Get it in Gear

This morning I had the misfortune of having to take my car into the shop due to it having recently decided that reverse is no longer in its vernacular. Apparently drive must also be under consideration for the heave-ho pile because yesterday found me jammed in front of the neighbor's garage desperately trying to escape. Funnnnnn times over here, people.

Having grown up on a farm I consider myself well-versed in phrases like, 'DAD WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR??!?!?!'. I'm sure you city dwellers feel much the same about your situations, if you have a dad (or a mom) who understand things about flushing the transmission and so on and so forth. All I have to say is between my dad and google I was able to go in at least semi-prepared (read: not a total deer in headlights) and feel as though they could not take advantage of me. It sucks to have to distrust the car people, but they brought it on themselves.

I was also sure to arrive looking somewhat tattered, like I mean business but without a suit. Picked up off the closet floor from yesterday-chic, if you really must know. Why mess with a good thing? Another lady in there gave me a nod when I walked by. She was wearing a military jacket and a sleek ponytail. I see ya lady, I see ya. Never let 'em see you sweat!!

~Beanie (old)-Wooden Ships, Sweater-J.Crew (alternate color here), Denim-Current/Elliott, 

Belt-Old Stud Handmade, Bag-TKBags, Boots-NDC Made by Hand (here in black)~

Case in point as to why one should never look a good closet dive in the mouth.

REBIRTH
-------------------------------

Oh and ps--I'm going to see the new Twilight tonight. FOURTEEN YEAR OLD STYLE!

Simple Sunday

I don't know about you, but Sunday is one of my favorite days.  It's a day of no set agenda, fly by the seat of your pants, lounge in the sun (or on the couch) and relish the moments as they pass.  Yesterday we were about to go our separate ways for the day when the Chef decided to take a late lunch outside his own restaurant just after opening.  Impromptu lunch date? Um, okay! Mid-day margarita? Count me in.

While weeding out the closet on Saturday for late summer/early fall planning, I came across my pink blazer (last seen here) immediately deciding it has not had enough play on the blog.  This is one of those purchases I keep at the forefront of my mind--saw it, left it behind and later had to track it down 15 ways from Thursday to eventually find one in my size.  *Note to self: get it when you see it and take it back if you change your mind thereby avoiding my size is no longer available-itis.*    I tossed it on with a pair of my go-to Current/Elliott shorts (thanks Gilt Groupe), a simple white t-shirt and a pair of Converse sneakers.  It's true what they say:  simple is best.  It was a great lunch outfit, but carried me throughout the day as well.  Recipe for success!

~Outfit details:  H&M-Blazer (similar here, here, here), James Perse-T-shirt, 

Current/Elliott- Boyfriend Shorts (here and here)

Old Stud Handmade-Belt, Converse-Sneakers, Spitfire-Sunglasses (similar)~

Pink Blazer-Check!

Piles of my fave jewelry--Check!

Rings:  Dean Davidson (similar in smoky topaz), Melinda Maria Link Oxidized, 

Bracelets: Leather--Motif56 and PANYC, Friendships c/o Rosa Loves DC

Sneakers--Check!

Wind in my hair-check!

Spill it--how was your weekend? I spent Saturday with a butterfly while overhearing the guys next door talk about dating in a scene straight out of Swingers.  Delightful!

Seeking Comfort in the Comfortable

I want to thank each and every one of you who left a comment, sent an email, text, tweet, smoke signal or otherwise when you saw the post on Grayce (pr. Graycee for those who asked) last week.  Your kind words have genuinely helped ease our pain.

I managed to leave the house a couple times in the past several days for dinner with close friends.  Confession:  leaving my sweats and blanket behind was no easy feat.  Comfort is key these days, so prepare to see some hot mess up here on the blog.  I don't know about you, but whenever anything happens that rattles me to the core I subconsciously reach for things that make me feel safe.  Suddenly I'm surrounded by dark chocolate, jalapenos, bacon, fringe, blanket, soft old t-shirts and Current/Elliott denim.  Who's with me?  When the Chef coerced me out of the house yesterday afternoon I found myself closet diving and emerging with my fab Minnetonka boots that had somehow been left in the dust.  Silver lining, I guess.

Speaking of silver lining:  last night the bar was quiet at the Chef's place so I asked if my friend and I could watch the Bachelorette Men Tell All.  I immediately start ripping on Ryan P and lo and behold one of the bartenders knows him.  JACKPOT!! Fact finding mission commences...

