With September comes fashion – September Vogue, runway shows and colder weather all contribute to our desire to think about our wardrobe. My favorite pieces this month ranged from classic to edgy and everything in between. Trying to find a common thread made me realize there is no longer ‘a look’ for that season. It’s become a pupu platter of options – colors, hem lengths, etc that allow us the pleasure of picking and choosing whatever we like.
I thought Marc Jacobs’ collection was fantastic and filled with inspiration. While haute couture is not in my budget, nor could this look work in my world, there are some major take aways to be had — the high neck lace blouse, a blazer and high waisted pants, and those silver jeans….
On the flip side, another of my favorites is the neutral palette by Bottega Veneta. Layers of tone on tone with texture and drape doing the talking.
For Fall, the trends that I’m drawn to and will be incorperating into my wardrobe are:
1. Combat boots & stacked heels.
2. Merlot & red
3. Shorter skirt length
4. Military & camo
5. Metallic
Here are some looks that incorporate the trends above and I’ll be working into my own closet….
Playing Dorothy Moore’s Misty Blue on Sunday night
I've been listening to a new Pandora station lately – Lauryn Hill Radio. It gets confusing, sorting out all of the music choices out there – Spotify, Pandora, Soundcloud, etc. I don't really get what makes one better than the other or how they differ, so I just stick to the one I know. The music on Lauryn Hill Radio is a mix of present day artists as well as oldies, but it's all Rhythm & Blues. I heard "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore for the first time tonight. What a beautiful song. I'm a sucker for soulful ballads that stir emotions…But then again, it's Sunday night, so maybe that's why….
Oh, it's been such a long, long time
Looks like I can get you off my mind
Oh, but I can't
Just the thought of you,
Turns my whole world
A misty blue.
That it does.
Right after I heard this song tonight, I watched a show on Netflix and it played during the credits… I love coincidences.
Hi. I was working on this post when the horrendous situation in Orlando happened… the resounding message that rose from this act of hate is that love is love is love. If I had one super power it would be for every person on the planet to find their soul mate, be together forever in glorious heart pounding love and overcome any and all judgement or adversity. We all deserve that love. There is no other reason we are here. It's our birthright.
After this second spring bloom of the all white roses planted along my entry, one little bush has produced it's second consecutive crop of mostly white flowers with the slighted pink blush color on just a few petals… A sweet unexpected gift from mother nature 🙂
I've said before I'm not that into clothes and I especially don't like shopping for them. Well something has shifted and this is no longer true. I have a little confession…. I find myself thinking about shoes sometimes a lot. And there's more. I have thoughts of entire outfits that I don't even have an occasion for. There I said it. Fashion fantasizing – I'm copping to it. That's the first step – admitting, right?
One of the reasons for my shift is perhaps because the new trends are finally feminine and thus incredibly flattering!!! No more MC Hammer-style pants and boxy blazers and what up with all the 'boyfriend' stuff?
So, I thought I would share my list of things I covet for the Spring… Let the fashion fantasizing begin!
1. Flared skirt. I bought one last spring and was amazed at how versatile and flattering it is. It looks great on every body type!
Olivia Palmero
This is the skirt I have by Robert Rodriguez
2. Pencil skirt. The ubiquitous pencil skirt never really lost it's place as a fashion mainstay, but it seems now there are more fabric choices, patterns and lengths to choose from. I find the slightly longer length – to just below the knee – to be the most flattering.
Burberry
3. Bomber jacket. Omg, I LOVE these, but they are definitely a trend and will probably be out next year. So, don't buy an 'investment' piece. Still, there are lots of fun options out there!
4. Pink. Did you know pink is THE color for Spring? Here's another confession…pink is my favorite color. For obvious reasons, I don't wear it out much other than running attire and my fuzzy pink wear-around-the-house socks obsession, but now the fashion police have given the green light to bust out the pink!
Burberry
Paris Fashion Week
5. Gold accessories. For like ever it seems, platinum and silver were the metals of choice. I'm loving the change to the warmth of gold jewelry and accessories. It also looks great with pink!
via Etsy
6. Shoes with an ankle strap. Any heel height. Any time. Any occasion.
J. Crew
A little tidbit I just discovered. When you pin an item of clothing (or maybe anything?) from it's original ecommerce site onto a Pinterest board, Pinterest notifies you when it goes on sale! i had no idea until I received an email letting me know a maxi skirt I pinned a week ago has been marked down.
