THE BLACK TRENCH

And so we continue on our journey through my California pictures.  If you are paying attention, these shots are from the same day as "california lovin'".  The only difference is that I am sporting this awesome black trench.  =)  After we drove around and down Mulholland Drive, we decided to stroll through the Sunset strip.  The last time I was in California, I remember having a fun time perusing all the shops that line this street.  However, the problem that day was that the stores were closing as soon as we got there.  Epic FAIL!  That's the tricky part with California.  The stores start closing but the sun is still up and shining.  In Chicago, I associate stores closing with the sun going down.  It didn't occur to me that at 7pm in California, the sun is still fairly high above us.  Luckily there was one store that still had it's doors open.  Kin Los Angeles FOR THE WIN!  And like a true shop-a-holic, I was lured to the store by racks of clothes displayed outside with a sign that said 50% off sale. My dad quickly ran to the other side of the street.

Although I did not find anything on the 50% off rack due to sizing availability, I spotted this thin black trench hanging on a mannequin.  Something about it's shapelessness and flowy thin fabric called out to me saying "You will need me on those 8 random days out of the year where it's about 60-70 degrees in Chicago."  I looked at the price tag and it was about $100 and it was a done deal.  And of course having Papa DOS nearby, I had to get some shots with it so I could share them with you guys.  I also did get another jacket from Kin Los Angeles that is a bit heavier for the fall.  I can't wait to bust that one out as well.

SPECIAL THANKS to Morgan for being so awesome to me at the store and making me drool over so many hot LA designers.  I am still lusting for that forest green hat on the hat wall.  Hmmmmmm.... =) Morgan, you were so fun to shop with!  I wish I had remembered to take a photo with you.  Gah I'm an awful blogger.  I guess this guarantees that I'll be back!

Trench Coat - UNIF  |  Vest - Elizabeth and James (old)  |  Tank Top - Free People  |  Jeans - Rich and Skinny  |  Shoes - B Brian Atwood  |  Bag - Chanel  |  Accessories - Cusp, Stella & Dot, Suo, Brandy Melville

-DOS

CALIFORNIA LOVIN'

I'm back!  Well actually I've been back all week.  But readjusting to being back at work and trying to fix the damn two hour difference my internal clock is on was tough.  I had suuuuuuuuuuuuuch a fab time in California.  I was with The Hubster, Papa DOS, and my little sissy on a little family vaycay.  This was much needed especially because it came right after a crazy weekend in Vegas for one of my bestie's bachelorette party.  If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably saw a glimpse of our time in Vegas.  =)

I gotta say, being on the west coast for a little over a week felt amazing.  Weather in California is so great.  It was a bit chilly but being from Chicago, I can handle a bit chilly.  The sun was consistent and shining every day which just automatically brightens my mood.  Every time I'm there I think, "Man, I could move here fo sho!"  (Although I say the same thing every time I visit NYC)  If I had my way I would do two years in California and two years in New York.  

My Cali trip was filled with a lot of... well... eating.  Hahaha...  I think I ate my weight in seafood.  GAH!  So goooood!  Thanks to Danny for always showing us the best spots in LA.  I also got to visit my very first vineyard thanks to my darling Minnie and her boytoy who so graciously took me and The Hubster in for two days until my dad and sis arrived.  Minnie took me to South Coast Winery in Temecula, California while our two boys played together.  Hehehehe...  In other words, we got drunk while they played golf somewhere.  California has such wide open spaces.  The vineyard literally took my breath away.  The other girls just stood there laughing at me while I stared out into the open horizon with my mouth hanging open.  And that was BEFORE the 11 tastings of wine.  Thanks for showing me such a great time!  <3<3<3  And Pam and Tre, I hope you read this.  You two are buckets of fun!  "You know them young ones these days, they into the pinky toes."  LOL!

This day was the day we went cruising on Mulholland Drive.  It was so beautiful.  Next time I want to drive through it with a convertible.  Something sporty and sassy.  Hehehe.  Such breathtaking views!  There are little pockets that are designated look out spots that have great views of the city.  <3  Not to mention on the other side are some BALLER houses!  Whut whut!  Lots of gated houses on this road.  Made me wonder who lives there.  You also wonder where is the closest gas station and grocery store???  Do they get that stuff just helicoptered down?  Man that's so BOSS!  Anyhoo!  I have more California posts coming up so I'll tell you more later.

Cardigan - Brandy Melville  |  Vest - Elizabeth and James (old)  |  Tank Top - Free People  |  Jeans - Rich and Skinny  |  Shoes - B Brian Atwood  |  Bag - Chanel  |  Accessories - Cusp, Stella & Dot, Suo, Brandy Melville

I hope you are all still checking in on the blog here and there.  Sorry I was so MIA!  I appreciate all my loyal readers.  Especially the ones that reach out to me.  <3<3<3 xoxoxoxoxo

