It might be May and spring but I am going back to black in my color choices - for now!  I have had a very busy week but looking forward to The Great Gatsby and to Mother's Day weekend.  Moms deserve all the respect in the world.  Today I am wearing Urban Outfitters Sparkle & Fade Geo Burnout Velvet Dress with H&M Fitted Blazer, Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Molly Patent Pump in black, and very chic dark burgundy colored tights.  The dress is versatile, without the jacket it is a great party dress, with an open back.  Only the front has the art deco burnout velvet panel.  I would not dare to wear the dress to work without the blazer, which means if it is being worn in the office it should be a colder day, so I do not sweat from the heat in my blazer!    

Last weekend's weather was perfect in Los Angeles.  Warm, clear and sunny, ideal for my friend's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" themed bridal shower, which was held outside and featured Tiffany-box inspired square petits fours and edible pearls sprinkled on mini Tiffany Blue cupcakes!  I imagined the weather this week would stay about the same, but, of course, the old adage "April showers bring May flowers" was true today, on the last day of April, and I am dressed inappropriately for the weather, albeit, very work-appropriate!  I am wearing a two tone blush shift dress from H&M.  The H&M Blush Shift Dress features scallop black lace overlay and trim detailing, which makes it very chic.  I am also wearing a Target Merona Cardigan, and Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Toecap Platform Wedge.  I might be cold, but at least I look good! 

Feeling a bit dark this week, with all the devastating events that are happening around the world.  The best thing to do is to stay positive, and for all of us to figure out how we can serve our communities in some meaningful way.  On a plus, I am going to San Diego this weekend for a wedding and will be staying on Coronado Island.  This will be the first of a half-dozen weddings scheduled for the spring and summer.  This is also the first wedding which I have ever attended which has a strict dress code.  Taken from the website: "*Ladies: Please do not wear black, white (or any shade of white, ivory, cream, etc.), red or magenta/fuschia.*"  Obviously my outfit today would not work ;)  I am wearing an all-black outfit: my favorite Urban Outfitters BDG Pull-On Pant, H&M Fitted Blazer, and Urban Outfitters Sparkle & Fade Square Neck Peplum Top, which is not even noticeable in the photo!  The shoes are not black, they are vintage Nine West spike heels with a pointed toe, featuring an interesting pink and red burgundy spectator pattern with a mini buckle and little polka dots.  I hope everyone is safe and happy!  

I am not going to Coachella this year.  And, I am ok with it.  Well, mostly :D  The times that I did have at Coachella was unbelievable, and I appreciated it all.  I was not so impressed with the line-up this year, but before I could even look up some of the bands or find a condo to rent for the weekend, the tickets were sold-out.  Such is life.  Instead, today I went to Newport Beach for a client meeting and I am planning on spending the weekend with friends and family, perhaps checking out an art show and hitting a trendy restaurant.  This outfit is perfect to transition from day to night.  I wore Urban Outfitters Sparkle & Fade Pleated Chiffon Mini Skirt, Forever 21 Lace Button-Down Blouse, and Madden Girl "Fawwn" Taupe Patent Pumps.  The cardigan is something I have had in my closet forever.  The tag on the back of the cardigan states "hearts".  I have never heard of a brand named "hearts" and a google search came up empty.  Nevertheless, the cardigan is soft and comfortable and  I was able to make it new by bedazzling it with some sequins on the sides.  Perfect for a chic Friday both in and out of the office!

It is the vernal equinox, which means that spring is here!  Spring can be very fickle ... sometimes it is bright and hot, sometimes it is still cool and windy.  Here in Los Angeles, each day feels like a different season, and you never know quite how the weather will turn out.  Of course, it is nothing like what my friends in New York are experiencing, so we really have nothing to complaint about!  It has been mild and temperate this week, so I have worn layers, and comfortable, breathable fabrics.  I wore a very conservative, office chic outfit today, with a bright pop of color in the form of the H&M Electric Blue Iridescent Stone Statement Necklace to celebrate spring.  In my last post I wrote about a "go-to" item of clothing, the black BDG Pull-On Legging Pant from Urban Outfitters.  I have the same pair of pants in a different version, wide-legged instead of leggings fit.  I wore the black BDG Pull-On Flare Pant with a grey BDG Cropped Double Button Blazer, a black and grey BDG 3/4 Sleeve Striped Boatneck Tee and Kimchi Blue Molly Patent Pumps.  And, now that I am typing this, I am realizing that my entire outfit is not only from Urban Outfitters, but it is from BDG (except for the shoes and necklace), a brand which is exclusively sold at Urban Outfitters!  It truly shows my loyalty - once I find a brand that works for my body and my style, I really stick with it!   

