That's a Wrap!

{Blogged with leftover Easter candy} My dear forgotten and ignored readers!  It's been a while since a current blog post went up and I feel terrible! Sometimes life gets a hold of you and this is one of those times- my husband's family has been in town, work is bonkers and this pregnancy is causing me to tip over on the couch, fully snoozing at hours much earlier than I'm used to! Hoping to turn the corner and get back to normal soon!!

This is such a gorgeous wrap dress- I'm not used to loving them so much. Usually, I fuss with wrap anything- they seem to come undone and look sloppy and I just don't like them. But this one from Nordstrom is the cutest- roomy, comfy, stays closed when it should and I love the long length.  It helps (me anyway) during the overall strangeness that goes on with your body when you are pregnant to feel girly and pretty and feminine. And let's just talk about how important that all is!! Very!! And I am one of those weirdos that loves to wear heels- they never hurt and I don't know, I just feel more like me in them.  Does that make sense?  

So, I am officially starting to dismantle my guest bedroom-- soon to be the baby's room-- and start the decorating process! And I can't wait to share it here with you! I am the pickiest person and have the hardest time deciding on things, but I am working on it! I really am!! Hope your Monday was beautiful, dearest reader and thank you so much for stopping by! Sweetly, Michelle

Dress || Shoes || Glasses

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 || 

Fur + Feathers

{Written while perusing Black Friday pre-sales...YASSS!} Hi lovelies! Black Friday is almost here and yes, I am that person who gets up at 5 am to shop. I don't go to the places where you are sure to get stampeded, like Target or Toys R US. But I hit the mall, and I shop for me at like, Banana and JCrew and for my daughter at Janie and Jack or maybe Gap Kids and I call it a morning.  I may or may not tick off any items from the old Christmas list but I come home full of coffee and cheer by like, 8 am!    I do so much shopping on-line throughout the year that I sort of like to be in the crowds for the holidays. Okay, don't think I am completely crazy but...I like being in the hustle and bustle around the holidays. I love being in the malls when everything is decorated and people are rushing around to get stuff. I feel a sense of camaraderie with my fellow shoppers as we search for that perfect gift.  (I may be standing out here on this ledge all by myself, I realize...:) )

So, with the holidays comes the ability to get a little fancy. I like to pull out my plaid and my gold and my sparkles! And feathers! What is it about them that makes things just seem so luxe?  By the way, a little side note here- I see feathers on the ground EVERYWHERE? Do you? I think it means angels are around you, so I have a little box at home that I pick them up and save them in.  My husband? Thinks I am nuts. But you know the mantra- #WhatDoHusbandsKnow? :)  This top is perfect for holiday parties, for a night when you want to dress up, or really, all year long. It comes in plaid too but I figured I'd be able to wear the grey more often, although now that we have met in person, I am thinking I might go back for the plaid too!   Happy holidays to you, my sweet friends. Sending you so much blessing and love! Sweetly, Michelle 

Top || Skirt (old but similar here) || Heels || Coat ||

Cape-tivating

{Written while watching RHOOC Reunion Part 3 and eating Swedish Fish. It was a good night!}  Hello sweet readers!!  How was your Halloween? I sure hope it was lovely!  Aren't holidays the best? I can't wait for this time of the year to get into full swing! Speaking of swing... Capeity cape cape! This has to be my most favorite accessory of the season.  I live in hot California where we basically just make believe we have different seasons, and it's hard to pretend I'm going to get very much use out of over the knee boots or leather. But a cape? If you buy the right kind, it can be light enough to serve as a sweater {although there are some heavy capes out there--pretty wool and plaid--that I would wear in a heartbeat if we had the weather!} There are so many things I can wear this cape with to the office... And this dress! A little flarey, twirly hemline is all I need to be happy! It's a beautiful texture too! I've been really into dresses lately- maybe because they are so easy.  One piece and voila! You are set! On a side note, I'm telling you-- Banana Republic has been killing it lately! It's one of about 3 or 4 stores that I know without a doubt will have something office appropriate for me to wear, but lately, it's just been divine. And from what we all saw at New York Fashion Week, spring is going to be even better!  Alright, my loves! Thank you for stopping by and as always, I hope your day was just terrific! I just finished a fabulous book and I think next time, I might throw a little book review in here! 😘😘 Sweetly- Michelle

Dress || Cape || Shoes || Purse (similar) ||

Photos: Wendy Kathleen Photography @wendykathleenphotography