Sam Edelman Petty Booties VS Dolce Vita Cassidy Booties

 Ever since I picked up a pair of tan suede booties (on a whim since they were on sale for $20!) I realized I needed a pair in black also. I really wanted to find one before I left for my trip to Arizona so I ended up ordering the Sam Edelman Petty Bootie and the DV by Dolce Vita Cassidy Bootie both in black suede.

 I originally thought I would like the Dolce Vita ones better since the style more closely resembles the current booties that I have. Plus I had seen these in person before ordering them online though I had never gotten the chance to actually try them on. I had seen someone else do so and they looked great on her. The main issues I had with DV booties were with the shaft. While the bottom of the shoes were really sturdy and thick the shaft was so flimsy in comparison. It's a slip on style with no additional zippers. My current inexpensive booties are also like that but even they feel more robust compared to these. It almost seemed like after continuous wear they might start to tear. On top of that the shaft opening was just too big for me. While it would have looked better with tucked in pants, I wanted the option of being able to wear them bare legged for the summer. Additionally the suede had more of a worn-in texture that I didn't prefer.

 The Sam Edelman booties on the other hand pleasantly surprised me. Even though the style looked different than what I wanted I liked these better. These felt sturdy all the way around. They cut off at a more flattering part of the leg so that it was possible to wear them bare legged, and on top of that they had a zipper opening on the sides to make it easier to put on/off. I thought the different colored sole/heel would make it too casual but (depending on the outfit) I'm able to wear these to work as well. I will admit these were not comfortable right off the bat. They did feel a bit stiff, and still do to a point now. I've gotten used to them though and highly recommend them. I probably wouldn't wear these if I knew I would be walking around outside a ton, but I did end up wearing them to a cavern tour and my feet felt fine. (Though it does make decently loud heel noises so I wouldn't wear them again to the caves if I had a choice...it was a spur of the moment decision to go).

Unboxing/Review: Daniel Wellington Leather Band Watches

How did I originally hear about Daniel Wellington? Through Instagram. Almost every blogger seemed to be posting photos of them wearing one. I had never hear of the brand before then and was intrigued. I had always been on the lookout for a simple, black leather band watch. When I looked through DW's website and saw the Classy Sheffield (26 mm) I decided to do my research.

If I'm going to be perfectly honest I'll admit that I was a little skeptical of purchasing a watch from Daniel Wellington. I have a decent collection of watches and don't mind spending money on them since I wear one every day. While I definitely have watches that were way more expensive than some of DW's watches, I didn't feel comfortable spending a still good amount of money on a watch I had a)never seen in person and b)from a brand I had never heard of before.

I ended up spending a few weeks looking around for a similar design from other watch companies. You would think it wouldn't be such a hard task seeing how simple the DW watches are, but it actually is! One of the main qualities I was looking for was a plain face with non-silver metal detailing. While Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade had some that almost fit the bill, I didn't want anything that had the brand's logo very apparent or with non-classic details (like the spade, even though it is quite cute).

So in the end I decided to go ahead and order the Classy Sheffield with the black leather strap and the rose gold case. BEST. DECISION. EVER. I always thought certain outfits would just go better with a black leather strap watch vs the metal/ceramic band watches (which I normally wear) so I would just rotate this in every now and then. I originally purchased my first Daniel Wellington watch back in August of 2014 and for the past 7 months I've been wearing it 95% of the time. It's so lightweight, goes with everything, and the leather is even better than it was when I first got it (it's gotten a bit worn in and fits perfectly on my wrist).

And that brings me to the Classy St. Mawes Lady (36 mm). I was also interested in the lighter brown strap too during my first look through so decided to order this one in the larger size (which seems to be more popular...on IG anyways). I like this style as well though I wish the brown was more lighter, but overall it's another amazing addition to my collection. Since it is the larger version it does tend to move around on my wrist a bit more (but all watches do) and the leather is taking longer to "break in." For this time around I remembered to snap some photos of the packaging so decided to share along with my review.

Got this delivered to my parents' place and the UPS man totally called me out! 
Mom: "Another package?!" Him: "It's something good though it's a watch!"

Pricing is fair. The US website shows $199 but apparently pricing can vary depending on where it's being shipped from. (That's the only reason I seemed to be able to find). It showed up as $159.20 for me during check out (but paid a total of $135.20 using a discount code).

