Happy Chinese New Year!

Gung Hei Fat Choy everyone! I wish everyone a year full of luck and prosperous shopping :)

It's the year of the Dragon this year, which is extra special because I was born in the year of the Dragon! As a Chinese custom, you're supposed to wear RED for celebrations and happy times. I love it when there are festive occasions because it governs the colour I'm going to wear, giving me a fashion challenge inside my head. Red isn't a colour I usually wear- I think I only have 3 pieces of red clothing (mittens, a scarf, this shirt)- so this holiday pushes my fashion senses out of my comfort zone.

This outfit is essentially pretty simple. One of my recent additions to my wardrobe is this red top from Zara from my last haul. Paired with my favourite J brand black pants, and completed with my fur vest I can't live without and have worn way too much this season.

Zara silk top; J Brand x Hussein Chalayan pants (here, similar);
H&M fur vest (On sale!! similar); Ann Taylor Perfect pumps (here)

Crochet Skirt & Tucked In Cardigan

I lost my plain black tights a while back and hadn't gotten around to buying a new pair until now :) After I lost them I had to keep wearing my leopard tights or suspender tights, but I didn't think it was subtle enough for work. Then, Winners was having a sale on a 3-pack of Anna Sui tights (1 decorative, 2 plain black) for $15, so I quickly snatched them up.

At first, I didn't think tights would work with this crochet skirt I bought on my adventures in Barcelona, but when I tried them on together I realized the skirt was meant for more than just spring and summer wear. This skirt was originally too big at the waist, even at as an XS, so my mother dearest altered it for me :) Now it fits perfectly!




Zara cardigan; Seductions v-neck; MNG by Mango crochet skirt (similar);
Anna Sui tights; Ann Taylor pumps (here)

 
To show off the crochet detailing of the skirt even more, I tucked in my cardi instead of leaving it out. This burgandy cardigan has quickly made my fall/winter favourites list (seen here and here), but somehow it always reminds me of my high school uniform.

Minimalistic... but more ruffles!

I dunno what it is, but I've been on a ruffles kick! Half of my haul from Wholesale7 was entirely made up of ruffley chiffon blouses. This one is a nice dark teal blue, has a higher collar that reminds me of traditional chinese dresses, and an asymmetrical ruffle that attaches across the collar with a button loop. Usually I don't enjoy wearing high-collared tops because I think I have a proportionally short neck compared to the rest of my body, and the high collar totally makes what neck I have disappear.

Wholesale7 teal ruffle blouse (here); J brand x hussein chalayan leggings (here); Ann Taylor pumps (here)

Velvet, Ruffles & Fur

This outfit was worn on a whim. I didn't know what to wear this morning, so I looked on my floor and found my new purple velvet J brands tucked away, still in the bag that I left the store with. Armed with my must-wear purple skinny pants, I felt like I needed a top that was a contrasting material. Cotton just wouldn't cut it ;) Then it clicked - I had just the thing! This shiny white chiffon ruffle blouse I got in my last shipment from Wholesale7. To complete the look, I put on my trusty fur vest and belted it :)

H&M faux fur vest; Wholesale7 ruffle blouse (here);
J brand 901 velvet skinnies in Aubergine (here); Ann Taylor pumps (here)

Career Woman & H&M Finds

Went to the career fair downtown today, so I had to dress more businessy and professional :)

Grey Suzy Shier blazer (old)
Silver Ann Taylor ruffle tank (Seattle outlets)
Black H&M high waisted skirt (still in stores, bought a year ago)
Black Ann Taylor pumps (LA outlets)