How to Dress Cozy and Cute in Winter

Faux Fur Wrap Sweater: Armani Exchange Similar
Skinny Pants: Shinestar Similar
Tank Top: Gap Similar 
Gold Link Necklace: St. Thomas Similar
Gold Accent Belt: St. John Knits Similar
Boots: Coach Similar

Hair and Make Up: Francisco Estrada

Photography: Franz Swantko

Winter is visiting California for a bit, so I thought I'd get a chance to finally break out these suede Coach boots and fur trimmed wrap sweater to cozy up in.  During this time of year, cherry blossom trees still bloom with beautiful pink flowers at the end of delicate tree branches...so pretty!  Personally, I think the key to looking stylish in the winter is to wear boots with heels.  Chunkier heels are more comfortable, but I think any boots with heels are cute.  I also like faux fur.  In fact, I like faux fur so much that I had a white faux fur rug made for my bedroom (which feels amazing on bare feet).  This sweater wrap is one of my favorites to wear out because it is so versatile ( I also have it in black because I couldn't make up my mind lol).  You can wear it casual or dressy because of the tailored fit and fur accent collar. Also, these stretchy skinny pants by Shinestar are extremely comfortable and well-made.  By the way, I met one of the owners shopping a sample sale in Los Angeles and he was super sweet.  Meeting him and seeing how nice he was, made me want to keep buying the Shinestar brand.  Besides, these are really quality pants, reasonably priced, and I always get compliments when I wear them.  So, there you go...those are my tips on how to be comfy and cute in the winter.    

Hope you have a great week ahead of you and remember to find something that brings you joy!

 XO Joanna

Artsy Los Angeles

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Sunglasses: Gucci

Shoes: Ralph Lauren

Pants: Shinestar

Necklace: Liz Claiborne

Sweater: Charter Club

Belt: Master Design

Coffee Cup: Daiso
Hair: Heather Smith @The Drybar, Fashion Island, Newport Beach
Makeup: Francisco Estrada
Photography: Franz Swantko

Today, I am wearing a yellow floral and tan look for Spring.  I wanted to add this big bold white bead statement necklace to pop the whole outfit.  I'm also loving this belt, because with it, I can dress an outfit up or down, and it gives a cinched waist look.  These soft yellow shoes by Ralph Lauren are so classic and are the perfect shade for the Spring season.  How do you feel about wearing yellow? I used to avoid yellow because I didn't want to wear something super bright, but it's all about finding the right shade of yellow that looks good on your skin tone and also one that you feel comfortable wearing.

Have you ever visited Los Angeles?  Travelling around the city streets of Los Angeles, you are no doubt going to stumble upon artistic painted murals on the sides of city walls, fences, sidewalks, etc.  Almost everywhere you look, there is some sort of artwork staring you in the face with bright colors, begging to be seen.  Most of the time, the colors are bold and attention grabbing.  I can only assume that the artists who draw or paint these pieces of artwork want their work to be seen and not go unnoticed by passersby.  How do you feel about bright artwork and clothes?  I think bright colors are so cheery!  I would consider myself an artist also,  and I know many artists who prefer a particular drink.  That drink of choice is...you guessed it COFFEE!  Artists in LA love to hang out in coffee shops :)  It's particularly fun hanging out in coffee shops where I can see up and coming artists showcasing a song or poem on "Open Mic Nights".  Those are really fun evenings to go to a coffee house and see who may be the next big thing.  Do you enjoy attending Open Mic Nights? Seeing all of those talented people performing week after week, makes me want to get up there and sing too!  I miss singing.  I used to sing all the time, but now I just work, blog, and shop lol.  My background is in classical voice, but I do other artsy stuff too.  

What kind of talent do you possess?  Do you have a talent that you aren't using? Do you sing, dance, paint, craft, sketch, sew, blog, design...?  If you aren't using it, then I encourage you to start using it.  I've noticed that the number one reason that most people who have talent, and don't actively engage in it, is because they are...you guessed it, too busy and they don't make time.  In my opinion, it's a shame to receive gifts of talent and not use them.  Gifts are meant to be shared with the world. When you don't share your gifts, the whole world misses out on something special too.  

Hope you have a joyful week full of dancing, sewing, doing DIY projects, designing, crafting, painting,  poetry readings, writing, blogging, taking photos, singing, showcasing, and sharing your music and art!

