My Favorite Things

Dear Mom

2011-08-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

I often see posts from a mom to their baby chronicling their milestones each month. I thought I would turn it around and have James write me about his eighth month. These are things I don't want to forget! Hope you don't mind a "baby post".

Dear Mom,

Hey, so wow, I'm 8 months old. Can you believe it? I know, me either. Things were a little dicey there at the beginning, weren't they? I thought I would send you this note to remember my fabulous 8 month-ness, since I have noticed you have barely touched my baby book. No, no, I'm not judging. We've been busy. I just don't want you to forget any of my excellent stats.

I'm tipping the scales at almost 23 lbs. I know you would want to note that, since its the answer to the second question everyone asks you. (1. How old is he? 2. Wow, how much does he weigh?) You're welcome. I've noticed you can only carry me in your left arm...whats up with that? Might want to start lifting on the right side in the evenings. I think my growth is slowing down a bit so maybe we can start to get a little longer life out of my clothes. I'm rocking 12 and 18 month sizes, meaning you are pretty much out of luck on having any more cute teeny tiny gifted clothes for me to wear. Looks like we'll be hitting the mall (you're welcome on that too, seems to be one of your hobbies). I have been in size 4 diapers for a while, so hopefully you are getting some cost breaks on those, though oh how we chuckle when we see that the baby pictured on the box looks as old as a kindergardner, running with a backpack on and whatnot.

Listen, I'm sorry that I keep waking you up around 5 AM. I know its not really night and its not really morning either. But its just the perfect time for a little snack, you know? And you and dad are right there with that little bottle. Sure, I'll snooze a bit more but I get why you are so groggy when we wake up at 7. My bad. Other than that, I'm loving the early bedtime. I know dad hates putting me down right after he gets home from work, but you better believe when I am rubbing my eyes like crazy that I mean business. And I know I am napping very sporadically. Its just that, we're having a great day you know, and then I"m napping which is not really as fun as hanging out. So I like to get up after just an hour. Just long enough for you to relax before you hear my trademark squawks on the monitor. Those days when I only nap for 37 minutes? Oh, well I just feel like partying just a little harder. Besides, its fun to see you run in soaking wet when I interrupt your shower. Heh.

Really liking the current menu lineup. Those pureed blends you are whipping up are choice. My faves are the sweet potatoes and peaches, but as evidenced by my physique, I'm pretty cool with whatever you dish up. Lets see, right now we're having 3 7 ounce bottles a day (morning, 1PM, 6:30PM), plus my snackity snack bottle at 5AM if I feel like it. I would love to see my solid meals go up to three a day from two. Lets make that a priority in the next week or so, shall we? Just circle back with me to make sure we're meeting our goals and putting our best foot forward. Ooh, one thing. Those puffs? Whats the deal with those? I mean, so far I am thinking its a little game you are giving me, where I push them all off the table...but then I think something else should be happening? Cause you will put them in my mouth sometimes. Hmm. I don't get that deal. Lets table that until next month. Table, get it? I'm here all week.

The view from sitting is so much better than laying on my back all the time. I mean, the world is my oyster. Tearing apart your magazines, screeching at the top of my lungs, shaking my rattly fishy, gnawing on that old remote control. Life is pretty good around here. And hey, there's no hurry in crawling or all that activity. I see my peeps moving around, but it looks like a lot of work. You and me, lets just chill on the rug and read some books, you cool with that? That will give you a good vantage point to catch a glimpse of my two new pearly whites. Man those things are really a bummer to work through. I hope thats the end of that. I only need two teeth, right mom?...Mom?

We've been running together with that new stroller. Good for you. I mean, its not that much faster than our walks, but we get just enough speed to feel the wind ruffling my little hairdo. So nice to be outside, I love seeing those trees. Summer has just been the perfect time to appreciate the finer things: my natural rubber binky, learning to give open mouth kisses, holding a sippy cup upside down so the water dribbles out, splashing at the splash park, ripping your glasses off your face, oh the little joys in life. I am betting there is so much more good stuff to come, right?

We're really having a good time, the three of us. We're figuring things out together, I think. Its OK, I'll school you if need be. But I see the smiles you and dad have as I giggle when you chase us down the hall. Thats the good stuff.

8 Months already? No problem.
Love ya, JB

New JCrew: A couple new arrivals

2011-08-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

Please excuse the sloppiness of this post, but I wanted to get a few pics I snapped up of some new items I spotted at the B&M store today. The store I visited was still getting their shipment so there were just a few pieces I hadn't seen before, but hopefully these will be helpful. I didn't try any of these on because I am trying to focus my shopping on things that will actually work in my lifestyle, and all of these are a bit more dressy or edgy than what I am looking for right now. Looking forward to seeing new things online (hopefully) tomorrow!

Item 49774, $128. First was the origami mini in a red/pink satiny fabric. This isn't my style, but the fabric is pretty. It seemed a little holiday to me? Or something...

Item 47714, $178. Next is a red dress...not sure if this is the anticipated "red dress"?? Again, this is not my style. Not to be negative, but this dress did not look good in person. The fabric looks cheap, sheer, and wrinkly. Collar looked like it wouldn't lie right. The dress honestly looked like something you might see on a goodwill rack. Part of it was the neck buttoned up and the lack of steaming, but it looked so sad on the hanger. Very bright red.

Item 51425, $138. Next was a brown plaid pencil skirt with a small coin pocket. Inside it had a "No. 2" label, so I think it is the same cut as many of the other pencils this season. This had a very classic look to it, almost old school. MIght look pretty with a rich purple or pink color.

Item 49396, $138. Plaid Wool Cafe Capri. Had the same weight and cuff as the new wool cafe capri, I really liked the colors in this plaid. Very pretty and lots of styling options.

Item 48821, $72. Last was the Perfect Fit Gingham shirt in Artillery Fatigue (awesome color name). I usually avoid these shirts because they are not great on me, but two things changed my mind...the color is really great on this--lots of versatility, good weight on the fabric, I can imagine wearing it with tons of things. Seems like it has more "crispness" than previous perfect shirts, nicer looking and more put together. Also, it comes in Tall! Wahoo...I love the longer fit of Tall tops, so I ordered this to check it out. I think it would look great with navy, black, and brown but also with pinks, oranges...

Sorry there are no pics on a real person but I wanted to offer this glimpse of what I saw...anyone have anything on their wishlist from their new rollout?

New JCrew: Couple of Factory Items

2011-08-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

In celebration of the approaching weekend, I wanted to talk about a few Factory items I had in my last order as well.

Factory Imperial Tee:
Sorry for the faceless photos but my eyes were closed:) Sizing on this is pretty true. I ordered the Large as that is my "go-to" top size for now. The VNeck is good for me, although I almost feel like it could be a little deeper, sometimes when Vs are not deep enough the body of the shirt can ride up a bit. Length is good too, not skimpy. The Feel on this is nice too--the Slub cotton, not tissue, so it holds its shape well and a bit less sheer than it could be. For price, I got this on promo plus 20% off so it was a pretty good deal. I really try to not buy graphic tees these days since they fall apart and the crewneck is not right on me, but a Vneck with a single color design should work with a lot in my closet.

I think the printing looks a little more faded in photos than it does in person.

Not pictured: Factory HipSlung Cords
I noticed that they added these cords a little while ago. I really like the HipSlung denim fit for a basic jean silhouette, so I tried the cords. I ordered the dark charcoal in my current jean size, and they fit snugly well. I know they will stretch out so that is perfect for me. I think one thing to note is these do not have stretch spandex in them, so they will relax more like a jean rather than spring back to shape like the current bootcut and toothpick styles (the matchsticks are the same non stretchy blend). So I think these will be a little less polished, but more of a casual pant. The length was standard on these, good for flats for me but wouldn't really work for heels.

Hope this is helpful! Have a great weekend all!

New JCrew: Solong Tunic Sweatshirt

2011-08-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

For a while I have been wondering why JCrew does not have more long, tunic-length options. These days there is a trend to wear leggings and skinny jeans/pants, and even their famous Minnie pant fits in this category--yet they don't have many tops or sweaters that hit below the butt to wear with them. Each year they have a couple sweaters that fit this mold (Long Alpaca Open Cardigan from last year, for example) and they seem to sell quickly. I would love a Merino chunky sweater coat, or even cashmere, and I am sure customers might be willing to pay for it. Similarly, they could do a tunic length Perfect Fit Tee as a great layering piece in fall/winter.

The Solong Tunic Sweatshirt caught my eye for this reason...I also just generally need more casual type clothes these days.

Sizing:
I ordered the Large to avoid clinginess, I would say right now I am almost always a Large in tops. However, I found the sweatshirt to hang on me a bit and was baggy under the arms, I might try the Medium but I want to make sure its not tight around the booty area. I'll have to look into it. I would say you might be OK sizing down for a fitted look , or your usual size for a slouchier feel.

Feel:
Very cozy, definitely thicker than it appeared online. I would say the web images make it look more like a thick slub Tshirt material, but it was definitely a heavier fleecy feel--I would say its very similar to the Jaspe weight on the Jaspe sequined sweatshirt from a while back, a midweight sweatshirt material. Good drape but not too thin at all. Would be great for layering or with a cozy scarf.

Color:
An oatmealy gray...not too exciting but a warm color that isn't too "workout" looking.

Price:
Pretty good for a longer piece in a heavier weight at $78, especially if you can get it with a promo. I really picture getting a lot of wear out of this if I can find the right fit.

What do you think? Would you consider the Solong Tunic?

Target Missoni: Coming Soon

2011-08-10T20:11:00.001-07:00

Oh dear. Now that my Target trips are at least once a week (Ella's Organic Kitchen baby food, Wheat Chex, new Sippy cup) I will be eagerly awaiting the new line of Missoni at Target. Look at the great colors and stripes!

Word is the collection hits September 13. I would love a cosmetic bag or that fabulous blanket!

New JCrew: Hacking Jacket

2011-08-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

I am a sucker for color, blazers, Fall, things that are long, and wishful thinking, so I ordered up the JCrew Hacking Jacket with the recent Cardholder promo.

Sizing:
I ordered 3 sizes to try in this blazer. I am still working on figuring out my current size at the same time as trying to get my pre-baby body back. Its definitely a moving target. My previous size for blazers was 6 or mostly 8. I ordered the 8, 10, and 8 tall in this jacket. I usually try to grab tall versions if I can because I have a longer torso and like to have the length to balance proportions. I would say this blazer runs true to size and definitely does have a longer length as advertised, but I didn't find it too long. I am 5'9" though to keep in mind. I loved the longer sleeves and body of the Tall version, but I think I would pick my bigger size 10 for buttonability. If you are between sizes and like to layer, I would say select the larger size. This means I probably need the 10 Tall, the only size I didn't order, go figure.

Feel:
The wool is a little scratchy. It feels thicker and stiffer than the schoolboy, but not uncomfortably so. The sleeves have striped lining and the jacket has an acetate lining that feels ok on. Honestly it was too hot for wool so I didn't have it on long to feel! It also felt a bit "old JCrew" in that it was a colorful fun take on a classic. I could see this with a great scarf this fall, and would be really excited to wear it.

Color:
I decided to go all out and ordered the Vibrant Flame. This color is BRIGHT. It is also fabulous. Of course, it turned out to be really hard to photograph. I mean, I look like I am radioactive. I am going to try and get a better photo in daylight, but the true herringbone is like a deep red orange woven with a orangey pink. The underside of the color is like a fawny gray brown. Note: it is not as bright as these pics. But man, knowing it photographs this way means don't wear where you might look like a traffic cone next to others in a group shot...?

Price:
I love this jacket and can see wearing it often with jeans, cognac boots, or navy. But I need a sale I think. Even with 20% off I feel like it is too steep and I know it will come down. Fingers crossed!

Size 8 Tall (little more length):

Size 8 Regular Length of Sleeve/Body:

Size 8 Regular:

Size 10, Buttoned:

Back of Collar, Popped:

Attempt to Capture Color:

What do you think of the jacket? I will post a color shot tomorrow in daylight!

A New Addiction

2011-03-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!

Have you heard of this new (ish, maybe I am behind the times?) website, Pinterest? Oh my goodness, I am totally hooked. Basically it is like a web bulletin board, a journal, a stack of post-its, and a million "Save Image As"favorites all rolled into one.

Behold my Pinterest home page...

In a nutshell, Pinterest is a place you can collect images from the web quickly and into Boards or categories you create. Right now I have Boards for the home, Baby Stuff, Wedding Planning, and just other marvelous things. I was always trying to drag images onto my desktop when I loved something, or worse, keep Firefox tabs open endlessly so I wouldn't forget to "followup" on a certain lovely item of the day. Now I can track them all--Pinterest has a simple plugin that is on the top of my browser now so I can "Pin It" whenever the mood strikes me.

I had to signup for a Pinterest invitation and wait for an email, but let me know if you are interested in an account and I will see if I can send an invite your way!

I'm back off to Pin til midnight...

Happy Weekend!

2011-02-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

This guy...

is keeping me very busy! But I have to say, the smiles he gives make it all worth it.

What are you all up to this weekend? My in-laws are coming this evening to love on JB and we will hopefully get to grab dinner out and get some projects done around the house. I'll be posting more over the next couple weeks, stop back and say hello!

Back to clothes for a minute...

2011-02-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

I may have a closet of clothes I haven't worn in months, a plastic tub slowly claiming the maternity clothes I no longer need in my hallway, and a daily wardrobe of yoga pants and hoodies (and bleary tired eyes..)...BUT that doesn't stop me from appreciating some new offerings debuting this spring.

First, Boden is launching a Limited Edition line. I haven't ever bought anything from Boden before, but I think I need this darling top for spring...

I am also really intrigued by the launch of BHLDN, a new line from those behind Anthropologie specializing in all things wedding and occasions. The pieces look beautiful and unique...great to see a new point of view for this kind of market! They have a starter website here and there is some GREAT info on Anthroholic, which you can find here. They are offering everything from wedding dresses, party dresses, shoes, stationery, hairpieces, housewares, etc etc. So so pretty!

For now, back to my yoga pants...but a girl can start to dream, can't she? Hope you all are well!!

Happy. New.

2011-01-04T17:50:00.001-08:00

He's here! Our new beginning came a bit early when James arrived on December 21. We have had a great couple cozy weeks getting to know the little guy and introduce him to family and friends all while the magic of Christmas and a blizzard cocooned us.

More to come soon, but wanted to let you all know what we have been up to! Happy New Year!

Nursery, Almost Done!

2010-12-19T17:59:00.000-08:00

I can't believe its nearly Christmas. I can't believe its nearly our due date either!

Time has just flown this fall and early winter as we get ready for the holidays and Baby to arrive. We have been working on our house and the nursery in particular; it feels like our to do list keeps growing but we also have been able to get tons of stuff done together. Finally starting to feel like we live here in our house--amazing that that process has taken nearly 5 months! I still find myself walking around in our place and not believing that we really bought a place, that its really ours.

Of course, much of our energy has been devoted to Baby's room. We have been joking that we will have to spend all our time in there once he arrives since it is by far the most "finished" place in the house! Here are a few pics of how the room has come together...

I feel like it will probably never look this neat and organized again, but I do hope to add more to the walls over time. Just feel happy that everything is up, clothes/blankets are washed, monitor is ready...now we just need Baby!

More posts to come this week...

On Getting Bigger...

2010-10-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend, the weather turned cooler and Hubs and I headed out for a afternoon walk. I reached deep into the closet and pulled out my North Face fleece jacket that I haven't worn in a long while.

I reached into the pockets and pulled out a Muni Football pass. Hubs and I got a laugh that the pass was from a 49ers/Eagles game that we went to at Candlestick Park when we lived in SF three years ago and here we were going for a walk on a Sunday when the Eagles were playing in SF...again.

The fleece has been out of the rotation, happily, for a long time now--its a size that I haven't worn since around that game. Just a week or two later three years ago, my sister and I created a family Biggest Loser contest that finally got me in gear to make myself a little bit healthier. I had been working at home for months, basically living a sedentary sorry existence. The friendly family competition motivated me to eat better and start hitting the gym. Christmas morning I won the competition (by a hair) and then I didn't look back and kept exercising and eating better. A year ago next weekend, I ran my first half marathon in SF with 2 best friends and was probably at my healthiest in training for that race and preparing. It was a long road between that Muni pass and that Marathon, but I wanted to make it a change for life and not just a little while.

