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 ||

Marsala? Merlot? Maroon?

{Written while watching Ladies of London. Yes. I am a Bravo-aholic! But I read a ton. So I am hoping that evens everything out!!} Hello dearest reader! My obsession with this ga-ga gorgeous color continues!  We are all kind of obsessed with it though, right? The shirt. I love it. I think I will be able to wear it with so many things this season.  I've paired it here with this royal blue tulip skirt from CAbi. It's so pretty (and it has a little pattern on it, which of course I didnt  get a good close picture of. Whoopsies!) I was introduced to this line when somebody at my office threw a party (it's like a Tupperware party but with clothes!) and it has some great pieces this season. One of the things I like the best about CAbi is that the colors are consistent from season to season, meaning the blacks always match and the navys always match.  That helps when you are trying to mix things up a little. And these little navy blue suede shoes, right?  Oh my goodness. Don't get me started on how much I'm gonna wear these puppies!  Suede is my go to texture right now--how about you? I want just about everything in suede this season! Speaking of this season, last weekend I took everything down and decorated our house for Halloween. It's so fun! I love getting the house all spiffed up for the holidays. I am telling you, from now until New Year's is my absolute favorite time of the year!  What about you? What is your favorite time of the year? I hope you are having the absolute best day my lovelies and as always, I appreciate you so much. Xxoo Michelle

Shirt: Here || Skirt: Here || Shoes: Here

A Storied Life + Back in (Navy) Blue

{Book Review} So, I have a confession to make. You know how I read? A LOT? Well, I have a weird habit of reading the last chapter of a book first. I know. This horrifies most people. I can't help it.   I need to know and I need to prepare myself for what's coming.  If I don't see a main character referenced in the end? I'm not getting too attached to that person, let me tell you. I think because I am very empathic (my husband will often say " This is a BOOK. It's not REAL") as I am sobbing and hiccupping my way through it, and it just really stays with me, the stories I read.  Maybe I do this because real life is not predictable like this.  We don't know the ending in real life, and so maybe in this small way, I am able to control it a bit. Who knows. ANYWAY! This book "The Storied LIfe of AJ Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin ruined me. It is sad, but in a wonderfully sad way.  Its the story of a bookstore, on a small island, and of the owner AJ Fikry and his life, the life of his customers and life in general. What I loved the most is that every chapter begins with a little synopsis of a different book, written by AJ.  He is sarcastic and witty and I chuckled quite often at his observations. It's a really good read and if you do read it (or have)- let me know what you think. I thought it was wonderful!

{Fashion} Easy office dressing your thing? Then this little dress is for you. Pull it on, add some heels and a great bag and off you go. I love navy and I can't wait to wear the heck out of this wine/oxblood/burgundy (what are we calling this, anyway?) color for Fall. And you notice this cuff? It is handmade by the fabulous and talented @whatwouldvwear as part of her @vwearcollection.  Isn't it beautiful? All of her designs are just gorgeous. You have to check it out! What are you up to for this long weekend? I am leaving  tonight for Chicago (what a city, right?) to spend the weekend with my in-laws and when I get back...I am going to prepare for NYFW! I am so excited! Can you believe it? Do these people know that they are letting a dorky lawyer in their midst? Apparently not! Yay! Can't wait to share pics with you!! Happy Day you all! Xx Michelle 

Dress: Banana Republic

Cuff: whatwouldvwear.com

Heels: Kate Spade

Remember Me?

Happy Friday eve everyone! This week seriously flew by for me-- did it for you? How come some weeks are so much faster than others I wonder? And wasn't yesterday the hardest day to wake up to? Those poor reporters in Virginia-- I was just sick about it all day.   This world sometimes. It weighs so heavy on me, the senselessness and the lack of regard for life.  Those poor people got up and went to work like we all do and are gone for absolutely no reason. So tragic. We just need to say a little prayer for them and for the rest of us who live in this mind-boggling, sometimes terrifying world.

I bought this dress over the weekend and how cute is it? I love the cut- it's sort of a-line and bell-sleeved and I feel great in it. I like things that move when you walk and for some reason, this dress makes me feel so elegant. I paired it with these blush Gucci heels. I bought these in the Spring  (they are a soft pink....come on!! Of course I bought them) and I bought the same pair in black too. They are the perfect heel--soft supple leather, good height. Funny story about these shoes: There is a girl that works at the Gucci store at South Coast that has been there forever. Before I was married and had my daughter, I was at that store  all the time. Why not?  Save, shhmmave. I had only me to worry about, I had no real expenses and my office is super close to South Coast Plaza- -ahhhh, nostalgia! The good old days.  She would call me and tell me when new stuff came in, and she would put things aside for me in my size-- I'm telling you, this was a LOVELY, fulfilling relationship.  Then, life changed for me-- marriage, babies, buying and furnishing homes, saving money and other such shopping replacers took over and decreased my visits. Drastically reduced my visits, to be honest. 😢😢 Anyhoo, she recognized my PARENTS for crying out loud who were in the store around Christmas and wrote a note to give me, saying "Michelle, where are you? Remember me?" I actually felt guilty-- isn't that weird? So weird. And so I went in there and bought these heels and while I was as dazzled and excited as always when surrounded by beautiful handbags and shoes -- I realized something--it's just stuff. Right? Stuff that doesn't matter much at all.  Visits to my favorite stores may not be as frequent, my facials and mani/pedis have all but disappeared but my life is infinitely better. Being a mommy, spending time with my family and creating memories together has fulfilled me in ways I never imagined.  I am like a broken record but there is just one secret to life, I'm convinced: Get your family (and friends count as family) around you, hold them tight, and spend as many moments with them as you can, laughing and soaking each other in.  Life is about love, my beauties. That's all. (well, and a great pair of heels!) Thank you for stopping by, dear hearts xx Michelle

Dress: (not online apparently but similar here

Shoes: (old but similar in suede here)

Clutch (Etsy. Have we discussed my obsession with Etsy? And monograms? I LOVE it)

Pendant (CAbi --I linked the Fall line because there are new designs each season--and mine was from Summer.  This pendant can be twisted and linked and worn all sorts of different ways!)