Tampa

A good deal of time was spent wandering around downtown Tampa looking for shopping, and Starbucks. Most of the area seemed to be offices, so it seemed odd to me that there wasn't a Starbucks (or even a Dunkin Donuts) on every block.

There was no where to shop either. Never mind that there are no fewer than four malls within a 10-20 minute radius; you need transportation to get to those.

In the end we took a cab and went to the mall, where I got recognized from the blog for the very first time, so that was pretty darn cool.

Other than one $12 beach bag from Forever 21, I came home empty handed. Not for lack of trying though, I tried on so many things and consistently had a problem with things that fit my waist being too tight around my hips.

My biggest letdown was a paisley no. 2 pencil skirt at J. Crew. It was on sale and going to be an extra 30% off and I've wanted one of those forever. Darn J. Crew hates my curves. So do Zara, H&M, and Forever 21.

bright color block-2.jpg cityscape.jpg bright color block-1.jpg bright color block.jpg bright color block-4.jpg bright color block-3.jpg
The Rundown
Top Elle for Kohls - Ruffled Skirt Tinley Road - Leopard Sandals Target - Anchor Necklace Gift - - Starfish Ring c/o LuShae Jewelry Similar - Bracelets Khols, Thrifted, The Cavernous Jewelry Box - Nail Color Essie Aruba Blue
group of palms.jpg

44 comments

  1. That's so cool that you were blog recognized!!!


    Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay for being recognised! :)
    You look just lovely! The colours are great and I love your sandals!

    ReplyDelete
  3. sorry you never found anything! love this outfit!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That must have been so frustrating!!
    I LOVE this outfit! That mustard tee is gorgeous & I just adore that skirt <3

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sorry about your lack of shopping finds but looks like you had a wonderful time anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Right along with ya, (shakes fist at JCREW) LOVE them, but they do not reciprocate.
    Marie @
    Lemondrop ViNtAge

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's so awesome that you were recognized... especially in an unlikely place like a mall in Florida!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your sandals - so cute! And I REALLY love that orange skirt you're wearing - so fun, and it looks fabulous on you. So take that J.Crew paisley skirt :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

    ReplyDelete
  9. GREAT look, it is very chic

    NEW POST- Do you like MACARONS?

    http://chocolateinfashion.blogspot.it/2012/04/do-you-like-macarons.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love this outfit! And YAY for being recognized from your blog!! That hasn't happened to me yet... *sad face*
    I love those J Crew skirts, that stinks that it didn't fit properly :(
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. You look like a lovely citrus dessert in those colors!

    www.TheFancyTeacup.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely look! I love the colors! :)

    http://mystyledexpressions.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. This outfit is perfection! I have been stalking these Target sandals online! I need to get up off my tail and go buy them!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That's really amazing that you were recognised. I love that yellow colour on you, such a great shade.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I totally understand you on the clothes always being too tight on the legs and loose in the waist. I have the same problem in all of these stores. It can be frustrating at times. Just found your blog and am loving your style! I always try to go for the pocketless bottoms. If I see a pocket on the side I already know it's not going to fit. Love the skirt!
    - Gaby
    From Rags to Glam

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ah, don't you LOVE sales?! Gorgeous outfit!

    ReplyDelete
  17. aw, so sorry to hear about the skirt. I hope you can find an equally amazing one somewhere soon! This orange-y/pink one already looks lovely :) Love the draping! x

    ReplyDelete
  18. oh my goodness, this outfit is perfect! love the colors and how comfy it looks!! xoxo linds of http://www.rubygirlblog.com/

    ReplyDelete
  19. that's awesome that you got recognized!! too cool! some brands just don't work for everyone. great photos!!

    Christine
    http://www.delachic.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Cute sandals! And oh that skirt is so pretty! love the colors, lovely pics!

    Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries

    ReplyDelete
  21. Not for nothing, but you look absolutely stunning in all these lovely bright colors m'dear! Sorry the trip was a shopping fail, but at least you look uber cute during the shopping and that's what counts. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I feel your pain. I also had a J. Crew pencil skirt heartbreak, but for the opposite reason -- good fit at waist = too loose everywhere else! It happens to all of us, no matter the body type.

    Love the colors and accessories in this outfit.

    ReplyDelete
  23. That skirt is adorable on you and I've been meaning to try out Tinley Road stuff!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've been looking at those leopard print sandals forever .... hmm, might be time to go get them, this outfit with them is great!!
    jess
    JESS CAUSE BLOG

    ReplyDelete
  25. I think that not buying anything is quite good - because it means you are being more selective every time. It also means that you KNOW what you are looking for and that makes you a true informed and educated shopper.
    BTW I like those colors.... so vibrant.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congratulations on getting recognized! You've worked hard at your blog so I am glad you received the recognition. The skirt looks beautiful Lydia!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Well Elle for Kohls and Tinley Road certainly dont hate your curves. You look like a spring dream in this outfit.

    ReplyDelete
  28. very neat, going to FL & finding a fan right off the bat! Like many others who have commented, I feel your small-waist-large-hips pain. I mean, I love my shape, but it can be hard to shop for sometimes!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love those vibrant colours on you, you look fantastic!

    Also: so amazing that you got blog-recognized! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I wish I had known you were here lady! I could have given you some shopping recs!

    ReplyDelete
  31. love the outfit! U totally match your surroundings

    ReplyDelete
  32. Orange and yellow are so perfect together...I hate when I go to the mall ready to spend money and nothing fits!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love this ensemble, the skirt fits you perfect and it goes so well with those sandals. I love those stores mentioned before for the reason you hate them, because they flatter my shapeless body, especially J. Crew! =)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Gasp, someone recognized you! Did you feel famous?! That's awesome. If I saw you, I'd probably cry and follow you around and cry some more and try to crawl in your purse and not leave until you took me to your house so I could stare at you or something.

    Just kidding, that's creepy. I don't even know what I would do. Maybe something like that.

    N-E-WAYS,
    I am sorry that you didn't have any luck! I haven't been having any luck either with shopping if it makes you feel any better--I feel like clothes just fit weird lately. These clothes, against us they are. All we want to do is buy them, too!

    Your shirt rufflies are pretty pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love yellow and orange together! I love the skirt and the sandals :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. This is one of my favorite skirts of yours. All the bloggers I know seem to be wearing my favorite pieces lately! I can't believe there's nowhere to shop downtown in Tampa. Although... Miami is like that, too.

    Boo! Terribly sad about the skirt. I actually think J.Crew is cut really curvy (hardly any bottoms fit me) but maybe not quite as curvy as I thought.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Congrats on getting recognized "on the street"!! Love the skirt and I can sympathize on (not) finding "curvy fit" things.

    ReplyDelete
  38. great color combo, and target sandals. i have them too and i LOVE them!!

    ~nic
    www.nics-picks.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. well i love the flirty orange skirt, so much more fun than a pencil skirt
    brett

    ReplyDelete
  40. Um side pony? That hair is so pretty on you!

    ReplyDelete