Doubling Down

I took a bit of a "gamble" today by pairing two prints with a similar theme, one on top of the other. Bow on bow action? Why not! While I liked the overall effect of the doubling down of bows this morning, I thought perhaps it would be a little too evocative of Christmas and the holidays. I don't know about you, but I kind of feel like I need to put all of the sequins, plaids, and red/green tartans away a couple of weeks after New Years. In my moment of doubt my husband pointed out that what I had on would be a good look for Valentine's Day. I couldn't agree more! I might have to recycle this look in a couple of weeks. My double bow look turned out to be a winner I guess.

While for some it might be too early to think about Valentine's day, it's not too soon to think about the weekend and of course the Super Bowl, which is perhaps the guy version of Valentine's Day? I just found out who will be playing in the game yesterday and I am planning on making chili, but that's about as excited as I get. The commercials are cool and the thrill of another wardrobe malfunction is tempting, but I could really live without all the fuss. Just like this outfit I am kind of a typical girl at heart when it comes to some things.

Sweater: J. Crew Factory Sequin Bow Cardigan (last sene here)

Shirt: J. Crew "Boy"Popover in Bow Print 

Jeans: Levi "Leggings" 

Boots: Christian Louboutin "Cate" boots

Necklace: J. Crew Factory Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace

Candy Girl

Scrolling through my blog and what I've been wearing lately made me realize that I could stand to add a little color back into to my wardrobe.  I love color, but in the winter it is easy to get sucked into the greys, blacks and earth tone.  What better way to infuse a little color into my life than with this J. Crew Factory silk windowpane blouse in fuchsia? The J. Crew Factory had some incredible deals over the last couple weeks during their "Clear the Clearance Sale". For example, this blouse was $29 which was actually the most expensive of my recent J. Crew Factory purchases. I explained to my husband that the Factory was having "Garage Sale Prices" on their website, which is my saying for super low deals. He skeptically inquired, "Have you ever been to a garage sale?" Okay, so the things weren't a quarter or a dollar or two, but I think you get the point.

Anyway, I paired this bold shirt with the J. Crew Color Mix necklace that kind of reminds me of candy, especially Skittles. Seeing as though I have a sweet tooth, it's tempting to want to take a bite out of it, but I resisted. I prefer chocolate as my sweet of choice!

 

Shirt: J. Crew Factory Silk Windowpane Blouse

Skirt: J. Crew Pencil Skirt

Shoes: Nine West 

Necklace: J. Crew Color Mix 

Watch: Kate Spade Carlyle

Bows and Graffiti

Let me preface this by saying the following: a few hours before I took these photos some "professional" photo shoot involving what looked to be a bodyguard, a guy in dreadlocks and a suit, and a bunch of guys holding those mirror like things that they use to get the perfect lighting were in this same location. I was going to interrupt them and ask: "Would you take a picture for my blog?" but I thought that would not have gone over so hot!

We saw this photo shoot while going to a lecture centering around various topics regarding old Hollywood hosted not in Hollywood but downtown LA. There's really not too many great places to take blog photos in downtown LA due to the excess of trash and graffiti, but since this spot was good enough for the professionals, it was good enough for me too.

Since we went to a talk about the glamour days of Hollywood (including a fascinating discussion of screen siren Jean Harlow) I thought I would, as always, dress the part and look a little vintage in my Eva Franco Bowtie pencil skirt from Anthropologie. This is the prefect girly skirt for such an occasion even if it does standout amongst the graffiti. 

Skirt: Eva Franco Anthropologie Bowtie Pencil Skirt (here)

Blouse: Urban Outfitters 

Shoes: Miu Miu 

Bag/Clutch: Claire Vivier Leopard Foldover Clutch (here)

Don Katie at the Pio Pico Ranchito

I learned a lot about Pio Pico, who was the last Mexican governor of California, by visiting what is left of his Ranchito in Whittier, California. For one, he liked to spend a lot of money on extravagant clothing and parties, which I guess sort of makes him like a 19th century Californian Great Gatsby. He also acquired quite a lot of land throughout Southern California during his day, which has now been reduced to a postage stamp piece of property amidst congested freeways and mini malls.

Regardless of the busy freeways and congestion, the Pio Pico Ranchito is a great place to visit if you are in the neighborhood, if you like Californian history,  or if you like adobe houses. Since I was in the neighborhood dinning at the delicious Steak n' Stein restaurant, which is itself a big throwback to the 1950s and 60s, about a hundred years after Pio Pico, it turned out to be a fun adventure. No one was at the historic park with the exception of four guides and groundskeepers, all of whom turned out to be incredibly friendly and anxious to answer any and all questions.

