Clothing courtesy of Short Story.

As soon as Short Story reached out to me, I could not wait to work together. They are a personal styling service for petite women. And if you are petite like myself, you know how difficult it is to find petite friendly clothing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average height for a female adult is approximately 5′ 4″ and nearly half of all women are 5' 3" or under which is considered petite. The term 'petite' is solely based on height, so you can be of all shapes and sizes and still fit into the category. It is mainly about having a shorter torser, shorter legs, and shorter arms than those of an average person. Short Story makes it easy and convenient to try on and shop for new petite pieces to add to your wardrobe.

In order to get started with Short Story, you go to their website and answer a questionnaire called Style Quiz regarding your preference in color and style along with a few clothing measurements that typically work for you. I received my Short Story box in the mail just a few days later with five new petite pieces to try. Short Story carries several brands and also in-house brands you may only find through them. My first impression was that they were pretty spot on with my taste in style! You are free to decide whether you want to keep all or none of the pieces, and pay only for what you choose to keep. If you need to exchange for a different size, they are flexible with that too.

Above are all the pieces I received in my box and how they look. One of my preferences was to have some pieces to build a capsule wardrobe. I can already picture myself styling these pieces in so many outfits. I love how soft and comfortable the dress and black pants are. The black top and patterned pants are perfect work attire.

Pieces are decently priced and you are made aware of how much each piece costs prior to purchasing. You are given five days to try everything on and decide which pieces you plan to keep and which you will return. If you need more time, you can always contact them in advance to give you a few more days to make your decision.

Short Story makes shopping for petite clothing easy and convenient. Especially when you hate going out to shop or don't have time in your busy schedule to look for new pieces to wear. If you would like to check them out, feel free to use my referral link. Let me know if you have ever heard of them or tried them out!

I am so excited to share this look because I absolutely love this coat and have been wanting to share it on my blog every since I started posting again. Even though this look is super casual, it is the exact reason why I think anyone can attain this look and rock a camel coat. Just grab a white top, skinny jeans, and white sneakers/slip ons then the coat goes on top. This is one of the many ways you can style a camel coat and I hope to share more in the future unless the weather decides to finally stay warm. I truly think it is a staple in anyone's wardrobe because it is versatile and can make a simple outfit become stylish. For those of you experiencing summer weather, I am sorry that this is probably going to be too hot for you to wear because of the suede material but I have styled a thinner and lighter coat that is similar in the past if you look at my post here (styled with a romper and here (styled with wide leg pants). However for those living in chillier areas like me, still works during the spring season and it is not too late to purchase one for your wardrobe. Once summer comes around, you can put it away and then take it back out again for the fall.

What I Am Wearing:
H&M Suede Trench Coat in US 2 (here in brown)
Old Polo Jeans Co Ralph Lauren Ribbed Sweater in S
Hollister Distressed Skinny Jeans in 24 (similar here)
Photography by Dillon Lee.

I have been wanting to wear my spring skirts so bad but I am unable to go anywhere and it is still too cold. Therefore, I decided that I would wear them indoors and plan out future outfits that I would like to wear outside. Basically, I played dress up. This reminds me of when I was still in high school and I would always find a blank wall in my parents home and take photos of myself wearing my outfit of the day in front of a camera that sat on a tripod. I would run back and forth in order to set the timer so I could capture the right angle or pose until I was satisfied.

Today's look incorporates a few thicker pieces to keep me warm with my maxi skirt like this Madewell knit sweater from Nordstrom because I do not think I can let it go this spring even if the weather starts to warm up. I love this skirt from Nordstrom because it stays neutral with subtle floral print and topped it with a belt to complete the look. I got in on sale so unfortunately it is out of stock now but I linked similar skirts below.

These photos are another sneak peak of my closet! If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably seen a couple photos of it there too. If you have not, please do check out my Instagram @themeldivision where I do post photos you may not see here on the blog. I am look for shelves, photos, a full length mirror, and some more decor to still add to my closet so the complete makeover is still in the works. If you guys are interest in a post about the finished look, let me know!

What I Am Wearing:
Madewell Ribbed Open Front Cardigan in XS (similar in several colors here)
Old Polo Jeans Co Ralph Lauren Ribbed Sweater in S
Socialite Floral Print Maxi Skirt in XS (similar here)
Cole Haan Daina Open Toe Mules in 5.5 (here)
Photography by Dillon Lee.

CONTENT

What I Am Wearing:
Ann Taylor Moto Jacket
Lefties White Tee
Ann Taylor Pants
Zara Heels
Photography by Dillon Lee.

All white is such a classic look. Don't you think?

