What a Girl Will Do For Coat...

Coat- Forever 21 (old) similar

T Shirt- Old Navy

Jeans- American Eagle

Shoes- HM

Earrings- Aldo (sold out) similar

Aviators- HM

Took a  drive to the coast yesterday after work...  The fog was rolling in and it just creates a magical feeling... I fell in love with the Northern California coastline years ago and yet every time I'm out there I'm stopped by the beauty... not to mention fighting the urge to wave to China.. Only I would wear 4 inch heels on the edge of a cliff...

I'm wearing a coat that I scored from F21 while awkwardly stalking the clearance rack waiting for someone else to put the coat back on the rack...  I mean, what was I going to do... walk up to the girl and be like "uh, looks like you're undecided about this coat... so if your not going to buy it, can I ?" ... super awkward...what a girl will do for a coat... so I made it look like I was looking at something else one the rack but really I was waiting for her to make up her mind... and after a bit I realized that this is a little bit weird, so I moved on and hoped that if it was supposed to be mine it would still be there... no joke I came back and it was there! There is no messing around when you find something this awesome.. Especially at Forever 21... it's like a mad house in there or it looks my bed when I can't decide on what I am wearing... clothes everywhere...

When pairing something with a full skirt or a print.. it's best to keep everything else simple..  and with something slimming like skinny jeans to create balance...

 Full disclosure  I had on a fully styled outfit under this coat with the full intention of not including my coat in the outfit post... but.. it was cold.

Sometimes I find that an outfit can just a little blah or like something is missing... and then put on a jean jacked or Aztec print coat and Pow! sounding like a cartoon again.. It's complete! Outerwear to me is like the fairy dust to an ensemble... Some awesome outwear I feel should be treated as a classic staples and therefore must get in your closet pronto!

Here's a list of my favorites-

Black or Khaki Trench
Black or Brown leather jacket
Jean Jacket
Pea Coat
Puffer Vest or Coat

Parka (perfect for spring!)

These are in my opinion some absolute classics and can be a life saver!

What are some classics that you cannot do with out? I'd love to know!

Photo credit- Seth

Step Into My Office

Step Into My Office by hchdesigns featuring tech accessories

Tech accessory, $605 / Malcolm Office Chair - White / Happy Notes / White Phalaenopsis 22" High Faux Orchids in Square Pot - #W5126 / Acrylic Stapler / C. Wonder Golden Stripe Highball Glasses (Set of 4) / Colossal Golden Wishbone / Harrods App Pen, $14 / IKEA Flyt

I am pretty sure my favorite color now is gold.... hence the obsession on the mood board... Right now I'm in the process of moving offices at my job and it got me dreaming of the day when I'll have a glamorous office with a sky-rise view... filled with fresh flowers and chilled S.Pellegrino  whenever I want...

I love the combination of white & gold... it's so chic... and orchids? You cannot get more glamorous... I'm not sure what it is about the office space that makes me want to go all Hollywood Glam... but I can't get enough of it... Especially that white chair, doesn't it just scream "I'm the boss, I'm fabulous and don't mess with me..." At least it does to me...

In general my style is more Mid Century Modern with a little Hollywood Glam mixed with Palm Springs... if that makes sense.... not sure if even I understand it... I'm a firm believer in your space will shape your mood... just like when the house is clean all of a sudden I'm relaxed.... why has it taken me this long to realize this? I believe the same is true for your office, I think especially your work space.. Places there is high stress or tension should be clean and de-cluttered... White is a great choice for that because it immediately is fresh, add storage for organization that is clean and will hide any busy paperwork.. Flowers are a great way to feel alive and will brighten your mood...Silk flowers are a great option if your a pro at killing plants like me! Lastly surround yourself with items to help inspire, for me it's a dream to someday sit front row at NY Fashion Week... so that Prada print is completely inspirational....

I hope you like my office inspiration and I'd love to hear about what inspires you!

