My 2021 Holiday Wish List

December 4, 2021

Yes, it's that time of year once more! Here are the items on my Christmas wish list in case you want a little insight into what I'm loving right now or need some last-minute inspiration for your own wish list!


Reformation Portia Top


I've recently learned that I look good in brown, and I can't say no to a cute & romantic top from Reformation.

Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress


Will this encourage me to work out more? Probably not. But in case I want to play tennis or just want to look like I'm coming from a workout class, I think this dress is so cute and a way to wear a dress and stay totally comfortable.

Clare V Purse

The Kate Spade crossbody bag I've had since high school finally gave out a few months ago, so I've been searching for a stylish replacement since. This one would do quite nicely.

Verge Girl Sweater


How groovy is this sweater? I can already see it pairing quite nicely with my gingham pants.

Madewell Socks


Kind of boring, but I do need some new socks to wear with my boots.


I'm trying to buy more non-black shoes, and I like this chunky loafer style.

& Other Stories Blouse


I'm always pursuing my dream of looking like a chic French girl, and this top would help. Just picture it with a pair of high-waisted flare jeans.

H&M Collared Sweater


This gives me classic preppy vibes, which I love.

Shop More Wish List Items:

My Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

July 9, 2021



Note: When you click on the links the items say they're sold out since they're technically not available to purchase yet. If you click the "View Item On Nordstrom" link, you'll be redirected to the product page and can add it to your wish list there.

And just like that, we're over the halfway point of 2021 and looking towards fall with the arrival of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! Last year I was in such a slump about the state of the world that I don't know if I even looked at the catalogue, but I'm feeling more peaceful now, as I hope we all are, now that I'm seeing friends and family in person once more, going out to fun restaurants and bars, even attending a music festival this past weekend; after this hellish year and a half, I'm ready to get dressed again.


The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is always an interesting one for me because, despite the excitement that unfolds around it, the clothes themselves are not that flashy. In fact, I look to the Anniversary Sale as my stock-up shopping time—the moment to add new wardrobe staples like jeans and boots to my fall closet. It's a good moment to take note of the fashion basics that you're lacking, or just need updated versions of, and find some new classics that you'll wear for years to come.

I bookmarked a few of my favorites from the sale, which you'll see below. I found myself gravitating towards the printed dresses, which can be dressed up for a return to the office or a night out, as well as straight leg and flare jeans. If you buy just one thing during the Anniversary Sale, I always suggest a new pair of jeans. They have such a great selection.

As always, I also bookmarked a few coats and jackets that make no sense for my Los Angeles lifestyle but are dreamy nevertheless. If you live in a colder climate, please let me live vicariously through you and try out one of these coats.

I also added a few beauty favorites that are available at special prices, including a jumbo size of my favorite Dry Bar dry shampoo.

I'll be curious to see what clothing categories succeed the most at this year's sale. Is athleisure the new dominant dressing style now that we've worked from home for a year? Will dresses and heels make a resurgence as people eagerly socialize once more? We shall see!

And heads up, the sale hasn't started just yet (early access begins on July 12, with general access beginning on July 28) but you can browse all these clothes and add them to your wish list until then.

Shop My Anniversary Sale Picks:

Cute Swimsuits Under $100

June 13, 2021

Wearing Aerie swimsuit top and bottoms

Summer is here, my friends. I've gotten sunburnt despite wearing SPF 70, dove into freezing cold water because it seemed like a good idea as I was sweating in the sun, and had my fair share of hard seltzers already. I've also been wearing more swimsuits than I have in quite some time, enjoying the fact that the beach and lake are at my fingertips along with the reopened pool in my apartment complex. Naturally, I've been on the hunt for some cute swimsuits to rock this summer!

As much as I love a cute swimsuit, I don't always like how expensive they can be. Seriously, why are water-friendly strips of fabric pricier than most of the dresses in my closet? I do not understand it.

So because I'm all about looking cute this summer but not spending half my paycheck on some skimpy bikinis, I've rounded up some of the cutest on-trend swimsuits that are all under $100 (to the best of my ability, I've tried to make it that full sets are no more than $100, but don't hate me if they go a little over) and grouped them by trend so you can rock the hottest styles this summer.

Pink Bikinis

Look, I've been on the hunt for a cute pink swimsuit for several years now, so I say it's a trend! The piece I'm wearing in the photo above is from Aerie and us a fun neon that makes even pale old me look tan, so would highly recommend!

Groovy Prints

As you know from my summer trends post, I'm all about the psychedelic swirls and hippie-inspired designs right now. They look so cute on swimsuits!

Gingham

You can never go wrong with sweet and preppy gingham prints.