Well here I am now, 29 weeks pregnant, and once again wearing that fleece that is from my bigger days. Pregnancy has certainly been an adventure in wardrobe for me--wanting to look put together without breaking the bank and trying to realize that huge portions of my closet just simply are not happening right now. Of COURSE I know I am growing for a wonderful reason, but lately I have found myself reaching for my so-called "fat" clothes, which has been a tough feeling for me. The doctor visits, which have increased to every 2 weeks, have me slightly anxiously stepping on the scale. My belly has me back in more dark colors, black Tshirts, stretchy blends, and it has me just a little bit nervous. I have no idea how my body will finish off this pregnancy, and I don't know how I'll do at getting back into shape. I am trying to keep myself moving over the next 12 weeks and eating (pretty) well, (sometimes you just want another taco), and I already hope to return to running lightly in the spring. I think I just worry how easy it is to slide back to those old habits and old cozy big fleeces.

I am sure I am not alone in this concern...I think it has just been small reminders over the past few weeks of how gaining weight affects me, and how regardless of the amazing reason I have this time, the small fear I have of becoming an unhealthy person again. I think I just feel even more determined to live a healthier life for Little One and set a good example for our little family. For now, I am trying to relish the big snuggly coziness of that familiar fleece jacket.

Has anyone else struggled with this? Also just a note--I don't want anyone to read this and worry that I am not eating well for my pregnancy--I am eating many small meals a day, paying attention to my hunger, and eating lots of healthy options, just feeling a little aware of my poundage today!

Nursery Inspiration

2010-10-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

The combination of a new house and a new baby on the way presented a great delightful and daunting new challenge: designing a nursery!

Even before we knew whether Baby was a boy or a girl, I had fixated on a look I loved--robins egg blue accented with yellow/oranges and browns. Nothing too blue or too green, but something that could feel very fresh, modern, childlike, without having a "theme". I wanted the room to feel like a space I would love to spend time in and that Baby would love to wakeup to and play in--things that right now are only abstract!

I have these images from OhDeeDoh (by the way, a completely addictive section of the Apartment Therapy website) and I constantly go through them for inspiration.

I love these looks and I think they show different ways that the direction could moe towards feminine or more masculine. We love the Ikea Expedit "window seat" and plan to do that in our own room for Baby. I promise to post pics of our real nursery as it comes together in the coming months. Forgive my small baby indulgences on this blog!

Any of you use Apartment Therapy or OhDeeDoh for inspiration? What do your favorite rooms or nurseries look like?

Gap Give & Get Promo Finds

2010-08-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

Fall is my absolute favorite season for clothes. I look forward to cozy sweaters, boots, and tweeds as summer winds down. Its been really interesting to switch gears this year as I know my body will be growing big time as fall arrives.

I have tried to make a game plan and stick with simple basics because I don't want to spend tons on maternity styles or on things that won't be really versatile for me. I wanted to build a collection of things that will help me feel cute without feeling like I am in a MuuMuu as well as go the distance for a few months. I wanted some leggings, good boots, long sweaters, jeans, black pants, and good fitting tanks and tees to layer.

I have felt pretty lucky to find some great styles at Gap and Old Navy. I haven't shopped at ON in a long while, and Gap has been hit or miss. But both have maternity lines and I even found that a local Gap carries maternity instore, which has been great for trying things on.

Here are a few of my recent favorites, at great deals with either Give & Get or the magical Wednesday 40% off coupons...

Gap City Flat

I had seen these in store a few times and I ordered my regular size in the dark red. When they arrived, I had read up on a few blogs to size up, so I went in and traded them for a size 9 in the in-store only color Bronze. I think these are great, comfortable, portable, and versatile with jeans and leggings too. Highly recommend, especially with a percentage off!

Skinny Stretch 5-Pocket Pants//No-Panel Ponte Pants
These pants have different names in regular and maternity, but I believe they are the same concept. I LOVE these. They are like a heavy thick legging material--opaque, not show through--and they have 5 pocket styling like a jean, but much more comfortable than a jegging since its all stretch. Its a great hybrid so you feel put together and not too much like you are wearing leggings-as-pants. I bought the maternity version after the regular version was hard to find in stores. I am a solid size 10 right now, but the Large was too big, definitely needed the Medium, so you can head toward your smaller size.

Jeans...
Over the past month or so I have gone to Pea in the Pod and "visited" some awesome designer maternity jeans like Joe's and Citizens. While I would love to treat myself to these, they are each about $200--more even than regular designer jeans, ouch! I just can't pay that for something I can't always wear. I'll have to keep an eye out for sales. In the meantime, I found two great pairs:

Old Navy Full Panel Skinny Jeans
These are a thin denim, and $25 in store. Deal! While the panel isn't perfect for me, they are really comfortable and will fit well into boots or keep a slim line with flats and heels. I bought my normal size 10 in these and they fit great right out of the box. I went back to get a second pair since I think these will be great throughout the next few months.

Gap Demi Panel Sexy Boot Distressed Jeans
I got these on Wednesday with the 45% off coupon with using the BR card. Gosh, I will miss those coupons. I am still figuring out this whole panel business...I now have bought some "no panel", "full panel", and "demi panel", I guess I will figure out which ones work best! The Demi is nice on these jeans cause it feels more like a regular jean with a little give at the top. The fit is really nice through the leg on these and I think for about 30 bucks with the coupon, they are a big savings from something designer.

Tees/Tanks
I tend to be looking for long, fitted tops as opposed to the flowy tent shirts that tie in the back. So far I have a few favorites:

Vintage V-Neck Tee, Gap
These are a nice slubby texture and have a little ruching at the belly, great fit. I got the navyish blue in Medium and the White in Large so it wasn't too see through (plus white tees always shrink on me). Great deep vee on the neck, really cute. Thumbs up!

Twist-Front V-Neck Top, Old Navy
I tried this on in store and liked the deep V and proportions of this top. Good value.

I am intrigued by the Oversized VNeck Sweater from Gap as well as the Drop-Waist Ponte Pant. I may order them before the coupon code expires. If anyone else has any favorites, please post them here!

Sorry this one was heavy on the maternity items, but it is great to find some good basics at good prices. Any others I should try? Have a great weekend all!

Lookin' a little different...

2010-08-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

Things are looking a little different around here. Not only are we in our new house, but we have different things in the fridge...can you guess why?

Baby is due December 31, 2010...New Years Eve! Hubs and I are very excited. I am feeling fine, getting bigger by the day at about 22 weeks in, but overall not feeling sick and mostly just hungrier and more tired than usual. I don't have tons of friends with babies yet so I am feeling especially clueless as we navigate the waters of Baby Gear, Maternity clothes, and not succumbing to BBQ takeout every night. Any and all advice is appreciated!

I promise this won't turn into a blog all about baby, but I will be posting on some adventures in pregnancy over the coming months. I hope you'll keep reading!

This is what....

2010-07-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

...a Room and Board couch looks like, being hoisted into a 2nd floor condo. Just wanted to pass along as I know it was a sight not many get to see.

Moving Day went well! Time to feather our nest!

We've Been Busy...

2010-07-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

There's no excuse for how long its been since I last posted. But! Excuse! We've been busy.

We bought a house! Well actually, its a condo, the second and third floor of a house. Behold!

Its the top two floors as seen below...

LOOK! We have a fireplace, and a mantel! And trim!

We have spent the past two weeks at the new place each evening...taping, cleaning, scrubbing, painting, imagining. So far the first room that is done is the kitchen. We painted the trim and beadboard Benjamin Moore Simply White and the walls are Bar Harbor Beige. Here you can see a glimpse from the kitchen through the elegantly named "Butler's Pantry", really just a hallway with the fridge, washer and dryer and cabinets containing the fancy stemware we never use. We have ROOMS! and a BUTLERS PANTRY!

The project is all consuming and also so so exciting, to be putting together our first real home where we can paint, and envision staying for years instead of months. After putting my collection of Domino magazines in a box for the count-it-five-yes-fifth time, I swear I will never move again. That thought also crossed my mind as I scrubbed the goo from the drawers in the kitchen and gagged about having stranger-goo to go through. Soon it will be our goo! The JOY!

More later....:)

The End is Near...

2010-05-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

I can't believe a week from tomorrow (Sunday) will bring the end of LOST. For those of you who don't watch, I can only imagine the reaction..."its a freaking TV show!" But for me and millions of other LOSTies, this show has consumed many conversations, dreams, and thoughts over six years and I can't believe it will be OVER! I really think that this show will stand the test of time as being something really unique in network TV.

This video is FANMADE, which is awesome number 1, and I found it via a Tweet from DamonLindelof (show creator) with huge props, which is awesome number 2--just speaks to the cool interaction between fans and the show.

Who else will be watching next Sunday night?

Looks Like Sad News for M+O

2010-05-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

This morning I received an email for 30% off my Entire Purchase at Martin + Osa. Upon reading and clicking through, it looked like everything purchased with this promo is completely Final Sale. I finally found a "details" box only to find these sad words...

"American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is closing its Martin + Osa concept, including stores and the online business. Thank you."

So sad! I loved a lot of what M+O was doing and will miss their options, great denim, pretty cardigans, etc. I am planning on trying one last order if I can...I have my eye on the Silk Jersey Mixed Media Tee in particular, as well as the Jaspe scoopneck tee.

Will you place an order before M+O is gone? We'll miss you and your original perfect Cashmere Scoopneck!

Inspiration

2010-04-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Hubs and I are going out on another tour of house-searching this evening, and I dream of finding a closet like this one. Actually, I just dream of finding a place we like. In the meantime, I can drool over this little scene, including the darling JCrew Elizabeth Halter in an orange color I sadly missed. I will use it to inspire me to have a sunny outlook on the searching process!

How are your weeks going? Any home-hunting tips?

Boston, Let Me Tell You...

2010-04-07T10:54:00.001-07:00

Spring is looking really good on you! It was 88 degrees yesterday with bright sun. It feels amazing to walk around outside in a tank top!

Opening Night

2010-04-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

Great weekend for work and family. 75 degrees and warm sun heating things up. Long walk with a breeze. And best of all, baseball kicking off with an awesome game tonight. I was giddy to watch the Sox again with the windows open and hear our favorite announcers voices lilting through the innings.

SPRING IS HERE! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Visit to Lands End Canvas at Sears

2010-04-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

OK, my Catching Up post was boring. You guys want SUBSTANCE! I hear you.

The other day I was killing time at a local mall when I saw a banner for the Lands End Canvas line at Sears, now showing! I took a walk over there to check out things and see the clothes that I have been hearing a lot about on the blogosphere.

The Canvas department was right inside the mall doors and well done. It was front and center! This is the display that greeted me....

The colors were really summery and the displays were sort of rustic preppy.

I grabbed a few things to try on, and I wasn't sure about the sizing. I mostly wear Medium on top these days, but I had heard some things might run big.

First was the Boyfriend Scoop tee. Here is the Medium, it was too big and boxy....

Closeup...

Next I tried a small, little better but not a perfect fit...

Nice basic tee but size down.

Next I wanted to try the heralded Heritage Cardigan, much loved by others. I started with the Small in the Bold Sun (awesome color!)...it was a little small on me. Definitely short, but I loved the long sleeves!

Closeup of the color and seaming..

Next I tried the medium in the brighter orange, but it just didn't fit right. I have this problem with the JCrew Jackie cardigan too--I just can't wear this crewneck cardigan style well.

Too short? Too drapey? Not sure, but not workin for me.

OK next I tried the Boyfriend cardigan. The SA said this one runs big, so I started with small again and it was a baggy mess on me.

Gah!

I then tried an XS. NEVER have I been an extra small. The off-shoulder seams did me in here, it didn't work.

Overall, I didn't find anything that fit me well but I loved what they were doing with the line--preppy classics in great colors at good prices. I hope they keep going! My favorite item was the Women's Chunky Horn Link Necklace, but at $89.50 it was too expensive for me right now. Hope I can find a deal!

As a bonus, I snapped my OOTD in the dressing room. This is a "borrowing from the boys" look--I layered my gray silk Victoria ruffle top under a small Men's Flannel shirt in blue plaid and then belted it with a pink belt. This felt cozy during our monsoon this week!

Thanks for reading and your patience with me! What do you think of Lands End Canvas? Have you purchased anything?

Catching Up

2010-03-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

I have been gone for a long time. The last month or so have been filled with trips and adventures all over the country as well at home.

Skiing weekend in the COLD with the family. Enter Darth Vader.

Seeing sunny warmer days in Boston...

Our trip to Arizona was SO much fun and we spent the last day looking at this view...(more pics in next post!)

Running the O'Hartford 5K with my whole family...great experience!

And a whirlwind trip to Virginia for a conference for Hubs and a visit to our Alma Mater, William & Mary! Here's a pic inside one of our favorites there, Paul's Deli....

Other than that, we have been looking at places to buy for our first home. Overall I am a positive person but I have to say so far this process has been no fun and frustrating. We are looking at many surrounding towns and trying to keep an open mind, but we just haven't seen anything that will work for us yet. We also are struggling with picking the right area to make our next move. I know you all are from all parts of the country and many of you might have tips or stories about buying your first home and I would LOVE to hear them. How did you pick where you would move? How long did you look for a place? Please chime in!

Vacation! Gone Fishing....

2010-02-25T21:11:00.000-08:00

Hello all! Hubs and I are off on a long-awaited vacation in Arizona...sightseeing, roadtripping, seeing a dear friend, and having fun! I have been tweeting some pictures but mostly it has just been great to feel the sun and be outside. Oh, and eating TONS of Mexican food.

Tomorrow we head to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. If anyone has any favorite shops/restaurants/sights to recommend, please post them here! I'll be back with more pictures and updates soon.

Coming Soon...LL Bean Signature

2010-02-17T07:48:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot of buzz over the new Lands End Canvas line, but yesterday I stumbled across a new line that will debut in March from LLBean, their Signature line. I am smitten by the new classic, vintage, nautical, and preppy items that look effortlessly timeless in the promotional video on the teaser site. Go here to see more.

Is that an orange buoy print wrap dress? Please hold one for me! I love the yellow and blue, the skirt, shirtdresses, the vintage leathers used. Looks great, can't wait to see more! What do you think?

Brand Expansion...Er, Explosion

2010-02-16T10:43:00.001-08:00

Hubs asked me recently to pick up some deodorant at Target. Before you Unfollow the blog due to this mundane start to this post, WAIT I am going a different direction. I stumbled down the aisle and found myself face-to-face with the above display. Actually, the aisle was full of probably 6 sections like this 3-foot wide one I shot, above. WHO KNEW that there were so many different products where once there was just plain old Old Spice? You probably can't see from this view, but there were offshoot product lines such as STRENGTH, and then the even more amusing travel line with scents like Fiji, Matterhorn...Body Wash called Swagger, etc. I was amazed. I think it was shopping for something that I don't usually look at that made me take notice at how some of our favorite, everyday household brands have exploded.

Every brand now has a million offshoots, and decisions in shopping have become more complicated and more specific. I think this is something that is fascinating to watch. Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon? Where do you see it most?

Trying New Things--Hitting Anthropologie

2010-02-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

Wow, its been almost a month. I feel like I haven't had much to write about, but I think I need to start getting a new perspective! Find interest in the every day, mhmmm that shall be my new mantra.

Every once in a while I get an itch to inject something new into my wardrobe. I feel like this must happen to all of us, the feeling that everything in your closet looks the same, snore. Its not really true, but just that feeling can be enough to set off the search for some fun new pieces. I turned to Anthropologie, partly from inspiration from the marvelous Kim at Anthroholic. I haven't shopped much at Anthro--I think I have always had a tough time understanding how to put the feminine, whimsical pieces together. Kim's (and others'!) blog has helped me to see that you just need to jump in and have a little fun. I have found myself prowling the nearby Anthro stores, especially the sale racks, looking to plunge into some new wardrobe fun.

Here are a few recent pieces that caught my eye.

First, a floral wrap top that I don't see on the website right now...it is on sale for $69.95. I sized up to get some more length on the top...I think it is pretty but price is still a little high for me right now. I do like the beading detail on this one (see second photo).

I found this Floreat top on the sale rack as well, but I have to size down and haven't found that size in person. This one is $39.95, ivory with henley buttons and a bit of gold metallic striping..a pretty top thats neutral but special. This one has been on my mind so I might have to try and hunt it down.

These next two just hit the sale section online today and I am very intrigued.

I think this Scalloped Dot Skirt is so cute, would look cute both with tights now and later with a fresh white tank. Now $49.95.

