Cable Knit

A good cable knit sweater makes me very very happy. Something to huddle up in when it's cold and to throw on over a bunch of layers or wear over a dress or paired up with some skinny cords and ankle boots. Since it doesn't get terribly cold here, this is all I need in the winter and I am good to go. That Madewell sweater with the striped sleeves is calling my name and may have to be a Christmas present to myself - it combines my obsession with all things striped AND a cozy pretty sweater. Done and done.

Designer Toms

I have a pair of striped Toms with the rope soles that I am completely in love with - but it took me a long time to actually buy them because the shoes can be a little...odd looking. And now there are DESIGNER Toms available in an exclusive collection (this is just a sample of the shoes) at Neimans...that ikat number and the graffiti flat are really pretty cool (and you have to admit, the shoes are COMFY) but not sure they can get me to fork over that much money for them. I love the velvet flat but not sure how I feel about the silly skull graphic. Would you buy designer Toms?

Airport Fashion

As much as I hate dealing with people in airports and planes...I LOVE traveling. Even if the only place I ever go seems to be San Francisco (a 50 minute flight), I get so excited to be going SOMEWHERE. I take packing very seriously and enjoy making it all neat and putting together things that will work for different places and nights out. So even though I barely make it through a magazine on a flight, I like to get dressed as if I am going somewhere fabulous. But you have to be comfortable - otherwise what is the point. Sitting on a plane in a starchy skirt and heels is no kind of fun for me - especially with a tiny baby in tow. Gwyneth Paltrow has got the right idea - skinny jeans - check. Amazing boots - check. Beautiful cozy jacket - check. Giant scarf to cuddle up in - check. Sunglasses to hide sleepy eyes and jet lag - CHECK CHECK. And a lovely bag small enough to shove under the seat in front of you but big enough to hold all the necessities for flying - check.

Laughing Out Loud

Obsessed with Kristin Wig from SNL and Bridesmaids...these skits from SNL made me laugh so hard this morning at work. The deal is that he is singing and she is trying to guess what words he will say...I had earphones on and pretty sure the whole office heard me snort with giggles. And check out what crazy famous couple came to help them out.

And yes, I do actually get some work done while at work.

Clare Vivier

There are lots of things that I obsess about that I only see online, these crazy amazing foldover clutches by Clare Vivier being one of those things. Yesterday my friend Tessa just CASUALLY pulled out her new black leather clutch and I about shoved her out of the way to see it up close. They really are beautifully made drop dead gorgeous little bags (and kick ass leather totes too...). Such a great size for all the essentials in just buttery soft leather...and so many color options - makes it hard to choose. Also makes me quite the jealous friend :)

These colorful needlepoint pillows from Jonathan Adler always make me smile and I would love to collect a whole mess of them to brighten up my white couch but their price points stop me from doing so. But I saw some vaaaaguely similar initial pillows for a lot less in the most random of places - Pottery Barn Teen. Even though I am looking for a lot of color for my couch, I think a couple black and white initial pillows would help lend some personality as well.

Neck (and Finger) Candy

Erica Weiner never fails to make unique and sweet little trinkets...I love the shiny milagro hearts and the customizable chunky heart (I am a sucker for heart necklaces)...and I am preeeetttttttyyyy sure those little love knot rings are already on their way to my fingers.....

Trailer Time

Saw a movie by myself for the first time on Sunday night - have you ever done that? I thought it would make me feel self-conscience, but it actually was really really relaxing and a great way to escape and have a moment to myself. Plus my husband would never go see a movie like Martha Marcy May Marlene with me...it's a pretty slow but intriguing and dark movie of a girl who escapes a cult. You see the experience through flashbacks and as the movie goes on the more you get drawn into her experience and it ends up pretty chilling. Elizabeth Olsen is amazing in it as you can lose yourself entirely in her character - I just feel bad that because she is the younger sister of such famous girls that you can't help but be thinking about that from time to time.

