THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS: Free People Salina Foil Print Dress

I've really been sporting lace lately.  I came across this little black dress in Nordstrom Rack last week and thought it was so pretty and classy.  They used to sell it at Nordstrom for $128, it is now on Revolve for $90, and $45 at Nordstrom Rack.  There is a dress within the dress.  The inner layer is much shorter than the outer layer.  The outer layer fans out, whereas the inner layer is much more form fitting.  This combination gives the dress a rather unique look.  Because the dress starts fanning out below the chest, it makes you look taller and is more forgiving in areas where unwanted visceral fat lies.  I find this design to be effortlessly flattering for the pear shape ladies out there.  However, for very slim, petite girls, after you shorten the straps, it will make your chest look smaller because the dress would not accentuate the waist.  Also, there are subtle gold specks that scatters throughout the dress.  The gold specks do not sparkle.  But, it gives a hint of color that catches your eye to the beautiful lace pattern.  

Free People Salina Foil Print Dress, $90 at Revolve, $45 at Rack, $128 orig. price

Sam Edelman Orly Kitten Heel Pumps, $45 at Rack, $115 (reg. price) (similar, similar, similar)

These shoes are sold out in many places because it's an older style.  But, there are some available at Nordstrom Rack and Ebay.

These are the most comfortable heels I own.  I found these last week at Nordstrom Rack and I've been wearing them everywhere.  They virtually go with anything and are wide enough so they don't hurt my feet.  In fact, they are more comfortable than some flats I own.  Also, they make my legs look much slimmer and longer.  For the quality and comfort, $45 is well worth the price if you can find them in the Rack near you.  The only bad thing about sling back shoes is that I can't wear them with boot cuts or flare pants because the back of the pants will always get caught between my heel and shoe.  Nonetheless, I'm so happy I found them!  They are my new go to nude pumps. ^.^  Happy feet, happy me :)

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SKINCARE SOLUTION SERIES: THE BABY GLOW

How many of you reading this wakes up with the baby glow?  I'm going to be very honest, I don't wake up glowing with radiant skin unless if I put an overnight mask on.  I certainly can't put a mask on everyday.  But, I have found certain products that can give me a really natural glow.  Especially on those post call days or sleepless nights where I drown my kidneys with coffee that contribute to dull, dry skin.  You may refer this glow to as the dewy look.  There are a lot of products that can give the dewy look.  Of all the products I've tried, here are my personal favorites.

1. Glow to highlight: light colors make features pop (so this will help you contour).  I prefer powder highlighter.  For me, the cream sticks don't look as natural and it's much harder to blend.  I use the Smashbox fan brush to achieve the most natural finish with this shine on powder.  Other brushes tend to pick up too much powder for highlighting.  I highlight my T zone area, chin, and cheeks (top part of where I apply my blush).  Every time I use this in combo with the mist below, my fiance will tell me that my skin is glowing :)

                       

                                  (left) Make Up For Ever Compact Shine On, in soft ivory beige, $30

                                       (right) picture of me with the highlighter on top of foundation.

       Left: no makeup.  Right: with highlighter

 As you can see, it's very subtle.  You can't see sparkles, it's very natural.

2. Glow to look overall radiant.  This functions as a primer with spf.  It has no coverage what so ever.  If you have dull skin with no blemish to cover and a decent complexion, putting this on alone will do the job.  But, if you have blemishes or in need of color correction, once you add foundation over it, the glow will be covered by the pigments of your foundation and your skin won't glow.  I would recommend this to someone that wants a really natural look and doesn't put much foundation or powder on.  If you have foundation and powder, I think the spray below would be more promising.  It is spf 30, which is not that high, so this alone would not suffice for outdoor adventures.

(Left) Etude House Correct and Care CC Cream - Glow, $17.48
(Right) me with CC cream on (no foundation)

 Left: no makeup, Right: cc cream

You can tell that the cc cream provided no coverage for my veins.  But, it does give you an overall glow to get rid of the dullness.  I will talk about the difference between blemish balm (BB) cream and correct & care (CC) cream in a separate post in the future. 

3. Glow to freshen up.  This is an easy spray to freshen up that glow.  It smells good and it adds moisture on those hot, dry summer days or cold winter days.  This spray is so moisturizing, I use it as a moisture mist and it gives me an instant radiant boost.  My skin literally glows when I spray this on.  There are no glitters either so it looks very natural.  However, if you have oily skin, I would not recommend this.  This also has a fresh fragrance, nothing overwhelming like certain perfumes.  Its' scent is rather refreshing.
                                                       

                              (left) Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer Baby Glow Mist, $14

                                 (right) me with highlighter + baby glow mist on

 This mist does what it says.  It makes you glow.  It does provide good moisture.  The moisture, however, doesn't last that long.  On the contrary, the glow lasted 6-8 hours.  I would not solely use this as a moisture mist because if i spray more than once to replenish moisture, I would end up looking oily.  But, on those post call days where my skin looks dull, this mist and concealer are definitely a quick fix.  I will do a comparison between this mist and the MAC fix in a separate post in the future.

