No-Occasion Chantilly Lace

Dress:  Forever 21 Chantilly Lace Dress (hemmed slimmer, sleeves cut short) - S (similar - looks just like Kate M's wedding dress!  size 1 still available too.) (another gorgeous one) (another cute mini)

Necklace: Amrita Singh Teteo via Hautelook - $38 (buy - 60% off)

Shoes: Boutique 9 Keeva in Cognac via Nine West - 5.5 / $87 (buy - only nude left) (i was also considering these)

Earrings: Forever 21 Bow Drop - $2.50 (similar)

Sunglasses: no brand (bought off mall kiosk) - $10

Purse: Melie Bianco Madison - $50 (buy - on sale $65 + 3% rebate!)

Watch: Michael Kors "Small Runway" (MK5430) - $127 (buy - only $189 on Amazon)

I was definitely a little over-dressed yesterday as I wore this to go out and run errands. While most people were out in t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, here I was looking like I was ready to go to a soiree.  But, since this dress is too short to wear to work and I don't have any soirees to go to, I decided to wear it out on my Saturday afternoon anyways!

Meanwhile, I didn't get a chance to point out my new sandals previously!  Do you like them?  I'm in love with them.   I've been looking for a pair of tan-colored caged sandals for awhile and when I saw these on sale at Nine West for 60% off, I decided to pull the trigger.  At $87, they're still pretty expensive but, they did pass my 3-hour shopping test yesterday.  Three hours of shopping later and I still had happy feet {although I did stick some foot cushions in beforehand}!!  These shoes, along with my Melie Bianco purse, are definitely my fave purchases of this summer.  Good thing fall doesn't really start here in Texas until November.  I'll get my cost per wear outta these babies in no time.  :)
 

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Shop This Look:

Day Dresses by A/Wear

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Petite Fashion Challenge #9 - Heat Wave Appropriate Work Wear
• Casual in Pleats and Flats - First time wearing flats in more than 6 months!
  
• Blog sale - I added some hair tools to my shop!  Please check it out! 

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Petite Fashion Challenge #9: Heat Wave Work Wear

Cardigan: J. Crew Chiffon Placket Cardigan - XXSP (similar) (similar - ruffles!)

Shell: Forever 21 (old) - S (similar - ruffles again!)

Belt: Forever 21 Leopard Skinny - S / $2.50 (similar)

Skirt: J. Crew Super 120s Pencil Skirt - 00P / $118 (buy)

Shoes: Boutique 9 Keeva via Nine West - 5.5 / $87 (buy - size 5/5.5 available in black)

Purse: Melie Bianco Madison - $50 (buy - on sale $65 + 3% rebate!)

Watch: Michael Kors "Small Runway" - $127 (buy)

This post is an entry for this month's petite fashion challenge!  This month's challenge is hosted by Elle of Fast Food and Fast Fashion.

Challenge: "Heat Wave Appropriate Work Wear"

...[C]reate an outfit that accounts for the various environmental factors that plague us in the summer. I want to know how you dress when it's 90 degrees outside and 65 degrees inside.

Summertime in Texas is pretty much one big heat wave.  In July alone, we had 17 consecutive days of >100 degree weather!  It's hard to believe that the hottest month out of the year is actually August, so I have another month of sweltering temperatures.  In such weather, you'll always find me in airy, loose-fitting tops {no sweat stains here!} and skirts as shown above.

To combat the heat though, most offices are set to a chilly 65 degrees.  While this can be a nice relief initially when coming in from the heat, it can soon be very chilly!  To balance out these temperature extremes, I am always armed with a cardigan {I even have a backup cardigan in my office drawer just in case!}.  

Shop This Look:

Mid-length Skirts by J.Crew

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Casual Pleats and Flats - You won't believe it, but I'm not wearing heels!
• Color Brigade Vol 29 -Make sure you get your friend to "Like" your post to be featured in next week's Color Brigade!

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Casual in Pleats and Flats!

Top: H&M Sweater - XS / $17.95 (similar) (similar)
Skirt: A'gaci Chiffon Pleated Skirt - S / $18.35 (similar)
Shoes: no brand (bought off Taiwan night market) - $13 (similar) (similar - goes down to size 4!)
Purse: Melie Bianco Madison - $50 (with $15 gc) (buy - on sale $65)
Watch: Michael Kors "Small Runway" (MK5430) - $127 (buy)
Necklace: Kie & Kate Couture Stormy Sea - $35 (email Kate if interested) (similar)
Earrings: Forever 21 Bow Drop (similar)

You'll never believe it, but I'm wearing flats!!  I'm almost always a {super-tall} heels girl, but ever since I posted my shoe collection, I've been requested to wear my flats.  And so what better time to bust them out then on a Casual Friday?  I was actually inspired to wear them after seeing Jean wear some for her Petite Fashion Challenge #9  post.  Check back tomorrow evening as I will be posting my PFC entry then!

