1.30.2014

New Special Things



I've been exploring my style lately and playing around with various different versions of it.  This silk top I found at Wasteland has been a very fun new item to pair with my old basics.  With no buttons, it's more of a topper or jacket.  And the cut-out, draped back is really sultry and sophisticated. 


This Chanel hand-me-down from my mother is so cool!  I love the huge letter charms and the 4-leafed clover on it makes the gift extra special.  Like a good luck charm for the new year from my best friend.  It's a beautiful, fun piece that I cherish. 




We found this cute white pick up with a flat on the side of the road in the Art's District and thought it went rather well with the scene and my look :) 


top: Robert Rodriguez (Wasteland) / pants: Santee Alley / heels: Santee Alley / bandeau: Heavenly Couture / bracelet: Chanel

Exploring my own style from different angles is definitely something I'll be doing more regularly.   And it's something I encourage you to do as well!  Why?  Recently, I've been finding it's a way to break out of ruts of comfort zones and also boredom.  I mean you can shop and shop and keep buying the same items and then wonder why nothing in your lil closet excites you.  But by varying the look of your style, choosing pieces you wouldn't normally choose, pairing items differently, while still remaining you and in your style, I believe that can result in owning a truly versatile and diverse wardrobe.  Which is what The Tiny Closet is really all about.


Next week I'll be in a fun little feature that I'm excited to share so come back and visit!
have a fabulous rest of the week!
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1.27.2014

Starting Off Right


Last week, I visited Seattle after a year of L.A. living.  Spending time with friends and family was an amazing way to start the new year.  
I love California but my ladies are one in a million...



My Bantu Blowout was nonexistent during my entire trip.  How easily I forgot just how humid Seattle is!  And now that I don't really rock the wash n' go dos, humidity aint really my favorite thing anymore.  It'll take some time to get used to maintaining blown-out hair.

Anyway, we didn't take any photos like I'd so hoped!!!  So disappointing, but we did take some impromptu pics on our phones :)


I've been reflecting a lot this week and feel good that I could get back to my roots before I really get into the year.  
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and I wish you a great week!
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1.23.2014

Urban Artistic

With my new bantu blow out do, I've been thoroughly enjoying my slightly changed look. 
Same clothes, new look! 
I love how hair just seems to change everything.

tee: Tiny Closet Collection / dress: Urban Outfitters / boots: Santee Alley

And with my new hair styling, it's inspired an inclination to a more bohemian, artsy style.
Pairing two faves together, my Tiny Closet Collection jersey tee and a chiffon tank dress, it was perfect for hanging out in all afternoon in the Arts District last week.






I've been in Seattle for the past week enjoying my sorely missed friends and family.  It's funny, this ensemble actually makes me nostalgic of the style here. 

I'll be sharing some photos from my hometown beginning on Monday so come back next week to check out my Northwest-vaca style!  
It is after all, where The Tiny Closet all started :)
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1.20.2014

Fun In a Midi


From day 1, I was a girl who absolutely had to be comfortable.  Coco Chanel certainly said it best when she spoke of comfort.  One quote that I will never forget is 
"If it's not comfortable, it's not luxury."  

I couldn't agree more.

Everyday of my life in fashion is a process of clever schemings.  New ways to be fashionable, feminine and compelling - all while being... comfy.
Comfort must be where I exist, otherwise, my clothes become a cage.  

I must be free!





This buttery lambskin leather midi has an incredible drape and fit.  It's easy, versatile and last week I realized it aint half bad when ensembled with some sneakers and a button up.  Listening to M.I.A. during a night-time photo shoot, I did what I do best in my clothes: dance.


I also got some awesome new basic nail colors from American Apparel Factory store down the street.  That place is like 7 American Apparels under one roof.
I adore these colors for everyday wear: navy, yellow, and white.
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1.16.2014

It's All In The Jacket

With Winter in full swing (as much as it can be, here in Southern Cal) I reunited with my fancy for jackets during a shopping trip to The Wasteland.


I definitely fell out of touch last year with the "jacket accessory" as I was just so caught up with, well not wearing a lot of clothing.  I've acclimated myself to the constant high temperatures here (at an alarming rate actually), but the recent nippy/freezing weather has had me searching for something chic, warm and layer-able.  

Having a blast with my new letterman jacket the other day, I also found another gem: this silk, batwing, muted dark purple jacket with zipper detailing! 
*sigh*

It's simply perfect, yes?

jacket: Zara / tank: FIDM / necklaces: thrift / harem pants: American Apparel / heels: Deisel




Putting together some jersey-stretch basics (harem pants and an oversize racerback tank top), I threw on this drapey jacket and glossy heels.  Heels will always upgrade a casual look, of course but this jacket really gave the style a more finite direction in my personal style.  My casual basics instantly turned into a chic fashion-forward look just with one piece!
*****************************************
 
Theo and I took a spontaneous trip to Seattle yesterday!  I'll be enjoying friends and family for the next week and excited to share photos of being back in our hometown.  

