Lighten the Load

Some glorious things happened this weekend: I cleaned my closet AND partook in Sephora's 20% off for VIB's. And I watched The Lost Boys twice, but that's another story for another time.

Now when I say I cleaned my closet I mean I cleaned that mother GOOD. We're talking a third of my clothes are in bags on their way to Goodwill, consignment or eBay. All that's left is to go through the winter crawl space (call 911 if you don't hear from me by Friday) and release a bunch of coats. Buh-bye! Feels pretty awesome to let things go and look forward. Sadly, I've proven to be that person who can't get rid of a t-shirt due to the memories it invokes from that one time...uh, yeah. Therapy much? Who's with me? I know you're out there.

I guess what I learned again this weekend is that belongings do not equal safety and security. They equal piles of crap from days gone by and, at least in my case, do their part to hold me in the past.

Armchair psychology on hoarding aside, let's move onto the good stuff.  THE CLARISONIC.  I've used it twice since Thursday's Sephora stampede. Do I look three years old yet? Goals people, you've gotta have goals.

You may be asking yourself, what's the link between a clean closet and 20% off? Well let me tell you: HELMUT LANG.  I got this thing of beauty for 50% off after months of lamentations on price and don't think I've ever worn it on here before so ta-da! I love it. I want to wear it every day and, sometimes, I actually do.

The moral of the story is only buy things you love, don't despair if you have to wait for them to go on sale because it's a sweeter victory AND DON'T FILL YOUR LIFE UP WITH CRAP YOU DON'T EVEN REALLY WANT.

The end.

~Jacket: Helmut Lang, T: James Perse, Lace Vest (old): H&M, Denim (old): Free People, Shoes: Julian LouiexAldo~

~Necklaces: LowLuv by Erin Wasson and Vanessa Mooney, Rings: Erin Wasson and Vanessa Mooney

Bracelets: Vanessa Mooney (here, here, here, here) and Motif56~

Look hard: two eyebrows! Kinda...

Twisted

Last month I lost the camera.

Okay I didn't really lose lose the camera as much as, say, misplaced the camera. But hey, I didn't really know where it was so as far as I was concerned it was lost. How's that for a rabbit trail?

Anyway I found the camera over the weekend. Pretty relieving to see it there, amidst the folded laundry, nestled in the sheepskin rug.  Even more relieving to see a couple of legit outfits on it. I'm not so sure the sequin sweater is still appropriate, but I might give that one a whirl next week because it IS in front of a vintage VW bus and you know how that magic takes hold of me. 

In the meantime I can only say I probably need to put myself on Madewell restrictions seeing as if I get anywhere near the store I can't seem to keep from leaving without a bag. It does happen, but not that often due to a pretty stellar sale section. This skirt falls into the category of 'sporadic purchase turned regular rotation'.  It was one of those moments when my fave shopgirl (who used to work at Martin+Osa so we go way back) employed her mind reading tactics and tossed me into a fitting room with the skirt. 'Just try it,' is her favorite line and she has got it down. In her defense, summer's around the corner and the skirt is a decent price so it came home and is earning its keep in the versatility department. Here's to warmer days ahead! 

~Outfit details: Shirt & Skirt -Madewell, Tanks-Gap, Boots-Jeffrey Campbell~ 

~Vanessa Mooney--Bracelets, Poison Necklace, Keepsake Necklace~

~Brandy & Melville-Fringe Bag, Erin Wasson-Ring, Motif56-Leather Bracelet, 

Vanessa Mooney-Metal Bracelet~

Now if I can just find a couple of maxi skirts....suggestions welcome!

Now THAT'S the American Dream

Sometimes I can get pretty overwhelmed.

By what, you ask?

Oh, well, everything.

As you get older interesting things happen, and I don't mean those lines around your mouth. What might have once overwhelmed you, things like making sure you have on just the right outfit or turning yourself inside out to get a mean person's approval, well those things oftentimes fade away. You're comfortable in your own skin, satisfied with who you are. Victory, right? In a sense, yes. It is a victory.

