Wicked!

Thrifted lace, pants, shoes, satchel; AA tights; f21 earrings; Nars lip colour

This is the ultimate thrift outfit. That sounds so snobby and dumb but these pieces are a few of my favorite thrift finds.

I found the long sleeve lace tee at Thriftown on Mission Street.

The high-waisted pants were a treasure from Wasteland. As were the flats (gift from my sister).

I really love this outfit, as "outdated" and "90's mommy" it may be.

It is more important to feel great and love what you're wearing than dress to impress your society and/or peers. That's the beauty behind fashion. You are out to impress yourself. I am constantly challenging myself to create looks that inspired me.

I bought tickets to see Wicked with my ma for Mother's Day. We celebrated rather late but with finals and whatnot, the timing was perfect. My mother and I made a real trip out of it. We rummaged through her closet and picked this nice ensemble for her to wear. She doesn't go "out on the town" very often so we got quite giddy putting outfits together.

When I look at this picture, I see that my mother has really influenced my personal style. Penny loafers, linen pants, button-up shirts, the floral fabric she uses for quilting.. her taste is reflected in my style. I used to hate to admit that she influenced me, but now I am happy to say it! My mom is one of my best friends! She is cute and dainty and the most patient and valuable shopping buddy.

Go thank your mom for her fashion advice! Whether she used to your buy clothes for you (boys), or lay out your outfits every day (girls), she helped you become the confident fashion-oriented person you are today!

Oh! If you haven't seen Wicked already, go see it at the Orpheum Theater in SF before it is too late- you won't regret it!

Finally finals!

AA tights, dress, cardi; nine west purse; bongo oxfords

The truth is out! These oxford heels are Bongo and I got them for $20 at Marshalls a few seasons ago.

I am so trashy white girl wearing Bongo heels, but whatevs. They are cute!

So cheers to another day of finals [done]. That is most definitely the reason for my stale facial expressions in recent posts. Philosophy essay final was today at 8am and I nailed it! Consider me the guru of philosophy (not really, not at all). But I can tell you the three classical proofs of God's existence are BOGUS. Sorry to all you believers, I don't mean to offend you. But if you look up the ontological, cosmological and teleological arguments that "prove" God exist, you will probably laugh too.

Back to fashion. Go to Marshalls. Go to TJ Maxx. Try it. What do you have to lose? Finding a good pair of shoes in unexpected places feels like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It's that good. Plus in the end, you have "fashion secrets." Tee hee.

Good luck to all of you that have tests coming up. I have faith in you!

Now, enough procrastinating, I need to finish this term paper :(

xoxo

les miserables

thrifted sweater, cv shorts; aa socks; denim keds; nine west purse- tjmaxx

Okay so it was sunny when I went to school.

And then it rained as I drove home from school.

Plus sleep deprivation.

Hence, miserable.

Either way I'm liking the whole socks and keds look. Not to mention it's actually comfortable.

Sock tans are the new flip flop tans. I am more than willing to jump on this bandwagon. I hate feet!

PS did you notice I'm a maxxinista!

Wanted: Spring blazers!

aa tights, shorts; thrifted tee, blazer; aldo oxfords

The color of this blazer is very autumny, I wish I could find something similar in a mint, pink or baby blue.

All I can find is grey, tan, navy and white.

I'm considering these from f21:

lavendar satin

green/creme striped cotton

Of course Topshop has a lot of cute ones out of my price range. Blegh.
Let me know if you have any ideas!
E-mail me, esbinfluence@gmail.com

Or leave a comment :)

Socks with everything

Thrifted loafers, DKNY denim jumper; AA socks; gap cardigan; hand-me-down schoolbag from my grandmother

I apologize for the myspacey picture. It was taken in the locker room at school before I changed clothes for dance rehearsal.

How shameful.

If socks weren't considered an accessory before, they should be now.

Tis the season for ankle and calf high socks.

I'm over the strappy sandal look- I'd rather have a high top tan line than a flip-flop one.

I make a point to avoid sandals. Really. I don't know why, it could be that I am disgusted at the sight of feet.

But either way, I have not met a strappy sandal that I liked.

This summer my footwear will consist of kittie-heels, loafers, oxfords and keds. All with socks.

Frilly socks, ankle socks, calf-high socks, knee-high socks. Most I have found at AA so far, and some Betsey ones at TJ Max :)

May flowers

uo boots; aa tights; f21 skirt; swapped sweater; thrifted top

April showers bring may flowers.

Lady on the street

aa lace unitard, shorts, tee, berry nailpolish; thrifted belt & loafters; nars "gipsy" lip color

While running for some Tutti Melon before my shift started, a 60-year-old woman passed me and said, "Woooo nice legs! Look at those!!" I was shocked by this response because usually older woman give me the stink-eye when I'm wearing lace.