And this dress begs for a wide brown belt, maybe cowboy boots...In A Moment Dress, now $59.95.

How do you use Anthro pieces in your wardrobe? Better yet, how do you mix it up when its February, you are bored with your clothes and spring is nowhere in sight? :)

I missed you all, thanks for patience!

Martin + Osa Spring--Delightful Navy

2010-01-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

Navy blue is one of my favorite colors, and I love seeing how it is used during Spring Collections. Right now I have my eye on these two great pieces that just showed up on the M+O website:

Chevron Maxi Dress

I think the Chevron here could be very flattering and be beautiful with a tan. Would like to try this on to see how it looks IRL.

Polka Dot Scarf
Love the ombre effect with the dots.

Seeing Navy this way makes me look forward to warmer weather!

First Foray...Leggings

2010-01-07T20:11:00.001-08:00

Do you ever have a style you really want to pull off but seems to elude you? I have been wanting to do the whole "effortlessly chic and comfortable in leggings and a slouchy sweater with boots" trend for a few months. I wanted to look put together, cozy but not sloppy. I see women all over of all ages wearing this and they look really nice, and a bit different than the jeans and sweater look with a coat. I am kinda self conscious about how the leggings look but I am trying...

Behold...

Sweater: BR Ribbed V-Neck (no longer online, check sale racks!)
Leggings: Hue via Nordstrom
Tee: Target Tissue Tee
Boots: Steve Madden Intyce

This sweater is something I would never pick up unless I was looking for this particular style. I realized the short sleeve look would allow for a tighter tee underneath, maybe making the look a bit sleeker. Also covers the butt, not too tight or too swingy. Who knows if I pulled it off, but I feel like I can stop the quest for this look. Now I just need the courage to wear it!

Do you wear your leggings out? How do you wear them?

New Year...

2010-01-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

Hello all, once again its been far too long.

So sorry for my absence, I haven't had much new to tell but I have been thinking a lot about the changing of 2009 to 2010.

I started 2009 working with one (fabulous) coworker in one little room in San Francisco with a parrot nearby that ate fried chicken and made more noise than an elephant. I ran a 5k (slowly). I cut off 9 inches of hair that hadn't changed in 20 years. I planned a move to a city I had always wanted to try 3000 miles away. I entered a lottery for a half marathon when I had only ever run for 40 minutes. I GOT IN the lottery, much to my surprise. I started this blog. I quit and winded down my job of three years that had been a part of me. I started running up to 10 miles (!) I packed up our California life. I moved east and right away started to see the great things that can happen from being in a place you are excited about closer to your family. I let go of a lot of the stress that used to bog me down daily. I saw a game from teh Green Monster at Fenway. I celebrated six wonderful years of marriage with Hubs. I met my best friends back in California and ran a half marathon. I met new people in Boston. I realized a third floor walkup has a lot of stairs. I job searched. I walked my new city. I checked the scale and realized I was lower than I could remember. I found my family a short car ride away for holidays which was a true joy. I rang in the New Year with my college roommate to end 2009 and begin 2010. What a year, so many changes!

As we begin a new year, I am not so much making resolutions as I am committing to keep trying to live happily and simply. I have loved this blog and the friends and community I have found in this "blog neighborhood" and I am going to devote more time to it! Thank you for sticking around and I promise to keep working on it!

On we go...

Be Merry, Be Bright

2009-12-24T07:52:00.001-08:00

A very Merry Merry Christmas to all my readers. Hope you get to have a lovely holiday with laughter, family, food, and festivity!

Coming Soon: Swoonworthy Necklace

2009-12-23T21:10:00.001-08:00

Just saw a news story on mrs-o.org about a new collaboration between Fenton and JCrew for a few new necklaces debuting late December. I completely credit mrs-o.org with this marvelous discovery, but oh my. Yes please!

And the gray-green....SIGH

Read all about it here!

Scenes from the Weekend

2009-12-21T07:09:00.000-08:00

Great weekend leading up to the holiday week. Visiting with family, snow, working, shopping, eating...all the best ways to spend a few days off!

Here in Boston we got about 7 inches of snow...it was beautiful! I woke up Sunday morning and watched Love Actually as I watched the flurries fly. I snapped this picture from our window as the snow piled up...

Later on in the afternoon we walked down Newbury to do a bit of shopping and saw the sky glowing pink and orange. This iPhone pic doesn't do it much justice, but I am trying to take pictures of pretty moments in my new city and this was one of them!

In the evening I headed to Target with my sister--she was shopping for two children in need and we had so much fun picking out toys, clothes and treats to make their holiday special. While I was there I stumbled on the Rodarte line for Target that Chloe had mentioned--I snapped a pic of this unique dress. I also bought the cami in this color--hopefully I will have the IRL pics of this soon!

How did you spend this weekend? Are you getting excited for the holidays?

Spotted: Cute Little Black Dress

2009-12-20T11:22:00.000-08:00

I stopped by the Kate Spade store the other day to see what was new and loved all their festive holiday offerings. Their new apparel line really caught my eye, particularly this new simple black silk dupioni shift dress, seen here.

The Dyan dress had a great shape and length to it. Its pricey but would be a great investment piece--sort of an all season fabric that could work with a cardigan for the office or for any event.

Great scoop neckline, ruffle detail, nice definition at the waist without being too too fitted.

Closeup of the fabric...

Have any of you tried Kate Spade's new clothing? This dress will go on my pie-in-the-sky wishlist. A little too pricey but one to keep in mind!

Shop Visit: Timeless Treasures, San Francisco

2009-12-17T06:55:00.000-08:00

I was cruising through my iPhone pictures and I realized that I never blogged about one of my last shop visits from the Bay Area, Timeless Treasures in San Francisco.

I had wanted to visit this shop ever since I saw it mentioned on another blog for its famous collection of vintage letters from around the US. Timeless Treasures searches the country for old signage and marquees to collect letters that you can then buy individually or as a word from their shop. Naturally, this was a mecca for me that I had to visit!

Here is the collection of a la carte letters, sorted by alphabet. I found letters from movie marquees in Chicago, farm signs in Omaha, New York deli letters--you get the idea, it was like a fun scavenger hunt!

The shop also displays letters in phrases and vignettes around the store...(please note: the below picture does not reflect support for the NY Yankees in any way)

They also have beautiful vintage items such as pottery, stationery, jewelry, and home goods...

Here is a view of the beautiful shop!

I love this shop! I bought an initial for both me and Hubs, and hung them over our nightstands on either side of the bed. His is from a movie marquee (a manly solid black classic letter) and mine is from a gas station sign (a bright and bold red letter for me!).

Visit Timeless Treasures at 2176 Sutter St, San Francisco.

New Favorite Thing: Glee

2009-12-09T17:57:00.000-08:00

Umm. If you are not watching this show, you are MISSING OUT! It is so fun. A JCrew-dressed guidance counselor? A Spanish teacher that sings Bust a Move? Songs so fun I have easily dropped $20 on iTunes for them? YES PLEASE!

So so sorry I have been so MIA. I promise to return to my favorite things ASAP. So many capital letters in this post! I must be pumped for tonights show...if you watch chime in!

New Favorite Thing: Dash and Albert Rugs

2009-11-23T05:59:00.001-08:00

Well, readers, I think at last these are the end of the "home" posts! Hubs and I finally have a table to eat and blog on, and with it I went searching for a simple rug to add color to the kitchen. Why are most (cheap) rugs so ugly? I just wanted some simple vibrant colors in a non-garish design....and apparently that was a tall order, sheesh.

Then I came upon Dash & Albert's line of woven cotton rugs. There are a million different color and pattern options, many sizes, all in do-able prices. Huzzah! You can see their website here.

I selected the Montana Stripe, 4x6 for under our table. I wanted something that wouldn't show any stains and match the deeper colors we have in our apartment, along with the darker BJURSTA table we selected at Ikea (now $149 and expands with built in leaf!). Here is the result:

The rug also came super fast with ground shipping. Was great to finally have things tied together!

What do you think? Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Swoonworthy Tortoise--TB Revas

2009-11-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

Oh my. Just dropping in to show you these new Tory Burch resort Revas that are now on Nordstrom.com. I love tortoiseshell--I have a great Michael Kors tortoise watch and many JCrew tortoise hair accessories. I love the tones of black and brown together and the classic preppy look it has.

Check these out! Squeal...

Brown version....

Love them!

You can find these and pre-order them here.

I have just recently gotten the TB Revas in black on ebay, I previously had the orange suede version that I found on sale. I think they are a nice polish flat look. Now how to avoid buying these new ones!

What do you think??

Jonathan Adler on Newbury!

2009-10-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

Sorry for all the "home" posts...but its what I am focusing on these days!

The other day on a walk around town I stumbled on the new Jonathan Adler store on Newbury. What a bright, cheery, fun store and home perspective.

His book, My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living, was front and center. I think this is going on my Christmas list!

Look at this adorable rug. When I find $720 in the couch cushions, I'm going for it!

All of the rugs and pillows in the store and online can be customized in color with all the pretty tones seen below for the same price. Fun! So I could have a YELLOW anchor on a blue rug? Perfect!

More pillows and rugs and fun...

Tons of color!

I recommend a visit to the store if you are strolling Newbury. If not, you can always find great stuff on the Jonathan Adler site.

What are your favorite home stores?

Apartment Tour and Favorites

2009-10-22T09:49:00.001-07:00

As we have been settling into our apartment, I always love the feeling of making an empty apartment into our home. Hubs and I are still renting, so moving in always has a few parameters that we have to follow:

No painting the walls--must find other ways to add warmth and color.
Short term--we know we won't want custom things as we will probably move on.
Use what you have--we try not to buy new furniture for each apartment and use our stuff in new ways to make it work.
Your Home for Your Life--make your place work for your life the way you live it most days. For example, we decided not to pay more for a large guest bedroom (plus buying a bed!) because for the 360 other days a year, we just need a small office.

This time around, I tried to take a little extra time as I set up shop paying attention to the details and organization that will work for us. After more than 6 apartments as a couple, I have a few rules that I live by on the apartment front. Please know that I know these aren't for everyone! Just a fun trip around my place. Would love to hear about your apartment/home rules to live by!

1. Find and Add Pieces you LOVE!
I find and get things as I see them, even if the styles start to get eclectic. Having pieces you adore in your home surrounds you with happy memories about the things that make it personal. This Floorcloth is my latest addition, a housewarming/anniversary present from my mom. This whale cloth is part of a series found at a Cape Cod shop, Pleasant Bay Trading Company, by artist Molly Lesnikowski. My mom has a schooner and crab mats at their Cape Cod house so this new whale friend is like a connection to our family homes. He makes me smile!

2. Arrange art and prints together to make an impact.
Over the years my mom and I have collected prints and little paintings of New England scenes. By now, I have enough that I can group them together in a montage that looks great together on a larger wall. While this can be a big project for Hubs, the result is so much fun to look at and represents sort of an "Art History" of our marriage.

3. Go Bold in the Bathroom.
Someday I hope to paint my small bathrooms in vibrant colors, but in the meantime, I use shower curtains and rugs to add interest in these white rooms. I found this shower curtain and rug at different times at Target and love the green, blue, teal, and brown together. Why not have fun in a room you use to get ready? I also added a jadeite pancake batter bowl to hold travel samples of products to try.

4. Make your closet inviting.
This time when unpacking, I tried to organize color and types of clothes togeter to make getting dressed easier. How do I get dressed? Make it work for you. I also use hooks on one walls for jewelry and things I use the most--robe, fleece jacket to run outside, favorite handbag. Easy access is key for me!

4. Use organizers in unconventional ways...I filled this shoe organizer partly with shoes then used other pockets for umbrellas, running gear, lint roller, winter gloves--everything I might need to grab.

5. You never know what might work...
We had a nice patio at our old place and last Thanksgiving we had a bar out there for wine and beer. I certainly didn't remember until I opened a box and found the steel drink bucket, with no patio to put it on! In our new home, it holds a cozy blanket and pillow on the hearth that we can use when the weather gets colder.

6. Make your Home a Personal Museum.
I love curating our things together. I believe I have shown you these posters before from orkposters.com. This time they hang above a mantel, and so I am planning on making a vignette for each area we lived in with objects and pictures below. Right now the California section has our Olive Harvest fusto, license place, and a flour sifter my mom found, and favorite picture.

7. Love what you look at everyday.
I already posted a grainy pic of this, but this time I arranged our bookshelves by color. I adore the way it looks. Again, it took more time to put together as I unpacked, but the result makes me happy daily in our living room. I was surprised to see the beautful colors my books represented once I started looking at the spines. This is another way I added color to a wall with no paint needed!

I love our new place. Still more work to do--and if there is more I will take a pic! I would love to hear what rules you live by when putting toegether your home and decorating! What are your favorite things about where you live?

Thanks for reading, have a great afternoon!

A LizPoms Favorite Solution

2009-10-20T18:40:00.001-07:00

You may recall my love affair with my Hunter Huntress (Extended Calf) Wellies that I got last winter. Here is a glamour shot of them when we first met...

Well, a year's worth of wear and sun and being in the box and who knows what else made them look so so so sad. Apparently its a factor of the rubber that the wellies can "bloom" and have white marks come to the surface on the rubber. When you google Hunter Wellies Care, you can find a great thread on Purse Forum and find photos like these below and some solutions. See here.

The Hunter website says that you should wipe them gently with a warm soapy cloth. Um, this does not work. Look at my dear boots even AFTER a vigorous wipe with a warm soapy cloth for like 30 minutes....YUCK!

Soooo..enter one of the solutions, the McNett UV Tech. This is supposed to be for rubber wetsuits and rafts and stuff when they lay in the sun. At this point I would try ANYTHING. The Hunter polish only is available in Britain, and McNett can be found at REI.com.

After some Hubs elbow grease...check out the side by side comparison!!

And again...they still have a bit of a faded look, but better than nothing....

Ta-Da!!! Much better!!

So glad my Hunters aren't horrid to look at anymore. I think I will probably have to keep applying this over the season to keep the white to a minimum.

I know not everyone has Hunters, but wanted to let you know an easy solution I found for their care! I love these boots and can't wait to keep wearing them!

Mission Accomplished: 13.1 Miles!!

2009-10-19T18:45:00.001-07:00

Well readers, I am back from the big race! Yesterday was the Nike Women's Marathon (and Half Marathon) in San Francisco, and tonight I am already back in Boston after a whirlwind weekend.

Loooong story short...I made it! I ran with two best friends and we ran the whole way--no walking. This was my main goal, so I accomplished what I set out to do! The race was long and hard--and I realized that training on my own had set me back a bit as my friends definitely seemed to be running easier than I was (lets just say my iPod Nano Nike+ had told me I ran 11.5 miles training...when we finished 13.1 miles for the race, it had me at 15.96...do the math and I realized that I hadn't trained as well as I thought! :( ). But I kept concentrating on keeping it up and finishing, and we did it! We stuck together the whole way, which I am so grateful for--kept me going and also made the Finish all the more meaningful! Friends are amazing!

Here's a few pics of the race excitement....

On Friday we visited the race Expo...Niketown had a wall of all the names of the racers, it was so cool to find mine and know that I was a (half) marathoner!

Thousands of runners getting ready for the Start! Over 20,000 ran in the Half and Full races.

San Francisco's Union Square seemed to glow that morning...the sky brightened up from dark to dawn.

Almost ready to go!

The race was a tremendous experience. To know that I couldn't run a mile last year and yesterday I ran 13.1 without stopping will always be one of my greatest accomplishments. And to do it with two amazing friends who I get to see far too rarely made it a special treat. I loved having a goal to work towards! Now I just have to think of the next one...

Thanks again for all of your support! what did you all do this weekend?

Glimpses

2009-10-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of grainy pics of the apartment coming together....I hope to take glamour shots of it next week!

Ikea Billy Bookshelves with our books arranged by color (joy!)....

Ignore the clutter and Hubs' Bud Light...but our hearth with candles lit..

More to come.

Tomorrow I leave for my Half Marathon! Wish me luck! Eek....

Kreativ Blogger--Thank you!!

2009-10-08T07:23:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to say that Pamela from GingerGirl presented me with the Kreativ Blogger Award! I loved checking out Pamela's blog, its about everything in her life--clothes, trips, TV...great reads! Check it out and I'm sure you'll be a follower!!

Now, there are several things I will be doing next:

1) Thanking the person who gave this to me!

Thanks again Pamela! I love being a part of our blog-community!

2) Copy the Logo and place it your blog.

