Category Archives: What I Wore

Bows & Dots/Studs & Chains

I know that doesn’t quite sound like a wedding outfit, but it describes all of the elements in the outfit I wore to my cousin Paul’s wedding a couple of weekends ago (in the previous post). The top and skirt are separate pieces, which I’ve already worn with other outfits since the wedding. The cardigan served well as the night got colder, but gave the outfit a retro feel when I draped it on my shoulders. I love pieces that can easily be incorporated into the rest of my wardrobe, that way I can get more mileage out of them. It is well documented how much I adore my hardware, but I love softening them by wearing the pieces with a very feminine outfit.

Outfit – Cotton On cardigan; Bisou Bisou peplum top from JC Penney; The Limited skirt; Michael Kors pumps and watch (both old); Charming Charlie rhinestone bow necklace; Mimi Boutique cuff; Suki Bijoux and Wendy Brandes rings; iSee glasses from GlassesUSA; unknown brand studded clutch from M’s Clothing

San Diego Style Bloggers at Old Navy

This past Monday, I attended a “Blogger Night” event at Old Navy in the Fashion Valley Mall through San Diego Style Bloggers. I’m always happy to attend these fun and fashionable events because I get to see my favorite SD Style Bloggers, in addition to meeting new blogger friends! It was a great evening of styling ourselves, as well as customers who shopped that night. I didn’t get a chance to style anyone myself, but I did watch my fellow bloggers put together some great outfits. It was lovely to see Jess, Tuyaymya, and Alessandra again, in addition to meeting other San Diego Style Bloggers for the first time. Below are some pictures of the event, plus a list of all the bloggers in attendance. Hope you have a great weekend!

As you know from my outfit pictures, Old Navy is in heavy rotation in my wardrobe (check out posts here, here, here and here just to name a few). Above are some hopefuls for my wardrobe!

This is actually the second outfit I tried on. Adore the printed pants.

With Amanda, Jess, Tuyaymya and Alessandra. Aren’t these girls gorgeous?

Having a blast! Need I mention everyone’s fab shoes?

My final outfit choice of the night: The Plaid Madras Shirt and bright yellow 3″ Everyday Khaki Shorts. (Picture courtesy of OldNavyFashionValley’s Instagram…follow them!)

#SDStyleBloggers and the Old Navy “Sellebrities”! Thank you to store manager, Kyle, and the rest of his awesome staff for a great time!

Bloggers Pictured: Elvy of Pigtails & Pearls; Amanda of Amanda Kathryn; Jess of A Glam Diary; Tuyaymya of White Tee Black Dress; Maria of Savvynista; Alessandra of Alessandra Gonzalez; Daniel of Seamed; and of course, moi!

Beat Surrender

I like to be comfortable when I go to a concert, but I don’t want to surrender my fashionista ways. I once wore 4 inch heels to see Dave Gahan in concert, and although I loved my look, I ultimately paid the price in pain and inconvenience. I was in pain because I’m one to stand for the majority of a show and by the fifth song, my feet were done. Then it was inconvenient because there was a point where everyone rushed the stage during an encore, and trying to run down an incline of stairs in 4 in heels was almost not worth it, except that it was Dave Gahan and that would be the closest I would ever get to him, with or without Depeche Mode! This is an outfit which would be perfect for me for any concert, from an outdoor festival to a seated event because it’s comfortable, it’s easy, and not fussy. Although the shoes I’m wearing are heeled, they are wedged and low enough to be comfortable. And what could be more convenient than a backpack? I usually hesitate when it comes to backpacks, but this one is cute and functional. This is definitely my concert bag of choice this summer. Finally to complete the outfit, I can just play up the accessories, like wearing cool pieces of jewelry or don a hat. Concert ready? Why yes I am!

