Saturday, January 30, 2016

Bad News Bear

I try to stay away from oversharing personal details in this space, although it is hard not to share when I regularly update what I wear and where I wear it.  Last week was tough personally and I didn't feel like getting dressed.  My husband tried his best to pull me out of my funk and made me get dressed for a local walk even though it was cold and windy.  It was also supposed to rain, although the sun was still out when we took these pics and it didn't start drizzling until we were safely inside Starbucks getting warmed up with some coffee.
Furry Vest: Banana Republic (similar); Sweatshirt: Victoria's Secret (option); Lou & Grey Essential Leggings
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Blue Nile Earrings; Necklace: c/o Gorjana (2012) (current)
Weatherproof Boots: c/o Sorel Joan of Arctic (on sale)
I love these boots. They don't only match this faux fur vest, they also match the fur of my ski jacket. I've only worn them in Texas during the ice storms and here when it is not only rainy, but also colder than usual. Other than that, I figure I will really only be wearing them on ski trips.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Impromptu Date Night

My husband has been working some crazy hours lately. It feels like our family dinner time gets later and later as the weeks go by and his project gets more and more involved. After multiple complaints about eating dinner after 9PM, we reluctantly agreed to eat dinner separately until his project is completed in a couple of months. I wasn't happy about it and in an attempt to woo me over to see his side, he called me and invited me to dinner late last week. I only had about 20 minutes to get ready so I reached for something easy.
Shirtdress: Theory (current); Tights: Spanx
Pearl Earrings: Costume Set; Diamond Hoops: No Brand (Splurge | Steal); Necklace: Monet (current)
Cuff: So Good Jewelry (Blingy Option); Wallet: Calvin Klein (current)
Pumps: Tory Burch (similar in suede)
I love how easy this striped shirtdress is by Theory, but I shouldn't have ordered it in a petite size. It is one of the few items that probably would have been more comfortable for me to wear in a regular size. I paired them with tights and heels and kept all the accessories as simple as possible.

Friday, January 22, 2016

My Basic California Uniform

Since our move to California, I had to update my basic uniform (last seen here) to reflect not only my current closet, but also the change in the weather.  I updated the leggings to some ponte pants (with pockets!) and I added a reusable bag because you really can't wander far without one unless you want to pay an extra $0.10 to $0.25 every time to submit to your shopping impulse.
Chambray Shirt: Gap (similar); Burnout Tee: James Perse; Ponte Pants: Paige; Headband: JCrew (similar)
Pearl Costume Earrings: My Grandmother's (dupe); Pearl Necklace: Carolee (similar)
Tiffany & Co. Bracelet; Reusable Bag: Matsuya (cute option); 
I really like this reusable bag that I bought for a few Yen in Tokyo 8 years ago. It not only matches most of my clothes because it's black, but it also has a very convenient inside pocket that comes in very handy so I don't lose my keys or my phone.
Cork Flats: Neiman Marcus (super cute option)
I am struggling with my hair because I'm bored with it, but I've never NOT regretted cutting it. So I will continue to struggle with what to do with it in the meantime. At least I can see by these photos that it's time to visit my colorist soon.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Beach Blues

We just got back from weekend in LA and I must say that while our trip started off as a complete comedy of errors, in the end it worked out very well and the three of us enjoyed an amazing day down on Hermosa Beach on Sunday before heading back home yesterday.
Maxi Dress: Old Navy (luxe option); Crossbody Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (in Rose Gold!)
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Earrings: Blue Nile; Necklace: Jane Basch Jewelry
Apple Watch; Tiffany & Co. Bracelet; Prada Sandals (cute option)
We started off with brunch at Martha's 22nd Street Grill right on Hermosa Beach and followed it with a walk along the shore. The waves were insane and our son had a great time running around. We moved to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium out in San Pedro in the afternoon before heading to Redondo Beach to watch the gorgeous sunset and finished our perfect beach day with a delicious dinner at Ortega 120.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Birthday Stripes

Although we had already celebrated his birthday in Napa with a couple of friends last weekend, we marked my husband's actual birthday with a quiet family dinner earlier this week.  He rarely gets to choose our dinner spots, but since it was his birthday, even our son sat primly through dinner at a local Burmese place a few blocks from our house.
Dress: Banana Republic (current top); Scarf: Zara (option); Monogram Necklace: Jane Basch Jewelry
Apple Watch; Bracelet: JCrew (similar); Clutch: c/o D'Andrea Handbags (2013)
We had a great time and I used the excuse to pull out a dress and wear make-up for my guy during the week instead of the usual jeans and sweater I've been lounging around in for the last several weeks. It was very chilly so I ended up throwing my trench coat on to walk the couple of blocks to dinner.
We had a great dinner and he was happy that this year was a much more low key celebration than last year's 40th Bash.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

A Break in the Drought

We have all been moaning about the drought California has been in since our move last year, but the last few weeks have been filled with some gorgeous, rainy days. Sunday was no exception. We spent the early morning in Napa wringing the last few grapes that we could get our hands on and buying some bottles for upcoming visitors.  Then we headed home to finish up our errands for the weekend and made it home just after dark.
Trench Coat: Banana Republic (option); Sweater: Victoria's Secret (dupe); Denim: Joe's Jeans; Umbrella: Totes
Scarf: Zara (similar); Earrings: Blue Nile; Necklace: c/o Dogeared Jewelry (2013)
I previously had a pair of JBrand Lovers jeans that were really long on me. By the time my tailor cut off the extra length, most of the flare was gone. I loved them and I was very sad when I wore right through them. I had been looking for a replacement for them for a while and when I found these Joe's Jeans Skinny Bootcut jeans, I thought the fit was very similar.  I asked my tailor to leave a 2inch trouser hem on them instead of the original and I think they are an excellent dupe of the JBrand Lovers jeans.
Boots: Frye Jane 14L Stitch; Reusable Bag: Old Navy (option)
 This weekend we are headed to visit friends in Southern California and to let our son spend some time with one of his uncles. I hear the weather there is gorgeous and while we have enjoyed this break in the drought, we are looking forward to some sunny SoCal weather!

