Once Upon A Time . . .

There was a girl named HB who dressed up like an adult everyday at work. HB had a cat named Fiona and a Genius cousin, who was quite skilled with the camera as well. Once day, HB came home and prepared to show off her dress up endeavors to her bestie Miss P. Fiona arrived and decided she wanted to be part of the photo shoot too.














HB agreed, Fiona was pretty and fashionable and could be allowed to be in her pictures. So she picked up Fiona and told her so. But this made Fiona nervous so she ran off.



















HB kicked off her shoes and went after Fiona. In her vintage heels she couldn't chase Fiona down! Those shoes were meant to show off the colors in HB's outfit, not chase down nervous cats.















HB brought Fiona back to the warm steps where Fiona could lounge for the rest of the afternoon. All it took was a little petting to get her to calm down. Good thing HB's work outfit today was stretchy and comfortable. Otherwise she would not have been able to chase down Fiona (as well as going up and down the stairs at work many times)



















Back in her shoes, with her cat happy lounging, HB's genius cousin pointed out that Fiona was behaving like a prissy model and taking all the attention away from the point of photo shoot: HB's work wear!






HB turned to Fiona and said, we don't all have the luxury of having just one awesome outfit like you Fiona!

The End

Tank: The Gap, $7
Cardigan: Boden, $25
Skirt: Banana Republic, $35
Shoes: Joan and David, vintage from my mother
Sunnies: Mosely Tribes, gifted from my bro!

Mini Vacation Wednesday and Thursday!

I know today is only Wednesday but I am celebrating at least a brief respite from the craziness of my life. Two straight days of not going to my NYU job or Queens and I plan on doing patty related things. So today was a slow day but now I have to run out and get some documents for an Orientation and meet a friend that has just gotten back from a research trip!

Today I went very comfortable with a light blue v-neck t-shirt tucked into my printed shorts. For accessories I chose a home-made necklace, a gifted African bracelet, and my trusted Sprout watch.

As for shoes I stayed with the truest of shoes, my blue jean peep-toes from Payless.

Tip of the day: You can never go wrong with an all blue ensemble. Just add some funky jewelry to liven it up.

Outfit:
T-Shirt: Urban Outfitters ($5)
Shorts: Urban O ($20)
Shoes: Payless ($20)
Necklace: Made with found and given objects
Bracelet: Gift ($0)
Watch: Sprout ($20)

Leggy Tuesday!!!!

Another day, another dress from BR that's questionably far above my knees. I found this dress in my closet this morning as I was trying to figure out what to wear. I bought this dress of the sale rack at BR a few years ago because I loved the color, shape and detailing and it was only $20! I think even on its most casual day, this dress is still a little dressy for work. I tried to pair it down by putting my basic brown cardigan over it and wearing it with my basic flats. Despite my best attempts, people still asked me at work whether I was going somewhere special.




















Dress: BR, $20
Cardigan: J. Crew via Maribel, $40
Shoes: BR, traded with Miss CT
Scarf: Gift from my parents


Hope everyone had a good Tuesday!

Work and Picnic Tuesday!

AHH the week post-storm! I thank my busy life and hectic schedule for getting me out of my house and now, no longer stir-crazy, I can wear clothes!

Today I wanted to wear shorts because obviously they are easier to move in. These shorts are one of my favorites because of the subtle striping . I paired the shorts with my light jersey yellow tank-top and a combination of a blazer (for work) and a utility vest (for fun).

As for accessories, I am braving earrings. I love these orange dangling ones. Hopefully my allergy will allow it for the day. In addition I have a plastic ring from H&M and my trusty Sprout watch. For shoes I chose my suede beige platforms.

Overall it is a comfortable outfit with some touches of fashion.

Tip of the Day: A mix of comfy, preppy, utility-style, and bright colors make an outfit interesting in terms of layering but also in bright accents.

Outfit:
Blazer: H&M ($20)
Vest: Urban Outfitters ($20)
Tank-Top: The Gap ($4)
Shorts: H&M ($20)
Belt: Ann Taylor ($4)
Shoes: Urban Outfitters ($10)
Ring: H&M ($5 for 3)
Watch: Sprout ($20)
Earrings: Flea Market ($5)

Leggy Monday!