Well loved Classy Sheffield. Listed as $149 on the website though at checkout it showed up at $119.20 (with a discount code paid $101.32). If anyone knows the reason for the differences in price let me know!

Working in my Giles Eek Hat

I never thought there would come a time where I would actually dread the weather getting warm. I hate being cold so I'm usually pretty excited when spring/summer comes back around. I feel like this year though just as I started really enjoying my "winter" pieces (I do live in California after all) I have to start putting them away again.

This Giles Eek Hat by Wool and The Gang is a prime example (back in stock in 'tweed gray'). I debated purchasing it for so long I only got to wear it three times. The most recent time I actually decided to wear it on my commute to work not caring if it would mess up my hair or not. This day was probably one of the last real cold days before it started crawling up toward the high 70's. Unfortunately it was still too dark in the morning to photograph my outfit so I had to take these on my commute back. (The hat looked more appropriate with my winter coat I promise).

I did a whole post on the unboxing which you can view here. I hadn't worn it at the time though. Regardless of the fact that I won't be able to wear this hat anymore (unless I decided to visit somewhere a lot colder soon) I am still obsessed with it! The eyeballs look even better when the hat is being worn, and it really does an amazing job of keeping your head warm. That thick knit, besides looking oh so cool, does wonders of keeping the chilliness away. 

Express shirt (similar), Old Navy pants, Target belt (similar), Ray Ban sunglasses

Work OOTDs: Incorporating classics

I haven't gone to the gym for two weeks straight since I've been working so much. It also doesn't help that healthy eating has also gone out the window during this period too. (I am sitting here writing this while drinking my leftover In-and-Out neapolitan shake from last night's dinner...).

The weather here has been in that weird transitional phase. It's still pretty darn cold in the mornings and evenings, but the afternoon can get quite warm (especially if the sun is shining out and you have to walk quite a bit to grab some lunch).

So I've been breaking out my cropped pants and pencil skirts (though still with stockings). None of these are ground-breaking outfits, but they're appropriate enough for work without being totally boring. I've been trying to incorporate more timeless pieces that I can rotate between outfits and style in different ways.

A few outfit details:

• Black cropped pants. I scooped these up from Target in their "work wear" section. I have to admit they aren't the best fit. They are a great length, and I like how the waist band area is thick but not constricting. Yet they are a little baggy around the knees and around the calves. That could just be due to my body type though since these pants have a good rating on the website. I've tried higher end cropped pants with a similar problem so I decided to just stick with these.
• Navy cropped pants. I know in the photos above they're hard to tell the difference, but the navy ones are the ones in the third photo. These are from Old Navy and fit a lot better. The only caveat is that they're not as stretchy so overall not as comfortable, especially since I feel like I'm in between sizes. These are just a tad too tight, but the size above was way too loose. These have over 1,000 reviews on the website and a four star rating. If the fit and comfort was better I would purchase them in all the colors. 
• White blouse. The first outfit above was actually inspired by Fran (from Franish, a medical student who blogs about fashion and medicine. Current favorite read! If the fact that I went back pages and pages on her blog wasn't evidence enough). I decided to wear something similar the next time I went to work when I realized I actually didn't own a single white blouse. This was actually the only white blouse that I could find in the store so I bought it without even trying it on. Luckily it fit and even luckier I love it!
• Black leather watch. I won't go into too much detail since I'm planning a post exclusively on this brand, but it isn't just a blogger-hype. I've had this for over half a year and wear it pretty much every day. And it still looks great. I can't recommend it more. (More details to come).

February Favorites 2015

I thought I would bring back these monthly favorite posts since I tend to shop too much and love trying new things. So why not share them on here? (Ironically I noticed the last time I did this was February as well...but two years ago, oops).

• Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. I actually first noticed this book because of its cover. And this was before I even saw it in full color since it was one of the covers on my Kindle box when I first received it. My friend started reading it (and never finished) but she did rave about it so I decided to pick it up when I was feeling in the mood for a real, physical book. It was a pretty easy read for me so that was nice. Not too heavy but entertaining. Most of the book is written via correspondence between all the different characters. The narrator's mom (who is Bernadette) is hilarious. Definitely my favorite character throughout the novel.
• Symphonized Noise Isolating Headphones. Small, portable headphones that also isolate noise are a must for a public transportation commuter like me. I live pretty far from work so I have to get up extra early to arrive on time. Every morning I try to at least get some more sleep on my train ride, though it gets difficult when the moving train makes so much noise. I never cared about noise isolating headphones till I started commuting. Now I can't survive without them. I used to use these white Skull Candy ones that I was obsessed with, but after having to re-purchase them for a second time after they broke I decided to look into a different brand. I saw all the good reviews on Amazon and for the price I couldn't pass them up! They are made out of genuine wood and on top of looking pretty darn cool they work amazing. The only gripe I have with them is that they don't have volume control. This is a bummer since I try to keep my phone tucked away on the train (I've seen way too many people have their phones snatched). 
• Ariella Collection Crystal Ear Jackets. I have been looking for some ear jacket earrings ever since they started becoming popular. I know Bauble Bar usually has a good collection, but never got around to making an order since the ones I had my eye on were always sold out. I decided to browse through Nordstrom's earrings when I was making an online order and saw these. I had never heard of the brand before, but they appealed to me right away. I have pretty much been wearing them every single day since I've gotten them. I have never gotten more compliments on a pair of earrings until I got these (the fact that my hair is shorter probably helps too). They aren't too flashy that I can't wear them to work, but are noticeable enough that I've gotten comments on them from patients, coworkers, and other strangers alike.
• Laneige Multi-Cleanser. I originally was buying a cream from this brand for my mom at Target when they happened to be having a special where if you bought something from Laneige you got a free mini sample set. In it happened to be this cleanser. I'm pretty happy with my Cetaphil cleanser but decided to try this out one evening after I had finished taking most of my makeup off with a wipe. The description claims to "melt away sunscreen and makeup." Most cleansers that state this are usually too harsh and drying for my skin, but this one didn't give me any of those side effects. It almost gives your skin a squeaky-clean feeling without making it feel too stripped of essential oils. The cleanser does contain "exfoliating papaya" but I wouldn't recommend it if you're just interested in an exfoliater since the papaya dissolves pretty rapidly. I don't mind since I have a separate cleanser I use just for that and I don't want my main cleanser to have that property anyways. I now switch off between this and my Cetaphil cleanser.
• NatureBox Strawberry Greek Yogurt Pretzels. I've had a subscription to this company for a while since I love snacking. I try not to get them every month though since I'm the only one who's usually eating them and it takes me a while to get through them. I recently made a new order after not getting a shipment in a while and loved these pretzels. They are just the right amount of sweet and crunchy. I almost finished the whole bag in one day...(You can find promo codes online if you're interested in signing up for NatureBox. I also am able to send three invites to anyone interested in joining where you can get a free deluxe box [the size I get] for the first month).

Unboxing: Wool and The Gang Giles Eek Hat

Yep, I just bought that hat. I do remember seeing it here and there but I don't know where my sudden obsession came about. One day I just decided I needed to get my hands on it. I browsed through their site and noticed that they had a lot of cute designs in the same type of hat, but I had to get the Giles Eek one. And by had to I mean that it has EYEBALLS on it. C'mon. Do you know how hard it is to find stylish/unique/cool items with eyes/eyeballs on it? VERY. (See my I Heart Guts post below. It is so much easier to find dental-related items versus optometry-related items). 

So I thought about the purchase for a few weeks before deciding to order it when the website proclaimed that there was only "1 left in stock" for this style and color (though how true that is I do not know. The grey one did disappear after I put in my order, but then I noticed it back again the next day. Either way I did not want to risk it!) Ironically it looks like the hat is out of stock in the grey color as I am typing this post. But they have three other colors available here.

It arrived pretty quickly considering it was coming from out of the country. The package was simple but was just another reason I liked it. It came with a few #shareyourknit stickies and a REUSABLE BAG. (I get very excited about these, especially if they're cool like this one).

The actual hat itself came in a simple white "brown bag." And the product is exactly how it looks in photos. The huge chunky knit is amazing and I love the eyeballs knitted on there as well. On top of just looking cool it does a fantastic job of keeping your head warm. Unfortunately the weather isn't cold enough to be wearing such a thick beanie, but luckily it seems like it'll be getting cooling down again soon.