3) Link the person who nominated you.

4) Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know.

5) Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6) Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7) Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them.

So, the highly anticipated 7 things no one really knows...

1) Hubs and I are high school sweethearts--we have been together for 12 years, even though only married for 6! We have grown up together and I love that we found each other when we were young.

2) I love Popcorn and salty snacks. If given the choice between popcorn and ice cream, I would pick popcorn every time! I just made a batch for a snack.

3) Sadly I picked my nails for like 15 years, down to the quick. Over the last year or so I have FINALLY overcome this horrible, embarrassing habit that would make me hide my hands from people when I met them. For better or worse, beating the habit is one of my greatest accomplishments, ha!

4) I have had so many dream jobs over the years...Olympic swimmer, stationery designer, astronaut, marine biologist, JCrew employee, advertising exec, stay at home mom. I have designs to complete at least a couple of those!

5) I am a nightowl...I get a second wind around 10:30 and I can be on the computer or watching TV until 1AM. I don't recommend this...I'm always tired!

6) I collect Fiestaware, Photos, Books, Vintage Letters (Hubs and my initials), small paintings my mom finds in antique stores, and apparently--Ikea furniture. We are in our 7th apartment since leaving college, crazy! But the furniture is still early-twenties chic.

7) If there is something called a third-life-crisis, I'm having it! I feel like I am at a crossroads as far as career, family, buying a house, etc. Meanwhile I still wish I could go on an Italian vacation--I'm all over the place!

And without further ado-here are my seven nominations!

1) MsMer at SanFranciscowithLove

2) Joyce at TheBestJoyce

3) GigiofCA from Gigi's Gone Shopping

4) SparrowsandSparkles

5) Cari at IsNotFashion

6) Christina at Christina'sFavoriteThings

7) JemmaRuby of DiaryofaWonderWoman

These are a sampling of my favs who I think really show a lot of creativity. Of course there are TON of Kreativ bloggers out here. What a great community to be part of!

Have a great day everyone!!

Today is Move In Day 1!

2009-10-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day, from one of the movers hauling our worldly possessions up two flights of stairs:

"So was your place in Oakland...bigger?"

That says it all...fitting everything into our new place is a work in progress, sorry for the blogging lag! I will have pics of the new place very soon. I also want to thank and respond to Pamela's Kreative Blogger award, yay thanks! Thats coming this week.

So, readers, any favorite moving stories? Things lost, couches stuck in doorways? My favorite was reading box titles we made up a month ago, such as "PORCH: tennis racket, Christmas tree stand, flower pot, cooler". Or "LIVING ROOM: Apron, Baggies, Photos, Spices"...huh? Sadly, no porch this time so this box got pushed to the back! Share your stories! Miss you all!

Outfit of Tonight: Red Sox Game

2009-09-29T21:11:00.001-07:00

Sporty LizPoms! This outfit is a perfect example of how I can go from preppy/feminine to sporty all in one day. This evening we were heading to a Red Sox game and I knew the temps were getting chilly! Had to "bundle up"...

Sweater: M+O Mixed Gauge Cowl Neck, seen here.
Jeans: Gap Long and Leans (my casual jeans)
Shoes: ASICS sneaks
Hat: Favorite
Bag: Old Herve Chapelier tote from NYC days.
Jacket: LL Bean Breton Riding Jacket, seen here.

A note on this jacket...since we are still waiting for all of our belongings to arrive, I needed a jacket but didn't want to duplicate anything I have. I have always admired Burberry and Barbour quilted coats , but could never swing that price for a casual coat. I need something that looks good with jeans and a scarf but could get wet (not leather) and really keep some chill out. I found this one at LLBean and the fit is pretty good (one complaint..the arms are too wide, may see if that could be tailored?) but I sized down to a Small to get a fitted look. It has snaps at the vents and waist, and good pockets. Its lined with Thinsulate and really has kept the wind out. Sort of Equestrian/Motor styling. Retails for $139.

I kept warm and we had a great night, even though the Red Sox couldn't come all the way back. Goodnight all!

Outfit of the Other Day

2009-09-28T17:40:00.001-07:00

For better or for worse, I have a blurry way to take pics while in our temporary apartment...this depressing hallway has a nearly full-length mirror, while the apartment does not.

In this outfit:
Shirt: Jcrew Contrast-Stitch Perfect Shirt
Skirt: JCrew Ikat Print Pencil Skirt
Shoes: Blanched Almond Juliet from JCrew
Belt: JCrew
Earrings: BR Hexagon Floral Gold
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Morning After in Brown

I loved this outfit! More soon....

Rugby by Ralph Lauren Sweaters, and Others

2009-09-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

So I am continuing to look for a job in the Boston area, but we did find an apartment--I am so excited! Its a great place in a cute area and will be accessible to fun all over the city. As I have had some free time in between emailing resumes, I have been taking walks and window shopping on Newbury Street which is not a bad way to spend the day! I hope you all don't mind that I have been exploring great finds in other stores.

Yesterday I visited Rugby by Ralph Lauren, which is such a fun preppy explosion store. One of my favorite things about the brand is the style and visual merchandising of their stores--its like you are at Hogwarts or the lounge at a Prep School...crown molding, vintage pennants and photos of sports teams, its so much fun. The clothes are colorful and while some are over the top, they have great classic country club looks with fun color mixed in.

Here's an example of the tempting displays of some wool sweaters all stacked up....

Here I am in the Shetland Shawl Collar sweater, seen here online, in a Large. I do feel like the sweaters are a bit "shrunken" sometimes, so I size up. They are a bit short, but I love this one. Also, while sometimes Rugby is expensive, some of their pieces are very reasonably priced. This sweater is $89.50 and 100% shetland wool. Pretty competitive to JCrew and others for a cozy heavy sweater. (Apologize for the combo with the gray skirt and black pumps, it was what I had on)

Cute leather equestrian detail. This sweater comes in Ivory, Purple, Navy, Gray, Orange, and a Brown Heather.

Here's the Wool Suede Side Patch Turtleneck. Here it is online. This is a fine 100% wool, it also comes in black, and is also $89.50. The Ivory is a bit see-through, but a nice long and lean fit. This is a Large on me as well. I miggghhhht try the Medium in the black, but I thought this is a fun twist on a wool turtleneck.

Quilted Suede shoulder patches.

I really recommend checking out Rugby for fun preppy additions to your closet. They often have sales too that are fun to look through. Another note...they have these amazing knit merino leggings that are super cozy and cute...check them out. I have tried on a few leggings recently but I can't really figure out if I want cropped or full length, how I would wear them...but I have been trying some out.

Speaking of that, I found an equestrian pair of leggings with suede knee patches at Zara for $39.50 that were cute. I also found a pretty tunic-length cashmere vneck and their cashmere there is $89...really a deal....beautiful neutrals and very soft, good fit. I found it was true to size.

There's my window shopping report! What do you think? Have you been to Rugby? Do you like their look?

Checking out Ann Taylor

2009-09-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks, I have been trying to shop my closet and also visit new stores to add some dimension to my wardrobe. I want to make sure I mix in different brands, styles--it always makes me like my wardrobe more when I have unique styles represented.

Recently I popped into Ann Taylor because I saw some signage in the window advertising a "Whole New Ann". I was intrigued to see a new style from them. Their clothes are still very classic and feminine, but I liked things I saw in the store. I go through cycles with Ann Taylor--sometimes its too stuffy for me, other times I like the femininity. I think overall the Fall and Winter fit better in my style.

Here are a few blurry snaps from my visit....

First, the Silk Structured Ruffle Top, which is now on sale for 39.99 online. I know we all talk about "how many ruffles can we have??" but this top had really good shape and fit. Not too short or long, really pretty fabric, and structured details. Click here to see it online....

Closeup: Open neckline and pretty pleating....

I liked the feminine shape and style of this Textured Wool Jacket. It is here for $195, funnel neck, blouson sleeves a bit, princess seaming in a pretty navy color. If this goes on sale, I think it could be a really cool buy...wear it with pencil skirt, or even skinny jeans.

Last pick was the Perfect Pump, seen here for $155. This is a really nice shoe. Moderate heel, beautiful colors. Great shape and comfortable toe. Below is my foot in the Aubergine patent, which is a gorgeous red/deep brown.

Here is a gray suede version, so pretty...

Overall, I really like the Ann Taylor website too--the styling seems really fresh, the photos are big and show a lot of the product. For example, here's a long merino cardigan shot. By the way--many of the sweaters are $30 off right now so this $90 sweater is $60.

Love to see new brands doing pretty things! What do you think of Ann Taylor recently? Have you seen or tried any items? How do you mix different brands together?

Thanks for reading!

Quick Updates

2009-09-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hello readers! Look, two posts in one week! Hopefully I am on my way back to a routine.

I just wanted to post a few quick updates...

Running--I have been keeping up with running 3-4 times a week in training for the big Half Marathon and my longest distance is now 10 miles!!! Woohoo! Hubs and I did it last Monday...it was a real slow pace but we kept running the whole way. I felt so proud and now I truly feel like I can do the Half Marathon...just have to build my strength until then! I am doing the race with two best friends and now we are starting to talk about details of the race weekend...which is making me nervous! But I am so excited and can't believe that a year ago I could not even run a mile. I wish I had tried this years ago, though I don't think I was really ready to go for it then. Wish me luck as I keep training!

Martin + Osa Promo Code--M+O has been having some crazy good promotions. Every time I turn around they are running a new code or event! Right now they are running a Friends and Family event through 9/20 and is good for 30% off any purchase when you enter this code at Checkout: 99400044. I recently ordered a pair of the Slim FIt jeans that were in the Sale Section, just to try...and I really like them! I went with the bigger of the two sizes I am usually between and while they have a little room at the waist, they fit in the knees and legs where the leg is Slim...I also got the sweater I posted about last week and can't wait to wear it!

Coats--So, in the flurry of packing, we had to pack 2 suitcases for stuff through October, and the rest went in the moving van. Well, I very smartly packed a Patagonia rain jacket in case of rain, but strangely I didn't pack ANY other coat for the next month. And um, Fall is definitely here. I want to buy a fall coat that doesn't double up something already in my wardrobe so when my coats arrive it will supplement what I have. I was thinking a shorter, maybe quilted type coat? Or just something thats not a long wool coat. Do you have any suggestions? I can't have it break the bank. Please post ideas of a nice warm layer!

Thanks everyone...hope everyone is having a peaceful day today and a happy weekend.

New JCrew Try-Ons

2009-09-08T21:46:00.001-07:00

I give up, I've just been a terrible blogger! So sorry, reader friends--part of the trouble with moving is that I no longer have my own laptop (OH how I miss it so) and we are waiting until October to have all our apartment/home stuff delivered, so my desktop is over a month away. Sharing Hub's laptop is tricky...for some reason he doesn't understand my wanting to read blogs all evening on it when he wants to read important Current Event articles...hmmm.

BUT! We are at last in the Boston area in our temporary apartment that we will be in for the next month. It felt so good to take the suitcases out of the trunk of the car! Even though I having been living out of an assortment of totes like a bag lady, I haven't given up my shopping...at least window shopping!

I wanted to show you a few things I have tried on recently at JCrew...

Merino Flowery Ruffle Sweater...I believe this was $88. I tried a Medium.

Actual long sleeves! Also came in black, dusty blossom...I love the 100% merino but not a home run for me, so I passed.

Dream Ruffle Cardigan...Tried in Medium.
Sleeves a bit shorter, and the cardigan was a bit too short on me as well...this one not a keeper for me.

Closeup of the pleated ruffle...

Hit closer to the waist..have to wear a longer shirt underneath...

Next, a blazer which I believe is the Wool Twill Nouvell Jacket. A really nice sort of flannel tweedy jacket at $198. I tried a 6 over just a Tshirt and it was nice...but again, too pricey--I know I could find something similar at Gap or something. Nice long and lean fit...

Closeup of the fabric...very soft!

New tuxedo tunic...this was a Shadow Blue Grey. I tried in a Medium with a belt. The SA suggested leggings (not sure I am ready to go there yet). It was cool ,also came in white and a light french blue.

Meh--more coal mining color. I have that! :)

Closeup...

Next, the Wool Pleated Silk Chimera Jacket, retails for $248. I tried it in a 6 in both the Charcoal and the Dusty Blossom.

I thought this fit true to size, and I really liked that the fit was a bit better this year. There is nice seaming to make the jacket have room in the bust but be more fitted at the waist. I tried the charcoal with the gray captain tee, and the dusty blossom with the rooster tee. The jacket is really nice, but I wouldn't be able to spend $248...hoping for a sweet sale in about December ha!

Dusty Blossom...hits right between the waist and hip...not too short!

Gorgeous pleating...

Note the seaming...

OK next up...my neverending pursuit of wearing men's shirts in a chic way. I really want a smart red check one, but they didn't have any size Smalls in my store...I tried on the light blue gingham. I really like this! Have to keep experimenting and look for a sale! So cute!

Here I tried it with the new Chanel-type pique jacket with the gold buttons...

Kinda fun, huh? :)

Here's a look at the jacket on the hanger...

Here's a look at what I was wearing for my shopping day...

I promise to have more soon! What do you think of the new arrivals? Do you have any questions for me? Have you tried any of this on?

Martin + Osa Deals

2009-08-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

Hi all, I'll just keep apologizing for the lags between posts as Hubs and I have been all over the eastern seaboard and haven't yet settled into our new "home" yet. We are having a great time but sadly it has taken me away from blogging a bit!

I love seeing the fall clothes showing up in all my favorite stores as August winds down. I had been excited to see what Martin + Osa would offer this year, as often I like their clothes as a bit more sporty and classic part of my wardrobe. M+O also always seems to have a promotion running, either a coupon or a giveaway or special pricing which makes it easy to try out their clothes or a new style. For example, now through September 1 you can get 20% off your entire order with the code 15816612 online. Also, word is they are doing a big giveaway for Labor Day weekend both online and in stores--with a purchase of full price denim, men will get a leather/webbed belt and women will get a beautiful silk scarf, around a $70 dollar one! Thats what I am talking about!

They have redone their denim and now have even more washes and more defined styles. I loved their Straight Fit from the past year, and my latest favorites are the Boot Fit in New Vintage Wash (great slight wear on a dark wash, without being too ragged or tattered):

I also really want to try their Slim Fit. Until now I haven't been able to wear "skinny jeans" but M+O might be my best shot. Their jeans fit me well in the waist and hips, and have the right amount of stretch without being clingy. The new Flare fit is also great. I wear a 30 or 31 in their jeans. Last year I was a solid 30 but the Slim fit I would definitely want a 31. Let me know if you want more info.

I visited the store this past week and also really liked two of their new sweaters. First, the Ribbed Cardigan Coat, seen here online and retail of $130. Here I am trying on a Medium in the Stone Heather color. Cozy, nice long and lean fit, great with jeans for fall.

(Apologies for these photos...M+O has cool dressing rooms but the lighting makes me look like I am on a spaceship)

Next my favorite current sweater...the Mixed Guage Cowlneck Sweater for $79.50 in all wool. Really liked the fit, feel, and weight of this nice Merino sweater.

Good length in a size Medium...

The neckline has its own shape so the buttons can create different looks...

I love that the M+O clothes have their own style without being fussy. Everything wears easily and I have found that over the past year their sweaters are some of the first I choose to wear. Reminds me of wardrobe staples like a white button down or a trench coat--not about a brand or frills, but about ease and a great fit. I think I will be adding the button turtleneck to that collection...and maybe testing the Slim Fit jeans too!

Hope you enjoy the coupon and giveaway info. Anyone have any M+O questions? Have you been to the store recently? Any new favorites?

Favorite Thing: 8.2 miles!!

2009-08-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

Hello dear readers, today my favorite thing is an accomplishment! I ran 8.2 miles today, my longest yet, in my trek to the Nike Women's Half Marathon in October. Woot!

I can't believe August is almost over and so with it the true weeks of summer. Although fall is one of my favorite seasons, I want to make sure I really appreciate summer. Now that I am back on the east coast, I see the summer I know and love...billowing thunderhead clouds, lush green, hear the cicadas and frogs and crickets, lemonade stands, smell cut grass.

For me, I hope I remember this summer of 2009 as a big one--big move east and hopefully successful training for this half marathon in October.

What has been your favorite part of summer?

JCrew Tee-a-Palooza

2009-08-21T10:16:00.001-07:00

A few more glimpses of JCrew from the past week...

