She Wears Short Shorts

I don't know about everywhere else, but California has pretty much entered summer already. All my friends in Oregon and Canada, don't be sad. Your one month of summer is almost coming...

Although it's not BLAZING hot, I'm still pulling out my shorts and wearing them using a casual-chic mix. Here are two ways I like to wear my shorts!

P.S. Please don't forget to always wear your SPF! The best look you can ever have is healthy skin!


THE "PREPPY, BUT I ALSO DON'T CARE" LOOK

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know how obsessed I am with distressed denim. What I love about them is how you can actually dress them up and make it look effortless. Anything from a sweater to a lacy top, paired with cute heels or flats, will work with ripped up shorts.

Most of the above pieces are from last year, but I've included

a few similar pieces that would look perfect together!

Sweater: From Express - Take a look at this Old Navy Graphic Crew,

Button-up: Banana Republic - Horizontal Stripe Shirt,

Shorts: Forever 21 - Cuffed & Distressed Denim Shorts.

SUMMER NIGHTS

When it's time to go out with a few friends to enjoy the summer night, throw on a cute pair of colorful shorts and a soft, feminine blouse on top!

Shorts: From Target - Check out these cuties, Top: From H&M - But I love this one!

Be Different Everyday

I have a confession. I have multiple personalities. I mean, multiple FASHION personalities. Although I just might have the other version too...

I don't think people ever have to stick with one style, whether it's City Chic, Preppy, Punk Rock, Coastal Casual, Urban, Downtown Oregon-ian (you know what that looks like), or naked. I mean why do people have to be classified under one category? I say, whatever you feel like wearing today, just WEAR IT. And wear it with confidence!

Check out two of my favorite (and very different) styles for a night out. Oh, and make sure you check out my brand suggestions under each photo!

SPARKLE TEE & RIPPED UP JEANS

Of course when you go out, you need to SHINE and stand out. But that doesn't mean you have to give up comfort either. I can literally sleep in jeans. I LOVE JEANS. Pair a sequined top and bold sparkly accessories with a beat up pair of skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans and you can impress without overdress....ing. I was trying to rhyme but that didn't work.

Top: Jennifer Lopez Sequin Top (old) but check out this one that's on sale, Necklace: Purple Peridot, Jeans: Charlotte Russe (old) but these acid wash ones are hot.

CLASSIC & SWEET

I'm not a delicate flower, but if I need to act lady-like when I'm out, then I'll put on my sweet little angel outfit. A simple blouse on top of a bold patterned skirt is an effortless way to create a feminine look. Plus the classic black heels and slightly simple accessories really add the right touch.

Top: Apt 9 (old) & Skirt: H&M (old), but try this combo with this Forever 21 blouse with this new Target Merona skirt.

Freshen Up the Work Look

Spring is right around the corner so let's freshen up our work pieces with some twists on four common looks in the office. Plus, I bought these pieces for less than $30 each when they went on sale!

P.S. Milo really wanted to model in some of the photos.

1.) NOT SO CLASSIC BLAZER

Wearing a blazer is a great way to look professional. But add some spice and glitz and you can really change up your office routine. By throwing a casual tank underneath with some bold graphics, a sparkly statement necklace, eye-catching bracelets, and of course glittery heels, you've just revived that normal black blazer.

(Pump: Diba Pink Sparkle Pumps, Pants: Lauren Conrad from Kohl's, Blazer (old): H&M, Tank (old): Forever 21, Necklace: Purple Peridot Golden Glitz, Bracelet: BCBG "Boss" Affirmation Bracelet)

2.) CHANGE UP THE BOTTOM

Who says you always have to wear black or gray pants to work? I sure don't. Especially with Spring sneaking up on us, it's the perfect time to pull out your colored pants! I love pairing some neutral tops with bright pants and bright accessories.

(Pump: Via Spiga Irisa Pumps, Pants (old): Gap, Shirt: Kohl's, Necklace: Forever 21)

3.) SHARPEN UP THE PENCIL SKIRT

I love pencil skirts because they are just so comfy, feminine, and professional all at the same time! But if you're really looking to stand out from the crowd, wear a pencil skirt that has bold patterns and top it off with a solid colored blouse. Keep your accessories simple too. With a skirt that eye-catching, you don't need anything else to draw attention. Get it? Draw! Like what a pencil does? I know...I'll stop...

(Pump: Via Spiga Irisa Pumps, Ring (old): BCBG, Skirt (old): Express - but I love this one for Spring, Shirt (old): Nordstrom Rack - but check out these blouses)

4.) IT'S NOT SO BLACK & WHITE

Wearing black and white in the office is a classic look, but add some bold jewelry and red accents and you'll definitely stand out. 

