Life Lessons

Ruche blouse and jacket, Forever 21 sweater and scarf, Jessica Simpson skinnies, Ralph Lauren boots, Steve Madden tote, Target sunglasses and quilted gloves

A few weeks ago, my family and I took a day trip up to Big Bear Lake. Even though it wasn't cold enough for snow, I was still able to layer up and accessorize/stay warm with gloves and boots. I've been loving the combination of olive and blush pink, and I like how the softness of this knit infinity scarf pairs with the tougher feel of this faux leather and suede moto jacket and aviators. The brown-toned boots, bag, and scarf further helped to soften this look, and were ideal for this mini road trip. 

We spent the day taking lots of pictures, eating, and complaining about how cold it was. There was some manmade snow, so some of us went sledding, but most of our group went on a fun hike. 

Life lesson of the day: Don't wear shoes with heels through the woods. In my defense, I did wear leggings under my jeans, so I was somewhat prepared!  

Happy 1st Birthday, Polka dots and Purses!

Today marks the first birthday of P & P! It's hard to believe that a full 365 days have passed since I shared my first post with you all. This blog has become more than just an online fashion diary. It is a part of me, a safe haven where I share more than just my clothes. It is something that is all mine, with no rules and no restrictions. I love the freedom I have with P&P to be able to share my feelings and my life with all of my readers. When I prepare a post for you all, it is relaxing--a way to de-stress and make time for myself. And, with each post, I hope to bring a little smile to everyone's face, not just mine. I hope that I have been at least somewhat successful at that this year.

I also want to use today to reflect on how thankful I am for all the support and love I have received throughout this first year's journey. I want to give a big thank you to my family and friends who joke about the "blag" but continue to push me to share and post, my favorite photographer without whom this blog would not be possible, and, of course, to every. single. one. of my readers that continue to return to my site and give such positive and heartwarming feedback! It is because of you all that I continue to push myself to keep working on sharing new posts as often as I can!

As for 2014, I am hoping to bring you all as much new and consistent content as I possibly can! I can't wait to see what this new year has in store for Polka dots and Purses!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you all!  

Holiday Party

Forever 21 dress (old) and purse, Zara Coat, Francesca's necklace, H&M belt, Cathy Jean pumps

On Saturday, I went to my work holiday party. It was the first holiday party I've ever attended, so of course, picking what to wear was a nightmare, and my room was left looking like a tornado attacked. I ended up going with a pretty literal interpretation of "holiday" and picked a basic red dress and accessorized with ivory and gold. A pop of green with my envelope crossbody was perfect to carry my ID, keys and lipstick.

After 2 hours of traffic, we spent the evening eating, chatting, and playing games at Dave & Busters--it was a great night and I'm so glad I decided to go! Plus, I came home with a snazzy stainless steel travel mug (worth 750 tickets), so I'd say it was a pretty good night.

I get 3 days off of work, so I'm spending the first half of this week with friends and family (and lots of food, naturally). 

Happy holidays everyone! 

Rebellious

TJ Maxx shimmery top, Ruche coated black skinnies, Kohl's necklace, Jessica Simpson Booties, Tory Burch clutch

So, I call this my "edgy" look. I know, SO rebellious with a preppy Tory clutch and sparkly top. But it's the leather-look of these coated jeans that is just so out-of-the-box for me. I don't usually wear dresses and skirts, so I wanted to try something new with my pants. And I think they're my favorite purchase this season! The dark color palette is quite different from my usual colorful ensembles, but I actually am liking the charcoal and black for a night out with friends or even a family dinner.

I paired the jeans (which are SO comfy, by the way) with an oversized, yet feminine top and understated accessories. While the snakeskin clutch and silver necklace would otherwise be considered statement pieces, since they're in the same color scheme as the rest of the outfit, I like that they don't overpower the look. 

There's something so refreshing about trying new things, even if it is just new pants!  

What Does the Fox Say?

