Technically I should have "plenty" of time to enjoy a cup of coffee at ease in a café.  Well, like most of you, my day gets filled with pursuits and responsibilities like two young boys, my high standard for house organization/tidiness, and my various creative outlets.... etc...   So I made an extra effort to have a nice café day.My photographer Andrew suggested Black Rock Coffee Bar Cafe. I fell in love with this cafe the moment I walked in. It is spacious, sophisticated and upscale. The bookshelf in the back with a reading light has a very comfy couch.   The brick wall, wood furniture, metal legs, and leather couch create textures with great harmony.In today's look, I applied a very typical pairing technique which in fact is one of my personal favorite:  short jacket over a dress. This Nicole Miller crystal-print sheath dress shapes with the body.  If you have a rectangle, or pear/apple shaped body type, then this might not be a ideal choice for you. I layered a black jacket over the dress for two purpose: 1) to tone down the colorfulness of the crystal-print, 2) to keep myself warm during the Fall.  You might ask why I picked a short jacket instead of a long jacket.  Because this dress showcases my body, I don't want to cover completely by layering a long jacket.  A jacket that sits just above the waistline becomes a perfect length to add sophistication while still allowing the dress to be the focal point.  I picked open toe pumps due to similar shaped crystals to match the dress print.  The dress also contains the colors of the pump.Why did I choose this black & white stripe purse?  This brings us to a new style tip.  Tip No.4:

• Pairing a black and white stripe pattern with another busy pattern such as this crystal print dress creates an edgy pairing. This may not always work to pair; but apply an 80%-20% rule. : )

Shop the Look

Nicole Miller Crystal-Print Sheath Dress, Express Jacket {Similar Here & Here}, Jc Collection Open Toe Pump {Similar here}, 3.1 Philip Lim Soleil Mini Textured-leather Shoulder Bag {Similar here }, Maxmara Black Collar Necklace, Marco Bicego Blue Lopez Earring {Similar here }, Su wood cuff {Similiar Here}Photo shoot location: Black Rock Coffee BarPhotographer: Andrew Mesa @AMP Photography