HOUNDSTOOTH

More bipolar weather going on as usual.  But I do know it's fall because my summer hours ended which has left me very depressed.  In the summer my awesome tax department lets us take every other Friday off if we just work an extra hour the other days.  Those were the best!  And it has left me with some serious 3 day weekend withdrawals.  But anyway... what's been up with everyone?  I feel like it's been a while since I posted.  Things I've been up to lately?  Ummm.. I coordinated a fun ass wedding at the Shedd Aquarium.  Danced my ass off.  Yea it's probably weird to see the wedding coordinator drop it like it's hawt.  That's why I only take referrals so I at least know someone there.  And I take my cues from the bride and bridal party.  Hey man, what do you expect when the maid of honor drags me out to the center.  Once you unleash the beast, there's no stopping it.  Hehehe.

I've also been tearing it up in the kitchen lately.  Experimenting with new recipes is one of my favorite things to do.  It's all been pretty successful but I do have to work on remembering my measurements so that I can replicate the dish over and over.  I'll be posting my take on PF Chang's Oolong Marinated Sea Bass soon.  OOooOoOoooh baby it's good.  Be excited.  September seems to be zooming by which I guess is good because I have a vacation coming up in October.  Woot woot!  I can't wait!  

I should probably talk about this outfit.  Though I don't have much to say about it.  I looooove houndstooth print.  I especially like the way it is understated on these jeans.  Since I said Chicago weather has been bipolar lately, I was ready for either really hot or really chilly weather.  Muscle tee if it was hot, leather jacket if it was chilly.  Honestly within this day, I was able to do both.  Hope you enjoy!  Until next time.... muah!

Top - All Saints (similar)  |  Jacket - All Saints  |  Jeans - Current Elliott  |  Shoes - Christian Louboutin  |  Bag - Alexander Wang  |  Sunnies - Givenchy  |  Necklaces - Gorjana

xoxo,

DOS

IRON MAN PANTS

xoxo,
DOS

WEDNESDAY WISHLIST 8/1/12

Alexander McQueen Large Enamel Skull Cuff - $235

Current/Elliott The Boyfriend Jean - $218

Low Luv x Erin Wasson Rope Twist and Horse Hoof Bangle - $44

Alexander McQueen Printed Kimono Sleeve Shrug - $905

Free People Fun Print Crop - $48

3.1 Phillip Lim 'Pashli' Satchel in Navy - $875

Toms 'Navigator' Sunglasses - $139

Rachel Zoe 'Piper' Boot - $525

Happy Wednesday y'all!  Not much to say about this look except.. uh.. awesome.  If you've got that nice flat stomach thing going on, let the world see and hate you for it with this crop top and low hanging boyfriend jean.  But don't forget your Alexander McQueen shrug in case it gets chilly throughout the day.  The crop top and baggy jean combo is such an understated type of sexy that I just love!  And did you know that Toms made sunglasses?  There are actually a lot of styles that I like from their sunglasses line.  The best part?  Like they do with their shoes, they do with their sunglasses.  They donate a pair of prescription eyeglasses to those in need for every pair of sunglasses sold.  Don't you just love that?  You get to be stylish AND help the world.  The 3.1 Phillip Lim bag has just been catching my attention a lot lately.  Every time I look at it, I think, hmmmm... mucho like!  And especially in this blue color.  I don't think I have this color in my bag collection.  Hmmmmm...  Also, not to be forgotten, are some awesome boots by Rachel Zoe.  I love how she is obsessed with tall heels like I am.  I love the color, the height, and the buckles.  Delish!

I'm off to Texas this weekend for a very special wedding.  One of my very best friends is taking the marriage plunge and I am honored to be one of the bridesmaids.  Needless to say, there will be a few days break from blogging while I'm gone.  Be patient my loves.  I've got more photos to share with ya!  xoxoxo!