This is probably the first time I have worn blue jeans in forever! I have never been a big fan of denims because leggings always beat them in terms of comfort. I am hoping denims will grow on me as I find ones that fit me well and are better quality. I never spent much on denims but it could be the reason why I do not find them comfortable because I would always buy cheap ones. What are your thoughts and advice for those of you who wear jeans all year round?

The jeans I am wearing are actually old and originally quite long on me for my petite stature. You can see me wearing them in a post a long while back over here and here where I rolled them up. I decided to do a DIY project and cut them ankle length and I am liking them. They are much lighter now that the length has shortened and I am in the process of fraying and distressing the hems a bit more. I kept today's outfit very basic so you could see how it could be styled as an indoor outfit.

What I Am Wearing:
H&M Long Knit Cardigan in S(similar here)
Lefties Short Sleeve T-Shirt in S (similar here)
De Chemin Low Waist Blue Jeans in 24 (old)
Lulus Grey Suede Mules in 5.5 (similar here)
Photography by Malorie Pangilinan.

I love shopping for home decor and furniture. That is all I do when I am bored but it is mostly window shopping due to our current situation. Ever since Dillon and I bought our home, it has become my greatest interest besides fashion and snacks haha. West Elm is one of my favorite places to find great quality pieces.

I love their furniture and decor for the living room, dining room, and entryway in particular. I do admit, they are not the most affordable as they are a higher end brand but if there is something you absolutely love, it is worth saving up for if you can not find it anywhere else. One saving tip is that West Elm often has sales so if you wait it out, the item you like will most likely go on a limited time sale that could be between 10-20% off.

Happy May everyone! It is very easy to sit at home all day and do nothing but eat, sleep, watch TV, and scroll through my phone all day every day. It is okay not to pressure yourself and believe you need to be productive and come out of this quarantine with a new skill. This is honestly the best time to meditate, slow down, and enjoy the quality time with yourself or the family you are in quarantine with. We often get caught up in our daily routine of going to work, running errands, preparing meals, attending events, etcetera and we do so in such a rush that sometimes we forget to take a breath. Now is the perfect time to give yourself some TLC.

I have been eating a lot of junk food which seems to be wreaking havoc on my body, skin, and sleep. So this past week, I decided to start doing a couple of things: exercising, skincare, healthier foods, water, vitamins and supplements.

Exercising: I am doing a 20 minute workout (even just every other day in the morning). I am so out of shape so I am slowly getting into it and always end up being very sorry by the end of the day. Plenty of free workouts and exercises can be found on Youtube. There are also different experience levels and duration times. Just include it in your search bar. I prefer the no equipment workouts and just use the floor in my living room. Above is an example of a workout outfit but something I would also wear while running out for errands.

Skincare: My skin used to be bad when I was a teenager, which is why I started seeing dermatologists who helped significantly clear my skin up. It did take effort because I had to learn a routine which took up extra time in the morning and evening but as I kept up with it, my skin problems went away. Now that I am older, I do notice my skin breaking out again in certain areas and uneven texture. Until things normalize, I will not be seeing a dermatologist soon and I still need to find one. For now, I am working on a better skincare routine again. I had cut it down drastically because it was taking a lot of time when I was getting ready for work or I would get lazy in the evening because I wanted to go straight to sleep. I never sleep with my make up on though because that is a big no-no. This in-depth skincare routine includes cleansing morning and evening. Sometimes I double cleanse and use a facial cleansing brush. Depending if it is the morning or evening, I apply a toner then several acids or serums. I always moisturize and sometimes apply an oil. I do use one prescription medication which helps for blackheads as needed.

Healthy Food: I am not on any diet in particular but I am trying to create better eating habits. Lately, I have been doing a little fasting and give myself a window of eating instead of eating any time. Fasting is currently a little easier right now because since I am waking up later, I am eating later. During the evening is when it is a challenge. I have also been lessening my sugar intake and carbohydrates to reduce getting bloated. I am not as big of a food compared to other people but I love my snacks so I try to look for healthier snack options like a nuts mix with omega-3 and dark chocolate instead of high fructose candy. I still like to eat chips but I limit how much I buy.

Water: Water is essential and always important. This is probably the most obvious one but it can get boring to drink. If you have trouble drinking enough water like me, heat it up and drink warm water or hot tea on the chilly and dreary days. Water not only flushes out the germs but it keeps your skin well and body hydrated. Water is also great if you have been consuming too much sodium. I try to stay away from juices even though it is considered a fluid because it usually contains a lot of sugar. The recommended amount of water you should drink a day is half your body weight in fluid ounces. I recently purchased Liquid IV (not sponsored but if you click on my link you can get $5 off a purchase of $20+ and I will get $5 too) so if you are easily dehydrated, working out a lot, or having a hangover, it is a powder you can pour into your water to get those electrolytes back.

