End of Quarter Wrap Up

I often feel like I wear the same items over and over again (sweater and jeans, skinny jeans and flats, maxi dress and wedges, etc.) and I frequently DON'T post my everyday outfits.  Then there are days where I feel really great about what I am wearing, but because I am out with other people, I don't feel like making them stop to take my picture. So I end up with a few candids, but not a full post's worth of photos.  Last quarter was no exception. The photo above and the one right below were taken at my brother's impromptu wedding in February.  It was a small ceremony back in our hometown in Texas and he asked me to take a few photos of him and his bride with the family after their ceremony. That was hardly the time to run and pose for outfit photos! Plus, the couple of photos that I WAS in, were not exactly flattering.

LOFT Dress (current); Fossil Bracelet (option); Jane Basch Necklace; Magid Clutch (dupe)

Banana Republic Shirt; Joe's Jeans; J Crew flats; Louis Vuitton Crossbody

The photo above, I took at Louis Vuitton in Beverly Hills during my trip to see my girlfriends last month. One of the girls wanted to try this Eva cross body and I took the opportunity to try it as well and send the pic to my husband in case he was feeling super generous. He wasn't, but fortunately, my friend doesn't rely on anyone's generosity and she purchased it for herself as a reward for a great start to 2016.  I usually look like death when I travel, but this was the first time that I walked off the plane and didn't feel the need to freshen up or change clothes before heading out.

Prabal Gurung x Target Sweater (similar); Zara Scarf (option); Joe's Jeans; New Balance Sneakers

This last pic was actually taken by my father-in-law during their visit this past quarter.  It was a tough time to come visit because our kid was in school during the entire trip and my husband was still working crazy hours. Luckily, he escaped from his office early on the day I took them into the city and we were able to show them a few of our favorite places. This is my most favorite view of the Golden Gate bridge and I was truly happy to be able to take my husband's parents there. I wanted to wear sneakers because all trips to the city involve so much walking, but I haven't replaced my walking shoes and all I had was my neon running shoes. The only thing that matched was this old Prabal Gurung x Target sweater.

Parks in Daylight

Our son and I joined a local walking group in town last year and we realized this month that we joined in November after Daylight's Saving Time and we had never seen our route in daylight because it was always dark by the time we got on our way. The last couple of weeks we have discovered two parks and a huge golf course on our walks.  This one is small, but our son loves this wooden sculpture. He wanted to come here for our Starbucks break earlier this week and I took advantage of the opportunity to get some outfit pics.

J Crew Factory Sweater; Joe's Jeans

Costume Pearl Earrings-gift from my grandmother ($21 Option); Fossil Necklace (current)

Stuart Weitzman Booties (current option)

It may seem boring to you because how many ways can you really remix jeans and a sweater? But it was cool and jeans and a sweater is my "go-to" on those days.  I am going to miss the kid as his Spring Break starts today and he will be gone all week, but I am looking forward to having my husband to myself for the next few days.

Spring Rains

Last Sunday was both the first day of Spring and Palm Sunday. When we woke up, all the signs pointed to a beautiful, sunny day. I got dressed for church and went with a silk dress and simple pumps with a wrap for warmth.  Just as we got to church, it started sprinkling.  When we left church, the rain had stopped and we enjoyed the short walk home.  As soon as we got home and picked up the camera, it started raining again. But I couldn't NOT take photos, I had already gotten dressed!

Presley Skye Dress; Jones New York Wrap; Michael Kors Belt (current)

Diamond Hoop Earrings (Splurge | Steal); Nadri Necklace

c/o D'Andrea Clutch; Tiffany & Co Bracelet; Apple Watch

Christian Louboutin Simple Pumps

This is one of my favorite Spring dresses and I was happy to be able to wear it again on the blog after several years. It was last seen here. The necklace was a Mother's Day gift from the boys a couple of years ago and I think it is so pretty and delicate.

Pop Up White

After several weeks of rain, we finally got a couple of days of fantastic weather.  Our oldest son was in town and my husband invited us to have lunch with him. That meant that I had to come to his office. I like to joke that I have to look nice when I "Pop Up" at his office, but I'm also kinda not kidding. This dress is from my massive JCrew order during the January sale, but I hadn't had a chance to wear it because it has been cool and then rainy, but Spring is just around the corner and what could be better than white linen?

J Crew Linen Dress (Mine is sold out, cute option); Blue Mirrored Ray-Bans

Blue Nile Earrings; c/o Dogeared Necklace

J Crew Bracelet (similar); c/o D'Andrea Clutch; Apple Watch

Unisa Gold Glitter Sandals

The mirrored sunglasses are a total "peer pressure" purchase. The last two times that I've met up with my friends for a Girl's Weekend, they both have these blue mirrored Ray-bans.  They claim I am messing up all the group photos and our collective OCD required that I comply and buy a pair as well. So right after I landed back from my LA trip, I placed my order. I hope I don't lose them before our next trip.

Springing Forward

It's not quite Spring yet, but we are getting close. The time change has us all dragging, but we are very happy about the additional sunlight.  We are loving it and taking advantage of being able to do things after school and after work and not being caught in the dark.