-DOS

SUMMA LV

Hiiiiiii!  I hope everyone had an amazing Memorial Day weekend!  I wish it wasn't over but must get back to life as usual.  I, myself, had a great weekend!  Would you all like a synopsis on it?  LoL.  If you don't, well then, just skip all this, duh!  These photos were taken on Friday.  I am lucky and I get to participate in a summer hours program at the office.  Meaning, if I work extra hours during Monday thru Thursday, I can leave work early on Fridays.  Woot!  And this Friday was THE BEST day to get off early.  The weather was in the mid 70s, sunny, and there were no crazy winds.  As soon as The Hubster got off of work, we went out and took some shots at a cute field/playground in my area.  Hopefully we didn't creep out any families and kids.  After these shots we went and celebrated a very special lady's birthday.  =)  I got to see a bunch of my favorite ladies and their counterparts.  Although, the men were exiled to a separate table because there were too many of us.  Hahahaha...  They definitely looked totes adorbs sitting together and having their bromance moments.  I think they probably preferred sitting together away from our girly chit chat and giggles.  

On Saturday, I got to see my darling little sis graduate high school.  Sometimes I forget the large age gap.  Yeah, I don't like to think about that.  =P  I'm super proud of her and I am excited to see her in college.  She's growing up so fast!  WAH!  The graduation was a mixture of a bucket of fun and a total snooze fest at the same time.  It was fun in the beginning watching them enter, fun watching my sister walk the stage, and fun seeing the hats fly up in the air.  The other 3.25 hours, however, my butt fell asleep, and I was so bored that I had to play games on my phone.  Every once in a while I would cheer for a name I recognized as my sister's friend.  I will say that the last person in the graduating class has the best spot.  Mr. Zheng got the biggest applause and standing ovation.  That graduating class was so friggin' big.  After the graduation was the graduation lunch, which was good.  Always nice to be with the fam bam.  However, waking up at 7am after a night of funsies and having to sit through a 3.5 hour long graduation took it's toll and the hubs and I passed out for a midday nap as soon as we got home.  We woke up at some point late in the afternoon and I got the sudden urge to buy a bicycle.  LOL.  I had been thinking about getting one for the summer but never got around to looking.  Lucky for us, there is a bike store a block away.  Bike shopping was fun.  I think we spent 3 hours just looking at bikes and test driving.  Sadly for me, my choices were limited due to height.  =P  Poopers!  But I am happy to say, I have proudly joined the bike riding community in Chicago.  Hahaha...  So car drivers, look out for me, because if you hit me, I will sue for damages!  I must say, biking around the city is pretty fun and liberating.  Not having to worry about finding a parking spot and I actually get to my destination faster than in a car.  We got the hubs a bike too.  I looooooooove his bike.  It's so slim and light.  Sadly that brand does not make bikes for shorties.  =(  I ended up getting an adorable vintage-y looking Schwinn.  It's perfect for me since I'm still new to this biking around the city deal.  I'm still trying to figure out what type of "rider" I am.  Hahaha.

On Sunday, the temperature was in the 90s!  I had planned to go to Randolph Street Market with the hubby and the puppy but it was waaaaaaaay too muggy to be outdoor shopping.  We gladly joined our friend out on his boat on the lake.  We parked, i mean anchored, ourselves out on the Play Pen on Lake Michigan and tied up to another boat.  It felt so good to be out on the water and bake in the sun.  Whenever it got too hot, I just dived off the top deck.  The water was still freezing from the cold months so staying IN the water was a no go.  But it was perfect for a quick splash to cool off.  Of course I brought along a bottle of vino to keep me company.  =) We grilled for a bit after we got back to the harbor.  It was definitely a perfect way to spend a 93 degree day in Chicago.  Before heading home, we stopped by Northwestern Memorial Hospital, specifically the Prentice building, to see our dearest friends' new bundle of joy.  It is their second baby and OMG what a cutie patootie!  Something about the smell of a newborn makes my uterus jump.  Congrats Es and Shinny!

Monday's day off was spent at home with the puppy.  I went grocery shopping on my new bike after purchasing a sassy little basket for the front handlebars.  Hehehehe...  I got caught up on some of my chores and started watching some Korean drama.  Usually on days where I have time on my hands, I like to experiment in the kitchen.  This day I took a shot at making shrimp and linguine.  I'd say it turned out pretty darn good.  Maybe I'll start posting recipes.  =)  Well, that's pretty much it.  How was your Memorial Day weekend? 

