Gray Skinnies

Shirt: Diane von Furstenberg (vintage, Wasteland)
Jeans: Calvin Klein
Shoes: Nine West
Necklace: All Saints
Ring: Surface To Air (Shotwell)
Bag: L.A.M.B. (Nordstrom Rack)

I've had these jeans for several years but until this day I had maybe worn them for a total of three hours. But after unpacking all the boxes that were once stored in the basement of a house in Portland and trying to squeeze everything into a one bedroom apartment, I told myself I wouldn’t hang onto stuff that I wasn’t wearing. (Besides, getting rid of old stuff just makes room for new stuff, right?) When I wear skinnies, I go with black or a very dark rinse, and in comparison, this gray pair feels so much less forgiving. Determined to make them work, my first thought was a long, oversized shirt. Once I put on this animal print top, the rest of the outfit was easy. I shied away from my usual pop of color and went all gray, black and white except for the pale pink stones on my new necklace.

So I wore them, which means they earned a few more months in my closet, but I’m still not sold. What do you think? Keep ‘em or ditch ‘em?

Pink, Green, And Stripes

Sweater: Zara
Skirt: Rich & Skinny (Nordstrom)
Belt: Forever 21
Necklace: Banana Republic
Shoes: Nine West
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Nordstrom)
Bracelets: Marc by Marc Jacobs and BCBG Max Azria
Ring: Surface To Air (Shotwell)
Sunglasses: Ray Ban (Saks)

Yup, I did it again. I relied on bright colors and fun accessories to lift my mood. After a few too many days with a bug that I initially assumed would pass in twenty four hours, I was tired and just feeling a bit down. I started with my go-to happy-making print – stripes – and then added a hot pink denim skirt. I have to admit, the pink and green combination immediately made me feel a little bit better…or at least more awake. I layered on playful accessories with a chunky linked necklace and a stack of bracelets. A pair of oxford heels and a structured bag felt perfectly in line with this masculine meets feminine look.

I’ve often struggled to put together looks with this pencil skirt (last seen here). The silhouette isn’t well represented in my closet (I prefer shorter hemlines), but I find myself being attracted to it more and more, especially since pencil skirts seem to be everywhere I look for fall. Are you a fan of pencil skirts? What’s your go-to look with them? 

Cutting Through The Fog With Color

 

Blazer: H&M
T-shirt: American Apparel
Pants: Zara
Belt: Forever 21
Necklace: Banana Republic
Ring: Surface To Air (Shotwell)
Bag: L.A.M.B. (Nordstrom Rack)
Shoes: Pour La Victoire (Gilt)

As I stared out the window with bleary eyes to see that my building was engulfed in fog, I knew it was a day for bold color. I immediately reached for my blue pants (last seen here) and these colorful platforms – a combination bright enough to not just cut through the fog but also wake me up. I often talk about how the way I want to feel factors into my choices just as much (and often more) than how I feel at the moment. This look is just another example. This cheerful color combination made me feel, well, cheerful.

I kept it neutral on top with a comfortable v-neck and my new favorite blazer. I had been on the hunt for a camel blazer for a while before I found this one at H&M. It was exactly what I wanted; the color is perfect and I love the boxy shape. This piece will transition well into fall. I see myself wearing it with trousers in rich colors and a ladylike bag…that I might have already bought and you might see soon…

Gray And Geometric Manicure

Sephora Frankly, I Don't Give A-dam, Sephora Do I A-Muse You? Nail Design Pen

I saw this DIY over on Honestly…WTF and immediately made a mental note to hit up Sephora for a nail art pen. I couldn’t wait to give it a try, but what’s shown in the picture above is actually my second attempt. I think my mastery of triangles went straight to my head because I confidently applied designs to every nail. As much as I’m trying to convince myself that with nails it’s all about the view from at least two feet away (right?), it looked a little sloppy and that drove me crazy. So, I decided to doodle on just one nail on each hand – much better.

I have nothing to add to the instructions on Honestly…WTF but I will say that next time I try drawing on my nails, I’ll get a nail pen in a darker color. I thought that white would pop more than some of the other colors, but it’s actually too transparent. I let it dry and then attempted another coat, and that’s when it started to look sloppy.

Seen any fun nail art inspiration recently? Leave a link! I’m always looking for something new (and relatively easy) to try!

