At the beginning of August, I attended a fun event by Vocabulary Boutique. It was a shopping event, with a capsule wardrobe curated by Conni of Art In The Find and Kali of In Spades along with boutique owner, Cecelia, who also celebrated the boutique’s 8th anniversary. It truly was a unique event because although I have attended a few of their events in the past on location at the boutique, this one was on an Aolani Catamaran where we sipped, snacked and shopped while sailing the San Diego Bay!
This cake was as delicious as it was beautiful!
A pretty cocktail next to a cute mini-folding chair (I had to take a picture for perspective)
I had a fun time shopping on board, and I’ll share the new earrings I bought in a blog post!
My friends, family and co-workers often comment on my style, saying that I’m daring and different, which I really take as a compliment. There isn’t much I won’t wear, but whatever it is that I’m trying out for the first time has to fit my edgy style. I’m no stranger to solid leggings, denim “jeggings” or printed jeans (see posts here, here and here), but I haven’t worn any kind of brightly patterned leggings since the bold floral ones I wore in high school. I think I feared that a printed legging was too “revealing” because although they were technically pants, they were very form-fitting and felt like tights that should be worn under a long knee-length tunic or dress. Leggings just hug everything, and maybe they weren’t supposed to be worn by a 40-something-year-old like me and should be left to those leggy supermodels! Black leggings are easy to wear because they are, you know: black. But printed leggings were a bit of a conundrum for me because I wasn’t entirely sure if I loved them enough to wear them outside of a yoga class or at-home-lounge-wear. The athleisure trend is growing more and more in popularity, so integrating leggings into one’s wardrobe has become part of the norm. After promoting Elastic Wonder’s newest venture (blog post here), and being inspired by the “Try-Day Friday” initiative from plus size clothing company Dia&Co, I thought I’d finally put up this outfit post.
I worked on this outfit post with my sister months ago, when one of my friends asked me to try LulaRoe leggings because she was one of their “Retailers” at the time. I decided to finally figure out what all the hype was about because so many of my friends were telling me how soft they were and that the prints were fun. Being the kind of fashion blogger that I am, I just couldn’t picture myself in kinds of whimsical prints that were available through the collection she presented in her online trunk show. After viewing many-a-legging later, I finally found a pair that I felt I could style: star printed leggings.
Truth be told, the LulaRoe leggings are very soft and the elastic is comfortable on the waist. Really, I chose these leggings not only for the star print, but because there were only three distinct colors: silver, yellow and black. I know that the attraction to these leggings are that their prints are unique and bold, but I would rather wear leggings in a variety of bright solid colors, or a simple bold houndstooth or checker print.
I’d like to say a special thanks to Dia&Co for the inspiration to finally have a reason to share these pictures, not only because we should all dare to try something new, but because I really loved the location my sister and I picked to do this photo shoot: Albert Einstein Academics in South Park. Let me know if there are any fashion fears you are willing to face and try out on a “Try-Day Friday” in the comments below. Cheers and have a great weekend!
Outfit: Forever 21 sweatshirt; LulaRoe leggings; Bodhi “Safety Pin” purse; Altuzurra for Target ankle boots; BonLook “Keiko” sunglasses; Leather wrap Depeche Mode bracelet by Little Treasures by Mir; rings by Wendy Brandes; Earrings c/o Kendra Scott (here); Karl Lagerfeld Watch
Fashion powerhouse Balenciaga introduced the “Cosmetic Pantashoes” taking the thigh-high boot to a new level by creating a legging/boot hybrid. I love the look, and it can be worn so many ways, as in the images below from The Daily Mail (article here). While the look is sleek and very fashion forward, the price tag of $2,850 may be a little more than most of us can afford.
Balenciaga’s Pantashoes
Elastic Wonder’s LeggingShoes™
One of my favorite designers, Idil Vice (see posts here, here and here of her rock inspired designs), has a second company called Elastic Wonder, showcasing her amazing spandex clothing line. To expand her current line, Idil has a Kickstarter project that will offer a more affordable version of the Pantashoe called the LeggingShoes™.
In addition to the fabulous LeggingShoes™, her new Kickstarter project also features 80 fabulous solid colors of her spandex leggings and tights, as seen in the images below. With fall just around the corner, these leggings, tights and LeggingShoes™ will brighten up any wardrobe!
