Black and White

Ruche Blouse, H&M pants, Kate Spade Purse (similar here and here) and earrings (loving these), Tory Burch Flats

When I don't know what to wear (which is really more often than not), I gravitate toward the basics: black and white. The combination is just so simple, easy, and effortlessly chic. There really is no way to mess it up! You guys know I love pairing new pieces with old favorites, and that's exactly what I've done with this outfit. The cropped black pants and black flats have been a staple in my closet for a few years now. The white blouse with crochet detail is a new favorite, and I've worn it so many times this summer. It works with so many bottoms, and is such an easy throw-on item that still looks put together. Adding a pop of color to my black and white ensembles is an easy way to change up the two-tone look! I love adding a bright lip or bright bag-- or in this case, both!

 

Don't forget, you can still get 20% off on Shopruche.com with my coupon code: IMAN20 until July 31st!  

The Fourth + 20% off

Ruche Skirt and Sandals, H&M top and sunglasses, Target tote, Kate Spade Live Colofully perfume

Independence Day usually means patriotic colors, a long-awaited 3-day weekend, and, of course, BBQ. This year, we had our share of BBQs a weekend early with our closest friends and family. I don't know what it is about burgers and corn on the cob that brings about such a fun and summery atmosphere, but hey, I'm not complaining. Honestly, I could eat burgers (and pizza) for the rest of my life. My favorite? Anything spicy with lots of avocado and olives. How about you? 

PS. It's barely 9:30am, but can you tell I'm already hungry? 

Midi skirts are huge right now, and I'm in love with this one from Shopruche.com! It was the perfect base for a July 4th inspired look. Paired with a basic striped tee and my new favorite wedges (also from Shopruche.com), it's easy to take from work to the weekend. 

Love this look? Get the skirt, sandals, and lots of other great pieces for 20% off sitewide on Shopruche.com with my code: IMAN20. Valid until 7/31! 

Enjoy shopping and the short work week! 

Purple Pumps

Ruche blouse, H&M pants and pumps, Forever 21 bag, Kate Spade watch and bangle, Target earrings

Yup, I have purple pumps on. Who buys purple shoes? Well, apparently, this girl. I saw these pointed toe heels at H&M last year, and I didn't buy them until three visits later. I debated between these ones and the black ones, and usually I would have gone with the more practical choice of black. But clearly, practicality lost this battle. I guess I was on the whole Radiant Orchid trend way before Pantone ;)

The weekend always goes by too fast. This weekend I watched lots of movies and TV and caught up on several things that had been forgotten for too long. It was a couple days full of lots of ideas, creativity, and plans that I can't wait to share with you all! This week is going to be a busy one, but I'm looking forward to it. Well, more like to the end of it, as usual. Is it Friday, yet? 

Happy Monday, friends!

Feeling Blue

Kohl's dotted chambray and clutch, C Wonder sweater via TJ Maxx, H&M jeans, Rock and Republic pumps, Kate Spade watch

 It's always so hard to pair a dark blue top with dark wash jeans, so when I bought this sweater, I was really only thinking about the polka dots. Clearly not the most practical shopper, guys. You should all know by now that I can't pass up a classic dotted print. So when this fantastic find caught my eye as I was walking out of TJ Maxx, my love (ok, ok, healthy obsession) for polka dots wouldn't let me leave without it. When I saw the C. Wonder tag on it, I knew I had scored. Designer dots at a discounted price? Someone pinch me!

I like how all the different shades of blue all come together here, and the juxtaposition of the preppy button down and layered sweater (and lots of dots!) with the distressed boyfriend jeans give a "laid-back-but-still-put-together" look. Because obviously, that's a real thing, guys. Ok, really, I just needed an alternative to dark wash denim, and these pants were the first thing I found.  

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!

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!  

Minty Fresh

Forever 21 mint maxi dress, H&M hot pink blazer and gold braided belt, Target wedges, Kate Spade Gold watch

I wore this colorful ensemble a few weeks ago, the day before graduation. All of my friends and I wanted to take a few final group photos before we all graduated and went our own ways. Of course, the one day we actually all dressed up to get in front of the camera, the photos just didn't seem to come out the way we wanted. Yet, it's funny how even though the photos we hoped to capture some fun moments in didn't work out, we still managed to create so many memories that didn't need photographs to be remembered. 

I had also planned to wear this cropped pink blazer the next day at graduation, but I guess I couldn't wait another day. I mean, new clothes sitting unworn in shopping bags for more than a few days? Blasphemy. It worked out to my advantage though, because it was so hot at graduation anyway that more than one layer of clothing was simply too much under that bulky gown. I love how life has its own ways of working itself out whether its for lifelong memories or my life-altering blazer issues.