Wearing Now: Benefit Beauty Event Outfit

Silk blouse - Ralph Lauren

Leather skirt - Vintage, Wasteland

Necklace - Madewell

Purse - Chanel

Heels - Emporio Armani

In my excitement over the fabulous beauty products I learned about during the Benefit Beauty event, I forgot to post what I wore!  Oops.

This simple silk blouse took me from day to night but I opted for a textured brown leather pencil skirt rather than my standard work-wear black.  The skirt was a vintage find for only $18(!). 

As I mentioned before in this post, Polyvore was on hand creating sets of actual blogger outfits and it was fun to see them put this together on the fly!  Here's the set they created for me, thanks Polyvore!

9to5chic.com by Polyvore featuring patent leather pumps

Tucker for Target: An XS Available!

The Gilt.com shipment arrived and I was so excited to receive these two lovely Tucker for Target blouses!  The fabric (100% polyester for the first blouse and 98% polyester/2% spandex for the second blouse) feels surprisingly good against your skin and it isn't wrinkly-prone like I expected.

I ordered an XS in both blouses, unfortunately the short sleeve blouse (great fall colors) runs small!! It's too tight in the underarms and along the body - and it's also quite a bit shorter!  Are there any petite readers out there interested in taking it off my hands?  Price paid was $24.99 and I'll ship it for free (tags still attached, brand new).  Email me if you're interested - I'll ship it out right away so you'll still get it before it arrives in Target stores!  Edited to add: Sorry, the blouse is no longer available!

I'll be sure to have an outfit post with the first blouse soon! 

Weekend Wear: Leopard Poncho

Leopard poncho sweater - H&M (recent find)

Skinny jeans - Forever21

Necklace - Madewell

Shoes - Miu Miu

Purse - Chanel

Good morning and happy Monday!

I had a great weekend with my visiting sister-in-law and picked up this new leopard poncho during our quick shopping hour in Union Square.  I saw it on a mannequin but it was missing on the surrounding racks.  Where do I go when it's sold out on the floor?

The dressing room go-back rack.

And there it was, in an XS, the last one in the store.  This is not the only time luck has helped me out and searching this go-back rack is a practice I highly recommend.  The sweater is soft and the sleeves can be worn long or scrunched up.  At $49 it was a bit of a splurge for H&M, but it was an instant love moment for me.  A chic sweater I'll be wearing a lot this fall, I'm already sure of it!

Have you ever found what you were looking for on a go-back rack?

Weekend Wear: Denim on Denim

Chambray shirt - H&M

Shorts - Siwy

Belt - Miu Miu

Shoes - Miu Miu

Purse - Chanel

Hope you're all enjoying your Sunday!!

Olive Obsession

Olive jacket - H&M

Olive maxi dress - Forever21

Booties - Giuseppe Zanotti

Clutch - Chanel Wallet on Chain

Hello Fall!  The magazines are in, the catalogs have been released, the storefronts are changing.  And I'm obsessed with olive.

I have yet to find an occasion to wear this (occasion or no occasion at all, no matter).  But it was an idea in my head and I was obsessed with it until my hubby agreed to let me play dress up and take pictures in it.  Where, oh where can I take you, outfit?

Coffee Break Craving: Shearling Lined Boots

Burberry Short Aviator Shearling Platform Boots

Summer came and went in about 48 hours and now I'm sitting here thinking about boots again.  As I tend to do 10 months out of the year, apparently. 

I saw these boots in-person at the Burberry store in Union Square and they're dazzling.  Shearling-lined to keep the tootsies warm and sky-high like I like 'em!  They're also extremely lightweight and have the perfect cut around the ankle.  Oh, and they're impossibly out of my price range...   

Hope you're having a great day!

Alainn Bella & Modal Silk Pullover Sweater

Modal silk pullover sweater (can you see the softness??) - gift from Alainn Bella

Ripped skinny jeans - Forever 21

Fabric makes all the difference.  Made with modal silk jersey, this soft and sheer pullover sweater is a new casual favorite.  It feels light, airy and oh so luxurious!  A perfect layering piece as it cools for winter.  I was initially suspicious of the price tag ($50), but after seeing it in person and wearing it around on Sunday, I'm sold. 

