Business As Usual

Wearing:

H&M fitted blazer
Bebe basic black tee
Crochet skirt (from INC, I think.  It's super old)
Vintage quilted leather purse
Burberry watch
Linea Paolo booties/pumps
Chanel lipstick in "Desire"

I've had this skirt for about 9 years.  I bought it when I went shopping with my mom.  It was one of those crazy sales at Macy's.   In need of more business attire for my first real job, I took full advantage of that sale.  Wearing this skirt brings back memories.  Mostly bad ones, but still.   It reminds me of how far I've come and how I don't have to deal with certain things anymore.  While I don't miss working at a desk job, I do miss the pencil skirts and business attire I'd get to wear.  Last week I finally got the chance to pull this gorgeous skirt out of my closet and wear it out.

And funny thing is, 9 years later it's more "in" than it was back then.  I like it when that happens :)

xo  Azu

Nearly Nautical

Wearing:
Tory Burch cardigan sweater
Zara pants/leggings
BCBGirls pumps
Barney's bag
Prada sunglasees
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet"

I'm not even sure if you would consider this outfit "nautical," but that's what I'm calling it.  It makes me think of anchors, stripes, and all other things sailor-related.  I love the oversized gold buttons on this cozy wool cardigan.  It's one of those things I have in my closet that I regret not wearing more.

This is a super quick post (but picture heavy).  But I just wanted to post before the weekend officially begins...and I also wanted to wish you guys a safe and happy weekend!  :)

xo  Azu

Leopard Print and Pink

Wearing:
Saks Fifth Avenue Leopard Print hat / baseball cap
Bebe basic white t shirt
Topshop "Baxter" white jeans
Tulle pink coat
Nine West "Mainstay" boots
Vintage quilted leather purse
Chanel aviator sunglasses
Burberry watch
Clinique "A Different Grape" lipstick

Hey guys!  It's been a while.  I meant to only take a few days off, but my birthday came up and I got a little distracted.  I usually don't pay too much attention to my own birthday.  But this year, I did something different.  My boyfriend and I rented out a cabin in Lake Tahoe and it was wonderful.  Despite the horrific weather conditions on the first night (snow storm and avalanche warnings), it was the best birthday I'd ever had.  There's nothing like being in a warm and cozy cabin in the middle of a snow storm.

Needless to say, I wasn't able to take any outfit pictures.  But that's more than okay!  Sometimes we need a break from the things we love most (in this case, blogging).  Otherwise it feels like a chore.  Am I right?  :)

Have a great rest of your weekend!

xo  Azu

Print of the Season

Wearing:
Forever 21 gold bow headband
Old Navy denim jacket (Buy it here. I'm wearing a size XS for reference)
BCBG leopard print sleeveless top
Zara pants
Burberry watch
Tory Burch "Kaitlin" quilted leather pumps (On sale here, and here in silver)
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick

Leopard print is definitely my favorite print of the season.  It may even be my favorite print of all four seasons, but it's a tough choice when you've got plaid and polka dots.  I do like the fact that leopard print can act as a neutral in some outfits.  You can mix it with other prints and it won't look outrageous.

It's been a while since I wrote about any health related topics.  I recently came across an email that reminded me of why I hate soda and decided to share it with you guys.  Besides the fact that most sodas contain High Fructose Corn Syrup (proven to trigger migraines, cause obesity), massive amounts of sugar, and aspartame (known carcinogen), here are 20 more reasons why you should consider avoiding Coke/Pepsi:

20 practical ways in which Coke can be used as a household cleaner.
1. Great for cleaning grease stains from fabric.
2. Loosens rusty bolts, and removes rust from fabrics.
3. You can remove blood stains from fabrics using Coke.
4. Soak oil stains on garage floors in Coke and then hosed it off for a clean floor.
5. The acid in Coke can be used to kill slugs and snails.
6. Clean burned pans by soaking them in Coke.
7. The scales on kettles can be cleaned away using Coke.
8. Pouring Coke on car battery terminals will remove corrosion.
9. For decades, Coke distributors have used their product to clean truck engines.
10. Old pennies shine after being soaked in Coke.
11. Soak tile grout in Coke for a few minutes and then wipe it clean.
12. Test it for yourself. Drop a tooth into a sealed container of Coke and watch it dissolve. It will take 
time but it will dissolve.
13. Dip hair that has gum in it into a bowl of Coke and let sit a few minutes. This will dissolve the 
gum so that it can be wiped away.
14. Coke applied to vitreous china will remove stains.
15. Add two 2-liter bottles of Coke to a dirty pool to clear away rust stains.
16. Pouring diet Coke over dyed hair removes or fades color.
17. Apply Coke to marker stains on carpets and then scrub with soapy water.
18. Clean toilet bowls by letting Coke stand in them a while then flush clean.
19. Aluminum foil and Coke will shine Chrome.
20. Soaking a towel in Coke and then laying it on painted metal furniture will strip the paint away.

