September 29, 2009

My Lily Skirt {finally!} Arrived!




After a long week, fighting a bit of a bug, I was so excited to arrive home late Friday evening to find that my Lily skirt that I had ordered a couple of weeks ago had arrived!  It couldn't fit better if I would have had it custom made, it is perfect!  That really does amaze me because I have two tailors that I am pretty certain really, really like me alot!  I ended up getting the 0, rather than the 2, and I just couldn't be happier!  I wore it to church on Sunday, with just a shrunken cardi from Black and White Market and knit top )boutique in San Diego) to bring out the beautiful blues in the skirt, keeping in mind that it was 87 degrees at my house!  I plan to wear it with black tights in the "later" fall, but just wore black Anne Klein pumps sans tights on Sunday.  Photos are in my backyard, which is actually doing quite well through this heatwave.

Also wore it to a movie Sunday afternoon, My One and Only, with Renee Zellweger.  Great movie, really makes you see how far women have come in education and society.  I think this movie would encourage any young woman to GO TO COLLEGE after seeing what this poor character went through.  After the movie I had to change into sweats {this was hard, seriously, this is most comfortable skirt EVER!} for a 2 1/2 hour walk on the beach Sunday evening, taking advantage of the very warm evening.  Edgar only accused me of 'trying to kill him' towards the end of the walk, it was a great walk overall!

Fall Decor is UP!  Yay, however, I still have to add pumpkins (next weekend), so I'll wait to take pictures...hope everyone one had a great weekend!

September 26, 2009

Weekend Goals....and a new BAG! (or two!!)

I've been in end-of-fiscal-year **heaven** ;-), but I do have Monday off before the next crazy two weeks, so 3 days to accomplish things for me!


I have been searching for a great rolling bag for my laptop. It is sooo heavy to drag around and there is a long walk from the parking lot to the office. I know that feel the vertibre compressing when I travel with it! This evening I found a great light weight rolling bag AND a matching handbag from IMAN on HSN. Just happened to land on the presentation while looking for a movie.  Can't wait to receive them!

Goals for the weekend:
  1. Fall decor!
  2. Pictures of Fall pieces
  3. Paint bookcase
  4. Paint Master bath
Have a great weekend!


Handbag puchased in Hunter Green (brown in picture)
Rolling bag in Hunter Green

September 23, 2009

Happy Fall!








J Crew

Happy Fall!

Fall is my ultimate favorite time of year. I have a sense of renewal and clarity for the home, self and wardrobe. Possibilities seem so endless in the fall. My fall rituals include decorating the outside of my home the last weekend of September and buying pumpkins from a local patch. {It's still very hot where I live (which I hate!), so sometimes the pumpkins aren't available until October}. Fall is also my favorite time to shop for fashions; fall fashions, the magazines, blogs, advertisement just seem more inspiring in the fall.

My little ones were all born in the fall as well, which makes them even more special to me. Wooley, my 'baby' was born October 1, almost 12-years ago this October! My rescue bunny, Madelaine, has unknown birth date, so I've given her the date of December 1, and rounding out my 'family', my almost-1-year-old baby Lionhead, Lyonn, was born November 2, 2008.

My fiancé and I are contemplating a Fall wedding, but that may have to wait until NEXT Fall (something to look forward to!).

September 22, 2009

What is YOUR Style?

Find your Style!  This was a cute site to find your style based on favorite things.  I had to share it because "what is the quality like" are the first words out of my mouth when finding new items (below).  Somewhat scary that this little program pegged me so well!  So, What is your Style?!

 
Your Signature Style is: Understated Elegance
Taste may be acquired for most people, but you've always had it. You just know when something works. Whether it's the way you dress or the way you entertain, you're comfortable with who you are and it shows. You work quietly at doing things well and are never satisfied until you get it "right". The first question you ask when you choose something is "how well is it made?" Your friends think you're a perfectionist. Is there anything wrong with that? Not in your world.


Sept 09 J Crew Catalog

September 21, 2009

I'm Overwhelmed with Gratitude!


I received a Kreative Blogger award on Friday from Ms. Headbands and Handbags !! I am so excited; this is my first award.  I've only been blogging since April 2009, however I had been reading blogs a few months prior to get some ideas.  Please checkout Headbands and Handbags if you haven't, she and I have so many things in common that I feel like she's become a dear friend.

