Let's Party

This week's Friday's Fancies centers on holiday parties.  In my current profession, we have very lovely staff parties at a fellow teacher's home, and the dress code tends to be a few steps above dressy-casual.  I love dressing up.  (What a surprise, huh?!)  I miss dressing up for fancy holiday parties at the country club.  One year I had this gorgeous short black dress that had a tafetta underskirt; it was a sleeveless boatneck piece that was reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn, and I loved it.  This year, I may be working the night of my holiday party, so my go to outfit will be very stylish- black pants, a tuxedo shirt, and a bow tie.  (Hey, bow ties are cool.)  If I was going somewhere, though, I would love to sport this gorgeous number from Anthropologie.

Dolce Vita clothing / Dolce Vita clothing

Isn't it beautiful?!  I hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend. Big thanks to Alison for hosting Friday's Fancies!

Check, Please.

I am so glad it's Friday! I have big plans for the weekend- I'm painting my guest bedroom and cleaning out my garage. (I know how to party!) Today I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for another rendition of Friday's Fancies. Today's theme is Mad for Plaid, which is fortuitous, because I wore plaid (well, buffalo check, which is technically a plaid, right?!) yesterday. We have been having really, really warm weather here in southern California lately, and I decided to take advantage of these last warm days and wear a skirt with no leggings. I didn't even need a coat!

Madewell black top / Gianni bini shoes / 5 POCKET DENIM SKIRT / Michael Kors Oversized Curb Chain Logo Necklace

On another note, I am so excited because I finally broke down and bought a DSLR camera! Woohoo, and thank you, Target Red card for the additional 5% off!  Pretty soon I will be subjecting you all to poorly lit amateur shots of my home and of some of my outfits.
In the meantime, hooray for the weekend.  Any plans?

Travel Chic

This week's Friday's Fancies theme is centered around staying chic when you travel. We were just talking about traveling last night at dinner. I realized that we need to start planning our trip for next summer, or for spring break, if we decide to go somewhere then. I also realized that I have never really traveled during the winter or fall months; at least, not on a plane. We've gone up north, but never really far. Hmmm. Maybe we can remedy that soon. So anyway, here is my take on a couple of comfortable, chic looks that will take you from the airport to final destination in style. I also happen to think these would be great outfits for running errands in on the weekend.

Travel

Paul Smith cardigan / Zoe Karssen jersey tee / Merona plus size long sleeve top / Loeffler Randall slip on shoes / UGG Australia Women s Alloway Slippers / Sperry Top-Sider green purse / Mango black purse

I've got to say that I am so glad it is the weekend.  Time is just flying by; can you believe that we only have two full months left this year?!  Crazy!
Happy Friday, and a big thanks to Alison over at Long Distance Loving for hosting the link up!
Oh, and happy birthday to my little brother!

Color Crush: Orange

Fall has finally come to our little desert valley. Well, sort of. It kind of comes and goes. But it has made me start thinking twice about wearing skirts and dresses with no tights, cause in the morning when it is chilly I'd be too cold. I'm a big baby when it comes to the cold. Over on Long Distance Loving today's Friday's Fancies is "Fall Color Crush."  This fall I am loving all kinds of colors, but one of my favorites has always been orange.  I love it pretty much all year long, but I really love it in the fall!

Orange Crush 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Labor Day

This week's Friday's Fancies is all about the weekend... the three day weekend! I am glad it is here, mainly because I want to catch up on sleep and clean my house, which has very quickly become quite a little wreck. Last night I went to Back to School Night for the first time ever. This might not seem like a huge deal, but my daughter in in junior high, and I had never been to one of her back to school nights. I promise it isn't because I'm an uncaring mother. I've always, always had to work while they were going on; that's what happens when your kiddo goes to the same school where you happen to be a teacher. So in the past, my parents have always gone in her place. It was good to hear her teachers talk about their expectations.
Anyway, it was a long night, with a pre-planned dinner and planning session with a friend/colleague after the school deal, so I am tired today and ready for some time to relax and get caught up on my life outside of school.
So how about you?  Any fun plans for the three day weekend?

