Check Under the Bridge

If you were looking for me this weekend, you would have found me under the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena! Since moving to California, I have driven by this historic and beautiful bridge on numerous occasions but I've never seen it from the perspective of being below it. Visiting the lovely Desiderio park allowed us to see this architectural gem from this gorgeous vantage point. It's always good to change up your perspective on things and it's also fun to play tourist in your own city! For the occasion, I wore head to toe check or gingham print, including this cute gingham shift dress. I think this outfit would have also been perfect for having a picnic under the bridge but, sadly, I didn't think of it until now...maybe next time?

 

In addition to the view, the other reason I wanted to visit Desiderio Park was to see the plethora of poppies that are out this time of year. The poppy is the official state flower of California and they are another thing that I have grown to love about this state. Unfortunately, there were not quite as many poppies in the park as I thought but we didn't really get much rain this winter, which resulted in fewer flowers this spring. You might recall that a few years ago I visited the poppy fields and the poppies literally blanketed the hillsides. So, from the amazing architecture and natural wonders, there are so many reasons to love California!

 

Dress: Target here, long sleeve option here

Shoes: J. Crew gingham sandals here and also here

Headband: J. Crew similar pink gingham headband here

Camera Bag: Kate Spade exact version here and another camera shaped bag option here

 

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Colorful Coat

 

Earlier in the week, I mentioned that I would be featuring some coats for the cooler temperatures that we've been experiencing here in Southern California. I think I'll start with this bold, colorful plaid coat from Kate Spade that just might become my "signature coat"! One of the reasons that I fell head over heels in love with this coat is that it combines all of my favorite colors such as purple, green and pink! The color palette pretty much goes with everything in my wardrobe, including my new purple bag! I have my fingers crossed that more cold days will be in our future so that I will have lots of opportunities to wear this colorful coat!

 

Not only does this coat match most of my wardrobe, it's also the perfect match for this lovely rose mural in Pasadena. Last week, I talked about the growing art scene in Pasadena, including all of the new murals cropping up in the area. This rose mural, located on the side of Dots Cafe, was created just last year. While the roses featured on the mural are beautiful, they remind me of the fact that the Rose Parade that's held in Pasadena every year on New Year's Day will be canceled this year. While I will miss watching the event, I'm trying to look at things with rose-colored glasses and be optimistic that it will be back next year. Who knows, maybe I can even go in person to the Rose Parade and wear my colorful plaid coat for the occasion!

 

Coat: Kate Spade here

Sweater: J. Crew here

Skirt: H&M here

Shoes: J. Crew similar silver pumps here

Bag: Chanel similar color quilted bag here

 

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Dressed to Match the Art

 

Last month, I found this colorful art sculpture by Christie Beniston in the city of Pasadena. It is hidden in a residential area of the city and definitely provides a colorful oasis for anyone passing by the corner on which it is located.  I took a picture of the sculpture when I initially came across it and vowed to return in an outfit to match. Well, last month I made good on my promise and found an outfit to match the artwork. While it's a fairly simple outfit comprised of a bright blue pair of pants and a striped tee, I think it's the perfect complement to the artist's use of colors and textures in this piece! Plus, this pink headband tops everything off and further evokes the gorgeous palette of colors found in the artwork.

Pasadena, where this sculpture is located, is one of my favorite cities. I have always loved the city's charm and the gorgeous architecture found in the area. Plus, they also have some really great shops and restaurants. Over the last few years, the city has added a lot of cool public art, as evidenced by this sculpture, and many business are now painting fun murals on their buildings. I guess you could say that these new additions to Pasadena are just the icing on the cake of an already wonderful city!

 

 

Pants: J. Crew here

Shirt: H&M similar here

Shoes: Christian Louboutin here

Headband: J. Crew here

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Girl Power!

Since it's Women's History Month, why not celebrate girl power with an article of clothing like this playful button-down shirt from Old Navy? I fell in love with this shirt's whimsical print that depicts women engaged in a variety of activities, such as skating, rollerblading, and even hula hooping! (Wow, it's been a long time since I've done any of these things!) Not only is this a cute print in a lovely shade of light pink, it's also a great value at only $12!

I decided to pair this blouse with a pair of red wool pants. Pink and red is one of those combinations that, prior to blogging, I wouldn't have thought to try but after seeing it on so many other blogs and outfits featured on Instagram, I too became hooked on the color combo. That's one of the fantastic thing about blogging and engaging with other fashionable women on social media: it's an endless source of encouragement and inspiration, which is the ultimate form of girl power!

