zigzag bracelet

love this bracelet. only $11!

ruche

i love me some one-stop-shopping* and ruche never disappoints--cute stuff and great prices. here are some of my current faves:

moonlight sonata dress by ark + co. $64.99
adorned beauty leather ring in pear $18.99
almond delight striped handbag $34.99
leisa gray platform wedge sandals by pink studio $52.99

* i am not compensated in any way for any of my posts. i always post items i would purchase myself from vendors i have experience with and trust (:

pom poms

i turn 40 on saturday and i think i deserve these. just sayin'.

the shirtdress

as you can tell, i have dresses on the brain in a major way. not sure why. maybe because the weather in these parts has been dreadful lately. while i didn't get spring fever as early as i usually do this year, a prolonged period of wind, rain and chilly temps has this girl jonesing for some normal spring weather. not sure my legs are prepared to see the light of day, however.

shirtdresses are the best--feminine, practical and e a s y. here are some i'm particularly fond of:

beaded appliqued linen dress

elizabeth shirtdress

madras shirtdress

ruffled belted shirtdress

blues sisters dress

cotton shirtdress

belted denim shirtdress

dress fetish

okay, how flippin' cute is this dress? god. i think i have a problem

un-mom no. 9 | mother's day

this simple little outfit is just that—simple. who needs the added work of getting all gussied up for sunday mother’s day brunch? this ensemble allows you to look fabulous with very little effort. how, you ask? because the dress does most of the work.

you and me dress | modcloth.com | $50
why it works: this tunic style frock is fun and pretty without being too cutesy and the soft detailing around the neck means you don’t have to bother with a bunch of accessories because they are built right in! i love the vintage "jan-brady-party-dress" vibe, but it is also very current. plus the chambray keeps it casual which means it can multi-task--I think it would look great with a pair of slim, white bermuda shorts, flat sandals and a big straw hat for a beach bbq or other casual summer soiree. and if you are really daring, you could even try it with a pair of black leggings or dark-washed skinny jeans (I don’t do leggings personally, but some of you out there may have forgiving thighs).

yellow enamel maridold ring by ollipop | thepepperkids.com | $32
why it works: do I really need to give a reason why beautiful pieces like this work? Although the dress calls for few accessories, details are important and the pretty colors of this ring sing “spring!”

getby platform wedge in light brown by nine west | amazon.com | $79
why they work: man, i love these shoes. it’s all about the wedges ladies—they are comfortable, sexy and in this neutral color will go with everything in your wardrobe from spring skirts to boot-cut jeans. i love the details on these one especially the way the top piece wraps around the sole. this is especially flattering for the petite among us as that extra leather helps draw the eye all the way to the ground.

wicker straw clutch in yellow | talbots.com | $99
why it works: it’s classic. enough said. you will have it forever. and, I have soft-spot for straw bags.

happy mother's day weekend, my lovelies!

lobster love + no. 200

wow! this is my 200th post! for a girl that doesn't get to this space as often as she'd like, this feels like quite an accomplishment. anywho, talking lobsters today. don't like to eat them, but love them as design motif. llbean's got a ton of it this season. these are my favorites. i MUST get those pj bottoms and flip flops. and possibly the belt. or the clogs...

oh yeah, and these, too

from here.

[insert picture of me with mouth hanging open, here]

catch ya later, kittens.

oh my god

this.

and these.

i'll be back with actual content next week. promise. until then, happy, happy.

miscellany

feeling a bit scattered but also relaxed at the end of this week. i only worked 2 days this week and i could REALLY get used to that. i was able to clean out the playroom (i even snuck some toys and books to goodwill) and re-organized my craft supplies/books in the office. now i am hoping to actually get some stuff designed, produced and in the shop for easter!

this weekend i am going to work on sprucing up this blog a bit--re-organizing a little and updating the blogroll. i am also thinking a lot about my postings and wanting to get more up each week. i am considering organizing the week by topic. anyway, there is a lot in my little brain, so you will definitely see some changes around these parts--but don't expect them by monday!

in the meantime, these are the things on my mind as we enter the weekend...

loving this girl's hair. image found here.

i've made this granola recipe two weeks in a row now and it is fabulous. it's a very flexible and easy recipe. we skipped the coconut both weeks and used dried apricots, apple, cherry and date the first week and skipped the date (i'm not a big fan, matt loves them) and did apple, raisins and dried blueberries the second week. yum!

this is my FAVORITE new blog! so much fun. an extravagant take on 'un-mom'. i can't stand how much i love that shell basket purse.

i've been collecting artwork for the house and my office and i am looking for a matisse drawing. thinking about this one.

happy weekend, lovelies!

i'm not pregnant

but if i was, i would wear this. so cute at old navy.

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

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

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

accidental purchase

"How do you accidentally buy a pair of shoes?" you ask? My husband will no doubt be posing the same question. If you are me, it all starts on the way back from grabbing a snack you don't need at the deli next door. That's right, I ate candy and bought shoes all as a result of leaving my office. I guess this is why I try not to on most days.

So I am walking back with said candy from said deli and I see this very stylish young woman at the crosswalk. She has on a really cute outfit: black and white houndstooth pencil skirt (looked like lightweight wool) and a pretty white cotton lace blouse with cap sleeves that buttoned up the back. I was standing there thinking to myself that I probably would never have put those two pieces together, since one seemed fallish and the other decidely more casual and for warmer weather. But they really worked together and I was impressed. While waiting for the green man to give me the okay to enter the crosswalk, I stood there daydreaming about what pieces in my wardrobe fit these categories that I should try together when I got home.

Then it happened. I looked down. And there they were. The cutest shoes in that subtle dove gray I've been pining after for a while now.

I followed her into my building, then into the elevator trying to note each detail so that I could google (yes, a verb) them as soon as I returned to my desk. Within minutes I discovered that they are Steve Madden and that every retail outlet I could think of was sold out. I did, however, find a vendor on eBay selling a new pair in a 7.5 (my size, sometimes). This is where the accidental part comes in.

See, this vendor was selling the shoes, not listing them in an auction. Two buttons stood next to the picture: "buy now" and "make and offer". This seemed cool--I could suggest a price. Never encountered this on eBay before. The shoes were listed for $69 which seemed like a fair price. I checked to make sure I could return them if they didn't fit. I decided to click the "make an offer" button. I thought, "How about $49?" then I read the note that suggested I make an offer that seemed "fair" to both the seller and me. I softened and entered $59 and hit enter. The screen immediately lit up congratulating me on my purchase, my offer was accepted and I was now the proud owner of these shoes that may or may not fit. Lucky me. I naively thought the seller would have to think about it and get back to me or something. It never occurred to me that the seller could set an authomatic threshold. Silly me.

Actually, I am happy about it. If they don't fit, I can return them. They are really cute, even if I don't need them and am having a hard time thinking of something I have that I can wear with them. But I am sure it will work out in the end.

The moral of this story? Go to the vending machine in the basement when you need sugar. And next time, lo-ball those offers.

tuileries ring

love, love, love kate spade. not sure how much involvement she has in the company that bears her name since it was sold several years ago to the liz claiborne people (have noticed some slipping in the designs), but i do love this ring. find it here.

happy weekend, my lovelies.

ban.do

i think these fabric corsages are so pretty. ban.do makes beautiful things. find more here.

french connection

French women just get it. I went to college with a beautiful woman from Peru who had this kind of style--so effortless, so elegant, so unexpected. She could wear a scarf like no one else. Her scarves were extensions of her body. Sublime.


This yellow coat takes my breath away.

Images from here via here.

stuff i love | makool loves you

L O V E this blouse.