Saturday, February 27, 2016

Getty Inspired

Saturday, we attended the LA Opera for a performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute and it was incredible. We even saw James Franco being ushered backstage after the show. Unfortunately, it was dark and we didn't really take photos.  But, I didn't miss the opportunity to take my camera on our visit to The J. Paul Getty Museum the next day.  I LOVE the Getty (see my last visit here) and this was no different.
T by Tahari Tank(similar); LOFT Shorts; Balenciaga Sunglasses; Jane Basch Monogram Necklace
Apple Watch; JCrew Bracelet (Similar)
Prada Sandals (Option in White)
I bought these shorts during a LOFT clearance and while they fit great on the waist, the legs were really wide and I had to have my tailor take them in a bit to give them a more streamlined look. Even so, they are still very comfortable and I love both the fabric and the striped pattern.
We started with brunch and stayed nearly the entire day. We wandered around the gardens and then strolled though a couple of the galleries. We were particularly interested in their Bernini sculpture.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Painting The City of Angels White

This week has been insane. I went out of town last weekend to visit girlfriends in Los Angeles and I came back the same day that my husband's parents arrived to visit us this week and they are leaving on Friday, just a couple of hours before we fly out to Texas to visit my family.
Dress: 4SI3NNA
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Earrings: Blue Nile; Necklace: Old gift from my dad (similar)
Clutch: Anya Hindmarch (glitter option)
Sandals: Prada (Option in Black)
I went shopping with the girls on Thursday and found this cute dress at Nordstrom. Initially, I tried it in a size Large, but while the dress was really cute, it kind of just hung on me.  One of the girls suggested trying it in a Medium and it was a huge improvement! I think I MIGHT have been able to wear a Small, but it might have been too fitted. So I picked it up in a Medium and I am thrilled with it. I got multiple compliments when I wore it to brunch with my husband's cousins a couple of days later.
No one was more surprised than me that this outfit even came together as fast as it did because we had the genius idea to go for an early morning hike to the Griffith Observatory and we hit traffic on the way back to the house. By the time we arrived, I realized it was too late for me to take a shower and I quickly cleaned up with baby wipes and dry shampoo before getting dressed and out the door in less than 10 minutes! It was totally worth it to arrive less than 10 minutes late and have a carafe of mimosas waiting with this amazing view at The Roof on Wilshire.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Running Around San Francisco

This weekend I am visiting friends in the City of Angels, but last weekend I ran my first 5k ever.  A couple of years ago, I did my first ever "Fun Run" with my husband back home in Dallas.  Then last year, some friends convinced us to do the Bay to Breakers 12k after we moved to the Bay Area. While we did "train" somewhat, nothing can ever really prepare you for the festival/parade/party that is Bay to Breakers, nor could we even hope to run it as we were in one of the last corrals due to my time.
After we moved, we immediately started taking advantage of the amazing weather and the great hiking spots around the Bay.  It became a routine for the three of us to go on a 4-6 mile hike each weekend and in order to be able to do that, I would take long walks around town 2-3 times a week.  As I grew more comfortable with my wanderings, I started looking for an app that I could track my mileage, follow friends, and post photos and maps of the places we were going.  I love the MapMyRun apps (they have so many!) because you can choose whether it was a walk, a hike, or a run, and they sync up with MyFitnessPal, AND Fitbit, which I had for a few months last year. I also tried Strava, and UnderArmour's Record, before I decided to stick to the Nike+Running App.  My reason is that it is the only app that works seamlessly with my iPhone and the Apple Watch I got for my birthday in December. All my workouts sync up automatically and I don't have to import or export workouts to other apps or devices.  I have to admit that my favorite part is the Instagram community that also uses NikePlus. They are incredibly supportive and it's crazy to get advice or encouragement from people all over the world.
Last weekend was the first time that we did a 5K as a family and it was so much fun to both train for it and then actually do it. We all finished, and while I was the slowest of us three, I still posted my fastest 5k time, which made me ridiculously proud even if everyone else ran so much faster than me.  We ended the day on Ocean Beach after we grabbed breakfast and I spent the rest of the day with my favorite guys.

