Love this look ...



To me, this epitomizes what it means to be effortlessly chic ...

 

 

Tucker panel dress

I picked up this Tucker panel dress last week from my favorite consignment store (Goodybyes on Sacramento street).  I can't decide if it looks better long or short.  Should I shorten it? 

The Bob

Ever since all my hair fell out shortly after the birth of my first child, I've been sporting a Katie Holmes inspired bob.  Now that my second is almost 6 months and I have half the hair (and brain cells) I used to have, the haircut has become a total life saver.  I can look reasonably decent with minal effort, which is all I can ask for these days. 

My stylist Jarr at Oxenrose Salon has perfected this cut after giving it to me for 3 years ... I highly recommend him if you like this cut. 

How to wear a maxi skirt

My sister bought me a super cute maxi skirt for my birthday.  I've never owned a maxi skirt before, so I was excited to figure out how to wear it. 

I think it's easy to look sloppy with a maxi skirt, especially if you're height challenged like me.  I also prefer a slightly preppier look, and it's easy to look too casual with a maxi skirt.  So I think I am going to wear my new skirt with silk blouses and/or structured jackets.

Fringe Boots

Tried these on at Heidi's on Fillmore Street and was surprised at how comfortable they are!  They're a good alternative to the super chic (but pricey!) Jean-Michel Cazabat ones.

Jean-Michel Cazabat $435

Sam Edelman "Louie" $160



 

 

 

Initial necklaces - a great gift!

I have been wanting an initial necklace ever since my youngest was born.  I've been searching high and low for the perfect one - the pendant has to be small, brushed gold or silver, and feel handmade.  After a long search I finally found them on Etsy! 

I bought this for myself:

Kinda wish I got the gold version ... but didn't want to mix metals after reading Rachel Zoe's book

I bought this for my dear friend JH:

This is actually EXACTLY what I was looking for- brushed gold, hand crafted, subtle

Mad for leopard

I have never been a fan of animal print but recently I've been obsessed with leopard print (on calf hair, of course).  On my wish list are:

Belt - ASOS $55.19

JCrew Nora Ballet Flat $258

Charlotte Olympia (no longer available)

Booties - do or don't?

I've been on the hunt for the perfect bootie for a while now, and I think I'm coming pretty close to finding the right one.  It needs to be flat, cool enough to wear with skinny jeans, but still elegant enough to wear with a dress.

These are on my short list...

Dolce Vita
$149

Sam Edelman $130

Rachel Comey
$415
(looks comfy but might be too casual to wear with a dress)

Uniqlo is coming to SF!

My favorite store for cute, affordable jeans is finally coming to SF! Uniqlo opens in Union Square on Friday October 5.  As part of the grand opening, jeans will be on sale for $9.90 and 100% cashmere sweaters for $49.90!  I'm going to snag a couple extra as xmas presents! 

Spruce up a boring tee with a bib necklace

The problem with being an entrepreneur is that I have to live like one, which means no more handbags (for now, though I have my eye on a Prada beauty) and eating in most nights. Living frugally has inspired me to search for new ways to jazz up my existing wardrobe. The other day I pulled on one of my many striped t-shirts (yes, I'm still obsessed with stripes) and was horrified at how much I looked like a stereotypical mom. Not fabulous at all. It inspired me to look for ways to jazz up my everyday uniform of t-shirt and jeans. And who knew all it took was some fabulous and fun bib necklaces? Now I admit I've missed the train a little bit on this one ... bib necklaces are a thing of yesteryear but I don't care, they still look cool.

There's a new Roberta Freymann store in SF and I have been loving her bib necklaces.  Ranjana Khan is another good one - she did a line for the Limited and it's super affordable.  Sold out now but there are several floating around on eBay. 

Rachel Zoe Jewelery

Saw the Rachel Zoe jewelery collection at Neiman Marcus last week and there are some really gorgeous pieces. I have always been a big fan of the art deco look so this is right up my alley.

Oxblood Red

One of the key color trends this season is oxblood red.  It's a gorgeous color - I just don't know why the name has to sound so egregious. Can't they call it red velvet cake?  
The color is especially rich on fur or leather - I've got my eye on a rabbit fur vest by Elizabeth & James.

 

Skinny jeans - they're not for everyone

I'm just going to come right out and say it:  skinny jeans are not for everyone.
I realize this is completely un-PC given the abundance of blogs out there with headlines like, "can curvy girls wear skinny jeans?  absolutely!"

This has resulted in fashion disasters like this:

Women who have a bit of a hip need to balance it out with a bootcut / flare leg.  See how great these two models look below?  Much more proportional. 