As if we don't yet another reason to fall into the abyss otherwise known as Pinterest! More of my fashion pins are on my Pinterest page – here.
The weeks prior to the end of the year were a blur – a combination of work deadlines, social events and of course, the usual holiday craziness. There were a few highlights I thought I’d share…
Shutterfly, if you aren’t familiar, is an online company that imprints photos and on just about anything – cards, mugs, calendars, you name it. They did their Valentine’s Day photo shoot at my house recently. It was really fun to see what happens the behind the scenes.
The caterers were there at 8:00am to set up breakfast, then came back for lunch. As much as I love to cook, I kind of like the idea of someone showing up at mealtimes with an assortment of delicious food then cleaning it all up and leaving.
They were shooting for Valentine’s Day, so the stylists brought tons of red and pink props.
I tried to stay out of the way and not take too many photos, I really did. Believe it or not, there were about 15 people here for an entire day. I also wanted to do some arts and crafts with all their stuff, but I didn’t.
Since Shutterfly takes very cropped photos of their products, only this guy’s hand will be in the final version. He did say my bed was the most comfortable he’s ever been on.
There were various holiday parties this week, but the most photo worthy was a party hosted by my uber hip friend Heidi Godoff in St. Helena. You might remember, I have posted about Heidi’s felted wool handbags – of which, I am the proud owner of not one, but two. Heidi’s bags are now available on Anthropolgie.com! You will love them and feel uber hip too doing your thing around town with one over your shoulder.
Here we are – me, Heidi, Sarah Lonsdale (founder and creator of the blog of all blogs – Remodelista), and my BFF Cristine. I did not get the memo to wear black.
Heidi was actually hosting a party slash pop-up store to introduce her new line of beanies (yes! loveee beanies!) and home furnishings (yes! loveee home furnishings!)
Heidi had a delicious holiday spread of raclette, smoked meats, roasted chestnuts made in the fire, and spicy hot glug to drink.
I hope you have a great rest of the weekend! Until next time…
Hi. I hope you've had a good week. Around here we've been wrapping up the school year (yipee!)- studying for finals, attending end of the year events and getting ready for Lily's 8th Grade Graduation tomorrow. Thank goodness we planned ahead and shopped for her two outfits (one for the ceremony and one for the party afterwards) a month ago! Tonight we are practicing walking in heels and trying on make-up. I'm crossing my fingers there are no unforeseen fashion emergencies before tomorrow afternoon!
Happy Friday and Happy Father's Day a few days early!
As for me? I'm wearing something I bought a few months ago while up in Seattle for a friend's birthday. Leave it to cutting-edge Seattle to be the first (or at least the first I've seen) to up the food truck ante with vintage clothing trucks! My friend and I were exploring a hip new area and spotted a parking lot filled with Airstream trailers, each of which contained mini vintage clothing boutiques. Isn't that a cool idea? Like quaint little shops that rove around to different neighborhoods and are not beholden to set store hours.
Before I tell you about my purchase, I'm curious do you shop vintage or consignment? It can be daunting combing through racks of old clothes and since it's is hit or miss, you need to have an open mind and no expectations.
On one fruitful day at a local consignment shop I picked up this Missoni dress…
On another this cropped cashmere cardigan…
One truck was well stocked with mostly European vintage pieces. My friend scored a gorgeous dress and me, this cream and navy silk Ungaro Paris skirt.
For a whopping $15! It made the shoes sort of wash. Kind of.
Hi, and welcome! I’m so glad you landed here and I hope you find this to be a place you visit often.
I started this blog in 2008 as a way to chronicle the remodeling of our nondescript Northern California house into our dream home. While that did happen, so did a lot of other things - life and all the messy, glorious, complicated, wonderful things that go with it. As such, in early 2017 I decided to change the focus from the house itself to the life that happens inside.
My wish is that this blog provides beautiful inspiration, creative ideas, connections to other like-minded folks, as well as stylish products for your home, to wear and to give.
