Use and Abuse

Corset: Alice + Olivia, Belt: Own, Skirt: Rebecca Taylor, Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff, Clutch: Miss Selfridge

Sunnies: Chanel

Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures

Quite surprised on how many times I wore this corset.  My birthday bash, weddings, halloween, concerts-- what a great buy!  Sometimes even questionable buys become a girl's go to outfit.  This just means go buy more stuff you don't think you will need.  

We are each other's shopping enablers.  No one can separate our habits -  even when we are on opposite ends of the country.  

Don't ask why I'm wearing a Hello Kitty crown.  I just am.  

Jean

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Shop Your Closet

Jacket: DVF (old). Top: Alice & Olivia (old). Bottom: American Apparel. Shoes: Givenchy (similar here and here). Bag: J.Crew. Photography by Amy Chen.

I recently rediscovered a beloved sequin jacket that I'd stored in a garment bag and completely forgotten about until I was "shopping" my closet to save money.  Don't you love when that happens!?!

This was a runway look from Diane von Furstenberg S/S 2009 aka the "Rock Goddess" collection.  The jacket was completely sold out in stores, but being the style stalker that I am, I was able to track it down a few months later on eBay for a mere $400 (originally $1000).

It's actually thigh-length, but for daytime, I decided to pin it up to my hips and paired it with high-waisted shorts to give it a more casual feel.  Next time, I think I'll wear it with some relaxed boyfriend jeans.  My credit card is already thanking me!

xoxo, Linda

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Little Black Dress: Night vs Day

Dress: Velvet, Booties: Maje, Clutch: Miss Selfridge, Necklace: H&M, Headwrap: Cynthia Vincent

Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures

Cousin,  makes me laugh that your dress is very appropriate for any day time frolicking while mine is only appropriate for night time shennanigans.  In these pics, I'm trying to re-enact my teenage years-- you know-- trying to sneak back into my parents house after a big night of partying.  Most times successful.  

Oh the good old days.  

Jean  

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Say Hello to My Little Black Dress

Dress: Vintage. Belt: Forever 21 (a better version here). Shoes: YSL. Bag: J.Crew. Photography by Amy Chen.

After a roller coaster month of traveling, food poisoning and the flu, I can't tell you how excited I am to finally get back to blogging!  (Silver lining: I lost four pounds and can wear my skinny jeans now.)

To kick things off this week, Jean and I are bringing out a classic: THE LBD.  We all have that little black dress that hugs every curve in the right place and shaves off about ten pounds.  I've collected quite a few, but this one has a special place in my heart.  I found it gathering dust in a vintage shop in North Carolina.  Ten dollars and an alteration later, voila!

I wanted to glam this dress up, so I added a wide belt with gold accents  and gold beaded sandals by Yves Saint Laurent (a major score from a local consignment shop).  How do you wear your LBD?

xoxo, Linda

P.S. I was dancing to "22" by Taylor Swift in the last pic!

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Maybe Next Summer

Coverup: Trina Turk, Headband: Rachel Weismann, Sunnies: Tom Ford

Photography  by BShim of Bashful Captures

I was saving this outfit for a sunny beach day but never got a chance to wear it!  It's not completely my fault as 90% of the summer was cold-- especially in Montauk. 

So maybe next year.

Enjoy SF summer!  

NYC Fall, here I come.

Jean

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Hot Tropic

Top: H&M (old). Shorts: American Apparel. Belt: Haute Hippie (similar here). Shoes: Alexander Wang (similar here). Sunnies: Celine. Bracelets: Forever 21. Bag: J.Crew (old). Photography by Steph Wells.

While the rest of the country is winding down the final days of summer, we're just starting our Indian summer here in San Francisco.  That means for the next few weeks, we're in for sunny days with highs in the 70s.  Woot!

And to welcome the much-anticipated warm weather, I dusted off one of my favorite summer tops.  The bright colors and bold print conjure visions of lounging on an exotic beach somewhere sipping cocktails.  St. Barths, anyone?

xoxo, Linda

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Color Stacking

Skirt: Calypso, Shirt: Zara, Sandals: Fendi, Sunnies: Tom Ford, Bag: Vintage

Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures

Have to admit, I love color blocking as well.  Probably just because you can stack your favorite colors and it somehow still works. 

