How to Avoid Looking Awkward in a Midi Skirt

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Midi skirts are tough to style. They're in that awkward length between maxi and pencil-skirt...grazing your calves.

Midis come in all sorts of fabrics & styles, from high-waist, circle, ethereal, a-line and more!

According to the Daily.Uk, "Asos has just reported a 200 percent rise in midi sales on this time last year." Wowza. I'm all for midis...in magazines and style blogs midi outfits always look both classy and trendy.

But unlike the easier, classic cuts (pencil-skirts and maxis), the awkward length of the midi length skirt can unintentionally highlight your shins (not the most flattering feature).

Pictured on the left is my attempt at styling a midi skirt. I'm wearing a thrifted Free People midi length skirt and a black crop top from Urban Outfitters with a pair of sandals (this was taken at Malibu, pier, where sandals are green lit year-round!).

I like the way the flowy skirt contrasts the tight-fitted, short top...

Springing into Fall with Floral Leggings

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Last spring, the feature on 3 Ways to Wear Floral Leggings was part of a mini-challenge to discover a brand new element in wardrobe and style.
I took an item I'd never choose myself and styled it to my unique liking. Seriously, it's an amazing exercise to expand your fashion palette.

On the hanger, the floral leggings that inspired my challenge are pretty bold.
Maybe even a little hey-look-at-me!

But to my pleasant surprise, trading in the good old classic black legging for a floral print gave my look a zesty splash of change. And that's what spring is all about.

Paired with a muted top, patterned pants are incredibly striking, yet flattering. Why stick to the plain, boring leggings or jeans when you can switch it up with punchy pants?

My favorite way to style floral leggings is #3 in my post: Wear it Flirty: Chiffon Top. 

blue rayon crepe tunic // bongo floral leggings // target's metallic silver sandals

We SoCal folks can still sport our favorite easy summery sandals, breezy tunics and leggings for at least another few weeks or so. Mother Nature seems to be taking her time with fall.

I usually prefer floral patterns in pretty pastels, muted colors and finer prints with an ethereal vibe. These leggings, gifted by my mom, have enormously bold patterns and colors that truly made my eyes shift at first.

 Hence, I'd never choose them myself!

Bringing Summer to Fall : Summer Dresses

P o s t . b y    l    M i m i  

Summer is coming to an end and Autumn is coming! I love the colder weather as much as the warmer ones. Good thing about cold weather fashion is layering! We don't need to go out and buy more clothes, we can always work with what we have and create more looks with them. So today, lets recreate some of our summer pieces into fall looks!

dress: f21 heart dotted dress . flats : target - gold

This is by far one of my most prized summer dress and I am going to show you what I do to make it fall and winter appropriate...

Festival Food & Fun: Outside Lands 2013

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Every year, the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco turns into a huge 3-stage concert venue as the setting for Outside Lands!

 Three days of nonstop concerts, uphill jaunts, favorite bands, new bands, picnics, exploring the whimsically-decorated park, bearing the port-a-potty situation, winning a few prizes, Wine Land-ing and dining at highly-rated gourmet food stands.

In order to truly relax and enjoy the park, it's important to come prepared! The weather is a grab bag of every temperature -- so dressing is no easy feat. 

It's slightly warmer in the day, freezing at night and downright sweaty in the crowds.

Luckily, I was prepared since this was my second year attending.

Here are some helpful hints for next year's festivities :)....

Helpful Hints

* I wore many maxi skirts (LOVE them) with leggings (this trick saved me!). *

* I loved wearing flowy, breathable and danceable outfits *
* Lots of warm layers is a given. *

* Comfy, warm shoes (we must have walked 10 miles this weekend) *
*Bring your own 1-liter of water per person
*Renting a locker is really smart! Buy it online early (they go really fast) to store big jackets, hats, etc.
*Come with snacks to avoid spending too much money from vendors
*Check out the games to get free stuff, like free food from on-site vendors
*Sprint users: prepare for terrible cell service! :)*

Festival Food

Outside Lands' food is no ordinary street food fair. All of the vendors were tasted, tested and approved. It's quite a coveted spot for chefs and foodies alike!

potato &  garlic pesto pizza from Spicy Pie, gourmet pizza

Styling with the Stars - {Griffith Observatory}

This past weekend, Mimi & I escaped a bit of the high heat wave in SoCal by making a trip Griffith Observatory, which sits on a slope of Mount Hollywood overlooking the LA skyline and infamous Hollywood sign. If you're (ever) in the LA area, this is a must-see, free and gorgeous attraction! 