But other equally annoying things crop up in their place. Thoughts like, 'Damn I'm old, I need to buy a house!' and 'Did my friend just say her kid's in junior high? Do I even have any eggs left in the basket?!' Yeah, those annoying things. Thankfully the only eggs I'm thinking about right now are the ones I missed out on at Easter. But the house thing? I'll admit: I wouldn't mind my own personal space.  Free from neighbors who help themselves to my barbecue just as I'm about to barbecue. True story.

One of Southern California's saving graces is its apartments. A lot of them are chock full of character, and you can't help wanting to move every couple years when one of the good ones comes up for grabs. Remember this place? I've kept an eye on it since I first spotted it about 5 years ago. It has now been for rent for 2 months, so the other day I caved and stopped by to check it out when I saw the sign: No Pets. What do you mean NO PETS? Don't these people know cats are family? Fa-mi-lee.

There it is. Big windows waiting for my white couch just inside...perfect cat sunning perch.

Obviously someone else wasn't feeling the 'No Pets' hate because they turned that sign upside down.

 ~Details: Forever21-Blazer and Fringe T, Free People-Denim, Steve Madden-Platforms~

~Bracelets (L): Vanessa Mooney, VM. (R): PANYC. Necklaces: Vanessa Mooney & Low Luv~

~Rings: (L): MarcxMarc Coil, Low Luv-Bones, Handmade-Wire Wrapped. (R): Low Luv~

Can't do it y'all. Home is where the cats are.

But Mo-om I Don't Want to Wear Pants

Spring.

That glorious time when you pull out the floral prints and wear them with glee.  That time when strolling around in denim shorts is no longer met with the looks of bewilderment you encountered during your weather denial phase in December. That time when maybe you shouldn't have been so eager to jump around in sandals and bare legs over the Easter weekend because the allergy attack you thought you were having despite never having had one of that nature before has actually turned out to be the flu.

Fail.

It was fun while it lasted.

Spring uniform.

~Low Luv Rings, Vanessa Mooney Bracelets, Thrifted Belt, TK Bag~

~Favorite Tucker Blouse, Current/Elliott Shorts, Swedish Hasbeens Shoes~

That's all I've got. Back to bed.

Herb, I think that woman's in her PJ's

Moments ago I almost pulled the trigger on a pair of coral skinnies. It was a close call.

This morning I spent some time reading blogs to see what's going on. Truth be told I don't get to do that as often as I used to, but when tax prep is the alternative it's amazing how suddenly there's a lot more time than I thought. Hmmmm. Anyway, after perusing several blogs I found myself thinking I needed this pair of denim.

I don't.

In fact, and this may strike as blasphemy here in blogland given the current trend, I don't really care for colored denim. It looks cute on other people, but the one red pair in my closet is enough for me.

Where am I going with this?

A few days ago I was talking to a friend about the pitfalls of blogging. I explained how last year I found myself really struggling to find more than a few things in my closet that I loved to wear. We all have those I have nothing to wear days, but it was more than that. I found myself disconnected from my wardrobe, having purchased things that no longer represented me. It was a wake up call.

Reading blogs can turn into mini shopping sprees. Real live women showcasing outfits in real time. If I see enough of them in the same trend I sometimes catch myself thinking maybe I should try it, even though it's not my style at all. Don't get me wrong: it's good to be encouraged to take a risk now and then, but it should still represent your aesthetic.

I wasn't going to post these pictures, but after nearly slipping from the precipice this morning I decided to pull them out. Yes, I wear loungewear in public. Rather frequently, in fact. It stems back to kindergarten when I insisted on wearing my cherry red sleeved baseball pj shirt with the kid drawn house and stick figure family, complete with floofy apple tree, on front to school. Regularly. Until I broke both wrists after slipping from some hay bales, getting casts and then having to have the sleeves cut off my beloved shirt in order to get out of it. Would've hated to be in my mom's shoes that day. Think flood of tears.

