The first rain of the season!

      A few days ago we had our first afternoon of rain here in Santa Cruz. Normally I'm not the biggest fan of cold weather but since I have been pulling out all my coats and scarves I was delighted to see such a cloudy day. I put together the following look to stay warm despite the wet weather:

This hat is fantastic, you've already seen 

it featured here as well. The clingy turtle 

neck I've got on is from GAP. Also the hand 

bag I'm carrying is vintage Gucci via Crossroads 

Trading Company (cost me less than a tank of gas!).

This camel colored coat is by Kenneth Cole Reaction. I found it at Nordstrom Rack for 70% off the original retail price!

The skinny jeans I'm wearing are from Alloy. I love this internet company because their pants and jeans come in both petite and tall lengths and their price point is great too, only 39.50! And I LOVE these Bromley boots by Michael Kors, do you recognize them from this post?

                     Hat: Tarnish

                     Faux fur vest: H&M (other styles here)

                     Necklace: vintage Ann Taylor

                     Watch: Michael Kors

                     Purse: vintage Gucci

      Style doesn't have to be coupled with sky high prices. I really enjoy stores like Crossroads, Nordstrom Rack, Marshall's, and even Khol's and Target carry designer collections at a very reasonable price point. Thrift stores and goodwill locations can offer a variety of items to suit your own personal style as well if you are willing to spend the time looking! I encourage you to find those hidden fashion gems at your local discount stores!

Yours,

Nico

PS, all photos are taken by B. Dalke

Feeling the blues:

       Ok so I'm not feeling the sad kind of blues but I am feeling this blazer in an electric blue shade. I wore this outfit this past Saturday to see Hall & Oates preform at the Saratoga Mountain Winery:

Blazer: Forever 21

Black Cami: Gap

Jeans: Alloy (available in petite and tall inseams!)

Shoes: Banana Republic (Old style, similar here)

Handbag: Kate Spade (on sale!)

Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples (similar style here)

Ring: Marc Jacobs "Lola" perfume ring

Lipstick: Impassioned by Mac

Watch: Michael Kors (similar here)

Earrings: Aldo (old style)

(image c/o this myspace user)

The concert venue was spectacular! Gorgeous mountain views, picturesque grape vines, and a killing sound system. I plan on seeing a few more concerts at this venue before the end of 2011!

Yours,

Nico

All dressed up and I need somewhere to go:

      I wouldn't say that I hate getting all dressed up, I've just come to realize that I enjoy getting dressed up for every day life rather than for a night out on the town. Recently, I have been frequenting the night life with people who like to get all gussied up and I realized that my "going out" attire needed a massive make over (Jeans and a low cut tank top is just not cutting it anymore!). I needed an outfit to wear out that was comfortable enough to dance in, sexy, but still pulled together. Here is what I came up with:

Blazer- GAP (purchased 3+ years ago)

Handbag- Kate Spade 

Seamless cami- GAP (similar one here)

Sequin shorts- Express

Snake bangle- BCBG

Watch- Michael Kors (similar here)

Nail Polish- OPI

Earrings- F21

Shoes- Kate Spade (thrifted)

      I thought this would be a great outfit to wear out for drinks and dancing! The sequin shorts are so very rock star but the conservative blazer immediately keeps these shorts from looking too over the top. The shoes were also a great pick for this ensemble, they were purchased at crossroads for twenty five dollars and perfectly worn in. I added shoe clips to this pair for a sudden make over and instant glamour! Also there are Dr. Scholl's foot pads in there....AMAZING for dancing the night away. Finally, I'd finish this look with a red mani-pedi and a bright red pout!

     Now I just need some weekend plans, girls night anyone?

Yours,

Nico

PS: Stay tuned, lets see if I can style these gold shorts for a day time look, Im always up for a challenge!