Zara Double Sided Cardigan; Banana Republic Tank (Cute Option Under $20!); Dolan Skirt (Option)

Blue Nile Earrings; c/o Gorjana Necklace (current)

Chain Leather Bracelet (Splurge | Steal); Rebecca Minkoff Handbag (Splurge | Steal)

Prada Booties

I would have loved to wear a sunnier outfit, but it is still cool and I still have a need for  closed toe shoes and a sweater.  I found this one at Zara in The Grove last month when I went shopping with the girls in L.A. I've also had this t-shirt skirt for several years, but I still love it and it is so comfortable.

Grey Variants

I have worn a variation of this outfit at least 4 or 5 times before I finally got photos of it. Not because it is such a new way to wear a sweater and skinny jeans with flats, but because it is REALLY so easy and it is the first thing I reach for in this "new lifestyle" of walking everywhere and having really cool weather most of the time. Even on ""hot" days, a light sweater is perfect. I sound like Miss Rhode Island describing her perfect date, don't I?

Gap Men's Sweater (I shrunk my husband's sweater and kept it); Old Navy Jeans; Ray-Ban Aviators 

Tiffany & Co Bracelet; Calvin Klein Tote (current)

J Crew Cece Flats

Last month, I wore this outfit (with different color jeans and the gold version of these flats) to have lunch with Kelly. I also wore this (same pants, shoes) to "pop up" on my kid at school since he was having some issues a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday, I wore it to run errands that had been backing up for a couple of weeks and to take the kids out for breakfast.

Coffee

This flu really took it out of me.  Even though my fever broke on Monday, I am still majorly dragging. The dreary, cold weather isn't helping. Fortunately, my husband is helping and he has been really great at trying to help my recovery efforts. We had a coffee date yesterday before he went in to work and I decided to make a valiant effort at getting over this crud because our oldest comes home for Spring Break tomorrow and we want to have a good time with him instead of just sitting on the couch like the potatoes we truly are.

Gap Sweater (current); Banana Republic Faux Fur Vest (Fun Option on Sale!); J Brand Jeans

Ray-Ban Aviators; Blue Nile Hoop Earrings; c/o Julie Vos Necklace (current)

I love this initial necklace from Julie Vos. Mine is now discontinued, but this coin one is also beautiful!

J Crew Cece Flats

These are some of my "comfort" clothes. Except for the flats, which I got last month, but have already worn out over and over, I've had everything else for several years. I love that I don't have to think about it too hard, especially when I am rushing through my morning routine and not feeling very well.

These Are Some Sick Stripes

I hit the motherload with JCrew Stripes during last season's sales.  While the cold/flu bug hit our house hard all weekend long, I had to venture out in the rain to pick up prescriptions, OTC remedies, and sometimes, food.  This is as dressed up as I could muster.  I did match my scarf to my boots and then grabbed my red jacket on my way out the door.  It wasn't until I was editing that I realized that my hair tie also looks red.

J Crew Striped Tee; LOFT Essential Leggings; Land's End Fleece - on sale!; Cynthia Rowley Sunglasses (dupe)

L. Erickson Ponytail Grab N Go c/o France Luxe; Target Scarf (option); Matsuya Reusable Bag (similar)

Hunter Wellingtons

No makeup days call for oversized shades and at least some lip balm, but I drew the line and fixing my hair to head to the pharmacy. My trusty Hunter rainboots have come in handy with all the rain we have finally been getting in the Bay Area.  I might have to splurge on a few wellie socks soon. We hope to get a lot more to put a dent in the drought, but it's supposed to be sunny and warm again later this week.

#FBF: Favorite March Outfits

My containment measures for our son's illness proved useless and I woke up with a scratchy throat yesterday. By then, he was in full blown coughing and sneezing mode, so I kept him home from school and took him to the doctor who suggested I keep him home for today as well. And let me tell you we are MISERABLE! We are NEVER skipping our flu shots ever again!  I thought it would be a good idea to revisit a few of my favorite March outfits from the last 4 or so years of blogging.  The one up top is one of my all-time favorites and this one is from March 2012. I love yellow. You can find the original post here.

The first weekend of March in 2013, I was recreating an outfit I wore to co-host a bridal shower for one of our favorite couples. Original post can be found here.

In 2014, my husband and I went to watch The Monuments Men movie and I spent the entire weekend in a tee-shirt, including this outfit above which was made entirely of t-shirt materials! Original post can be found here.

Last year, I took a break from blogging, but according to Instagram, we spent the first weekend in March packing up our home in Texas and road-tripping to our new home in California.

I've never done a flashback post before, but this was a fun break from my cold and flu situation. Hopefully, I will be back to normal in a couple more days. The buckets of rain in the Bay Area these last couple of days have matched my mood perfectly.

Marching In

Happy March!  February was nuts and I spent a great amount of time on planes. This past weekend, we made a lightning trip to my hometown in Texas for my brother's wedding.  While we had to hurry home Sunday due to my husband's work,  it was great to get the last of my January JCrew shopping spree shipments yesterday.  It included this 100% Linen Breton stripe long sleeve tee.

JCrew Top currently on sale! JBrand Denim; Apple Watch

Handbag: Sam Edelman - Mine is old (Similar | Splurge)

JCrew Metallic Flats

I've had everything else for a while now and it was nice to stock up on some striped shirts to add some variety to my wardrobe. It was perfect for the cloudy and somewhat rainy forecast for the Bay Area this coming week.  Our kid is feeling under the weather and I foresee some serious containment procedures at our house this week.