Flirty Pink {Tara: Part 2}

Dress: Urban Outfitters, Belt: Gap, Scarf: Piperlime, Shoes: Banana Republic

Every girl should own a flirty pink dress!! It seems like it would be an automatic mood lifter when slipped on. And I love how Tara layers her bangles! I wish I could do this, but piles of bracelets drive me crazy. A watch is about all I can do these days. And even so, it usually comes off within a few hours.

Happy Friday, enjoy your weekends!! 
Mine will be filled with a few long runs (marathon training), 
laughs with the boyfriend (I think he's hilarious), 
a much needed haircut (debating bangs like Rachel Bilson 
but I may freak out about the high-maintenance aspect at the last minute) ... 
and simply enjoying the nice weekend weather! 

Head Over Heels

Alice and Olivia

Dear Alice and Olivia,

I am head over heels in love with this darling dress you have created (le sigh). I'm pretty much a sucker for most of your items, but this dress especially tugged at the strings of my heart. I'm pretty sure you designed it with me in mind, I just wish I could afford it. Oh my goodness it would be absolutely perfect for the Vegas bachelorette trip I will be attending in t minus one month. Alas, I will recycle a different sparkly number that I have hanging in my closet, but all the while I will be dreaming of you!


Yours Truly,
Alicia

Evian Obsessed

Fedora: Banana Republic, Blouse: Joie, Boyfriend Jeans: Rich & Skinny, Sandals: Vintage Kate Spade, Bag: Tory Burch

This past weekend the weather was amazing! So sunny that a fedora was necessary in order to shade my pale face from the sun while shopping in the Marina. My girlfriend Nicole and I walked up and down two of my favorite streets: Union and Chestnut. While I am not a picky shopper, my preference is unique boutiques and these streets are lined with them, as well as cafes, tasty eateries and fun bars. 

Side Note: I have an odd obsession with Evian water. I used to drink a bottle or two a day, but soon realized this was a little expensive so I now treat myself to a large bottle on extra hot days! My boyfriend makes fun of me because he does not believe water has a taste, but I SWEAR I can taste a difference in water brands. 

Do you have a water preference? Or am I just weird?! :) 

Rollin' with my Homies

Saturday night my girlfriends and I rolled sushi while sipping rosé. If you have never tried your hand at homemade sushi, I highly suggest doing so. Not only is it a fun activity to do with the girls (or impress a guy with your sushi rolling skills) but it is the freshest, most delicious sushi you will ever eat! 

Simple Steps to Homemade Sushi:

{Step 1: pour cocktail and gather girlfriends}

{Step 2: cook rice and slice fresh ingredients}

{Step 3: pat rice onto end of nori (seaweed)}

{Step 4: lay fish, avocado, cucumber (whatever you prefer) onto rice}

{Step 5: roll using sushi mat}

{Step 6: slice and serve}

Girls with Style {Tara: Part 1}

Vintage Slip, Necklaces: J.Crew, Tiffany's , Argentum & Aurum, colored beads collected from travels and strung together by Tara

I have admired my girlfriend Tara's unique sense of style since day one of meeting her in college. This girl can make the most basic / over-sized sorority tee-shirt look fashionable simply by accessorizing. I love that Tara has fun with fashion while fully embracing her personal style in a fabulously fresh way. She can be found both wearing a hot pink party dress to work or lounging around her house in sweatpants and costume jewelry. For this, I adore her. Tara's signature look: mixed necklaces (as pictured below) and large floral headbands (the fascinator).

Tara's Fashion Rules to live by:

Make sure you always have fun with fashion, it is not something to be taken too seriously!

Accessories can make or break an outfit and is the easiest way to change up your look. When I hate everything in my closet I play up my accessories. 

Favorite Designers:

Diane Von Furstenberg has revolutionized fashion for females. I love that she is very involved with her company and I am inspired by her business savvy. I truly appreciate that she understands what real women want to buy and wear and she caters to us!  

I think the Rodarte sisters have done some interesting things with fabric, exploring a different side of fashion (macabre style). 

Chris Benz (look him up, we went to high school together) is fantastic with color palates. 

And of course, I am completely in love and inspired by Jenna Lyons.

Favorite Stores: 

Anthropologie is such a fun retail experience, inspiring creative dress for everyone.

I also enjoy department store shopping at Barneys to see what hip, mid-range designers they are carrying. 

