The Tiny Closet

Keep it simple is always my mantra when putting outfits together.  I even prefer simple pieces.

Like these three pieces:

top: Tiny Closet Collection / pants: Zara / heels: Santee Alley 

And these new heels definitely align with my need for less-is-more.  Aint they fresh?

 That all being said... since I insist on downplaying, simplifying, "chic-ing" my wardrobe style, I have never underestimated the power of healthy hair and a bright face to enhance my style.  I know this is old, old news that we've all heard from our mothers and grandmothers but I've been putting some time into vamping up my hair and makeup game lately.  To accessorize the less-is-more simplicity of my outfits.

Yes, yes my makeup and hair are still.simple. but I made a few tweaks - one being lashes.  I always thought fake lashes were wonderful for a date, an event, something special.  But I recently realized for me, they're a fabulous accessory.  I was amazed.  While experimenting with wardrobe styling, I was surprised to see that wearing fake lashes actually enhance my clothing - not just my face.

Simple can a lot of times just be simple, casual, maybe even boring or drab.  Nobody wants that.  

What makes simple chic is the natural details.  

So since I don't care too much for jewelry all the time, I love that I can still maintain my fresh, femme Tiny style with things I already have.  

More on beauty and my new hair routine later this week :)

A couple years ago, I wrote an article for a friend that included tips on how to reach your goals and achieve your dreams through your closet.

The guide and tips were pretty much centered around one theory that many of you have perhaps already heard or read somewhere: 

"Dress like the woman you want to be."

By doing this, you're then reminded of the woman you aspire to be every time you see yourself in the mirror.  

You get to see what the woman who has achieved what you want to achieve dresses like.  In yourself.

And more importantly, if clothing influences our actions (and I strongly believe it does) then if we're dressing like the women we want to be, we would then be influenced to act like the women we want to be as well, right?  So essentially we're utilizing our wardrobe to motivate and inspire us to realize our future.  I like that.

Anywaaaaaaay, I've been thinking about that theory a lot lately as I've found myself gravitating towards more of a concentrated look these days.  Envisioning this effortless, casual, chic, warm, understated glamour has been my point of focus and I've been wanting to be surrounded by it!  I guess I realized this style is kind of an ideal destiny for myself, and when I wear this look it makes me feel like it's all attainable, you know?

I have a lot of fun with my Tiny Closet and all the countless experiments I do to keep my wardrobe creative and versatile - but it's always clear when I wear something that makes me feel like the best version of myself.  It empowers me!  And I think that's my favorite thing about clothing and style: its incredible influence. 

And when you have a passion for a certain article of clothing, you tend to have way more in your wardrobe than you need.
Because it's not about necessity, it's about adoring big pants and wanting big pants all the time!  

Much like collecting art.  I guess.  Right?  I stand by my excuse.

Anyway...  These cage-like sandals that I bought off eBay have really found they're way all over my versatile ensembles.
I'm so happy for the mild Winters in L.A. that keep me cute cocktail shoes :)

I've worn them with: jeans, a mini and also a jumper.

This chiffon top has also gotten a lot of action.  Over the last several months.  One unlikely pairing I did over the Fall last year was wear it with tiny shorts.
And then, more likely, a pair of tattered jeans.

top: Santee Alley / pants: The Tiny Closet Collection / heels: eBay (Forever21) / earrings: Melrose Farmer's Market

I made these crazy pants using fabric I picked up in the Garment District.  Zany prints like this one always pull me in since they're displayed on the sidewalk outside the stores and they're priced super low.  I shamelessly plan to make many more of these gypsy gems throughout the year!

Happy Monday, y'all

It was actually a bit by accident.  During the fitting, I realized it looked kinda cool without the sides sewn up.  So I left it as is.  It's cute, yes?

tee: Tiny Closet Collection / jeans: American Apparel / wedges: Santee Alley 

Instead of a bra, I went with a simple white bandeau since the sides are completely open.  I put on my high waist jeans and some wedges and was off.  A minimal outfit that is just outside of "basic".  So for the warmer weather days, this is a creative alternative to jeans and tee.

This year, I've been spending the holidays cozy in homes with new friends, lots of food and lots of wine.  The call for formality, glamour, fancy.... 

well it hasn't been needed like in the years past.

So since I couldn't find a reason to buy a new special dress for all the holiday get togethers, I decided to whip up a couple cool , casual, Tiny ensembles from my all-season wardrobe.

summer dress  +  yoga tee  +  tights  +  boots  = 

holiday party wear!

