You guys have seen me in this blazer a million times by now, but I just want to finally put it on the blog along with a few other ways that I've been styling it recently. If you've been following the blog and my social for a while, I'm sure you know by now, how I feel regarding the fashion industry and being conscious with my consumption. There are more and more talks about sustainable fashion every single day, but the one way that I have found this to be adaptable for my lifestyle is just making the most out of my clothes and taking good care of pieces over time.

This Anine Bing blazer has gotten a lot of attention recently even though I've picked it up well over a year ago. I think, with the rapid revolving door of trends coming through and exiting lately, houndstooth just sticks out as a print that feels a little more timeless, making it perfectly apt for a classic piece like a blazer. I've worn this jacket through the Spring, and have been finding it to be a piece that's quite sufficient for Autumn and even early Winter. It is really well made and sturdy and I would also recommend similar styles of blazers under this brand.

Ribbed Knit Tank: Citizen of Humanity
Pants: JP, similar White Trousers
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel WOC

Above is a series of photos from when I wore this jacket in New York with classic white trousers and sneakers and below is how I styled it a few weeks ago in November in Valladolid.

Blazer: Anine Bing (in black) Top: Aritzia / Similar
Belted Mini Skirt: AndOtherStories
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Rhode Boots
Bag: Chanel WOC

I've done several other posts on styling some of my closet staples several ways. If you like this, you might also be interested to see how I styled my favorite 'Ribbed Wool Sweater Two Ways' too.

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Laidback Fall

It has been a while since I have last updated my sneakers rotation. When it comes to casual sneakers, comfort is a priority, and then, of course, colorway and style. I have been eyeing this pair of New Balance 574 for the past few months and finally decided to grab it as I think it'll be a good addition to my everyday errand look. When it comes to styling a pair of New Balance sneakers like this, I find that keeping my outfit neutral is the way to go. So far, I’ve been loving how it works perfectly with my favorite oversized coat here. I can also see it being a great pair of sneakers for cozier sweatsuit outfits and thicker socks.

As I use this occasion to share my new sneaker purchase I also want to share that New Balance will have an awesome Cyber Week Offer dropping soon. For now, feel free to check out this grey 574 pair that I'm wearing here, and look out for 25% off select styles that might catch your eyes.

25% off sitewide at NewBalance.com from 11/26 – 11/30 (exclusions applied).

Jacket: Stand Studio
Top: Citizen of Humanity Ribbed Tank
Denim: GRLFRND Denim from REVOLVE
Sneakers: New Balance Core 574 (Grey)

Photo by Shun S.

This post was in partnership with Shoplooks. All opinions are my own.

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Fall Plaid in Central Park

I haven't been in New York for fall the past few years so I was pleasantly happy to catch some early foliage in Central Park this year. Most of my current wardrobe is in Spain so I'm wearing pretty much everything that I have in New York, which includes this autumn-toned plaid oversized coat and my By Far boots. I did pick up a new top that I paired with everything here. I'm a sucker for more skin-tight tops for the fall as I find that they actually retain heat much better. This Jacquemus top is quite the statement despite how simple it seems. I love how it pairs casually with my monochromatic outfit.

Everytime I wear this coat, I always get a ton of questions, but unfortunately it's from a few years back at Aritzia (Wilfred Prescott Wool Coat) so I'm linking some plaid coat options in this post. If you haven't caught up yet, I'll be sharing a few snippets of my NYC trip on my Instagram this week. Happy Fall.

Coat: Aritzia (Wilfred Prescott Wool Coat, a similar option here)
Top: Jacquemus Lucciu Top
Pants: Trave Denim
Shoes: By Far Sofia Boots
Bag: Chanel WOC


Photo by my sister.

