Suede Skirt and Knee High Boots

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[Photography by Jessica Dam] 

|| Outfit Details ||
Top: American Apparel (similar here)
Skirt: Abercrombie & Fitch (on sale for $30!)
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman (in suede or leather here)
 Clutch: Nordstrom (similar here)

For those who celebrate, I hope everyone had a happy holiday! I wore this outfit to lunch with some friends this week. While we were inside, it started pouring but luckily for me, the rain stopped as we finished, giving me just enough time to snap some photos. 

I bought these boots during the Black Friday sale at Bloomingdales for 30% off and also received an additional $60 credit to Bloomingdales. I've been coveting the Stuart Weitzman 5050 boots since last winter but couldn't justify the price. When I saw these boots on sale, I decided to give them a try. Surprisingly, I liked these more than the 5050! I wore one on each foot and the 5050 landed about 1 inch higher on the knee. The toe shape of the 5050 is more rounded whereas the Lugmainline is slightly more pointed, which I prefer. I also like how the Lugmainline just covers my knees but doesn't rub against the back. I found the 5050 to be slightly more uncomfortable, so I'm glad I decided to try these ones! I found these to be true to size. I got them in my usual 6.5 and can wear them with thin to normal socks. If you want to wear thick socks, I suggest going half a size up. 

Now that Christmas is over, practically all of the stores are on sale. I picked up this faux suede skirt  from Abercrombie before the holidays for regular price and now it's on sale for $30! I love wearing this skirt with my knee high boots and the suede is the perfect mix between casual and dressy. A size 2 fits me well with room to tuck in my knit top. Sizes are fully stocked online for those who may be interested! 

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! I would love to hear what your plans are for New Years Eve. Please share in the comments! :) 






Acorn Adorned Gift Wrapping

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Keeping up with the holiday spirit, I wanted to share another gift wrapping idea (especially for you last minute wrappers!). You will need the following items to recreate this: 



- Tissue Paper (I just recycle the ones I receive from shopping)
- Ribbon or Burlap (70% off at Michaels)
- Twine 
- Acorn, Twigs, or Leaves (or whatever you can find in your backyard!)
- Clothespin (optional)
- Gift Tag (optional)
- Tape 
- Scissors


This is super easy to recreate with just a few items you can find around your household. Happy watching!




Recycled Holiday Wrapping - Flower Pom Pom

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Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. Not only do I love receiving presents (I would be lying if I said I didn't...:P), but I also love giving them! As crazy as it sounds, one of the things I look forward to most is wrapping presents. I find it to be very therapeutic and it also allows me to unleash my creative side. I think it's important to put thought into the gift, but the presentation is just as important! I love receiving a well wrapped present because it tells me the other person put in extra thought. Also, they make great accessories for the tree. My presents are often under my Christmas tree throughout the whole month of December and they just make everything feel more homey. From now until Christmas Eve, I will be sharing with you guys some of my favorite holiday wrapping ideas!



First up is this recycled holiday wrapping idea. All you need are the following items: 
- recycled paper bag (to wrap your present in)
- recycled tissue paper (my clothes are always wrapped in these when I go shopping. I never throw them away because they have so many uses!)
- garland (I bought these for 70% off at Michaels, but you can also find any fake
flowers at the Dollar Store, or if you have a real Christmas tree, you
can cut off a small branch)
- twine
- scissors (if you craft a lot, I suggest investing in craft scissors...they will make your life so much easier!)
- tape


It's always easier for me to learn how to do something by watching someone do it first. Therefore, I've created my first YouTube video which will hopefully make more sense than step by step instructions. If you do recreate this, please share with me in the comments or tag me on Instagram @serendiepity_ Happy wrapping everyone! 




A Festive Look

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[Photography by Jessica Dam] 

|| Outfit Details || 
Top: Banana Republic (similar here)
Skirt: J Crew
Shoes: Coach (similar here)
Purse: Mansur Gavriel
Scarf: Burberry 
Bangle: J Crew 

Tis' the season for holiday parties! December is in full swing and this past weekend alone, 4 of the major tech companies in Silicon Valley had their holiday parties. This is my favorite time of the year because of all the festivities going on. I think this outfit is the perfect look for holiday gatherings at work, brunch with friends, or even dinner parties with family. Even though my legs are exposed, I am actually quite warm thanks to the thick wool skirt and cashmere scarf. I have been looking for a tweed/wool skirt to wear during the colder months, and this one is perfect! I didn't have high expectations when I tried this skirt on at the store, but was pleasantly surprised at how well it fit. It lands right above the knee, which makes it appropriate for work without making me look stumpy and short. The skirt is already on sale for 39.99 (originally $79.50), and J Crew is having an additional 40% off. If you are able to pick it up in store, you can use your student ID (or borrow someone's) and get an additional 15% off! Mine ended up being about $22 with tax. If it's colder where you live, a pair of black tights will finish off the look perfectly!