Outfit – H&M jacket; Mossimo cut-off shorts (from Target, old); Trimitive backpack (from the Carlsbad Village Faire, post here); Retro 7 hat from Junc Life & Style; Mango sunnies; DesignHype “Big Ben” necklace; Michael Kors watch; Rock Rose Classic t-shirt, unknown brand cuff and ring c/o The Beat Clothing (from their blogger party, post here); Michael Antonio “Adan” wedges, purchased at The Beat Clothing; Hot Topic studded belt; Union Jack belt buckle was a gift from a friend

(The title of this post is a song by The Jam)

Caped Crusader

Have you seen the latest issue of Net-A-Porter’s magazine called The Edit? It’s all about 60’s Chic, and number 10 on their list of 12 modern throwback’s is also one of my favorites: The Cape. I own around seven capes, and I just can’t seem to get enough! I love how versatile they are, and they bring an unexpected chicness to any outfit. My most recent sweater cape was purchased from the Etsy shop of the lovely Bella of The Citizen Rosebud. I’m currently putting together an outfit to feature the cute little number. In the meantime, in honor of Comic Con and the many superheroes that will be flocking here to San Diego this week, below are some past outfits where I’ve donned the timeless classic.

March 27, 2013

January 23, 2013

November 16, 2011

May 27, 2011

(Top image courtesy of the Net-A-Porter website.)

Wedding Outfit Remixed

I wore this outfit to a wedding last October (post here), but remixed it and wore it to work before I wore it to CJ’s wedding (original post here). I really played up the burgundy of my dress by doing the “matchy-matchy” thing with my shoes, purse and glasses. But it really worked well together because they were slightly different shades of burgundy, and I was sure to break everything up with black.

Outfit – Kirna Zabete for Target dress; Nordstrom cardigan (old); Express belt; Talbots shoes; Michael Kors watch; Wendy Brandes genie necklace; Vintage purse from Bad Madge & Company; iSee glasses from GlassesUSA; Rings by Suki Bijoux; Earrings by Momotique and bracelet made by Amy Butzen, both gifts from my best friend Janice; Maybelline Color Show Fashion Prints Nail Stickers in Sapphire Jewels; Haircut by Jazzie at Deb-N-Hair

Isn’t my boy handsome? *proud Mama*

And The Tape Is Your Voice

I think it was love at first sight when I saw this skirt on ModCloth. It’s called the “Music In Me in Mix Tape” skirt, and I literally said, “I must have that!” I fell in love with the pattern, and the fact that is has pockets (skirts and dresses with pockets are the best things ever). I’m glad I bought it when I did because not only was it on sale, it’s now sold out. Hopefully ModCloth will bring it back somehow because it has quickly become my favorite skirt in my wardrobe, and I know so many would love this skirt. When I wore it to work, one of my co-workers said, “You definitely should have been born in a different era!” I admit I styled the skirt for this outfit to be retro, but I can also see this skirt in a more edgier outfit. But maybe he was talking about the fact that the pattern is cassette tapes, and everyone knows how much I love the 80’s.

Outfit – Burberry sweater (old); Bitten t-shirt (old); Retrolicious skirt from ModCloth (sold out); Rebecca Minkoff purse; Nine West shoes (old); Zekes Zipper Bangle from MimiBoutique (sold out); Michael Kors watch; Suki Bijoux and Wendy Brandes rings; iSee glasses from GlassesUSA; Unknown brand pan collar necklace and belt; Tambourine earrings made by my sister, Rholnna

(The title of this post is a line from the Depeche Mode song Photographic.)

(Photos by Rholnna Jiao)

In Chains

In addition to spikes and studs, I’m very partial to metallics and chains. I make sure to include plenty of hardware in my outfits, no matter how dressy or casual. My husband saw me attaching all of my accessories one morning when we were going out for a family breakfast. He just shook his head and said, “We’re just going out to eat…do you really need all of that on?” Honey, surely you know me by now, right?

