Currently Craving: Perfect Pleats

I have been in love with pleated anything lately! I love how feminine and flowy these maxi skirts and dresses are, but also how versatile they are. I love pairing these girly pieces with slightly tougher, leather jackets or more casual t-shirts. Recently, I purchased a pleated peach maxi skirt from Forever 21, and I can't wait to share how I styled it with you! 

This weekend, I caught up on sleep, tv shows, and laundry. After a crazy busy week in Las Vegas last week, a relaxing weekend was exactly what I needed to come back fresh and ready to work. This week, I'm looking forward to the return of Grey's Anatomy! Seriously though, who else has been waiting for the 27th?! I feel like February goes by so quickly, even though it's only a couple days shorter! This year, I'm kind of excited because I've been looking forward to March :)

Happy Monday, friends!

*all images found on Pinterest

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!

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. 

Summer Days

 Kohl's maxi dress, H&M blazer and clutch, Francesca's jewelry, Target wedges

This past weekend we celebrated my younger sister's high school graduation. Congratulations, Madeeha! The UC's just weren't ready to let go of a Siddiqui sister just yet ;) 

I helped to plan the bright and colorful party in the park (blog post coming soon!) with grilled foods, refreshing desserts, and fun decorations, and it was a great way to end the weekend. I wore this multi-colored maxi dress to match the vibrant decorations and stay cool on the hot summer day. 

Just this summer, I've managed to accumulate five or six new maxi dresses. I mentioned before I have a soft spot for maxi dresses, so of course, I fell in love with this one by Lily Rose. I don't know if it's obsession or maybe just lack of self-control, but call it what you wish; the only cure is more dresses! 

Maxis in Mint

Forever 21 dress and earrings, Abercrombie and Fitch denim jacket, Love Culture bag

I have a weakness for maxi dresses. And the color mint. So, obviously this dress had to come home with me last Thursday. I love how versatile it is; I wore it casual for a day of shopping and family time, but I'm also planning to dress it up with a white blazer and some heels soon. 

It's pouring rain this morning, and I'm reminiscing back to this flowy maxi dress (if four days ago counts as reminiscing) and the 85 degree weather that I was so ungrateful for at the time. We always just want what we can't have. Except I wanted the dress, and now I have it. So I guess I can't really complain.

Appreciate all the good you have while you have it :) Happy Monday! 

   

San Diego: Day 2

Angl maxi dress, Love Culture cardigan, Forever 21 earrings, bangles, ring

This dress is not new, but every time I wear it, I dress it up differently, so it feels new each time. This time I opted for a black cardigan with simple jewelry and a fedora. My roommate and friend, Himika also let me borrow her gorgeous purse, which I think completes this outfit perfectly! Thanks, Himika :)

We started our second day in San Diego with a delicious and filling brunch at The Mission. The beautiful presentation and huge portions were perfect to last us--well, most of us--all day. I ate ice cream later, as you can see. Like I said before, when am I not hungry? When we got to the ice cream shop, I realized I had been there several years ago. It was the strangest feeling but brought back many happy memories, and I'm glad we made the spontaneous ice cream run. Sometimes all you need is a little something sweet to trigger long lost memories.