Rolled up Jeans

I'm only 5'1". And as a 5'1" gal, I'm weary of all those "tips" about how to not look 5'1". This happens to girls and women of all body shapes and sizes. Always the message is to look thin and tall.

One of these "rules" for petites is not to wear capris or cropped pants. But I like the rolled up jean look, so here I am wearing the rolled up jean look.

Holiday Work Party Outfit

So this was my holiday work party outfit for the year. It's slightly Downton, don't ya think? With the black and the deep red and the stripes, plus the art deco-like long necklace.

November Outfits

Outfit on Repeat | Tropical Fall | Military Style | It's Fall Y'all

Um, it's December 2nd. How crazy is that??  Gets harder and harder to believe every year.
So this is my outfit recap for November. Wish I could show off my work style a little more like in Outfit on Repeat, but given that I work Monday-Friday roughly 9 am to 7 pm, and Saturdays 11 am to 2 pm, it's hard to get some outfit shoots in while there's still daylight. So you'll continue to see lots of weekender looks on here. :)
My personal favorite this month was It's Fall Y'all. How about yours?

It's Fall Y'all

It was in the 60's this morning.  That's fall, y'all!

Knockout Gifts for Everyone on your List!

These are my first ever Polyvore sets. It all started when I realized that I am really, really drawn to pieces with maps in them. And I thought, I'd love for someone to get me this kinda stuff! I think the best kind of gift is one that says something about the receiver. So I've put together some really unique items here that are sure to be great hits with certain kinds of people. Enjoy!



1 - Preppy Colorblock Work Bag
2 - Around the World Leather Watch
3 - Rain Along the Seine Umbrella
4 - There's a Map for That Necklace
5 - Odette Tweed Spot Rucksack
6 - Vintage Camera case for iPhone

1 - Wide Floral Wellies
2 - Style to Sparrow Necklace
3 - Twisting Tree Necklace
4 - Hoot Have Thought Necklace
5 - Lovely in Leaves Earring Set
6 - Decree Military Vest
7 - Yellow Flower Stud Earring
8 - Handcrafted Fish Mosaic in Pink & Red Coral
9 - Fossil Butterfly Earrings in Rose

1 - Natural Sparkle Ring Holder in Rabbit
2 - Ring Holder Cat 
3 - Crown Ring Holder
4 - Charming Silver Plated Cat Ring Holder
5 - Eiffel Tower Clips or Ring Holders
6 - Storm of Sparkles Ring Holder
7 - Vestige Lipstick Holder
8 - 2014 17-Month Agenda
9 - The iPad Pen

1 - I'm Here Because You Broke Something
2 - Luxe Noise-Isolating Headphones
3 - Solve Some Time Clock
4 - iPad Telephoto Lens
5 - Literary Glasses iPhone Case
6 - Cross Your T's Stylus & Pen

Hope you liked the sets, and let me know if you'd like me to do a guy version! Although many of these items would work for men too.

Linked up with Style Sessions.

---

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. 

For more info, see full affiliate link disclosure here.

"Military" Style

Do you ever think about how chi-chi we must sound when we say things like "military" vest, "tribal" skirt, etc.? I do, all the time. Anyway, back to the important stuff: You guys, I got this vest for $6 at Macy's, and these camo flats for $8 at Target! I know, right! They were lucky clearance finds, but I found a $14.99 look-alike vest here . Also, the shoes are still available here.

Tropical Fall

Last month the weather actually cooled down a bit like once or twice. So of course I broke out this scarf! It's such a colorful scarf, capable of inspiring so many different kinds of outfits. And it was a $9 Zara find!

Outfit on Repeat

 

I wore this same exact outfit twice in one month. That's one of the good things about working in 3 different places: It's ok to repeat outfits!

À la Scarlett O'Connor

This outfit reminds me of something Scarlett O'Conor from Nashville would wear. Except she would wear a messier braid, or her signature careless curls. By the way, if you're a fan of the show/her style, here is a link for you. The outrage!

The Industrial Red Country Barn

Breaking my break from blogging with this post. These pictures are from my cousin's birthday BBQ in August, one of the last totally happy family moments we had before my grandfather died. My cousin's dad built this pseudo barn in the backyard years ago and we thought it made such a cute backdrop for our outfits.

A Break from Blogging

In this post I was going to do my usual outfit recap and tell you about how busy my September was, and how demanding my practicum year is. I was also going to tell you that in a very sudden, heartbreaking chain of events, my grandfather entered the 7th stage of Alzheimer's disease.

Instead I'm going to tell you that he died on Sunday night, September 29, 2013. I confused the signs of dying for the signs of stage 7.

My grandparents holding hands. Picture taken earlier this year. They were married for 64 years! Met at 17, married at 23.

So I will be taking a break from blogging. Probably not a very long break, since I heal best when I'm involved in work that I love. But for now my world is upside down and I need all the time I can get for deep reflection and remembrance.

Before I go, I need to make sure that I put this out there.