Outfit – MNG by Mango Grey Shimmer Blazer and Bisou Bisou printed pants from JCPenney; Topshop peplum top (from London); Rebecca Minkoff purse; Shamballa bracelet c/o Cutey; Juicy Couture & Linea Pelle bracelets; Michael Kors watch; Suki Bijoux rings; Betesy Johnson disco ball pendant necklace (old); Honeybadger glasses by BonLook; Nine West booties

This is a picture that I posted on Instagram. Each piece (including the jacket and pants featured in this outfit post): $10!

(Outfit photos by Rholnna Jiao)

The Wind in My Hair, Makes Me So Aware

I’m always reluctant to wear shorts because I don’t know where the cut off is between too short, and not short enough. In my forties, I’ve become more self-conscious and aware of this fact, despite how much I know I believe it shouldn’t matter. I know I wore cut-offs at the Rewind Festival last year (post here), but can I wear those anywhere else other than maybe the beach? I think I have finally found the a line of shorts that are just perfect for me. These shorts are by Joe Fresh at JCPenney, and they hit me at just the right place on my thigh where I feel comfortable (not to mention they are adorable). They have a whole line of shorts, which will be perfect for those hot summer days that I know are coming so very soon here in San Diego.

Outfit – MNG by Mango fitted one-button jacket and Joe Fresh Piped Jacquard shorts, both from JCPenney; Topshop peplum top (from London); Rebecca Minkoff shoes and purse; London Underground cuff c/o Designhype; Necklace and rings by Suki Bijoux; Michael Kors watch; Coach sunnies; Earrings made by CC of the blog Pink Candles at Ridgemont High

(The title of this post is a line from the Depeche Mode song But Not Tonight; I thought it was appropriate since the wind made my hair go a bit wild while taking these pictures at Mission Bay.)

(Photos by Deon Chen)

Ice Machine

I finally got my Val Tex ankle boots by Miista. Free People had them on super sale, so I just had to grab them. They named it the “Glacier Ankle Boot”, probably because the pattern looks like it could be from the aurora borealis. I fell in love with them when Miista introduced their Electromancer line, and I used it in a Polyvore collage (post here). I kept my outfit very simple, allowing these lovelies to steal the show. These booties are even prettier up-close and personal, and many co-workers stopped me to ask me where I got them. This is my fourth pair of Miistas, and I can safely say that I’m hooked.

Outfit – H&M cardigan; Old Navy shirt and jeans; Val Tex ankle boots by Miista in topaz/mauve ($69.95 on Free People); Rebecca Minkoff MAC; Michael Kors watch; Wendy Brandes and Suki Bijoux rings; Honeybadger glasses by BonLook; bracelet, necklace and earrings were birthday gifts from my niece and sister

(‘Ice Machine’ is a song by Depeche Mode, the B-side to ‘Dreaming of Me’)

$Val Tex Collage$

(Check out the cute bonus pictures of my beautiful niece wearing my Miistas. She loves all of my shoes, purses and clothes, so I thought it would be fitting to get her in this outfit post. I’m telling you, she’s a natural, no?)

(Photos by Rholnna Jiao)

Flower Power

Floral prints always look and feel fresh. It’s been awhile since I’ve worn this much pink in one outfit. But because it’s so wonderfully bright and sunny these days, I felt like I wanted to infuse a little of that into my work outfit. I paired my floral pants and bubblegum pink blouse with some floral pieces: a necklace with a vintage pin as the pendant, and my favorite Spanish gold earrings that I bought back in the 80’s in Old Town San Diego.

Outfit – MNG blazer from JC Penney; Unknown brand blouse and floral pants from M’s Clothing ($9.99 each piece); GUNAS Camel Sweetheart purse from Modavanti (on sale for $70); Prabal Gurung for Target shoes; necklace, vintage typewriter & Recoil rings by Suki Bijoux; Wendy Brandes @ ring; Spot On glasses by Nicole Miller from GlassesUSA (on sale for $52); vintage Spanish gold earrings

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