Today it was back to work for me, but not so much for my alarm clock. I had forgotten to set it this morning, but luckily Miss Fiona woke up my Marm asking for breakfast. My marm then woke me up, I threw on my clothes, and actually made it to work on time. All that being said, I don't think anybody could tell how haphazardly I threw on my clothes. I only wore this dress because I bought it this weekend off the $1o rack at Maribel and had been trying to think of how I was going to wear it. Then this morning I figured I would continue along with my colorless challenge and wear it with my gray cardigan. I ended up loosening up on my challenge and wearing red shoes with my otherwise colorless clothing. It was only once I was out of the house that I realized I was wearing a dress and shoes from Maribel. I had to wear this dress with flats because it is quite short. I think it is saved by its high neckline and capped sleeves. I always try to make sure that I don't dress too skimpily when at work. Nobody wants to be the sexy secretary type in their office.






















Dress: BR via Maribel, $10 (Score!!!)
Cardigan: The Gap, $15
Shoes: Marc Jacobs via Maribel, $100

Thanks Again to my Genius Cousin for helping out with my tomato photo shoot adventures!!!!

Summer Skirt Sunday!

Today turned out to be another warm day after the fog burned off this morning, so I decided to break out a summery skirt that I ordered from Boden ages ago but had yet to wear. I had been waiting for the right warm summery day to break out such a festive and colorful skirt. We were actually have a large group of people over for Sunday dinner, so it was an especially good occasion to break out this skirt. I really like the bright colors and vibrant pattern on this skirt. I ended up pairing it with a teal tank and my brown cardigan when it got chilly. Finishing off my low key summery look were my reef flip flops. Princess Fiona even got in on the sun action today. She enjoyed the warm steps and some petting.

























Skirt: Boden, $25
Tank: The Gap, $7
Cardigan: J. Crew via Maribel, $40
Shoes: Reefs, $10
Kitty: Princess Fiona the Schnuggler.


Special thanks to my genius cousin for taking these lovely pictures!!

Barefoot Saturday!

I finally feel better after my killer cold last week. And my work week without color is over. So to celebrate feeling better and the beautiful day it turned out to be (after the morning fog burned off), I broke out a brightly patterned skirt and a contrasting bright tank top to run errands and hang out. I bought this skirt at the Gap ages ago because: (a) it was ridiculously cheap; and (b) I had admired it from the time it was full price and decided to go for it. That being said, as I have noted before, I am always trying to figure out what to pair it with. Today I really liked the color and shape of the tank with the skirt. Usually I wear more conservative tops with it, but today I think the brighter color really fitted the summer day. I did draw the line at my brown cardigan, I couldn't imagine adding another bright color into the mix without looking silly.


































Skirt: The Gap, $11
Tank: The Gap, $7
Cardigan: J. Crew via Maribel, $40

Happy Saturday All! Stay safe East Coasters!

PEP Hurricane Wear

What does PEP wear when preparing for a hurricane....


Just her Pjs!

Today I did some serious preparedness, including checking windows, stockpiling water, and getting canned goods. I did some of these in my general Pj clothing.

This is good for rapid action in your house, but not for much else besides sleeping.

Tank-Top: Old Navy ($5)
Shorts: Gift ($0)
Preparedness Instincts: Priceless

Sick Day

I stayed home sick again today, and rocked the same awesome gray and black pj's for most of the day. So sadly no pictures. In good news I am feeling much better and should be back on my feet and dressed in no time! I also look forward to completing my challenge of no color in my work wear!

See you soon fashionable readers!

HB

Exhausted Friday

I have not slept well in several days so I am hoping I can make this post coherent. Despite my sleepy head it is FRIDAY and another weekend of casual, funky wear is upon us!

I actually really love the way this outfit works and also realize this is the SECOND time I have worn a black top in two days. Today I am wearing a Necessary Objects top. The reasons why this top is amazing is the low cut of the collar in the back, the light fabric, and the buttons that are also in the back. I chose to wear a light and short skirt with it and belt it like a tunic.