~Outfit details:  Tank Farm T-Shirt, Current/Elliott Shorts, Old Stud Handmade Belt, 

Anthro Sunglasses, Free People Fringe Legwarmers (in 90 degrees), Minnetonka Boots c/o Langston's~

Dug from the abyss known as my arsenal of t-shirts, this Tankfarm ration holds many a fond memory.

Gorgeous yellow and turquoise friendship bracelets from the amazingly talented

Rosa @ Rosa loves DC.  They've been glued to my wrist since I opened the package last week.

Talk to me.  Fringe leg warmers inside fringe boots.  In August. 

Almost as good as a visit from Mom.

Not sure why, just like this one.  Blame it on the fringe blowing in the breeze.

As it is when someone passes away, all the days go by in a haze.  It's like the mind knows what happened but the heart can't quite accept it, and so begins the dipping of the toe into the waters of grief until we're fully submerged and can embrace it.  This is the worst.  You are all totally right--our pets are our family and when something tragic happens to them it is okay and normal to experience a deep level of sadness.  Thanks for jumping in the boat with us.  Sharing here with all of you and receiving such kind responses brought a lot of comfort to both me and the Chef, and we are very grateful to you.  Grayce was our top girl and we'll never stop missing her.  It's just not the same with out her. 

I hope you'll bear with me if my posts aren't as regular as usual for the next while.  xo ~Carrie

Fly Away Pants

Where to begin, where to begin.  I realize I spend an incredible amount of time waxing on about Free People, but I honestly just can't help it.  There is rarely a time when I glance at their online shop or visit a store and don't find something that is truly unique and a blast from the past.  If you get their catalogues then you know firsthand how well they capture a moment, an item, and your wallet.  Which is exactly what happened when I saw their Extreme Vintage Flares.

It all started while I was prepping for my tax appointment aka tax showdown 2011.  In order to get myself through the paper sorting process I do not allow for lollygagging of any sort including internet browsing, catalogue shopping or cookie baking.  If there is one thing I know about myself it is procrastination rules at tax time.  Just prior to t-day I happened to get an email from Free People bearing no other than the Extreme Vintage Flares.  Unable to contain myself as images of Gene Simmons and the Bay City Rollers flooded my mind I found myself clicking over completely disobeying my own rules.  

pause. stare. pause.

*internal struggle ensues as disobedience to rules carries on*

'the papers aren't sorted and the appointment is tomorrow.  but what if they sell out? they're not going to sell out.  they might sell out! (said in pleading voice to self)' rinse and repeat.

Long story short I purchased the pants immediately after the appointment.  We'll skip the part where they ran out of inventory and I had to track them down at a store.  Victory was mine and that's all that matters.  

~H&M Blazer, TuckerxTarget Butterfly Cami, Free People Extreme Vintage Flares, 

Old Stud Handmade Belt, Sorial Handbag, can't remember the sunnies~

Up Close

Note swooshing pant legs.

Not my car.  Just loved this shot.  And the pants.

I've been staring at them in my closet for a month which provided ample time to think of different ways to wear them.  It would be predictable for me to roll out in the Winter Kate fringe vest, which I'll do later anyway, so given the brisk air I dressed them up a little with a soft pink linen blazer (the one I stalked down at H&M's from here to kingdom come) and ta-da.  Gotta say I love the look and random passersby did, too.  One of the few times I wasn't self-conscious taking the pictures.  It was all about the pants.

Movin' On Up

You have no idea how that song's been playing over and over in my mind the past couple weeks.  For those of you who are unfamiliar it was the theme song from one of my fave shows back in the day:  The Jeffersons.  If George Jefferson's character tried even half the racial or male superiority stuff today, he'd be booted right off the tv.  Let's face it he wouldn't even get on in the first place.  Unless he was crazy like Charlie Sheen, but that's another story for another time.

No friends, today is the true story of me moving up to Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred (knees are throbbing and I think I pulled my achilles, but I managed to make it through) in the same weekend the landlord and I reach an agreement on the upper unit of the duplex I live in.  Now after last week's hell I realize  many of you may be thinking, 'giiiiiirrrrrl you just need to get out of there.'  And the truth is at some point I will, but summer is coming and I'd like to spend this one close to the beach.  It's tough to relo feral cats - even those that are semi-tame - at the best of times, never mind when the Chef is in full swing opening a restaurant.  On top of that I want a dishwasher, and this place has it.  

