Pink Crop Top & Floral Maxi Skirt

I don't think I like this outfit… With me, more is more but I might have out-more-ed myself, if ya know what I mean. It's too much pink (which might be the first time I've ever said that in my life) and too much billowy fabric and something else I can't put my finger on… 

But now that I've convinced you not to like this outfit, here are the things I do like about it. I love every single thing I'm wearing, just not together. Like this skirt - it's so vibrant and fun! I still can't decide if I am going to cut off the bow on the side. I'm not usually keen to add MORE fabric to my hips but it's not terrible with it. What do you think? 

And I love this crop top. It's actually got slits on the sleeves but you can't really see it. I'm also thinking about cutting the slits higher up on the shoulders so it's more apparent. But then again, I'm really lazy so maybe not. I also have no idea what to wear this crop top. 

Oh the adventures in thrifting. You fall in love in the store, the price is always right and then you get home and notice those little things… Oh well! I guess it means I just gotta play more dress-up with my closet to figure out some new options. 

What good finds have you discovered at the thrift store lately? I MUST live vicariously through you so tell me! :) 

Sunglasses: Modcloth | Everything else: Thrifted 

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12 Different Ways to Wear a Crop Top

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with crop tops. And anyone can wear one! Before I show you my favorite crop top outfits, here are my two easy tips for showing some tummy skin.

First you've got to find your "sweet spot". I'm not gonna lie, I've got a little belly on me. But I hide it with high-waisted everything. My sweet spot is where my stomach is the smallest, right above my belly-button and love handles. For some, it might be a little higher or lower. Play around with lengths and find the area that you are comfortable showing off. 

Second you only need to show a little of your stomach to get the job done. I usually only bare about one or two inches. I'm not trying to go for Britney Spears circa 2000. I might wear a crop top that shows a little more skin that hits right under my bra line but I never go down past my belly button. 

Now that we've got that covered (pun intended!) let's move on to 12 of my favorite ways to style a crop top. There's only about a bizillion ways!

Baby, We're the New Romantics

1 If you're still a little shy about showing your belly, add another layer, like this crocheted vest. Also wearing a statement necklace will put more emphasize on your face than on your stomach. 

Mixing Prints

2 Add a slouchy cardigan. Play with prints. Find crop tops that have interesting details, like the pom-poms on the edge of this one. 

Belly Dancer

3 Keep it simple, casual and comfortable with an all black, boho vibe. Add interesting details like long earrings, embroidery on a skirt and a great rugged leather bag.

Red White and Tokyo

4 Go for a crop top in a graphic tee style. Pair it with some casual shorts. I love matching stripes with polka dots for a sweet look but you could also go for a sporty style with this tee. 

The Secret Garden

5 With all those adorable, high-waisted, full circle skirts, it only makes sense to take a crop top vintage! Extra bonus: add a petticoat underneath - it will make your midsection look even smaller. 

Le Freak C'est Chic

6 Take a graphic tee you already own and knot it! Instant crop top! Where you knot it is up to you (side, front or back). 

Rainbow Bus

7 You can also take a regular button-up and tie it. Only button down the shirt half-way and then tie the remaining fabric. Make sure and fluff out the tie for that finishing touch. 

Festival Ready

8 Again, this is just a regular tank top I knotted in the middle. Another thing to think about when wearing crop top is how your bottoms will fit. Make sure they aren't squeezing you too tight! This maxi has an amazing forgiving, wide elastic top.

On the Carousel

9 Try a looser-fitting crop top. So that my waist didn't get lost in the fullness of the shirt and the skirt, I added a brightly colored belt. 

Mixing Prints and Getting Ready in 10 Minutes

10 Find an actual button-down style crop top. It will give you less fabric to deal with the sides and back but still give you a polished, lady-like look.

Eating Praying and Loving in Ubud Part 2

11 Breath new life into old, slumpy t-shirts. This one was just a little bit too short and too wide until I knotted and cropped it! 

Coming Up Rosy

12 To me, nothing is better than a crop top (with no bra!) and a flowy maxi for a easy, breezy day at the beach. 

*Whew!* So which look was your favorite? 

And please tell me, how do you wear and style a crop top? I'm dying to know! :) 

Thanks for stopping by! 

