LOOKS WE LIKE: T.D.D. STYLE FILES

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We are working girls. We work hard and have big career ambitions. Most days we love what we do. Or, rather we love what working hard enables us to do, the independence it grants us, and the royalties that we indulge in to make the difficult days more bearable (e.g. drinks with friends, shopping, dinners out, movies on the big screen, etc.).  But let's face it, the daily grind can get to you. When that fancy cup of coffee just won't shake the serious case of the Mondays, try turning to your closet and spice up your day with the excitement of a classy ensemble or "impossibly chic" getup. Looking good can make you feel good, and vice versa, which makes you more confident and able to strive for that next big step, whether that is a promotion, a raise, or a new job you have had your mind on. 

We put together two looks inspired by the Los Angeles workplace for women that show drive and a love of fashion.  First, we have the "PR-type" girls, those who have a job with a little wiggle room in regard to the dress code, where looking chic and "of-the-moment" style-savvy goes a long ways. Second, we were inspired by "The Editor" career path, those office girls who can easily look put together without raising any eyebrows for the wrong reasons, but still turn heads because they always just look so good!

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BAO DOWN

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We love food, exploring and shopping. The Westfield Century City Mall combines all three!

Take A Bao located in the fanciest, hippest food court in Cali (at the Westfield Mall), offers a delicious, modern take on Asian cuisine. We often treat ourselves to the delicious fare after having visited the usual stores: Madewell, H&M, and ZARA. You might be confused with all of this bao talk. What exactly is bao? Basically, it is a dim sum dish that traditionally consists of a bun stuffed with vegetarian or meat filling. But "Take a Bao" has rolled out the dough, transforming the bun into a flat, doughy pita. Thira's bao was basically a fancy, Asian sandwich. But, the flavors and the unique texture of the bread are to die for.

Bao with cabbage salad

LOOKS WE LIKE: T.D.D. STYLE FILES | Valentine's Day LOVE-ly Fashion Inspiration

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If you're anything like us you've been debating what to wear on Valentine's Day, regardless of your plans. Do you have a fun night out with the girls? A fancy date with that boy you really like, or maybe even love?! What about a casual, yet fun outing with someone new?

Well don't worry whatever your plans might be, we've got you covered! We have taken the liberty of pulling together three looks. Don't see a perfect match? Don't panic. Take a breath, choose your favorite look and make it your own with personal touches like that ring your mom gave you or that scarf you bought abroad! No one said you had to rock red and pink from head to toe, so please don't. Instead use red and pink as accent colors to make a fun and modern look!

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A LILY FOR A SMILE

The last few blossoms of my lily bouquet.

Having fresh flowers nearby always makes me smile. I don't know if it's that stereotypical girl thing, where it is ingrained in us to like flowers and want them given to us as presents, but I'm leaning more towards a personal preference as I know many girls who consider fresh flowers to be a waste of time and money. The exact opposite of how I feel. In all truth, my instincts tell me this love of flowers on the kitchen table or office desk is primarily influenced by my mother. She always had fresh flowers around, always bought a bouquet for the home, for the host when she was a house-guest elsewhere, for special occasions, even if we were just invited to dinner at the neighbors. While her European roots consider this behavior to be ordinary and expected, it is not as common in the US. Sure, we are known to buy flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, when a friend or family member is in a stage production, funerals, and of course, Valentine's Day, but fresh flowers do not carry the same commonplace role in daily life as they do in many other places.

Sun-kissed Sunday... in the middle of January = LA

As working girls we all relish and anticipate our days off. The weekend. But, specifically, Sunday. Sundays mean: sleeping in, and being productive; lazing around, and going for long runs down to the beach; eating delicious food, and sipping special "fancy" caffeine treats (i.e. lattes, cappuccinos, freddos, or anything a step up from drip coffee); doing multiple loads of laundry, and shopping favorite sale racks for too-good-pass-up steals; laughing and catching up with each other and friends, as well as curling up with a book or magazine and not talking to anyone for hours. Really Sundays give us that brief break from the real world and remind us that it's OK and necessary to take a little time to enjoy the small things that are shoved aside during the craziness of the work week.

Here's a little peek at our recent favorite day of the week:) And did I mention that it was unbelievably perfect weather in the middle of winter?! Mid-seventies and blue skies. Yes, we are spoiled girls here in sunny Los Angeles...

Manda, me, Jen, spending plenty of time soaking up the vitamin D.

Of course us Dorothy girls started our day right, with tasty Peets coffee hitting the spot.

Manda is wearing:
* Ray-Ban wayfarer sunglasses
* yellow cord three-quarter sleeve jacket from Nordstrom

Jen is wearing:
* Zara gray long-sleeve top with faux leather sleeve and pocket detail (see more details here)
* Black denim pants
* Vintage kitten heels, brown with snakeskin heel detail (from flea market in Albania!)

My newest wardrobe addition that I have fallen in love with:
* Madden Girl ballet flats, zebra print with hot pink edge detail (found at TJ Maxx)

Sunday stroll around our neighborhood as we make our way from apartment to coffee, to lunch, to window shopping, to celeb spotting (Diego Lune and kids!), to treats, back to home.

We made the trek over to one of our favorite Mexican food restaurants in the area, Kay n Dave's - Brentwood. After taking half an hour to order because literally everything on the menu catches your hungry tummy's attention, we finally made our decisions. Delicious chips and salsa to fill up on before the real meal gets to the table; I enjoyed a taco steak chopped salad; Jen opted for the Anchiote prawn salad; and Manda loved her spinach, mushroom, and onion quesadilla with guacamole. If you're craving fresh, delicious, all homemade, traditional Mexican food loaded with quality ingredients and that extra something that makes it hit the spot every time, then definitely check out Kay n Dave's!

Lunch was followed by window shopping at the Brentwood Country Mart, watching parents chase after energetic children, excited youngsters go on pony rides, catch-up conversations over coffee at Caffe Luxxe. We eventually settled on some picnic benches to soak up the sun and laugh at the hilariously entertaining kiddies running about saying and doing things that only children can.

Three shoes under the table; my JLo aviator sunglasses; Jen's new iPhone case from The Container Store.

Of course, our afternoon had to be topped off with amazing homemade ice cream from Sweet Rose Creamery. I am a die-hard mint-chip fan and was instantly hooked on their fresh  mint with homemade dark chocolate chips ice cream. It literally tasted like mint leaves picked right off the bush (a flavor I absolutely love!) with bittersweet chocolate chunks that were dark enough to satisfy my dark chocolate obsession. A little bit of heaven right there. Oh, and a homemade chocolate waffle cone that was crispy and light. Insanely yummy. Perfect:) *Their famous salted caramel ice cream was pretty darn amazing too (had a large taste of that one)!

Overall, a simply lovely (Super Bowl? Eh...) Sunday. What do you like to do with your free days?