Hope everyone had a great weekend and as always, thanks for stopping by!

 









Cyber Monday Sale

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[Photography by Jessica Dam]

|| Outfit Details ||
Top: JCrew (50% off) 
Jacket: H&M (similar here for 30% off with code BLESSED at Asos)
Jeans: Madewell (on sale & additional 25% off with code SHOPATWORK)
Shoes: Coach (similar here up to 25% off with code GOBIG15 at Shopbop)
Bag: Mansur Gavriel 

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! This year, I opted to stay in on Black Friday and spend time with my family instead of pushing and shoving through the crowd. I still managed to do some damage with online shopping though. Good thing is, the sales didn't end on Friday, as today is Cyber Monday! There are so many lists from other bloggers out there (such as Chriselle Lim's list) that I didn't want to create another one. Instead, I wanted to share my orders with you! As always, thanks for reading. For those who are just coming back from a break, good luck getting through today! Coffee always works well for me. :) 

Asos: 
Chunky Sweater
Pointed Block Heels
Strappy Heels
Sleeveless Tunic Top
Double Strap Block Heels 

Bloomingdales: 
Stuart Weitzman Lugmainline Boots (in black - I tried on both this and the classic 50/50. The shaft on the 50/50 was just a bit higher than this one with a more rounded toebox whereas this is more pointed. I opted for this because it was 30% off and also because it felt more wearable as opposed to the 50/50 which was over my knees. This one hits right where my knees are. )

Zara
Pointed Lace Up Ballerinas 







Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

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[Photography by Jessica Dam]

|| Outfit Details ||
Top: Madewell (on sale) 
Jacket: Asos (similar here)
Jeans: Madewell 
Shoes: Coach (similar here)
Scarf: Target
Bag: Burberry

In a previous post, I have mentioned picking up this top from Madewell. Since then, it has been one of my go to pieces because it's such a flattering piece. I love the pattern and the slit hem makes it perfect for tucking into jeans for a casual look. This top goes well with just about everything in my closet! It does run a little big, so I suggest sizing down. I'm actually wearing an XS here (usually a S-M), and it's still quite flowy and roomy.  It's currently on sale, so if you're interested I would highly recommend ordering online before they run out!

On another note, Thanksgiving is this Thursday! I don't know where the year had gone, but I'm excited to eat, sleep, and repeat. I'm going to try and avoid the Black Friday craziness by shopping online in the comfort of my home. In fact, Aritzia just sent me an email telling me that their sale will start on Tuesday for its frequent customers. Most things will be on sale, up to 50%! In the past, ShopBop usually has 20% off their entire stores, Anthropologie usually does 20% off sale items, Urban Outfitters had 50% off their sale items, and Zara often has some pieces go on sale for insanely cheap. I'll be browsing the internet and will come back to update this blog post with my findings, so please check back for the best deals!

As always, thanks for stopping by! Have a great Thanksgiving with your friends and family!





Flannel Dress, BP shoes & Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag

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[Photography by Jessica Dam]

|| Outfit Details ||
Dress: Madewell
Jacket: Urban Outfitters (similar here)
Shoes: BP from Nordstrom
Bag: Mansur Gavriel

As I'm typing this, I can't believe  we are already halfway through November, and Thanksgiving is just 1 1/2 weeks away. Where did the year go?! I love this time of the year because everyone is in a happy mood with all the food and family reunions. Personally, I know I will be eating a lot! Therefore, comfort is key when picking the appropriate Thanksgiving dinner outfit, and this dress is the perfect piece! I got this flannel dress from Madewell about two weeks ago, and it is probably one of the comfiest pieces I own. I feel like I'm just wearing my pajamas. It's just a simple shirt dress, but the red flannel pattern puts me in the holiday spirit. Pockets are also a plus! Pairing the dress with black tights add some warmth while ensuring that my stomach will be able to expand to its maximum potential without any restrictions. :) 

I also wanted to do a quick review of these BP boots from Nordstrom. I got them last season and have worn them nonstop since. The blocked heels give me some height but is still comfortable enough for me to walk in all day without my feet crying. You can tell how loved these boots are by all the scruffs and marks on them. I'm tempted to grab another pair! If you're interested in getting them, I suggest sizing up. They do run a little small, and I would even go up one whole size if you like to wear them with thick socks.

