Overcoat Overload

Winter is certainly chilling my bones some days. As a Bay Area commuter, part of my journey to work every day consists of walking a couple miles in bustling downtown SF and along tranquil Lake Merritt in Oakland. The early morning breeze and evening chill makes me shiver with goosebumps.

To keep me warm and brave the icy wind, my coats have gotten longer and longer. Peep a couple of my favorite overcoats below:

Overcoat Overload by pumps-and-lipstick featured in lauren conrad style

Haider Ackermann white wool coat
farfetch.com

Purple wool coat
$155 - modekungen.se

Pink coat
euro.dorothyperkins.com

Betsey Johnson lip earrings
amazon.com

Green gemstone ring
$8.71 - target.com.au

Airplane Chic

Airplane Chic by pumps-and-lipstick featuring black sandals

Stripe maxi dress
$94 - whistles.co.uk

Balenciaga black sandals
matchesfashion.com

Proenza Schouler royal blue bag
forwardforward.com

Today, I'm heading on a plane back today from Vegas after SIX long days. Yes, you read that correctly. SIX days in Vegas. Don't get it twisted, it was half work and half play. Coincidentally, my best friend's birthday extravaganza lead immediately into the MAGIC convention. 

After days of shopping, laughing, gambling, partying, walking the strip, checking out vendor booths, making purchases, networking, and the like, all I want to do is be comfortable as possible. What do I call comfort? A long maxi dress! I'm loving this look with wedges studded wedges and the pop of color with a cobalt blue satchel. Even though I'm currently not in wedges, I wish I wasn't so terribly exhausted so I can strap on a pair. Sandals today it is!

Anyway, they're calling for my group to board—cattle call style on Southwest. Happy Thursday!

A Dress For the Wedding

It's wedding time! Seems like every other weekend is filled with some sort of bridal, bachelorette, or wedding activity, which is totally A-OK with me because I have a new excuse to shop for the event. Ha! With a wedding in the Bay Area a couple weeks out, ideas are already starting to brew on what to wear. With attending a grad program at FIDM, I get new ideas every day, which also makes the decision-making even harder.

Here are several ideas for an afternoon wedding that continues into the evening. I'm aiming for a look that's transitional. You know, not too Easter-brunch-ish and not too Vegas inspired-- something right in the middle.

Take a peek below:

A Dress For the Wedding by pumps-and-lipstick featuring a chain necklace

Alice Olivia alice olivia
$525 - harveynichols.com

Forever Unique peplum cocktail dress
$385 - vanmildert.com

Lace cocktail dress
$71 - liveclothing.com.au

Christian Louboutin party shoes
$580 - cricket-fashion.com

Folli follie jewelry
follifollie.us.com

Chain necklace
jeweliq.com

Design Freebies of the Week No. 31
dryicons.com

So help a sistah out! Which look are you feeling the best? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Friday!

Flower Power - The Most Girliest Print of All

I can't feel any more girly than I do when I'm sporting any type of flower print. My inner femininity just blossoms with each flower that is printed on the garment. Being that I was a tomboy growing up, some part of me doesn't want to be or feel girly, but there's a layer in my soul just itching to wear a bouquet of flowers and skip down the street. I blame spring for causing me this flower fever! :)

Flower Power by pumps-and-lipstick featuring platform high heels

Leather + Sneaker Wedges

Contemporary Wear by pumps-and-lipstick featuring black tops

I'm really feeling sneaker wedges these days. They sure bring on a whole wave of nostalgia from my mom's 80s/90s aerobic high tops to my Sketchers platform tennies during the Spice Girls era-- all mixed with a futuristic and modern feel. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect pair, but when I finally cop some, this is how I'll style myself (see above). Contemporary is definitely how I'd feel wearing these babies so, leather pants are a sure thing plus a loose knit sweater that's more on the sheer side. This look is edgy, a hint of sexy, mixed with comfort thanks to the sweater and sneakers. It's screaming city-urban-cool.