I love white and black for holiday celebration - but it has to be an artful duo.  And with crimson red lips and some flashy art deco earrings will persuade the mind into a more celebratory state.  I adore these Gatsby-esque earrings!  

It's amazing how black tights and booties can transform your simple, fun Summer wear into chic, Winter wear.  Such is the Tiny way though, right?  

And speaking of the Tiny way, I've worn this all before....

tee with harem pants

dress with Summer sandals

booties with denim mini

I'll be coming back to Holiday wear so be sure to check out Part II of my "Tiny" holiday ensembles next week!

hope you enjoyed your weekend :)

Ahhhhhh.... after a visit from my mother-in-law, a stint with strep throat, and some great sewing projects completed, I am back, refreshed and excited to share some new pieces, ensembles and looks!

As you may already know, I recently cleared out my Tiny Closet to make room for some new treats.  And since my closet is already quite Tiny, it's even smaller now that I've done the revamp.  Sooooo I've been on a concentrated hunt for more pieces that I can adore and wear all year long.

The only problem is, I'm not really finding anything good.  You know?

I thought after nearly two years of super minimal shopping and finding new ways to enjoy all the awesome clothes I already had, I'd be revved up to welcome some new items to my wardrobe.... But all of a sudden many of the clothes I'm seeing are just not good enough to buy.  This leads me to a Tiny Closet golden rule:  

If you can't find what you're looking for.  Look harder.  Don't settle.

Don't buy something just because you're tired of coming up empty.  My life is full of compromises so when it comes to clothes, I relish in going for what I want.  Not whatever is there.

So voila.

tee: The Tiny Closet Collection / harem pants: American Apparel / flats: Breckell's / jewelry: Banana Republic and vintage 

On another note, I also got some new hair products!  Not sure if it's noticeable but my curls are a lot more defined lately.  Yes, this no-nonsense curly hair girl is venturing out past her 1-step hair routine and becoming more dedicated to keeping her curls soft and juicy.  I'll share my new wash n' go routine later so keep visiting to see!!

The only time I've ever worn a two-piece swimsuit in my adult life was back when I was visiting Boracay in the Philippines.  I had been exercising a sizable amount at the time and wanted to show off my upgraded physique.  The suit wasn't necessarily meant to be as stylish as it was meant to be skimpy!

Normally, I feel most fashionable and classy when wearing more clothing than just two itsy bisty pieces but since the Lanvin one piece I wanted was considerably outside my reach (it's a shame too...I would've rocked it, humph!)  This Summer, I decided to upgrade the pieces I already owned.  I kept the teeny tiny bottoms but found a more compelling topper: 

a Bollywood bustier.  

Take that, Lanvin.

I had been spying this sequined bustier for a while at one of the many costume design shops I pass by in L.A.'s downtown fashion district.  I didn't buy it for the longest time as I just couldn't figure out where the heck I would ever wear it....  I soon realized though, as I began planning my Summer swimwear, such a glitzy glam top would be absolute perfection for laying out and dressing up poolside ensembles.

I also used the remnant fabric that was left over from when I designed a muumuu/swim cover up and tied it over my shoulders for a shorter, wispier cover up.  The original muumuu is below.

coverup: The Tiny Closet Collection / bustier: Perial Company / bottoms: Aqua / earrings: Karla Deras for Roman Luxe

As the second installment of my mix and match style adventures, I am loving all the gold!  I was excited to put on Karla Deras for Roman Luxe's gold and lapis earrings again.  They were fitting for the occasion yesterday evening as I melted into the hot tub watching the sun go down.

I'm just getting started with this mix and match show and tell so 

Visit me again next week for another look into my experiments with swimwear!

Have a great weekend :)

 Our new, gorgeous park is nestled in between three buildings and now, my new favorite place to go.

We have a few big parks in downtown but none as close and as neighborhood-like.  For those of you who don't know L.A.'s downtown, it's not quite a community just yet.  After being abandoned for decades, it's only lately been growing into a new metropolis, made from ancient bank lofts and warehouses now filling up with artsy fartsy transplants like me and Theo.  We come from all over the world (none of us actually being California natives) to live in our quiet lofty spaces, do art and wear sunglasses so this new park is certainly changing the dynamic and making us all a bit warmer.  

 chambray: Shades of Grey / slip worn as a tank: Catherine Malandrino / skirt: The Tiny Closet Collection / shoes: Converse / accessories: bangles were for charity, 

cuff & necklace were bought in Philippines