The Tiny Closet

The contents of a woman's bag (and it's arrangement) can reveal a lot. 

A couple weeks ago, I was doing some online browsing of this season's handbags. A bag has to go with your life. It needs to help you. Improve you. Or else it really just ends up being, well, baggage. And who needs that?

So while considering the size bag I would need to weather my fabulously creative, everyday, adventurous, but hopelessly casual life, I went into my closet and got out the bag I've been using for the last 6 or so years (a Rebecca Minkoff MAB) and dumped out all the contents...

But..but I'm such an organized minimalist. 

What happened??

Fabric samples and measuring tape from daily fabric trips for clients, cards and cash here and there, tissues, dog treats and tic tacs scattered with loose parking change. Not to mention a random, clearly not meant for travel Nesquik bottle of syrup... But let me explain. 

Because I own with purpose (meaning I do not buy random stuff I don't need), all of this stuff, despite being in disarray, is necessary. For one reason or another. So instead of upgrading my bag just yet, I decided to upgrade my habits first. Meaning, I'm not going to buy another $500+ bag to open it up and have it look like the scene above okay? I will rather have it look like this breath of fresh air below:

clockwise: Milani "Black Cherry" lipstick / L'Oreal "I Like It Chunky" nail color / Acqua di Parma deoderant / Paul & Joe blotting paper / Cufflinks Inc. Paper Clip money clip / Bottega Louis milk chocolate covered raisins

Chocolate covered raisins from my favorite cafe/patisserie, Bottega Louis - instead of the Nesquik travesty. If I'm going to indulge, why not have something special? Blotting paper by Paul & Joe instead of the balled up tissue paper. Dog treats are now kept in a black cinch sac I found from an old pair of earrings. (yay! my mints won't taste like dog treats!) My samples are neatly safety-pinned and my cards and cash are pinned by a Cufflinks Inc. money clip (I hate wallets). Tic tacs are upgraded to mini Altoids in a tin and I splurged and bought some herby perfume scented deodorant by Acqua di Parma. Not shown are my keys, measuring tape, hand sanitizer and lady necessities which are all kept in pockets/compartments for easy use. Ahhhhhh.

With my cute little treats all classy and organized, I have a much better idea of what my next bag will be.

More on that later!

I turned 31 years old last week.  

I thought I'd stop feeling like a kid by now but I'm starting to think I'll always feel this way.  

Thank God, right?

With the terrible weather we've had lately, I've been keeping myself inside, bouncing between my sewing machine and my computer.  

While the rain continues to pour, I am getting totally inspired and ramped up for Spring and Summer! 

It's been a full year since I moved to L.A. and after going through all the seasons, I can now predict each (predictable) season going forward.  

It's much easier now as I think up a new arsenal of pieces - plus, I can finally implement a new routine for my Tiny Closet...

I'm reading about it more and more and I thought I'd adopt the concept for myself.  That concept being that with each new item I add to my wardrobe, I will donate an old item that I'm falling out of love with.  So each new article of clothing will replace an older article of clothing.  Anyway, I thought it would be fun to show how collecting a few pieces through each season can still keep my collection small while maintaining endless options for styling!  

Starting with Spring/Summer seasons:

 Pastel Biker Pants

 I love asymmetric tees - especially when they're paired with skin tight pants.  The dropped back tee from Asos goes perfectly with a pair of sky blue biker pants from Zara's Spring line.  The cropped jacket from Zara will go with everything!

Statement Skirt

 This Zara skirt is so versatile!  It can even be worn with just the cropped jacket buttoned up as a cropped top.  Chambray and twill are naturals together so it only seemed right to have them in a Spring/Summer collection.  Since they're also very simple items, they can be put with statement pieces like this skirt.

Dress Shorts

These fancy asymmetric shorts are a refreshing design and again, can be dressed up and dressed down so easily.  To wear the dropped back tee with these shorts is fun and artistic looking.  Lots of drape!  The cropped jacket is again finding its way into another ensemble - as well as those trusty high tops.

