The Liebster Blog Award and A Purple Summery Dress

I have recently been nominated for the Liebster blog award by With Each Passing Day. Thank you so much for this recognition...it totally made my day when I found out! I really appreciate all the love and support from everyone. 

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.

3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.

4. Go to their page and tell them.

5. Remember, no tag backs!

11 Things About Myself

1. My friends call me a social butterfly and I love meeting new people. 

2. I've definitely caught the travel bug and have been to over 10 different countries.

3. I lived in Sydney, Australia for a year with my boyfriend just to work and travel. 

4. My favorite band has been and always will be, Hanson (since '97)!

5. I love to eat and enjoy trying new restaurants/cuisines whenever possible.

6. I have an allergy to mosquito and other bug bites.

7. I only recently succumbed to getting a smart phone in March.

8. I have a major sweet tooth and can never turn down dessert. 

9. I tend to be a perfectionist and strive to do my best in everything.

10. I have 2 younger sisters who I adore and love shopping with.

11. I had straight cut bangs as a 10 year old and here I am today with a similar hair style.

With Each Passing Day's Questions

1. If you were given the chance to meet your favorite blogger, who would it be and why? Wendy from Wendy's Lookbook because I feel like we would hit it off and she's just so incredibly stylish.

2. What is your favorite movie? Hard to pick one but I loved the Harry Potter series. 

3. What is the one thing you cannot live without? My boyfriend (and sleep)! 

4. Do you speak another language? I speak Cantonese and a little bit of French.

5. What country have you visited or would like to visit? Just to name a few: UK, France, Indonesia, Japan but would also love to visit a country in South America or Africa someday.

6. If you could have any person's wardrobe collection, who would it be? Diane Kruger and Olivia Palermo both have pretty amazing clothes.

7. Have you ever done anything spontaneous? Hm, does quitting my job and moving to Australia count?

8. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? To be a better cook because I love to eat! =P

9. What is one word that would describe your personality? Outgoing

10.What was the best advice your mom ever gave you? Never give up and be yourself.

11. If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose to be? Katniss from the Hunger Games 

My Questions

1. Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?

2. What is your biggest fear?

3. Who is your favorite music artist/band?

4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

5. Do you have a special talent and if so, what is it?

6. What is your favorite dessert? 

7. Do you have any siblings? How many?

8. What is one thing you want to accomplish or try before you die?

9. Night owl or morning person?

10. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

11. What is your current favorite piece of clothing?

My Nominations

I'm passing this onto the following bloggers to spread the love, give support to new and upcoming blogs, or just showcase a couple of blogs that I love! (all have less than 200 followers).
2 Petite
A Petite Treat
For the love of fashion
Chartreuse Amour
Pocket Sized
Bliss.Beauty.Love
City Girl
Fashion Girl Eats
Gracefuls
Soulstitches
S(e)oul and P(f)assion

Summer brings my dresses out of hiding! They are just so easy to throw on and look great with heels or flats.  I have been reaching for them when I don't want to think about what to wear. Wearing a chambray knotted at the front instead of a cardigan makes the look more casual and effortless. 

Old Navy western chambray (similar) -- purple dress from Ross (similar and love this one) -- Banana Republic strappy wedges (similar) -- H&M cross body messenger bag (similar)

I adore matching these wedges with my dresses!

Accessories: H&M braided bracelet (similar in a different color) -- thrifted 'knot' bangle (similar) -- faux pearl bracelet made by my sister (similar and on sale here) -- F21 woven ring (similar in silver)

Close-up of my wedges

Feel free to answer my questions above even if I didn't tag you. Even though I don't have many, I appreciate each and every one of my readers! 

More Stripes in Santa Cruz

Summer is finally here!! The schizophrenic weather in SF doesn't always reflect the seasons so we have to venture to places like Santa Cruz to get some fun in the sun. The boy and I took a weekend trip here for his birthday and we had a blast eating at various stands while making our way along the boardwalk. Wish I could do this everyday and finally get a much needed tan. *sigh* On the brighter side (literally), of course I wore my favorite pattern ever...stripes!

I liked the colors of this arcade area

 First time eating deep fried Oreos and it was a party in my mouth!

Old Navy western chambray (similar) -- F21 striped tank (similar) -- Old Navy shorts (current version) -- back zip sandals from HK (similar) -- H&M crossbody messenger bag (similar from F21)

On the pier

Accessories: thrifted leather belt (similar) -- H&M braided bracelet (similar in a different color) -- ASOS gold spike bracelet (buy) -- thrifted 'knot' bangle (similar) -- leather cuff bracelet from Fiji (similar)

Instagram artsy photo of the day

I miss the beach!

What is your favorite summer activity?