Favorite Workout Gear

I will admit that I've never stuck to this resolution before, but I've always said at the beginning of every year that I would start to take better care of my health. This is the first year that I've actually made some real progress on that. While the eating better portion still needs more work (I'm the type of girl who gets excited about what I'm gonna eat the next day), I've been pretty impressed with myself about the fitness portion. 

The main motivator is the fact that I am now paying a monthly fee to get access to a gym. Having some of your hard-earned paycheck automatically paid out to a gym definitely inspires you to go. It also helps that the gym I decided to go to is new and everything is in tip-top shape. (Another reason why I didn't join a gym sooner. If I'm going to be paying for something it better be worth my money!) 

I haven't been too experimental with my workouts so I don't have an expanse collection of workout gear, but I did have a decent selection to start off with. So far my current favorites are pictured above. I would have to say my favorite part are my shoes. I can't live without these. I bought these full price when they first came out (which I was debating about) but am so glad I did since I've definitely gotten my money's worth. On top of wearing these Nikes to workout, I also wear them at work on surgery days and just to run errands sometimes. They are so comfortable and they look pretty darn chic considering. They are the Nike Free Runs though I'm not 100% sure about the model since I was unable to find my exact design online with the model number next to it (I had always assumed it was the Free Runs 5.0?). But you can purchase the most recent version of them (Nike Free Runs 5.0+) in a variety of different colors. 

The first sports bra is from the Forever 21 activewear line. It was inexpensive and had gotten good reviews so I decided to give it a chance and order it online. The Low Impact Seamless Sports Bra comes in a whole bunch of colors as well. The second sports bra is from Cotton On, and is definitely my favorite due to its design. Unfortunately the Attack Yoga Crop bra is not available in this particular pattern online, but they usually have better selections in stores. These C9 Champion leggings, while not as fun, are functional. They're a cropped length and are made well considering the price. I also feel like they do a good job of holding everything in while I do cardio. I purchased these at Target, and you can find similar ones here.

Having a good set of workout gear definitely motivates me to get my butt to the gym. So far I've consistently been going twice a week, though I'm trying to go more often after my schedule lightens up. Even though my endurance still needs to be built up, even working out for 20 minutes vastly improves my energy levels. Although it's unrealistic for me to see any obvious changes in my body at that rate (plus my diet hasn't changed much), I already feel so much better. I've been noticing that I don't rely on caffeine as much as I used to. (Though I still enjoy it on days I don't need to. I'm a sucker for coffee and tea). 

One thing I am nervous, yet excited to start is this 21 day no-sugar challenge that got sent around in an e-mail from where I work. Basically you got to choose which challenge to do, but all of them involved reducing your sugar intake. I decided not to be a wimp and choose the one I for sure have an issue with: sugary drinks. It begins this upcoming Monday and involves going COLD TURKEY on all sugar-sweetened beverages. I will update to see how that goes since I can't live without my iced coffee/tea and boba normally.

My current favorite post-workout drink: Apple 'n Greens from Jamba Juice

Warby Parker Home Try-On (Part II)

I went through another shipment of glasses after my great experience the first time around with Warby Parker. I had one or two picks from the last time, but I wanted to try a couple more before coming to my final decision.

Again I'm still on the lookout for a pair of tortoiseshell frames so those are pretty much the only ones I picked. This shipment seemed to have more options for me but I narrowed it down to two. I like the style of the Sims and Theo frames along with the Wilkie ones from my first shipment. In all honesty I would be happy with having all three. Especially at the price, which is $95 for a full pair of glasses. This means it includes the price of the lenses as well (which comes with anti-reflective and anti-scratch coatings--usually an additional cost at most optical stores). Plus they come with UV protection. Definitely a must for someone like me who's always diligent about wearing sunglasses out doors.

Now my only problem is deciding which out of the three I'm actually going to purchase. That and to remember to print out a copy of my prescription when I'm at work. 

Sims & Theo

Warby Parker Home Try-On (Part I)

I stumbled onto Warby Parker through a mention in a magazine. The first thing that enticed me was their selection of stylish, yet classic-shaped frames. Once I noticed their affordable prices and the option of a Home Try-On process I was sold!