I was eyeing this skirt for months last year and Esther surprised me with it for my birthday.  So the mix of unique skirt, great friend and celebrating my birthday-- well.... makes it a great outfit to wear. 

Also doesn't color blocking remind you of those large crayola boxes we used to have?  I used to love all those colors.  This outfit is a dedication to the summer crayon colors.  Now go color something.

Happy Friday!

Jean

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Bright and Bold

Top: Ani Lee (old). Skirt: Luca Couture. Shoes: Alexander Wang (similar here). Sunnies: Alexander McQueen. Earrings: H&M. Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner. Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures.  

Color blocking has been around for awhile, so is it played out?  Not yet!  Well, at least not according to Harper's Bazaar or Refinery29.

The great thing about color blocking - and what's made it an enduring fashion trend - is the seemingly endless combinations that you can put together.  My favorite is orange and violet.

xoxo, Linda

P.S. Confession: this outfit was inspired by a reality tv star.  Guess who?  Find out here. 

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Ted and I

Dress: Tibi, Shoes: Chloe, Sunnies: Quay

Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures

You know I have been saying this for a while-- your ensembles look very sophisticated and mine resemble a little girl playing dress up.  I'm going to change all that after my birthday next week.  HAH!

Anyway.  What do you think of Ted and I?  Cute couple right?  Isn't he so dreamy?  Even a dirty bear like him would like a preppy chick like me...Well only in this picture.

I'm ridiculous.  I am aware.

Jean  

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Red, White and Blue

Top: Saint James. Shirt: MaxMara. Skirt: ASOS. Shoes: Alexander Wang (similar here). Sunnies: Celine. Bag: Chanel. Watch: Hermes. Photography by Steph Wells

In the words of the great American author and humorist, Mark Twain: "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."  By the looks of it, you'd guess it's March, not August.  Growing up in NY, I remember basking in these final glorious weeks of summer, but alas, I'm bundled up in long sleeves, sweaters and coats.  

That said, here's my nod to "the summer preppy look".  Remember this distressed denim inspiration?  I paired it with a striped shirt from Saint James and a white button down from MaxMara plus a pop of red by Chanel.

Summer here I come!

xoxo,
Linda

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Instant Purchase

Top: Anthropologie, Jeans: DL 1961,  Sandals: Fendi, Bag: Lolli, Sunnies: Dior

Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures

Cousin, the second I saw this top on Blair Eadie's blog, I ordered it instantly.  Was on a waitlist for 2 months but completely worth it.  Wondering if anyone checks out our posts and gets inspired by our looks or even spontaneously purchases any of the items we are sporting....  

Hope Blair sees our post!  

Hi Blair!  Thanks for the inspirations!  

Jean

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The Midriff

Top: American Apparel. Shorts: American Apparel. Shoes: Alexander Wang (similar here). Bag: Chanel. Sunnies: Alexander McQueen. Earrings: H&M. Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner. Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures and Karla's Closet.  

Ok, I'll admit it...I was self-conscious about wearing a crop top despite hundreds of torturous hours of Bar Method.  But thanks to uber fashion blogger, Karla Deras, who boldly bares her (enviable) midriff all year round on Karla's Closet, I was inspired to JUST DO IT!

So my take on the midriff was to keep it classy: neutral colors (black, white and tan) and gold accessories.  It was also incredibly functional during 95 degree weather in NYC.  Counting down the days to indian summer in SF....

xoxo, Linda

P.S. I'm gonna need to borrow your floral mini dress! Amazeballs. 

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Edgy Florals

Dress: Moolstory Company, Clutch: Hermes, Shoes: Chloe, Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures

Cousin, great floral Haute Hippie find... You have a knack for finding some serious sales items. On the same note, I found this dress at a boutique in the UWS (super affordable) and I have worn it to the office (with slacks believe it or not) and to the clubs.  Throw in some shades and it transforms the whole look.  Def a good find.  You would be proud. 

When are you going to post a pic of that Haute Hippie belt?

Jean

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