Denim-on-Denim + Stripes

I used to think that denim-on-denim looked really dated and was a fashion faux pas but I proved myself otherwise with this outfit. As long as the 2 denims are in significantly contrasting colors, it totally works! One of my favorite combos lately is pairing a chambray with stripes of any kind and I think a brighter top adds interest to the whole look. I wore this out exploring the city one day, hence the comfy shoes. 

Old Navy western chambray (buy) -- Old Navy pullover sweater (similar but more colorful) -- F21 skinny jeans (similar) -- natural canvas TOMS (buy)

 Side view...the sweater is actually more of a coral color in person but might look red in these photos

 Accessories: layered leaf necklace from Lovisa (similar) -- thrifted ring (similar) -- Nails - OPI, A Grape Fit!

Now some belated photos from a bike ride from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito!

 Ready to go on our Blazing Saddles bikes

The lovely Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day

I love how SF is such a walkable city, even with all of its hills. My TOMS are the most comfortable shoes I own and have been with me all over the place. Oh and if you have Instagram and want more up-to-date posts, follow me!

How do you wear chambrays and do you enjoy walking around your city?

Belated Holiday Outfit and Old Navy Dressing Room Review

I didn't get around to posting my outfit from Christmas Day in a timely manner so here it is 2 weeks later! I was attempting to get into the holiday spirit by wearing red and accessorizing with silver tones. The bf and I are kinda matching, no? Please ignore the fuzzy socks as my feet were cold that evening. =)

With some of my Xmas goodies
H&M cardigan (similar) -- Petticoat Alley top from TJ Maxx (similar) -- F21 skinny jeans (similar)
Accessories: Aldo silver ring (similar) -- Claire's earrings (similar here and here)

Moving on to details about my shopping trip to the local Old Navy. I have seen numerous petite bloggers either reviewing or mentioning the chambray from ON so I have been tempted to stop by there ever since. When I was conveniently in the area for dinner the other night, I couldn't resist going in to try on a few items.

Old Navy dark chambray - sz XS (buy) -- Old Navy Rock Star jeggings in russet brown - sz 0 (buy)

I thought the chambray fit very well compared to the unflattering one from Coldwater Creek in this post. I liked the darker shade of blue but the one-sided pocket was a little odd to me. The jeggings were definitely tight but I managed to get into them after a few wiggles and jumps. I loved the russet brown color and the fact that they don't need to be hemmed but wasn't thrilled about the obvious whiskering at the crotch area and knees. Ping from All About Fashion Stuff reviewed these recently too and had the same complaint about the jeggings...read her post here. See the same color on Jean from Extra Petite here.

I only brought in the jeggings to try on so I just used them with the rest of my outfits. I apologize in advance if they appear repetitive. The photos below were with a sz 2 though and you can see even more bunching. 

Old Navy checkered camper shirt - sz XS (not available online but similar here and here)

I thought the pattern of this button down was fun and it fit almost perfectly. I could see myself layering this under sweaters or dressing it up with a girly skirt and some jewelry. 

Next up was another chambray in a lighter color and different style. 

Old Navy western chambray - sz XS (buy)

paired with an Old Navy pullover sweater - sz XS (this pattern not available online but other options here)

The buttons on the western chambray were actually snap buttons but I really liked the color and it felt warmer than the previous one I tried on. I ended up buying both chambrays to ponder about further, the camper shirt, and the pullover. I didn't get the jeggings since the fit wasn't great and they were regular price at $34.95. Everything else was on sale minus the dark chambray shirt so I might end up returning it.

Any thoughts on my purchases? Which chambray do you prefer?

Coldwater Creek Chambray Shirt Review

Hi everyone! This is just a quick post since I received this in the mail today and wanted to share with you what I thought. I was excited about the Coldwater Creek sale that I saw on Jean's blog (Extra Petite) so I went ahead and bought myself the chambray in black PXS (buy) since it's an item I've been hunting for. It was so cheap at $12 that I couldn't resist!

I was in a panic to do some last minute holiday shopping so these photos were rushed. Please excuse the excessive wrinkling of the shirt. =P

Even wearing the shirt with a belt, I felt it was still very loose around the arms/torso and there was too much gathering of fabric at the waist. I also had to roll up the sleeves again because they hit at an awkward length as illustrated above. I thought it was strange how the front was a few inches shorter than the back tail too. I was hoping it would be more petite-friendly seeing as it was the smallest size but it fit like a regular size M. 

I do like the off-black shade (true to the color in the first photo), the stitching, and the fact that the material is warmer than what I expected but unfortunately, I don't love it and the fit is way off for me. I would recommend for women with broader shoulders and a more substantial bust to give it a try though. This is definitely a return and I will be back on my search for the perfect chambray.

What do you guys think?? Did anyone else order this and have any feedback?