Below you will see a glimpse of some of the highlights of Pio Pico Ranchito including the the gardens and a prickly cactus that my husband dared me to hug. In my new Camel J. Crew "Schoolboy" Blazer? I think not! Like Pio Pico I'm into the "extravagant" duds.

Jacket: J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Camel

Shirt: J. Crew French Hen Boy Shirt

Jeans: Gap Outlet 

Boots: Zara

Bag: LV Brea in Rubis

Long Weekends Are Just the Right Fit

Long weekends are always nice. Why can't every weekend be three days? Or four? Or maybe the whole week? So far this long weekend has been laid back which, after a stressful workweek, is the perfect remedy to cure what ails you. 

In honor of being comfy and laid back I am donning another Madewell tee, this one is embellished with some interesting studs. They had it one the website yesterday but it has since sold out. I got mine for about $15 in their brick and mortar store and it was way more on the website. I paired it with a favorite from last year, my J. Crew toothpick cords in ribbon bow print. I almost returned these last year because I didn't like the fit. You have to wiggle to get them on, but once they are on they are actually quite comfy, even if you have a big lunch like I did today.

On a side note, the one thing I have noticed is that blogging, in a odd way, has made me more aware of my surroundings. After lunch we went down this back alley (I know that sounds sketchy) that had this really fascinating door. The door was Underwriters Laboratory certified tin plated wooden fire door from the early twentieth century. My husband and I had fun examining the door because we are just sort of weird like that. It made a nice place for a picture plus I learned something about its origins.

So these are a couple of the things that I did to begin my long weekend which I think will undoubtedly go by in the blink of any eye. The first thing to kick off the weekend was a lunch date at a new shabu shabu restaurant that took over after our favorite old shabu shabu restaurant closed. I liked the aesthetically pleasing way they arranged the veggies!

After lunch I window shopped at the new Anthropologie, which is now conveniently located next to J. Crew. Great for me in terms of convenience, not so great for my pocketbook! Today I bought a J. Crew "Jackie" cardigain for $13 and that was it. Not bad.

If you are a dork like me and a fan of Huell Howser you will also notice that the new Anthropologie store in Pasadena is next to the Soap Kitchen which was featured on his show. As you can see Old Town Pasadena is a wonderful place to shop, eat and explore (doors).

T-Shirt: Madewell Embelished Tee

Pants: J. Crew Toothpick cords in Ribbon Bow print (last seen here)

Shoes: J. Crew Valentina in Mirror

Bag: J. Crew Edie in Casablanca Blue

A Little Birdie Told Me...

A little birdie told me today to wear this skirt after I discovered it tucked away, untouched in the depths of my closet. I originally bought the skirt two years ago from Anthropologie during their annual "Tag Sale" event which commences after the holidays. I don't remember the exact price I paid, but it was marked down twice, plus an extra percentage off and the end result was quite a good deal. The skirt fits very nicely into a category I call "quirky bird prints" of which I seem to have a lot of. Who can resist cute birds? Especially these birds that seem to have inhabited a small little town which is also depicted on the skirt. My love of Anthropologie has waned a bit over the years, but when they come out with a whimsical print like this, I am in love again.

Today I received numerous comments on the skirt and I wondered how could I let it go untouched for so long? Do you tuck things away only to find "treasures" years later? What have you recently discovered in your closet?

Skirt: Anthropologie Maeve Feathered Village Skirt 

Top: Merona/Target 

Shoes: J. Crew Bow "Viv" flats 

Watch: Kate Spade Bow Carlyle Watch

Iced Lilac

Iced lilac sounds like some drink you might buy from Starbucks. I actually don't drink coffee, but I am quite familiar with all of their high falutin sounding names for drinks. It's a shame that I don't like coffee because I have about a billion (that's a hyperbole) gift cards from Starbucks which were bestowed upon me from Christmas. I always find a way to use them though, as they have some tasty snacks and iced tea.

Anyway, these Collection Cafe Capri pants from J. Crew are in the "Iced Lilac Paisley" print which came out this Fall/Winter season from J. Crew. The "collection" capri pants from J. Crew tend to be very loud and outlandish, some even looking like wallpaper or gift wrap, but despite this I find them to be a fun way to make a statement, and have I mentioned that they are super comfy? I have this pair and a hummingbird print pair from last spring and even though they are dressy pants they feel like you are in your pajamas all day. For sizing reference I took my usual size 2 in these. Although my Cafe Capri pant collection includes 2 and 0 because they never seem to fit exactly the same.

