Old Standards, New Habits

     I have been pretty vocal about my aversion to pants (evident by my 9 pant-ish outfits versus the remaining 49 skirt-related outfits). I love pant related outfits, but I don't find them as flattering on my body type as say a midi skirt. But in this day and age, I find it hard to believe I still hold myself to some very old standards of beauty, and I want to break that.

     The only way to break a bad habit is to start practicing a better one so here is the first of many pant-related outfits to come (hopefully).

     My transition to pant outfits will start with elements I'm comfortable with: turtlenecks and hats. I love the coziness a turtleneck lends to an outfit. While hats or headpieces make outfits go from plain Jane to fancy Nancy! These pieces will be the cornerstone of my pant outfits until I'm ready to ween myself off of them, and stand proudly in a lone tee and jeans.

Oh, and please ignore the weird hand I've got going in this pic. Thanks :)

 ☑ Office appropriate
 ☑ After-work happy hour
 ☑ Dinner date

Wide Brim Hat | Nordstrom (similar with a beautiful berry color available!)
Cable-knit Turtleneck | Thrifted Ralph Lauren
Patterned Vest | F21
Grey Jeans | H&M
Lucite Heels | L.A.M.B.
Jewelry | Thrifted

Ever find a certain "style" hard to pull off?

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Linking up Shanna, Lauren, Lindsey, Jen, Zarouhi, & Sarah :)

Subtle Drama

     People have their comfort zones. They have uniforms they reach for daily without a second thought.

     Mine tends to be a button down with a big circle skirt or pencil skirt. The uniform is always printed or colorful. My clumsiness and cheerful disposition never seem fit for dramatic styles with darker, sexy undertones (yes, I said sexy). I was always the 'cute' one.

     This dress is my first foray into 'sexy' and Altuzurra, a brand known for subtle sexiness, was the perfect place to start.

     It's not overtly anything. With a neckline lower than I'm used to and sheer long sleeves, it has a bit of edge while still being modest. It makes me feel sexy without compromising my comfort.

And that's the best, isn't it? :)

 ☒ Office appropriate
 ☑ After-work happy hour
 ☑ Dinner date

Wide Brim Hat | Nordstrom (similar with a beautiful berry color available!)
Clip Dot Maxi | Altuzurra for Target
Silver Heels | BCBG
Jewelry | Heirloom, Jules Smith

Serious clothes doesn't mean I still can't have my sunny disposition :)

Ever find a certain "style" hard to pull off?

Let's stay in touch!

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Linking up Shanna, Lauren, Lindsey, Jen, Zarouhi, & Sarah :)

Love once more the memories

Duster Jacket / Asos

T-shirt / Bought in Taiwan

Bag / Bought in Shanghai

Boots / Asian boutique

I try my best to reuse old pieces of clothing without buying something new. Like the long T-shirt dress, I bought a few years ago while visiting family in Taiwan. It's from a little stand in Taiwan's famous ShiLin night market. What's funny is this T-shirt purchase was unintended! I go to the night markets for the food. I eat less at dinner just to save room for all the little food stands available at Taiwan's night markets. The stinky tofu (my favorite!), the yakitako (japanese food, but so good from the little stands), and bubble tea with so many variations!

But I diverge from food..this is a fashion post, of course. (but I am so hungry now..)

I love this duster jacket. It is long; it is cozy; it is stripey. I bought it imagining I'd wear it as a cardigan like in this post, a wrap dress, a billowy top, and a belted jacket. I think the flowy lapels of the jacket and the sheer amount of cloth it has gives me ample room to toy with. I'll have to style them all four ways soon so you don't think I'm bluffing!

Linking up Shanna, Lauren, Lindsey, Melaina, Lauren, Elena, Jen, Amber, Zarouhi, Sarah, & Claire Justine:)

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$100 Budgetnista Challenge

I have the chance to collaborate with some amazing ladies, one of which is Joua of Joua to the Rescue (go on over to read my interview :X )! She's an amazing writer who you might know from Fashion Odds Magazine. She put together a fun challenge: the Budgetnista Challenge. A few bloggers were asked to put together an outfit (including shoes, eek!) that cost below $100. We were allowed to borrow, thrift, but not steal, because we do not condone that. If you want to know how much this all costs, then stop by Joua's site to find out! :)

Hat / Nordstrom

Top / Talbots (thrifted)

Scarf / Burberry (gifted by JerseyGirlTexanHeart <3)

Clutch / DIY (tutorial here)

Pants / Ann Taylor (borrowed)

Boots / Boutique in China 

I decided to mix a few things: something new, something old, and something blue!

This challenge gave me the opportunity/excuse to invest in a wide brimmed hat and somehow when I threw it with my favorite scarf, it gave a western feel that I've never thought I could channel! I looked in the mirror and surprised myself.

These are the moments I blog for. The moments where I learn something new about myself. Things I might never have learned if it weren't for this blog pushing me to do more. To challenge myself.

This is the only shot I took in this park, before I relocated (I was not satisfied with the lack of red/orange/yellow leaves on the trees! The whole park was still green! It just didn't feel like spring).

Linking up Because Shanna Said So, Style Elixir, Pleated Poppy, Fizz and Frosting, The Modern Austen, DC in Style, & Life of Meg :)

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