So Lacey

Wearing:
Catarzi exclusive to ASOS classic fedora hat in black (Buy it here.  Also available in these other fantastic colors)
BB Dakota black lace top
Vintage gray wool skirt
Vintage quilted leather purse
Linea Paolo cut out booties/pumps
Mac "Rebel" lipstick

I wore this outfit on the warmest day of the year so far.  It was in the mid 80s that day and I wasn't hot at all.  This was because...it finally happened.  I got a cold!  So I was literally cold for an entire week.  This was a huge deal to me because I hadn't gotten a cold or flu in 3 years.  And honestly, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Normally, when people around me are getting sick, I take echinacea pills for a few days and I will not get sick.  But this time I ran out of those immune building pills and that nasty bug finally bit me.

You know what the best part of getting sick was?  I had an excuse to pull out this super long, warm skirt of mine.  This is yet another vintage item that was handed down to me from my mother.  I'm really glad these longer length skirts are making a comeback.  I love the way the pleats move as I walk.

Do any of you own any longer length skirts?  How do you plan on wearing them this season?

xo  Azu

Cherry on Top

Wearing:
Vintage angora beret
INC top
G By Guess cheetah print pants
Tory Burch "Kaitlin" pumps
Vintage purse
Burberry watch
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick

This hat is the cherry on top of this outfit.  It wouldn't be nearly as playful without the hat.  It would look just fine without it, but I love that pop of red on top.

I'm so excited for this warmer weather we've been getting!  Irises and roses are blooming everywhere.  It makes me so impatient for the Summer.  The vineyards are lined with thousands of mustard blossoms.  And the sides of the road are peppered with California poppies.  All those florals create such a beautiful scent in the air.  I absolutely love this time of year.

These pictures were taken about a week ago, so you won't get to see me sporting my warmer weather gear.  So get ready...I'm about to start wearing skirts and dresses more comfortably.  Pants are awesome, but dresses are my favorite.  They're so easy to style :)

xo  Azu

Undercover

Wearing:
Saks Fifth Avenue leopard print baseball cap
Silk contrast shirt/blouse
Gap denim jacket
Zara cargos
Vintage purse
Chanel aviator sunglasses
Nine West "Mainstay" booties
Mac "Flat Out Fabulous" lipstick (Retro Matte collection)

This outfit was perfect for yet another rainy day.  In between the storm, we snapped these pictures.  There was barely enough time to take pictures without getting rained on.  And while I was busy standing in front of the camera, I failed to notice that these sunglasses were pushed too far against my face.  LOL!  Oops indeed.  Am I the only one who does that?

I'm also wearing a new lipstick.  It's "Flat Out Fabulous" from Mac.  And it looks really similar to "Girl About Town," which is my favorite pink lipstick.  The only difference is that Flat Out Fabulous is matte and it's a little more purple.  I find that matte lipsticks lasts much longer, too.  So it's an added bonus.  I wasn't sure about this purchase at first.  But after wearing it all day without any feathering, this may be my new favorite!

Have a great weekend, friends!  Thanks so much for reading my blog and for commenting :)  You guys are the best.

xo  Azu

Orange, Leopard Print, and Black

ASOS orange blouse
Bebe leopard print cropped fur jacket (old)
Joe's Jeans, vintage purse
Nine West "MainStay" booties
Clinique "A Different Grape"

I wasn't going to post this look because I didn't think it deserved to make an appearance on my blog.  But...I wore it, so I'm posting it.  Sometimes I have second thoughts about outfits and they usually don't end up being posted.  Most of the time I'm glad they don't get posted.  I usually end up re-wearing that outfit in a better way.  I'm already thinking of a better way to wear this outfit.

xo  Azu

In the Pouring Rain

Wearing:
Forever 21 sheer blouse
Topshop doberman motif sweater
Joe's Jeans
Burberry rain boots
Burberry watch
Topshop wool cloche hat
Vintage purse
Mac lipstick in "rebel"

Over the years, I've come to love the rain (and all other temperamental weather).  I used to be the summer-only type of girl.  My personality would shift in colder weather.  I'd become more reserved and shy.  I would even stutter sometimes!  Then when summertime came rolling by, I was the complete opposite.  I'd blossom into a social butterfly.  Now, I'm happy to report that I'm exactly the same in all weather.  I'm perfectly happy when it rains just as much as when it's a sunny day.

We spent the entire day in rainy Sebastopol the day these pictures were taken.  As much as I love the rest of Sonoma County, Sonoma itself takes the cake for its beauty during a storm.  There is something about Sonoma in gloomy weather.  The Valley transforms itself into some sort of fairytale setting.  The oak trees come alive, glowing with neon green moss against the gray skies.  Their long, intricate branches are exaggerated in the light gray background.  And the vineyards look just as magical in the fog or rain.  These pictures don't do it justice.

Hope you guys have a great weekend!  Thanks for reading :)

xo  Azu

Checkered Blouse

Wearing:
Forever 21 gold bow headband
Vintage checkered/ grid print silk blouse
AG Jeans "The Stilt"
Vintage Dooney & Bourke bag
Tory Bourke "Kaitlin" pump
Prada sunglasses
Burberry watch
Vintage earrings
Vintage ring
Mac "Girl About Town" lipstick

This is one of my favorite vintage silk blouses.  But I'll probably say that about every vintage blouse I have.  This one is luxuriously soft and doesn't appear to be vintage at all.  I love the ruffled collar and the print.

These pictures were taken back in February.  I wore this exact outfit (minus the jeans, I wore my dark blue COH ones) when I went to see Dave Chappelle in September.  A comfortable and casual (but not too casual) outfit was what I had in mind.  In case you're wondering, it was a great show!  I don't think I mentioned it before on my blog.  Watching Dave perform live was something I never thought I'd get to see.  Well...I'm happy to report that I did.  And he was just as hilarious as ever.  In fact, I still quote him from that show.  Did any of you get to go to his show last year?  Let me know in the comments :)

xo  Azu

Stripes, Leather, Velvet

Wearing:
Forever 21 dress worn as a top
ASOS leather circle skirt / skater skirt
Vintage corduroy blazer (made by my mom in the 70s)
Miu Miu patent leather mary janes
Prada sunglasses
Burberry watch
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick

Whenever I wear skirts or shorts, I always wonder if people notice the scars on my knees.  I feel like they're really noticeable.  Aren't they?  It probably doesn't help that I have a few new massive bruises in those same areas.  I got the biggest scar almost 3 years ago when I fell on a trail.  The others came later on another trail.  Apparently I fall and scrape my knees once every year.  A few weeks ago, I gained another little scar and a few bruises.

This may sound strange, but I actually kind of like them.  They remind me that I kept running on the trail even while I had throbbing pain and blood dripping down my legs.  It's kind of a gruesome metaphor for the troubles in your life, but hear me out:  If life tries to pull you down or knock you down, get right up and keep running.

In other news, I want to share some vacation photos with you guys.   BUT...I have yet to upload them onto my laptop.  I went to Yosemite for the first time this past week.  I had the best time!  I'm actually still sore from all the hiking we did.  More on my trip on my next post.

xo  Azu