A good outfit is no thing to waste

Vest- Banana Republic, Shirt-Zara, Bow Tie- Madewell, Jeans- Gap, Booties- Miu Miu

I'm totally lame and slept through all the New Years festivities so I decided to rock the outfit I had planned to wear on Saturday today. This outfit really made me happy for multiple reasons-

1) The shoes- enough said!
2) Bow Ties are my new "thing" and I love how the metallic silver plays off my shoes.
3) The color of my blouse is awesome and matched #1 and my nails perfectly!

Based on how much fun I had today I have a new style resolution for 2012- Party outfits are no longer just for weekends and evenings, they are just as appropriate attire for Tuesday at work , Saturday for coffee, or any other day for that matter!

Budget Buster vs. Bargain Buy: A Bit of Blue

Happy New Year everyone! In my first post of 2012 I am revisiting one of my favorite topics Budget Buster vs Bargain Buy this time pitting Alexander Wang's Prisma Tote against Gap's Leather Travel Tote.

L-R: Alexander Wang Prisma Tote- $685, Gap Leather Travel Tote- $125

As I hunker down to brave the remaining winter months I'm banking on colorful accessories to break through the bay area grey and these bright blue totes definitely fit the bill. Like most, my pockets are feeling a little anemic after the holiday spending spree, so even though I L-O-V-E the Alexander Wang version with the awesome metal details it is just not in the budget. The Gap version is the same great color and MUCH more budget friendly. Not into blue- well you are in luck the Gap Travel Tote is also available in orange, pomegranate, and yellow.

Here comes the rain again....

It officially feels like fall in San Francisco. The wind and rain have returned, but I am not complaining because it gave me an excuse to wear my new asymmetrical rain coat. I loved this jacket so much when I saw it that I bought the same style in two colors! Good thing it rains a lot in SF.

Jacket- Nike, Shirt and Boots, Gap, Pants- Express, Bag- Jcrew

Nice and Neutral

I love color, but neutrals can be just a fun. The key for me is mixing and matching different shades and textures.

Vest, Boots- Gap, Dress-H&M

Leather Bracelets- Gap

Bootie-licious Part Deux: Miss New Bootie

Me showing off my booties!

A couple weeks ago I wrote about how I was in search of the perfect pair of booties to take me through fall and winter. Well ladies and gents today i hit the Jackpot! I scored not one, but two pairs of equally awesome booties that I plan to rock with everything. Thanks to the good folks at the GAP my feet will be fitted for fall!  

Compared to all the other boots I have been eyeing these babies were a steal ringing in at under $100 per pair. Peep the specimens below:

This badass leather ankle boot also comes in black and brown leather, but I could not resist this intoxicating shade of aubergine.

I can already tell that these stamped leather boots are going to be in heavy rotation this fall. They are sooooo comfy and will add the right dose of edge to any outfit. I am giddy thinking about all the things i can wear them with!

I am urging you- run, don't walk to the Gap to get a pair. 

You won't be sorry!

Bisou + Business Blues

After  a lovely vacation in Barbados (updates to come) and a quick trip to Vegas I am back in the Bay and back to business. On Thursday I had a couple of meetings to attend and errands to run so I wanted to be comfy by still look pulled together.

Dressing for casual business meetings when you are in a creative field can sometimes be a bit of a conundrum, but I find that a clean dark wash pair of denim is always a good base to build upon. On this occasion I rocked my new Raleigh Denim straight leg Union Denim.  Adding a flirty printed blouse, neutral Pierre Hardy for Gap wedges, and a vintage LV clutch made for a look that was both fun and business worthy.

I love the lip print and asymmetrical ruffles on this blouse.

My hair is growing out so I decided to pull my hair up on top into a quasi french twist. It was so easy to do and gives me a different look than my normal afro. I really like how it turned out so this might become my new go to hairstyle.

I love this vintage clutch I "borrowed" from my Mom. I love it so much she is probably never getting it back!

New Camera/ Basics + Brights

On Friday I tested out my new camera with an impromptu photo shoot before heading out to the  Oakland Art Murmur . I am pretty pleased with how the pictures turned out and I'm super excited to have better quality photos to share with you all! 

Bay Area summers are notoriously cool so my look was all about easy layers. I am also still obsessed with neon so I try to work it into my look whenever possible.

I am experimenting with bright lipsticks and I love that this lipstick matches my scarf!

