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 :)

Simple Saturday

Sticking with her usual patterns, Mother Nature tossed out something just shy of a scorcher this weekend in Southern California.  Yes I realize waxing on about the weather is so blah-de-blah, but guess what?  It's bloody fall, bloggers are donning fur and sweaters as we speak, and there is simply no way in the name of perspiring underarms that I'm about to get in on that game.  Instead I spent Saturday morning staring blindly into my closet trying to come up with something other than shorts to wear.  Refusing to get into an outfit frenzy--you know the ones where half the closet goes flying around the room don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about--I spotted my favorite shoes, quickly tossed on a pair of jeans and a blouse that's never made it onto the blog.  Goal:  Don't over think it or it'll be 5pm before you know it.

Upon emerging from the house I was hit with a wave of heat that almost had me spin on my heel and head back inside, but margaritas were calling and there was no time to delay.  I managed to grab my camera on the way out the door, but as fate aka Instagram would have it the battery was left in the charger.  Niiiiice.  This evening I contemplated renaming the blog:   My Life On Instagram.  Has a little ring to it, don't you think?  

Outfit:  Zara-Blouse, Current/Elliott-Boyfriend Jeans, Gap-Cami, 

Dulce-Clogs seen here and here aka good old days, Sorial-Bag

Have you ever bought something, wondered if you'll ever wear it and then it turns out to 

rescue you from wardrobe block on a regular basis?  For me that is this Zara Blouse.

So happy I didn't leave it behind.  Now need a couple more just like it...

These shoes get so much wear in my day to day life.  

The company closed and I've regretted not getting a second pair almost every day since.

*Insert rationing the shoes here*

Nothing like a cold margarita on a hot day.  And yes we were able to sit outside.

It was bloody 85 degrees in the middle of the afternoon!

Anyway, I am looking for some sort of jolt to the closet because trying to get my fall on in summer weather is basically a drag.  I wake up in the morning, think about a light sweater and then laugh at myself as the sun beams through the window giving my arm a tan.  Good luck with that one, Carrie!  Shortly after margaritas I spent some time window shopping and left feeling somewhat deflated.  Is it me or does everything kind of look the same right now?  It's that whole 80's thing yawwwwn.  I saw some little kid in a pair of neon pink socks and a green neon skirt.  It took everything in me not to scream, "Do you even know who Madonna IS?" I mean hel-looo Desperately Seeking Susan!  

That being said, unless Dallas Raines (local weather guy) tells me otherwise, prepare for a resurgence of my somewhat tan faded legs this week.  I'll just stand idly by while everyone in blog world strolls by in their various fur, leather, and sweater ensembles.  Anyone for a mid-summer hippie vibe?

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.  

In a Pinch

It's official I did miss my calling:  throwing outfits together in a minute or less has been confirmed as one of my gifts. Who knew? Suffice it to say, as I'm pretty sure I say every weekend, the weekend went by far too quickly.  It's as though the clock speeds up as soon as Friday afternoon hits.  Apparently peoples' brains fall out of their heads at record speed on Sunday nights as well.  The ding-a-ling neighbors took it upon themselves to get in a screaming match with another neighbor who kindly asked them to move their hanging-in-the-alley-inconsiderately-and-horribly-parallel-parked-vehicles so that the other person could get out of their garage.

Response:  We pay for this space so it's not our problem.  

Are you for real?  

Honestly my heart (and ears) just bled.  How on earth can you be so nasty to someone you have clearly wronged and are completely inconveniencing?  Truth be told I'm still baffled sitting here thinking about it.  I don't know how it all played out in the end, but I don't think it was pleasant.  This is not Beverly Hills so they had seriously better wise up.  People don't play down here.  You might get away with a little childish writing on someone's car in West LA, but not in my neighborhood. Word

Anyway.  There's a little neighbor update for ya. It's been quiet on that front because a. I'm trying to avoid them and b. My activities have ranged from exhausted and hanging off the couch to exhausted and racing out the door.  Carrie needs a break (preferably not a breakdown thank you very much).

