The Tiny Closet

The other morning, right before taking the dog for a walk, I thought it would be a perfect time to show off my new shoes.  

!!

Of course, I don't take my dog out for our morning walks in crisp white 4-inch heels, but with the casual oversize sweater and torn jeans I was sporting, I thought I'd pop em' on and pose in the kitchen just for you!

This kind of simple outfit that I throw on to walk my dog or pick up filtered water at the convenient store is fun to transform into something cute and a little sexy with the right heel.  You know, for when I want to go to a party or out to brunch and still wear the same thing, hehe.  So I got these heels to specifically do just that: upgrade all my slouchy, frumpy? easy ensembles to something more femme, stylish and... thought out.  With the thick heel, the perforated upper and modern lacing, this type of design goes well with my minimal casual wear.  And the peep toe will be superb for Spring and Summer!

soooooowhatdoyouthink?????

Happy Monday, y'all!

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!

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!

So of course, in Tiny Closet style, I utilized my own pieces to put this look (and really any other look I please) together.  What looks like a dress is actually this turtle neck and this sleeveless evening dress, cinched with a belt.  And I couldn't keep from topping it off with my bestie booties.  They go with everything.  Everything!

 turtleneck: American Apparel / dress: Asos.com / belt: Forever21 / booties: Jessica Simpson / fishnet stockings: Agent Provocateur

I can't seem to abandon my style for even a moment.  Even when it's appropriate for the occasion.  But even in this monochrome, minimal ensemble I feel the subtle dark, sinister, maybe creepy vibe I was going for.  How'd I do?

What about you??  Any costume you're planning to wear this year?

Happy Halloween!

This week, I'll be celebrating my 2nd anniversary since that memorable, crazy day.

Since I married for life, I assumed one wedding would be all I'd get.  And that's kind of a crazy thought because there are

so many dresses to choose from!!

And if you've been following me for a long time, you might remember all my different picks.  And then some entirely different different picks.  As tantalizing as it was, envisioning myself in bows and lace and grand gowns, I realized at the end of the [big] day, I just want to be myself and feel like me and dress like me: a minimalist, modern mama!

Anyway, the main reason I decided to put on this ol' thing (and it still fits!!!) is because I kinda missed out on posed wedding photos on the account of me being 2 hours late for the biggest day of my life.  I originally had a wash and go but for this shoot, with longer curls, I decided to do a fun and easy twist out.

For all you newly weds out there considering going natural on your wedding day, this is such an easy style (take a look at how I do it here!) and can be worn everyday or on the day.  Classic but also modern.  And fancy!  I also wore a deep contrasting nail color, wonderful for the season.

With all this memory lane fun, I began surfing around for other gorgeous dresses suitable for Fall that could be great for a wedding, Easter Sunday, date night, badda-bing badda boom!  Check out a few of my new picks:

left to right: Lela Rose / For Love & Lemons / Asos Ruffle Bonded Textured Body Conscious dress / Haute Hippie

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and I'll see ya back here next Monday!

Anyway, feeling in the spirit of the schooldaze look, I felt the only appropriately ironic shoes to wear were my lil white oxfords *smile*.

Lately,  I've been really enjoying making scarves out of fabric from the fabric store.  I just pick out a cute color or print and cut 2 yards and done.  Fun scarf!  Easy and a fraction of the cost - besides, scarves tend to be so corny in the stores.  And if they're not corny, there literally hundreds of dollars.  Whatever.  I don't live in Vermont, all I need is an accent piece - not something to keep me, like, warm or something.  In this case, yellow always looks classic with navy.

And Exhibit B.  I absolutely adore this purple and blue plaid.  Yes, I know I don't particularly care plaids in general but I've always loved this one.  I bought it back in January from a fabric store to use as a scarf of course.  The colors go even better with this casual undergrad ensemble.

I had a lot of fun mixing and styling these two plaids.  I've always felt it was difficult to style plaid as it's such a statement itself.  But with some experimenting, I came out feeling triumphant - a plaid skirt or scarf can certainly be less stereotypical and more palatable with a little extra thought.  Hey, it can even be fashionable :)

Wishing you a wonderful beginning of Fall!

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!

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.