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny

These are not my favorite style, but flossy string bikinis are all the rage on Instagram right now, so if that's your vibe, here are some cute and affordable options.

Sage

I think this color is so stylish and cool. It's been a big trend all over, but I think it's a neat alternative to a neutral hue for swimwear.

The Best Sales To Shop This Memorial Day Weekend

May 29, 2021

Vax girl summer begins...now!

It's been a weird, strange year (and some change) but we're getting vaccinated, dining out again, seeing friends and family in person, and ready to put this pandemic behind us. I for one am so excited to live it up this summer with the friends I've missed this past year, going out, going to movies (I actually went to my neighborhood AMC for the first time since March 2020 to see Cruella, would recommend!) and of course, I'm excited to wear some cute clothes while doing all these fun activities.

Memorial Day Weekend is historically one of the biggest sales weekends of the year, and the 2021 version is going to be huge! So many stores have great deals, and I know you are also probably itching to refresh your wardrobe and treat yourself to some cute new fashions after a year of leggings and T-shirts.

Check out the best deals going on this weekend, plus my on-sale fashion picks:

The Best Memorial Day Weekend Sales:


& Other Stories

Up to 50% off select styles, through 5/31

American Eagle

25-60% off select styles

Anthropologie

Extra 40% off sale items, through 5/31

ASOS

$30 off $150 with code MEM30, $50 off $200 with code MEM50, or $70 off $250 with code MEM70, through 5/31

Banana Republic

Receive 40% off your purchase, plus an extra 10% off with code BREXTRA10, through 5/31

Bloomingdale's

Up to 70% off clearance, through 5/31

Forever 21

Up to 50% off select styles, through 6/3, and 25% off swimwear, through 6/2

Gap

50% off tanks, tees, and dresses, through 6/1

Intermix

Up to 65% off the summer kickoff sale, through 6/1

J. Crew

25% off full-price styles with code WEEKEND + an extra 50% off sale items

Macy's

Extra 20% off select sale and clearance items with code MEMDAY, through 5/31

Nordstrom

Up to 50% off during their Half-Yearly Sale, through 6/6

Shopbop

Up to 50% off select designer styles

Storets

30% off sitewide with code SUMMER30, through 6/2


Shop On-Sale Picks:

Everything I'm Shopping For This Summer

May 15, 2021

As I write this, I'm two weeks removed from my second Pfizer shot and ready to hit the town. You know, I know, we all know that this past year has been no walk in the park, but for the first time in a while I'm feeling a sense of reserved optimism and my eye for fashion is reflective of that bright spirit.

After a year of wearing T-shirts and leggings for a majority of the time, I'm ready to have some capital-F FUN this summer. I'm talking plenty of color, fun geometric prints, playful shapes, and outfits that are ready to party. I'm also taking into consideration my newfound appreciation for comfort, opting for knit fabrics, breezy midi dresses, and flat shoes that will keep me comfortable as I ease back into "normal" (if that's even a thing anymore) life.

Here are some of the trends and styles I'm keeping an eye out for as I fill up my summer wardrobe:

Disco Stylings


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Thanks to disco-tinged music from Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, Kasey Musgraves, and so on, it feels like the psycadelic stylings of the '70s are hip once more. Pucci-inspired prints are about to be everywhere, and I'm ready for it.

Colorful Jewelry


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This trend is a little controversial (you either love it or hate it) but I for one think it's so fun and an easy way to add color to even a simple jeans & T-shirt ensemble.

Bridgerton-Blue Midi Dresses


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Yeah, I'm still on that Bridgerton style train. I was searching forever for the perfect blue midi-length dress to wear for my Bridgerton-themed picnic (I ended up wearing this dress) but I still might purchase one if I find the perfect in-budget option.

Rectangle Sunglasses


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You know I love a trendy sunglass style! 

Not-Skinny Jeans


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I love my skinny jeans forever, but I'm not opposed to rocking straight leg, flare, and loose styles either.

Halter Necks


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Halter necks are so cute for summer, and you know what, my collar bone looks great in them!

Silk Scarves


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I will be proudly rocking the Pucci scarf I have sitting in my closet and tying it 1000 different ways thanks to TikTok styling videos.

Shop Summer Trends:

Let's Picnic

April 16, 2021

Through the past year picnics have been one of the respites from the awfulness of the pandemic, serene moments of sunshine, fresh air, and charcuterie boards. It's no wonder cottagecore styles have become so popular this past year.

I for one have been all about gingham at the moment—and truth be told, I've been on the gingham kick for a few years. But a few months ago I purchased a cute pair of pink gingham pants from Verge Girl after seeing trendy teens on TikTok rocking similar styles, and I love them. So much so that I rounded up a few other gingham pants below:


If you're loving gingham as much as I am, get to shopping and rock the trend for yourself!

