Coastal Crazed Fashion

Recently, my husband and I were lucky enough to head to Santa Cruz, California for a weekend getaway. The trip was through my work. Every 2 years, the owners pay for all the employees to go on a weekend trip and participate in a race, AMAZING! Previous trips include British Columbia, Arizona and Napa Valley...really bummed I wasn't there for the last one ;-)

It wasn't all play thought. We participated in a 1/2 marathon (well, Corey did...I did a 10K which is 6.2miles).  Even though I only did the 10k, I am definitely proud of myself, since I can never run over 3 miles at a time (regardless of how hard I train). I finished the race in barely over one hour (I would've finished in less than an hour, but I got a little confused at the finish line haha).

More important than my minute athletic accomplishments, is the fashion that came with my Santa Cruz trip. The ocean, the boardwalk, the endless palm trees were just what I needed to inspire my spring wardrobe. Lots of pastels, whites and bold accessories.

Departure Outfit: Pants (Banana),  Flats (Urban Outfitters), Top/Jacket (DownEast Basics), Necklace (Forever21) 

Necklace: Forever21 (about $8)

On the plan (finally). It only took 1 cancelled flight,  5 hours stuck in the Boise airport, a rerouted delayed flight to San Fran, a poker game and drinks before 11am and a final boarding...yikes!

As soon as we arrived at the hotel we rushed and got ready for a semi-formal dinner.  No time for showering ladies, it was a makeup touch-up and outfit change only. After seeing the pictures, I am a little disappointed by the fit of the dress. I now call it the "saggy-boob-dress" (sad, but true). My apologies for my horrific posture. Oy-Vay!

Dress: Forever21 (about $20), Necklace: gift from my sister-in-law

 Our office picture, post-race. Don't mind the sweaty, tired looks and the treacherous green tops. :-) I love this group. I'm so blessed to work for such an incredible office!

Downtown Santa Cruz

Hotel Pool

My boardwalk attire:

Pants: Gap, Sandals: Target, Top: Forever21 ($10) 

Necklace: "Bombshell" a gift from Silverado (from my older sister and her boyfriend), Watch: Target (gift from my mother-in-law), Ring: Forever21

LOVE the buttons up the back!!!

Our Hotel 

Spring is alive in CA - Birds of Paradise were everywhere

I want a backyard full of palm trees!

Hotel View

On the way back to Boise, I bundled up because it was freezing at home. My airport arrival attire:

Hat: Wet Seal, Glasses: Kate Spade, Jacket: Target, Jeans: Banana, Shoes: Sloan Boutique in Portland ($12) 

Sweater: DownEast Basics

Hope these pictures leave you inspired and ready to dress for spring. Hopefully it'll warm up soon!

Be Bold,

Be Brave,

Be Beautiful,

The BoiseBombshell 

Work-Day Wear - It's all about the shoes...

Want a simple way to add a pop of color to any outfit? Put on some bright shoes! I love bright colored or patterned flats. I usually don't wear all of one color, such as black. When I do wear all dark or all light I add interest to the outfit by adding contrast via shoes, lipstick and/or accessories.

Top: Belle Boutique in Boise (unfortunately this store is no longer in business, so sad...)

Jeans: My typical Banana Republic skinny jeans

Shoes: Ann Taylor Loft (less than $8!)

Another great idea? Change things up by adding an edgy piece to a light/flirtatious outfit. I love wearing cowboy boots with lace. Often I'll wear lots of bangles or a bulky cuff with light silk blouses.

Boots: Forever 21 (not the greatest quality, but I always get compliments when I wear them because they're so unique)

Dress: Target (the one bad thing about this dress is that it's really "static-y", I've tried wearing a slip, nylons, no nylons, rubbing a fabric softener sheet on the inside, hair-spraying the inside, nothing works...)

I went to the store on my way home from work and this little boy behind me turned to his mom and said, "Whoa mom look at those shoes!" He was asking for a pair, it cracked me up. :-)

XOXOX The BoiseBombshell

Work-Day Wear "Wednesday"

Since I did not have time to post my weekly Work-Day Wear yesterday, I've decided there's no rule that says we can't pretend today is Wednesday. To make up for my lack of Wednesday blogging this week, I am going to post 4 very different work-day wear outfits. ENJOY!!!

Necklace: I have worn these faux pearls for about 6-7 years now. My sister bought them for me as a gift. I love tying knots in the strands.

Sweater: Less than $13 at Ann Taylor Loft.

Tank: This rose color lace tank is a great layering piece, I bought it 50% off, when I worked at Banana Republic.

Capri: Bought these at Gap in Seattle 2 years ago on sale.

Sandals: Target :-)

This is also the day I got my hair done at the Electric Chair in downtown Boise. Mattie Washburn has done my hair since we lived in Boise originally in 2008. From nearly black to blonde, she always gets me to the color I want. This time I'm trying to go blonde again, but it'll be a process. I'm going in again next week.

