Outfit Chronicles: Gold and Teal

top+necklace+belt: F21, pants: Ross, shoes: Last Chance

Oh, hey, guess what? This will be the only "WINTER" outfit you'll probably ever see in early 2013 from me because we are now shifting into 80 degree weather. Unreal!  Though if it's anything like Texas weather, I'm sure we'll drop down to the 50's in no time.

I can't complain though - it is the most perfect weather.  I met up with the girls from my dance team yesterday to practice and shared such a funny moment.  I had gone to church in a skirt, boots, and dressy top -- COMPLETELY forgetting I had agreed to practice at my friend's house (since our official class was canceled).  I borrowed a t-shirt and these capri sweat pants that made me look like a 14 year old (which will make sense with my story).  After about 1.5 hours of practicing with her front door open to enjoy the amazing weather, we take our water break.  Suddenly we hear music outside and confirm 2 seconds later that it is, in fact, an ice cream truck.  The four of us stop, look at each other, until I finally dart for my purse and yell let's do this!

We run outside, me in SOCKS and my 14-year old outfit, and we wave at the truck to stop.  After grabbing some ice cream, we SIT ON THE CURB AND EAT IT!  Just-like-the-movies.  Ironically enough, I never actually did this as a kid.  I, instead, had the paleteros growing up who also sold pickles, hot cheetos, and chicharrones covered in tapatio hot sauce.  Yes, I'll still trade a Powerpuff girl popsicle (WITH bubble gum eyes) for hot cheetos any day.  But eating ice cream on the sidewalk curb in 70 degree warmth with friends?  Flaming hot can't top that.

Outfit Chronicles: Maxi Skirts

I love long skirts.   Especially ones with a crazy pattern.

top: Plato's Closet, skirt: F21, bracelet: F21

So tonight will be Dapper's first obedience training class!  I'm sure they stand a better chance against those puppy eyes.  Right before we set his bowl of water down, we have taught him the "sit" command.  The funniest thing is when he is SO thirsty that when I say "sit!" one of his legs starts to tremble from excitement of getting water and trying so hard to sit still.  Hahaha.

In other news, my mom is coming into town one week from today!!  This will be the first time she visits Jose and I in Arizona.  I'm pretty excited and crossing my fingers the weather stays under 100 degrees.  We will be heading to Sedona at the end of the week and I will be photographing a wedding that Saturday.  Stay tuned for some upcoming Motion shoots!  And I'm halfway through my first roll of film... I may just finish it with random stuff JUST so I can develop it.  Makes me antsy and excited :)

Outfit Chronicles: Stripes and Skirts

Talk about falling off the outfit chronicles boat!  Is it boat? Horse?  I can't remember.  I actually have 3 outfits I haven't posted!!

So I absolutely love this skirt.  I get a lot of compliments on it -- but people think it's a dress!  I switch out the top, sometimes add a belt to cover the black waist line, super comfy, and it's long enough for me  to wear when I shoot.  Versatility and comfort, yes please.

top: H&M, skirt+accessories+shoes: F21 

This week has been so interesting for me.  I've realized the power of words.  Within tweeting the phrase "awkward :(" yesterday evening, my friend Octavia immediately called me to see if things were okay.  Nothing too bad happened, just a mistake that I failed to catch and made me highly wish the world of google mail had an UNSEND button.  Gotta love those friends who just call you on a whim like that :) They are special for sure!

I will go ahead and admit to you that I am ALL OVER the place in my head.  Video is starting to pick up and... and ... guess what I purchased? A FILM camera (*cue fireworks* say what?!).  So as I started to feel like I had a hold on things in regards to understanding the direction of my business, video starts to pick up steam (which is a complete blessing) and then I get this film camera and I'm like "ALE! what are you doing and where are you going?!"  And now I don't know.  No idea.  So that's where I am right now.  Over the moon happy, terrified, and confused.  But it's kind of fun, going back to this state of dreaming and rearranging my future... you know, with a few tears shed.

p.s.  I don't know if you ever read this post I had written, but guess what?  It's on the Verily Magazine blog! Propelled By Discomfort & Fear... give it a read :)

Outfit Chronicles: In the fields of Texas

Oh Texas.

My brother and I were in route to College Station when I suddenly jerked up in my seat (because I always make a commotion when I get an idea) and asked excitedly "is there a field we can pull over and do some photos?!"  

My brother then retorts: IS THERE?!  Where do you think we are, New York?! 

No, he didn't actually say that.  He actually told me about the PERFECT field not only for Outfit Chronicle photos... but for some graduation photos.  I only slightly get the whole Aggie thing, but good Lord there was a BARN dedicated to Aggies.  Calm down guys.  Hence, exhibit A:

Anyway, like I said before... must be in our genes but my brother (with such good direction :) rocked out my session.  He got the whole back-button-focus down to a T (random question: what the heck does "T" stand for in that phrase??).

