Chasing the Cup (East)

 How cute are the elevators at the United Center?

I wish there was volume on this picture...LOUD!

Aren't these buildings just gorgeous? This may be one of my favorite corners in Chicago!

Ummm, is it just me or is a letter missing? "Take a picture of me in front of the Trump building" seemed like a pretty simple request...Nice camera work, right? 😌

Do you remember the Elephant Parade last summer in Dana Point? Well, these painted horses are similar except they are to commemorate fallen Police officers.  😔👮🏻



Yeah? Not soon enough for me! Come RIGHT NOW!

This is an exciting post for me! I did something way way WAY outside of my comfort zone! My husband B and I headed to Chicago (his home town) for a quick little 24 hour trip! Why, you may be quite understandably asking yourself? To see game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals and the Chicago Blackhawks of course !!  B grew up playing hockey and still plays in a men's league a few times a week and the Blackhawks are one of his obsessions (his other obsessions being the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. Wait, and the Chicago Bulls. Anyone sense a pattern here?)  So we decided to act like we are spontaneous and carefree (he is, I am for sure NOT- I plan the beJesus out of every day!) and we flew into the City with enough time Wednesday to throw our things in a hotel room, grab a cab, and head to the United Center.   I am a sports loving girl and have been to Stanley cup finals games in the past for the Kings and the Ducks but I have never experienced anything like these fans- it is BANANAS!! Everyone is dressed in Blackhawks colors, everyone is on their feet cheering and screaming and high fiving for the WHOLE game!  And it is loud. LOUD. Louder than you would believe. Thank goodness the Blackhawks won...as I was sitting there in our massively overpriced seats (and the game was tied)...I began to worry about the plane ride home if they didn't!

After the game, we walked around the city. All of the buildings were lit up with red lights, and there were Blackhawks banners everywhere! There is something about a city at night that changes everything about it.  The lights and the cars all become softer somehow. Chicago may be known as the Windy City but it should also be known as the late night city. We had dinner at midnight and it felt like it was 9 PM- the restaurants were crowded and the streets were full!  This was an even bigger treat for me because my parents were watching my daughter back in CA and I. Was. Free.  :)

The next morning, we got up early and were out on the street to grab a coffee and just soak it up.  These beautiful streets are enchanting-- Michigan Avenue and Whacker---filled with people on their way to work. Everyone is dressed beautifully and there's so much architecture in and around the buildings for your eyes to take in (by the way, if you have the opportunity to take the architectural boat tour- -do it. I've done it at least 4 times and would do it again in a heartbeat).  We walked all along Michigan Avenue, and then went down to the lower level by the Riverwalk.  It was a beautiful morning and we were able to take some photographs by the river and then across the Michigan Avenue bridge (I have a thing for bridges) and then over by the beautiful Wrigley building.  Oh, this city.  I am a girl that would live in the city if I could. I always say that I must have been a city dweller in another life because I love them.  I feel alive in them.  The noise, the crowds, the hustle-and-bustle.  And there's so much history in Chicago (on that topic-- read The Devil in the White City if you can.  Great great read about Chicago) I am wearing a little Zara sheath that zips up the back. It's adorable and comfy and was easy to pack.  I brought a little fur vest because the weather gets weird here- it changes fast.   And that, my loves, was that!  We already have 2 more trips planned here this summer and I cant wait to get back here and explore! Happy Saturday and thanks so much for taking the time to stop by! Xo Michelle

An American in OC

 

I am an A.M.E.R.I.C.A.N. Tried and true, red white and blue, the whole bit. I go crazy on the fourth of July with the banners and flags and parties!  I get a little weepy every time (no, really. EVERY TIME) the national anthem is played or I hear a country song about America. Is it patriotism? The deep love for one's country? I don't know but whatever it is, I have it.  I have the deepest respect for this county and what we stand for and the soldiers that have and still are protecting us.

Which brings me (naturally..) to… Ralph Lauren. I have always loved this lifestyle.  The dark leather, the horses, the home in the Hamptons, the green and blue plaid, the summers on a prairie somewhere… All of it. I have always been obsessed with the shoes, the leather bags, Pink Pony, Black Label...you name it folks.  I go into the Ralph Lauren stores or online and just breath in that whole lifestyle.  Although I love a good European designer as much as the next girl, there is something about RL that just remains...American, you know?   Of course, to a large extent, everyone  shows a curated lifestyle, right? No one's life is as perfect as the highlight reel we reveal on our blogs and on Instagram.  I like to just pretend that this doesn't apply to my beloved Ralph Lauren.  If you need me, you can find me in my leather wingback chair, in my perfect wood-paneled library, wearing denim and plaid, sipping my sweet iced tea.

By the way, my shirt (old) and shoes are RL. The shoes are my favorite. I love loafers. I think a high-heeled loafer plus a pantsuit  is just about perfect. And this color. I cant get enough of it.  I think my loafer is sold out but HERE is the boot version-- it has the same details as my loafer (and it would be so perfect for fall!) Hope your Monday is just beautiful! As always, thank you so much for stopping by!  xo Michelle

Celebration + Big Canyon Country Club















On Saturday night, my firm celebrated its annual Anniversary dinner at Big Canyon Country Club  in Newport Beach. It was a beautiful night to gather together in a stunning location, with these wonderful people I work with--smart, impassioned, ethical, and loyal.   It's also an opportunity to catch up with everyone's significant others, which I love to do.  My firm is not like most law firms--I genuinely like everyone I work with and we all enjoy doing things together.  I sort of think that whatever you do for a living-- the place you do it matters. The work is the work--it will be the same wherever you go. To me, it's the people you surround yourself with that make all the difference.

 I wore this Equipment shirt (old, but the short sleeve version is HERE) with a tiered skirt I got at the beginning of the year from Ann Taylor and Stuart Weitzman heels.  How was your Saturday night? Hope it was just lovely! Enjoy today, dear reader! Xo Michelle

Two Days in the Desert

Generally speaking, I  am not really a desert type of girl.  I'm not really a rock climber (outside of the gym) or a cactus appreciator (but I do like those pretty succulent arrangements for the backyard!) However, there is just something about Palm Springs that I love. Maybe it's the vastness of the sky surrounded by those mountains that look so close. Maybe it's the palm trees that seem to  cover every last bit of space. Or it could be the sunset that lights up the whole sky with a pinky glow. I grew up coming to Palm Springs as a little weekend getaway with my family. I have also played quite a lot of tennis here in tournaments when I was younger.  I love it. This weekend was a quick trip with my parents and extended family to celebrate my Uncle's birthday. There was a lot of golf, a lot of pool time (but not enough time on El Paseo). It was really warm but for some reason heat doesn't bother me. I'm always cold anyway so when the temperatures go up, I'm like a little lizard. I just sit in the sun and soak it up (covered of course in SPF, a hat, sunglasses and usually, a rash guard. Stay away, wrinkles!)  This is a place that I hope we will frequent many times in the  future with our little family.

I seriously threw clothes in a bag when I came home from work Friday afternoon and wasn't as mindful as I should've been about the heat and packing. However, this little blue dress lightweight from Nordstrom really served me well at my uncle's birthday dinner. I am still wearing the cute boots I got around Christmas from The Shop in Laguna- they are comfy and so cute.  And I love wearing boots with sundresses and little skirts. A fringey bag and some jewelry and that was that! Hope your weekend was amazing and as always, thank you thank you for stopping by! Xo Michelle