Camo Time

// QSW sweat top from Pixiemarket / Zara camo pants / Isabel Marant "Bobby" sneakers / Urban Outfitters watch and glasses /Dimoni bag //

Excuse me while I have my camo moment. After seeing these pants from the Elizabeth and James' Textile fall collection, I've been thinking about the print constantly. Thankfully, Zara is always around the corner to give way to my trendy urges. My old college roommate would be so proud. She practically lived in a pair of baggy camo pants from the military surplus store. She also listened to Nirvana nonstop and had a boyfriend with a mohawk. Oh, how times have changed!

In other really exciting news, guess who is going to her very first NY Fashion Week? This camo-printed gal! I'll try to document my adventures via Instagram while I'm there. I haven't been back to New York in almost 4 years, so I'm excited to see the city again. I tell people that New York is exactly how it's portrayed in the movies. At least I always get that surreal, déjà vu feeling when I'm there. Even though I can count the number of times I've visited on one hand, I feel like I've been there many times before.

All I Really Wanna Wear

// Majestic Paris striped linen top / Flying Monkey jeans / vintage boots / Alexander Wang "Diego" bag / Target sunglasses / Lucky Brand nautilus necklace //

Hey guys! I'm wearing stripes from my new favorite T-shirt line, Majestic Paris. I was pleasantly surprised that the shirt, which would normally be 2 sizes too big, fits perfectly oversized to my liking. The loose, slightly flared sleeves and the worn-in look of the print also brings a unique flavor to what would otherwise be just another striped top to add to my count (although you can never really have enough).

You'll be hard-pressed to find me in anything but "easy" clothing these days. Having to wear business/business-casual on most days has really taken a serious toll on my style mojo. All I really want to wear now are slouchy tops and small, comfy bottoms. Boy, do I envy you guys who can wear practically whatever you want at your workplace. It's a privilege, I say!

Clément Pascal for Kitsune

This beautiful editorial by Clément Pascal makes me yearn for coffee and cigarettes.

Clothes by Kitsune
Editorial from The New Order Magazine

Back to the 80s

// Feral Childe top from Settlement Goods / Seven for All Mankind jeans / Isabel Marant Bekett sneakers / Desmo bag / Marc New York sunglasses //

Yes, people, there is some major sneaker love going on here. I have fallen quite head over heels for Isabel Marant's sneaks (ok, all her shoes) and have since put my foot in my mouth since this post. I don't know what kind of spell she puts on her products, but she seems to know how to magically make you fall in love with her pieces despite some initial resistance. Is it the old school styling? Maybe the really puffy tongue? Or perhaps those velcro straps? Either way, these shoes make me feel like a kid again.

But enough about Marant, I finally took my new top from Feral Childe out for a spin. The company is based on sustainability, ethical business practices, and healthy working conditions for its workers, and everything is made in the good ole US of A. The quirky silhouettes and fun sketch-like prints are what originally attracted me to the label but getting to support a brand who's mindful of its use of materials and treatment of employees are just more great reasons to support independent labels.

Woman by Common Projects Ankle Boots

If you've been looking for a sleek suede ankle boot that is devoid of Western detailing (à la Isabel Marant Dickers), look no further. I can personally attest to the comfort and beauty of these boots. Last fall, they offered the top three colors, and I picked up the beautiful dark blue-gray version on the right. Even my cobbler complimented on how nice they were!

This year, they have added the black, burgundy, and light brown version to their lineup as well as brought back the warm gray. You can see me wearing them here and here.

You can pick up the taupe gray, brown, and black at La Garconne and the Burgundy at ssense.

If you prefer leather, they have you covered too.

Find these at Frances May.

The Road to Indulgence

Houston is quickly becoming known for its spectacular cuisine. Even our Restaurant Week is no longer just a week but an entire month! Not realizing that I could nosh all month, I booked three restaurants in one week. Below is my food du jour, starting with my favorite.