It may seem like a little thing, but here in SoCal unless you live in a human filing cabinet (large apartment community) it's tough to swing a dishwasher.  So some of my dreams are coming true. 

There's a great outdoor space above the garage right outside my backdoor.  Even though

it's a hot mess right now I plan to remove the debris, clean it up, 

and the Chef will put his carpenter's hat on to build some built-in lounge areas. 

Here's to days in the sun reading a book with SPF 7000 slathered on.

Morning tea, afternoon lemonade, and evening cocktails? Yes, yes, and yes.

Another big thing on my wish list was more natural light.  I've lived in this building
almost 6 years and have been fortunate enough to have only 2 different upstairs neighbors.  
Anytime I visited them I noticed how bright it was up there.  It might be 
a biznatch in the summer heat, but hopefully my A/C units + the cross breeze 
will tackle it.  I sure hope so.

And there's a deck that runs the width of the building just off the living room!
My cats can have their own outside space and hop in and out easily.
Now to find a nice person for my current downstairs place...

I hope you don't mind me sharing the details - after last week I felt like I owed you some sort of update.  Argh.  And now I have to zip off and keep prepping the tax pile for Tuesday's visit with the accountant (is this over yet?).  In the meantime I hope you all had a great and relaxing weekend in the sun.  To those of you shredding, shred on!

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.

Simple Saturdays: Brightening a Winter Look

As much as I can be a go with the flow person, every so often I find myself getting into a flap (no pun intended seeing as it is this free bird).  Maybe it's residue from holiday madness, but I've been wigging out if all my ducks aren't just so in a row and I am really getting on my own last nerve.  Saturday brought overcast skies and chilly temps at the beach.  When I woke up it took everything in me to sink back under the covers instead of jumping out to rush around the house completing 25 tasks (mission accomplished - the tree's still up and is officially a haven of spiky needle hot mess - not sure how I'm going to get that mother out now...).

By late afternoon we decided to simply meander about town with zero set plans in effort to thwart my newly emerged ocd-ness.  Ever notice how just when you want to throw something on and leave quickly, the weather decides to throw its own wrench into your plans and cause a little chaos?  Cool weather means a coat, and warm clothing in my closet usually consists of black and grey which I am oddly tired of at present (give me 10 minutes and I'll be back).  In an effort to shed the winter blues aka a coat - I threw a longer sleeveless knit cardigan and brightly colored scarf over the usual basics and felt my mood brighten right away.  Here's to discovering more ways to bring out my winter hippie!

 

The scarf totally saves the day.

If you were walking behind me you'd see straight basics.

The knit vest might take you to another place 

(if you're into granny chic, ahem val?)

-but the hint of scarf is really where the fun really starts.

Oh and the bell bottoms...and the mauve clogs (seen here and here).

 A touch of funky brighter jewelry adds a little more zip.

 And ta-da!  You're good to go...the bright flowers help too, of course.

 Suffice it to say the rest of the day/evening tried its best to turn into a gongshow...we decide to go to LA for dinner and a movie only to be met by everyone and their mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle and grandparents attempting to do the same thing.  After several failed attempts to find a place to eat without a two hour wait (drive around and waste gas much??) one of our fave restaurants makes a place for us and the server tells us she'll get us out in time for our 10:45 movie because we left our phones in the car in effort to just enjoy dinner without distractions (imagine the thought).  Cut to scene and her watch must have stopped because we get in the car and it's 10:55.  The theatre doesn't seat after the movie starts, so we get a voucher and go home spent.

