What you need:

1. Any old tee. I prefer brights and neons for this project. Old Navy has some great ones here.

2. 1/2 yd of any floral fabric. Mine is from Mood in NYC but here, here and here are some other options that are cheap cheap cheap!

3. Scissors

4. Fabric Glue

5. Studs and studding supplies. If you do decide to include studs (because I stud EV-ER-Y-THING) then I suggest following my studding tutorial here!

Then wear anywhere you want to bring the Tropics to your life! I personally LOVE the way this came out, and it was so easy. Let me know if you try it!

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Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching so many Boston sports of late (yes, I’m from San Francisco, but that boy I live with happens to be from Boston) but I am fully embracing kelly/emerald/celtic green. This has to be one of my favorite outfits in a while- the sweater suit is super comfortable, I can’t stop wearing the polka dot shirt, and these color block loafer heels were basically made for me. This is happiness in an outfit.

Sweater suit top and bottom: ASOS (pencil skirt bottom here). Polka dot blouse ($50): JoeFresh. Heels: ASOS. Belt: Gap (similar here and here). Bag: Badgley Mischka.

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Pictures (beginning to end):

Style.com/LateAfternoon/ThisTimeTomorrow/APairandASpare/WhoWhatWear/Karla’sCloset

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One way to conquer this season’s floral printed pants look is with a structured silhouette on top. I love this vest for its versatility and length that transcends seasons. I would love to hear your opinions about the earrings- I just made them this weekend and have been wearing them non- stop!

Pants: Topshop (jacket here). Vest: Urban Outfitters (old). Tank: Old Navy. Shoes: Zara (old). Sunnies: Forever21. Earrings: NEW! Homemade by Stefanie Marie. Jewelry: H&M, souvenir from India, C.Wonder, Soho street vendor

Like what you see? Follow me here on Bloglovin’!

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Wanted: Wardrobe

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: MAY 10TH

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Tell us a little about your role as an Assistant Buyer at Koze.

My role as an assistant buyer at Koze is very specific. This is a new position for me on top of Merchandising & Styling, which have been my main focus points for the past 8 years. We currently attend LA Market & Cala in San Francisco a few times a year to buy for Resort, Spring, Summer, Fall & Holiday. I am currently responsible for all of the denim that comes into our store as well as a dress line, BUTTER by Nadia, out of Brooklyn, NY that consists of amazing jersey wrap dresses & collection pieces all at ONE SIZE. I don’t like to categorize women by sizes so this line helps women to feel beautiful at any shape, height or size. As a denim buyer I work closely with the owner to really make sure that each month the right denim is being paired with each collection from our clothing vendors. This is all so important to make sure the cuts, washes & styles match up and are contemporary, but not too trendy. I like to stick to basics with a twist.  I am very particular when it comes to denim myself, so I try on everything at market. I want to know how the sizing runs, how they stretch and feel on the body; there is nothing more satisfying than a pair of jeans that can positively transform the way you feel.

What kind of experience did you have as a Buyer before taking on this role?

I have been working in retail for about 12 years and I love it. I attended FIDM for Merchandise Marketing Management & have always been more fascinated by the small boutique side of retail rather than corporate. I have worked at a few different boutiques where my input/suggestions were always appreciated & asked for, but I am now finally getting the hands on experience, at Koze, of going to Market and buying on a much larger scale. There is something very rewarding about being invested in a line that you have specifically bought for your target customer & seeing it come together through creative merchandising.

What is the aesthetic of Koze, and how as a buyer do you learn to put the customer’s tastes before your own?

Our goal is to help our customer feel fabulous & beautiful while also being comfortable, hence the name Koze. We buy for a lifestyle! Sometimes I can be a little eclectic or edgy with my own fashion, so I try to take a step back and say, “how would our customer really wear this style/trend or incorporate it in their everyday life?”

How do you continue to attract new customers and inspire old ones?

For our longtime customers I feel it is all about consistency, newness and great customer service. We have an incredibly loyal customer base that we send emails & promotions to once a month. I am always going above & beyond for our customers, for without them we would not be in business. As for new customers at Koze, we are always involving ourselves in the community with events, fundraisers & fashion shows for schools and charities. We are kind of off the beaten path in Tiburon, CA (a destination town) so we also rely on tourism and creating new relationships with customers all over the country.

How do you find new brands to carry in the store?

