Do You Believe in Magic?

There I was:  all dressed up and nowhere to go aka on my way to get more Ben & Jerry's Boston Cream Pie ice cream groceries when I found myself in the most random of random neighborhoods.  You know, the one 10 blocks from my house that I've never ventured into because I work from home and barely leave the house except on weekends? Anyway suddenly I could barely contain the 70's fever of it all.  Shaun Cassidy and K.C. and the Sunshine Band came out on blast through the speakers as I drove up and down the block super slow to see if anything, anything was for sale.  In my mind I packed my stuff, grabbed a disco ball and went back in time.  Long wavy hair, high-waisted wide leg denim for days, big ol' platform shoes, billowy maxi skirts, culottes with blouses tied at the waist, arms piled high with bangles, a patchwork suede handbag, dreams of the huge afro I'll never have -- and neighbors that are actually neighborly.

When I think summer in the 70's my mind floods with images of a home with a big cream colored stone fireplace and a rainbow VW bus parked in the driveway, block parties, kids on skateboards playing in the streets while sprinklers wave in the breeze, parents on front lawns drinking Pilsener from cans while charcoal bbq's send smoke plumes into the warm air.  Hot damn if I haven't found my ideal block and house.  I wonder if the neighbors are included in this transaction? A girl can dream...

Complete with Corvette

Note:  Tabletop BBQ next to crazy plastic lawn chair in back.

FP bag (seen here) + H&M Caftan + Wide Leg Denim + Infamous Danys

Quite possibly my fave pic of all time.  Looks like it came straight out of the 

parents' old photo albums.

See what I mean?  Uncanny -- from my mind to my neighborhood. 

Look for me driving by 3x/week to see if they're moving out yet.

Bright Bag Small City

Rarely does a weekend go by when the Chef and I aren't racing the clock trying to squeeze an outfit picture in. Truth is, without him there would be no outfit pictures (yes i'm having a moment).  I'm uncomfortable enough as it is and pretty much wither up at the thought of lugging around a tripod (which coincidentally I don't even own - go figure).  When I started blogging last spring time was a luxury because he was still searching out restaurant locations - now he's mere weeks from being open and it's a completely different scenario.  To say we're stretched thin is pretty tame.

Sunday was such a treat. We spent the whole day together, had a leisurely mani-pedi - hey the guy is on his feet non-stop and has custom built so many things for his new place he deserved it - relaxed over lunch and then kicked it into high gear to get the pictures done.  After driving around aimlessly, for what seemed like forever, we haul out both kind of frazzled, and suddenly I got the giggles.  There we were on the bloody sidewalk in a hoity-toity part of the neighborhood where you know people were wondering what we were doing and I just lost it.  I was like 'what the hell was I thinking starting this thing? Look at us. I am standing here in 5 inch purple velvet heels that I never would have dreamed of wearing 18 months ago and you're laying on the sidewalk.  What is happening to us?'  We rolled.  It was the best day yet.

~Gap-Leather Jacket and Denim Trousers (first seen here), La Befana-Silk Blouse, 

J.Crew-Belt, Curly in the City-Clutch, Tom Ford-Sunnies, Melinda Maria Jewelry~

Moments earlier...not so composed.  Okay not composed at all.

How about that sassy clutch?  Taylor from Curly in the City started an Etsy shop and can't

keep them in stock. She makes an animal print version, too.  Brace.

I love the contrasting turquoise zipper.  

My purple shoes are in favor, too :)

Not sure what I was thinking when I didn't get these Jessica Simpson Dany's in tan.  

They were $39 on sale! 

Hope your weekends were bright and cheery.  I don't know about you, but I am so excited for the upcoming long weekend.  Only four days to go!

