All Black

Blazer - 3.1 Phillip Lim (love the leather trim on this similar version here)

Blouse - ADAM by Adam Lippes (similar here on sale!)

Skirt - courtesy of Alainn Bella

Jewelry - CC SKYE courtesy of JoyaCHIC, a new online shop launching soon! Until then, check out JoyaCHIC's blog!

Purse - Chanel

Heels - Chloe

My outfit to Macy's for a sneak peek of the Karl Lagerfeld collection followed by date night with the hubby at Burger Bar!  I've collected more leg-baring mini skirts this summer than ever before (unfortunately, they're strictly weekend/evening wear - not for 9to5!), and this stretchy one is by far the most comfortable.  It deserves a dancing night out on the town! ;)

Hope you're having a great week!

Join me at Saks?

Friends, I'll be at Saks Fifth Avenue in Union Square San Francisco for Fashion's Night Out on Thursday, September 8th and would love to see you all!  Will you join me at Saks? :)

Sunday Photos

Snapshots from Sunday:
Photos 1, 2 and 3 - From the super sweet ModCloth MadHatter Tea Party (photos courtesy of ModCloth)

Photo 4 - Orchids, my favorite flowers (these have lasted over a month!)

Photo 5 - Afternoon Safari time on the iPad

Photo 6 - Pups taking in sunshine from the window post-walk

Weekend Navy

Sweater - H&M (the navy version of this favorite)

Skirt - Moschino Cheap & Chic (similar here)

Hat - H&M (similar here)

Bracelets - J.Crew and courtesy of Alex and Ani

Ring - H&M

Oxford wedges - Rag & Bone

Lipstick and gloss - Revlon Wild Orchid and Estee Lauder Raspberry Pop

Playing with different proportions and trying to bring a more casual/laid-back feel to the basic pencil skirt (which upon finding at the back of my closet earlier last week I've been wanting to wear incessantly!).  And, wearing the navy version of the sweater I posted last week.  I'm pretty sure I'll be living in these $19 knits for the next several months!

Happy Monday!

Afternoon Craving: Bright Dress

 

Thakoon Addition Dress

Colorful print.  Long sleeves.  Just barely-there asymmetrical hem.  Love!  

Have a wonderful weekend friends!  I'll be enjoying the best SF weather we've had all summer (forecast of 70 and 71?! Beats the low 60s we've had for weeks!)!

Navy & Chambray

Shirt - Levi's (similar long-sleeved style here)

Skirt - Moschino Cheap & Chic (similar here for $99!)

Ring - courtesy of Kendra Scott Jewelry

Bracelets - J.Crew and courtesy of Towne & Reese and Alex and Ani

Trench - Burberry (similar here for a great price!)

Heels - Lanvin

Back to the classics today.  I invested in this skirt over 5 years ago during a Nordstrom Anniversary sale.  It sometimes boggles my mind that I had the foresight to buy something (in my fresh-out-of-school days) that would still serve its purpose 5 years later.  And probably another 5+ years... 

You won't mind if I take this moment to give my younger self a pat on the back, right?  So rare these moments are, I'll have to take it when I can. ;)

Comfy Knits

Sweater - H&M

Jeans - Forever21

Necklace & Bracelet - courtesy of Monet Jewelry

Link chain bracelet - J.Crew

Ring - vintage

Heels - Chloe (similar here)

Purse - Celine

Sunglasses - Stella McCartney (here)

Casual Monday in a big, oversized comfy knit - thinking of picking it up in navy too ($19.95 is hard to beat!)!  Hope you're having a great week!

Red & Pink, Round 2

Blouse - courtesy of Simply Audrey

Jacket - Stella McCartney (similar here)

Skirt - Valentino (similar here)

Bracelets - J.Crew and courtesy of Towne & Reese

Ring - H&M

Heels - Chloe (similar here)

Sunglasses - D&G, courtesy of Sunglass Hut

An outfit that's almost identical to this one worn back in April, but this time with a button-up for a day at the office followed by a blogger event at Neiman Marcus' Rotunda.

There are two things I would consider work-wear workhorses: button-up blouses (preferably soft and silky, not cotton or satin) and just-above-the-knee pencil skirts.  When I scour designer sale racks and stores like Nordstrom Rack, Loehmann's and Jeremy's (San Francisco) these are the pieces that tend to catch my eye and, for a working gal like me, they are typically well worth the investment! 

Thanks for visiting and happy Monday!

Weekend Polka Dots

Blouse - Diane von Furstenberg (similar here)

Camisole underneath - H&M

Pants - H&M (similar in tan here)

Jewelry - courtesy of Monet Jewelry

Scarf - H&M (would love this black cashmere version!)

Purse - courtesy of Coach

Heels - Miu Miu (similar here and here)

My weekend must-dos:

• Pick up another little container of my favorite eye liner, Benefit's Magic Ink. 
• A rare Costco run for household/fridge-filling items and a DELICIOUS hot dog (can't leave without one!)
• Sushi night (Friday's accomplishment)
• Closet purge (is it time for another blog sale?!)

Happy weekend!

Afternoon Craving: Givenchy Heels

Givenchy Cutout Leather Ankle Bootie

I've been lusting after these for a few months now; they would make the perfect transition-to-Fall shoes!  I'll just have to cross my fingers that they'll still be available during the next sale season. ;)

PS: Wanted to share with you a music video that incorporates exciting new technology (see something you like on a video? just click on it)!  Check it out here (and they're offering free giveaways like Ray-Bans and iPod Shuffles)! 

