Summer Chambray

Every girl should own a chambray dress - it's the little black dress of denim which means it goes with everything. And who doesn't want a no-brainer dress to wear? I love this one particularly because of the sweet, classic silhouette. The best way to spice up a simple dress is obviously with lots of accessories and I decided on a color-scheme to help me narrow down options: orange, blue and yellow.  A scarf in my hair, beaded necklace, a funky geometric belt and my adorbs polka dot loafers - ready to brave the weather of the tropics! 

Instagram | Bloglovin | Facebook

Classic Campus Cardigan

I don't know what it is about cooler weather, but it makes me really lazy when it comes to getting dressed. I had been waiting since August to finally layer up because layers make for the most interesting outfits. But then when I add all those layers, I end up taking them off and going for something more simple. I just can't stand not being comfortable and too many shirts on at the same time are unpredictable - the button-down twisting one way and the sweater going another. 

This is yet again another outfit that I changed into at the last minute. I liked that it ended up looking a little 1970's and Victorian all at the same time. Or maybe that's just me. I think the locket looks sweet with the lace. 

I also liked being able to play with neutrals. I don't know who got it in their head that you can't wear black and brown together but I think it looks okay. With everything that "breaks the rules" as long as it looks purposeful and that you meant to wear it like that, I think you can get away it. I'm basically wearing all neutrals but white: gray, brown, tan, navy, and black. 

  

Skirt: Korean Thrift Store | Cardigan: American Eagle Outfitters | Loafers: Target | Belt: Goodwill | Necklace: Mother's 

Classic Comfortable Style for a Cool Autumn Day

This outfit is all about comfort and keeping warm while still looking teacher-y. I was going to wear a more fun, funky, fashion-forward outfit but as soon as I put it on I thought, wearing this is too much work right now. I'm lazy. I just want to be comfortable. So I grabbed this instead and I'm happy I did! This Gap shirt is amaaaaaazing. It's part of their supersoft tee collection. I paid $5 at Goodwill for it, but honestly, I think it's worth the real price (or at least sale price!) It's got this amazing stretch, obviously it's incredibly soft, and it's also a lot thicker. I've been wanting to wear it for a while but it's been way too hot. 

Going along with the theme of keeping things simple, I grabbed my trusty jean jacket and leather backpack on the way out. I've had this jean jacket for 10 years. When I worked at Goody's in high school, I wanted this Levi's jacket so bad. At the time, it was around $50 and I wasn't about to pay that. I waited and waited until it went on a super-duper sale (to be fair, I think I might have hidden it in the underwear section or something too; always moving it around). I think I eventually got it for under $10!  Luckily my patience paid off this time. I've had customers go and buy "my" clothes from under my nose when I wasn't so lucky! For a while jean jackets weren't really worn but I'm glad I kept it, because denim is everywhere. But a jean jacket is a classic - that's a style that always comes back around! 

Another classic style that's come back around is leather backpacks. As we know, the 90's are in full force for 2013 and this bag trend follows it. I'm so glad it does because this is the perfect bag for me! For all of my teaching jobs, I spend an hour one way on public transportation. This means walking to the bus stop or subway station, waiting for it, standing on said transportation and then more walking and waiting. Carrying a purse with folders and books on one shoulder really started to kill my back. With this bag, I don't end up looking like Dora the explorer or an employee at R.E.I. 

What are your two go-to tried-and-true accessories?

P.S. For all my Korean chingus, I got these adorable fleur-de-lis loafers at Homeplus! (Korean grocery store that's a weird, smaller version of Wal-mart). Heck yeah! 

Jacket: Levi's | Shirt: Gap (Similar) | Skirt: Target | Scarf: Korean Street Vendor | Purse: Korean Thrift Store | Earrings: Gift | Shoes: Homeplus

Stripes on Stripes on Stripes (And Other Patterns)

For years I've shied away from horizontal stripes. They're supposed to make you look wider and why would anyone want to look wider, right? But I couldn't stay away from the nautical stripe trend. It makes an outfit more fresh, modern, and casual. And after seeing GabiFresh and Tanesha from Girl with Curves (both who I oh so LOVE) looking so gorgeous and curvaceous in their horizontal stripes, I had officially changed my mind.

I think the smart way to wear horizontal stripes has to do with proportion. I think if the skirt I'm wearing was longer or fuller, it wouldn't have worked. It would have made me appear larger than I actually am. But between the short skirt showing off my legs and the tight sleeves on the shirt, it kind of proves that there's not an entire blob underneath the stripes.

Stripes are also fun to match with other patterns. I would say as long as the colors match, it doesn't matter which print you choose. I'm actually wearing a dress underneath my Gap t-shirt. Besides the stripes, another reason why I love this shirt is the fit. I think most loose-fitting shirts look stupid on me. But this one has an effortless fit that just skims over my curves instead of hiding them. And the last detail I'm so pleased with is the necklace. I made this last winter and it matches my skirt/dress perfectly! 

Shirt: Gap (American Goodwill) | Skirt (dress): Target | Shoes: Target | Watch: It's About Time | Ring: Premier Design Jewelry | Necklace: Handmade | Sunglasses: Eunhang Underground