White Scalloped Top and Nude Pleated Skirt

Why haven't I worn this outfit sooner?? I was toying around with the idea of playing with this season's hugest trends - whites & nudes. And then it seemed like the outfit made itself. It's such a simple look but has so many beautiful details that I love! 

First of all this, this top. My mom pulled it out of a Goodwill rack and thank heaven's that that woman can spot quality from a mile away. This beauty has stunning embroidered flowers and scalloped edges. I resisted the urge to tuck it into my skirt (old habits die hard) and I'm glad I did. It would have been a pity to cover up any inch of this darling. 

I was kinda over this skirt for a while, thinking "Why in the world did I buy anything beige?? It's so not my color." But I think pairing it with white brings new freshness into an actually precious skirt. I love anything with pleats and it's got the extra clever little ruffled layer at the bottom.  

The shirt and skirt were a great canvas to wear some of my new favorite accessories. I found this gold pineapple necklace and I cannot stop wearing it - same goes for this tasseled-colorful-gold-chain-beaded collection of bracelets.  I wrapped a scarf around my bag for another pop of color, added a belt to accent my waist, slipped on a pair of nude heels (utterly and always obsessed with these) and voila! 

How are you wearing the white & nude trend these days?

Skirt, Shirt & Scarf: Thrifted | Shoes & Belt: Target | Bag: Coach | Pineapple Necklace & Bracelets: Lovisa | Sunglasses: Cotton On 

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Senorita Rosa

Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite holidays; who doesn't love an excuse to indulge in margaritas and loooots of queso dip on the patio? In Georgia, that's pretty much any day - there seems to be a Mexican restaurant on every corner - each one more delicious and cheaper than the next. But I definitely get a bit homesick on the 5th of May. 

Besides being addicted to queso, I love Mexican-inspired embroidery. This top worn with my new pink polka dot skirt & bowed-belt and I'm muy feliz! 

Skirt: Australian Salvation Army | Bag: Coach | Shirt, Shoes & Sunglasses: Singapore Pop-up Kiosks | Belt: Korean Underground Shopping
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Photos by Sara Moulton

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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Summer Words

Last week my boyfriend graduated from his Master's program (which he totally kicked BUTT IN; so proud. Waaaaahooo!!!) so we dashed over to Thailand for a long weekend to celebrate. This is the balcony of the resort we stayed in. The grounds were so gorgeous and we could see the turquoise ocean water from the balcony. My favorite part of the resort was listening to the waves crash as we fell asleep; much different than the noise from our Singaporean bedroom window! My favorite part of the trip was both of us turning off our phones for three days and just relaxing together.

It's also fun just to wear a swim suit for 3 complete days. I threw this oversized tank top and bright skater skirt over mine on our first day to the pool/beach. I don't usually get to show off my tattoo so I was excited to wear this outfit in Thailand - a place where people go purposely TO show off their ink! I got mine my first year in Korea. It says in French "one vie passionnante" which means a life of passion.   Pair it with the "love is blind" tank and "art as canvas" tote (what does that mean…?) and I got a lot to say as I walk down the strip! ;-) 

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Take me to the Bus Stop

Ya know when you see something and you just gotta have it? That's what happened with this dress. Outside my new job are a bunch of little vendors that sell cheap clothing, shoes and bags. I always walk by there practically breaking my neck perusing. While I see a lot of things I like, nothing has compelled me to pull out my wallet. Until this dress. It's pretty near perfect and is something I've been wanting for a while. Last week, I saw a girl on the street wearing a white and red striped dress and I instantly fell in love. The dress looked so fresh and polished but yet casual. When I was walking past the vendors on Sunday, I saw this and instantly bought it (for $15!) 

Another reason why this dress is so perfect is the functionality. Dressing in Singapore (my new home by the way!) presents some new challenges: 

1) finding work-appropriate-wear that's not skimpy but still keeps you cool. 

This dress is sleeveless but still covers my bra, isn't too low in the front, and covers all my back. Check! 

2) finding work-appropriate-wear that is acceptable to sit the floor with kids.

It's just past my knees making it very comfortable to sit and play. Check! 

3) finding work-appropriate-wear that I would love even if I didn't wear it to work! 

I absolutely love the retro-nautical feel to this dress. I'd wear it with heels, to the beach... Yes, check! 

In Korea, I was a university professor; I could dress up pretty snazzy and because I was standing lecturing in the front of a classroom, I wasn't as limited in clothing choices. But now I teach little children and I'm running around all day. For the first few weeks, I was just wearing whatever worked. My thinking was, "Why am I going to get dressed up for 6-year-olds?" But then I realized I started not liking how I looked, I'd get this blah attitude. Then it occurred to me, I just need to do me for my own sake. Dressing up and feeling polished makes me feel better. And it worked! But man, wearing the jewelry, the make-up and the outfit really threw some of my little ones for a loop. One little boy stared at me for a while and kept pointing to his ears, lips, cheeks and hair saying, "Teacher... what... why? What... is... that...?" Like he couldn't decide what issue to address first. Finally he got out the question, "What is that on your ears?" Lol. Too cute. 

How does the way you dress change your attitude at work? Or does it?

Dress: Outside vendor, J-Cube | Tote Bag: Chinatown | Belt: Charlotte Russe (old) | Shoes: Goodwill | Scarf: Clothing Swap | Hat: Daiso | Earrings: Naughty Cat | Sunglasses: Modcloth.com (red no longer available)