Old Navy fox sweater, Kohl's embellished blouse, Jessica Simpson dark wash skinnies, Rock and Republic pumps, Henri Bendel bag, Kate Spade watch and bangle, Burberry glasses

Ok, let me just state the obvious: there is a fox on my sweater. And, before anyone asks; Yes, half the reason (ok, maybe the only reason) I bought this is to have a post titled exactly what it is titled. So, now that I've admitted on the internet that I choose my clothes based on oddly popular YouTube videos, we can move on. 

I was never a huge fan of layering my clothes because I felt like it created unnecessary bulkiness. But, now I love it to add an extra pop to my outfits! I paired this sweater with a hot pink blouse to pick up on the fox's glasses (foxes wear glasses?!) and to bring in some sparkle with the pearl embellished collar. Neutral accessories seemed like the way to go with such a quirky statement sweater, so I chose a simple bangle and gold watch with my Henri Bendel duffel.

Fall/Winter has been extremely mild here in SoCal, as expected, up until this past week where the temperature dropped dramatically. So, I've kind of just been pretending it's cold enough to wear sweaters and boots. 

And I know what you're all thinking about the glasses. Totally on purpose to match the fox. Obviously.

Purseday Thursday

Welcome to Purseday Thursday! If you couldn't tell from the name of this blog, I love purses! From oversized totes, to mini cross bodies, to envelope clutches, in my world, there's just no such thing as "too many" when it comes to bags. So, keep an eye out for Thursdays where I'll share all my handbag happenings!  

This week, I'm showcasing my Henri Bendel barrel bag that I got as a graduation present a few months ago. With the signature brown and white Henri Bendel stripes, gold hardware, and camel leather trim, it's a classic piece that's great for a girl on the go. I'm able to tote around everyday necessities like my phone and lipgloss, while also squeezing in my sunglasses and an umbrella to be prepared for all kinds of spontaneous fall weather. There's also more than enough space for a water bottle, snacks, and even an extra change of clothes. For a commuter like myself, this bag is both spacious and chic! 

What's in my Bag:

• Henri Bendel barrel bag: similar

• Revlon lipgloss in Bordeaux: A beautiful berry color that's great for fall

• NYX lipgloss in Sugar Pie: My first nude lip color, and I love it!

• Burberry glasses case: Just in case my contacts decide not to cooperate

• Ray Ban folding wayfarers: The only thing that gets me through my morning commute of driving toward the sun

• iPhone 5 with my Taj Mahal case from Society6.com

• Leopard print umbrella: Serves as a functional yet trendy accessory to make even rainy days fun (similar available here and here)

Updates

Hey P&P fans! It's been busy, busy past 2 weeks, but so much has been accomplished! But, most importantly, I'm officially done with school! My final assignment of my undergrad career was completed last Thursday, and now I've gone from full-time student to full-time employee with only a weekend in between! Even though I know it's going to be stressful and difficult, I'm looking forward to starting this first chapter of "real life" with deadlines to meet and bills to pay. So, from now on, you'll find me either glued to the computer at work, or staring at my laptop at home working on revamping Polka Dots and Purses! 

But today, you can find me guest blogging for Ruche in my favorite outfit combo: heels, a blazer, and my new favorite purse obsession! I was so excited to be featured on The Ruche Blog last Friday :) It has been such a pleasure interning here since April, and now I'm glad I can be a more permanent part of the Ruche family!

Back to School: Transitions

Berry Blazer and stripe blouse c/o Charlotte Russe, H&M white jeans, Ruche green handbag, Rock & Republic white pumps, Target sandals, Tory Burch cuff, Kate Spade watch 

I'm totally obsessed with this berry colored blazer. I know, I say that about a lot of things, but this time I'm serious. It's the perfect transition piece between summer to fall. And it matched with this velvet couch. I mean, what more could you ask for? Here I've worn it with bright white pants, but I can't wait to style it with darker denim and boots as it starts to cool down.

Speaking of transitions, this outfit is great from class to the office. Wear it with cute flats or sandals for a morning of trekking across campus, and swap for a pair of heels when you're headed to your internship or job! Plus, this green structured tote (my new favorite impulse buy!) is the most ideal size for a laptop, a planner and--you know me--a snack!

