Bay Area Fashionista

Casual late summer outfit

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion  tagged aquazurra / casual style / chloe / express / gap / outfits / summer 2015 by

casual late summer outfit idea chloe faye style blogger outfit idea early fall casual outfit idea transition from summer to fall outfit idea

Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Sunglasses: Prada / Lipstick: Chanel Amarosa / Blouse: Express / Tank top: Mossimo / Jeans: Gap (on sale!)/ Handbag: Chloe / Bracelet: c/o Gorjana (old, also love this one)/ Nail Polish: Chanel Mediteranee / Shoes: Aquazurra

August is almost here, and the kids go back to school in two weeks! Where did the summer go? My oldest daughter will begin junior high this year, and her orientation is in roughly ten days! With all the 100 degree weather we have been having, I cannot imagine school starting. It does not seem right!

I remember when I was in school, our first day was always the day after Labor Day. We never started in August! The first time I started school in August was when I was in graduate school. I remember thinking it was so strange to be in school the last week of August.

The strangest thing is knowing my kids start school three weeks before Labor Day! I have two children in public school, and one child with special needs. I homeschool my daughter with special needs, and I keep her on the same academic calendar as my other two children in school. This means I go back to school in two weeks too! I am so not ready! It is so hot outside, I just want to sit on a beach somewhere exotic and take a nap!

With the school year two weeks away, fashion week one month away, and fall on store shelves, I have begun to transition my wardrobe into late-summer mode. This means reaching for pieces in fall-like colors and styles, yet keeping fabrics light for the warm weather.

Fall is always a challenge here in the San Francisco Bay Area since we enjoy late summer weather through the beginning of October. If you are not familiar with this weather pattern, it basically means the city gets less fog, and the rest of the Bay Area suffers through summer temperatures until October.

Are you starting to transition to your late-summer wardrobe? When does fall begin where you live?

Don’t forget! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends on August 2, 2015. This is a great time to pick up some new fall items at sale prices! To see my picks, please click here.

My eleven year old daughter took these pictures. I think she did a pretty good job! #ProudMama

Suede handbags for fall 2015

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends  tagged fall 2015 / runway trends / winter 2016 by

suede handbags for fall 2015

From top left: Brown suede bag / Wine fringe bag / Black fringe cross body bag (I own this in leather and LOVE it!) / Brown fringe bucket bag / Black structured satchel / Grey sling / Brown city tote

Suede is always a popular fabrication when it comes to fall. But for fall 2015, suede plays an important part in the overall vibe of the season. 

Suede was a big part of fashion in the 1970’s. It could be found on skirts, pants, dresses, shoes, and of course, handbags. Since the 1970’s are a big influential decade on 2015 fashion, it is only natural that suede plays a big part in fashion for fall.

Handbags in suede are being shown in every hot style for the season. We are seeing fringe bags in suede, bucket bags made from suede, structured work totes in suede, and every style imaginable! Suede has moved from more casual wear, to everything from the office to an evening gala. Suede is what’s hot for fall!

Of course, not everything has to be natural suede for fall 2015. There are handbags made from ultra-suede, and faux suede. So if you are looking for vegan styles, there is a “suede” out there for you; like this beauty from Jill Milan. 

I found a few fabulous suede handbags from around the web, and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Happy National Lipstick Day!

 in Beauty  tagged dolce and gabbana / lipstick / national lipstick day by

dolce and gabbana shine lipstick shine on

Pictured: Lipstick c/o Dolce & Gabbana “Shine Lipstick” in “Shine On”

Happy National Lipstick Day! In honor of National Lipstick Day, I thought I would talk a little about my favorite lipsticks! But first, let’s review a small bit of lipstick history.

Lipstick was first thought to have been invented roughly 5000 years ago by Sumerian women. According to Wikipedia, Sumerian women crushed gemstones and used the paste to decorate their lips and eyes. Can you imagine crushing gemstones to make cosmetics?! I would die. My instinct would be to create sparkling jewels! But I digress. . .

The use of lipstick continued throughout ancient, and modern history, with civilizations using different types of ingredients to make lipstick; sometimes with toxic results.

Lipstick became popular in England in the 1600’s when Queen Elizabeth used it to color her lips. Only upper class women, and actors wore lipstick at that time. As history progressed, lipstick was commonly thought of as risque; Nice girls, young girls, and unmarried girls, were not permitted to wear lipstick. It was not until the mid-twentieth century that lipstick became acceptable to wear at any age; and in any demographic. Until this time, lipstick was, in general, red. It became acceptable in large part due to new colors brought to market such as pink, peach, and white. The newer colors were seen as less racy, and more of a fashion statement. Isn’t that amazing!

My favorite lipstick colors are pinks, light purples, and sheers. I tend to gravitate towards shine lipsticks, and sheer lipsticks. Matte and cream lipsticks feel too heavy on me. 

The lipstick brands I gravitate towards are Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, and Tom Ford. They have the most amazing colors, formulas, and results! The Dolce & Gabbana Shine Lipstick featured in the photo above, is my new favorite lipstick. It offers a light, warm shine on the lip which is sheer, and easy to wear on a daily basis. It matches everything! Love that!

I placed all my favorite lipstick lines in the shopping widget below. What is your favorite lipstick?