spring staples

lace raglan, aa

sunglasses, aa

jean jacket, bp

riding pants, aa

alicia pump, rj girl

leather backpack, goodwill

After two mimosas on my 21st birthday brunch, my fur coat and I stumbled into the Mission district Goodwill where this backpack was smiling at me in the doorway. With no hesitation I simply grabbed it, paid for it, stuffed my belongings in it and we haven't separated since. It is now accessorized by a SF Giants pin, I'll show you guys soon.

Anyways, I lived in these riding pants over winter and I believe if this cool San Francisco weather continues, I will have lots of use for them this season. During spring I tend to dress in a lot of black, white & red-- but especially white.

There are a few pieces I'm excited to share with you guys, most from my allowance at work. Lots of chiffon. Lots of floral. Lots of lace. But I am most excited about these new Dolce Vita wedges I got from Fancy French Cologne. I've already decided they are going to be my everyday go-to shoe this summer.

Go Giants!

Live in color

aa button up shirt, skirt, vintage scarf, dance shoes

Hate to bore you with another work outfit, but this is most definitely one of my favorite ones to wear.

Wearing a scarf as a belt is a nice and simple way to make any simple outfit look colorful, polished and complete.

It's also fun to loosely tie the scarf around your neck with blouses. I tried with this outfit but it looked a little girl-scout-y. Trying to steer clear of anything too costumey. Sock might have been nice with this.

Also, hope you noticed that I'm not wearing a stitch of black- it IS possible! It's summer, so now is the time to wear colors

:)

Romp around

thrifted romper, loafers, satchel; aa lace bra

Finally, a trip to the mother ship!

During my trip to LA, a buddy and I visited the American Apparel Factory Headquarters.

I was so excited to walk around the production floors. Got to see all the smiling workers, laughing and chatting away.

It was interesting to see the art of clothes-making. Cutting, sewing and creating high-quality clothing is hard work. It made me appreciate the company I work for. But I won't continue to bore you.

I found this romper at the Buffalo Exchange on 2nd Street in Long Beach for $12. Hollllerrrr!

On the real though, I just want lots of rompers. This one is made out of polyester and is very slinky and free-falling.

These three from F21 are cuuuuute:

Golden puppies

thrifted blouse, loafers, satchel; aa zipper shorts; h&m bow clip

Bixby Park, Long Beach, California

Sat in the park and watched the locals play soccer. Did some boy watching. The usual.

My friends & I are boycrazy :)

Dudes-- if you didn't already know: dogs are chick magnets.

Just get a pup and you will get a date. Did you really not already know that? Get on it!

Sweet scandal

aa gloria v, pique skirt, socks; steve madden wedges

Wore it to work, duh.

Bodysuit is a little intense, right? I was in a scandalous mood. Plus it's really comfortable :)

Daddy district

h&m cardi; thrifted blouse & vest; aa pencil skirt; tj maxx t-straps

Father's Day! A great excuse to dress nice for daddy, eat good food and have some nice family time. My dad and I met my sister in the Mission for breakfast, where we ate at Boogaloos. I had the nommy French Toast.

It just so happens that Valencia and 24th were shut off to traffic for Sunday Streets. Portions of the city are closed off on Sundays where you can freely roam, bike, skate, dance, whatever!

It was a cool opportunity to walk down the street and watch the crazy bicycle inventions wheel by. Also spotted a lot of cute pups, my family is partial to the Frenchies :)

Here are a few shots of the festivities:

Here we are, happy little family :)

Senorita

aa zipper pants, lace tee, nude bra, hairbow, nail lacquer; steve madden wedges


Hope you enjoyed a day off, Memorial Day has really lost its original purpose.
Instead of commemorating the soldiers that die fighting, people go shopping. And I am their slave.

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

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!

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?

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

Convenient parking

thrifted blazer, blouse; aldo textured tights, oxford lace ups; aa pink tights, mini skirt, scarf; f21 broach

So I am layering tights almost daily now. Pretty colors under a nice textured tight- love the look.

Excuse my hot mess hair :)

Is anyone as obsessed with "Best I've Ever Had" and "Little Bit (cover)" by Drake as I am? AH!

Soooo I just had my birthday a week ago. I turned 20- hooray! Feels a lot like 19.

I got a lot of accessories for my birthday, plus a lovely headband I will show off later. Also, some nice shoes and this fur scarf wrap thing that I have yet to figure out how to wear. I have faith.

Miss you, lovelies!!

xo esb

19th and Valencia

I ran away yesterday.

I packed my bags, drove to the next town, left my car in a parking lot, walked to the train, took the train to Bart and ran away to the city.

When I got into the mission, I met with some friends and we shopped. A lot. Did some REAL thrifting for once in a very long time. Thrifting in the city is a lot more successful than thrifting in the suburbs, you just have to be patient.

Thrifted DKNY denim dress; f21 button up & gray dress (not visible); uo leather lace-ups; gifted scarf, bag (made out of ties) & beanie; aldo tights

Later that night, a very special person offered me shelter for the night. She and her trendy friend had identical urban outfitter boots. Urban Outfitters is taking over the world... I haven't decided if that's a good thing yet.

Don't worry darlings, I'm home safe now :)

My best find that day ($6.75):

These shoes got me even more excited for New Year's. I think I'm going to be super 1999 and dress in all purple or something. Go really over the top. Have you seen American Apparel's new promo on New Year's like it's 1999? There are some really cute ideas on the site. Why don't more people dress up for this holiday?- it's a great way to start the New Year.

I think couples should dress to match. Girls should be in sequins and boys in bow-ties and everyone needs someone to kiss at midnight. Sorry if this philosophy depresses you single ladies, but maybe it will inspire you to dress to impress and make it that much easier to find a cutie when the clock strikes twelve.

He doesn't have to be your boyfriend, or even a friend. Truth is- everyone wants a New Year's kiss. If you see a cute boy alone and only 10 seconds remain until 2010- consider him fair game. You both want it.

New rule in the book of girl rules: if you aren't with your boyfriend on New Year's, it's all right if he gives someone else a kiss. Agree, ladies? And what do you think fellas? It's just a kiss :D

Holidaaaaay

Thrifted & altered dress; aldo oxfords; target tights & cap; aa long sleeve body suit

This is the cutest little mini dress I've got and it was perfect for a date downtown San Francisco. I had the chance to see the cast of Wicked ice skating in Union Square where green light was reflecting on the ice. It was pretty cool I guess. The ice skaters weren't very talented on the ice, but one managed to fall and it was pretty funny.

Then a little birthday party for a friend, where some asshole blew out her birthday candles before she got the chance. Don't worry, we recreated the experience for her.

I took a "Minnie" shot with my friends in celebration for her birthday. Isn't this the cutest little shot glass you've ever seen? And somewhat inappropriate? Tee hee.

Can't wait for New Years Eve, it's one of my favorite holidays and I love to dress for it, no matter how lame my plans are.