Feels Like Fall Again

Wearing:
Neiman Marcus + Target collection cape
Charlotte Tarantola leopard print cardigan
AG Jeans "The Stilt"
Vintage quilted purse
Nine West "Main Stay" bootie
Dior sunglasses
Mac "captive" lipstick

Happy Memorial Day!

I was fortunate enough to have caught a glimpse of the Memorial Day parade in my town earlier today.  From what I saw, it was beautiful!  It literally put a smile on my face to see all the veterans walking around town with their uniforms.  The least we could do is greet and salute them.  :)  After all, they fought to protect our country.  Rest piece to all of those who died protecting this great nation.

Now let's move on to my outfit (there really isn't a good segway to go from patriotism to full blown fashion, is there?).  This actually isn't today's outfit.  It is much too hot today to wear anything but shorts or a skirt.  These pictures were taken on the first week of May.  As you can see, it really does look like a Fall outfit.  Nothing like this hot and cold weather to mix up this month's outfits.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

xo  Azu

Warm Weather Basics

Wearing:
Panama hat (from the county fair last year)
Equipment top
Joe's Jeans cut off shorts
Vintage quilted leather purse
Apepazza peep toe booties in the color bittersweet (I like pointing out the color every time because I like the way it sounds lol)
Mac "Impassioned" lipstick
Burberry watch

It's been heating up lately (and cooling down...then heating up again) here in the Bay Area.  Some days it feels like Summer.   Other days it feels like those strange Fall days that are warm and toasty, but cool and breezy at the same time.  On the day I wore this outfit, it was crazy hot for May.  It was over 90 degrees.  Originally, I planned on wearing a sun dress.  But I hadn't worn these shorts in a while and this soft silk blouse is perfect for hot weather.  So...this is what I ended up wearing.

I am pretty sure all of these items I'm wearing are considered "basics" in their own right.  With the exception of these boots, each of these pieces are all pretty Plain Jane (but in a good way, of course).  For Spring and Summer, a good lightweight hat is a must!  A silk blouse is also an essential for warm weather.  Unlike synthetic fibers, silk breathes and feels luxurious on your skin.  And who could forget a comfy pair of denim cut offs?  Yep...these are all pretty basic, but essential.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone :)  I hope you all get plenty of sunshine.

xo  Azu

April in Carneros

Wearing:
Vintage Saks Fifth Ave silk blouse
Citizens of Humanity jeans
Vintage Dooney & Bourke bag
Handmade scarf
Prada cat eye sunglasses
Burberry watch
Steve Madden "Graanie" booties in cognac
Mac "Fresh Moroccan" lipstick

When I was a little girl, I used to love to sit in my dad's truck and drive around the vineyards.  He would drive me up and down the bumpy vineyard rows and point out bird nests and jackrabbits that called those places home.  But while my dad was at work, it was my mom who would take me to the vineyards.  Instead of driving through them we would walk through them.   I was lucky enough to have grown up in a little farm beside a vineyard.  And while I don't live right next to one anymore, I'm still surrounded by these hilly vineyards.

It's these fond memories I have of glowing green grass and hilly terrain that remind me why I enjoy being outdoors so much.  Just a few hours before these pictures were taken, there was a storm in the valley.  I spent the earlier part of the day walking and driving through the vineyards with my parents...just like old times!

Oh, and by the way.  These pictures were taken the last weekend of April.  The last weekend of April is usually when "April in Carneros" happens every year in Sonoma Valley.  It's a weekend filled with wine and food pairings in the Carneros region of the valley.  So in case you were wondering about the title of this post...that's why.  :)

xo  Azu

Return To Paris

Wearing:
Truly Madly Deeply cropped top from Urban Outfitters (It says: "If Found Please Return to Paris")
Vintage floral maxi skirt
Dior sunglasses
Vintage purse
Dollhouse pumps (old)
Mac "Girl About Town" lipstick (here, here, or here)

This was my second attempt at doing the milkmaid braid hairstyle.  The first time I did it was about two weeks ago when I first wore this outfit.  This is quickly becoming a favorite look of mine (both the hair and the outfit).  The milkmaid braids are so easy to do, it's tempting not to wear my hair like this all the time.  And this outfit is really comfy and playful.  It's perfect for Spring.

I wish I had taken a picture from behind.  This top is actually boxy and loose.  It's one of those oversized crop tops.  I didn't think it looked very flattering with this skirt, so I tied a knot in the back with a hair tie.  This gave the top a more fitted look.  And the knot gave the outfit a cute, care-free vibe.  It even landed me a compliment on the knot alone!  :)

Hope you're all having a great week so far!  It's only Monday, but I'm really looking forward to the rest of the week.  It's going to hit 90 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday.  I can't wait!  I live for this kind of weather.

xo  Azu

Luck Be A Lady

Wearing:

ModCloth's "Luck Be a Lady" dress in green, by Closet (buy it here)

Forever 21 gold bow headband

Vintage purse

Dollhouse pumps (old)

MAC "Flat Out Fabulous" lipstick

The wind was blowing really hard for most of the time we took these pictures.  We decided to just go with the flow and make the most of it.  It's kind of a funny coincidence, but almost every time I've worn this dress there seems to be a gust of wind following me around.  I nearly had a Marilyn moment!

On the other hand, it may have been a good thing that the wind was blowing.  Otherwise you wouldn't be able to see the cute pockets on either sides.  It's a convenient little detail.  I don't really take advantage of pockets on clothing, but I appreciate the effort by the designer.

Anyway, this dress comes in all sorts of pretty colors and prints.  So if green isn't your color, check out these other options.   It's a classic silhouette.  And the best thing about wearing this dress so much is that this color doesn't fade when I wash it.

xo  Azu

Wearing Blue

Wearing:
Knitted blue dress (hand made by a friend)
Forever 21 multi strand pearl necklace (old)
Vintage satchel
Manolo Blahnik BB Bright patent pointed pumps (Bought them here about a year ago, and have since sold out)
Prada sunglasses
MAC "Dear Diary" lipstick (they match the shoes PERFECTLY)

I've got a few things to say about this post:

-This dress was made by my multi talented friend.  I love the color and length.  It's something I could see the first lady wearing.

-I'm a little burnt out at the moment, so I really don't have much to say.  I had a few technical difficulties while trying to upload these pictures and create the post.  Nothing major, though.

-Thanks so much for your comments on my last post.  I'm 100% better!   Now maybe I can go another three years without getting sick.  Maybe even longer?  Let's see.... ;)

Have a great rest of your night/day.  I'll talk to you guys on my next post!  Happy Easter to those that celebrate.  And if you don't celebrate, well...happy Easter anyway.  No harm in wishing someone well, right?

xo  Azu