Many of you have been commenting on the graphic tees, I think JCrew is finally testing out new trends in graphic tees that I really like. Here is a look at a few. They were still putting them out so I didn't see all the sizes...

Rooster Tee
I really liked this one! The medium fit well with a open crewneck/scooped neckline, which is my favorite they have done. This tee was a bit more sheer than others, but I liked the look of the natural ink on the ivory.

Next, the Slub Cotton Embroidered Flowers Tee. This one is now online for $42.50, so this pic isn't really a "scoop" but I wanted to show this one just the same. They didn't have my size in this. Its pretty, but I tend to not go for such romantic and feminine graphics in Tees.

Tissue Posy VNeck Tee
This has sort of a simplistic, Dr. Suess or Orla Kiely look to it. But I love their foray into the VNeck embellished tees. $39.50.

And now...
Tissue Beaded Medallion Tee, $45.
I really loved the vneck, the blush pink and the medallions. Of course, this has the typical problem of the weight of the beads, but I feel like if you have good posture and the right size, this can be pulled off.

Some real life pics...

Closeup of how the vneck and beads lie...

Beading is nice medallions and scattered...really pretty coloring.

I held back on these, but I really love the last one. I think it could look great with the Cinnamon Stick Pencil Skirt (!!) or jeans. Really going to keep my eye on this one.

Have any of you seen these tees? What do you think? Have you purchased ant of these? How will you wear them?

Thanks for reading!

Favorite Boutique: The Paris Market Savannah, GA

2009-08-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

Are you starting to wonder where the heck I am? So sorry everyone...as I said these few weeks will be really crazy. I am finally on the New England (yay!) but I was here for 24 hours before I packed up again last Thursday and headed to South Carolina for a wedding. In all this craziness, I have been keeping my eye out for fun things to post about.

Thursday afternoon I spent in Savannah, GA waiting for Hubs flight to get in, wandering around and exploring. What a beautiful little city! Here's a glimpse at one of the parks in town...Beautiful trees dripping with Spanish Moss and sun through rain...

While walking through downtown on Broughton Street, I happened upon a store that really enchanted me, it was called The Paris Market, and their website is theparismarket.com.

The shop was everything Paris...a small cafe counter with espresso, apothecary, jewelry, antique signs. While I could only look quickly, I took a lot of pictures because I loved the way the shop seemed to be full and styled well.

Cafe with mirror back....macaroons, latte, etc...

Treats and Cookbooks...

Wrapping papers, letter coasters and antiques in a case...

Antique type from a printing press, buy by the letter or spell a word...

Lotion, potions, perfume in the apothecary area...

Light up PARIS letters, big dresser with mirror display...

Books with colored string strung above the table...

Curios, shells, driftwood

Look across the shop to the front window...

Jewelry laid out on a quilt...

Another view of the shop as a whole, chandeliers...

Another look at the cafe...

DOWN we go to the underground showroom...

Dimly lit and more rustic down here...

Garden items

French bike on the wall...

More stuff :)

Old buffet and bowls...

So pretty! I loved it.

I hope you all don't mind my posts about boutiques I stumble upon. I love to see what people buy and collect to put in their shop, especially when things are so styled and curated...beautiful!

What do you think? Please tell me what you have been up to recently! Next up, another clothing post!

JCrew New Most Wanteds

2009-08-11T21:09:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

Again--apologies for my long absences. Things have just been absolutely crazy in planning and packing and coordinating for the move east. Every day its been a mix of last-moment fun and getting things together for the move. I really hope I will be able to pick up the posting in the next few days--I have some things lined up to write about so I so appreciate your patience!

A note on Vegas...we had a great time! I wanted to wear my drapey dress but it turned out to be just too HOT (temperature) and dressy for the night out with the girls. The Mirage really exceeded my expectations, it was nicely done and the pool was great. It felt nice to sitin the sun, have some drinks, and just let loose. Thanks for all your well wishes! I ended up wearing a black ruffle halter from Rugby Ralph Lauren and a simple gray skirt from Gap with Jessica Simpson Snakeskin heels.

Of course, in the crazy week leading up to departure, I found a few moments to visit JCrew for the latest arrivals and wanted to get some info out to you all! Two of the items I was really looking forward to were the Maya cardigan and the new Double Sege Pencil Skirt. I LOVED the skirts from last year and I was looking to build my collection for the cooler Boston weather. Read on and thanks for your patience!

Maya Cardigan, $88.
I was looking forward to this cardigan as I loved the gathering at the waist and styling. However, I tried on the Medium and I thought the proportions were a bit off for me...The cardigan was too short in comparison to how the ruching hit me. I didn't hate it, and I thought it could be great on smaller girls, but I held off...

Closeup, this is the Dark Amber yellow color...

Next, the Anton cardigan, $98 in the Heather Dusk color.
I love the look of this and its cozy, but its not a full price must buy for me. Again, I wish the proportions are slightly different on this, but I will keep it in mind for sale item (maybe).

Single button closure is nice.

Thick rib trim on this sweater.

And now....drumroll...the new Double Serge Pencil Skirt of 2009.

I loved this piece last year and now the new version is just the same and great. New this year--side zipper for a nice fit. Better seaming tailoring. Colors are a rich Deep Plum, Black, Peal Gray, Cinnamon Stick (brick) and I heard a Dusty Blossom online later.

A note on sizing--just like last year, the colors fit slightly differently. I feel like this runs TTS to slightly large. In the gray, I tried on the 10 and people said it was too big...the 8 sits higher and will require Spanx but thats ok. The Cinnamon Stick 8 was too small right off the bat and the 10 fit better. Try these on if you can....

Pearl Gray with a button down, $118. Interview! Work! Real professional attire!

Cinnamon Stick...a striated fall orange and brown gorgeous color...

In bright light close up....

Gray and seaming closeup....

Back view of the cinnamon.

Left the sweaters, love the skirts. Have any of you tried these on? Thoughts? Questions?

Thanks for your patience and I look forward to getting back on track!

Packing Up for Vegas

2009-07-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

This weekend we are heading to Las Vegas for Hubs' brother and brother's fiance's combination Bachelor and Bachelorette party. (What a sentence!) Hubs has been planning and working on this for months so while it will be lots of fun, he will be on his game to make sure everything works smoothly.

Today I am packing for this trip, and I find myself wondering what to bring for going out...we'll be going out both Friday and Saturday nights--Friday with everyone guys and girls, Saturday we split up and I'll be heading to the girl's night. I know things are more dressy and glitzy so probably no jeans....I actually have a few dresses and fun tops that I am contemplating, but obviously this will be different from my normal weekend wear!

Can anyone offer any Vegas dressing suggestions?

One thing I am thinking of...

Banana Monogram Draped Dress

I bought this dress in a Monogram sale about a month ago thinking it was Vegas-y. Its champagne and has a draped skirt and criss-cross bodice. Its really unusual and I really want to wear it, though my sister has said that its too dressy for Vegas Bachelorette partying....what do you think?

My sister lent me a leopard print black and white dress that is sort of Vegas only, and I have afew dressy tank tops, but not sure what to wear with them.

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Help!

New JCrew Fall Items

2009-07-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Well I am back from a great great weekend in Boston. Pretty good weather, great Red Sox time, great family time, and a great feeling as I went around our future home city.

More on that later, but I wanted to compile all the new JCrew items I have spotted in the last week. This is a long post, some blurry pics but wanted to get some brief reviews out there! One overall note is that I think that JCrew's sizing is getting a bit back on track. I found that many of my regular sizes were fitting as opposed to having to size down a lot.

Pointelle Stripe V-Neck Cardigan, $88.
This cardigan is a blend fabric and the colors appeared in that summer-blah range. I thought the crystal buttons were pretty, but this cardigan didn't do anything for me. A couple of pics to get a look at the Dusty Blossom color.

French Terry Tie-Neck Pullover, $55.
The latest in French Terry is here. I'm Popeye the Sailloooor Man, I think? OK the smile in this pic is cause I know this top is semi-ridiculous, but I think its kind of cute. I can be almost certain it will go on sale, and who knows, I might pick it up. I would describe this like the puff sleeve slub shirt that they had this spring--the puff sleeves were like a silk twill, the tie on this sweatshirt is very similar.

Cashmere VNeck.
I wanted to take some pictures of how this sweater is fitting and hitting this year. The colors are really pretty. Note that the VNeck is a bit higher and has a thinner trimming than last year. This is a size Medium.

Note the length is about hip, not too long or short.

Here's the neckline detail.

Silk Frances Cami, $88.
I tried this in a retail-only gray and white print. Tried on my size, 8 on top. The neck trim is more standup and structured than the Victoria, but the ruffles down the front are more flat. I liked the print a lot.

Closeup of the ruffles and neckline.

Super close up! Woo!

Perfect Fit Striped Tee, $34.
Cute stripey tee with little ribbon epaulets on the shoulder. This is the classic perfect fit long sleeve tee styling, but with a nice stripe. Also came in Navy and a Dusty Rose color, this is the Gray in a Large. (I feel like I need a Large in Perfect Fit each time)

Detail Shot.

Stretch Wool Schoolboy Blazer, $188.
Tried this in an 8, maybe might have liked to try a 6 tall for a more fitted look, but this one was nice. The dark color looks a bit like a suit jacket, I think this blazer would look better in light gray or a butterscotch.

Detail of the colors and gold buttons.

Downtown Field Jacket in Mossy Brown. $148.
OK, I must be a sucker for masculine jackets cause I like this one too! Love the feel of the surdy canvas, and also that the size on this one was not crazy. This is a Medium, and you can use the snaps to make the waist more fitted.

Open...

Side views of waist tabs.

Endless summer Cardigan, $89.50.
Love the length of this cardigan, but not sure about the fit, I think you want it to fit real close, but this medium might be a bit snug.

Thick trim on the hem.

Velvet Eden Blazer, $148.
I tried both the 8 and the 6 in this, They are just different options--the 8 was more roomy, the 6 was almost a shrunken fit. This is the Dusty Blossom, I actually thought this was copper cause it is darker than what I thought the blossom would be. Overall the fit is much better on me than the Ecole, I love the buttons and the peplum is nice. Took a lot of pics cause I know people are interested.

Ribbon-front Top, $88.
Tried on in a 6 since there was no 8 in the store. A bit small at that size, no zipper. Felt Charlotte Yorky but in a good way. The ribbon is stitched on and a bit sheer.

Closeup of applique...

Thats my first rundown! Have you seen any of these items? What do you think? I used my Rewards card for the patterned Frances cami, I have loved the Victoria blouses and the patterned one is distinctive. They were still unpacking the new arrivals at my store, so I will keep you posted as more come out.

Any questions, thoughts?

JCrew Goldwyn Dress

2009-07-22T12:32:00.001-07:00

I wanted to post a quick review of the JCrew Goldwyn Dress in case anyone sees in it the Final Sale or a popback. I had originally not really noticed this dress or dismissed it as having a sort of Simba/Cowardly Lion mane thing going on with the detailing.

Then I saw it in person as my mom had ordered it, and I finally found it on sale last week and decided to risk the Final sale (ugh) to give it a go. I am really glad I did!

I ordered the size 10. This dress is on sale for $99.99 down from a retail price of $185. Item number is item 15190. It is flax linen material with metallic and satiny trim. The metallic ribbon makes up the bottom layer of knots on the bodice and the straps, and a wheat colored satin is the top layer of knots. Its very pretty in person! Fitted bodice, full skirt, POCKETS, knee length, fully lined with a pleated little flounce at the hem underneath. Runs true to size.

Front view...sorry for the wrinkles I wore it right out of the box and took this shot after dinner.

Bodice detail and ribbony straps...

Back view of criss cross back (and my hair looking a little crazy). Plus hands in pockets!

I wore this out last night with a navy cardigan and Almond Juliet heels. I think it would also look great with brown into fall.

Anyone else seen or tried this dress? What are your thoughts? I hope I get to weat it again soon!

Commitment: Its Official

2009-07-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Well this blog has certainly helped me learn about myself and also how great it can be to have an online community (thanks! :) ) and so I am hoping it can also help me be accountable for a big personal project.

Thats right, I am officially committing to the 2009 Women's HALF (note the big HALF) Marathon in October. So far my longest run is 6.5 miles, but I hope I can work my way up in my training. The past weeks I have been trying to go from 3 to 4 runs or at least 3 runs and another workout. The Marathon is here in SF, so I just today bought my ticket to return for the race from Boston which means no matter what I am coming back for the run! I am doing the race with 2 of my best friends--one training here in SF, one in Cincinnati, so we are trying to help either stay motivated.

I may post from time to time on here about how its going, just to keep myself honest. I would love any tips from other runners! This is a huge undertaking for me and I ony hope I can finish the race. Until now I have been sort of hedging on whether or not I am realllly going to do the race. Today I am saying--I'm gonna do it!

Hope its OK to have a few running posts. Thanks for being so positive here, everyone!

Happy Place

2009-07-20T12:00:00.001-07:00

This has been a crazy few days--a sad goodbye to my coworkers in Santa Barbara, a late night drive back Friday, a busy weekend with girlfriends which was great, and now finishing work in the next 48 hours. This weekend I am off to Boston for a quick trip to look at homes but more importantly to sit right over there on that wall in the picture for Green Monster Seats this Saturday! My dad won the tickets and so my fam will be taking in the game from way up high and I can't week. Next weekend we will be off to Vegas (more on that later) and then only a short while before I head to the east coast for good. Things will be hectic in the next days but I will try to keep you all posted.

Everyone have a good weekend? Where's your happy place this summer?

Saved by the... Drive

2009-07-16T16:09:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

Well this morning I got up early for my last drive to my company headquarters in Santa Barbara. Besides being sad to make this last trip, I was also sad...to miss some shopping opportunities this morning.

This turned out to be lucky, since I need to COOL IT with the shopping lately, but there was a Rebecca Minkoff sale on Gilt.com and a Final Sale for many brands on Rue La La, both starting this morning as I was in the midst my 5 hours of personal singalong on the road.

For example, if I had been near a computer, this might have been mine:

Tory Burch Edyn Dress, on Rue La La today.

This was on sale again today, I first tried to get it during the first sale, it sold out. Then I thought I glimpsed one on sale on ToryBurch.com, order got cancelled. Now its OFFICIALLY not meant to be.

Or perhaps I would have ordered this...

Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch in tan, from Gilt.com

Rebecca Minkoff was a funny brand for me. I had never heard of it, then one day I saw a bag in a blog post, went to the Purse Forum site, and instantly I had to have one of her bags. Like, right now. Thats actually the way I work a lot on high ticket items, I become obsessed until I get something. Its, um a little dangerous.

So a few months ago I got my first RM bag, a Morning After Bag in Dark Brown, on half off from RevolveClothing.com. Its so pretty, holds so much, and the leather is great. People have been asking about this bag, so I wanted to post a bit about it. I really love it--even though I usually like more light, whisky browns, the dark brown has been a great color, and it has an adorable blue and ivory striped lining. It holds a lot and slouches to fit. Both handles stay on my shoulder comfortably (!!) and I can find things easily in it. The gold harware is not too glitzy.

Here's a pic of it right out of the box:

Ha! Notice the JCrew box under my desk, I'm terrible.

And you all saw the bag in action in my recent post:

Anyway, I am happy I missed these sales, money stayed in my pocket for the day, and I can revel in some things I already have that I love (or ones on their way)....

Did anyone shop these sales today? Any more questions about the RM bag? Does anyone need an invitation to Gilt.com or Rue La La?

have a great evening!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale--PreSale Trip

2009-07-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

So I finally had time to visit my local Nordstrom and view the Pre-Sale rooms for the Anniversary Sale this weekend. Ever since I had heard about it last week I had been itching to go check it out. I wasn't able to try everything, but hopefully I can shed light on a few things and also get the excitement going for FALL!

Each floor of my store had a curtained off area with pre-sale merchandise. If you were interested in something, you could request your size and try it on. If you wanted to purchase, you could place your order, and depending on the item, you can pick it up the 14th or it will be shipped to you. In this way you avoid some of the sale craziness when the sale actually begins on Thursday (although it was pretty crazy in there Sunday too!)

First thing is the Suzi Chin.Maggy Boutique Ruffle Front Dress. $78.90 during sale, after will be $118. I thought this looked like a total copy of the JCrew Michelle dress from last year. This Nordstrom dress is pull on style, and a stretchy poly/wool blend. Wasn't right for me, sort of hung on me. See below...this turned out to be a pass.