Shirt: Old Navy here
Pants: J. Crew similar here
Shoes: Banana Republic similar suede flats here
Bag: Clare V. similar leopard clutch here

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Perfect Pink Blouse

Valentine's Day now seems like a distant memory, even though it was only a week ago! Regardless, even after the holiday, I'm still big on wearing romantic colors like pink and red because, in my opinion, those colors are always in style! Also, with spring just around the corner, it's nice to start breaking out softer pastels and colors. Speaking of color, this pink bow top is the perfect addition to the wardrobe of anyone who loves pink like I do! The icing on the cake is the lovely bow at the collar of the blouse that adds a chic, classic and, dare I say, "secretary vibe" to any look!
  

This top truly goes with just about everything, but I thought it would look great with one of my favorite skirts, which is this rainbow sequin skirt that I bought last year at Anthropologie. I don't wear this skirt very often, but when I do, it always receives a ton of compliments! It's very eye catching and shimmers wherever one goes!  It should also be noted that it was very windy the day these photos were taken, although I tried to pick photos in which my hair wasn't blowing all over the place! During these types of situations, my husband always jokes that I would have to pay a lot of money for a person with a fan to stand there to achieve a windswept look!

Blouse: c/o ChicWish here
Skirt: Anthropologie similar rainbow sequin skirt here
Shoes: J. Crew almost identical silver pumps here
Bag: J. Crew similar lavender bag here

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Sit Back and Relax!

There are a couple things I've been enjoying lately. The first would be Dine L.A. week, which is a great event we have here in Los Angeles twice a year where you can try prix fixe tasting menus from a variety of restaurants throughout the region for, usually, a reduced price. I've definitely been enjoying trying new restaurants, in addition to revisiting old favorites, and basically eating my way through L.A.! One restaurant we visited was The Royce at the Langham in Pasadena. It's always a treat to try the chef's tasting menu at this particular spot. Plus, my husband and I were married here, so the hotel itself always brings back nice memories.

The second thing I've been enjoying lately is shopping some of the fantastic end of the season sales that retailers have been having lately. Mostly, I have been sitting back and enjoying shopping these sales from the comfort of home by doing online shopping.  In fact, a couple of the items that I am wearing in this post, such as these adorable velvet boots and my trench coat, are the result of these online sales.

I have been on the look out for the perfect trench coat for quite a long time. This one turned out to be not only on sale at a great price but also is the perfect length and has a detachable hood for when it's raining. I also like that it looks very classic, although I dressed it up with an unexpected sequin skirt just to be a little different.  While I felt that I, more or less, needed the trench coat (my husband would disagree!), I probably didn't need these velvet bow boots but they were just too cute to pass up! (One of the downfalls of sales and shopping online is finding things you really don't need!) On the bright side, if I gain too much weight from eating out thanks to Dine L.A., at least the boots will always fit!

Coat: Nordstrom here
Shirt: Old Navy here
Skirt: J. Crew similar sequin skirt here
Boots: Madewell here
Bag: Clare V. here

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A Bold Graphic Tee

Last month I purchased a lot of things from Uniqlo! All of the items had one thing in common: they were all from the new Marimekko line. Well, the good news is that line of bold and colorful prints from Marimekko is now on sale! While not all items are available, which is why I'm glad I shopped early even if I paid a bit more, there are still some great deals to be had. Examples of these Uniqlo Marimekko deals include the tee shirt I am wearing today and some of other pieces such as this fun dot top that I featured a couple of weeks ago on the blog in a post entitled Going Round in Circles.

Since this tee is both graphic and colorful, it goes with a lot if items in my wardrobe but I decided to keep it simple by just pairing it with a striped cotton skirt from J. Crew Factory and some orange sandals from Target. Apparently the outfit was so eye catching that an older couple complimented me on it as soon as I stepped out of the car! Also, a sales associate at J .Crew told me that I always look so colorful whenever I come into the store. (As you might have concluded, I frequent J .Crew so often that they kind of know me!)

Last of all, we took these photos down one of the beautiful alleyways in Old Town Pasadena. One of the things that I love about Pasadena is that it's so scenic and you can always find a great spot for a photo. Additionally, you can always find a new alleyway that you've never explored before, which makes for a fun experience! I always love finding new things, be it a fun bold tee or a new street that I've never explored!

Tee: Uniqlo here
Skirt: J. Crew Factory here
Shoes: Target/A New Day here
Bag: J. Crew Factory
Sunglasses: Celine

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