Spying On Cars Containing McDonald's Bags

Late Saturday afternoon I found myself staring down a top I had forgotten was even still in my possession.  The day had not gone well.  The landlord - from here on out to be referred to as Mr. Inconsiderate Use of the Wet Saw at 7am - had used some of his favorite passive aggressive behavior on me that blew up in his face, but later really got to me seeing as I've been a great tenant for over 5 years and am now being totally disrespected due to his own poor decisions (tmi? perhaps but it's my blog and i need to vent).  I was upset, down in the dumps and needed to get out of the house.  Of course I was in no mood for a sweater so be damned if I was putting one on.  Instead I went rooting through my closet and came face to face with the former fave:  a Banana Republic silk scarf blouse.

This blouse has bailed me out of more situations than I care to count.  Treacherous situations.  Situations where I otherwise would have needed a suit.  It has stolen the show at corporate meetings and dazzled mid-day diners at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills - even Larry Flynt gave me a whistle from his wheelchair once when I walked on by wearing it.  Hollar ya old perv!

Usually I wear it with a flowy wideleg pant and some strappy heels, but not on Saturday.  No on Saturday I opted for skinny denim, Loubs, a pile of bangles, my AWang Coco, and the top.  It was a day when I needed to be reminded that I'm in control of my life, that this bloody apartment and this poorly behaved landlord are not the boss of me, and that I will jump in a flower bed for a quick outfit post if required.   Even if it means waiting for 15 minutes to get to my destination while a misguided parallel parker smashes into the cars in front of and behind him 7x all while his McDonald's bag rides shotgun in the passenger seat.  What?  I'm shredding - I can sense hot fast food within a 50 foot radius.

This is the look of a woman who almost tips over as her red soles dig into the flower bed.

Red soles that rarely see the light of day due to this little thing we call "budget".

Coco and Christian moments before I hopped the ledge to strike a pose

while high school girls looked on in confusion.  

'Blame it on the landlord!!,' I screamed wildly into the evening breeze...
'You can't live at home forever!" (wah)

The top.  

And finally the car that hit every car in sight while parallel parking.
Examine, if you will, Exhibit A on the passenger seat:  McDonald's bag.
Food still in it.  Temptation comes in many forms, friends.

Well, it is T-minus 6 hours and counting until the wet saw goes off at an unthinkable hour for the third day in a row.   I've gotta go dart off into bed and get some shut eye.  Please send all thoughts, prayers and positivity my way...may it all be over tomorrow.  May Craigslist have the answer, may the landlord pack up and leave it all behind, may I get more than three sentences out on the telephone before the person on the other end of the line asks if I'm calling from a meat cutting factory...

The Elusive Back Door

When I was in university a couple of my friends attended college in the US and we only got to see each other on winter and summer breaks.  These guys were super fun, and my girlfriends and I looked forward to their return trips home where they schooled us about life outside Canada and seemed so very worldly.  Randy and Kenny loved a good rave and after regular club scene hours where we'd rip it up to favorites like 'Jump Around' by House of Pain, they would drag us to these after hours places that looked like abandoned buildings.  I remember being a royal pain (read: scared nerd) the first time we walked up at 2am to dead silence and pounded on the door of some warehouse in the middle of nowhere, "There's no one in there you fools!  Let's go home!!" only to have the door mysteriously swing open revealing thundering music, blinding strobe lights, and hordes of sweaty dancers who weren't ready to retire for the night.  More than once we'd lose track of time only to wander out into broad daylight on Sunday morning and head straight to breakfast.  Ahhhhhh the good old days.

When the Chef pointed out a cool looking alley the other day all I saw was the door, and it immediately took me back to a time when it seemed so cool to gain access to a place reserved only for those in "the know". 

 

Juicy Couture Fur Vest, Zara Pleated Leather Skirt, J.Crew Thigh Highs

The SKIRT!!  I saw this thing over a month ago taking a quick spin 

through Zara.  Like a fool I thought I could come back and grab it. Gone

Thus began the quest...which was completed just the other night when 

my fave shopgirl snagged the LAST one from the window display just for me.

Whew!  Cue "The search is over, you've been with me all the while..."

This is pretty much the condition we'd be in rolling into that secret door.

Okay maybe a bit less chic...but the door didn't smell like joranvandersloot urine.