This award made my week because last week was quite a week.  I was accepted into Grad School the very day my company completely cut all educational funding.  Yes, this is an extra benefit, but I was really counting on my company to pay for my degree, or at least a substantial portion of it.  I have a very hard decision to make as far as taking on a huge amount of debt.  My thoughts are either I should go to school now for my design degree and begin my MBA in 1 1/2 years; by then the company may have reinstated the program.  I would pay for the design degree on my own (MUCH less than the MBA...)  Desisions, desisions. Advice is welcomed!

On to the Award!

Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award. {done!)2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog. {done!}3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award. {done!}
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know. {done!}5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers:

This was hard being new myself, but these are blogs that I enjoy reading and 'appear' to be 'newer' (and I hope that they haven't already been nominated) - I'd still like to get to know the authors better:

1. Polka Dots and Protein Bars

2. Susu Paris Chic

3. Bunny Rose Cottage

4. She Left on a Monday

5. Style Chronicle

6. With Style and Grace

7. Preppy Arpon


6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate: {linked above}


7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they've been nominated. {will complete after this post is published!}

7 things that you may not know about me:

1. I’m VERY picky about food (to the point that I KNOW it can be irritating!). I’m anti-preservative/pre-packaged food and buy or request organic everything. I avoid fats and high carbs and avoid meat for the most part, but will have a low fat, organic burger every 2 months or so. Most of this came about because I’m hypoglycemic, which means everything I eat turns to sugar. If I’m not careful or don’t practice portion control, I’m knocked out for the day. It’s the portion control that is hard…

2. I love to run and become really edgy when I am unable to. I run in the evening after work and whenever day light permits, I run in the canyons around my home. Nothing is more relaxing after a mentally exhausting day. I’m trying to do a ½ hour of Lotte Burke Pilates in the morning before work. I was doing well, but now I have to get back into it.

3. I really regret not going to law school. I have a Paralegal degree and business fraud degree, so I had the opportunity to take many law classes; I absolutely loved them and would study for hours just because I enjoyed learning about the law so much. I suppose there is still time, but that is one thing I would change if I could have a d0-over in life!

4. I’m a nerd. A fashion-loving, clothes fanatic nerd, but a nerd just the same! I love to read and learn new things. I’m happiest when I have the time (which is almost never!) to go to Barnes and Noble and peruse the books. I’ve even asked my fiancĂ© to go with me on a Saturday night on several occasions, just because the opportunity was there.

5. I started blogging because I needed a creative outlet and I really missing talking about fashion, design and just style in general. I’m also hoping to improve my ‘creative writing’ skills. I usually write technical documents and hope that I can develop (or rediscover) a more creative style. I had been so busy with work and school that I had to leave my creative endeavors behind for a few years. I overuse exclaimation marks, but I just don't want to sound 'technical' or too serious - please expect to see an improvement in this area! (oops....)

6. I’ll be able to ‘retire’ relatively young because I stated with my company at a young age. So at that point I want to live in Europe ½ of the year and somewhere with 4-seasons on the east coast the other ½. (I’ve been thinking Martha’s Vineyard, but last week we were talking about how nice Newport, RI is…)

For that reason, I want to have the ability to hopefully have my own business in the fashion/design/writing realm where I can work where I want to work. I’m starting “the plan” early, and blogging is really a first step in the process. Of course, plans can change, but it never hurts to have a blueprint from which to modify and work with! {And, this is where the design degree (mentioned above) comes it. I had thought that I would do that after the MBA.}

7. I’ve always wanted an English Bulldog named Aftynne. However, she wouldn’t be able to run with me and would be hard to travel with… And I’m not certain how she would be with my bunnies (their jaws look soooooo strong….). I almost purchased one years about (my life pre-bunny, so 12-years ago!).

And a bonus - my sweet little Jersey Wooley bunny, Tealle-Wooley will be 12-years old on October 1 ! He’s quite ill, but he’s still very happy (the vet and I discussed whether or not he was ‘ready to go’ last week, and she feels he’s not ready {which is what I had thought, but I’m biased…}.

Thank you again for nominating me, Ms. HB&HB!

September 17, 2009

Cocorosa Tote and the Pleasures of Etsy


The author of one of my favorite blogs, Cocorosa, has created the cutest shopping totes (oh how I see myself going to the farmer's market...now I just have to remember to bring it...).  There are larger pictures of them on her blog, and you can purchase them from Etsy.  So cute and useful! 
Speaking of recent purchases, I received my Fashion's Night Out t-shirt this morning. I spied a Federal Express box on the front porch when I was backing out of the driveway, so I had to rescue it.  It was the t-shirt, however, the size small is HUGE!!!  hhhmmmm, maybe some time in the LG Dryer?? (its an environmentally friendly dryer, I might add!)  It's cute nonetheless!

