Working It Out In Prints

Guess what?  My landlord is on my last nerve.  He danced all over that mother on Saturday causing me to seriously consider if I even want to live at Chez Carrie anymore - a place that has been my home for almost 6 years.  Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, shred, shred, shred.  I'm trying to calm my nerves and clear my mind in order to make a decision, but it seems that's easier said than done.  It's been a long time since I even contemplated moving so I decided to take a peek at what's out there...just in case I opt to take a flying leap and carry on outta here.  Pardon me while I take a nap - this whole thing is exhausting.

On Sunday afternoon we zipped over to one of my favorite buildings in the neighborhood.  There is rarely a vacancy, but I hold out hope.  Whenever perusing rental possibilities I try to pull myself together and put my best foot forward.  Read:  competition can be a real biznatch and you only get one chance to make a good first impression aka seize that property.  I went for the gusto mixing prints and textures galore - sadly there were no vacancies, but a really nice lady invited me onto the property to take a look around.  I think she was in love with my dress - no jokes.  Maybe we can do a trade?  Nah.

See what I mean?  She's in love with the dress - as am I, so no deal lady - 

and I'm in love with the property - as is she, so no deal Carrie.

I scooped this dress on Gilt a few weeks ago and have been waiting for the weather to warm up just a bit so I could break it out.  Yesterday was the perfect day for fearless bright prints all mixed together.
Key word:  Fearless 

Remember last year when I scored these Miu Miu babies? Probably not I had 30 followers then.
Last pair on the West Coast in a 36 purchased in a Walking Pneumonia delirium.
I jumped up and down in store, went home, and passed out for 3 days.
They slept with me - see here.

At the last minute I tossed on the belt that the Tucker team sent over (post here) and loved the wild
punch it gave to the dress.  This lace vest was hanging on the back of the door so I swung it over and
off we went. The Chef even loved the combo.  No Man Repeller action going on over here today, ladies.
ps-and no that is not my stomach - I am shredding.  It's day 6 and going strong. Woot!

Even though the dress got a little wrinkly in back (inevitable) and the picture's not totally clear
I still wanted you to see the back of the vest.  Look at all the amazing detail and how
well it fits around the arm.  Big thanks to Carey for the heads up on this one.

Isabel is featuring me as her girl of the Blogosphere today - hop on over and check it out.  Anyone new to the Shred Crew? If you don't know what that is there are a group of us working our way through Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred dvd and encouraging/commiserating on twitter.  We're at varying stages so feel free to jump in at any time.  Toning the calves and arms has never felt so good.  Have a great Monday everyone!

*Update* - Holy mother of pearl Roots featured me and Blanket over at The Buzz.  Check it here!


Outfit Details:  Tucker by Gaby Basora - Wrap Dress & Belt, H&M - Vest, Miu Miu - Bird Print Shoes, Free People - Necklace, J.Crew - Ring, Kate Spade - Bangle, Target - Sunnies

How To Not Get To Your Friends' Wedding On Time

Normally I would provide you with a summary of the things that occurred over the weekend.  In this case, however, it pretty much consisted of:

1. Slept
2. Assisted the Chef in consolidating 3 closets into 1.5
3. Attended friends' wedding reception

-with 1 and 2 taking up the bulk of the time.  Number 3?  Well, there's the story and it's a horror - really every girl's nightmare come to life, so get ready.

A few weeks ago two of my close friends had a destination wedding in Mexico that the Chef and I were unable to attend *insert sad face here*.  When Saturday rolled around we were really excited to attend the small reception they were having here in California for some of us who had missed their big day.  The gathering was in the late afternoon and it was a perfect, warm summer day.

I laid out a cute dress, a pair of my fancy heels, picked out the accessories and got ready.  Everything was set to go and we were even going to be on time (miracle).  I had my shoes and handbag by the door, and the Chef and I were getting the card and gift together when he said, "UH, don't step there!"  I glanced down and saw some grass on the hardwood floor - that's it, that's all I saw.  I looked away and, when I looked back, thought he had removed it so proceeded to step down....into a pool of clear cat vomit laced with grass.  This resulted in a yelp and a "UGH!! What was that?!?" as I hopped down the hallway on one foot as he hollered back to me, "Didn't you hear me say don't step down?  There's cat barf!  Did you step in it?!?"  By that time I had stepped into the tub - fully dressed, hair and makeup perfect, sans shoes and bag - to rinse off my foot.  I turned on the water and instead of it coming out of the tap, it shot out of the shower head - precisely as I looked up - shooting me in the face, on the hair, and all over my dress.  Destruction on the low seas.

As a result we were 2 hours late to my friends' reception.  We missed the pre-food visiting, the dinner, and the video of the wedding.  Isn't that special?  Not so much.  Note to self:  carefully check bathtub faucet settings the next time you step in cat barf on the way to a special event.

The injured party.

In short:  "traumatized".

I scrubbed my feet for 15 minutes.  I mean I did have to take a shower again anyway.

 Congrats Danny & Nicole!

Do you ever feel like every day/night is a full moon and every card in the deck is the Joker???  Oy

Hope you had a much smoother weekend filled with zero mishaps and/or yucky cat dealings.

Outfit details:  Loomstate for Barneys Dress, Miu Miu Heels, Melinda Maria Assorted Bangles

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

Give 'Em The Boot

I don't know about you, but Monday seemed to go by, on the one hand, at a snail's pace and on the other hand at the speed of sound.  Due to far too many exhausting issues I found myself off in la-la land dreaming about a pile of boots I can't afford, but would sure like to if the money fairies would ever show up to drop off the dollars. *Girls you know we're in the middle of an over-the-knee boot fashion swarm - but I included some others as well.*

A girl can dream.

It's a good thing I can multi-task because as the sun dropped somehow I woke up back in line at Cold Stone just as the guy was asking what I wanted (miracle).  If you're near one of their locations - hey if you can just drive to one of their locations - I highly recommend the Key To My Heart key lime summer concoction they've dreamed up. It saved me from kicking my tv out the window tonight when I wasted 20 whole minutes of my life that I can never retrieve just to find out that Ali picked Roberto (bachelorette colossal waste of air time, my time, your time, anytime).  What-ever.  It was not the most shocking finale yet.  Yawwwwwn.  But I am glad Chris escaped her evil grip with his dignity intact.  Miracles happen every day.

You hear that money fairies?  Money fairies....??

Top Row (L-R):  Nine West-OnTheMoon, House of Harlow-Samia, Loeffler Randall-Riley Over-the-Knee, Elizabeth and James-Wrapped Wedge Over-the-Knee
Bottom Row (L-R):  Miu Miu-Tall Motorcycle, Chloe-Lace-Up Wedge Tall Boot, Stuart Weitzman-Wooden Clog Bottom, Gucci-Catherine High Wedge

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)