Cool blue + camel // Burberry Daylesmoore wool trench coat

Burberry coat sz 2 (also sold here), sleeves shortened & belt loops raised

Articles of Society jeans (hemmed), Lou & Gray top (similar), H&M scarf (similar)

Ray-Ban sunglasses, LT gloves (fits small!) Sole Society boots (similar), Coach bag

It was a frigid and windy one this weekend! I wore this triple-layered pairing of many old favorites for running errands. We got in just a few snaps before Nick's hands almost froze off - any good recommendations for photographer-friendly winter gloves? 
I first tried on this Burberry Daylesmoore coat (also referred to as their funnel-neck wool cashmere trench) in size 2 in 2013, then did a more detailed review in a size 0 last winter. I finally purchased it this winter after not having found a camel coat I loved more after all this time. I wanted to answer more of your questions on this coat, and also show why I chose the size 2.

Having tried on three years' versions of this coat, I feel like sizing has shifted to be a little slimmer over time. If you look at my 2013 post in a size 2, the coat was noticeably baggy, although I was wearing a lighter cardigan. This winter when I went coat shopping, I wore my faux leather moto jacket which I like to layer under winter coats on the coldest days. The weight was also a good representation of a thicker blazer or sweater. Please note all fitting room photos below are with this jacket on underneath!

Here is the size 0 - please excuse wrinkles as they had brought this right from storage:

Burberry Daylesmoore coat sz 0, Stuart Weitzman Lowland boots c/o (review) 

Compared to sizing on American brands, I feel the Burberry Brit line runs at least one full size small. I'm typically a 00p / xxsp in American retailers, and the size US0 coat here was very fitted on me without my extra layer. I really loved the snug feeling, until I looked at the 360 deg. pictures. As you can see in the pics above, with the extra layer on there are noticeable signs of bulging on me both at the front buttons as well as the back torso vent. I did love the narrow fit in the shoulders of this size, though.

Here is the size US 2 in comparison:

The shoulders were not as fitted on me, but the entire coat was more comfortable throughout. After reviewing these photos it was clear to me which size to get. I had my usual alterations done of shortening the sleeves and raising the belt loops. The sleeves were not super long on me and the belt loops were only about .5 to 1 inch low, so those even a little taller than me (I'm 5 feet) may not need any alterations!

Coat try-on tips: definitely try on outerwear with an additional layer, representative of what you'd typically wear on a cold day. Also, have someone else take photos of you in the coat from the front, side, and back so that you can take a closer look from all angles! This lets me see fit issues, like pulling across the back, which I'd miss otherwise.
I haven't found any super similar options for less, but here are two other camel coats that do come in extended petite sizing:
- ASOS long funnel-neck coat, starting in 00p (likely fits like 000p)! In my experience their sizing runs small (I usually wear 0 or 2P there) and their coats are on the lighter-weight side.
- J.Crew zip Melton coat, starting in 00p in three neutral colors.

Black + Olive // Handkerchief Hem Tunic

BP tunic top xs (also in gray waffle), J.Brand jeans sz 24 hemmed, J.Crew coat (also here)

Ray-Ban sunglasses, Cole Haan boots (lower version), Anthro scarf c/o (also here)

Hello hello ~ ending the week here with this easy pairing of a long tunic over slim jeans. This soft top with handkerchief hem is a loose casual fit on me in xs, great for lounging comfortably in at home (or on long plane rides) over leggings. My Cole Haan Marina boots are all sold out, but I wanted to mention the below-the-knee "Barnard" version again, currently on sale for 40% off. I haven't tried this on personally, but reading through the reviews it sounds very petite-friendly! The lower shaft & heel height makes them potentially work appropriate, unlike OTK boots. One shopper who gave a rave review mentioned she is 5 feet tall with narrow 12" calves, and the boot in size 5.5 hit about 1 inch below the back of her knees.

