One Fall Day. But Only One.

Labor Day was a glorious day--no laboring.  The Chef had the day off (rarity) so we were footloose and fancy free.  Upon arising in the AM I noticed ominous clouds...and then rain.  Two hours later:  more rain.  "Fine by me", she says to herself, "I think I'll take a nap."

Next thing we knew it was humid and warm and iced tea time.  We emerged from the house.  We had lunch.  We roamed the streets. Cut to scene and it was swanky dinner date time (our much missed fave).  So much for the LBD (seen here) and silk bomber I had planned--more rain.  Being the seasonal embracer I never am (summer lover in the house) I dove head first into my fall clothing and pulled this one out.  

~Outfit details:  Zara-Blazer (similar), Vince-Silk Tank (similar), Martin+Osa (RIP)-Black Skinny Denim, 

Ash-Ono Boots (similar), Alexander Wang-Coco (Rocco), Anthro-Sunglasses~

I know what you're thinking:  she does not look very happy.  In fact I was quite happy, except for the on with the dress, off with the dress, on with the blazer, off with the blazer, where are those ding-dang pants again??, I think the boots are in here, maybe I do want the dress after all, did that rain stop?, I am getting sweaty and we're gonna be late, wait a second let me get a picture of this one! gymnastics routine.  You know the one, right? *shakes head*

Now here's the thing about Southern California: On Tuesday morning, just hours later, I awoke to flames of heat from the sun, my fall dreams dashed to the fitting room floor.  Ever since it's been bloody 90-113 degrees from morning until night.  Just when I was willing to accept fall, summer came out from behind the clouds and screamed, "PSYCH!!" -- right in my face.

Am I even making sense?  I ate a cream puff for dinner tonight.  And a Mr. Freeze.  Then an ice cream cupcake (it's the year of the birthday).  And 14 glasses of water.  Blame it on the heat stroke.  

Pink Pants and My Wrist Fell Off

I've been quiet on the blogger front this week for a couple reasons:  the Chef opened his restaurant and it's been a bit of a crazy (yet exciting) time, and I have the worst case of carpal tunnel ever.  That bachelorette recap took so much wind out of the ol' wrist I was actually feeling a little sick after typing it up--and not from the show itself.  Or wait a second...

Anyway, thanks for bearing with me.  As coincidence would have it I've got an outfit post at the end of the week for the first time in a long time.  Big shout out to my friend Kelly for pitching in with these pictures late Sunday afternoon before we indulged in copious amounts of Mexican food at our fave place!  Interesting note: we took these things in no time flat leading me to believe maybe it's easier to take outfit pics with girls?  Thoughts?  I guess we shall see going forward.  Prepare to see Kelly and Carrie passed out laughing somewhere near you.

Before we get to the dish let me say I am seeing so much 80's resurgence it's left me winded at times.  I lived through that time period and definitely embraced fashion to the fullest.  When I saw these pink chambray pants in Madewell I tried them on a whim, took them off, had the sales associate beg me to put them back on, did so, came out and was hit by a wave of "you have to get those!!" by customers and employees alike.  Um, okay?  Peer pressure made me do it.  There's a new one.  These days I spend an incredible amount of time thinking about Pretty in Pink for some reason.  It's on my list for this weekend.  I wonder if these are a rendition of something I saw on there?

~Madewell-City Slouch Trousers & Tank, J.Crew-Denim Jacket, Cynthia Vincent-Wedges, 

Foley+Corinna-Mid-City Tote, Tom Ford-Sunnies, Bhati Beads~

These are so against the grain of anything I would normally wear, but somehow when I put

them on I could just see them with Converse running shoes and a simple tank, right?
They're lady man pants!  I even love the bit of wrinkle from the chambray.  
New fave pants.  Confession:  Wore them 3x this week.

Tried them with these for a night out (seen here and here); classic summer faves.  

Even though summer seems to have forgotten us again this year...*cough* 60 degree days *cough*.

Most accurate display of their true color...they're kinda like chameleon pants!

And finally...I need a haircut.  Which is akin to saying tomorrow will be 98 degrees 

- Southern California is not the home of the good haircut. Easier said than done.

On that lovely note me and my lady man pants are off.  My wrist is whistling dixie (not even sure what that means, but just love the way it sounds) and I've got a heap of laundry calling my name.  Thrilling

Denim on Denim: The Call of the Peacock

As a self-professed lover of denim it pains me to admit I don't believe I've donned it in combination for at least 5 years.  While some of you are wildly cheering, all I can think of is outfits lost to days gone by.  Somewhere along the way the mere expression began to conjure images of Hee-Haw and cowboys and, well, not much that's attractive.  Epic fail for the denim aficionado.

