I'm Still Here, I Promise!

But only for a short while...because this afternoon I'm heading to Paris!  This will be my 5th trip to Paris, 2nd for business (I have a lot of family there!).  I'll only have a day and a half of personal time and I'll be spending most of that time with my Grandparents.  I also hear there are some amazing sales going on...so if I happen to step into a few stores, I won't be too disappointed. =)

Thank you so much for all of your comments and messages the last few days, they are always so appreciated!!  The red-eye flight to DC just beat me up, badly, and I still feel a little dazed. 

But, I had some fun while packing and planning my outfits for the next week:

Floral Sweater - Missoni (so thick and warm!)

Red Scarf - Italian Gift from Mother-in-Law

Trousers - J.Crew

Belt - Salvatore Ferragamo

Heels - Brian Atwood

Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!!!

Wearing Now: Pale Pants

Good morning!  I've photographed and scheduled this post in advance because by the time it makes it on to my blog, I will have just arrived on a red-eye flight to DC.  Trust me, I'm probably no fun right now.  =)

But later today should be fun.  I'm teaming up with the Director of Training to lead a sales rep training session, with lab.  Enter, the pale pants... and the exposed ankles (gasp).

(I don't care that the forecast is expected to be in the lower 40s and partly sunny.) 

You see, I go from airport to taxi to hotel to taxi to training [to scrubs] to taxi to hotel to taxi to airport. 

Sometimes traveling for work is not at all glamorous.

Soft Blazer - Zara

White Silk Blouse - J.Crew

Pale Pants - J.Crew

Belt - J.Crew

Heels - Tory Burch

Wristlet - Hermes

Big Work Tote - Louis Vuitton

Zara really knows how to do their blazers.  I love the seaming detail on the back.  It's so wearable and comfy!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!  I'll be back in SF tomorrow morning!

Travel Guide: Wine Country Weekend!

Have you ever been to Napa? 

I'm so lucky to live just an hour and a half away from lush green vineyards and delicious tasting goodness!  A few weekends ago Michele, Ana and I took a trip up there for a solid weekend of wine, food and girl talk.  Great times =)

Ana, Michele, and I outside Del Dotto Estate Winery

If you ever get a chance to come up to this beautiful area, here are a few of the places we visited this time:

• Marriott Napa:  Michele found an awesome deal through Travelzoo and the Marriott Napa worked perfectly for our little weekend trip. 
• Regusci Winery:  This is always one of our favorite places.  So much in fact, we went there twice in that weekend.  Nevermind the tastings - enjoy a bottle or two on their lovely front patio. 
• Peju Winery:  This is usually one of our favorites, but we were a little disappointed this time.  Still, it's a lovely setting and you must try the easy-to-drink Provence (per the Hubby's request, we stocked up on more of these bottles)
• Cuvee Restaurant:  Delicious food and drinks.  The mussels were outstanding!  
• Del Dotto Estate Winery:  $30 tasting is well-worth it!  Served with chocolate and three kinds of cheese.  Everything was shipped from Italy to create this magical place!  Next time I'm going to try the Cave Tasting Tour...
• Mustard's Grill:  They might have the best Bloody Mary's out there, and I don't even like Bloody Mary's!  Must try their namesake mustard.  Yummy!
• Napa Outlet Shopping:  My list wouldn't be complete without one shopping experience.  It's a tiny outlet, just a few stores worth hopping into, but it's perfect because no one wants to spend their day in Napa shopping!
• And, although we didn't make it there this time, I need to add Darioush to the list because it's another one of my absolute favorite wineries!

Did I miss anything?  Do you have any recommendations to share?

(Not) Wearing Now: Turtleneck and Florals

Happy Monday! 

Navy Turtleneck - Forever21

Floral Skirt - BCBG

Necklace - Banana Republic

Belt - Forever21

Tights - DKNY

Booties - Giuseppe Zanotti

Purse - Chanel

How was your weekend? 

Oh So WiCKED!

The hubby and I saw WiCKED last night at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco. 

(Nevermind that I've seen it before - and here's something you'll learn about me.  This goes for movies, books, ballets, musicals, plays...)

I don't remember elements of [insert title of musical, book, play, ballet, etc.], after, say...48 hours.  And that's me being generous.

I like to think I'm saving that space in my brain for more important things, like, the phone number of my best friend in 2nd grade.  Yes, I do remember that.  And my mother's driver's license number.  I remember that too.  And the address of the house I lived in when I was four.  Not joking, I can recite that at any time. 

But ask me about Avatar, which I saw over New Year's weekend.  And.

And, Well.  Nothing.