XO Joanna

White as Snow

Coat: Bebe Similar Boots: Gucci Similar from Gucci Sunglasses: Gucci Here
Handbag: Anne Klein

Earrings: Ralph Lauren Pants: Shinestar Similar 

Hair and Make Up: Francisco Estrada 

Photography: Franz Swantko

       I can’t say enough great things about the color white.   

           It has been so cold lately that I have been forced to break out my heavier coats.  This coat from Bebe is one of my dressier white coats with ruffle details and delicate lace sewn on the bottom edge of the border.  I paired it with tan skinny leggings by Shinestar and black leather boots by Gucci (which took years to find the perfect flat boot).  My quilted bordeaux double-handel satchel is from Anne Klein.  I accessorized with rhinestone/ pearl gradiated earrings from Ralph Lauren and oversized bamboo rimmed glasses from Gucci.

           White...it gives a sense of freshness to everything.  White also looks great in the summer and we wear a version of this in the Winter months called “Winter white”. So, in that sense essentially, you can wear it all year long.  However, the one drawback of this color and is the one major reason why people don’t wear it often enough is that it gets dirty quickly and easily.  For this reason, you must be a brave soul to wear any piece of white clothing out at a special event; but especially if you are going to be sitting down for a yummy plate of spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce.  Yikes…may the force be with you!  White jeans, coats, dresses and shoes are items I am always on the lookout for, because the life span of these items is short and I am usually trying to replace them.  

           I feel that when you walk into a room wearing all white, it has the same effect as walking into a room with a red dress on…all heads turn, stare and wonder who is that?  Has this ever happened to you?  If you want attention, wear white, or perhaps red if you are planning to go out for pasta haha.

  Hope you had a nice weekend!

  With Joy,

  Joanna

Work It Wear Wednesdays--Sunshine Yellow and Cherry Red

           Sweater: Charter Club (Similar) Skinny Pants: Shinestar (similar) Necklace: Liz Claiborne (similar) Heels: Karen Scott (similar) Sunglasses: Gucci Belt: Master Design (similar) Bag: Christian Dior Hair: The Drybar, Fashion Island, Newport Beach

Make Up: Francisco Estrada Photography: Franz Swantko

           

Red and Yellow equal flat out joy to me!  I love wearing this outfit because it shouts happiness and joy.  However, to pull this outfit off you must add the most important accessory…a smile!  It’s a great pick me up outfit to jump into on a Monday morning or Friday at the end of the week to feel energized and to radiate that feeling to everyone else in your office, cubicle or work space. 

Today, my work outfit is a bit business casual. I am wearing comfy stretchy khaki skinny pants from Shinestar paired with a sunny yellow floral print sweater from Charter Club purchased at Macy’s.  I love these particular work shoes because they are sophisticated, comfortable and can dress up any outfit.  I love this poppy red and gold multi-strand Liz Claiborne necklace because it adds a little dramatic touch.  This red leather flap clutch with gold detail was an authentic vintage find from Christian Dior.

Hope you are having a great work week and hope this post brings you some joy! 

--Joanna

How to Dress Comfy and Cute in Winter

Faux Fur Wrap Sweater: Armani Exchange Similar
Skinny Pants: Shinestar Similar
Tank Top: Gap Similar 
Gold Link Necklace: St. Thomas Similar
Gold Accent Belt: St. John Knits Similar
Boots: Coach Similar

Hair and Make Up: Francisco Estrada

Photography: Franz Swantko

Winter is visiting Southern California for a bit, so I thought I'd get a chance to finally break out these suede Coach boots and fur trimmed wrap sweater to cozy up in.  This time of year cherry blossom trees still bloom with beautiful pink flowers at the end of delicate tree branches.  So pretty!  Personally, I think the key to looking stylish in the winter is to wear boots with heels.  Chunkier heels are more comfortable, but I think any boots with heels are cute.  I also like faux fur.  In fact, I like faux fur so much that I had a white faux fur carpet made for my bedroom (which feels amazing on bare feet).  This sweater wrap is one of my favorites to wear out because it is so versatile ( I also have it in black because I couldn't make up my mind lol).  You can wear it casual or dressy because of the tailored fit and fur accent collar. Also, these stretch skinny pants by Shinestar are extremely comfortable and well-made.  By the way, I met one of the owners shopping a sample sale in Los Angeles and he was super sweet.  Meeting him and seeing how nice he was, made me want to keep buying Shinestar.  Besides, these are really quality pants, reasonably priced and I always get compliments when I wear them.  So, there you go...those are my tips on how to be comfy and cute in the winter.      

Hope you have a great weekend ahead of you and remember to find something that brings you joy!

-Joanna