And the winner is...

The winner of the Liberty of London for Target dress giveaway is Kathy!
Congratulations!


*Winner was picked the old fashioned way - out of a hat of course!

The best costume for the day...

As I write this, the kitties are chasing each other around - Bailey, our kitten just can't seem to keep out of trouble- from chasing around and annoying Prescott (our older cat) to biting electrical cords, to chewing up my Chie Miharas - I feel like all I'm ever saying to her is "No."

Training cats is a lot harder than I thought. I grew up with dogs and being a dog owner, I guess I'm just used to how dogs respond. Kitties well, they're a different story. But, she's a doll and loves to be held and follows me around everywhere- yep, I think she likes me (even if I do tell her no a lot) and I love her, so we're all good. I just hope she starts to learn quickly of what she can and cannot do - mostly for her own safety - biting cords that are plugged into the wall is not good at all.

Here is what I wore today to do some work, get my bangs trimmed, go out for Thai food, and chase behind a kitten.





Cardigan is J.Crew, Top is from a boutique from a trip to Santa Cruz, the trousers are Zara, the belt is thrifted UO, shoes are from Anthro.

Liberty Dress

If you haven't already done so, there is still time to enter the Liberty of London for Target dress giveaway. For details, and to find out how to enter go here.

The winner will be chosen July 31 at 5pm!



This has been a long week and it's only Wednesday, but taking time off of work means tying up any loose ends and organizing everything so that while you're gone the whole operation runs smoothly. This is exhausting, and I apologize for not keeping up with comments on your lovely blogs and also for not posting any outfit pictures as of late. But, by the time I get home, get in a work out, do chores, and make/eat dinner - there really just isn't much time to get to the blogging. Though I am keeping up with the reading a much as I can.

5 more days until the Pacific Northwest adventure begins!

Hope everyone is having a great week.

Capsule Wardrobe: Pacific Northwest Road Trip.

What does one pack for a week long road trip that takes you from beaches to cities to mountains?

The trip is a week away, but I'm already thinking about what to pack. I need to bring items to hike in, go to the beach with, items to wear to fancy dinners - and of course items to wear while seeing the sights.

Mario and I are sharing one large bag-whatever we bring has to fit into that one bag, that's the goal.

Can this be done?

So far I'm thinking:

1. sun dress

2. a pair of shorts

3. white tee

4. a nice 'dining out dress'

5. a cardigan

6. a bathing suit

7. sneakers

8. nice flats to walk around in and to wear to anything fancy

9. jeans?

10. maybe a skirt

11. a couple of cute tops to mix and match.

We shall see. I'm looking through my closet tonight and will post my choices tomorrow.

I am just hoping that I can leave my jacket and the cruddy bay area weather behind. Today I saw so many people in pea coats at the train station. Pea coats in summer!?! And I'm wearing tights, a long sleeved dress, a cardigan and a scarf!

The Vain and Vapid Skirt

Yesterday I took my Vain and Vapid Darcy Skirt out for the first time. I love it! The Ikat Chambray fabric is so pretty - Julie has such amazing designs. The skirt is super cute, and while I plan to wear it mostly with solid color tees and tanks, I thought I'd try a little pattern mixing- so, I threw on a striped top from anthro, my Rachel Comey belt, and a pair of vintage oxfords. I'm pretty pleased with the result.







Vacation countdown: 9 days until we hit the road for Portland! It will be great to have a change of scenery, spend some time with Mario, and to just have fun.

Hope that you're all having a wonderful weekend.

Dancing the Night Away

My love of 60's music and fashion started young - waaay back when I discovered my mom's record collection at the age of 5- It was full of pop gems from around Europe and they all had these amazing covers with guys and girls in far-out outfits and hair. I loved the music and spent many of my days dancing around singing along with Francoise Hardy and the Beatles. I know so many songs by heart from the Kinks, to Martha and the Vandellas. And, while I went through a mod-phase in high school, I really only really began to learn about the pervasiveness of 60's pop rock in a class I took in college with the fantastic musician Fred Frith. It was a class on cross-currents in music with a focus on western pop- and rock music and it's influences of music in Eastern countries.

I loved this class. I mean where else could I have studied about the music of Bollywood movies?



And, where else could I have learned in depth about the compositions of R.D. Burman ?




These are two of my favorite 'Bollywood' film music compositions, though I've yet to see the films!

I also discovered that some amazing pop groups came out of Singapore in the 60's.
Check out The Crescendos, Naomi & The Boys, The Quests, Ernie Djohan the list goes on and on!