Back to the outfit.  I guess we're going to start calling the outfit portion of this blog "Beat the Clock" or "How Many Different Ways Can You Try Not to Kill Yourself While Trying to Pull Yourself Together In Under 5 Minutes In Order to Get a Quick Picture".  Queen of the run on sentences in the house! On Saturday afternoon I had 752 errands to run when the Chef dropped the bomb that he had a limited window to take the picture.  Welp, here's to killing 752 birds with one big a** stone -- Carrie live and comin' at you from outside the water brewery.  Exciting times here at the bird. yawwwwn

 This thing is gold.  No planning, no nothing. Pure gold.

So many of my favorite things all in one--the makings of the best outfits, right?

Zara-Blazer, James Perse-Tanks, Belt-Flea Market Find, Shorts-Current/Elliott, 

Foley+Corinna-Mid-City Tote (four years old and still an all time fave), 

Motif 56, PANYC & Bhati Beads-Bracelets, Melinda Maria and MarcxMarc-Rings

Uh-oh stray hair at one o'clock (I'm really loving this o'clock thing of late--as I'm sure you've noticed).

Unbeknownst to me I walked around with that hair sticking out for 12 hours.

No worries though--the shoes stole the show. Show stoppers is more like it.

These Sophie Theallet for Nine West's continue to get mad play.   

I think I sent a stampede over there on Saturday.

Woman ponders deep hidden mystery:  

"Where did all my wonderful neighbors go and how can I find a way to lure them back?"

And now I bid you a good Monday.  Tomorrow I will dish on how the downstairs neighbors came home at 3am on Sunday and were so thoughtful to give me an early wake up call by running up and down the wood floors so hard I could hear them upstairs. Ahhhhhh.  The good life.  Is it too early to ask for a cocktail?

Polka Dots and Orange

Sometimes I have a brutal time coming up with post titles.  What's up with that?  It probably doesn't help that I've been burning the candle at both ends at work meaning by end of day I can barely speak much less form a cohesive thought.  It does feel great to be productive though - being idle is not my thing.  In any event I stared at the pictures and blurted out the title so here we are.


I was so happy to score these orange pumps at Zara a couple weeks ago.  How cute are they??  I'll admit I'm not usually one for overly bright colors, but these just called out to me - it also helped that they were the last size 36 in Southern California.  How could I leave them behind?  They have a ton of potential and probably only need an insert in the left foot which appears to have gotten a bit smaller than the right. Erm freak of nature much? No worries Inspector Shoeseau's on the case so it will handled in a timely manner.  Much like the time we were in Palm Springs with the parents when the Go International Target line was released and I stampeded on over there (inspector shoeseau style) to claim this polka dot dress.  It was the only thing that really caught my eye and, though I wavered at the time, am really happy to have picked it up.  Can be worn baby doll or belted and totally worth the less than $40 it cost at the time.

~Dress: Jovovich-Hawk for Target, Vest: J.Crew, Belt: Anthro, Shoes: Zara, 

Bag: Alexander Wang Coco~

I love the swirly fabric and mix of large and small polka dots.  So feminine and 

really a different look than I usually go for, but the vest made it mine.

Coco - still very sentimental to me, despite her backbreaking studs.
She always takes an outfit up a notch.

View from the back.  Have to say I'm not usually one for the shorter dress, but
this one got to me.  I was done at "polka dots".

The week's kinda been going like this...a blur.
As of yesterday I am officially out of Cadbury Mini Eggs
so prepare for a breakdown in the west.  Work's been grueling and I've lost my crutch!

Military Goes to the Beach

Call it wardrobe schizophrenia, call it what you want - but be sure to know I realize the pendulum is in full swing here at the bird.  One minute I'm ordering a Navajo blanket and waxing on about pink platforms and hippies, and the next I'm dressed for a day at the academy.  All I can say is what the hockey stick (throw back to the Canadian parental units soon to be on arrival) is up with the weather?  Je ne sais pas.  As you recall merely 4 days ago I was standing on the beach soaking up every minute of the sun (read:  basking in the glory of maxi dress dreams) only to find myself less than 24 hours later in an overcast cold mess.  The wind started whipping around and I seriously thought there was going to be a remake of Dorothy twirling around in her house off to crash in Munchkinland - only instead of Toto it would be me and two cats.  Far more interesting me thinks, thank you very much. 

This is my least favorite part of this time of year.  One minute I'm riding high on boho dreams and the next minute I'm back in the closet, heat on 75 seeking out layers of some sort.  As of Sunday afternoon it turned to military.  Pardon bags beneath eyes.