Polka Dot Palazzo Pants

Sweater: H&M
Pants: H&M
Necklace: Clyde’s Rebirth
Watch: Michael Kors (Nordstrom)
Purse: See by Chloe (Nordstrom)
Shoes: Banana Republic

Sure, they’re a little ridiculous – polka dot palazzo pants – but the minute I saw them, I knew they’d be mine. Not to mention that ever since I wore those pleated palazzos I couldn’t wait to buy more. Paired with a loose knit sweater, this outfit was an absolute dream to wear, and with gold accessories and a small bag, it felt much more classic than the last time I wore palazzo pants. I’m actually really surprised by their versatility and think I might wear them much more than I thought…then again, we’ve heard that before, haven’t we? Do you wear palazzos? What’s your favorite way to style them?

Doing As I'm Told

Shirt: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Jeans: Joe’s Jeans (Nordstrom)
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (Jeremy’s)
Watch: Michael Kors (Nordstrom)
Ring: BCBG Max Azria
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (a gift)

If you follow me on Twitter, then you probably recall my excitement over Erin’s visit to San Francisco. I hadn’t seen her since my visa run to Portland back in February, and we had a lot of catching up to do. There is no one I like shopping with more than Erin. She gets my style and knows exactly what I like, and she never allows something so silly as a budget to get in our way. For these reasons (and many more), I couldn’t wait to go to the Marc by Marc store on Fillmore with her. It’s just a (dangerously) quick walk from my apartment, and it was our first stop on a day intended to be spent doing nothing but eating and shopping. When I saw this shirt with such an amazing print and adorable details, I had to try it on. Once I tried it on, I knew I wanted it but thought maybe I should resist and see what else the day brought. Then I walked out of the dressing room and Erin immediately said “I will be pissed at you if you don’t buy that shirt.” Done.

Purple Crush Manicure

Polish: Sephora Curacao (blue), Sephora Let's Dance (purple)

Well, I still need a bit more practice, but these are definitely an improvement from last week’s attempt at triangle nails. Flawed as they may have been, I loved my nails so much that I had to give it another try, this time with a triangle on every finger. To be honest, I painted my nails blue over the weekend, and by the middle of the week they were starting to chip. Enter the triangles. Since I’m not the best at painting my nails, I am thrilled to have found a new way to extend my manicure! I debated using a few different colors, but it seems I have a thing for purple right now.

(I know, I know…triangles two weeks in a row. Don’t worry, friends. I’ll be back with a completely different nail post next week! Seen any good nail tutorials? Leave a link; I’m obsessed!)

Stripes And Skinnies

Sleeveless trench: BR Heritage
Long sleeve: BCBG Max Azria
Jeans: Levi's (Urban Outfitters)
Shoes: Rachel Antonoff for Bass (Shoe Biz)
Necklace: Sloan Boutique (Portland, OR)
Bracelets: Marc by Marc Jacobs, BCBG Max Azria, Nordstrom
Ring: Surface To Air (Shotwell)
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (a gift)

I wore this over for the weekend for a day that started out with all you can drink mimosas. I wanted to be comfortable (I did say all you can drink) but still feel put together, so I reached for stripes and skinnies – a timeless and chic combination. It’s also a look that can go in so many directions depending on the accessories. On this day, I layered on playful accessories: bow ties (on my necklace and oxfords), a stack of bracelets and neon accents - perfect for an afternoon spent sipping mimosas in the sun!

Summer Layers

Shirt: Trouvé (Nordstrom)
Dress: J. Crew
Belt: H&M
Tights: We Love Colors
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (Jeremy’s)
Watch: Michael Kors (Nordstrom)
Bag: See by Chloe (Nordstrom)

Remember all that talk of “summer tights”? Well, it turns out I actually had a few pairs tucked away. Pastel tights seem to be a way to keep warm without weighing down an otherwise summery outfit with black tights. Don’t get me wrong; I love black tights…just not in August.

Even with tights, I still couldn’t wear this dress without another layer. Taking a cue from my blue tights, I added a chambray button down and cinched it with a braided belt. I tried to resist wearing these shoes again, but I absolutely love how they look paired with tights. In the spirit of keeping things light, I eschewed my usual enormous bag and grabbed this dainty one instead. I have to admit that as I put on this dress, I couldn’t help but think of all the times I’ve worn it and how different my life was each time. Here’s a little look back on a few of the ways I’ve worn it. Do you have a favorite?

