Adorable Alexa Chung

The Perfect Fit: Alexa Chung to Design Collection for Madewell !!

...Alexa Chung and Madewell are going to join forces. She so stylish and fresh looking, just adorable.  Madewell, it seems,[ "was the first brand to approach her, asking her to collaborate, consult, or just generally come over and pass on some of that gamine-redux style that she makes look so effortless. Yet Madewell were the perfect suitors because, Chung says, they were so laidback and undesperate. “I’d always been a bit cautious of collaborations—that they’d just be a money thing,” she says. “When I moved to New York, Madewell asked to meet me. I went in, and I liked the company. Everything about our meeting was very organic and casual; not full-on. They were open to suggestions.”]

The collection will be available just in time for Fall 2010!  (I'm already looking forward to the next Fall as it is my favorite time of year). 

How sweet is that pink bag??!

Fall Ocelots

This jacket by Alberto Makali is one of my  finds from the Nordstrom Rack Designer Event **Sigh** which I had more fun than should be allowed (seriously, there has be a limit on how many cute things they should have, it is fiscally frightening!)  I only went in for running shoes (found 2 pair that fit, after trying on about 15 pair!  This was a 'need' as opposed to a want, I had not bought running shoes for over 1 1/2 years, just rotated 3 pair, all of which are worn out).

The photo doesen't show the incredible fabric of this jacket, its almost sweater-like, but more structured, with gold threads throughout.  Cost? $45.00!  The purple dress is a find from Target last year, Converse!  So much fun to mix everything up and have a whole new outfit!  The jacket looks great with red and of course, black, for entirely different looks.  I would say its an ocelot print; I ended up buying it instead of this one.

I absolutely adore these boots, they are DKNY, over the knee, but can be worn folded down.  They look adorable over skinny jeans over the knee, but I feel like its a little much wearing them that way...

I found this belt at Target! 

They are a 5 1/2, so I have to wear heavy running socks with them, so funny!

Transitional Boots

Well its been about 48 hours since my H1N1 vacine and I'm still alive!  Whew!  It was being offered at the company nurse's office for Category 2 people, so I thought I'd get one yesterday.  I'm Cat2 because of the whole bronchitis 3-week-off-work-every-year thing (NOT this YEAR!!! that's my goal...)

We are about to start getting raining weather, so I thought I'd wear these adorable boots  that I had ordered back in September.  I was thinking they would work best for Spring, but they are so cute I had to wear them at least once before the weather turns really cold.  I had first saw them on Chloe's blog and had to order pair from Go Jane.com.  They aren't leather, which concerns me, only because if I trip scratch them, I don't know how I'll repair the damage, and yes, I'm always having to have a shoe repaired.  I'm one of Nordstrom's best shoe repair customers! 

I tried wearing skinny jeans both in and out.  I'm short, so I think out worked best for me, but in shows off the boot.  In spring I think they will be adorable with skirts!

Tried to take a 'mirror' picture so that the boots could be visualized as part of  an outfit, but the flash was not cooporating...

This adorable flower is so Anthro-eque, but was made by a local artist in a fabric shop that I've discovered.

This paper Tee has the sweetest design, it is made for layering and peeked out under the bottom of the olive sweater.  The color picked up the boots and pulled this casual outfit together.  Did I mention that I found this top and a green one at Target for only $10.00 a piece?!  Squeal!

Rainy Day Style!

Its a nice wintery, rainy day today!  Only the 2nd one of the season, so I'm excited!
This was the first year ever I did not shop on Black Friday! Well, not a mall or outlet stores anyway!  I even made a RETURN!! And I'm not even sure if that's legal on Black Friday...no doubt that will come up on my next security clearance process [ggggggrrrrr.... can you just hear the investigator "now, tell me, Black Friday, 2009, is there anything you would like to talk about? hhhhhmmmmmm????  As he/she/it holds the return receipt in his/her/its hand....]  ok, far too much coffee and paint fumes this morning.

I was too exhaused to shop and too many other unfinished projects to work on.  I did pack the bunnies and we took them to a sweet little fabric store 'in the country' about 30 miles inland.  This adorable shop has the most beautiful fabrics for only $14.00 per yard (I say 'only', it sounds reasonable to me; I'm not certain as to what fabric should cost...its better than the $40 per yard in Los Angeles last weekend!)  So I bought a few yards for upcoming projects.  This little shop has knitting classes and the little hats and handwarmers, that I could potentially make, were so adorable.  I want to take a class in January when the classes resume.  I want to make some handwarmers! (no, I have never knitted in my life...)