#TBT : Throw Back Thursday

Photo Credit - Michaela Photo

Six years ago today... Seth asked if I wanted to go for a walk with him... and on that walk he asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend... I told myself to count to 5 before answering ( I didn't get farther than 3)... I said yes... and at that moment I had no idea that I started the best adventure of my life... 

Sorry for the sappiness...sorta..

#TBT

Insta What?

Best quote ever.. Lunch for champions... The worlds tastiest strawberries.... me typing away...

Nails & InStyle .. Obsession with tiny desserts... quoted by IFB on their Twitter!

TBT (Throw Back Thursday) me and my sisters.. New booties from HM...

"Twitter is stupid and Instagram is Twitter for those who can't read"-Two Broke Girls (TV show)

Some Insta-moments for your viewing pleasure....and even though I don't agree with that statement.. I found that quote painfully funny... and on that note you can follow me on Instagram @hopeceleste & Twitter @hhdesigns.

Right on Target...

Right on Target... by hchdesigns featuring black shoes

White top / Tweed jacket / Knit vest / Shorts / Black shoes / Prabal Gurung / Neon handbag / Green handbag / Garnier skincare / Beauty product / Haircare / Haircare / Sally Hansen nail care

You know it's a match made in heaven where you can pick up Prabal Gurung heels, toilet paper & fruit snacks... just saying... I love Target! This season they've been KILLING IT! I mean look at that blazer? How awesome is that or those wedges! And I'm not the only one who thinks so.. just a couple of days ago those wedges were seen on Mary from Happily Grey...  and today Beth from B.Jones Style  (inspired my title) was singing Target's praises... seems to me that everyone had the same thought I did, I shouldn't be surprised these items are awesome...

I also included in this little "wishlist/craving" some of my absolute favorite products... Suave has put out this semi new line, Keritin Treatment.. and I love it... I am usually one for switching shampoo & conditioner like every time I need to purchase more but with this line I'm hooked! Super smooth and all the hair care products in that line including a smoothing serum, dry shampoo & leave in conditioner are amazing... Here's the best part, it's only $3 a bottle!

Almost every time I get in Target I get the feeling of "man I should come here more often" or " I wonder how long I can leave my husband in Electronics so I can look at the clothes".... It's a black hole really that sucks you in and I really don't mind... Thanks Target! Never change.. unless of course you'll start carrying Rachel Zoe then of course change, change really really fast...

Seasonal Awkward Phase...

Top- HM

Jeans- American Eagle (similar)

Shoes- HM

Sunglasses -HM

Gosh, the weather has been simply divine lately... I almost feel bad about talking about since you all East Coast dwellers are getting hammered... as in snowed in not drunk... or maybe both? It was 80 flipping degrees yesterday... Hello? This is March shouldn't it be pouring rain or something.. I know one thing I shouldn't be out in my bare arms or anything... but I was and the fact that I wasn't freezing was a completely win in my book..  We went to the Dry Creek region for the this shoot.. it was glorious... While finishing up the shoot a passerby in car stopped and asked "are those shoes your hiking boots?" which I promptly answered "of course!".... That's how I roll...  

These shoes are a new purchase for me which you might have seen if you follow me on Instagram... I picked them up from H&M a couple of weeks ago and haven't stopped wearing them since.. side zipper and platform, I am in love! They are the perfect balance of ankle booties while still showing a little ankle... somehow if I  don't show those bad boys, I end up with a cankel situation that no one wants to see! 

Yellow is such a fabulous spring color.. and seems to be popping up all over the place... I paired this top with my distressed AE jean "jeggings".. Which if your like me, most distressed jeans don't usually come in a flattering style... how I wish I could wear the Boyfriend jean but nope... not gonna happen... However I was so delighted to find that these jeans have stretch in them! And all the girls with hips cheer! 

 In looking to help make the transition from winter to spring...  my tip is to mix in spring colors with the rest of your wardrobe..  It's always that awkward phase of it's warm out but not enough to really bring out my summer clothes in full swing... so what's a girl gonna do? Sprinkle in a little bit of sunshine into your winter wardrobe, even if you are waist high deep in snow... I'm talking to you Syracuse, NY! Right now I've been dying for some sweet neon pumps or an emerald green clutch... Something like that, can really brighten up any winter blah days...  How are you getting through the seasonal awkward phase? I'd love to know!    

