All posts in: Oak + Fort

31 Dec 2019

Farther Fisherman’s Wharf

Tank top – store in Taiwan / Denim – Citizens of Humanity / Belt – Madewell / Sandals – Oak + Fort

When it comes to favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf isn’t high on my list. It’s a harder neighborhood to love, but there’s an unmistaken charm to it that you can’t help, but love. Even through all the crowds of tourists, there are a few gems. One of those things is the only In N’ Out in the city. The second is one of my favorite brunch places, Surisan. But trust me when I tell you that if my visiting friends want to go to Fisherman’s Wharf, I’ll do everything to steer them away!

Style

29 Dec 2019

Favorites of 2019

Favorite Style Icon: Zendaya

What a year it has been for Zendaya! Between Spider Man and Euphoria, she’s had quite a year. And with that, many more opportunities to showcase her looks on the red carpet. We highlighted Zendaya for Snaps for a Snapshot multiple times in 2019 that was a no-brainer she’d be our pick. We can’t wait to see what she serves up for us in 2020.

Runner Up: Brie Larson

Favorite Getaway: Taipei

Okay, when you’re comparing a week long international trip to three domestic weekend trips, there’s an obvious choice here. As much as I enjoy my job and make excuses that it’s hard for me to find time to get away, this trip was worth every minute and penny. Catch my entire recap of the trip [here!]

Runner Up: New York

Favorite Artist: Maren Morris

I got invited to a Maren Morris show earlier this year and it blew me away. I started listening to Maren early on through a referral back when she just had her EP. Those were my five favorite songs for awhile! There was a brief hiatus somewhere in between that made me miss her entire first album. After that concert, I spent months going back through her discography and it was all I listened to.

Runner Up: Hayden James

Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Fleabag

I still can’t go over how sad I am about there not being a third season of this series! Most of the time, I’m watching new shows without ever having much context about them and this was the most pleasantly surprising of all of them. It’s also the show that I continue to share with all my friends who haven’t seen it.

Runner Up: Watchmen (still in the middle of this by the way and loving it!)

Favorite item purchased this year: [Oak + Fort Bag 1913]

When it came to my work bag, I always thought I needed something that could transport my laptop from home to the office easily. It didn’t matter too much to me what that looked like. For years, I’ve basically been using this Madewell [tote.] There isn’t anything wrong with it and it’s completely functional. The downside? It’s a little bit too oversized for what I needed. While it had so much storage space, I felt weighted down by all things that I was bringing with me. It also made it challenging going from the office to evening plans. So while my new bag has less space, it is a great transition bag as well!

Runner Up: Orange Leopard Print Dress

Favorite Albums (in no particular order):

H.E.R. – I Used to Know Her
Anderson .Paak – Ventura
Maren Morris – GIRL
Maggie Rogers – Heard It In A Past Life
Ariana Grande – thank u, next
Kehlani – While We Wait
Khalid – Free Spirit
Hayden James – Between Us
Mark Ronson – Late Night Feelings
Daniel Caesar – CASE STUDY 01
Tycho – Weather
Snoh Aalegra – – Ugh, those feels again

Style

01 Dec 2019

Pizza Babe

Dress – Aritzia / Cardigan – Mom’s / Sandals – Oak + Fort

My favorite part about summertime in San Francisco is how long the days end up stretching! Angel and I did an early dinner one Friday at Pizzeria Delfina (my favorite!) and by the time we were out, it was still so light out. For years, I’ve heard that mixing black and blue was a huge no-no, but not in my book. I’m not sure if it’s just that I don’t care or that I like the ease of wearing a dress and tossing any cardigan over it. Color combos don’t mean a thing to me unless it’s a huge clash and even then, it rarely happens. The forecast for this week is a consistent rain. I’m sure we need it, but I’d rather go back to these summer days!