Speaking of more transitions, I'm moving out of my apartment of 2 1/2 years tomorrow. And I haven't packed up a single thing. Not even a blazer. Which is a problem considering half of my closet is blazers... Oh the predicaments of a style blogger--that should be a blog in itself. Wish me luck guys, and have a good weekend!

Back to School: Dress for Chess

Love Culture blouse, backpack and skirt c/o Charlotte Russe, Jessica Simpson booties, Tory Burch lucite cuff, Kate Spade watch, Dogeared infinity necklace, Target tights and earrings 

Going back to school every year always meant one thing: school supply shopping. The bright colors, blank notebooks, and the distinct school supply smell signified the start of a new year, a new time to learn. Although I'm almost done with school, the idea of a new notebook and pen still gets me so excited to fill the pages with new stories, ideas, and dreams.

I loved the idea of pairing this black and white skirt with a bright blouse, especially emerald green. With the tights and booties, this look is perfect for fall and maybe even a first day of school outfit. This olive green backpack with crochet detailing is practical yet super cute to tote around all your new supplies! I can even fit my laptop inside so it's ideal for a day of a classes or studying at the library. 

Taking photos after such a long time was such a great break from the busy schedule I have as I'm finishing up school. I had so much fun getting these shots on this giant chess board, and the backdrop of this game of strategy and concentration seemed fitting for the first of my Back to School posts in collaboration with Charlotte Russe!

Changes

H&M cropped pants and blazer, blouse c/o Charlotte Russe, Target tote, Cathy Jean wedges, Michael Kors watch

It's already August, and I don't know where the year has gone! 2013 is flying by, and life is moving on so quickly. There are lots of big changes coming my way in the next few months, and I'm hoping that I can face them with a strong mind and heart.  

I love this wrap blouse from Charlotte Russe--and not just because of the polka dots! It's comfortable and flowy, and I can dress it up with a fitted blazer or wear it casual with a colorful and loose cardigan! I'm excited to wear it with boots and scarf in the fall too. There's only about a month of summer left, so I'm savoring the last few days of warm weather before scarves and sweaters start replacing my sandals and t-shirts!

Airport Style

H&M striped top, blazer, and sunglasses, Foreign Exchange jeans, Charlotte Russe necklace, Tory Burch flats, Kate Spade bag and gold watch

I call this my travel outfit. Skinny jeans, a boyfriend blazer, and polished flats. I wore it to the airport a few weekends ago to see off two of my good friends who were moving overseas for a few years. I guess the ride to the airport and back counts as traveling, right? I love looking at "airport style." I mean, who doesn't want to travel comfortably while looking chic? Now, I just need a place to go! 

I had actually left my house without a necklace on. On our way back from the airport, we made a quick stop at the Topanga Mall, and of course, I couldn't come out empty-handed! The necklace matched perfectly with my handbag, so I just couldn't resist!

Colorful Comfort

Francesca's dress and belt, Zara cardigan, Kohl's statement necklace, Kate Spade Watch, H&M bangle and ring

I wore this plain maxi dress and statement necklace combo while exploring downtown Pismo Beach a few weekends ago. Comfortable, yet colorful, it was perfect for an afternoon of brunch, farmers markets, and ice cream. This has been my go-to dress for spontaneous trips this summer. It's perfect to throw on for a hot day, easy to accessorize with simple or statement jewelry, and beyond comfortable for long car rides or afternoon walks.  

What's your favorite thing to wear this summer? Comment below and let me know!

Polka Dot Pants

H&M white blouse and sunglasses, Gap cropped polkadot skinnies, Target sandals, Michael Kors watch

You guys know I love colored pants. And polka dots. So finding these peach polka dot pants (try saying that five times fast) was the best thing that happened to me last week. I've already worn them twice, and I am so excited to wear them for the rest of the summer. These photos are actually from July 4th weekend. We spent a few days barbecuing and relaxing in Pismo Beach and Santa Barbara with friends and food, two of my favorite things. 

On another happy note, I hit 100 "likes" on my Polka Dots and Purses Facebook Page today! I wanted to give all my readers a special thanks for all your support and encouragement this far! I couldn't do it without you guys, so thank you SO much :)

Happy Friday friends, and hope you have a good weekend!