Petite Fashion Challenge #18

Top: H&M | Jeans: Gap | Heels: Prada (similar) | Bag: Gucci | Jewelry: Michele watch & David Yurman

This month’s Petite Fashion Challenge is hosted by Angie of Pandaphilia, a super sweet, intelligent, and fashionable neuroscience med student.  This month’s challenge: pick your favorite Summer or Fall 2012 trend and make it work for you, whether it’s going all-out, incorporating it into a professional outfit or using it in moderation. I chose to pick this season’s most coveted and wearable item – the peplum top. I love peplum as it is such a feminine and sweet look. To change it up a bit, I paired my top with slouchy boyfriend jeans and leopard platforms, both of which are trendy this season.  I guess you could say I went all out on the trend, but kept it casual and simple. 

Currently Craving

1. DANNIJO Henrik iPhone Case $98 | 2. YSL Arty Gold Ring $290 | 3. TopShop Jacquard Skater Dress $240 | 4. CL Loafers $695 | 5. Asos Leather Heart Gloves $31 | 6. Let’s Move to Paris Poster $20 | 7. DvF Clutch $365 | 8. Helene Berman Trench $240 | 9. Joseph Sweater $164 | 10. Kelly Wearstler Scarf $195 | 11. Target Pillow $23 | 12. Asos Belt $23

Here are some items I’m currently craving for Fall – some are splurge worthy, while others will inspire some other purchases this season. 

Dots & Quilts

Sweater: H&M (recent) | Skirt: Forever 21 | Heels: Zara | Clutch: Marc Jacobs 

You may remember this skirt from my crave or save post.  Although I was unsure how often I would wear a quilted “leather” mini skirt, I put it on at the first sign of cooler weather this past weekend. I added on my new favorite sweater from H&M, which I picked up in every color.  To finish off the look, I matched orange lips to my orange heels. I hope you had a wonderful weekend! XO

Vintage Lace

Top: Zara (similar) | Skirt: Thrifted | Heels: YSL (cute option for fall here) | Bag: Betsey Johnson | Bracelet: Vintage Whiting Davis | Earings: Anthropologie 

As much as I love mixing delicate and edgy pieces, I also love to go all out with delicate pieces: antiqued lace top, sheer pleated skirt, and gold brocade heels adorned with a brooch.  I completed the look with soft waves, winged eyeliner, and berry pink lips.  Simple touches like this can take a girly look to all-out glam!  

Yes, I’d Love Some Lime with that Sparkle

Dress: H&M

Clutch: Zara

Heels: Miu Miu

Jewelry: Vintage ring & bangles from Little India

Lips: Chanel Laser Pink

Nails: Essie Good as Gold

BF and I finished spent all of last week negotiating the offer on our dream house. Unfortunately for us, the sellers chose another offer. Losing out on your dream home is never a pleasant experience, but life has its ups and downs and this was a little bump in the road for us.  As a little pick me up, I threw on my brightest outfit and dolled up for a night of cocktails with BF.  This dress was my favorite from the H&M conscious collection not only because of the color, but the amazing open back and beautiful ribbon detail on the front (party in the front and back!).  It was the perfect outfit to get me out of my sullen mood and to start thinking a little more positive.

Weekend Basics

Top: Elizabeth & James, similar

Shorts: J. Crew

Flats: Madewell

Bag: Zara

Hat: J. Crew, similar for $15

What was initially supposed to be a relaxed long weekend, turned into an exciting yet stressful weekend.  BF and I put an offer on an immaculate 1964 post and beam home in a beautiful neighborhood here in LA!  The experience, as you can imagine, is stressful as you negotiate with sellers and try to convince yourself that it is normal to spend so much money on a home.  Fortunately, we had friends over on Sunday evening for a barbecue which helped ease the anxiety a bit.  We were one of several interested buyers, so we have to wait a few more days to find out if our offer was accepted (pins & needles!!!)  Because of everything going on, I opted for simple basics in the wardrobe department. 

I hope you are all having a fabulous post Labor Day week! XO

Crave or Save? Quilted Leather Skirt

Left: Zara, $90 / Right: Forever 21, $17

I’ve had my eye on this quilted leather skirt from Zara for a while, but I have been hesitant to spend $90 on a skirt that I’m not sure I will wear often.  And that’s when I walked into Forever 21 and found a similar style for only $17! Of course this solved my dilemma – at under $20 I can try out this look without feeling guilty for spending too much.  

So, what items do you like to splurge or save on? Let me know in the comments! XO