If Coke can do all this to household items, imagine what it is doing to your body.

Treat your body right and it will treat you right!  Everyone can benefit from avoiding sugary drinks.

xo  Azu

Wild Roses

Wearing:
WildFox Couture rose tee
G By Guess cheetah print pants
Nine West "MainStay" booties
Vintage purse
Mac "Girl About Town" lipstick

I can't take credit for this cheetah and floral combination.  I saw it on a model when I bought this T-Shirt from WildFox.  It was something I knew I had to try out on my own.

Also, please ignore my massively chipped nail polish.  I am NOT a girly girl when it comes to doing my nails.  I actually kind of hate doing them and find them to be sort of a chore.  The smell of any and all nail polish really bothers me too.  Nail polish and I just do not go together.

Well there you go.  That was your fun little Azu fact of the week!  I have to go now, so I really hope you all have a safe and happy weekend.  My Friday was off to a rough start, but I know it will get better tomorrow... I get to spend an entire day hiking with my boyfriend :)

xo  Azu

Leather Shorts, Sequin Beret

Wearing:
Vintage short sleeve blouse
Topshop doberman motif sweater
Topshop high waisted leather shorts
Nine West "Mainstay" booties (buy them on sale here)
Saks Fifth Avenue sequin beret
Dior "Glossy 1" sunglasses
Vintage purse
Burberry watch
Mac "Up the Amp" lipstick

This is my Preppy-Meets-Cool look.  I've worn this combination of items before together (minus the hat and boots) and it's one of my favorite outfits.  My dog motif sweater is something I can wear over and over.  It has proven to be extremely versatile.  I can't wait to show you more ways to wear it.

I hope you're all having a good week so far!  It doesn't feel like a Wednesday to me.  As I type this I'm sitting here by my window sipping on some yummy chocolate Yerba Mate tea (my new favorite).  It's cloudy at the moment.  And for some reason this lack of sunshine has me thinking that it should be Saturday today.

Oh...how I wish it were Saturday.  There's still lots I have to do before the weekend.  Have a great Wednesday, everyone :)  Thank you for following along and reading!

xo  Azu

Tartan Blazer

Wearing:
Guess cropped plaid blazer
Bebe silk ruffle blouse
Citizens of Humanity jeans
Seychelles peep toe booties
Louis Vuitton mini back pack
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick

I've mentioned before how I often make a connection to a piece of clothing, with a memory of when I purchased it or wore it last.  Whenever I wear this cropped blazer from Guess, I can vividly remember the time that I bought it.  I originally saw it at Bloomingdale's in San Francisco.  They didn't have it in my size in the color I wanted, but it was on sale.  I wanted it so bad and I knew it would be a mistake to order it one size too large (or one size too small).  I ended up hunting it down moments later at the same mall at the Guess boutique.  They had both colors (blue/green and this red color).  It wasn't on sale, unfortunately.  But I had to have it.

After buying this blazer, I walked down the street to meet my boyfriend.  He was working on a mural at Tropisueno at the time.  I excitedly showed him what I bought that day.  And like always, he approved of my new buys :)

 That was almost 5 years ago!  Now, when I ask my boyfriend, "Do you remember when I bought this blazer?"  He too can remember that day when I met with him.  We had just started dating back then.  He even remembers what I was wearing that day.

I think it's important to create positive moments that will one day become cherished memories.  Even if nothing significant or major happens (sometimes it's those little things that count).  It helps to have something like a unique piece of clothing to trigger a past memory.  Do any of you have clothing that reminds you of something positive from your past?  Share in the comments.  I'd love to hear about it :)

xo  Azu