Skirting a heat wave.

It's hot hot hot! The Bay Area is finally getting it's summer weather only a week before October..It was over 90 today! I wore this to keep cool, though I did have a blazer on at the office:



I love this skirt - it reminds me of the rich bold colors and prints worn by women in Italian street style shots.

We're keeping cool around our little home by drinking homemade smoothies and watching Arrested Development.

Oh! and because I almost forgot!
From my closet: Sunnies - vintage, Top - LaMixx, Belt - was my mom's from the 80's, Skirt - Rachel Comey, Shoes - Target.

Favorite Fashionista: Mallory Keaton

This goes into the 'Why didn't I think of this' file. I recently came across this fantabulous Tumbler blog, Mallory's Clothes: "A comprehensive rundown, in chronological order, of Mallory Keaton's outfits from the series Family Ties."





Check it out for cute bangs, perfect little sweaters, high-waisted trousers and pure 80's goodness.

Snoozer Loser: Fall '10

I love Snoozer Loser - they had me hooked from the very first glimpse of their last Spring Collection. Seriously, every single dress and top and skirt - just every little detail - of that collection was pure perfection. It was a dream wardrobe for warm late spring afternoons, and lazy summer days. So, I am not surprised that I'm coveting these lovely items from their Fall Collection.




The rich color palate is just gorgeous and the prints are amazing. The bird cage design on that skirt is just killing me!

Snoozer Loser is also an arts collective involved in various projects, in the arts and otherwise. On their site you can find super cute items from their Snoozeland tees collection that benefit Project Pet animal rescue.

I am in love with this top:



Emily "the lovely face of Snoozeland Tees" is adorable and looks just a bit like Bailey - don't you think?



Maybe that's just me being a cat mom but in any case, I may just need to own that top.

Wear To Work: Fall Approaches

Not much time to write this week. It's been busy, through I haven't done anything exciting. Maybe the weekend will bring about some fun adventure, a hike in Point Reyes or a night out on the town? Guess we'll wait and see.





From My Closet: Blazer: UO, Top from a boutique in Santa Cruz, Skirt: Anthro, Shoes: target.

Hope you all have fun weekend plans and nice weather. Can you believe September is almost over?

Hair Care Q's

I've recently had some questions about my hair / hair care routine. My hair has always been a point of contention for me. It never wants to do what I want it to. I'm sure most of us have that issue! I always feel like I look a mess- so, I would like to thank all of you for your kind comments about my current 'do.

While my hair can be a bit cranky with me, I do have to say it's been the healthiest it's been in years.

* I only wash my hair once a week. The hubs thinks this is weird, but it is healthier for your hair to wash it less. I do use a chamomile flower dry shampoo on my bangs if they start to look a bit shiny.

* I never ever use a brush on my hair. After I wash my hair I use a wide tooth comb and gently comb through. Then I air dry. Except for my bangs - I do blow dry them to keep them straight but, I generally only need to do that once a week. And, after that initial comb through I really don't comb my hair the rest of the week either.

My hair is really funny in that the first couple of days after I wash it it's really wavy and by the end of the week it's straight, the waves just fall out. I have tried curling my hair or trying to get the waviness to stay, but it just won't hold! I guess it's the washing that makes it wavy?

I used to blow dry my hair straight - but I've been doing really well avoiding this as it's not the best thing for your hair and it strips away shine.

* For product, I use Hamadi Ginger Soy wash, but I was in a pinch the last time I needed shampoo and since we just happened to be at Target I bought a bottle of Yes to Carrots - hair wash, that is actually quite nice. For conditioner I use the Hamadi Shea leave-in that I apply to my hair when it is slightly damp, and also use to tame fly-aways and such. It is also super for preventing split ends if you add a little bit each day to the ends of you hair.

What's your hair care routine?



From my closet: I was trying to put together a look that channeled Isabel Marant. Scarf- oldie but goody from UO, Sweater and trousers - Zara, Shoes - Vintage via Action is the Fruit on etsy. Top- AA, Stag necklace, Erica Weiner.

The Thirties: Claudette Colbert

I recently watched It Happened One Night, a cute little 30's movie starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. As, usual with many of these 30's and 40's romantic comedies it involves an heiress and a smooth talking newspaper man out to get a scoop, but it's really quite funny and charming. And, I fell in love with Ms. Colbert's look.




When it come to inspiration for decades past - I tend to stick to the 60's and early 70's.
But, I am really liking the slinkier cuts of 1930's clothing - everything looks so drapey and elegant.







I'm not quite sure that it would be easy to pull off the cherub-ish make-up and hair.









These are all photos found on google images. This last one is from 1939, and you can see the shapes that would become really popular in the 40's - the high waisted loose trousers, and the dramatic shoulders.

Attack of the Pumpkin Spice

Well, fall is here - despite the warm afternoons, and sunny skies - despite the lack of crispness in the air and changing of the leaves. It is here it is official, not by any calendar date or fantastic fanfare, but it is official because the Pumpkin Spice Latte has arrived. It is here - at Tully's, at Starbucks (a pumpkin smoothie at Jamba Juice?) every coffee place I pass by is advertising some sort of pumpkin and spice flavored concoction, signaling a sugary orange fall season.

*I was once a Barista and did a short stint Starbucking-yes, I once donned the green apron and took my place behind the bar with my fellow students, grad students, artists, musicians, and the occasional muscly frat guy - serving up seasonal drinks. And, while I am not a fan of sweetened/flavored coffees, I've got to admit there is something about the pumpkin - it really is an autumnal symbol that shouldn't be relegated to beverages and snacks. Pumpkin can really be a pretty shade for clothes - as used in the TBA fall collection.









These trousers are simply amazing - if only I could pull off that cut!