If you are one of the lucky few who, at our age, is still skinny enough to wear skinny jeans, then here are some super cute options for you:

J Brand 901 Jean Leggings
$150 Shopbop

AG Stilt
One of my favorite jeans in the world.  I own 3 pairs!
$164 @ Shopbop

Lulu Frost Bib Necklace

Saw this necklace at Sarah Shaw this weekend - I am madly in love with it.  The vintage brooches are one of a kind and can be detached so you can swap in different brooches.  There are a million vintage brooches on eBay and Etsy so you can really customize this piece.  It's a bit spendy but I can tell this is going to be one of those pieces I treasure forever.   

What's in my purse right now

GA's witty post on the contents of her bag inspired me to do the same.

Right now I'm toting around a silver longchamp bag from my mom.  It's big enough to fit all my stuff, Brad's lunchbag, 2 changes of clothes (he's potty training right now) + his shoes and socks.  I love this bag because the interior lining is white, making it v. easy to find stuff. 

1.  Lavender Ferragamo wallet - I love this wallet - the color is so unique and there are enough compartments to store all my coffee cards. 



 

 

2.  Khiel's makeup bag, gift from my dear friend JH containing the following items:

-- Pill Box with tylenol and pepcid AC

-- Tide to go pen

-- Floss

-- Bandaids

-- Purell

-- Headset + flash drive

-- Clean roller perfume

-- Lavender hand cream from Jurlique

-- Concealer (some free stuff Richard brought home from a conference but works v. well)

-- Chapstick from my dentist

-- At least half a dozen lipglosses, including Nars lip lacquer in Chelsea Girls, MAC lip glass in Just Super, Boy Bait and Partial to Pink, Stila lip glaze in Blush, YSL rouge volupte in #25, Benefit lipstick in Skinny Dip.  As you can see, I'm partial to nude/pink colored glosses.   

 

 -- Stila Convertible Color in peony

 

 

 

 

3.  Moleskin Action Planner, a conference freebie from Richard but perfect for writing things down since I now have mom brain. 

 

 

 

 

4.  iPhone in an Ottercase, since I manage to drop it at least once a week.

 

 

 

 

 

For GA: Fabulous Pants

This post is for my dear friend GA who has lost 24 lbs in a mere 5 months.  I am so proud of you!

Must have #1:  The Black Pant

Nothing hides the bulge like a well tailored black pant in a high quality, drapy fabric.

A great black pant has a flat front (absolutely no pleats!), hits you right below the belly button (mid-rise), is fitted through the hip and thighs, and then has a tailored trouser leg (not skinny, not flared - just straight).  Invest in a high quality fabric so it drapes beautifully, and find a good tailor to make sure it fits you perfectly.  You only need 1 great black pant so spend the money to make sure you look and feel 100% confident when you're wearing them. 

Whatever you do, don't buy anything with these words in the description: shiny, silk, jersey (even if it's wool jersey), wide leg, flannel, acrylic, polyester (and other man made materials).

J.Crew Cafe Trouser in a Super 120s merino wool
I have a pair and I feel really put together whenever I wear them (even on fat days).
Totally affordable at $135 and goes up to size 16.

St. John Stretch Wool Pant $595
Look at how beautifully these pants drape on the model.  Available up to size 16.

Lafayette 148 Stretch Wool Menswear Pants $398
These go from size 14-24 and are available at Salon Z at Saks.

Must Have #2: A Great Pair of Jeans

Bootcut jeans are your friend.  The good news is that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a great pair of jeans.  These Gap Sexy Bootcut jeans fit and feel great, and the best part is that it doesn't break the bank at $59.50.  Available up to size 20 online.

Gap Sexy Bootcut Jeans in Medium Tint $59.50 Gap.com

So excited about my new Altuzarra for J.Crew top

Snagged a chic Altuzarra for J.Crew Breton top this week when all sale items went to an additional 30% markdown. Use promo code "SHOPNOW". 

Super cute detail at the shoulder

Fall wish list from J.Crew

It's only August but I'm already thinking about stocking up on fall basics.  J.Crew is my go to destination for quality, affordable wardrobe staples.  Here's what's in my shopping basket right now - I'm tracking promo offers on http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/ before I snatch it all up.

This stripe jersey top will be easy to wear and a little different than my other stripe tops:

Color block stripe shirt - it reminds me of a Sonia by Sonia Rykiel dress (see below) I saw this spring but it sold out on Net a Porter before I could snag one. 

My black jeans are getting a little faded so it's time to get new pairs for this fall/winter.  I am going to try these but if they don't work I'm going to try MIH jeans next. 

I'm going to stock up on a couple of these cashmere T's.  Beige and grey - I'll wear them all the time.  

And I'm going to pair them with this gold bracelet - see how chic it looks on Olivia Palermo below.

Can't wait to wear all these pieces with my new PS1 bag, Theodora & Callum scarf, and cap toe ballet flats!