::flip flops and sequins::

::: Welcome to my personal fashion blog! Sometimes I like to dress up (sequins), and sometimes I like to dress down (flip flops). Hopefully I'll inspire you along the way ::: First blog post 10.30.2011. Featured as a Trending Blog on Tumblr 01.31.2015 - thank you Tumblr! Now have over 4000 followers - thank you readers! Statcounter added 03.16.2015 ::

[flipflopsandsequins]

First Impressions of Tatcha Products | And, this makes for a fantastic Mothers Day present!

How is everyone doing in this quarantine world? Hope you’re taking care of yourself and not letting the negative aspects of this pandemic influence your actions.

So I finished the jar of Laneige night cream that I wrote about back in September (you can check it out here); totally liked it but also have been itching to try Tatcha products. I signed up for their e-newsletters and I gotta admit, their’s is the only one where I actually take the time to open each time I receive it because they have such beautiful photography and colors.

I’ve been using the Dewy Skin Cream for the past few nights and am really loving it. It doesn’t feel greasy, just hydrating and the light scent is lovely!

It’s not just a pretty product - it’s made with healthier ingredients such as antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice, algae, hyaluronic acid, botanical extracts and oils. And what’s also very attractive to me is that it ISN’T made with mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, urea, DEA, TEA, nor phthalates.

Not only is the jar stunning, their packaging is beautiful. It’s nicely packed and comes with a hand-written card. You might not be able to see it above, but the card has a chic, gold foil detail on their logo. Ordering from them is perfect for giving as gifts! Upon checking out on their website, you get to choose 3 free samples (which I’ve combined and shown with my sunscreen order in the last two photos).

I love the cute little golden scooper on the cap which looks like a vintage hair ‘pin.’ (Forgot what those are called.) I didn’t take a photo of this, but it does come with one of those white inner caps that go between the product and the screw-cap to keep it extra fresh.

Oh, Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen! You are expensive but so worth it. I freaking love the scent. It’s very light. AND I love how it feels on my skin. It’s weightless and spreads easily, feels hydrating, not dry or chalky. It says it’s made with “Japanese wild rose which helps tighten the look of pores and smooths skin texture, and loquat leaf extract offers a rich source of antioxidants to protect and calm skin.” I am down for that, mm hmm!

Look how cute that sample bottle of Camellia cleansing oil is. I haven’t tried it yet as I’m saving it for when I travel. Both products (the dewy skin cream and the sunscreen) come in travel sizes, too.

I’m definitely looking forward to the day when I can travel again. In the meantime, I’m going to treat my skin with Tatcha.

What are some of your current favorite skincare items? Let me know by clicking on the comments button up above. Take care.

XO

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dewy Skin Cream for dry skin

Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 PA+++

[flipflopsandsequins]

Keep On Keepin’ On (and keep getting dressed)

How is everyone feeling? This Covid-19 situation is pretty crazy and surreal, isn’t it. My heart goes out to those affected here in the U.S. and around the world. It has been interesting seeing this pandemic unfold in the last few weeks. From people who were concerned right from the start to those who scoffed at it and continue to want to do things their way even amidst orders from county health officials. We saw how some people responded - by buying all the toilet paper they can stuff in their shopping carts. Can we really criticize them if that is how they cope with uncertainty?

I’m definitely concerned especially living in California where the number of cases here keeps increasing. I just try to get the facts from the CDC and local county officials. My brother shared a good podcast episode which I highly recommend to you as well: Joe Rogan Experience with guest Michael Osterholm. Micheal is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), among many other titles. 

Hopefully, we all learn from this in even the most basic of things such as eating and sleeping healthily to keep our immune systems strong. And by supporting one another instead of panicking.

Thank goodness for the internet. Many of us can now work from home and we can also connect with one another during this time of #socialdistancing. I for one don’t mind seeing fashion posts or watching style videos on youtube - it’s helping to keep my spirits up. So I hope this blog helps bring a little cheer or outfit inspiration to you, too. Even though I’ve been home, I still put on a little bit of makeup. I may wear sweats but it’s a ‘cute’ ensemble which I wouldn’t mind stepping out with. Tomorrow, I think I’ll put on a casual denim ‘fit.