Chicago Evening

Dress - courtesy of UniQUEEN, a new online shop launching soon! Or if you must have it now, order this $66 dress by emailing uniqueen.luv@gmail.com. 

Belt - J.Crew (similar here)

Trench cape - Stella McCartney (similar versions here and here)

Bracelets - J.Crew and courtesy of Towne & Reese

Ring - H&M (similar here and contemplating picking it up!)

Heels - Miu Miu (similar here and here)

Purse - Celine (similar here)

Work has been incredibly busy this week!  Colleagues working remotely joined us for a day in the SF office, a team dinner and a professional development seminar the following day.  I'm the type to soak in everything a motivational speaker has to say - positivity is contagious!  Aside from learning a few excellent tips and tricks next time I travel for trainings, I'm also going to try starting my days with "it's going to be a GREAT morning!"

(It just might have a positive effect on my snooze-button tendencies...then maybe I can set my alarm like normal people do - at the time they want to actually get up.)  ;)

And on that note, hope you have a GREAT morning too!

Chicago

(1) Looking up

(2) Giordano's famous deep dish stuffed pizza (amazinggg)

(3) Beautiful view from Hancock Tower (96th floor!)

(4) Lovely place we called "home" for the weekend

(5) In the room (full outfit post later!)

(6) Hotel bar and hotel lobby

It was a wonderful weekend to visit Chicago - not too hot and only a few hours of summer rain!  We spent a lot of time walking around and taking in the sights, but also a lot of time enjoying lazy mornings at the Park Hyatt.  Admittedly, we're much more "beach" vacationers than "city" vacationers, which accounts for our laid-back attitude towards sight-seeing.  (Especially since I've been to Chicago a handful of times before and my hubby was born and raised there.)

The highlights of the trip were definitely the people: we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Gibson's Steakhouse with our friends Kelly and Martin and the following night had a blast til 2am with blog friends Anna, Taylor, Audrey and Jennifer at Vertigo and Pops.  So thankful for this blog, I've met some really great women over the last year and a half and these ladies are no exception!  :)

Summer Leather Shorts

Gingham shirt - J.Crew ($19 sale purchase, similar here)

Leather shorts - Theory (on sale here and here and would love a Fall version like this one!)

Link Bracelet - J.Crew (similar here)
Box chain bracelets - courtesy of Towne & Reese  
Bangles - courtesy of Alex and Ani

Ring - H&M

Sandals - J.Crew

Purse - Celine

Back from a lovely long weekend in Chicago (where I got to sport these buttery soft leather shorts)!  More on the trip later, hope you had a great weekend! 

Shorts & Bruises

Shorts - Siwy (about 6 years old but all-time favorite denim shorts! similar here)

Blouse - Theory (similar here and love this one here)

Trench cape - Stella McCartney (similar here)

Ring - courtesy of Kendra Scott

Bracelets - J.Crew, courtesy of Towne & Reese and Alex and Ani

Heels - Lanvin

Purse - Celine (my other top work-tote picks are here and here)

I have permanent bruises and dents on my shins from running down brick stairs and falling 4 years ago (don't try it at home, my friends!).  My choice in clothing was partly to blame: my high heel got trapped in the cuff of my trousers and...well...you can imagine what happens when you combine momentum with locked-up feet. 

I can't help but look suspiciously at cuffed, wide-leg trousers now, which is why I prefer to go the other route, displaying my bruises carelessly and unapologetically in skirts, dresses and shorts!  Don't mind if I do! :)

Taking the day off for a nice long weekend! Happy Friday!

Wearing Now: Blush and Brown

Blouse - Zara, similar here

Vest - courtesy of Windsor Store

Cropped trousers - J.Crew, similar here

Necklace - courtesy of Kendra Scott Jewelry

Ring - courtesy of Kendra Scott Jewelry

Bracelets - J.Crew and courtesy of Towne & Reese

Envelope clutch (used as a sleeve within my work tote) - courtesy of Windsor Store

Heels - Yves Saint Laurent

Happy Thursday!

I had a great time last night mingling with fellow bloggers at the Neiman Marcus event (and I've now got my hands on Kate Somerville's eye cream - I can't wait to try it out!!!).  The next day or two are sure to fly by and I'm so excited for the weekend!  What are your weekend plans?

Taylor Kenney & a Sunday in the Suburbs

Necklace - courtesy of Taylor Kenney

Initial "A" necklace - courtesy of Albeit

Top - Patterson J. Kincaid (gift from Lindsey!)

Skirt - Zara (similar here on sale!)

Bracelets - J.Crew, courtesy of Towne & Reese and Alex and Ani

Sandals - J.Crew

Purse - Celine

Sunglasses - D&G, courtesy of Sunglass Hut

Waking up to two consecutive gray sky weekend mornings really encourages one to seek sunshine outside of the city.  Literally seconds after getting off the Bay Bridge, we were soaked in sunshine.  Incredible, San Francisco, how do you manage that?!

This was just a casual, throw-together outfit for Sunday afternoon - there's a similar skirt on sale here.  The detail on the Taylor Kenney necklace is gorgeous (better photo here) and you can get your hands on one (or any of their pieces) for 30% off if you like them on Facebook.  Hurry, ends August 17th!