What are your favorites?


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TOMS WHOLESALE EVENT

So a little bird from work told me today about the Toms wholesale event!  Love her!  I recently posted an outfit with Toms wedge booties, currently sold at Nordstrom for $90.  Well, you can get them for approx $20 at the wholesale event.  For those who are interested and live in San Francisco, Vegas, Southern California, or Phoenix, you can visit the super sale!

For Bay Area, Vegas, and Phoenix (TBA)

For Corona:
421 N. Cota Street
Corona, CA 92880

March 27-30,2014

Thursday, March 27th | 10am – 8pm
Friday, March 28th | 10am – 8pm
Saturday, March 29th | 9am – 7pm
Sunday, March 30th | 9am – 7pm

Good luck!

walk in style and comfort~

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FASHION FOR LESS: SALE SALE SALE

Yupe, this post is about all the dirt cheap sales I saw TODAY.  So I'm going to start with Banana Republic's peplum dress.  I tried on the black one in store and LOVED it.  If you are petite like me, go check it out.  If it fits me, chances are that it will fit you too.

Banana Republic Lightweight wool peplum dress $150, BUT, $90 for black, and additional 40% off with code BRLUCKY (expires today! 3/17/14) = total: $54 and $58 including tax.  So girls, $54 for a $150 wool dress is a steal in my opinion.  The cutting was gorgeous and the peplum really flatters the petite body or less curvy ladies.  Yes, peplum is in again this year.  Even Vera Wang used peplum in her wedding gown design this year. :)

Next up, Ann Taylor LOFT.
I guess additional 40% off their items is nothing new.  I see additional 40% off every time I walk by Loft.  There are some final sale items I saw that was SO cheap, I had to share with you!

$24.99 Final Sale in store, 40% off does not apply. (similar, similar)

If you are petite, the length is just right.  I'm wearing a 00p in this picture and it's kind of loose.  Maybe that's the style.  I really loved the pattern though.  Just wished that it was a little more form fitting so I don't look like a tube from the side or in the front.  But, if you are curvier, this might not look as loose and can be a lovely work appropriate dress for $24.99!  

This sweater's color is a nice heather grey for $21 with the 40% off.

I don't know how well you can see the design but it has tiny little holes that runs down the middle.  This is a regular XS.  I would prefer one size down personally.  Nonetheless, I decided to post this because it's a pretty good deal for someone else!

Burgundy Cords sexy boot.  $10 in store (more expensive online)

For size reference, these are 24, 00.  Very stretchy, comfy, and has a slim bootcut on the bottom.  It's a dark burgundy but much lighter in person.  If I didn't have a couple pair of burgundy pants already, I would have bought these in a heart beat.  I love burgundy.  It matches with so many colors.  Very versatile!

Blue skirt, $20 including the 40% off. (cheaper in store)

I really love this blue.  Picture on the right is how it fits on me (size 00 reg.).  It's definitely not the best fit.  On the left, I pulled it in a little to see how it would look if I bust out my sewing machine.  I think this skirt has great potential.  It is made out of very nice material and it is lined.  This item is not on final sale.  I'm debating if I should return this.  But, I really do love this color and fabric! :) What do you think?

That's it for today!

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THE LITTLE GIRL IN ME LOVES LACE: FREE PEOPLE Lace Trim Trapeze Tunic Dress

I am so sorry I didn't have another post until now.  But, here it is and I hope you guys will like it.  I really love lace.  This week's outfit is one of my favorites.  It has a tinge of vintage feel to it and it can be layered or worn alone.  This is sold in Nordstrom for $88, but $39 in the Nordstrom rack near me.  The Toms shoes was a bit of a splurge but I love them.  They are so comfortable and versatile.  I'm all about comfort when it comes to my shoes.  I only took one picture with the off shoulder top and scarf because it was 86 degrees in Claremont, California today.  Do you like lace too?

 Free People Lace Trim Trapeze Tunic Dress XS

Toms 'Desert' Bootie 

H&M sweater XS (similar)

Louis Vuitton Letters Silk Shawl Scarf (gift from mother) (similar)

Next post will be on skincare and how to get the baby glow.  

