#ckccbm2013 | Monday outfits

We've been back from the playa over 2 weeks now and still can't stop thinking or talking about it. With 10 of us there and and 5 of us actively taking photos, that's a lot of pictures to go through. Our camp has been sharing them through Dropbox, which is a wonderful way for multiple people to share multiple files.

One of the 10 principles of Burning Man is Radical Self-Expression, and what better way to express yourself than with what you are wearing. People are wearing all sorts of interesting, outrageous outfits (or absolutely nothing at all!) and half the fun of the whole trip is planning on what to wear!

{him: wig, vest & jeans, thrifted / tank: H&M / shoes: Doc Marteens, thrifted // her: cardi & shorts: thrifted / bra: VS / boots: Demonia}

I watched a video on YouTube saying that your clothes at Burning Man shouldn't be costumes but be outfits that you would like to but can't normally wear in your daily life. I am a relatively conservative dresser but like that I can show some skin at BM and not feel terribly self-conscious about it because there are tons of girls with tons less on :). And the hubs would never wear such bright colors (or jeans with stars on them) but it works out on the playa!

Our friend JC, however, has to win for best outfit of Monday night. We were dressing for a Michael Jackson vs. Prince party that night and good lord, he looks fabulous!

...and on the first full night in the desert, my hair was still looking decent. Wait until Saturday night's photos...

7 days...

We are flying to Nevada next Saturday and returning to the Playa on Sunday for the whole week. Packing outfits for 8 nights in the middle of the desert is more difficult than it seems! I'm not sure if I have enough tutus ;)...

The Man Burns in 14 days! {a.k.a. TMBI14D}

weekend lens | Open your heart

The weekend started off with more wine than usual, but we needed it. Too bad the Wine by Joe was only ok.

On Saturday we met S,P&T for dinner at Indika, a nearby Indian fusion restaurant. The food was better than I remember,which is always a good thing.

Later that evening we found ourselves at our yearly visit to SoBe, for Madonnarama. All Madonna, all night. Yes, please. And no, we did not stay until 5AM (those days are LONG over!).

I am not sure why S&I haven't been friends from before. I've known who she was for a long time but we have only started hanging out this last year. Besides the fact that she is drop-dead gorgeous, she's smart, funny and loves to dance. What's not to love!

Today I spent some time with some other girlfriends at the Earth Day festival by my place.


top&pants: Gap / shoes: Urban Outfitters / earrings: Francesca's / bangles: Loft / bag: MarcJacobs
I actually danced in these platforms all evening on Saturday night and my feet weren't completely shot afterwards. That's a plus!

all dressed up | Happy 2013

top: Robert Rodriguez for Neiman Marcus and Target / jeans: Uniqlo / shoes: Gucci / bangles: gift'd

Most of my wardrobe these days consists of either clothes for work, yoga or hanging out. I do my best to buy clothes that have multiple functions, but for something like New Year's Eve, something special is always best. I had looked at the Neiman's collection for Target back in December when it first released but wasn't super-impressed, especially since the prices were not in the typical Target range. However, at 50% off, I was definitely more inclined to try something, especially this top, which intrigued me online and I loved even more in person. Lots of ruffles which in not for everyone, but which I loved and works for me with my broad shoulders and height (I am not super tall, but not petite either so it doesn't overwhelm).


Our last selfie of the year
The hubs and I had a fantastic time ringing in the new year with our friends but I am having a hard time getting back on schedule. You know you are an early riser when you feel like you're running behind if you wake up at 5 AM instead of 4:30AM!

At least it's already Wednesday so the rest of the work week should go by quickly. Are you returning to work today or are you one of the lucky ones who has the rest of the week off? Either way, have a good one!

weekday casual | holiday party no. 2

HIM blazer: Theory / shirt: Gucci / jeans: Gap / shoes: Kenneth Cole
HER dress&necklace: Loft / tights: Urban Outfitters / shoes: Tory Burch

Our friend EJ throws a big holiday party every 2nd Thursday of December. Over the last few years he incorporated a photo wall, this time with a big sparkly bow.


My tights (and booties) were a hit, although I ended up taking the shoes off before the end of the party because my legs were killing me. Note to self: always bring a back up pair of flats to parties when wearing high heels.


Having a good hair night too.

Hope you have a great weekend!

weekday casual | holiday party no. 1

Last night the hubs and I attended the holiday party held by our apartment peeps.


I will be the first to admit our sole purpose going was to eat holiday food and desserts.


dress: Jovovich-Hawk for Target / tights: target / boots: Anthro
But you know I will take any opportunity to dress up!

