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.   

At the Grand Palais this morning in Paris, Karl Lagerfeld created a giant rotating Earth with flags marking all the stores.  The models walked out in front of the revolving globe to the sound of "Around the World" by Daft Punk while wearing the latest Autumn-Winter 2013 collection.  "It's about the globalization of fashion," said Lagerfeld.





















And, it just shows the global domination of a global brand.   After all, it is a Chanel world, with Karl as King of fashion, and we just live in it ;)  Chanel really does make the world go round!

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!

Came home from a spontaneous trip to San Francisco and was going to post another chic professional work outfit, but decided I would share a few photos from the weekend.  I have found that the Bay Area is always cold, but to my delight, I had brought the Los Angeles sunshine with me and it was a joy to walk around, meet up with up friends, and enjoy the city.  'Till next time, SF!

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. 

My blog posts in the past couple months have not been that interesting - I blame Instagram and Twitter for my daily source of inspiration and occasional rantings and musings.  But, I am cooking up something extra for this blog starting in February 2013, a collaboration between my personal, fashionable life and my professional, career life ...  

Gossip Girl lives on! Gossip Girl en espanol! O mi dios! (Or is it ay dios mio?!) Yo espero que yo no necesito aprender espanol ahora jaja :) The Upper East Siders have exchanged their winter clothes for summer fashion all year long in Mexico.  Dan Humphrey is now Dan Parra; Jenny Humphrey is now Jenny Parra; Blair Waldorf is now Barbara Fuenmayor; Serena Van Der Woodsen is now Sofia Sisniega; Nate Archibald is now Nico De La Vega; and Chuck Bass is now Max Zega.  I think I spotted Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith in the preview too?! Watch the new cast here: Gossip Girl: Acalpulco

I have become a little obsessed with Instagram. Follow me! @tatulip

Louis Vuitton is really pulling on all of my heart strings!  A few weeks after the "Small is Beautiful" video launches, featuring styles from the Spring/Summer 2013 collection, the whimsical brand just came out with printable cut-out paper dolls with designer wardrobes, also from the Spring/Summer 2013 collection.  You can download the pdf right here: Louis Vuitton Paper Dolls and starting cutting out!  My paper dolls will definitely invite your paper dolls over for a tea party :)

Cheers and best wishes for a happy, healthy, successful, and great 2013!  2012 consisted of very many weddings, trips, and fun times with family and friends.  I was able to grow in my career, and also grow personally :) We never know where we will be in one year's time, but I am sure it will be an interesting twelve months!  Something different I am doing this year is to start off the year with an empty jar and fill it with notes about good things that happen ... I will empty the jar in one year and reminiscence on all the awesome stuff that occurred.  Watch this space for more posts, photos, and random thoughts from yours truly.

It is almost Christmas Eve, but it has felt like the holidays have been in Los Angeles forever thanks to The Grove! I attended a party at the Madewell store hosted by Nylon magazine and Nylon's West Coast fashion editor, Jazzi McG. It was so nice to meet her, and also enjoy the ice cream treats from Coolhaus. The Grove is a great place to be during the holidays, it "snows" nightly and there are so many lights, making you really feel like you are a part of a winter wonderland. Also, a few blocks down, on Melrose, there are funky boutiques, like the one pictured below. Perfect gifts for your hipster friends ;)  Hope you all get a little something in the next week, whether it be from a "secret Santa" or a holiday card from your neighbor. 

Finally made it to Target to check out the Target x Neiman Marcus x CFDA collaboration.  I bought the Marchesa dresses for girls in size large and had hoped to fit into them; but no such luck.  The pink dress would not zip all the way in the back and the white dress was too high on the neckline.  Everything in the Holiday24 collection is beautiful and well-made, but unfortunately, there was no piece that I felt like I needed to have.  Did you all go and purchase anything? 

I am really enamored with a new video posted online showing Jay-Z riding the subway to his final show at the Barclays Center and explaining to an older lady sitting next to him who he is.
"Are you famous?" she asks.
"Yes.  Not very famous, you don't know me.  But I'll get there someday," says Jay-Z, reinforcing his ambition and hustle.
The next presidential hopefuls should step down because Mr. Shawn Corey Carter is establishing himself as the next President of the United States.  Awesome :)  

Ok, as everyone knows I am a Chanel girl.  Not that I have anything against the other big players in the fashion game, but Chanel will always be my favorite, my obsession, my true desire.  This video from Louis Vuitton, though, is clearly giving Chanel some competition.  Candy-colored clothing on street style blogger models, Paris, a trendy video artist, rainbow bright Ladurée macarons, and beautiful purses.  This is definitely going on my Spring/Summer 2013 want list!


Louis Vuitton presents "Small is Beautiful!" from Louis Vuitton on Vimeo.

For Thanksgiving this year I will be having dinner with my family and then taking a red eye to Costa Rica ... I am very excited to say the least, and will, of course, blog photos and stories upon my return.  But for the most important news - I finally joined the 21st century and purchased an iPhone 5!  As a matter of fact, I am writing this blog entry with it.  So, to most people today is Thanksgiving, however it feels like Christmas to me ;)

A congratulations to Mr. Barack Hussein Obama II on his second term as the President of the United States of America.  I, too, believe in the American Dream and hope that all future presidents exude as much hope, unity, and optimism as he has.  It is my belief that one day all the political divisiveness will be overcome, and our great nation will truly exemplify the name that it has and be "united"! 

Halloweekend has passed and there were certainly a lot of treats had, including a Crumbs cupcake, a "Where the Wild Things Are" party at Blok, and, of course, the famous parade through West Hollywood. Although the rest of the country is suffering through hurricanes and cold weather, we have a constant 78 degrees on this (lucky and appreciative!) side of the nation. And while we are on the topic of the nation, go out and vote on Tuesday!

Last year I dressed up as Nina Sayers in Black Swan for Halloween, along with thousands of others!  This year I hope my Halloween costume is a bit more unique, although it is inspired by another popular film ... I have already gotten plenty of treats this week, but will be seeking more tomorrow :)  Enjoy the festivities, everyone!