I Dream of Silk Blouses

J.Crew Calista Silk Blouse

This is an absolute 9to5 Must-Have.  Especially in the Warm Taupe and Aluminum colors pictured above, but I'll take all colors, please and thank you! 

This week has been a whirlwind - probably due to the fact that I had no prior weekend to relax.  On Wednesday night I stomped up and down and around the mall and then drudged all the way [uphill!] home, fully-loaded with packages like Santa Claus.  Without the handy reindeer. 

No goodies for me, though, because 7 nieces and nephews are expecting a visit from their aunt and uncle soon!

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

Coffee Break Craving: Ballet Flats

Ballet flats, Gap.com

I have an old pair of ballet flats from Gap that have been wonderful, but they lacked any sort of substance in the sole.  This new style from Gap seems to have a little bit more support (you can't ask for much in ballet flats).  Plus, they're only $39.50!  Done.  

(After I try them on for size, anyway).

Afternoon Craving: Olive Pumps

Fendi Tassel Pump, Barneys

I'm on a certified olive "kick" (notice all of the olive I've been sporting and/or yearning for lately?).  These shoes are just perfectly in line with my Fall wishlist, but maybe not necessarily the Fall budget.  =)   

What are you desiring for Fall?

Weekend Wear: Comfort Dressing

Trench - Burberry

Shirtdress/Tunic - Zara

Belt - H&M

Skinny Jeans - Forever21

Necklace - Madewell

Flats - Elie Tahari

Purse - Chanel

This is a pretty typical weekend outfit for walking the dogs around the park.  The key piece also happens to be one of the cheapest: soft and stretchy skinny jeans (under $30).  In fact they're so soft and stretchy they are probably better described as Forever21's version of the jegging.  Definitely comfort dressing.

You may find it utterly silly, but in a given weekend I may wear 3, 4, or even 5 different outfits.  I like to change and dress for the occasion and/or location (which could range from a baseball game, shopping in Union Square, driving out to Golden Gate Park so that the dogs can run freely, sushi dinner, across the Golden Gate to Sausalito...etc.).  San Francisco weather has a knack for changing it's mind halfway through the day too, which doesn't help the cause. =)

Hope you're having a great week!

On Haircuts and Habits

Remember this post where I confessed to having twice yearly haircuts?  [Ouch.]

I'm saying good-bye (good riddance!) to that bad habit, I've finally found a stylist in San Francisco that I trust completely!  (And he also happens to be a make-up artist and stylist - talk about triple threat!)

After my first cut with Clifford of CliffordStyle in March, I wore my hair down more than I ever have in my life (friends and family can attest to it, I'm sure). After my second cut just 4 months later (a solid 2 month improvement over prior years!), I'm convinced that's he's the one.  You know, the best stylist ever. =)

Wearing Now: Black Out

Silk blouse - ADAM by Adam Lippes

Trousers - J.Crew

Heels - Proenza Schouler

Necklaces - Madewell & J.Crew

Good morning and happy Monday!  I'm back from Toronto and it was lovely (but let's be honest I didn't get a chance to see much).  On my one free evening I briefly walked around Yorkville and dined at ONE Restaurant.  I managed about 5 hours of sleep each night (5am mornings and evening events until 11pm...) and desperately need to catch up on pillow time!!

As for the outfit - this silk boxy blouse feels so effortless and easy.  To avoid complicating things I kept it monotonous in all black and jumped into these Proenzas (they haven't gotten much love lately!).

Coffee Break Craving: Miu Miu Square-Toe Pumps

Miu Miu Square-Toe Pump

This is a brilliant mix of lady-like charm and tough-girl attitude.  Love it!  

Wearing Now: Gray Sheath Dress

Dress - Zara

Belt - Urban Outfitters

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Purse - Chanel

I scored this sheath dress during Zara's second markdown for only $29!  I was ecstatic and the timing couldn't have been better (remember my post here about looking for sheath dresses?).  The shoulder pads and big puff sleeves make it a little more interesting than your standard sheath and the fabric doesn't hug too tightly. 

Hope you're having a great week!

Coffee Break Craving: Printed Dress for Fall

Cacharel Metallic Printed Dress

This print is gorgeous and oh so Fall!  I'm also loving the olive tights - something I'll definitely be adding to my Fall must-have shopping list!

Weekend Wear: Trench Coat

Trench coat - Burberry

Skirt - BCBG

Purse - Chanel

Heels - Zara

A few of my favorite details on this coat?

• the "D" rings on the belt in the back that keep it in place - I'll never fear of losing it!
• the epaulets and fancy-schmacy detail behind the collar (even though I have no idea what they're for...)
• the back vent and leather covered buckles...