Getaways: that time others only stare minimally when they see you

roaming around in broad daylight wearing what they suspect is your nightgown.

A full suite of accessories will cause them to ponder.  

Disregard the looks of mild to moderate confusion.  

Just grin and carry on. 

~Vest: M2F, Dress:  Saturday/Sunday, Boots: Jeffrey Campbell~

Take in some lawn sport where you realize neither of you know how to use the 

color features on the camera and you might resemble an alien.  

And you need an arm workout?

See if there's a party going on. It might be a pajama party, after all.

Seriously though.  I'm not saying I'll never catch a trend and I'm certainly not saying all I ever wear is pajamas (uh maybe?), but I am saying it's important to remember who you are.  I'm happy to report I've rediscovered my footing and am allowing the wardrobe pendulum to swing again in a way that is true to me. Stand by for more jeans and pjs? Maybe even with a flat and a blazer. But most importantly mixed with pieces I love to wear just as much now as when they were purchased.

Why don't you tell me how you really feel about it?

On Saturday I rolled into the kitchen decked out in one of my usual outfits of choice: faded, ripped up slim jeans, a white t and a pair of ankle boots. It was an exciting day: this pair of ankle boots is new. And it has buckles. What can I say? It's the little things, people.

As I glanced sideways in the mirror while strolling down the hall, something seemed off. I stopped, turned, walked back and stood there a moment assessing the situation. Hmmmm. Back in the kitchen (really I'm still on the first entrance but gave you a little context) I say to the Chef, who is so kindly assisting with litterbox duty, 'Dude. Does something about this say Peter Pan?' To which he responds by looking up and proceeding to double over in laughter, 'No, no! I actually never would have thought that. But now that you say it...' Well now.

Taking it back down the hallway I trade out the jeans for a slightly slimmer and much darker pair. Victory. Balance. No Neverland for me today, after all. Turning to the Chef I say, 'Better, right?' Not so much a question, but rather an eyerolling whew.

To which he turns to me straightfaced and says, 'Yeah, but you might want to give your skallywags another roll.'

Everyone's a comedian.

~Details: random t, Current/Elliott-Jeans, Vintage-Belt, Joie-Boots, TK-Bag, Anthro-Sunglasses~

~Vanessa Mooney-Necklace and Bracelets (L), Low Luv-Thunderbird, MarcxMarc-Coil Ring, 

Made With Love-Blue Bracelets~

Childhood pastime: taking a moment to observe the ants. They've got it down.

Skallywags? Reeeeally now?

Here I am demo'ing how I crush his head (kids in the hall voice)...

HAHAHA! I kid, I kid!!

Don't Pause, Just Purchase

Have you ever seen something, paused, taken the leap in purchasing and then wondered why you hesitated in the first place?  Story of my life. About a month ago Calypso St. Barth had an online sample sale, so I meandered over to the site to take a look and fell upon a superb pair of pants. The only thing holding me back was length.  At 5'3'' there is a lot of hemming that takes place up in this dojo and the pants were just the right wide leg.  Would they be hemmable (and yes I realize that's not exactly a word, but neither is inspo and plenty of people are using that linguistic tragedy...)? Because nothing wrecks a perfect, slightly flared leg than a hem job gone wrong.

Cut to scene and I pulled the trigger purchasing the pants once I realized their original price was over $200 and these were....wait for it...on sale for $35!! All I can say is victory on the pant front and I don't even want to hem them.  Wore them with a platform sandal on a lazy Sunday a couple weekends ago.  Examine the evidence:

~Anthropologie-Poncho (old), Gap-Tank, Georgie-Pants or different pattern here, Low Luv-Necklace~

Go great with a blue curb?

If you're looking for me this weekend, here's where you'll find me--

sitting in the sand, warm sun on my face.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Tower this is Ghost Rider Requesting a Flyby

Do you ever have moments where you feel caught between the past, present and future?  Lately I'm stuck in the vortex, pulled in all three directions, emotionally exhausted.