Deep Moments: Blogging...

"Tell the negative committee that meets in your head to sit down and shut up..."- Ann Bradford

Blogging... it's an interesting concept... you write about things that you  love.. or things you are excited about potentially sharing your heart to the world... being validated for the things you find interesting is the one of the  most gratifying feelings...  Here is what it is not...  it's not the Peace that lives in my heart.. it doesn't smile at me and tell me  "you look pretty" even when I know, I threw this outfit together in a fit of frustration trying to get the "perfect" look for a photo-shoot... because I'm 5 days behind on posting something...oh those crazy high expectations can get you every time!. Nope... it's none of that... and most importantly...it's not what makes me into the person I am...  Listening to the positive voice in your head is hands down the best thing you do for your overall look... it's the best accessory and knowing  who you are makes every outfit work... instead of staring blankly into the closet saying "I have nothing to wear" and letting it ruin your day... and even though I know there are days when it gets hard to remember the awesomeness that we are... think about this... If we really knew, like deep deep down inside, just how incredible we are... what amazing things would happen? Just start to wonder...

Deep moments brought to you by a conversation in the car with my hubs... thanks babe...love you forever...

IFB project#87

Wanderlust: Where would you go?

Deviating from my usual fashion post to daydream a little bit with you... Sometimes I get the urge to travel and just in case it wasn't bad enough, hanging out on Pinterest took it to a "whole notha level".... I mean it's been ages since I used my passport.. too long actually.... Been thinking a lot about what I would do and where I would go if time or money wasn't an object...  It's a fun thought and usually I end up thinking about somewhere tropical... Bora Bora... is now on my radar... aah... white sand, crystal clear blue water... a fabulous tan...a girl can dream right?.... In my daydream there is lots of sundresses, wedge sandals, sunnies & swimwear....not to mention a few cocktails... So there is my daydream... dreaming of Bora Bora... Where would you go if time & money wasn't an object?

P.S if you'd like to see more places I've been dreaming about check out my Pinterest page here!

A Need for Speed....

Jeans- J Brand (scored from Ebay) similar

Top- Chambray from JCP

Shoes- Old Navy (from like 100 years ago) similar

Watch- Gift

Aviators- HM

Ahh the glorious white jeans... I put them on and in a second I'm immediately aware of every possible stain... not to mention be a magnet for the inevitable coffee spill... brought to by Clorox bleach making Hope's life possible since 2009...

Well, as promised here and the jeans that I scored off EBay... after it was all said and done I spent only $32 on these bad boys (normally they go new for $187).... ($17jeans +$15 for hemmed).... I couldn't be more pleased... My good friend Ashley asked me last night if I was nervous ordering online without trying them on and I said "no, because the cost of them was such a bargain that if they didn't fit I could probably just re-sell them!"  Fortunately they did... and they are staying in my closet forever.... insert evil laugh here... 

Being that Spring is right around the corner or practically here in California, a good staple like white denim is always good to add to your wardrobe, if you haven't already...

This time I paired it with my trusty chambray, aviators.... messy top knot bun & nude wedges.... very classic... If I had a leather jacket it would be appropriate insert the theme song for Top Gun....

The fact that I was an 80's child is pretty obvious... pretty soon I'll start referencing Karate Kid 2... but I digress...

When wearing white denim you want to keep a few things in mind, 1-the fit, 2- is it versatile enough? 3- the fit.. Being the fact that its white, it's a little less forgiving than say a dark wash blue jean... You want to make sure it's a cut that is classic and will fit you properly... size up if you need to... who cares what size you are anyways? Full disclosure... these jeans are 1 size larger than what I typically buy... and I won't be putting these bad boys in the dryer if you catch my drift... wink...  Focusing on the fit, adding some classic pieces & mixing in a couple of 80's cinema references... You cannot go wrong!