The Big Easy

(exploring the streets of the French Quarter)

 (the interior of the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral)

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Muscle Tee, Zara Silk Shorts, Banana Republic Chambray Shirt, 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Mini Satchel, Call It Spring Sandals

(outside the cathedral with the ladies)

 (dinner with a view)

(the neon lights of Bourbon St.)

With a four-day weekend, a few of my friends and I decided to road trip to New Orleans for a change of scenery. This wasn't the first time I visited the land of jazz and blues, but it was the first time I stayed there overnight. We spent the day appreciating the architecture and culture and had a fantastic time experiencing the night life. It was a short trip (we only stayed one night), but I think we made the most of it. I'm sure it won't be my last time there.

Transition

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Muscle Tank, F21 Leather Shorts, DV by Dolce Vita Ankle Boots

A new post has been long overdue. Shame on me for not keeping up with updating! I'll definitely be reviewing the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target pieces I purchased a couple of weekends ago. In fact, I'm wearing one of them here.

I bought this top because it seemed like a more elegant version of a muscle tank, combining a masculine feel in the front with a feminine touch in the back. The back is sheer with a high-low hemline, and I think it will pair well with a pair of leather leggings. Since it was still warm, I paired it with my handy leather shorts instead and black ankle boots, which I snagged for $60 on sale and will probably become my favorite shoes for the winter.

The weather in Houston is finally cooling down, and it's been a beautiful past couple of days. I just won't be too happy when it's actually cold.

3.1 Phillip Lim

Mini Satchel $34.99, Satchel $34.99, Tote $54.99, Chelsea Boot $54.99

The highly anticipated 3.1 Phillip Lim collection for Target is almost here! I've had September 15th marked on my calendar for a while now, and I've probably visited the Target website one too many times to ogle over the lookbook. I know the collection will be available in select stores, so I'm crossing my fingers that the Target near me is a winner. I'm probably going to end up calling the store to double check (I just like being mentally prepared), and if they won't carry it, I sure hope I can order online.

If you can't tell from above, I'm especially excited about all of the accessories. The tote looks like the perfect substitute for the ever-so-popular Céline luggage bag. I just hope the material of the tote (and all of the bags) is quality and durable because it's so disappointing to find designer products that are made cheaply (e.g. the Marc Jacobs clutch from the Neiman's collection for Target) even if they are more affordable. As for the rest of the bags, I don't think a girl can ever have too many crossbodies (especially ones in black), so I'm also looking forward to seeing the actual sizes and quality of the mini and regular-sized satchels. I think the Chelsea Boots are actually made for men, but we'll see if I can't make them work for me...

If any of you manage to get your hands on the collection, let me know what you think!

Commuting Comfort

AE Top, Zara Shorts, Zara Sandals, Ray-Ban Aviators

Even with the long weekend, I've already had my fair share of the week. Blame it on the humidity and heat or my alternating between biking and driving to school, but I'm ready for the weekend!

To keep up with the weather while walking around campus, I've stuck to sleeveless tops and breezy dresses all week. I particularly loved this outfit because it felt like I was wearing silk pajamas (with pockets!) the whole day. To prevent myself from looking like I rolled out of bed in this getup, I wore my trusty Zara low-heel sandals to dress it up.

Juxtaposition

W.A.Y.F. Top, F21 Shorts, Thrifted Belt, Vince Camuto Sandals

I was immediately drawn to this top when I saw it on Youtuber Chriselle Lim's What To Wear To a Wedding video. The palm tree print is complex enough that it isn't corny, and the colors are just beautiful. It makes me think back to my elementary school days when blue, pink, and purple were my favorite colors. I was afraid the top would be at an absurd price since it was featured in a video, but it was surprisingly affordable (and on sale)! I thought it would be a fun oxymoron to pair palm trees with faux leather shorts, and I ended up really liking the combination. I can already tell I'm going to be obsessed with faux leather again this Fall. I've been stocking up on all the fantastic winter clothing deals in the summer and can't wait for the weather to cool down even though I prefer warmer temperatures.

Reverse to Revamp

F21 Tank, Aerie Lace Bandeau, AE Jeans, UO Studded Belt, Zara Sandals, Ray-Ban Aviators

Fall semester officially began 2 days ago, and it's still hard to believe I'm a junior now. I've been on campus these last two weeks helping out with new student orientation (what we call O-Week), so I apologize for not updating. As busy as my schedule is, I'm going to try my best to stay consistent with the blog.

I've been a fan of the muscle tank silhouette for a while (college tanks are rampant), but I haven't been able to bring myself to purchase a more feminine version. I'm particular about the fit since the wrong cut can make my shoulders seem even wider than they already are. With some inspiration, I realized that if I just wore one of my tanks backwards, it would have the same fit as a muscle tank with a scoop neck in the back (which I'm loving). Pair it with a bandeau, and it's perfect for these warm summer days.