And THEN- a bald man carrying a ton of Banana Republic (sigh) bags said, "nice outfit." In the NON-sarcastic way.

What? Could it be? Genuine compliments? How lovely!

So easy so say I felt really confident wearing this.

Of course this confidence was shattered by constructive criticism What I Wore Today goers commented on my outfit- but forget the haters and love who you are, that's what I believe (or in this case, what you wear).

These penny loafers are ready to expire- they are tattered, water damaged and worn.

But I simply can't give them up- they are comfortable, conveniently match this belt and have a spot in my heart.

So ignore the nasty loafers in this photo, I suppose.

So- unitards.

WEIRD!!! Right? Sure they are.

But I'm happy to say they are so comfortable!

When I get home, I like to lounge around my room in this unitard, it's a great confidence booster :)

Special thanks to Rob for taking my photo!

I wish pastel lace was an ice cream flavor

aa socks, blouse, bodysuit, skirt; thrifted loafers

Riding dirty

aa riding pant, lawn tee, cardigan; f21 headband; thrifted penny loafers; NARS gipsy lip color

Still not sure how I feel about these pants.

The color is lovely, they are SO comfortable and pretty slimming.

But that extra slab of fabric on the knee doesn't really serve a purpose, and I'm all about purpose.

What do you think?

Weird so weird

Thrifted Ann Taylor vest, boots, satchel; American Apparel dress, concrete opaque tights; f21 fishnets, headband; Nars dragon red lip color

On a very bizarre night of my life, I agreed to tag along with friends to see a buddy DJ and electronic set in a local dive bar. Little did I know I would be surrounded by suburban ravers in bandanas with party cups in a half-empty room. Should be told, I was impressed by the talented suburban kids with hip-hop skills. All together, a pretty decently hilarious night.

Let time fly

aa top, velvet leggings, opaque socks; f21 headband; ou pocket watch & boots

Rainy outside! Doesn't mean I have to look frumpy and be grumpy! Nope! I stayed warm in my velvet leggings and took the opportunity to read a book, bake some yummy cookies and surf the fashion blogosphere. Careful, these cookies are addicting-- you've been warned!!

Currently reading The Female of the Species: Tales of Mystery and Suspense by Joyce Carol Oats.




Vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe

2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon each - cinnamon & nutmeg
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 cups chocolate chips

Beat sugar, pumpkin, oil and vanilla.
Sift together dry ingredients. Stir into the pumpkin mixture until smooth.
Blend in chocolate chips
Drop by spoonfuls on lightly [vegetable] oiled baking sheet, and bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.
Serves: 5-6 dozen
Preparation time: 30 minutes

Next time I would try using half whole wheat flour and half regular.

So tasty! I ate about a dozen of them. Afraid I might have eaten them all, I brought them for my co-workers :)

Blue collar

AA pants, button-up, sash bow; thrifted kittie heels

Sometimes I think I live in my own little fashion bubble.
Some people on the street look at me like I'm crazy.

Slurpees and shorts

I have been desperate for summer these past few weeks with all the dreary rain and overcast mornings. Finally this week has been 65 degrees or higher. I even caught myself breaking a sweat while driving today and thought it must be time for-- SLURPEES! I can't believe I paid two dollars for ice and syrup in a cup but I guess once I quenched my thirst it was worth it.




AA high-waisted shorts; thrifted cropped blazer and shoes; f21 blouse; betsey sunglasses

SLURPEE TONGUE!
I was desperately looking for some outside activity today and someone to enjoy it with. I got frustrated after my fifth call concluded with another "I have work soon" (and silly me, I'm the workaholic) so I took it upon myself to lay in the sun in my backyard and read. I got exhausted from the heat after an hour- so now here I am.

I'm not going to lie, I was reluctant to bare my winter legs so soon in the season, but in the end it wasn't too painful. I found myself running my fingers along my thigh just to feel the soft skin again- yay for continuing to moisturize during the winter!

Happy to be back in the blogosphere.
Thanks to all the loyal followers that have continued to tune in while I so ashamedly neglected you.

xoxo esb

Good finds

cheap monday pants; thrifted blazer, tee, penny loafers; aa sheer heart socks; target hat

HELP!

I'm in need of more high-waisted shorts--- any suggestions?
I already have every color from American Apparel but I need more :)

Loving legs

tennis shirt, zipper shorts, white tights, heart tights- aa; cardigan- gap; loafers- thrifted; moose sweatshirt- tourist shop

I'm ready for spring and summer. Break out the shorts!