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Coming Up Rosy

Last month we went to Thailand for a three day weekend again (I don't think we can ever get enough of Thailand!) Nothing is more perfect than being on the beach, wind in your hair and of course, the perfect beach attire. I threw just a few easy pieces into my backpack including my trusty crop top and a floral maxi skirt. 

What is your favorite beach-ready outfit?

Crop Top: Clothing Swap | Skirt: Australian Salvation Army | Purse: Ecuador | Flower headband: Thailand | Necklace: Lovisa | Watch: Little India, Singapore

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Mixing Patterns and Getting Ready In A Flash

Last weekend the boyfriend and I were lounging in the pool when we decided to jump up and go check out a new cafe. The caveat was that I had to get ready quickly. Ugggggggh, I'm not always the best at that especially with wet hair and no outfit planned. But I lived up to my promise with this fun but simple outfit! I hid my pool hair with a lime green bow and only needed minimal make-up with my orange-red lipstick. I grabbed these two cotton pieces to match my scarf & vintage vibe. I absolutely love how they are two different prints but they compliment each other so well. I think it goes so well nicely together because the top is only blue & white and the skirt is only green & white. See how that works? Two colors and there's a common color shared between the two items. Easy-peasy! 

It was a good thing we ended up leaving the pool too because we almost got caught in a sudden downpour after we left. 

What's your quick tips for getting ready in a snap?

Not a weird texture on the bag - just rain! :)

Skirt: Thrifted | Shirt: Cotton On (old) | Purse: Coach | Sandals: Rack Room
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Red, White and Tokyo

These shorts were another find in Perth's Salvation Army. They're actually a romper but the top part tucks so neatly in, you would never know! Versatility at it's best. 

I've always had a hate/love relationship with shorts. It's one of those things I think are darling on 10 million other people, but I hate on me. It's hard to find shorts that fit my round rump, thick thighs and smaller waist. And that's even before worrying about length and coverage! 

If I had a choice, I'd pick a dress or skirt over shorts any day of the week. But y'all. I live on the Equator. It's FRIGGIN' HOT. Sometimes I just get so bored wearing the same things. So I'm trying to wear more shorts - cellulite and my neighbor's Asian sensibilities be damned. 

Of course, it helps that I found a pair that are too perfect - hello, polka dots! - and fit me spectacularly. Combine with a crop top and retro accessories and I'm in love. 

How do y'all feel about shorts? Necessity or not?

 Shirt: Cotton On | Shorts/romper: Salvation Army (Forever 21) 

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Baby, We're the New Romantics

If ya haven't figured it out, I'm quoting Taylor here. She definitely has the bon mot for romance - don't believe me? Check out this awesome Buzzfeed "If Taylor Swift Lyrics Were About Henry VII". You're welcome. Her lyrics transpires centuries, hehe. 

I feel like this skirt empathizes romance: the deep russet red, the long flowy fabric, the pleats and gathers. 

And it certainly goes with new romantics - I don't think the 1st round of old romantics were going around in crop tops and beaded vests (but definitely the 2nd round in the 60's!) And while being romantic obviously goes with this week's theme of Valentine's Day, I think Taylor is more referring to the literary movement of the 19th century - a group of writers, artists and thinkers who believed in true expression of emotions, rebelling aspects of society, finding beauty in all things and going back to nature. To name a few: Lord Byron (free love), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (humanity v. industry),  John William Waterhouse (beautiful women in natural landscapes). 

Then fast forward and we get the hippies who were inspired by the romantics - which inspired the bohemian style and this specific outfit! Voila! See how I went full cycle there? 

Besides the skirt - which I lurrrve (also see here and here) - I'm obsessed with this sweet little vest - not only is the netting really funky and fun but it's got seed pearls woven into the pattern! With the vest, I'm trying out the "Third Piece Rule" of wearing a 3rd piece that really pulls your whole look together. I read this on Little J Style's blog and thought dangit! Why didn't I think of this? Or at least know about it? It really does make the difference - though it can be hard to do in the tropics. 

So what do you think? Of Taylor? Henry VII? Romanticism? Hippies? The 3rd Piece Rule? 

I bet Henry definitely followed the Third Piece Rule and was all about some free love! 

Everything Thrifted 

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