Amazing Video

Get More: Bruno Mars, Amy Winehouse Medley/Valerie (Live), Music, More Music Videos

Saw two entirely different but touching videos today...a tribute to Amy Winehouse during the VMAs by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga performing live on Howard Stern. Bruno Mars does a beautiful job of the song Valerie, which I love, and the dancing and throwback style was perfect - especially the little dance moves at the end - hello! Makes you sad all over again that such insane talent is gone. And Lady Gaga just blows doors down singing Edge of Glory live...it's so nuts when you see singers get all distorted and emotional while singing, gives me goosebumps every time I see something like that.

Skinny Cords

Speaking of skinny cords...I dipped into the Gap the other day (for a place that I don't particularly think turns out great quality fashion anymore, I sure end up there a lot...maybe its all the sales) cause I walk past it to get to Madewell in the mall and ended up walking out with a perfect pair of skinny cords. Can't tell online if these are the exact ones but mine are a beautiful navy color, pretty dang tight, high enough cut that when you bend over the whole world doesn't know you intimately and they go with everything. I want to wear them everyday and am going back to buy in them in black - the almost look like velvet instead of corduroy. The bummer about the Gap is that usually things end up fitting oddly or stretching out or falling apart or going on sale right after you buy them. But so far, these are amazing pants and my new best friends.

Set - Spring and Winter

I am COMPLETELY obsessed with this clothing line. If tomorrow morning I woke up and these collections were all that were in my closet I would be a VERY happy woman. This captures the way I love to dress in the winter...skinny skinny cords with soft layers, beautiful textured cardigans, a little bit of leopard and gorgeous blazers (that black and white tuxedo jacket - holy hot banana!). Not to mention great accessories of buckled beat up boots, giant scarves and fedoras. While we're at it, I'll take the perfectly messed up hair and creamy natural makeup too please. This is my new inspiration for the upcoming holidays and cold weather...so glad to have come across this here.

Top is the Spring lookbook found here and bottom is the Fall/Winter collection seen here.

Beads and Bracelets

I bet you would look at these and say to yourself  "I can make that"...and maybe you could. MAAAAYBE. But do you have the same fun sense of color? An eye for combining unusual shapes and textures? A talent for making bright and whimsical bracelets that make you smile everytime you look at them? Yeah, I didn't think so...but dullDiamond does...no mistaking that. And these lovelies are all sold at friendly prices making it easier to have them all to yourself...dibs!

Tony Bennett Duets

Been obsessed with watching these...I think the Lady Gaga one is my favorite because they look like they are having a ball and she shows a different side of herself (in my opinion, a better side) but I think the k.d. lang one sounds sooooo beautiful.

My Week With Marilyn

Philippa Holland

A little obsessed with that beetle necklace from Philippa Holland...and those dual gem rings...and the simple script letter pendent. I am sure the beetle would get all kinds of reactions as it's pretty realistic and the color combos on those rings are spot on. It's been a long time since I have purchased any new jewels and this all looks pretty tempting...

Head Scarves

Now that it seems like half my hair has fallen out due to post-baby hormones, I am constantly searching for new ways to disguise that fact. Since I am already obsessed with messy bun hair...it seems like this would be the next logical step. Haven't really played with a scarf beyond just tossing one around my neck before so not sure how this will all go down, but I love these looks (collected from Tumblr). Nicole Richie circa 2008 seems to have perfected this style...I like the combo of the pinup girl and the bohemian hippie chick look, messed up hair with a smooth patterned scarf on top.Wish me luck.

Toshikazu Nozaka

TOSHIKAZU NOZAKA from Louis Mitchell on Vimeo.


A beautiful short video of former pro-skateboarder Toshikazu Nozaka tattooing. I love how the Japanese culture reveres artists and tradition and wish that the US did more of the same.

Carole King

Shoes!

Ankle boots are my true shoe obsession but really I love them all. So these photos of Rachel Zoe's office on The Coveteur made me want to scream out loud - there is a beautiful carpet of shoes in there. seriously. one beautiful pair of insane heels after another...but I have so many questions for the stylist. Like what sizes are they? What do you do with the ones that are out of season or no longer needed? Are they all on loan or are they your property? Do you try them all on when they come in? Do you ever steal a pair for your own personal collection? It would be like a girlfriend dream date come true to get to go in there with my two best girlfriends, a couple bottles of champagne and a camera to forever document  the crazy fun of getting to play dress up in all those pairs and clothes. Can you imagine?