For the Working Girl

Who said you can't look cute at work? In a style rut when it comes to work appropriate attire? Looking for inspiration? Here ya go! Above is another look I put together for my FIDM Fashion Merchandise Marketing entrance project. Jazz it up at the office with a cute printed blouse or a bright colored blazer like this red one here. Metallic and shiny accessories add a lil' glam to your look without over doing it.

Want the details of this look? Click here to get a list of the designers, brands, and where to buy.

Ready for Spring

I'm done. I'm ready. Let it be Spring! Bring me sunny skies, green leaves, blooming flowers, and 75 degree weather full of sunshine. Maybe it's all the hard work I've been putting in at the gym or the miles I've ran in my Nikes, but I'm feeling real good about myself and ready to go sleeveless in a sundress and my toes are aching for sunlight in peep toe wedges. Heck, let's bring the bronzer out from hiding too! Along with bright colors, crazy prints, and everything metallic, anything bright and shiny is sure to inspire a gal to yearn for Spring.

How about you? Are you ready for Spring too?

For the details on items in the collage, click here.

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.

Taking Casual Up a Notch

Get the full scoop on this get-up on polyvore.com

As I'm starting to unwind before the weekend last Friday, I get a call from a dear friend. I pick up and my friend on the east coast dives into a full blown conversation before I even blurt out, "Hello?" 

All I hear is, "Xio (pronounced: zee-oh)! OMG! I'm meeting up with this guy from bla bla bla, and we're headed to have a casual drink/meet up shindig in an hour. Help me decide what to wear!"

"Ummmm...." helps me as I'm trying to buy myself some time and figure out what she just said to me.

Sweet + Edgy

With Christmas gone and waving goodbye to 2012, I thought festivities would simmer down a bit in January...wrong! This weekend is one of my girlfriend's 26th birthday and she wants to go all out. And I mean all out. 

The wheels in my head started turning and I wanted to switch things up a bit. A little less Kim Kardashian 'sexy tight' and instead with sweet and girly plus some edgy accents.

Take a peek below for the deets:

Sweet + Edgy by pumps-and-lipstick featuring ginger shirts

Ginger shirt
$58 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Floral skirt
chicwish.com

Jimmy Choo platform pumps
$785 - flannelsfashion.com

Chanel vintage jewelry
$555 - farfetch.com

Life's a Beach: Winter Vacation Inspiration

Playa Flamenco, Puerto Rico

A last minute trip to my island, Puerto Rico, has been eating away at me. Should I stay? Should I go? Who's gonna feed my cat? Really, $1,100.00 for a round-trip flight? All signs point to 'yes' but things get a little more complicated of course.

So, I decided to put a look together to help inspire me some more on my journey to the Caribbean. For an island that is almost 100% humidity 100% of the time, a maxi dress is an easy pick for it's effortless flow and airy-ness. Studded sandals in a deep blue add a hint of edge. Gold accessories create a glam feel and tastefully add lots of gleam and sheen. Pops of bright colors are undeniable for the Caribbean with orange polish and magenta lipstick. Top off the entire look with a straw fedora and it screams "I'm on vacation!"

Wow...I think I just typed myself into a decision. Yes.

Life's a Beach by pumps-and-lipstick featuring balenciaga

Matthew williamson
bernardboutique.com

Balenciaga
$595 - stylemetv.com

Amrita Singh stacking bangle
amritasingh.com

Yellow gold earrings
$20 - myflashtrash.com

Agent Ninetynine straw hat
$26 - generalpants.com.au

New Year's Eve Looks

Before December even began, questions started to arise about plans for New Year's Eve. Really? I had no clue what my plans were and still don't, and usually, I don't get too crazy about planning an elaborate New Year's Eve extravaganza. Although, I did get inspired to create some looks for the evening...for whatever I'm planning to do!

Take a peek at three looks below:

Jumpsuit: Catherine Malondrino Necklace: Pamela Love Pumps: Guiseppe Zanotti

Top: H&M Pumps: Charlotte Olympia Cuff: Tory Burch Skirt: Topshop

Dress: Alice + Olivia Earrings: Rachel Zoe Pumps: Christian Louboutin