Month: October 2014

Animal instincts

I love adding animal inspired pieces to my looks. You can pair them with a basic outfit to add depth and texture, or add them to a more colorful look as a neutral.

My style is most often very casual. My go-to look is usually a button down shirt and jeans. Especially during my pregnancy it’s getting harder to experiment with outfits. I kept my look sleek and simple, and added two animal inspired pieces to enhance my outfit.

The first look included an old Zara leopard coat. I don’t think you can go wrong with leopard. I usually wear it in the form of a scarf or shoes but when I saw this jacket a couple of years ago I knew it was a must have. I don’t get to wear it very often, but when I do, I always get compliments. I think a good statement coat is an investment…especially when it’s not expensive! Getting a basic print like leopard, houndstooth, or a bold color will be something that can last for many years and will always come back into style.

Coat: Zara old (Similar here and here) // Shirt: Equipment // Jeans: 7 of All Mankind (Similar here and here) // Boots: Stuart Weitzman (Similar here and here)

For the second animal inspired accessory I added a faux fur vest. The vest adds volume, layers and texture. I bought this vest last year at Club Monaco during end of the season sales. I am very happy I did since this year faux fur vests are everywhere.

Vest: Club Monaco old (Similar here, here and here) // Sunglasses: Karen Walker

With Love…

Andrea

Gender reveal party!

I love the idea of a gender reveal party. As I had previously mentioned in an earlier post, I had gotten this idea form one of my best friends and was so excited to host this party. My husband on the other had just wanted to know the baby’s gender right then and there at the doctors appointment. He played along with me…after much convincing!! I only had one week to get it organized as he wasn’t going to wait much longer!

You can get information on both our looks on my previous blog post.

My sister-in-law Raquel was so generous and helped me organize the entire party! She has such a great creative eye and decorated our place beautifully. The most important party piece was the cake. I love Susie Cakes bakery and decided to have them bake my cake. At my 16 week doctors appointment, I had the radiation technician write down the baby’s gender on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. We then brought the envelope to the baker and had them put either pink of blue icing in the middle. When we cut the cake we found out what we were having.

I am unable to post the video of the cake reveal here but you can click on my Instagram feed/link to see the video there. We were both very excited and happy.

We are so pleased to announce that we are having a beautiful little GIRL!! We couldn’t be more thrilled. Its now time to decide on the name and get started on her nursery!!

Thank you for sharing this amazing journey with us. I look forward to sharing more with you all!

With Love…

ANDREA

Looks that didn’t make the blog!!

It’s difficult for me to find the time for proper blog photos. During the week I am busy practicing Dentistry (my actual job). When I get home my husband and I usually go to the gym and by the time we finish, sunlight is no longer present. Not to mention the last thing I want to do is get dressed up, put on makeup and get myself presentable for photos. After a long day at work I rather sit on the sofa and snuggle with my boys! (My hubby and boston terrier). This means that I have to get my blog photos on the weekends.

During the week I will take photos with my phone of some of my outfits. Since I don’t have my “photographers” with me, I end up taking my #FromWhereIStand photos. I have many of these outfits that did not make the blog so I thought I would compile a post on some of my favorite and missed looks!

Plaid and booties are definitely my go to for the fall!!

Shirt: Zara (Similar here and here) // Cape: Aldofo Dominguez (Similar here and here) // Jeans: A pea in the pod (AG jeans) Non-maternity here // Boots: Fiorentini and Baker Similar here and here

Boyfriend jeans and a black tee are a perfect staple to any wardrobe. Add a statement necklace to give it some spice

Shirt: Jacob (Similar here and here) // Necklace: Bauble Bar // Jeans: J Crew (Similar here and here) // Shoes: Chanel Espadrilles (Similar here and here) // Bag: Louis Vuitton

Leopard is always a great accessory to a simple look

Scarf: Hong Kong Markets (Similar here) // Shirt: Zara // Pants: Comptoir Des Cotonniers (Similar here and here) // Shoes: Pretty Ballerinas (Similar here and here) // Bag: Louis Vuitton

Brightening up a white tee and jeans with some red accents.

Jacket: Aritzia // Tank: BCBG Generation (Similar here) // Jeans: J Crew (Similar here and here) Flats: Proenza Shoulder (Similar here) // Purse: Prada

Boy or Girl!!

As soon as we found out we were pregnant, other than wishing for a healthy baby, we were curious to determine whether we were having a boy or a girl!! My husband was especially anxious as he is already planning on painting the nursery and needed to know where we should begin.

