#BTS with The Great Mall

On Whit: A'Gaci Sincere Off Shoulder Top (color no longer available online) $18.90, Banana Republic Leggings (not available online) $9.99, Zara Sandals (old, similar below) $29.99.
TOTAL = $58.88

On Mal: A'Gaci Stripe Poplin Shift Dress $29.90, Forever 21 Choker $3.90, H&M Espadrilles $14.99.
TOTAL = $48.79

We are no longer in school, but we still remember that back-to-school shopping excitement.  When the Great Mall offered $100 to complete an outfit, we were slightly skeptical.  Little did we know, we would manage...and then some!  Everything had sales. Here's how our $100 broke down:

Whitney:
  A'Gaci Sincere Off Shoulder Top $18.90
  J. Crew Factory Striped Lace-Up Espadrilles (also in ikat)not pictured (extra 60% off in store) $7.99
  Banana Republic Distressed Denim Leggings, White (extra 50% off in store) $9.99
  Banana Republic Denim Leggings, Dark Wash not pictured (extra 50% off in store) $11.99
  Guess Off-The-Shoulder Top not pictured (Extra 30% off in store) $20.99

Total: $69.86

Mallory:
  A'Gaci Stripe Poplin Shift Dress $29.90
  H&M Espadrilles $14.99 
  Forever 21 Choker $3.90 
  A'Gaci BodySuit not pictured $17.90
  Forever 21 Crochet top not pictured $29.99

Total: $96.98

You might notice we both gravitated towards off-the-shoulder.  We are 90s babies, so this trend (and the choker revival) are welcome news to us!

After shopping in a mall for the first time in a long time, we understand the meaning of 'shop-till-you-drop.' The mall is organized as a giant circle, so it is basically like running laps, right?

The mall has some notable stores we love: H&M, Forever 21 (a huge one that is slightly overwhelming), J. Crew, Saks Off Fifth, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Coach Factory, UNIQLO and Columbia . There's also a Dave and Busters! We were too exhausted after shopping, but can't wait to go back and get in some arcade time :D

Pink

On Mal: New Look Stone Roll Neck Tassel Vest, H&M camel coat, DIY distressed Gap Sexy Boyfriend Jeans, INPINK Fashion Jewelry Marble Serenity Stone Cuff, Zara Lace Up Flats, NYX Lip Lingerie in Exotic

Photos by Rene

When I saw @bubbaandme wearing this fringed turtleneck on Instagram I was so excited to find out it was actually affordable (considering everything else she was wearing was designer!).  I was extra excited to find out it was on sale as well.  That being said, you get what you pay for and the quality is fairly atrocious.  I would say worse than Forever 21.  I still really like the style, but I don't expect it will hold up against the ravages of time and my laundering skills.

Cold Snap

 

On Mal: c/o Old Navy Grid Print Boyfriend Top, H&M Camel Coat (old, similar), J. Crew Factory Skinnies, c/o Public Desire Lace-Up Karis Flats, Pour La Victoire Crossbody, c/o Timex Chronograph

On Whit: c/o FrontRowShop Cocoon Coat (old, similar in tan available), H&M Leather Jacket (old, similar here), McQ Crossbody, c/o Public Desire Eden Black Chunky Ankle Boots

Photos by Rene

Last Sunday we spent the day together playing board games and eating and somehow fitting in some photos as well.  It was so cold, Whit was wearing two coats.  By cold we mean 50 degrees...but with wind chill! People who live in the snow probably think we Bay Area folk are a bunch of wimps.

We played King of New York, which was cute with all the different monsters.  Also you get to roll 6 die at once which is fun just on its own.  We also played Sheriff of Nottingham during which you lie to and bribe all your friends (Whit hates that one).  We are always on the hunt for new board games to play, so if anyone has any ideas, we are all ears :3.

Vested Interest

On Mal: Anthropologie Elevenses Draped Trench Vest, INPINK Balance Bar Necklace, Target Merona Felt Fedora Hat, J. Crew Factory Skinny Jeans (found in store in petite!), H&M Loafers (currently on sale), Forever 21 Split Back Cami, Karen Walker Harvest Sunglasses

Photos by Rene

My mom is probably shaking her head at my midriff right now (sorry, Mom).  

