J'adore Dior (and this dress)

Dress: CAbi (old, but similar here) Sunglasses: (Rayban) Handbag: Dior (old) Shoes: (Kate Spade)

This is my family (my parents and my grandmother) and the little dancer herself!!  

Hi there dearest reader! I hope your weekend was wonderful- mine sure was! It was my daughter's very first dance recital on Saturday and it was so fun! I grew up  dancing and there is something so...touching maybe?...about being in what is a very familiar environment to me with the stage and the music and sharing it with her. I sort of sobbed my way through it, like I do with most of the events involving her.  As a mother, your heart is filled to bursting when your child is happy and for me, that equates to embarrassing tears at least once a week! We went to The Ranch in Anaheim for dinner later that night -- anyone tried that? I had been before with clients but on Saturday we took my parents and grandmother too and it's really good. I am a picky picky eater and I dont eat red meat and even I liked it (mostly due to a nice bowl of Butternut Squash soup and a Milky Way ice cream dessert-yee yum!) 

So my dress... It's from CAbi last season and I love it. I adore the ease and the look of wrap dresses but not the wrap. I inevitably fuss with the tie all day long.  I am a pretty modest person and even showing a little cleavage is out of my comfort zone but a dress that looks like a wrap but isn't? Yes, please! This is made out of really soft material that feels like cashmere and is so cozy!  And my bag... Okay, confession time. I really love Gucci but Dior is a close second.  I could write posts and posts about the waiting lists I have been on for these crazy purses. I think investing in good handbags is totally worth it, not only because you really can use them for years (if you choose the right design) but it ends up saving money (kind of) if you avoid the interim, trendy type bags and focus on really cultivating your style.  You won't buy things that will just sit in your closet after a few months, never again to see the light of day!  Actually, I can pretty much justify any purchase. These are just things I tell myself. I also take more expensive bags and divide them by how many years I think I will keep them (20 at least) and then figure out how much it is a month. When I do this, it seems totally, totally reasonable. Cheap even!! I have even been known to share this philosophy with my husband, who does NOT agree that it is fiscally responsible to buy purses. Men! Okay, you. Happy, happy day wishes and thank you for stopping by! Xx Michelle 🍭

Lace in the Workplace

Hi you! I had an epiphany last weekend, as I was sorting through my packed closet-- not every trend is for me. I understand my own personal style, but I am still susceptible to following whatever the trend du jour happens to be.  Does anyone else do this? I looked at my closet over the weekend and found multiple items (tags still attached) that were impulse buys because they looked so good on someone else.  And I just know I am never going to wear them.  I want to try really hard to simply incorporate into my existing style a little bit of the trends I like.   I see beautiful colorful prints and bright patterns on everyone-- not really me (but maybe a bright pair of earrings is) .  I see the boho dresses on everyone- not really me (but maybe a fringy pair of boots or bag is).  I wish I was more adventurous in my style but I am just not.  I am more of a classic, simple dresser, especially at work.  Which brings me to this skirt... I actually forgot I had it (if I had a nickel for every time I found something I loved wedged behind something else in my closet!!)  I've had it for a while, but there are similar ones here and here.  Its not really lace, its just a lace pattern and it gives the illusion of lace without showing too much skin.   Pencil skirts just work for me. I like the length and the cut and they are so versatile.  Heels look just as good as a tall pair of riding boots when the weather cooperates.  Mine are from Nordstrom and you can get them here.    

How do you incorporate trends into your wardrobe?  Are you a risk taker?  However you are, I am sure you are beautiful!  Hey all! Its just about the weekend! Yayyyyyy!!! Thank you so much for stopping by! xxoo Michelle

All Tied Up With A Bow

Hi you! It's a little gloomy here today but much better than the weekend. How strange was all of that rain and humidity? I can't remember the last time it rained like this in the summer. (Note: This is not a complaint.) We need lots and lots of days just like this!  