There are 15 different ways to back this fantastic project, and you know I’ll also be supporting it as well. Click the link below for the Kickstarter campaign, and check out samples of the the colors Idil will offer of the leggings and tights, including a color card of all of the colors that will be available at Elastic Wonder once we help her hit her goal!
It’s been a busy year for The Chen Family! From getting new jobs to graduating college, we’ve been busy bees since the start of 2017. As a blogger, I do have the occasional post that I’m required to upload no matter what, but there are also many events that I get invited to that I share mostly on my social media platforms. Outside of those required posts, I’ve finally found time to post a few catch up posts of all the wonderful events I’ve attended in the first six months of this year.
Cheers!
Louis Vuitton x Unicef – 1/12/17
One of my blogger friends, Ashley Pöppe, works at Louis Vuitton at Fashion Valley and occasionally invites fellow bloggers and stylists to events there. At the Louis Vuitton x Unicef, a specially designed Lockit pendant and bracelet that was created to help children in urgent need was presented for purchase. For each sale, $200 was donated to UNICEF.
This wonderful bootie is called “The Ranger”
Easily my favorite set of pictures from that night! Kali from In Spades is a lovely friend and a blogger who I’ve come to know better in this interesting and creative world of blogging. There was a person stationed at this picture spot who just made us crack up as he was taking our picture, and we loved that he captured every giggle-filled moment!
Grand Opening of Flourish By Blues & Shoes – 2/18/17
Flourish by Blues & Shoes opened in February of this year where The Beat Clothing used to be in Carlsbad. Although I will miss The Beat dearly (see posts here and here), Flourish is a unique bohemian shopping experience with beautiful clothing, accessories and home goods!
Malia Designs Spring Collection 2017 – 3/16/17
I was introduced to Malia Designs two years ago (posts here and here), and I do everything I can to laud their cause, as they support the fight against human trafficking. They introduced their spring collection earlier this year at the Rigby & Pellar store in Fashion Valley.
It’s always fun to attend runway shows when I can, even when I arrive late! I attended the Primavera Fashion Show at Fashion Valley in celebration of the San Diego Latino Film Festival, and caught this video capture that I shared on my Instastories, as I arrived “fashionably late” from my office in Carlsbad.
Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer Collection 2017 – 3/31/17
Maria Von Losch is a stylist, author and blogger of Savvynista who I’ve also come to know. I’ve had the pleasure of being invited to a few of her events, including this one at Macy’s in Fashion Valley. During this showcase, she featured festival style, showing multiple ways of wearing the same piece.
A Stargazer Brunch at Vocabulary Boutique – 5/7/17
Cecilia Church, owner of Vocabulary Boutique, always has wonderful events either on location at her shop in Little Italy, or somewhere fabulous in San Diego. I’ll put up a full post of her most recent event on a catamaran (yes, shopping on a boat), but I also attended their delightful “A Stargazing Brunch” the day before my birthday back in May, complete with celestial cookies and a Tarot card reader!
How fabulous are these cookies?
I adore my Taurus necklace, a gift from Vocabulary Boutique!
Fashion Week San Diego Spring Showcase 2017 – 5/13/17
Fashion Week San Diego celebrates their 10th year anniversary this year, and I have been attending since 2013. Back in May, I attended the FWSD Spring Showcase 2017, which is the kickoff event to all of the celebrations leading up to the runway shows in October.
With Fatsani of Tasanni, one of the designers featured in FWSD 2015
I purchased a fabulous leather cuff from Alber Rezko (a jewelry designer who showed at FWSD 2014 & 2015) and a FWSD bomber jacket!
Natuzzi Italia Collection at Hold It Home – 5/18/17
Hold It Contemporary Home in Mission Valley had a VIP celebration back in May because they added luxury brand Natuzzi Italia to their showroom. Pasquale Natuzzi founded The Natuzzi Italia Group in 1959, and is Italy’s largest furniture house. The designs are beautiful, sleek, and meticulously designed and the event was fun to attend!
