Vintage bracelets: arm candy for a maxi dress or a jeans-and-T-shirt ensemble.

Long gold chains of assorted lengths and designs from which to hang a collection of lockets and pendants.

Gorgeous collar necklace from Kokommo, to instantly pretty up a plain chambray or chiffon shirt.

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Mango pants, H&M top, Target belt, custom necklace from India, Nine West shoes

After three semesters of prerequisites, readings, research, writing, and mini-projects, my degree program ends this semester with a master’s project. It’s supposed to be the culmination of everything I have studied so far, and last week I had to defend my proposal in front of faculty and peers. It was an important presentation for which we were asked to dress “professionally.” In the communications industry, there is no single definition of professional dress. So I went with my own twist on business casual.

I chose my favorite navy-and-black as a safe go-to combination punctuated by little pops of color and pattern. The geometric shapes in the satin top give it a little something extra that prevents it from being a boring old neutral. I love the way the outfit combines all possible neutral colors without looking like a sleepy circus.

The only issue I had with this outfit was that the pants picked up some lint by the time I reached school. However, it wasn’t visible from a distance and it didn’t stand in the way of a killer presentation. Now that the proposal has been approved, it’s on to implementing the project.

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Emerald Green

Since Pantone declared emerald the color of the year for 2013, green has been popping up in all kinds of deep hues. Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of green. Somehow it always looks dated to me. But I set aside my personal biases to see what green could do, and I was pleasantly surprised by these pieces. Not a convert yet, but I’m willing to give it a chance.

Skinny-Slim Illusion Jeans by 7 For All Mankind in Alpine green
Scallopini Green Scalloped & Pointed Flats
Amazon Journey Bracelet Set

Baroque

All you minimalists out there, take note. Baroque is back. Forget “less is more” – more is less this season. If there was ever a time to put wild prints, bright colors and bold accessories together in one outfit, it’s now. Chandelier and animal prints together? Sure. Stained glass motif on your shirt? Absolutely. Go nuts.

Prada Baroque Sunglasses
Lipsy Midi Dress in Jewel Print
Printed Design Black Shirt

Black & White Geometry

Black and white is a classic combination that never really goes out of style. But this season it’s all about combining the two colors in innovative geometric patterns. Don a chic triangle shift, or throw on an adorable bralette with geometric florals underneath that nude chiffon blouse. The options are endless.

Natalie Bralette
ASOS Shift Dress In Triangle Jacquard
Black White Vertical Stripe Pockets Chiffon Blouse

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So, a couple of research papers, a must-have-a-red-dress phase, and several internal crises later, here I am. The research papers ended in fireworks, the red dress phase resulted in the spectacular number from ASOS above, and the internal crises – well, that’s the stuff of compelling memoirs.

What have you been up to?

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While I have shared my reservations about printed trouser-shaped pants before, I have been intrigued by all the printed denim that seems to have exploded on the scene of late. In order to test drive the trend, I found this fabulous pair of skinny jeans with a mirrored floral print in the big sale at ASOS a few weeks ago.

They have the perfect skinny cut while still being comfortable enough to wear all day. I combined them with an open(ish) knit top to keep things heat-friendly.

ASOS jeans, H&M top, necklace and purse, Guess sandals

The result was this easy-breezy outfit that I know I’ll be repeating several times in the months to come.

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Zara jeans, Urban Outfitters top and shoes

When I take photos for the blog, I usually take them in a natural setting. I don’t like to scout a location and stage a shoot just for the blog. But LA has been having such beautiful weather the last few weeks that I had to make an exception on this gorgeous afternoon.

I found these green jeans at Zara during their giant summer sale. Both neon and color blocking are having a huge fashion moment, so I decided to go all out and combine the brightest colors in my wardrobe. It’s not a look for the faint-hearted; then again, that’s not an adjective I associate with myself.

The swipe of red lipstick was a last minute idea, and I’m pleased with how the look turned out. It was difficult to choose just a handful of photos for this post – enjoy the extras!

Not Instagram

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H&M top, Forever 21 skirt, Urban Outfitters sandals, Zara bag

Even though it’s just a summer internship, going back to work after a long hiatus has been an interesting experience. After being a full time graduate student for a year, I’m no longer used to waking up to an alarm, eating lunch at a fixed time, or trying to find street parking in the evening.

Unlike all of those things, dressing for work has come right back to me like a reflex. On most days, I use my old formula of one classic piece combined with one trendy/statement piece. Then I throw in an accessory or two to complete the look.

Since it’s a fashion company, I’m able to take more liberties with the way I dress than I could at my stuffy corporate office, where I had to be conscious of foreign workers from outsourcing vendors. That means my classic piece can now be a pencil skirt or a dress instead of pants.

I’m enjoying putting together work outfits from what has now come to be a mostly casual wardrobe.

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Zara asymmetric fine pleated skirt

I have been looking for an asymmetrical chiffon skirt for a while, but I would really like one that’s high-low from front to back rather than from side to side. Here are a few that I’m spying.

A faux wrap version from Forever 21:

Forever 21 High-Low Wrap Skirt

A lace variation:

Forever 21 High-Low Lace Skirt

And the ideal, accordion pleated high-low chiffon skirt from Zappos:

Gabriella Rocha Zoelle Skirt

Do you guys have a favorite?

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Express shorts, Forever 21 top and sweater, H&M bag, Dolcetta by Dolce Vita loafers

Last week was packed with socializing. We had friends visiting from out of town on separate occasions, and our evenings were spent going out and visiting some local hot spots with them.

After much eating and drinking, I was happy to take this weekend to do nothing in particular. I threw together some comfortable outfits for running errands and tackling a DIY project at home (more on that another time).

We are cycling through LA’s annual June Gloom again, so I have been getting creative with my outfits to handle the fickle weather. These walking shorts have been in my closet for years and I never tire of them. They are versatile for dressing up or down, and very comfortable.

I’m also digging these new studded canvas loafers I picked up from Urban Outfitters last weekend. They are the epitome of comfortable chic, and might replace my oxfords for the summer.

All in all, it was a perfect lazy weekend.

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1. Cannes by Mikoh Swimwear

2. Bring Your Pool Pastel One Piece

3. Red Carter One Shoulder Colorblock Swimsuit

4. Mohican Full Suit by Tallow

5. Bathing Beauty One Piece in Blue Velvet

6. AGENT PROVOCATEUR Mazzy cutout swimsuit

7. Sweetheart Patchwork Maillot

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