Photoset
January 28, 2012

Wednesday OOTD:

So here’s my first attempt on an outfit of the day review. I am still a bit shy on posting pictures of myself so I decided to find examples on the web to piece together my Wednesday outfit. 

I am so in love with my feather peacock blouse from Forever 21 Plus-size (about $25) I bought a few weeks ago. It’s fun, comfortable and gives a vintage feel. It doesn’t call for too many accessories too which is very important if you are caring for an infant at the moment. You can slip this top on with some dark denim jeans and be off to work or play. I paired my blouse with basic black denim skinny jeans also from Forever21 ($10.50).

I am no stranger to the Forever21 store and I love their very affordable jeans they offer. There is no pricey commitment especially if you are inbetween sizes. I call these jeans “transition jeans” because I am currently still going down in size and haven’t really settle into one size. The pounds shed not your wallet.

Have I mentioned that I am GAGA over my Jeffrey Campbell “Lita” platforms? I try to pair all my outfits with my JCs but for this outfit I wanted to try something different. Something that will bring out the colors of my blouse. So I paired this outfit with my Aldo “Calcagni” wedge in purple (on-sale $60). They are suuuper purple in the daytime outdoors.

They really stand out and the height catches attention. Now when I first tried these on they were super comfy at the store and with the rubber tred I knew there would be stress-free long walks at the mall in the future. Not the case. I tried breaking these in in one day and wound up doing an “emergency purchase” and bought sandles (Brie Sandle-Steve Madden $20) because I was in absolute pain. Blisters, backache and a pounding headache. The sandles were actually a blessing in disguise, all thanks to my husbands. I couldn’t bare to walk another inch so he searched for some sandles for me. I was surprised to see my husband come back with a Steve Madden box, they are totally cute. I will do a review on them another time.

So if you decide to purchase this particular shoe…..

Link
January 25, 2012
281 notes
Girl with Curves: 10 Wardrobe Basics

girlwithcurves:

Want to build a basic wardrobe that will last through seasonal trends? These pieces are sure to get you there in style!

Screen shot 2012-01-13 at 8.27.11 PM

1. Nude Camisoles to go under tops and blouses, Dorothy Perkins.

2. Chiffon Blouses to dress-up jeans and slacks, Dorothy Perkins.

3. Tailored Blazers for work and…

(Source: girlwithcurves)

Photoset
January 25, 2012

Let’s stroll for awhile…

So it’s only Tuesday and what better way to liven up the week but to head down to Bell Gardens for some Pioneer Chicken for dinner. The hubby couldn’t agree more. Fried chicken on a Tuesday??? I’m game. We drove across town about 20 minutes to get to this joint and was well worth it. 

I am a product of the 80s. I grew up watching Rainbow Brite, She-Ra, moccasin shoes and pocketrockers. And with that a drumstick in hand. Yes it’s unhealthy, greasy food. But the place takes me back to a simpler time. Self-discovery, Aquanet and cherry chapstick. Upon arrival you are greeted with the bright flourescent lighting, orange color scheme menus, a vintage dessert glass display encasing slices of Dutch Apple pie, those unmistakable orange against wood plastic booths and the famous brick wall kitchen window. You seriously feel like you are transported for the duration of your stay.

The place is somewhat clean, at least without my glasses. Not a lot of foot traffic but the drive-thru gets busy at times. The staff is mostly of Latino descent and about 5 staff members in the store. The cashier is nice but to the point, not like the cheery happy go lucky type I am use to back in the 80s. Everything looks as if it was trapped in time although I didn’t see an “Orange Bang” soda fountain…Yes that’s the glitch! The chicken recipe remains unchanged, the chicken strips are terrific! Sides are not all that compared to KFC. Prices are a bit steep ($7 for a chicken strip meal w/o drink) but I guess that explains why there are almost no other branches in the area.

All in all I give the place 4 stars because I believe in good karma. Although many branches have fallen off the wagon, this tiny little joint still remains and continues to serve the community after so many years despite obvious competition. I hope this restaurants will be around for many more years to come, keeps it’s original menu and not resort to chicken sandwiches, salads or fusion food…although I don’t know how that would come about.

So if you’re ever in town in search of 80s style cuisine, try Pioneer Chicken in Bell Gardens California.

Photo
January 22, 2012
Life is an ocean. My life begins. So a bundle of us from work got the unfortunate news of layoff. Of course I was devistated, sad, fearing the unknown. But to my amazement, I was happy and excited. The news didn’t shake me like others. I had “faith” or “fate” that everything was going to be alright. Our family will be taken care of, I had a cornucopia of experience and references. I’ll find a job somewhere. Life will continue regardless of this “bump” on the road. Then anxiety starts to settle. Our plan of purchasing a new vehicle is shattered. There will be no annual family vacation. How will we handle the bills? Will unemployment be enough? How will I shoulder my elderly parents? And the ultimate question…My kids, my kids, my kids. A wave a questions flooded my brain and I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t have dinner because of the fear of loosing money. I can’t say I slept well. I woke up early this morning with a burst of hope. I decided to update my resume, wrote a game plan of what to do with my finances, 401K, healthcare etc. I started piecing together the shattered puzzle. Of course, breakfast helped me re-gain my strength and think more clearly. Hope was all around me. I have my 4 year old son, my 3 month old daughter and a supportive husband by my side. They are my guardian angels, reminding me that life is real, love is real, hope is real. From now till layoff day March 30, 2012 and forever, I will keep my support system close to me, my family and keep and sustain the positive energy they give me. I will keep on living, doing a good job if not perform twice as well at work. I will not expect a miracle but rather be thankful for my blessings. We can’t tell the future…all we can do is keep moving forward with a smile!

