The Tiny Closet

I feel like I've been cropping everything from jeans to skirts to tops!  Including this men's shirt.  I love wearing this cropped button up with everything in my Tiny Closet!  And these harem pants went amazingly with the top last weekend.

I recently decided to let someone else do my hair.  Eeee!  After 5 years of personally cutting, styling, and raising a head of natural healthy locks, I'm moving on to other important things and trusting it to someone else.  I randomly made an appointment with Drybar, a blow drying salon (I thought that stuff was for straight-haired girls!) and I'm hooked!!

I usually prefer the smaller curls but these loose big curls are fabulous too.  So lush looking.  And also, having a professional take to my strands was shocking.  My hair was silkier than I've ever seen it - even my husband was shocked at the quality difference.  Anyway, I'm feeling it.  This slightly different look is a nice alternative to my norm.

 shirt: Pink / harem pants: American Apparel / sandals: Nine West

And these sandals with silk straps are so sultry!  I've had them for get this,

13 years

yep, truly a Tiny Closet treasure.  See how I've worn them in the past with a draped jumpsuit, and also with a mini skirt. 

Just goes to show, if it still works, why throw it out?  

Keep working it!

And with that I, bid you a very happy Monday :)

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

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!!

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!

Crop tops and harem pants.  Over the 90 degree weather weekend, I wore them together.

Why didn't I do this sooner??

I repurposed a denim tank dress as a cropped denim tank.  I've had crop-top fever lately and since I hadn't worn this item as a dress in ages anyway, I thought I'd reinvent it before throwing it out for good...I actually think it may have been better as a dress though :-/   What do you think?  

Eh, you repurpose, you learn I suppose. 

crop denim tank: thrift/repurposed / bangles: Philippines / sunnies: RayBan / harem pants: Philippines / wedges: Castaner

These harems however, will never get old.   I swear it!  This is #2 of 6 in my growing collection.  These can actually cover my body as a tube jumper.  But that look really is for the beach I think.  I love the elegant drape they have when worn as pants.  

And they actually pair beautifully with my linen lace up wedges. This is a comfy outfit all in all.  The crop was a bit high so I wore a casual lace bustier type bra underneath.  

You can actually see it peaking  out from under which is kinda fun :)

...In other news, I am FINALLY finished with a wonderful project I've been focusing on as of late.  Can't wait to show you tomorrow the long awaited fruit of my labor.  

It was so fun and I learned a ton so please come visit again tomorrow to check it out!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend :)

Attempting to push the boundaries of my normal styling tendencies, I decided to restyle some favorite pieces of mine into a look unfamiliar.  

I think I succeeded.

An unfamiliar aesthetic made up of many of my favorite looks: 

androgyny, men's formal, minimalism, Eastern, exotic.

It was a bit hard to keep a straight face while walking around downtown in this yesterday but I have to say, it's now one of my favorite ensembles.  I felt like Charlotte Rampling!  Just so exquisitely sophisticated and mysterious and super cool.

It's outfits like these that when looking in the mirror, I see my future self.  The person I envision myself to dress like later in life, when I'm peaking and at the top of my game.  Clothes can really be interesting in that respect because they have the power to influence our behavior and state of mind.

mens shirt: PINK / harem pants: Bottega Veneta / flats: Trotters / sunnies: Rayban

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am incredibly drawn to this weird look I've concocted.  In fact, I need to create more of these looks because it's here to stay.

So I decided to save a few memories of our new ritual - without robbing other restaurant patrons of their private meal time - and I snapped a couple pics.  Pics of the place we go, the noodles we eat and my obviously unkempt eyebrows.  Sorry about the last one  :-/

I love high-lo layering - meaning, my cropped denim jacket with my maxi tee is a casual duo that go perfectly together.  My Bottega Veneta harem pants are a delicious go-to as I loves me harems.  Did you know?

So happy happy Friday!  Do something indulgent today and love it!
I'm preparing to do the same :)

See ya back here on Monday!

My travels through the tropics have definitely changed my attitude towards color - more specifically wearing it.  But having returned, I remember why it took me 20 years to take to it - I guess colors are easier to appreciate when you're not viewing life through a gray lens.  And I aint' knockin' ya, Seatown - actually, I'm paying tribute.  Out of my entire family, I was the only one raised in the Northwest so, you know, my taste comes with a territory (or should I say from a territory) and does explain why I'm the only one in the fam that wears as much black and gray as I do.  Maybe it's just me (and I'm sure it is) but bright, vibrant colors just look off here.  Seeing colors in their natural habitat however, was one of the most influential, inspiring things that has ever happened to me in fashion so of course, I've cherished the experience and gained insight and I've even brought it back with me to the land of perpetual clouds - but you know, when in Rome Seattle, I can't fight my natural inclinations so I shall do what I do best :)

Wear black like it's going out of style.

Recognize the harem pants?  How many do I have at this point, anyway??  More than the national average, I'm sure but fiddly-dee-deeee, the point is I love them and you couldn't possibly have recognized them because they are brand new!!!  I chose these deliciously soft wool harems by Bottega Veneta with part of my gift card from Beso.com.  Officially, my Tiny Closet's most prized possession and yeah, harem pants are surely on their way out just as fast as they came in but why should I care?  When something fits my mental and comfort state so perfectly, that's always in style to me.  It's fun keeping up with the fast times at fashion high but when something works, I'm a lover not a fighter. 

To view more styles that make my heart pitter-patter, click here!  Oh and here too!

Your thoughts are like little gifts. 

Leave them here and I will cherish them!

Last night was date night.  Yeah!  Bow-chicka-wow-wow...  But no.  

I mean yes!  

Theo just loooves me in my eccentric-version-of-sweats outfit.  He shakes his head as I write this...sigh.  Don't know what fancy sweats look like?  Check it out:

 My Tiny Closet and I have had these earrings since H&M first opened in the states.  I love them, obviously and after all these years, they are still in tact.  Amazing.  And this scarf?  A staple.   I've said this so many times and I'll say it again.  Leopard goes with almost everything.  That's a lot, right?  See for yourself, I wore it here with a pair of peach pants.

 Walking around town, I got a little Seattle nostalgia and decided to take a picture in front of the original Starbucks.  Ah, back when Starbucks was just a lil mom n' pop coffee shop.  As the sun went down, we finally decided on a restaurant for dinner:

 La Medusa.  

Eating comfort food in my comfort clothes.  It was the perfect date night.  And Theo was there too :)

If you're in Seattle, this place is yummy.  Order Grandma's Greens!

Don't forget to leave a comment!

This morning I was in an easy, breezy mood.  So I went with it.  

I've always wanted to own a hat just like this but I always thought having one would be a complete waste of money.  And you know what?  It is.

But who cares!

 Oh what a bore my Tiny Closet would be if I never exercised frivolity!  

Sure, a closet filled with clothing and shoes that went with everything and could be worn all year round would be convenient and economical and blah blah blah...

But I would be lacking that special, tingly naughty feeling you get when you know you bought something that completely stands out and makes no sense to have.   So I believe that to have a complete closet, one needs a few outlandish, indulgent, absolutely splendid items ...that don't go with anything!

My earrings, by the way are from H&M.  You can see them up close and personal in an earlier post, here.

Can you imagine this thing bobbing through the streets in Seattle?  Ha!  Me neither and I'm okay with that.  The next time I wear this will be when I'm back in paradise.  That's what makes it so special.

Like my new hat?  Leave me a comment!