Shades of Gold

Lately I've been finding myself drawn to the color yellow- From pale yellow, to ginger, to goldenrod to gold - perhaps it's all the grey weather we've been having lately. Here are some lovely items in various shades of gold...











Here's looking towards a sunny weekend, iced teas, sundresses and warm evening walks.
Happy Friday!

Liberty of London for Target - Dress Giveaway

Here is your chance at a second entry to win the Liberty of London for Target dress.

(If you haven't already entered you may do so here)

If you have already entered - get your second entry by leaving a comment on this post about your summer reading list - or summer vacation plans.

I'll be posting more chances to win throughout the month. Remember, the winner will be announced on July 31 at 5pm. Good luck!

Birds, Pins, Rings

I've always been into delicate 'nature' inspired looking jewelry. I recently discovered Yayoi Forest - the designs are so simple and so pretty...




Just the name evokes the type of things they create, twig bracelets and branch earrings... It's all so lovely.

I wish that they had some pretty bird inspired pieces - I'm on the hunt for vintage bird rings (and more bird pins), but it's hard to find ones that aren't covered in rhinestones or that weigh a ton.



This pin, is quite possibly my favorite piece of jewelry.

Today, has been a pretty long day - but I really liked my outfit and was comfortable in it - It's amazing that something as simple as liking what you're wearing can keep you in a good mood when everything else is just plain cruddy.

I hope that your Monday(s) were - well, less Monday-like.


From my closet:
Sunnies are Cheap Monday, the blazer is from UO, the dress is Built By Wendy - from their online sample sale, the bird pin is a find from Alameda Flea years and years ago. The belt is from UO as are the shoes (which I had resoled last weekend yeay!) and the Fan ring is from the Philippines

Who Are You?

Saturdays are never as long as they should be, it seems that summer weekends just fly by - I guess the 'lazy days of summer' don't apply to 9 to 5 office working folk. Sigh.

We did get out to see Inception - and to be honest the film less than impressed me. I know, I know- it is supposed to be the film to see this summer, and it has had so many great reviews-perhaps I'm just not a Chris Nolan fan.

I guess I prefer quirkier movies, like the films of Wes Anderson, Michel Gondry and Jean- Pierre Jeunet- My top two favorite movies being Rushmore and Amelie.

I'd love to know what your favorite films are.

I spent part of the day listening to some of my favorite albums. Among them was an amazing 1964 first press that I miraculously found in London, that I carried on the plane ride home protecting it for dear life. The tunes have been stuck in my head as have the cool fashions of the day - And so, today's outfit is brought to you by ...

The High Numbers



Better known as ...








Top is Built by Wendy, the shorts are from UO. Shoes via Action is the Fruit on Etsy. Shades are Cheap Mondays.

Food for Fashion

I think I've been inspired - and lately have been trying my hand at creating vegan recipes. Maybe you can only read so many cookbooks before it starts to influence you. I am loving it!

If only there was more time in a day to try new techniques and combine different flavors. Yes, I am like a gleeful mad scientist in the kitchen, fingers tented while pondering which spice to reach for next.

Tonight I made a marinated tofu sandwich, with an almost pesto (vegan of course) topped it off with sun dried tomatoes fresh basil and baby spinach. I picture this paired with a greens and artichoke heart salad tossed in a bit of sesame oil and a squeeze of lemon. But, we did not have sesame seed oil. Mario made some baked fries instead. And I added a little bunch of grapes.

This is what it looked like at the table.



Yum.

Most of us love good food, and most of us love fashion. (If you're reading a style blog I'm assuming you at least have some interest in fashion) While food and fashion can go hand in hand- a well catered fashion related party, 'hip' restaurants full of the well to do and fashionable, arty photographs where dresses and headpieces are made of fruits and vegetables etc. - sometimes though, it is just not a good idea...mmhmm those are 'baguette hats'.





Agatha Ruiz de la Prada Fall 2009 collection via Eat Me Daily.

Jeremy Scott's 'Food Fight' collection via the interwebs...

Shangri-la

It doesn't take much to get me out on a dance floor. Trust me - I have no reservations about looking silly in front of a large group of people- as long as I'm having a good time. I love music and am a collector of vinyl (though my vinyl buying has slowed as of late).

It's always fun finding gems hidden in dusty record shops, and flea markets - some of my favorites are Fats Domino, The Spencer Davis Group, and the Shangri-Las. Seriously you can't help but dance around the living room when listening to these

The Shangri-Las, were tough talking, gum chewing Queens NY ladies with oodles of 60's style.

