Summer Daze

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So it would appear that I've scaled down to only blogging once a week. It's a shame...because I really do love blogging, but lately I just haven't had (or made) the time. I've been prioritizing things like exercising and making plans with friends over blogging, which is definitely how it should be, but also makes me sad because I want to keep this little website chugging along. Working rather than being in school is a different kind of busy—one that isn't necessarily harder, just more scheduled and regimented. When I'm at work—I'm working, and when I'm home, I'm relaxing and trying to stay as far away from the computer as possible. (Spending more than eight hours a day staring at a computer screen can't be healthy...). On the other hand when I'm in school, I feel like I have random pockets of time throughout the day to run off to a coffee shop and blog or take outfit photos. Granted, I am staying up til 2am studying, but again...different kind of busy. 

 My style has also been reflecting this recent change in pace. This outfit is a perfect example of the more simple and relaxed vibe I have been channelling lately. More basics, neutrals, and (gasp!) subtler prints. Having less free time to actually wear lounge clothes has made me want to just wear loose, comfy "office" ensembles that make it easy for me to sit cross-legged at my desk at work when no one is looking ;) 

I think this has just been a weird summer for me. It's been a time of change, growth, and adjustment. And even though I'm working full-time, there really is this intangible quality about summer that manages to always leave me in a daze. This summer, more than ever. Maybe it's because it's my first summer living alone in LA or maybe its something else...who really knows. P.S. apologies if you were just looking for outfit photos and read this super-cryptic-stream-of-consciousness blog post instead. It's past midnight, which has apparently become "past my bedtime" :)

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Outfit Details:

White Tee—Nordstrom (similar)

Scarf—Free People (similar)

Jeans—Marciano (shop)

Necklace—Renegade Craft Fair

Bag—Vintage Dooney and Bourke

Clogs—Target (similar)

Traction Avenue

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Working in downtown this summer, I've been able to explore more of Los Angeles than ever before. (In case you didn't know...there's a bit of a divide between the East and West sides of the city, mainly because it takes at least an hour and a half to get from one side to the other with traffic. At least.) One of my favorite spots in downtown has always been Traction Avenue in the Arts District. This street is home to The Pie Hole and a bunch of other fun restaurants and studios. Plus, there's some amazing street art along the entire road. On this particular visit to Traction Avenue, Andrew and I got sausages and beer for dinner at Wurstküche, a little bierhaus with a great dining area filled with long picnic tables. We then headed over to the Mark Taper Forum to see A Parallelogram. Which, by the way, is amazing and definitely one of those plays that really leaves you reflecting at the end.

I decided to dress up a little and changed into this halter and pair of trousers after wearing jeans and a tee to work. Believe it or not, this Forever 21 halter is from middle school. Back in the day, I originally wore it as a dress and thought it was the coolest piece in my closet. And I'm not going to lie, to this day I still think it has a pretty unique look! But really...let's all take a minute to imagine 12 year-old me wearing that little thing as a dress. Good, no, great times.

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Outfit Details:

Denim Vest—Nordstrom (similar)

Floral Halter—Forever 21 

Earrings—Target (similar)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Pants—Anthropologie Charlier Trousers (shop)

Bag—vintage Dooney and Bourke

Heels—ZARA (similar)

Afternoon by the Docks

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These photos were taken a couple weeks ago on an afternoon Andrew and I spent in Marina Del Rey. Sometimes I wish I lived just a little bit closer to the coast so I could make trips like this more regularly! Or maybe that LA traffic didn't make it so 5 miles = 40 minutes. Wishful thinking...

Happy Wednesday!

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Outfit Details:

Top—Nordstrom BP (similar)

Skirt—Forever 21 (similar)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Sandals—Target (similar)

Just Belt It

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Don't let the belt deceive you—this dress is a full on muumuu without it. But, I would be lying if I told you I bought it without knowing that :) Like I've mentioned before, I haven't been doing too well with the summer heat, so I've been gravitating towards loose, flowy pieces. And when I saw this dress on ASOS, I figured it fit the bill as a comfy (work-appropriate!) summer dress. Maybe next time I'll get crazy and wear it sans the belt to let its true muumuu colors shine through :)

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Outfit Details:

Dress—ASOS (shop)

Necklaces—(similar)

Belt—thrifted (similar)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Clogs—Target (similar)

Little Red Blouse

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Dressing up is always a challenge in the summer since it's so dang hot! However, this breezy red blouse made it easy to create a simple date outfit—it's an oldie but goodie. Also, maybe it was just the patriotic holiday weekend, but I've really been on a red, white, and blue kick lately!

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Outfit Details:

Red Blouse—Forever 21 (remixed | similar)

Jeans—GUESS (shop)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Heels—Zara (similar)

Romping Around

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In the three years I've had this blog, I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever worn a romper! Back in high school I owned a bright blue one that I got from Target, but it wasn't the most flattering piece in my closet (surprise, surprise). However, this weekend I finally—FINALLY—found a romper that fits! Seriously...I want to scream it from the rooftops. I am a romper owner, and I don't (at least I hope!) look ridiculous in it. And, of all places, I found it at Forever 21! That's the thing about that store...amidst all the jumble you can find some real gems if you look hard enough. I can already tell you, me and this romper are going to be inseparable this summer.

P.S. Hope you all had a fun and relaxing holiday weekend! Getting back into the swing of work isn't going to be easy, but at least I have The Bachelorette to look forward to? :)

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Outfit Details:

Romper—Forever 21 (similar)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Handbag—Madewell (similar)

Sandals—Target (similar)

American Girl

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I spent my Fourth of July back home with Andrew and his family. Since I insist on documenting every major holiday (pssst...here's my Fourth of July post from last year), I made him take cheesy patriotic pictures with me before we left for fireworks. Don't let that kiss deceive you...he wasn't too happy :)

Hope you all had a great holiday!

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Outfit Details:

Dress—Anthropologie (similar)

Pilcro Denim Jacket—Anthropologie (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Sandals—Target (similar)

Keeping It Casual

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I dress up everyday of the work week (despite the terrible 90 degree weather in Downtown LA), so on the weekends all I want to do is veg in comfy clothes. This outfit was my version of "dressing up" for brunch, since I added wedges to what would have otherwise been a very casual ensemble. More and more I find myself gravitating towards loose cotton button-ups like this, since they are nice and breezy on hot summer days. 

However, if I'm going to be honest, my outfits this summer have been pretty repetitive. Both my car and apartment have no air conditioning, so by the time I come home from a long day at work, I tend to just reach for the comfiest (and most breathable) pieces I can find and throw them on. Polyester is my mortal enemy right now, so that means about 50% of my wardrobe is completely useless! I've been living in outfits like the one in this post, and dresses like this (seriously...I wore that dress at least 4 times this weekend).

Happy Monday/July :)

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Outfit Details:

Shirt—Urban Outfitters (shop)

Cargo Pants—Nordstrom (similar)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Wedges—Cathy Jean (similar)