Upon Closer Inspection, I Found Wrinkles...

...not on my face - yet!

But all over my clothes.

You know how the day progresses, and somehow, all your movements have made little creases all over your beloved outfit? D'oh! Why can't all clothes naturally wrinkle free?! Sometimes I wish I had a portable steamer to take everywhere with me. Other times, I wish I produced enough body heat to take care of that little problem. Wouldn't it be cool if your own body heat could release wrinkles in your clothes? Someone needs to cap on that idea - stat!

Necklace, Erica Bowman

Bracelets, variety 

Top, Sway

Skirt, Banana Republic

Shoes, MIA

House Hunting Attire.

Today, my husband, daughter and I went to view some homes in the Bay Area.

 Lil tip for y'all: when you go house hunting, it's imperative to make the best impression possible.

Times like these, I generally tend to dress a bit more girly, conservative, with a funky little spunk.

And BAM we had them eating out of the palm of our hands. Mwah ha ha ha!

Everyone wanted us to pick their crib to call our own.

Unfortunately, we haven't found the perfect place to call home...yet.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to house hunt we go...

Onwards and upwards with our search!

Sunglasses, Liz Clairborne
Earrings, boutique from Berkeley
Coat, vintage
Dress, Target
Top, ?
Belt, thrifted
Shoes, H&M

Island Fever.

This fine gorgeous day, the family and I decided to explore the island of Alameda. 

Yes, we have an island in the Bay Area.

And uh huh, they really do consider themselves islanders. 

Technically they are, being surrounded by water and all, but I always thought this was strange, to consider themselves islanders, since they are a hop, skip and a job on over to Oakland and Berkeley - no ferry required!

It's like, what if Manhattanites started considering themselves islanders? 

HA!

But back to the point. (Is there ever a point to my nonsensical ramblings? I always thought I just needed words, blah blah blah, to accompany the pictures or else it would be too boring.) 

Being born and raised in the Philippines, I consider myself a true islander at heart (I even lived in Hawai'i for a year at one point!), and I was pleasantly surprised to find once we did start making our way around, Alameda most definitely did have that island feel to it. People were laid back and sweet, there was sense of community, and even all the beautiful ladies working at the downtown stores looked like they were from the islands. Aw yeah! Can't beat that lil homies!

And so we happily took full advantage of this paradise island today.

The Map, yo.

Now let's play, What in the world is Marie doing?!

Am I:

a) Yawning

b) Cheering

c) Airing Out the Pits

d) Catching a Fly for Lunch

Necklace, from my mother
Top, H&M
Belt, vintage from my grandmother
Dress, Modcloth
Shoes, Sway

Off With Her Head!

I apologize for being unable to post my outfit from Sunday on Sunday.

Yesterday I fell asleep at 9:30pm. Yes, it's true, I'm a grandma. Dentures come out at 10!

Anyhoo, I wasn't feeling very Marie yesterday. You know when you have those days when you feel just kind of blah and think to yourself Is that what I really look like? Tried brightening up my tiredness with hot pinkness (which I normally feel fantabulous in!) but sadly, it didn't do the trick. :( Mostly my face was lookin rough, so thank goodness the queen of hearts said, Off With Her Head!

Top, Sway

Skirt, vintage from my mother

Shoes, custom Converse

Mergers & Acquisitions.

The merger and acquisition (gawd, I'm such a business nerd) of these ladies' fine stylin threads was my inspiration for today's fun little downtown outfit. We've got the stripey shirt over the collared long sleeve button up blouse and the fabulous hot pink blazer.

courtesty of Alexandra P's lookbook

courtesy of Vanessa Jackman

Here's my translation, and lemme tell ya, it ain't lost:

Yeah, that's right, I just peekaboo flashed ya!

Prints, Textures and Colors, Oh My!

Jacket, vintage

Shirt, H&M

Button Down Top, borrowed from hubby

Skirt, Free People

Shoes, MIA

Sway Event.

The Sway store in Berkeley had a lil 90's Fall fashion event. 

I'm, like, always, like, down to go to a, like, 90's themed party!

A little Saved By The Bell anyone?

Or how about a bitchin dose of Drew Barrymore?

Stellar!

Remember this fun lil topsy turvy 'do in the early 90's. It was the height of cool back then.
Really, it was.
I promise.
Not kidding.

Love this cute teeny tiny blush dress.
The lil ho in me held me hostage until I bought it!

Colorful necklace - nice!

Being that this was held right on Telegraph there were sooooo many many many young ins, from UC Berkeley, I'm sure. Damn, I felt mature despite my youthful looks (ha!). But seriously, these gals were anywhere between 16-22. So I broke out my not so dirty hot pink cardigan to add that youthful glow and they thought I was one of them!
Yes! I totally tricked them.
That made me feel a little better... :)

Cardigan, a present from my mom from Nordstroms
Dress, F21
Belt, Le Chateau
Bracelets, a present from India
Boots, Sway

A Tank Top?!

Wow, why're you so casual today?

What do you mean?

You're wearing a tank top!

What're you talking about, I wear tank tops all the time. 

Oh never mind, I didn't see your shoes.

It's all about the shoes, man. 

And that's what I've learned recently: no matter how casual an outfit, if you wear some kick ass shoes, suddenly your everyday blah attire (even a tank top!) is L... M... N... OK!

Sunglasses, Liz Clairborne
Necklace, gift from a friend, Banana Republic
Top, thrifted American Apparel
Belt, thrifted
Pants, Madewell
Shoes, Sam Edelman

A Love Letter.

Dear Beautiful Ankle Strappin' Leopard Print Chunky Heels,

Twas a sad day as we could not be together. I know I was such a tease this morning when I 

  eyed you... touched you... put you on... 

only to have taken you off and replace you with *gasp* H&M flats. 

Oh the shame I feel! 

Please believe me when I say I truly tried. 

Someday I will overcome these pathetic obstacles that keep us apart -

  the walking of the feet... the heat of the day... the rawness of the back of my heels. 

How I missed thee, my sweet flower!

I am merely but a weak pathetic human but know your heart:

I will build my strength up and we shall be together again one day.

Love,

Marie

Sunglasses, Liz Clairborne

Necklace, VerreEncore

Bracelets, from the island of Boracay, Philippines

Cardigan, vintage from my mother

Dress, H&M

Belt, vintage from my grandmother

Shoes, H&M

Rejected Shoes :*( , Sam Edelman