The Tiny Closet

Around this time of year, I can't fake the chill on the blog.  There is none.  Well, not really.  

An oversize sweater works at night and light Fall/Summer wear during the day hours.  It's just not cold.

While walking through The Grove a few days ago, I overheard some girls lamenting over sweater season and how much money they waisted buying sweaters they wouldn't wear but had to have.  I feel ya, ladies!

All these gorgeous peacoats and cute bombers in the store windows and I'd be sweating within minutes if I tried to wear any of them.  

But I want one!!  Alas, like I've said before, 

"My Tiny Closet is no museum.  Clothes were meant to be worn, not hung to look pretty and collect dust!"

Hmmmm, but I am planning to visit Seattle pretty soon so maybe I can reason one lil cute Winter coat, yes?

Anyway, I do love jackets and I find them more feasible than a full on coat.  Especially this completely sheer, lacy jacket.  

Layered over my tunic button-up, its the just the right amount of warmth I need.  Because I don't need much.

 And on another note, I got my hair cut at a salon for the first time in years.  The cut was not to take off length but to fix all the style cutting I've done myself throughout the years.  Do you like it?  Maybe you can't tell...  Anyway, I got it done at Devachan (the only place I trust to cut my 4a/b(c?) hair).  The reason I chose to have it done pro was because I decided I'm going to let my tiny lil curls shrink up as much as they want these days.  Let shrinkage reign!  

So with a pro design cut, it'll look great no matter if I stretch em' or let em' shrink up.  That was becoming a problem before.  I used to style cut my hair stretched.  And when it shrank, it looked pretty bad.  Now, a lot of people ask me if I've cut my hair... do you get that when your hair shrinks??  I'm guessing you do.  Well, I've just been letting it happen.  Tis what it is.  I like the effortlessness of it and come wash time, it's a lot less tangled.  Well, whatdya know!  Anyway, just thought I'd share :)

Now, back to scrolling coats on Pinterest...

happiest of Mondays to you, loves!

Last year, I decided to indulge in the creative, resort side of swimwear.  This year, the theme has been all.about.comfort.  In more ways than one.  I want to be comfortable in my clothes enough to forget about them and enjoy my life.  Especially when I'm at the beach. 

I've been wearing mens button ups all Summer long and I'm noticing that I've been styling them more and more loosely, open and wrinkled.  

I'm just obsessed with that comfy, effortless, messy-chic look!

For Theo's 30th birthday, I was shopping for days to try and find the best outfit to bring him into the new decade.  

I'm not used to shopping as incessantly as I found myself doing that week.  My need to find the "perfect" outfit drove me practically insane but it was a rare moment in my life where I was not going to stand for anything I already had in my Tiny Closet.  It had to be something brand spanking new.

My search all came to halting stop however, when I came across this glorious skirt at The wasteland, my all time favorite thrift shop on Melrose Ave.  I can't say it was a magical happenstance as I walked into that store with full intent to see every single piece of clothing before I left, so finding the skirt was as inevitable as it was so phenomenal!!

The best part about Summer is the long evenings.  The sun sets for hours and hours, making everything so sultry and relaxing!  

And whenever I think of sultry and relaxing, one word comes to mind for clothing options:  

minimal!

Simply two pieces will do.  Thank you.

Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall...

I've been talking about romper and jumpsuit shopping for a bit now.  Spring and Summer always remind me that one-pieces are all I really want my Tiny Closet to be made of.  

If only....

If only I could find the perfect collection.  But the search has been so difficult just to find one!  And I mean, I did find one.  But I want another one maybe?

I was way past tired of not finding exactly what I was looking for in a romper or jumpsuit until I was browsing vintage sewing patterns on Crafty Paneen a few weeks ago and I found the absolute perfect jumpsuit sewing pattern from the 80's!  

I snatched it up quick.

Instead of going straight to the obvious knit or white linen to make my classy, one of a kind jumpsuit, 

I chose to go a completely different route and instead, chose a statement print.

Tropical prints on mens clothing in particular is super fresh and urban right now, and I totally wanted to play with that modern style using this old sewing pattern.

Of course, I did take the liberty of making a few simple alterations to the pattern.  I gave myself short sleeves and also put elastic on the sleeves and legs so the jumpsuit would wear more like a track or sweatsuit.  This made it look a bit more classic hip hop, which I wanted but it wasn't too obvious due to the modern print.  

Working with this pattern was brilliant because it reminded me that even though I design clothing for myself, 

I don't always have to create from scratch every time I want something I can't find in the stores.  That can easily become a hassle.  

There's literally thousands of sewing patterns, old and new, to browse through online and in stores to either make yourself or have made for you!  

jumper: vintage pattern from Crafty Paneen / shoes: Vans / lips: M.A.C. Ruby Woo / nail color: American Apparel White

From time to time, sewing special or basic pieces is a wonderful step to creating a one of a kind wardrobe and wearing what you love.   

With your own choice of fabric, prints, and sizing the possibilities are endless! 

Just like a gal's Closet should be :)

Last weekend, while shopping with my dad at one of my favorite Indian boutiques in the Fashion District, I spied the prettiest all white tunic.  Instead of wearing the proper size (traditional tunics aren't meant to be too fitted), I decided to try a slightly smaller size anyway and wear it as a lil mini dress.   With my petite stature, it's a challenge finding dresses that hit me at the right length.  This fitted tunic worn as a dress had a length too perfect to pass up.

It's not normal that I wear an outfit made up of mostly new items(!!) so I'm excited to begin weaving them into my Tiny Closet keepers.

Keep visiting for more style mixing!