Vitamins and Supplements: I do not like taking a lot of pill but two vitamins and supplements I find helpful to keep my immune system up is Vitamin C and probiotics. I take them daily and I do believe they help out. Otherwise, if you prefer to get your nutrients from food alone then lots of fruits will give you vitamin C and yogurt or kimchi for probiotics.

What I Am Wearing:
Uniqlo Long Sleeve Dry Soft Hooded Sweater in M (here)
Nordstrom High Waist Crop Leggings in XS (here)
ASOS Design Dexter Slip On Plimsolls in 5.5 White (here - runs half size large)
Photography by Dillon Lee.

It has been one and a half years since Dillon and I went on our honeymoon. I had originally titled this blog post as 'Last Dip in the Ocean' and it has been sitting in my drafts since then because I had yet to write a post about it. I love traveling but with the type of jobs we have, it is difficult to travel outside of the country for long so we try our best to save our vacation days and I personally like to plan ahead of time so we have something to look forward to. Little did I know that this honeymoon trip to Italy was literally going to be our last dip in the ocean indefinitely because of the quarantine.

The Amalfi Coast was amazing. It is a great place to spend your honeymoon or if you are a fan of vacationing by the water and okay with doing a lot of walking. It can get pricey because it is a high tourist location but still worth visiting because the view is gorgeous. The photos you see above feature Positano and Sorrento. These two places were easily my favorite towns to visit on the coast.

Sorrento: Sorrento is quieter than Positano, known for their lemons, and you will most likely past through it if not stay a night. This is because it is literally the first stop on the coast and gives easy access to the islands like Capri. It is also one train ride away from Pompeii. The town introduces you to the busy center of Piazza Tasso and overlooks the lovely Bay of Naples. As you walk the streets, you will find it filled with amazing food and shops. Although there are not any real beaches to visit, do not forget to take a break and lay out in the sun at the bottom of the cliff. There you will find a small strip of volcanic sand and beach clubs on man-made platforms over the water.

Positano: The most famous town on the Amalfi Coast is Positano and there is a reason for it. All those beautiful photos you see online of a colorful town on a cliff with windy roads is most likely Positano. At the bottom of the cliff is the Marina Grande beach next to the port (where you would arrive if traveling by boat). It can be a woozy drive to get there if you do not have a strong stomach but it is worth it. You can take a boat tour, sunbathe at several beaches, attend a limoncello tasting, stroll by the boutiques and cafes. You will not regret it.

Traveling Suggestions: The closest airport is in Naples them you can take public transportation to get to these two towns. I would not recommend a taxi or cab because it is very expensive unless you are okay with that. If you do not like crowds, try to visit before or after peak season which is either before Easter or after August. I went in September because I wanted it to still feel like summer but not be too hot. Sorrento was pretty quiet at the time and Positano was still busy but not packed. Do note that children are attending school so if you use the public transportation system, it may get crowded during the times they are commuting to and from school.

I am currently dreaming of where I want to go next once it is safe to travel again. I was considering Turks and Caicos because it is not too far, there is warm weather, beaches, clear waters, and relaxation. You may be noticing a theme here... I now have airline credit sitting around after having to cancel all our flights for this year but I am still weighing out my options.

If you guys like reading these kind of posts or would prefer a more detailed one similar to my travel guides in the past, let me know!

Photography by Dillon Lee and me.

Currently playing dress up in the house because I can not wait to dress nicely for an event once this quarantine is over. I have had this skirt from H&M sitting around and I am finally styling it. It is a sweet and delicate yet simple look. I remember I used to have this pastel phase back in college and this time I am incorporating it with my neutrals obsession.

If you guys have not done so already and are looking for something to do, now is a great time to switch out your wardrobe and bring out all those spring pieces. Put away your dark, thick sweaters and pants, and bring out those lighter shades and colors. I find it very satisfying because it refreshes your view when you go into your closet and find something to wear. Looking at the same clothes every day can get boring, thus the phrase 'I have so many clothes but nothing to wear'. I still like to keep my light colored and neutral sweaters out because they can still be combined with spring pieces but otherwise, everything else for the winter gets put away. Do you rotate your wardrobe or do you keep all your clothes out all year round?

What I Am Wearing:
Knit Backless Turtleneck Ribbed Sweater in XS (old - similar here)
ASOS Design Petite Satin Midi Skirt in 0 (sold out - similar here)
ASOS Lorne Pointed Mules in Natural US 5 (here)
Photography by Dillon Lee.