We couldn't get enough of the clear, scenic views from the hilltop. 

It's awesome to be able to access so much knowledge and a unique perspective,

 thanks to this grand spectacle. 

In fact, this was the primary purpose of building this particular observatory. According to brochures, founder Griffith J. Griffith (yea, an interesting name!), "believed that astronomy and observation could alter perspective, and by doing so, could improve people's lives."

Lace blouse: Free People (thrifted at Crossroads) / High-waisted shorts: My Story (thrifted at Crossroads) / Booties: Lucky (Hautelook) / Sunglasses: Anthropologie 

Fine Foods in the Sin City - Las Vegas

P o s t . b y    l    M i m i  

 Last weekend, I had the pleasure of accompanying my sister, her boyfriend, and a few friends to Vegas for 2 days and 1 night of food adventure!

The most notable : Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Hotel in Las Vegas . . .

Actually, Gordon Ramsay Steak was the reason we made this trip to Vegas. My sister is a food channel enthusiastic and fell in love with Mr. Ramsay. So we made it a mission to try it out. 

We made reservation 1 month ahead of time to fit in a party of 7. When we arrived 15 minutes before our reservation, we were given the option to wait in the lounge area where we can order drinks. Their HK Antioxidant is most refreshing! Tastes like blueberry lemonade! A must try! . . . 

...With Mimi From Alice's

P o s t . b y    l    M i m i  

Happy Saturdays! : )

I'm headed to Las Vegas, NV this weekend but I wanted to take time to post my pieces from Alice's that Ritika mentioned in her last post! 

Now, I have to admit it was fun playing dress up in my favorite pieces from Alice's - a boutique in Hacienda Heights, CA. From the loose light flowing blouses to lace hugging dresses, Alice brings a little bit of Wonderland to my wardrobe this Summer and into Fall.

My first piece from Alice : White and blue striped blouse . . .

 . shirt : Alice round neck blouse . jeans : TJ maxx . heels : Reflection sandal heels .

Ritika's Favorite Finds from Alice's

 P o s t . b y    l   R i t i k a

In my post "Korean Fashion is Dainty, Detailed and Divine," I mentioned a small boutique in Hacienda Heights named Alice's. Mimi and I wanted to do a collaborative blog post that showcases some of our favorite finds from her shop. As mentioned before, she travels to Korea every few months to bring back all of the latest Korean trends. A lot of her collection is detailed and feminine.

Here are my two outfits! The first is a dress I'm saving for breezy autumns and warmer winter socal days. It's pretty warm with full sleeves and double layers. Love the polka dots and fabric. The second is just the white top with a very detailed sleeve.

Check out Mimi's outfits to be posted tomorrow as well!

The Legends of Summer: JT & Hova

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The Legends of Summer: Justin Timberlake and Jay Z at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena late July was the best concert I've ever been to thus far! My first time at a stadium concert venue, the crowd totaled around 60 thousand. And everyone, I mean everyone, was insanely connected by their love for these two musical geniuses.

Skirt: Crossroads original/ Netted white tank: Cotton On/
Sandals: Target/ Crossbody bag: Urban Expressions via Hautelook

Fashion note: Black maxi skirts are so popular right now. I saw so many girls in line wearing maxi skirts and black seemed to be the color of the day! The half sheer version I wore was breezy enough for a perfect for a hot summer day in Pasadena. Maxi skirts are pretty versatile...I saw stylish girls pairing them with grungy band tee's, tanks, crop tops and even oversized light sweaters.

JT & Hova started off together with their latest Holy Grail track, then did individual short sets of their all-time hits and then came back together as one for Suit & Tie.