Shop This Look:

Crewnecks & Scoopnecks by Kensie

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Color Brigade Vol 29 - Which is your favorite look?

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Summertime Tweed

Still coddling my new Madison bag like a baby.

Top: Gap Black V-Neck (old) - XS (similar - slim Ann Taylor one!) (similar)

Belt: Forever 21 Leopard Skinny Belt - S / $2.50 (similar) (similar)

Skirt: BB Dakota Groton Metallic Skirt via Hautelook - 2 / $32 (buy) (similar - DVF on sale $92)
Shoes: Aldo Whitsey - 35 / $110 (buy) (similar)

Purse: Melie Bianco Madison - $50 (buy - on sale $65)
Watch: Michael Kors "Small Runway" (MK5430) - $127 (buy)

Necklace: Forever 21 Teardrop Collar Necklace - $7.80 (similar)

Bangles: Forever 21 Feminine Wrapped Bangles - (similar)

Earrings: Forever 21 Bow Drop Earrings - (similar - on sale $19!)

I noticed the BB Dakota skirt on Hautelook a couple days ago and realized that it had been awhile since I had worn mine.  Even though it's a tweed material, the skirt length is short and still not too heavy even for the summertime {well, as long as you're indoors in the A/C at least part of the day!}.  I kept my look simple but threw in a fun leopard belt.  When the animal prints come out, you know I'm ready for the weekend! 

Oh, and smokey eye makeup is a weekend must too!  :)

I attempted to use an asian Bump-It (gifted by Jessy) for my ponytail.  I need more practice...

Shop This Look:

V-Neck Sweaters by Lands' End Canvas

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Color Brigade Vol 29 - Get some color inspiration!

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My New Melie Bianco!

Cardigan: Banana Republic (2010) - XS / $30 (similar - another BR one!) (similar)

Top: LOFT Fields Spots Print - XSP / $21 (similar)

Belt: Forever 21 (borrowed from twill pants) - S (similar)

Skirt: The Limited Eyelet Skirt - 0 / $38 (similar) (similar - love it in black!) (similar - scallops!)

Shoes: Forever 21 Chic Leatherette Stilettos (Dec 2010) - 5 / $15.50 (similar - w/ heel bling)

Watch: Michael Kors "Small Runway" (MK5430) - $127 (buy)

Bracelet: Forever 21
Purse: Melie Bianco Madison - $50 (used $15 coupon) (buy)

A new purse is like a new baby.  When you see it for the first time, you're awe-struck.  From feeling the soft pliable leather to holding its rounded edges in your hands, a new purse is a work of wonder.  For my birthday, I caved in and bought myself a new purse.

I blame it on the $15 email coupon sent by Piperlime for my birthday.  Before I knew it, I had started browsing the website and my my eyes landed on this super cute Melie Bianco Madison Satchel.  In my defense, it was already on sale {snag for $65 and free ship!} and I had been looking for a good top-loading cross-body bag for awhile now.  I've been loving purses that have a strap long enough to be worn cross-body but all of mine currently have a flap closure and are too small for comfort.  I love a roomy purse where I can throw things in and not worry about having to keep everything super organized just so that I can close the flap {maybe I'm lazy.  or sloppy...}.  But this purse fits the bill in every way -- it is truly my new precious.

Ok, I might be a little over-dramatic, but can you blame me?  :)

And just to prove how versatile it is...

...it even looks cute carried like a satchel!

[UPDATE]:  The winners of my Sproos Shop giveaway are...  Kim Vinh and Live Life in Style!  The winners have been contacted via email.  Thank you everyone who entered! 

Shop This Look:

Cardigans by Banana Republic

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Color Brigade Vol 29 - Have you entered yet?  Have your friends come vote for your look to be featured in next week's post!

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Honeymoon Series: Lake Manyara

Our safari begins!!  Our first destination was Lake Manyara, an hour outside of Arusha where we first arrived.

Since we went to Africa at the tail end of the rainy season (and there wasn't much rainfall that rainy season either),  the lake was mostly dry.  Nonetheless, there was no shortage of things to see!

Lake Manyara is drying up -- the dry season is beginning...
All those pink dots are flamingos.  I never thought
I'd see so many flamingos in Africa!

A herd of zebras grazing by the lake

We drove through some jungle and there were monkeys/babooons everywhere! 
I think this is a Blue Monkey.

Vervet Monkey.  These guys were much cuter.  :)

Another Blue Monkey.  He looked so thoughtful. 
Although 1 minute later, it was quite a different story!

On our way out of the jungle, we saw an Impala. 
Yup, that's what the Chevy Impala is named after -- an African antelope!

Next stop, hippo pool!

Lazy hippos.  How cute are the little birdies sitting on their back?

Giraffes!  Once we hit a clearing, these guys were everywhere! 
I love their long legs and they're so graceful in person.

Hello giraffe. 

And that's day 1 of our safari!  Stay tuned as the honeymoon series keeps on going...  :)

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Polka Polka Dot - My latest outfit post!  I layered me some polka-dots. 

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