On a side note, I was a little disappointed in the photos of her office. She has such fantastical stuff and a killer space and yet...it was a little undone. A little blah and not put together. Harumph.

Apartment Envy

Lately I have had serious interiors envy...of neighbors, of friends, of TONS of places I see in magazines and online. Our home is cozy and friendly but kiiiiiiinnnnnda looks like we are a couple right out of college and have no money. And with our college days long behind us I am so over it. Then chuck in some serious baby stuff (the stroller is usually parked in our living room) and you just have kind of a mess. And no time to clean it. But I am trying, little by little to make it a place that is functional for the beach (VERY sand and surf board friendly) and stylish and affordable. So when I see places like this apartment featured in the latest Rue Mag I get obsessed with hunting down some new items. There is a very whimsical zen feel to this place that I love. The bookshelf balanced on giant smooth pebbles is so simple and amazing and I keep staring at the packed jewelry box anchoring all the magazines in what I think is actually their bathroom. Maybe its just tackling one thing at a time...this spread has inspired me to work on the living room...wish me luck.

Seeing Spots

I am in love. With a pink polka dot sweater from Madewell. And oddly enough pink and polka dots are two items you would be hard pressed to find in my closet. Light pink tends to make me feel like I am five but this sweater is girly without being too precious - and how can you NOT like those giant polka dots. Anything that makes me feel like smiling on a dreary depressing (I am a sun kinda girl) fall day works for me. And since I just HAPPEN to have to be at the mall after work to pick something up from Crate and Barrel (thank you mom...) I will have to duck in and try this pretty lady on.

Skull A Day

I celebrate anyone who has the dedication to do projects like this Skull A Day by Noah Scalin who apparently started this for no apparent reason. He uses a wide variety of materials from nails to light sensitive paper to googly eyes to condoms to sheets of metal to you name it.

zen threads

Some unique soft looking printed tops available at etsy seller Zen Threads. I don't wear a lot of printed tshirts or tank tops...I think the one I rock the most says "Lakers are for Lovers" and that was only to make my husband smile...I just seem to gravitate towards stripes and solids. But I do like the artistic hand drawn look of these, and those American Apparel raglan tops are as comfy loungy as it gets.

Personal Style

It's interesting to know how different woman approach getting dressed in the morning. I wake up most days and try to put together something that makes me feel pretty, is impressive enough for a surprise client meeting but also well suited to stressing out in front of a computer all day. For me, the perfect style is a blend between the 2005 bohemian queen Sienna Miller and the rock and roll laid back classiness of Rosie HW (I'll be the first to admit I am thoroughly obsessed with her style). Though unfortunately some mornings my style ends up more like the hassled first time mom who got spit up on at the last second and gave up entirely on trying to look cute...what do you think about in the morning? Do you go with the mood you woke up in? Plan the outfit around your new fall boots? Do you even think about it or do you just throw on whats near by and clean? While I make my bed every morning, it's inevitable that I have the piles of reject outfits piled on top of the freshly made bed and random shoes in front of the mirror and it never fails to amuse and confuse my husband.

Detroit - Hell Yeah.

A friend of mine works for Electric and he is always sporting the coolest sunglasses...recently I saw him at breakfast and he was wearing a pair that looked like a sturdier version of raybans (which i LOVE but they fall off my face!) that turned out to be from a limited edition collection. I tried them on and was obsessed with how SOLID they felt, how cool they looked and how they hugged my face so snuggly. Turns out this is the nicest friend EVER because he went back to work and discovered they were coming back out with them and snagged me a pair of the tortoise shell lovelies. There is something about the way they taper off at the sides that gives them just the right shade of pretty attitude. I am so in love with them it ALMOST makes up for the fact that my car pretty much broke down on the freeway this morning. My car may have almost been on fire but my shades sure were cool....