For this outfit post, I really love the square neckline of the Zara button down. It does require a strapless bra, though. This shirt also has large cuffs which you can fold up halfway or leave down straight. I love that it can be worn for a casual date night or cocktails with friends. It’s also great for work, too. (Once we get back to normal, that is... and we will!)

Are you in an area where you have been instructed to ‘stay home’ during this pandemic? If yes, what are you doing to pass the time? As for me, I will take my dog out for a nice walk now that the rain has stopped.

Click on the comments link up above and let me know what you’re up to.

Take care everyone!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

-----------------------------

Top by ZARA, alternatives here, here, and here

Skinny black belt with silver buckle from Nordstrom (old), similar here and here

Black pumps by Nine West (old), cute alternatives here and here

Mom jeans by H&M (old), similar here

[flipflopsandsequins]

Glad It Skated Back Into My Life

I don’t watch much cable but yesterday, I was catching up on a TV program I recorded on my DVR last month. It was the U.S. Figure Skating Championships Men’s Long Program. Because it was around two hours long, I watched parts of it here and there when I had time. 

I finally finished it and I just have to say, Nathan Chen is so inspiring and fun to watch! He is the only skater who can land several quadruple jumps within one program, thus nicknamed the “quad king.” It’s not just his athleticism that’s so awesome, but he’s also really good artistically. That boy’s got swag!  It’s great to see him so strong both physically and mentally after his 5th place finish in the 2018 winter Olympics. (His free skate at that Olympics is still one of my favorites! He pulled himself up from 17th place with that skate. He also made history by being the only person to ever land 6 quads in one program. Talk about changing the game!)

I’m so glad I got back into watching ice skating.  I used to love it when I was younger, during the days of Oksana Baiul and Kristi Yamaguchi. Then I kind of stopped because life was happening.  Though I myself don’t skate at all and nor do I have any desire to, watching it just inspires me and kind of makes me feel free seeing them gliding across the ice gracefully. There are so many skaters I enjoy watching now:  (in ice dance) Madison Chock/Evan Bates, Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue; (from Russia) Evgenia Medvedeva; (from the U.S.) Mariah Bell, Alysa Liu, Jason Brown... I’m sure I’m forgetting some more.

Plus, it’s always fun to hear commentators Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir. Terry Gannon is pretty cool as well. Too bad there are no new episodes of the Tara and Johnny podcast...

What or who are some of your current inspirations? Click on the Comment link above and let me know. May your days be filled with inspiration.

XO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

--------------------------------------------------

Top by ZARA; similar here and here

Bag: Chloe mini Faye backpack in dark brown (super cute alternatives here and here)

Skinny cargo pants by Mango (old), similar here and here.

Boots: Steve Madden

[flipflopsandsequins]

Favorite Lipsticks with Peach and Orange Tones

Happy weekend, everyone!  Just wanted to show you a couple of my current favorite lipsticks. It’s tough to find peachy or orange-ish lip colors that apply nicely - and I’ve tried many!  I’ve found that a lot of light-colored or pastel lipsticks are too sheer or, when applied it looks patchy.  However, these two have been working out really well so I had to share.

The darker one is called Sandstone by 100% Pure and it’s part of their Fruit Pigmented® Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick line. It has sort of an orange-ish light brown tone. It feels so velvety smooth when I put it on, I just love it. Plus, I feel good knowing that the ingredients are not harmful for my lips. It does last a long time as their description claims.

The lighter one is by L’Oreal in a shade called Luminous Coral; part of their Colour Riche Shine collection. When applying, it feels really smooth and even hydrating. I love that this brightens up my face while still being a neutral look.

Let me know if you ever try these for yourself or if you know of any other brands that make a good peach/orange lipstick!

XO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

------------------------------------------------------

gold earrings: Mejuri (they don’t have my exact earrings anymore but they do sell them separately here and here to make the same looks)

gold necklace (old), similar one here

white gold necklace (heirloom)

[flipflopsandsequins]

What to Wear for a Casual Day

Winter time, particularly anytime after Christmas through Feb/March, is the best time (IMO) to shop for clothes. You can find so many cute items at a big discount. I saw this top by Mango and had to snatch it up. They no longer sell this piece unfortunately but I’ve linked a page down below for very cute alternatives! 

