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3.15.2018

Styling Intuitively

When I go super casual, I of course try to balance it with a great hair style, a bright, fresh face and a pop of accessory of some kind.
Because it's surprising how fast a jeans-and-tee look can go from fun and casual to frumpy and dodging an ex in the grocery store.  
And "casual" doesn't mean you don't need to put at least a little somethin into it.  

Seeing street style photos of celebrities looking drop dead fabulous in regular looking getups - it aint the clothes or their beauty.  We are all gorgeous first of all.  It's their inherent style that makes us wild with envy and style goals.  It is style that is lead by intuition.  Because that's what it is.  Simply knowing what works, really well, for you.
I talk about "effortless" quite a lot.  And really, all it is is intuition.  Good style can be seen in anything - even if all you're wearing is a bath robe.  Or maybe jeans and a tee.  

It's much less about the labor.  

The majority of street style shots proves this: candid photos of women who simply style themselves intuitively.
I mean, I think we all agree that no one wants to work hard at looking good.  Plus we shouldn't even have to.  It was never about that anyway.

Come visit again next Thursday where I'll be starting a new series of posts on the versatility and plethora of styles in minimalism and a Tiny closet!

Oh!  And there's a sale going on at The Tiny Closet Shop (plus a couple restocks of favorites!)
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1.25.2018

Silk & Denim

Have you ever had that strange, sparkly feeling that the beginning of something wonderful is happening?  Like, not just something wonderful but something fated.

Okay, before this gets too cryptic, Theo, Finn (our dog) and I were taking a long walk around the city and came across a new shopping center.  I was wearing one of my favorite outfits: The Studio top by The Tiny Closet Shop, a pair of vintage jeans from Virgo, where I buy all my vintage jeans and Chucks.
So we were walking... And the stores in this brand new indie-owned high end shopping center were gorgeous.  And as I passed by an empty store that hadn't yet been moved into, I got a strange and yes,  sparkly feeling that something here was meant for me. 

Actually, the only other time I felt this was a year before I met my husband.  This weird, exciting feeling that I was fatefully walking towards him already.

And then, there he appeared.  
I don't usually share like this - and we weren't intending on taking photos - but there we were, walking by these artful shops and I felt like there was some serious foreshadowing going on.  

Life is so interesting and everyday really is full of possibilities.  I've always flown by the seat of my pants with very little planning and a whole lot of heart and curiosity buuuuut

Lately, it's been nice walking in a more finite direction.  With more intention.  Anyway, our walk that day solidified my current feelings.  About my shop, my clothing line, and realizing that my hobbyist nature has grown up a bit and decided to commit to something!  Yasss honeys - I did not come to play!
 So this is a random post this week - I had planned to discuss something slightly different but I shoot from the hip and old habits do die hard.  A favorite of my posts comes to mind that may be helpful to read (if you haven't already).  It discusses one of my Tiny Closet truths in dressing to improve your life and if this post was too random - check this one out and I hope it inspires.

Thanks for reading!
Join me next Thursday as I begin to glamorize my closet and my life for the new year :)
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11.19.2014

Easy Like Monday Morning

There have been quite a few new vegan and vegetarian restaurants opening up in my hood lately.  Yep, it's getting pretty fancy 'round here!  Monday morning, we hit up my a favorite and sat long enough to recharge.

As Theo sipped his delicious coffee and sugary pop-over, I persevered my green juice sauce and we snapped some photos of my efforts.
jacket: Ever / tee: Zara / jeans: Flying Monkey

 Not much of a fashion post today but I'd like to take more photos of those days when I'm just chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool.  Ya feel?  Similar to the earlier days of the Tiny Closet.  On the off-duty times when my style is still signature but much less thought out, the comfort and effortlessness of whatever I've thrown on reveals an honest personal style.  And, like the Olsen twins pointed out for their approach to style, there is luxury and beauty in that.  

So while I was lounging with my guy that sunny morning, laughing at my spinach/kale/parsley cocktail (what kind of self-righteous flower child would willingly drink this??  I would...*sigh*), I did feel surprisingly beautiful.  Feeling like a queen in just a tee and jeans, well that aint' a bad way to start the morning!