This top is perfect for dance practice or for wearing over a swim suit.  Cause really, what else would a shredded back be good for?  Oh, that's right -- Texas road trips and Outfit Chronicles.

If you didn't notice, those pants are HIGH WAIST pants.  High waist my friends.  They make me feel... retro.  I love all the bright colors that are out for summer and as we all know, I am no stranger to rainbow tops, so seeing this one at Ross was the perfect addition to my t-shirt summer.

Thanks for stopping by! :)  P.s. I'm going to start an FAQ series soon, so e-mail me any photography/business/styling related q's your pretty little mind may have to alejandra (at) imaginaledesign.com

Outfit Chronicles: Desert Boho Chic ... in ... grass

I actually started this outfit in Phoenix (above) but re-did it in Texas in my mom's back yard (below) last week.  Hence the grass and not the Phoenix... dirt.  Just go with it ;)

Before we get to the outfit, I have to give a shout out to my BROTHER who took these photos! I'll show you a quick snapshot of how I walked him through it.  Obviously I set the exposure settings, but this brother of mine is a natural!  I would snap shots to teach him a certain composition I was looking for and he'd immediately nail it!

 But he's good at congratulating himself, so I'll leave it at that :P (And do you see that Aggie bling?!)

 

This top is actually from high school and I remember enjoying the feel and shape of it, but never being in love with the pattern.  Until now.  Stuffed in the back of my drawer, I started pulling this baby out and wearing it and received a lot of great feedback.  I paired it with my waist-high shorts, some gold accessories ... and I feel like a Phoenix native!  Or what I refer to as... Desert Boho Chic.

Don't you love that necklace?!  I have to admit I used to NEVER wear necklaces because I was such an earrings person.  Granted, I'm still all about earrings, but necklaces are growing on me.  I've been keeping my eyes peeled for this kind of necklace (which pairs perfectly under neutral button-ups too!) and found it at Forever 21!  Or as my mom likes to say -- "forever my age."  Bahaha.  Are any of your parents also delusional about their age?

Accessories + shorts: F21, top: high school purchase, shoes: my mom's! :D

Anyway, I just got in last night from a week of family, graduation, and my good ole' Texas home.  Crazy how much I have to catch up on, but that also means I have some great posts coming up ;)

Outfit Chronicles: Tees and Skinnie Jeans

Haven't seen one of these in a while, huh?!

These were actually quite interesting to edit ... and take.  Jose arrived home from work and when I greeted him at the door he said "you look cute" -- I'm pretty sure he immediately regretted it when it dawned on him what came next.  Cause, we both know what this usually means.  Outfit Chronicles.

BUT.  I have anticipated these moments y'all!  I can hear the groan a mile away and I refuse to use a tripod.  So instead, I start dinner early .. my peace treaty.  "And we don't have to leave the house! Let's just do them in the doorway."  Which lead to this really interesting and contrasty light that I don't normally work in...

T-shirt + Jeans: Ross, Shoes: Shoe Land in Atlanta, Earrings + Clutch: F21

But let me not diverge from the fact that Ross has just gifted me with what I call my new "favorite" JEANS! They're not even jeans.. they're like a fabric, stretchy, jean-looking pair of pants.  Insanely comfortable!  And hello, $9? I know.  It's not even right.

Isn't the light interesting?  Maybe that's just me talking photography.  I guess I felt like it looked different from my other work which usually has softer tones.  But I was in direct sunlight (sun was setting) and my hallway was of course dark.  Kinda fun to try something new :)  Hope you like the outfit!  I've been looking for cute tees to wear to dance but I'm kinda liking them for general outfits!  I'm thinking I'll be doing a lot of tees this summer.

Outfit Chronicles: Classic and Feminine

pants + belt: Zara, top: thrifted, necklace: F21, shoes: F21, watch: Hello Somebody

There are days when I ask Jose to do an Outfit Chronicles shoot of me and he will ask me: "well, what's special about this outfit?"  And I used to feel bad about it until I remembered that he's not a female.  He won't notice the leopard heels I coordinated with my brown belt, the chunky white watch, and how I tucked my shirt in.  "Special" in man's mind is ... well, I don't really know. 

But let's not hate on my hubs right now because we had the sweetest Valentine's date yesterday.  After giving me this beautiful card (I'm telling you, the man has a way with words)....

He proceeded to gift me a coupon book!!  And now, I remember reading about those in the magazines or articles that talked about "Ideas for your Sweetheart" and laughing at the idea. BUT.  Hold the teasing, cause guess who already used one of her coupons?!

