Travel Report: Paris

I know it's been over a month, but I wanted to share some of our highlights from Paris over the Christmas holiday.  It was so fast paced and we had so much we wanted to do, see and eat, that it was a literal whirlwind of activity?  (Well, not so literal there WAS a whirlwind.  You know, imaginarily literal...).

 

We had such an amazing time.  This is only 10% of the pictures we took! While not my favorite place on our trip, it definitely had the most history.

Picture descriptions: 

//In front of the Louvre // Notre Dame
// Notre Dame (Outfit: Tucker Tunic, Banana Republic Cardigan, Zigi Soho Mixer Boots, Hobo International Bag)
// Notre Dame Stained Glass
// Eiffel Tower // Charcuterie Plate
// More Eiffel Tower
// Mona Lisa // Homemade Peach Rum at Le Petit Pot
// In front of the Louvre
// Inside the Louvre
// Arc d'Triomphe // French Onion Soup at Le Beouf Courrone
// In front of Arc d'Triomphe (Outfit: J Crew Umbrella, Burton Coat, Lotus Premium Denim, Zigi Soho Mixer Boots, Hobo International Bag)
// Meal at Le Beouf Courrone // Table Wine at Le Beouf Courrone
// On the way to Le Sacre Coeur Basilica // Le Sacre Coeur Basilica
// In front of Le Sacre Coeur Basilica (Outfit: Pashmina from Italy, Burton Coat, Lotus Premium Denim, Zigi Soho Mixer Boots)
// Vin Chaud from Christmas Market
// View from Le Sacre Coeur Basilica
  

Thanks for stopping by! 

OOTD: Patterns and Prints

Outfit Details
Dress: Banana Republic Factory
Boots: Anthropologie Amity Boots
Sunglasses: Stunners
Scarf: J Crew Silk Driving Scarf
Tights: Spanx
 

This is my "business wear because I don't want to wear a suit" outfit.  I had a big presentation to give at work to the leadership team that morning and I was trying to be business-y, but not stuffy.  I think I achieved my goal! I picked up this amazing (petite sized!) dress from Banana Republic because it look super DVF-ey and I couldn't help myself.  I'm so glad that I did!  It's an amazing because it looks pulled together, but satisfies my constant need for patterns and prints.  AND I still get to wear a scarf with a small print on it that doesn't interfere with the dress's big one.  Win all around! 

What do you wear for business wear as alternatives for suits?  

November on Instagram

NOTICE: I have extended the Stella and Dot a few more days to give folks a little more time to enter.  The new deadline for submissions is Wednesday, December 5th at 11:59pm.  Go check it out!

===

Such an eventful month!  Birthdays, the late explosion of fall in the Bay Area, sports, a road trip down Route 1 with my parents to LA, a Bears game, workouts and winding down.

Left to right, top to bottom: 

• goddaughter rocking the pink hiking boots we got for her birthday // fall foliage 
• coordinated soccer cleats and socks // fresh seafood at monterey bay  
• giant pancakes @ lou lou's griddle in the middle // driving down rt 1 (details: stylemint, anthropologie, gap, stunners)
• hearst castle // bloody mary at tupelo junction  
• sunset at santa monica pier // bears vs 49ers game prep 
• 1920's party (details: target, white house black market, banana republic) // bears game at candlestick park 
• christmas oreos // pre-run

Thanks for stopping by! 

OOTD: Drifting

Outfit Details
Top: Banana Republic Factory
Vest: Anthropologie Drifting Downstream
Jeans: AG 7 Year Patchwork Stevie
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini
Sunglasses: Stunners
Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs

This pretty little vest reminds of nature near a river.  I love its flowy-ness and decided that it should take center stage against a fairly neutral backdrop of supporting clothes.  Also, it sorta reminds of a cape, without fully committing to being a cape wearing adult that has no super powers or secret identity.  And what self respecting nerd doesn't like to wear a cape now and again?

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: Weekend Update

Outfit Details
Top: Banana Republic Factory
Cardigan: Anthropologie Eunice Cashmere Cardi
Shorts: Urban Outfitters
Sunglasses: Cotton On
Belt: Vintage from my Mom's Closet



Outfit Details
Top: Nordstrom BP Tank
Vest: Urban Outfitters
Pants: H&M
Shoes: Anthropologie Brimming Button Heels
Necklace: WorkPlayDate

This weekends shenanigans include buying super cheap produce from a farmer's market in the last 15 minutes, making sangria to sneak into an outdoor public market venue and playing card games and hanging out with my BF's family.   I also got an amazing lazy cappuccino and found a mint bike that I'm just DYING to have, but won't likely spent have a grant on a for a fair bit.  Not much money spent, but so many good times to be had. And isn't that just the best of life?

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: I Saw the Potential, but Have Not the Skill

One of the things I was always really envious about when reading others' blogs is the high level of DIY skillz many other ladies have.  Everything from dyeing clothes and shoes, making their own clothes and hacking up some Ikea furniture to bend its will.  So, when I saw this dress at my local Savers, all I could do is think about all the potential.  I mean, red, florals AND shirt dresses are ALL on trend right now AND it fits amazingly! How often do you find a size 4P at a thrift store?  Now, if only I could hem it to be above the knee...

And then, I had it.  It was only $7, and how expensive could taking it to a tailor for hemming be?  It's just a straight shot across, right?

Here's the picture of the original dress:

 

Aaaand viola!  $12 later, I have the best mini shirt dress evar!  Now, I know it's not as bada$$ as sewing it myself, but you know what?  I'm going to take the credit for seeing the potential and making a design decision!

  
Outfit Details
Dress: Thrifted and Professionally altered
Cardigan: Banana Republic Factory
Belt: Anthropologie
Shoes: Target Taki Mary Janes
Sunglasses: Kate Spade via Nordstrom Rack

  

So, in the best case I've inspired you to go off and be creative in the best way you know how, and in the worst, I've convinced you that I'm a sham.  Well, to each their own! 

Thanks for stopping by!