shoes will be the forgiving factor.

Shirt
Wearing: Thrifted Old Navy – Similar

Skirt
Wearing: J. Crew Factory – $37.50

Shoes
Wearing: J. Crew – Similar

Necklace / Ring / Bracelet / Watch
Wearing: Trendy Trinket / Rings & Tings / J. Crew / Michele

Oh, and if you haven’t checked out my Shop yet, do it! 🙂

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Crop Top Wanna Be

Posted on June 26, 2014 by alexnguyen

I found this great polka-dot top at Crossroads and thought to myself “Let’s be a little daring and maybe, just maybe, wear it with shorts for a cute mid-drift-showing summer look.” Yea, I think my conservative self died for a second and was resurrected the moment I took it out of my closet to wear the next day. But no problem, good thing I had a high waisted skirt to pair it up with. Purchase saved.

Top // Shoes
Wearing: Thrifted from Crossroads
My Picks: Shirt found @ Nordstrom! $36 // ALDO $90

Skirt
Wearing: Anthropologie
My Picks: Anthropologie $40 {sale!} // ModCloth $60 or THIS one for $50

Flower Ring // Bow Ring // Bracelet // Necklace
Wearing: Vintage // Rings and Tings // J. Crew – Similar // Garage Sale

Purse
Wearing: Vintage Coach

Watch
Wearing: Michele

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Happy Thursday and keep me in your prayers seeing that tomorrow I am hiking Half Dome!

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And I know I haven’t really been keeping up with TST….this week is Florals. I had polka dots. Close enough. 😛

Spoolish // Sandpaper Kisses // Sincerely Miss J // Confessions of a Refashionista // Lipstick and Yarn

Aligator Toe // The Two Cent Chick // Buttons and Birdcages // Eclecticity // Being Zhenya

Erika’s Style Diary // Sistas From Cali // Bethie the Boo // Rachel’s Lookbook // Muddy Flowers

Camels and Stripes

Posted on June 24, 2014 by alexnguyen

Three things that I learned from this outfit:

1) If you need to wash your hair but don’t want to lose the waves that you worked so hard for the night before…Dry Shampoo (try this!)
2) Be careful about what shorts you wear when you go mattress shopping if you get my drift.
3) This might be the first time that I’ve mixed prints. I’m kind of liking it!

Top
Wearing: random shop in Nepal
My Picks: Chicwish $42// Anthropologie $158

Shorts
Wearing: J. Crew Factory
My Picks: Old Navy $24 // J. Crew Factory ~~$54.50~~ $29.50 using code BIGSALE // ASOS $60

Shoes
Yulia c/o Born Footwear

Rings
Crystal Bow // Chain Link
c/o Rings and Tings

Bracelets
Gold – J. Crew – Similar // Pink – Henri Bendel c/o Shop Hers

Satchel
Adele Satchel c/o Ora Delphine

Earrings
Colorful Petals c/o Trendy Trinkets

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Thanks for stopping by!

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Fun Florals

Posted on June 19, 2014 by alexnguyen

And teaching summer school has begun! I keep forgetting my reasoning for signing up to teach summer school. Maybe it was the fear of boredom, habit of busyness, or just the lost of my sanity, but I did. At least I have an excuse to dress up! 🙂 Haha, but honestly, it’s not so bad thus far. I’ve got great kids who are so eager to learn and that’s all a teacher could ask for.

So about this outfit…probably my new favorite summer work outfit. I decided to keep it casual with jeans but dressed it up with this great floral blazer that I found at DenM during my vacation in Redlands. (Scroll down for similar options!)

Blazer
Wearing: DenM Boutique
My Picks: ASOS (too many good picks to choose from!) // Windsor $34 // Boohoo (many affordable choices!)

Shirt
Sleeveless Shirt c/o Boden (sale $40)

Jeans
Wearing: American Eagle $44

Shoes
Wearing: Norway Sandals by MIA {sale $50}

Purse
Wearing: Abaco Paris

Bracelet
Wearing: J. Crew – Similar {30% off with code HISUMMER}

Rings // Pocket Watch
Wearing: Vintage // Wrenn Jewelry // Flea Maket

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Thanks so much for stopping by and don’t forget to follow me on other social media! 🙂

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Go Get ‘Em Denim

Posted on June 16, 2014 by alexnguyen

Hello there! Thanks so much for everyone’s vacation good wishes! I did have a wonderful and restful vacation, so much so that I feel excited about this work filled summer! I won’t bore you with the details, but just know that if you are feeling close to burning out, take a week off, follow these guidelines, and you will come back with no more dark circles, a straighter back, and a recharged battery.

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Any-who, it’s outfit time. I’ve always wanted to try the all denim look so here it goes!

Dress
Wearing: Gifted
Similar: Forever 21 $25 // ASOS $66 // Anthropologie $128

Jacket
Wearing: Hand-me Down
Similar: Gap $70 // Nordstrom $75 // J. Crew $150

Shoes
Wearing: J. Crew $98 {different colors}

Bag
Wearing: Free People
Similar: DSW $40 // Fossil $63 // Marc by Marc Jacobs $138

Necklace
Wearing: Talbots
Similar: Izaro $17 // Charming Charlie $18 // Francesca’s $20

Bracelet
Wearing: J. Crew Factory $20

So here are my tips on pulling off a denim on denim look..

DENIM ON DENIM if you dare

1. Different Shades of Denim
Make sure that your denim pieces are of a different shade BUT ALSO that the shades mesh well together.

2. Different Denim Weight
Make sure that your denim pieces vary in fabric weight to balance the look as well as keeping it interesting!

3. Simple Accessories
All denim will already turn heads, so play down the accessories and keep it simple!

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Thanks for stopping by! Happy Monday!

