99 cent store finds.

I went to the 99c only store last week as a date night venture with the Hubby, and found some thrifty finds! If you take the time to look, you can find nifty items anywhere...-- mustard colored tights with foot padding, multi-colored striped cotton scarf, crazy rainbow-water-colored tie (reminded me of Alexander McQueen) that the Hubby refuses to ever wear, but I plan on using as a belt and nude colored ankle socks.

Target ring, men's Seiko watch, metal coil bracelet from Spain.

Wore my "new" scarf with a Threads4Thought blush-pink tee (they're currently donating 25% towards Japan disaster relief), vintage blazer from mom, Gap skirt, Hue stockings & gifted Charles by Charles David pumps.

Mocha perusing around with the newly bloomed flowers.

Two-toned Tights

Came across these crazy-awesome two-toned Italian (I forgot the brand!) tights when I was looking for a pair of basic boring black tights for work. Like Dorothy and her Ruby Red Slippers, I instantly felt magical and spunkier, maybe more like Punky Brewster. I decided to take a risk by wearing them to work, and got quite a few kind compliments : )

Worn with a basic v-neck tee, polk-dot scarf from Paris, F21 shorts, BR belt, thrifted lil boy's blazer, two-toned stockings found at TJ Maxx

Hot-pants.

I asked the Hubby to take a photo of my outfit for this post, and it ended up being a photoshoot, go figure. I was trying quite hard not to laugh in the second photo..believe it or not, I can get painfully camera-shy.

Wearing a knit sweater & bracelet from Forever21, gifted Express shorts, Hue navy stockings, Topshop sneaker wedges, necklace gifted from Africa (the Hubby!)

Fall 2011 Fashion Faves

Chloe - Starting with one of my favorite designers, definitely seeing a lot of python prints, velvety suede and drapey, sheer fabrics.

Chris Benz - Love the classic looks, plaid and classic lady-like silhouettes

3.1 Phillip Lim - Green. Was obsessed with it a few years ago, why did I get rid of it? Also digging the burnt brown + cobalt blue + white color mix.

Chanel - Kind of felt like they could've done better, these were my only faves

Miu Miu - Really into the brown and red-orange combo, mixed with a Japanese kimono influence

Valentino - Back to sheer chiffon, lace and romance, always a favorite of mine

Alexander Wang - I liked the fact that he steered away from jersey material this time around, using more luxurious fabrics such as wool/cashmere and silk. The colors remind me of watching the Nutcracker during Christmas time.

Great lengths.

Silence + Noise (UO) blazer, striped top from a sample sale, old maxi dress worn as a skirt, Jeffrey Campbell wedges

UO belt-turned necklace, Oliver Peoples glasses

Pocketfuls of pleasure.

My favorite fragrances- I abide by the Parisian mentality: Spray when showering isn't a priority.

Good beauty tools are as essential as brushes are to an artist.

Why pay $$$ for skincare? Amazon offers amazing deals for skincare by Olay, my mom swears by it and everyone always asks her how she keeps her skin looking years younger. Covergirl Lashblast makes my Asian lashes look plenty times thicker & longer for a bargain, Sephora face primer works great on oily/combo skin, Urban Decay shadow primer prevents oily lids from getting creases, Maybelline Eyestudio gel liner is my new cheap substitute to Makeup Forever's version, works nearly as good for 1/3 of the price, and MAC has the best color staying pigments & budget-friendly prices.

Hair & skin products I love: Fekkai Full Blown Volume spray, Suave dry shampoo is supercheap and works just as good as the others I've tried; it saves me time on days when washing your hair is a luxury, Bioderma Sensibio H2O- liquid magic, feels like H2O, but takes off make-up, and Bioderma Crealine Anti-Redness cream for my sensitive skin

Got a doorknob decor, which doubles as a jewelry holder..and finally got around to re-painting a gaudy mirror we found at a closeout store.

I love vintage-looking books- need to find more to fill up our bookcases.

These beautiful irises and lillies shot up from beneath the soil, as planted by the previous owners; a nice little sneak preview for Spring!