Can't come quickly enough

I absolutely cannot wait for fall. I am so tired of it being a million degrees and being stuck in shorts and tank tops. I'm boring myself to death with 100 degree appropriate clothing; I long for some layers. That's probably the #1 reason I've been short on outfit posts lately; I don't think anyone out there would be that impressed by my jean shorts and thrifted tank tops!

I know fall will be followed shortly by winter, and then I'll be longing for summer again and cursing my current thoughts, but as of now, I just want to wear some dark colors, comfy knits, and all of the scarves in the world. Plus, I've never had an East-coast autumn and I'm pretty excited for the crisp winds, dropping temperatures, and changing leaves. You with me?

Fall by petiteonapenny featuring a silver necklace

What are you most looking forward to in the fall?

ASOS Skater Dress

This might be my new favorite dress. I think I'm in love.

 Dress: ASOS Skater Dress (size 4, $36.45) /  Belt: came with a dress from H&M / Sandals: Gap / Purse: vintage Coach, via eBay / Necklace: DIY

I found this skater dress thanks to Hello, Framboise who wore it here. I was immediately drawn to the stripes (of course), the cute short sleeves, the classic silhouette, and the fact that it was on my "List." To keep from splurging on clothing I don't need, I keep a running list on my phone and computer of the things I really want and/or need. Most of the items on my list have been there for years (I'm still waiting on you, tweed mini skirt!), and I know that if they stay there, it means they're really worth buying.

A dress to replace this one (second outfit in that post) has been on my list for a few months now. Though I looove that Modcloth dress, I do realize that it is a few (ahem, many) inches too short to be much more than super-casual. I wanted a similar dress that I could wear to class, dinner, or any time when I don't feel like baring my entire thighs. I'd say this cute number from ASOS fits the bill. It is so soft and comfortable, fits like a dream (in a size 4, ASOS has odd/British sizing, though it this dress was supposedly in US sizing), and doesn't wrinkle at all. Perfection.

Simple Stripes & Gold Collar Necklace

 Top: Anthropologie / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny / Wedges: Target (similar) / Necklace: Asos ($20.87, buy here) / Glasses: Coach

 

One of my goals for beginning this blog was to get out of my jeans and a solid-colored t-shirt rut. I'm trying to wear more skirts, dresses, and patterns, and (hopefully) succeeding. This outfit, I think, is a pretty good example of how jeans and a t-shirt can still be a successful (and not always boring!) look. Note to self: wedges, an interesting piece of jewelry, and a patterned top can go a long way to elevating my wardrobe staples.

The main credit has to go to my favorite statement necklace, this gold collar from Asos. I love how it mimics the lines of a dress shirt's collar, and dresses us an otherwise simple look.

Going on a field trip with the class today, to the California Science Center. 80+ 5th graders and six chaperones...wish us luck!

Peach and Navy

 Top: Urban Outfitters / Shorts: Gap / Sandals: Gap / Bag: Vintage Coach via eBay / Necklace: Asos ($20.87, buy here) / Sunglasses: Target / Rings: gifts, from local boutiques

  

I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day and a relaxing weekend!

Mine was chock-full, with a trip to Unique LA, hanging out with my family, going to a birthday party for a friend I've known for two decades (!), gardening (more weeding, really), having Mother's Day breakfast, and seeing the Avengers (awesome movie). Now, it's back to work, and helping my students stay sane through the second week of the California State Test.

Hope you're all having a good start to the week!

Sweater Dress Cravings

Clockwise, from top left:

Lucca Couture sweater dress, $40

Modcloth A New Angle dress, $50 (I have this one!)

Black Queen v neck sweater dress, $32

Old Navy sweater dress, $30 

Modcloth Because You Can Bag, $65

One Pocket Sweater Dress, $30

Mink Pink sweater dress, $80

Ecote boyfriend sweater dress, $30
Lucca Couture sweater dress, $40 

ASOS sweater dress, $47

I've really been wanting a sweater dress recently. I want to wear a big, comfy, pajama-like sweater, feel put together because it comes with the word "dress" at the end, pair it with warm tights and tall boots, and pretend like I spent forever putting together my outfit that morning. But really I just want to feel like I'm wearing pajamas. Oh, and I want that red bag. :)

Does anyone have sweater dress recommendations?