While out on Saturday I spotted the prettiest chambray, ruffled sleeve blouse ever.  Quite naturally I immediately envisioned the top with my new favorite pintucked wide leg denim (last seen here) - those things have been getting mad play around here lately.  That being said, there was still a moment of hesitation...denim on denim?  Wth am I thinking?  I'll tell you what I'm thinking - brilliance, that's what!  Apparently this pairing is a bird call of sorts as well because when I threw on the outfit for a Sunday drive in a not-yet-explored neighborhood suffice it to say flocks of peacocks came out of nowhere.  And no I am not high!  Examine it for yourselves.

Imagine driving down the street, glancing out the window and randomly seeing

this bird perched on the side of a house?

Me:  What the hell?  Take a look at that thing!  Is that a real peacock??

Chef:  (laughing while looking straight ahead)

Me:  (smack on arm) Brake, BRAKE! 

Chef:  (glancing over) hehehaWHOA!!  It IS!

Look at them - roaming about rooftops.  Unbelievable!

So is my top by the way...

There's no denying denim on denim can be brilliant...

It's all in how you mix the washes and textures.

 The birds agreed...never take your eyes off one or it could

end up in your hair.  Not good.

Outfit details:  Gap - Tie Neck Blouse and Wide Leg Trouser Jeans, Old Stud Handmade - Belt, 
Brooklyn Thread - Trio of Wood Bracelet, Motif 56 - Bracelet, Melinda Maria - Rings, Target - Sunnies, Cynthia Vincent Wedges

Okay so how are you feeling about the denim on denim?  I was thinking this could be an upcoming challenge...what do you think?  As far as the blouse - it was discovered at Gap and correct me if I'm wrong, but they seem to have gotten some of their old mojo back.  I noticed this long sleeve version online and am picking it up to wear with a pair of cream colored wide leg flowy pants, a strappy sandal and an up-do.  Oh spring - are you out there?  

Before I go, can you imagine these peacocks?  It was like a day at the zoo without the boundaries of the zoo walls, and only cool until we went to drive away and there were about 25 of them roosting in one yard.  A little too Alfred Hitchcocky for this girl thank you very much.  All things in moderation.  Speaking of which we did get more pictures, but I'll upload them to facebook later today when I get the page up.  Caving in to yet more social media.

Part 2: Inspector Shoeseau

I have to tell you that I've had these pictures for about a week and thought it would be relatively simple to just sit down and whip off some crazy funny tale to go with them, but nothing too crazy funny's gone on.  Except Zoila takes NYC on this season of Flipping Out.  Oh how I've missed Jeff and Jenni.

Right now I'm sitting in my home office listening *against my will* to some unidentifiable, blaring, heavy metal music coming from the neighbors across the alley that consist of a couple of gay guys who are in and out of a relationship (and yes I am completely fine airing it because they sit out on their deck and fight with each other and then one leaves and the other screams the details into the telephone at whomever he calls - it's a total gas) and the other drunken neighbor who has to be 50 years old and all of 5ft tall but insists on wearing the longest shorts past his knees with knee high neon socks coming out from underneath whilst he rides his rusty beach cruiser in circles around the back alley.  Ahhhhhhhh beach living.  Imagine these 3 sitting around shootin' the breeze.  eeps!  I don't have to imagine...I see it daily and it baffles the daylights out of me.

Did I mention that the gay guys have a life-sized (guessing since I've never actually seen one) neon alien on their tiki inspired outdoor deck?  They think it will attract a UFO.  I'm not kidding.  They said it in all seriousness.  Oh, and they also have an extensive bobblehead collection.  They told my landlord and invited him over to see it.  He took his wife along just in case.  I peed my pants laughing.

Anyway.  That's all I've got.  It's interesting because I've wondered over the past couple years, as their bizarre behavior has elevated, if I'm going to end up on Dateline or 20/20 (dream come true) being interviewed after they cart these cuckoo birds off to the slammer for some sort of weird tryst of a crime.  Keep your eye out for me.  I'll give you the heads up.

You might see me wearing this outfit because I fully intend on being the one who turns them in.  As I examined the pictures I found myself thinking of Inspector Clouseau.  However I will be known as Inspector Shoeseau (so getting a copyright on that one!)

 And here you thought the sweatshirt dress was just a beach cover-up. 

Oh no.  It can also be the bones of a P.I.'s work attire.