On Wednesdays, we wear pink.

It just so happened two of my friends were also wearing pink today at lunch (pointed out by another friend), so we couldn't pass up the chance to quote Mean Girls.

Dog Days

Nollie Tank Top, AE Bandeau, Banana Republic Shirt, Zara Sandals, Ray Ban Aviators, Kate Landry Crossbody

My foodie friend and I took a chance and tried out James Coney Island's latest gourmet hot dog of the Chefs and Show Dogs series, the Mutt Barkus, created by Eatsie Boys chef Matt Markus. I missed out on the previous gourmet hot dog (which was apparently amazing), so I needed to see if this next one was just as good. In addition, Eatsie Boys offered free ice cream to anyone who brought in a receipt for the Mutt Barkus, so we couldn't pass that up. While I wasn't entirely impressed by the hot dog, the dulce de leche ice cream I had was delicious.

To balance out our indulgent meal, my friend and I originally planned to visit the James Turrell exhibit at the MFAH but found out, to our dismay, the museum is closed on Mondays. We then set our sights on the Glassell School of Art and the Rice Gallery to replace our afternoon plans. I guess I'll just have to find some other time to visit the Turrell exhibit before it leaves Houston.

I wanted to dress as comfortably as possible since I knew I'd be eating a hefty lunch and doing a bit of walking. I've had this dress for such a long time and worn it countless times. It's probably one of the best $5 buys I've ever made. It's actually an XL tank top worn as a dress since I'm so small; just one of those petite perks!

(Photos courtesy of my friend)

Sleepyhead

Romper (last seen here), Sag Harbor Shirt, Zara Sandals, Charming Charlie Necklace, Ray Ban Aviators

Today was definitely a lazy day. After a sudden wake-up call from a false fire alarm at 9:30 in the morning, I decided to snuggle back into bed. The chances to just go back to sleep are slimming down since I'll be heading back to campus in a couple days and the semester begins at the end of August. I'm anxious about this upcoming year since I know it's going to take endurance. Here's to hoping there will be good memories made as well!

I wanted my outfit to be as least constricting as possible today, so I layered a t-shirt over my floral romper. Basically it felt like I was wearing pajamas! Remember this post? Well, I managed to pick up the Zara pair for more than half off. I didn't even think they would be marked down that low and have my size in stock. Lucky find, I guess. I'm really enjoying the slight height boost whenever I wear them. They'll probably be my favorite go-to sandal for school.

Lunch, Laughs, & Lace

Zara Dress, Zara Heels, F21 Sunglasses

I had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with a childhood friend over lunch at Philippe Restaurant + Lounge (courtesy of Houston Restaurant Week). While we chatted and laughed about our experiences this past year, the chef himself was nice enough to come over to our table and greet us! I realize as I get older, the relationships I've developed over time are priceless. When a friend and I can go months or years without contact yet still be able to catch up over coffee or a meal like we never parted, that's when I know we'll be lifelong friends.

I thought this lunch reunion would be the perfect occasion to wear this beautiful lace dress I scored from the Zara sale. I love how it has a classic sheath shape but with an open back and that the lining is sewn to the dress, so I don't need to worry about it riding up (does anyone else ever have this issue?). There's something about shirts (like in this post) and dresses with open backs that just reel me in. I guess if I want to show some skin, I'd rather it be my back than anywhere else.

Kaleidoscope Colors

Chevron Dress (similar here & here), LC Lauren Conrad Platform Heels, Ray-Ban Aviators

It's been long past due for a new post. I'll admit it; since summer school ended and taking a short vacation home, I've become a bit too accustomed to not taking advantage of the free time I have now. That will definitely change by the end of this week as I have to head back to school for freshmen orientation training. I can't believe the summer break is coming to an end; I'm definitely going to miss it.

Today is definitely one of those stereotypical hot and humid Houston summer days. All I wanted was to throw on a breezy, stress-free dress, and then I remembered this dress that one of my friends had nonchalantly gifted me simply because she didn't wear it anymore (I needed a dress to wear that evening anyways). It originally had a high-low hemline, but I realized the length just did not flatter my petite body, so I took a pair of scissors and chopped the bottom off! I'm loving the colors and boho take of the trendy chevron pattern, and I can already picture it as a swimsuit cover-up or something I'd wear out to lunch with a friend.

Before Sunrise

Last night my roommates convinced me to watch Before Sunrise (100% from critics!), a romantic drama about two people who meet on a train and spend a day together exploring Vienna and as well as each other's thoughts, quirks, and histories. I was very impressed by the movie; it's mainly conversation based with very little action, but the acting is terrific. It's definitely a deeper and more philosophical romantic feature and made me think about those taken or missed impromptu chances in life and where they (could have) lead. This is the first installment of a three part series, and the last part just released this past May. I'm definitely going to finish the other films when I have the time.

