The Modern Koi

     (Blazer/ Necklace/Bracelet - Forever 21 | Top - ANGL | Zipper Pants - Zara | Heels - Nine West)

As mentioned in my previous post of my Christmas wish list, I am currently on a hunt for blazers. Although I haven't found the perfect over-sized one yet, I stumbled upon this rusted red one at Forever 21. The asymmetrical cut on the collar gives it an edgy feel, which I love. Paired it with these black stretching pants with zipper details from Zara. The cold weather makes you want to wear stretchy pants all day, and luckily I found these just in time. I call them my " hip stretchy pants". Threw on this gold fish scale layered necklace I got a while ago at Forever 21 to play off of the gold zippers on the pants. I've also been incorporating this leather studded bracelet in all my outfits recently, kind of a staple item for me.

Looks like this will my last post of 2011! Hope everyone is gearing up for the upcoming year. I'm imagining all the glitz and glamor and shiny dresses being put on display on NYE!

I've got lots of exciting events coming up in Janurary, and I can't wait to share it! Also booked myself a plane ticket to Chicago next month as a self Christmas gift =)

To end the year on an upbeat not, I've been listening to a lot of Kaskade's old work, and this is by far one of my favorite songs. Not exactly the usual jazzy stuff I've been sharing, but I hope this hypes everyone up for the new year <333

xoxojoannie

Lined with Gold

(Sweater/Skirt/Necklace - Forever 21  | Boots - Franco Sarto | Clutch - Deux Lux)

Seasons Greetings! It's only been a week since my last post and it has seemed like forever. My sincere apologies, been overwhelmed with last minute Christmas shopping and attending family holiday festivities for the past week! But now I am here with this conservative yet edgy, budget holiday outfit. Aside from the shoes and the clutch, you can snag this outfit at your local Forever 21 for under $50. Cause personally, I know that our wallets have nearly been sucked dry due to Christmas Gifting! However, we still need swanky outfits for our gatherings. Necklace was about $7, Sweater was like $20, and Skirt was a spanking $16 = $43! For those girls that like a bit of boyish edge to your outfits, I decided to pair this outfit with boots instead of heels with a bit of my black sock peeping out. I decided to play with gold accessories because the sweater has gold thread knitted into it ( but can't see it here). Gold lining is perfect for the holiday spirit! This layered necklace with green gems adds a classy feminine feel to the look. Happy Holidays!

Oh, and here is more music for the soul <3

xoxojc

The Best Nights are the Simplest

( Blazer - F21 | Heels - Nine West | Dress - Courtesy of Very.com)

I've been holding on to these items for the longest time, waiting to pull them out when the Holidays came along. This gorgeous dress from Very.com is the perfect dress for the holiday dinners and get-togethers. I took this dress with me this weekend on my trip for my friends birthday. The lace golden details and the low back makes the dress all the more feminine.  Not to mention the silk bow which is probably my favorite detail about the dress. Decided to pair it with a simple blazer that had the same silky detail as the bow. In addition, these Nine West heels are probably my favorite shoes at the moment. They could be worn casually or formally. 

Christmas is coming! Hope everyone has done their shopping, unlike me. Doing my last minute runs around the mall tomorrow! 

Currently listening to " Lovely" by John West. Soothing jazzy goodness. 

<3 jc

To Infinity

(Hat - H&M | Shirt&Cardigan - F21 | Scarf - Yesstyle | Bracelet - Bauble Bar | Boots - Franco Sarto)

Infinity scarves are a must have for the fall/winter. However, le Chicago Boy raised a good question, are they called infinity scarves cause you have to twist it to make two loops when you wear it? Or is it because its a circle, so there's no end to it? What ever it might be it's been a staple item for me in this semi harsh Southern California chill. This is a typical outfit for me during my normal daytime festivities. I guess you can tell it's one of those boyish days for me. Just a quick update! 

<3 jc

In a Nutshell: My Christmas Wish List

( boots-Zara | heels-Jimmy Choo | Dress-ASOS | Clutch-Tory Burch | Blazers-H&M| Palette-Urban Decay)

Christmas is just around the corner, and when you're young its a holiday of receiving. With your wish list compiled with toys and unrealistic needs, you tend to open the oddly shaped ones first because you know its not clothes. Since I'm older now, I lust for those normal rectangle boxes because I KNOW its' clothes. I guess you can say, this is my grown up Christmas wish list, some definitely affordable at the moment...some not so realistic but a goal to eventually reach. This fall I've been scouting for boyfriend blazers from all over trying to find ones with the perfect fit but have not had much luck yet. I also saw these boots from the ZARA website and I can say it's definitely up there on my list (probably the first thing that I will get for myself). With everyone raving about the Urban Decay Naked palette, it's also on my list along with the Naked 2. The Tory Burch clutch is also up there on my list, however I have not decided on the cream or black one quite yet. Lastly, the dress from ASOS and the heels from Jimmy Choo are on my " THE PRICE IS CRAZY! BUT ITS SO PRETTY!" part of the list. One day....

In the meantime, I hope everyone is in the holiday spirit! I'll be definitely posting up some Christmas gift ideas when I  have the time.

<3

xoxojc

I'm Off To See The Wizard

 

 

(Fur Scarf - H&M | Jeans/Denim Flannel/Shoes - F21 | Necklace - T&CO)

Finally got these shoes in the mail the other day! Red or burgundy shoes always tend to remind me of the Wizard of Oz (I guess it fits the color scheme of this outfit as well). Found this faux scarf at H&M. Although I've never really been a fan of fur ( because it makes me look like a fur ball) I actually really liked this scarf and how warm it instantly made me feel when I tried it on. Since it's a scarf, it isn't too much fur. I've also been cuffing my bottoms a lot lately.  I'm super excited for the holidays, even though I haven't really started shopping yet! I need to get on it. In the mean time, I'll be back with some inspirational pictures and items stocked on my Christmas Wish List later this week! The weekends really go by too quickly, but happy SUNDAY!

<3

xoxojc

The XX of Summer

( Boots - Franco Sarto | Top/Skirt - F21 | Hat - H&M)

Took advantage of the last of the Summer air. Looking at the weather, it's going to be high 50's low 60's here in California next week. Snatched this top from F21 during their black Friday buy one get one free sale. It's supposed to be a crop top but I got it in a large to have it hang loosely. It seems like I've been throwing in this skirt with a lot of my outfits lately! This is more of a laid back outfit of the day. Going to definitely miss the summer warmth here. Been listening to The XX today. Forgot how catchy their tune " heart skipped a beat" was. 

Happy Wednesday! Enjoy! 

xoxojc

A Mermaid on the Weekends

(Skirt/Denim Jacket/Boots/Belt - F21 | Sleeveless Button up - UO | Necklace - T&CO)

Photos Taken By: Justin C.

This Saturday, my day consisted of exploring LA's Little Tokyo and indulging the goods of the city (ramen, ice cream mochi , Japanese pudding). Almost went into a state of food coma, but managed to still strut along the festive streets and wander into the unique gift shops. We stumbled into this "wishing tree" and found some interesting wishes. " I wish that my family could turn into mermaids whenever they wanted to. - Sammie", was one of my favorites. Thank you to Oprah's Friend (le boy from Chicago) for snapping these pictures for me. To be honest, it was a beautiful day but a too little chilly to be wearing a skirt. However, I loved pairing this emerald green and burnt orange together because they contrasted perfectly with one another ( and you know how I love my contrasting colors). Hope everyone had a weekend as amazing as mine was! 

xoxojc