Work, Weekend, Wine Bar: J.Crew Blythe Blouse

I bought this blouse last weekend from J.Crew, and thought it'd be fun to show a three ways to wear it, "work, weekend, wine bar!"

 Work: tucked into a high-waisted ponte knit pencil skirt, and paired with a black pump and a lady-like work bag, all ready for 9 to 5.

Weekend:  Style it down with neon pink denim, some nude flats, a cross body bag and chunky accessories like this Marc by Marc Jacobs rose gold watch and Chloe round sunglasses -- ready for brunch or the park.

Wine Bar:  Lady meets edgy when paired with black lace shorts, a boyfriend blazer, and hello legs heels in blush suede! Quilted Marc Jacobs cross-body bag leaves hands free for holding a wine glass, or your date's hand.







I'm so excited to wear it!  What do you think?

Totally in love with this little frock from Kate Spade right now.  Love the length and the faux belt. How darling for a Saturday brunch, or an upcoming wedding by the water?

Liana Dress by kate spade.

Good news for Spring 2012

So in love with Valentino's continued pieces of the "Rockstud" collection.

right??

And how sweet is this little Miu Miu Bow t-strap sandal for Spring 2012?

I love the gold metal heel.

four month sum-up

we traveled, we loved, we ate, we celebrated!

September and October were nuts for us.  Saudi Arabia (Andy), San Diego, Seattle, Berlin, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, 30!, Holiday, Bend. whew.

Andy and I celebrated our 1st year of marriage in Seattle, where Andy had a conference.  We spend a couple days in his conference hotel downtown, and while Andy taught and learned, I saw friends and played in the City, and then we spent the weekend with some friends in Ballard, along with some other friends who drove up from Portland.  We got to see my family for dinner one night, and spent Sunday with them, eating an amazing brunch and swimming in a fabulous pool.  It was full and lovely. We didn't take any pictures if you can believe it.

I marked 30 with glam.  Call these the crisis of turning twenty-ten, by Valentino:

(I was also spoiled by my wonderful husband, who also felt the need to mark the occasion.)

Hello Central Europe!  We took a fabulous trip to Central Europe, into Berlin and out of Vienna.  We had thought we'd spend the time in either Argentina or Italy, but with Andy's recent travels to the Middle East, we had enough airline miles to book a trip, and those places were unavailable.  We decided to pick the dates, and go where ever we could get tickets, and this worked, so we booked it, and started planning.  Two glorious weeks that felt like a second honeymoon, and were a blessing to be away from work, away from life, and enjoying each other and our spirits of adventure.

We spent Thanksgiving with The Coughlin/Walther side of the family, but here in the Bay.  Andy's folks came down and cousins came up, and it was a huge, fun day of family and fun, before the misery of the Holiday shopping season hit my life. We spent Christmas just the two of us, and cooked a fabulous meal where I roasted my first chicken. Vegetarian no more!

 Andy headed up to Oregon the next day, and I joined him a few days later, and we got just enough snow to satisfy before we headed off to the high desert for New Years.

Now, enough wrap-up, here's some hot NYE shoe:   Palais peep toes from YSL.

Happy New Year!!

Publish Post

We spent our 2011-2012 transition in Oregon with Andy's fam, and spent NYE and a friend's Birthday by renting a cabin at Brasada Ranch, about 30 minutes outside of Bend, Oregon.  If you are looking for a perfect high-desert resort with mountain views and amazing facilities, I highly recommend it.

I think it's my dream to have white-washed wood floors.  If they were cheveroned that might be the best floor ever made.

obsession: easy dressing

Obsessing over easy jersey dresses, like these from j.crew.  Every one is so simple and soft, perfect to throw on for a drive, for a plane-ride, for a walk, for a lunch, or add a jacket and some heavy jewelry and turn it into a little dinner dress.  Fluid and cozy, soft and drapey, they scream summer and I think some will easily transition to fall with a chunky cardigan or a pair of tights and an oxford bootie.  I want to wear one everyday.  I especially love the bottom one, that deep v neckline with the almost flutter sleeve is so romantic, no?

Mad Men, now streaming live on Netflix!

We started watching Mad Men this weekend. We plan to watch the whole series on Netflix, while drinking cocktails, and eating casseroles and Jell-o desserts.  

We're absolutely hooked and loving every minute of the few episodes we've watched so far.  Wow that dashing Don Draper.  It's hard to be so torn between loving and hating the era, but I, for one, think we need to bring back the pitcher of Bloody Mary's in the conference room, don't you?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get my caboose into the kitchen to freshen up my husband's martini.

ahhh fall Prada

Dying over this Prada bootie, especially in grey.  Rediculously hot, and feels amazing on the foot, I'm getting so excited for Fall.

And how sweet is this puffer bow ballet flat?  It just femmes up whatever you're wearing in a way I love.  These will be finding their way into my suitcase this Fall, as they are perfect for travel, don't you think?

Scent of a Woman

I've been looking for a new fragrence, something to be able to mix it up, daytime vs. nightime, clean vs. sexy you know.  I described what I wanted and what I currently wear to the gal and she immediately brought me this Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne, and I am obsessed.  I don't know if it's sexy or nighttime, but it's delicious and I can't stop smelling it.  Plus, the packaging is all so gorgeous, of course.

I love how this One-For-One thing is taking off

Warby-Parker, Spex club, and now this from Tom's:

These are my choice:

Get them here.

Way to go Team.

Daytime Sparkle

I wish I had these on today. I'm tired of boots and rainy weather, and in need of a little sparkle today. Really, everyday, don't you think?

Jerome C. Rousseau "Aizza" glitter pump from Spring 2011.

Top 5 Right Now Nails

1. OPI Dutch Tulips
2. Essie Geranium
3. Dior Electric Tropics "Aloha"
4. Essie Turquoise and Caicos
5. Essie Ballet Slippers

Hello June, if only you weren't so rainy.

Jewel Box

Mainly obsessing over jewels and lamps these days.
Finally caved and took home this deco-inspired coctail ring last week:


Have been lusting over this necklace from J.Crew, and think I may finally have a reason to add it to the mix:


And then today I fell head over heels for these two:






I die.

Hello Sunshine

Red lipstick and super high heels are the cure to most of life's little problems, including a gorgeously warm and sunshiny day forcibly spent in an office with no windows.

I most prefer this Dior, and these Jimmy Choos, paired with a sundress and pinned back hair.

Jimmy Choo to the Rescue

My only "Black Friday" purchase arrived in the mail. As a public transport comuter, my handbag is like a little sidekick, taking care of me the whole day; this one is like my new best friend. I'll take a quick moment to remember the amazing Marni bag that it's replacing, and look forward to the future with you on my shoulder. I sure love a good hobo.

Nap in the sun, on the beach, with three gals?

I'd like to make this happen. Right. Now.

This is not becoming a wedding blog

But how amazing is this new Vera Wang [from her Spring 2010]:

So perfect. Huge sigh.

and for a bridal shower, this Dior dress [from Resort 2011]:


And far more realistically, this, for a honeymoon in Turkey:

Your Heart is as Black as The Night

Forgot how much I like Melody Gardot, until I heard a song of hers at work today. Sultry and sexy, way to interrupt my day for the better, thank you very much.

Excellence: yes, please.

Take your pick. George Nelson, Edward Wormley, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Charles Eames and Jens Risom Playboy Magazine, July 1961 (via The Selvedge Yard)