You can wear it into the light.

And back again.

You can do mad stretches in it.  Or bust a gut.  Whichever you prefer.

 

It's just like wearing a long sweatshirt only far more chic.

Especially when layered under a military jacket.

That is cinched in with a wonderfully worn belt...

that can also double as a lasso if need be.

Don't judge - remember safety first.

"Wait!  Is that a shoe I see up there?"

Pardon me while I look to the west for answers on where the next shoe lays...

or where I can escape the bobblehead lovers' UFO landing pad.

~Inspector Shoeseau.  Over and out.~

Outfit details:  Tom Ford Sunnies, J.Crew Military Jacket, James Perse Sweatshirt Dress, Foley+Corinna Mid City Tote, Cynthia Vincent Wedges, J.Crew Belt

Quit Playing Games With My Heart

I spent a good portion of a few conference calls perusing the Anthropologie website in every effort to cheer myself up over yesterday's sobering post that was deepened by a big ol' dose o' Monday.  Blech.

Now that I have Anthro's 15% off coupon burning a hole in my mind and on my desk I've allowed myself to be temporarily swept away to fall days where I skip through colored leaves in the most fantastically supple leather boots you ever did see, eventually collapsing in a crunchy pile - of leaves not boots, while warm apple turnovers bake away in my gourmet kitchen and chic grey cashmere pillows miraculously appear on my white couch just in time for cozy movie marathons and yet another episode of Felicity where she appears fresher than ever back for another year at UNY (and it is UNY in Felicityland so get there and get the dvd's if you haven't already - they'll change your life).

The reality is I probably won't see a colored leaf that isn't burnt and brown here in SoCal, and I'm not falling into a pile of anything that could potentially cause a broken hip - deal with it - but Felicity, apple turnovers, grey cashmere and cozy days are imminent (sans the gourmet kitchen - damn you money fairies).  And what better way to conjure up the images than dressed in some wonderful Anthro finds that just so happened to be purchased for 15% off?  See?  I'm getting there...:)

Imagine it...

How about the Bianka Blouse with a pair of JBrand Love Story Bell Bottoms?

Can you hear the leaves crunching beneath your knee high Miu Miu's

while your wavy tresses blow ever so slightly in the still-warm fall breezes?

Maybe you're out for a lunch with the girls on a semi-crisp day.

It's not cool enough for a jacket, but you still need 
a little something to keep warm.

Enter:  the Flower to Flower Vest

I'm imagining it over a fab fitted James Perse Scoop Neck Tee 

and my most fave J.Crew Ankle Stretch Toothpick Denim

(because those fit past the ankle on me)

Chances are I'll be in these sleek knee high Loub's 
or maybe a knee-high military?

I prefer a little height on the heel with this long sweater, personally.

 Just because it's fall don't say good-bye to the dress!

...or at least not the Paseo Ruffled Skirt (yes that IS leather!)

There are so many ways you could wear this!!

How about with this sheer fabulosity Padded Shoulder Blouse (tucked in) from Vince?

And this Rag & Bone Military Jacket over top?

A knee high sleek boot might also be in order with this one...I'll let you choose.

And before I run off...let me just say I almost forgot my name 
on one of the calls today

because I could not stop staring at/dreaming about the Loose Reign Boots!

Can you imagine???  Because I know I sure can!

Bring on the leggings/jeggings/skinnys, one of Isabel Marant's thermals - 
yes I have seen, touched, tried on and damn near died - 
and a fitted blazer or military jacket,

and you just might hear the following headline:

Southern California Woman Spontaneously Combusts Over New Fall Wardrobe.

Don't test me Anthropologie!! 

Update:  Everyone - I will not be commenting today.  I don't know if you read Bumpkin on a Swing's blog, but I learned this morning that she passed away and she is someone I considered a friend.  Just going to take a moment and reflect on a woman who had a highly infectious personality
and a real zest for life.  You should check out her blog.
Love, Carrie

Draping for Summer through Fall

I thought I'd better bust a move and get this post up here now that it appears heat wave 2010 could be on the horizon.  Today we hit 76 degrees and I seriously considered turning on the A/C (wimp!).  For a mere moment I almost whined that it was too warm in the house (oh what a difference a couple days makes).  Dallas Raines, our local weatherman, said something about 90 degree possibilities over the weekend...I didn't have time to hear if that was at the beaches or inland because Nancy Grace was coming on and I adore hearing her bellow out, "BOMBSHELL TONIGHT..." before she blasts off on the latest child abduction, Joran Van der Sloot atrocity or Mel Gibson debacle.  I secretly wanna be BFF with her.  I guess that secret's out.