And it wasn't flanked by palm trees holding crumpled up Marlboro packages.

Uh, anyone use garbage cans anymore?

Before you knew it we'd be rolling back out, donning our shades and heading

off to some diner or pizza joint for breakfast.  Ohthestomachofthecollegestudent.

T Luxury Apparel T-Shirt, Marc Jacobs Shoes, J.Crew Thigh Highs

I'm apologizing now - you may see this skirt several more times in the near future.

Imagine with a grey chunky knit sweater and military boots.

How about with flats, a poufy blouse and a denim jacket thrown over?

The possibilities are endless...a woman wanted to toss me for it in the fitting room.

It was a narrow escape thanks to the workouts.

 Melinda Maria Pyramid Spike and Galaxy Cluster Melted Bangles,

Margo Circle Ring

Here's to the rest of the week going by just as quickly as the past few days.
Happy Thursday everyone!
Woop Woop (that's my rave sound - ahahahaha)

Make New Friends, But Keep The Old

Saturday afternoon found me in a hot mess of places I've temporarily sworn off of (think wallet restriction) - J.Crew, Free People, Zara, Barneys...  Why do I do this to myself?  Is it on purpose?  Perhaps to test my volition?  Quite honestly, I don't have a specific answer.  All I know is I escaped with wallet intact and two pairs of tights in bag. (Okay and a jacket.  But it was on steep sale so I get a pass).  Whatever the case, something wonderful happened as we strolled about - I was stopped at least ten times by women and men asking where I got my boots.  It's a wonderful feeling when you've leapt off your wallet for something you love only to find yourself twelve months later with strangers sharing your sentiments - especially when you're trying to save yourself from falling into boot cavern 2010. 

Making new friends is a treasured experience (present company included of course!), but there is something delicious about having old ones who know your secrets.  These are the relationships that don't require words, where trust has been built upon a firm foundation of shared good and bad times.  And so it goes, at least for me anyway, with my closet.  I love to go on the hunt for a new certain something - a dress, a unique ring or bangle for the jewelry collection, the perfect pair of jeans...or even better - the ultimate boot.  The act of discovering that "thing" is oftentimes just as exciting as the thing itself - but the relationship is truly put to the test once I get it home.  Is it as great as I thought it was?  Does it work with as many things as I'd anticipated?  Do I still want to wear it all the time after a couple of months?  Only the test of time will tell.  And so it has been with my military boots.  They have proven to be a never fail - I jumped at the chance to wear them in the summer when it was cool.  At first sight of fall I busted them out here in what turned out to be one of my favorite outfit posts yet.  And on Saturday they helped me to remember (as did everyone who complimented them) that I don't neeeeeeeeeed a new pair of boots.  Only a new pair of heels.  I kid, I kid!!

Now that I think about it every single item in this outfit

has been with me for at least a year - some closer to two.

 

James Perse Cotton/Cashmere Thermal, J.Crew Military Jacket,

Aritzia Leggings, Joie Boots, J.Crew Argyle Socks (you can't see haha)

 We haven't quite mastered the gloomy day camera settings, 

but somehow the faded images fit the day perfectly.

 My bad the bag has only been around for 3 or 4 months,

but with how often it's seen here you can probably tell it's a fave.

And it was one of those - see it, have to have it, step away from it Carrie, 

can't get it out of my mind, gotta return and get it! items.

You know those, right? hehe

And while we're on the shopping topic, how is your fall wardrobe coming along?  Have you been able to work in some of your old friends and keep the new ones to a minimum?  Or do you find yourself in a whole new circle of friends? hehe  Would love to hear what some of your faves currently are.  And hopefully the weekend was kind to you as well.  Oh Mondays - they sure to reappear quickly.

The Truth is in the Wind

I realized something when I went out yesterday evening.  I don't get enough time outside.  I haven't walked briskly in the open air along the trail by the beach in months (I used to do this almost every day).  When was the last time I read a book cover to cover?  I cannot recall.  And how about Pilates?  (something I used to love and look forward to just for the sheer joy of stretching and relaxing) Honestly?  I can't remember the last time I did a full work out or Pilates session more than a day or two in a row.  It's been months.