Just on a side note, as a continuation from my last weeks post, "Stuff My Husband Picked Out", as I was typing this my husband asked, "How's it going Liberace?" I guess the pants remind me of coffee and to my husband the ensemble reminds him of the late and very flamboyant Vegas entertainer, Liberace. Go figure! (As another digression, I'm sad we never got to see the Liberace museum in Las Vegas; it closed and once we drove right by it when it was open. I could have worn these pants!)

Pants: J.Crew Collection Cafe Capri pants in "Iced Lilac Paisley" (here)

Sweater: Romeo and Juliet 

Shoes: J. Crew Valentina Pump in "Mirror" (similar here)

Necklace: Groopdealz 

Leopard Clutch: Claire Vivier (here)

Keeping it Casual in My Bunny "Slippers"

These aren't your traditional, nubby, ratty bunny slippers to wear around in your bathrobe. Instead they are an ultra cool pair of bunny slippers or loafers courtesy of designer Minna Parikka which I think I will be getting a lot of use out of in the future because:

a. They are super comfy, just like a pair of slippers.
b. They look like bunnies, but they're shoes, so what's not to love about that? Nothing.

In fact, I am so enamored with them that I have decided to post my mug in this post, not that there is any real correlation between the two.

I am also sporting some new Madewell purchases today. I normally don't shop at Madewell, but every once in a while when they have a "super sale", let's say maybe an extra 40% off, I pop in to take a peek. This striped sweater, the "Coffee" cardigan and "New York New York" tee were both real steals, so I couldn't resist.

I know it's my New Year's resolution not to add too much to my closet this year, but I am trying to add pieces (if they are a good price) that are different from what I already own. I thought the sweater with the looser fit and the tee fit nicely into this category. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I am so happy that I can add these bunny shoes to my collection, as they make a nice addition to my now growing collection of purses, clutches and shoes that look like things that aren't purses, clutches or shoes. What new additions have you added to your closet that you are head over heels in love with?

Shoes: Anthropologie "Caracal" Loafers by Minna Parikka (here)

Sweater: Madewell Coffee Cardigan in Stripe 

Shirt: Madewell New York New York Tee

Jeans: Oldnavy

Bag: Chanel Cerf Tote 

Bracelets: J. Crew Factory

Ring: Tiffany Onyx and Pearl Ring from the Ziegfeld

Sunglasses: Chanel

Stuff My Husband Picked Out

My husband usually doesn't pick articles of clothing out for me and there are probably a couple of reasons for this. One reason is pretty obvious: he is a guy and couldn't care less. Although for a guy he does seem to be more interested in learning from me about fashion than most men and he also has a very defined sense of what he does and doesn't like aesthetically speaking. So that brings me to my next point, my husband and I often don't see eye to eye about many of the trends that I "indulge" in. He would have me looking like I just walked out of a Brooks Brothers ad and while I enjoy these classic styles I also tend to lean towards more quirky and trendy items too.

The blazer I am sporting today was picked out by my husband for me. It was a mere $10 after discounts and coupons at Kohl's which I am discovering occasionally has some pretty great stuff. While we don't do much shopping at Kohl's, about once a month we do get a $10 coupon in the mail with no minimum purchase. This has inspired a game where we try to buy one thing for about that price so we essentially get something for free. I usually get a pair of tights from their Vera Wang line (which are great and also made in the U.S.A) or maybe a kitchen utensil for the home. This time my husband somehow found this jacket in the clearance rack from Chaps which was marked down to $25 (from $129), then an extra 15% off, then our $10 coupon. What a bargain and a find on behalf of my husband!

The pin I am wearing on my blazer was also picked out by my husband and a Christmas gift. I normally don't wear pins, but it's sort of a fun way to add some personality to a jacket. This pin features some cool vintage cars and a very fashionable lady walking her Scotty dog.

Now what's going on in the bottom is all me, and probably not so much to the aesthetic tastes of my husband, but that's why this outfit is a great compromise. I paired the jacket with these zip up corduroy pants and some leopard smoking slippers. My husband said I looked like a woman going to her country estate wearing shoes made out of a leopard she killed on safari. I always love hearing his commentary on my wardrobe at 6:00 in the morning as I am getting dressed!

So what, if anything, does your significant other pick out for you? Does he have a good eye for things in the clothing, shoe and accessories department or are those selections better left up to you?

Jacket: Chaps for Kohl's (similar here) 

Shirt: Merona/Target

Pants: Anthropologie Pilcro Stet Slim Ankle Cords

Shoes: Leopard Loafers/Smoking flats from Beverly Feldman (similar here and here)

Watch: Kate Spade "Carlyle" Bow Watch

Pin: eBay (Courtesy of my husband!)