Oh! There were blue people.

But that's about it.

Anyways, WiCKED was awesome, even the second time around.  The lady behind us had seen it four times already and was back for more.  Although she definitely remembered it, because she was reciting the lines as they were being spoken.

Here's what I wore, you'll recognize the tulip skirt from earlier this week, but you won't judge, right?

Black Ruffle Coat - Milly

Blue Lace Top - BCBG

Tulip Skirt - BCBG

Tights - Danskin

Belt - Vintage

Boots - Brian Atwood

Happy Friday and hope you all have an amazing weekend!

Life and Something Pretty

I have a ridiculous travel schedule for the next 30-days, can I please share with you? 

1. 2 days in Washington DC
2. 8 days in Paris, France
3. 5 days in Orlando, Florida

Oh, crazy, I know, but I certainly plan on blogging the entire time =)

Hope you all have a wonderful Thursday.  And leaving you with this pretty little thing (apparently, it is little - the image, that is...):

Manolo Blahnik Buckled Leather Sandal, on sale.

Wearing Now: Buttoned Up

A few simple rules I like to stick to when it rains:

1. Don't wear pants.  Who wants to get the hem of their pants wet, especially when the wetness runs upward?
2. Put on the rain boots.  I wear my rain boots out and change shoes once I'm in the office.  Plus it makes it more likely that I'll walk to work (rather than cabbing it).  Did I tell you I work 11 blocks from my home?  Granted, they are large city blocks so it's actually a mile.  So when I don't take a cab (oh goddd the cab fares I pay yearly........), I walk. In flats. With heels in hand. 
3. When it's absolutely dreadful, just cab it.  My umbrella is a big, lovely reliable thing, but when the wind is blowing hard enough to pick me up and the rain is going sideways into my face...I am not walking.  Period.
4. Stay dark, or cover up in dark.  I don't like certain colors and fabrics that show wetness (think gray when it's wet...).  Best to stick with simple black!  Or, wear a black coat and shed that layer when you're in safety.

That said, you can now imagine with the pictures below that you also see the "walking" version, which is rainboots, a large black velvet coat and big reliable umbrella.  And heels in hand.

High-Waisted Skirt - Missoni

Blouse - Theory

Belt - Miu Miu

Black Camisole (underneath) - Marciano

Tights - DKNY

Heels - Forever 21

Purse - Chanel

Mid-morning Cravings: Modern Office Looks

The Outnet emailed a fun little feature today which is perfectly in line with 9to5 Chic: "Modern Office Looks."  There are many pieces I would love to own, but here are just a few:

Vivenne Westwood Anglomania Bagatelle Cotton Blouse, 60% off

I love the lower-cut collar!

Stella McCartney High-Waisted Jersey Skirt, 70% off

Jersey is so so comfy...

 

Vanessa Bruno Athe Printed Silk Satin Blouse, 65% off

A woman can never have too many blouses.  I like the collar detail and small print.

Alexander McQueen Leaf Crepe Dress, 70% off

This dress would be killer with a wide belt and tall heels.

Alexander McQueen Patent Panel Leather Pumps, 55% off

Look carefully - there's a nude section of leather above the toe!

Have a great day!

Wearing Now: Umbrella Time!

The forecast today? Rain.  Tomorrow?  Rain.  The next day?  Rain.  Next week?  Rain.

(Happy Monday, by the way!)

White Silk Blouse - Banana Republic

Creme Cardigan - DKNY

High-Waisted Tulip Skirt - BCBG

Tights - DKNY

Skinny Belt - J.Crew

Necklace - Banana Republic

Booties - Giuseppe Zanotti

Lace Driving Gloves - Club Monaco

Big Flowery Umbrella (so that I can look up and see flowers instead of gray rain-inducing clouds) - Valentino

Purse - Chanel

The skirt was a recent find at a BCBG outlet.  Another Little House on the Prairie moment for me, but this time it's a keeper (by default because they always do "final sale" on their items).  I don't normally go for tulip skirts, but this one won me over - it was structural but soft at the same time.  And Little House on the Prairie. 

And hello, maybe I should have kept the shoes from my first Little House on the Prairie moment because look:

From A Cup of Jo, Photo by Tamu McPherson. Via Unruly Things, via Refinery 29.

How adorable is her get-up? 

Wearing Now: A Mix of Grays and Blues

Happy Friday!!!

It's supposed to rain for the next ten days or more, so I'm taking advantage of the last sunny day we have for a long dreary time.  Looks like my rain boots are going to get a lot'a love!