Ok, I pretty much love everything about it!  =)

Apart from the anniversary celebrations this weekend, I also spent a lovely part of Saturday poolside for David's birthday (happy birthday!!!!).  It was 98 degrees in Pleasanton and the pool was such a treat, as were the grilled cheese sandwiches poolside, frosty beverages and catching up with old high school friends!

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

Something New: Anniversary Present

Present from my hubby

Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments over the weekend!!!  We celebrated our 1st anniversary on Friday evening with a delectable dinner at Gary Danko (where we had celebrated our 1st dating anniversary).  We feasted on champagne, fois gras, branzini, duck breast, lobster, lamb shoulder, cheeses (omygoodness the cheese!!!), and three different, all amazing, desserts.  The take-home was a tasty pineapple-blueberry muffin for breakfast the next morning:

As for the present in the khaki colored box?  My hubby surprised me with this beauty:

Burberry Double Breasted Trench Coat, here

A classic meant to last forever, an investment that will definitely prove worthwhile (especially in SF!).  I absolutely LOVE it!!!  My hubby had spent so much time researching trench coats and the many styles that Burberry offered.  So sweet & and I am one very, very lucky girl. 

...and then we made sure to remind each other that not all anniversaries will be this expensive!  =)  =)

Love.

Photo by Blaine and Bethany

 

Happy 1st Anniversary weekend, Husband!

Wearing Now: Separates

Shirtdress (worn as a blouse) - Zara

Skirt - Zara

Belt - Urban Outfitters

Necklace - Madewell

Heels - Zara

Purse - Louis Vuitton

It has been exceptionally easy to fall in love with so many dresses this summer (like all summers before it), and on more than several occasions I've been unable to resist.  But there's only so much you can do to change how you wear a dress.  (Dress with blazer.  Dress with cardigan.  Dress with different cardigan?)  On the plus side, it makes for easy dressing in the morning (no laborious thinking involved).

When I feel like I need to actually build my wardrobe, however, I search for separates.  This shirtdress doubles as a blouse when worn with a roomy skirt, can go casual over leggings or jeans for the weekend, or bare-legged as a beach cover-up or dress... the possibilities are [almost] limitless.  Same goes for the skirt - I can pretty much wear any of my blouses with it, over or under, belted or not belted, nighttime or conservative, and with just one piece I've almost doubled my number of outfits!  

(Now if only I could get my mind off that beautiful Giorgio Armani olive dress that I want so so so badly...)  =) 

Hope you have a great Thursday!

Afternoon Craving (for Fall): Wool Cape Jacket

Diane von Furstenberg Wool Cape Jacket

I'd like to envision a Fall filled with warm wool cape jackets and lace-up ankle boots (all colors!), as evidenced by my recent afternoon cravings.  Add to that a few trips to Colorado (already scheduled and ticketed!), a Starbucks Gold Card (recently achieved but not yet recieved after only a month of effort. I'm not sure if I should be proud of that or deeply concerned), and a puppy that miraculously stops chewing on our coffee table. 

But then I look at this:

and all is forgiven.  She's just too darn cute!

Weekend Wear: Olive Shirtdress

Shirtdress - Zara (recent find and my hubby picked it out for me!!)

Belt - H&M

Scarf - H&M

Oxford Wedges - Rag & Bone

Necklace - Madewell

Heading into a surgical case today and on the road at 5:30am to make it there in time.  Sweet.  Let's hope I find the drive-thru Starbucks before too long!  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Weekend Wear: Bright Linen Dress

Linen dress - Mango

Belt - Miu Miu

Heels - Miu Miu

Purse - Chanel

Good morning!  Hope you had a great weekend!  My weekend was lovely and involved a trip to Napa (Darioush and Mumm Napa), dinner at Absinthe with my cousin, lots of errands, some shopping, and park time for the dogs.  

I wore this colorful Mango linen dress (recent find) to Napa for gorgeous 88 degrees and sunny weather.  It's a little big, but that's never a problem because the answer is always, always to belt it. 

I'm bracing for a busy work week ahead, all in preparation for my upcoming trip to Toronto.  I'll also be attending another surgical case this week.  As exciting as it can be, it also means I have one less office day to get everything done... so off to work I go!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Coffee Break Craving: Polyvore

Happy Friday!  Above is my very first Polyvore set for 9to5 Chic, what do you think?

On Wednesday night I met with Katrina from Polyvore.com, which is, not surprisingly, headquartered right here in the Bay Area.  It was great to learn more about Polyvore and the tools that it offered for bloggers.  I hadn't known about some of their newer features and before viewing a demo she prepared, and  I hadn't realized how simple it really was.  (It was so nice to meet you, Katrina!)

So, have you Polyvore'd?

The Spring & Summer of Stripes

Some old, some new, all stripes.  Endless possibilities from just a few striped items!  I'm sure the combinations will double before fall hits and I may even add another striped piece or two.  Have you gone stripey this year?

Hope you have a wonderful day today! =)