Top - Ruche  |  Tank Top - Free People  |  Jeans - Current/Elliott (similar)  |  Shoes - Jessica Simpson  |  Bag - Louis Vuitton  |  Sunnies - Oliver Peoples  |  Jewelry - Stella & Dot, Forever 21

If you read all that, THANKS!  <3<3

-DOS

PALE LEOPARD

Okay I went a tad out of order.  Woops!  This was actually before we went to Lincoln Center to see all the Fashion Week madness.  This was me, the morning after one crazy New York night.  After the CurrentlyObsessed.me event, I roamed the meat packing district in a wine veiled haze by myself before I had my bestie Anita and her roomie Somi meet me at the Standard.  Not knowing where the Standard was at all, I ever so elegantly wobbled away from the Soho House where the event was held and was just trying to find a place to go number 1.  Turns out I ended up exactly where I needed to be.  Which is some kind of proof that you get really smart on a few one too many glasses of Sauvignon Blanc.  And might I add, strolling in the meat packing district where it is ALL cobblestone, on six inch booties, in a wine induced happy stage, is no easy feat.  I literally lived up to my blog title.  Drunk On Shoes indeedio!  We proceeded to meet some really interesting and super duper fun foreigners.  Two who were from London and Australia who were there because they had just sold their company to Living Social.  Cool!  And also, another two Swedish gentlemen who had something to do with Spotify but at that point I was in no condition to retain information.  Hehehehe...  For all I know they could have been the founders.  

So this is me, the morning after.  I had just finished nursing the effects of the prior night at Congee Village in NY Chinatown with Anita and Papa DOS.  That congee really did wonders.  I felt increasingly better the more I ate.  I highly recommend Congee Village and it's crab congee and seafood congee.  It's top notch!  Anita always knows where to guide me to some delicious eats.  Plus it's really sexy hearing her speak Canto.  =)  Of course Papa DOS was having the best time ever.  If he could, he would have eaten in Chinatown every meal of the day for the 3 days we were there.  We also had to scoop up some roast duck to go from his favorite duck spot, Big Wong King on Mott Street.  Don't be fooled by Big WING Wong which is also on Mott Street and has almost the exact same sign as Big Wong's.  I almost got tricked three times already.  The good stuff is at Big Wong King (although it just says Big Wong on the sign).

I honestly didn't really think about what I was going to wear.  I grabbed the first pair of jeans and soft sweater I had packed, and was out the door.  Pastel jeans are so great.  Just as great as neon ones.  Hahaha... But I love these more because of the pale leopard print on them.  Gives a fun twist to the leopard print denim trend that hit last year.  Understated but oh so pretty.  And when you are in no condition to think about what you are going to wear, it's perfect to go with any soft and loose sweater  or tee and you can still feel like you have on a fab outfit without even really trying.  So I hope you enjoy the photos and outfit I have here, regardless of the very little thought I put into it.  More props to Papa DOS for the photos.  =)

Coat - Golde  |  Sweater - t.babaton  |  Tank Top - Free People  |  Jeans - Current/Elliot  |  Flats - BP Nordstrom  |  Bag - Chloe Marcie  |  Button - TokiDoki

So this upcoming week is my birthday week!  Yay!  I celebrate my birthday starting the weekend prior to it up until the end of the month.  Doesn't everyone?  Starting tonight, my birthday celebrations begin.  It also falls right in the middle of restaurant week here in Chicago... so lots of dinners with friends.  Looking forward to it all.  Tonight begins with some good ol' karaoke.  YEA!  Absolutely one of my favorite things to do.  Hahahaha.  I am not a good singer by any means.  But who cares!  LA LA LA LA LA!!  I will try to keep the posts coming since I have more outfit photos from NYC.  Thanks everyone for visiting and reading my ramblings, I love you all!  =)