I think that most people have a "go-to" item of clothing for work.  Today, I worn mine two of mine: a BDG Pull-On Legging Pant from Urban Outfitters and a Jones New York Collection Petite Washable Suit Jacket. The pants are comfortable, look good, fit well, feature an elastic waist and back pockets, and are fashion-forward for the office, or for an evening out.  I love them so much that I also bought the Urban Outfitters BDG Pull-On Flare Pant, basically the same item but the fit is a wide-leg instead of a skinny-leg.  The blazer is fitted, stretch, lined, easy care and comes in various colors.  I bought the suit jacket in a light brown walnut color, so that I am able to wear something different besides my basic black.  I wore the Urban Outfitters BDG Pull-On Pant and Jones New York Collection Petite Washable Suit Jacket with Urban Outfitters Pins and Needles Collar Tee Shirt and Urban Outfitters Deena & Ozzy Pointy-Toe Pump.  I wish that in the accompanying photo the collar of the shirt was more noticeable, it is an animal leopard print, which goes well with the color of the suit jacket and contrasts with the snakeskin pattern of the pumps.   

A lot of my outfits for work on based on black, either a black dress, black pants, or black skirt.  It is so easy to put together black ensembles as they always look chic and professional.  Today, however, I wanted a bit of color.  I grabbed my favorite item from the summer, a colorblock dress from H&M, and paired it with winter-items, making it more work (and season) appropriate.  The H&M Colorblock Dress features panels of red, pink and black, so it can go quite nicely with various shoes and accessories.  I wore a Urban Outfitters BDG Long Drapey Classic Cardigan, Urban Outfitters Cooperative Saville Platform Loafer, and black checkered tights I have had forever.  Happy Monday, everyone!

I went to Florida this past weekend, for a cousin's wedding in Boca Raton and vacation in Miami.  It was a very fun trip, most of the time was spent visiting with family and being on the beach.  While in South Beach, on my way to Ocean Drive, I stopped at the H&M on Lincoln Road and bought this amazing collarless blazer-coat-jacket that I thought I could transform it into a cape for work.  Needless to say, it is not a real cape or poncho, but is a good alternative to the more utilitarian blazer and makes me feel very sophisticated, like I am walking down a busy French street with my cloak fastened around my neck, ready for the day ahead.  I put together the rest of my outfit based on the H&M collarless coat: Urban Outfitters Silence & Noise Bustier Cami, XOXO Pencil Skirt, Urban Outfitters Pointelle Tight, and Urban Outfitters Cooperative Saville Platform Loafer.  Although not noticeable in this photo, the bustier cami has a purple lace overlay which matches the purple coat quite well. 

When I started this blog many, many, many years ago, I was a student, able to dress however I wanted.  Now, as a young professional, I like to dress business-casual, but with a hint of hip.  I find that many other young professionals have a hard time with office chic and struggle between the balance of looking too formal or looking too cool on the job.  And so I have decided to document some of my work ensembles.  Somehow, I have been able to shop at trendy stores like Urban Outfitters and still be able to wear those outfits to a business environment (and comfortably, too!) :D  I am able to meet with clients, go on business lunches, and, at the end of the day, hang out with friends in a fun atmosphere without feeling stuffy.  Today, I am wearing everything from Urban Outfitters: Kimchi Blue Mix Fabric Crepe Jacket, Sparkle & Fade Knit Carved Shoulder Circle Dress, UO Sheer Animal Tights, and Kimchi Blue Molly Patent Pumps.