This winter has been pretty mild here in northern California - I can even get away with not wearing a coat on some days. This ensemble was perfect for such weather: a cozy teddy bear (faux shearling) top by Mango and an old pair of torn, high-waisted, relaxed straight-leg, cropped jeans by H&M which you’ve seen before on my blog.

The top is so soft and would also look great styled with off-white bottoms such as the pair shown in my previous post or with a faux leather pant or skirt. It’s interesting how I came across a few tops like this at other stores but their version of brown was just a bit...not quite right, lol. I’m glad I didn’t settle and came across this one in the end. I know teddy bear jackets are super cute but I have a North Face jacket that’s kind of similar so I felt a top would be perfect for my wardrobe.

So what is everyone up to this weekend? As for me, I’m going to give the new BTS album (it ‘dropped’ today) a listen as I get ready for bed. TGIF!

XO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Top: MNG Basics by Mango (still on sale!)

Jeans: H&M; cuter, similar ones here and here.

Shoes: light gray, faux snakeskin by Vionic, similar here and here

Hair coil: see-through, by Kitsch

[flipflopsandsequins]

Casual Winter Outfit and thoughts on the Oscars

This winter in northern California has been so weird, due to global warming no doubt. It started off as expected - cold, rainy. But lately, it’s been very windy then turns unusually warm and sunny. In the mornings and nights, it gets pretty cold (to me at least, ‘cause I’m always cold). For this I love wearing my Six Crisp Days parka - it slides on nicely and feels like a cozy hug. Plus, it has two deep zippered pockets perfect for my gloves, keys, and phone. The third pocket on the upper sleeve is pretty small but makes the jacket cute.

I also love this mustard yellow sweatshirt from the Uniqlo U line designed by Christophe Lemaire. Its semi-cropped length goes well with my high-waisted wide leg pants by H&M. I wish I bought one more of this sweatshirt in another color as they no longer sell it. I love its detail on the back and the dolman sleeves.

Did you watch the Oscars this past Sunday? I thought it was pretty entertaining! Much better than last year’s. One of my favorite parts were Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig presenting two awards. They were so funny!

I also loved when Eminem came out to perform, that was a fun surprise. I could kind of tell something might happen with Eminem as they showed footage of him from 8 Mile much longer than any other footage during the montage right before he appeared on stage.

As for the speeches, I really liked Joaquin Phoenix’s as well as Bong Joon Ho’s speech when he won best director.

Fashion-wise, surprisingly my favorite was Timothee Chalamet. He was wearing a sophisticated sweatsuit-looking outfit by PRADA; still had on a white collared shirt underneath (buttoned all the way up), so he looked appropriate and tres chic! I think my next favorite look was Scarlett Johansen wearing an Oscar de la Renta dress. I also loved Natalie Portman’s look (without the cape though).

What were some of your favorite moments of the Oscars? Let me know by adding your comments.

Until next time, thank you for visiting my blog and I hope it gave you some outfit inspiration.

XO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uniqlo sweatshirt (old), but here is a very cute alternative.

H&M pants (old), modern alternative here.

Navy blue parka/bomber jacket by Six Crisp Days (old), cute burgundy colored alternative here, and here (in black and also olive green).

[flipflopsandsequins]

Since When Did the Word ‘Do’ Have Several Meanings?

I’ve noticed in the past several years that we as a society have been using the word ‘do’ in place of other words such as ‘have,’ ‘eat,’ ‘try,’ or ‘put on’. 

Let me give you some examples: 

1) when ordering food or drinks, “I’ll do the pepperoni pizza and the caesar salad.” “l’ll do a mint mojito.”  

2) when describing recipes or cooking, “Sometimes I’ll do a little smoked paprika on my scrambled eggs.” 

3) when putting on clothes, “Let’s do the baseball cap instead of the beret.”

