Falling for Fall

Wearing:
Elie Tahari denim vest
Weston Wear embroidered sun dress
Steve Madden sandals
Mac "Party Parrot" or "Impassioned" lipstick (I can't remember which.  Sorry!)
Vintage quilted purse

Despite all the little earthquakes at night, Fall here is off to a good start.  It's already rained twice.  And the weather is so perfect that I can still wear my summer attire (yes...especially crop tops and shorts).  We get the summer "leftover" heat with a nice cool breeze in the evening.  I love it!

This is an outfit I've worn many times throughout the years.  It's pretty simple and didn't take a lot to style.  It's just a sun dress with a denim vest, sandals, and minimal accessories.  And a bright lip for a nice contrast.  Easy peasy!

Hope you're all having a great weekend :)

xo  Azu

Late Summer

Wearing:
Asos eyelet crop top
Zara gingham shorts (they were longer but I rolled them up)
Topshop sandals
Barney's wicker purse
Prada sunglasses
Mac "Girl About Town" lipstick

I'm trying desperately to hold onto these last days of summer.  The long, hot nights are slipping away faster than I'd like.  As a result, my crop tops and shorts are in a constant rotation.  I've been dreading and anticipating the return of Fall.

Last month, while driving along my favorite strip of Highway 12, I caught a glimpse of something I couldn't take my eyes off of.  I noticed the first tree along the hills that was changing color.  It immediately made me think of Fall, cool mornings, knitted sweaters, and pumpkin flavored anything.  But at the same time it made me realize that my favorite season was coming to an end.  Already the nights seem shorter.  Despite the heatwave we've had this week, it still doesn't stop the fog from spilling over the hills and into the valley at night.

So lately, I've been trying to soak up the last remaining days of summer light.  These photos were taken a month ago (maybe more), but this is pretty much what I've been wearing all summer.

We still get plenty of warmth and sunshine in the Fall.  But still...I'm a summer girl and always will be.  There is nothing like the lazy hot days of June and July.

xo  Azu

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Wearing:
BCBGeneration top
Joe's Jeans cut offs
Panama hat
Sam Edelman "Trina" sandal (in a neutral color here, and here in black)
Mac "Impassioned" lipstick

Goodness.  It's been too long since my last post!  I've missed you all.

You may or may not have heard on the news about the recent string of earthquakes in Northern California.  About two weeks ago, there was a 6.1 earthquake that hit not that far from my home.  The damage wasn't so bad in the area I live.  Or at least not for me.  A few things fell out of place and broke (including my favorite tea pot), but nothing major at all.  However, the damage in the city right next to me was an entirely different story.  Buildings and houses cracked.  Some people were injured.  And parts of Napa are still closed down.  Ever since that 6.1, there's been at least an earthquake a day here.  Waking up to a shaking bed has become sort of normal lately.

I haven't been on the blogosphere lately (for unrelated reasons) so I don't know how many Bay Area bloggers wrote about these earthquakes.  I just thought it's something that should be noted.  And as usual, the media is trying to scare us by reporting that these little tremors could be leading up to "the next big one."  While that possibility may be true, no one actually knows when it will hit.  But it is a little odd that we've had so many quakes in such a short time.

Do any of you live near fault lines?  Ever been in an earthquake?

Happy Monday :)

xo  Azu

Crop Top and a Lavender Pencil Skirt

Wearing:
Oliviaceous lace crop top (for reference, mine is a size small)
Vintage lavender pencil skirt
Seychelles pumps
Vintage satchel
Prada sunglasses

Hey guys!  I finally had a chance to post this outfit.  I wore this outfit back in May.  The skirt I'm wearing in these photos belonged to my mother (as did most of the vintage items in my closet).  When she gave it to me two years ago, it was perfect timing.  Pastel colors started to become a hit.