Unrelated restock alert, the bow-back dress I posted about previously is now back up in a new pink color, available in all sizes! You can read my post here including the measurements of an XS, which I found to be pretty petite-friendly off the rack.

Nordstrom is also having a sunglasses sale, with markdowns or price-matching on several designer styles! In addition to my 51mm Clubmasters worn above and my 58mm aviators, here's a few other options currently on sale:

- The Illesteve Leonard (15% off) which is popular for small faces; measuring 47-22-140
- Gucci Sunglasses in black or brown (50% off). A reviewer mentioned these are lightweight and a good fit on her smaller nose bridge; 56-15-135
- Prada sunglasses (15% off) in a classic cat eye style; 54-22-140
- Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses (40% off), a rounded cat eye; 58-14-140
- Valentino Rockstud sunglasses in brown tortoise or black (15% off); 53-19-140

If you're unfamiliar with sunglasses measurements, the three dimensions represent "lens width - nose bridge width - temple length." My biggest sunglasses fit issue is my flatter nose bridge, so personally prefer either styles with a narrower bridge width (usually 20mm or below), or, styles with adjustable nose pads like most Ray-Bans where I can manually bend the nose pads closer. I used to have several pairs of sunglasses that sat lower on my nose and rested on my cheeks - I thought this was normal until a friend told me that cheek resting was a clear sign of improper fit! Width wise, I don't mind my lenses a little over-sized, so have shades ranging in lens widths of 51 to 58mm.

Hope you guys have a great weekend ~ Nick and I will be scrambling to get our holiday shopping done, and attending a few last festivities before heading out to warmth on the West coast! Thank you to Nordstrom sunglasses for partnering on this post.

Casual classics: Distressed jeans + Topshop petite drape blouse

Topshop Drape blouse in sz 2P (avail in petite/reg/maternity/tall; also sold at Nordstrom)

Treasure & Bond jeans (40% off!) in sz 24, Steve Madden sandals, Goyard tote

Today's post is a simple outfit of all casual basics - distressed skinny jeans, a draped white blouse (comes in several other colors & sleeve lengths), and minimalistic sandals. To add a little interest, I layered on delicate necklaces and a printed tote. I wear my long-sleeved white drape blouse to pieces and knew I'd get plenty of wear out of a short version. Topshop runs small compared to American sizing - 0P fit fine but I sized up to 2P for a looser fit. I think this is one of those pieces where regular sizing would work well also, because I wouldn't mind a longer length (you can casually tuck it in the front). I noticed they now have free shipping and returns for US customers which is awesome, esp. compared to before. While at the NYC store, I saw these distressed denim shorts in petite (suggest sizing up for a casual fit) and wanted to point them out as a very similar option to my sold-out Express ones.

When shopping for distressed jeans, an issue I often have is the knee hole placement (usually hits several inches below my actual knees). I was so pleasantly surprised at the overall fit of these Treasure & Bond jeans, plus they're currently 40% off! They are listed as crop jeans, which works nicely as regular jeans for someone my height (5 feet tall). The size 24 fits true to size on me with no waist gap, and the medium weight denim is stretchy and comfortable. If you have longer legs, I also tried on these distressed boyfriend jeans on sale at a bargain...

STS blue boyfriend jeans in size 00, BP V-neck tee (sized up to a S)

They are adorable casual jeans and the 00 was a slouchy but slim fit (unlike many boyfriend jeans which are too baggy on a petite frame), however the knee holes were 2" too low for me so I'll be returning. The length is longer but due to the cuffs, you can roll them up to your liking.

I finally got these Steve Madden sandals in a second color...my first pair in blush patent have truly proven to be the ultimate versatile sandal for me. They make shorter legs look long and the design is simple but elevated. Please note from my initial review on the blush ones that they run narrow! I'm usually between 5 and 5.5 and got the latter in these to accommodate my foot width both in the insole as well as the front toe strap.