Men's Jeans-  vintage Gap, Tee- Joe Fresh, Jacket- vintage Gap Red,
Ballet Flats- Gap.com, Scarf- J.Crew,  Bag- Cambridge Satchel

Lived in jeans, striped tees, military jackets, and ballet flats are wardrobe staples for me. The scarf and bag add fun pops of color. 

I love my new glitter snakeskin city flats from the Gap. They are super comfy.

I am seriously considering buying this bag in every available color.

Casual Fridays

Kept it comfy and casual today while running errands for the store in some grey knit pants from H&M and tissue tee from Gap. I've been wearing my new J Crew jacket non-stop. It is the perfect weight for the unpredictable bay area summer weather and I I love the unique color.

Purse- Gap Brown Leather Sandals- Miu Miu



Glasses-Chanel



Backyard Basics in the Blazing Heat

NC is known for heat and humidity so today I kept my outfit pretty basic- Gap shorts, Artizia Tee, and not much else. Spent some time in the shaded part of our yard enjoying the warmth and outdoor space. It was so quiet and peaceful- a welcome departure from the constant hustle and bustle of Oakland.

Blogger Meet-up: Better Late Than Never

Outfit: Assorted Rings and Bracelets, Banana Republic Black Maxi Skirt, Gap Sweater, Chanel Glasses, Vintage Gucci Purse, Vans Sneakers

I'm totally making a goofy face in this picture, but big shout out to Brittany of Work It, Berk for the photo love. She snapped this shot weeks ago at a Bay Area Blogger Event. The event, organized by Jessica Wong of Stylepint, was held at Andalu in San Francisco. It was pretty fun and I got to meet some awesome peeps like Michelle and Tiffany of Women Enough , an amazing grass roots organization for women, by women, and about women.

I also had a great time chatting it up with Elisabeth of mission:closet and Monica of Sneak Peeq.

Here are some close up shots of the jewelry I wore that day



Armor Ring




Tiffany's 1837 Ring, Made Her Think Talon Ring, Assorted Bracelets



Pierre Hardy X Gap Spring 2011

Pierre Hardy x Gap Spring 11 shoes now available online. Get yours quick before they are all gone!

I really love that Pierry Hardy continues to collaborate with Gap and always turn out shoes that look like they could be part of the main collection sold at Barneys. 

That's What Friends are for...

My friend Stephanie has an awesome blog howiwastetime.wordpress.com 
I read it every day so naturally I was majorly stoked when she asked to feature me in one of her post. Check out the entire post here.

Lip Service

I go through phases of being obsessed with one theme or another. Currently it is anything having to do with lips and lipstick. I never wear lipstick but that hasn't deterred me from falling in love with this fun and feminine motif.

Peep some of my current obsessions below:




Marc by Marc Jacobs Laptop Case



Gap Lip Print Top

Marc by Marc Jacobs Lipstick Pen

Ricky and Dee Lego Lipstick Broach



Paloma Picasso for Tiffany's Lipstick Charm

Gap Black Denim Lip Tote

Christina Louboutin Lace Lip Print Pump



Photos courtesy of gap.com, bergdorfgoodman.com, deeandricky.com,netaporter.com, marcjacobs.com, and tiffanys.com.

It's Hardy Time

Pierre Hardy for Gap

Yesterday I rocked my denim wedges from the Pierre Hardy for Gap Summer 2010 collaboration.

I  love Pierre Hardy shoes, but like most high end designers, his stuff is mad expensive. One day I hope to own something from his own line( sold at Barneys) or from his collaborations with Balenciaga another brand I love, but can't afford.

Peep these amazing creations for Balenciaga Fall 2010 courtesy of ObsessedwithShoes.com:

The collaborations that Pierre Hardy has done with Gap are definitely much easier on the wallet, but still pretty fabulous. I have these dope khaki suede boots from the fall 2009 Gap collaboration that I plan to put a lot of miles on once it gets a little colder.

Some of the summer styles including the denim wedge are still available at Gap.com! Scoop yours up before they are all gone.

City Ballerinas

So when I am not wearing my new Miu Miu Gladiators I have been wearing these amazing ballet flats from the Gap.

I bought them in an awesome nude color ( not available online) a couple weeks ago and loved them so much that I bought another pair that is exactly the same!

These flats are so comfy- no need to break them in. As an added bonus they come with a little pouch so that you can fold them up and throw them in your purse.

Priced at $39.50 you won't have to break the bank to own a pair for yourself- which makes me love them even more.  Sizes are going fast- I need to snap up a black, purple, and grey pair before they are all gone!