Have a great weekend and I'll see ya back on Monday!

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1.13.2014

Heels and a Letterman

Last weekend I picked up a letterman jacket "for her".  I'd never seen one so tiny and fitted!  I instantly loved it.

I felt so fresh and sexy, I had to play it up with some heels and red lips.




 
I haven't broken out these heels in a long time.  Funny, 10 years ago I was in college thinking hard on these during a sale at Aldo and after all this time, here they still are. 
It seems the tan leather has only gotten better with age. 
 
I love it when that happens.
 

 
Thrown over my "uniform" made up of a James Perse scoop neck tee and jeans, a letterman jacket really stylizes a basic ensemble.  I had fun with this themed look because I realized pretty quickly, it's kinda for the boys.  I've never received so many compliments from men during a shoot.  And by compliments, I mean hooting out of their car.  Ridiculous.  This would be fun for a Friday night movie date or happy hour at a sports bar.  
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1.09.2014

High-Waist Denim: A Casual Elegance

Donned in American classics, I spent some time at my local Flower Mart over the weekend in search of a few new bouquets

Choices, choices, choices...  3 city blocks of wholesale flowers and plants.  I was there all morning trying to decide. 

At least getting dressed was a cinch.


To beat the morning chill, I threw on my soft, thick fur vest.  One of the most worn pieces I've ever sewn. 
I chose a pale blue oxford shirt tucked tightly into a fun new pair of high-waist denim. 

I thought it would be fitting to have a classic half-up-do hairstyle to coordinate with my high neckline and casual, western but feminine ensemble.


shirt: Zara Man / jeans: American Apparel / belt: Zara Man / heels: Forever21 / vest: Tiny Closet Collection

I love borrowing Theo's cognac hued croc leather belt.  It's regal and classic.  Perfect for high-waist bottoms of any kind. 
And with these new jeans, I swooned over the combo in both texture and color!
I longed for some short cowboy booties but that would've been overkill.  To keep the style fluid but unexpected,
I decided to top off the look with tan leather cage sandals.  One of my faves.



After all that contemplating, I ended up with two cute little plants.  A succulent and some mini cactuses.  They will look adorable on our nightstands!


I am so enjoying my new high-waist jeans.  There's a strong sense of rugged class and elegance to this type of fit
Looking in the mirror and seeing a nicer shape and longer legs, I'm like, 'Hey girl'.

Enjoy your weekend!
psst - new post on Monday so y'all come back now :)
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1.06.2014

New Year

Here's to a brand new start!


Over the last part of 2013, I started experimenting with new styles, new hair, new looks....  I am a hopeless perfectionist.  In front of my mirror,
testing and studying like a teen I prepared for a permanent change!

We Geminis love change.  In fact, change is something we kinda have a knack for.  So around this time of year, I'm in my element.

Ah yes, the exhilarating feeling of reinvention is addicting.  But this time, it was evident that I needed a major change.
In my routine, in my habits and of course, a change in my mirror.

Cosmo says the first thing a woman changes when seeking a new look is her hair.  They're right on that one.
Nearly my entire Instagram feed has been full of new hair styles from girls all over the world changin' up their do!

Including my own....


shirt dress: Lida Baday / jacket: Daughters of The Liberation / scarf: fabric from Michael Levine / shoes: Chucks
 
I have been layering a lot lately.  Something I don't tend to do as I am a minimalist and don't care to wear a lot of clothing normally.  
But with 80-degree days and 50-degree nights, I have been utilizing all corners of my Tiny Closet to be adaptive as possible!  On my daily run to the Garment District I spied this gorgeous wool plaid.  I don't usually see plaid in purple, navy and yellow so I cut a yard and a half of it and was on my way.  A perfect scarf! 

This cargo jacket was a fun thrift find and goes nicely over so many items.  Who knew I'd look half decent in a cargo jacket??  Thanks to its excellent tailoring, it fits like a charm. 

My all-season linen tunic that looks like a man's shirt is also a great layering piece for California Winters.  In the summer, I leave the buttons undone -
and come Winter, I'm all buttoned up from wrists to neck coverage.



So back to the hair!
 
I traded in my kinks and corkscrews for bigger curls and waves.  Just a simple bantu knot preparation that I got from my girl, Angel's "K is For Kinky" post, 

I didn't make as many sections in my hair as the video shows (unfortunately my lack of patience hinders the level of daily fuss that I can dedicate to my hair alone) and I used Kenra Shine Serum instead for setting.  And voila!  Frizz-free Botticelli goodness!!  I am in love with this new style and it's a good thing because after being a wash n' go gal exclusively for years, I'm putting that on the back burner.  
Indefinitely.



Looking at my Tiny Closet with an all-new perspective, I am so incredibly inspired and excited about this year.  I am taking the entire month to celebrate all the change, growth and strength my friends and I have taken on.  And to all of you who are braving a new chapter, I say congratulations, good luck and have yourself a damn good time :)

~Happy New Year~
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