The film came out in 1995, and the fashion trends of that time are very obvious in the film. I hated Ethan Hawke's hair, but I understand that was probably due to the 90's. On the other hand, Celine, the French student played by Julie Delpy, wears a combination of a brown drop-back maxi dress layered over a simple t-shirt with a flannel button-up tied carelessly around her hips. Interestingly enough, I can definitely see women today wearing a modern version of her outfit. While I may not be tying shirts around my waist any time soon, I've definitely seen the trend on other bloggers and off-duty models. Personally, I would love to be able to rock a drop-back maxi dress (like the one below) as effortlessly as Celine.

Topshop Dress

Floral Flow

Romper (from overseas; similar), F21 Sweater

My aunt bought this romper for me as a souvenir/gift when I visited Taiwan a couple of years ago (where I also got this romper). It's funny that the only two rompers I own are both from Taiwan, and they're still some of my favorite pieces in my closet. I'm honestly surprised they've lasted so long through all the extensive wear  I've put them through. I decided to change it up this time and wear the bottom of the romper as shorts by knotting a sweater on top. As soon as I walked outside this morning, I was immediately thankful for wearing a sweater as the weather was slightly chilly due to the rain. In retrospect, I guess I was channeling the Zara flowing shorts (here and here) I saw while online shopping (can you tell I've been kind of obsessed?).

All in One

Double-Zero Scalloped Top (similar), AE High-Waisted Shorts, Charming Charlie Necklace, F21 Sunglasses

Last year, while searching (and still searching) for scalloped and lace shorts, I found this adorable top on sale on Nasty Gal. Unfortunately, when I bought it, it was in the middle of winter, so it's been stuck hanging in my closet; but now that summer is going strong, it's the perfect top (simple but intricate) for those hot & humid days. Not only does it have two tiers of scalloped edges, but it also has a surprise open back, adding a bit of sexiness to an otherwise cutesy top. I'm especially happy it came in a chartreuse color because I typically don't lean towards yellows and greens.

My Picks

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Ever since I've had to start shopping for (casual) work-friendly clothing, I've been on the lookout for pants whenever I go shopping. As someone with a short and fuller lower body, finding pants that fit properly is an arduous task. The only pair that have really fit me right off the bat were mentioned in this post. That being said, a girl can still hope for other pairs of pants that fit! Printed pants (in the form of trousers, jeans, and even khakis) can be seen in just about every retail store for women. I think the trick to pulling them off is to find a pair that has the correct fit and pattern for your body type. For me, a fitted ankle is crucial to avoid adding more weight to my legs. I'd say purchasing printed pants is a big step for me since I always lean towards solids, but I'm always willing to try new things (keyword: try). I've picked out some of the trousers I've been eyeing on the Zara website (bonus: they're all on sale!), but I'm still debating whether I should take the plunge or take a chance that they'll later be reduced even more...

(Note: I know option 3 isn't printed, but I really liked the leather trouser's zipper detailing on the side)

Three for Triniti

 Rustic + elegant design

Loved the menu on a clipboard (checks were on mini clipboards, too)

My beautiful friends

 What's brunch without bubbly?

Triniti's Hot Brown Bennie (their take on Eggs Benedict)

I wasn't planning on going to brunch this past weekend, but when one of my roommates invited me to go to Triniti, I couldn't pass it up. At first I was hesitant to go since Triniti isn't known for being affordable, but after looking up its brunch menu, I discovered the brunch pricing was perfect for my budget ($12 entrees!). The whole experience was fantastic with attentive staff, calm atmosphere, deep conversations, and delicious food. For their Hot Brown Bennie, they used a mornay sauce instead of the usual hollandaise. While I love hollandaise sauce, I found the mornay sauce even creamier and enjoyable. This meal was a perfect way to tie the long weekend together.

Two Day Getaway

 Spent Independence Day by Lake Travis

 Set off personal fireworks with friends

Can't forget sparklers

At the (welcoming) cool waters of Barton Springs

Adorable dogs were abundant

Spotted the largest colony of urban bats

Beautiful sunset + downtown Austin skyline

For the 4th and 5th, I, along with many other friends, went up to the capital and stayed at a friend's lake house for the holiday weekend. While I could only stay two nights, due to work on Saturday, the trip was exactly the kind of break I needed. Most of the time, we were outdoors swimming in Lake Travis, lounging on my friend's beautiful porch, wading around in Barton Springs, or playing volleyball (I attempted to play). All the physical activity was a welcome change from my Houston lifestyle. I've been to Austin multiple times, and each time I leave liking it even more. If I had to could choose which city in Texas I could end up in, my first pick would be Austin.