So like I mentioned before, the number of ensembles is surprisingly plentiful when it comes to just 9 items to work with.   Having a visual like this helps me maintain simplicity and my minimalist ways while I begin to refresh my closet.  

Hopefully it will give you some ideas as well of just how many ways you can rock the same things.  Especially when you're shopping for new things!

This silk over shirt has really helped to upgrade my style on those lazy days when I just want to wear a sleeping bag...

This deep, exquisite green Illamasquah nail color is my favorite green.  It's a chore to put on with all the layers it needs but I really should wear it more.  

It's versatile and such a gorgeously unique color.

top shirt: Robert Rodriguez / tank dress: FIDM / denim: All Saints / flats: Romwe.com / hat: H&M

Speaking of versatile, this tank dress has been helpful on more than one occasion:  with shorts and also harems and heels.  And I also sleep in it.

All in all, a perfect example of a Tiny ensemble!  Made up of trusty pieces that can be put together in a myriad of ways, 

I truly do have a closet that will always give me something great to wear. Tiny as it may be.

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

tee: Tiny Closet Collection / dress: Urban Outfitters / boots: Santee Alley



And with my new hair styling, it's inspired an inclination to a more bohemian, artsy style.

Pairing two faves together, my Tiny Closet Collection jersey tee and a chiffon tank dress, it was perfect for hanging out in all afternoon in the Arts District last week.

I've been in Seattle for the past week enjoying my sorely missed friends and family.  It's funny, this ensemble actually makes me nostalgic of the style here. 

I'll be sharing some photos from my hometown beginning on Monday so come back next week to check out my Northwest-vaca style!  
It is after all, where The Tiny Closet all started :)

From day 1, I was a girl who absolutely had to be comfortable.  Coco Chanel certainly said it best when she spoke of comfort.  One quote that I will never forget is 

"If it's not comfortable, it's not luxury."  

I couldn't agree more.

Everyday of my life in fashion is a process of clever schemings.  New ways to be fashionable, feminine and compelling - all while being... comfy.
Comfort must be where I exist, otherwise, my clothes become a cage.  

I must be free!

This buttery lambskin leather midi has an incredible drape and fit.  It's easy, versatile and last week I realized it aint half bad when ensembled with some sneakers and a button up.  Listening to M.I.A. during a night-time photo shoot, I did what I do best in my clothes: dance.

I also got some awesome new basic nail colors from American Apparel Factory store down the street.  That place is like 7 American Apparels under one roof.
I adore these colors for everyday wear: navy, yellow, and white.

 jacket: Muubuu / tee: James Perse / denim: AllSaints Men / booties: Santee Alley / bag: Dooney & Bourke

I have worn this graphite colored jacket with everything but I like it best with some slouchy drop-crotch denim and a plain white tee.  Preferably a tee by James Perse.... or The Tiny Closet Collection ;)

I've actually worn almost this same outfit before a couple years ago in "The Boyfriend Look" post.  Changing the look a bit with my staple black booties.

If you'd like to see this jacket worn with some other versatile ensembles from my Tiny Closet, check out these links here:

worn with maxi dress & scarf

worn with white short dress

worn with black long dress

I have been starting a new venture with The Tiny Closet that I am really excited to share with you.... this week!!  So please continue to check back for the news.

It's good to be back!

As I've been slowly building a new wardrobe for what I know will surely be fit for all seasons, I've taken to blousy button ups as they're a wonderful upgrade from the t-shirt.   

And coming from such a casual Summer to a more formal Fall and Winter, I am needing such an upgrade.

I have worn these jeans for years but mainly it's been with oversize sweaters and tees, with one of my favorite sexy casual looks here.