Talk about having the ocd whooped out of you - no wonder I didn't take that tree down yesterday.  Yaaaawn.  Hope your weekends were smooth sailing...or skiing :)

Outfit details:  Kersh-Sleeveless Sweater Coat, J.Crew-V-Neck, Hudson-Bell Bottoms, Tolani-Scarf, Old Stud Handmade - Belt, Dulce-Clogs, Foley+Corinna-Mid-City Tote, Melinda Maria-Moon&Star Necklace, Dean Davidson-Ring, Bracelets-Milijana and my niece!, Sunnies-Anthropologie

Cat Whispering In Almost Italy

Today I spent most of the day in LA during which time I ran some errands, did some shopping and basically goofed off.  Otherwise known as screwing around.  I love that part of any day best.  Tomorrow I will catch up on all of your lovely blogs!    I wish I had some crazy funny stories to tell you, but so far this week has been pretty low-key except for the fool at Blockbuster who felt the need to practically holler out so everyone could hear, "Oh isn't this the movie Sa-aarah had that role in?  I'm so into FILMS lately."  Other fool responds, "Oh I KNOW just how you feeeeeel" - while attempting to look around inconspicuously to see if anyone within a 5 mile radius is listening - "One of my friends called me the other day to let me know they saw my movie at the bottom of the bin when they were shopping!!"  Okay.  I get that you're trying to get your acting on and I can respect that, but really I don't care to hear all about it.  Whilst screaming amongst yourselves please try to ensure your dialogue makes sense.  The statements were entirely unrelated and only made so everyone would hear and think they were "connected in the biz".  I love this city!! Where else could you witness this mayhem?? I'm not giving up Allstate :)

So one of my errands today led me to Anthropologie to return what was supposed to be the gold clasp version of the fabulous silver clasp belt I wore last week with the bubble.  Boy was I bummed out when I opened the little box and saw the exact same silver version I had already purchased lying in there.  Oh well.  You win some, you lose some and I still consider it a win when some money goes back into the account for once.  On my previous visit to Anthropologie I stumbled upon (sure sure) the nicest grey poncho that somehow found its way to the counter when it was purchase time.  Earlier this week we stopped to check out the canals in a distant part of my neighborhood and I threw it on as the sun went down.  If you're looking for a light cover-up that can morph into something a little dressy I would highly recommend the Cloudcover Poncho - as well as every single shred of this outfit.  It is one of my faves. 

    There I am heading off into the Shekinah Glory in my shredded Siwy's

(aka best denim shorts in all the land) and the poncho.

This neighborhood is so very quiet.  It's a hidden treasure.  

"Carrie, reach for the liiight," said in the voice of the crazy lady from Poltergeist.  I still get nightmares!!

Back to the poncho:  it's sleeveless and a wider knit with a perfect drape. 

I love it with these shorts.

 

Here's a closeup from the back so you can get a better sense of the fabric and the drape.

While we were up there a gondola ride went by - complete with serenade!

And these high school kids were just paddling around out in their front yards. Lucky!

While the Chef was taking this picture look who came walking up...

He was such a sweet, timid guy!  Out came the Cat Whisperer - 

which is only kind of self-proclaimed.  I kid you not, if there is a stray cat 

within a one mile radius, they are on me.  I'm like a cat seeking device.

Success!! Not to worry - he is being fed. 

You remember the No Child Left Behind Act?

Well I'm the No Cat Left Behind person.

It was right around this time some guy came walking up with his new little puppy and cat friend gave a hiss and jumped off into the bushes.  And here's where it got a lit-tle kooky.  The guy proceeds to stop and talk telling us how he and his girlfriend are using Cesar Chavez's dog whispering techniques on the puppy.  Then out of the blue he goes, "Yeah like I do singing telegrams and had to deliver one to him." I'm thinking, who the dog?  So I ask something else and he says again, "Yeah, like it was live shoot and I had to walk up in a dalmatian suit and sing (and he bursts out singing some song) out of the dog snout.  He was a little freaked out."  And like a smart aleck I go, "did you get any tips while you were there?"  To which the Chef shoots me a look.  Oops!  But, uh, random much? He was certainly nice enough though. 

Anyway, shortly thereafter we peaced out and went our separate ways.  That was a great evening - it wasn't cold and overcast which is a rarity these days for some reason.  I feel like summer is passing us by and it makes me sad because we haven't had more than a handful of truly nice days.  August?  Are you out there?  

Let me know what you think of the poncho.  Do you wear them?  I hadn't donned one in years and it reminded me how comfy they are.  When it cools off in the evening what is your go-to item?

Outfit details:  Tom Ford Sunnies, Anthropologie:  Poncho, Gap Cami, Siwy Denim Shorts, Old Stud Handmade Belt, Foley & Corinna Handbag, Christian Louboutin Espadrille Wedge Bootie, Melinda Maria Rings, Free People and Motif 56 Bracelets

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.