Does this drive anyone else nuts? It’s gotten to the point that even I accidentally use the word ‘do’ improperly sometimes. Lol

Anyways, a few weeks ago I had an appointment in San Francisco so I wanted to take advantage of the cityscape. I lucked out that it was a beautiful, sunny day. (Normally, it’s overcast.) Still learning all the features of my camera so unfortunately my white Superga sneakers came out too bright in most of my photos. These are my second pair of Superga’s as I wore out my first pair for over 6 or 7 years and they’re now torn and ratty.

Even though checked (or plaid) blazers have been around for a few seasons, I still enjoy wearing it and seeing it on other blogs. This one by H&M has deep front pockets that fit my smartphone perfectly and I love its brownish tint. I paired it with a simple white tee by GAP and super comfortable jeans by FRAME. I love the jean’s high-waist, straight-legs and slacks-like pockets.

My bag is a great find from a second-hand store. I think I purchased it for around $19. According to the label inside, it is by a brand called Corbeau which apparently still exists and is based in Cape Town, South Africa. Inside, it has 2 large compartments separated by a slim pocket in the middle. The interior is lined with soft, brown suede. I love its vintage look and that it can go with casual or dressy outfits.

Hope this little blog provided a bit of entertainment or outfit inspiration for you! 

Let me know in the comments what you think of the ‘do-word’...haha.

XO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blazer (H&M): cute alternatives here and here

T-Shirt: GAP

Denim (FRAME): alternative here

Shoes: Superga

Bag (Corbeau): cuter alternatives here and here

[flipflopsandsequins]

January Reflections

Hello! How would you rate your first month of 2020 so far? I can’t believe it’s almost February but a lot has happened in the world already, hasn’t it?

The biggest news, as you’ve heard, is that the world lost iconic basketball hero, Kobe Bryant, in a helicopter crash. What makes it even more tragic is that his 13 year old daughter was also in the helicopter, along with 7 additional people. No one survived.

That day, I had part of my family over to celebrate Lunar New Year. We all were shocked and though we weren’t huge fans of his or anything, we definitely felt the sadness of such a horrible event. I was grateful having them with me and grateful for their health and well-being.

On a lighter note, this month also had the Golden Globes which saw both Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt win awards making many people wish they’d get back together. The SAG Awards also happened and that occurred on the same day when the San Francisco 49ers beat the Greenbay Packers earning them a spot in the Superbowl. Being a Bay Area native, I’m very excited to watch it this coming Sunday. Oh and how about BTS performing live with Lil’ Nas X at the Grammy’s? Always great to see the Bangtan boys at a major U.S. event! (I still wish they got nominated for best pop album or record of the year.)

Current events aside, one of my new year resolutions is to wake up earlier. Who am I kidding - it’s been a ‘resolution’ since autumn! Well, I’m happy to say that I have been getting up earlier most days and I got up extra early to catch the morning sunlight when I took these photos (by myself, with a tripod; though I unfortunately forgot my lipstick). 

I experimented with another location earlier but it just didn’t work out. I knew I wanted to test out this wall area and I’m glad I did. I’m glad I didn’t allow my self-conscious thoughts/my ego to keep me in my car. I allowed my desire to shoot as a means to pull me through the potential funny looks and get past the fear that someone might steal my equipment.

I love each piece in this look - the wide elbow (aka dropped sleeves), and tapered sleeves are very on-trend and the pleated shoulder pad details give it that extra swag. It’ll also look great with blue jeans, amongst other bottoms. The high-waist, pink cargo pants run small but when I sized up, it was perfect. I’ll be pairing this with many of my sweaters this winter season! The faux crocodile patent leather booties offer a nice contrast to this casual look.

Hope you had a nice January and here’s to a better month ahead for us all!

XO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Black sweatshirt with shoulder pads and dropped sleeves by ZARA.  Although this top is now sold out, I’ve linked one here that’s really cool, sleeveless and looks like the one by The Frankie Shop (which every IG fashion blogger seems to have) except more affordable. This one linked here has long sleeves and is by Mango. Another similar top here.

Pink, high-waist, ankle length cargo pant by ZARA. This one is also sold out but here and here are similar items.