September 16, 2009

Meet the Suburban Princess!

The Suburban Princess http://thelifeofasuburbanprincess.blogspot.com/ is having a lovely giveaway to celebrate having 20 followers!  Yay!  Very cute blog, you will want ot check it out and you also still have time to enter her contest (through the 20th). 

J Crew School Boy Blazer

Is this the cutest Weekend look ever?
I love this look, and am going to try replicate it this weekend. I have a cashmere hoodie, just need the shunken blazer, which screams "investment piece"... *sigh*....

September 14, 2009

Favorites Designers from Fashion Week






Wooley and I are watching Rachel Zoe, reading Marie Claire and looking a various Fashion Week sites on-line. We like to multi-task, always have! Wooley is sipping fresh from the juicer organic (he insists!) carrot juice and I have Peets decaf. Such an elegant evening after a very arduous run (after the Leeks all day, maybe not a good idea...)
These are a few of the lines that inspired us today.










Fall Detox or Am I Completely Insane?


I made a hUgE decision {and its even 6:00am...}... I am going to do a fall detox Today and Tuesday. Why ? Well....I am going to be SUPER BUZY at work and hopefully can put the starvation out of my mind! I'm doing the Leek Cleanse from French Women Don't Get Fat.

I had done this about once per quarter, but not for about 6-months. I actually love leeks and was planning to do this Thursday and Friday. But why torture myself all week? So here I go, leeks for two days, and decaf coffee (regular would make me too shaky without food, and I'm sure would counteract the whole detox effects...) for breakfast.


My treat for all of this? Off to Target to look at the new collections at lunch time tomorrow! And {hoping} to get something from the Erin Fetherston line at the QVC.com NYC shopping event on Wednesday 6:00pm PST. Watch yesterday and ALL things XS were sold out when I called or went on line, I swear its was as though you had to be on a server to get through in time. My verdict? The recession must be OVER! haha



September 13, 2009

Vogue: Genius Anna Wintour's Kingdom



What and incredible movie. I was riveted to the screen. I didn't even make my usual trip to the restroom half way through, even though I was enjoying a Starbucks decaf coffee. Anna Wintour had Starbucks throughout the movie **sigh** (that's one thing we have in common haha). Even Edgar enjoyed it, being a fan of documentaries in general, and we had a good discussion afterwards (I mention that because that showed me that he was paying attention, not napping!)

I think this was perfect timing for this movie, with the beginning of fashion week. I was impressed with the relationship between Anna Wintour and Creative Director, Grace Coddington. As well as her relationship with her daughter, offering support for her daughter's career choice of Law even though you could see her desire for her daughter to go into fashion. Grace, as stated by Anna herself, is an integral part of the magazine's success.
Oh how I wish I would have saved my September issues thru the years! Have you saved your issues?
If you love fashion, this movie is a must. I look forward to delving further into the creative genius process for papers for my masters. Have you seen the movie? What do you think?!


September 11, 2009

Vogue is Fall

Today, first and foremost, I want to remember and pay tribute to all those lost in the 9/11 attacks, and the survivors. On this day {and everyday} we should be thankful for our numerous blessings and not take {anything} for granted. And lastly, a huge 'THANK YOU' to those who keep us safe...
_______________________________________



I'm excited about the movie 'The September Issue' which features the designers and editors of Vogue. The fall issue is anticipated by millions of people of all walks of life around the world. "The September Issue is a documentary which focuses on Vogue editor Anna Wintour as she visits the annual Fashion Week shows, accepts or dismisses the latest creations of the biggest names in fashion, works with the models, photographers, and writers who help bring her vision to the page, and labors with her staff to determine what the world's fashionistas will be wearing for the next 12 months.


The September Issue received its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, where it received an award for excellence in documentary cinematography." ~ credit to Mark Deming, All Movie Guide.


I plan to see it tomorrow in La Jolla ;-)

Fashion Valley in San Diego is having a Fall Fashion event tonight (which I will miss because I'm working late and could never make it there with Friday traffic - {why oh why didn't I take a flex day today?? sigh...poor planning}. There are Saturday events as well, which I plan to attend!