One Night of Luxury: The St. Regis Hotel & Resort

On a late July weekend, I was invited to stay at the St. Regis. I invited Mimi as my guest and we spent the next 24 hours in awe of the beauty around us!

It could not have been a more stunning weekend. The St. Regis is one of Orange County's finest, well-known gems. Naturally, we grabbed our cameras ASAP and set out to capture the beauty as best we could. Here it is, from night to daylight:

Ritika & Mimi's Crossroads Photography Contest Entry

Recently, Mimi and I entered our first photography contest ever: The Crossroads Photography Contest 2013.  We were one of thousands of entries from around the world. Although we didn't win, the best part was letting our creativity run wild. Mimi and I came up with a few artistic visions and it was blast bringing them to life. Check out some our photos from our shoot and some behind the scenes photos as well!

Korean Fashion is Dainty, Detailed and Divine!

P o s t . b y    l   R i t i k a

Molangg Tumblr 

Lately I've been inspired and intrigued by Korean fashion. I started fancying their style ever since I stumbled upon a brand new quaint boutique called Alice's in my parent's hometown of Hacienda Heights, CA.

The owner, Alice, is very cordial and explained that she takes a trip to Korea once every 1-2 months to handpick new trends, styles and accessories and display in them in her store. I just loved everything. The clothes are so much more intricate than a typical American Forever 21 or even Nordstrom. It's pricey, but I think it's worth it.

You can find clothes here that no one else will have -- from dresses, maxi skirts, flannel shirts, tops, t-shirts, blazers and everything in between! The style is actually very similar and cohesive. It's very girly, preppy, detailed, whimsical and chic. Korean styles are also perfect for smaller frames (though Alice stocks for larger sizes mostly!).

I loved the collection so much that I insisted Mimi check it out. And she loved it too! In fact, we're planning on an upcoming collaborative post showcasing our awesome finds from Alice's. It's so new that it doesn't have a proper Yelp page yet. I'm going to change that!

Until we get a chance to get together and create a mini fashion show for you all, here are some of the similar Korean styles I found around the web. Note the intricate details!

 Hye-Jun Tumblr

I love the brown, black and white mix of neutrals.
It's probably one of the few black dressed I'd ever wear in the summer!

Frances Ha is a Simple, Gorgeous Film

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image from Pop Sugar 

Here at Love Jadore, we love to admire and appreciate the simple things in life. This appreciation of simplicity is exactly the feeling I got after watching the film Frances Ha, directed by Noah Baumbach. It's about the life of one stunted mid-20's woman and her best friend Sophie in NYC.

This summer, there have been so many big, anticipated movies hitting the theater--so many that I think Frances Ha, a smaller indie film has been slightly overshadowed.

The starring actress plays the role of the lost millennial flawlessly. She's relatable, but doesn't adhere to the cookie-cutter millennial stereotypes that you often hear (self-absorbed, entitled, etc.). Frances Ha is much more real and granular than that. It's about the real conversations we have with our best friend...the real challenge that comes along with our tech-driven generation...the real fear of missing out as life speeds forward. Writer Britt Julious at WBEZ.org agrees and says Frances Ha gets millennial women right.

I loved it not just for its story and dialogue but also the beautiful cinematography. Baumbach shows us riveting, romantic landscapes of Paris and New York -- all in black and white.

It's gotten rave reviews from many critics (91% on Rotten Tomato)...even though it's not exactly a blockbuster hit like Despicable Me 2 or Iron Man 3 (ugh sequels). The brief last scene sent a joyous chill down my back as Baumbach symbolically explains the significance of the film title. It sums up the sentiment beautifully, yet simply.

Here's the preview + some beautiful cinematic scenes you have to see!...

Summer Beach Day Essentials

P o s t . b y    l    M i m i   

Summer has arrived! And I hope where ever your located, you have access to a pool of water! Luckily for me, California offers the big blue Pacific Ocean!

Here are my essentials for the perfect beach day....

Latest Obsession of Summer Whites!