Ray-ban clubmasters, Baublebar bar & pyramid necklaces c/o

If you're shopping for delicate necklaces, Baublebar has a "pick your pendants" option on their site that lets you pick three layering necklaces at a savings for $68 total. I'm wearing the slim bar short one, infinity medium one, and the longer pyramid spike Y (great for wearing with V-necklines) which are all part of the bundle pricing choices. The slim bar and pyramid Y chain are my favorites because of the sleek 14k gold-plated design, and add just a little something to the most basic outfits. From my Baublebar sale order last month, my favorite piece has to be the bowline cuff bracelet, also worn here. It appears to now be sold out on their site but I found it still available here - would recommend esp. for narrow wrists, since you can bend the metal slightly to adjust the fit.

Petite-friendly summer outfit staples + leopard flats reviews

Articles of Society jeans (23, hemmed), Caslon tee, Ivanka Trump flats (starts in sz 4!)

RayBan 58mm aviators, Sole Society bag c/o (review), pearl necklace c/o (review), H&M hat

I've been all about comfort dressing this season and this outfit is no exception. Each piece individually is a versatile basic, great for mixing/matching and for travel. If you're just starting to build a wardrobe and want mostly staple pieces, I'd definitely suggest starting with a few of these!

I brought everything but the hat to France and was tempted to repeat the same outfit each day. While there, I was interested in adding a classic Saint James nautical tee to my collection, but couldn't find one that wasn't boxy on me (browsing limited inventory boutiques reminded me of why I love online shopping!). This Caslon tee serves well in its place and is so very soft against the skin. I'm wearing xxs petite which is a slouchy but not baggy fit. Here I have the side zippers unzipped for a more casual tunic look.

I love my leopard smoking slippers and wanted to find a lower cut version in a similar pointed silhouette. I'm partnering with Nordstrom in this post to share some of my recommended flats, and figured I'd review all three leopard options that I had tried on before getting these...

BP Moveover flats, Sam Edelman flats, Ivanka Trump chic3 flats 

1. BP Moveover flats (solid colors here) (sizes 4 - 12)

I own two pairs of the BP Moveover flats and really love the low-profile cut, the light weighted-ness, and how they mold to my feet. However I must reiterate the soles are very thin with no support or cushioning. As mentioned in my past reviews on these, I suggest sizing up and inserting a full insole pad for comfort. Before getting my cognac brown and blush patent pairs, I had tried on other high quality options that were genuine leather with lots of cushioning, but made my foot looks like wide boats. The BPs get poor reviews for the thin soles, but if you really like the cut, the sole is an easy fix using inserts.

Anyways, on to the leopard print...unfortunately the shoe is what you pay for and just animal print on faux leather. I was not impressed like I was with the solid options. This may be a good alternative if you want faux-material shoes, which in that world this is not a bad leopard. Personally, I didn't love it and much prefer the leopard look on calfhair.

2. Sam Edelman flats (sizes 5 - 12)

My favorite aspect of this shoe is the large scale leopard spot pattern. The quality felt nice and the material was exactly the same as their d'orsay leopard pump that I reviewed previously. I'm usually between a size 5 and 5.5, and a 5 was the better fit on these. There is a black triangle on the back of the shoe which I didn't care for personally (also on the d'orsay pump version), but I didn't think it was distracting nor a dealbreaker.

*Please note, my phone photos show the leopard coloring to be more blown out & yellow than how it looks in-person. Refer to the outfit photos here for a closer representation!*

Top: Sam Edelman, Bottom: Ivanka Trump

3. Ivanka Trump chic3 flats (sizes 4 - 12)

This third option features a medium scale animal print with a thin black stripe down the back. These were a touch more comfortable for me than the Sam Edelmans and the pointed toe area looked a little shorter. There is also a difference in the tiny heel, where the SE's have a thin black flat heel and the Ivanka's have a self material-covered heel. Both pairs show the same amount of toe cleavage - just a peek.