I've rediscovered this very powerful quote that I keep turning to:

"We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones. Most people are never going to die because they are never going to be born. The potential people who could have been here in my place but who will in fact never see the light of day outnumber the sand grains of Sahara. Certainly those unborn ghosts include greater poets than Keats, scientists greater than Newton. We know this because the set of possible people allowed by our DNA so massively outnumbers the set of actual people. In the teeth of these stupefying odds it is you and I, in our ordinariness, that are here." - Richard Dawkins

As you might have guessed from reading this quote, I am an atheist. I'm so thankful to everyone who's supported me and my family with their kind words and actions as we mourn this incredible loss, but many people have tried to comfort me with the standard "He's in a better place" or "I will keep you and your family in my prayers." I truly appreciate where these people are coming from, but I also feel rather lonely when I hear these kinds of phrases. 

For any atheist, agnostic, humanist, or skeptic readers out there: There is this fantastic page on Facebook called "Grief Beyond Belief." I discovered them around 2 years ago, when my grandpa's dementia was beginning to really take its toll. There I have found much comfort in the wise words and grief experiences of other like-minded folks. I highly recommend that you visit this page if you're also nonreligious or if you'd like to learn more about what it's like for nonbelievers to grieve and mourn within a religious society.

So although I appreciate anyone's inclination to include me in their prayers, please know that nothing would bring me more comfort than even the tiniest of donations to the Alzheimer's Association, which does wonderful work funding not only research efforts but also care and support initiatives. Their website is a fantastic place for anyone who would like to learn more about the disease and related dementias. Back in August I organized a team called "Walking to Remember" for the upcoming Alzheimer's walk at Marlins Park in Miami. If you'd like to donate on behalf of my team, or even join it and walk with me on October 12th, please follow these steps:

• Click here.
• Select "donate" or "join my team".
• Give as little or as much as you'd like.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to donate/learn more about Alzheimer's/ browse the Grief Beyond Belief site. Your support means so much to me.

And thank you to those of you who just learned of my atheism and will not be forever turned away from here because of it.

Muggy Day Work Outfit

Quick post today!

Pleated Leopard

This is a pleated, blue leopard, vintage midi/maxi skirt from the 80's. A one-of-a-kind find for sure; I get tons of compliments every time I wear it. Tried my best to find a look-alike for you guys (see below)!

August Outfits + $150 Group Giveaway!

I'm posting my August recap a bit late, but that's ok because I'm making up for it with a giveaway! Yay for multi-purpose, time-saving posts! Much needed as I'm still getting used to the demands of my practicum year.

Amy / Dani / Janelle / Jenn / Katie / Nathalie / Sara / Seun / Tiffany / Vicki

I teamed up with these lovely ladies to present Style Honestly’s First Annual “Fall Into Place” Giveaway!

Fall is a time where the colors change and the desire to shop grows stronger. Who wouldn't want a little extra pocket change to help with the shopping!? Just because we love our readers so much, we wanted to offer the opportunity for you to win a little extra from us!

This giveaway is open to all and ends 9/11 at 11:59 PM. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Adventuring @ the Merrick House

Today I'd like to transport you to a pioneer-era tropical oasis. ツ

Budget-Friendly Work Outfit

There was nothing particularly special about this outfit when I threw it on that morning. It was Monday and I had gone fishing the day before, so I was TIRED! But two people at work complimented me on the combination within a span of 15 minutes, so I figured it was a good one to post.

Pre-Fall Rush

I wore this to work last Monday. That was August 13th. Clearly still the peak of summer, yet my mind is already in fall mode. Which is kind of a problem, since I'm in Miami and all. It's almost always summer here. So the beautiful "prefall" and fall fashions I'm seeing all over the blogosphere and in stores are driving me crazy! It's such a tease!

Mellow Yellow + True Blue x Two

It was SO windy that day!

July Outfits

July was a big month for Earnestyle! 

Row 1: America's AND Earnestyle's Birthday! | Weekend Warrior | Like a Mermaid
Row 2: Graphic Prints and Model Poses | Watermelons! | Colorful Baby Shower

Le blog got a brand new face lift thanks to the incredible Joyce of Joyful Outfits, and I managed to post 6 colorful summer outfits, including those photographed by Janisel Rosenthal! Now if only I could post this often every month... And ask Janisel to move back to Miami and take all my pictures, haha. Which look was your favorite? They were all so different. I think mine was the watermelons. I mean, they're watermelons!

Colorful Baby Shower

What do you wear to a baby shower? If you ask me, it's important to look at the mom's (and dad's) venue, theme, and culture. I went to a baby shower two Sundays ago looking a little like a fancy tropical bird. Here's why.

Watermelons!

I got watermelons on my bottom!

This is a high waisted watermelon bottom-- so I was somewhat hesitant to wear it out in public, let alone take pictures with it. But the minute I saw this stunning retro number on KTR Style I knew I had to get it. And I am totally in love with it!

Graphic Prints and Model Poses

So this was the second outfit I wore for my session with Janisel Rosenthal Photography. 