{so much for my day of working on the Master Bath project!}


September 10, 2009








I think I am a bit behind in posting my Labor Day weekend activities, but still wanted to share because I saw an interesting play in San Diego, CA, called “It’s the Housewives”. For those of you who liked the music of Wings and/or Paul McCartney, this may be interesting! Laurence Juber, who was lead guitarist for Wings and his wife, Hope, who is a playwright, director, songwriter, both wrote and directed this play. The website is www.itsthehousewives.com. We went to the opening night and there was a small gathering for cake and food afterwards on the roof of the building; great view of the city.
My dress is from Barney’s and the jacket is a shrunken bell-sleeve trench from Paper Doll on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA. DKNY sandals. Jewelery from Nordstrom and J. Crew.

September 09, 2009

Fashion's Night Out


I think I may be a bit late in the process, but I ordered my t-shirt this morning (I got the longsleeve) to support Fashion’s Night Out; it is really cute. Blogger Cari from Financial Services is not Fashion actually had a post which reminded me that I had better get my order in now that I know that I CANNOT ATTEND (sobs). I sooooo wish I could have had some time to plan a trip to attend. It sounds like fun! I found the t-shirt on designer Adam Lippes' Web site, Adam. Is anyone planning to attend? Please share pictures!

Fashion’s Night Out will donate a portion of sales from the t-shirts go to support the
National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

NOTE:
September 10

Retailers will unite for a single evening in New York City and thirteen other fashion capitals around the world by creating engaging and entertaining incentives to inspire consumers and invigorate the economy and local industry.


SEPTEMBER 11

The world remembers the 2001 tragedies. Proceeds from the sale of the official Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt will soon be donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.


SEPTEMBER 12

The Official Borough Clothing Drive Drop-off Locations are open.

September 08, 2009

Let's Get to Know Each Other!

http://scarlettstyle.blogspot.com/2009/08/getting-to-know-you-tag.html

Scarlett Style tagged her readers to take this survey. What fun to get to know such creative people!

1. What time did you get up this morning? Had to meet w/my gardner this morning, so later than usual - 7:15am
2. How do you like your steak? I have steak maybe once every 6-months, but a filet mignon and very rare.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Time Traveler's Wife
4. What is your favorite TV show? HGTV House Hunters and Privileged (that may be off the air this season...)
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? In Paris
6. What did you have for breakfast? Fage 0% yogurt with berries and banana and very strong Peets Coffee (brewed at home)
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Salads and Vegetarian dishes - Organic; love veggie dishes
8. What foods do you dislike? Fatty or greasy foods

9. Favorite place to eat? Enjoyed Del Frisco's in NYC, locally - Roppongi in La Jolla
10. Favorite dressing? Balsamic vinegar
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Lexus RX300, Infiniti G35S, Pruis Hybrid
12. What are your favorite clothes? Classic, tailored, with a little edge
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Ireland is my next planned trip
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? ½ full
15. Where would you want to retire? Hope to spend 1/2 time in Europe and 1/2 time on Martha's Vineyard or similar place with great ambiance.

16. Favorite time of day? Early mornings or late evenings
17. Where were you born? Los Angeles, United States of America.
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? None, ggggrrrr Gymnastics.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back? Not sure... hopefully someone will!
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? Not sure
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Everyone, I look forward to learning more about people who have such incredible, creative blogs.
22. Bird watcher? Yes, I've tried to create a garden to attract them. I have many hummingbird (they are playful! One flew into the garage and then back out to the flowers!)
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? When I didn't have to get up at 5:00am, I liked to write, study, clean at night best, so I suppose naturally a night person (however, now I'm just exhausted!).
24. Do you have any pets? Yes! 3 angora bunnies: 11-year old Tealle Wooley (a Jersey Wooley); 7-year old Madelaine (a Jersey Wooley-Hotot); and 10-month old Lyonn (a Lionhead).

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I'm always looking for opportunities for promotions in my company. I hope to get more into the fraud aspects of analyst work this coming year.
26. What did you want to be when you were little? a pilot and veterinarian
27. What is your best childhood memory? hhhmmmm I remember a Friday where I had completed a huge class project-I still remember the sence of relief and 'freedom' I felt that I would have for the next 2-days

28. Are you a cat or dog person? hmmmm, I would say dog, because I would like a running companion
29. Are you married? Engaged for 3-years..we're happy this way at this point...;-)
30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes.
31. Been in a car accident? Yes, I was hit on 2 different occations, both on the back bumpers.
32. Any pet peeves? Where to start?! (just kidding) People without manners or propriety.
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Mushies, oregano, eggplant
34. Favorite Flower? Tulip and Hydrangia
35. Favorite ice cream? Taro or apple ff yogurt
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Not a fast food fan, but I would say In-N-Out about every 6 months.