Style

28 Nov 2019

“Your Gap Look”

Top – shop in Taipei / Denim Jacket – Gap / Pants – Alternative Apparel / Scarf + Bag – Madewell / Heels – Oak + Fort

If there’s something that I could work on with regards to getting ready in the morning, it would be accessorizing. This look was caught on a good day, but in general, I’m usually without any additional accessories or jewelry. The combination of red, white, and blue is a classic look, but my concern is that it sometimes gets branded 4th of July too quickly. Maybe this felt more subtle because there are a few other colors mixed in. Perhaps it’s because this was an outfit I wore to work and not to a summer BBQ.

Lately, I’ve noticed that I tread the line between comfy cozy and professional a bit closely. I received some anonymous feedback that sometimes the addition of heels to my outfits doesn’t work because the overall look is too casual. *shrugs* You can elevate nearly any look with heels. Also your own discomfort with the look doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m doing it incorrectly.

Style

18 Oct 2019

Out To Lunch

Dress – Oak + Fort

In the last couple of years Oak + Fort has become one of my favorite brands. While it is stylish, I think the part that appeals to me the most is the comfort. At first glance, rarely anything looks flattering on me because it is all oversized. Interestingly enough, it’s the thing that I love the most about it. I grew up with much of the clothing around me having to be “tight” and “fitted” as per what was trendy at the time, but it never fit my personal style. I’ve had this oversized brown sweater dress for over a year, but it’s one of my favorite things because I can literally toss it on and go.

Fun fact: It’s also very warm so it’s perfect for a night out in the summer or through the fall and winter seasons.

Style

06 Oct 2019

Proud Owner:

[Bag 1913] – $48

After returning home from a week-long conference, I was craving a treat for myself! By treat, I mean it comes in the form of retail therapy. As much as I like my Madewell work bag that doubles as my carry-on, I started to realize how much it didn’t suit me anymore. It started to feel a little too big to bring with me to work. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I needed something a bit smaller. Instead of having a bag that carries everything, I needed one that carried the necessities. I’ve gotta practice living with less.

When I went into Oak + Fort, I definitely wasn’t looking for a bag. I was actually on the hunt for a dress or a skirt, but this caught my eye. What I love about it is that it feels nice and is compact. It looks sophisticated and feels like a bag used for work. Instead of an inside zipper pocket like I’m used to, there are two pockets in the front. They are loose so I have to pray that nothing just flings out of it.

Interestingly enough, said bag is currently out of stock online at the link above, but my suggestion is for you to try in stores! As a runner up, here’s another affordable bag that comes in the form of the backpack. If it was suitable and responsible for me to have both, I would.

[Backpack 3519] – $68

Style

09 Aug 2019

Joggers For Everyday Wear

Joggers – Alternative Apparel / Lace tee – Urban Outfitters / Cardigan – Oak + Fort / Heels – Vince Camuto

I’m not someone that needs to own a million pairs of sweat pants. In fact, I am happy just owning one and wearing them forever, but I had a natural curiosity recently to embrace the jogger look. Not only can you wear them at home and still be stylish, you can actually wear them out and still be functional. I had been inspired by quite a few looks that I had seen on Instagram and Pinterest lately so I decided to give it a shot. Alternative Apparel was a solid choice because I already own and know that I like their sweat pants.

However, anyone that knows me knows that this look isn’t my aesthetic for work. If it were up to me, I’d be wearing dresses and heels every day, but with variation. I was worried that the joggers, would give off the impression of a look that was too casual. So how did I actually feel by the end of the day? I was cozy all day, but it was a huge change from my normal wear. I didn’t feel like myself! When I wore the joggers, it was the day after I bought them so they were still fitted and structured. If I were to wear the joggers next week to work, they wouldn’t have that same fit as the first day. In photographs, this look isn’t that bad actually, but I do think that there are many other people that can pull this look better than I can.

Style

05 Jul 2019

Meet the White Boots

Sweater – Oak + Fort / Dress – Urban Outfitters / Boots – Something Navy

Believe me when I tell you that I never thought I could pull off these white boots. Even as I tried them on, I couldn’t help, but think that I was making a reckless shopping decision. I was torn. They looked good and I knew I had to have them, but boy, did I battle with these breaking them in. As you can imagine, they don’t look comfortable and don’t become comfortable until maybe seven wears. That being said, white boots were all that I longed for this past fall season despite a numbing effect. It’s a gamble in a place like San Francisco, but everywhere I went, they were noticed and that validation alone is all I needed to make this purchase worth it.