Labor Day 

Mango blue dress, $26 / Quiksilver top / Orlebar Brown clothing / rag & bone/JEAN torn shorts / PLAID WESTERN SHIRT / Sperry Top-Sider sperry top sider shoes / Sam Edelman leopard shoes / Converse sneaker, $70 / Tory Burch buckle handbag / Mango gold bracelet bangle

Big thanks to Long Distance Loving for hosting another round of Friday's Fancies!

Favorite Summer Treat

Corset style top / rag & bone/JEAN short shorts / Keds shoes / Converse canvas shoes, $70 / H&M beach bag, $15 / Full Tilt clear glasses

Happy Saturday, all! I am exhausted after two fantastic days back in the classroom. Happy and excited for this new school year, but exhausted nonetheless. Today I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for another round of Friday's Fancies. This week's theme is "Time for a Treat." We were tasked with sharing our favorite summertime treat and then creating an outfit around it. I thought about doing Baskin Robbin's delicious daiquiri ice ice cream, but let's face it, that is a favorite treat year round, not just in the summer!
No, my favorite summer time treat has to be cherries.  I love, love, love a bowl of beautiful cherries.  My goal next summer is to take the Cat cherry picking; as we have never been.  We were supposed to go this summer, but it just didn't happen.
I'm off to get a pedicure today, as my poor feet are aching from being back on my feet in heels all day.
I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Friday's Fancies

This week's Friday's Fancies topic is the old summer staple, shorts.  As we head into what can be the hottest part of summer, shorts are a definite must in one's wardrobe.  I've rounded up a few of my favorite looks.

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image via The Brunette Prep

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I've been wearing a lot of my go-to black shorts from Forever 21; they're just so versatile and easy to style.  I would love to add a pair like Olivia Palermo's cheetah print shorts in the first picture.
Maybe I can find a pair on sale, since it's just about the end of the season!  Big thanks to Alison over at Long Distance Loving for hosting the link up.
I hope you all have a happy weekend!

Style Crush

This week on Long Distance Loving's Friday Fancies the theme is "Style Crush."  When I first read that, my mind went in about a hundred different directions.  I have so many style crushes!  Blair Eadie (who doesn't have a style crush on that woman?!), Oliva Palermo, Rachel Bilson and her fictional character Zoe Hart, the list goes on.
I decided today to focus on someone who has helped, in many ways, shape the face of fashion- former Chanel model Ines de la Fressange.  Her style is the epitome of chic, and I love that she is so willing to share what she knows.
There is even a Parisian Chic weekly planner to help guide and inspire you.

buy it here

I've had the original book since it was published in 2011.  I love the classic outfits presented in the book; two years later and I am still wearing variations of the the clothes inside because they are timeless.  Here's one of my favorites from the book.

I went out and bought two cardigans like the one pictured, and even though they are kind of an olive/army green, they are so neutral that I can pair them with just about everything.  Plus they are light enough that I can slip one into my purse in case I get chilly at some point.

Sleeve dress / Dress / Floral dress / Raif long sleeve shirt / Dorothy Perkins / Watch

Summertime Staple: Sandals

This week's Friday's Fancies topic is on another summertime staple- sandals.
These Anthropologie sandals are, in my humble little opinion, perfect.  You can dress them up, dress them down- they work with so many different outfits!  Personally, I'm loving a good ankle strap, although you do have to be careful with the line of your leg; you don't want it to chop off any length.

Staple: Sandals by desertgirls featuring linen shorts

Mango three quarter sleeve dress / Sleeved t shirt, $31 / Linen shorts, $22 / Lucky Penny shoes / Sandals / Maracay Buckle Sandals - Anthropologie.com

Of course, for even longer legs, you should opt for heels. There are a few pair of ankle strap sandals with heels that I am loving too, but this summer our vacations and other activities have caused me to choose the more comfortable shoe; luckily, with picks like these, that means I don't have to sacrifice style for comfort. Big thanks to Alison for hosting another round of Friday's Fancies!