Kiran's

Delhi Chaat: Aloo tikki, pindi channa and raita, with mint and tamarind chutney

Mughlai Thali: Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Rhogan Josh, Palak Paneer, Saffron Rice Pulao, Kalonji Naan & Raita

Chef's Thali: Saag (Mixed Greens), Besan Kadi, Karela, Saffron Rice Pulao, Makki Ki Roti & Raita

To learn more about my Kiran's experience, check out my Yelp review here.

Brasserie 19

Steak Tartare: hand-cut beef tenderloin, caper remoulade, quail egg, smoked paprika

Rainbow Trout Almondine: roasted red potato, seasonal vegetable, meuniere

Dark Chocolate Cake: hazelnut, bittersweet chocolate, hazelnut ice cream (warm creamy chocolate heaven inside!)

Rainbow Lodge

Chili & Cumin Dusted Beef Shoulder Tender: summer corn and roasted poblano risotto with parmesan

Texas Peach Upside Down Cake

Croissant Bread Pudding

Restaurant Week is a great way to try out that restaurant you've been curious about or to get a deal at your favorite high-end restaurant and if you're in Houston, a portion of the proceeds goes to a good cause!

For the Visually Impaired

// Zara polka dot linen top / Alternative Earth tank / Isabel Marant Bobby sneakers / vintage shorts and bag / Rx glasses c/o Firmoo (Thanks Antonio!) //

You won't often find me in glasses because I've grown so accustomed to contacts, but I'm always browsing the glasses section of my optometrist's office without fail. I think glasses are one of the few accessories that can completely change the way you look which makes it that much harder to pick just one. So when Firmoo approached me about trying out a free pair of glasses, I said why not. The selection process was extremely easy for me because the site allows you to upload a photo of yourself to virtually try on any pair. I decided on a wayfarer style that suited my face and already had great reviews and went with brown plastic frames as an alternate to the metal-rimmed glasses I currently own. I made a simple call to my optometrist's office to get the technical details, and in less than two weeks, I received my glasses that were just as good in quality as the pair I had paid over $200 for. Plus, my prescription was spot on, meaning I had no headache after wearing them for the whole day! If I'm going to wear glasses, they better be comfortable, stylish, and sturdy enough to handle my hectic lifestyle.
Let's just say you might see me wearing glasses a lot more often now.

I know purchasing a pair of glasses can cost a pretty penny these days (unfortunately, for us eyesight-challenged folks, it's an item we can't live without), so Firmoo would like to lighten the load by offering you a free pair of glasses as well! Click here for more details.

All Things

// Romeo & Juliet couture tunic / Free People jeans / Isabel Marant Dicker boots / Jasper & Jeera "All Things" bag / vintage belt / Obaku watch //

Love, love, love this bag! Can I tell you a secret? I picked it up from Anthropologie at a ridiculously discounted price. I noticed it at the beginning of the season and just my luck, it was still waiting for me during the sales. I'm even a little ashamed at the price I paid for it as it is well worth that amount and more. The purse is completely beaded on the back, sides, and front flap. And bonus, there are tassels! What good bohemian bag doesn't come with tassels, right?

In the end, I'm pretty proud of my savvy shopping moment. It's not every day you come across a beautiful, intricate piece that is also shockingly affordable. I know some people try to stay away from sales because they're usually a blend of chaos and sad leftovers, but I like to think this gives hope to sales everywhere!

Girls' Club

//Finders Keepers romper from Wasteland / Jeffrey Campbell The Suspect platform shoes from Nasty Gal / vintage leather backpack //

// Ace & Jig dress / Minnetonka fringe boots / gifted cat purse / orange is the sun Cooper bracelet //

This weekend, I got to spend a wonderful and productive Saturday hanging out with Jessica. Our festivities included our usual adventures in thrifting, prepping for a Closet Peep feature, a trip to Luby's (in true Southern fashion), and strolling down 19th Street for White Linen Night.
Once in awhile, it's nice to enjoy a girls' day out away from the boys!