Wearing these now tattered things with a slinky chiffon button up and a pair of modest, feminine wedges gives them a slightly more dressy appeal.  A nice change, which of course I love for my Tiny wardrobe.  This simple little tweak has now opened up a few new possibilities - like wearing colored tights underneath with a lovely fall poncho!  .... but in due time :)

 earrings: All Saints

These trusty pink and gold spike earrings are my go to's for punching up my collar area.  I love rocking them with formal dresses like I did a couple Easters ago.  And they're fitting when wearing a necklace might be a bit cumbersome or just doesn't fit with the look.  That's not necessarily what happened here - I just wanted to rock them with my new dusty pink wedges!

 top and wedges: Garment District vendor / denim: Benetton

The tails on the back of this top are girly and modern and go so well with my wedges.  It's completely sheer so I chose to wear a simple white lycra tube top underneath, which makes the look even more modern.  I think the top might be from Forever21 but I got both items (the wedges) from a street vendor in the Garment District.  That place is endless fun.

So now that I'm nearing the final stages of my new Tiny collection of clothing, what I've really been waiting for is mixing and matching them all together all year long - and also mixing them with some old goodies that I've decided to keep like these keeper jeans!  And what better season to begin with than Fall?  Ah, and then Winter.... I am so excited for the months ahead!

Hoping your week is off to a great start!

One thing I've noticed here in L.A. is boots.

L.A. girls go hard with boots.  More than I've ever really seen before.  Even in the Summer.  It could be 100 degrees outside and girls are rocking boots of all shapes and sizes.  I'm stumped.  Aren't they hot?  

I asked a girl recently, while slowly melting into vapor under a sweltering sunset just how she can wear her super cute pirate boots with her romper...  She hadn't noticed any overheating.  I guess you desert girls are used to it.  So the most sense I can make out of it is that boots are just the thing to wear here no matter how hot it gets.  And for the record it gets frickin' hot here ok?

 I grew up in rain forests and left work early when it hit 70 degrees outside but that's cool, I'll play too.  I got myself a pair of transitional booties.  I'm saving my thigh-high boots for cooler weather, thank you.  But these boots are edgy and non-suffocating for Summer  - and also, more importantly, perfect for Fall.

 top: Vintage Chic by Grace / leggings: Heavenly Couture / boots: Santee Alley / earrings: Melrose Trading Post

This simple ensemble is effortless, comfortable and... chic maybe?  I'd like to think so anyway :)  But it really is a great Fall staple look.  Staple because I've worn these leggings countless times and this newer linen top, I can wear as a tunic as well as a dress.  Like I did here.

I found these charming earrings while shopping at the Melrose Trading Post last weekend.  You don't even know - this place.... *sigh*  I now have to go every Sunday, I'm addicted.  Excited to show you all the treasures I snatched up!

So be prepared to see these boots with everything I own!  Because they go with everything - as that is the Tiny way.  

And because I'm an L.A. girl now :)

Enjoy your weekend and see ya back here on Monday!

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!!

So I've been wearing a lot of mid rift tops lately.  Partly because of the stupendous weather, a little because I'm lightening up a bit - 

but mostly because I'm neck deep in mid-drift culture now...

Eh, when in Rome!

Though in the past I've proven to be quite experimental and courageous with clothing (yes, I was the girl in high school changing in the bathroom into platform heels and a shorter skirt before class), I've still always dialed it way back when it comes to showing tummy.  You gotta leave a little mystery right?  A bare mid-drift's place should be purely beach or poolside but all well, some thoughts need to be changed, you know?  Cropped tops are cool. modern, edgy, sexy, playful AND classy!  

And btw, yes, I know I'm like the only woman who is just now getting hip to this "cropped" concept, please be patient with me :)

top: Tiny Closet Collection / skirt: H&M / wedges: Et Fiancees / earrings: Francesca's Closet 

So, I have decided to finally add them to my closet.  And this cropped Tiny Closet Collection piece is fitting right in!

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Oh!  And I finally found a moment to add more photos of my new Chevron print dress! 

 Scroll down to view or just clicky here!

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Looking forward to the weekend!  

Lots of sewing, maybe catching a movie and definitely going out to try a new restaurant :)

Keep up with me and my to dos on Twitter and Instagram!