Faux crocodile calf-height boots by Koi Footwear from the nastygal.com site; similar pair in brown here; ankle height version here, and cute alternative in black here. Also all on sale!

Sunglasses: The Last Lolita by Adam Selman x Le Specs

Bag: old, from Nordstrom; cute alternative here (it’s also faux leather and has a cheetah print lining similar to my bag which I showed in an old post here)

[flipflopsandsequins]

Bye bye 2019, Hello 2020

Christmas just came and went, didn’t it? I hope that whether or not you celebrate it, that you all had a nice time. I was very fortunate to be with my loving family and many of my cute nieces and nephews.

Looking back at 2019, my ‘word of the year’ was ‘courage.’ I love the question which Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith posed on Super Soul Sunday: “If this experience were to last forever, what quality would have to emerge for me to have peace of mind?” For me, that was ‘courage.’ And when I found myself in situations that were less than favorable, this reminder really helped. It stood out for me even above the word ‘strength’ (which I totally needed as well).

For 2020, I think my WOTY will be ‘focus.’ I’m not sure who began this WOTY exercise but I found one here by Susannah Conway who’s been doing it for over ten years. I’m looking forward to trying out her exercise on finding my word.

Is this something that you’ll be trying out as well? ...Let me know in the comments what your WOTY will be.

Have a happy, healthy, and stylish new year! See you in the new decade.

XO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

---

Faux leather asymmetrical skirt: H&M (cute alternatives here and here; plus-size alternative here). Also shown in previous posts here and here.

Cornflower-blue blouse by wilfred; it’s old but Aritzia is having a sale and there are a ton of cute long-sleeved tops on discount that’ll look great with a faux leather mini skirt. Check them out here.

Booties by Circus by Sam Edelman; they’re old but of course there are some cute alternatives here and here. Also shown in one of my previous posts.

{Photo taken at the Westfield San Francisco Centre. Isn’t that upside-down tree stunning? Love it.}

[flipflopsandsequins]

From Desk to Dinner

Season’s Greetings! Hope that you are doing well and enjoying your last month of the decade (yikes)!

I originally took these photos to see if the outfit would look okay and was NOT going to post them. But after seeing the overcast lighting and how ‘dramatic’ the gray sky turned out, I kind of liked it. The red color really pops, too. So please pardon the quality of the photos, I know they’re not exactly crisp and clear. Sometimes things don’t have to be perfect, right?

This outfit can easily transition from a day at the office to meeting up with friends for dinner.

These tweed pants by Wilfred are super soft, though you do have to size up as it runs small (I exchanged a 0 for a 2). I love that it can be styled dressed up as well as casual. I’m definitely going to try it out with a pair of sneakers and a casual top. [Currently on sale!]

The red blouse by ASTR the Label has an elastic hem and a subtle print. Such a pretty shade of red! [similar top here]

My black blazer by Lookbook Store is pretty old but I like its shoulder pads, peplum back and cinched waist. They still sell it! Check it out here. It also comes in navy blue.

The mini satchel (called Harper) in black leather is by J.Crew and can fit my wallet, keys, phone, a compact and a lipstick. I don’t think they sell this anymore but I found a lovely cabernet colored one on Poshmark here.

My 4-inch high heel ankle boots are in a faux suede by Audrey Brooke. These are also quite old but here is a similar pair and here.

Well, I must go and wrap some Christmas presents. Are you all set for the holidays or do you need to do some more shopping? Whether you’re into gift exchanges or not, I hope you get to spend time doing things you love.

XO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

[flipflopsandsequins]

Care for Your Skin

Lately I’ve been more mindful of my skin. I’m seeing the effects of time...lines and such, ugh. But I also was reminded that skin is our largest organ, after all. It not only protects us but the healthier it is, the better we look. 

Of course, the most important way to take care of the skin is by eating healthily and drinking enough water. Because I’m not always good about that (heck, I’m drinking a matcha oat milk latte right now as I type), I’m glad there are plenty of skincare products out there for us to try.