At 9:00pm after a long run and a 1/2 hour on the eliptical, I was feeling really antsy, as if I hadn't shopped in, I don't know, years...And NO the bag containing $125 worth of fabric and trim sitting innocently waiting to be formed in to a lovely window treatment did not count...so when Edgar returned from his work out at the gym. we went to a little shopping center a miles or so away and I returned a few things at Marshalls.  I roamed the store for a 1/2 hour, but nothing called out to me.  Edgar found some great Italian shoes, however, so he actually had a great time!

This is my Laundry by Shelly Siegel coat that I bought for $145.00 (that is not a typo!) a month or so ago.  Honestly, do I look like a mushroom??  It is down-filled and I'm hoping it will be warm on very cold days because I freeze)...What do you think?  I'm still contemplating keeping it....

This is a shorter version in cream at Bloomies:

Trip to Los Angeles

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.  There are 39-days (including today!) left in the year, lets make the most of them!
I visited the hair salon on Friday and had my color done a shade lighter this time and a trim, I can't wait for it to grow.  I went to the Paul Mitchell school again, in San Diego proper.  I adore my colorist/stylist Vanessa.  She is only 19 and is so incredibly professional and sweet.  She is efficient and personable, and sadly (for me) only has a month and 1/2 before she graduates.  She is likely moving to Los Angeles, so if I want to follow her, I will have quite a drive.

Speaking of Los Angeles, I had to take a business trip up there on Saturday, with is why my weekend was so buzy.  I did manage to squeeze in a trip to the Bliss Spa for a manicure and pedicure with the most lovely holiday red,  ****sigh***.  It was a wonderful 2-hour excape from the world. 

I also went to Mood fabric, which is nothing like the website.  There were no sales, I only found one fabric that I liked, a Carolina Herrerra for $40.00 per yard; however, it was not right for my Master Bath window treatments, which is why I stopped there.  I think I'll stick to their website.  The NYC store is supposed to be incredible, but I was really disappointed with the Los Angeles store.

On the way back home we drove through Hollywood (I wanted to stop at the Sephora mega-store, but there just wasn't time), and stopped in Melrose at one of my favorite little boutiques, Paper Moon.  I found the cutest grey infinity scarf for $12.00 (the designers are just starting out, so the prices are incredible) and adorable little dress with a bubble skirt for evening or New Years.  I love the displays in this little shop.  I wore it to work to day with my new J.Crew top and it is so light that is hangs perfectly.

An Education in Style

Starved for European culture on this fabulous fall Sunday, we went to see the move An Education, with Carey Mulligan playing the female lead.
Oh my gosh, her clothes! She looked like a very young Audrey Hepburn! I just couldn’t see enough of these fabulous, classic, lady-like outfits and hair styles that she wore!

It was just lovely, even though the content was one of  a cold, hard warning to women of all ages.

If you love English movies and the beautiful country side (oh how I want an early retirement there…) this is a must see. Of course the “accents” were just lovely as well.

The time is London, 1961, and 16-year-old Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is a suburban London teen who finds herself swept off her feet by a much older man, with a dark secret ( I won’t give that away, I actually didn’t see it coming, I was more focused on here education and whether she would be “allowed” to attend university and be a wife, God forbid.

Bored to death by her familiar adolescent routine, Jenny jumps at her opportunity to accompany her newfound beau to classical concerts, art auctions, crowded pubs, and dinners that stretch into the small hours of the night. Jenny is at the top of her class and is expect to attend Oxford. Costars are Emma Thompson and Sally Hawkins.

Has anyone else seen An Education?

What I wore to an Auction

I am so behind on posting.  Never in my career have I had a new fiscal year like this.  I am drowning in policy and reports!! I had cancel my two days off this week which was going to allow me to do all sorts of projects at home.  I did have Veteran's Day off, which was spent moving furniture and rearranging rooms, but having 5-days away from the office would have allowed for some things to be completed once and for all!  Oh well, I'll try again another week!  

Since this post was almost completed, I'll write "Friday New Blog Finds" over the weekend!

Last Sunday we went to a private home auction for a designer/landscape artist originally from England.  You can just imagine what her home looked like, it was just gorgeous.  She had put herself into every aspect of it.  Her garden was incredible, it is what my garden is aspiring to be.  I snuck a few pictures, but photos were not encouraged because this was a private residence. So the few I was able to take I'll share on my home blog.

I'll take pictures of all the goodies, poor Lexus: two trips, and a rental truck on Monday (for Edgar's office filing cabinet, which is really a wall unit I suppose).  I have to say that I bought about 16 design books for about $15!  Amazing!  Some of them contain her notes, but are still in immaculate condition.  Sadly, the auction began on Saturday and all of the artwork, handbags and most of the jewelrey peices were already purchased and gone. And, to my dismay, this lovely lady are on opposite ends of clothing sizes, so nothing was going to work for me (and she had an entire room converted into a closet {I showed Edgar, he just growled; I'm thinking if I want this I will have to do it myself!}haha  So many lovely evening dresses and business attire.  There was one Coach bag left, but it was too small for my daily needs and I have several small bags that sadly are not used too often.

