8.21.2012

Business Trip

For the past 9 days, I have been in Las Vegas where my company hosted a very large network conference and awards show.  Between listening to Frances Ford Copolla reminisce about the God Father days and bumping into the Prince of Bhutan at an after party, needless to say the past days have been a blur of mixed emotions, dresses, late night room service and lots of speed walking in high heels.

My trusty photographer was not able to come along but he trusted me to go it alone with the camera.  I wore about 2-3 outfits a day, rushing to my room to change for the next event so unfortunately, I wasn't able to get every single outfit :(  But, here's what I could produce in my bits and pieces of peace (say that 3 times fast) amidst the Vegas chaos.
I wore this shiny oversize t-shirt dress to Bellagio's newest club, Lily.  And the club definitely lived up to its name - the moment I walked in, there must have been over 20 grand vases filled with white lillies in a very dark lounge setting.  Gorgeous.  This dress is from Asos.com and I paired it with my Jimmy Choo for H&M sandals.
This silk tank below with the knife pleats is a new one.  I LOVE it and even though it's sheer, it's very classy and French looking.  I will dedicate more time for it in a future post.  And these safari bangles have paid for themselves time and time again!  Who knew?  They have turned out to go with everything.  I no longer treat them lightly.
Even though it was 113 degrees outside (a dry hot mind you so not as suicidal as you'd think) I was indoors chilling in the AC.  Since the code was business chic and we were inside, I was pleased to have the perfect opportunity to wear my suede mary-janes as I don't usually find the chance to sport them during the summer months. 
Every day at 4pm, Bellagio served my team chocolate covered strawberries and champagne... all we could eat!  When the tray ran out, they just served more.  I delighted in this for a few days but after the 10th headache, I headed to Walgreens and stocked up on electrolytes and potassium.  I still served my coconut water in a wine glass though.  It is after all, Vegas.
And this overcoat again - loved wearing it with my ultra-feminine, eyelet-like Summer dress.  I changed my shoes though and forgot to take a pic of the finished ensemble.  Oh well...
I took all of my jewelry and perfume with me.  I mainly buy jewelry from AllSaints, Forever21, H&M and random street carts.  I packed almost all of my shoes as well!  I'm a thorough, detailed packer but usually for the sake of weight, I pack items that can be worn into the evening but this time I decided to just pack it all up and have full access to my Tiny Closet for whatever the day or night brought.  I let the bellhop worry about the weight.
During a second routine "costume" change, I took some shots of me in my comfy white bed.  I'm having a Mommy Dearest moment here.  I will miss sleeping in the middle...  I'm sure some of you know what its like to miss that simple, single-girl luxury of sleeping in the middle of a bed!

So I am back in Seattle, back on my side of the bed.  I have decided to skip the IFB conference this year (waaaah!!) but with the major injection of marketing and pr exposure I got during my trip, my experience has been a game-changer for my Tiny Closet.  So, I am very excited to continue on in a slightly new direction.  Can't wait for my new ideas to unfold so thank you for reading and keep visiting!

all clothing worn was thrifted, is vintage or acquired overseas from huts or stands except for those items mentioned.

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8.09.2012

Northwest Tropical

Peaked by my last scarf play, I decided to go through my magic bag [of scarves] and see what else I could do with some of the scarves I haven't been wearing...

A few years ago, a friend gave me a beautiful, hand painted scarf/sarong from Hawaii.  I LOVED it buuuut I had no idea what I would do with it.  The brilliant yellow and frosty pink painted flowers... I wasn't sure where it fit.  Until now that is.
 Thankfully, this scarf is huge so it covered all necessary areas to play the part of a dress that evening.  And while I don't find myself in halters much, I did enjoy showing off the plunging neckline I created with wrapping the scarf.  The yellow goes rather well with my coloring so I'm excited to wear it around my neck come Fall.
scarf: Hawaii / belt: Forever21 / wedges: Les Fiances / earrings: Forever21 / bangle: vintage

The weather was absolutely perfect on Monday and Theo and I loved walking up and down Alki Beach.  A perfect reprieve from a stressful day at work as everyone is now rushing around tying up loose ends before our awards show and industry showcase in Vegas.  I am a last-minute packer and even though I have quite a knack for it, I have never needed so many dresses and shoes for a trip before now.  Vegas for 8 days...yikes!  Talk about overkill.  But I can't wait to wear a couple new dresses I bought just for the occasion aaaand - I'm bringing the camera along to share the experience!
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8.07.2012

Out of The Ordinary

Theo and I have been wanting to check out a new Mexican restaurant in our hood, La Catrina and after learning they serve brunch on the weekend, we could no longer delay seeing what the place was all about.  Seated at an outside table in their back garden area, we settled in immediately.  Hello!  Gorgeous.  I was surrounded by herbs and flowers and there were even little lime trees.