Sips & Sparkle with Art In The Find and Touchstone Crystal – 6/15/17
Conni of the blog Art in the Find had a fun event in June with Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski at the beautiful Bay Club Carmel Valley. Touchstone Crystal is a more contemporary arm of Swarovski, allowing more casual designs with the same quality crystals, that can be worn everyday.
Delicious drinks and appetizers provided by Bay Club Carmel Valley
We each got to take home a beautiful tennis bracelet by Touchstone Crystal
As mentioned in my previous post, I purchased two Victoria Beckham items at Target: a bomber jacket and a dress. I purchased a black shirt dress with a white-collar and white cuffs by Glamorous back in 2013 that I wore to Fashion Week San Diego (post here) . Unfortunately, I followed the wash instructions incorrectly and I damaged the collar and cuffs. Since then, I have been on the hunt for something similar. When I saw the Black Collared Dress from the Victoria Beckham for Target collection, I knew I had found the one. It is extremely well made and fits perfectly, skimming my body without being too tight. The rabbit details are more charming than cutesy, giving it a very vintage feel, which is why it was perfect that we did a photo shoot in South Park at Bad Madge, one of my favorite vintage stores in San Diego. A big plus: the dress is machine washable, and came out just as perfect as when I bought it!
Inside Bad Madge. I was going to buy that cape, and let them know I was coming back for it. I haven’t gone back yet, but I’m hoping it’s still there!
Outfit: Black Collared Dress by Victoria Beckham for Target (no longer available online); Miista “Eva” pumps (no longer available); BCBG purse (from the outlet store); Kate Spade bracelet & earrings (no longer available); Tights c/o Berkshire at eberkshire.com; Savannah Animal Print Frames c/o Select Specs
Before the month ends, I wanted to put up pictures of when my sister and I went out for my birthday earlier this month. We both have Monday’s off, and my birthday was on May 8th, which fell on a Monday this year. Since my husband was working and our son was in school, my sister and I went on a mini-adventure in the Irvine area. I’ll split our trip up into two parts, which was what I wore, and what we ate!
Birthday Adventure 2017: THE OUTFIT
I bought two things from the Victoria Beckham for Target line: The Blush Floral Jacquard Bomber Jacket and the Black Collared Dress, which I’ll be wearing in another outfit post (pictured above). It was fitting that we visited the Hello Kitty Cafe on our way home, because pink was the order of the day, and who wears it better than Hello Kitty! I wore the jacket very casually with black jeans and a white t-shirt, but jazzed it up a bit with a pom-pom necklace, metallic sneakers, and of course…pink pins!
Outfit: Blush Jacquard Bomber Jacket by Victoria Beckham for Target (no longer available online); The Cotton Box-Cut Pocket Tee by Everlane; Michael Kors purse (older, no longer available); Jeans and Leather Eyes Bag Tag by Madewell
Burntzilla is a brick & mortar cafe, combining two of Orange County’s popular food trucks: Burnt Truck and Dogzilla. We originally had other plans to visit a place that served specialty tater tots, but unfortunately it was closed on Mondays. Since I was in the mood for tater tots in any form, I searched “tater tots Anaheim”, and Burntzilla came up (although the location is in the Irvine area). I love a good slider, so the menu was appealing because it had different variations on sliders and mini-hot dogs.
The folks at Burntzilla generously gave me a complimentary Golden Combo for my birthday! The Golden Combo is a great deal because you can get two Sliders or Zillas (or one of each), with a soda and naked side. Along with the tots, I had the Yaki Zilla (hot dog) and the Sloppy Joe Slider. Both were amazing and the tots made my meal perfect!
My sister also had the Golden Combo, but had the Dogzilla, Cheeseburger Slider and fries, since I had the tots.
For dessert, we wanted something out of the ordinary. On the fly, my sister hit the dessert jackpot in her search while we were literally on the road, and found Stax Cookie Bar, right across the street from UC Irvine. Based on the pictures below, you’ll see why!
This is the Smookie. Stax has a variety of filled cookies to choose from, and you can top it any way you desire. Since it was my birthday, I had the Snickerdoodle cookie (filled with Nutella) topped with birthday cake ice cream and caramel sauce. I can’t even begin to describe how decadent it was!