Next, they have an all-weather Burberry coat in the sale this year. Its a Swing style//A-Line coat, with a detachable hood and a zip out wool liner for warmth. Really great coat. I tried on the 8 here, but it was a bit wide for me, maybe I should have tried the 6? Not sure. This is on sale for $459.90 down from normal price of $695. Not in my budget right now, but a great investment piece.

Wool lining over Novacheck.

And now...the LizPoms leather jacket roundup. I have never had a leather jacket, but I am interested in one for fall this year, I can picture wearing it almost like a blazer with a pencil skirt or with jeans and a scarf. I tried a few one for comparison purposes....

First, Halogen merlot leather jacket. This has a cropped fit and a ribbed hem to be sort of a shrunken motorcycle fit. This one is $149.90 on the sale. The merlot color is pretty, but a little red for me. Really think this will be a great seller. The leather for me was not my favorite, but great little jacket. Pics below are size Medium.

Next, the Bernardo leather jacket. This one was more cognac, so of course my favorite color. But it was a bit more boxy in the shape, wider in the body and shorter length. Great detailing. This one was $179.90 during the sale. Pics below are a Medium.

You can see the color and details--a bit lighter in color.

Little fit issue with the shoulders/waist/bust fitting differently.

Lastly, the Caslong Distressed Brown Leather Jacket. This one is a bit longer and leaner, but a distressed darker leather. Nice seaming to it. This one is $149.90. First pic is the Medium, other pics are when I tried a small.

With scarf pretending its fall.

Scarf, open with bag.

I picked this Caslon jacket! I think it is nice enough to have a polished look, but the leather is really nice and love the distressed look. I am picturing wearing with my Ochre pencil skirt from last year and an ivory sweater. yay!

Other snaps from the accessories area. There were 100% Cashmere scarves in solids and stripes for $49.90. These were side and long, almost wraps, in a sweatery knit.

Cognac bag alert!

Miles of watches...

Pretty display of pashmina-y scarves.

I also placed a preorder for some Spanx and Hanky panky thongs (4 for $45). Very exciting, I know. Overall I liked browsing the sale early and I am excited to find both basics and a fun addition to my wardrobe in the leather jacket. Woo! Oh, the shoes and boots are nice but I steered clear for budget and craziness reasons. Some GORGEOUS Frye tall cognac boots.

Has anyone else been to the sale? Any purchases? What are you looking forward to?

Found Boutique: Stripe in Santa Cruz, CA

2009-07-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

Lately I have had some good luck finding amazing shops and boutiques to while away an hour in!

Today Hubs and I decided to take a road trip to Santa Cruz. We had never been and it has been on Hubs' California "bucket list" to see before we move. Wellll, Santa Cruz and its infamous boardwalk wasn't really our scene...a little too high on the hippie/crunchy/pot/grunge scene for us downtown and TOO many people jostling at the boardwalk, but maybe we didn't come on the right day or something.

However, in our strolling around the downtown area, we happened upon this very cool shop called Stripe on Walnut Avenue just off of Pacific. The store is a blend of new and vintage items, once again curated in such a neat and purposeful way. It took more than 45 minutes just to see everything in the shop. There were clothes by Sunhee Moon, vintage shoes (Ferragamo flats!), vintage suitcases, keys, jewelry, kids things, housewares (60s pitchers, thermos', syrup pourers, teacups, etc etc).

Soaps, toiletry cases, belts, pillows, plastic dinnerware...

Midcentury furnishings, handmade stuffed fish, vintage cowboy boots, serving trays....

Old keys, rings, buttons, all displayed in pretty bowls...

Bright and airy space with everything in its place...see the luggage stacked on a surfboard in the window (!)

This is for Ms. Mer... a MINI Bucky the cardboard moose! They had them in all sizes, and even a full hippo that sat on your floor...

Jwelry of old keys, antique filem cufflinks, etc etc....

This was all I could snap. Turns out the company does Residential, Retail, and Showroom design. You can see their website and online store here at stripedesigngroup.com.

I loved this little shop! I have such an interest in seeing different retail stores and experiences, and this one was so great...even Hubs loved it. I left with a great toiletry case ( a new item) and a very Betty Draper vintage ivory silk slip, that was only $16! Tons of fun.

If you are ever in Santa Cruz, make sure to visit this store! Have a great weekend, all!

JCrew--Couple New Items

2009-07-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

While on vacation on the east coast, I visited a few B&M stores and tried to find stuff to review. I am ashamed to say I only came back with two item photos! Oops, sorry all!

First up, the Slub Cotton Shirred Ruffles Tank, item 17329 for $35, shown here. Some people have been excited about this tank, but I wasn't inspired, I think I would rather it with more of a scoopneck, tanks in a sort of muscle-tank style don't really work for me.

I tried this in a Small since the SA described it as "boxy". Its so funny--I am NOT a small, but JCrew has me defaulting to downsizing as I shop in the stores...anyone else?

Here it is. The size fit ok, but style wasn't my fave:

You can see the Small hits at my hip--not skintight, not too baggy.

Next up, the long tipped cardigan. This must be a retail-only item as I can't find it online. They had about 3-4 colors of this. A cream/lavender is the other one I remember--I will take better notes next time! I believe it was $88, long and lean silhouette. Again, I tried on a Small. These sweaters are tough because the small fits me in the shoulders and doesn't get a baggy-grandpa effect, but I can't button all the way down to my hips.

Pretty cute, but I find tipped things like this challenging--what to pair it with? You already have two colors and sort of a "pattern" going on with the tipping, can't add too much else. Weigh in--how would you wear a tipped cardigan?

I left both of these items at the store. I am now EAGERLY waiting the fall rollout. Fall is totally my fashion weakness. Speaking of that, has anyone seen these boots on the site...

SWOON! If this is a shape of things to come, I cannot wait! These are on my wish list for sure, but $325, eep! Here's hoping for a TURKEY-like promo.

What do you think? What things are on your wishists?

Favorite Summer Stop: Weekend, Orleans MA

2009-07-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

One of the things I wanted to cover from my recent trip to the east coast is a stop by my favorite Cape Cod boutique, Weekend in Orleans.

Weekend is a gorgeous shop with items for the home, gifts, clothes, and kids/baby. My mom, sister and I make a stop there every time we are on the Cape. I love the way the shop showcases items, everything is displayed beautifully. I snapped these pics on my stop there last week.

A view of the homeware/gift items...

Baby and kids area--books, toys, and fun items...

Orla Kiely bags, cashmere sweaters, pillows and totebags...

Gorgeous jewelry arrangement..

Stationery and paper wares...

Every item in this store is special and unique, and the owner selects things like it is a curated collection. I can't help leaving with a little something(s).

This trip I brought home a few fun whimsical tees as well as some great cotton items from LAMade.

Cute Yellow Whale Design tee! Love this fun one.

Black cotton maxi dress from LAMade, $78. To wear with gold earrings and sandals.

Organic Cotton Oyster Print cotton tee (a Cape Cod yummy treat).

Sorry everything is wrinkled, this is right out of my suitcase! Visit capeweekend.com to learn more about this great shop.

Any favorite shops you have found in your travels?

Stalking Pays Off! Chain Ribbon Silk Ribbon Necklace.

2009-07-02T12:33:00.001-07:00

Oh yeah. One of the successes from my trip? I found this necklace I have been wanting for like AGES for $39.99. YES! Its $39.99 in stores! Go out and look for one if you have been waiting for a good price!

Anyone have this necklace? Whats your favorite way to wear it? Any other recent scores for any of you?

The "Big News" !

2009-07-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

This picture is a hint...can anyone guess?

That picture is the lovely skyline in Boston, granted in the rainy yucky weather of last week. Our big news is that we are moving back to the Boston area this fall! Now, many people will wonder why we are leaving California for Boston. We have lived out west now for seven years, away from family, friends, and our roots. We have always known we wanted to head back east eventually, and Hubs got a new job that starts this fall, so we are finally make the move.

We are so so excited about this change, even though we know its a big change and there are lots of challenges ahead. But we are hoping this is a start of the next phase of life for us--buying a house, settling down, having a family, and being in a place to call home. The east coast is just our home, always has been and now we are finally heading back! We have had a great adventure together in California for the last 7 years but it feels great to be heading to Life 2.0!

We spent part of our trip last week scoping out areas and neighborhoods in the area and we are really looking forward to going back this summer again to look for places to live. If anyone has any suggestions or experiences with the area, I would love to hear it.

In the coming months I'll be back and forth to Boston and finishing work here, looking forward to the move, packing up our place here, and making some changes. I am really excited and happy to share the news here!

More posts to come!

Some of the many things I am looking forward to--Red Sox and Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee!

PS--YES I know it gets cold there :)

I'm baackkk!

2009-06-29T17:05:00.000-07:00

Wow that was a long absence from My Favorite Things. Sorry Everybody!

I have plans for some posts, but here are a few quick tidbits:

We had a fabulous trip even though it was rainy on the east coast
I tried your packing tips and THANK YOU! I kept with a color pallette: yellow, navy, white and touches of gray and it worked so well, helped me pack, plan, and smile as I got dressed on my trip. Also I rolled my clothes as I packed and used areas of my luggage to remember where things were. Overall, it was a MUCH better packing experience than usual!
I bought my first bottles of ACV this morning and am joining the bandwagon. Thanks to Gigi for the inspiration--I am hoping this helps me start a quick detox from my vacation which included Fried Scallops, many drinks, Clam Chowder, and cupcakes.
There are some changes coming up for Hubs and I that I am really excited about, more to come on that! (Not a baby right now! Thats what I know people will think haha)
I visited some JCrews as well as a few favorite vacation boutiques this trip and I will try to post some shopping info/pics from those soon. As Hubs says, "some people travel to see America's Greatest Ballparks...you just want to see the JCrew wherever we are going." So true!

It's great to be back. What did I miss? Do you have any questions for me? More later, thanks all for still reading after my hiatus!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2009-06-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

This Friday Hubs and I head off for a 10 day trip to all parts of the East Coast: New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Boston, and Cape Cod. I cannot wait as we will be seeing MANY family and friends and that is such a special treat.

However, when trips approach, I panic for one reason--packing. I am simply horrible at it and just dread the task completely. I start out all right and at the end I am piling anything desirable into the bulging suitcase.

Sorry for the quick post, but...Do any of you have any packing tips? Calling all help here! Please post your methods for great (or even non-horrible) packing in the Comments. Thanks in advance!

JCrew New Arrivals June

2009-06-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

Good morning all. Much better day today without a deposit from a flying friend. Sorry for that rant yesterday. And it looks like it WAS good luck for my Sox last night! Woot!

Moving on. I went to the B&M last night to do some returns and I wanted to pass along some more looks from the new items. So far I have only seen some navy items and I tried to take pics of stuff I hadn't seen yet. If you have questions, please let me know!

First, the Navy 60s Dress. They only had a size 4 (couldn't fit that around my thigh, ha) so I wanted to take some detail pics so you can see more of the dress.

Pattern closeup, pretty navy dots that are not perfect circles, some have some "watercolor" effect around the edges of the dots. Has a folded bodice with stitching around the natural waist...

The belt is prob about .5 to .75 inches in width in the dress fabric, with the buckle being wrapped in the fabric...

Some pintuck pleats on the sides of the waist. I liked the dress, but would have to see it on. I am not sure if its me, but it is a super cute dress if you can find one!

Next up, new suiting dress with the scallop like was on the Broadcloth Scallop shirt. Named the "Super 120s Papillon dress" for $195 on the website, here. I tried this on in a size 10 for the sheath like fit as I didn't want it to be too tight on the hips. It was slightly roomy, but I think an 8 might be too slim, so not sure. Hits at the knee.

Liked the detail on this, could wear to work or dress it up.

Boatneck tee shirt, really cute. There was a white with gray stripes version and a white with navy version (seen later in post). This is a medium. Boatnecks are not a shape I usually wear, but I liked the long and lean feel of this shirt. It retails for $29.50, 3/4 sleeves.

On the hanger...in gray.

New beaded tee, creamy color with blue beads. This is a medium. I would say it is a bit longer than some of the crewneck tees they have had recently. I liked this, but the beads were a bit heavy so you would have to treat it with a bit of care.

Pretty beading!

Next item is a cotton linen scoopneck...I have only seen this in stores, not online. I have seen it for a few weeks but hadn't picked it up til now. This is a medium. It has a deep scoopneck, two small pockets at the hip, and a long and lean fit with a bit of slouchyness. You could wear a cami underneath or not.

Neckline twisted detail...

Tag info, retails for $88. This was actually my favorite item of the night, sort of a dark horse option. I believe it also comes in a brown and navy along with natural.

Cotton Silk Strapless Top with Flower
$128, sort of a Carrie Bradshaw thing going on. I tried this mostly for fun but I kinda liked it! The flower is pins that you can move around. I tried on an 8, but it sort of hung away from the body, so I would try a 6 if they had it. It has an inner corset thing like they have had in some dresses. Floaty feeling though, a fun top!

Closer, not too see through.

This is the Next Generation of the Rumpled Terry, I think. A cardigan that is a bit thinner, v-neck (no shawl), comes in a few colors, lighter weight, stripes and solids.

The Coal Miner Shirt (until we have a better name)...I liked this! This is a 6, didn't have an 8. I would probably go up to the 8 as the 6 pulled a bit at the buttons. Really well tailored, at last not a JUMBO man shirt.

I liked the roll up sleeves. I think this could be really fun with a pencil skirt as something unexpected, or with white pants, or even as a modified "cardigan". Really liked this too!

Closeup of the fabric and detail.

There was a swiss dot/tuxedo top. It was a bit boxy and had a lot going on. This is a size 8. I didn't love this one but it could be fun for work.

Tag detail on this one...

Navy version of the boatneck...

PHEW! Ok thats it. Thanks for getting through that with me. Amazingly, I walked out without having bought anything--yay for money back in my wallet! I am going to keep thinking of the Cotton Linen Scoopneck, as well as the Coal Miner's Shirt.

What do you think of the new arrivals? Can I answer any questions for you? Happy Friday, chime in here!

A Tale of Woe

2009-06-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

So, readers. This morning I had planned to write a post about my part-time job as a Sherpa, that is, ferrying all of my belongings to and from work each day. Every morning I pack up my laptop, gym clothes, various need for errands, snacks, wallet, makeup bag etc etc etc and schlepp it on my 45 minute commute. Its not so much the commute I hate but the heavy 60lb monkey on my back in the form of all my daily accoutrement.

This Sherpa post will have to wait however, dear readers, as this morning I suffered one of my greatest fears. What would that be, you say? Nuclear war? A giant earthquake in the Bay Area? No no no. My worst fear comes in the form of getting a GIANT dump on me from the heavens above in the form of being a victim of a bird crap.

I really do not like birds. Look, I have love for all creatures great and small, and I know birds are loveable to some. I just don't like them fluttering above me or squawking or divebombing or pecking or whatever it is that birds do on a daily basis to give me the creeps. My friends love to tell the story of a trip where we were in Paris for a whirlwind trip, and somehow a family of pigeons had made their way down into the tunnel of the Metro. As we walked down this tunnel, they took flight, about waist high soaring towards our heads. While my friends laughed I screamed and flattened myself against a wall. I mean, it was a confined tunnel! They were coming right for us!! On a trip to Italy, probably one of the best weeks of my life, I still shudder remembering stepping onto St. Mark's square and seeing a see of birds amongst the tourists, taking flight in huge swarms as most people squealed in delight. (Why are all my bad bird experiences international? Those are my only trips out of the country, too...hmm)

This morning I was walking to work, on the last block leading to my office. I was on the phone with my mom, chatting about the day ahead. I had paused to slow down before getting to my destination, feeling optimistic about the morning ahead and trying to have a sunny outlook despite the cloudy skies. All of a sudden, I heard a PHWAP, PHWAP PHWAP pappapap. Wha?? And I looked down and ALL over my trench coat sleeve, laptop bag and as I quickly realized--MY HAIR--was a thick, yellow, brown, crazy large deposit from up above. Everywhere everywhereeverywhere.

I would like to say I remained calm, but I yelled, hung up on my mom, and ran to my office where I shouted to Ms Mer that I had had a huge commute tragedy. She is a saint and helped me with some paper towels and commiseration, I then went to my gym to shower (paper towels and water didn't work!) and dropped my coat at the cleaners.

I am really hoping this is good luck, sign from above, or omen of great fortune. (Can anyone vouch for this idea?) (If so, please forward good fortune to the Red Sox, thank you.)

