Outfit log: Pre-blog days

Before this blog I used to take photos of some of my outfits to send to my mom, since we live far apart and she is such a fashionista! She is currently living out of a suitcase, since she and her husband are getting ready to move into their new house, but once the clothes (and most importantly shoes!) are unpacked, I hope to feature her outfits occasionally here!

Unfortunately all the pics were taken by iPhone, so some didn't come out that well.

blouse - hand-me-down from mom; pencil skirt - banana republic 2009; heels - nine west 2009

cardigan - hand-me-down from mom; camisole - costco 2002?; khakis - anthropogie (sale) 2009; pink flower-tipped flats - some department store

cotton cardigan - target 2004; camisole - gift from nic's stepmom; shorts - hand-me-down from nic's stepmom; necklace - tiffany & co (hand-me-down from mom)

dress - anthropologie 2008; necklace - tiffany's (was mom's)

Outfit log two-fer: stardate 7.22.23.09

First, I'd like to highlight Mijiza's ridiculously hot & sexy professional ensemble:

Next, I'm not too impressed with my outfit today or yesterday, so I'm posting tiny pics of them together!

LEFT: sweater & jeans - gap 2008; black flats - dsw 2008
RIGHT: cardigan - jcrew 2002?; camisole - gift from nic's stepmom; jeans - joe's jeans, muse, from TJ Maxx 2009; boots - rockport from endless.com 2009

This whole outfit log thing and fashion blog addiction has gotten me so antsy to update my wardrobe! I've realized from seeing so many others' outfits online that you don't need to spend a ton of money to update your look. After my next pay check I am heading straight for Forever 21!

Sweet surprise thought from a dear friend

Gaby and I met in our Intro to Photo class freshman year of college (go Sagehens!) and became instant friends, and then roommates sophomore year. We had so many wonderful times together that year, and since have remained close, despite me living in the Bay Area, and her living in Venice Beach.

Gaby is one of the most thoughtful people I know. The first birthday gift she gave me was a photo album/scrapbook filled with pictures of us and our friends accompanied by silly inside jokes and captions. I still treasure that book, both because it's a fabulous way to reminisce and because she put so much time, thought, and effort into it, and I love to show it off to friends and family. Since then, Gaby has always thought of me on my birthday or around the holidays, or just because, and I feel so lucky to have her in my life.

I got a message from Gabs a couple of weeks ago asking for my new address is Oakland, as she had something to send me. I wondered what it could be, and lo and behold she found this amazing and perfect wedding cake while browsing wedding magazines with our good friend Erica, for whom we will be bridesmaids next Summer.

I am not planning on getting married in the very near future, but I will keep this clip filed away until the time comes because, as Gaby knew upon seeing it, the cake is just perfect for me as I have an obsession with butterflies, and what better colors than those of the rainbow for a proud same-sex wedding?!

I love her, and I love this cake, and that is all.

Typical Summer Day in San Francisco...

I took this picture today as Mijiza turned us onto the road that leads to our office. It's the third day of absolutely gloomy SF weather this week. Thank goodness I get to go home to warm and sunny Oakland!

and yesterday:

UPDATE: And later, the difference of weather in Oakland:

Nic's Kitchen Makeover Birthday Surprise!

If you don't already know my girlfriend personally, then there is a crucial detail of her personality that I must reveal, since it is a huge part of who she is: Nicholette is a San Francisco Giants fan (that's a baseball team for the non-sports fans).

When I say huge fan, I really mean it; think Jimmy Fallon in Fever Pitch - if it was up to Nic, everything she owns would have a Giants logo on it somewhere. She has even been known to get black and orange alternating colors painted on her toenails:

Knowing this has made present shopping for her way too easy, since she goes crazy for every Giants item I get her (including a beer mug/shot glass set, embroidered down vest, a personalized scoreboard message at a game and a replica Barry Bonds jersey). Easy can be good, but at the same time, I like a challenge.

For Nic's birthday this year, I decided to do something that I knew would knock her socks off: dedicate an entire room to her first love, the SF Giants. I didn't go for a closet or the small bathroom, but instead, with some help from her grandmother, I redecorated our kitchen, and I must say it turned out better than I expected!

The best part about this transformation is that not only does Nic love it, but I actually prefer it to the pre-decorated kitchen too! It has added so much warmth to the space, and both Nic and my personalities show through the theme (her) and the design (me). I deem this makeover a success!

Outfit log: stardate 7.20.09

cardigan - target 2003?; blouse - gap 2008; jeans - gap 2008; maryjane flats - dsw 2006; necklace - F21 (thanks Jenny!); watch - fossil 2004

I wear this outfit probably way too much... I gotta work on remixing this blouse! I absolutely adore it, and one of these days it'll be warm enough in SF to wear it without a cardigan! I might try pairing it tucked into a higher-waisted skirt or trousers.

A favorite book, new favorite movie?

I read The Time Traveler's Wife years ago and still absolutely adore it (see my Goodreads review here) and keep planning to re-read it, since some of the details at this point are a little fuzzy (time travel is complicated!). I just watched the trailer for the upcoming movie for the first time today and literally got goosebumps. Rachel McAdams is just absolutely perfect (though I originally imagined Robin Wright Penn as her character), and I can't wait to see it!

Outfit log: Stardate 7.16.09

sweater - thrifted, Goodwill; tank - hanes; jeans - seven 2009; sneaks - diesel 2006; necklace - tiffany & co 1998 (hand-me-down from mom)

Today's outfit was inspired by this 1980s sweater I picked up at Goodwill about a year ago for an '80s party. Since the party I have been wanting to wear it, but was a bit embarrassed that it was just too '80s. Good thing I got over that, because I love it! Not only is the color so yummy and buttery, but it's warm, but not too hot: perfect for foggy summer mornings in SF!

