Blue School Daze:

Sunglasses- Betsey Johnson, Blazer- Forever21, Top-Express,
Denim- Vintage, Bag-Marc Jacobs (very similar here), Watch- Michael Kors (Get it here), Gifted Evil Eye bracelets, Sandals- Marc Jacobs

      I have to admit, I'm actually wearing this outfit now as I type this post! This ensemble is a culmination of everything I love in my closet. My over worn Betsey Johnson sun specs, bold blue blazer (previously worn here in my first ever outfit post!), vintage denim (I scored while I was visiting this travel destination), and finally some Marc Jacobs (the bag and shoes). I found these shoes on ebay over a year ago but they needed to have the heel repaired. I finally took them in to my favorite shoe cobbler and now they no longer keep the cobwebs in my closet company! Okay, I don't actually have spiders and cobwebs in my closet but these amazing shoes were sitting in there unloved for quite a long time! 

       Do you repair your broken shoes 

or do you replace them?

Yours,

Nico

Casual Attire:

Hat- Forever21, Vest-Members Only, Sweater-Vintage
Denim- Alloy, Gifted Evil Eye bracelets, Watch-Michael Kors,
 Bag-Michael Kors, Shoes- Christian Siriano for Payless

      This style of outfit is an old stand by of mine, see evidence here. It's so easy to throw a great vest over an otherwise boring pair of jeans paired with a basic sweater. When it comes to styling up a pair of denim I think I am the queen. Mostly because I am so tall that jeans are typically the only pants I can find in my size! So I guess that makes me the queen of denim styling by default but I'll take it! 

      On another note, I really enjoyed how this run down apartment complex near the boardwalk had such beautiful grounds! The sun was just starting to hide itself under the ocean while taking these photos and the setting sun shed a gorgeous dim light over the coast. 

Yours,

Nico

Animalistic Tendencies:

Hat- Gifted, Vest- Gifted, Coat- Kenneth Cole Reaction,
Dress- Calvin Klein, Bag- Vintage Coach, Watch-Michael Kors
(Get it here), Gifted Evil Eye bracelets, Booties- BCBG

      I scored this great black and white python print sweater dress at Marshalls while shopping with my friend Rhe (Of RheStyle.com). We both agreed that the garment needed a good hem and this is the final product after alterations! I have already worn this dress three times since having it trimmed down and couldn't be happier with my purchase. Today I discovered the perfect Shelli Segal LBD but it too needs to be altered a bit. I am hoping my new black dress (for $7!) turns out to be the same perfect fit as this python printed one! I prefer to alter inexpensive items over expensive ones. I feel like pricey items should fit better than less costly items and you make up the difference in cost with pro alterations!

Have you had good luck with 

altering items? ...Or bad luck?!

Yours,

Nico

Autumn Leaves Turn Winter White:

Hat- Forever21, Sunglasses- Betsey Johnson,  Sweater- Vintage,
Skirt-Vintage, Shoes- Christian Siriano for Payless, Bag- Coach

      Purchased the bulk of this entire outfit on the cheap. Hat- $10, Sunglasses $30, Pearls- $10, Sweater- Free (trade with Crossroads), Tank- $9, Skirt- $5 (real leather from Salvation Army!), Shoes- $15. That's under $80 bucks for 7 items! My favorite places to shop for clothes are Crossroads Trading Co, Salvation Army, Goodwill, and any and every sale rack. 

Where do you find the best deals on clothing?

Yours,

Nico

      

      

Fashion & Food:

Hat- Forever21, Sunglasses- Betsey Johnson, Scarf-
Get it here. Cashmere Sweater- K Mart, Denim- Alloy, Bag-
Chloe, Shoes- Isabel Toledo for Payless, Watch- Michael Kors

      A few weeks ago I headed up to San Francisco for a USF Lady Dons basketball game (they broke their 9 game loosing streak that night! haha). The outfit I wore included all of my usual suspects. I can't seem to get away from sweaters and jeans. My New Years resolution may be to spice up my daily attire. Moving on, this pink sweater is a major change for me. I don't really wear pink because its such an overly feminine color (and that I am not) plus with my blonde hair I have developed a fear of looking like barbie. However I received a coupon from K Mart while doing my holiday shopping for 5 bucks off a purchase. I went back when the coupon was valid and found this 100 percent (soft as butter!) cashmere sweater for $30! I thought pairing the soft pink with jet black and a skull motif would make my outfit more tough girl and less barbie doll, what do you think? Are there any colors you are afraid to wear?

Yours,

Nico

PS: Check out those stellar steaks we BBQed before the game! 

Orange Crush

Hat-Ross, Sunglasses-Michael Kors, Vest-Moschino,
Tank-Victoria's Secret,  Skirt-American Apparel,
Ring-Vintage, Tiger bracelet-Urban Outfitters, Bag-Michael Kors,
Scarf-Missoni for Target, Shoes- Charles David

      Wednesday may be on the fast track to becoming my favorite day of the week. Santa Cruz holds its very own Farmer's Market filled with fresh produce (apples are in season right now!) and my favorite store downtown, the Salvation Army, offers 50% off all articles of clothing. Last Wednesday I scored a fabulous Polka Dot dress (you can witness my love affair with this print by clicking here), a white lace T shirt, and a python printed top. I'm so glad to have a python edition in my wardrobe after seeing all of Bessie's snake print items on her blog BravoeRunway. The best part of my shopping spree? All the garments I purchased were a total of $12 dollars! This particular Wednesday also involved a stroll down the deserted beach Boardwalk. I thought the colors of my outfit worked really well with all the bright murals of the theme park. Do you have certain rituals or activities you do each week?






Yours,
Nico


PS, These photos were shot by Shahin Gutierrez of MoonCadillac

Satan & Salt:

How was your All Hallows Eve?

I invited a couple friends over for an intimate 

costume party this past Saturday night. 

I wish I could have attended the party, 

but sadly my body was possessed by an 

evil demonic spirit that night: 

...And I terrorized all my party guests instead:

Not even Jesus himself could save me 

from evil on the scariest night of the year!

Did your October 31st involve any 

unruly and diabolical behavior?

Yours,

Nico

PS: The dress I'm wearing is a vintage find (From Gunnisacks! Does anyone remember that retailer?). I also wore this to prom my freshman year of high school when I was 14! Nothing gives a girl more confidence than a bold red dress and I'm glad I had the opportunity to wear this garment again!

Santa Cruz Safari:

      Temperatures have sky rocketed this weekend! It was 80 degrees outside and gorgeous. I put this outfit together after seeing Anh sport a very similar look on her blog 9 to 5 chic (click here to see her version of the ensemble). I think getting fashion ideas from other bloggers is honestly one of my favorite things about blogging! 

                  Hat: Ross (men's department)

                  Top: Forever 21

                  Flared Jeans: Alloy

                  Shoes: Cynthia Vincent 

                 Handbag: Michael Kors

                 Scarf: vintage Oscar De La Renta

Elephant necklace: vintage find

                   Feather ring: Lucky Brand

                   Turquoise ring: gift

                   Green bracelet: Banana Republic

                   Gold spiral bracelet: vintage

                   Watch: Michael Kors

                   Evil eye bracelet: gift

                   Studded gold bangle: Coach

What do you think of my Jackson Pollock nails? I haven't quite decided if I like it or not yet.....thoughts?

Yours,

Nico