Real Simple

Shirt: Gap sz xs / Shorts: DIY Paige jean shorts / Scarf: bought in Spain / Necklace: bought at my local Farmer's Market ($15.00) / Shoes: Target Leopard Print Flats sz 7.5 (bought with a Gift Card; $12.99 but out of stock online)

Ah, lazy Sundays. And lazy bloggers who post their Sunday outfits on Wednesdays. This outfit is a variation on what could be referred to as Lauren's Uniform: jeans, a solid-colored short-sleeved shirt, flats, simple jewelry, and possibly a scarf. Done and done. Lazy blogger, indeed.

 Two new things in this outfit today! My Target Leopard Print Flats ($12.99 but out of stock online), and this lovely necklace, bought at a local Farmer's Market ($15).

First, the shoes: I bought a size 7.5 because the size 7 was sold out online, but, alas, 7.5 is a bit too big. I put in insoles, which fills up a bit of space, but even then...I really should have a 7. I love, however, how they take such a simple outfit like this one and make it a bit more interesting. I'm debating weather or not to keep them.

And, the necklace: I LOVE this little thing! I've been keeping an eye out for a longer pendant necklace for a while now, and I stumbled upon this little beauty at a local Farmer's Market the other week (I bought produce too, don't judge). I love the fact that it is a working watch...it reminds me of men's pocket watches and the good ol' days. Or something like that.

The World's Easiest DIY: Jean Shorts

Honestly, this might not even be worth a DIY post.... I think everyone and their mother has probably made jean shorts out of old jeans. I do, however, have two tips that may or may not improve your jeans-shorts making process!

Start with: Weird old jeans that you realize you've had since middle school. Note the really strange fade-out at the shins, unflattering flare at the bottom, puckering around the knees, and too-light wash.

Top: from a local boutique / Jeans: Paige petites (very, very old)

 Step 1: While standing, put your finger where you want your shorts to end, then mark just below that with a sharpie.

 Step 2: Fold your jeans over and make sure everything lines up. This will save you from having your pant legs be two different lengths. Cut just barely above your line.

 

 Step 3: Roll up the cuffs to hide the frayed ends, and give your shorts a slightly more finished look.

Step 4: Wear with a loose tank top and no shoes in your backyard. Mojitos optional. (Though possibly mandatory for those of you also in LA. 84 degrees on Halloween day?! Craziness.)

Seeing Double

 
Dress: Ross (about $12) / Jacket: H&M ($34.99) / Bangle: bought in England / Shoes: Target Pearce Pumps
 I guess I'm really feeling this cropped blazer with printed dresses lately. Two in a row!
I actually wore this outfit last week, when I got to dress up all nice 'n' fancy at the elementary school. The kids had all done paintings in the style of Picasso, Rivera, Kahlo, or Dali and were showing off their artistic talent in a fancy little "gallery opening." Too cute for words, really. So, this is what I would wear to a gallery opening. Of art by 8 year olds.
 
Hope you're all having a great day!

Petite Fashion Challenge #11: Vacation Vogue

This month's Petite Fashion Challenge is hosted by Ski Petite. She challenged us to work within the limitations of a vacation wardrobe and "put together an outfit made for sightseeing. It should be one that will be comfortable for walking around in and can last you from the early morning until dinner and drinks in the evening."

Compared to previous Petite Fashion Challenges, for which I've racked my brain for days and barely come up with something in time, this one was a cinch! Two summers ago I took a 3+ week-long backpacking trip around Europe after my semester abroad in England. I traveled with a small bag and two guys who could care less what I wore on a daily basis. My day-to-day staples were a simple dress (that could roll up in my suitcase and come out without wrinkles!) comfy flats (we walked SO much), sunglasses, and a bag large enough to carry a sweater, camera, notebook, water bottle, phone, and wallet.

For this challenge, I essentially recreated my summer look with a fall twist: a knit dress, comfy flats, and big bag for the day....

Dress: from a local boutique / Flats: Macy's / Messenger Bag: Fossil / Sunglasses: Target / Necklace: bought in Italy

 And then I switched in tights, suede booties (comfy enough for a few hours of walking, but not too much more!), and a cropped blazer for night:

 Cropped Blazer: H&M ($34.99) / Tights: Target / Booties: H&M

 Thanks for reading, and check out the other Petite Fashion Challenge entries (to be posted tonight) here!