On the left is the Bacon Chocolate Chip Creamrito, which my sister attempted to get through. The Creamrito is rolled ice cream wrapped around more ice cream and other yummy fillings. This truly is a two-person dessert, and we do plan on coming back up and doing it justice because it was quite delicious. On the right, is the famous “Waffle Shot” by Zia Valentina. I had my first one at The Grove, but the one I had at Stax was espresso with ice cream at the bottom of the shot. Yes, it was as good as it sounds!
I had a great time on this mini-food adventure with my sister, who gifted me with several new pins, because well, she’s my sister and knows what I love! Thank you Rholnna for spending my birthday with me, and here’s to more foodie adventures to come. Cheers!
I apologize for the lack of posts lately! Sometime life happens and we all get caught up, which has happened these last two weeks! But I promise to be posting more regularly, as I’ve been attending several events and have been taking outfit posts with my sister during my new days off. In the meantime, I wanted my first catch up post to be about this wonderful new kiosk that opened up at Liberty Public Market called Double Happiness Jewelry.
Stephanie Wells, jewelry designer and author of The Earring Style Book, brings her gorgeous creations locally to Liberty Public Market and has expanded her line to include “Wall Jewelry” and home accessories. I had the pleasure of attending their grand opening, which was busy from when I got there to when I left! Good luck to Stephanie and her new venture, and you’ll be seeing more of her beautiful jewelry and home designs here!
Kipling at Fashion Valley celebrates Mother’s Day with ways to show your appreciation for that extraordinary woman in your life! Whether that special mom is adventurous, super, new or stylish, Kipling has what you need to find that perfect gift. And in honor of Mother’s Day, select items will be 25% off!
If you are a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know Kipling is my mom’s favorite brand and she would probably adore anything we find for her, but I personally love the new Louna Vegan Leather Saddle Bag in black.
I’d like to wish all my fellow mums a wonderful and blessed Mother’s Day, cheers!
Pin, buttons, badges: I’ve worn them all! Now, after all these years of wearing them, I find myself heavily embedded in everything having to do with “Pin Culture”. I’ll do a separate post about my love for the soft-enamel pin, but let me introduce you to a small part of my growing collection, as showcased on this awesome denim jacket from GOAT Romasco, an online fashion boutique here in San Diego. I have several denim jackets, but this one is longer and slightly over-sized, which makes it almost like a coat. I wore it over a nice comfy sweater and my new favorite jeans by Pilcro at Anthropologie.
I wasn’t lying when I said that the eighties run deep in me, and it’s fun to bring it forward and mix it in with my current wardrobe. Cheers and have a great weekend!
Outfit: Denim jacket from GOAT Romasco; H&M Sweater; Pilcro jeans from Anthropologie; Miista Val Tex ankle boots (no longer available); Topshop Hat; Cassette Phonecase c/o Bangood
As a blogger, we are dared to try new things and new experiences because of the nature of what we do. I have discovered new restaurants, new shops and boutiques, we well as new hair salons through this blogging experience. I discovered Kelly Cardenas Salon because they contacted me to try out their new location in Hillcrest. After they consolidated locations and when my main stylist, Salvador, moved to Las Vegas, I decided to try out a new place through a recent contact in the blogging world. Aaron Lacy is a stylist at theFactory, located in Downtown San Diego. I swear it was Kismet when I walked in and Music For the Masses was playing in its entirety!
Immediately, I loved the industrial-style space of theFactory. It’s very clean, modern and stylish. Once I got settled into the chair, Aaron explained what he had planned for my haircut that day: a simple and sleek bob cut, my favorite hairstyle. Aaron suggested we take my hair back to basics, and took great care to even out any odd layers. Without a doubt, this cut was one of the most precise bobs I’ve ever had. It’s been about a month since I’ve gotten my hair cut, and it’s growing out beautifully!
Thank you Aaron for the amazing cut and the fantastic pictures!
theFactory is located at 1025 F Street, San Diego, CA 92101. Contact them at (619) 255-6338 to schedule an appointment and please be sure to ask for Aaron!
(FTC Disclosure: I was offered a service free of charge as a courtesy, but not necessarily for the purposes of a review. Although I did receive a service free of charge, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.)
(All photos of me were taken by Aaron Lacy. Post title: Lyrics from “Lie To Me” by Depeche Mode.)
