Tulle and Denim

As I probably told your before I absolutely love anything with tulle. If I could wear tutu's at my age I totally would. So, when I saw this white dress at F21 with a tulle underlay I had to have it. It was years ago, I have worn it so much but usually with nothing else and girly shoes. Today I decided to add denim  and ankle cuff sandals to make it less dressy and roughen it up a bit. The plan was to wear it with my new denim vest but it was too cold today so wore it with the jean jacket the whole day. [Another look I have in mind with this dress for Fall is black leather motorcyle jacket and ankle high open toed juicy boots.] The tan with burn orange trim silk scarf looks great over the white. And the tan sandals compliment the scarf. The coral necklace picks up the slim trim color of the scarf. This is my new thing now, wearing a necklace with a scarf. I saw it somewhere (can't remember where, probably on another blogger) and liked the idea. Denim vests are totally in now (see my 'what is in style' pages on the right side of the blog for other variations). To gather 'in style' items I adopt the following strategy: first look at my favorite discount stores in the given order: Forever 21, Charlotte Rousse, H&M and TJ Maxx. If not found then consider type of a store that might sell such style item or use the website references on the magazine if the price is reasonable. I usually get lucky though and find what I am looking for at a discount store. Denim Vest purchase was found by this strategy.

Dress - F21

Denim Vest - F21 - $24

Jean Jacket - very old...

Sandals - VS Catalog

Scarf - Coach

Necklace - Charlotte Rousse - $9

Today's Activities: Breakfast at home, visit to parents and lunch at their house. While kids are napping with hubby home, went to the Thread Show (post tomorrow on my purchases from the show). After naps (both napped today! Yeay!) Carlsbad Flower Fields followed by dinner out.

Full Day!

Going Mini

This is my 1 of 3 skirts I bought this season. Since this a-line full skirts are in style I looked for types that have pockets and made of material or cut that will not fly up in the wind. This one came in white as well but I loved this dark jean color. The tone on tone flower stiching adds inderest. The elastic waist is perfect and comfy. I have 4 looks that go with this skirt. It is shorter than the hot pink one I wore a week ago though so I think I will reserve these looks for weekend where I have my husband to help with the kids. I had to make sure I didn' bend down straight but compeletely bent my knees to go down to not falsh anybody. The sheer peachy pink blouse is an H&M purchase from NYC from years ago where we didn't have the store in San Diego. The brown goes very nice with that peachy color as well. The suede flats were purchased when I bought my tigh high boots from steve madden as part of a 'get the 2nd pair 50% off' so they came out to be $15! I was going to go with a brown bead necklace but then I noticed this bone colored one in the back and thought it added more interest. Although it looks like one of my original exotic pieces it is actually from F21. The cream/bone colored bangles (again from F21) compliments the necklace. And of course must have a cardigan (I am always cold) and this shrug number pulled all the cream pieces together.

Jean colored a-line skirt - Charlotte Rousse - $15

Sheer Blouse - H&M

Cream Shrug - can't remember

Belt - The Limited

Necklace, bangles - F21

Today's Activities: Kid Ventures with family, playtime at UTC mall followed by lunch where we were joined by my husband's parents (as well as his grandparents who are staying with us until Monday) who drove from LA. After unsuccessfull naps, where this time neither kid slept! we went to Coronado island's ferry landing area to watch the boats, birds and play. Dinner at home with the family. Hate no nap days. The kids are a basket case! Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Grape Jelly

Today's outfit was inspired by a look I saw in Lucky magazine 2 months ago. Lucky did this editorial on creating something like 25 looks using a set of pieces. I loved almost every look. So you will see a lot of looks in the upcoming weeks inspired from that section. I included the photo from the magazine below. They listed where you can get each item but I like to find cheaper variations and of course a lot of the looks are shown with heels so I always substutied with my flat sandals. This layered look will only work in a special weather. It can't be too hot as the layers and the scarf can get too warm. It can't be chilly since it has shorts. Today's weather worked great for this look. The purple top actually is a really dressy corset top I bought for a club outfit from Bebe. It was cool to wear it during the day and since it is covered by layers you can't see it is dressy. That is why I liked this outfit when I saw it cause it gives me a chance to use something I own and don't wear that often. I also realized I can totally adjust the tightness of the vest from the last time I wore it. Looks much better fitted this way I think. This vest is a great layering piece. Over dresses, shorts dresses etc... I love it. The scarf in the magazine photo is from Old Navy but i couldn't find it there. I found mine at Gap. It is still more than I would like to pay for a scarf but I liked it. Since the scarf is enough of an accessory I went with no jewelry. My denim sandals as usual also add embelishment as well.

Here is the inspiration photo...

Khaki Shorts - JCrew - $39
Purple Blouse - Bebe - $60
Navy Vest - F21 - $24
Scarf - Gap - $10
Sandals - Steve Madden - $60


Today's Activities: Playdate at a friend's house with my mommy group. Took our visitors shopping and ice cream (for kids) in the mall in the afternoon. Dinner at home.