Work Style :: September

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Hi Loves!
Here's a snapshot of September's Work Style. Join me on Instagram (@Sixthlens) for my weekly post and other fun moments.
Have a great day.
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Blue Lace

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Happy Monday!
Hope you had a great weekend. We had Eliana's Smash cake photo shoot this weekend. If you follow me on Instagram, you would have got a glimpse of the cake. Everyone was In picture mood and excited except for my little girl. All she wanted was for mommy to hold her the whole time, which meant there was a lot of crying involved.  We still managed to make it fun and get a smile or two from her.
 
Today's dress is one I went back and forth on before finally making the purchase. It's not one those love at first site piece for me, but rather, a slow and steady love affair. Glad the love finally came around because it's now one of my favorite in my closet. The soft blue color, the delicate lace and the pattern work makes a great combination. In this dress, I feel like a "grown up". Lol. Going with the blue tone, I paired the dress with a pair of peacock blue sandals and finished off by adding a black belt to accentuate the waist line.
Have a great day!
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Dress: Asos
Shoes: VS
Watch: Movado

Sweet Potatoes & Fish Medley

DSCN5645 When I thought about making this for dinner, I didn't think much of it. But, by the time I finished chopping everything, I knew this would be a good one to blog and save for later. In fact I was going to use the regular potatoes before it occurred to me that I had some sweet potatoes I was saving for Eliana.

When I think about it now, we rarely eat sweet potatoes. That's about to change. The only person that gets a good dose of sweet potatoes is Eliana. As usual, I was driving home from work thinking about what's for dinner. I wanted something quick, 30 minutes or less meal. At first I thought about pan seared fish with some veggies and what? We've had rice this week, we're out of quinoa and I don't feel like stopping at the store to get any. Roasting regular potatoes will just take too long and too much work than I want to do. I was about to give up and just do fish and veggies went I got this idea, how about a one-pot dish! That's how I ended up with this dish. Like I said above, I knew this will be a hit as I finished the prep work. I said to myself Eliana can even eat this, until I finished and realized I made it too spicy. The times when I'm keeping her in mind, trying not to make the food not spicy is usually when it ends up spicy. She's pretty good with spice but this is no match for her. Maybe on the next one.

Ingredients
3 Fish fillet
2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
3 carrot sticks, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 small tomatoes, diced
1 small onion, diced
3 tbsp. Olive oil
1 tsp. curry
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1 tsp. Knorr powder seasoning
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. ground pepper (use 2 tsp. if you want spicy)

Directions
1. Heat up olive oil in a pot on med-low heat. Add diced sweet potatoes, carrots, red bell pepper and onions. Cover and let's cook 7-10 minutes or till potatoes starts getting soft stirring frequently.
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2. Add tomatoes and all other condiments. Stir gently till all ingredients is well blended.

3. Add fish fillet and stir slightly till fish is about in the middle of the potato mixture. Cover and let cook for another 3 to 5 minutes or till fish is fully cooked.
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4. Gently using a wooden spoon, mash/break fish into pieces, mix well to combine with potatoes. Remove from heat.

5. Enjoy!
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Talking My Style :: Biege & Mint

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Hi Loves!
Hope you had a relaxing weekend.
This post concludes the series on Talking My Style. You can read the two previous posts here and here.
In the previous posts, I talked about how I define or categorize my style and the styles I'm attracted to. Today I'll be writing about my style inspiration, what influences my style, and how my style has evolve over the years.