We are participating in a yoga workshop with some yoga peeps this weekend. So so excited about it. Have a great one!

BB

dress: All Saints / necklace: gift'd / shoes: BCBG / bangles: Alexis Bittar / bag: Gucci

This is my last outfit BB (a.k.a. Before Bangs). We went to an art gallery opening last Friday and this dress was perfect for the warm weather.

Now please excuse me while I go sneeze another 1023 times...

OOTY (Outfits of the year)

One of the Burning Man tenets is "radical self-expression," which can be translated in many ways via art, music, dance and dress. Anything (or nothing) goes as far as wardrobe attire, although extremes are popular, dressing like your biggest fantasy, or wearing the wardrobe you were born in and nothing else.   The place reminds me of a cross between Star Wars (the original on Tatooine) and Mad Max.


Our Friday night looks. Everything I am wearing was borrowed from R; everything on Joe was bought second hand,


Our Burn night looks. Everything I am wearing was borrowed from R (though now I think I want my own tutus and giant platform boots!); Joe has actually had those silver pants from when we first started dating!

We were probably "overdressed" compared to the majority of the crowd there (i.e. not showing as much skin) but having daily outfits that you would never normally wear was great nonetheless.

weekend update | not goodbye but see you later

This Saturday we attended not one but 2 going away parties for 2 boys that are moving away for their jobs. Both kept saying that they would be back sooner rather than later but we were still a bit sad about it.


The only photos I took were with my new Instax to give to our friend, and, of course, a photo of that Instax so I could keep a copy of it! {I have been severely lacking in taking pics this week; I wonder if that is why I have been in a melancholic mood lately}


dress: Banana / shoes: Gap / belt: J.Crew / bag: Gucci / earrings: gift'd / bangles: Alexis Bittar
I did try to brighten things up with my 39th birthday dress. Joe asked why I was so dressed up and I replied, "I am wearing flip flops, so this is casual :)!"

The weekend just reminded me that the important things in life aren't things but the relationships you keep with friends and family. I hope you were able to do something fun with the loved ones in your life!

weekend casual

top: F21 / shorts: J.Crew / shoes: Gap / bag: LV / necklace: gift'd / bracelet: Chan Luu

How is it that the hours during the weekend seem to speed by so much faster than the week? I am just happy Monday is an extra day off! Hope you had a great weekend!

sister (and hubby) style

her: top: Mango for JCP / skirt: from Maine / shoes: 9West
me: dress: Old Navy / shoes: Sam Edelman
These days I rarely see my sis without the boys and not in a tee and shorts so I like to capture moments when she is dressed up. We attended a ballet young professional happy hour with her. She cleans up nicely, although the iPhone is notorious for taking blurry photos in lower lighting.


him: top: Ben Sherman / pants: Club Monaco / belt: Zara / shoes(unseen) : Jack Purcell
The hubs is as cute as ever as well

weekend update | date night

We had a quiet Saturday night this weekend - just used our Groupon to Quattro, the restaurant inside the Four Seasons next door.


Their menu was not completely veggie-friendly (we shared a main dish of eggplant Parmesan and sides of mushroom and truffled mashed potatoes, which were delicious!) but the signature dessert was yummy and pretty.


dress&necklace: Calypso for Target / shoes: Gap
And, really, I will use any excuse to wear this dress.

{All photos taken with iPhone Camera+ app, edited with Snapseed&Camera+ apps and uploaded directly to Flickr from the phone. I love it!}

weekend update | another one bites the dust

We celebrated the 40th birthday of one of my dearest friends this weekend.


Marc is really one of our favorite people ever - just someone who makes your life better by being in it.


He is well-loved by everyone!


dress: Trina Turk for Banana / shoes: Gucci / earrings: gift'd
And my outfit was a hit. I can't tell you how much I love this dress - it's comfortable, flattering and so easy to wear. {I will confess that I changed my shoes halfway through the party. I can only sacrifice so much for fashion these days!}

weekend casual

top: Patrick Robinson for Target / jeans: Gap / shoes: Converse / necklace&bracelets: gift'd / turquoise bracelet: Chan Luu / bag: Gucci

Returning back to my normal schedule after a vacation always takes a few days. Because I have so much I should do, I end up not doing anything and watching Master Chef on the DVR instead. Yes, I am the world's worst procrastinator.


dress: Anthro / shoes: B. Makowsky / bangles: India / wrist chain: Calypso for Target / bag: Gucci

These outfits, for example, are from 2 weekends ago at the end of June. The first was worn on our bowling night and the 2nd on a movie date night with the hubs. Is it wrong to wish the weekend were already here instead of a work week that's just begun? 

