Wax On Wax Off

It was a wonderful 70 degrees here today and I decided to spend it in my fabulous wax print dress.  I wanted to give a quick how to guide on wearing ethnic prints, because I know they can be a little intimidating at first.  I know I was scared for a long time until I tried it and absolutely loved it.  

Here are some quick tips:

1. There's nothing to it, but to do it - The major battle with trying anything new is just trying it.  If you always say you can't wear something then you can't...but if you say maybe then that opens up possibilities.  

2.  Don't go all in at first - Try a top or skirt then add in a solid piece. Then you can build your way up in to a full outfit.  Any full body outfit in a print can be overwhelming, so sometimes it's easy to process if you break it up first. 

3.  Choose your prints wisely - Just like with any print there are bad color combinations and prints.  The designer of this dress and the Demestiks line does a great job of picking out fabulous prints for his garments. 

4.  Familiarize your look with accessories -  We as people love things that are familiar.  Adding in your favorite accessories can help you make the print feel more natural.  I added in my own sunnies which have a very Jackie O. Americana feel.  

5. If you are intimidated go a little less "ethnic" when choosing prints - I hope I am not offending anyone when I say this, but there are some prints that scream the region that they are from and there are some print that give you a hint of the region.  For example, the print on the left, to me, feels more inspired by the region as opposed to the print on the right screams Africa to me.  

Style Notes:  The dress that I am wearing is a wrap, so note that you will need to provide your own belt so close the dress.  I've worn two other pieces from Demestiks, you can find the posts here and here.  Also, the shoes I am wearing are probably going to be my new "go to" for the summer.  They are a small wedge sandal from Calvin Klein. They are so comfortable and there is just enough heel to add height, but not enough to be uncomfortable.  I wish they were offered somewhere online. I bought them in-store at Nordstrom Rack.  This is definitely a great option for those looking for a cute yet comfortable shoe with some lift.  

Dress - c/o Demestiks, Shoes - Calvin Klein via Nordstrom Rack, Belt - Michael Kors, Sunnies - Tom Ford, Lip - MAC Flamingo (sold out)

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I Believe in Pink

As a person who has sworn off of cold shoulder tops/dresses, I had to eat my words when I saw this sweater.  It was so adorable that I couldn't resist.  You may notice that the first look is named Valentine's.  I know the day has past, but this was what I wore on my date with my husband.  I'm kind of in love with this sweater.  

Style Note: You might ask why do I do the 3 looks in one.  So many times I see people not taking full advantage of the wardrobe that they already have.  This is a new top I bought, but I paired it with three things that I already have which reinvents the new top and old pieces.  I like touch on this subject from time to time.  Remember your a certain top is married to a certain pair of pants. Mix it up and enjoy reinventing old items.  Your wallet will thank you.  Also, if you are looking to purchase this sweater you may notice that the sizing is one size fits all.  Per my own experience, I think this sweater would fit up to a 20 maybe even a 22.  Me personally, I'm a 16/18 on top.  

Top:  She Inside, Pants - Ralph Lauren (Use code: PRES for 20% off), Leopard Skirt - JIBRI soldout (similar), Gray Skirt - eShakti, Nude Flat - DSW, Metallic Flat - Kate Spade, Scarf - H&M

Dinner at Bergdorf's

It all began with Sarah from StyleIt asked me, "Have you ever been to Bergdorf's?" While breakfast will always be had at Tiffany's, dinner has to be had a Bergdorf's.  I went to my first show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this year, but I must say this highlight runs a 2nd to my first experience visiting Bergdorf's.  On the many trips I have made to New York, I've never went in Bergdorf's.  I've always heard it mentioned in some of my favorite fashion movies and tv shows, but to me I thought it was just a parent store of Neiman Marcus.  Welp! I was wrong. It's an enchanting place where everything wants to be beautiful, interesting, and luxurious.  As I am writing and watching the movie, Scatter My Ashes at Berdorfs (via Netflix), it is amazing that a lot of my thoughts and experiences after my first trip were expressed in the movie.

Let me say this, as most shops that are high end there is an air of intimidation that can come to us regular people in the world.  I must say that the sales people are extremely nice.  When I shop I'm seeking an experience and they give it.  When we first go in, we look at the Chanel bags and venture on over to the sunglasses.  There were some Chloe glasses that I was looking for.  They didn't have those, but I did see a pair of Tom Ford Carrie  sunglasses that I had been coveting for over a year.  I ended up getting those.  

Venturing down to the beauty department, there were so many brands and things down there that I had not even heard of.  Did you know that Tom Ford had a make up line? I sure didn't.  I'm not a beauty blogger, but I'm telling you there were so many fancy things down there that it made me want to start beauty blogging as well.  Sarah ended up getting the Hourglass Ambient Radiant Powder that apparently gives you a fabulous glow.  She bought the last one, so I will be on the lookout for that. 

Finally, we chatted with Roja Parfums (perfumes to us regular people) extraordinaire, Thomas.  If you ever go you have to go to the Rojo Parfums counter and just talk to him.  He talks about these perfumes in such a romantic way it makes you fall in love with them.  He shared so many stories of customers and their reactions to scents of times past. Roja Parfums is not just a perfume, it's a bottled experience of past lovers, exquisite trips, grandmother's vanity, and so many other experiences that make life special. Believe it or not, these scent start, develop, and finish.  I know what will be on my Christmas list next year.  My favorites were Fetish and Gardenia.  

