Amorium Jewelry

I am so excited to partner today with Amorium Jewelry. As those of you who read my blog know, I am extremely picky about my daily and even special event jewelry. I am allergic to brass, nickel, and most base metals.  This means that while everyone else is out playing with fun costume jewelry, I have to stick to tried and true classics like sterling silver, 14k or higher yellow gold, and platinum.  Even for my "fun" pieces, I have to select high karat yellow or rose gold over sterling silver and I try to take care to remove the pieces as soon as I get back home. When Amorium reached out to me and offered to send me a piece from their new collection, I was truly thrilled to discover that they work with sterling silver!  Most of their gorgeous, delicate pieces are handmade in New York City by master silversmiths ensuring that your jewels will stand the test of time.

I selected the Sterling Silver Swirl Threader Earrings because I was so happy to be able to select fun and trendy earrings in a high quality material to add to my small collection.  I was even happier when I received them because their delicate aesthetic makes their sturdiness almost surprising.  I know they will be a favorite pair I reach for over and over again. I love them and I really recommend Amorium Jewelry to everyone, but most especially all who have had to give up fun and trendy jewelry to the allergy gods.  We can finally have some fun, too!  All women can use another piece of beautiful jewelry, right?

**Thank you to Amorium Jewelry for partnering on this post. All opinions are my own.**

Tangerine Spring

I don't have a single new thing to show you today, but these are several of my favorite spring pieces that have lived in my closet for several years.  This tangerine color is one I reach for every time I see it in a shop or my closet. It is such a great summer color and I love wearing it in spring because that means summer is so close.  The weather is warming up, but it never really gets hot here, so we live in a perpetual state of spring and fall with a few days of winter for good measure.  At least that is the way it feels for this Texas girl.

I Am Wearing:

Top: DKNY Collection (similar)
Skirt: Banana Republic (option under $20!)
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Necklace: Old gift from my dad (Splurge | Steal)
Clutch: c/o D'Andrea Handbags

Wedges: BCBGeneration (also love these by Tory Burch)

Trends // Off The Shoulder

I am loving all the off the shoulder options that nearly every retailer has this spring and summer.  Off the shoulder dresses and tops are a very easy way to show some skin while staying mostly covered. In addition, I feel like the off the shoulder detail really dresses up a look without looking overly fussy. It is a perfect solution for those who are self conscious about their décolletage or their arms as all of that stays covered while baring some skin at the same time. Above are just a few recent favorites of mine. The pinstriped Banana Republic dress is such a favorite that I already ordered it in white, too. Below are some of my favorite options and I may or may not be blowing my entire summer budget on several of these.

Off the Shoulder Casual Dresses and Tops:

Chambray: J Crew
Orange: Mango
White Poplin: Banana Republic
Striped: Do Be
Yellow Top: J Crew
Khaki Top: Wallis

Off the Shoulder Maxi Dresses:

White Floral: Show Me Your Mumu
Chambray: INC International Concepts by Macy's
Pink & Red Birds: Asos

Cloudy Skies & Blue Stripes

The temperature dropped a bit the last couple of days, but it has been the wind that has made us all try to stay indoors as much as possible. Fortunately, after a very cold and windy run yesterday, the day turned out beautiful. We just had some cloudy skies by the time our kid came home after school.  He asked if he could go to a friend's house and I was happy to find a new park to check out nearby.  I admit that I've been living in tees and flats the last several weeks, but this asymmetrical skirt from T by Alexander Wang is still a comfy fave.

I Am Wearing:

Striped Tee: Banana Republic on sale - under $15!

Ruched Cardigan: Tory Burch (similar)

Skirt: T by Alexander Wang

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Earrings: Macy's (current)

Diamond Cross Necklace: Blue Nile

Wallet on Chain: Tory Burch

Sandals: Old Navy (cute option)

Off The Shoulder Pinstripes

There is so much to love about this dress. We could start with the off-the shoulder neckline, which is an established favorite of mine, or the pinstripe pattern because we all know I've never met a stripe I didn't love. What really sealed its fate as a closet staple was its pockets. I wore this last night to meet my husband for a last minute date night and I couldn't have picked a better dress. I was stopped twice on the walk to the restaurant by women who wanted to know where I got my dress. While the cotton means that it wrinkles easily (these wrinkles are just from the drive) the breathable fabric makes this dress so easy to wear. I can already tell it will be in heavy rotation for the summer, PLUS!, Banana Republic just released a poplin version in white which I already pre-ordered!

I am Wearing:

Dress: c/o Banana Republic (also in white!)
Earrings: Costume Pearls from my grandmother (Splurge | Steal)
Necklace: Express (really old) (similar)
Bracelet: Costume (similar)
Envelope Clutch: Vintage (option under $35!)
Sandals: Cole Haan (current)

**Thank you to Banana Republic for partnering on this post.**

Stripe on Stripe

I seem to buy an excessive number of striped t-shirts year after year. As it is, I really struggle with t-shirts because I cannot stand it when tees get twisted seams in the wash and let's be honest, who wants to handwash their t-shirts?!?  I don't mind hand washing linen and silk, but I draw the line at t-shirts. I still wait for the day when I can find a great fitting t-shirt and it doesn't warp or twist in the washing machine.  Stripes highlight the twisting and warping so I am happy that this one by Banana Republic has survived thus far.  Since I bought it on final sale for $10 last month, it is even more of a score.  And speaking of scores, these striped solids have also proved themselves very comfortable. I am still a bit worried about tackling the hills of San Francisco when my friends visit this summer, but I am getting more and more comfortable with each wearing.

