red lipstick

{Dress: Diane von Furstenberg, Heels: Miu Miu, Clutch: Kate Spade, Necklace: Na Hoku, Sunnies: Tory Burch, Lipstick: Make Up For Ever #43.}

Whether it’s with interior design or fashion, I’ve always been a minimalist. I try to stay away from very trendy clothes that I’ll no longer want by the next season, keeping my closet filled with only items I truly love and that, preferably, can transition from the office to date night to the weekend. This dress has always been perfect at transitioning between going out {it was my twenty-first birthday dress, after all} and the office, but recently I found a way to make it work for the weekend as well. I paired the simple, navy blue dress with cream heels, a bold lip, a dainty golden south sea pearl pendant, and a bright clutch for a brunch date followed by some shopping downtown. I loved that the simple pops of color from all the accessories gave it a more fun feel, transitioning one of my favorite dresses into weekend appropriate attire.

x Paris

{Shirt: Banana Republic, Blazer: Elie Tahari, Pants: Theory, Heels: Manolo Blahnik, Purse: Prada, Necklace: Na Hoku, Lipstick: Make Up For Ever #43, Polish: Essie Barbados Blue.}

While I always imagine a fitted blazer will make me look pulled together, I somehow always look awkward in them. They tend to be too boxy, loose, or just unflattering in general. So, when I discovered this Elie Tahari fitted blazer many years ago, I knew I needed to own it. Typically, open front blazers are just slouchy enough to feel cool, but structured enough to still look professional, so I throw them on over a silk blouse with jeans or a pencil skirt. But fitted blazers almost always feel far too formal to wear while running errands downtown. That’s why I loved how this blazer added in the right dose of fun with a muted snake print pattern. Paired with a white lace blouse, I created a classic color scheme – plus a pop of color with my red lip and pale blue polish – that pays homage to my Rowds, something I like to do every year around the anniversary of the last day I ever held him, aka this Thursday April 24th.