Finally, I wanted to share with you a new bag that I've been wearing nonstop. The bucket bag trend is everywhere this year, and I've been wanting one for a while but have been waiting for the Mansur Gavriel bag to be available. I've tried to get my hands on this bag for a whole year, but every time the site launched, they sold out within minutes. The site restocked in October and this time (my third attempt!), I was lucky enough to snatch one before it was gone. I was debating between the mini bucket bag and the larger one, and am so glad I went with the mini. Even though it is a mini, I'm able to fit everything into the bag, such as my make up bag, keys, wallet, gum, lotion, etc. with room to spare. The bag keeps its shape very well and the red interior adds just the right amount of color. The only con is that there is no zipper. I have had my stuff fall out a few times when I braked too hard in my car. However, I was able to solve that problem by putting all my miscellaneous items into a pouch and they no longer fall out! Overall, it's a very well made bag that's on the lower end of the price line compared to many other designer brands. Due to the limited quantities, Mansur Gavriel doesn't allow returns, so if you are interested I would do some research to make sure it's exactly what you want. I'm more than happy to help answer any questions as well! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!







The Classic Trench Coat

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[Photography by Jessica Dam]

|| Outfit Details ||

Top: Nordstrom (similar here)
Jacket: Banana Republic (similar here)
Pants: Banana Republic (different prints and color)
Shoes: Ann Taylor (similar here)
Clutch: Nordstrom (similar here)

A trench coat is one of those items that can be worn with anything, for any occasion. I got this trench from Banana Republic two years ago and it's probably one of my most versatile pieces. On a rainy day, I like to wear this with a white top, jeans, plaid scarf and black boots. It's simple but the trench elevates the whole outfit. I also like to bring my trench with me to holiday parties, weddings, or any occasion where I have to wear a dress because it looks great with dresses! One day, I would love to own a Burberry trench coat, but I highly doubt that will ever happen. I can't justify the high price tag, especially when I got this one from Banana Republic for just $100 during one of their holiday sale (40% off entire purchase). For the price of one Burberry trench, I could have about 12-15 of the Banana Republic! 

On another note, Nordstrom is having its Fall clearance until November 15. I didn't get to check out the site thoroughly, but quickly saw some items I would love to try. The first is this wrap cardigan. I have seen it on so many bloggers and it seems like the perfect piece to leave in the office as a wrap. I love my Sam Edelman Felicia flats to death and am tempted to get another pair in red. They seriously are the most comfortable ever and are 40% off! This ASTR long sleeve minidress looks like the perfect black dress for the colder months. Given the holidays are quickly approaching, I'm sure there will be many parties to attend, and this seems like the perfect little black dress. It's simple, but can easily be jazzed up with some sexy heels. I haven't ordered anything but definitely will share if i do! Hope everyone's week is off to a great start! 




Wildest Dreams

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[Photography by Jessica Dam]

|| Outfit Details ||

Top: Madewell
Bottom: Banana Republic 
Purse: Louis Vuitton 
Shoes: Sam Edelman
Scarf: Gifted

Hope everyone had a great Halloween! Instead of going out this year, I opted to stay in with a bottle of wine and Netflix, away from the crowd and craziness. It was absolutely beautiful. While I still enjoy a fun night out with the girls, I try to avoid the holidays where I know everyone will be on the road - I hate having to deal with traffic and paying double the price to go anywhere (perhaps this is also just an excuse for me to be a grandma :P). 

I can't believe it is already November! I can officially say sweater weather is here! Although it is still quite warm considering how late it is in the year, I can finally wear a (thin) sweater and scarf without having people stare at me like I'm a crazy lunatic. I didn't plan for it, but my outfit blended in with the background. Jessica and I were joking that this reminded us of the Wildest Dreams music video by Taylor Swift, hence, the flying scarf picture at the end. Hey, it's all about having fun. :) Happy November to everyone!





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