Nike Dri-Fit Shorts Review

I've never reviewed a product via my blog before, but there's a first time for everything :) 

Okay, as most of you know I'm a runner, and one of the things that can make or brake your workout is the equipment; in this case, my running shorts. Since I live in SoCal, it's extremely important to stay cool and dry, especially during our summers! When I left for my run this morning, it was already in the upper 80's, and when I finished it was well on it's way to upper 90's. Now, thankfully, we don't have the humidity that I grew up with in the South, but dry heat still takes a toll on your body and your running gear. By the end of my run, the shorts were a bit damp from all the sweating I had done, but they weren't by any means soaked. The material did a fairly good job at keeping my legs cool and dry. Which brings me to my next point: the shorts didn't trap any heat! A life-saver in these temperatures! Yes, my body was hot, but the fabric let the heat escape as opposed to trapping it.

Now for the fit! I honestly think that the fit is my favorite part!!! As a woman and a runner, I am always on the lookout for shorts that aren't so short that they expose/nearly expose my booty. I seriously can't stand it when shorts are so short that I have to worry about my bum getting fried on a bench when I sit down! Thankfully, these Nike shorts fit perfectly! They're the perfect length! Short enough to provide full range of motion, and long enough that there's no chance of being cheeky! They are a little snug when I first have to pull them up over my runner's thighs, but after that they're great!!! Plus, the waistband of elastic is strong enough to keep your shorts in place even when they're loaded down with a phone or step counter. There's also a zipper in the back that is perfect for stashing your key.

So, I would definitely recommend these Nike Dri-Fit shorts! Not just for running! They would work for pretty much any workout, indoors or out!

Comicon 2015

Okay, I realize that this has nothing to do with my typical fashion/ootd posts, but come on! I got to go to Comicon!!! 

Now, I have never been a comic convention, let alone San Diego's Comicon, but it was amazing! 

I took my little brother (by little I mean he'll be 27 this year) for his birthday present, and we had a blast!!! Yes, it was crowded, but everyone kept moving so I never felt like I was trapped or stuck in the press of people. The costumes ranged from tossed together to exquisite! The artistry of the merchants and the attendees was top notch! 

Food and parking were a bit pricey, but overall it was absolutely worth it! My brother and I made it a point to visit NerdHQ, Weta, WoW, BBC, and Funimation. If you get the chance to attend SDCC, I would highly recommend it! 

Baseball caps and errands

I don't know about you, but I LOVE baseball! I root for a select few teams, but the Giants and the Angels have my heart! I grew up spending my summers at the ball fields with my brothers, watching and playing baseball, consuming sunflower seeds and popcorn. It was life. Beautiful, slightly sunburned, clean-hitting, crisp-pitching, life. So, to this day, watching and playing baseball is a family event, and as a result, I own more than a few baseball caps. Wearing a team cap is sometimes difficult, because we hate hat-hair and the bad hair days that we tend to reserve our baseball caps for aren't usually days we enjoy. 

So, here's how to rock a baseball cap and be proud of it! 

I usually save this look for days when I won't be at work/at a photoshoot, but I still want to feel summery and cute. 

I paired my Bermuda shorts with a simple heather gray t-shirt. Add your favorite lace up sneakers (most use Chucks, I prefer my PF Flyers), your baseball cap of choice, some simple stud earrings, and voila! You've got an easy, cute, summer-ready outfit! 

Much love darlings!!! 

Baseball cap- Lids

Shirt- American Eagle

Bermuda shorts- Miss Me from The Buckle

Sneakers- PF Flyers 

Rainy day inspiration

Rainy days always seem to signal loose jeans, sweat pants, and hoodies. And there is nothing wrong with that! I just like to dress it up a little bit no matter what the weather 😊 We've recently had a bit of rain in SoCal (shocking, I know!) and I wanted to take the opportunity to enjoy something a little less relaxed. 

For this look, I paired a muted amethyst  top with a leather jacket and herring bone skater skirt, black tights, and booties. Now, if you're a fellow "Elementary" fan, you know that this look is largely inspired by Lucy Liu's character Dr. Joan Watson, whose wardrobe is always on point! I've been watching since the show first aired, and I LOVE it!!! Not just for wardrobe ideas, but because the episode and overarching plots, acting, and character development are all superb! Go check it out on CBS!