This outfit just felt like fall on this nice crisp, yet warm, day. 
Nordstom ribbed tights
Boots also from Nordstrom
J Crew Bracelet
DKNY Skirt ruffle skirt that I never knew what to wear with it, but looked like it was made for this top.
Top is from a little boutique in the area that I found while at Indian Market; it is plaid and has ruffles.  This was the first time I have worn it; I love the silky fabric.  It fits perfectly (I was concerned about howas going to fit and hadn't even tried it on...I don't know what's wrong with me!)

This flower belt cam with an Erin Featherson top that I ordered during Fashion Week.  It just happened to work with this outfit as well (love bow -like flowers!)

Another belt shot, but the plaid is more visable in this one.

Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale

Oh how I love Nordstrom!!  I have so many finds from this store.  Nordstrom, Nordstrom. com and Nordstrom Rack are my go-to places for shoes in particular because the actually have size 5s.  Not an easy size to find, but then it seems to me that many people must be wearing them. 

But in my excitement, I digress....

You can shop on-line and their quailty is suburb.  I have classic pieces from years ago that still look new.  Great makeup kits as well, be sure to check out the makeup and skincare section. Free shipping (love this) on $100 or more thru 12/20 code is HOLIDAY09. 

IF you have a Nordstrom card, you will get double reward points from today thru 11/7; just throwing that out there!

Now, I have been shopping around town and I have to get buzy taking pictures.  I found a Laundry down filled coat, a Tracy Turk dress, new boots, running shoes (finally!).  I'll share all this with you in the next few days.

Go visit a Nordstrom or Nordstrom.com!!

Totes by Coco

I ordered the cutest tote bag from Chantal at her Cocorosa blog. 

Aren't they cute?  Well, I only ordered ONE bag actually, but Chantal was visiting Europe during that time period and she thought that the delivery took too long. S0, what a surprise I had when I opened the bag:  a sweet note from Chantal AND a second bag for free!  What a doll! 

I've been taking my lunch to work in them and they are just adorable.  These are the two that I have, and she has other designs as well.

Suiting

Meetings, meetings, meetings and there is nothing like a good suit for looking pulled together.  This one is from Bebe (I know, surprised me too!), last year, although I've seen similar at J Crew and Ann Taylor this year.  The grey shade is just so completentary to so many skintones.  The skirt is the perfect length, just 1 1/2 - 2 inches above the knee so it is stylish, but completely office appropriate.  I have an orange scarft to wear later; and the grey and orange just scream FALL!  I can't seem to get away from the pearls this season; I missed them so much after only wearing them occationally this past summer. 

Speaking of fall, isn't this the best pumpkin coat ever? 

Ellen Tracy Convertible Collar Coat

Are You Getting an H1N1 Vaccine?

...Once the H1N1 vaccine becomes available, we will provide information on availability and schedules. ...

My company offers them, so I'm trying to decide. I probably will, I tend to get get bronchitis every year and last year I had pneumonia as well. NOT having a replay of that this year!!! Maybe because I run at night?

What does everyone else think about it? Are you going to get one?

So in a effort to keep warm, this is my Anthro wish.  LOVE this scarf and gloves, and sweater too of course.

DKNY Trench

After all my complaining about the 90 degree weather, we have had rain for the past 2-days! I would have loved to stay home and work on home projects.

I finally was able to wear my DKNY black trench coat that I got at a complete steal during a pre-fall sale. Seriously a steal! It was $40.00, regularly $180.00 with all the discounts being offered.

Well, I know now why it was on sale, as cute as it is, it is a spring trench, because it is NOT warm at all!!! I ventured out of the office for my lunch time walk to Starbucks and was cold, not freezing, but cold. Leaving the office at 6:00 made the final determination: this is a spring trench and I am going to buy the LINED J Crew Lady Day Coat when they go on sale. Yes, I have several other coats, but none of them warm enough. I'm also looking at OSLO Jacket, which I saw on another blog, and of course the name has completely slipped my mind.  I need to start writing things down!

These pictures are sad, I need to break down and buy a tri-pod at Target and use the larger 'adult' camera instead my little, easy to hold, Cannon.

I'm not sure why my skin is appearing so shiny, must be happiness about the rain?! 

Where it all Began!