But let's talk about this top.  I'd been craving a white lace crop top since last Fall.  I found this one at Bloomingdale's.  It was backordered, so I had to wait two months to get it.  It's thick floral lace with a zipper in the back.  I kind of wish I'd gotten a shot of the back of it.  I'll have to remember to do that for you guys the next time I wear it.

Before I leave, I have to know.   I wear vintage in just about every post. Do any of you own and wear any vintage pieces?  Which are your favorite and how do you wear them?  Let me know in the comments below :)

xo  Azu

Upper Playground

Wearing:
ASOS leather cap (on sale!)
Upper Playground pullover shirty by Morning Breath
Joe's Jeans shorts
Kate Spade "Isis" sandal
Esteee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick
Vintage quilted purse

I can't believe it's been a week since my last post!  I know I promised you guys another outfit post last week.  I was actually on vacation when I wrote the last one (more on that later).  Time flies when you're on vacation, I guess ;)

I'm not sure what type of look this is or how you would categorize it.  But all I can say is that it's comfy, a little sporty, fun, and a little glam.  This shirt was a birthday present from my boyfriend.  I usually don't wear sporty clothing, but when I saw this I fell in materialistic love.  The paisley print on the sleeves is my favorite part.  They actually have a few variations of this top.  The American flag one is their newest and now my favorite.  And I love that the brand, Upper Playground, is a local one.  You can check out more of their t shirt designs for women here.

Happy Wednesday!

xo  Azu

Witchy Business

Wearing:
Crocheted top (no label, handmade)
AG jeans
Nine West "Mainstay" bootie
Vintage purse
Mac "Captive" lipstick
Photos by Jaime

When I wore this outfit, my boyfriend told me I looked a little "witchy."  Although I hadn't made the connection at first, I do have to agree with him.  It does resemble that of a modern day witch. Don't you think?  He was spot on.  And just to clarify, he wasn't being a meanie.  I always like to hear his thoughts on what I wear (in my last post, he compared my outfit to something Audrey Hepburn would have worn).

These pictures were taken as we were strolling down the streets of San Francisco.  We stopped by a few boutiques we'd never been to, and made some rounds at some of our old favorites.  In case you're wondering why I'm wearing velvet pants and a wool hat in the summer, these pictures are actually from May.  It's also much cooler in the city than it is in the valley.  San Francisco in the summertime is usually a lot colder than it is in the Fall.

Well, that's all for now :) I had to keep this post short...my next one will be posted later this week.  Stay tuned!

 xo Azu

Milkmaid braids, Blush, and Leopard Print

Wearing:
Mock turtle neck top
Topshop bubble skirt
Zara leopard print pony hair flats
Vintage purse
Dior sunglasses
Mac "Captive" lipstick

When I was in high school, a classmate told me something that changed the way I presented myself.  It was the first week of our freshman year.  At start of one of our classes, he asked me, "Why do you always look so angry?"  Confused, I didn't say anything at first.  I shrugged and replied,  "I'm not angry..."  But he was very persistent.  He kept trying to figure out why I wouldn't ever smile.  I kept trying to explain to him that I was a happy person and that I simply chose not to smile.  But the more I tried to convince him, the more I realized how right he was (and how ridiculous my side of the argument was).

The truth was, I was too busy trying to look cool.  I thought if I smiled too much, I would look like a goofball or something.  "You should smile more," he told me.

That conversation haunted me.  It was not the first time I'd heard someone tell me that I needed to smile more.  But the fact that this kid made a point to tell me this before we even got to know each other made me realize the importance of smiling.  It sounds so silly to think about it now because I love to smile.  It's contagious.  And it makes me feel good to do it.  

So when I catch myself looking a little too serious in my photos, it reminds me of that time in high school when I was confronted about my non-smile.  It also makes me think of a friendship that blossomed out of it.

This is why I kind of regret not smiling more in these photographs.  Most of these were test shots.  I wasn't expecting to keep the majority of these.   But perhaps I need to smile even more so...especially during the test shots.  You just never know when it will "count."  :)

Happy Friday!

xo  Azu