Rainy Wine Days

As I mentioned before, we spent the weekend in Napa with friends tasting the new vintage of Cakebread Cellars and then we finished up at our other wine fave in Rutherford, Inglenook.
Sweater Dress: (option); Trench Coat: Banana Republic (current)
Diamond Hoop Earrings: Save | Splurge; Diamond Cross Necklace: Blue Nile 
Boots: Frye Jane 14L Stitch
The rainy weather didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves or our friends in the least. While we had never been up there in rainy, cold weather, it was truly great to have all the vineyards to ourselves and everyone kept us warm and cozy.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Camel & Navy Neutrals

Our youngest went back to school this past week and he and I spent a couple of afternoons going in search of a birthday present for my husband who will have a birthday this coming week.  We are currently out in Napa and we had a small dinner at Mustard's Grill with friends to celebrate.
Tank: Banana Republic (solid on sale); Sweater: Tory Burch (similar); Denim: Joe's Jeans
Earrings: Blue Nile; Monogram Necklace: Jane Basch
Handbag: Sam Edelman (option); Boots: Ugg
I will be back in town tomorrow to prepare for the upcoming holiday weekend because we will be heading down to L.A. to visit a couple of friends and my brother-in-law.  Also, do we still hate Uggs? Because I am still wearing them, especially when I am cold.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Recent Closet Additions

The holiday season is my favorite time to add a few items to my closet, but if I am being honest, my shopaholic little heart can't help but spend, spend, spend.  Here are a few items I added to my closet in the last couple of months.

1) Diane von Furstenberg Opal Wedges. I found these on sale at Nordstrom Rack in November when my friend was visiting me and we spent a day in the city together. She found a gorgeous Michael Kors coat and we both came home a little happy.

2) Tory Burch Dorrance Dress. I also ordered this dress back in November in the hopes of wearing it to our charity luncheon before the ball, but the sleeves were too long and I wasn't able to get it tailored in time. (Here in pink)

3) Celine Navy Wool Trousers. These were another Nordstrom Rack find during the after-holiday sales and while they were at least a foot too long off the rack, I was able to get them tailored and I look forward to adding these to my work closet. I love the pockets and the color.
4) Once Upon A Time Evil Queen Tee. This was a Christmas gift from my in-laws and I absolutely love it because a) our son and I watch OUAT together all the time and b) my mother-in-law knows that I have a very soft spot for wicked witches.

5) Banana Republic Striped Patio Dress. I first saw this dress on a guest at a housewarming party at least 2 years ago and I remember at the time thinking the woman wearing it looked gorgeous in a casual but elegant way. I was searching eBay for the faux wrap patio dress that was so popular last fall when I came across this one and I was happy to add it to my cart.

6) Joe's Jeans Flawless Skinny Jeans. I needed to add a pair of skinny jeans to my closet because my last pair had fallen apart and I had even worn through a pair of JBrand denim trousers I bought early last year. These Joe's Jeans are perfect.

My husband and I will be in Napa this weekend for Cakebread Cellar's Taste of the Vintage. I will check back in soon!

Monday, January 4, 2016

Into the Grey

The weather has been wonderful here these last few days. We are actually getting some rain and we expect it to continue for the next few weeks.  I had errands to run before our son goes back to school this coming week. I decided to match the weather.
Sweater: Gap (current); Camisole: Yummie Tummie; Denim: JBrand
Apple Watch; Tiffany & Co. Bracelet
My Apple Watch was a gift from my husband for my birthday last week and I love it even if I can't wear it everyday because I am allergic to nickel and it gives me hives. I already went to the apple store to try to change out the strap as that is where I am getting my rash. I was hoping to switch it out to a leather one, but I was told all the straps have nickel unless I buy the solid rose gold one.  Until I can afford the gold strap, I will just alternate wearing it on some days and resting on others. I love the added functionality and it just looks sleeker than my previous Fitbit.
Tote: Calvin Klein (old) (current)
Boots: Tory Burch (current)
I keep saying I will replace this tote, but I really haven't found another one I like as much, so in the meantime, I will wear this one into the ground. I bought these boots last summer during a sale, but then we experienced a long heatwave even here in California and there didn't seem to be an opportunity to wear them.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year!

The year got off to a great and quiet start. We had a wonderful Christmas back home in Texas with our boys and my husband's family and we returned to the Bay Area to spend a very quiet New Year's at home.  Now that we are in California, everything is much more casual than in Texas. My husband's company had their Holiday Party one weekday evening at their office and the dress code was much more casual than previous year's holiday events.
Top: Vintage (similar); Skinny Trousers: Balenciaga (current); Scarf: Marc Jacobs (Neiman Marcus x Target) (similar)
Earrings: Diamond Hoops (similar); Diamond Cross: Blue Nile
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.; Clutch: DIY (used this tutorial)
Shoes: Brian Atwood (current option)
I wanted to stay casual, but still dress up and this vintage top I picked up at charity auction a couple of years ago was the perfect amount of shiny. I was able to stay away from the typical red and I really liked the black and silver color scheme. Moreso, I loved that I had every piece of this outfit already in my closet. :)
I hope to blog on a more frequent basis this coming year as I attempt to go back to the work force and become much more settled in to our California lifestyle.  Thank you to those of you that have continued to read this blog even through it's sporadic updates in the last year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!