Maximizing Your Wardrobe: Work to Casual

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Blouses with collars are in trend, both for dressier attire and casual looks. I have purchased a few, in particular the sheer one’s, love those, worn with a tank top underneath. I purchased a few button down tops and a few with zippers, which tend to be more fitted at the waist. As I started seeing more of these blouses in the stores, it reminded me I had a few similar blouses at home in my closet. I usually only wore those shirts as “career blouses” for work. When I got home, I looked in my closet to see which career blouses and collared tops I could wear on weekends for a casual attire, as well as casual Fridays. I realized I had multiple blouses I could easily match with jeans, capri pants, and skirts. On weekends, if I am just running errands, I usually wear ballerina flats or sandals. If we have dinner plans, I simply change my shoes to heals and voila, dress up the look. Continue reading

Jazzing Up the Black Jacket

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Hi friends,

Black is one of my favorite colors to wear! It is easy to match an goes with practically everything…and, it’s slimming! Black never goes out of style, plus you can wear it year round. My closet includes at least one item in black for each category: shoes, sandals, boots, tennis shoes, belts, scarves, pashminas, gloves, hats, jewelry, and of course all types of clothing and undergarments! I have lots of black pants, skirts, and cardigan sweaters (I take one of them practically on every trip). The most common shoe color in my closet is black. My favorite jacket is a black leather one. So, you get the idea….I love wearing black!

The jacket I am wearing in this outfit is part of a suit, it comes with a black skirt. I decided to jazz it up by mixing it up with red tapered pants, a leopard belt, and a bold gold necklace! The red pants lighten up the outfit and add color to it! Since the jacket is 3/4 length, I wore heels to elongate my legs. I like how the red stitching on the jacket adds a special touch of uniqueness. I wore this outfit to work and a theater performance in the evening. It was so comfortable & fun to wear!

Hope you like the look!

Do you have black clothing & accessories? How do you match them? Do you have a favorite item in black in your closet?

Let’s stay connected – I post almost daily on Facebook:Paola Hernandez-Jiao: Latina Life And Style, hope to see you there as well! Leave your comments or let me know what other looks you’d like to see or topics you’d like me to cover.

Hugs,

Paola

DSCN8911 DSCN8923The outfit can be worn with the jacket closed.

DSCN8945 2Or, with the jacket open, which is how I chose to wear it during the day.

DSCN8931 DSCN8962 DSCN8963The leopard belts adds an additional touch of style to the outfit, don’t you think? I wear this belt often, it was definitely a good purchase!

Jacket: Kasper (Macy’s); Pants: Calvin Klein (Macy’s); Tank Top: Zara; Shoes: Nine West; Belt: Ann Taylor; Necklace: Forever21; Jewelry/Gold Necklace: Lolita’s Designs; Bracelets: Coach & Forever21

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Find of the Week: Black Booties

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Hi friends,

There are many things to like about the changes in season. One of them is “sales”! When seasons change, last season’s items are on sale, many at double or triple reduced price. So, this is a good time to buy winter items, particularly items that will still be in style next year.  For example, a few key pieces such as boots, black slacks or skirts, coats, cardigans, tights, you get the idea. I had been eyeing a pair of black leather booties and on a recent visit to the Nine West Outlet store, these were on sale. At $49.99, it was a sale that was just too good to pass up on! There were many pairs on the shelves – and they are also  available in brown and gray. I wore them a few days ago and may wear them this week since the weather has been a bit chilly. In addition to being beautiful, these are surprisingly quite comfortable! I have multiple pairs of Nine West shoes and the quality lasts forever, so I know I will be enjoying wearing these for a few years to come! Happy shopping friends!

Do you have booties? In what color?

Hugs,

Paola

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I like the stitching detail on the side.  DSCN8497

There is a liner covering the zipper, so the zipper will not scratch your skin.

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The booties have a small platform, which makes the heel more comfortable to wear.
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This is how I wore them a few days ago.