I know what you're saying...wasn't that the same beach from Monday's post.  True dat.
What a difference a day makes.  Has my Navajo blanket arrived?  Do I smell the UPS truck?

~Outfit Details:  Zara Military Blazer (seen here), Ever Net Sweater (seen here), James Perse Ribbed Dress, 
American Apparel Leggings, Joie Refugee Boots (seen here and here) , Alexander Wang Coco.  

Even though I wasn't exactly in the mood for layers these are light and the mix of
texture has to be my favorite quality about putting the pieces together.

Case in point.  Net on sweater + rib on dress beneath + studs on bag +
gold buttons on jacket + brass on boots = all kinds of interesting.

Note wind whipping about little strands of hair and cold hands gripping each other.
Within moments I was racing off to fulfill warm weather shopping dreams
with the heat on blast.  Spring, spring wherefore art thou?

I'm on the countdown to Parents Visit 2011.  I've got bedding and draperies to launder, floors to wash, bathroom to scrub down and groceries to purchase.  My dad told me to take a chill pill.  I was all, "um dad? I need to distract you from the traffic" - seriously friends I grew up in a very remote area and it's going to be a lit-tle overwhelming.  Last time my mom leaned her seat back in the car and we busted up laughing.  I'm hoping the blinding white walls and sparkly tile will ease the trauma...that or the bags beneath my eyes.  Whatever works!

p.s.- I put the blog up on facebook - 'like' it here.  Someday I'll learn how to put up a facebook tab on the side.  Technology = enemy.


*Update Friday afternoon:  safe from Tsunami (live at beach in SoCal and evacuated, but back home and leaving again though warning has lifted).  Parents are still here and I think we're heading to Palm Springs....my dad has a hankering for dry land.  Imagine that?? hehe  See you next week if I don't sneak a post in sooner.  Thank you so much for all your kind words and checking in on me. xoxo - C*

Flowers in the Sun

I awoke Saturday morning in a completely relaxed state. One whole day of sheer nothing ahead of me. Sigh.

Instead of hopping out of bed I lazed about reading the March issue of Elle, which has some of the most beautiful vibrant shoes I've ever seen, to ease into the day. Two cups of tea later the Chef and I strolled out to be greeted by the warmest summer-like breeze we've had since before last summer's deep freeze.  It actually caught me off guard in the best way possible.  Instead of zipping by the beach on our way to brunch we stopped to take it all in - volleyball players, sailboats in the distance, kids jumping in the sand. For a moment winter seemed so far away.

I couldn't have cared less that I was overdressed.  My legs, on the other hand, were screaming out for sun exposure.  Soon enough ladies, soon enough.

~Outfit details:  Zara Cropped Floral Blazer, James Perse T-Shirt, Gap Wideleg Denim

Rebecca Minkoff Studded Clutch, Dulce Clogs~

I've never regretted this one.  Caps off an outfit every time.

Same goes for this little blazer.  It looks so good with frayed shorts.
~Accessories:  Melinda Maria Link Oxidized Ring, Dean Davidson Gem, Motif 56 Bracelet, 
Free People Necklace, Tom Ford Sunnies~

White legs cry out for freedom.  Momentary respite granted.

Somehow the Chef caught this one as I was just standing there 

feeling the warm sun on my back.  I can't wait for spring.

Wherever you were I hope you got at least a little warmth this weekend.  Just that one day in the sun made everything seem so much brighter.  Here's to a smooth week ahead!

Making Peace with January

Back in the good old days when I worked at Gap we referred to the palette of clothing that arrived post-Holiday as Transition.  Oh how I loved and looked forward to Transition.  After listening to the same music on the corporate-mandated tape (yes that's how long ago it was...cassette tapes had it on blast even though cd's were around - just so you know I'm not one foot in the dirt just yet), staring down red, green, plaid and flannel as frenzied customers far and wide debated, deliberated, purchased and returned in less than happy moods, it was time for all of us to move on and leave December behind.  What better way than with khaki, denim, navy and white, grey and accents of silver and gold?  All my favorite basic colors rolled up into arguably some of the best items of the year.

