A Floral Fit for Fall (or a Wall)

Hello beauties!!  How about this floral print for (in CA, pre) fall?  And while we are on the subject of florals, for some reason looking at this dress fuels my wallpaper obsession like nobody's business! I am absolutely dying to wallpaper a few rooms in my house (the hubs? Not so much) but we are currently in that weird phase where we want to make the bump up to a bigger house, but we don't want to leave our amazing neighborhood.   My neighborhood Is.The.Best.  I am so lucky!  My street has a book club, a bible study, children my daughter's age GALORE and at least once a month (and sometimes in the summer, once a week), we have potlucks and BBQs and get togethers. I don't know if this little magic comes along all of the time and I am paranoid that we will move into a new house on some sleepy street, with maybe people we don't have anything in common with, and that wont be great.  So until we decide, no wallpaper for me.

ANYWAY.....I  love the details on this dress. It has a strip of black lace that trims the sleeves and the bottom that is so feminine and pretty. It is still so warm here that I paired this dress with my fringe sandals. I think I wore them once this summer (story of my life). It's a great combination, especially with my fringed handbag.  And then there's this cuff. It is an original design by @vwearcollection by @whatwouldvwear.  Pictures do not do it justice.  It is heavy and shiny and gorgeous. I wear it with everything-- with an armful of bangle bracelets or just alone.  Either way, it's fantastic!  Please go and look at her jewelry line-- you will not regret it!

How about the cute train tracks? I love walking around in San Juan Capistrano. There are so many cute picture nooks and crannies (not to mention the charm of the little shops and restaurants in the Los Rios District). For some reason, I am a little bit of a spazz with train track pictures. Did you know that you are not allowed to take pictures while stopped directly on the tracks? I didn't know that (but I betcha some lawyer was involved in this restriction!!)  Because I am a total rule follower, I made sure all of my photos were in motion!    And that is that, lovely ones.  I hope today has been so lovely for you! Thank you so much for stopping by! Sweetly- Michelle

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

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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

The (Waning) Dog Days of Summer

Hi dearest reader! So you already know that I am a dog lover. Literally, I can be walking and once a dog comes into my line of sight, I bee line right toward it. I've never met an ugly dog. Even the ones that really are ugly are cute to me.  I have two little dogs and I would have 10 if I could. Wherever I am sitting at home, one or both of my dogs are sitting next to me, leaning against me or sitting on my lap. Dogs (animals, really) just make me happy. So imagine my thrill when this little fella Lou came walking by and his (astute) owner said "My dog matches your outfit. You want a picture?" Why, yes! Yes I sure do!  He was so good. I took the leash, talked to him (in a high-pitched, probably annoying way, but Lou didnt seem to mind!) and we snapped off a few pictures.

This dress is another Nordstom find and I  love it. Pleione makes the cutest, most affordable separates and dresses.  It's one less thing to think about in the morning if I can throw on a pretty dress and heels and go. I am going to wear tights and boots once Fall rolls around (I have my fingers crossed that we actually get some fall weather!)  Hope you have such an incredible day and thank you thank you for stopping by! Xx Michelle

Michelle Hearts Michael

Hi there you! Its Friday! What a week I've had.  Like everyone else, my life is cyclical and there are times when I seem to be  balanced at work, and I can take a nice lunch, come home at night and unwind, read a book after my daughter goes to sleep (You moms out there know what I mean.  Your "you" time starts after your children are in bed!)  Lately? Work is crazy busy. I eat lunch at my desk and every night, I have been up until after midnight with my lap top on my lap, working (this really interferes with my ability to pay attention to important things on TV. Like the Real Housewives of New York Reunion. Part 1). The trial I was hurling toward has been continued a little, so I have a small reprieve but I am really looking forward to this weekend and catching up a little on errands (and sleep!)

{The Dress} I have to tell you something so funny about this dress!   I bought it at Nordstrom (and like most things I buy, the bags stay in the trunk until I figure out a time to strategically (and furtively) scamper upstairs with them)...and I forgot about it!  How sad of a life do I lead that I can buy this cute little number, hide it in my car (who needs another lecture from the hubs, I ask you? No one!) and completely forget about it? It was maybe 3 MONTHS later that I was looking around my trunk and I was like "Hmm. What's in here?"    So sad!  I love it. Shirt dresses are just a good staple every season, and you can find them with so many updated details. Here, it is the silver military- like accents. This is a perfect transition piece because it has 3/4 length sleeves and is a heavier blend of fabric, which is good for the office. I paired it with these TopShop shoes (similar) that I have from Nordstrom. I love a strappy shoe--T-strap, Mary Janes, some kind of ankle strap- yes yes and yes.  They are a great addition to this dress, don't you think?

{The Book}

Even though my book-reading has been seriously infringed upon by this horrible thing we refer to as a JOB, I still find time to read a little bit everyday.  I need to. It relaxes me, it lets my mind wander and I feel like I am doing a little something for myself.  I finished this book in record time (it's a very easy read) and it's good. Her writing style is breezy and it feels (at least from an American like me) very British.  I enjoyed it. It takes a humorous look at a serious event (a murder) that involves one of the most competitive groups of people known to man-- moms!  It looks at the silly and shallow things we sometimes do as parents when it involves our 5 year old children.  Even though its funny, I thought there was a strong lesson to be learned-- that we (humans) compete against each other, tear each other down and value things that in the whole scheme really don't matter.  As a mom with a career outside of the home, it can be difficult for me to go to school functions because I feel a little self conscious around the moms that stay home.  I think that however life works for a certain family should be supported (and it's none of my business how someone else lives or raises their family--if you are happy and healthy, good for you!). This book will maybe make you think about how we (women especially) need to make each other feel good and accomplished as much as possible because look around you---we are each other's future.  Speaking of the future... I hope you all have amazing things coming your way this weekend! ❤️😘 thank you for stopping by- xx Michelle