For accessories and shoes, I went to vintage with my metal and plastic rings and the white metal necklace. The shoes are yet another Payless find and the belt is something I found in my mom's closet years ago.

** Sorry for all the caps PEP is very tired...

Tip of the day: Wear shirts backwards, forwards, with buttons exposed. It adds whimsy and creativity to an outfit.

Outfit:
Top: Necessary Objects ($17)
Skirt: Urban Outfitters ($10)
Shoes: Payless ($20)
Necklace: Flea Market ($5)
Watch: Sprout ($20)
Belt: Found ($0)
Rings: Flea Market ($10)

My Week Sans Color: Thursday

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, this week I have actually had a cold. And finally after going to work and feeling stuffed up and fuzzy, I gave in and took a day off to sleep and rest. Luckily for me, my pj's fit the bill for my challenge this week. My gray gap t-shirt and lulu lemon shorts are actually what I have been sleeping in this week, and what I ended up wearing today. I will be the first to admit that this is not the most stylish of all outfits, but it was totally appropriate to sleep the day away in! Hopefully I will be back on my feet tomorrow.

Nearing the Close: Thursday Outfit

Hey everybody!

Your PEP is tired today so I attempted a loose version of my challenge and wore all vintage accessories, including necklace, bracelet, and belt. This shows that you can do vintage but in a minimal way but still look interesting and stylish.

Today I am wearing a wool, cropped, black top with a red and white tank-top underneath. I love the cut of this top with my yellow skirt, which is a jersey wrap skirt from Urban Outfitters. I cinched the skirt with my vintage sash and choose interesting accessories to ramp up the details. Finally I chose my blue-jean peep-toes because I wanted the height but with comfort.

Tip of the Day: Try interesting shapes together to make an even more powerful outfit.

Outfit:
Top: Necessary Objects ($15)
Tank-Top: H&M ($5)
Skirt: Urban O ($10)
Shoes: Payless ($20)
Watch: Sprout ($20)
Vintage necklace, bracelet, and sash: Flea Markets + Gift ($10)

My Week Sans Color: Wednesday

The irony of my week without color is that it has actually been a really warm week in the Bay Area. Which means this of all weeks would have been the week to do all color challenges. However, I have actually also had a cold all week, so staying layered and warm has been a must as well. I was really excited to wear this outfit this week. I really like how the detailing on the cardigan, dress and shoes play off of each other without being colorful. I thought that the vertical detailing on the front of the dress played off the horizontal stripes on the black and white cardigan really nicely. I also like how the copper ribbon flats had enough going on to hold their own again the busy tops. Overall, I didn't feel like this outfit needed color to be interesting. The pieces and their details spoke loudly enough! Which is good because my voice was basically gone . . . .























Dress: J. Crew via Maribel, $35
Cardigan: Maribel, gifted from my marm
Shoes: Lucky Penny via Anthropologie, $60

Crazy Wedsnesday Can End in Greatness

Hello everyone!

Today is a busy day for me, and by busy I mean I am sitting for long stretches of time. What better way to sit in comfort and style than a Good Will/Vintage Sarong made into a skirt.

As a tiny lady I try to make a lot of different clothes work for me, despite the shortness so this skirt, albiet WAY too long as a skirt works very well wrapped and belted as a dress. It is made into a halter dress and belted with an Urban Outfitters belt. Because the back is very exposed I used a blazer to workify the ensemble and cover myself up.

As for accessories and shoes I stayed bare up top - no necklaces or earrings. Instead I chose a HUGE plastic ring from H&M and tons of bangles that were all gifts from different friends. The shoes are borrowed wedges, that I love!!!!

Tip of the Day: Wear that skirt as a dress, but make sure it is long enough.

Outfit:
Dress/Skirt: The Good Will ($5)
Belt: Urban Outfitters ($10)
Shoes: Borrowed ($0)
Blazer: H&M ($20)
Bracelets: Gifts ($0)
Ring: H&M ($4.99 for 3)