Thank you Kelly!

all items remix'd
top: Ann Taylor
jeans: Uniqlo
booties: Tory Burch
earrings: old
bag: Gucci

I have been getting dressed lately; just haven't had time to document the outfits! My December daily album has refocused my attention on other things, which is good.


I do want to give a shout out to Kelly of fashion fuel dc for giving me the Liebster blog award.

Liebster means "dearest" in German, and this award is given to bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. The stipulations of the award are as follows:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your 5 blogger picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Hope that the people you have sent the award to will forward it to their favorite bloggers.

~ Without further ado, I pass along the Liebster Blog Award to a few of my favorites ~

at her best
megan mae daily
casual chic kiki
living la vida rita
minnchic

My favorite Fall Trends: More dots!

all items remix'd
dress: Jovovich-Hawk for Target
boots: Anthro
earrings: Collingnon Designs, gift'd
tights: Target

Did I already mention how happy I am that we are finally getting some cooler weather down here in Houston? I bought this dress on super sale in the spring but have only worn it once since it is way too hot to wear in the humidity. Also, I think it looks better with tights and boots because of its length. I almost forget I had this dress in my wardrobe because I lent it to my sister :)

My newest backdrop for my photos is my giant closet door. We have enough light in our bedroom that at least I don't have to use a flash here. I am hoping to get it together next week to take more remix photos in natural light!

Fall Trends: Brights

tunic: Missoni for Target
leggings: Uniqlo
boots: Anthro
earrings: Collingnon Designs, gift'd&remix'd
cuff: Tiffany's, gift'd&remix'd

The temperatures are finally cooling down so that I can enjoy more of my Missoni haul. I may have bought a few things to many, but they are fun pieces I will be able to enjoy for a bit. I am impressed that the sweaters/tunics (they are way to short to be considered dresses, in my opinion) are lined so wearing tights or leggings underneath them is not an issue.

I was happy with the outcome of Project Runway's winner this season (as was the hubs, for different reasons!). I am hoping she puts out some cool dresses on Piperlime!

Houston Fashion Week

Last night the hubs and I went to the first show of Houston Fashion week with a couple friends. This was the same event we attended last year. The collections we saw this year were much less inspiring and for some reasons I just couldn't get any good pictures so I gave up.


all items remix'd
dress: Banana
shoes: Tory Burch
necklace, bangles: various, gift'd
belt: H&M

I did wear what I think are some fabulous shoes.

Think Pink

Happy October! This is the 2nd year I will be participating in Melissa's Blogging for Breast Cancer Awearness,or BBCA, challenge. The goal, for me, is to wear pink everyday in October. And, if you know me at all, you know this shouldn't be much of a challenge at all (although I have less pink in my closet than you might think!). My real challenge this month is to blog more real-time outfits. I think I was running a week behind!


all items remix'd
dress: Calypso for Target
shoes: Enzo
earrings: Francesca's
cuff: Tiffany's, gift'd
bracelet: Chan Luu

Shhhh....I wore this exact same outfit 2 nights in a row, with 2 different groups of friends. I wanted to get some more wear out of this dress before I have to put it away.


all items remix'd
dress: Tucker for Target
shoes: B. Makowsky
earrings&cuff: gift'd
bracelets: Calypso for Target, Tiffany's
belt: Gap

Apparently this was a wear-Target-collaborations weekend. Before there was Missoni there were so many other amazing collections at the Targ, of which clothes I have amassed aplenty. YOu can't tell from this photo but the flowers in this dress have just a touch of light pink in them.

I am excited for the 5 weekend in October because even though I am working this morning, I have another weekend off coming up. Here's to a fabulous week.

Taking them for a test run

tank: UO, remix'd
jeans: Gap, remix'd
boots: Target
earrings: Francesca's, remix'd
cuff: Tiffany's, gift'd&remix'd

This is what I wore to see Erasure last weekend. What a fabulous concert! I will always be an 80s girl at heart.


I bought these boots on a whim from Target last month because I have been obsessed with getting a pair of "tough" booties ever since seeing them on the models on the All Saints website a couple years ago. I did not, however, want to drop almost $300 for a pair.


This pair from Tar-jay, while definitely not as cool as any from All Saints, will do the trick to satisfy my craving, especially at 10% of the price. We will see how long I wear them; maybe I will still want to be cool in my 50s!