A Pop of Color and a Pompom

Oh my goodness, how I love this bag!! I have always had an obsession with pompoms. When I was decorating my daughter's nursery, we had drapes and throw pillows made in pink and white toile and I added little pompoms to the edge of everything. Which my mom freaked out about because obviously,  the baby is going to climb up the wall to get at the drapes and eat one of those pompoms and choke. Totally valid fear....um....wait...:)  Anyway, those pompoms are EVERYWHERE this summer and I love all of them. If it has a pompom, (or a fringe, or a feather or maybe even a fur collar)-- I NEED it in my life.   This bag is so cute and it comes in multiple colorful patterns that are all on a black background.  Which is perfect for me, a person who wears black pretty much as a uniform.  When I first saw it at Swirls in San Clemente, I bought two (one for my friend) and I should have purchased 10!!  And I love these little scalloped shorts with this top (its on sale at Banana Republic right now- I linked it for you below). It easy and still a little conservative ( I'm sort of a like-to-be-covered up kind of gal) and these heels! From the Nordstrom sale! So comfy and perfect for summa time! I am also hoping to wear these to the office while the weather stays nice with a pants suit- I think it would totally work.

What are you doing this weekend? Do you have any fun plans in the works?  I sure hope so! We are cramming in a date night, a trip to the Fair and a concert (my daughter's first real concert-- she will probably last 10 minutes, but still. We are calling it a milestone!), a swim party, and a trip to the beach.  Holy To-Do List Batman. I was actually thinking (side note here) that it would be nice to have a Saturday where we played in the sprinklers, had popsicles and just hung around (my bestie calls it a 1980's summer day)...easy peasy. Right?   I need to put one of those on the list too!  Happy weekend to you, beauties! Sending you so much love! xxoo Michelle

Bag | Swirl Boutique  Heels |(They are sold out on-line so I linked a pair that looks close) here Shirt| here  Shorts | (similar) here Bracelets | (I am wearing 2 sets) here

Under $40 + The Luckiest Girl Alive {Fashion + Brains}

Hi all! Didn't it feel like it was a really, really short weekend? Why is this? Monday and Tuesday don't fly by especially fast, but Saturday and Sunday sure do.  Maybe because I try to squeeze in so many activities in two short days (and a Friday night)--why? I made this list at the start of the summer of all the things we were going to do (yeah, I know. Don't we all start out with such aspirations? :) and summer is half-over! I need to get on it! Ok, so today I want to tell you all about (1) this dress (2) this bag and more importantly (3) a great book I read! So lets get to it!  

{Fashion Under $40}: You guys will not believe this! So, there is a mall really close to my house and I am there kind of a lot.  Last weekend (the rainy humid one)  I was at the mall to grab something and I walked by Forever 21 and this dress and this bag were right in front and on sale--$19 each. I almost had a heart attack! How can this be?  So crazy cheap! Of course I had to buy them both!  (funny side note:  I had this bag out in that weird rain later that day and I was so worried about keeping it dry because I was convinced the color was going to run right off of it. It was only $20 for crying out loud!! My husband was hysterical over me putting my coat over this little guy and running.  Guess what? It held up just fine!) 

{Brains: The Luckiest  Girl Alive} So for my book club, I suggested The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll. I didn't know anything about it but it was getting some buzz so I thought we'd give it a whirl.  And then, I hopped on a plane to Denver to take depositions and I got stuck in that wacky United airline glitch a few weeks back and basically, I read this in around 3 hours. And it was a doozy!  It is sharply written and witty and it takes you someplace so unexpected. I don't want to spoil anything but it's basically a story about a woman who on the surface seems to have it all-- everything she believed would make her happy- -the clothes and the job and the fiance- -and yet she is unraveling. And little by little, mainly in flashbacks, you learn why. I read it and was like "Wow. This is what this book is about?" Its shocking and hard to read at times but good. I think if you liked Gone Girl or Girl on the Train, you will like this one too.  Do any of you belong to book clubs? What are you all reading?  Happy Tuesday loves and thank you so much 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