Growing up with Fashion:

I was brought up in a very creative household. My parents taught me to appreciate culture and fashion from a young age. I distinctly remember reading vogue as a young girl, in which I fell in love with the concept of expressing yourself through clothes and fashion. I owe a lot to my mother who always encouraged me and financially supported my love of fashion. :) 

Most Memorable Fashion Moment:

I was at a flea market in Lucca Italy, when I spotted my vintage rhinestone necklace. This spurred my obsession for vintage / costume jewelry and accessories in general. 

Rojas Dress, Frye Boots, Headband designed by Tara

Favorite item in your closet: 

My collection of Frye boots. I dress them up or down and some are beat up because I have worn them everywhere, but I love every pair.

Tara has been lucky enough to parley her love for fashion and clothes into a career.  She is currently trying to make dudes look cool in striped polos (designing menswear at The Gap). She loves using both her left and right brain, a complete business and creative mix. 

Stay tuned: Tara will soon be launching her own headband line (I can not wait!). :)

Medium Brown Bag

So, I have a confession! I stopped by Bloomingdales on my way home from work last night but don't worry I walked away with a medium brown bag... so not too much damage. ;) My lucky find: the last pair of JBrand cargo pants were in my size, that's always a sign!!! AND bloomies is currently having their private sale (ends today btw, hurry up!) so they were way cheaper than originally priced. Total score!

Blazer: Target, Blouse: Aqua, Pants: JBrand, Heels: Boutique in Australia, Watch: Michael Kors

PS: Happy Earth Day!

Nail Time {milk+}

After a very long and rather atypical Monday, I decided that treating myself to a much needed manicure and pedicure was well deserved. I guess I have never gone to get a mani/pedi on a Monday before because my usual nail salon was closed. And since my nails had reached the point of no return it was time to branch out and give milk+ (on Polk and Filbert) a try. 

I have to say milk+ has everything I look for in a relaxing nail salon experience.

{comfy chairs and adorable ambiance}

{variety of both trash and style magazines}

{excellent assortment of OPI and Essie polish}


And not pictured but another bonus: they serve hot tea. Sold!
Self-pampering is such a great way to end a Monday, I highly encourage it.

Newly Engaged

Here are a few of the engagement photos I took for friends on Saturday. I was completely shocked / honored that they asked me to photograph them (I am seriously such an amateur), but photography has quickly become one of my most favorite passions so I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon! I was a little nervous they wouldn't like the photos, but good news - they do ... :)

And my favorite out-takes:

{brushing an eyelash off her cheek}

{the moment I fell into a bush}

{just so happy}

The Bread Store

{His}

{Hers}

This past weekend was spent visiting the boyfriend, an engagement photo shoot (pictures to come soon!), quality time with my parents (I'm trying to go home more) and indulging in tasty food. My boyfriend and I finally tried The Bread Store, located in downtown Sacramento. The fresh bread was to die for and their sandwiches did not disappoint. Although my veggie on honey wheat may look rather wimpy next to whatever meat filled deluxe sandwich the boyfriend ordered, I found it to be a perfectly satisfying bread to vegetable ratio.

Seriously though, who doesn't love soft thick slices of fresh bread? 

Closet Lust

fashiontoast

I am currently lusting after this simple yet chic wardrobe (spotted on: fashiontoast).


My girlfriend and I went on a "power walk" after work last night, which just so happened to lead us in the direction of Union Square. And since tax day was also pay day we didn't feel too bad splurging on a few spring items. I really love incorporating exercise with fashion; it's just so satisfying. And carrying shopping bags up hill is equally as tiring as if I had gone to the gym. I literally think I may be sore tomorrow. ;)   

Oh PS: I am taking engagement photos for a friend this weekend. eeee!! So excited to see how / if they turn out. Please wish me luck. This is A LOT of pressure.

Happy Weekend!

Socks and Heels

garance dore

Socks with heels, what used to be a major "no no" in my mind has recently become a popular trend. The ever cyclical fashion world is quite comical (don't you think?). For instance: clogs and overalls; why hello, I never imagined I would see you again. While I'm personally loving clogs, I will definitely not be sporting the overall look any time soon. Been there, did that! Not a flattering look ladies. I do however, condone wearing socks with your heels (see latest J.Crew catalog for fabulous examples). 


Side Note: Do you remember when knee high socks were popular? 
I would wear my bright red soccer socks as knee highs with skirts. I thought it was so cute, yet looking back at old photos I think geez what was I thinking! Way too thick to be proper knee-high stockings. 


Tip: make sure the socks you choose are not too thick / bulky when wearing with heels. 


How do you feel about the 'socks and heels' trend? Will you be giving it a whirl?

Lunch Time {University Cafe}

A lunch time tale ...

I rarely get to take lunch breaks during the Monday through Friday work week.  So when my co-workers and I get to step out, we take full advantage!! :)