Check Mate

 Attempts of catching up in the many outfits I have been wearing over the past few days. This was my outfit to a work leadership dinner Sunday night...  

My inspiration was from the very edgy Fashion Coolture blog:

I adored the idea of mixing patterns of black and white with a pop of bright yellow...

Due to the not so great lighting of the hotel my kika paprika maxi coat acket does not show its true yellowness but it was perfect...

Here is a closer look of what was inside:

The top is actually a v-neck cardigan. But since I wanted the maximum pattern on the front I wore it buttoned and backwards! Should have done a photo of the back but forgot...

Decided to venture out to somewhat of a natural light to quickly snap these photos before meeting my party...

My golden platform/heel bottomed shoes were a great compliment....

Maxi Coat Jacket - 'Maggie' in citrus by Kika Paprika

Cardigan (worn as top) - Forever 21

Skirt - Thrifted from My Sister's Closet

Heels - Sam Edelman from Zappos

Cuffs, pearl necklace - Asos

And here is what I wore during the day to our first half day of training in Costa Mesa (Orange County) California:

 I wanted to keep it light and casual chic for the informal half day training by pairing the soft and comfy bermuda shorts with a bright aqua top and a fun neon coral scarf. The multi colored flats were perfect...

Top - 'Elyse' top in aqua by Kika Paprika

Shorts - 'Bermuda Shorts' in white by Kika Paprika

Scarf - floral infiniti scarf in neon coral by Kika Paprika

Sandals - Asos

SUNDAY:

Saturday night, I drove to Costa Mesa which is 1.5 hours north of me to meet my friend and my new recruit and check into our hotel. We met up with another new consultant and hit 7/11 for some mini bottles of wine and chatted the night away!

We are here for the Kika Paprika Fall/Winter 2012 Runway!

The company I represent has ended their Spring/Summer season and are here to find out the much anticipated new Fall Winter line and also get valuable consultant training.

It is also a great venue to meet consultants from all over the country that we talk to throughout the year on face book but don't get to meet in person...

Half of Sunday we sat through seminars on body shapes and color analysis and growing your business.

Followed by a leadership dinner at a great restaurant sitting at a chef's table...

Come & Sea

 Just a very basic casual outfit for a breakfast stroll then a beach outing with the family on Saturday morning!

The inspiration was past season's Anthropologie catalog photo:

I love this scarf my sister got from Anthropologie with a built in wooden beaded necklace!

 Cardigan - Express

Scarf - Anthropolgie

Dress, Shoes - Forever 21

SUNDAY:
We went to our local beach for a change and since my hubby was there to stay with the kids I actually went in the ocean for the first time this summer. The water was relatively warm (for us anyway) and it was so refreshing. Then my daughter was brave enough to let me take her out a bit too... But my son absolutely refused...

At the Races

 So, sorry for such a long delay in between posts... I had these photos sitting on my laptop for a few days now but at a work conference and having so much fun networking with colleagues all over the country that had no time to log on....

This was my outfit to the Del Mar Race Track on last Friday afternoon! The inspiration was a combination of the following chictopia post and from Bee:

Wouldn't be race appropriate with a hat so this white floppy hat from my mom was perfect. Coincidentally the black and white heels are also from her (my b-day present to her a few years back)...
I dropped off the kids at her house and swiped her hat and heels in a quick fashion to create this outfit!

Ruffle front halter Top - Bebe

Skirt - TJ Maxx

Hat - Mom's

Heels - Guess (Mom's)

Our dear friends own a box at the races and every year graciously treat us for a day at the races. Since my cousin is visiting from Turkey and have never been we took her as well.
It was a lot of fun!

My cousin who is an actress in Istanbul has the best artistic poses:

At the end of the day walking to our car in 'walking home ballet flats'!