Peak Plum

Dress | Diane von Furstenberg

     This dress was made for "staring into gorgeous scenery photos", was it not? The open back is basically the reason I bought this dress, which I purchased (not rented) from Rent the Runway. They used to hold an insane sample sale (think long lines and very aggressive attendees) that I would try to visit when I lived in NY, but they have since started selling dresses that they don't rent out anymore, online. The pricing for the items they sell varies, to be honest, but I was pleased with the markdown on this dress, which ended up being a little over 75% off of its retail price. When I found it, the only dress left was a couple sizes too large, but in looking at the reviewer's photos on the RtR website, I didn't think it would make that much of a difference, since the fit is very drapey and loose. Turns out I was right, it looks like most of the size difference is reflected in a change in the length of the dress, and I knew I'd need to get the dress hemmed no matter what. 

Try, Try and Try Again

     I sometimes read posts by people who plan out their next week of outfits ahead of time, and think that I should try it. My usual objection is that I like to get dressed "in the moment" based on how I am feeling that morning. I tell myself that I might not end up wearing my pre-planned outfits, making it a poor use of time to do the planning in the first place. On the other hand, a lot of the time I hit snooze too many times, and then am in a rush out the door, grabbing an uninspired outfit. As such, there isn't as much creativity as I'd like, and some of my work wardrobe languishes. (Presumably, while I'm gone, my clothes obviously animate and start singing, "ten years we've been rusting, needing so much more than dusting, needing exercise, a chance to use our skill...")

     Sounds like I should just give it a shot and report back. In the meantime, I thought I'd show some of my thought process from a recent weekend outfit. I have this awesome pink suede skirt, that I bought from a thrift store in 2014. It fit perfectly in the waist, but was a floor length, maxi skirt (query why someone needed a full length pink suede skirt) so I bought it and took it to a tailor. The tailor very nicely saved the cut material, and I still have the rest of the skirt. I keep vowing to do something interesting with the leather (like maybe make a little coin purse) but I guess it has now been 3 years and I haven't acted on that impulse. I still really love the skirt, but I have a hard time finding ways to wear it casually. Now that fall is finally starting in the Bay Area, I thought I'd break it out, and see if I could find it a good match.

Top | Susina

Ruffles & Fringe

Dress: Tabula Rasa Akoto || Dress: Fame & Partners
                                                                Earrings: Banana Republic 

     I am back from my trip, and in case the lei doesn't give it away, these photos were taken in Hawaii. Today, I am featuring two outfits that each have a fun architectural element, in this case fringe and ruffles. 

Retro + Weekend Reading

Sweater | J. Crew (Thrifted)
Dress | Diane von Furstenberg (Secondhand)
Shoes | Matt Bernson

Hello and happy Friday! Just a simple outfit today, featuring my tried and true system of putting a black sweater over a printed dress, and calling it a day. It is a particularly nice Friday for me, because I am going on vacation next week, so all I need to do is get through the day. I am looking forward to coming back refreshed, and sharing some photos from my trip (as there are weddings involved, I think it'll be a much more fashion focused sort of vacation). The two weddings I will be attending are the last two I have for the year, and I plan on doing a recap of how I interpreted dress codes, and what I wore, including for my own wedding day (dun dun duuuuuunnnnn). 😊