I’m always reading magazines, searching the internet & constantly asking my customers what their favorite brands are. From there we will take notes and set appointments at market to view the lines. We also are looking for consistency & credibility with new lines, ie: if they ship on time or if the collection appears & fits as they were sampled. AG is a new denim line for us & I am incredibly excited about them. They have a huge following & not a lot of boutiques near us carry them so it was a great opportunity for us to try something new without a huge risk.

What kind of advantages or disadvantages are there as a small boutique going to market?

Advantages would be that we make for a pretty quick appointment; we don’t like to waste time and usually know what we are looking for right away. A disadvantage would be that we are not a large corporate retailer buying in bulk so for some vendors we are not their first priority, so more often than not we have to stay on top of vendors and making sure that they ship our orders on time & complete.

What is your favorite part about your job?

Seeing a plan from buying to merchandising come to life in the store. As my boss would say, “I love it when a plan comes together!” It’s incredible rewarding when our customers feel comfortable & fabulous in our clothes.

What is the best advice you would give someone looking to open or be a buyer for their own boutique?

Know your customer!!! To know whom you’re buying for is key, you can’t always buy what you like and would wear. Listen to your customer & put yourself in their shoes, how they would shop your at store. One of my favorite quotes is, “To be simple is to be great” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

My ultimate dream is to own my own boutique! I’m always taking notes and constantly learning from everyone around me, especially my boss who is my biggest mentor. She built her business from the ground-up, now 7 years later I can only hope to one day manifest the same success for myself!

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Last year one of my most popular posts was this one, which featured my mother’s style in the 1950′s and 60′s. This year for mother’s day, my tribute to my mother’s style will continue into the fun and funky 1970′s. Turtlenecks and wide legs, jumpsuits and jeans; the 70′s were definitely the era of free-spirits and casual cool.

Be sure to check out last year‘s outfits as well!

{Tonal mustard colors and a knit beanie visiting the Lenin statue in Moscow. And it may be hard to see, but check out those platform boots she has!}

{Sporting her tennis whites working as a hostess for the tennis tournament the Davis Cup. If you ask me this was the heyday of women’s athletic clothing- look how chic and cute she looks- so what if there’s no sweat wicking properties in the fabric!}

{Hiking the Milford Track in New Zealand in 1974. Clearly wide leg jeans were all the rage- even for hiking! I particularly like how my mom paired her jeans with a matching denim head kerchief.}

{And BY FAR my favorite- this chic little 2 piece suit that mimics the look of a jumpsuit for her 1974 Pan Am Flight Attendant uniform. Everything about this look is amazeballs- that neck scarf, the hidden belt slits, the asymmetrical hat. If you checked out last year‘s post, you can see how the objectification of working women had evolved over the years. Instead of being displayed in a tiny dress, here she looks comfortable but still put together!}

ONE MORE THING. My mother isn’t the only mother in my immediate family now. My brother and sister-in-law just had their first baby, so I want to wish my sister-in-law a special FIRST Mother’s Day as well.

{Welcome baby Hudson!}

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and all the mom’s out there showing us what great style and class should be- Have a great weekend!

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A little fiesta wear for the aforementioned Cinco de Mayo party. My boyfriend was worried I forgot my pants, but if everything else is covered up, we can show a little leg right? Where’s Angelina when I need her…

Dress and Necklace: Francesca’s Collection. Shoes: BCBG at DSW. Bag: Nordstrom (old)

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{Make your own Margarita Bar}

{mini cocktail shakers}

{Lime juice in a Corona Light bottle}

{Some of the fabulous dips, quesadillas, and mexican wedding cookies}

{DE-LIC-LIOUS salad, which was also a great topping for the tacos that I don’t have a picture of}

What do you think? How did you celebrate Cinco de Mayo/Kentucky Derby?

Also- I did a little “Runway to Room” Guest Post for Lindsey over at Pinklet and C – check it out here!

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I’m loving bright tailored separates right now as a summery way to look professional. And man, I love those sunglasses so much, even though they give me a unibrow.

Blazer: H&M (also seen here), similar here here and here. Green Short: H&M (similar here). Shirt: Banana Republic. Shoes: Zara (old). Sunglasses, Bag and Belt: H&M. Necklace: Souvenir from a cross-country drive through Wall Drug in South Dakota.

Now that you’re here, why don’t you check out the new Style Safari Manifesto? Would love to hear your comments/opinions!

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