I know I've mentioned how much I adore cardigans - they're a staple in my closet and very much my style.  I haven't worn them often lately, so I'm pulling out a special one.  I outfitted my bridesmaids and I in gray JCrew cardigans for a few of the group wedding shots.  This is the one I wore:

Cardigan - JCrew

Houndstooth Blouse - Zara

Graphic Print Skirt - Club Monaco

Skinny Belt - Urban Outfitters

Necklace - Banana Republic

Nude Heels - Christian Louboutin

Purse - Chanel

And here's a shot of the cardigans in action on the wedding day:

Blaine and Bethany Photography

Have a great weekend everyone!

Featured On: Styled in Chicago!

Good morning friends! 

I woke up to something pretty darn cool and I'm just so...flattered.  And excited.  Thank you Brandon of Styled in Chicago for writing about my style in better words than I possibly ever could. 

Styled in Chicago at Chicago Now

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

My Daily Reads

Blogs I Love - and the list is growing daily...so quickly.  I'm pretty sure I have forgotten some here, but I will try to keep it as current as possible!!!  Please do share with me any of your must-read blogs!

• Adiaphane
• Amber's Notebook
• Behind the Seams
• Bleed for Fashion
• City Girl Chicago
• Couture and Crayons
• Cupcakes and Cashmere
• Dea Diaries
• Fashion Toast
• Feather Report
• Fetching Fashions
• I Am Khatu
• I Am Style-ish
• Life in Travel
• Monochromachic
• Nini's Style
• Phi Style
• Saltwater Dreams
• Sea of Shoes
• Strawberry Swing and Other Things
• Swank Heights
• The Chloe Conspiracy
• The Glamourai
• Veronika's Blushing
• What I Wore
• WhereDidUGetThat

Wearing Now: Knitted Love

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Since my last post on Monday, I’ve been to Baltimore and back. No joke!  Brutal, but it was a last minute (understatement?) business trip and it just had to be done.  Thanks again for all of your comments Monday - I was MIA but loved reading them all when I arrived in Baltimore at 1am on Tuesday. =)

So glad to be home!

I’m really excited about what I’m wearing today because my dear friend Michele knitted me another scarf over the holidays! And, what can I say? LOVE. It is just darling. And super warm.

You’ve already seen the lace top, here. I’ve layered it under a black button up vest-type thing to make it suitable for work. Isn’t it incredible how you can wear the same item but it can take on such a different look?

Lace top - Zara

Black Button-up Vest - H&M (sooo old)

Trousers - JCrew

Blazer - DKNY

Knitted Scarf - handmade by Michele!

Booties - Giuseppe Zanotti

Purse - Chanel

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

Wearing Now: Going Leopard...?

Good morning friends!

There's a board meeting today so our entire executive management team is off-site.  I figured it would be a good opportunity for me to get some wear out of this leopard print skirt (while trying to tone it down as much as possible).  And let's be clear:  I would never wear this skirt on an important day or for meetings. 

You see, I'm really scared of leopard print.  It's always about two steps away from looking all wrong.  But sometimes, you just have to try something and see how you feel by day's end.  That's what's so fun about clothes - it's all trial and error.  And if it turns out to be an error, there's always tomorrow!  And sometimes, you discover that something you thought you couldn't wear, actually works.

Ruffle Long-Sleeved Blouse - BCBG

Leopard Print Skirt - H&M (about 3 years old and probably never worn until today?)

Boyfriend Blazer - DKNY

Tights - DKNY

Belt - Urban Outfitters

Booties - Giuseppe Zanotti

Purse - Chanel

Let me know what you think - and what is something you discovered you were actually comfortable wearing after you finally tried it?

Just Sharing: Christian Cota Dress

I couldn't help but save this image.  Loving the Christian Cota dress, beautifully done, don't you think?  It doesn't hurt that the gorgeous Carrie Underwood is wearing it. 

Carrie Underwood, 1/7/2009 Look of the Day from www.Instyle.com

Wearing Now: Springtime Floral Winterized

Happy Friday, friends!!! 

I have a couple of meetings in the office today, so I had to forego my usual casual Friday jeans.  I'm not too devastated though, because I'm wearing one of my favorite pieces, a floral Dolce & Gabbana pencil skirt.  I love Dolce & Gabbana pencil skirts, they are so luxurious and fantastic feeling.  I especially love this Dolce & Gabbana pencil skirt because my hubby proposed to me while I was wearing it, aww!

Silk Floral Skirt - Dolce & Gabbana

Silk Ruffle Shirt - JCrew

Black Jacket - H&M

Tights - DKNY

Skinny Belt - Urban Outfitters

Black Heels - Brian Atwood

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!