I'm definitely interested in seeing more from Alainn Bella and they're making it easier on me us by offering a 20% discount code ($50 sweater discounted to $40)!!  The code is 9to5chic and it's good on everything except sale items.  The pullover sweater was at the top of my list as I browsed through their boutique-like offerings (take a peek at their bags and accessories too, cute stuff!), but here are a few other goodies I'm eyeing:

• Pleated dress shorts (and how cute is that top too?)
• Two-toned jersey dress
• Striped bandage stretch pencil skirt

What are you eyeing?  *Thank you Megan and Alainn Bella!

Home Sweet Home

(1) Little dog, big window; 
(2) Getting lost in our wall of books; 
(3) Longest living beta fish (at least in this household); 
(4) A peek into my closet; 
(5) Bar stools - be prepared to consume refreshments if you take this seat; 
(6) Buff showing us she can shake hands.

Wearing Now: From Work to Dinner

Black silk blouse - ADAM by Adam Lippes

Leopard skirt (old) - H&M

Necklace - J.Crew

Suede heels - Chloe

Purse - Chanel

Leopard can be a bit too flashy for a conservative work environment.  I save my leopard skirt for days when I know I'll be behind the desk all day.  But it is the perfect skirt to take to a happy hour or to a dinner date right after work (in today's case, it will be with one of my oldest friends to celebrate her upcoming move to NY)! 

Thank you so much for your comments and I hope you have a very happy Monday! 

Score! Tucker for Target for Gilt

Gilt.com

I have no idea how I was lucky enough to grab something from the Tucker for Target for Gilt sale (oh mouthful!)!  I imagine what happened to Gilt's server is the equivalent of the pushing and shoving that occurs at the Running of the Brides for Filene's Basement...

But of course, there's probably an overly technical description of what actually happens.  All I know is that for the first time ever, I wasn't cursing at my iPhone/computer 28 seconds into Gilt's sale. =)

I am so excited for a few days away from workworkwork, hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Something New: Revealed

 

Chanel 2.55 Dark Khaki Lambskin with Gold Hardware size Medium/Large, 2010 F/W

When I learned of [yet another] price increase looming at Chanel, I knew that my long-term notion of buying a final Chanel bag had just been accelerated.  I had been dreaming of a black Caviar Jumbo Classic bag but it all changed when I walked into the SF Chanel boutique (and ran into an old high school friend, David!) and set my eyes on this beauty. 

Several weeks and many anxiety-filled changes of heart later (have to thank my hubby and David at Chanel for dealing with my pitiful indecisive behavior), I finally brought the new Chanel purse home.  All things pointed to wrong:

1. It's not black
2. It's not caviar
3. It's not a classic jumbo

But wrong never looked so right. =) 

It doesn't mean that I still don't dream of that classic black jumbo, but this one's unique and it's mine.  So there you have it, my something new, the very last one for years and years to come.  Have you ever had your heart set on one thing but came home with something else?

Benefit Fall Beauty Event & A New Love Affair

(1) Pink refreshments among a sea of makeup - I'm in the playground of my dreams!

(2) Erin was a wonderful hostess & Annie just about sold me on the liner without even trying it for myself, more on that later...

(3) Girl Meets Pearl, a new pearly highlighter with just a touch of gold

(4) Katrina from Polyvore creating sets on the spot - check out their twitter!

(5) Perfect looking cupcakes

(6) Met Nicole from La Mia Vita and her friend Alex - wish we could have chatted longer! 

(7) The Benefit Goodie Bag and a Poloroid souvenir

Benefit Cosmetics hosted a Fall Preview for bloggers on Tuesday night in the Marina - thanks Katrina for inviting me along!

I tend to leave beauty blogging to the makeup and beauty gurus in the blogosphere (you ladies are awesome!), but it's hard to avoid when makeup and fashion go hand in hand.  Plus, like many of you mentioned, a bit of new makeup can always turn a frown upside down.  =)

The event was fun and getting to know the faces behind the brand (Benefit is headquartered in SF) was a treat!  Want to hear the best treat of all?  

Magic Ink Jet Black Liquid Eyeliner.  Annie, Benefit Global Trend Artist and daughter and niece of Benefit co-founders Jean and Jane, sold me on the spot when she described the product (and then showed me on her very own eyes the results after a full and long day).  But I wasn't prepared for it to live up to the hype.  Friends, if there is no hype around the product yet, trust me - there will be. 