Life is an ocean. My life begins.

So a bundle of us from work got the unfortunate news of layoff. Of course I was devistated, sad, fearing the unknown. But to my amazement, I was happy and excited. The news didn’t shake me like others. I had “faith” or “fate” that everything was going to be alright. Our family will be taken care of, I had a cornucopia of experience and references. I’ll find a job somewhere. Life will continue regardless of this “bump” on the road.

Then anxiety starts to settle. Our plan of purchasing a new vehicle is shattered. There will be no annual family vacation. How will we handle the bills? Will unemployment be enough? How will I shoulder my elderly parents? And the ultimate question…My kids, my kids, my kids. A wave a questions flooded my brain and I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t have dinner because of the fear of loosing money. I can’t say I slept well.

I woke up early this morning with a burst of hope. I decided to update my resume, wrote a game plan of what to do with my finances, 401K, healthcare etc. I started piecing together the shattered puzzle. Of course, breakfast helped me re-gain my strength and think more clearly. Hope was all around me. I have my 4 year old son, my 3 month old daughter and a supportive husband by my side. They are my guardian angels, reminding me that life is real, love is real, hope is real.

From now till layoff day March 30, 2012 and forever, I will keep my support system close to me, my family and keep and sustain the positive energy they give me. I will keep on living, doing a good job if not perform twice as well at work. I will not expect a miracle but rather be thankful for my blessings. We can’t tell the future…all we can do is keep moving forward with a smile!

Photoset
January 22, 2012

So fast forward…Here’s a little review of a few favorites for 2012 so far:

If you don’t already know, I am a mother of 2 wonderful children. I recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl last October 2011. It’s been t-shirts and maternity tanks for the last couple of months until I started work early this year. It’s tough trying to get back in the swing of things aka fashion. But with the help of my fashion forward sister at hand and YouTube, I quickly gained confidence in my clothes, appearance and most of all, shoes….Let’s start with the shoes!

Jeffrey Campbell “Litas” and their “Step-sisters”:

So correct me if I am wrong, but the Jeffrey Campbell “Lita” have been around for awhile. Although they look so intimidating I swear, they are the most comfortable pair of platforms I own. And I know it’s weird but they smell GOOOD! They coordinate very well with my outfits and give it an extra spunk of character. It’s a “power tool” you need in your fashion arsenal. I love the rubber sole because you don’t feel like you’re going to slip and you definitely walk faster in these shoes, no 2 a.m. walk here ladies! I purchased mine online for about $140 (discounted price if you waive your return rights) in black leather in 6 1/2. It fits true to size! Definitely feel the quality in these shoes. Delivery is fast!!!! They are unique! I am totally crazy over the “Lita” design that I had to get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th pair. But that would be too too expensive. So where do we go??? Downtown Los Angeles, Santee Alley to be exact.

Deep in the midst of factories, murky alley ways, skid row, sits a fashion mecca every fashionista should know about. I mean yes, no brand names here but maybe if you look hard enough you could engage in a conversation with an individual whispering Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Coach (never tried purchasing counterfeit) but there is an abundance of fashion finds in this place.

My sister and I make a monthly trek to DTLA aka “The Hob” (reference to the “Hunger Games”) in search of the latest finds, malls are not offering. We spotted an array of “Lita” knock offs and decided to purchase a pair in every color possible. And at $40 a pair…Ah Yes please!!! The cool part is that everyone is still in the “riding boot” frenzy that all the ladies are overlooking this beautiful creation. But be warned…once the ladies have spotted you collecting a large quantity of the same shoe, they wonder why and want in on the secret. So scope out the shoes stands, compare prices then make a b-line to the lowest offer. And if you can, BUY IT All!

Yes, it’s not like the original Jeffrey Campbells. It doesn’t have the rubber soles or the good smell, but they come in the prettiest, eye catching colors and patterns you totally can’t pass up. They really turn heads. My suggestion is to practice walking in these shoes, especially if you’re not a heel wearer. When I got home from our shopping trip I was determined to break these babies in on the first day…not gonna happen ladies. But I did practice my step in the shoes. It’s a lot of height and I felt a bit off balance unlike the real “Lita”. My sister and I practiced walking up and down our street until we felt comfy in the shoes, which was not long at all, again it depends if you are a heel wearer or not. For additional comfort try a gel foot pad, or foot petals. I find that wearing socks help as well.

These shoes are a good foundation for mommies especially. No need to desperately fit into platform stilettos right away. It’s a good starting point and I am constantly inspired. You know you made a good investment if it improves your wardrobe without breaking your wallet.

A unique case:

Santee Alley is not only known for fashion but also electronics…I am not going to guarantee they are in the best shape or last long so be selective of your electronic purchases. It’s not a Best Buy and there are no return and warranties. But one thing they do have are unique Iphone cases. Yes they are clearly knock off, imitation cases, but they are so darn cute. Who could turn down an iPhone 4 Hello Kitty case (imitation) or a Game Boy back from the 80s or better yet a cassette tape ($7 ea.). It’s a unique way to dress-up your phone and catch some attention too. I don’t know the exact location of this vendor, all I can say is cross the street, make a right and another right, but if you’re ever in the area, make a trip downtown. It’s stuffy, at times scary, but it’s worth it.

I LOVE L.A.!!!