Hale Bob Dress!

I got this super cute Hale Bob silk dress from Ruelala that I am so in love with!  I actually wasn't too sure if I'd end up liking it in person when I bought it.  But I got it to try anyway since it was only $54 and I am so happy I took the chance!  It comes with the cute belt too.  I got it in size small.

The outer silk layer of this dress is actually quite thin and sheer.  The inner slip has the same pattern as the outside though, which is why it doesn't look transparent:

The inner slip is actually attached to the outer layer by this loop thing on the top inside of the shoulder:

A closer up here that you can see the pattern on the inner slip actually somewhat shows through.  I like the double pattern effect.  It somehow makes it look more abstract.

Here's the close up of the belt - it's pretty big even on the closest hole.  I think it's meant to be a loose hanging belt though.

The sleeves are actually convertible lengths too.  So you could roll it up a little and then secure it with the button.  But I think because the sleeves are quite light and loose fitting, they don't stay rolled up very well.  I'm just not going to bother with this.

I'm actually not a huge animal print person.  But I love it when unexpected finds become one of your favorites!  This dress is super comfy and it's just the right length and style for pretty much any occasion.  I think I can even get away with wearing it to work, maybe with a jacket over, on a Friday in the summer time lol.  We'll see about that.  I like to dress a bit more professionally to work nowadays even though I see most women there just throw on whatever they want.  So this doesn't really fit the bill.  I think it's true what they say - dress for the job you want, not the job you have!  =P  

Sunday Funday!

This was a good week for me!  I had been planning an event for months for the CFA LA Society and it finally happened on Tuesday night!  It was a panel discussion with 4 individuals representing very prominent firms in the industry that I work in.  I've been volunteering as the chair of this committee since I needed stuff to do other than work, gym, blog and shop.  =)  I thought it might look good on my resume!  It's definitely a good way to network and make connections.  I got to practice my public speaking skill on Tuesday night too since I gave the welcome speech!  Fun stuff.  I was just so happy that the whole thing went off super smoothly, and the event ended up being sold out with people on the wait list.  Always a good thing!

I am also happy that I went to the gym 5 times this week and got all my workouts in!  I had been going only 4 days a week the past 2 weeks, and combining my 4th and 5th workouts on the 4th day in order to get it all in.  I don't like doing that.  This week was much better that I got to space them out.

Monday 9/22 - Rest day, but I got to wear my new shirt to work so here's my work outfit!  Esley sheer sleeve blazer over the new Maggie Ward Skin Knit Back top.  Ann Taylor Wild Jacquard pencil skirt and Sam Edelman Novato pump.

Tuesday 9/23

What I did:  Lower body weights.

What I wore:  Lululemon Flow and Go tank in faded zap with Lululemon Inspire crop in deep zinfandel and Nike Free Bionics in purple.

Caslon drape neck cardigan as to and from:

Wednesday 9/24

What I did:  Shoulder & tri, followed by 30 minutes of the gauntlet.

What I wore:  Lorna Jane Macy tank with Lorna Jane Dual Support bra under.  Lululemon Team Spirit crop in coal/chirp and Nike Free 5.0s in violet.

Splits59 Vail Cutout Pullover in barberry/apricot as to and from:

Thursday 9/25

What I did:  Glute/Back/Bi.

What I wore:  Lorna Jane Feline tank with Victoria's Secret VSX Angel Sport bra under. Lululemon Snap It Up crop in coal pique and printed Nike Free 3.0s.

Lululemon Forme Jacket in savasana camo fatigue green and to and from:

Friday 9/26

What I did:  Leg day again!

What I wore:  Beyond Yoga Elastic Sweep tank with Lorna Jane Somersault bra under.  Splits59 Nova Viper capri and Nike Free 5.0 TR Fit 4 in hyper cobalt/bright mango.

I love the python details on these tights!!

I wore my new Alo Yoga Exhale Long Sleeve to in black as to and from:

Saturday 9/27 - Rest day finally!  I slept for like 10 hours because I didn't get enough sleep all week.  Here's my outfit for brunch though!  My new Robbi & Nikki colorblock shirt, with these old Kitson skinny jeans I got for $10 years ago, even older Gucci wedges, and Kate Spade Cobble Hill Canvas Dot Carson crossbody bag.

Sunday 9/28

What I did:  Last workout!  Upper body supersets, followed by spin class.  I hadn't taken a spin class in a long time.  I should take them more often.

What I wore:  Well, for the weights session, I wore the Lorna Jane Danni sleeveless hoodie over Lululemon Swiftly tank in heathered pow pink (and Lorna Jane Arena bra also in pink).  Lululemon Inpsire crop in inkwell/burning yellow that I bought and accidentally cut through and therefore hemmed into short crops!  It's funny because I used the iron mend thingy to fix the crotch which is one of the areas I cut as well.  And now it's super reinforced that these crops are really good for biking... lol!  For the weights session, I wore my Nike Free 5.0 TR Fit 4 in fusion pink/atomic mango.  For spin I had my Shimanos (not pictured).

The extra hoodie is way too hot for spin, so off it goes:

And that is all for this week!  It's late now so goodnight everyone!  Hope you all had a great weekend.

Three Tops from Ruelala

I couldn't believe my eyes the other day when I saw this Robbi & Nikki lace inset top on Ruelala - I really liked it when I saw it on Nordstrom's site almost a year ago, I don't know why I didn't buy it but when I went back to get it later, it was sold out!  I actually had it pinned on my Pinterest "Want" board ever since!  I was so happy to see it for sale on Ruelala, and it was only $25!

This is the photo from Nordstrom which made me really want to get it initially... actually it makes me want to get the leather skirt too.  =P

It's amazing how pictures do sell.  The photos from Ruelala are not nearly as amazing looking.  If I hadn't already been wanting this top, I doubt I would have bought it based on these photos... they are not bad, but just kind of meh.

Anyway, I bought it immediately because I was afraid my size would be sold out lol.  So I got size S, and it fits!  I love this top!  It's actually not even too bad looking being untucked.  I think I need to tuck it if I wear it without a blazer though.  The side looks a bit too baggy when it's hanging out.

It's hard to see, but the back actually has a cute keyhole detail on the top.

I love the lace inset design.  The black mesh panels on the sides also give a slimming look.

Here's what it looks like tucked into the skirt.  I actually wore it with my suit jacket over and it looked pretty professional!  But really I think this top could work for any occasion.

The second top I got is also by Robbi & Nikki and also only $25.  It is a colorblock top and the green part is metallic.  I love the color combo and the back zipper too.  Makes it look just a little bit more unique.

This is a size small as well.  This top is actually quite sheer.  So you would have to wear a tank under.  Here I have a white one under, which kind of blends in on the bottom with the white panel of the top.  But I think a black cami would work as well.

The zipper weights the back down a little though, that's why you see the V shape at the bottom.

The third and final top I got is the Maggie Ward Skin Knit Back top.  It says that the original price of this top was $225.  But I got it for $35 which sounds like a pretty good deal to me.  I like the nude color and the cross front look, but I especially like the back.  It's very different and unexpected!  I love that it's shorter so there is no need to tuck it into anything.  The front just hangs beautifully.

This one is size small too.  The front is a bit longer.  It's also very sheer.  You must wear a tank under.  I have the same white one under.

There is a clasp closure which keeps the cross part closed:

So I kind of bought the last 2 items just to tag along with the first tank that I'd been eying.  But I'm actually really happy with all 3 tanks and I'm definitely glad I got them all.  I can see all 3 being used a lot for different occasions!