I had been on the lookout for a new pair of glasses since the ones I've been wearing are a few years old (oops). I had gotten my prescription updated and thought it'd be nice to have glasses that were a bit more stylish so I could wear them out and about. Ever since I started wearing contacts two years ago I noticed my eyes tend to get pretty red while I have them on. I do switch into my glasses as often as possible, but I don't like wearing them to work or when I'm hanging out with friends. Hence why I've been searching for a pair to invest in. I obviously checked out the selection that we have at work, and while they do carry a variety of styles and designers I just couldn't find one I liked enough for the price. (A Marc by Marc Jacobs frame came quite close but the $250+ price tag for just the frames was a little daunting. Especially since I had used my vision insurance already for contacts this year).

After hearing about Warby Parker I quickly picked out five frames to try using their free home try-on program. They came in about three business days. The day that you receive them is when the countdown to the five days you have to test them out start. I greatly appreciated that they have a program like this since I could automatically take two frames out of the running. Seeing them online, even if they show it on a model, is very different from actually trying them on in person. It definitely makes it harder since people's face shapes and features are different so certain glasses won't work on everyone. On top of that some of the frames were heavier than I anticipated. That was also a deciding factor for me since I tend to get headaches easier when I'm wearing my glasses for a long period of time. If I wanted to wear my glasses at work (which I want to try doing since wearing contacts for 12+ hours is just not as healthy on your eyes) they would need to be comfortable.

I'm pretty picky when it comes to glasses since I feel like they just don't look good on me! I did find one I was the most partial to but thought I might as well give this home try-on a second try. I mean, it is free after all. Plus the process is relatively easy. They provide you with the shipping label so you can put the glasses back into the same box they came in and drop it off at any UPS. (You can even drop it off at a Staples or Office Depot which is what I did. Many of them have a UPS section in their store). I'll post another update when my second shipment comes in. Crossing my fingers that I'll find a frame that I love.

Over The Hump

Sean Collection Sequined Silk Sheath Dress & H&M Wedges

So funnily I ended up not going with a lace dress. I swear I was really set on it! I just couldn't find the perfect one. Funny story though because the one I ended up wearing was something I had said no to when the boyfriend first suggested it. Since we had gone shopping early in the morning I was given lots of attention and someone ended up going around grabbing random dresses for me to try on. He and the boyfriend both agreed that this dress was their favorite. So we went with it! I unfortunately would have preferred different shoes, but I hadn't known what dress I was going with so just wore something I had on hand.

The event itself was really fun and at a gorgeous venue (the San Francisco Design Galleria). They provided dinner, had a photobooth going on, and a talent show (with premade videos/skits from people in the class). Overall a fun night and I had a good weekend overall. Definitely needed after expecting to do so much over the three day MLK weekend, but all I did was stay in bed since I got sick for the entire week. 

August already?

This is what I wore out for my friend's birthday. I actually wore these H&M zipper wedges instead but just had on these sandals for driving. Which reminds me, the last picture below was taken since the bf thought my parking was too hilarious. How was I supposed to know the spaces were so long?!

Max Azria x Miley Cyrus blazer, Forever 21 dress + bracelet + ring, ASOS handbag, Walmart sandals

My summer go-to outfit

Charlotte Russe blouse, Forever 21 shorts + bracelet, Melinda Maria Pod Ring

These were actually taken about a month ago while we were waiting to pick up some friends. (Probably the only reason why an outfit post happened to be honest!). I'm kind of obsessed with silky, sheer blouses with a pretty print. Same goes for cardigans too. I actually need to stop purchasing them. And I just realized this is the first picture post showing off my Melinda Maria Vanessa Pod Ring (Black Onyx). I meant to make a post (similar to the MK watch one below) when this arrived, but I was too busy wearing it to really take the time to take photos of it. I had been wanting this ring for about two years before I decided I still liked it enough to get it. I only did this since a) it was expensive so more thought before taking the plunge and b) I knew it would always be available/it wasn't limited edition or anything like that. It paid off since I'm still obsessed over it and it literally has been the only ring I reach for when I go out.

(PS: I never thought I'd be one of those people who get things on their clothing when they wear white...but in my defense someone spilled it on me!)