DSCN8483Here’s the style name & model.

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Find of the Week: Deep Blue Shooties

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Kaleidoscope

Leopard Inspiration

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Sometimes, there are fashions that are new or come back that I am just not too crazy about, or I feel are just not for me. The leopard print is one of them. I like it, but in moderation. I have a few leopard scarves, belts, and shoes, but that is about it. This is my first leopard blouse! Can you believe it?

I’ve seen leopard clothing and accessories everywhere and like how it looks on others, it just seems a bit much for me. I tend to lean more towards classic styles and solids, with a touch or two of print (nothing too crazy on the print either). Maybe it is because I work in the television industry and solids look better on-air, or maybe because I know for the most part that solids make one look thinner (unless you wear certain stripes that give the illusion of being thinner). I do like seeing leopard prints on other women. In my opinion, it is beautiful and bold if you accessorize it correctly and don’t over do it. Just a touch of leopard print, maybe a purse, shoes, belt, scarf, and either the skirt, pants or blouse (not everything together at once though, in my opinion).

A few weeks ago, I was out shopping with Lola after one of our speed walks downtown and bought this blouse. I liked the print and particularly that it is easy to care for since it is a polyester blend (dry cleaning and ironing are not required). Lola also liked it and that convinced me to go out of my comfort zone and buy it. To keep it simple, I wore it with a black skirt and accessorized it with a gold necklace.

Recently, during a visit to my hair dresser, she was wearing a short black skirt with booties, she looked stylish and classy. After about an hour, I noticed she was wearing black pantyhose. That is probably what made her whole outfit look classy for work, versus sexy (which is fine if that is the look she was going for – and could easily change into after work for a “night out” look). So, I decided to wear my booties and black pantyhose with this outfit.

I felt like a million bucks that day, stylish, yet not too over the top in leopard print.

What is your opinion on wearing leopard print? Do you own any leopard print items? What are they? How do you match and accessorize them?

Hugs,

Paola

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Blouse: Forever21; Skirt: Ann Taylor; Belt: Versace; Booties: Nine West; Necklace: Forever21; Bracelets: Coach & Forever21

ESPANOL

Aveces hay modas nuevas o que regresan las cuales no me enloquecen, o simplemente siento que no son para mi. El estampado de leopardo es uno de ellos. Me gusta, pero en moderación. Tengo algunos artículos con estampado de leopardo, como mascadas y cintos, pero nada mas. Esta es mi primer blusa con estampado de leopardo! Lo pueden creer?

Veo el estampado de leopardo en todos lados y me gusta como se ve, solo que me parece mucho estampado para mi. Yo tiendo a usar mas los estilos clásicos y sin estampado, quizás con un toque o detalle de estampado, pero mas bien uso colores sólidos. Quizás sea porque trabajo en la industria de la televisión y los colores sólidos son mejores para grabaciones, o quizás porque se que los colores sólidos hacen que uno se vea mas delgado. Si me gusta ver ropa con estampado de leopardo en otras mujeres, es bonito y fuerte a la vez, si lo combinas adecuadamente, sin los excesos. Quizás solo un toque de estampado de leopardo, quizás la bolsa, zapatos, una mascada, cinto, o ya sea una falda o blusa, pero no todo junto a la misma vez.

Hace unas semanas andaba de compras y me medí esta blusa. Me gusto el tamaño del estampado y que el material es facil de cuidar ya que es una combinación con poliéster (que no requiere de limpiaduria o mucho planchado). Aunque este estampado no es mi estilo normal, decidi salir de mi zona de costumbre y la compre! Para mantener el estilo sencillo y no caer en el exceso, me combine la blusa con una falda negra y accesorios dorados.