I Am Wearing:

Top: Banana Republic

Cardigan: Trina Turk (similar)
Denim: c/o Miss Me Jeans

Earrings: Diamond Hoops (Splurge | Steal)
Necklace: Blue Nile

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (current)
Espadrilles: Soludos

Art Therapy

 

When I get to have lunch with my husband in the middle of the week, I consider it my "therapy." Last week, I stole him from his office and we went to the Cantor Sculpture Garden at Stanford to walk off some of the food.  I can't wait to take our kid to the Cantor Arts Center soon.  Every time I go on their campus, I am always surprised by how beautiful the grounds are. It reminds me very much of my own alma mater, SMU, and I love feeling at home when I wander around.

I am Wearing:

Top: Nine West (similar)
Skirt: Banana Republic (option)
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Earrings: Macy's

Necklace: Blue Nile

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (current)
Shoes: Tory Burch (Splurge | Steal)

Sweet S'Mother's Day

This Mother's Day is bittersweet.  We usually have tons of family around to celebrate Mother's Day, whether we are celebrating with my mom and family or my mother-in-law and family.  It was really hard not having family around this weekend, but my guys made up for it in spades. We were supposed to go for a hike yesterday, but it rained so we just went for a short walk into town for breakfast.  Does anyone else watch The Goldbergs?  We write "S Mother" on all forms that ask my relationship to the patient (our kid) and his orthodontist recently had a good laugh because that is what the mother on The Goldbergs is called. We checked it out and what was supposed to be a quick, "Let's see what it's about" turned into an all-evening binge as we laughed and laughed. Now our son tells anyone who will listen that I am his "Smother" and he said that he and my husband are going to give me the best S'Mother's Day ever. I really am spoiled beyond belief.

I Am Wearing:

Top: c/o Banana Republic
Denim: Joe's Jeans
Earrings: No Brand Diamond Hoops (Splurge | Steal)
Necklace: BaubleBar (option under $30!)
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.
Clutch: Vintage (similar)
Flats: J Crew

**Thank you to Banana Republic for partnering on this post.**

Great Scot!

I am crazy (mad?) about this plaid shirt dress from Brooks Brothers.  I've never tried any dresses from Brooks Brothers before, but this one from their Black Fleece collection really caught my eye for a couple of reasons. First, because I've been in search of a great shirt dress since always. Also because ever since our son started working on a genealogy project at school, he has been obsessed with his dad and grandpa's Scottish heritage. He wants to have a kilt and we discovered that every clan has their own tartan, but our last name doesn't have a registered tartan and we can't find the one from the region where the family hails from.  We are stumped, but we think they are closest to one of the MacDonald clans. It appears that their color base is black, dark green, and dark blue.  Those colors also form the base of the National Scottish Tartan, they add red and/or white. When I saw the colors in this plaid dress, I thought it would be fun to have until we can figure out what their real family tartan is.  Finally, when the dress came in, I liked the feel of the thick, structured fabric and I loved that there is none of the usual pulling or gaping at the bust as I often get with button up shirts and dresses. Brooks Brothers did a stellar job on these shirt dresses and I wish I hadn't waited until they were on final sale to get one.  This white one would have been an amazing addition to my closet.  Great Scot! indeed.  Did anyone else picture Doc Brown in their mind?

I Am Wearing:

Dress: Brooks Brothers (current option)
Earrings: Blue Nile

Monogram Necklace: c/o Jane Basch Jewelry

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Clutch: c/o BCBG Max Azria (similar)
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik (Splurge | Steal)

Best & Worst | Met Gala 2016

 The Best

This year's theme for the Met Gala was Manus x Machina. While there were many gorgeous gowns and many relied heavily on bright metallics and other futuristic devices, these were my favorite looks.  I truly believe that Claire Danes basically won the evening in her gorgeous light up Zac Posen gown and I was happy to see that Twitter agreed with me.  As someone stated her gown was literally "Lit Up!" and I loved that the ethereal gossamer fabric looked just as beautiful when it was on the red carpet and you couldn't see it's glow.  And HOW cute and proud does Zac look standing by Claire in that photo?!?

Next to Claire Danes, my other favorite look of the evening went to Zoe Saldaña, who looked stunning in a feathered Dolce and Gabbana ball gown that looked stunning when laid out across the grand staircase leading to the ball.

Honorable mentions go to Sienna Miller who looked sleek and elegant in Gucci, Alicia Viksander who rocked Louis Vuitton and looked both fresh and futuristic all at once and Juno Temple in a very romantic Erdem dress that I can see becoming a timeless frock in anyone's closet.

The Worst

I have to say that I really didn't like the heavy Louis Vuitton boot situation going on tonight. I liked Alicia Viksander's boots because they truly complemented her asymmetrical dress, but I didn't like that Selena Gomez's boots made her look even more dumpy than the Louis Vuitton white studded dress already looked. I thought as the date for the honorary co-chair (Taylor Swift,) she really should have shined last night.  On the heels of those boots, came Michelle Williams also in Louis Vuitton and while I LOVED her new bob and her whole look, I hated it for the Met Gala.  It just came across as boring and I even felt like she wasn't sure she was coming, but got a text and decided to drop in. Sarah Jessica Parker in Monse was another disappointment as the Met Gala is usually "her jam." Not last night, I thought she looked tired and it wasn't just the cropped pants and cami that looked more suited to go do laundry than to gab with bestie, Anna Wintour.  I think the reason I selected these as my worst is because each of these women is such a fashion dish and I really expected so much more form them. I also immediately discounted anyone who wore boring silver sequins, the usual attention-grabbing getups (I am looking at you Madonna, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga) and all members of all fame-whoring families (why were they ALL there tonight? It doesn't even make sense...)

The Best Again

I leave you with a final look at Claire Dane's real life Cinderella dress.  I feel like Claire and Zac were really the only ones who understood the theme and translated into beautiful fashion. This image is from Zac Posen's instagram account. I love this look!

What were your faves?