Almost Boyish

Wearing:
Equipment top
AG Adriano Goldschmied "Stevie" jeans
Barney's wicker bag
Kate Spade "Isis" platform sandal
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick

I have some exciting news.  I finally got a facebook page for my blog!  I've wanted to make one for a while.  The only thing that prevented me from creating a page was that I simply do not like facebook.  I've had bad experiences on it before and I swore to myself I would never have anything to do with that website again.  However, things change.  And while my dislike for facebook hasn't really gotten much better, the fact of the matter is that it's one of the best ways to promote your blog.  I've had readers ask me time and time again if I had a facebook account.  I want to help my subscribers reach out to me easier and follow my blog with ease.  So, I did it!

Like my page here:


Raven Locks

Promote Your Page Too

xo  Azu

At Sunset

Wearing:

Forever 21 striped dress worn as a top

Topshop leather shorts

Milly eyelet blazer
Dollhouse bow pumps
Dior sunglasses
Vintage purse
Mac "Up the Amp" lipstick

This dress has proven to be a huge hit in my closet.  I knew there was a reason why I was so frantic to buy it, when I saw it sold out online almost a year ago.  I like that it doubles as a top.  It's a little trickier to wear under shorts than a skirt.  I had to roll it up half way and tuck it in half way too.

By the way, this look was inspired by Nicole from garypeppergirl.com.  She wore a look very similar to this a while back.  I like to give credit where it's due.  Obviously, it's not the exact same look but I had similar items in my closet.  I never liked the idea of copying someone's exact look from head to toe.  I think it lacks creativity.  But I do love having your own take on an inspiring outfit.

Have a wonderful week!  Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week?  It's my favorite holiday, so I'm super excited :)

xo  Azu

Military Jacket and a Striped Dress

Wearing:
LaRok "cute cadet" military jacket
Forever 21 striped dress
Anthropologie fanned raffia necklace
Dollhouse pumps
Vintage quilted leather purse
Mac "Girl About Town" lipstick

I have a burning question to ask you.  Do you ever look back at some of your outfit posts and think, "what was I thinking?"

I was looking through some of my older posts today and ran across a couple I found to be questionable.  Actually...it was more than a couple.  More like 10.  

I don't like to criticize myself because I don't think it's healthy.  And I like to make the focus of this blog my clothing, instead of what my facial expressions are (or anything else I may find distracting to my outfits).  But I couldn't help but think of how much better my pictures would have looked "if only my makeup was better" and "if only my hair didn't look so frizzy."  I guess this is where I have to get over it.  It's kind of like looking at the past, right?  Look back, but don't stare.  This may very well be a reflection of what I've felt for such a long time about my life.  I shouldn't look at the past for too long because it may somehow interfere with the present.  This holds true when it comes to outfit pictures, too.

Oh, and before I go.  My friend Amanda took these pictures!  I think she did a fabulous job :)

xo  Azu

A Touch of Leopard

Wearing:
American Rag poncho (old)
BCBGeneration leopard print top
Joe's Jeans
Apepazza "Liverpool" peep toe booties in the color bittersweet
Vintage purse
Mac "Dear Diary" lipstick

This is one of my Go-To outfits.  I've worn this same outfit before, as I have some of my other looks.  The first time I wore it was almost 3 years ago.  The only thing that has changed about this look are: the addition of my Prada glasses, and I'm wearing a different lipstick.  Other than that, it's been exactly the same.

When I wore this outfit again, I was hesitant. I didn't know how stylish or modern it would look in 2013.  I tend to do that a lot with what I wear.  If I wear an outfit repeatedly throughout a span of 3 or more years, I began to doubt my style.  But then I remember that it's not about what is "in" at the moment, nor what is "trendy."  What matters to me most about style is (and should always be) comfort, wearing something unique, feminine, and being true to myself and my personal style.  I need to remember that the next time I make another purchase, too ;)

xo  Azu

Playful Stripes

Wearing:
Forever 21 dress worn as a top
ASOS leather circle skirt/skater skirt
Zara leopard print flats
Vintage purse
Prada sunglasses
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick

Every once and a while, I'll come across an article online that praises a celebrity for their style or sense of fashion (ie Jessica Alba or Taylor Swift).  Usually the written part of these articles are meaningless publicity lures.   The author will throw in a few flattering pictures of the chosen celeb wearing a stylish look.  After looking at the glamorous and yet severely processed outfits of this celebrity, I scroll down to check the comments.  And commenters, without question, will always applaud the celebrity because "she has the best style" and "she always knows what to wear."

This is where it gets misleading.  I don't think these people understand that most celebrities own a personal stylist.  There is a huge difference between having your own personal style and having your own personal stylist.  Whenever I come across articles like that either in magazines or online, I think of blogging.  If you're a fashion blogger, chances are you don't have a personal stylist.  Not that there is anything wrong with having a stylist to call your own.  But I have way more respect for you ladies (and gents) that get up every morning and actually know how to style an outfit...by yourselves!  You are your own stylists.  That is exactly why I love  looking at all of your blogs.  You guys are for real.  You're not airbrushed, photoshopped, professionally shot and processed by the big fashion designers.  You're not being packaged and sold to promote anything.  Well, some of you get paid to promote certain brands, but that's okay!  It's nothing like the commercialized Hollywood type of fashion we're constantly being fed.

Anyway, I hope next time any of you lovely bloggers see a perfectly styled celeb you think of all the hard work that an entire team of people put in to make that outfit work.  And you can smile secretly, knowing that all you needed to get ready today was a little creativity and...yourself. :)

xo  Azu

Velvet, Peplum, and Cat-Eye Sunglasses

Wearing:
Topshop peplum top
Vintage belt
AG Adriano Goldschmied velvet pants
Nine West pumps
Prada sunglasses (Thanks to my boyfriend! I'm in LOVE with them.  Buy them here or at Sunglass Hut.)
D&G wallet
Clinique "A Different Grape" lipstick

It's finally Friday!  For most of us it's the start of the weekend...but not for me.  I still have loads of work to finish.  Which is why I have to keep this post kind of short.

But before I go...I have to tell you guys about my new obsession:  These sunglasses!  I've wanted a pair of cat eye sunglasses for what seemed like ages (but in reality, it's only been a year).  I looked all over for a pair that would perfectly frame my face.  They were harder to find than I thought.  I finally found these at Sunglass Hut.  But...there was a catch.  With taxes they would have cost me just under $300.00.  I hesitated for months until...my boyfriend surprised me with them!  And now I can't stop wearing them.  I feel like they help to "complete" my look.  Black sunglasses or aviators don't always go with everything.  You know what I mean?  I think it's helpful to have different shapes and colors of sunglasses to coordinate with outfits.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

xo  Azu

Who's That Girl?

Wearing:
Parker blouse
Shorts from Mexico (...but made in China...?  Hmmm.)
August hat
Vintage satchel
Vintage/gifted jewelry
Sam Edelman "Trina" sandal (Here for really cheap, and here too)
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick

This is one of my favorite outfits.  I wore it first on a super hot July day.  And this last time, on a cooler day.  It turned out to be a very comfortable and functional outfit.  When I'm doing a lot of walking all day, I like to stick to a comfortable pair of flats or low-heeled shoes.  I actually prefer lower heels over flats, like these by Sam Edelman.

And to top off my look, I wore this hat that I bought at Macy's.  I love how lady-like it is!  I've always been a hat girl.  But for years and years, I denied my love for hats.  So I'm happy to report that my hat obsession is back!

xo  Azu