We got home from dinner last night and as he said "babe, don't forget to prep the box to return your shoes."  For whatever reason I had no energy to do it and I slowly smiled and said "orrrr... how about you prep it?"  And pulled out my coupon book!!  People, he literally gifted me the book 3 hours earlier and this girl is CASHING IN!  To which Jose said, "what?? you want to use it on this?? are you SURE?"  And you see, that's the difference between Jose and I.  I didn't have to meditate on the value of using my coupon now, if I should save it for later, or if I should just do it myself.  I didn't over think it, I simply handed him my coupon.

I have to say, those magazines were right.  Genius idea on the coupon book!  I'm excited to cash in "coffee date" and the "home-made dessert" one :)

Anyway, I'm leaving for Vegas in 2 days!  This will be my first trip to WPPI -- the largest Wedding and Portrait convention in the States.  I'll be driving up solo on Saturday but meeting with my Texas friend Brittany Oswald and girls that I've never met before too!  The lovely Denise will be riding back to Phoenix with me.  It's going to be quite an adventure.  I'm definitely nervous, but mostly just super excited ;)

Outfit Chronicles: One Piece - Three Ways PT 2

Here is Part One if you haven't checked it out. The rundown is basically this:

Alex of AVE Styles + Me = A fashion series to make styling a little more comprehensible
Challenge: Take 1 article of clothing and make 3 different looks with it.

While Alex is typically behind-the-scenes, helping couples, models, and other clientele find items that suit them best -- she brought the party in FRONT of the camera this time. And I was ready :)

Alex's one piece: Striped Long Sleeve Top

Isn't it amazing how a striped top can be elevated to "French Prep" by pairing it with a blazer and riding boots? I mean, it makes sense but it's such a different feel from the Bold Artist!

I love this last look! I've seen Alex sport long sleeves under dresses before and it's something I really want to try. In fact, as I was leaving Alex told me to try putting the cardigan I was sporting in yesterday's post under the printed dress I was wearing.

A huge thanks to Alex for helping me carry out this idea to make the world of fashion easier to digest. Or simply to provide y'all with some inspiration as you stand in front of your closet! :) Check out Alex's post for an insight on her styling process for these outfits.

We have more tutorials planned for the future! Hope you've enjoyed the first and are looking forward to more! Feel free to send in any requests or just share your thoughts ;)

Outfit Chronicles: One Piece - Three Ways

Ever have a how the heck did they even come up with that outfit?! moment?

Alex from AVE Styles and I are working together to bring you a set of series where fashion and style are a lot more accessible. Where you can start thinking about what you already have in your closet rather than the brands you don't own. Kind of like shopping for free. How ridiculous is that?

First challenge: One piece of clothing styled in three ways. Three completely different looks.

I showed up to Alex's place with a duffel bag full of clothes. I would consider myself a relatively stylish girl. BUT. I have NEVER put any of these outfits together that Alex whipped up. After the fastest camera/photography tutorial ever, Alex became the photographer and together we created these fashion profiles. Consider the notes like recipes -- you can mimic or reinterpret it to whatever taste you like.

My one piece: Coral Blazer

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Add some sparkle and now it's a night time outfit. Alex said this outfit reminded her most of me. Not gonna lie, definitely a favorite...

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And last -- this one really surprised me. I would have never thought to pair a cardigan under a blazer.

Cra-zy. Felt like I went shopping. The wonders of working with a stylist. Lucky for us, Alex is raining down some of that styling wisdom on us :) Tomorrow it will be her turn to be in front of the camera... yeeeep!

Make sure to check out her blog for even more details on the thoughts behind the styling. Hope you're looking forward to these series! Requests are welcomed ;)

Outfit Chronicles: Preppy and Nerdy Collide

These were taken back when it was cold... in Dallas during the Christmas break. Now I'm back in Phoenix where I pretty much had to hang up the scarves and jackets. We're back to our "lows" this week at 66.

button up: my sister's closet, cardigan: H&M, scarf+belt: Spain, pants: F21, boots: borrowed from mom ;)

These are actually on the sidewalk of my childhood home :) Every now and then my mom would peek through the curtains from inside to watch Jose and I. What's funny is that she lent me the boots I'm wearing. I remember her and my brother picking us up from the airport and classic mom -- she's got these ankle boots with a fur lining on the cuff. I should have had an outfit chronicles with her is what I should have done!

Enjoy the bloopers :) When I need help relaxing my face (read: when my lips feel tense after taking photos), I inhale deeply, blow out my cheeks, and release the air slowly through my lips.

I know... these cheeks were quite the talk when I was a baby.