And a good day to you!
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7.24.2014

Jeans & Tee: Another Version


In the spirit of Summer, when wearing a jeans and tee ensemble, my denim is ripped and my tees are shorter.  This time however, 
I chose to wear a mens button up that I cropped myself and ended the look with a simple nude, heeled sandal.

As much has the jeans-and-tee combo are oh-so-basic, the duo is also pure classic.  Always in style and absolutely seasonless, this is one outfit that can be personalized a plethora of different ways.  And you know how I feel about personalizing a look.  A better word: style.

Jeans and a tee is all about style.  


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5.14.2014

Upgrade Your Tee & Cutoffs

The days have been like Summer here and the nights are barely cool.  I haven't been too interested in wearing lots of clothing.  But when am I ever??  Ah yes, I am a 1 to 2 piece gyal so I've been welcoming this sudden signature Summer camp weather... 
...with cutoffs and a tee. 
but I thought an upgrade was definitely in order, yes?


Instead of a fitted crew neck tee, I chose my asymmetric heavily draped tee-like top.  My cutoffs that day were more demure, if not a bit boyish only because I thought I'd take my new saucy, strappy heeled sandals out for a spin (and my other shorts are practically panties).  A nice juxtaposition.


I came across these sandals in Santee Alley.  The strappy, criss-cross caged trend is everywhere in all sorts of prints.  I love it finally in python print!  

For those trends that aren't for me in the long run, I like to have fun with them in a less expensive capacity.  Maybe even a disposable way (exhibit A: a frivolous hat I wore a few times and gave away within a month).  And that's fine with me when exercised only a few times a year.  Half the fun of fashion is styling yourself outside your box from time to time.

Anyway, this was very subtle but I had fun with these lace ups.

top: Asos / jeans: "K" some Japanese brand / sandals: Santee Alley

lips: Milani Flamingo Pose / nails: Revlon #571 Posh 

I've so been enjoying my new cropped cut!  But even more, this sizzling, bright weather has been giving me life.  I want my makeup and accessories to be equally vivid and vibrant.

I've been exploring fun color coordination again with my beauty routine.  Can't wait to show you some new ideas I'll be playing with this Summer!



 It's always fun to alter classic looks with a trendy "now" twist.  That's what's so amazing about my lil Tiny Closet.  

I've had both this top and shorts for over 5 years and yet I've never worn this outfit before.  

The endless, simple ensembles I can get from a paired down wardrobe and some creative imagining never cease to surprise me.   
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1.13.2014

Heels and a Letterman

Last weekend I picked up a letterman jacket "for her".  I'd never seen one so tiny and fitted!  I instantly loved it.

I felt so fresh and sexy, I had to play it up with some heels and red lips.




 
I haven't broken out these heels in a long time.  Funny, 10 years ago I was in college thinking hard on these during a sale at Aldo and after all this time, here they still are. 
It seems the tan leather has only gotten better with age. 
 
I love it when that happens.
 

 
Thrown over my "uniform" made up of a James Perse scoop neck tee and jeans, a letterman jacket really stylizes a basic ensemble.  I had fun with this themed look because I realized pretty quickly, it's kinda for the boys.  I've never received so many compliments from men during a shoot.  And by compliments, I mean hooting out of their car.  Ridiculous.  This would be fun for a Friday night movie date or happy hour at a sports bar.  
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6.03.2013

Speed Walking In Wedges

Rushing to work yesterday, I asked Theo to gab some quick shots of my hustle.

shirt: PINK / denim: Asos.com / wedges: Et Fiancees / bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAB / sunnies: RayBan

This was a simple but changeable ensemble.  In the paper shopper bag, are my Pumas and some socks. My job, while super fun is definitely not glamorous.  So, at work I hang up my button up and sport my James Perse tee, take off the wedges and pop on my Pumas and I'm ready to carry fabric bolts, make runs to the warehouse for orders and cut, cut, cut (pssst, by the way I work at a fabric store).