I was lucky to receive the above Laneige products from close friends for my birthday last year. I really dislike heavily fragranced face moisturizer so I was happy that the Water Bank Moisture Cream (intensive) has a pleasant, light scent. It glides on smoothly without pulling on the skin. In the morning, my face still feels hydrated. According to Laneige, it has “hydro ionized mineral water & micro hyaluronic acid.” It also comes with a little plastic scooper.

I’ve never had a lip “mask” before but this one blew me away! It has a pleasant berry scent and feels so good on the lips. It reminded me of what the day spas use when getting a facial. I highly recommend this lip mask; it comes with a rubber scooper/applicator which I appreciate. I’ve actually used it during the day as well; it gives my lips a healthy glossy look. Laneige also has this mask in three other scents: apple lime, grapefruit, and vanilla.

There’s something fun about using good quality skincare products. It definitely makes me use them more consistently each night. 

What are some of your favorite nighttime moisturizers? Add your thoughts in the comments section.

Thanks for visiting!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

[flipflopsandsequins]

All About the Clothes This Time

My new favorite denim brand - Frame. I got this pair of Le High Asymmetrical Hem Jean just a couple months ago during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and boy did I spend a lot of time trying to figure out which size I should get! I’m sure you fashionistas out there can relate.

My regular size (25) fit the way it’s supposed to - straight leg and slightly loose. But I opted for the 24 because I felt it looked better on me fitted around the thighs while the 25 sort of looked too much like mom jeans. 

Of course the jean looked terrific on the website with the slightly loose fit due to the model’s long legs, but with mine, I finally decided one size down was better suited for me. That’s one good thing about trying things on at the store - you get to see how it actually looks on you and take home the best one right away. If I’d ordered online, I wouldn’t have ever thought to also purchase one size down just to see how it fit. Luckily it has enough stretch to not feel too tight.

I love practically everything which Aritzia sells and was happy to find this cotton top on sale, as they were trying to sell all their spring/summer items to make room for autumn. The weather has been super warm during the day here in the bay area (as it normally is in September/October) so I’ve been able to wear this top several times.

I splurged on the trendy Lolita sunglasses by Adam Selman x Le Specs but I gotta tell you that it is kind of annoying to see the reflections on the periphery because the sunglasses are not curved as normal sunnies are, they’re completely flat. But I love them anyway!

I ‘shopped my closet’ with the faux suede heels by Franco Sarto; had them for several years now. I would’ve loved a cute little block heel to go with the jeans but I just haven’t found a pair I love, yet.

Another thing I was itching to find was a cute, logo-less belt bag. I happily stumbled upon this one by Madewell and mentioned in my previous post. It comes in different belt sizes (pouch size is the same): S/M/L and I believe XL as well. This one is a medium and at the time, I didn’t know they offered other sizes as this was the last one in stock at Nordstrom and the sales lady mentioned they just received these new bags but only two: one black, one brown. I suppose they were testing them out at the time and I’m glad I was there to snag it. Have used it several times and just love it. Great for casual get-togethers and when you want your hands free, like going to a concert as I talked about in the previous post.

What are some of your favorite belt bags and denim brands? I’d love to hear in the comments, especially if you know of some bags without big logos on them.

XO

Jeans: FRAME denim ‘Kingsway’; alternatives here

Top: Babaton (Aritzia), similar here; alternative here

Tan leather bag by Madewell: Simple Pouch Belt Bag in English Saddle

Sunglasses: Adam Selman x Le Specs “Lolita”

Heels: Franco Sarto (old), cute alternatives here and here

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

[flipflopsandsequins]

Go Ahead, Step On That Bug

It was a windy summer evening in San Francisco (as usual) when these photos were taken in August. It’s still quite warm right now in the Bay Area even though we’re nearing Halloween. But that’s how it almost always is every year and I actually love it. So I’ve been able to re-wear this outfit a few times already.

Back to my evening in the city... I was on my way to meet up with friends for a casual dinner before going to a concert. I’ve been wanting a belt bag for a while now and this one by Madewell is super cute, perfect to keep your hands free at a concert. You can also wear it over the shoulder or as a cross-front style, the way fanny packs are worn now.

The shoes by TOMS are super comfy even with the heels and the high waist skinny jeans by Levis has a good amount of stretch. If I wear a cropped top, I always prefer high-waisted bottoms so that it balances out the look; I don’t want to show too much skin.