Since I'm pretty tall (5'8") it can be hard to find tops that are long enough for me, so I am a big fan of layering shorter tops over cheap-o white hanes tanks. I originally stole this idea from my fellow tall gal pal, Sadie, so props to her!

I posted the close up to show off my curly hair (it's naturally this way, straightened in previous posts).

By the way, the top photo was taken by Nic in the entry to our apartment building. Isn't it just beautimous? At some point I'll post pics of the ceiling of the entry, and pics of our apartment, which I just adore (when it's clean).

Outfit log: stardate 7.15.09

Mijiza was amazing in being my photographer today (all of these shots are steps from the front door of our office!), and so I just had to show you how beautiful she is:

Jiza loves to rock a pencil skirt and peep toe platform heels (she is the QUEEN of shoes... for real), and she just looked so polished, sophisticated, and bodacious today (as always!). Love you, girl!

Here's what I am wearing...

shirt - free people (handed down from aunt); jeans - gap 2008; shoes - shoe boutique on haight street 2007?; headband - target; jacket - some department store in STL (thanks mom!)

Last time I went to visit my family in L.A., my aunt gave me this top, which she had tried and tried to love, but it just wasn't working for her. I was so glad to receive it, and this is my first time wearing it! Since it flairs out at the bottom, I decided to pair it with some skinny-ish jeans* that I got at the Gap late last year and some comfortable, yet cute, flats I scored on Haight Street ages ago.

To top off the ensemble I threw on my new favorite layering piece that is oh-so-perfect for San Francisco. The jacket is made of incredibly comfy sweatshirt material, and I just love the cropped mini-bell sleeves and empire waist. Also, the hood, which came in handy in the drippy fog on my hike into work from my car this morning, is removable!

*I've heard from many fellow voluptuous (and even some more slender) ladies that skinny jeans only look cute on skinny legs/women. This is so untrue! I learned this not by trying them on myself, but by watching a high school dance troupe perform at Kids at UCSF Day in 2008. The girls in the troupe were about 15-17 years old, had all different body types from slender to athletic to plus size, and ALL of them rocked out in skinny jeans (with colorful high tops) and looked just beautiful.

This is when I realized that I am pretty much being a bi-atch to all of those girls by denying myself the pleasure of flaunting my shapely thighs and booty. Soon after I bought my first pair of skinny jeans, and now I have 3. I still definitely enjoy my wide leg and bootcut, but skinny jeans are definitely now a staple in my wardrobe (and they look just too cute with flats).

Outfit log: stardate 7.8.09

Here is my first attempt at an outfit log.

poncho - abercrombie & fitch 2004; tank - hanes; long sleeve tee - old navy 2007; jeans - joe's jeans, muse style; sneakers (like you care) - diesel 2007

In preparation I wore an article of clothing (the poncho) I have had for years, but never ever wear! Somehow this poncho has made it through numerous clothes-clear-outs despite my hardly having worn it, and I am thankful because I think it is fabulous! Not only do I love the vibrant blue-fading-to white aspect of the garment, but by having it so long it has outlived its trendiness and now is just great because it is, not because it's "in."

The ring was a birthday present from Nic back in May, and I absolutely adore it both because it makes me feel like a mermaid (it's made of abalone), and it's a great statement piece.

(Special thanks to my fashionista friend/coworker Mijiza for indulging me in a mini office photo session!)

Advice or sympathy?

A few months ago I stumbled across a fabulous webcomic by Danielle Corsetto called Girls with Slingshots, and I instantly fell in love with it (even before the lesbian romance!).

I bring this up first to flaunt my fanhood, and second because I totally related to today's strip (click on image to enlarge):




There are so many times when you have to determine how best to be there for your friends, depending on what's going on in their lives and what they are looking for from you in that moment. At times I feel the urge to console and sympathize, whereas other times what a friend really needs is a big dose of reality or advice. Personally, I strive to be supportive and nonjudgmental as my friend finds his or her path to the solution to their dilemma, and usually only give feedback and/or advice when it is requested. This particular comic strip does a wonderful job illustrating that delicate balance, and it touched my heart (I just adore Jaime!).

(PS: For other fab webcomics I follow, see the sidebar on the right!)

My love for Margaret Cho and her tats

I've been in platonic envious love with Margaret Cho for a very long time. Not only is she a hilarious stand-up comedian, but she brings to her humor very distinct and empowering messages of equality, sex positivity, pro-queerness and positive body image. I admire Margaret for her gutsiness, her willingness to share (and make fun of) her personal struggles that lots of people can relate to, and the way she speaks her mind so confidently.

When I noticed tattoos popping up in Margaret's pictures on her MySpace page I was instantly intrigued. The first picture I saw was this one:

How cool is that? Since this photo Margaret has steadily added to her body art, and now has beautiful vibrant pieces running down both arms.

At some point I read (either in an interview or her blog) that Margaret was all about finally accepting her body and feeling beautiful regardless of what society may think. Since she felt so beautiful in her body, she thought she might as well decorate it! I love this idea, and honestly I felt inspired to decorate my own body!

I don't have any tattoos yet, and I'm not sure I ever will have the guts to go for it, but I do occasionally while away the time browsing pretty flower/nature/butterfly/mermaid/pretty themed tattoos online. There's something just so intriguing to me about a girly girl with tats. Something about the juxtaposition of femininity and toughness... Here's some photos of tattoos and other images that I have in my "bodywork inspiration" folder... should I ever need it.