I Really Will Wear It All The Time // Pretty In The Park // Everybody, Everywear: Florals

 

Laid-back

Top: Lulu’s
Jeans: Joe’s Jeans
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (Jeremy’s)
Bracelets: Voz Clothing & Art (Renegade Craft Fair)
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Nordstrom)

Being tall really wasn't fun back in fourth grade, but I can honestly say that it has generally served me well in life. Take this shirt, for example. When I attended the Swap Lulu’s event, the generous folks over at Lulu’s offered up one new item to every blogger. One catch: on the count of three, you had to grab your item off the rack. There was definitely some pushing, but there was none of that for me. With sky-high wedges on, I simply reached over the crowd and grabbed this shirt. Easy.

And easy is exactly how I’d describe this look. I grabbed my skinnies first but decided to change into something with a wider leg. My widest jeans are sitting in a bag waiting to go to the tailor (any SF readers have a recommendation?), so I went with the next best option. Wooden platforms, a few bangles, and a bright bag finished off this decidedly bohemian look. 

(I have a few more posts from before my hair appointment. I’ll be back with a pinch of purple next week!) 

A Pinch Of Purple

Since I generally post outfits from the week before, I just wanted to give you a sneak peek of my new hair. I love it! I’ve never played with purple before, which is strange since I’m pretty sure I’ve had every other color – from royal blue to baby blue and black to white. I love how bright it is now, but I also can’t wait for it to fade into pale lavender. So, what do you think?

My Formal T-Shirt

Cardigan: Halogen (Nordstrom)
T-shirt: Rodarte for Target
Jeans: Rich & Skinny (Nordstrom)
Bracelets: Anthropologie
Watch: Michael Kors (Nordstrom)
Shoes: BCBG Max Azria (Nordstrom)
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

After a week of doing some serious unpacking, all of my clothes (and I mean everything) are finally organized and stored away. While I thought I had unpacked all of my favorite clothes, I definitely found a few things, like this t-shirt, that I couldn’t wait to wear. The last time I wore it was last August when I was also packing, though that time to move to Mexico. What a difference a year makes! This tee always makes me smile. There’s something about its bow tie that kind of reminds me of a tuxedo t-shirt but in a good way…an adorable way.

Triangle Manicure

Colors: Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet, Sephora by OPI Seeing Pink Elephants

Up until very recently, I could not paint my nails. Every attempt I made ended in taking all the polish off after about two hours of applying it and trying to fix it. I was a manicure or bust kinda girl. Those days are gone. I’ve become obsessed with painting my nails and reading nail tutorials. When I saw this one over on The Dainty Squid, I knew I had to give it a try. While there’s definitely room for improvement, I love my nails. I chose to make smaller triangles on every other finger in mint green and pink. And, it wasn’t until I threw on these bangles that I realized Kaylah wasn’t my only inspiration… 

Coral Crush

Shirt: Lumière (Ambiance)
Jeans: Levi's (Urban Outfitters)
Watch: Michael Kors (Nordstrom)
Bangle: H&M
Ring: BCBG Max Azria
Shoes: Banana Republic
Bags: Louis Vuitton (vintage, a gift)
Sunglasses: Ray Ban (Saks)

This is definitely not a color I’d normally reach for while shopping, but it appears my love of button downs conquers all, even color aversions. That said, I have to admit to getting quite a few compliments on this top. I might be warming up to coral.

This is just another version of my go-to look of jeans and a button down. This shirt is a bit more feminine than most of my other button downs, so I decided to skip my boyfriend jeans and go with black skinnies instead. I had a hard time deciding on shoes. I really wanted to wear leopard flats but they are sadly absent from my closet. I went with strappy wedges, but as I walked to the bus stop I definitely put leopard flats on my to buy list…stay tuned. Are you craving anything to fill a hole in your shoe closet?

Everybody, Everywear: Mixed Prints

Sweater: Zara
Shirt: Sparrow (Urban Outfitters)
Jeans: Rich & Skinny (Nordstrom)
Shoes: Nine West
Watch: Michael Kors (Nordstrom)
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (a gift)

I saw this sweater at Zara on my second trip to the sale (I’ve since gone again); it was a no-brainer. Not only is it striped but I can also file it under “Celtics pride” – perfect. (If you’re new to Style by Santina, my love for the Celtics sometimes intersects with my closet in looks like this and this.) The stripes were begging for another print, and this black and white gingham was an easy choice. My boyfriend jeans fit the boyish vibe while a pair of pointy toe heels and shiny bag kept it feminine.

Just a few days after I snapped these pics, I saw that this month’s Everybody, Everywear challenge is mixed prints. Perfect timing! After hesitantly giving mixed prints a try, I now love layering clashing prints and look forward to lots of printed layers this fall…or, you know, now in San Francisco.