It came together in my head the minute I saw this clutch, which one of my best friends gifted to me the day before this shoot. I saw it and immediately thought, "Ikat print pants!" I really loved the bold pattern play here and was so happy to have had Janisel photograph this outfit!

Like a Mermaid

I felt like a mermaid in this photo shoot. It was partly the skirt-- it's like The Little Mermaid's tail! Then there were the loose curls and, of course, this beautiful chunky statement necklace straight out of her cavern of junk treasures. 
(Yes, she's my favorite Disney princess.)

Earnestyle 2.0

Yep, blogging on a Saturday. Because the mouthless little doll in the red dress is no more.

I loved her. She was so cute and she was my first blog header and logo. Hanh Le, a friend from Lookbook, modeled her after my favorite look from my trip to Madrid (here).

Though I loved the little red doll and will always remember her, I fell in love with Joyce's style and knew she just had to redo my design! It was so easy to work with her. She was able to take all my likes and wants and come up with a new logo that captivates both my style and my city. Oh, and notice the new and improved navigation system; you can now view all my outfit posts by year under the "looks" tab in the header.

My new sidebar picture was taken by Janisel Rosenthal (website here);
New post on that photo shoot coming soon!

So if you're looking for a blog designer who's creative, professional, incredibly patient, AND affordable, Joyce is your gal. Seriously. Go check her out.

Weekend Warrior

Every time I wear coral and green together I think of avocados and mameys. Can you tell I'm Cuban? Also, these sandals make my legs and thighs look thicker and more shapely. They're very Roman and warrior-like. I feel like a large warrior-woman stomping around, getting things done in them. Haha.

America's AND Earnestyle's Birthday!

Hey y'all. Happy 4th. Also, happy blogiversary to me! Woo!!



I like to dress down for the 4th of July, not up. But since I created Earnestyle one year ago today, I thought I should come up with an extra special red, white, and blue outfit, sans last year's Chevy truck (see here).
This is what I came up with. It was inspired by Rachelle's look here, only in reverse!

June Outfits + Urban Decay Blogiversary Giveaway! [closed]

An all-pants month once again! Not very reflective of what I actually wore. In fact, you can't really wear pants in the summer here unless you work indoors or it's nighttime. But hey, I can only take blog pictures as the opportunity presents itself, and in none of these instances did I happen to be wearing a skirt.

Sunday Brunch | Weekday Wear | Pots and Pandemonium! | Orange and Lemon

So on with the giveaway! My first ever blogiverssary is on the 4th of July, and I thought I'd celebrate by giving away something that I've been coveting for a really long time: Urban Decay's Deluxe Shadow Box palette!

Includes 9 of UD's best-selling shades plus a mini Primer Potion.

These colors are unmistakably UD-- so bright and out there, not to mention highly pigmented. They're perfect for daring and playful summer looks. I have UD's Sustainable Shadow Box, but I've really always wanted the Deluxe Shadow Box. Instead of keeping it for myself, I'm giving it away to one you of you! 

My little way of saying thanks for following along. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The small large print:

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only. I apologize to my international readers!

Giveaway open from July 1st to July 8th. Winner will be contacted on the 8th and announced the following day.

Thanks to all who take the time to enter, and good luck!!

Orange and Lemon

Pots and Pan-demonium!

In case you don't know by now, the Miami Heat won the NBA Finals last night. And boy did Miami go crazy. 

Weekday Wear

My camera has a mind of its own. 

Sunday Brunch

Lately my boyfriend and I have been having very late breakfasts on Sundays. Yesterday we ate at Denny's around 2:30 in the afternoon. I always remember the wise words of Noah Calhoun's father: "You can have pancakes any damn time you want."

May Outfits

Row 1: Monochromatic Mint | Lazy Weekend Wear | Naughtycal Outfit

Row 2: Neon Birthday | "Curvifying" Striped Dress | I've Got a Secret

Now that's more like it! I haven't posted this many outfits since the inaugural month of Earnestyle, almost a year ago! It's always been my goal to post 6 looks a month, but I always end up with 4. Fortunately this month I had a pretty light load of school and work stuff, plus there were lots of birthdays to celebrate, so I pushed myself to really stick to my goal. :)

Which one's your favorite? I always like finding out which one resonated the most with you guys.

I've Got a Secret

I am so in love with this flowy, pleated green maxi skirt from Modcloth. It's really supposed to be a midi skirt, but since I'm a shorty, it's more of a maxi. I paired it with this Teeology graphic tee (a giveaway win thanks to The Fashionable ESQ!) to keep the look from being too dressy. 

"Curvifying" Striped Dress

I got this dress on final sale last year at Francesca's. The slanted stripes on the lower half are particularly figure-flattering, helping to define the waist and "curvify" the lower body (great word I just invented). 

Neon Birthday

I turned 23 last Wednesday. And yep, I wore this bright, colorful outfit on a Wednesday night. Nothing very special about a Wednesday, and nothing very eventful about the number 23 (not like 15, 16, 18, 21). The special "coming of age" birthdays are over for me, but the special birthday outfits sure are not!