Definitely a brunch out of the ordinary.  And speaking of out of the ordinary, I had decided that morning to use my leopard scarf from Zara as a cover up over my tube dress.  Just a regular scarf transformed into a breezy Summer top piece.
So flippin' hot out, even in the morning - looking through my Tiny Closet, I couldn't bare wearing an actual shirt.  At the same time, I didn't want to wear a bra :-/  Eh, maybe some of you ladies know how that goes.  So voila, a tasteful, perhaps regal(?) coverup so that I could feel a little "freer" in the heat that morning.


 Hanging by our table, we noticed the most unusual vine flower.  Crazy!  I plan to ask the owner what kind of plant he is growing - I want it for myself!
scarf: Zara / denim: Benetton / tube dress: H&M / earrings: Tory Burch / oxfords: CMG 

Such gorgeous surroundings :) We have added yet another gem to our lazy-Sunday-brunch options.  Can't wait to go back for a candle-lit evening drink!

Hope your weekend was absolutely wonderful!

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8.02.2012

In to Navy

I never thought I'd buy into the whole "jeggings" epidemic that's happened over the last few years... But with the growing options and styles of this quasi-maternity wear, I gotta say, the moment I slipped on a pair, the heavily accommodating waste band and  forgiving thigh area sold me instantly.  Plus it made me feel better about myself on my thicker days.

Anyway, the reason I'm even bringing up this dying breed of pants is because I've always worn mine with long tunics, ya know, to cover them up but still show a hint of a denim look.  And I wear them on laundry days or grocery shopping  and whatnot.  But after finding yet another gem (a sharp little sailor top) at Driftwood consignment in Madrona, these jeggings all of a sudden look suitable enough to not need to be hidden!  And because I felt a bit 40s that day, I popped on my tap shoes and my M.A.C. Red lipstick a la "I love Paris In The Springtime" :)  Ya know, to finish the look.
Sailor necklines are the cutest.  Add navy stripes and cute just got cheeky.  I look like a black Annie - hilarious!  And awesome.  This silk knit Ralph Lauren polo makes the bottom part of my ensemble perfect sense.  And with the tap shoes, well, where's a parlor or a wash deck to dance around on when you need one??  I'm totally mixing metaphors here but as you've probably already noticed, this outfit covers a couple campy themes.

 Jeggings: Asos.com - all other clothing including accessories are vintage.
 And of course, that's not all I can do with this sailor top.  You'll definitely be seeing it pop up through Fall and Winter as that is the Tiny Closet way but I wanted to debut this item in a more carefree light to remind myself to have fun with fashion and play with styles.  

So have FUN in your clothes this weekend!
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8.01.2012

Sewing For Beginners

In a week, I will be flying to Vegas to celebrate and help host my company's annual award show. It will be a week of galas, parties, meetings and shows and I can't believe I haven't planned out my outfits yet!!  I did however, plan to finish sewing my first Summer dress.  Yes, specifically for Vegas I aimed to sew something minimal, classy, and a lil bit sexy!  Check it out:
I tagged along to one of Theo's appointments last week.  We were in a particularly gorgeous area where the greenery and iron gates went beautifully with my new striped number.  I actually designed and sewed this free hand - no pattern.  I saw a stunning Alexander Wang dress in black and was instantly inspired to remake it :)  Ya think he'll mind?

 Since this piece has just one strap and it's fitted, like I've said in the past with this style, it can get a little ice-skatery.  Sooo, I decided to make the one strap thicker and attempted to give a slight drape under the neckline - so it looks less costume-like, yeah?

 My accessories are from the Philippines, the espadrilles are from Yoox.com (psst, I also wore them here), and this thick rattan-like belt always comes in handy - got it from Forever21.  The simplicity of this outfit makes my Tiny Closet heart sing.

And even though Summer is almost over for the great Northwest, this dress will surely be popping up a few more times before Fall - and again next Summer!

Keep visiting to see more of my sewing projects!  Cus I'm on a roll, ladies :)
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