Full skirts for work

It is supposedly a balmy 22 degrees outside right now (in American that is about 72) which is basically the height of summer here in London, as I am learning. So right now all I can think about are skirts.

Wide Skirt £34.99

Crinkled Skirt £24.99

The skirt of the moment that I have been spotting more and more in The City, are full skirts. I love how lady like they look and I can already tell that they will work will all my weekend wear as well. Given a few spending splurges as of late I need to reign in the spending on this one, so here are two great options from H&M that certainly won't break the bank.

Lucky for me that H&M is right down the alley from my office. Happy Friday!

metallics for work

Top Row: Whistles £125, Zero+Mariacornejo via The Outnet £282, Lulu Frost via Whistles £125, Whistles £65 Second Row: Zara $119, J. Crew $248 Third Row: Kate Spade NY $258, Hunter via The Outnet £53.40 Fourth Row: Kate Spade NY $78, Kate Spade NY $225 Fifth Row: Burberry Prorsum £1,795, Jimmy Choo £450, J. Crew $188, COS £69

Mexico on my mind.

Mexico is always on my mind. I love Mexico. It is a place that is home for me. My grandparents spent almost their entire lives in Mexico. My mother has spent her entire life ensuring that I understand the culture and the people through the language. I grew up eating Southern Californian Mexican food. I almost got married in Mexico. My husband has just returned from a two week road trip through Mexico. Mexico is always on my mind, right now just a little bit more than usual. 

Just like anything a bit more 'embellished' mix these separates with basics, like a grey or black suit or a very sleek blazer.

Vanessa Bruno via Net-a-Porter $575, Anthropologie £78, Needle & Thread via Net-a-Porter $330, Day Birger et Mikkelsen via Net-a-Porter $185, Trina Turk via Bloomingdales $238, Rebecca Taylor via Bloomingdales $225, Anthropologie £118, Two by Vince Camuto via Bloomingdales $90.30, Anthropologie £58

Editorial images courtesy of Visual Optimism 

Summer make up for work

I know I have mentioned it before, my makeup routine is elementary. I certainly don't change it for the summer, but if I did, I would totally try to recreate these gorgeous summer ready looks from Elle France, courtesy of Visual Optimism. 

The lip-glosses featured are, in order of appearance, Dior Addict Lipstick Sunlight £24, Lancome Lip Lover in Rose Gracieuse and Lancome Lip Lover in Rose des Nymphes, £18 each ($23 at Sephora)

Essential item for Spring/Summer '14. A slip.

Did your heart just skip a beat? Yea...that is what I thought. So did everyone else's who has seen the Burberry Prorsum S/S '14 campaign. Which to me means that in no time flat we are going to be seeing more and more laser cut/sheer/peek-a-boo/cage style sheer and/or lace skirts coming out of all of the 'fast' fashion retailers. As much as I love them though I am not about to wear a sheer skirt to work. 

So how exactly do I make this trend more work friendly? Buy a slip. You know, that thing your mom told you to wear as a young adult under your dresses that you have never worn since.

If you do come across something that you MUST have, or can afford one of the Burberry options (sadly, those price points are not within my reach) that is way too sheer/see thru for the work place then buy a slip. Nordstrom, Target, Marks and Spencer, basically any department store worth their salt carry them. I love the ones with lace at the bottom, which could also add a great little detail under a sheer hem, and make it feel grown up and sexy, not like something my mom made me wear all those years ago.

Another option of course is to buy a skirt that is playing with that sheer look, but has a lining.

Burberry images courtesy of Visual Optimism

River Island via Asos £40, Giambattista Valli via MyTheresa £707, Next £90, Nina Ricci via MyTheresa £660, Asos £28.50, Next £48, Tildon via Nordstrom $78, Tibi via Net-a-Porter $400, Zara £39.99, Bailey 44 via Nordstrom $163, Nordstrom $79, Topshop £95