Target Leopard Print Flats

I have run holes into the bottoms of my favorite black flats. :( The boyfriend advises (and rightly so) that I should really stop wearing them, so I've recently been on the lookout for their replacement. I've tried on a ton of flats from a ton of stores, but nothing has been quite right. My top complaints are: a) too much toe-cleavage (am I the only one who hates it?), b) too wide, and c) not comfortable enough to walk all day in. Boo.

The next pair I'm hoping will be the big winner are these leopard print flats from Target. They are a fantastic $12.99 (but I ordered them for free with a Target gift card!).

A bit different than my old basic black, no? But, hopefully they'll fit my wardrobe (and my feet!) Just as well.

For cute shoes on a budget, I cannot recommend Target enough! I've gotten some great shoes from there including my favorite Elliana Wedges ($24.99):

 and Pearce Pumps ($29.99):

(Ok, I can deal with a bit of toe cleavage. But only a bit!)

 Any recommendations on comfy, cute flats that you can wear all day?

Just Another Lazy Sunday

  

 Sweater: Forever 21 sz s ($17.99) / Shorts: Gap sz 0 / Boots: Urban Outfitters sz 7 /  Belt: Forever 21 sx xs ($3.00) Necklace: homemade / Ring: Inherited from my Nana

 

 I did a bit of shopping this past weekend with a good friend/coworker of mine and got some great things from H&M and Forever 21 (two great haunts for those of us on a budget). My total of 4 pieces (this sweater from Forever 21, a blazer and sweater from H&M, and a deeeeeeeeeeply discounted belt from Madewell) came to $89.65, just under the budget of $90.00 I'd set for myself for this particular shopping binge. No shopping for a bit now, thankyouverymuch!

 

 I'm really happy with this sweater for a number of reasons. What attracted me to it initially was that it plays into the lace trend that is very big for this season, without being overtly trendy or something I wouldn't wear again next fall/winter. It's really more a of a loose knit than lace, but it reminded me of the trend anyway.... As a girl on a budget, finding a way to appear up-to-date without constantly breaking the bank is something I like to look out for. It's also a good staple, a decent mid-weight for our crazy hot-and-cold Los Angeles winters, and is in a neutral cream color that I have hardly any of in my closet. Points all around.

 

 

Happy Monday!

J Brand Jeans for City Year--My Job!

I realize I haven't yet posted about what I'm doing this year, but I figured now is the perfect opportunity. Give me a second to explain, and then I promise I'll get to the style and fashion tie-in!

This year, I am working for City Year Los Angeles, a national non-profit organization that places 17-24 year olds in urban elementary and middle schools to help combat the dropout crisis. We provide tutoring, mentoring, in-class support, and after school programs for under-served communities in 20 cities around the US and two international affiliates. In Los Angeles, 200 dedicated Corps Members are currently serving in 17 schools across the city.

The statistics are staggering. Almost 50% of students in low-income communities will not graduate high school. More than 1 million students will drop out of school this year. High school drop-outs are 3 times more likely than college graduates to be unemployed, and 8 times more likely to be in jail or prison than high school graduates.

Personally, I could not let statistics like this go unchanged. After graduating college this past year, and hoping to start a career in education, I decided to join City Year to (hopefully) be a part of a solution. I am doing my year of service in a 5th grade classroom at an elementary school in South Los Angeles, and I honestly wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It sounds cliche, but I know that I am making a difference every day when I get to help these kids get up to grade level, understand what they are learning, and get back on track to graduate.

So, why post about this now? Well, it turns out that City Year just recently partnered with J Brand Jeans in an awesome move that is both fashion-y and do-good-y. J Brand Jeans is debuting a special limited collection of 3 colors of jeans (vine green, berry and taupe) with 100% of profits from these sales going directly to City Year Los Angeles. The collection will be available online only (http://www.jbrandjeans.com) starting October 18th until it sells out.

To be perfectly honest, there's no way I could afford a pair of these jeans (they call it "a year of full-time service" and not "a year of full-time well-paid work" for a reason, people!), but I really, REALLY hope that you can. And that you'll consider buying a pair and supporting this amazing, effective cause.

To learn more about City Year, check out their website.

To learn more about the J Brand Jeans partnership, check out this piece from The Hollywood Reporter.

And please, let me know if you buy a pair! Also, if you'd like to repost this or spread the word, I surely wouldn't mind. ;-)

Thanks so much for reading.


*Now's probably a good time to say that anything I post in this blog is my personal opinion and not representative of City Year or AmeriCorps*