"My Versatile Black and Whites"

If you're on a budget but you want to build a fashionable wardrobe, the best thing to do is to start building your foundations. The most versatile and practical prints are those clothes in black and white.  It's very hard to go wrong.  Practically every solid color can be paired with black and white prints.  This is why the chain "Black Store White Market" will never lose it's appeal when looking for classic sophisticated staples.  However, there are rules to go by so as not to look cheap.

green cardigan:Plato's Closet, B&W blouse: thrift store  necklace: Forever 21, jeans: Discovery boots: Plato's Closet

Here is the most basic combination. A dark solid and a B&W print that has black as its background with a neutral (the dark skinny jeans). Notice how I wore a lighter colored accessory as a contrasting focal point.

This next look is another staple. This is a great way to bring in a little "pre-Spring" flavor to the obviously still winter conditions outside. Here a breton print is paired with a pastel and a neutral cardigan. The cardigan's style is very important. I usually avoid horizontal stripes since I'm very not flat chested and my body type makes the stripes look endless. The ginormous necklace and cardigan serves to counter that. Finally, notice the monochromatic leggings and boots pairing. It serves to elongate my legs and to keep my legs warm. Whoever invented the new trend of having a solid colored top to a breton shirt is a genius. I recently bought a breton shirt that's a little looser and have bigger gaps between the stripes ala Audrey Tautou. It doesn't make me look too chesty.

This next one is the most versatile. Whenever you have a cardigan that has a white background and a minimal black classic print, it can go with almost anything. Since the print is very feminine, I paired it with a light pink top with white embellishmentments that has an eclectic vibe.

This last one is not for beginners. This is a B&W print with another print. Why does this look work? It's very important to pair contrasting print sizes. It's also best to go with classic sophisticated print. I was very lucky to find this J Crew blouse from the thrift store.  Since the blue dots on the blouse is so much smaller, it almost looks like a solid. You can also say that since the black prints on the cardigan are so far apart and huge, it almost looks like a neutral. I just went with my visual instincts on this one.

"Why I became a F.O.B."

   Well, I can't help it... I am the youngest of 6 children.  I pretty much got hand me downs throughout my childhood.  If I wasn't wearing my siblings' clothing, I was forced to wear a Catholic school uniform 5 out of 7 days of the week (until 4th grade).  I felt so stifled! I once defied the "black shoe only" policy by wearing light blue shoes to school, only to get reprimanded by the school principal. I guess that's why I still hate any kind of uniforms to this day.  If I had to choose a job, I would never choose to work anywhere there's a uniform policy.  It would have to be a life or death situation.

   In middle school, my more "endowed" female classmates started dressing really cute and feminine.  I wanted to look more feminine myself, however, I was considered very skinny compared to my peers.  My skinny friend and I went to a neighborhood teen (hoochie) store only to be turned down by the proprietor.  She said that none of the clothes would fit us because we were just too skinny.  I then devised a plan to get more "womanly curves" by increasing my appetite (for fast food).  In about a month, I actually gained 10 pounds! It was enough to be able to fill a bra.

   My own fashion identity blossomed in the summer of 1996, when I was hired as an apprentice artist at Gallery 37.  The refreshing diverse artistic atmosphere helped me explore my personal aesthetics.  I was finally earning some money to afford being fashionable. I really liked how nobody judged everyone's unique individual styles.  I remembered how I really loved that movie "Clueless" because most of the movie revolved around the character's fashion much like "Sex and the City" did. I was greatly influenced by Cher (remember Contempo? and I meant Alicia Silverstone's character!). Then the 60's and the 70's became in vogue again so I also went through a Jackie O. phase.

  In 1998, my family moved to the suburbs.  This was a very big change for me.  I realized that my suburban classmates were not as open to individuality.  This is when my "The Nanny" phase began.  I also started dabbling with restyling hand me downs.  My aunt gave me some of her 60's shift dresses and summer blouses. I hand sewn one of her summer blouses and unknowingly made it look like a peasant blouse.  I once wore it to school to meet strange reactions. My trendy friend said that it was weird but really cute. She said she's never seen anything like it before.  Lo and behold, the very next summer, the peasant blouse was the craze.  I should have put a patent on it! 

  In college, I continued on the path of dressing more feminine (as in I flaunted my assets).  As I matured, I realized that being stylish transcended looking "sexy" unless you work for Victoria Secret.  I guess, years of being an Olive Oil made me want to constantly prove myself.  Well I definitely have the "girls" now especially as a mother.

  For me, fashion is the most practical, intimate, and rewarding art form to cultivate.  No one else knows your body as much as you do.  Plus it's very portable (in most cases).  The same visual design rules apply, the only thing that differentiates is the array of body types.  The fashion world has always favored the tall and smaller chested type. As much as the plus sized industry has fought for more exposure, most designers can agree that the tall skinny model types make for an easier clean canvas (I've heard them make a comparison to hangers).  In the 20th century, the only exceptions included the late 50's and early 60's (pin up types and other sex symbols), the late 90's and early 2000's (the whole Latin music craze of Ricky Martin et al influenced the celebration of the sultry femme fatale). Whatever happened to the V necked blouses? These current baby doll waist lines just makes me look pregnant and overemphasizes my nursing boobs!