At the end of the evening, we ventured to have literally dinner at Bergdorf's and all it's fanciness.  The restaurant has magnificent views of the city, delightful eats, and a waiter that brings you the most decadent chocolates.  While in Bergdorf's I forgot about all my troubles....lost wallet, freezing cold, and impending sore throat.  It's a perfect world occupying one block of New York.     

 My new sunnies | Roja

 Sarah from StyleIt | Yep, my money is in those bags LOL

Apparently, I'm funny. | Just cold

New York Fashion Week 2014

I thought I would do some a recap on some of the things I did during fashion week while in New York.  Let me say first that is was insanely cold...like bitterly angrily cold.  I'm so glad to be back in Cali.  Anyways, this was me at the Reem Acra show at Lincoln Center.  I got to see the show with fellow blogger, Stylish Curves. I know you guys have seen me in this dress before, but this is like my favorite dress, I've had it for years and when I think of the clothing that represents fashion at it's finest, this dress always is at the top of my list.  Unfortunately, neither this dress or cape is available anymore.  The cape is from Ladan's Closet and the dress is from JIBRI. 

On to Reem Acra, some of you might ask why I would even cover a non-plus size fashion show.  I could give you the Miranda Priestly answer (LOL), but I think she pretty much had that speech covered.  But for someone like me, I take a lot of inspiration from the runways and from fashion magazines.  Looks and collections evoke a certain feelings from me and inspire me to create these feelings in my own wardrobe and life. I have binders of clippings and photos that inspire me every season. For me, I love the richness of the colors and fabrics of the collection.   I definitely got inspiration from this show on my list for next Fall.  I've pictured some of my favorites looks below.  

Reem Acra Fall 2014

Free & Clear with Swapdom

Floral Top (c/o Foxcroft) | Crop Top | Necklace - French Connection (in-store)

I often get questioned by women who want to look fab on a budget.  How's free for a budget? Late last year I did a post on Swapdom.  A site that offers round robin swapping at no cost (besides shipping) to you. It's almost like going to a big swap party, but everything is entirely done online.  It you want to see how it works then check out my previous post here. I actually got to swap out one of my dresses for this blue MonifC convertible dress.  I was always curious about these, so this was the perfect opportunity for me get this dress and all I had to do is give up something in my closet. I also wanted to show how you can make an item from Swapdom easily work for you in multiple ways.  Three looks, one dress and all for free...I'll take it!

Believe it or not, I still have items available on Swapdom.  You can see them here and here. I will also be adding these new items as well.  See below.  Sign up here to swap with me. 

Dress 1 | Dress 2 | Dress 3

This post is sponsored by Swapdom.  Opinions are 100% my own. 

Shopping for Less - Talbots

This month instead of doing the 20 pieces under $30 I decided to do a sale spotlight on Talbots.  At the end of each season, they do huge sales on their items.  If you are unfamiliar with the brand, Talbots has really nice high quality items usually with price points that hover between $100 - $300. Even thought it doesn't fee like it, it's the end of winter as we know and like clockwork they are bringing in Fall fashion and putting last season's fashion on sale.  I often get the questions, "How do I shop with a small budget?"  I grew up shopping sale and clearance first and there are those certain brands that you know are going to have an awesome end of the year sale.  This is one of those.  You want to get fab items that are normally expensive, get on top of your internet game.  Know who has what and when its going to be on sale. I have pictured some of my favorite pieces below.  Shop the entire sale section here.

Things you want to know about Talbots - The clothes have a boxy fit.  Perfect for Oval, Rectangle, and Inverted Triangle Shapes.  They can be ill fitting for curvier shapes.  When I do purchase pieces from them, especially dresses, I usually have them tailored.  Also, the pants are a decent fit. This is a great place to get items for work.  There are also petites in plus sizes! Also, their regular sizes go up to a 20, so if you see something not available in the actual plus sizes, check the straight sizes. Finally, note that these is a clearance sale, all sizes may not be available in each item.  

 Skirt | Blouse | Dress

 Pants | Sweater | Dress

Coat | Gloves | Coat

Mixing It Up

My hair has finally grown out enough for me to accomplish the "Heidi" braided updo look.   I'm in such a weird spot with my hair.  I know it's time to do something new with it, I'm not sure what. Sigh.  Anyways, this is a super fun look, this outfit is perfect for a girls night out.  

Style Note:  So I usually avoid Calvin Klein dresses,  they tend to be really boxy and really short on me.  This held true, but I really like the print mixing in this dress so I decided to treat the dress more like a tunic.  This dress was also lined and I kindly cut that out.  I absolutely hate restricting lining.  Generally, I cut none stretch lining out of my clothing.  It's pointless.  I blogged about this jacket a few weeks ago.  I purchased this jacket in a 3X.  Forever21 has jr sizing and tend to run 1 -2 sizes small.  This jacket is super cute, but what you can't see is that it is lined with pink heart lining.  How fun?!?

Dress - Calvin Klein (soldout), Jacket - Forever21, Booties - HSN (similar), Leggings - Lane Bryant, Necklace - Forever21, Lip - Ruby Woo, Sunglasses - Chanel