Orange you glad?

(J.Crew shirt, Zara skirt, BCBG shoes, Michele watch, Elizabeth Wahyu earrings)









Photos by Maricela Correa.

I barely resisted when I saw this little orange skirt with flared pleats on sale at Zara. $19.99? Yes, please. I know summer's over and I'm fully aware that this isn't a piece I'd wear everyday (mostly because it's very short). But giving into small desires and wants - Magnum ice cream bars, a third pair of gold hoops, a popsicle maker, late night movies on a weekday, a bright orange mini - is sort of what makes life worthwhile to me.

The fuchsia philosophy

(Zara one-shoulder dress, F21 cardigan, H&M opaque tights, Sam Edelman boots from CUSP, Michele watch, Aritzia belt, Sarah Aghili giraffe necklace, London Manori leaf earrings)

































Photos by Catharine Acurso.

And so it continues with the long cardigan affair. This one, though, is in one of my current favorite colors - fuchsia pink. If you've followed my blog, even if only for a brief time, you've probably noticed that I adore color and I'm not afraid of wearing it! I love my blacks, browns, grays and neutrals, but if I see a top in tangerine orange or some other unapologetically bright shade, I pounce. I've realized over the years that many people, including the stylish and fashion forward, shy away from color. For some, it's a purely aesthetic choice. For others, it's an issue of feeling uncomfortable standing out.

I know everyone has their own interpretation of fashion; to me, fashion is exploring who you are, using clothes to help create an image of the person you aspire to be. Every single day, fashion allows me to dress like the kind of person I want to become, and I think this is why I wear color, because I want to be someone who isn't afraid to stick out a little and who embraces color in her life... especially fuchsia pink!

A cardigan love affair

(Madewell shirt, Zara skirt, Vera Wang cardigan, J.Crew necklace, Madewell tights, Moschino belt, Prada studded boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs purse, Nadri hoops, Michele watch, vintage cuff)



















Photos by Catharine Acurso.

Starting at the age of 15, I've amassed a collection of cardigans in all fabrics and colors - bright red, yellow argyle, cashmere, chunky wool knit. So when I attended the Gilt sale in Los Angeles (thanks to my coworker Morgan's invite!) and spied this simple gray cardigan, I wasn't extremely impressed. Sure, it was Vera Wang. And sure, it was made of fine material, a lovely silky soft blend. Yet how could this piece compare with the beribboned, embellished cardigans in all colors of the rainbow that I already owned at home? But, surrounded by mountains of clothes and accessories, crazed with the excitement of the Gilt sale, I purchased it anyway.

Fast forward a few months later, this cardigan has become the most versatile piece in my closet. There's something elegant in its length, which hits right at the knee. Its thin fabric allows me to layer, while the charcoal gray shade matches every color. And the cardigan serves as my security blanket, particularly when I'm wearing a skirt a tad too short for comfort. It's safe to say that I'm now on the prowl for long cardigans in all colors and fabrics!

P.S. The Little Devil oven mitt guest stars in this post! The mitt, which inspires me to march into the kitchen and bake brownies just so I can use it, is the creation of my good friend, the owner of Collisionware. Check out her store and be thoroughly impressed by the cutest kitchenware and accessories ever!

Yellow fever

(Katy Rodriguez, Diane von Furstenberg jacket, Kenneth Cole boots, F21 ring, Fallon earrings, Michele watch)

























Photos by Catharine Acurso.

Last year, I was browsing the racks at a Refinery29 sample sale in Los Angeles, when I unearthed this whimsical number from designer Katy Rodriguez, whom I've long admired for her knack of giving party frocks an edge. The first thing that drew me to the dress was not the exaggerated bow (although that was a close second), but its rich mustard golden-yellow hue. I love the chic all-black and neutral ensembles that I find so many stylish people wearing lately; the look is so classic, effortless and sophisticated. But I feel like life could always use a little more color - a dash of fiery red here, a burst of sunshine yellow there - so I try to incorporate as much as possible in my wardrobe!

Where land ends

(Lands' End Canvas plaid pleated scarf, Lands' End Canvas raglan crewneck pullover, J.Crew pants, BCBG shoes, vintage Ferragamo gloves, F21 glasses, James Perse button down shirt, Nadri hoops, gifted Michele watch)













Photos by Catharine Acurso.

As a Lucky Style Spotter, I recently got the chance to check out Lands' End Canvas, a collection catering to the slightly more urban and hip Lands' End customer. After perusing their sizable selection of classic, affordable clothes, I ordered two items that offered endless styling possibilities - an oh-so-soft pullover sweater in navy and a cheeky plaid scarf. Both proved to be high-quality pieces with an emphasis on stylish detail; I instantly noticed the pullover's perfectly boxy fit and cozy fabric, as well as the the scarf's quirky pleats.

The short-sleeve sweater called for some layering action, so I tossed it on over a button-down shirt. While I love the timeless plaid-and-khaki look, an edgy twist - in the form of leather gloves and platform heels - was exactly what this preppy outfit needed!