Left: Sam Edelman,  Right: Ivanka Trump

It was real a toss up for me between these options as there were features on each style that I liked marginally better than the other. Nick's eyes were glazed over when I kept asking him for his opinion because he kept thinking they were the same shoe : ) For the slightly improved comfort and fit on my feet, I bought the Ivanka Trump version in a 5.5. Another bonus is they start in a hard-to-find size 4 for any of you ladies who need that. I wore mine for a few hours the first day and did not feel irritation like one of the reviewers mentioned. Please note both the Ivanka Trump and Sam Edelman options feel stiff out of the box, similar to how Ferragamo flats feel. I hope they become more pliable with continuous wear!
My friend ended up giving me her pair of these jeans, so now I'm a happy owner of two and can wear white jeans to my heart's content. I ended up getting one pair hemmed and left the other pair long for wearing cuffed. Since most white jeans do not require the original hem to be left on, it was a very affordable alteration (usually $10 or less). If these stretch out at all with wear, machine washing them and drying on medium/high heat shrinks them back down for me every time.

Thank you to Nordstrom flats for sponsoring this post!

Bag review: YSL Saint Laurent wallet on chain & Cassandre purse (in comparison to Chanel WOC)

Saint Laurent bag, Express shorts, Ann Taylor sweater c/o, Ray Ban sunglasses

BP wedges (runs small), Kate Spade watch

I've gotten lots of questions about this Saint Laurent wallet on chain in caviar leather, and had been waiting to use it more before doing a formal review. Long story short, I�m in love with it and find it to be both beautiful and more importantly, super functional! 
My Chanel caviar wallet on chain is one of my top three favorite bags in my entire wardrobe, so I was thrilled to find a similar functional, convertible purse in a different color scheme. For all my trips this year I've been packing this one with me - it serves well as a cross-body for casual wear (above) and clutch for more formal events (ie. here), all in one.

Left: Saint Laurent wallet on chain - in 6 classic colors (mine is called light rose or pale blush)
Right: Chanel wallet on chain (not sold online)

The leather of the Saint Laurent is a pebbled textured caviar leather that feels sturdy, and is very easy to wipe clean. I take this bag everywhere and have had a few mishaps with food and drink, but thankfully everything has wiped right off. The interior of the bag has plenty of little details for organization, very similar to the inside of the Chanel WOC....
There are slots for over 20 cards, a larger pocket behind the back row of card slots, another larger pocket that my lower thumb is holding shut by accident, and a small zippered compartment. The chain strap is removable and snaps on and off. In comparison, the Chanel WOC strap does not come off so I just tuck it inside when using it as a clutch. Being able to remove it vs. having to tuck in is a nice option to have, when every little bit of interior space is valuable!

I usually carry the following inside: phone, keys, coins, bunch of cards, sunglasses (only case-less or very slim cases like the Ray Ban ones will fit), and makeup essentials like eyeliner, lip balm, and concealer.
Although the measurement of the Saint Laruent bag is notably bigger at 9" length x 6" height, it turns out the Chanel WOC does expand quite a bit in depth and can possibly fit the same amount of items. I have never carried sunglasses in my WOC bag though - I don't like expanding the bag quite so much as I'm afraid the snap button will pop open.

This brings me to my one and only complaint about the Saint Laurent bag - when the top is closed, there is a tiny gap which you can see below right where the chain comes in and out. Although it hasn't happened to me, I feel like small objects like a pen or eyeliner could potentially fall through. Hence I always keep important small things like keys in the zippered compartment.

Back view:

Here's how it looks with the chain detached:

Another thing I love about the Saint Laurent bag is the length of the chain strap is very petite-friendly! See how it compares to the Chanel WOC, for which I always have to tuck an extra length of the strap inside the flap of the purse. The Saint Laurent strap drop length measures approximately 19 inches.