 My style inspiration comes from my surroundings and beyond. This includes pictures, art, building, patterns and the very obvious source, other people. Having other people as inspiration is quite alright, as look as you put your own stamp, identify, touch on the look. It's quite interesting what you'll see when you really look at some things and pay attention to the details. For example, studying the color pattern in paintings can give you an idea on how to pair two never before paired (by you) colors together.  Paying attention to buildings, structures and patterns can give you that ha-ha moment on how to finally wear/style that "weird" shaped/length skirt. I believe everything is connected in a way, hence why you can get inspiration for anything from everything else. These are just few unconventional ways I get my style/styling inspiration.
I believe my major style influencer is my environment and status. This has also play into how my style has evolve over the years. Going back to my college, I look at some of the old pictures and go what was I thinking. I'm sure the same will be the case few years from now. Evaluating my closet now, I find I build my closet based on my current status, a married working mom. Coming from my college student days or even early working class days, I can certainly say my wardrobe has become more conservative, not that it wasn't before. Maturity has a part to play in that also. As you mature both as a person and a fashion lover, you see things different, you becoming willing to try new things, become more open and even take risk. The two places I dress up to go more than anything else is work and church and you'll find very few piece in my closet that isn't appropriate for either. It's one of those question I check off in my head before making most of my purchase; because, what use will it be if I have a wardrobe full of clothes I can't wear on a regular basis.

In a nutshell, my Simple Feminine-meets-Classics style is inspired by everything and driven by my social status.
Hope you've enjoyed this series.
Have a great week.
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Top: F21
Skirt: Gap
Necklace: F21
Watch: Movado
Clutch: F21
Shoes: VS

Letter To My 11 Months Old Sweet Eliana

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Oh baby! One year in T-27days
I'm ready....no, not really.
11 Months, here we are. My sweet baby and soon to be toddler, the picture above somewhat captures all that you are. Happy, active, goofy, big, strong, playful, curious, bright and a lot more. 

Every single day is just better because you're in it.
So here are some highlights from your 11th month. You sprouted your first tooth. Not set of two just one. You are quite unique aren't you. :)  Not fully emerge yet, still slowing coming out but you seem to know it's there and you're doing a lot with that one semi-emerged tooth.
 
You are more attached than ever. I guess it's just a phase. You won't cry when people try to carry you, you just turn it into a game. You reach out to them and once they come close enough or reach out to carry you, you turn away, giggling and hugging myself or your daddy tightly or climbing us. That's one of your favorite things now. You like to climb us playfully.

You like to fake-dry. Sometimes, it turns into a real one. But often you just sit and make the fake-crying sound for a few minutes and then you move on to something else. It's like you're acting a scene or something. I know sometimes you do it to get attention also. It's quite funny to watch but not when it turns into a real one.

You're walking with your walker and while holding on to things.
You're standing by yourself when placed in the position but slowly working on getting yourself up from a seated position. I've seen you try several times. You get halfway and then drop back down. It's only a matter of time now.

You like to put your shoes on. As soon as you see me holding a shoe, you stretch you legs forward for me to put it on. You enjoy playing with it once it's on so maybe that's why you like having it one.

Mommy started doing little puff-puffs hairstyle for you. You sit still as long as you have something or one of the instruments I'm using for your hair to play with.

When you're really enjoying what you're eating, you make the hum... sound and you stick your tongue out to lick your whole mouth. By the time we're done I pretty much have no need to wipe your mouth because you've licked everything.

The count down to your One Year begins and between now and then, my prayer is that you will continue to grow in wisdom, statue and strength.
Xoxo
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Teal & Brown

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Hi lovelies! Happy Friday!!
Thanks God for seeing us through another week. And thank God for weekends!
This weekend, I'm planning on getting a head start on Eliana's birthday. Yes, this little girl of mine is 11 months tomorrow and a year next month. We're having a little celebration at home for her with some close friends. Well, the planning stared out a little, now it's more mid-size. lol. Hubby and I decided early on that we're not going all out big birthday party for her first. We'll reserve that till she's old enough to know what's going on and actually enjoy the party herself.
There's something on my calendar every weekend between now and then so the plan is to get as much done as I can this weekend. We'll see how that goes. Even though it's a small, ok medium-size house party, I still want it to be nice and fun. The theme is Cupcakes & Pastel colors (Our Cupcake is Turning One!). I think I'm getting more excited about her turning The Big One, the party and everything as it gets closer.

