Petite Fashion Challenge #9-"Heat Wave Appropriate"

I am very happy to be participating in my first Petite Fashion Challenge! This month's challenge is being hosted by by Elle of Fast Food & Fast Fashion. She challenged everyone to put together a look that is "heat wave appropriate," something I myself have been dealing with in the past few days here in LA (though it's not as bad here as it is on the East Coast right now, that's for sure).

So the challenge was thus: "...I challenge you all to create an outfit that accounts for the various environmental factors that plague us in the summer. I want to know how you dress when it's 90 degrees outside and 65 degrees inside."

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I couldn't decide if I wanted to do a work look or a casual look, so in the end I went for both.
First, the work look:

Dress: Urban Outfitters sz xp/tp (old, and on sale for $10!) / Sweater: H&M sz xs (old) / Shoes: DSW sz 7.5 (old similar here) / Necklace: bought in Italy / Bracelet: made by The Boyfriend!


Bracelet: made by the Boyfriend! This is basically all of the colors I wear, all of the time.

I wore this to my office yesterday, for a bit of a casual Friday look, but I was, unfortunately, still freezing. It was like the arctic tundra in there today. So, what I wish I wore was this:

Blazer: Banana Republic Sleek Suit Jacket sz 0 ($158, online here for $124, but I got it in-store for an amazing
$41, including tax! That story to come soon.)

This jacket is fully lined and oh-so-comfortable. And, importantly, warm! It's also my first-ever blazer, an item that has been on my to-buy list for years, and I'm so happy it finally made it into my closet (at an awesome price)!

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And the casual look:

Top: from a nearby boutique sz md ($4.00, similar here for $5.50) / Shorts: Gap sz 0 (old, similar here with 00p still available!) / Scarf: Target (old) / Purse: Coach vintage (from eBay) / Shoes: Target Elliana Wedge Sandals sz 7.5 (buy here for $24.99) / Bracelets: bought in England for about $2.

And, for when it's cold inside:

Cardigan: Forever 21 sz m

This cardigan actually rolls up and fits inside this purse perfectly, still leaving room for keys, wallet, and cell phone.

A light cotton scarf like this is my favorite accessory in the summer. It adds color to a simple outfit, keeps my neck out of the sun when I'm outside, and can keep me warm when I'm in an air-conditioned room that insists on mimicking northern Siberia.

Ummm...what?

Sunglasses: Target / Bracelets: bought in England for about $2.

The cat has the right idea. I'm off to go enjoy the sun!