Needless to say, the day took a different turn. Sherpa post will be later. Until then, my friends, I am thankful for my coat, a nearby shower, and the knowledge that I knew all along that THOSE BIRDS ARE ALL OUT TO GET ME.

Love, LizPoms

Pants Recommendation: GAP Pants

2009-06-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

Some other great bloggers have been reviewing pants recently, so I wanted to pass along a couple favorites from the Gap that I have found.

First, the Boyfriend Jeans that I bought about a month ago are now available online! I love these and recommend sizing down as they have a slouchy fit and stretch. They are really comfortable! I purchased a size 8, where I am normally a 10 in pants these days. Only a bit of rippage and whiskering, no huge slashes, wear, or tears.

Vital Stats:
Here is the link to them on the website.
$59.50
Item #655446

Here is the web image:

And here is my old picture of the jeans in action. I love them rolled or unrolled, and they look great in contrast to a preppy or feminine top.

Next, the Hip Slung Pant fit is really nice, they have many fabrics and colors and they are mostly on sale right now. They have a little stretch and a low rise fit. The "regular" length is doable for wearing flats for me at 5'9". I take a size 10 in these, I recommend ordering true to size.

Vital Stats:
See all Hip-Slung Pants at the top of this page.
Price: Range $39.99 to $54.50 (saw for $30.99 in store)

Here is a pair I like for my next pair, the Pinstripe Slub version:

And here is a dressing room pic of a size 10 Regular in the cotton linen fabric. These do not have as much give to them as there is no spandex, but they have a sleek fit and have relaxed since wearing them.

I like finding pants for less than $40 if I can as I find my tastes change on pants and I never know what I "love". Have any of you tried the Hip Slung pants? What do you think? Any other recent Gap finds?

Have a great day!

PSA: Go see Up!

2009-06-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

I just adored this movie. First, I love the work Pixar does--the animation, the detail, the characters, it is a true art form that I have loved since Toy Story. This new story was so great and whimsical...I didn't know much about it going into the film, but it was great.

Beware though--I cried! Quite the tearjerker backstory of Carl and his earlier life (hes the old guy in the pic above). Beautiful story. But you know what they say--I laughed, I cried, I loved it! Hubs and I also laughed out loud throughout the movie, and the 3D was really fun. I love to feel like a kid again and this movie perfectly fit that bill.

I would love to hear about any summer movies you all have seen! Have you seen Up? Any others? What did you think?

I think my next movie will be "Away We Go" with John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph. And I will be saving the date for Toy Story 3, coming next June!

A few new JCrew Items...

2009-06-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

Some disclaimers...

...This was late last week and I only saw these couple of items on the floor, there are sure to be more new items and posts to come!

...I didn't love these items. I just saw them as new and wanted to pass them along for the blog.

...I don't like the way these look on me, eek. Just passing along for sizing and blog IRL purposes only.

...I hope there are more new things and I can find them soon. More to come!

First, the Burnished Linen Cropped Trouser, shown here.
Tried on in size 10. On the hanger--you can see the sheen but also some wrinkle effect.

Bad photo of the tag, with special tag for the Crespi mill.

These fit a bit higher on the waist and tighter than the Cafe Capri...not much give to the fabric. Cringe, these look too tight. Not for me. Cropped and Cuffed.

Next up, a short I haven't seen online. Didn't try on as they didn't have my size. Its a textured chocolate/ivory linen in a Bermuda Short style. $68.

Full view.

Last, the Cotton Eliza Skirt, shown here online for $88.
Tried on in size 10. Too full for me. I can't have a fully pleated skirt like this hehe...scary!

View on hanger of the fabric and the color.

Tag closeup...

None of these items even crossed over to "consideration" level for me. But this was my first snapshot of the coming new arrivals...and I wasn't excited, very hopeful for more. Also, I was really amazed that the three newest items heading into the peak of summer were all dull brown neural colors. I don't mind this color, but I couldn't believe this skirt wasn't in a bright color.

Have you seen any new arrivals? What do you think?

Visit to Edition, BR's new Accessories Store

2009-06-07T22:54:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share some pics and tales from my recent trip to Edition, Banana Republic's new Accessories-focused store. This store is located in the Westfield City Centre shopping mall in downtown San Francisco, and opened in May.

I have visited this store a few times since the opening, and I have to say I am impressed. There is something about seeing only the accessories in one place that really makes a great shopping experience. The staff are helpful and friendly here and eager to explain how the concept store works without being pushy at all.

Here's the entrance in the apparently very dim mall.

I sighted some cute sandals that I hadn't seen from BR before...

The store is set up with a wall of jewelry along one wall. The jewelry is arranged in vignettes by stone or theme. I love the way you can touch all the jewelry, mix and match pieces, etc without it feeling like its behind glass. They also feature a line of charms in initial letters which can be added to a bracelet or a chain necklace--cursive, block, or set on a disc. When I was there last they had just added a line of zodiac charms.

The rest of the store is set up in small "rooms" to peek into. Here I was looking into the center room with handbags, scarves, and the understated cashwrap that is more like a desk.

Another view of the front of the store, showing the front room that showcased summery clutches, sunglasses, rings, etc.

I really recommend a visit to this store if you are in the Bay Area--the SA said they would be getting new merchandise every few weeks. I liked that it was almost a curated collection--the best of regular BR accessories in one accessible place, while adding some unique pieces. The other thing is since its BR, the prices stay the same at doable price points. Last great feature? Its accross from JCrew!

Have any of you heard or been to the store? What do you think? Do you like the idea of a BR accessories-only boutique?

Home Inspiration

2009-06-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

Hubs and I are dreaming of owning our own home soon, and every once in a while I allow myself to look for home inspiration where there is actual freedom to paint our own walls, and when I do I find myself 15 minutes later with drool on my keyboard and stars in my eyes.

Here are a few recent pics that I love. All are completely from Apartment Therapy and I credit them for the awesomeness.

Where do you find your inspiration? What has inspired you in decorating your home? What is your favorite room?

Favorite Thing: Ork Posters

2009-06-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

I adore these graphic city posters from orkposters.com. I have 3 of them hanging in my living room--Brooklyn (where I lived after college), Boston (where we hope to end up and home of my beloved sister and Red Sox), and San Francisco where we are living now. Each poster divides the city into its neighborhoods and cool typography to outline the areas of town. I have hung them in a bit of a tryptych over the couch. I love the simplicity of them and the colors.

They seem to be adding more cities all the time and they recently did a special edition of the human heart that I thought was really cool.

Check them out!

Summer Pant: Linen Beach Pant from JCrew

2009-05-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

So in my week of all things summer, I wanted to pass along another item I liked from the JCrew summer rollout.

I tried on the Linen Beach Pant, in City Fit, size 10, Mineral Gray. These are $69.50 in stores and online, found here.

I really like the City fit the best of JCrew fits, and I liked these a lot. They have a nice comfy wider leg, a great flare on the bottom for flip flop wearing, and a nice waistband that has elastic as well as a drawstring. However, they have a welt pocket on the back and front pockets as well, so they are a bit more tailored than just pull on pants.

I really liked these--I don't love wearing shorts, but these will be great going from beach to dinner with a tank or cardigan this summer. I love the color and these aren't too sheer.

Of course they will wrinkle as linen does, but I think that is ok for pants such as these.

These were nearly sold out in all colors in one store I went to over Memorial Day Weekend, another had a few--these seem to be popular! Really comfortable and somewhat reasonable price. I brought these home as I think they will fit in to my summer lifestyle.

What do you think? Have you tried these on? Like them for yourself?

Looking forward...

2009-05-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

Continuing my week of summer longing...Can't wait for summer movies season!

Tastes of Summer

2009-05-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

I LOVE to eat. It's true, no matter that overall I have been trying to eat better, I have to admit that I am the kind of girl who is always thinking of her next meal. For example, tonight my dad is in town and we are meeting him for dinner, so I was just about to look up the restaurant menu to see what might be deeelicious. Come on, you can't tell me you haven't done that!

Around this time of year, the tasty treats start ramping up for the summer season. In the last week, I have gotten to have two of my all time favorite summer foods...peaches and grilled corn on the cob.

When I went into the Safeway on Monday, I could smell the peaches right away. And as soon as I got close enough to touch them, I knew it wasn't a fakeout--the peaches were ripe and fragrant. I used restraint and bought 5, which I have already finished--I've got to go back! My favorite way to eat peaches is dripping over the sink or sliced with Cheerios and cold milk. And no, Hubs didn't get any--he's not as much of a fan of the "pitted fruits". hehe.

Similar experience with the corn--saw it, had to have it that day, no matter that it was a weekday and grilling corn is a bit of a project. But SO worth it! You peel back the husks, leaving them intact, take off the silks, rewrap the corn in its husk, then soak all ears for 30 minutes in cold water. I usually put them in a big pan with a plate to weigh them down in the water. Once they have soaked, they will be more moist and not completely char. We grill them for 25-30 minutes, turning them occaisionally. Scrumptious! The carmelization on the corn makes the flavor really stand out. I can't wait for our next batch!

What are your favorite summer foods? Have you been able to treat yourself yet?

New Jcrew Ochre Ikat Skirt

2009-05-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I visited a couple of JCrew stores, but I didn't see too much that I had to have or even needed to photograph--I think some of the items are still on their way to the store.

One item I really liked was the new Ochre Ikat pencil skirt, pictured below...

Item number 16062, $88. I have on a size 10 here. I like that there are pockets but they are built into the front instead of the side seams, so they lie flat. I love the colors of peach, ochre, yellow, and ivory together. Not sure what I would wear with this but I think the fabric is really pretty. The SA said there was a retail-only cardigan but it sold out in the same print.

Anyone seen this skirt? Like it? Buy it? Weigh in!

You know you are a TV addict when...

2009-05-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

All of the shows are ending for the season and you decide to leave the TV on for the last 15 minutes of that new FOX show GLEE, even though you had no intention of watching it at all. And then the next morning you are updating your iTunes settings to download the Glee cast version of "Don't Stop Believin'".

And then you listen to it on repeat all morning.

Anyone else watch this last night? I see that this song is number 3 on Top 100 iTunes Downloads, so they must have done something right.

Thanks for the info on the Nordstrom's sale! Anyone heading there today? What did you find?

PS Go Kris!

Can Anyone Confirm...?

2009-05-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

I was doing some research for work and I saw on a website that the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale is this week, starting tomorrow? But I can't find anything on the nordstrom.com site.

Does anyone know? This definitely needs to be factored into the weeks' plans!

Thanks in advance for info!

PS. Last year Ms Mer and I attempted to walk to the sale at lunchtime for a shopping lunch break. Turns out the 10 minute walk was actually like a 23 minute walk. We will not attempt that for lunch again!

Deal of the Week...

2009-05-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, so did I mention I am on a dress kick? After today I am doing a full review and keeping just the favorites. But I think I have a new favorite!

Last night I received this Lilly Pulitzer Sienna Medallion dress from Rue La La last night. Rue La La is an invitation shopping site, and though they have "boutiques" every day, this is the first time I have ordered from them. I had actually seen this dress last summer at a Lilly boutique, In the Pink, on the east coast. I couldn't handle the $328 price tag (cough!) but I loved the colors and feel of the dress. When it showed up on the Lilly Rue La La boutique for $70 I was pumped and made my first order. If anyone wants an invitation to Rue La La, let me know and I can try and send you one--there are many boutiques, for example today was Cole Haan.

This dress is more of an a-line shape than the JCrew ones, which I feel more comfortable in. Its also a bit longer which I like as well. The dress is an ivory cotton with bright blue embroidery.

Here's a closeup of the pattern. You can't tell from far away, but its little fish and shells. Its subtle beachiness.

I really like this dress and I recommend looking for deals on Lilly dresses. Her looks are really preppy, but they have great color and a bright summery feeling.

I'm excited about this deal! Do you belong to any invitation-only shopping sites? Do you like them? What kinds of scores have you had from there?

Summer is almost here...

2009-05-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

This weekend in the bay area it was hot. HOT. Real hot.

Its hard to take the heat here for some people, with no AC and a year full of foggy damp days. But to me, it heralds the arrival of SUMMER! And I love that feeling of longer nights, warmth on your skin, sun on your face.

For me, I can't wait for our summer trip to the east coast to see friends, family, and the beach. Only about 5 weeks until cocktail hour on the beach with this as the view...

What are you looking forward to most about this summer? Trips planned? Time off? Relaxing? Favorite ice cream stand?

Have a great week all, look forward to hearing from you!

JCrew Sale Dresses

2009-05-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am on a dress kick. I ordered two dresses on sale from JCrew last week. They are both the same style, different fabrics. I had in mind a casual summer wedding or a bridal/baby shower, or a fun night out in good weather!

I ordered both of these dresses in a size 10 for two reasons--a bit more length and to make sure to be able to wear a strapless bra with them. I had tried on an 8 in one of them before and it fit fine but was too short. The dresses below are slightly longer, but they still are falling on the short end of my comfort level. A few of you have been asking about my height--I am almost 5'9", with a long torso and stubbier legs (blah).

Disclaimer: Please ignore my weird photo setup, funny pose, chubby knees, and need for a haircut and more of a tan in these pictures.

First up, the Metallic Linen Strapless Dress. I really like the fabric of this--its like a dressy chunky linen weave. The metallic is not too sparkly at all. Hits about 2 inches above my knee--wish it was about an inch and a half longer :) I added a brown leather belt as they have it styled in the catalog, you can find it online for $99.99 here. Also...these dresses have pockets!

Check out a closeup on the bodice and pleating.

Next up, the Linen Constellation Strapless Dress. Same exact cut I think, fabric a bit lighter. You can find it online here for $99.99. Again, wish it was slightly longer. I really like the bright and cheery red and pink color combo of this one, its a bit different for me but a fun change.

Closeup of the pattern.

The jury is out on these, I like them both but am going to think about it. For some reason, even though the dresses fit all right, I get a "big person in a little dress" vibe from strapless dresses on me lately, which may just be a complex I have. I really like that they are cute and feminine and great for summer, so I am hanging on to them to make a decision.

Have you seen these dresses in person? Tried them on? What did you think? Any other JCrew dresses you have your eye on?

Get your Remote Controls Ready...

2009-05-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

So in an unprecedented evening of couchpotatoing, there is some great great TV ahead for tonight. Lets have a rundown shall we?

7PM: East Coast Feed of Real Housewives of NYC Reunion Part I (DVR)
8PM: American Idol Top 3 Performance
8PM: 2 Hour Biggest Loser Finale
9PM: Fringe Finale on Fox
10PM: Second Hour of RHNYC Reunion (IS this possible?) (DVR)

As I prepared the DVR this morning, I think even it was thinking "are you serious?" which is pretty much what Hubs said to me as he rolled his eyes. I know, I really should get out more. But I love TV like an art form. And then now I just realized the Red Sox are playing the Angels on the west coast so I could be watching them on MLB.TV while I am already juggling all these shows. I'm crazy.

I can't believe so many series are ending this week and next. What are you all watching these days? Favorite shows? What are you planning on watching this summer?

Banana Republic Dressing Room..in my room

2009-05-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

A little over a week ago I decided that I wanted to try and find some cute dresses--I would like to have a better dress "collection" to rely on and enhance my wardrobe. I saw that BR had some dresses on sale, so I decided to use a coupon code and order many dresses and sizes and try them on at home. I often try the Tall sizes as they add some length and fit my long torso a bit better. I thought I would pass along some pics and reviews in case any of you are interested in using the current "BRSAVE" code (view website for details).

First up, the Abstract Print Dress in a 10Tall.
Online and in pictures, this looks like a bright deep orange, though the color is "Sarong Red" and let me tell you its red. Like, Coca Cola red. Red like lipstick. I hardly ever wear red and so it seems a little bold on me. I like the fit of the dress, but the color scares me a bit.

This dress is $79.99 now and worth a look. I think it could look pretty with a brown belt or turquoise jewelry. I kept this one to think about, but I am not sure....

Next, the Tall Ruched Georgette Dress. Size 10Tall.

This was a little big in the bodice, though I liked the twisted straps. However, I got a little ice-skater-costume feeling from this one, or it felt a little young and floaty for me. I love the color, but the style wasn't structured enough for me. Fun dress though! A few left at 89.99 I think. Close up of top:

Next, the silk v-neck pleated dress, shown here in a size 10. I knew when I saw this dress online I would like it--A-line skirt but a fitted bodice with details. This one is still 129.99 online, but i think could be great for a wedding. You'll see I added a pink patent belt to it, I like the idea, have to play with it. Top pleating detail:

Weird full length pic, but it falls to the knee even not in the Tall size. This one is a keeper!