The Spencer Davis Group - When Steve Winwood belts it out and plays guitar - genius! Are you hip?

Fats Domino- great to listen to while cooking up dinner- why yes I dance from fridge to stove.

Now onto the fashion. Today's outfit is brought to you by 60's colors and the Shangri-las.

Top is from J. Crew, Skirt thrifted, Shoes Target, Bow is from a tie belt taken from a dress, Sunnies are Cheap Monday

The Bow Blouse

Busy busy day, but I had a moment of indulgence while making dinner. I made a pasta with caramelized figs in a garlic wine reduction, and to top it all off a vegan "feta" (made with walnuts, olive oil, crumbled tofu, lots of basil, salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice.) The dish is my own recipe - and one that I've been fine tuning for quite some time. It was delicious. And, of course we devoured it before taking any pictures! Next time- I'm so glad that figs are back!

Here is outfit # 2 with the Dear Creatures 'Bow Blouse' for the outfit challenge.

Bow Blouse from Dear Creatures, London Lux Harem Trousers from LaMixx on etsy, and shoes are from Anthro.

Crazy Hair

Like most of us I go through an inner monologue of whether or not to cut my hair short or leave it long. To cut, or not to cut... It's so hard to decide!

Here are some hair "looks" I won't be sporting anytime soon.

Animal hair hats. Yes, this is a real thing.

Sky high hair - bigger and badder than 50's beehives and B52's.

Last, but not least, the mullet.

I'd love to dig up some old photos of my bad kid and teen hair days to share - I had my not so proud moments- the purple hair, the stripe-y dye job, the short platinum blond pixie cut - not the best looks on me.

Another Monday down. Hope that you all had a good one.

Summer Wardrobe Challenge: The Beginning

I thought this may be time for a round-up. Here are the four pieces I've chosen for my summer wardrobe challenge. I started the challenge to get out of a styling rut with four of my favorite pieces. I tend to create one outfit and stick with it- without ever mixing it up. Boring, I know- and I've used lack of time to get dressed in the morning as an excuse for way too long. I'm one of those people that needs a clear cut goal in order to move into action - so here we are.

The goal is to create four different outfits with each of the four pieces chosen - So, 16 outfits total.Whoa.



The lace trim blouse.



The colorful skirt.



The button up pencil skirt



The bow blouse.

Is anyone else on a summer style mission?

I didn't take any outfit photos this weekend, but I was rather productive in conducting another closet sweep. I finally let go of many items that I kept around for sentimental reasons, and I brought a few pairs of shoes to be re-soled.

I have also gone a little bit overboard with the closet organizing videos below. I found them to be helpful - and the biggest thing I took away from them was the idea to make your closet not only functional, but pretty as well. So, as Judith would say -"Enjoy!"

Little Italy

There are some films out there that are just magic when it come to the styling like The Brothers Bloom. I became obsessed with trying to emulate that style - A while back I watched the film The Talented Mr. Ripley and completely fell in love with the movie wardrobe. What I loved was not the full skirted prim 50's dresses that the women wore- but the slacks, blazers, and loafers that the men wore while living the life of leisure in Italy.





I have some other pictures and info. about the movie posted here.

I couldn't really find many pictures of the film, but while searching I did learn that (and get ready for this) Gwyneth Paltrow has a blog! How did I not know this? I love her. She is definitely a classy lady - with great taste - and she speaks fluent Spanish, a fact I only recently learned from my sister (my sister and I both speak Spanish) when Ms. Paltrow was on a Food Network show - cooking tour of Spain. Anyway, her blog is called Goop. You better believe I signed up for the newsletter. I love her style tips and reviews of cookbooks - I think I was up all night reading them, as I am a cookbook addict!

For the clothes, here is the Talented Mr. Ripley inspired outfit that I put together.





Sunnies- Cheap Monday, Blazer -Gap, floral top - Built by Wendy, trousers and belt Zara, Shoes vintage via Action is the Fruit on Etsy.

I think I like it. The color scheme reminds me of recent APC collections, and the overall look is borrowed from the boys, without being too masculine. This top and blazer could also work equally as well tucked into a high waisted pencil skirt.

Mario and I are off to run errands and then spend the rest of the day being lazy around the house, and maybe looking up restaurants to try when we are in Portland. Vacation is just around the corner!

Hope that you are all having a great Saturday!