3.24.2014

A Closet Full of Keepers

When I'm not sewing and blogging, I work a few days a week down the street at a cute restaurant.  It's fun and fancy so I enjoy thinking up fabulous little ensembles to run around in when I'm there.

I've been getting a lot of outfits with this Robert Rodriguez top.  I absolutely love this Tiny Closet keeper!!



And speaking of "keepers", my ensemble on Sunday was completely made up of them!  My chiffon waterfall skirt I've worn all sorts of ways for years now.  And my trusty suede booties, what haven't I worn them with??  

Check it out:
top



skirt


 top: Robert Rodriquez / skirt: Forever21 / booties: Jessica Simpson / belt: Forever21 / accessories: Kukuly's


booties



I've really been into accessories lately.  I dunno, something just clicked in my stubborn minimalist head and now I want rings on every finger and bracelets on both wrists.  This phase couldn't have come at a better time!  I feel a bohemian Summer coming!!!  

Keep visiting for more Tiny Closet tricks :) 
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3.20.2014

Spring Is [Already] In The Air

I've been unusually excited for Spring these days...

 and while practically everything in my Tiny Closet is fit for all seasons, I do have a few pieces that shine extra bright for specific times of the year.  

Like these coral pants.  Short of florals, they just scream "Spring" don't they?


And in preparation for the spirit of Spring (ahem, Cochella), I gave my pants a simple bohemian styling with a swinging, draped top and bigger curls on my head, with a middle part.

top: Santee Alley / bra top: Free People / pants: Zara / sandals: Santee Alley / rings: Kukuly's 





I also picked up a few Tiny treasures at my new favorite store in downtown, Kukuly's.  I was again, unusually drawn in to this store of fabulous bohemian jewelry and accessories but trying new things seems to be the theme for my lil wardrobe so far this year.  

I'm enjoying tweaking my look with small changes.  While I do have a simplistic signature style, I love all the subtle changes I can make even with the Tiny Closet that I have.

See how I've worn these pants in the past:


with leopard

Check out these punchy coral pants!  You'd be surprised how far this color can take you...


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3.17.2014

Soft Waves & Silk Sandals

I've been enjoying a warm and cozy intro to Spring this past week.  I used to dislike dressing for warmer weather but since moving to L.A., I've completely changed.  This ensemble is a staple and usually worn with my oxfords or Toms but with this fancy weather lately, I thought I'd upgrade my shoe game to something softer and more appropriate for afternoon cocktails and window shopping.


I feel like I've been cropping everything from jeans to skirts to tops!  Including this men's shirt.  I love wearing this cropped button up with everything in my Tiny Closet!  And these harem pants went amazingly with the top last weekend.



I recently decided to let someone else do my hair.  Eeee!  After 5 years of personally cutting, styling, and raising a head of natural healthy locks, I'm moving on to other important things and trusting it to someone else.  I randomly made an appointment with Drybar, a blow drying salon (I thought that stuff was for straight-haired girls!) and I'm hooked!!

I usually prefer the smaller curls but these loose big curls are fabulous too.  So lush looking.  And also, having a professional take to my strands was shocking.  My hair was silkier than I've ever seen it - even my husband was shocked at the quality difference.  Anyway, I'm feeling it.  This slightly different look is a nice alternative to my norm.

 shirt: Pink / harem pants: American Apparel / sandals: Nine West

And these sandals with silk straps are so sultry!  I've had them for get this,
13 years
yep, truly a Tiny Closet treasure.  See how I've worn them in the past with a draped jumpsuit, and also with a mini skirt

Just goes to show, if it still works, why throw it out?  
Keep working it!

And with that I, bid you a very happy Monday :)
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3.13.2014

Every Gal Should Own A Circle Skirt

I take that back.  Do what you want with your wardrobe!  
But consider adding a circle skirt to your Tiny collection maybe?


Here's why:  next to the almighty high waist pencil skirt, the circle skirt is the most feminine skirt you can own!  In one move, you can completely and classically "fem-ify" your entire look.  Throw on wedges / Toms / Keds / boots / heels and a tee and the circle skirt will pull it allllll together.  Effortlessly.



And that's exactly what I did.  I grabbed one of my favorite day dresses and wore it as a striped top.  Then I tucked it into my linen circle skirt and topped it off with a pair of Toms. 

