Posts Archives | Page 3 of 24 | Dressed For Time | Top Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle Blog Tips | Best Popular Chic Fall & Winter Style Outfit Inspiration in Chicago

One Vest, Three Ways – Pops of Color

June 6, 2016

Hi loves!
I hope everyone is doing well. Today, I wanted to talk about something that’s near and dear to my heart and that is shopping local. I say it’s near and dear because I grew up in a house that was not only where my family lived, but it was also the workplace of my mother. She owned a gift basket business (still does) and nearly our entire first-story was dedicated to components for making these gift baskets and a little home office. Seeing her balance two teenage girls and the demand of hundreds of orders going out every month, each one customized, was something that I truly admire.
This is one of the many reasons I love supporting small businesses. I’ve seen the struggle that they go through to keep the doors open. They also have unique, hand-crafted, or limited quantity products that you can’t find anywhere else. One of the things that my mom was kind of famous for was for taste-testing every product that she put in her baskets. She took so much pride in what she was creating, she wanted to make sure that the items were fantastic, because they were a representation of her. With so many of the little shops and boutiques around me, I see the same attention to detail and you can tell that someone sat and chose each and every item they’re presenting. I also love that they try to support local designers and creators. When I walk in to a boutique and see a little jewelry line that I know that someone has put so much effort and soul in to, it warms my heart and makes me want to buy something cute that I’ll cherish, knowing I’ve helped that person keep on creating. Here are some of my favorite local boutiques I’d love for you to check out!
BohoCheri Orange St. 342 Orange St, Redlands, CA
Nectar Clothing 12 E. State St. Redlands, CA
DenM 18 E . State St. Redlands, CA
Kith 5 E. Citrus Ave. Redlands, CA
MP Couture 34646 County Line Rd., Yucaipa, CA
Layered by Cake 1911 Commercenter W., Suite 409, San Bernardino, CA
And some of the delightful small businesses I’ve come across..
Gaia Bags
Martin & Co. Candles
Kindred Supply Company

This look is my second in the series One Vest, Three Ways – Pops of Color! I wanted to make it very playful, and what better to add some fun to a look than with stripes and bright shades. All of the accessories that I added I got at an extreme discount… The Kendra Scott wristlet ($12) and Sole Society wedges ($23) were Nordstrom Rack finds, and the cuff from J.Crew Factory I picked up while in Florida for the astonishingly low price of $6! I got it in coral as well, but for some reason TSA grabbed it when they searched my bags! 🙁

Suede vest / BohoCheri // Tank / Everlane // Pencil skirt / 7 For All Mankind // Wedges / Sole Society // Cuff / J.Crew // Clutch / Kendra Scott // Necklaces / LA finds

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

Cocoon Wrap and Lace-Up Bodysuit

May 7, 2016

Hello, loves!!
I was so excited to put this outfit together and had so much fun shooting it! I think one of the reasons it was enjoyable for me was because it made me think of all of things about the 90’s that I loved (and miss!)

My dress code in the 90’s, when I was very much still figuring out my style, was truly all over the place. I remember wearing glitter screen-printed baby t’s and super wide leg jeans almost every day. One of my favorite outfits, which still makes me cringe, was a metallic mesh t-shirt that flashed cobalt blue and silver, which I paired with either my silver JNCO hugely wide leg pants or a silver tulle ball skirt that I wore to a school dance. Who knows what the hell I was thinking, but when I was 14, those outfits were the sh!t! To me at least, haha! Back when Hot Topic was truly for goth & punk kids, not any of that mainstream pop-y, vampire drama paraphernalia, and Delia’s, Alloy, Moxie Girl and Girlfriends L.A. catalogs were torn through with reckless abandon searching for the latest in trendy gear. It’s crazy how so many of the trends I used to rock, like platform mules, lace-up shirts, and velvet chokers are totally on-trend right now. I won’t be bringing everything back, that’s for sure. While I think chokers are cute, now they give me a suffocating, choking (weird, right!?) feeling and I can’t stand them. I also feel like wide leg pants, on my frame, just don’t do me any favors.