There is some great color pairing inspiration to be found in this collection. I'm loving the stark whites with the pumpkins, rusts, and emerald.

C'mon winter, bring on the Peppermint and Toffee Nut.

The Mociun Dress

A little while back, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Mociun dress that I had been searching for. Thanks to wonderful blogger Anabela of Fieldguided and one super sweet reader Eve, who just so happened to have that Mociun dress of my dreams. You can read about that here.

As luck would have it, she has another Mociun dress available and I thought to pass the word along. It is the tie front dress in the fake weave pattern with full skirt and it is a size small.



If anyone is interested please contact me for more details and I'll put you in touch.

Fall Fashion: 1966

Fall fashion week is moving along in NYC, and while I am not part of the throngs of women in uber high heels and dapper men rushing about to see the latest collections for next season ( yes, that's right fashions for spring, and fall coats and boots haven't even been worn yet!) Again, while I am not part of the Fall fashion week hullabaloo, I have been thinking a lot about fashion. It seems that every season 'trends' repeat themselves.

In the Spring and Summer nautical themes and florals abound - and in the Fall, it's always the same riding boots, military accents, plaids & tweeds, menswear. The colors and cuts change - sure- but there are always constants.

Here are some looks from Fall 1966.








Peacoats, oxfords and tuxedo pants are always classics, and I'm always excited to pull out the plaids. I'm not quite ready for fall weather yet, but I feel I have plenty of fall weather staples in my closet to mix and match for the season.

Stripes, Streets, Cities

I hope that everyone has been having a great week. Though this has been an alright work week - I am still anxious for the weekend. I am hoping to get over to the city and do some eating in the mission. A co-worker told me about a fantastic little empanada shop, Chile Lindo, that makes vegan empanadas. I was told they are pretty amazing and I can't wait to try one!

I may do some window shopping at Belljar as well, you know, since I'll be in the neighborhood. They have such cute housewares!

I'll most likely wear a cold weather version of this outfit I wore on Labor Day. As, yes the days have turned grey and chilly yet again, and I'm on a mission to wear all my stripes shirts this month.



I bought this little top in Paris...ah Paris...

I just got back the black and white photos I took on my last trip there (there were some in there of Belgium, and Engand, and of the mopey ex-beau as well) I had the roll of film sitting around for years - since 2004! That could be why only some of the pictures came out. They are also quite faded, but it makes them look like vintage so I don't mind so much.

The photos have made me feel the itch to travel. And, while I am going to NYC for my birthday in October - I can't wait to take a trip out of the country- Maybe Paris again - maybe Buenos Aires or a trip to Rome. It's hard to decide!



(Paris of Course)













(Bruges)



(London)

Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world? Or, is there one certian place on the globe that you keep going back to?

Electric Youth

It's been a sleepy weekend. Just me and Mario (and the fur babies). Nothing too exciting - yet it was just perfect.



This is what I wore around on Saturday - to go on an excursion to Target, and to go get my bangs trimmed.

It kind of reminded me of this...




Yep, it's Debbie Gibson. Hello late 80's early 90's.

I used to rock my fair share of vests back in ye olde elementary school days. Though I'm not sure of this was Debbie inspired or not.

It's kind of funny looking at Ms. Gibson's album cover photos because many of the looks,



like this one, are pretty current, the striped top, the distressed denim, the oxford shoes...

Just not that permed frosted hair!







From my closet: Oxford type shirt - J Crew,Vest - UO? Skirt - vintage / shortened, Belt- UO
Shoes - vintage via action is the fruit on Etsy.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

A Different Kind of Fall Wishlist

Let me start by stating the obvious - I love clothes, and I do love getting new clothes. However, as of late I'm not loving the fact that shopping for ALL NEW things every season - is kind of being shoved down my throat?In my face? I mean sure fine - you may need some things for back to school - or if you live somewhere that will get cold you may need some new cold weather items. But, it seems everywhere you turn there are ads or editorials telling us what the "must have" items are, and that oh you know, spending upwards of $500 on a coat is fine- it's an investment piece after all... I guess I just don't see it that way. Par example- I'd much rather take my $500, buy a $100 coat and go away for a weekend with the hubs with the rest of the dough- or you know actually invest/ and or save that cash.

I guess that's why I love the blogs I read- seriously it's about learning to take these new fall styles and gain inspiration from them. I love to look at fall collections to get ideas on how to style items I already have. It's fun. And, I'm looking forward to seeing how different bloggers will dress for the season.

I will not fall victim to the wardrobe re-creation syndrome that abounds with the changing of the seasons.

Lately I'm all about experiences in life and not the materials. Though I cannot kill off that acquisition-al side of me (yes, I will always like shopping) I do want to put that secondary to enjoying things that are not so tangible.

So for this Fall I will not make a traditional 'Wish List' instead, here is what I wish for...

1. Crisp, yet sunny days to enjoy long walks in and around my part of town.

2. More time to spend with Mario -where we aren't just running errands together or doing chores.

3. For my sister to come and visit me from Los Angeles.

4. More time to spend doing things that are well, good for me- like working out.

5. For my kitteh to stop waking me up throughout the night with her trademark head pounce and nuzzle technique.

What are you wishing for this fall?

Summer is almost here?

Here it is the first of September, and we are finally getting summer weather in the Bay Area. I'm anxious to pull out all the sundresses that went unworn over the 'summer' months. It is a bit counter-intuitive to be pulling out summer outfits when every blog I read has turned their focus to fall weather fashions.

Here is what I wore to work. I don't wear stockings which I guess isn't good form to do in office settings - but I'm pretty much anti socks and tights - unless the weather is really cold.







From my closet: Top- Betsey Johnson, via Etsy (I had to sew on some new buttons), Skirt- Anthro, Shoes- Target, Sunglasses- vintage.