I had a weekend like every other weekend lately - -packed with events and not a minute to myself.  It was fun though. It was my mom's birthday on Saturday and my whole family celebrated and I was busy making the party preparations.  Have I mentioned that I am a closeted event planner? I LOVE to plan parties, weddings, showers, you name it. I usually start kicking around ideas for my daughter's birthday party around 6 months in advance. (I know, I know) It drives my husband absolutely nuts. He would be fine if we ate pizza off of plates at every party (insert me recoiling in horror here!)  I don't know why it is so enjoyable and satisfying for me to plan little parties and things but it just is-- I like thinking of themes and colors and menus and games-- maybe this is my creative outlet? Or maybe it has something to do with me being a Libra and liking pretty things but probably, it's just that I love planning fun times for my family and friends.  I think life is this precious blessing and I try to celebrate every moment I can. We have so many fun times together!  I will throw a party at the drop of a hat-- game nights, neighborhood BBQs, finale watching parties and book clubs-- I just love a crowded house and noise and laughter and fun! Anyway, I hustled around on Saturday making sure everything was just right for my mama!

Okay, that was a tangent....So this outfit is part of my Nordstrom sale shopping efforts.  I liked a lot of things but I wasn't crazy crazy for a ton this season...am I just missing stuff?   However, I really do love this top for Fall. I love anything that is buttoned up and demure and if it also has a bow? Well, that makes it just about perfect in my book! It really is a great choice for a day in the office, don't you think? And this is about the fourth pair of culottes I've tried on. These are from Banana Republic and they are fitted, which seems to work for me. Some of the others I've tried on were so loose and flowly that I kind of got swallowed up.  I think for the office, you need a more form fitting, crisp cut and for the weekend, you can go all flowy culottes and gladiator sandals.  So if you are feeling discouraged, keep trying them on- you might find a pair you really love!

 I decided to wear my glasses because I felt like they were such a cute look with this outfit.  I wear contacts during the day because I need them to see distances. But as soon as I walk in the door, and right after throwing on a pair of comfy sweats, I take my contacts off, put my hair in a ponytail and on go my glasses.  Sounds super sexy, I know! :)

These shoes are also from the Nordstrom sale and are by Kate Spade. I love Kate Spade heels for the office.  They are the perfect height and so durable. And that's my little culotte look! (Second tangent--I think it would also be so cute if there was a little fitted  blazer to wear with these culottes ... I will keep my eyes peeled!) Thank you so much for stopping by dear reader! Xx Michelle

Miami Vice Made Nice









I bought this blazer with the sheath (and matching pants) from Benetton. If you live in Orange County like I do, you will remember that there used to be a store in Fashion Island and one in South Coast Plaza right across from the carousel. I was obsessed with this store. I have been wearing their suits since law school and I just find that they have a really nice corporate aesthetic and are very reasonably priced--cute suits, cardigans and pencil skirts --and winter coats that always have a pop of faux fur on the cuff or collar (this girl is a sucker for faux fur. And feathers!)  When the South Coast store closed down, it was a dark day indeed, but it was replaced by Sugarfina, so the day brightened up in a hurry (because I am a candy-aholic!)! Now, I shop online and I still love everything I get!  The jacket is HERE the dress is HERE and the pants are HERE.  Everything is Italian sizing, so you will need to convert and figure out your size but there is a handy little chart on the website: www.us.benetton.com I really like this all white look, but you have to use caution for work (and not just when you are eating. Or drinking. Or using a blue pen!)  Bright neon shoes? Um, no. Way too Crockett and Tubbsy (names I had to Google, by the way!)  All black heels? Probably a better choice. I gave these floral guys a go and its a good pairing.  The pants looks great with this blazer for dinner or drinks with maybe a white tank underneath and strappy heels.   While I did not take my own advice ( I was busy last week, sheesh!), a spray tan or self tanner is probably a good idea with this color.  Anyone else obsessed with this all white look? Have any cute outfit ideas you'd care to share? I'd love to hear them all!  Hope you are all having an amazing week! xo Michelle