MidoriLei

{V-neck shirt from T J Maxx, skirt -gift from friend, slouchy open toe ankle booties from Kohls, Non prescription nerdy glasses from Plato’s Closet Bellevue}

I learned this trick a long time ago, and it seriously works! Printed fabric tends to make things appear larger, while dark solid colors streamline an area of the body. My favorite way to balance out my apple shape is to wear print on the lower half of my body, and wear dark tops- black (of course), and also other colors like gray, navy blue, dark brown, maroon etc…

I’m so excited for today! I’m going shopping with my sister-in-law. We are hitting HnM, Urban Outfitters and probably a couple thrift shops/consignment shops. I’m on the hunt for some peach or brown nerdy glasses:)

{Slouchy beret from Target, Peep Toe Stilettos by Nine West from Plato’s Closet, Blouse from Target, Bermuda shorts by Lucky Brand Jeans from Value Village Redmond}

I love bermuda shorts. They are more modest than hot pants/regular tailored shorts, and they can be worn with heels, sandals or even flip flops. These bermuda shorts are super comfy because they fall perfectly below my waist. They also flatter my apple figure with diagonal buttons at the pockets that create the illusion of more width in the hip area. Super cute. Today I decided to pair them with cream peep toe stilettos.  The weather was absolutely perfect, with the sun making its appearance. It was the perfect outfit to meet up with my friend at the Mediterranean Kitchen. We decided to “pretend” it was summer.

Most of the time, I love to dress really romantic, and nothing feels more romantic than  a flowy antique rose blouse.  This blouse is so comfy and loose, yet still flattering! I call it my “buffet blouse,” if you catch my drift:) I love anything in the color family of peach or antique rose. It’s a flattering color on most people. It really warms up the face and draws attention to the rouge women put on their cheeks.  Finally I completed the look with a cream slouchy beret (I’ve wrote about my love of this hat here) to match my peep toe shoes.

Remember this post I wrote about how to choose a leather jacket? I found my perfect pleather version at Target for a whopping $39.00! It has these tabs on the shoulders, pockets on the chest area, and is perfectly cropped. It also has vertical pockets by the waist which are very slimming. Plus it has the button collar I’ve been searching for!

{Pleather Jacket from Target, White hip length tank top from Target, Denim skirt from Value Village Redmond, Black leather slouchy booties from Kohls, Slouchy peach beanie from Burlington Coat Factory}

A black pleather jacket doesn’t really keep you warm, but it’s perfect for the spring weather that’s coming! I love this black motorcycle jacket paired with a peachy pink slouchy beanie. The “tough” look of the jacket needs that soft contradiction.

I wear leather peep toe slouchy booties to elongate my legs. I think if you’re petite like me, or more top heavy like me, the cropped jacket works when you are wearing a dark jacket over a lighter shirt. The most important thing is to find an inner shirt with a length that falls about 4-5 inches below your belly button. It evens everything out.

Remember when Britney Spears popularized the playful school girl look in her first big hit, “Hit Me Baby, One More Time?”

Well, it’s cute and sexy, but not very “grown up.” So, I decided to play around with the idea. Toss the pigtails, bare midriff, thigh high socks. What stays? The skirt. I paired a pleated skirt with grown up mary jane inspired peep-toe heels, a grown up leather bag, a gray “grandpa” hat, and stole my husband’s golf sweater. Add some nerdy glasses and the look is finished.

{Grandpa hat “stolen” from my guy friend. Guy’s hats ALWAYS look better if you have a wide Asian face like me!}

{Shirt borrowed from my hubby’s closet, Bebe pleated skirt from Plato’s Closet, Fossil bag from Value Village Redmond, Nerdy nonprescription glasses from Icing, Nine West Shoes from Value Village Seattle}

{Hat from Burlington Coat Factory (men’s department), Altered blazer from Ross?, Mossimo White Tank from Target, City Fit Shorts from J. Crew, BCBG Paris shoes from Value Village Seattle}

Right now I’m soo in love with shorts paired with heels and a blazer. You already know my love affair with fedoras I made a couple alterations to these pieces. I bought the hat which had a weird plaid print on it and immediately went crazy with my sharpi permanent marker in black. The black blazer had long sleeves at one point, but I’ve always found 3/4 sleeves a bit more flattering, so I cut them off and used what very little sewing skills I have to hem the edges.

And I cannot tell you how madly over the moon in love I am with these shorts and J Crew in general. I’ve tried several tailored shorts and they always bunch up in the front. Very unflattering. I think the magic of these shorts is the side zipper, which I’m now a huge fan of. I guess it’s the secret to “no bunching” in the front! They also sit perfectly below my waist. Yay for J. Crew Outlets! I got this pair for a steal! $29.99 at checkout.

ha! My Michael Jackson pose:)