Glasses: Prada

Leather jacket: The Buckle

Top: The Buckle

Skirt: Angl 

Tights: Target 

Booties: Modcloth 

The Little Things

This is just a personal post, because sometimes it's nice to just say, "Hi! How's it going?" Life has been nothing short of interesting, which is good, because I can't stand being bored (my great great Gram used to say that "Only boring people get bored!" So I have strived to never be boring :). That said, I can definitely find enjoyment in the little things :) This week, my friend and fellow model, Ruby, turned 25! So, to celebrate we went to a little French bakery in SoCal! The crepes and pastries were phenomenal! And it was just so nice to take a quiet moment to catch up, laugh, and enjoy good food :) 

So, remember to make time for moments to just sit back, breath, and laugh with the people you love!

Classy Hat Act

Every time I wear a hat (and I do mean LITERALLY every single time) women of all ages stop me and tell me, "Oh! I LOVE your hat! I wish I could wear cute hats like that!" Gals! You absolutely CAN wear cute hats :D It's simply a matter of finding the right style and fit for YOU! 

Now, I want to encourage you to not chicken out! Don't give up and slap on a ball cap (even though I love baseball caps!). Find something fun! A fedora or a floppy hat! Maybe something knit or a cute beret! But there are two important things to remember when you're shopping for a cute hat: 1. Trust your gut! If you like it on the hat rack- try it on! And 2. Hats are not one-size-fits-all! No, seriously! Find your hat size! If they're always too big or too small, then find a store where they carry actual sizes! Sometimes that means visiting a real hat shop, and sometimes that means checking out a high end retail store. 

Another hat-wearing tip to ensure you feel confident: when you start wearing a hat, keep the rest of your ensemble simple and maybe stick with a neutral color palette (at least until you're comfortable and confident in your hat game ;D ). 

Most of my hats come from known retailers: The Buckle, Target, or Forever 21. But my favorite hat-maker for the past year has been Janessa Leoné! If you haven't seen her gorgeous hats, then go check them out! Like- nowish! 

One of the reasons that I love her hats, is that they are classy, elegant, have clean lines, and are truly works of art! They come in gorgeous colors and really have a very fine, lady-like, appearance and quality.

Here's an easy way to rock your cute new hat! 

In this photograph, taken by one of my favorite LA-based photographers, Bruce Cooper, I'm wearing a simple black dress from H&M, grey ballet flats from The Buckle, and a wide-brimmed, floppy, black hat from Target :) 

So take a chance and try something new! You never know how adding one, simple, accessory can add a little confidence and class to your day! 

Until next time lovelies! Xx

The Right Fit

Okay, so we all go through it. No matter what your body type or height. We all struggle with one thing...
Finding that perfect fit.

You know what I'm talking about! That once-in-a-blue-moon, fits-like-a-glove, article of clothing!
And once you DO find something with that perfect fit, your jaw drops, your eyes bug out, and you think to yourself, "OhmyGOSH! It fits ME! It really fits me!"

You know, we don't have to search and scrounge around for that fit, but we do it because we feel like it's the only option available to us.

But it's not :)

The simple answer is this: find a tailor.

No! For real! I avoided going to a tailor for the longest time because I thought that it would be stupid expensive and what would be the point anyway.

Um, do you want your clothes to fit you, I mean REALLY fit you? or not.

Okay, so the first time I went to a tailor, it was because I was managing a store and I was sick of my blazer looking baggy and my favorite French-cuff shirt being too boxy. So I got the name of a lady from one of my friends and timidly drove to her home (not all tailors operate out of shops, some do all their work from home, but do your research before you go, and always trust your gut). She was one of the kindest women I'd ever met! We made friends almost instantly, and she had me go into the bathroom and change into the pieces so that she could pin according to what I was looking for. She asked me questions to determine my fit preference, and then she took the pieces and I drove home.
Less than a week later she called me and let me know that the pieces were finished. So, I drove back, tried on my newly fitted clothes and...

Ohmygosh! They were perfection! We're talking, "Dannnnnggggg girrrrlllll!!!" looks good. I paid her (plus tip) and set up my next appointment to bring back some evening dresses in need of a little love.

Now, the cost of a fitted shirt can be as low as $10 but it can also get a little astronomical if you're not selective. My tailor only charged me $10 a shirt, which is great, but always do your research and don't pay them until you have your finished product and you've tried everything on. Most tailors WANT you to try it on anyway, because you're they're walking billboard! If you don't look good, or that fit is off, they're the ones who won't get more clients.
If, however, you have an experience like mine, and you LOVE the fit and the tailor is simply amazing, then ask them for some business cards to give to your friends. And for Pete's sake, do not forget to tip! There are certain people that you always want to tip (and tip well) in life: your hair stylist, your barista, your waiter, and your tailor!

Until next time lovelies Xx