Top: Forever 21 - Heritage1981

Pants: Banana Republic..also purchased for 50% off when I worked at the Banana Republic in Portland (I rolled them up to be more summer appropriate)

 Shoes: Blowfish (these are the shoes I wore at our wedding)

                      A typical night at the DuPont house :-)

Top: Non-Iron Button Down from Banana Republic - A must have for work-day wear!!!

Ring&Necklace: Forever 21

Skirt: Banana Republic (I swear I don't shop there as much as it seems...)

Flats: Forever 21

This last outfit caused quite a reaction in the office. One of my co-workers asked if I was channeling "The September Issue." Another said I was very Madonna-esque, just in the sense of style of course, nothing else. What do you think?

Pants: Forever 21

Necklace: Maurices

Vest: Forever 21 (less than $5)

Shirt: I love this bright chartreuse tee from Kohl's (less than $3)

Shoes: Karen Scott @ Macy's

Love these pants. They make my legs look so much longer. Someone once told me while I was wearing these pants that if I turned sideways I disappeared. An odd compliment, but it always makes me laugh when I put these pants on.

Heels: These are really comfortable Karen Scott pumps from Macy's, relatively low heel.

Just got Harper's Bazaar in the mail yesterday. I haven't even opened it yet because I'm still working on Vogue.

Necklace: Birthday gift from Maurices.

XOXOXO The BoiseBombshell

Work-Day Wear x 2 (Wednesday Bonus!!!)

When I got dressed for work today, I was feeling a little fancy. I went for a simple sophisticated chic. Of course this girl is not quite financially inclined enough to bust out head-to-toe Hugo Boss ensembles, but I make do. You don't have to pull in six figures, to pull off a sophisticated look. Of course at the end of work today, my supervisor told me I needed to wear jeans tomorrow, sigh. I agreed to the jeans, but then she added tennis shoes and a t-shirt to the mix, GASP! Basically I have to dress completely anti-Bombshell tomorrow, so I probably won't post that outfit haha...Thanks a heap Katelyn ;-)

Top: New York & Company (I've had this top for over 4 years. I love it! There's ruching throughout the bodice and of course I love the necktie. I bought it on sale, before New York & Co. went out of business at the Boise Towne Square Mall).

Skirt: Forever21 only $10.80!!!

Shoes: I bought these when we lived in Portland. 23rd Avenue has the most amazing shopping in the entire city!!! Lots of boutique stores and fun finds. I purchased my mustard yellow pumps at Ether (600 Northwest 23rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 503-295-7959). They were on sale for less than $25 and are adorned with brushed metallic studs and of course a bow (a BoiseBombshell favorite!).

Accessories: Forever21 too!!!

Usually I don't advocate for Forever 21, but their prices are tough to beat. I'm very particular about my denim and I don't purchase that at Forever21, I feel it's too thin, but accessories and tops are definitely a great Forever21 purchase. 

Remember the pastels I mentioned for fall? Check out this blush tone top from Forever21 for less than $18!!! The top is adorned with delicate shell buttons, 3/4 length sleeves and naturally it has a necktie bow :-)

For details on my ring and nails see my previous post (http://boisebombshell.blogspot.com/2012/08/be-in-mint-condition-for-fall.html). My hair for this day? A small braid on either side of my head, clipped in the back with a barrette (thanks to my fabulous cousin Aimee of BruXley Style for the inspiration: http://www.facebook.com/BruXleyStyle). 

XOXOXO TheBoiseBombshell

Work-Day Wear

I decided I will make "Work-Day Wear" a regular post. My work wardrobe isn't the typical slacks and button down, although I do incorporate both those elements in my work outfits from time to time. Work wear doesn't have to be boring. I have a lot of wiggle room at my job, since I'm just a student worker right now, but even if you don't have the wiggle room I do you can still spice up you work wardrobe.

Top: Mossimo @ Target

 http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-black-women-s-sleeveless-top-with-neck-tie-assorted-colors/-/A-14051114#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink

Jeans: Banana Republic.

I am very particular about skinny jeans. I used to be very anti-skinny jean. I still am a little, when it comes to men's skinny jeans. I think skinny jeans only work when it's real denim, thick, substantial. It needs to be stretchy, but we're talking lycra ladies, it needs to be resilient, we can't have saggy bums (a BoiseBombshell no-no).

 

Flats: Old Navy.

I am embarrassed to admit these shoes are 4+ years old. I love them so much, I just can't part with them.

Jewelry: Forever 21. (Ring & Cuff).

I love gold accessories, when paired with the right colors. Gold jewelry can make a great statement.

Bag: Pink (a Boise store).

You can always trust to find the latest magazine in my purse. I've been alternating between the most recent Vogue and Harper's Bazaar this week. :-)

Who ever said work wear had to be boring?

XOXOXO TheBoiseBombshell