-DOS

CASUAL UNIFORM

It's gorgeous weather in Chicago!  Which means it's time to lotion up those ashy knees we have been hiding in our winter gear and bust out the short shorts.  =)  Hehehehe... On days that it teeters from a cool breeze and heat from the sunshine, I like to wear a loose slight open weave sweater with some simple denim shorts.  This sweater is so comfy and the open weave lets the breeze come through so I am not too warm.  It also comes in an electric yellow which I am thinking I also need in my closet.  Hehehe... I am definitely loving the sunshine we have been having.  I am instantly in a better mood.  I hope you all are having a great week.  It's almost the weekend and I've got a dinner with the girls to look forward to.  We are celebrating a birthday for my darling Jane!  Happy early birthday my love.  I can't wait to see my ladies!  Girls night out is a must to keep me sane.  By the way, what do you guys think of my new oversized envelope clutch?  I got two colors in this since it was such a great deal.  It's only $36 from Asos!  I got this lovely neutral color and a bold neon yellow color.  I adore the gold tab corner detail.  It comes a little stiff but will soften over time and use.  Definitely a fun accessory to have.  And let's not forget to mention my new kicks.  =D  I could not resist these B Brian Atwood Teatro sandals  (brown version here).  Perfect for spring/summer!  It took me a while to decide if I wanted brown versus gray.  Luckily my size makes these decisions for me since I couldn't find my size in the brown.  LOL.  <3

Sweater - Madewell  |  Tank Top - t.babaton  |  Shorts - 7 for all mankind  |  Shoes - B Brian Atwood  |  Bag - ASOS  |  Earrings - Madewell  |  Bracelets - Stella & Dot, Express, Versace for H&M  |  Watch - Michael Kors

I want to thank you all again for your wonderful and sweet comments!  I love it!  Please LIKE the DOS Facebook Fan Page.  And if you ever have any questions or requests, I can easily answer them on the Facebook wall and that way you will be sure to be notified of my response.  =D

-DOS

DETECTIVE DOS

Happy Friday everyone!  Finally!  An outfit post!  LOL!  Sorry, I'm just excited to share this one with you all.  This is me looking a little like an old school detective.  Maybe mainly because of the hat.  But like a fashionable one, with killer shoes.  It was actually a pretty bad day to wear a hat because it was pretty windy so that was fail on my part.  Oh well.  You can't tell that from the pictures so HA!  I'm still a little under the weather.  My cough is now coupled with the sniffles so I am just trying to get through the day.  However, aside from the minor cold, this week has been kind of awesome.  Since I'm pretty much an open book, I'll tell all my readers that I got a new job and will be starting towards the end of April.  It's still in the same field (I am a tax nerd) but it's a step up from my current position so I'm pretty excited.  =)  It was definitely bittersweet to turn in my notice to my manager.  I absolutely love my manager at my current job.  We have a very interesting relationship and I feel like she's just like one of my friends.  That can sometimes be a really hard thing to find in the corporate world.  I'm definitely going to miss everyone I worked with.  But you always have to move forward and let new opportunities challenge you and try not to get too comfortable in your current situation.  Challenge yourself to be better and always tell yourself that you deserve better.  This will propel you forward in anything you do.  So that's kind of what has been taking over my time the past week or so and I'm happy to share the news to my loyal readers.  <3  I guess I put together this outfit because I was feeling pretty bad ass this week.  Nothing like a promotion to get you feeling confident and bad ass.  And when I'm feeling bad ass, I find myself dressing edgy and in dark colors with metal and leather.  Hahahahaha...  Let me know what you think of the look!  =)  Have a great weekend everyone!

Dress - Allsaints  |  Jacket - Levi's (Urban Outfitters)  |  Hat - Wilfred  |  Belt - Versace for H&M  |  Shoes - B Brian Atwood  |  Sunnies - Oliver Peoples  |  Bag - Lanvin  |  Watch - Chanel  |  Jewelry - Stella & Dot, F21, GAP, David Yurman

By the way, this store I am in front of, Hydrology, is an amazing store where you can find cool faucets and tubs and anything related to water hardware for your home.  I got my faucets for my kitchen and my bathrooms here.  That was a fun shopping day for sure!  Thanks for visiting and reading my loves!

-DOS

hat trick

Look at me!  I'm floating in the sky!  Okay that was lame.  LoL.  The Hubster and I decided to do a quick shoot up on our roof before stepping out of the house.  We didn't feel like bringing around the camera.  But it was epic fail anyway because 10 minutes in, the battery died.  I am the WORST at keeping things charged.  Oh well.  Sorry for the lack of interesting shots.  This was all we could get before the camera shut down.  I wanted to show you guys my new hat that I got on super sale from Aritzia.  I'm not a huge hat person in any way but sometimes I like to have one handy in case my hair is not cooperating.  I don't see very many people rocking hats in Chicago so I wouldn't say that it's a good way to stay hidden.  I feel like people actually will look at you if you have a hat on that isn't a baseball hat.  This day was super duper warm but overcast around the time we took the photos.  Kept the outfit very monochromatic here but still dramatic with the black and white.  And of course the shoes!  Do you like the shoes?  It was on a previous Wednesday Wishlist.  I couldn't resist when my size became available, so as usual, I grit my teeth and pulled the trigger.  These are awesome because they are super comfortable for as high as they are.  And I love the color.  It's one of those off colors that can go with a lot.  It's not 100% grey, nor 100% taupe.  It's some funky combo.  And I love me funky combos.  The top is by Joie and purchased from City Blue.  <3  Like I mentioned in a previous post, they just launched their new online store.  However, if you live in Chicago, I highly HIGHLY recommend stopping by the store front.  The ladies that work there are oober sweet and fun.  I immediately loved this Joie top because of the fun yet understated stripes.  It's sheer to add some sexy illusion combined with the stripes.  Do you see my skin... do you not see my skin... do you see my skin... do you not see my skin...?  Hmmm... tricky.  I guess you won't know until you get one for yourself.  =)

Hat - Wilfred  |  Top - Joie (City Blue)  |  Jeans - Cizizen of Humanity  |  Shoes - B Brian Atwood  |  Purse - Chanel  |  Jewelry - F21, David Yurman  |  Watch - Chanel

-DOS