My heart sunk as I stood in the open, breezy air as people walked by with their dogs and each other or alone.  All the things I'm neglecting are healthy for my heart and soul in the most intrinsic ways.  They make me who I am.  When I was thinking back on all the fun tourists I've met out on walks...oh the conversations I've had and stories I could tell.  And books?  Books are some of my best friends!  I have been robbing them of my time.  Truthfully?  I've been robbing myself.  Of just slowing down and pointedly taking time every day to focus on living and thinking, not doing.

Do you ever feel like this?  Like you're just going, going, going and you know things are slipping, but then one day the weight of it all bears down on you in a passing glance, a visit from a friend, or the wind in your hair?  Things have got to change.

 Tonight I caught some rays.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I let the wind have its way with my hair.

 I stood for a long time just looking out.  

The railing was new (that never happens in my neighborhood)

and I felt sad that I didn't even know we got new railing along the path.

It was cool beneath my hand.

I might've walked a bit, but had on some 'not made for much walking shoes'.

But there's always tomorrow.

And that really encouraged me because realizing you have

time to make a change is just as good as realizing you

want to change something.

Hope your week is moving along smoothly and splendidly, but filled with enough time for you :)

Outfit details:  Tucker for Target Blouse, Tucker by Gaby Basora Belt (gifted), Gap Denim, Steven Madden Clogs, Sorial Handbag, PANYC leather/metal bracelet, Melinda Maria Pyramid and Tiger Bangles, Ring.

Let Me Off The Room's Spinning

Just when I thought it was safe to pack up my summer wardrobe and head into fall, someone apparently pushed Mother Nature off the merry-go-round and in her confusion she's decided it's still summer.  Either that or seeing as we didn't get much of a summer here in Southern California, I can only assume she's been on that ride since last fall and is trying to warm up now that she's been let off.  Poor thing.  Speaking of poor things, this morning when I went to get ready to meet Shannan (from Merci Blah Blah) for brunch I didn't realize it was, oh, 80 degrees outside.  Niiiiiiice.

The vast majority of my summer clothes are in bins so high in the closet it would take something akin to a circus act for me to get them down.  I was already running late and in no mood to swing from the hangbars, so decided to remain in present season and make.it.work.  A few jersey/caftan things stay hanging year round, so I grabbed one and mixed it with denim (rolled a la Isabel Marant seen here and here) and a pony hair clog that has been crying for fall freedom.  Despite the warm temperatures I was able to keep relatively cool while surrounded by people in shorts and t-shirts.  This weather really is getting confusing.

After some wonderful conversation and laughs over some equally delectable pavlova, the Chef and I bid farewell to Shannan and her husband, Tom so they could go enjoy the remainder of their day in Laguna.   We're hoping this fun couple ends up in California some day - it was one of those meetings where you feel like you've known the other people forever.  The best!  Mid-way through our drive home we stopped to take in some of the late afternoon sun in a quiet neighborhood near where the Chef grew up.  It was very much a perfect summer day.  In fall.

Spider-man's sister?

 Cat Woman? 

 Wild Horses

 Batwings!

(sigh) Hello again summer.

Give thanks.

(Canadian Thanksgiving was this weekend)

Not exactly sure how the superheroes made an entrance into this post - a touch too much of the sun perhaps.  How was your weekend?  I won another CSN gift certificate at jammer's giveaway, but fear they won't let me pile them all together to get my much sought after bazillion dollar fondue set.  Oh no, not you again Monday!

Back to Basics

For me fall signifies a time to get serious.  As a child it meant returning to school with sharp HB pencils in my new pencil case, crisp outfits, and the smell of books in the beloved library.  Every year, no matter where I am in the world and what the weather may be, I instinctively become more solemn as we round the corner to September and tend to stay that way for most of the winter months.  It's school's fault I think - it forced me to shed the lazy days of summer and get back to business.