P o s t . b y    l   R i t i k a

I love wearing whites and bright yellows this season. Here in SoCal, we had a nice, sunny dry heat this weekend. Lots of fun times exploring downtown cities and celebrating birthdays outdoors (water guns and all). It's kind of strange, but wearing white somehow adds a touch of confidence for me. 

It's uplifting, clean and really stands out on my dark skin. Same goes for yellow!

I've only made three purchases in the past two months (go me!): plain white tee at Gap (on sale), plane white long sleeved t-shirt from Old Navy -- both of which are so versatile -- and these pairs of white Nordstrom sandals (perfect for the office!). 

A few of my favorite, eye-catching whites at the shoppes I've been eyeing:

Suit Jacket at Mango $109.99

Found on Pinterest -- Can't find the shop, but cute white inspiration

Inspiration : Get the World Moving

P o s t . b y    l    M i m i   

Today, I wanted to share something that I committed myself to doing for the next 16 weeks. Through a program called Global Corporate Challenge (GCC), I pledged to walk an average of 10,000 steps a day for 16 weeks.

This program is hosted by Get the World Moving. What they do is provide companies and their employees with accelerometers to calculate each step that is taken. With these steps and 6 other teammates steps, it calculates the distance traveled and by the end of 16 weeks each team would have traveled around the world if the team averaged 10,000 steps.  This year, everyone started off digitally travelling in Rio De Janeiro, Brasil. Not only do they provide facts about each destination stumbled upon, but they also share some fun and interesting local knowledge to enhance our digital traveling experience.

Prepping for Summer: Unique Beach Style

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It's not  quite summer...but here in SoCal, we're already feeling strong summer rays! In order to prep for the upcoming season, I wanted to share with you my absolute favorite beachy look:

This summer outfit is breathtaking! I'm so inspired by this outfit found on Pinterest here, found first by my friend Smriti. Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure who to credit this photo? The Stylet.ag link fails to take me to the correct page. If anyone knows the proper credit, please do let us know. 

The high slit white skirt + low-cut one piece black bathing suit works so well together. It's different than the 100+ bikinis you'll see on any given beach on a sunny day. Yet it's still very sexy. 

The belt adds a fun, stylish touch as well! 

Here are cute, affordable pieces to replicate the look.

Juice Party! Carrot, Orange & Ginger Juice

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I'm in love with juicing! The savory naturally sweet taste of fruit juice is better than any other drink you could buy! Add some ice and there's really no reason to splurge on a pricey Frappucino or smoothie. And the right energy-boosting ingredient makes me way more energized than caffeine. (Also, check out Mimi's recipe for homemade Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade!).

I came across this recipe courtesy of Free People's Healthy Juice Recipes. According to the Free People food blogger, carrot's beta-carotene is great for skin and eyes. Oranges, of course, pump up your immune system. And ginger gives you more energy!

Personally, I'm not a huge ginger fan -- but I wanted to see how it might blend with orange & carrot. I loved it! Just be conservative if you're not a huge fan of the spicy kick. Adding ice is a must, especially on a summer day!

The portions that Free People's blogger included is great for 3 people. I used half of the suggested portion size and that yielded 1.5 full glasses:

Ingredients

Half a bunch of carrots

2 medium-sized oranges

quarter-size ginger root

Starstruck: 'Seinfeld' Lives On in NYC

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I recently traveled to the Big Apple this past weekend -- it's my second time visiting, but I always (without fail) feel giddy, eager and in awe of all that NYC has to offer.

There's always something to see, do and feel in the big city. It's the only city I've been to so far that leaves me starstruck. So many great film, television and novels have made dozens of NYC spots uniquely famous.

As a huge Seinfeld fan...I'd love to share with you some of the spots in the city I visited that were made famous by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. Traipsing through these places made the show come to life!

Tom's Diner at 2880 Broadway is the inspiration behind Seinfeld's diner set!

DIY Bow Hair Tyes and Clips

P o s t . b y    l    M i m i   

Latest obsession:  Bows! From wearing them in my hair to tying presents in bows! Not only are they great accessories for girls of all ages, but they also look dashing on most guys with collared shirts! There are so many ways to dress up and dress down bows that makes them so versatile and fun to play with.

