Thrifted Striped Dress + Leather Jacket

If there's one good things about being bored with my closet (and trust me, there's only one), it's that I get encouraged to try new styles. I've been popping in and out of thrift stores to find some inspiration, and last week I stumbled upon both this cotton trapeze dress and leather/utility bomber jacket in perfect condition. I've tried these dresses before, and I'm still conflicted. On one hand, they're extremely comfortable and I feel very chic when I leave the house. On the other, once I look at photos of myself in them, I can't help but think that I look pregnant. Not really the look I'm look I'm going for. I'm still glad I got this dress because it feels like I'm wearing pjs, but I don't know if it's really my shape. That's what having curves does to you. This jacket though? This is one piece out of my comfort zone that I'm more than happy to be trying. A leather bomber jacket with utility style sleeves is not really what I think of when I imagine the perfectly feminine style that I've created for myself. That said, I'm really digging this piece. I can't wait until it gets cooler so I don't feel insane for busting it out every day.

Is this weekend really over already? I got to see two old pals, both of whom I met through blogging. I grabbed breakfast with my dear friend Nataly (who sadly no longer blogs) on Saturday, and I met up with the lovely Erica of Sweets and Hearts and the Melrose flea market in LA yesterday. It had been far too long since I had seen either of them, and it's a great reminder of the bonds I've formed through the internet. It's crazy to think how comfortable I feel with them even though we originally met online. Whenever I consider quitting blogging altogether, it's great to see the relationships that I've gained through it.

Red Collared Dress

This is officially my last weekday off, and I could not be happier about that. I start training for my new job on Monday, and I am so ridiculously excited. In all honesty, I'm just pumped to have a routine again. I've been working four days a week at my restaurant job, plus a bunch of freelance work, but I just miss having a set schedule and knowing what I'm doing every day. I get to feel like a real human being again!

In the meantime, I'm settling in quite nicely to my temporary home at my brother's house. I really love their house and the the newly converted guest room that I'm staying in, plus I love getting to see my niece and nephew every day. It's strange living in a different part of Orange County, especially since all of my friends are mostly still in Anaheim Hills, but I'm in a pretty awesome area now with one of my favorite downtown areas. I wore this dress the other day when I went into my new office to fill out paperwork, and I decided that I loved how it looks with the leather jacket later. One things I'm especially grateful for in my new job is that there's no dress code and the office is laid-back, which means that I don't have to buy professional clothes and stick with my wardrobe of A-line skirts and Peter Pan collars.

Stranger

Hello, strangers. If I've been a little MIA lately, it's because the 7 degree weather is making it very difficult to dress cute and take photos. Luckily, I have one set of photos left from California and I just ordered some fleece lined tights. Skirts and dresses, how I've missed you. 

I got this dress is a swap over the summer, but it was so thick that I couldn't wear it until now. I love the long sleeves and the unique print, I wish I would have dug it out of my closet sooner. I'm also debuting my leather jacket, an item I've had for a year or so, but have never managed to get on the blog. I love pairing it over feminine dresses and I especially love that it's something slightly different for me.