Normally I don't go for full-price items at Anthro, but this vest is so worth it...especially considering it was a bday gift from my BF!  I love the fall color, and it is still lightweight enough to wear in the current heat. It is the perfect transitional piece.  I think it will be pretty versatile; it would look cute over a (striped) dress and I plan on wearing it with long sleeved tops once it gets colder.

P.s. Sorry for the post hiatus but I have been having wifi issues that I will refrain ranting about here.

Clarion Alley

On Whit: Gap 1969 Denim Jacket, Style Stalker Cats Eye Skirt, Aritzia Crop Top, Superga Sneakers, Coach Crossbody

On Mal: H&M Dress, Klub Nico Clary booties, Pour La Victoire Bag

Photos by Brittany of Work It Berk

Last week we were reunited with fellow Berkeley alum (and street style/foodie blogger) Brittany.  We snapped these photos in Clarion alley...which if you have never been, we recommend. The alley is full of murals on either side (we were unfortunately limited to one side of the alley for lighting reasons). On  rare occasions you can see an amateur rap music video shot there.

Go check her blog for her other profiles of SF bay area bloggers, or if you feel like reading a little more about us. 

Basic

On Mal: GAP Denim Jacket, c/o UNIQLO pocket tee, J. Crew Toothpick Jeans (similar), c/o H&M boots, Forever 21 and c/o Juliet & co Taylor Necklace, Leather hat via Crossroads

photos by Rene

Basic #ootd for a basic Sunday.  Instead of watching the Superbowl, Rene and I walked around Jack London Square.  Anyone who lives/visits Oakland should check out Plank.  They have bowling, Bocce Ball, Cornhole and an arcade.  Rene might have beat me at air hockey, but I destroyed him at Skee-ball and Terminator-shooting.

Checkmate

On Mal: Zara Coat (on sale here), The Skies are Blue Checkmate Pant via Piperlime (sold out, similar here), H&M top, Pour La Victoire bag (via Saks Off Fifth), J. Crew Collection Leopard Kitten Heels (Similar), Forever 21 Hello Cuff, Bauble Bar Lashed Out Earring Jackets.

Photos by Rene

We have said it before, we will say it again: grid print is everything. Paired with solids, patterns or another check print (as seen on Atlantic-Pacific) it's all good!

Check out our other grid print looks:

Off the Grid

Cartoon Cacti

Fangirling

Ocean Beach

P.S. The pants seen on Blair (linked above) I assumed were super expensive, so imagine my excitement when I found the exact pair in the Piperlime sale section :). 

Insta(nt)-R2W

On Mal: H&M camel wool coat and skinnies, c/o UNIQLO oxford shirt, c/o Timex Dress Chronograph Watch (on sale!), Forever 21 Matchstick gold bar earrings, Carrano Gianna Pumps via Piperlime, Pour la Victoire Elie Crossbody

Photos by Tyler with Poloroid Land Camera 195

Tyler opted to take instant film for this outfit, and I love how they turned out.  The effect is so much better than what you can get by applying some instagram (or vsco) filter!  The rollers were a bit dirty, so we lost some corners on the first few... but maybe that just adds to the charm.

Shift

On Mal: Vintage blazer, H&M Textured Sweatshirt, Forever 21 Lace Shorts, Pour La Victoire Tote via Saks Off Fifth, Windsor Lace Up Heels (sold out, love these), c/o Juliet & Co Taylor Necklace

Photos by Rene

As I have said before, I usually lean more towards white ensembles.  But, after seeing this snake-textured sweatshirt (and you know I am all about all things snakes...especially sweatshirts), I decided to give it a shot.  

Altuzarra for Target

On Mal: Altuzarra for Target Python Print Sweatshirt, H&M Camel coat (similar), J. Crew Toothpick Jean, Zara pointed D'orsay flats (similar), Vintage Coach Willis Satchel, Forever 21 and Juliet & Co Necklaces, c/o Timex Dress Chronograph Watch

Photos by Rene

Editing by Tyler

While we loved many of the pieces in the Altuzarra for Target Collection, most would not fit in with our wardrobes.  Maybe when we are real adults, we can room in our closets for long silk maxi dresses, but for now its all sweatshirts.