-DOS

A HINT OF MINT

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!  I wanted to put up an outfit post for you all since it's been a while.  It is so hard to get out and do a shoot in the winter.  I am literally freezing in these first set of pics but I wanted you guys to be able to see my oversized sweater cardigan.  I've been wearing it a lot lately because it's so comfortable.  I like the texture and open weave pattern of this cardigan.  I just have to make sure not to snag it on something.  That's always my biggest fear with loose weave sweaters.  One wrong move... then snag!  It's the saddest feeling ever right?!  The poor Hubster was freezing right along with me.  Most of his shots are blurry because his hands were shaking.  Poor thing.  But what a trooper!  <3  And of course, gotta love my Chloe 'Marcie' purse.  This is the large size and it can hold my entire life.  It's my go-to bag when I am going to be out for the whole day.  

I also finally get to show you guys my House of Harlow shoes... yay!  I love the Oxford style and gold plate.  They are classic and simple booties in a neutral brown color and of course, it's a high heel.  What's there not to love?

I am also wearing my Calvin Tran coat.  I love this coat because it's got some cool faded stripes on one side and it is just very unique.  It's also really easy to just throw on over thick sweaters.  It comes with these cool gigantic safety pins which you can use to completely change the shape of the coat and also can be used to close up the coat.  Much like what buttons would do.  Next time I wear it, I'll have to show you guys what you can do with the pins.  That's one thing I love about Calvin's work.  It's all very transformative and fun!  If you are in Chicago, check out his store on Halsted and Webster.  You might get lucky and he might actually be there to help you pick out items.  He's super silly and definitely made me laugh when I met him.

Coat - Calvin Tran  |  Cardigan - Free People  |  Top - Club Monaco  |  Jeans - Current Elliot (color mint)  |  Shoes - House of Harlow  |  Purse - Chloe 'Marcie'  |  Scarf - Michelle Tan  |  Jewelry & Watch - Top Shop, Michael Kors, Nordstrom, F21

Thanks for reading!  <3

-DOS

Wednesday Wishlist 1/25/12

Wednesday Wishlist by Oh Sweet Escape

1.  DV by Dolce Vita Pascal Booties - $75 (Sale!)

2.  Guy and Eve Trista Ring - $34

3.  Whitney Eve Lacquard Hooded Poncho - $135

4.  Current Elliot Skinny Jean - $168

5.  Mulberry 'Alexa' Bag - $1250
6.  Madewell Chambray Shirt - $68

The reason why I picked this outfit was because my head is already into spring. I am anticipating that geometric knits are gonna be really hot this coming season. I also picked out pretty classic pieces like the chambray shirt, white skinnies, gold ring, booties, and mulberry bag because you can carry them forward into future seasons. I also think that statement jewelry pieces are a must so I picked out this gold, chunky ring to go along with this outfit.

---

DOS Interviews Oh Sweet Escape

Give yourself an "internet" name
This is a hard question! I would call myself fun police because that is what my husband calls me. Haha! Whenever he is having fun, I always around the corner to tell him to be shush and be quiet. My husband is extremely extroverted.
Describe your style
I love the effortlessly chic look. Anything goes for me as long as I am comfy. I am on the short petite side so I try not to wear anything with prints that are too overbearing and tend to wear fitted clothes. I love mixing expensive pieces of clothes and accessories with inexpensive finds. I also love anything sparkly and girly.
What are your favorite pair of shoes?
My favorite pair of shoes are my classic black leather riding boots that I wear just about everywhere! Can't go wrong there.
What are your must have items for this season?
Faux leather skinnies, loose flowy blouses, and lace-up booties.
What is something you always carry around in your purse that is non-typical?
Floss. Lol! Is that atypical? Not sure.....
If you could buy one thing fashion related with no budget, what would it be?
A rose gold Cartier love bracelet. It is so classic and I absolutely love rose gold anything!
Do you love DOS and why? (haha)
Because she knows how to have fun and doesn't take herself too seriously. I think everyone should learn how to do that more!

Thanks so much to Monica a.k.a. "Oh Sweet Escape" a.k.a. Fun Police for being my second "featured fashionista" on my Wednesday Wishlists.  I adore the poncho you picked out!  She always makes me so jealous with her beautiful California weather and her amazing cooking skills!  Please feed me when I am in Cali!  Leave her some comments on her beautiful WW choices!