Button ups are so versatile.  I feel like they can be worn for every occasion of life.  I especially love mens button ups as they're extra spacious and slouchy looking.

mens shirt: Faconable / bikini top: Target / necklaces: Philippines / shorts: Santee Alley

I've been wearing a lot of button ups lately.  Like everyday.  In fact, the other morning when Theo got an invite to go surfing, while still in bed, I looked down at what I was wearing and said,

"Okay, let me just put on some shorts and I'll be ready..."

Some days I have no interest in dressing.  On those days, I am thankful to have a button up to fall back on.  Even if I've slept in it the night before :)

It was pure coincidence that I went to the beach and wore a bikini top that day under my button up.  I, in fact just didn't have a bra to wear and got creative.  Including adding some rustic, boyish charm with Theo's leather and bone necklaces.  And also his belt.

I slipped on my comfy grey wool Toms but I did have some forethought enough to pack some wedges to wear to lunch later though!  

Check out what other peices I've worn with these Summertime wedge sandals:

harem pants

white mini dress

jeggings

romper

Just a casual outfit I pulled together to get out the door.  

I find the best outfits are the ones you don't even think about.

I was subconsciously entertaining an 80's prep look last weekend.  Pressed collars, oxfords and pearls, etc.  Lot's of white.  I think it all started after I bought a new lip color that I've only had the guts to wear once so far....  It's suuuuper bright pink and preppy fresh.  And no, I didn't wearing it with this ensemble but I promise I'll get the confidence to rock it soon.

cropped shirt: PINK (cropped myself) / pants: Santee Alley / belt: Zara Man / oxfords: CMG  

earrings: Philippines / ring: Chanel

I wear this cropped top a lot with my high waist jeans.

This high top ponytail is terrible.  Just being honest since I'm chronicling my adventures in Tiny style...  And ladies, my head looks like a pineapple.  What can you do?  Shrinkage is a bitch sometimes and my blowdryer died so I've been air drying ever since.  No good.

I continue to try new things with this growing lion's mane - and try with resilience!

  

Both my mother and my mother-in-law gave me pearls this year.  I loved wearing them together yesterday.  The Chanel ring goes with this bracelet that I adore.  And I've always wanted a pair of oversize pearl studs and these are so special! 

Pearls with a crisp white color and a sleek updo will always be hot.  But I love them styled best by the 80's.  Now I just need some frosty pink lipstick :)

I've been unusually excited for Spring these days...

 and while practically everything in my Tiny Closet is fit for all seasons, I do have a few pieces that shine extra bright for specific times of the year.  

Like these coral pants.  Short of florals, they just scream "Spring" don't they?

And in preparation for the spirit of Spring (ahem, Cochella), I gave my pants a simple bohemian styling with a swinging, draped top and bigger curls on my head, with a middle part.

top: Santee Alley / bra top: Free People / pants: Zara / sandals: Santee Alley / rings: Kukuly's 

I also picked up a few Tiny treasures at my new favorite store in downtown, Kukuly's.  I was again, unusually drawn in to this store of fabulous bohemian jewelry and accessories but trying new things seems to be the theme for my lil wardrobe so far this year.  

I'm enjoying tweaking my look with small changes.  While I do have a simplistic signature style, I love all the subtle changes I can make even with the Tiny Closet that I have.

See how I've worn these pants in the past:

with stripes

with leopard

Check out these punchy coral pants!  You'd be surprised how far this color can take you...

I take that back.  Do what you want with your wardrobe!  

But consider adding a circle skirt to your Tiny collection maybe?

Here's why:  next to the almighty high waist pencil skirt, the circle skirt is the most feminine skirt you can own!  In one move, you can completely and classically "fem-ify" your entire look.  Throw on wedges / Toms / Keds / boots / heels and a tee and the circle skirt will pull it allllll together.  Effortlessly.

And that's exactly what I did.  I grabbed one of my favorite day dresses and wore it as a striped top.  Then I tucked it into my linen circle skirt and topped it off with a pair of Toms. 

While taking a walk in my favorite park in downtown in this ensemble, I thought a few photos of this trio would be fun.  I traded my Toms for these cage lace-up heels and flirted very lady-like for the camera.

tee: StyleMint / circle skirt: Tiny Closet Collection / heels: Forever21

And maybe you recognize this top?  It's a dress!  In Tiny style, I wear this piece all sorts of ways.  Two of the ways, you can check out are here and here.

So if I've been at all convincing in this post, get a circle skirt!  They look good on everyone, fabulous on all figures and sizes and not that this is important but... 

men adore them on us!

Shop for one or make your very own circle skirt using this tutorial by Geneva Vanderzeil, my favorite diyer!

See you next week!

With my evenings being deliciously drawn out, the sunsets seem longer and I've been loving it.  It's been a warm few days so before diving into shorts and minis, I am warming up my hibernating body with a scant duo of a lace bra and draping tank first.  

I also thought I'd give my curls a break from the heat tools for a few days.  Rocking my mama wash-and-go fro is always so simple and fun.  It's free and wild and reminds me of Summer and long nights...

tank: FIDM / bra top: Free People / denim: AllSaints / heels: Zara

But on to my boyfriend denim, I've worn these.with.everything.  My Tiny Closet and I have had a ball with this one amazing article of clothing.  

"How do I love dressing thee, AllSaints Men jeans?  

Let me count the ways...."

1. army boots

2. brogues and a fedora

3. booties and leather jacket

4. sweatshirt and heels

5. chucks and oversize tee

6.  sailor top and wedges

7. statement sandals

8. stiletto sandals and a sweater

So far, 8 very eclectic ways :)  I don't need a lot of denim in my life.  Just the right denim I suppose.  Such is the Tiny mantra... but you probably already know that :)