The Tiny Closet

Yes, far away on the other side of the Pacific, on the tiny island of Boracay, I became acquainted with my very first pair of harem pants.  

These were so long, I mainly wore them as a jumper.  A harem jumper!

Now in L.A. I am still rocking this airy one piece.  In fact, I realize this is the exact same outfit I wore when I first introduced them to my closet.  

At the time I was barefoot...  This time, I think some tan heels are a seamless upgrade, yes?

heels: Aldo  

- all other items were collected from street stands

When I found these harem pants, it really was the beginning of a wonderful friendship.  These voluminous pants have been my besties going on two years now.  

My adoration for the style also spawned five more pairs of harems (surprisingly, way over the national average) and, contrary to style rule books everywhere, 

harem pants are definitely a basic staple in my wardrobe.  

Just goes to show how much you can learn about your own taste and style by being adventurous with clothes and not being afraid to love what you love!

I've decided to finally work to materialize, one by one, all of the random clothing design ideas I've been thinking up.  One random idea being a hybrid version of a muumuu.

If you followed me during my trip through the Philippines, you know how in love I am with muumuus, or, house dresses.  Also, since I'm in permanent pool weather now, I have been settling my attention for the first time on swimsuit coverups.  Coverups have never appealed to me before, I think because the concept of them was just never applicable to my lifestyle (stepping from the pool into some glitzy sandals and a coverup to grab a drink at a nearby beach bar or to take a stroll on the boardwalk - yeah, I can say I've literally never needed to do that before) until now.

So - with our rooftop pool and 90 degree weather in the shade, I am finding my beloved muumuus to be a bit overbearing with their full coverage and heavier fabric.  And while I like the sexy femininity of a sarong or coverup, it has no place in the city at dinner or happy hour.  

I  wanted something more transitional and multi-purpose than a suit coverup or a muumuu.

So I created this:

I wanted something sexier, prettier, something elegant to look at.

So while I am definitely still attached to all the more traditional muumuus I've collected over the past year, creating the muumuu 2.0 gives me a more transitional piece to wear stylishly everywhere.  In fact, I went to dinner in this particular piece.  Popped on my cropped jacket and oxfords and headed out to celebrate a bday.  I love when clothing is dynamic!  Don't you?

Such is the Tiny Closet way...

I will definitely be wearing my new and improved muumuus all Summer long so if you're needing to see more pictures, come back next week!!  
I will surely have more for your viewing pleasure :) 

After a few months of intensive people watching here in L.A., it's clear that I am not the only chick in town that craves comfortable, easy, sultry ensembles.  I am loving the beachy, loose and loungy styles I keep coming across.  It's like a perpetual Coachella - very bohemian indeed.

And normally, I steer clear of bohemian styles.  Taste-wise it's just never been my bag of tricks.  But bohemian looks have definitely evolved past the saturated gypsy/70s vibe and into an eclectic mix of looks that I very much enjoy currently.  People like Sienna Miller and Halle Berry are actually a great inspiration to me when branching out to find more sexy, comfy looks.

So on Taco Tuesday, while walking through downtown choosing which taco place to hole up in, I tried my hand at an eclectic bohemian mix.  Check it out!

It's about that time again (in California anyway) for sunny, carefree dresses and skirts.  During the Winter months, I use my Summer dresses as nightgowns - like here.  But since Summers in Seattle are a mere dot in the space time continuum, this skirt has mainly been nightwear.  

While getting dressed, Theo asked me why I was wearing my pajamas...  

They're not pj's anymore!

My bohemian mixture was a bit Southern with my fedora and tassled oxfords - mixed with a bit of Western with my prairie skirt and beach top.  Overall, a very easy bohemian brew.

I also did my hair :)

 top: Tiny Closet Collection / oxfords: CMG / 

necklace, skirt & fedora were bought at stands in the Philippines

I have recently been given the opportunity to travel...

for 3 months!!

In less than a month from now, Theo and I will be on our way to Borocay Island, one of the many islands of the Philippines.  Throughout our stay, we will also be visiting, Thailand and Japan which are just a hop skip and a jump away :)  Fun huh?  Not many Americans know about Borocay (pssst, its a bit like Hawaii).  Its a beautiful and luxurious secret - a hot vacation spot for China, Japan and Europe still, oddly enough the signs are mostly in English.  

For roughly two months we will be staying at a resort right on the beach and I know what you're thinking because you and I, we're so alike - um, hello: 

Resort Collection 

... yes please.

The exchange rate in Thailand and the Philippines cause heart palpitations for me and my Tiny Closet.  This is an important fact to know.  So I have started doing daily breathing exercises in preparation for the major (major) shopping I will be doing when I'm there.  And when it comes time to pack (15 minutes before leaving for the airport I'm sure - heehee, just kidding, Theo!) lets just say this will be the only time in my life that I will be packing light.  Super light.  When I touch down in Manila, it will be the beginning of my very first and oh-so-authentic Resort Collection.

But of course I couldn't wait to get there to start the official Collection.  I put an old AllSaints gift card to use and got a gorgeous maxi from the Archive Department.  I also couldn't wait to wear it either...as you can see.

Once again, I am mixing Summer with Winter.  It just works so well.  And while I'm on the subject, let me digress:  

The truth is, I just can't stand not wearing all the clothes in my closet just because of the season.  It seems like such a waste.  You know why?  Because inevitably (generally), we will not wear the same Winter clothes next Winter as we did this Winter.  And we won't wear the same Summer clothes this Summer as we did last Summer... for the most part.  I am of course leaving out the few amazing finds we all come across each year but reallllly, you're only wearing seasonal clothing for one season - which is a fraction of the year that you have to clothe yourself.  So how far is our money really going??Californian's you are exempt from this unfortunate reality.  I am talking about the states with seasons.  Bah!  It's a waste and I won't do it.  Whether the Tiny Closet is a choice or a circumstance, its a lifestyle and I'm prescribing :)

You'll be seeing Part II of this dress, you just wait!  I will wafting over white sands, sans beanie and leather jacket.  It'll be flowing, I'll be wafting, blah blah blah, I'll show ya when I get there. 

dress: AllSaints / leather jacket: Ever (Sway & Cake boutique) / beanie inside: Free People / 

beanie outside: AllSaints / earrings: AllSaints

And this goes without saying, I will of course be chronicling all of my exotic travels, 

fashion finds and outfits.  Can't wait to share!!

If you like what you see, leave a comment!