Granted, I've been a loyal MAC Liquid Liner customer for a solid 8 years or so and I've never strayed.  But Benefit's new formula is exactly as described - 100% jet black all day and all night long.  The tip is easy to use and allows for the thinnest and thickest line you desire.  It looks like it has just been applied, with a patent-like sheen, even after work.  My MAC version?  It has unhappily smudged into a grayish sort-of-but-not-really-there line by 5pm!  I didn't know that it was that bad until I tried this one...Sounds a bit like reminiscing about old relationships, eh?  =)

Because I've gone on and on like a nut about their eyeliner, suffice it to say that the rest of Benefit's new Fall line up is also worth a try - and lucky for me, I'm trying it gratis*.   Thank you to Benefit and to the lovely ladies I met that night!

*That's my "this product was given to me to review" disclaimer

Weekend Wear: Without a Trace

Boxy Striped Tee - Zara

Cropped Trousers - J.Crew

Oxford Wedges - Rag & Bone

Purse - Chanel

Sunglasses - Forever21

Necklaces - Madewell & Street Vendor in Boston

The sunnies are another fabulous $5 find at Forever21 (after turning the house upside down searching for my lost $5 H&M pair.  Status?  Nowhere to be found).  Is it just me or do sunglasses like to disappear without a trace?   

Something New: The Very Last One for Years and Years to Come

My Something New

Any guesses?  I'll be sure to do a proper post on this baby in a few days' time.   =)

Trees Watching the Sunset

by Dimitri Kourouniotis, www.dolmas.com

Happy Monday!  This striking piece makes me smile - it now commands the west wall of our living area, successful only after a series of oil painting musical chairs.  The walls in our house are limited (a plight shared by many others in San Francisco proper) and we are officially out of wall space!  

Closet space was out a long, long time ago.  =)  

Over and Over Again

Dress worn as a top - Banana Republic

Skirt - BCBG

Necklace - Madewell

Trench - Burberry

To illustrate how far a skirt can take me, here are the many ways I've worn it:

• here, on a rainy day with a pretty umbrella
• here, as a complement to black lace
• here, striped out and vested
• here, with a leopard scarf
• here, in a palette of pale tones
• here, to go see Wicked
• here, with my new trench coat

And keep in mind I don't photograph every outfit so it's been in rotation more times as well!

I'm so very thankful that it's Friday - it's been a long work-filled week!  The weekend plans in this household?  None, yet, and that is perfectly fine with me.  As of next weekend, we are going non-stop until November(!!!)  So much to look forward to, so much excitement!

What are your weekend plans?

Coffee Break Craving: Brown Booties

Joie Santo Crisscross Booties

I think I need these.  Badly.  What's worse?  The hubby agrees.  Actually, that might work in my favor.  =)

Thanks for all of the great comments yesterday - while you all might be looking forward to Fall, I'm desperately wanting YOUR weather.  How 'bout a SWAP!?  Or maybe we should all just move to Hawaii.  Easy.

Wearing Now (Last Night): In the Marina

Olive blazer & belt - H&M

Jeans - Forever21

Scarf - Burberry

Booties - Giuseppe Zanotti

Purse - Louis Vuitton

This sleek jacket is a new favorite.  It's comfy, warm (fully lined) and fits like a glove.  Unfortunately the scarf is hiding the lapels - next time I'll be sure to show more of it!  I was tempted to pick up the matching pencil skirt, but truly couldn't think of an opportunity where dressing like a character straight out of Inglorious Bastards would be acceptable...  

CliffordStyle & Weekend Wear: Bigger Stripes

Striped boxy shirt - Zara

Leather jacket - Theory Lavella 

Jeans - Forever21

Booties - Giuseppe Zanotti

On Sunday I was invited to join 3 other ladies from San Francisco for a photo shoot of before & afters (the afters included hair and makeup by none other than Clifford Hashimoto of CliffordStyle)!

Boy, is it fun to play dress up and pretend to model for a day (you know, as if I could actually look and move like one)!!!  Being the last to arrive, I got to see the transformations of the lovely ladies ahead of me, and trust me, it was spectacular!  I completely understood Clifford's reasons for choosing non-models for this shoot -  he took women of all ages (20s, 30s, 40s, 60s!) that you might see on the street and turned them into some kind of beautiful! 

It didn't hurt that professional photographer Brandon McGanty was behind the camera and his studio was awesome.  Check out this space, which can also hold private events:  www.theninesf.com. 

I also finally met Tiffany, Clifford's assistant, who dealt with me in my pre-wedding days (bless her heart - that included emails upon emails for confirmations, details, indecisions, decisions.  Neverending!)  She was always so sweet in her email communication and meeting her in person was no different. =)

Such a fun way to spend a Sunday - an experience to remember!  =)