white kitchen/open shelve love

love the modest simplicity of this. all the deets and more rooms from this house here.

the un-mom look | no. 8

i know's, it's been eons since i posted an un-mom outfit--just wasn't feeling the love. but now that fall is here and my attention is turned back to clothing i thought it might be fun to take some of my fall favorites from this post and make a couple of outfits. this first one has me thinking about a weekend day trip, chilly soccer game or even shopping and lunch with a friend (or the kids, if that's your thing). so here goes.

taking the blazer, bag and watch from the fall 09 post i've added:

1. lightweight turtleneck in blue stripe :: old navy :: $15
why it works: enough with the t-shirts already. this nicely fitted t-neck in a nautical stripe won't be too heavy or bunch up under the blazer, but its softness and weight will be comfy without looking sloppy.

2. ‘the dreamer’ boot-cut jeans in blue jet :: old navy or your own closet! :: $34.50
why it works: let's face it, most of us have a pair of old, faded jeans that fit and feel good and if you don't check out old navy's jeans. i'm hard to fit and i usually have good luck with them. plus, they are so reasonably priced and good quality. lots of different cuts and styles. here i''m thinking faded to add some contrast to the dark jacket which is a nice polished alternative to a ratty sweater or fleece jacket.

3. essie nail polish in mink muffs :: essieshop.com or instore at ulta :: $8
why it works: yes, nail polish is an accessory (just ask jenna). essie is great polish--look for sales at places like ulta. i'm LOVING this color right now. it's neutral with just a hint of pink and the medium shade looks good on most skin tones. it's on my toes as we speak.

4. tretorn canvas sneakers in pale oak :: j. crew :: $68
why these work: i wore these under my wedding gown (well, the white ones with the pink swoosh) in 1993--no lie. perhaps a story for another time, though. these are just flipping cute. i'm over the athletic 'trainers'--if you aren't going to the gym, leave them at home. these are fun, casual and retro in such a preppy way--a trifecta of perfection!

5. red scarf with off white design:: dollsofindia.com :: $18
why this works: it is unexpected. the key to looking current in such conservative basics is to add something unexpected. it doesn't have to be trendy or wild, just a little askew from the rest of the outfit. this beauty adds a little global flair.

6. ray ban wayfarer sunglasses in brown :: macy’s :: $109
why these work: what can i say? a classic is a classic. these look good on almost everyone.

happy weekend, lovelies.

speaking of betty draper...

god, i love this coat. here is what mad men costume designer janie bryant has to say about it:

Here she's added her winter white cashmere coat. That's a genuine piece. And of course she's wearing her pearls and it's almost like an Hermes style vintage scarf -- it's not Hermes, it just looks like it! That classic Betty Draper style. And the gloves, and the quilting at the cuff. It's quite simple but so gorgeous. And you know, you still see women like this. That beautiful classic style from the period that they've carried on for their entire lives.

Photo by Carin Baer via amctv.com

1306 37th street, sacramento, california

click me, I get bigger!

I am a sucker for craftsman design. I don't love all of the dark wood you often find in these homes (I know, I'm not a purist) but all of the wordwork makes me weak in the knees when it's painted a crisp white. And those windows? Heaven. I could do some serious design-damage in that kitchen. How about that stove?

Here's the listing info: Unique and beautiful craftsman in East Sacramento. Two residences plus a large storeroom/workshop. Main house has 3 bdrms + fam rm. Back house is a studio. Both have been remodeled--attention to detail is evident. Updated electrical-newer copper plumbing - much more. Move-in condition. Listed at $599,000 (this home is just off the famed 'Fabulous 40s' neighborhood, thus the ridiculous price--my comment).

Interested? Contact agent Sylvia Schnetz at Lyon Real Estate Downtown: 916-444-5633

it's official | fall 2009

click me, I get bigger!

Living in California makes it hard to believe that it is now fall. Our seasons tend to be subtle. Like today for instance, it's about 99 degrees. But it is, nonetheless, the autumnal equinox and being a "fall girl" I had to post some goodies I've been thinking about lately. I just finished doing a major purge of my closet and I am desperately in need of some new clothes. I won't, however, need many of these items until about the end of November. But a girl can dream!

You'll see the pearls here again because, well, they are just so pretty. I'm unofficially calling this grouping "Betty Draper meets the Preppy Handbook". I'm digging all of the ladylike and school boy looks that are happening right now.

Enjoy!

clockwise from left in a swirl:

campo bag :: j. crew :: $298

men’s timex watch with leather bracelet :: timex.com :: similar $40–$80

must have moccasins in frog :: bodenusa.com :: $138

frances stripe ruffled tuxedo shirt :: j. crew :: $89.50

anna von diederitz coat in red :: modcloth.com :: $83.99

the amy bag :: modcloth.com :: $74.99

mac and jac crop pants in black :: nordstrom :: $49 a la laura petrie!

city style sharkskin pencil skirt :: nyandcompany.com :: $34.95

sophisticate skirt in saffron :: modcloth.com :: $72.99

top notch idiom bangle in navy:: kate spade :: $78

dream turtleneck sweater in black : j. crew : $62.50

spotty scoopneck in damson :: bodenusa.com :: $88

lauren by ralph lauren long glass pearl necklace :: macy’s :: $58

wool school boy blazer in navy :: j. crew :: $178

reta platform pumps in grey from the Merona Collection :: target.com :: $32.99

pardonne-moi pendant :: shopthelook.net :: $18

french cafe hook

Beautifully styled shots like this make me warm and toasty inside. Is that weird? I don't care. And that gray green paint color? Sublime...thinking lower kitchen cabinet color. What's that you say? This from the crazy girl who is always posting pictures of all white kitchens? Well, the upper SHELVES will be white--along with the subway tile and the gorgeously gray-veined carrera marble countertop. To dream, to dream.

Have a great weekend(:

Oh yeah, photo from here.

i'm having a pearl moment

top left: grace pearl bauble bracelet :: stella + dot :: $89
bottom left: lauren by ralph lauren long glass pearl necklace :: macy's :: $58
right: pardonne-moi pendant :: shopthelook.net :: $18