Anyway, something that I’ve been thinking about lately, and it has nothing to do with this outfit nor that August evening in the city, is the subject of being nice or kind. Is being nice worth it? 

I recently heard on a podcast, the sidekick to the main podcaster say, “I don’t really care if people are nice. Like, if someone says I should meet so-and-so because he or she is nice, I’m like, that doesn’t sound interesting...” (I’m sure I did not get her word-for-word comment, but you get the gist.)

To me, it’s important to be nice or at least respectful because this world can be so cruel. So I did what most curious people do, I turned to Professor Google. I was pleasantly surprised to see this recent Ted Talk pop up as one of the results on the first page, and apparently it was posted just a few weeks ago on October 3rd:  Why Being Nice to Your Coworkers is Good for Business. 

As the speaker, Christine Porath, reveals, her team’s studies found that being rude not only affects the person on the receiving end, but also those who are witness to the rude act. Although she puts this in the context of workplaces, she also mentions how it affects those at home, in schools, online, and communities (not just workplaces). 

It was great to see her studies showed more success for those who lived or worked among civil environments, and that in the workplace ‘nice people finish first’. Yes, you can be honest and still be seen as not a jerk. She acknowledges there are outliers who are abrasive and seem to finish first, but in the long run, they would not last.

I’m so glad I stumbled upon this video and I hope you watch/listen to it, too. Let’s crush the incivility bug (as Christine calls it) early on before it casts a large web.

What is your opinion on ‘being nice’?

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you in the comments section.

XO

Tan leather bag by Madewell: Simple Pouch Belt Bag in English Saddle

Jeans by Levis, similar here

Lavender top by Aritzia: Wilfred Piaf t-shirt

Jacket (old): Ted Baker, similar here, here and here

Peep-toe, perforated, ankle boots (old): TOMS, similar here and here

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

[flipflopsandsequins]

Move Toward Pleasure, Rather Than Away From Pain

These photos were taken last year (2017), around the same time as now. The weather was still warm though autumn already started. I didn’t publish this post however, because I am my own worst critic. I forgot about these photos but looking at them now, I have a newfound appreciation for them. The way the sun was shining, the way the bus was in the background adding to that downtown vibe, the simple beauty of the green vines against a stone wall. And hey, I still wear these pieces today.

Where have I been, you may wonder. Well, it seems that in dealing with the busyness of the day-to-day, I lost my mojo for the activities that I loved. I’ve definitely missed blogging and creating photos (that hopefully inspire you to enjoy fashion).

Though I’ve been studying personal growth for the last several years, it seems that I had hit a ‘rough patch’ again in the first half of 2018. I really had to practice being present, practive self-compassion and also dig deep to be my own cheerleader, to find courage when it seemed everyday brought a new challenge. It didn’t help that I felt guilty for feeling blue because it’s not as thought I’m someone who, for example, is battling grave illness or dealing with a dying loved one. 

One of the ways in which I’m trying to alleviate this ‘funk’ is by heeding the words of Michael Bernard Beckwith, “Move toward pleasure, rather than away from pain.”  Listening to my intuition and not pushing those feelings aside when I feel inspired to create and share. It feels good to be back on my blog and I look forward to posting some new content in the coming weeks. I hope you find time to do something that makes you happy, today.

XO

Zara bag, cute alternatives here , here and here

Topshop top, cute alternatives here and here

H&M high-waist, relaxed jeans, cut alternatives here and here

Bebo heels, cute alternative here and here

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

[flipflopsandsequins]

Vintage Coat & the 2017 X’mas Season

I’m lucky my mother kept her coats from the 60′s when she used to live on the east coast. I just discovered it this year when she was clearing out her closet.

Now this is a real winter coat - warm, well made, and its collar provides coverage so cold air doesn’t sneak in. I don’t think the fur is real but the labels are gone from frequent use. Since I’m usually feeling cold, this coat was perfect for my day out in San Francisco, visiting the MoMA.