Shop Gingham

Get The Bridgerton Look

January 19, 2021

All images via Netflix

It may have been almost a month since the first season of Bridgerton dropped on Netflix, but I am still spending way too much time thinking about this fun and sultry Regency series. The Dukes are hot, the clothes are eye-catching, and the idea of spending months just flittering around from one ball to the next in search of handsome suitors and juicy gossip sounds more delightful than ever in this era of social isolation.

It should come as no surprise that I enjoyed the fashion of this series for its playful modern take on Regency styles. Between this and EMMA. 2020 was quite the year for Regency fashion, and between the two I have found my interest in interpreting these styles for the modern age growing. Sure, I may not flock to wear a bonnet and opera gloves to promenade around The Grove, but I have noticed my eye focusing on dainty midi dresses in pastel hues, corset-style tops, and delicate pearl and feather details. So if you are like me and loving the Bridgerton style, here are some ways to bring the fashion inspirations into the 21st century:

Look For Empire and Babydoll Midi Dresses


The traditional garb of the Regency debutant was a classically-inspired empire dress, fitted at the torso and ballooning out below. Our modern take on this would probably be the babydoll dress, what with its exaggerated high waistline. If you're looking to dress like a modern-day Daphne Bridgerton, I'd suggest typing in "empire midi dress" or "babydoll midi dress" for modern equivalents. In case you need some inspiration, I've rounded up a few options for you:

Opt For Jacquard, Toile & Lace


These decadent fabrics are staples of the 18th and 19th century and will make any ensemble look glamorous and regal. To keep with the Bridgerton aesthetic, stick with fabrics in light hues and pastels for that candy-colored vibe.

Add A Corset (Or Stay)


Technically stays were the more popular form of upper undergarment during the Regency period, since the billowing dresses didn't require a snatched waist, but corsets are having a big moment right now anyway so you might as well lean into it. I think they look super fun when paired with relax-fit jeans, but throw on a corset over your sweet midi dress for an exciting twist on Regency style.

Ruffle Some Feathers


The ladies aren't the only ones having fun with fashion in Bridgerton. I love the menswear of the Regency era, from the stylish tailcoats to their ruffled collars. Channel their energy with a high-necked ruffle of your own.
 

Adorn With Embellishments


An outfit isn't complete without plenty of sequins, feathers, pearls and jewels. Rock a feathered headband or pretty pearl necklace to complete your Bridgerton-inspired ensemble.

What do you think of Bridgerton's fashions?

Pants That Aren't Jeans: What A Concept!

January 17, 2021

 

Sometimes you walk into Target in hopes of finding Clorox Wipes and body wash and walk out with a cute new pair of pants!


I'm going to be perfectly honest with you: I am not a pants person. I feel most comfortable in a flowing midi dress and often feel like pants are fussy, ill-fitting, and unflattering (or at least, it's hard to find pants that flatter both my waist and my thighs). After almost 27 years of living in this world, I have found that of all the pant-like items in the world, jeans—and stretchy skinny jeans in particular—are the pant style that most suits my lifestyle and my body. I'm also fortunate enough to work in an office where the dress code is pretty casual, meaning I wear jeans all the time.

But my friend, I will admit that after ten months of that WFH lifestyle even a diehard denim advocate such as myself has been asking: is there anything more out there, pants-wise? Potentially a style that doesn't cut into my belly all day long as I sit at the desk in my room?

I've been searching the internet for such a pair of comfortable yet stylish pants, but pants are a tricky thing, size-wise. You must take into account the waist, the inseam, the length, and so many other factors that online size guides don't often detail, meaning I've had my fair share of failed pant fittings when ordering online. The knowledge that a pair of pants may not end up working out—and even worse, may appear unflattering, further deterring me from my mission—made me hesitant to ever hit the "checkout" button even when a pair caught my eye.

But last weekend I found a captivating pair at Target, of all places. There I was, running errands for body wash and other household items, and I found myself staring at a cute pair of plaid, high-waisted, wide leg pants. They were everything I was searching for, and at about $30, the price was right for experimentation. I threw them into my shopping cart and hoped for the best. Once I got home, I tried them on and sighed with relief when I realized that not only did they fit, but they were super cute! And after wearing this ensemble for a whole day of work-from-home business, I can confirm they are comfortable as well.

So there you go: the saga of my brand new pair of pants. Now that I know this style looks good (I've always been self-conscious about how a lot of pants frame my thighs) I think I might seek out a few more pairs like these. And in case you are interested in similar styles, I've rounded up those at the bottom of this post too!



Shop Similar Styles: