Casual Can be Chic

The Outfit

I am a firm believer that if you feel comfortable in your clothing you can make a potato sack look chic. Now don't go out and buy a potato sack to wear, it's just a saying! For those nights you want to go out with friends or your significant other but don't want to do the absolute most just go with what makes you feel comfortable.

If I know I'm going to be eating a good meal I opt for a loose fitted top like this one from Who What Wear x Target. It has a subtle but beautiful detail with the bell sleeves. It gives you that sophisticated fun flair to dress up any look.

Since we have a loose fitting top we must wear some curve hugging bottoms like these jeans from H&M which are high waisted and super flattering!! I won't lie these are not the most comfortable after you've had a large meal but they keep that tummy sucked in all night.

Accessorizing is key!! Choose two or three pieces to help elevate your look to the next level. I chose my Chanel inspired grey slingback heels from Ivanka Trump and my cutest little boxy top handle bag from Zara. The slingback's are uber comfortable but they look very high end and the faux snakeskin black and burgundy bag is unique and very eye catching. 

The Shoes of the Year

I had to highlight the shoes of the year (in my opinion) because I already own these in beige and the cost per wear on those babies were scents or a dollar per wear. I've worn the beige ones to death and I will still wear them when I can but when the seasons change so does the color palette of your wardrobe which is why I opted for these charcoal grey slingback heels from Ivanka Trump. Aren't they just dreamy!! They are the perfect work shoe with the 2 or 3 inch block heel, you don't have to sacrifice looks for comfort.








Top: Who What Wear via Target

Jeans: H&M

Bag: Zara

Heels: Ivanka Trump via Lord and Taylor   

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My Personal Struggle

Self Image

I wanted to share something a little more personal on the blog today so you can know me a little bit better. I've been struggling this past year and maybe my whole life with my body image. I've never been happy with the way I looked because everywhere I turn skinny with a big butt and big boobs has been deemed attractive. Even when I look at different fashion inspirational pages on Instagram I can't help but notice that 90% of the pictures they repost are of skinny beautiful women. Lately I have noticed that plus size bloggers have been making a splash on the social media circuit and in the fashion industry which is amazing!! I'm left wondering, what happens to the women like me who are neither skinny or plus size? I feel like there is no one out there who represents us! It is also a small factor in why I'm not happy with the way my body looks. Unfortunately the media controls what the world deems beautiful and I don't fit into that equation. 

I am 5'9 and a size 10/11 who weighs 165lbs. It's huge that I am sharing that with all of you because I still have my weight from 7 years ago on my drivers license and its about 20lbs less than what I actually weigh. I am striving to be healthier and love my body at every stage of my life but it's harder than it seems. The pressure of looking perfect in every single picture and dissecting my looks constantly has been wearing down on me. This is why I take a break from the blog and social media. I'm a work in progress and I am slowly trying to better myself! 

Why I'm Sharing ...

I have been wanting to share the not so perfect side of my life for a while because writing is like my therapy. It's not all perfect outfits and great lighting there is a lot of imperfection and self criticizing behind the scenes. I am only human and I think we all go through similar feelings but I've learned one thing in life that is, if you don't like something about yourself than change it. Its as simple as that! Well not that simple but you get the gist.







Vest: Zara (old)

Dress: H&M (old)

Boots: Zara (old)

Scarf: Zara (old)

Bag: Zara

Sunglasses: Celine

Progress Not Perfection

In the last few months I have tweaked my thinking and realized that I need to love myself enough to take care of my mind, body and soul. I know it sounds a little cliche but its true!! Ive started with baby steps, the way I was nourishing my body before was extremely unhealthy which in turn made me feel crapy all the time. Eating healthier and exercising slightly has made me feel better and has given me more energy. I have also incorporated positive quotes in my closet room and read them everyday. It starts my day of with positivity which is the best way to start the day! I also love watching Mimi Ikon's youtube videos because she is just the most genuinely positive person I've seen in a long time and her attitude is contagious. I hope this post gave you a little food for thought and maybe motivates you to get out of a negative head space you may be in!

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Fashion Week Inspired

My Muse

As most of you know fashion week New York, London, Paris, & Milan have just passed and I kept my eyes glued to Instagram & Snapchat for all the lust worthy fashion trends bloggers were rocking this season. I saw a lot of burgundy, leather jackets, black skirts and small rigid briefcase style bags. My style muse or muses I should say were the beautiful Camila Coelho and Olivia Culpo. I loved the all black and burgundy look both of these beauties wore so much that I had to create a budget friendly outfit of my own!

Faux Leather Jacket: Zara 

Skirt: Nasty Gal

Bag: Zara

Heels: Zara (old)

Lip: Mac - Diva

Falls "It Bag"

I'm the girl who thinks the bigger the better when it comes to my bag selection. I've never been the one to lust over small dainty bags, maybe it has something to do with my stature or the proportion of my body vs a bag that small. Whatever the reason maybe I caved in this season and bought this small beautiful faux snake skin rigid briefcase bag from Zara. It literally was love at first glance!! It looked so expensive and chic, when I held it up against my body I didn't look like a giant holding a pea. A pea!?!? Really?!?! I'm sorry I couldn't come up with a better comparison. You heard it here first!! This bag is going to be the "it bag" of the season. I saw a ton of these small boxy briefcase looking bags at Paris and Milan fashion week by high end designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Dolce and Gabbana.  Aren't you glad I found an alternative in an affordable price range?? In case you where wondering the Zara bag is quite large inside, it even fits my iPhone 6 plus and a few other items. I will definitely keep this little bag on heavy rotation especially since it matches my favorite fall lipstick diva by Mac!

Burgundy

In my eyes burgundy is the color of this season. I just can't get enough of this beautiful color and how well it goes with virtually everything!! My burgundy lip color has become a huge staple in my fall wardrobe. I mean look at the picture below it screams Fall!! What's your favorite color for Fall???

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How to wear Off the shoulder this fall

Never Letting Go

Earlier this week I read an article on Who What Wear which said "6 Fashion Items You Should Put Away Now" and my heart sank to the floor when I scrolled down and read number 6 on the list which was off the shoulder tops. I couldn't believe my eyes ... I know this trend has been overdone this summer but I have loved this trend even before it became cool and I will keep rocking it even long after it becomes uncool!!! It's just my thing!! It's like the peanut butter to my jelly! 

Top: SheIn

Pants: Who What Wear via Target

Heels: Shoemint but exact ones available Here

Bag: Vanilla-Paris (Old)

Lip: Mac - Diva

Do You... Always!

I've always been the girl who read all the style magazines and looked online to see what next seasons trends would be like but I never allowed them to dictate my sense of style. I used these fashion outlets more as suggestions to what I can incorporate into my wardrobe next season. Don't ever feel like you can't wear something just because a fashion outlet decided its no longer on trend. Everyone is entitled to there own opinion but it doesn't necessarily mean its always right.   

The Dark Side

When trying to bring a summer trend into fall I've learned you must go to the dark side, by this I mean try to incorporate dark fall colors into the look. I decided to make the whole look black and add pops of red for an understated dramatic effect. It also helps that I live in good old California where its sunny 85% of the year.

BTW can we talk about my Who What Wear x Target wide legged trousers, I mean they are just perfection! Maybe I'm bias because I'm obsessed with this brand but they fit like a glove and are actually long enough for my 5 foot 9 frame.  For any of you who love these trousers just as much as I do, be warned they are super long and if you are any shorter than 5'9 you will have to hem them. 

"One day I decided that I was beautiful, and so I carried out my life as if I was a beautiful girl."

- unknown

I have to constantly remind myself that I am a beautiful girl. Always remember you are beautiful and don't ever let society tell you otherwise! 

XO,

Shirley

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