My beauty M.O. in those years was all about the glitter gel. It was one of the first beauty items that I ever hoarded. I had glitter in all forms – gel for body and hair, body spray, creams and sticks for eyes, loose for mixing with lotion, and in every color and size you could imagine. I’m really glad that I toned that all way down, but I totally feel that hit of nostalgia whenever I do a toned-down glittery eye for a GNO. I think everything shiny was kind of a theme with me, and it’s funny how much I’ve stuck with that, just made it more refined and, dare I say, grown up!

What clothing trends make you nostalgic for the decade you grew up in?

Cocoon wrap c/o BohoCheri // Bodysuit / H&M // Jeans / MaviUSA // Wedges / JustFab // Necklace / vintage // Bracelet c/o BohoCheri // Sunnies / Amazon

Pictures by Holli Zenko Photography.

Monochromatic Summer

April 8, 2016

Hello, loves!
Let me start by saying that this weather is drivin’ me nuts! I know, I know, it’s Southern California and I should just be accustomed to it all by now. However, the 92 and sunny one day to 60 and raining the next just does not allow one to plan outfits properly! I’m not even saying for photo shoots, just for life in general. The day that we shot this monochromatic summer look, which by the way, I’m kind of obsessed with, it was at least 90 degrees out. In the shade, it was completely tolerable, and when the cool breeze washed over us, it was even blissful. Flash forward to today and it is raining and just dreary outside. I know that we need the rain, that I’m fine with. But I wish we could just ease in to it, instead of switching from flip flops to boots from one day to the next, that’s all I’m saying!
On to the look of the day.. While at the Boss Notes event this past weekend, I took it upon myself to explore all that the Westfield Topanga mall had to offer. Lucky me, I wandered in to Anthropologie during their sale-on-sale and found a couple of super cute tops for only $30 each! This drapey, buttery sleeveless top was one of them. I knew right off the bat that I wanted to go monochromatic with it, although I’ll probably also end up pairing it with a printed pencil skirt. I’ve been wearing my Old Navy black skinnies constantly, so why break the habit. To finish the look, I added this black & white bag from Poverty Flats by Rian, and these fantastic wedges from Diane Von Furstenberg, both recent acquisitions from the most recent Nordstrom Rack Clear the Rack sale. Such great finds.

Side note, as I’m sure you can tell especially from the last pic, I’ve decided to keep this blonde train moving, and might even end up going back to my, ahem, roots, of near platinum/baby blonde. I really missed being blonde and I’m loving these fresh locks for summer.
Top / Anthropologie // Jeans / Old Navy // Tote / Poverty Flats by Rian // Wedges / Diane von Furstenberg // Ring / Forever 21 // Necklace / Scarlet Threads find // Sunnies / Amazon

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

Speaking of changing up your ‘do, do you like to freshen up your color for the warmer months? Either brighter or warmer? Or do you keep it the same throughout the year?

Colorful Casual Summer Look

March 9, 2016

Hello loves!
I hope everyone is doing well. I’m still deep in my sickness, Mark and I both! We’ve basically been pretty useless around the house, except for the bare minimum to keep things going, making it to work, etc. I’m very much hoping to have it be gone by this weekend. We have the Natural Products Expo West coming up, and I wouldn’t miss it for much. It’s where I learn about all sorts of new products in the “natural” world, from makeup and skincare to protein bars and pasta sauce, and everything in between. This will be my first time attending as media, which is also super exciting!
My outfit here features even more cute items from BohoCheri, this colorful kimono and graphic bag. I’m obsessed with this tote bag that can come with me anywhere from a date to shopping to the farmer’s market. I love that the pattern is interesting and attention-grabbing yet can go with almost any outfit I pair it with.

Kimono c/o BohoCheri // Tote bag c/o BohoCheri // Tank / Everlane // Cropped jeans / GUESS // Sandals / Old Navy // Necklace BaubleBar & Kyle Chan Design // Ring / Gorjana c/o Rocksbox (use the code dressedfortimexoxo when signing up for a free month!) // Bracelet / LA find

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.