Today, I wanted to share my this obsession with you guys through a small DIY! ...So, let's get started!

 . . . Materials needed . . . 

Fabric scraps (at least 5" x 7")

Scissors

Glue Gun or Sewing Kit

Hair Clip or Hair Tye

Clarisonic Mia 2 Review

P o s t . b y    l    M i m i   

Just a note: this is not a sponsored post. I purchased the Clarisonic Mia 2 on my own and these are my own personal experience and opinions.

If you haven't heard of Clarisonic, basically their products utilizes sonic movements in order to gently cleanse the skin of dirt and oil, leaving skin smoother, softer, and overall cleaner. I've read and watch tons of positive reviews on this product and decided to purchase the Mia 2. 

Comparison : Mia and Mia 2 are basically identical, but Mia 2 has a self timer and also has two speed settings. The speed settings is not that necessary but the timer is quite useful. Still, if your on a budget the regular Mia still provides the same effects.

The product: Mia 2

Mia 2: travel case, Mia 2 & one scrubbing attachment, battery charger, and Clarisonic cleanser. 

I love the travel case! Also, the magnetic charger is so cute and interesting! I was seriously in awe for a good couple of minutes. Seriously standing there and watching it charge!

Own experience 

My skin type: I have normal skin, not oily at all yet not too dry. I do get breakouts here and there but minor ones but I do have some acne scars that I wanted to minimize. 

First 2 weeks: I did breakout a little (as warned by other reviews) but I normally do breakout if I change up my cleanser or any facial products. So this was normal; as long as it didn't last more than two weeks, it was normal. Which it did!

3 Ways to Wear Floral Leggings

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One of my favorite things about my mom is that she is absolutely clueless about fashion. It's really cute and funny how she'll pick out something totally random to unintentionally mismatch something because it's on sale. 

It's one of those problems I can look back and laugh at now. And although I've been supporting and cultivating my own wardrobe for years...she still enjoys buying an item here and there just for kicks (despite any resistance). 

The best part is that it's almost always something I'd never pick myself. 

For instance, recently, she brought home a pair of floral leggings. Although I am legging-obsessed (leggings = pants all the way!), I'd never actually buy a pair of floral leggings. They're loud, bold and a little too look-at-me with giant floral, colorful print.

She found this particular pair in the junior's section of Sears. It's safe to say, they are in style. My mom's picks are a fun way to challenge myself to style something I'd never normally wear.

After doing some meticulous fashion research, here are three ways I plan to sport my new floral leggings:

1. Dress it Up: Blazer

Oasis shirt, / Topshop boyfriend blazer / Floral print pants, / Tory Burch platform sandals / Colorblock handbag, 

Scrumptious Saturday: Cafe Bagelry

Yes! Bagels  It is something so common and so ordinary that we sometimes forget that it is also something amazing! Cafe Bagelry located in San Dimas, CA serves these little rings of deliciousness from the morning till night.

Vegetarian includes sprouts, tomatoes, avocado, onions, and mayo on your choice of bagel (picture: Poppy Seed)

Things To Consider Before Ombre-ing Your Hair

P o s t . b y    l    M i m i   

Ombre is one of the hottest hairstyles for the spring and summer time. It brightens up ones face and brings depth and dimension to your hair. And since it is spring, I decided to try out this trendy hairstyle myself. Below are a list of things I thought that everyone should consider before trying out this hairstyle.

• Beginners problem:
  If you've never dyed or bleach your hair before, to get the best result you should consult a hairdresser. I've dyed and re-dyed my hair for years and years now, so I understand how and what these chemicals will do to my hair. For beginners, going to a salon and getting it professionally done will ensure you get the results you dream of.
  
• Ombre = Bleaching hair:
  Whenever you are changing up your hair color, you are adding chemicals to your hair, which in turn will damage your hair. To achieve the ombre effect, bleaching and/or lightening your hair is required, this will damage your hair. If you don't want to damage your hair, you should reconsider trying out this hairstyle.
  