I hope you guys found this review helpful! Let me know if you have any questions. By the way, Instagram friends know that I actually bought a different bag first - the Cassandre medium with tassel:

Be still my heart, I still find this to be an absolutely gorgeous and classic purse, down to the clean design and vintage YSL-inspired tassel. I had been looking everywhere for it and ended up having it shipped from a Saint Laurent store in PA. (Big FYI, their brick & mortar store policies are completely different than their online ones. They charge for shipping, and I was surprised to see on my receipt that there are no refunds - only store credit for returns within 10 days). However, upon careful inspection I noticed the bag arrived with scratches already on the calfskin. I felt that with my klutzy habits, this poor bag would be completely stained and scratched up in no time. I was able to return it despite the stringent store policy, due to it arriving damaged. It all worked out for the better because the caviar one is definitely the one for me, but I just wanted to share about the Cassandre for those interested!

Beach casual: pom pom shorts, chambray shirt + cork wedges

Halogen petites shirt in light denim, Lush crochet shorts sz xs

BP Summers wedges (size up), Mar Y Sol Collins tote, Ray-Ban aviators in blue/gold

This was one of my favorite comfy outfits while traveling last month...the button-up shirt and elastic-waist shorts are so easy to throw on, and serve as a swim coverup too. I had ordered these wedges (3 colors) to try as an alternative to skinny heels, which don't work so well on sandy or grassy surfaces (unless you're aerating the lawn!). I tend to go safe and hoard neutral shoes, but saw the bluish grey option in person and those are quite pretty too. Frankly, I didn't expect these to be keepers due to the height, but they are surprisingly lightweight and comfortable and feel like much lower shoes! Would definitely recommend if you're shopping for leg-lengthening wedges. Fit note: These run on the narrow side. I'm typically between 5 and 5.5, and the latter was snug on me so I'd suggest potentially going up half a size from your usual.

For this post, I'm partnering with Nordstrom juniors, where I've found many pieces that fit without alterations and can actually be appropriate for a more mature wardrobe (especially when styled right). These cute shorts are one of those items - the XS was fitted at my waist (24" for reference) and stretches with the elastic band. You can also make the length appear longer or shorter to your liking, by wearing them either lower at your hips or higher up on your waist. My only gripe with these is that the elastic band within the waistband casing tends to flip around and get twisted inside. You can fix this easy with a few hand stitches to secure it down, but I wish they had come like that. The pom pom detailing and crochet material are good quality in person and fully lined. As with all white pieces, I'd suggest wearing nude-colored undergarments to avoid show-through - I'm wearing a swimsuit bottom below and you can kind of see the outline show through. Thank you to Nordstrom juniors for sponsoring this part of the post!

And yes I can't get enough of this soft chambray shirt (wearing xxs petite in the "light denim" option)...in addition to styling it both for work and the beach, I've also loved knotting it like this but over a dress. It works especially well breaking up more busier patterned dresses, like the ASOS floral one from this post.

Maxi dress re-styled + Kate Spade metro watch for petite wrists

Eliza J. petites dress (altered, review), Blank NYC moto jacket (runs small, review)

Kate Spade Metro watch, Ray-Ban aviators in brown, Steve madden heels in blush patent

I got this maxi dress back from the tailor and have been determined to find more ways to wear it! Yes it is a statement dress, but layering and/or accessories can help tone it down a bit for more regular wear. When worn by itself it's very soft and romantic, so I loved the sharpness that a moto jacket and jet black accessories adds.
For a casual Sunday getting donuts with friends, I also wore this with an easy denim jacket and comfy wedge sandals. Because the skirt of this dress is so flowy and voluminous, a cropped, shrunken-fit layer up top works best for balance. And to break up the continuous floral pattern, a waist-cinching belt (worn a little higher up for long torso'd ladies) does visual wonders.

On to the accessories front, Nordstrom asked me to share my favorite timepieces for spring. After trying on dozens of styles & brands (I was particularly intrigued by Shinola's brand, but didn't find a design yet that strongly resonated with me), this Kate Spade "Metro" watch (multiple colors) was the best fit for my daily style. The 34mm face was also good for my wrist size, and the strap did not require any extra holes punched in order to fit comfortably.