This also goes for my wardrobe.  It is true that growing up in Canada meant a free-for-all of amazing and wearable fall fashion from plaid and wool to velvet and fur, but it also meant a purposeful acquisition of basics that could be worn mostly together or intermingled between other trendier pieces.  I was a basics lover long before my Gap days, but it was my tenure there that instilled an appreciation for the good stuff - a plethora of white, black, navy and grey t's in long and short sleeves always kept on hand, be sure to include leggings in those same basic colors,  and don't forget denim in light to dark washes in tops, bottoms and jackets.  These lessons I learned at Gap are, in some ways ironically, as valuable to me as an adult as some of the things I learned in high school and university (shhhhhh don't tell!).  As long as I have the essentials in wardrobe basics, it is easier to maneuver from season to season without breaking the bank.  Fall is a time when I find myself rediscovering these wonderful pieces that have rested patiently in my closet through most of the brighter summer months, and this weekend was no exception.

 If you were to happen upon my neighborhood chances are

you would see me strolling in a version of this on any of my "off days".

 Okay you got me.  On any day.

It's got all the essentials - not too large/not too small denim jacket, 

James Perse T (you know how I feel about those), black leggings, 

and a zip of leopard in the shoe to bring the unexpected.

 As much as I love a leather bag - and girls you know I love a leather bag - 

this little canvas bag is perfect for groceries and, well, I'll just out myself...

It's got CATS IN A BLANKET AT THE BEACH ON IT!

(if only my parisian former-neighbors from santa monica who used to take our "shared" cat to the 
beach in the basket of their vespa could see this now!  bruno...you out there?)

The bag says "4 friends, 2 sweaters.... 1 cold night @ the beach"
Doesn't get much better than that, in my opinion!

And it only seems fitting to pair cats with cat print.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  I'll fill you in on mine tomorrow seeing as I've been wrestling with Blogger for, oh, 4 hours and my patience has basically been worn to nil.  (death to this picture uploading/crashing nonsense!!)

Outfit details:  Tom Ford - Sunnies, Big Star - Denim Jacket, James Perse - T, Gap - Tank, American Apparel - Leggings, Target - Leopard Flats, J.Crew - Canvas Bag, Melinda Maria - Rings

When All Else Fails, Wear Something Cute

I think the bloody heat has gotten to my mind.  Yesterday morning I woke up from a dream where I was begging my friend Amber to bring me a Pepsi Slurpee from 7-11.  It was the weirdest thing - right in the middle of the dream I remembered I don't even like those and started pleading for a glass of water.  Why I couldn't get my own is beyond me.  All I know is it was hot in that dream, and when my eyes opened it was hot in my house.  (But thankfully I had not sleep-dialed poor Amber! Can you imagine??). 

Do you ever have mornings where you wake up and just know you should stay in bed until the next day?  Like the gong show is just waiting to gong your life all day long?  Well I had that day yesterday.  First was the sweaty, drink-less dream. Then I rolled into my office after a shower where I could barely get cool water - only to discover my internet provider had lost service to at least a thousand customers in my area.  Isn't that special?  Not so much.  How, pray tell dear people, is a person to do their job sans internet?  Oh and never mind the fact that I pay my bills online and several needed to be paid by noon PST.  That's not happening!  I decide I'm going to be productive and do some laundry and clean-up...only to walk into my mudroom and find it filled with smoke from the new next door neighbor who sits in his yard and cigars it up all day and night while the breeze wafts over his fence and into my home.  Welcome neighbor!  When are you moving out again?!?

I could go on, but I'll stop and spare you the details.  Suffice it to say by 11:30am I was huddled under the bed with nothing but a peep hole to the tv where I could see that Victor Newman is being sued by his daughters.  (All I could do is hope the tv didn't go up in smoke like the time my blowdryer almost lit my hair on fire - true story).  Thankfully the Chef stopped by and rescued me from spontaneous combustion.  We strolled the streets and took in a new sushi restaurant before returning home late in the evening to realize My Generation starts at 8 and not 9pm.  Fitting, isn't it?