Completely Coveting

Thanks to Kelly at Alterations Needed, who was on the hunt for a "shirt collar" necklace, I've found the exact one I was coveting from i am Khatu a few days back:

Photo from i am khatu. I love this look!

I know I said I'd save it for a March/April celebration, but maybe I should just get it now? :)

Asos Metal Collar Necklace, $21.82 (free shipping)

Review: ASOS and PacSun Colored Denim

I have been more than a bit obsessed with the colored jeans trend going on right now. I don't usually (read: never) hop on trends, tending much more towards sticking with classic/simple thing that I know work for me. However, in my efforts to a) add more color into my wardrobe and b) create more interesting outfits on the daily, I thought a pair of colored jeans would be an awesome addition to my wardrobe.

However, I was having the hardest time finding a pair that both fit and didn't cost an arm and a leg. My inspiration was something along the lines of these AG Stevie Ankle Jeans from Anthropologie, but there was no way I was paying $158 for a pair of colored jeans!
Anthropologie AG Stevie Ankle Jeans, $158.

A bit of help from the wonderful Alterations Needed Forum led me to two pairs which I thought were worth a shot, both from brands I'd never tried before:
ASOS PETITE Exclusive Blue Skinny Jean, $60.34

These are definitely on the higher end of what I was hoping to spend, but the pair I end up keeping will actually be part of a belated birthday gift from my parents, so it was kind of ok. ;-) I was also impressed with their free shipping and free returns policy (on everything!), which definitely helped with convincing me to give them a shot.

PacSun Bullhead Black Colored Leggings in Burgandy, $39.50 or 2 for $65.00

These are definitely a bit less jarring in the color department, and I love how I could easily wear these into fall and winter. In reality, I guessed these would be a bit more practical and versatile than the OHMYGODBRIGHT BLUE of the ASOS jeans. PacSun has free returns and online orders can also be returned to any PacSun store.

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In reality...

ASOS:
Pros: Free shipping. Free returns. That's unfortunately about it. Because...

Cons: I couldn't even get these jeans on! Not even kidding. I ordered them in a size 2, and there was no way I was getting them over my calves, they just didn't fit. Unfortunately, any size bigger and I'm pretty sure the waist/hips would be far too large. Too bad. These could totally work for a tinier petite than me, but I guess I have pretty muscular calves (years and years of dancing), so they were a no-go. Plus, in person, they were really quite bright, perhaps a bit too bright for me. The boyfriend will be happy. He was a bit scared of them.

Verdict: Return.

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Pac Sun:
Shirt: Forever 21 sz s / Pants: Pac Sun sz 1 / Shoes: Stolen borrowed from my sister, sz 7 / Necklace: Gift

These were much better in the fit department (i.e., I could get them on in the first place!). I ordered both a size 0 and a size 1, and the size 1 (which I'm wearing here) fit great in the hips and tush, but damn are these some skinny jeans. They are advertised as a "denim legging," after all, and I fear that that actually means they are a...*gulp*...jegging. That word makes me shudder. I don't want to own "jeggings." "Denim leggings," it is then!
Dang, they're tight....
Pros: The color is beautiful, and I could obviously see these working very well in fall and winter. The material is nice and soft and stretchy, and the fit is generally quite good, especially in the waist and hips, and the length is perfect. No tailoring needed! The price, at $32, is pretty reasonable.

Cons: They are so tight! More like leggings than jeans. The fit in the calves is what makes me think they're too tight. But maybe I could get used to that? The front pockets are fakes, which is a bit annoying, but the back ones are real. I feel like you can see every outline of my legs, which is a bit weird? Not sure.

Verdict: I'm not completely sold on these jeans as of this moment. They're just so...tight. Maybe they'll work if I think of them as leggings and not jeans.... What do you guys think? To keep or not to keep?

Also: These shoes:Love.

My sister bought them when she was in Dubai, where she's been living for the past few months. She's home now, and so is her closet. Which effectively means I've doubled the size of my closet. :) I love being (almost) the same size as her!

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Anyone have any cheap colored denim they'd recommend?