While taking a walk in my favorite park in downtown in this ensemble, I thought a few photos of this trio would be fun.  I traded my Toms for these cage lace-up heels and flirted very lady-like for the camera.



tee: StyleMint / circle skirt: Tiny Closet Collection / heels: Forever21

And maybe you recognize this top?  It's a dress!  In Tiny style, I wear this piece all sorts of ways.  Two of the ways, you can check out are here and here.

So if I've been at all convincing in this post, get a circle skirt!  They look good on everyone, fabulous on all figures and sizes and not that this is important but... 
men adore them on us!

Shop for one or make your very own circle skirt using this tutorial by Geneva Vanderzeil, my favorite diyer!

See you next week!

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3.10.2014

Springing Forward

Dusk is sexy.

So is dressing for it.


With my evenings being deliciously drawn out, the sunsets seem longer and I've been loving it.  It's been a warm few days so before diving into shorts and minis, I am warming up my hibernating body with a scant duo of a lace bra and draping tank first.  


I also thought I'd give my curls a break from the heat tools for a few days.  Rocking my mama wash-and-go fro is always so simple and fun.  It's free and wild and reminds me of Summer and long nights...


tank: FIDM / bra top: Free People / denim: AllSaints / heels: Zara

But on to my boyfriend denim, I've worn these.with.everything.  My Tiny Closet and I have had a ball with this one amazing article of clothing.  

"How do I love dressing thee, AllSaints Men jeans?  
Let me count the ways...."










So far, 8 very eclectic ways :)  I don't need a lot of denim in my life.  Just the right denim I suppose.  Such is the Tiny mantra... but you probably already know that :)
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3.03.2014

A Tiny S/S Wardrobe


With the terrible weather we've had lately, I've been keeping myself inside, bouncing between my sewing machine and my computer.  
While the rain continues to pour, I am getting totally inspired and ramped up for Spring and Summer! 

It's been a full year since I moved to L.A. and after going through all the seasons, I can now predict each (predictable) season going forward.  
It's much easier now as I think up a new arsenal of pieces - plus, I can finally implement a new routine for my Tiny Closet...

I'm reading about it more and more and I thought I'd adopt the concept for myself.  That concept being that with each new item I add to my wardrobe, I will donate an old item that I'm falling out of love with.  So each new article of clothing will replace an older article of clothing.  Anyway, I thought it would be fun to show how collecting a few pieces through each season can still keep my collection small while maintaining endless options for styling!  

Starting with Spring/Summer seasons:


I picked 9 important items to be enjoyed mainly during the Spring and Summer of 2014 (and to be replaced if necessary with new items in the Spring and Summer and of 2015):

1. skirt
2. pants
3. shorts
4. a dress
5 & 6. two pairs of shoes
7. top
8. knit tee
9. jacket

I planned all items to be able to be coordinated with each other.  Each piece is simple, feminine and reflecting Spring.  
Equally important, I wanted each piece to able to be worn casual or cocktail :)  
I chose clothing from Asos.com and Zara for my example just because the price range and styles of both are pretty broad and cover a lot of different occasions.  Next, I made 4 outfits out of the skirt, pants, shorts and skirt.  Check it out!


The LWD...dressed down
Layered with a chambray and cropped twill jacket, I thought I'd pair this dress down even further with a pair of dove grey high tops.  

Even though I created just one outfit revolving around this Zara dress, it can be worn at least a few more different ways just with the other 8 items alone!  
Not counting the rest of a complete wardrobe.  
 Pastel Biker Pants
 I love asymmetric tees - especially when they're paired with skin tight pants.  The dropped back tee from Asos goes perfectly with a pair of sky blue biker pants from Zara's Spring line.  The cropped jacket from Zara will go with everything!
Statement Skirt
 This Zara skirt is so versatile!  It can even be worn with just the cropped jacket buttoned up as a cropped top.  Chambray and twill are naturals together so it only seemed right to have them in a Spring/Summer collection.  Since they're also very simple items, they can be put with statement pieces like this skirt.

Dress Shorts
These fancy asymmetric shorts are a refreshing design and again, can be dressed up and dressed down so easily.  To wear the dropped back tee with these shorts is fun and artistic looking.  Lots of drape!  The cropped jacket is again finding its way into another ensemble - as well as those trusty high tops.

So like I mentioned before, the number of ensembles is surprisingly plentiful when it comes to just 9 items to work with.   Having a visual like this helps me maintain simplicity and my minimalist ways while I begin to refresh my closet.  

Hopefully it will give you some ideas as well of just how many ways you can rock the same things.  Especially when you're shopping for new things!
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