Are you bored yet? Next is the Cotton Sheath Dress in gray, size 10. This is a work dress, its actually more of a black/white weave to achieve gray. I thought this dress was very Mad Men and had a good fit...

I wish it were like an inch and a half longer, but I really like this and think it would be great for work or a weekday evening event. Just have to accessorize! Kept this one too.

Last, the Sleeveless pleated dress. This was a Tall Medium.

Made me feel a bit too hippy and wide. Also had a Ginger Rogers feel that I wasn't ready for. The pleating details were nice and it was a nice comfortable stretchy fabric.

So of course, I go in search of fun dresses, and I settle on two gray ones--ha. Not a lot of color. But I like those two and I am going to think about the red/white one.

What do you think of these dresses and BR lately? Have you tried any of these? What dresses do you love having in your wardrobe?

AMERICAN IDOL TRAGEDY

2009-05-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Dear America,

WTF.

I mean, DANNY FREAKING GOKEY? REALLY?

Allison was way better. I would say her goodbye performance was better than ANY of Danny's performances. I am so sad. This is a travesty.

I hope you understand then, America, if we don't speak for awhile. I need some time to get over this heartache. Probably just the amount of time until Allison's record comes out and takes Danny Gokey's record sales out to a back alley and mops the floor with them.

I just need some space right now, America. I don't want to say or do anything I'll regret.

XOXO, LizPoms

PS. GO Kris

LOST Thoughts

2009-05-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

Before tonight's penultimate Season 5 episode (sob!), I wanted to post a couple thoughts about LOST that I have been stewing on over the past week.

From Doc Jensen's article....
Lost has also shown us that Charlie, Jack, and Ben can play the piano. Why might this be significant? There's a music-based mystery in the Lost matrix that has never been resolved. Recall, if you will, when Charlie swam down to the Looking Glass at the end of season 3 to turn off the jamming device preventing the castaways from communicating with the outside world. He learned from Bonnie — one of the lovely Other ladies that Ben had stationed down there — that the code to shut off the jamming device was harmonic, set to the tune of the Beach Boys' ''Good Vibrations.'' Right before Bonnie died, she said that the code ''was programmed by a musician.'' At the time, these cryptic words inspired a great deal of wild theorizing. Many of us wondered if it wasn't an accident that the Dharma programmer created a code that rock star Charlie would be uniquely qualified to crack. What if the musician behind the Beach Boys puzzle knew Charlie's destiny? But in light of what season 5 has shown us, should we be wondering if this mystery musician was one of the castaways? It's JOpinionated's theory that Faraday himself created the code, leveraging his knowledge of future events as well as his all-access Dharma pass as a member of the Initiative's Black Swan team. It's a nifty theory — it very much echoes my long-held assertion that much of Dharma was created or at least revised with the castaways in mind.

From my own watching...
Something really bothered me about last week's episode and I know its a silly little thing. But when we see Faraday get out of the sub for his return, he is wearing the sinister black jumpsuit of the Swan-hatch-builders, showing the stark difference between he and the regular Dharma peeps. Then, he asks Miles to drive him to the Orchid and his jumpsuit is suddenly teal. Now, this is the scene that echoes the season premiere when he bumps into Dr. Chang down in the pit of magnetic doom, so maybe they had to match that? But it bothers me....is this like a "two different timelines" situation? That might make my mind melt, so I am not sure....

Finally, another Doc Jensen idea...
As we find ourselves almost at the close of season 5, which mysteries do you feel Lost must absolutely resolve during its sixth and final season?

What are your ''non-negotiables'' — the mysteries that Lost NEEDS to resolve. And to make you think even more carefully about this question, I want you to submit only your top three non-negotiables. Please, I would love your input!

I think mine are:

Who/what is Jacob?
Who painted the hatch murals?
Why is Walt special? Was he born on the island?
What are the numbers?
Who is in the cave?
What is the deal with Christian Shephard?
Where is Claire?
What is the Temple? Where is Cindy the flight attendant?
Why did the pilot get eaten by the monster in the pilot?
Why is that first scene when Jack wakes up in the bamboo so creepy?

Oh wait...did I say only 3...? :) Chime in!

Work Out Inspiration

2009-04-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

First of all, who else misses the show WORKOUT on Bravo which was a shameless reality delight? I wish it would come back...

Anyway, getting down to business. Sorry I have been gone for so long. I hope you don't mind me telling a little story about my past couple years.

Over the past year and a half, I have been working to get healthier, fit, and lose weight. In that time, I lost 30 lbs (yay!) and I am so thankful that I have seen how important taking care of myself is. Would you believe it--diet and exercise works. Who knew?

It all started because I had really let myself get unhealthy. I was working at home in a new city and the phrase "I don't get out much" was a gross (literally) understatement. I really was eating whatever I wanted and never exercised except for occasional walks. Its easy to see looking back, but at the time I really didn't realize how big and unhappy I had gotten.

In the fall of 2007, my sister suggested a family Biggest Loser competition, the winner being the person to lose the greatest percentage of weight between Halloween and Christmas. I truly have sibling rivalry to thank for getting my life back on track--I mean, is there any more powerful force? My dad eventually joined the battle and the three of us weighed in Christmas morning. After 8 weeks of working out at least 5 times a week and changing almost everything about the way I ate, I actually WON!

A year later last fall, I agreed to run a 5K in February this year, the first running race I had ever attempted, which would require, um running on a fairly regular basis. I hadn't run AT ALL since high school rowing training. My workouts had been built around the Elliptical trainer, long intense walks, and uphill brisk walking on the treadmill. To actually run?! It really sounded impossible to me. But little by little I started doing it, and I ran my race in February...now I can regularly run more than 3 miles on the treadmill, I can barely believe this.

I tell you all this because now I find myself sort of at a plateau and a bit of a rut. I know a 5K isn't a huge deal. I am really intimidated by signing up for a Half Marathon, but I really need to find a new inspiration or challenge to keep going. I know I will never be able to stop working out and focusing on being a healthier person. Its something I am going to have to struggle with for the rest of my life. I know I am not nor never will be "skinny" or "thin" or "jacked" or anything of that sort. I just want to be healthy for my future kids and family. Oh, and wear cute clothes of course.

So I look to you for some inspiration. Please chime in! What is your workout routine? What is your favorite form of exercise? Do you have a weight loss success story? Have you run running races or climbed mountains or swam the English Channel? Give me your input!

PS--One thing I am already doing dutifully for inspiration is watching the Biggest Loser. That show makes me cry every week. I just want to hug and squeeze that kid Mike.

February after 5K race.

New JCrew Arrivals

2009-04-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

My partner in crime, Ms. Mer, and I visited the downtown SF JCrew on Friday evening last week in order to celebrate the conclusion of a long and challenging project we had been working on (YAY!). And yes, this is how we celebrate--we started with champagne of course!

Honestly, none of the new arrivals moved me. Even with my red card, I didn't see anything worth bringing home except for a fun Fedora (more on that later) and another Boyfriend Tee (are these the best shirts ever?).

Here's a brief rundown of what I saw and thoughts. No pics because there was nothing I loved that wasn't covered:

Georgia Cardigan: Sadly Limp. Looked like it would hang and snag :(
Soft Tee Cardigan: Too thin for me, wouldn't hold shape enough.
Tuxedo-front Cami: Wasn't for me, I have so many like this and didn't love this one.
Classic Ruffle Cotton Tunic: Will go on sale. Thin fabric, could find something similar elsewhere.
Poplin Cargo Jacket: Another one that fits huge, and with the hood, I feel like it would be harder to wear as an "outfit" piece, more of a jacket but hard to wear. I prefer the boyfriend military jacket.
Harbor Capri: Intriguing but I don't love the flap pockets on the back or the cuffs. The 8 (which I wear in the cocktail capri) as a bit tight so I would need to try the 10.
Monterey skirt: Saw the bistro orange and it was so "distressed" it looked like a skirt I had as a kid that was up in the attic for years. I was very confused by this one.

Sorry to sound so negative, readers! Just as well to know what you do and don't like. One thing I did like was the new color of the Bow Skirt, Bronzed Twig (I think). The other colors of the skirt are very bright, and with the bow they are just a bit too whimsical for me. The more muted color with the bow is a bit better balance, I think. What do you think?

I didn't buy this, but I like seeing this color in person, I may look into the double serge pencil skirt in the same color.

What do you think of the new arrivals? Any favorites? Comments? What do you think of Bronzed Twig?

Tuesday Feel Good Video

2009-04-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Truly Inspiring and made me smile and tear up today.

From Gizmodo's article about it:
This cover of Stand By Me was recorded by completely unknown artists in a street virtual studio all around the world. It all started with a base track—vocals and guitar—recorded on the streets of Santa Monica, California, by a street musician called Roger Ridley. The base track was then taken to New Orleans, Louisiana, where Grandpa Elliott—a blind singer from the French Quarter—added vocals and harmonica while listening to Ridley's base track on headphones. In the same city, Washboard Chaz's added some metal percussion to it.

And from there, it just gets rock 'n' rolling bananas: The producers took the resulting mix all through Europe, Africa, and South America, adding new tracks with multiple instruments and vocals that were assembled in the final version you are seeing in this video. All done with a simple laptop and some microphones.

Found: Boyfriend Jeans

2009-04-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

OK, I am pretty excited about this.

At last! I have found Boyfriend jeans I like! Let me back up...I had wanted to find a pair of these "roughed up" jeans for a while. Its a style I have never worn before, but the JCrew ones weren't quite right for me. For one, I like a bit darker jean, also they were too $$$$.

I saw these jeans in the Gap a while ago and didn't pull the trigger. If I remember correctly, I was sort of in between sizes at the time--the 10s I tried on felt slightly loose but I wasn't ready for the size 8s. Those jeans have been in the back of my mind for a couple months, as they were also much more reasonably priced--$59.50.

I finally went back to the Gap last week only to find out they are almost sold out. They are called the Roslyn Boyfriend jean, Retail only, and tough to find. For some reason, this always makes me want to find them more, I can't help it. I called around to some local stores to no avail. Also, if you are interested in these--beware, there is a Straight leg ripped jean that is narrower and stiffer, make sure you know the one you want.

Anyway, using 1-800-GapStyle I finally found a store that had some, and placed a charge send and they arrived last night! Wahoo, I really love these. They are soft, fit great, comfortable, and I can wear them rolled or straight down. I also am wearing the size 8s now, which is both exciting and also better as I think they will stretch out.

Sorry for this sort of thigh-intense photo, wanted to show the rips...they are more of roughed-up scuffs than they are "holes". There are about 4 roughed parts on the jeans, about 1.5 inches each (not huge gashes).

This is me excitedly trying them on, but today I wore:

What do you think about the boyfriend jeans trend? Do you have some? How to you wear them?

Loving my new: Lovely Links Bracelet

2009-04-23T15:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday April 23 by jliz featuring J Crew t-shirts

Lately I feel like a dealhunter...always looking for things on sale, using my JCrew Red Card, not paying full price. Its saving me money as well as making me really excited about certain purchases.

A few weeks ago I saw the Lovely Links bracelet at my Jcrew, and sadly heard it was $78. No can do. I was really smitten with the rosy pink link in it. I'm not sure if any of you have gone thru this, but I feel like I NEVER wear pink anymore, whereas 4 years ago pink was like my signature color. I think I simply OD'ed on it and now I scale much more towards to blue, green tones with forays into orange and yellow.

Anyway, something about that pinky link was like a beacon from my Rosy Days, and I really.wanted.that bracelet. Last week I discovered it was on sale for supposedly $39.99...I called many stores but everyone sadly said "sold out!". I was visiting a store this weekend, one that I had called, and there it was! For $29.99 + 25% off! Wahoo!

I decided to wear it today with the Persimmon Merino cardi--I love pink and coral together. Here are the outfit elements:
Tee: Puff sleeve slub tee in Natural
Jeans: JCrew High Heeled Flares
Cardi: Merino Glass Button in Persimmon (Fall 08)
Trench: BR Trench on Sale
Shoe: BR Selma Stripe Gray Flat shown here (polyvore has a substitute)

I know I really am a Polyvore amateur, but I wanted to show how I built an (albeit basic) outfit around the Lovely Links.

Do any of you have this bracelet, or the coordinating necklace?

Gap Inc adds Athleta to the Family

2009-04-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

I had heard recently that Athleta was recently acquired by the Gap, and then today I received this email that Athleta is now a part of the Gap family. This means that you can now shop Athleta as part of the integrated Gap shopping bag, which I love--everything can be paid for and shipped together--Banana Republic, Gap, Piperlime (sort of) and Old Navy. Check out the new Athleta tab here.

I have received the Athleta catalog (pre-Gap) for a couple of years and have always been intrigued by their merchandise. I would describe it as a little more earth-crunchy version of a Lululemon or Lucy--maybe its a sprinkling of Patagonia in there mixed with some "girl power".

I am particularly interested in their bathing suits, which look well made, sturdy, and are even offered in D-Cup versions. Looks like the suits are easy to browse.

Have you ever tried Athleta? Are you glad to see Gap expanding into the Activewear/Swimwear market? Will you use the combination with Gap as an advantage to try this new stuff?

Favorite Thing: Fiestaware

2009-04-21T23:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been away so long! In learning to appreciate the little things I have and love, I snapped this pic as a part of a little apartment "Favorite Thing" scavenger hunt.

I have loved Fiestaware since I first saw it way back over 10 years ago. When I got my first apartment and later registered for my wedding, Fiestaware was always at the top of the list. I love the vibrant colors, the way the pieces mix and match in their sturdy cheerfulness. They make every meal fun, bright and happy for me.

The original Fiestaware was manufactured from 1936 to 1973, then it was rereleased in 1985. Today there are more than 25 colors in production, and you can buy pieces individually, in placesettings, and specific pieces like pitchers, vases, etc. I have mostly basic casual dining ware, but also a few platters, pitchers, and vases that are sprinkled around my home.

You can find Fiestaware on amazon.com for great prices. I have various pieces in the Sunflower, Shamrock, Cobalt, Turquoise colors and I am hoping to collect more. I find having this collection is a great thing when it comes to giftgicing--and my wonderful mom is always on the lookout for true antique Fiestaware in her adventures! I have one vintage white pitcher from the 1950s (not a rerelease) that I really treasure.

Do you have a favorite china/dishware or item in your kitchen that makes you really happy? Any recommendations, loves?

Favorite LOST Tibbits: 4/15/09

2009-04-16T14:30:00.001-07:00

I loved this episode because it made me laugh, made me think, but didn't make my brain feel like a puddle on the floor. If you haven't watched yet, don't read below as it may be a Spoiler!

Now for some of my favorite tidbits from the all-wonderful Doc Jensen!

"if you recall, last season we had that business about an Oceanic 815 cover-up, with a plane loaded with corpses found at the bottom of the ocean. In ''Meet Kevin Johnson,'' Mr. Friendly showed Michael all sorts of stuff — including photos of an exhumed cemetery — that he claimed was proof that Charles Widmore was behind the hoax wreckage. So: Did Big Tom kill Felix and swipe his stuff? Or is it possible that Charles Widmore wasn't behind Oceanic 815 cover-up at all, that it was actually Ben who was behind it, and that Felix was killed to prevent him from reporting the scheme to Widmore?"

"Miles was abducted en medias fish taco by goons led by a guy named Bram, the same gung-ho creep who was seen assisting Ilana's Hydra Station take-over last episode." ( I KNEW it!!!)

"Last season, when Ghost Charlie visited Hurley at the mental hospital, he was sporting a cool T-shirt with a scary-looking fish on it. Did you catch the image on Miles' flashback T-shirt? A shark. Interesting that the episode would go out of its way to make a distinction between Miles and Hurley — and then include a detail that links Miles and Charlie. Now, assuming the Miles/Hurley thing wasn't just pure comedy (which it probably was) and that the Miles/Charlie thing wasn't just a coincidence (which it probably was), then what exactly was Lost trying to imply? Could it be that one of Talks-To-Dead-People guys can do what they do because one of them is actually (gulp) dead himself? If this was The Sixth Sense, then which one was Bruce Willis and which one was Haley Joel Osment?" (NOT sure about this one.....)

What did you think about last night's episode? Are you sad there is no new episode next week? Can you believe there are only 3 episodes left in the season? Sound off here!!