Recientemente, durante una visita a mi estilista, ella traía puesta una fada negra corta con botinas, se veía moderna y con estilo. Después de como una hora, note que traía puestas unas pantimedias negras. Las pantimedias hacían que su atuendo se viera apropiado para el trabajo, en lugar de verse demasiado sexy. No tiene nada de malo verse sexy, si ese es el estilo que ella estaba procurando, pero se que esa no era el propósito para su atuendo. Tenia anos que yo no usaba pantimedias, pero decidí ponermelas  con las botinas para este atuendo.

Me sentí muy cómoda con este atuendo, moderna y con estilo!

Que te parece este atuendo? Cual es tu opinión sobre el estampado de leopardo? Tienes artículos con este estampado? Cuales son, zapatos o ropa? Como los combinas?

Un abrazo,

Paola

Red Colorblock

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Hi friends, colorblock skirts create a sleek and slimming silhouette. This red and black pencil skirt has that effect, particularly because the black is on the sides. I wore it with gold tone accessories and a little black wool sweater. We only have a few more weeks of chilly weather in Southern California, so I figured I should wear my sweaters before it gets too warm. I wore peep toe platform pumps to elongate the legs since the pencil skirt falls under the knee. Hope you like the look!

Do you have any colorblock skirts or dresses?

Hugs,

Paola

PS- I also included some fun impromptu shots we took while taking the Outfit of the Day pictures, as well as some pictures from the party we went to afterwards, and how I wore it during the day for work. It was a long day….but fun and productive!

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While we were taking the pictures, our friend Luis Monteagudo, who works at the County of San Diego, happened to be walking by and stopped to say hi. It was past 5:00pm and his office is located just a few blocks away, so he was leaving work for the day.

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Then, Luis took a pic of Lola and me. Lola has been helping me take the Outfit of the Day pictures. She is a wonderful friend!

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After we took the pics, we jumped in the car to head to an Election Night Party. Lola took this picture while we were about to leave the parking lot.

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A picture from the Election Night Party. We had so much fun! Luis was also at the party. The host, Pedro Anaya came over to greet us (pictured next to me).

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During a quick run through jus before we recorded an interview.

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In the studio, with the interview guests right after we recorded.

Sweater: Banana Republic; Skirt: JCPenney (purchased in San Francisco); Shoes: Nine West; Belt: National City Leather Store; Necklace: Macy’s fine jewelry; Bracelets: Forever21

ESPANOL:

Hola amigos,

A mi me encantan las faldas y procuro ponerme estilos que favorecen a mi tipo de cuerpo. La tendencia de moda “colorblock” es una manera de combinar colores en bloques y combinarlos entre sí, logrando un contraste divertido y original. Una falda con estilo colorblock puede crear la ilusión de una silueta mas alargada o acinturada, y como resultado uno se ve mas delgada. Esta falda roja con negro hace ese efecto, particularmente porque tiene negro en ambos lados. La use recientemente para un día de trabajo y saliendo de la oficina fui a una recepción. El atuendo fue apropiado para el trabajo y una salida divertida es noche. Fue practico ya que no fue necesario cambiarme de atuendo.

Combine la falda con accesorios dorados, un suéter ligero negro, y un cinto negro. El cuello en “v” del suéter ayuda a crear la ilusión de un cuello mas alargado, y también ayuda a que uno se vea mas delgada. Solo quedan unas cuantas semanas mas de clima fresco en San Diego, así que aproveche para ponerme un suéter ligero. Me puse zapatillas de tacón alto, con plataforma y estilo de punta abierta que hacen que las piernas se vean mas largas. En este caso es particularmente importante usar este tipo de zapatilla ya que la falda cae debajo de la rodilla. Ojala les guste este atuendo!

Tienes piezas de ropa estilo “colorblock” en tu guardarropa? Que combinaciones de colores son?

Para mas muestras de atuendos y tendencias de moda, los invito a que nos conectemos por medio de LatinaLifeAndStyle.com y en Facebook/Paola Hernandez-Jiao. Si tienen preguntas o quieren ver algún estilo de atuendo en particular, déjenme comentarios en la pagina.