I’ve been wanting to share this post for a while because I was excited to tell you all about them. I also wanted to use this opportunity to talk about something else that has been on my mind. When you start a new job, you have this chance to start over again. If you wish, you can reinvent your work wardrobe too with some newly tailored trousers, a pair of steel blue boots, or midi skirts. At the time of this purchase, I had been just a couple of months into my new job. In tech, it doesn’t matter what you wear. Hell, in my first job I would wear oversized sweaters and leggings to work. Back then, that look was considered “in.”

In 2019, it’s not unacceptable, but it’s not my choice for a work outfit. My new job was an opportunity to see if I could get others to perceive me the way I wanted to be perceived. Flats and sneakers weren’t allowed to come to work with me. From 2013 – 2017, I owned three different pairs of Tieks that I would rotate on the regular. Kevin got me into sneakers at a young age and I live in my Nike Flyknits and adidas UltraBOOSTs. I just didn’t see a place for them at work. In my heels, I felt that confidence. I felt taller and because of that I let myself believe that I was taken more seriously. To be clear, no one has ever said to me that my shortness in height made them not take me seriously or respect me.

This was something that I brought upon myself. From time to time, I might wear my sneakers to work. They don’t bode well with the carpet so I’ll slide across them from time to time and nearly slip. The heels hold some power. I feel different when I’m wearing them. They make me feel more put together whether I’m in a dress or if I’m in pants and a top, the heels are the instant boost. I’ve been in my role for nearly a year now and for some time, I started to believe this was all in my head. Then a couple of months ago at a happy hour a co-worker said to me “So, what is it like down there?”

“Down where?”

“You know, being your height.”

It was the most innocent ask, but at the same time it took me back to middle school when I knew the people asking me that question asked me because they were jerks. And then it came full circle for me. The heels are a work thing for me now, but it reminded me of a place I didn’t want to be in again. I didn’t want to feel looked down upon for my height and yes, believe it or not, even in your adult life someone can still make you feel small. I have spent many years embracing my petite stature. This was a weird little blip, but it reaffirmed my decision. The heels make me feel some sort of way. Maybe it sounds superficial, but the reality is I’m wearing them for myself and for others and it’s okay. In some sense, I feel like they protect me.

Style

22 Dec 2018

Cherry Red

Top and Shorts – Aritzia / Sweater – Oak + Fort / Birkenstocks

Kristine and Chelsea have a way of making my shopping experiences at Aritzia transformative. I’ve been shopping with them for the last five years since I moved to the Bay Area so we’ve all gotten to know each other quite well. In general, I feel like the employees at Aritzia are always helpful and attentive in helping me find the right pieces for me. They’ve been there for all of my major shopping moments: finding a holiday party dress, a last minute wedding guest dress, a new top to treat myself. Now after five years, our friendship has escalated. They know exactly the pieces that work for me before I even know it. Before I come in, I’ll give them a heads up and will have a waiting room ready for me when I arrive with the pieces I’ve wanted or they’ve picked. I’m a lucky girl and I know it! I appreciate the both of them so much!

That’s where these shorts come into play. For those of you know who know me, you know that red is never my first choice. I’m a neutrals girl, but when I saw these, I felt some sort of way that I never felt before. They were perfect for summer. It would be challenging to pair it with other pieces. I definitely would have a hard time finding these to be work appropriate. There were plenty of reasons not to purchase them, but I did it anyways. They energized me.

Style

26 Aug 2018

Wall Cuddles And More

Top – Madewell / Cardigan – Oak + Fort / Pants – Uniqlo

Ashley and I had stepped out of the office that day to run some errands across the street. I’d never seen this wall before and immediately was attracted to the color. Adjacent to this was another wall that was covered in a black and white design so we had a chance to use both. The best part about living/working in San Francisco is that your next backdrop is just steps away.