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Summer Pics – Boden Giveaway winner!

Posted on June 12, 2014 by alexnguyen

Hello from San Bernadino! I just thought I’d give you a peek into my week away. Yea, I know, it’s basically food….

{ Tupelo Junction Cafe, Santa Barbara }

{The Lucky Penny, Santa Barbara}

{The Shop, Santa Barbara}

{Enjoy Cupcakes, Santa Barbara}

Have you ever wondered what happens when you get three teachers together?

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Thanks for all who entered the Boden giveaway! The winner is…

Calli Welsch!

I will be contacting you shortly!

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Thanks for stopping by! I’m off for more fun in the sun!

Happy Thursday!

Orange You Glad That Summer’s Here?

Posted on June 5, 2014 by alexnguyen

It’s officially the last day of school folks! Put away the teacher hat, and bring on the fun in the summer bliss! [except for the fact that I’m teaching summer school, ha!]

What’s more summer than a bright colored maxi dress?

Dress
Wearing: Thrifted from Crossroads
My Picks: Dorothy Perkins $49 // Nasty Gal $68 // ASOS $129

Clutch
Wearing: H&M $10

Rings // Elephant Cuff
Wearing: Flea Market finds from Nepal and Hawaii

Bracelet – J. Crew – Similar {extra 30% using code SWEET}

Watch – Michele

Shoes
Wearing: Norway Sandals by MIA {sale! $48}

Belt
Wearing: My elementary days – Similar

Necklace
Wearing: Anthropologie – Similar

Oh and I think I should call this week “Shop and Give” Week, because I am happy to introduce to you Kidogo Kidogo — a company that gives back with every purchase you make! Kidogo Kidogo is a cell phone case company that gives a mobile phone to a woman in Tanzania for every cell phone case they sell! These mobile phones are a necessity for these women — they use these phones for business purposes in order for them to provide for their family. Click here to read stories of how your purchase can change someone’s life!

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Happy Thursday!

Don’t forget to enter the $50 to Boden Giveaway!

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Feel Good Sandals — Allie Rae Footwear

Posted on June 3, 2014 by alexnguyen

I was going to do an outfit post today, but I came across this special company and I just feel so compelled to tell you about it! So introducing Allie Rae Footwear — a company trying to raise money to start up their company that focuses on creating jobs and self-sustaining communities in Hondurus through the production of stylish and comfortable sandals.

I feel like my words don’t do this company justice, so please take a look at their short video!

Look how gorgeous their designs are! Simple yet elegant and not to mention how well made they are. Right now they are awaiting the patent for their unique heel design. Basically, they somehow figured out how to make sandals more comfortable with the heel.

They only have 9 days left to raise the funds, or all of the pledges are going to be gone. So literally it’s All or Nothing.

They are hoping for at least 10,000 people to donate just $10 or more. So let’s get to it! Pledge and spread the word! I decided to pledge $125 in order to get my own pair of Allie Rae Sandals. I think it’s the best deal because you get to both support their cause as well as enhance your shoe collection!

And just to show you how versatile these sandals are, I’ve created 3 style boards for you! I hope this inspires you to make a pledge!

Click >> Pledge Here!

Beach Day

Boden – Cover Up // Anthropologie – Hat // Boden – Tote // Forever 21 – Sunglasses // Trendy Trinkets – Bracelet // Allie Rae – Sandals

Date Night

Hey Crystalie – Dress // Norka – Clutch // Wrenn Jewelry – Ring , Necklace // Allie Rae – Sandals

To the Park

Boden – Shirt // Gap – Boyfriend Jeans // Kay and Kompany – Bracelet // UO – Hat // Allie Rae – Sandals

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Thanks for stopping by!

Don’t forget to enter the $50 to Boden Giveaway!

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Early or Late // I Couldn’t Wait + GIVEAWAY

Posted on May 29, 2014 by alexnguyen

Man, I’m struggling here. The sun is shining, the beach is calling my name and it doesn’t help that I have some new summer clothes that I want to wear!

I spent this past long weekend visiting my grandparents in LA and came back Monday with just enough time to squeeze in a Memorial Day BBQ before the weekend was up! I know I’m a little late when it comes to posting a Memorial Weekend outfit, but I’m just going to say that this is my exceptionally early July 4th outfit. Hey, if it works, why not? 🙂

STOP!!!!!!!!

If you usually skip my babbling and just scroll through the pictures, hold your horses! Let me tell you about the perfect white blouse I’m wearing. I don’t know about you, but I’ve struggled to find the perfect white sleeveless blouse for awhile. It has to have a pocket, needs to be tapered in a little bit, needs to have a good length to tuck/tie or leave as is…….Guess what? Here it is.

Thank you Boden for coming up with the perfect blouse to start off my summer wardrobe right! If you haven’t checked out Boden yet, now is the time! They have a great collection of apparel that will keep you cool and stylish this summer! {Right now they are having 30% all dresses!}

Keep scrolling down for the Boden giveaway details!

Blouse
Sleeveless Shirt c/o Boden {sale! $40}
{multiple colors and prints available!}

Shorts
Wearing: J. Crew {sale! $50 plus 30% off using code SWEET}

Purse
Wearing: Abaco Paris

Shoes
Wearing: Norway Sandals by MIA {sale! $50}

Necklace
Wearing: J. Crew {sale! $40 plus 30% off using code SWEET}

Hat // Cuff // Scarf
Gifted – Flea Market – Antique Shop

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Boden has generously offered one of my readers $50 credit to kick start the summer right! Just click HERE for the Rafflecopter page to enter! The giveaway is now until June 9th (*Note: Giveaway is for US residents only). Good luck!

Have a wonderful Thursday! 🙂