All that being said I don't have confirmation of the heat wave, but it is July, right?  Well you wouldn't have known it just a few days ago when I donned one of my new fall pretties a full 3-4 months early (we're usually warm in SoCal through October) for an early evening out.

I've basically gone overboard for anything baggy for fall.  I'm a little person, but I just love being swallowed up in oversized clothing.  Boyfriend anything, big sweaters, jumpsuits, caftans - you name it and there you'll find me swaddled up in the middle. 

My favorite thing about this sweater is the drape.  The sleeves are fitted and meant to be pulled up causing the top portion of the arm to flow over creating the illusion of a shorter sleeve over a longer sleeve.

When I first put this on in the fitting room I squealed with delight.  Ever have those moments?  It looked so big on the hanger (why God why do they insist on hanging these fabulous flowy garments just begging them to stretch to the floor??) that I did not have high hopes of the top making it home with me.  But when I turned around all I could see was Irene Cara with her top hanging off her shoulder Flashdance style and it was a done deal!!  What a feelin'! (cue the soundtrack)

If I were to hold my arms out and not hike up the sleeve, this top has a dolman effect rather than the short sleeve over long sleeve appearance.  From behind it covers the derriere making it an absolute winner with leggings that are sans pockets.  See why I'm in love with it?  Well all these things and I love gray, too.

I confess that I've worn this piece 3 times since Saturday - first with dark skinny denim and a black leather wooden clog, next as seen here, and tonight hanging off the shoulder paired with leggings and a sandal.  When it warms up more I have every intention of wearing it with white frayed Siwy denim shorts.  And then in fall it'll make an appearance in one of my many military inspired dreams.  Seeing as I'm on wallet restriction, versatility and planning ahead have become my new middle names - whether I like it or not.  Thankfully I've been able to find a few pieces like this at Brandy & Melville that have saved the day - and the wallet - to begin to carry me into fall.  But in the meantime, I think I'll go enjoy summer.  There's a lot to be said for living in the moment and enjoying it.

Maybe I'll run into Justin Bobby and get his opinion on it...did anyone else cry when Kristin and Brody were saying goodbye on The Hills tonight?  I seriously need to get a grip...or the box sets.

Outfit details:  Brandy & Melville Sweater, Gap Camis, Current/Elliott Boyfriend Denim, Cynthia Vincent Wedges, Nicole Miller Sunglasses, Foley + Corinna Handbag

Weather Woes

I looked forward to this past weekend with much delight.  In my mind I saw warm weather, morning strolls for tea, days lying out at the beach, late afternoons spent grilling and mixing up cocktails, evenings spent wandering the main street of our little beach town, only to end up at the movies with an equally warm breeze to greet us on our way out.  What-ever Norma Rockwell (that's me - Norman's sister).  That nonsense was nowhere to be found. 

Instead what follows is just one example of what went down several times throughout the weekend.

Delusional woman ignores overcast skies and puts on shorts only to go outside 

                                          and say to self, "Wait.  Is that a breeze?"

Refusing to be conquered by weather this same woman goes to other gate to see 

                                                   if the breeze is, in fact, breezy. 

         Woman moves quickly realizing warmer clothing is necessary.  In July.

                   Woman re-emerges, weather dreams shattered, wearing pants. 

                                              

                   Eases disappointment by wearing "the ones that almost got away" -

                                                    You can run but you can't hide.

Woman pauses hearing cuckoo-bird neighbor say he's moving out the next day!

      Devoted boyfriend whispers, "turn around so I can get one happy picture".

        Woman tries not to burst out laughing and get busted for eavesdropping

     whilst boyfriend captures the look of inward elation despite pants in summer.

Here's how the weekend looked:  bundled under covers in mornings while heat clicked on by itself, opened curtains to fog, fog gave way to overcast, overcast gave way to 1 or 2 hours of sun while the breeze blew killing any heat that might have been trying to get through.  The Chef and I ate hearty breakfasts and he grilled some greatness - while wearing a full sweatsuit.  We went to movies - having donned winter garments.  We used the heater in our cars.  We ate ebelskivers and drank cocktails to our hearts' content.  It was fourth of July in December!

Outfit details:  Brandy & Melville vest, Gap favorite camis, Current/Elliott denim shorts, Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans, Foley + Corinna handbag, Cynthia Vincent Wedges, Melinda Maria rings, Martin+Osa necklace, Old Stud Handmade belt.