Am I doing all I should be?
Have I done all I could?
Is what I'm doing enough to be able to do all I want later?
Wish I had made a different choice. (new territory for me)
Maybe if I had I would be doing more of what I want now...

It can be a torturous thing this thinking thinking thinking.  It's necessary though.  I mean if you're not contemplating your life one day you'll wake up wondering how you got there.  And what if you don't like it?

Oh hell this is really turning into a melancholy one, isn't it?

Blame it on Monday, overcast skies, lack of sleep.  When in Rome.

I managed to haul it out mid-afternoon yesterday.  Just in time to catch 15 minutes of sunshine amidst what's turned out to be a full week of foggy days.  No complaining here.  Tossed on the usual jeans, boots, jacket and t--and then slung my Low Luv Thunderbird necklace on at the last second.

Chef took a few pictures before we hopped in the car and when he passed the camera over we had the quietest exchange.  Me: 'Something about this is very Goose and Maverick.  Man look at my hair.  I need a comb.'  Him: 'Your hair has never looked better.'  Tell me sweet little lies.  More 80's flashbacks.

Tossed up hair, J.Crew Jacket, James Perse Tunic, Martin+Osa Jeans, Mike&Chris Boots, Anthro Sunglasses

Low Luv x Erin Wasson Necklace, Seventh Door Bracelet, Melinda Maria Silver Ring

Worn sparingly.  Company now defunct.  

Um, as I was saying...bird + military green + aviators.  

Mind like a steel trap.

Scenes on the Side

Oftentimes I find myself thinking of alternate names for the blog.  Yesterday I came up with 'Me and my Jean Jackets'.  I love a jean jacket.  I have 5 or 6 of them.  A couple denim vests too. It's a sickness that I blame entirely on my years working for the Gap.  If I'm not in jeans, I'm carrying or wearing a denim jacket.  Safety blanket, I guess.

Anyway so we're out wandering about the other day during Adventures in Catsitting and it hits me:  I look like a cowboy.  Well a cowboy that's thinking about defecting to the other side (not that side. the indians side...is it pc to say indians anymore?) to partake in the fringe boot action.  So I mention to the Chef who proceeds to collapse in half laughing.  'It's the look on your face,' he says 'you're dead serious.' I'm all 'I do look like a cowboy, don't I?!?' Of course he reassures me I don't, but secretly I kind of don't even care if I do.  That's what lazy days are for:  tossed up hair, disheveled outfits, fringe boots and cowboy attire.  Whatevs.  You only live once. Go fringe-y cowboy or go home.

I was scanning through the pictures the other day busting up at the goodies he captured.  I can't wait for the weekend:   home of the no comb zone.  Bring it.

I have no idea.  All I want to know is where was the jean jacket.

Look out for that kid:  he wants his two dollars!

(please tell me you've seen better off dead)

I might need two pairs.  These are going to go down in the Fringe Files Hall of Fame.

Beam me up

I miss my long bangs.  Grow hair grow.

Lion Tamer

Fringe, mane, cats.  All of these things belong here.  (as opposed to one of these things just doesn't belong here)

About a month ago, the Chef's mom opened her garage and two Abyssinian kittens strolled in.  Well actually one darted straight into the house and the other followed soon after.  She hollered to the Chef as she pulled away, 'A cat's in the house.  Keep an eye out for it.'

You know the best part of the story?  This is totally normal dialogue in their world because these are cat people.  They don't question or freak out when cats find them, they just accept them into the fold.  The past few cats their family has had all either rolled up to their house or his dad's office and never left.  It's in the DNA of cat people.  We're cat seeking devices.  I was secretly ecstatic when I met his parents for the first time and saw cat paraphernalia littered throughout the house:  cat rug, cat thermometer, cat doorstop, cat figures in the planter outside, iron cat statues on the bookshelf, pillow stating 'The Cat's the Boss in this house'.  I made mental notes with glee.  All my cats have found me too.  Same with my parents.  I come from a long line of cat lovers...goes back generations.  No jokes.  We have the photos.