I think they call it Resort now, right?  Whatever the case, I begin to gravitate to these same items every year around the end of December/beginning of January.  You might say Gap brainwashed me; I prefer to think they instilled a great sense of style (before they let a lot of it go to hell in a handbasket, but still I hope for a comeback!!). And can someone please tell me when the Resort part of the deal starts to figure in?  I'm not getting any younger - or warmer for that matter.

{Zara-Military Blazer, J.Crew-Sequin Stripe T, Current/Elliott-Denim, Forever21-Shoes}

Done up for brunch at the local diner aka looking like a spectacle

amongst the locals. 

 Sequins after the holidays might be a sign of clinging to December.

 {PANYC Belt-seen here, Melinda Maria Bangles and Link Oxidized Ring}

Someone pass the hand lotion.  Clearly I'm in need.

Just scream.  Go ahead and let it out.  I did.

I almost called this "Confessions of  a Shoe Snob" because I am basically over the moon for the Forever 21 lace heels in this post and the booties in this one.  For under $40 each you simply cannot go wrong.  They are ridiculously cute, well-constructed for the price, and with a little insole really quite comfortable.  Who would've thought? (certainly not me!)

Thanks so much for your well wishes yesterday.  My throat's still sore, but I think I'll be able to venture out of bed today and get the poor tree taken down today.  I'm having separation anxiety...maybe tomorrow?

Fur Hats in the Forest

Did you ever see Bridget Fonda in Point of No Return?  It's a little cheesy, but I like it because it's a female spy-type movie and Bridget does a great job balancing hardcore bad a** with an emerging soft side.  Once when I lived in Canada and was out for dinner with a girlfriend, some guy randomly walked up and told us I reminded him of Maggie (Bridget) in Point of No Return.  Normally something sarcastic would have rolled off my tongue, but I was so flattered someone thought I was a spy that I just turned a bright shade of red and muttered "um, thank-you".  Ha ha!!

Last week when we were at the parents it dipped down to -25 one day, so I donned my fur trapper hat and headed off into the trees to live out my spy dreams - sans a hand gun, any secret missions, and a fake identity, of course.  I bet I could kick someone's head off though.  Oh Bridget!

I would have added captions in between, but all we were screaming at each other was "COLD, COLD, COLD, COLD COLD!" and "did that one work?, do we have enough?, did the camera shut off AGAIN?!" before I finally just snapped and went racing off toward the house through knee deep snow while the Chef chased after me in his bright green toque (beanie).

Can you believe we have to go back to work tomorrow?  I'm not even sure I can remember how to get out of bed when the alarm goes off...and what about all the cookies and chocolates?  Whatever will they do without me?? 

Hope your holidays were marvelous!

Outfit details:  Juicy Couture-Fur Trapper, Zara-Velvet Military Blazer, James Perse-Cotton/Cashmere Tunics, J.Crew-Skinny Denim, Ash-Boots, H&M-Cheetah Mittens, Tom Ford-Sunnies, 14 pairs of socks

Blue Tights and Fur Coats

One of the great things about visiting Canada is getting a true taste of winter - the people in this country are so lucky to experience the glory of four well-defined seasons (although they might beg to differ when a freak snow storm shows up in May).  Remember when I visited in fall and got these great pictures?  They're some of my faves even now.  Admission:  I get homesick every time I look at them.

It was tough to stick to two bags on this trip because I kept on imagining all kinds of fun outfit concoctions for the cold, snowy days (aside from all the sweats and t's for luxurious tv-filled afternoons on the couch. ha!) we don't experience in SoCal.  As wonderful as warm weather can be, it kinda hinders the true essence of the winter wardrobe.  So today I got a hint of the crazy and strolled out into a winter wonderland...in shorts, tights and shag.  I kinda wanna wear this one every day.  

The first 10 minutes in freezing cold are always the easiest.
Especially if you're wearing something resembling a bath mat or '70's carpet.

Bringing a bit of the snow leopard.

Delusion sets in as the cold goes to my head...this is not the house.

Busting through drifts I make it back to the sidewalk...

With this grin frozen, quite literally, onto my face.
It was around this time the camera began to fog up from the temps.
Time for more chocolates and cookies!

Outfit details: Zara-Shag Coat, Current/Elliott-Shorts, J.Crew-Leopard Belt and Tights, Forever21-Booties, H&M-Mittens, Tom Ford Sunnies