I was also super pleased at how it complemented my Chloe backpack - my first ever designer bag. After many, many years of contemplating what bag would be worth my hard-earned money, this one really kept ‘calling’ me. It’s hard for me to spend so much as I’d rather buy a plane ticket and travel the world, but I truly love this bag and know it’ll look great for years to come. As they say, sometimes ya gotta “treat yo self!”

Hope you’re all having a happy holiday season. What are some of your “treat yo self” stories? Share in the comments - I’d love to hear from you.

Cheers xo 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

[flipflopsandsequins]

A Weekend in Paso Robles, California

What can happen in 4 months? For me, I’ve started a new job, had a fun weekend with girlfriends in Vegas, and spent more time with family. That includes a recent, wonderful weekend in Paso Robles, CA with my husband for our anniversary. But throughout the 4 months that I was ‘away,’ I missed blogging and photography terribly. I’m glad I was able to get some rest and relaxation in Paso plus take some photos to share with you.

This trip was much needed as we’d been working so much for the past few months and on the weekends we’d be catching up on chores or tending to our weed-filled yard. Having a balance is so important and I can really feel a positive difference when I make time for self-care, which to me includes spending time away from home, somewhere different.

We told ourselves we would only visit a couple wineries so that we can spend a lot of time relaxing at the hotel and at their pool. We had a delicious breakfast at their restaurant, Cello. I loved their cappuccino and waffles with ollalieberries (it wasn’t too sweet nor too tart).

We then drove to Denner Vineyards and had a lovely tasting sitting outside amongst their tall, beautiful trees and overlooking the hills. The summer weather was just perfect for me.

We grabbed lunch at Next Door Bistro (my grilled manchego cheese sandwich with quince paste on sourdough bread was fricken delicious) before heading back to the hotel. Little did I know that Keanu Reeves (yes, that actor from John Wick, Point Break, Speed, The Matrix) was also in downtown Paso. I saw later on social media that he dined at the Santa Maria Brewing Co which is where we had dinner the night before and just a couple blocks from Next Door Bistro. Ah, so close! LoL

It can be difficult for me to spend on nice things like a massage as it was not too long ago that I was flat broke and in debt. But I’m glad my husband and I made an appointment at Allegretto Hotel’s spa. It felt awesome to not worry about anything for 70 minutes.

We then chilled by the pool before getting ready for dinner at Artisan. Their food was good but the service was slow and they forgot a side dish we ordered.

All in all, our trip turned out well (and I don’t have buyer’s remorse - phew!).

What have you done as part of your self-care or summer getaway? I’d love to read about it so feel free to leave a comment.

XOXO

[flipflopsandsequins]

I Splurged On A Water Bottle

What? Yes, I did. I couldn’t help it. These BKR (pronounced like ‘beeker’) bottles are so cute! With a simple style that’s tres chic – and it comes in so many colors. They also have some with hearts or stars and even spikes.

So I thought about it for a few days and couldn’t help but look at their Instagram account, oh, at least 2 times a day... you know, to make sure I really didn’t need it. After all, the 500 ml (approximately 16 ounces, the size of a grande drink at Starbucks) bottle costs thirty-five bucks! [It also comes in a smaller size of 250 ml (about 8 ounces) and a bigger size of 1L which is approximately 2.5 pounds of water.]

Well, after having this for about a month, I am happy to say that I still get a ‘spark of joy’ (to credit author and tidiness extraordinaire Marie Kondo) each time I use it or even see it sitting here by my laptop as I work.

The one I purchased is in the color “naked”. [Click on any of the photos above to see them enlarged.]  I love that the mouth of the bottle is small so that water doesn’t spill all over the place when I’m drinking out of it in a moving vehicle. I love that it’s made of glass as it’s healthier, cleaner than plastic (don’t need any BPA in my body!).

The silicone sleeve is removable and easy to clean. It also came with an extra cap which I thought was very nice of them to provide. 

I’m trying to own less things and only keep items I love. This bkr bottle definitely falls in that category. What color shall I get next time? ;p

What are some things you couldn’t believe you splurged on? I’d love to read your comments. Thanks for visiting.

XO

Nail color: Under Where? by Essie (light purple / lavender), similar here

Follow my blog with Bloglovin