*Cue 'We are Family'*

His parents are out of town and he's catsitting.  This basically means all I did this weekend was play with kittens.  Well, one kitten and one cat.  The other kitten just stares at me and runs by...but I'll win him over.  He sniffed my hand on the way out the door yesterday and just 48 hours ago I won over his brother.  Victory is on the horizon, friends.  Stay tuned.

It starts like so:  locate your subject.  In this case hiding on the other side of the chair.

Speak softly.  Avoid direct eye contact. No sudden movements.

Pull out the big guns:  fringe.  This confirms you are of the same kind:  cats.

Draw 'em in with a a little jingle jangle.  
(Chef's mom keeps tinfoil on her couch to keep cats off...not these two.  
Tinfoil = toy as evidenced from random piece strewn here.)

Curiosity takes over!

Moments later:  friends for life.  
When they start chewing your fingers and let you grab their teeth you're officially in.

Next up:  Socks.  
One day they're sniffing your hand, the next they're sleeping on your head.
Can't wait.

~Details:  Current/Elliott-Shorts, James Perse-Cashmere Sweater (last year), Gap-Camis, Low Luv x Erin Wasson-Necklace, Zara-Boots, Anthropologie-Sunglasses~

P.S. --Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian readers!! I hope you guys are having a wonderful day with family, turkey and naps.  I've had a bunch of searches for the White Pumpkin
Ganache and Caramel Tart recipe the past few days.  If you need dessert here's the recipe.
Please have some for me :)

Haunts

Falling in love with LA is something that's turned out to be a huge surprise to me.  The first couple years I lived in the city I seriously thought I was going to lose my sh*t.  Pushy people, everyone claiming to be an actor (as they help you try on your shoe or pass your tea over the counter), the snazziest car at the four way stop goes first--unwritten rules that I was unaccustomed to and, quite frankly, highly annoyed by.  Then around year three, once I started working for myself and had more free time (read: no longer chained to the desk for 12 hours/day), an interesting thing happened.  I would wake up in the morning and want to be in certain parts of town or at certain places.  And the things that once worked my nerve, well I didn't notice them as much anymore.

Cut to a couple years down the line when the Chef and I began doing dinner and a movie once a week, and the fascination grew.  We discovered some seriously great places, and after awhile developed a handful of favorites that became our top spots to hangout at for hours.  Apparently we weren't the only ones finding them either because we'd often run into the same people over and over. And after awhile some of those people became friends of ours.  This city is delightfully unexpected that way.

Yesterday we popped into a coffee shop that used to be relatively unknown, but is now kinda not so much.  We sat down to grab dessert and I glanced next to me to see the tiniest girl.  Suddenly it dons on me:  Ellen Page.  Juno in the house!  I loved her in that movie and also thought she killed it in Inception...Canadian too by the way and no I'm not usually a name dropper.  Anyway we're all sandwiched in elbow to elbow and I'm fighting everything in me not to turn and embarrassingly exclaim I think she's bomb (to which she'd probably be like, lady are you 53 years old with that terminology and do I know you?) when I hear one of her friends mention how pretty LA is.  And she responded with something along the lines of LA is a very pretty city--enchanting in its own way and in ways you wouldn't initially think it would be.  Kindred spirit.

And then the server brought my peanut butter banana cup cushioned in the flakiest pastry you ever did try.  The rest is a blur.

~Details:  Young, Fabulous & Broke-Vest, James Perse-V-Neck, Martin+OSA-Skinnies, 

Sorial-Bag (similar), Banana Republic-Boots (similar), Anthro-Sunglasses~

Passion Fruit Gelee + Peanut Butter Banana Cup + Lavender Lemonade + Decaf Espresso 

Low Luv x Erin Wasson-Necklace (sale!)