Windowpane, Wine (Color) and Ten Things About Me

{Written with a bag of Swedish Fish on my lap after a long day of Christmas decorating}  Well hi loves! Can you believe our holiday weekend is over?  I look forward to it for so long and on Wednesday afternoon, I'm like " I have four whole days off. FOUR whole days off" and then whoosh. Hello Sunday night...you are here.  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with your families.

This little set just called out to me when I saw it.  The color is great, its roomy (the skirt has POCKETS!) and how about those heels? Strappy? High heeled? Patent leather? Um, yes please.   Everything is linked below for you so feel free to shop away (and it's all still Thanksgiving weekend 40% off sale)!

I felt inspired by a few people lately who have shared more about themselves and I loved it so much that it made me want to do the same.  I am a talker, so this list could easily stretch on forever, but here we go:

1.  The qualities I admire most in others are humor, compassion and integrity.  If you can laugh with me, we are pretty much guaranteed to be friends because I am extremely silly and I love to laugh.  The quality I admire most in myself is that I try really hard to be a great friend. I take friendship seriously and if we are friends, I will probably be your friend forever.  Once someone is in my circle, I am loyal and I will stand up for them and listen and care and just be there through the ups and downs of life.  I say find your tribe and hold them close.

2. Along those same lines, family is everything to me.  I have a big extended family and there is no place that isn't made better when they are with me.  My mom is my best friend, my grandmother my closest confidant and I am blessed beyond measure for the strong women in my life.   

3.  I am sunset and cloud obsessed. My phone is full of pictures that I take pretty much everyday. For some reason, these things really touch me. I am awed by it.  When in doubt, always look up.  Mother Nature rarely disappoints.

4. I am fueled by sugar. I know, I know. Its terrible. I get that. But there is apparently a long distance between my brain and my mouth because I just shovel it in.  I am all about gummi things and not so much about chocolate. Like brownies and really dense chocolate things? No. But peanut M&M's? Completely acceptable. Chocolate bars (dark or milk?) Yes and yes.  Frozen yogurt (with rainbow sprinkles), cotton candy, cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies...all yes.  I have the sweetest sweet tooth ever! 

5. I love to read. I will literally read anything, but I like things that I can grapple with and think about. I also really like history- I read a lot of biographies (Winston Churchill is my BOY!) and books about the World Wars.  I am a believer that there is a lot we can learn from our past.

6.  I also love cities. I love the ability to toss on a backpack and a pair of jeans and just explore and see and learn.  I am a very curious person and I love seeing how people in other cities or countries live. I love America but I also love our world. If I could quit my job tomorrow (and like, still feed and dress myself - emphasis on dress😉) I would see everything I could.

7.  I have never been drunk. Can you believe it? I don't like the way alcohol tastes! Weird, I know but I am giggly and loose just normally. When you are drunk, chances are we will act exactly the same (which might say more about me than you, come to think of it)...

8.  I love Disneyland. I have had an annual pass forever.  I can go everyday and never get tired of it. I love fast rides and roller coasters, and the innocence and come on!!  See # 4 above.  Its a food bonanza every time!

9.  For some reason, song lyrics stick in my head. I can hear a song once and the melody and lyrics just stick.  Music and songs are a big part of my life. 

10.  This one is a hard one for me to write, because I don't really talk about it.  My brother-- my favorite person on the planet, the funniest, kindest, most handsome person I have ever known- passed away suddenly and it changed me forever.  When someone you adore is gone in a blink, your attitude toward what is important and what isn't is altered forever.  I embrace each day, I look for the good, I try to appreciate everything and I just try to remember that nothing is guaranteed, especially tomorrow. Take chances, follow your heart, forgive easily and laugh as much as you can, because this is a quick journey my friends.

11. (see? I knew I couldn't just stop at 10) I love dogs. I will pet and cuddle and grab for any dog I see. I love all animals but dogs especially.  Even mangy ones get big hugs and kisses from me.

12. (last one) Motherhood. The best thing to ever happen to me.  My heart has opened wide and filled with so much love.  It is an indescribable feeling and a love like no other.  

 That's all for now my loves.  As always, thank  you so much for stopping by.  It means the world...Sweetly, Michelle

Shirt || Skirt || Shoes || 

The Perfect Suit ♣️♠️

{Written after a Golden Spoon vanilla with rainbow sprinkle fro yo break} So, we've had a cold spell of perhaps, 48 hours but folks, I don't think it's going to last. However, once it gets (and stays) cold, a chic little pantsuit is a girls best friend. You stay nice and warm, you don't have to worry about snagging your tights on something if you're wearing a skirt and you can dress it up or dress it down. This one in particular is just a beauty. It's the gold buttons and the feminine cut of the sleeves. I just adore it. It's the little details that always wind up really adding that little something.  If you had to take this look from day tonight, you could pile on the gold jewelry, add some strappy sandals and maybe a sleek ponytail and you would be set. You could even add a little sparkly headband. I have actually been into embellished headbands lately, which are so great for the holidays. I will have to do a post on it one of these days (yeah, yeah. I will add it to the list!) And the leopard clutch! I just love adding little touches of animal print here and there, don't you? It's an easy way to add a little pop to an all black ensemble (my specialty!) ❤️ Happy Saturday beautiful ones! Thank you times 100 for stopping by- Sweetly, Michelle

Jacket || Pants ||Shoes || Clutch || Sunglasses

Colors + Ruching

Hello beauties! I am a lover of simple, uncomplicated things in my life. From food, to hair to jewelry- I like things to be classic and easy. No matter how hard I try to mix things up, I keep coming back to clean lines and comfort. Enter this soft ruched wrap dress from Banana Republic. It's a great silhouette, I don't think you can wrinkle it, even if you tried (and I've tried!). And that's important to me because I can't even remember the last time I fired up the iron (Am I alone here? Is everyone else out there ironing away?) And a pretty pair of strappy but not too strappy sandals work just fine for the office. Not that we will ever need it in Southern California I fear, but a long cashmere cardigan would really complete this look once (if?) the weather takes a dip. A girl can dream, right? Hope your weekend was fabulous and this week is off to a fantastic start! As always, thank you so much for stopping by. I appreciate each and everyone of you!!❤️❤️ Michelle

Dress: Here || Shoes: Here|| Cuff: Here  

NYFW: Day 2

Hello, my dearest reader! I'm not sure why I thought sprinting into NYC for only a weekend would be enough. It so wasn't. It's not NYC's fault, though. Truthfully, I don't think 10 years would be enough time for me in this place. I'm a good traveler and don't get bothered by jet lag (or any lag! Thank you plenty of sugar!) so we explored as much as we could. We stayed at the Essex House which sits smack dab in front of Central Park, and we were all over it. Anyone who has spent a moment  in Central Park knows the allure and the complete loveliness it exudes. What is it about being surrounded by huge green trees and a skyline of buildings that is just so amazing? I'm a girl who loves big cities and crowds and this weekend was full of both! I wore another head to toe Zara outfit.  The night before I  left, I was literally in and out of the store with two outfits in maybe 10 minutes. (Because that's how I roll! And I also leave myself no time to plan, pack or generally relax! But that's another story!) It was the perfect ensemble for exploring and dining and shopping!  It's Friday you guys!! Hope you have wonderful things in store for the weekend!!! Thank you so much for reading! Xxx Michelle

Top Here (similar)|| Pants Here || Clutch Here