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FASHION FOR LESS SERIES: THE BURBERRY & BANANA REPUBLIC TRENCH

The Burberry Trench coat has always been something I've wanted.  But, not only does it cost a lot, it's hard to find one that would fit me because I'm that tiny.  I really like the Burberry's wool trench coat with frilled hem worn by Kate Middleton.  That hem really gives it a feminine touch. You may wonder, how on Earth did this $1352 Trench coat end up in this fashion for less blog.  Well, they went on sale for $947 in Lyst.  Of course, it sold out in a heart beat.  Here's an even cheaper alternative, the Banana Republic Flare Trench.  Petite girls, we are in luck.  Banana Republic did a really good job on this jacket to fit petites like a glove!  And brownie points to getting it 50% off!

Banana Republic Flared Trench in xxsp, $225

I bought it for $112.50 with 50% off ( promo code BR10, expires 3/11/14)

in case it doesn't work, 40% off with BR card (promo code March, expires 3/4/14)

Kate Spade Airel Cove Street, (Orig. 478.00) $125 at 75% off Kate Spade Secret Sale Event (similar)

extra 15% off Kate Spade if you sign up for their email list (it's a stackable coupon code!)

A lot of people said the belt was too long on the reviews so I wanted to show you how long it really is!  But, I like it this long because it allows me to tie a bow in the front when I button up the jacket and in the back when I keep the jacket open.

                                    Hunter Lonny High Rain Boots, $47 at Nordstrom Rack

I really love this Kate Spade bag.  It is extremely functional and light weight.  It carries my laptop, and whatever I buy when I go shopping so I don't need to carry an extra recyclable shopping bag or pay extra for a bag.  It has three compartments (just like this bag) and the material is perfect for me because it's hard to scratch.  My bags tend to hit things around me and they tend to leave a mark when it's the boarskin leather material that I absolutely adore.  But, this bag probably have hit doors, cars, shelves, hangers, and not a single sign of use.  LOVE!

Love San Francisco, Union Square

Here is the Burberry wool frilled trim coat!  It has not sold out yet in Neiman Marcus ^.^

YAY to my partner in crime that took these photos for me :) I appreciate his time and effort more and more everyday~

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FASHION FOR LESS, WIDE FEET SERIES: HUNTERS RAINBOOTS

With the drought, I'm sure we are all happy there was some rain this weekend.  But, who wants to ruin their good shoes in the rain?  Years ago, hunters boots were in because of it's slim fit silhouette and it helped that only every celebrity wore one.  A pair of Hunters knee high rain boots cost around $140 each at Nordstrom.  Currently, the purple and red ones are on sale on Hunter's website for $98 (final sale).     But, at Nordstrom rack, the high heel, knee high Hunters boots only cost $47!  The Hunters knee high, flat boots are around $75 at Nordstrom Rack.  For my fellow small feet friends that are petite, a pair of Hunters boots in the kids section would cost $75 in Nordstrom store.  That's almost half the price!  For the amount of days one can wear rain boots, not everyone would want to spend over 100 on it.

The Hunter Rain Boot, Lonny High Heel, (orig. $195), $47 at Nordstrom Rack

These are sold out pretty much everywhere!  But I see some in Nordstrom Rack and ebay.

Here are the measurements of my size 5 Hunter rain boots

Shaft height: 14 inches
Calf circumference: 14 inches
Heel Height: 5 inches
Platform Height: 1 inch

This is what I've noticed.  The Hunters high heel rain boots have a flattering, slim fit silhouette.  BUT, that also means it has a more narrow ankle opening, which makes it harder to get in and out of.  I wear my rain boots A LOT.  Every time I travel to places that may rain, my rain boots will go with me.  I bought a pair of polo kids rainboots a couple years ago in First Line for $24!!!  They battled the rain and mud with me in Paris and Taiwan, saving the lives of my most treasured leather boots.

The high heel version was comfortable to walk in.  I can go a whole day shopping in them and my feet won't hate me.  But, The hunter boots are much harder to get in and out of at the airport compared to my flat polo boots.  The ankle width was actually the same.  But, the rubber on the polo boots are softer and bend much easier.  The circumference of the polo flat boots were also much wider.  On top of that, the forefoot width of the polo rain boots (see right picture below) were also 1" wider, making it much more comfortable for wide feet +/- bunions for running or long distance walking for site seeing.  

Verdict for petite girls with wide feet: I think the Hunter rain boots are still super cute.  It's a pair of shoes I can wear on the weekend when it rains.  It is easy to walk in and it did not hurt my bunions because the rubber material does stretch.  It also has pretty good grip so I had no problem with slipping in the rain or falling.  The Hunter rain boots, however, is NOT a pair of boots I would travel on trips with.  I can imagine it being difficult to get in and out of during security check or customs.  For a petite girl, I love the nude color and height enhancement to elongate those legs.  I have received so many compliments from strangers!

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