In the Summertime

Happy Friday, all! Today I am linking up with Long Distance Loving to bring you some of the things on my summer wish list. My summer essentials, if you will. (And if you won't.) On top of my list for this summer is the good old maxi dress. I love a good maxi dress. Don't want to bother putting a lot of effort in to your look because you stayed up until 3 a.m. the night before finishing out the Pretty Little Liars episodes available on Netflix? No problem! (Well, I guess some might consider it a problem that I am watching Pretty Little Liars in marathon mode this summer. But I can't help it. It is vacation, right? I'm allowed my guilty little pleasures.) 
The weather has bean really weird at home lately.  Usually by this time we are sitting in triple digit weather wondering how long it will be before our faces melt off our heads.  But not this summer.  At least, not so far.  So enter the maxi dress, which allows the perfect amount of coverage, whether it is windy or not.
Another summer essential- you've gotta get new shades for the summer!  I love both the pairs I've featured here, and bonus- one of them is on sale.
New bathing suits are in order this summer.  I've had my current suits for longer than I'd care to admit.  Along with new suits, I am loving this cover up in navy blue.
Let's see- I am also loving that charm bracelet.  I think it is so light and airy; perfect for the summer!
And new sandals are in order... and that purse is gorgeous.  Round it out with a beach bag and you're good to go.
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

In the Summertime by desertgirls featuring vix

T-Bags Los Angeles maxi dress / Tory Burch / Vix / Vix / Vix swimwear / Vix / Steve Madden steve-madden shoes / Tory Burch / Lesportsac medium travel tote / Kate Spade / Sunglasses

Outfit of the Day: Mint and Leopard

This look is quickly becoming one of my favorites; an easy blouse half tucked in to jeans or pants and a cute pair of heels. It is simple and comfortable, and so easy to throw together ( but without looking like you just threw something on)!  The bun is also super easy and gives the illusion of being pulled together.  With the last days of school upon us, unpredictable weather, and a raging fire nearby, it's nice to at least be able to pretend to have it all together!
I'm linking up with Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins, Face It Catalog, and, of course, Long Distance Loving this week; hop on over to catch some fantastic posts!

shirt: Target (clearance!)
shoes: Dillards
belt: Madewell
jeans: Marshalls
sunglasse: Coach
Big thanks to Kyungmoo Ryu for the photos!

White Hot

The wind died down today, and it got hot outside. The heat (and the fact that school ends on Wednesday) has me thinking, finally, SUMMER! You can't get much more summery than a great swimsuit and cover up, right? Throw in a beach towel and some sandals and you're ready for a day at the beach or by the pool.
Actually, I can think of something more summery- an all white swimsuit and cover up.  I'm linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies, whose theme, coincidentally, is White Out.

Tory Burch boho tunic / La Perla halter swimsuit / Forever 21 sandals / Tory Burch straw beach tote

Plus, how amazing are these beach towels?! I'm especially loving the idea of pairing the items above with the zebra print towel.

get it here

How fabulous is this zebra hide towel and leather holster carrying device from Maslin?  I'll tell you- it's pretty damn fabulous!

buy this one here

I'd take this one too, by artist Julian Schnabel.  You know, if I had £100 lying around to spend on beach towels.
I hope your weekend is off to a fabulous start!

Friday's Fancies and OOTD

Welcome to the weekend! I am SO glad it's Friday. And three days off? I am not complaining! Today I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies. The theme this week is Memorial Day. How apropos, no?

Memorial Day by desertgirls featuring frayed jean shorts

Tunic / Mango frayed jean shorts / Shoes / Clutch / Kate Spade eyewear

I am loving that shirt from Tailor and Styist, and the shoes from there as well.  And the purse, come to think of it, is also from there.  I may or may not have a whole list of items I would love to purchase from that store!

I think that outfit would work well for a Memorial Day bbq; it's cute and comfortable.
I also thought I'd throw in an outfit of the day along with the bbq outfit; this one is perfect for the weekend too!

Lace up shoes / Cherry necklace / UGG Australia Women´s Alloway Slippers | Dillards.com

Okay, now I'm done. I just love that vintage bakelite cherry necklace and I think it would be so cute with this outfit!  I also like the idea of changing out the shoes from heels to flat to make the outfit a little more casual.  And I love a punch of color- I think red is perfect for the weekend that unofficially kicks off the start of summer!
I hope you all have a great weekend!