Here is a woman who just wasted over an hour on hold 

with "customer service" only to be clicked as the rep answered.
Can you say spent?

 She cheered herself up by wearing her favorite clogs, a carefree print,
and a neon studded clutch that could double as a weapon against, say,
Blogger who she has been fighting with for 4 HOURS
trying to complete this post. This is not a lie.

 Earlier in the day she followed the lead of the Isabel Marant post
and rolled her skinny denim.  Isabel was not kidding - this is a fun look.

 Happiness is a butterfly printed Tucker dress...and a post that
is completed in under an hour instead of now going on 4.5.

 Oh no problem - I'm just gathering up my sanity while sporting
a degree of denim on denim.  Which, coincidentally, I loved.

Keep Calm and Carry On dear friends.
The weekend is upon us.

Outfit details:  Current/Elliott -Vest, Tucker for Target - Butterfly Cami Dress, Siwy - Denim, Dulce - Shoes, Rebecca Minkoff - Studded Clutch, Melinda Maria - Rings & Bangle, Necklace - gift from Africa, Sunnies - Tom Ford

I have literally been fighting with Blogger for 5 hours.  5 hours people!!  All of you in the east are almost ready to get up and I'm just going to bed.  TGIF

Leather and Leopard

There are many reasons I have long been referred to as a "free bird" by the people who know me best.  In a nutshell I'm basically a non-conformist (aka all over the place) - especially in the apparel area. What's the term?  Eclectic.  Yes, that's it.  One minute (or hour) I can be looking over a J.Crew catalogue sighing over everything I neeeeeeeed, then two minutes later you'll find me eyes glazed over contemplating the lack of boho chic in my life a la Free People (and don't even get me started on my evening "reading" of the Shopbop website.  eyeglasses anyone?) .  Olivia Palermo is one of my best girlfriends when it comes to style mentors - and Jackie O has been an icon of mine for as long as I can remember - but then I'll enter my closet and come out happy as a lark in a pair of harem pants tucked into knee high military boots with a beat-up chunky sweater coat thrown over circa my early 90's grunge phase.  Are you like this, too?  Do you stick to any one style or find yourself moving fluidly between several?

Yesterday's Tucker post made my heart sing because it was so unexpectedly, off-the-wall perfect.  When I was in Canada I wore this and honestly cannot wait to wear it again.  It is probably my favorite blog outfit post to date, however this one ranks right up there as well.  And yet all 3 are distinctly different.  I say all this to say...enter the opposite end of the spectrum.  I'm going to throw myself out there and say there's little chance of us spotting Olivia Palermo in yesterday's outfit, but today's?  Oh yes - it is Olivia P all the way.

 Nothing like yesterday, but still totally my style.

A little closer so you can see the detail on the top and the shorts...

From the side.

And of course the shoes.  Oh the leopard shoes.

Outfit details:  Martin+Osa (RIP I'll never recover) - Cashmere Cardigan, J.Crew - Rosette Tank (last winter?), Aritzia - Faux Leather Shorts, J.Crew - Leopard Mary Jane, Melinda Maria - Jewelry, Tom Ford - Sunnies

With the exception of the shorts each of these items has lived in my closet for at least a year, and I'm really proud of that.  One of my current goals is to work my closet as much as possible and enjoy what I already have.  As for the shorts - one of my "must" stops when I go home is Aritzia.  I have scored some major finds in their stores - they carry everything from top contemporary brands to their own private label items and I was determined to lay hands on a pair of their faux leather shorts for fall...of course I arrived in Canada to discover they were entirely sold out nationwide.  The Manager of their downtown Calgary store was so kind and tracked down the last pair in the company (I was so excited and grateful!!  and they said they should restock in October) in - wait for it - NEW JERSEY.  I went all the way home to find my dream shorts on the other side of the country I just came from.  Gotta love kismet!!  Somethings are just meant to be.  I'm sure Olivia would agree.