Hot in Leather

The fashion magazines are full of pictures of skinny models wearing hot black leather pants or tight leather pencil skirts. They look so good, and the pictures tantalize us, and make us believe that we could look like that. Unfortunately, leather is not a very forgiving fabric. If you don't have a perfect figure then leather will show off every crease and bump and flaw. 

A few days back, on my usual window shopping spree one early Saturday morning (I like to get in and out before the hordes descend), I chanced upon this beautiful faux leather circle skirt in burgundy. It kept calling out to me and I got sucked in. I don't have burgundy in my wardrobe and felt it would be a nice addition to my fall collection. It would also give me an excuse to buy one of those sexy crop tops I have been eyeing all summer. I don't really know where I am going dressed like this. The look has a very LA/NY vibe to it and is over kill for the Bay. But hey, isn't it always better to dress up rather than dress down?

Top: Papaya $15.99 (similar here, here and here)

Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad $36.99 (similar here)

Bracelet: Gift (option here and here)

Necklace: Gift (option here)

Purse: Papaya $10 (similar here and here)

Shoes: Nine West $ 49.99 (options here, here and here)

Rings: Forever 21 $2.80 - $4.80 (available here and here)

Floral Fantasy

There is something so feminine about flowers and I can't get enough of them. I love receiving flowers on my Birthday, Valentine's day; in fact any day is flower day. I really don't recommend that people give flowers everyday; they look amazing in their natural beauty when they are on a plant. Why destroy nature for a few hours of pleasure? But if someone does give me flowers, I don't complain. What the heck? They were plucked already.

  Last year I received over 360 blooms on my birthday. That was a record for me. The previous was 120 roses that I received on my 29th birthday. I do love the thought behind it, but I would have been happy with a single stem. When I was in engineering college, Valentine's day was Rose day. The student committee would setup a rose stand at the college entrance and sell roses at astronomical prices. The rose would be delivered by a rep, from the committee, during class hours along with an attached note. All the guys at college would use this opportunity to send roses to their respective girl friends or crushes. Since the rose would be delivered during class hours, everyone in class would know that the girl got a rose. I spent three years of my college life in sheer agony hoping that someone would send me a rose, but it didn't happen. I guess I just didn't have any secret admirers. It was such a blow to my pride. My final year at college, I gave up. If people did not notice me in three years, what was going to change ? But surprise surprise! I did end up getting around 8 roses from various friends. I think it was their sweet way of showing loyalty and friendship. Alas, no secret admirers in final year either.

Do checkout this lovely floral outfit. It has a floral lace skirt and a printed floral blouse. The top and skirt together cost less that $30 and that's a bargain!

Top: Papaya $15.99 (similar here and here)

Skirt: Forever 21 $15.80

Shoes: Sam & Libby $39.99 (similar here and here)

Earrings: Forever 21 (similar here , here and here)

Bracelet: Macys (similar here, here and here)

Clutch: Rivers clutch - Outrage Fashion $38
Rings: Forever 21 $3.80 - $5.80 (similar here, here and here)

Ethnic Vibe

Old Navy sources most of it clothing and material from India. So It is very common to see Indian prints in their summer styles. I found this beautiful off shoulder dress last summer. The bright color caught my attention and being Indian, I could not resist the print. The dark blue traditional Indian motifs embedded on the tangerine background make this dress look so vibrant.

Until last weekend, it did not occur to me that this dress looks like something a person would wear in an Indian ashram. Only when I saw the pics did I realize, that I looked like one of Osho's followers. The color is almost saffron and the tube top combined with the print makes me look like a modern day hippie. Not that I'm complaining - I do think of myself as a free spirit in certain ways :-)

The dress has such a lovely fit, I decided to put my hair up in a pony tail and add a statement necklace. The overall effect is quite eye catching - don't you think ?

Dress: Old Navy $24.99 (other options here, here and here)

Necklace and earrings: Outrage Fashion (similar here, here and here)

Bracelet: Gift (similar here and here)

Sandals - Apt 9 $26.99 

Nail Polish: NYC 207 Brownstone  $2.99 (Available at Target)

Color Block Chic

I don't know what possessed me to buy this dress as it is not my usual style. And fuchsia falls quite low in my list of wearable colors. But sometimes I have to shake things up a bit to get out of my style rut. I did regret my impulsive decision almost immediately and decided to return it to the store the next weekend.

Before returning it, I tried it one last time and guess what ? I changed my mind again :) This dress is  interesting as it combines two trends - the bandage dress and color blocking. The light fuchsia color contrasts well with the navy blue. The back is plain blue with just a tiny strip of fuchsia at the top. 

This is quite an edgy dress and can be worn to work or an evening dinner. I matched it with gold accessories to give it that extra oomph. If you like color blocked dresses, keep watching this space.

Dress: Ross $17.99 (other options here and here) 

Purse: Papaya $10 (similar here and here)

Ring: Forever 21 (other options here and here)

Bracelet: Outrage Fashion (similar here)

Earring: Forever 21 $4.80 (other options here and here)

Shoes: Nine West $19.99 (similar here)