Shoe Kismet: Miu Miu Satin Sparrow Mary Janes

This weekend while the Chef was watching baseball (curses!) or prepping for our mini-Lost finale extravaganza, here's what I was doing:

These have been in my possession for 9 days and I have barely been able to contain myself.  In a pneumonia-like delirium, while on the search for some trinket or another at Crate & Barrel, I asked if we could stop by Miu Miu to see if there had been an act of God and one pair of the Sparrow Mary Janes had been found in the stockroom.

No such luck.  The Sales Associate did however whisper to me that another retailer had one pair left in my size.  So I busted out in a sweat and ran off like my hair was on fire weaving through crowds to see if luck was on my side...And it was because these are a size 5.5 and I normally wear a 6.

When the Sales guy managed to get a word in edgewise while I skipped around like a fool, he asked me what I was going to wear them with.  And in true shoe-crazed form I responded, "Uh, prolly with a dress or a skirt.  And with my boyfriend jeans.  And my skinny jeans.  And, now that I think of it, I'll probably wear them when I get up, when I go to bed and maybe even in the shower."  To which he promptly burst out laughing while my poor boyfriend shook his head.

So here they are with my boyfriend jeans.  Super cute and casual. Granted they aren't the platforms  everyone's raving about, but that doesn't matter I still love them.

I think it's very important not to over think this shoe or you run the risk of getting overwhelmed - at least I almost did.  I'm gonna just go with it.

I have a tough time sitting still whether I'm sick or not so if the pictures are a little blurry blame it on the fidget.  That aside, here they are with skinny denim at the pre-LOST partay.  I didn't have time for a fashion show before LOST started so this is all I've got...still can't believe these shoes sleep with me in my bed live in my closet.

This one's for the shoe guy...Bet he thought I was just joking around, huh? 

Morgan Freeman wasn't kidding when he said "some birds aren't meant to be caged"...I plan to let them out as often as possible.

If you have a pair of these in platform or in the style I luckily found I would love to see what you're wearing them with...and for those of you still looking:  may the shoe force be with you!

Outfit details:
Tuxedo Jacket by Zac Posen for Target 
Silk Tank by Vince
Boyfriend Jeans in High/Low by Current/Elliott
Ankle Toothpick Denim in Twilight by J.Crew
Sparrow Print Mary Janes by Miu Miu (this link is the cats at Neiman Marcus)

Cynthia Vincent for Target

A few weeks ago around dreaded tax time I found myself on the fringes of Orange County with an hour to kill before meeting my accountant.  Now being in any neighborhood where everything looks the same gives me hives so what's a girl to do?  Uh, run to the safety zone better known as Target thank you very much!  While perusing the aisles in search of a find I happened to wander past the shoes only to see the words CYNTHIA VINCENT FOR TARGET glaring out at me from bright yellow boxes.

Okay, have you seen people hobbling  strolling around in these little $350 Cynthia Vincent babies lately? 

Well lookie lookie here at what I saw with my own two eyes right up in Target for $29.99:

Can you even deal with it?  Because I know I can't.  That's damn near the exact same shoe from the same design label - minus the higher quality leather and upgraded sole mind you - but STILL.  Now granted they only had size 9's left at the store I visited (on day 2 of this Cynthia Vincent extravaganza?) and I have specifically checked out a couple other locations hoping to find the shoe, but have not had any luck.  All that being said bear in mind I am in Southern California; so in cooler locations or other places that aren't such a glut for shoppers I do think with a little persistence, and use of the "Find at a Target" locator button, there is still a snowball's chance in hell that you might be able to nab them.

*After some due diligence it appears there were limited size runs sent to the stores but, in my opinion, it would be well worth a little effort and pain to get a decent knock off rather than get whacked for $350 - if you can help it, anyway.

Not wanting to leave empty-handed I decided on these little numbers:

And by that I mean the lovely yellow ones on the right and not the atrocity of the chef's socked feet in flip flops on the left.  Good grief.  What is wrong with men sometimes?  If nothing else his mess on the left only makes my purchase look even better!  I am a connoisseur of shoes and believe in the value of a good shoe meaning they're usually more expensive, but these shoes are a real deal at $24.99.  The color is great for summer, they're super cute with jeans or shorts, and actually fit very well too.  Jackpot!

If you're interested Target.com still has this cute studded sandal available as well in pink, black and white.  Let's face it - summer comes and goes pretty quickly so with Fall's upcoming fabulous trends it helps to save a little now in order to have a little more then.  Happy shopping!