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None.
38. From whom did you get your last email? Officemate/collegue
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Bloomies and Nordstrom for shoes
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Went for a 3 hour run at the beach

41. Like your job? yes
42. Broccoli? Yes! Sauteed with garlic (left crunchy). Great in salads
43. What was your favorite vacation? Three years ago in CT and of course 2 weeks in Paris.
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? My fiance.
45. What are you listening to right now? I listened to Cold Play driving to the office today.
46. What is your favorite color? I'm really loving the pale robin's egg blue for decorating; pink of course; and black clothing.

47. How many tattoos do you have? none
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? All bloggers!
49. What time did you finish this quiz? 12:25pm
50. Coffee drinker? Yes, full bodied bold. I have to admit that I'm a horrible coffee snob!

I tag everyone who reads this! Please leave a comment with a link to your blog if you do it!!

September 04, 2009

Silence & Noise Asymmetrical Navajo Dress

Looking through the Urban Outfitters website, this dress caught my eye. Well no, actually the name of it did. I had to see what on earth a "Silence & Noise Asymmetrical Navajo Dress" would actually look like. It is cute and on sale! I may have ordered it at the beginning of summer, just for the name, so I could tease Edgar (note: he's Navajo). But since he secretly reads my blog (his occasional random statement about something he read gave him away), I had to share this find. I really like the purple and grey combination at the bottom of the dress. I have lovely purple Kelly-style bag that would look great with it. And purple shoes. A boots. Its amazing to me how much purple I actually have. Fall transition perhaps?
hhhhmmmmm.....I'll have to think about this as I head to lunch to see the NEW Ann Taylor and maybe, possibly use the coupon Ann so generously emailed to me this morning for a "buy one, get 50% off" of the second item. I would, after all, be rude not to visit after such a generous offering. And also stop in J. Crew, just to stalk my fall obsessions....

September 03, 2009

Sad, but stylish, day

Very sad day for me: Edgar's 12-year old son, Drew, went back home to NJ after a fun-filled month-long visit with us (too short, and why only a month and not the summer, I'll never understand - but that's legal stuff and must not be blogged about, ever ;-)

Now, just so you don't think I gush about every child I meet, I have to preface this little tribute by saying that I'm not that comfortable with children, for the simple reason that I just really don't know very many. But Drew is the most unique little person ever (well, he's 12 now, so really no longer a child). He is first, completely adorable; second (ok, this item should be his first quality listed, but this blog is about style after all!) incredibly intelligent and a great conversationalist; and after their drive from California to New Mexico for Indian Market, Edgar says he is the best traveling companion he has ever had, EVER!!! (and he has traveled all over the world). NOTE: I FLEW to NM - I HATE driving!!!! (I think it is because of my 100-mile per day, 4-days per week COMMUTE that I brave....just saying).


He is also very, very well rounded in his activities, just like his father. So whether he is going from playing baseball to the theater; from shopping for sports equipment to shopping for a suit; from going for a run on the beach to dinner in a 5-star restaurant; and from listening to music on cds to listening to chamber music - he doesn't miss a beat. I've had the privilege of knowing him since he was quite young and he has always been "cool". You know the kid in class that was just cool, didn't have to try, and didn't even care about being cool? That's Drew. So this is my little tribute to my most favorite guy in the universe (sorry Edgar). Also, Drew is the one who found Lyonn and insisted that we adopt him. I'll miss him until he visits again, or we go to NYC to visit him!


Mad Men Night
Somewhere in AZ/NM during the drive to Market

Jewelery making at his uncle's shop in AZ


At an art exhibit at Market
Had to throw another Mad Men photo in here...

September 01, 2009

Fall Lilly

I'm in love with the new Lilly fall prints, this 'you crack me up' design is sssooo cute.

I tend to favor lots of black for work but this outfit is one I would wear EASILY! And I think I have to have this peacock dress - i love it, or her (the peacock). I just do; its sweet, and I think it looks very professional, but also adorable for dinner. 2ndly, its rather a bit Native American, don't you think? Must be the feathers...(I know Edgar, wrong tribe! I always get the wrong tribe! Jeeez!).
I usually find my Lily wear at Nordrstom, but I may order these early from the website, if possible. I see the Lily website has size 0, Ok, I'm sold! I'm ordering the skirt today.

Meet the NEW Ann!

I am really liking the New Ann Taylor clothing and accessories. I think a lunch time trip to visit them in person is in order this week!