Un abrazo,

Paola

PD- Tambien inclui unas fotos casuales que tomamos durante la sesion de “Atuendo Del Dia” y de la recepcion a la que fuimos…y tambien, de como luci el atuendo durante mi dia de trabajo. Fue un dia largo, pero divertido y productivo!

My Week In Photos

Hi friends,

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind. My hubby had business trips, which throws me off my routine at home. But, my mom has been visiting and it has been nice to spend time with her. Here are a few pics from the past two weeks, hope you like them!

What have you been up to these past two weeks?

Hugs,

Paola

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I shot a commercial for McDonald’s McCafe promotion. This is about the fourth McDonald’s commercial I appear in. It was a fun shoot and we had a few good laughs during the production of the commercial. I feel fortunate to work with such a wonderful and talented team of videographers, producers, and editors. And, I got to drink the coffee, it was delicious! BTW, the editor commented on my blue nail polish, he noticed it was different from the colors I usually wear.

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Over the MLK weekend my hubby and I were organizing some stuff at home and he needed some items from The Container Store. While he was at that store, I was able to do some quick shopping at Macy’s in Fashion Valley mall.

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On the MLK holiday (Monday), we made a day trip to Mexicali to visit my mom, grandmother, and aunt. On our way back home, we stopped by Rosa’s, a Mexican food restaurant, in Calexico for an early dinner.

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I continue working on the Live Well San Diego program and we shot the spots for the Love Your Heart campaign (I am the producer on the project). We shot them at the fire station downtown, the Fire Chief and a spokesperson from the County appeared in the promo with Claudia LLausas, our Azteca anchor/reporter.

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I’ve enjoyed time with mom – she’s visiting us and staying at our home. It’s been nice to catch up with her.

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My nephew also visited us! I love this little boy so much!!!

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We went to Robert Rojano’s birthday dinner in Jamul. My friend Martha organized a nice dinner, with a Spanish theme. There were tapas, sangria, Spanish wines, and paella. She is so detailed and creative, she is a gracious host and did a beautiful job with all the decorations.

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I recorded a commercial for The Real Pirates Exhibit – opening at the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. The exhibit looks interesting and I am looking forward to seeing it!

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That same morning, I hosted an interview for the Live Well San Diego – Love Your Heart Day campaign. I’m pictured here with Barbara Jimenez, the spokesperson for the County, and Daynara Castillo, board member of the American Heart Association-San Diego Chapter.

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On one of our walks, Lola and I stopped by The Headquarters at Seaport District, the new shopping area downtown. The shops are cute, they are a good option if you are looking for unique gifts for birthdays or other occasions (as well as clothing,  home decor, or books). There are eighteen shops and five restaurants – some offer outside seating, which is nice in Southern California.

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I stopped by Carlsbad Premium Outlets and found these amazing Nine West deep blue shooties!! This was my find of the week!

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My hubby was out of town on business and I joined him for the last day. We went to dinner at Ten (Asian cuisine) and I enjoyed this delicious sushi! It was a special treat since I hadn’t eaten sushi in a while, probably about  month….or more!

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A friend of my husband’s invited us to see The Light In The Piazza, a musical, at the South Coast Repertory.

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It was opening night for the musical and there was an After Party at a restaurant close by….we enjoyed some wine, Italian hors’dourves, and good conversation.

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paola pic taking pic with phone, taken my Susie Woodruff at el torito 8-23-13

My Week In Photos

Find of the Week: Deep Blue Shooties

DSCN7609Hi friends, happy Saturday! Are you enjoying your weekend? I want to share this find of the week with you! I’ll also share a new shoe term I learned – “shootie.” It is is a combination between a women’s heel & bootie, cute name. As you know, I am a fan of shoes, love, love, looooove them! So much, that an important part of the design of my closet Continue reading