I love the feminine pairing of soft peach leather, gold hardware, and sleek mother-of-pearl dial which are all elements that'd be right up my alley individually. Kate Spade also makes a "tiny Metro" which piqued my interest, but boy it is truly tiny (10 mm in diameter) like a small coin, and I personally prefer a bolder face. The strap measures about 6 to 8 inches in length from the buckle to the closest and furthest prong holes, respectively, but keep in mind the actual fit around the wrist is narrower due to the thickness of the leather strap.

For anyone considering one of these watches, I noticed the beige/gold, black/gold, and also some fun "dot dial" 34mm Metro options on temporary sale for 25% off, ending tonight (Monday)! Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring the watches portion of this post - as always, opinions are my own. 


Jumping back to this Blank NYC moto jacket, I'm happy to see that all sizes have been re-stocked since the last time I blogged about it. If interested, please check out my old review because sizing runs small, and the shoulders are padded. I love and wear this little jacket year-round, even though strong shoulders are outside of my typical comfort zone. This season they also made this in a pale pink - see my friend Ping try on both colors. For reference, she's approx. the same size as me but about 2 inches taller.
And for fit and sizing info on this dress, please also refer to my past review. Since that post, my tailor hemmed the dress approximately 2 inches for a length that hovers just above the ground. And instead of taking in the torso from both sides, he added a thin band of elastic gathering on the interior right along the waistline circle. The dress fabric is non-stretch so I thought this alteration was genius - the gathered elastic allows the waistline to look like a closer fit, but also stretch comfortably with my tummy after meals.

Here is the dress worn yet again (love getting a real bang for my buck!) simply with a contrasting colored belt for a dinner party:

Macys + Talbots Friends & Family sales

Dress by my friend Khatu, Ray-ban glasses in blue/gold (on sale!), Talbots sandals

Low-heeled neutral sandals are a must for the upcoming seasons...I know several of you were interested in my Talbots sandals from last year (long sold out), so I wanted to mention the cute options available this season. Talbots is currently having a 30% off Friends & Family sale with code FRIENDS30, ends 5/4. Sizes are starting to sell out, especially for online exclusive-styles. My favorite is the Peggy sandal with a low, comfortable block heel, constructed very similarly to my favorite pair from last year. I love all three classic color options, and the touch of gold on the inside of the heel (see stock photo) is so unexpectedly chic. I wore them around all day with no breaking-in needed. Size 5's are gone in all colors for the Peggy, but I found them to run a little small and a 5.5 fit me snugly. Here's another look at them:

Halogen shirt (Pls excuse the wrinkles! Got caught in the rain then stuffed inside my purse)

J.Crew factory skirt (waist altered), Talbots sandals, Kate Spade watch (25% off)

Here's a few other leather flat to low-heeled options on sale. Each of these are also available in a light neutral "Macadamia" color or the cognac brown "Pecan" pictured above. I've generally found Talbots footwear to be of good quality and comfy, and my friends are always surprised to learn where they're from! As an FYI, sizes 5 and 5.5 are online only.

Macy's is also having a F&F with 25% off most items - lots of pieces that I love are included! Use code FRIEND, ends 5/4. Nordstrom is price matching and I noticed that some of the matched prices are actually lower there than at Macy's:

1. The SM sandals that I've been over-wearing in "blush patent" (see my review and comments on comfort) retail for less at Nordstrom, and have the 25% off applied on top of that.
2. Ray-ban classic aviators (I wore the "brown" here and the "blue/gold" up above) are so easily adjustable for flat nose bridges, and also appear to be priced less at Nordstorm.
3. Michael Kors Sutton satchel - priced the same at Macy's and at Nordstrom, with more color options in stock at Macy's. See the pale blue medium sutton on me.