Hii you! Happy mid-week! We are here already! How happy does that make you??Ok, so I was meh on floral pants for work. Dresses, skirts, shirts? Sure thing. Pants?? I don't know... I bought a pair of cute floral heels that I've worn once (maybe) and I felt like it was one of those things where I want to like it and I think I should like it and then it just sits in my closet- you know that feeling, right? Not these fine floral friends, friends! These pants are so cute! I've already worn them 3 different ways- versatile, easy to dress up or down- love them! And it's nice to mix up my conservative wardrobe a bit with this.! Best thing ever? A Forever 21 find! You can't pass up something this inexpensive (says me to myself no matter what the price is!)π You can find them here. I paired them with a long one button jacket from Banana Republic (here and it's on sale now! Yay!) This the most versatile piece. I wear blazers all the time- with jeans and heels on casual Friday's at the office, with rolled up sleeves, white tennis shoes and cut off denim shorts and with boots and leggings. I popped on a pair of heels and grabbed one of my vintage Gucci bags and away I went! Hope this day is going to be a wonderful one for you and as always, I am so grateful that you stopped by! Xxoo Michelle
A Storied Life + Back in (Navy) Blue
{Book Review} So, I have a confession to make. You know how I read? A LOT? Well, I have a weird habit of reading the last chapter of a book first. I know. This horrifies most people. I can't help it. I need to know and I need to prepare myself for what's coming. If I don't see a main character referenced in the end? I'm not getting too attached to that person, let me tell you. I think because I am very empathic (my husband will often say " This is a BOOK. It's not REAL") as I am sobbing and hiccupping my way through it, and it just really stays with me, the stories I read. Maybe I do this because real life is not predictable like this. We don't know the ending in real life, and so maybe in this small way, I am able to control it a bit. Who knows. ANYWAY! This book "The Storied LIfe of AJ Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin ruined me. It is sad, but in a wonderfully sad way. Its the story of a bookstore, on a small island, and of the owner AJ Fikry and his life, the life of his customers and life in general. What I loved the most is that every chapter begins with a little synopsis of a different book, written by AJ. He is sarcastic and witty and I chuckled quite often at his observations. It's a really good read and if you do read it (or have)- let me know what you think. I thought it was wonderful!
{Fashion} Easy office dressing your thing? Then this little dress is for you. Pull it on, add some heels and a great bag and off you go. I love navy and I can't wait to wear the heck out of this wine/oxblood/burgundy (what are we calling this, anyway?) color for Fall. And you notice this cuff? It is handmade by the fabulous and talented @whatwouldvwear as part of her @vwearcollection. Isn't it beautiful? All of her designs are just gorgeous. You have to check it out! What are you up to for this long weekend? I am leaving tonight for Chicago (what a city, right?) to spend the weekend with my in-laws and when I get back...I am going to prepare for NYFW! I am so excited! Can you believe it? Do these people know that they are letting a dorky lawyer in their midst? Apparently not! Yay! Can't wait to share pics with you!! Happy Day you all! Xx Michelle
Dress: Banana Republic
Cuff: whatwouldvwear.com
Heels: Kate Spade
Remember Me?
Happy Friday eve everyone! This week seriously flew by for me-- did it for you? How come some weeks are so much faster than others I wonder? And wasn't yesterday the hardest day to wake up to? Those poor reporters in Virginia-- I was just sick about it all day. This world sometimes. It weighs so heavy on me, the senselessness and the lack of regard for life. Those poor people got up and went to work like we all do and are gone for absolutely no reason. So tragic. We just need to say a little prayer for them and for the rest of us who live in this mind-boggling, sometimes terrifying world.
I bought this dress over the weekend and how cute is it? I love the cut- it's sort of a-line and bell-sleeved and I feel great in it. I like things that move when you walk and for some reason, this dress makes me feel so elegant. I paired it with these blush Gucci heels. I bought these in the Spring (they are a soft pink....come on!! Of course I bought them) and I bought the same pair in black too. They are the perfect heel--soft supple leather, good height. Funny story about these shoes: There is a girl that works at the Gucci store at South Coast that has been there forever. Before I was married and had my daughter, I was at that store all the time. Why not? Save, shhmmave. I had only me to worry about, I had no real expenses and my office is super close to South Coast Plaza- -ahhhh, nostalgia! The good old days. She would call me and tell me when new stuff came in, and she would put things aside for me in my size-- I'm telling you, this was a LOVELY, fulfilling relationship. Then, life changed for me-- marriage, babies, buying and furnishing homes, saving money and other such shopping replacers took over and decreased my visits. Drastically reduced my visits, to be honest. π’π’ Anyhoo, she recognized my PARENTS for crying out loud who were in the store around Christmas and wrote a note to give me, saying "Michelle, where are you? Remember me?" I actually felt guilty-- isn't that weird? So weird. And so I went in there and bought these heels and while I was as dazzled and excited as always when surrounded by beautiful handbags and shoes -- I realized something--it's just stuff. Right? Stuff that doesn't matter much at all. Visits to my favorite stores may not be as frequent, my facials and mani/pedis have all but disappeared but my life is infinitely better. Being a mommy, spending time with my family and creating memories together has fulfilled me in ways I never imagined. I am like a broken record but there is just one secret to life, I'm convinced: Get your family (and friends count as family) around you, hold them tight, and spend as many moments with them as you can, laughing and soaking each other in. Life is about love, my beauties. That's all. (well, and a great pair of heels!) Thank you for stopping by, dear hearts xx Michelle
Dress: (not online apparently but similar here
Shoes: (old but similar in suede here)
Clutch (Etsy. Have we discussed my obsession with Etsy? And monograms? I LOVE it)
Pendant (CAbi --I linked the Fall line because there are new designs each season--and mine was from Summer. This pendant can be twisted and linked and worn all sorts of different ways!)
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The (Waning) Dog Days of Summer
Hi dearest reader! So you already know that I am a dog lover. Literally, I can be walking and once a dog comes into my line of sight, I bee line right toward it. I've never met an ugly dog. Even the ones that really are ugly are cute to me. I have two little dogs and I would have 10 if I could. Wherever I am sitting at home, one or both of my dogs are sitting next to me, leaning against me or sitting on my lap. Dogs (animals, really) just make me happy. So imagine my thrill when this little fella Lou came walking by and his (astute) owner said "My dog matches your outfit. You want a picture?" Why, yes! Yes I sure do! He was so good. I took the leash, talked to him (in a high-pitched, probably annoying way, but Lou didnt seem to mind!) and we snapped off a few pictures.
This dress is another Nordstom find and I love it. Pleione makes the cutest, most affordable separates and dresses. It's one less thing to think about in the morning if I can throw on a pretty dress and heels and go. I am going to wear tights and boots once Fall rolls around (I have my fingers crossed that we actually get some fall weather!) Hope you have such an incredible day and thank you thank you for stopping by! Xx Michelle