-DOS

shrimp salad and sales

So last night I was at my new friend Jenny's place going over her wedding day schedule, watching sappy wedding videos online, and drinking wine.  It was super fun!  I got to know her more and the more I spend time with her, the more I see what everyone else sees.  Jenny is one of the sweetest people and she is so easy to talk to.  Her future hubby is one lucky dude.  But she's lucky too.  From the brief few sentences we said to each other, I could already tell that her future hubs is a great guy.  Very genuine and caring.  And something about the way they look and talk to each other makes me wanna go "Ew guys, stop being so cute".

Jenny made me the best shrimp salad ever and packed me some to go and I am counting the minutes until lunch time so I can eat it.  I mean look at it!  Yumm-O!

But what does this all mean to you?  It means I had zero time to blog.  Hahahaha!  So my apologies.  I usually post something in the morning for you guys.

I really should invest in a tripod since there isn't always someone around for a super classy photoshoot in the alley.  This was the only shot I took of my outfit yesterday.  I was wearing a super cute dress from AllSaints too.  My co-worker V can attest to this.  Drats!  Oh well, at least you can see the footwear.  I've worn these in another post before but too bad, here they are again.  I love them.  I can't even express to you how comfortable these shoes are.  AND they were on sale.  Originally $850 and I got them in California at Nordstrom for $330.  Score!!

They came like this too and I would have preferred the one with the dark brown laces without the GG print but sadly they weren't available in my tiny size.  But u can get them at Bergdorfs.  There is a size 8.5 and 11 left.  And they are on sale for $382.  The blue ones on the right are "eh" to me and on top of that they are only on sale for $680 at BlueFly.  Not worth it.

But don't you just love getting a good deal?  I mean yea I still spent $300 but down from $850?  Not too shabby.  And especially being able to find my size?!  "It makes me feel like I won!" (C.Domingo always says this... hahaha).  There are tons of sales going on right now.  I hope everyone is taking advantage.  A little wardrobe expansion never hurt anyone right?  Especially at great prices.  I'll share some of the items on sale right now that I'd definitely snatch up if I were you.

1.  Current/Elliott - The Bell Jeans - Buy at shopbop.com $166.60 or Barneys for $99!! (shopbop has the better looking pics)

I actually have these and I love them!  They are the perfect bell shape for me.  Shopbop has them at 30% off right now.  The thing with shopbop is that they go from 30% to 50% then final sale at 70% off.  Just gotta risk losing your size.  But clearly bell bottoms came back in style so if you need a good pair, snap these up.  Other sites that have them but sizes are limited:  Bloomies, singer22

2.  Lanvin - Woven Peep Toe Wedge - Buy at Barneys $569

These are super hot for the summer.  I picture some cutoff distressed denim shorts, simple white flowy v neck tee, wooden bangles, big gold hoop earrings... good... to... go!  And if you're short like me, I would wear these under the Current/Elliott Bell jeans.  You can also get these at Bergdorfs, and Neimans

3.  All Hail AllSaints!!  - Just get anything on sale here and I'll be happy for you.  Here are some of my favs from the sale dresses!!  These are from AllSaints Archive which I think has deeper discounted items.

Anula Dress - $135

Idun Trench Dress - $120

Metope Jersey Dress - $72.50 

Amka Trench Dress - $112.50

Laima Corset Dress - $90

I got this dress and just FYI, the corset is tight tight tight!  Blog Nazi definitely had to help me get into this.  But who needs to breathe anyway if you can look fab!

Oof!  This post took a lot of time!  But I hope you guys got something out of it.  Time to eat my salad!!  Thanks again Jennaaaaaay!

And this is what I deal with when I work from home.  My silly pup stared at himself in the mirror behind me and growled at himself for an hour.  I think he is on me because he is protecting me... from his own reflection?!  I wish he could tell me what he is thinking.

Yes, my shirt does say TAX.  Nerd alert!

-DOS