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Black and Brown

If you haven't added a pair of knee-high boots to your fall/winter wardrobe-- what are you waiting for? I'm pretty late to the knee-high boots game myself because I got my first pair only just last year. You might have seen me style a few outfits from summer through fall with my black suede boots, but I'm excited to add these brown croc ones to my collection too. I especially love the versatility of knee-high boots for the fall because you can rock them with midi dresses layered under cozy knits, or even tuck in some trousers for a more utilitarian look. Here I'm just going for a simple black dress and a structured black blazer for some form and topping it off with this brown pair of boots that's the perfect fall statement.

Blazer: Mango
Dress: Tiered Black Dress
Shoes: Alohas Brown Croc Boots
Bag: Chanel WOC


Photo by Shun S.

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Boxy Cardigan

I'll be the first to admit that cardigans were never my favorite type of sweaters until very recently. Personally, I've always loved throwing a jumper over 2 layers of heat-tech when the temperature drops- but I've grown to see the appeal of a cozy cardigan thrown over pretty much all of the tank tops I've slowly acquired all through quarantine times.

This fall, I've been seeing quite a few interesting cardis that I feel like work well with all types of styles. I'm wearing a beige one from &OtherStories with a monochromatic outfit above for reference, but I'm definitely eyeing some more statement ones too. Below are some of the ones that are on my fall/winter 2021 watch list, and some are even included in the Shopbop 'STYLE EVENT' Sale that's taking place this week from 10/11-10/14.

Cardigan: AndOtherStories 'Boxy Cardigan'
Pants: B Sides Jeans
Shoes: Loeffler Randall
Bag: Yuzefi via Toward Official
Accessories: Nadri 'Boheme Pearl Drop Earrings'

Photo by Shun S.

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Work Hard

With all of these layers going on, you'd think I was working really hard to get all these things to seem like they belong together.

I’ve always struggle with the phrase “work hard.” It’s one that’s tossed around ever so casually and effortlessly that sometimes I wonder what’s so hard about working hard. Ironically, it's a loaded phrase that gives me quite the pressure.

As much as I’d love to say I’m a hard worker, it’s rarely that I ever feel I’m working hard enough.

So what exactly validates “hard work”?

Personally, I think it’s funny that while “work hard” is a generic way to comfort and motivate yourself and others, I find that “grind” and “hustle” are also terms associated to this.

Maybe the fact that I’m surrounded by so many people who are so hard working without ever needing to announce that they’re working hard that I’m jaded to the idea of ever needing to emphasize it.

In a sense, the phrase “work hard” is like a pair of training wheels. It isn’t what’s enabling you to ride a bike, but more so the catalyst.

So that brings me to my next question: why the need to constantly attach ourselves and the perceptions of others on us to the idea of working hard?

Not shooting anyone off their high horse but more so trying to make sense of my own realities. I’ll be the first to admit that I often feel rather lacking when it comes to my goals' timeline.

I know riding a bike came naturally to a lot of people, but it didn’t for me. I wasn’t lucky enough to have training wheels when I was trying to learn at 10 but I did have a lot of walls in my apartment complex, which I held on to find my own balance. Those walls were my symbolism of working hard. Every time I get on a bike now, I always get scared I’ve forgotten how to, but somehow, I always manage to make it move without relying on those walls.

A lot of us tends to think of “hard work” as something static, but it’s more than that. I haven't really figured out what "work hard" actually means - so if you'd like to contribute your take on it, I'd love to hear. For now, I find that it’s ok that you’re not necessarily working hard every day. It’s ok that working is just working some day. There are no golden star stickers or brownie points for those who claims to work hard every day. Working hard shouldn’t be a characteristic trend, it should be something we all need to work at for ourselves.

Let’s not confuse wanting to work hard as a notion that we’re working hard. It’s a good first step, but it isn’t the actual routine. It's a fair distinction because if the line between wanting to work hard is blurred between hard working--we'll never be able to actually achieve a great work ethic.

Coat: Topshop
Top: Tibi
Pants: Aritzia
Shoes: Acne Studios Jensen
Bag: Celine Belt Bag
Accessories: Oak + Fort Scarf

Photos by Lina D.

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