Seeing Red: Valentine's Day Inspired Mashup

Seeing Red: Valentine's Day Inspired by pumps-and-lipstick showing how to wear perforated boots

Tabitha Simmons perforated boots
boutique1.com



I love Love. Yeah, I said it! And I'm not talking only about mushy-mushy, romantic, The Notebook type of love. I mean all of it. The love between you and your parents, your gal-pals, your furry friends, and your lover. I'm talking about the love you have for your passions in life. Whatever makes you happy: food, fun, anything and everything that makes us smile and enjoy life to the max.

I roll my eyes when Valentine's Day is propped up as 'Singles Awareness Day' because it points out the lack of love in your life, when it's only a portion. It's discounting the fact that love exists in so many other areas and makes people feel bad about what's missing. I say F that. Take this day (and everyday, really) to be grateful and show the people you love how much you love them. Whether it's a batch of group texts to your nearest to dearest to sending your mama her favorite flowers-- we've all got love in our lives. Just show it and embrace it.


Happy Valentine's Day!

Look of the Day: Miss Mix-a-lot

Before today, I couldn't tell you the last time I wore a leotard. The only time that comes to mind is during my short-lived ballet days when I was 5 years old. This time around, I ditched the pink tutu. 

I'm a big fan of mixing textiles and in this look, I did exactly that. Leather, canvas, cotton, wool, denim— the works! I kept it casual with a hint of edge pairing RACHEL Rachel Roy denim, Nasty Gal jacket, Forever 21 lion leotard, H&M infinity scarf, and Franco Sarto motorcycle boots.

Flop Top Galore

Who said you can't wear a floppy hat in fall? Reminiscent of their summer, straw cousin, these wool floppy babies add the perfect mix of drama and sophistication. I still cain't wait for it to be cold enough to pair with a long coat, tall boots with a chunky heel and dainty hoop earrings. Bad hair day or not, 

Check out some looks below...

Flop Top Galore by pumps-and-lipstick 

Wet Seal hat
wetseal.com

Gucci woolen hat
net-a-porter.com

Floppy hat
amazon.com

Brixton floppy hat
swell.com

Element Eden floppy hat
lulus.com

Cuff Love-- Ear Cuff That Is

I took a walk on the wild side while checking out NastyGal (for those of you who don't know, get your mind outta the gutter, it's a shopping site)! I wanted to get something that I don't have and is really unique. And then I spotted it: an ear cuff. I haven't worn an ear cuff since the sixth grade and that was just a small, simple, silver cuff with an engraved peace sign on it (flower power!). 

I've seen ear cuffs pop up on the red carpet here and there over the year and just thought it was a cool new accessory to try out so, I copped a super embellished ear cuff. 

Peep the new accessory below:

So what do you think? Yay or nay on the ear cuff? Let me know in the comments! Muah!

Holla Back Hologram

Oh, the trends of today! I'm definitely seeing more and more futuristic themes nowadays with lucite and now with hologram or holographic-- whatever you wanna call it! Available in a range of shades from yellow to purple, holographic pieces add a playful punch. I just snagged a lovely little handbag from NastyGal and I can't wait to sport it with lots of loud colors and prints. These fun pieces are definitely conversation starters that are eye-catching and shine oh-so-bright!

Holla Back Hologram by pumps-and-lipstick featuring lime green handbags

For more hologram trend pieces, click below...

Fresh Out the Bag: Warby Parker 1922 Collection

I have perfect vision. And I'm thankful for that. Although when I was a kid in my single digits era, I always wanted some type of impairment. Why you ask? Because I wanted the accessories! From retainers to braces and most of all, glasses. As an adult, I'm happy that I can roll out of bed and not worry about popping in contact lenses or accidentally stepping on my glasses and breaking the frames. But with the launch of Warby Parker's limited edition 1922 Collection, my angst for four eyes has renewed. Thankfully, they also have sunglasses.

The 1922 Collection translates interwar glamour into a wearable future. Each of the three new frames comes with a sunglasses version, and all feature dramatic details in their signature custom acetate and stainless steel. In addition, just like all of our existing collections, for every pair sold, Warby Parker distributes a pair to someone in need through their non-profit partners.

Check out my faves below:

Porter

Duke

Joplin

Which style are you loving? For more styles, check out Warby Parker online and cop yourself a pair! I know I will be.

Happy Tuesday!