One of my best friends who recently had a baby had a gender reveal party!! This was the first time I had heard of this and knew I had to do the same. Currently we are 17 weeks pregnant. Our gender revealing ultrasound was scheduled for week 20. On our 12 week appointment my OBGYN casually mentioned that it could be possible to see the baby’s gender at 16 weeks, and if the technician allowed us to sneak in the room, we could possibly find out then. My husband was convinced we were finally finding out!! At our 16 week appointment, we sweet talked and convinced our doctor and the technician to sneak us in the room and take a look. Although he was ready to find out right at that moment, I had asked them to write it down on a piece of paper and seal it. We brought this paper to our favorite bakery and had them put either pink of blue icing on the inside. Pictures and details of the party will be on my next blog post!!

Dress: Ted Baker Heels: Jimmy Choo Similar Here and Here

Husbands look: Jacket: Etro (old) Pants: Scalpers Tie: Scalpers (old) Shoes: Toms Similar Here and Here

As soon as I saw this dress I knew it was going to be my outfit for the party!! It has an A line cut with a front pleat that fits my growing baby bump perfectly. I love the embellished collar detail, it makes this simple dress complete with no accessories needed. I paired the dress with simple metallic heels. The dress is so bright I knew I needed something neutral to balance it out. These were my wedding heels and I guess are my go to special occasion pumps!!

Find out what we are having in my next post in a few days!! Thanks again for sharing this amazing journey with me.

With Love…..

Andrea

School girl inspired

Sweater: Rag & Bone (Similar here and here) Leather Shorts: Zara (Similar here and here) Boots: Stuart Weiztman (Also love these, these and these) Purse: Chanel

Use code FAMILY25 for 25% off purchases at Shop bop

As soon as I saw this Rag & Bone sweater on the runway last year, I knew I had to have it. Its perfection. It has a school girl/preppy vibe with a sexy low cut V neck. You can dress it up or down and wear it for almost every occasion.

For this post I decided to play up the school girl look and go with my leather shorts and over the knee boots. I love how sexy and fashionable these boots are. I had been on the hunt for the perfect over the knee boot, for about a year and finally took the plunge with these. I was debating between another pair that had a thinner heel and pointed toe. I opted for the Stuart Weiztman’s since I felt that the thicker heel and rounded toe would make the boots a little more causal. When I splurge on a pair of shoes I want to be able to wear them as much as I can. I figured the more casual pair would be perfect for my everyday style and would be more versatile for night and day looks.

Nights like these

Shirt: James Perce (Similar here) Jeans: 7 of mankind (Similar here and here) Hat: Bailey for J Crew Sweater: Vintage

Life is always so busy and hectic that we sometimes forget to just sit and breathe. Last weekend my husband and I did just that. We had no specific plans but to enjoy each others company and beautiful mother nature. I rarely get the time to just sit and watch the sun setting, this was one of those nights.

I decided to wear jeans and a cardigan because once the sun sets I get pretty cold. I love wearing simple, comfortable clothing. Maybe this is because California style has grown on me, or maybe because I just don’t feel at ease when I’m trying so hard with my fashion. I think women are at their sexiest when they feel comfortable in their outfits. Some women thrive in fancy and elegant looks, while others look amazing in California cool. One of my inspirations of this is Sincerely Jules. Most of the time she has a laid back look with sneakers and yet I always find her so chic, fashionable and sexy.

It is important to determine what your style is and work with it. There is no point dressing in whatever is trendy at the time if you don’t feel comfortable in it. This has taken me some time to figure out but I think I have finally found my style and groove.

With Love…..

ANDREA

The little gray dress

Dress: Banana Republic (Also in Back) Earrings: Bauble Bar old (Similar here and here) Heels: Zara (also love them in black)

I am almost 16 weeks pregnant and its starting to get harder to fit into my clothes. I am learning to find what flatters my ever changing figure and enlarging belly. At this stage I don’t have an obvious baby bump but my body is developing and growing. This dress is one of the items I have recently picked up from Banana Republic. As I had mentioned in my previous blog post…I am loving the new BR and am so excited they have updated their style. (You can read more about it here, and see some of my favorite items).

