May 2012 – Dietingfashions

Petite Fashion Challenge #16 » Summer Wedding Outfit

I am so happy to participate in this month’s Petite Fashion Challenge #16. This month’s challenge is hosted by Lauren from Petite on a Penny.

To participate, I had to:

Create an outfit for a summer wedding. For bonus points (and this is what I’ll be doing!) try to make your whole outfit, head to toe, come in under $100! (Or, exclude shoes and accessories to meet the $100 mark.)

My Summer Wedding look:

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft Floral Shift Dress – $34.99
Necklace: Loft Teardrop 3 Strand Necklace – $17.99
Belt: Loft Metallic Braided Belt – $14.99
Jewelry: Loft Metallic Stretch Bracelets – FREE due to rewards
Total: $67.97

Accessories I did not count:
Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Leather Pumps in Khaki – $93.00
Handbag: Coach Leather Clutch – $49.99

I was so strapped for cash this month. With 2 weddings I had attended earlier in May, vacation days, and my girls school tuition due June 1st, I decided to shop my closet instead.

To meet the $100 budget was really tough. Most of my dresses are above $150.00. Of the dresses that were below $100, I noticed they were more casual than formal. I decided this dress was a little more wedding appropriate than my other choices. This dress was also a lot easier to accessorize because of the fun and playful floral pinks.

I had purchased this dress about 6 months after having my 2nd child. I remember wearing this dress the Christmas my kids were 3 and 1. It is a little baggy on me now so that’s the reason behind the belt.

I also decided to curl my hair and sweep it to the side for a more formal hairdo. Overall, I think this dress is pretty appropriate for any occasions – career, weekend out, or in this case a summer wedding.

I hope you like the outfit!

Power » Rachel Zoe Blazer + Short Shorts

Shopbop Sales Event – The More You Buy, The More You Save – Code BIGEVENT expires 05/23/12

I had picked up this Rachel Zoe Hutton Blazer from Gilt.com about week ago. I love blazers. They can just pull together most outfits and make it more … Powerful. Authoritative.

What drew me to this blazer was the satin collar. I don’t know if you can tell from the photo. I think many fashion designers this season have been using a leather collar which gives the blazer a more tough look. The satin collar on the other hand, with it’s shine-ness, is mesmerising. I cannot stop myself from looking at the different texture.

I think Rachel Zoe with her “special, spastic lingo”, really knows body types. She knows what materials can highlight and just make a person go “Wow.” Also note the sleeves of this blazer. The bell sleeves are super cool however super long on me (planning to get it altered), so I just cuffed it.

Top: Banana Republic Stretch Tank (here)
Blazer: Rachel Zoe Hutton Blazer (here)
Shorts: Zara Twill Shorts (here)
Shoes: Zara Basic Strappy Heels (here)
Jewelry: Jewelmint Message in a Bottle Pendant (here)
Bag: DKNY Shoulder bag as a clutch (old)

Shopbop.com Sale – Save up to $400!

Use code BIGEVENT at checkout. Expires 05/23/12 at 11:59PM.

Spend
$250 get $50 off
$500 get $100 off
$750 get $150 off
$1000 get $250 off
$1500 get $400 off


Petra Scraf by Club Monaco	Roxanne Thin Metal Belt by Nicholas	811 Mid Rise Skinny by J Brand

Finger Band by Citrine	Fleur De Lis Ring by Gorjana	Chain to You by Jules Smith

Happy Shopping!

Vacation » Rest + Relaxation

The good thing about May » VACATION TIME! It has been a busy busy month. I just got back from 10 days of rest and relaxation in Biloxi, Mississippi where my in laws are from. I hope to have all the pictures posted soon. During my stay, I didn’t even blog.

As a mom, a vacation isn’t really a vacation. With two small kids, I was running around, trying to keep these two busy and happy. Many times parents have to sacrifice their time for their kids. Of the ten days, my husband and I had two days to play. We spent one of the two days hanging out in New Orleans for a measely 5 hours. Five hours but we packed in as much as we could (eat). The last day of my stay, I had some me time and tried out a therapeutic massage at the Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel. After my massage, my husband picked me up and we caught a movie, The Avengers. The Avengers is the first movie my husband and I have seen together since Transformers 2. And when was Transformers 2 released? Yes, it has been that long.

Top: Free People Washed Red Chambray Shirt with Laced back (here)
Bottom: Ann Taylor Striped Metallic Shorts (old)
Belt: Banana Republic Snake Belt (old – similar here)
Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Leather Pumps (here)
Handbag: LV Speedy 25
Jewelry: Jewelmint

WOOTD » Work Outfit Of The Day

April Showers Bring May Flowers! It’s been cloudy and a bit windy in Houston. I can feel summer creeping up with the humidity going up. I’m not looking forward to taking photos in Texas heat.

But the wind brings some cool breeze that a nice jacket would keep me warm. I get cold very easily so I stock up on caridgans to lightweight jackets. Lots of bloggers have purchased this Zara tweed jacket – called Fantasy Blazer on zara.com. What I like about it, is the structured shoulder and mainly the beautiful color.

This is my third tweed jacket and it is the best fitting and the softest to the touch. My Malang jacket from Uniqueen and the Yesstyle.com Stylekelly tweeds are more tight in the shoulders especially when I lift my arms straight out in front of me. Another thing is the texture of the jackets. Zara is made with softer materials. Uniqueen’s and Yesstyle’s is just a bit more scratchy but not overly. I’m probably just being picky.

And most importantly, Zara’s tweed jacket has bigger pockets!

One thing I have noticed about the Zara jacket – the threads are already loose around the pockets and the hem of the sleeves. Little strands are puffing up and so it looks a bit beaten up. I haven’t decided if I like it that way.

Top: Ann Taylor Colorblock Top (here)
Jacket: Zara Fantasy Blazer (here, new but similar here)
Bottom: Ann Taylor Cottom Perfect Capris (here)
Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Pumps (here)
Bag: LV Speedy 25 in Damier Azur
Jewelry: Jewelmint Necklace + Ring, Ann Taylor Loft Bracelets, House of Harlow 1960 Peacock Bangle (here), Forever21 Bracelet
Nail Polish: Essie Beach Bum Blu (here)

Thank you for stopping by!