**This is a scheduled post. I will respond to all comments upon my return next week.**

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

A Blue Study

This was definitely a study in fail. This is one of those outfits that when I looked in the mirror before walking out the door, I LOVED. These navy blue wool Céline trousers are new and their fitted high waist and wide legs have quickly turned into favorites. The striped button down is the first button down in over a year that I love how well it fits right out of the box.  BUT, none of that translated into the real world if these photos are any indication. These are actually the okay pictures (I refuse to say these are the good pics because they're NOT) and the outtakes made me realize that while I have always been a fan of leaving my shirt untucked, these pants are best shown with a tucked in shirt or a even a more delicate top to offset the wide legs. I am also unlikely to pair them with flats again.
Shirt: J Crew; Trousers: Céline
Earrings: Blue Nile; Necklace: c/o Gorjana (2012) (current)
Shoes: J Crew (current)
This is a great example of how your favorite pieces don't always translate into your new favorite outfit. At least it didn't for me on this occasion. :(

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Black Hearted Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!  Our family will be running our first ever 5k together at Golden Gate Park this morning and then I am not sure what we will be doing afterwards, but I am sure sleep will be a part of it. ;)
Top: DKNY Collection (similar); Skirt: Calvin Klein (option); Necklace: BaubleBar (dupe)
Apple Watch; Tiffany Bracelet; Proenza Schouler Clutch
Prada Booties
I named this Black Hearted Valentine because my husband has imposed a shopping ban of sorts after I went a little nuts at JCrew last month. I have a girls trip coming up this week and I have been told I have to shop my closet. So these are all pieces I've worn before and I decided to wear black, like my sweetheart's heart.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Catching up Over Lunch

One of my friends came to visit earlier this week and I was happy to show him around our little town. We met at our downtown area and I walked him around town a bit before we headed to Sixto's Cantina for tacos and margaritas.
Maxi Dress: Old Navy (current); Sweater Duster: Mossimo for Target 
Clutch: c/o BCBGMaxAzria (2011) (Current in Python)
Wedges: Stuart Weitzman
He and I worked together years ago and we've kept in touch all these years. He helped us with a Boy Scout footlocker for our kids one time and I helped him navigate insurance issues when his daughter had a sports injury. After that, we often met up for lunch and I enjoyed getting to know his family and having them get to know mine.  It was great to sneak in a lunch during one of his recent business trips out here. We miss our Texas friends, but it is great to have a bit of Texas visit us!

Monday, February 8, 2016

Flat Out Faves

Last month JCrew had a ridiculous sale and I took the opportunity to order these Cece flats in both metallic platinum leather and black suede, as well as this button down for my work search, and this breton striped shirt by St. James that everyone raves is absolutely worth the splurge. I had forgotten that I placed the order when these flats and the button showed up last week. They are my new favorites.
Silk Blouse: Tahari (similar); Ponte Pants: Paige (current); Apple Watch
Necklace: Fossil (Mine is old, option here)
Clutch: Prabal Gurung x Target (solid color option); Flats: JCrew
I had read mixed reviews of these because JCrew switched production from Italy to Portugal and the collective internets lost their minds. The flats normally retailed for $135 and while that was way too much for my budget for shoes that had seen a sudden "drop in quality," when they went on sale for $69.99 and then got marked down 50%, I went ahead and scooped up both pairs for $69.99! I figured if they were as bad as the reviewers said, I wouldn't be upset. They are totally worth the money. If they were still available in my size I would pay the $69.99 sale price and I might even go for $135 to get a back up pair. They didn't require any breaking in and they are so comfy.

Friday, February 5, 2016

Sporty Me

The amount of active wear that I have acquired since moving to the Bay Area is nuts. However, I can't argue with the comfort factor, especially on the cooler days when all I want is to reach for my warm sweats and Uggs. And I admit that I am miserable if I am cold, but I can usually stay warm if I wear a hat or something that covers my ears and this Uniqlo vest that has fast become a staple.
Hooded Sweatshirt; Uniqlo Vest; Lou & Grey Leggings; Ivanka Trump Pom Hat 
Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody (Steal | Splurge)
Classic Uggs
I was pretty proud that my alma mater was undefeated even as they were banned from post conference play this season, but along came Temple and then Houston. :( Oh well, I didn't go there in the aftermath of the death penalty for the amazing sports program. Go 'Stangs! I know this is SuperBowl Weekend and it's here in the Bay Area, but since my beloved Cowboys aren't playing, I'm not as interested in watching the game as I am in seeing friends and family who will be in town this weekend!

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Black & White & Striped All Over

We had a wonderful weekend at home. It was the first weekend since before Thanksgiving that we had no where to go and no where to be.  Our son and I joined a walking group a few months back and the walks have helped us find some cool parks near our house. We took my husband out for a picnic at one this weekend.
Dress: Banana Republic (current); Cardigan: Merona Target; Necklace: Michael Kors (similar)
Vintage Clutch (Splurge | Steal)
Wedges: Diane von Furstenberg
I bought this long hooded cardigan at Target during our holiday trip to Dallas. I am always cold and this lightweight cardigan is nice for when it is not very cold, but I will be cold anyway.  I am looking forward to this month as we will have a plethora of visitors and I am really looking forward to sharing our favorite spots with friends and family.