Then after work, I put back on my wedges, cover my tee with this crisp shirt, throw on my RayBans and I'm back in the world :)




Simple, but it does the duty of making me feel put together and flattering.  Plus, wedges are so much easier to slip on and off at the beginning and end of the day.  And when I'm running late and I don't have time for dainty stepping, a sturdy wedge is comfy enough to strut in speedily!

***************************

Trying to get back on my weekday posting schedule again.  I just absolutely have to say 
THANK YOU 
to all the visitors and readers for leaving me a birthday comment last week.  My heart was singing for days!  I am so very lucky to have such fabulous, inspiring, intelligent, witty, readers it's really a pleasure making my posts, not only because I love it but also because I get to write for amazing women like you. Thank you so much for all of your thoughtful emails and comments aaaaand 

wonderful advice on entering my 30s in style :)
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4.03.2013

The American Classic... A Version

Getting ready for some grocery shopping in the Arts District, I practically ransacked my closet for a crisp white, drapey tee to wear with my oldie drop crotch All Saints jeans.... 

I hadn't really worn this style in a while but after making a nice white tee from some delicious drapey silk/cotton blend fabric, I was totally in the mood for this classic duo.


There's something about a crisp white tee with jeans on a woman.  So American.  Classic American.  Jeans and a white tee is one of the few American fashions I favor and feel great wearing.  There's an effortless, rugged, natural beauty about this style.  So I guess it's no surprise that I love it.

I snatched up these Dr. Suess-like sandals instantly while in Zara last Summer.  I don't think I'll ever let them go.  These sandals are such a nice surprise to any ensemble and I also wore them with a denim dress here.


And a side note...


I've been getting a lot of questions on how I style my hair.  Some of you already know my thoughts on natural hair: 
I wash it, I dry it, I go.  Nothing more really.  It's hair, you know?  I let it do its thing.  I don't twist, braid, set or do anything to my hair other than wash it.  But I do make sure to detangle it every other day while washing.   

On that note, I do want to say, my hair had recently become near to impossible to detangle and felt overall, rough and stiff.  Yikes!  As I scrambled to figure out the problem, I quickly realized my Tangle Teezer brush that I'd been using for months was wreaking major havoc on my curls.  I stopped using it immediately, picked a restructuring conditioner by Dove at Target and literally, in a day, my hair was back to normal.

So, while I don't have the most involved hair routine, I have discovered some pretty cool secrets:

1.    Do not use the Tangle Teezer 
I guarantee it works for no kind of curly hair
&
2.    Dove Hair Therapy: Intensive Repair Conditioner works.like.magic.
on the bottle it says "95% fewer split ends" and "hair renewal within first use".... they are frickin right.  All the heaping damage my Tangle Teezer caused (as well as my neglect) was practically reversed within one wash.  Now my hair is shinier and more curly than it was originally.



So now that my hair is healthy and back to it usual tricks, I can get back to what really matters... clothes!  Ahhhhhhh.
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2.25.2013

Wear Your Power Colors


After several posts I've done over the year about color (I Love Color In The Springtime / Pop! / Colors)   I wanted to talk a bit about POWER color! 

Earlier last year, I admitted that wearing vibrant colors had never been quite second nature.  Until I traveled to the tropics (Asia specifically) wear color was everywhere and I couldn't help participating.  

And even though I'd known that power colors existed (a color that identifies and magnifies one's personality or signature essence) 
I just always thought mine was black.  

It's not.  

Just because you feel most comfortable in a particular color doesn't necessarily mean it's your power color.  


Usually a power color takes guts to wear.  It takes you a bit out of your comfort zone... 
because it highlights your power zone!



Obviously, I don't wear puce or fuchsia a lot.  But when I do, I feel different and my environment feels different as well.  People react differently.  In a positive way.  And while I believe that every single one of us looks fabulous in many different colors, we all have just a few power colors.  

blazer: vintage / top: Tiny Closet Collection / denim: United Colors of Bennetton / heels: Aldo 

 Anyway, for the past few days, I've been feeling slightly deflated so today I wanted to get back the vibrance and wear a color that could help me do just that.  
Just some food for thought :)  

What's your power color??

Happy Monday!
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