Bay Area Fashionista

Perfect pleated skirt

 in General Fashion  tagged givenchy / outfits / spring 2016 / summer 2016 / topshop by

small pleated skirt pleated skirt for spring and summer DSC_0328how to style a pleated skirtblack and white pleated skirtgivenchy and a pleated skirt

Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Sunglasses: Dior (sold out, similar here) / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Rosa / Top: Gibson / Chain bracelet: Kendra Scott / Small cuff: Kendra Scott / Nail Polish: Chanel Mariniere / Handbag: Givenchy / Skirt: TopShop / Shoes: Valentino (old, current season here)

Pleated skirts have been a hot trend for the past couple of seasons. I have shied away from the trend since I am on the short side. At 5’4″ I have found that full midi skirts add weight to my short legs. Since the majority of small pleated skirts are either metallic, or a solid color, I found the style did not suit my body type.

Fast forward to spring 2016! TopShop came out with the perfect pleated skirt for those of us who want to wear the small pleated skirt trend, without looking like a giant ball of fabric! This black and white pleated skirt alternates colors in a varied pattern. The pattern is ideal for minimizing the fullness of the skirt. The lines bring the fullness down, without sacrificing any pleats, or skimping on fabric. It is all an illusion! Love that!

I am not sure if TopShop had short-legged, long-waisted ladies like me in mind when they designed their skirt, but I think they made the perfect pleated skirt for women everywhere with my body type; or any body type for that matter. Who doesn’t love a slimming silhouette?! Thank you TopShop!

For spring, I love wearing this small pleated skirt for church, and dressier occasions. When the warm summer temperatures begin a month from now, I am looking forward to wearing this skirt casually with flats, flat sandals, and a lightweight tee. I think a bucket bag would complete the casual, summer look I have in mind!

If you are looking for a slimming, pleated skirt to wear now, and throughout the summer season, this is the skirt of your dreams! I know it is the pleated skirt of my dreams! Love!

Thanks for stopping by,

XOXO

Cathy

Outfit details:


black and white pleated skirt

Week two swim workout

 in Fitness  tagged swim workouts / swimming / swimming tips by

hot to start swimming for fitness

Welcome to week two of swimming for fitness! If you have already mastered the 500 yard workout I posted earlier this week, then congratulations are in order! If not, bookmark this post and come back when you feel ready to add more to your swim workout.

If you are reading this, and wondering “what in the world is she talking about?” Then please read my first post entitled” How to start swimming for fitness.” It includes an easy, 500 yard (or meter) workout at the bottom of the post.

After mastering the first workout, you are ready to move on to the second workout. An easy way to keep this workout next to your lane while you are swimming, is to print it out, and place it on a damp kickboard. Leave the kickboard at the end of your lane. The paper will stay put, and you can easily access your workout; so there is no need to memorize it. Love that!

Week two swim workout (750 yards or meters):

Warm-up: Two 50’s freestyle (2 laps short course)

4 laps alternating strokes in IM order (Butterfly, backstroke, breastroke, freestyle) rest 20 seconds between each lap

4 50’s freestyle, lap one easy pace, lap two swim medium pace, rest 20 seconds between

Kickboard: flutter kick (freestyle kick) 4 laps non-stop (if you need to rest between laps, rest 15 seconds)

1 50 freestyle medium pace (rest 20 seconds)

1 50 freestyle as fast as you can go! (rest 30 seconds)

1 50 freestyle medium pace (rest 20 seconds)

4 laps of freestyle easy pace, rest 30 seconds between each lap

Stretch for ten minutes, both arms and legs.

  • It is up to you if you want to continue swimming twice a week, or if you would like to up your swimming to three times per week. Always remember to get two days of rest during the week, and remember to stretch!
  • I also recommend doing at least five minutes of ab work everyday. This will help strengthen your core, which will help you in the pool.

Enjoy! It’s perfect swimming weather out there!

Also, remember to check  back every Saturday for a new workout.

Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag review

 in Handbags  tagged handbag reviews / mansur gavriel / satchels by

mansur gavriel small circle bag

mansur gavriel circle bagmansur gavriel circle bagmansur gavriel circle bagmansur gavriel circle bagmansur gavriel small circle bag

Pictured: For outfit post, click here / handbag: Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag in small / wallet / phone charger (similar) / phone charging cord (similar) / lipstick / sunglasses

The new Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag is a fresh take on the emerging box satchel trend. As satchels become more, and more structured, we are seeing box bags emerge as the ultimate in structured handbags. Thankfully, Mansur Gavriel always thinks outside of the box, and ahead of the curve. The circle bag is the most groundbreaking handbag silhouette to hit the market, and the street.

The circle bag takes it’s inspiration from the popular hat boxes of the mid-1900’s. This vintage style has sat dormant in the handbag world for several decades, resurrected, and modernized, only by Mansur Gavriel. Of course! Who else can take a classic design, add a small modern twist, and launch a handbag into iconic handbag status? No-one else-that’s who!

When I first laid eyes on Mansur Gavriel’s collection of circle bags, I fell in love. They are simple, and minimalist, yet completely different from your everyday handbag. I love the vintage vibe, and original styling.

The Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag comes in two sizes; large and small. I chose the small size since I felt like the large size would overwhelm my 5’4″ frame. I am happy I chose small, because it is quite roomy! The small circle bag holds my sunglasses case, wallet, keys, lipstick, phone, portable charger, and there is still plenty of room left over for whatever random items my kids may ask me to hold; all the moms out there know what I am talking about!

The handle on Mansur Gavriel’s circle bag is structured, yet feels soft, and comfortable; whether being hand-held, or draped over the forearm. This handbag does not have a detachable shoulder strap, so when you wear it, you need to be ready to always hold your handbag, or drape it on your forearm.

The small circle bag has a canvas interior lining. The larger version, offers a suede interior. I was surprised the interiors on the two sizes are different. I have to admit, I wish mine had suede interior. Suede interiors always feel more luxurious. That being said, the canvas is extremely durable, and high quality. I am happy with it nonetheless.

Inside the circle bag, there are two identical pockets. The pockets are slim, perfect for an iPhone, receipts, and a charging cord. They are not wide enough for lipstick, or keys. I just let my lipstick, and my keys, float within the roomy interior of the bag. It is easy to find things inside the handbag since you have to lay the bag down on its back to open it. This allows a full view of everything inside the bag. No lost keys! Love that!

The handbag is very easy to open and close. Mansur Gavriel’s Circle Bag needs to be paid down on its back when being opened, or closed. There are two zippers which can be used as you choose. The zippers are extremely smooth, and durable.

I would not classify the Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag as an everyday bag. I see it as a great bag for occasions; both casual and dressy. I find it practical for activities such as meetings, (when I don’t need my laptop), church, eating out (fits nicely on your lap underneath a napkin), the theater, etc. I would not recommend it for attending your child’s baseball game, the supermarket, or an amusement park.

All in all, I rate the Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag five out of five stars. I am in love!

You can find the new Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag online here, here, and here. More choices below.

mansur gavriel circle bag feature image