Every girl has a little black dress in her wardrobe as a staple and it goes with everything. If you are going out and don’t know what to wear you can always fall back on that LBD (little black dress). On the hunt for a cute maternity friendly dress, I opted for the gray option. With fall in the air I felt like the gray was a perfect fit. The ruching on the dress is strategically placed to flatter every figure (even my growing bump.) The dress is very simple and can be dressed up or down depending when you want to wear it. During the day, just add a scarf, booties and simple accessories and you are ready to go. For an evening out I paired it with statement earrings and these laser cut booties for an edgier look.

As soon as I laid eyes on these heeled open toed booties I knew I had to have them. I am such a fan of burgundy this season. I think the color is so rich and beautiful. I think a bold shoe can add to a simple outfit just as much as a statement piece of jewelry. I am more of a minimalist when it comes to jewelry so I try to find other accessories to add something special to my outfits. When I feel like I need to enhance my look, I add a scarf, jacket or use my shoes to do the trick.

With Love….

ANDREA

Bacara Resort & Spa – Santa Barbara

My husband and I just celebrated our 2 year Wedding Anniversary this past weekend. I can’t believe how quickly time flies. These past two years have been so amazing and we have become so much closer. This next year we will have our first baby and this will be such a joyous change to our lives. We can’t wait.

For the past two years we have decided to celebrate our Anniversary at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara. Its only an hour and a half away but it feels like a paradise weekend for us. “Nestled on the bluff and beaches of the Gaviota coast between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, Bacara Resort & Spa offers relaxed luxury and stunning natural beauty for an unforgettable getaway in Southern California.” The resort has everything you could ask for. An amazing Spa, a beautiful pool, nature walks, fitness classes and the most beautiful dog friendly beach! If you are an avid golfer, they have a course right next to the hotel.

The sunsets are so spectacular and have become one of the main attractions of the resort. We both agree that the most breath taking sunsets we have seen have been on their beachfront. The colors of the sky and water are just magical, and my pictures don’t even do them justice. The only event we have planned when we go, are the sunsets on the beach!

Note: None of these sunset photos have filters….thats how magical the sunsets are!!

Downtown Santa Barbara is very close and such a cute city with so much to see. Not to mention there are many vineyards so a wine tasting tour is always a favorite of ours. This weekend we exclusively stayed at the resort and made it a full relaxation weekend. With the weather in the nineties who wouldn’t want to lay by the pool and catch some sun. I highly recommend you visit this resort if you are ever in the area.

With Love…..

ANDREA

Life’s a Beach

Plaid Shirt: Scalpers old (Similar Styles here, here and here)

Shorts: J Brand (Similar here, here and here)

Shoes: Chanel Espadrilles

Glasses: Ray Ban

We are relaxing this weekend at the Bacara Resort and Spa and can’t get enough of the beautiful scenery. As much as I am ready for fall weather, Southern California is just not cooperating. I was happy though that this weekend was in the 90’s since we were spending it by the pool and beach. One last time for a tan before the colder weather comes in.

Our Boston terrier loves the beach and we were so happy to bring him along with us. Most beaches don’t allow dogs but this one does. We spent the morning running along the sand and playing with our little pup. These are always very special memories for me and am so happy to spend them with my family. We can’t wait until our little growing munchkin will be able to join us as well.

With Love….

ANDREA

Crazy for denim

Dress: Gap recent in store (Similar here, here and here) Boots: Rag & Bone (On Sale here and here) Similar here and here

I’m always a big fan of the button down shirt. Most of my wardrobe consists of them, as you will soon see. The bigger and looser they are, the more I am a fan. I love to raid my husbands closet and steal the shirts that he doesn’t wear….or at least I like to think he doesn’t wear. I loved taking his shirts so much that I started to buy my own men’s shirts. I will write about this in another blog post.

When I found out I was pregnant, I soon realized that I needed to update my wardrobe. Thankfully as I mentioned previously my loose-fitting shirts will be good essentials. As I entered into this awkward stage of gaining weight but not yet needing maternity clothes I realized I need some dresses. I have always been a pants girl. I love dresses but I never really wear them. I have recognized that this needs to change, especially during my pregnancy.

Looking for loose-fitting clothing that will be both comfortable and last as the baby bump grows was on my to do list. As soon as I saw this GAP dress I knew it would be perfect. What’s not to love….it’s a large denim button down shirt (a boyfriend shirt on steroids). On top of that it was 40% off. So I had to buy the dark denim with the floral print and the faded plain denim versions.

I decided to wear the dress like a large shirt and paired it with booties for this post. I have also worn it tied with a belt and ballerina flats. When the weather gets colder I will pair them with leggings.

With Love……

ANDREA