Pretty Spring Things

As the temperature is slowly creeping up, I'm slowly transitioning my heavier and dark clothes into the back of the closet and bringing out my fun brights and lightweight pieces. As I like all of my clothes (or else I wouldn't have bought the damn things), some pieces I'm just plain tired of. I guess it's probably my own fault for posting a bajillion photos online and seeing the same strapless sundress in both of my vacation Facebook albums, not to mention loads of pics on Instagram in a variety of filters. Am I double-wearing out my clothes by seeing them over and over via social media? Probably. How do I fix that? With accessories, jewelry, shoes and purses. By simply pairing new pumps and a different skinny belt, you can create an entirely new look. How about adding some texture with a fun raffia fedora hat and colorful raffia fringe sandals? The more you mix different accessories, shoes, and jewelry, the more looks you can achieve and keep from getting bored of the dress, blouse, or denim you once loved and adored.

Check out the darling spring pieces I selected that inspired me to jazz up a few numbers in my closet. For the specs on each piece, click here.

Loving Everything Lucite

Whenever I think or see anything lucite, I start to sing Jimmy Cliff's "I Can See Clearly Now". This trend has popped up several season's ago, but didn't really take off as anticipated. No, no, no, I'm not talking about tacky stripper platforms or glittery jelly sandals we all rocked proudly when we were six years old. This time around, it's an updated and modern take using plexiglass and materials of the like. With Spring here, you can clearly see more and more lucite clutches, cuffs, heels, bangles and jewelry.

Check below to see what the hell I'm talking about:

Loving Lucite by pumps-and-lipstick featuring a leopard necklace

Denim On Denim

I got a couple requests for more collage-y type outfit posts. I'm glad folks are enjoying them. Here are a couple looks I pulled together for part of my Fashion Merchandise Marketing graduate program at FIDM San Francisco on denim wear.

Want to get the deets on each piece in this collage? Get the scoop here via Polyvore.

Bargain Buys = Happy Girl

Last week I almost lost my damn mind. Like, out of my mind, insanely happy, shocked beyond belief type of deal. In this particular instance, I found amazing deals during MLK weekend. It's not like I was actively searching for deals or even in a shopping mood. I just stumbled upon them while enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon. All I can say is, "Winner winner, chicken dinner!"

So, let me break down for y'all what exactly brought me to the brink of happy insanity:

1. Black embellished waist belt from Urban Outfitters. I originally thought the price was $9.99 (originally $36) when I found this beauty on the sale rack. Boy, did I get stupid giddy when the sales associate rang me up and told me it was $4.99!

2. Grey leopard print BDG denim from Urban Outfitters. Like the waist belt above, this puppy was listed for $9.99 (originally $68). So, you can understand my confusion when I was told my total amounted to under $11! I almost kissed the cashier when she explained that there was an additional 50% discount off all sale items.

3. Bright pink cropped slim pants from Gap. I already have the same pants in cobalt blue, and I love them so much. When I spotted these bad boys amidst the sale madness, I knew they would be mine! With Spring around the corner, this bright, light pink is the perfect shade for the blossoming season. Want to know what the sales associate told to me? "Oh, don't forget to take advantage of the extra 40% off sale items!" So I skipped out of Gap paying less than $12!

 Fresh out the bag. Please excuse the wrinkles.

So, those are my recent bargain buys and I always score when I'm not trying to score. Winning!


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TTFN :)

Artisan Jewelry Pieces from the Caribbean

Any time a friend or family member asks me what type of gifts or souvenirs I'd like from their travels, I always ask for jewelry and/or accessories. I figure it's convenient for them to bring back because of the compact size and weight, but I also think they're the easiest pieces to incorporate in any look and adds a lil' something special with the story of where it's from.

This time around, my dad recently returned from Cuba with quite a few artisan jewelry pieces. Take a peek for all the goodies below:

Sterling silver drop earrings paired with drop choker with amethyst stones.

Sterling silver bracelet cuff with carved wood bead.

Sterling silver bracelet cuff with dark coral stone.

Large sea shell ring.

Sterling silver bracelet with black coral stone and opal details.

Sterling silver drop earrings with Tiger's Eye stones.

Color of the Moment: Emerald

I can't get enough of this rich, lush color. Emerald been popping up everywhere in more forms than one. It's an amazing shade and is so versatile to work with plenty of different looks and styles. I f@#king love it.

Scroll down for the details:

Emerald Envy by pumps-and-lipstick 

Mini Trip to the Botanical Garden

Every now and then I like to reconnect with nature in some way. Luckily for me, there's a botanical garden right next to my place in Oakland by Lake Merritt. It's a public garden filled with lots of flowers, trees, shrubs, veggie patches, waterfalls, ponds, bonsai trees and more. I had a free afternoon so, I packed my new Canon Rebel and tripod to take advantage of the sun and snap a few shots.

Scroll down for shots of the lovely garden and outfit looks by yours truly:

                           

All photos are original and property of Pumps and Lipstick.