(Wedges (old): Ed Hardy red wedges, Pants: Jennifer Lopez cuffed pants from Kohl's, Bracelet: Juicy Couture link bracelet, Shirt (old): Kohl's)

Casual Chic

MY FAVORITE PAIR. NO. NOT THAT PAIR.

You know what I love besides cuddling up with my kitties with a nice glass of wine and my husband feeding me See's chocolate? (And yes, that never happens.) I love pairing feminine, chic items with really casual pieces. It's such an effortless look that beautifully combines pieces that in other worlds would be an oxymoron.

Ripped up jeans can look nice. Nice in a "I fell but I'm so cool looking no one noticed" kind of a way. But seriously, here's the ratio I like to stick with. When doing casual chic, dress it up in a 3:1 ratio (in order of casual to chic). Hopefully I'm using ratios correctly...

Dress up one casual piece (like a beat up pair of jeans, old sweater, plaid button-up, or plain white tee) with nice, feminine items (like a bright necklace, heels, silk, patterns, bright scarf, colorful belt, etc.). It really brightens up your outfit!

(Ankle boots: Target - from last winter, but check this one out. Necklace: Forever 21. Jeans: Charlotte Russe - old but these are adorable. Shirt: Banana Republic - old.)

Savvy Shopping

SHOP STRATEGICALLY.

Feeding my shopping addiction is expensive. That's why my husband did the most horrible thing in the entire universe (I'm exaggerating): HE PUT ME ON A BUDGET! (gasp) I know. I can hear someone playing the world's saddest song on the world's smallest violin somewhere.

But being on this budget has really taught me to shop strategically. Gorgeous fashion doesn't have to mean spending hundreds of dollars. It's all about where to shop, when to shop, and how you wear the pieces together. No joke, I bought each of these items below (except the boots, but they were still on sale) for under $40 (each).

Here are 2 things I live by without hubby's blood pressure going through the roof:

1.) SHOP FOR THE NEXT SEASON.

You know when it's the day after Halloween and all the costumes are all on sale? Yeah. That's when I buy Halloween costumes. Same with clothes. When winter is almost over, all the adorable winter clothes are on sale. Yes, I know that some of the items might be "so last season", but it's about how you piece it with something else! Plus, most of the clothes I find last more than one season.

(Purple leopard print shirt: Banana Republic - 2013 Christmas sale. Cathy Jean platform boots: Winter Sale - old, but here's a similar one. OH! The boots are 50% off right now, as this blog is being typed because winter is almost over.)

2.) TARGET.

I almost feel like Target surprises me every time I go there. One year Target had a Neiman Marcus holiday collection and I scored this adorable Oscar de la Renta Floral Canvas Tote Bag for under $30!

Black Leggings Four Ways

LEGGINGS: BEST INVENTION EVER.

Seriously. Leggings. Feels like you're not wearing anything and it goes with practically everything. Besides the fact that cat fur gets all over this thing, I'm pretty much in love with whoever started the whole leggings trend.

So I wanted to show four different ways I wear black leggings during the cold winter season (yeah, yeah. I know it's 63 degrees. But I'm Californian). Oh, and two things: 1.) I added Milo in all these pictures because, come on, I need to have my cat on this blog. 2.) Ignore the ambulance in the background...something happened midway through the pictures and it wasn't a pretty sight...

When I feel like boots for splashing in the rain (or in my case leaves, because we haven't been getting any rain), I pair it with a long striped tee or tank underneath a long gray sweater. Of course throw on a scarf. Patterns on the scarf is a plus.

(Sweater: Gap - This one is gone, but here's a cute one. Scarf: Forever 21 - This one would look way better, and it's under $10. Shirt: Banana Republic. Boots: Cathy Jean)

Pairing a vest with a blouse is a great way to layer without the clunkiness.

(Shirt: Kohl's. Vest: Banana Republic. Check out this vest for under $30!)

I love flats because they add such a delicate, feminine touch to an outfit, even when you have hobbit feet like I do (I'm size 8 and I'm only 5 feet tall...yeah...) I love pairing blazers with soft tanks and a big scarf.

(Blazer: H&M - Starting at $24.95. Even better? Forever 21 starts at $17.80! Flats: Target, on sale for just $15)

(Sweater: Target. Shirt: Kohl's - Lauren Conrad)

I'm officially starting my first post on my first blog and all I want to say right now is