   My pregnancy was a very fun fashionable time for me.  I was able to explore a new kind of "canvas".  However, the new set of "girls" left in the wake of my maternal duties brings in new challenges.  I have to "uplift" my bigger assets and preserve whatever's left of my not so visible waist line.  Then there's the budgeting I have to consider.  I am trying to live a more holistic lifestyle and philosophy.  I would rather have a healthy and happy family than go in debt for my frivolities.  These days, our money is invested in organic food.  My environmental and karmic awareness makes me feel appalled when I think of buying unnecessary high priced material things that only serve your egoic needs.  Yes, I acknowledged it, style is of the ego.  Well, as long as I'm alive, there's no harm in looking attractive.  So I decided that I can still express and celebrate my individuality by investing in more affordable fashion.  My new societal role encourages me to look more sophisticated.  So this blog is dedicated to this challenge to stay creative, sophisticated, and fashionable, without breaking the bank.

  

 

A beautiful necklace livens up a simple long sleeved top.

2 necklaces combined: Charles Klein $8 each

Corals are not just for summer if you get the right hues.  Paired with a simple dark top in a related color, this faux stone necklace is winter friendly.

 

"My Converted Duster Sweater"

When I first bought this duster sweater from Village Discount, it was really too big and long for my petite frame. I knew I could still make it work because I loved the pattern and the upper part fit me just right.  I shorten the length and voila, a new and improved sweater was made....

BEFORE



printed sweater/blouse: Discovery $13, necklace: Charlotte Russe $13, Gap maternity pants (I just love this pair even though I'm not pregnant anymore): Goodwill $2, cowboy boots: Plato's Closet $8



purple turtleneck: Discovery $8?, floral top: Salvation Army $3? belt: H&M $12? boots: Urban Outfitters $90



white long sleeved top: Discovery $10? navy skinny jeans: Discovery $15? leather belt: Plato's Closet $3, boots: Plato's Closet $16

Why does this sweater work for my figure?

The sweater's fit is loose enough for my larger bust and the traditional print is in correct proportion to my "proportons". The bottom of the sweater creates some volume on my small hips and helps keep the look from being too top heavy. It is the color and print of this sweater that makes it a classic staple.  It's subdued enough to be able to multi task.

"New Year's Eve Special III"

Best of 2012: December



"Indian Inspired"

Jewel tones and gold are the best combinations this season. I put this sheer ornate shrug/bolero (Charlotte Russe) over my blue sleeveless dress from Discovery, and I finished it with my favorite earings from Francesca's. I purchased them last year when I was in my last trimester as a christmas present for myself. I got so excited while trying them on at the boutique that the sales girl asked if I was OK. I probably looked like I was about to pop.

"New Year's Eve Special II"

Best of 2012: December




"Baby It's Cold Outside"

Last New Year's Eve, I was planning to stay home and drink some mint hot cocoa with my huge Alaskan mug, from our former Alaskan relatives who have now resettled in Hawaii (I don't blame them one bit). I put this sheer sequin "dress" from Discovery with another fitted dress from that said store. Then I put my Old Navy faux fur vest on top just to add an interesting contrast of texture, and  make a "warm and toasty" look, not sparkly and plain ". I also needed to camouflage the disproportional "girls". To finish the look, I neutralized the flashiness with these tan FLAT casual boots. In short, Sparkly + Short + Heels = Skanky, a look I'm not going for!

 

"New Year's Eve Special"

Best of 2012: December


  





"The Black Swan"

Since I gained some weight during the holidays and still nursing, I wanted to stick to dark colors. Here's a creative way I pizzazed my LBD (little black dress). I used my godmother's unwanted older lady's blouse turned it front to back to be used as a vest. Then I wrapped it with a black ribbon to create an hour glass silhouette.





"Flapper Girl"

Since I was going to a hypothetical warm weather "soiree", my white flapper dress was a winner. It perfectly camouflages any weight I've put on. The fringes made it look like my extra "curves"were part of the design. The fact that the dress is not too fitted was a plus! The dress was purchased in 2009 at Ragstock's costume clearance rack.



























   









 

































 





"Orange Accents"

Best of 2012: November

dress:Forever 21 $16, cardigan:Discovery $10, orange beaded necklace:Discovery $4, ethnic beaded necklace:Walmart $8

An Anthropologie inspired look

Enjoying the Indian Summer

Best of 2012: October

I love how dresses make an effortless instant impact.



dress: Express from Plato's Closet $13 belt:Discovery $8 shoes:Forever 21 $20