• In for the long haul: 
  You should always consider if a type of look is age, work, and school appropriate. Bleaching your hair means stripping your hair of its natural hair color which means it is permanent. Therefore, you should consider if it is okay to have this hairstyle in your current environment.
  
• Different Shades of Ombre:
  Not everyone has the same color hair or skin tone, therefore decide how light or how dark you want your ombre to be depending on your skin tone. Also, picture the type of ombre you want, is it the subtle type, or the more dramatic type? Whichever one your consider, know that it'll work for you and your skin tone beforehand. 

Now, check out my personal experience down below. . .

Exploring Salt Lake City's Treasures

P o s t . b y    l   R i t i k a

Since Utah is heavily associated with Mormanism, a lot of people think there's not much to the community than that. After all, it's the Morman Mecca. Recently, I visited a couple of my friends over in Salt Lake City and was pleasantly surprised to find just how much the city had to offer (regardless of religion)!

When my dear friend Christina N. and I explored the streets of Salt Lake City, I discovered several amazing, not-so-hidden treasures of the city, including gorgeous architecture, art and quaint shops I couldn't help but fawn over. 

Come let me take you on a journey with me to the most beautiful corners of Salt Lake....

The jaw-dropping Cathedral of the Madeleine

Scrumptious Saturday: Umami Burger

If you haven't tried Umami Burger -- it's worth all the hype! The term Umami refers to "the fifth taste." Their modern spin on the typical American burger is truly a unique, savory flavor. They caramelize the meat and serve after cooking each patty for a long time at low heat. You can taste the crisp sizzle of the seared patties and it blends perfectly with the truffle oil, grilled mushroom, roasted tomato, caramelized onions among other flavors, depending on your burger.

Copy that Cat: Zooey Deschanel

P o s t . b y    l    M i m i   

Everyone has their own unique signature look, that when perfected, makes their best features shine. Zooey Deschanel, in my opinion, perfects her signature look with her vintage girly-girl outfits and quirky personality. What I also admire and adore about her, is her outlook on styling and saving; She discovered her signature looks by hitting up thrift stores and now created online community for virtually anyone to contribute tips, tricks, DIYs and more, to "inspire a smile" at HelloGiggles.com about fashion and life.

In this edition of Copy that Cat, I created 3 looks inspired by Zooey:

a. mint green cardigan b. peter-pan collar blouse c. santeen shorts d. peep-toe heels

.

Her quirky personality shines through her unique style from head to toe. This outfit is perfect for those casual spring and summer days.

Peggy Olson's Fashion Evolution in 'Mad Men'

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“I don’t think anyone wants to be one of a hundred colors in a box"

These are some wise words from Peggy Olson, who has come a long way since she first made this bold remark in the first season of Mad Men. It was a memorable moment. When all the women in the office were given the opportunity to pick a shade of lipstick as part of an ad campaign research, Peggy was the only one who didn't scour the colors to grab one--any one. She declined.

"They don't have my color," she said defiantly, but respectfully.

It was arguably at this point, when she first voiced her unique opinion that allowed her to chart her own course from being an ordinary secretary of season one to a high-powered ad woman of season six.  

Her sensible wit, determination and unabashed courage helps her truly evolve as a woman both in her career and personal life. And as we're getting into season six of the show, I couldn't help but notice that Peggy's wardrobe evolved right alongside her. 

Let's take a look at season 1:

Season 1

Remember this Peggy? This totally captures innocent, fun-loving Peggy of season one (remember her hook-up with Pete?) This waist line isn't at all flattering on Peggy. It makes sense, at this point, even she didn't know her potential quite just yet. 

Scrumptious Saturdays: Passion Tea Lemonade

Starbucks' Passion Tea Lemonade is probably the best summer drink you can order at Starbucks (they have it year round but it is so refreshing during the summer time). A venti Passion Tea Lemonade costs about $3 and this is not economically safe if you are like some people and love to drink it everyday. BUT you can, cause it is DIY-able!

This week on Scrumptious Saturdays we want to share with you this refreshing drink that you can have it all year round! It is very easy and simple and costs about $3 to make enough to last for weeks! So, let's get started...