On Saturday morning I decided what I needed to do was to visit the shop where I rescued Wooley at about 2 or 3 months old. Yes, a SHOP {I know} HOWEVER he had been abandoned there, and was even being segregated (poor thing) from the shop bunnies because the owner told me that they didn't know if he was healthy due to him being abandoned at the front door.   (far reaching?!)  I had been in the pet store to purchase food for my other bunny, which I only had for a month at that time. There he was, the future Tealle Wooley, sitting in an open 'tank' alone and frightened; And who puts an angora in shavings?! So naturally his beautiful wool was a mess. Those big blue eyes won my heart and 2-weeks later, I was back to pick him up!

So, my entire little family and I took a trip to Wooley's "birthplace" in Newport Beach, at the Fashion Island Shoping Center.  Of course, the pet store was completely re-done and under new ownership.  But its amazing how cathartic it was to visit anyway. 

We had a great lunch at Canaletto Italian Restaurant, with Lyonn and Madelaine sitting discretely in their Sherpa carrier (until the waitress asked what I had, and was promptly enamoured with them!)

beet salad yum                                                                                                          Ed's eggplant pasta

Fashion Island is my absolute favorite place to shop locally.  8-years ago I had a townhome in the area so that was my weekly shopping trip.  I remember what fun it was going to the Bloomies grand opening! They also have the best Christmas tree lighting event, with a huge tree flown in from Seattle (not too environmentally correct I know!) Now, and even though its still only a 15 minute drive from my office on the "toll road", I only have the time to visit about once every six months or so.

This is the outfit I tried to duplicate today: I wore a Theroy sweater, Classiques (Nordstom) shrunken Jacket and Court Jeans.

This is an outdoor shopping center and the weather was lovely for walking around. I had to stop in Anthropologie. The assistant manager gave an invitation to the bunnies that they could visit anytime !  So many cute fall items. I am in love with this cape:  (XS is already sold out).

 

This jacket:

This dress:

And of course there adorable coffee table books, sweaters, hats....my wishlist is quite long!

The plan was see Coco Before Chanel, but the theater was further north than we had thought, so we missed the movie.  Instead we went to Britta's Cafe in Irvine for a delicous dinner.  Their food is delicious and when Edgar worked in the area also, we would often have dinner there.  Now it is quite far for him to drive for dinner so it was really a treat to go there.

We were the only people dining on the patio since it was so early, Edgar couldn't help but take the bunnies out of their carrier!

Ed scolding Madelaine for eating all of the lettuce she was supposed to share with Lyonn

hhhmmmm, what shall we have?

Black, White and Lavendar Tribute!

Last night while looking through my emails and catching up, I saw this picture:

J.Crew

The colors, grey , white, touch of black, with lavendar undertones just said "Wooley" to me. A lavendar bunny?  He had big blue eyes and very Nordic skin coloring, so that's where the lavendar comes in.

Believe me, I was in no mood for shopping, but when I saw these colors, I knew I had to have it as a tribute to him and a 'feel good happy' gift to me.  As strange as it sounds, it just made me smile! If there were two things Wooley liked to do in his prime years, it was shop and dine out.  Whenever I took him to Nordstrom if meeting a friend there for lunch, or just picking up a little something, sales ladies would come over from other departments to coo over him.  And he loved every moment of it! 

The dining thing is a whole other post, but lets just say that he has dined in some of the best restaurants AND has been served (carrots, assorted veggies) WITHOUT my having to ask (I always tried to be discrete that he was even there!).

I had to visit Target at lunch time today to look for a cord to connect my laptop to my little HP photo printer.  Couldn't help but notice the adorable hats and gloves! And an adorable piece of fabric!

$71dollars later I was finished!  What?!  $20 phone cord, $20 fabric (a curtain actually), gorilla glue (projects!), curtain hanger thingys, $16 for a topper for my downstairs bathroom that I believe will match the fabric I bought in Los Angeles a couple of months ago, AND it has adorable dangly fringe.  Pictures if it does! Whew!  Under $100!  not bad for Target, right?!

Sweater Dress

I have wanted a sweater dress this season after seeing an adorable one in Lucky magazine.  I've never been one for a sweater dress, but after falling in love with the very expensive dress in the magazine, I've wanted to recreate it.

My trip to Marshall's Designer Sale over the weekend proved to be very productive because I found one and about 20 other things! This black sweater dress is an XS, but is not at all tight or clingy.  In fact, its a bit big, which makes me wonder if that's why this line was at Marshall's??

The little Ralph Lauren vest/wrap/sleeveless cape (what is it?!) is an adorable find.  And sooo soft (cashmere and rabbit hair; I HOPE this item was produced with kindness...).  They seem made for each other...

I'm trying to show off the dress, but I look as if I want to fly...

Target braclets tied togother with ribbon that has been waiting to be used for years.

Cute shoes from Preview by Nordstrom; they deserve their own picture!  They were the only shoes I was able to buy at the Pre-Fall Half Yearly Sale in July before I fractured my toe **sigh**.