Oh and you know how I raved about "my shows" a long time ago on here and how I don't miss them for anything and look forward to each one. Well, I sort of stopped watching everything all together when I returned to work after my maternity leave. After postponing catching up week after week, I just gave up and had no interest anymore. So, I haven't been watching or wanting to watch any show since then even when I had the free time. Long story short, all that ended last night. Out of nowhere I picked up the remote and started binge watching The Good Wife. I had to start with one that I know will hold my interest and it sure didn't disappoint. Might pick up on Parenthood after catching up on The Good Wife.

It's no new news that maxi skirts are comfortable and refreshing. Couple Sundays ago when I wasn't feeling so dressy, I opted for this pleated maxi skirt. Staying with the same color tone, paired it with this tribal inspired crop top and added some brown accessories. Easy, free and relaxed. Just how I want tonight to be before I start my running around tomorrow.
Enjoy your Friday and have a great weekend.
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Top: F21
Skirt: The Limited
Belt: H&M
Watch: Lamer
Bag: Zara
Shoes: VS

Work Style

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Hello lovelies.
Starting something new on the blog this month. Although not new on my Instagram (@Sixthlens) page, it's something new on here. I do a weekly post of my favorite work outfits for the week.
Majority of my outfit post on the blog features my Sunday outfits. This is due to the fact that as some of you might know, my husband is my photographer and our weekday schedule is out of sync. We do some Saturday shoot occasionally, but  most are done on Sundays. With that said, I'll be bringing my Work Style to the blog by doing a monthly feature of my weekly Work Style posts from Instagram. This is to show a "different" side of me and also show how I restyle some of my pieces and in some cases, make them work friendly. Some sets will also include my Causal Friday outfits.
 To see all and keep up with my weekly Work Style posts and other happenings, follow along on Instagram (@Sixthlens).

This first segment is just a handful of some of my favorites so far. Watch out for this month's Work Style Feature at the end of the month.

Thanks and enjoy the rest of your day.
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Dots and Stripes

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Hello beauts. Happy Friday!
Although this was a really short work week for me, I'm couldn't be more excited the weekend is here again.
 
Ending the week on the blog in a combination of some of my favorites. Black and White, Stripes and Polka dots. All my favorites in one outfit, doesn't get any better than that. Complete with a barely there strappy sandal with a hint of pink.
Enjoy the rest of your Friday and have a great weekend. 
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Top: F21
Skirt: F21
Bag: Phillip Lim x Target
Watch: Skagen
Shoes: VS

Talking My Style :: Coral & Wine

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Hello beautiful people!
Happy New Month! Hope you had a great long weekend. Mine was good. Went to a barbeque Sunday evening and attended my church's sport / picnic event on Monday. Have to say the heat and humidity did take a little bit of fun out of the weekend. But, we still managed to have fun, stay cool and enjoy the company of others. The weather isn't any better today. Isn't summer supposed to be over already? Sure feels like it's just getting started.

I love this outfit. The shorts, the style, the colors.
Let's keep the conversation going on Talking My Style. In the post, I'll be talking about what my personal style is.
Generally, I'll define my style as feminine-meets-classic. I love simple, feminine and classic pieces. That what speaks to me. My closet truly reflects this and so does my outfits. Although, you might find a couple of outliers in my closet. Those are for times when I feel like trying a different look so I opt for an edgy or free-spirited bohemian look.
Even though my style has evolve overtime in regards to how I would pair certain pieces, what I'll wear or not wear, the general theme remains the same. I like to stay true to myself and my style because I find it works for me, soothes me best, fits into my personality and I feel comfortable in what I'm wearing. Finding or defining my style comes easily for me. I guess it comes with knowing yourself, what works for your body type and a little bit of your environment.
Read the first segment of Talking My Style here.
 Have a great rest of the week.
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Top: Asos
Pants: F21
Clutch: Asos
Necklace: F21
Watch: Lamer
Shoes: VS