Too hot to travel

T-Stylemint, Vest-JCrew, Jeans-Paige, Scarf-Gap, Shoes-Vince Camuto, Necklaces-EmersonMade,
Bracelets-Maui, Watch-Coach

This was my planned travel outfit last week, but it was to flipping hot to wear jeans. While trying to get these pictures, I had to run into the house numerous times and stand in front of the fan. Can you see the sweat on me? Look closely, it's there. I heard someone say Satan went back to hell because it was cooler than here- can't blame him! HA! After many repeated attempts, I decided it wasn't worth the effort and switched to this little number. It was much cooler and still comfortable for the flight. Check back Monday for an update from my trip to California. It was so much fun, but I think I need a vacation from my vacation!

Stripes and Spots

Tee-Stylemint, Skirt-H&M, Belt-Limited, Shoes-Vince Camuto, Necklaces-EmersonMade,
Watch-Coach, Bracelets-Maui

Have you checked out Stylemint yet? It's a monthly tshirt line created by Mary Kate and Ashely Olsen.  Each tee is 29.99 and they release a new set each month. I just love the way this one hangs. It's comfy and soft yet looks stylish. I wore this numerous times while I was in California last week and see it becoming a go-to piece.

Flower Power

Dress-3.1Phillip Lim, Tshirt-H&M, Shoes-DV by Dolce Vita, Belt, Sunnies and Necklace-Target,
Earrings-Macy's, Watch-Coach, Bracelet-F21

My answer to a sweltering day-the perfect day dress. Remember when I wore it like this when it was freezing out? It's really a summer dress, made of lightweight linen. Perfect for the temps we had today. Fortunately, I leave for CA tomorrow. My girlfriend assures me that I will not have any humidity. YES! Speaking of which, I found a way to make my hair stay put-tease the crap out of it and then shellac it with enough hairspray to be considered a fire hazzard. What do you think? This is after a full day of 90+ degrees with humidity that makes it feel like 112! I'll be back on Monday with pics from the trip. Stay cool!

Wings

Blouse-Gap, Cardi-Winter Kate, Jeans-Paige, Shoes-Vince Camuto, Necklaces-EmersonMade,
Watch-Coach,Bracelts-Gift, Target

I was lucky to snap these shots between rain storms on Friday and the onset of what turned out to be a very hot and humid weekend. It was "You walk outside and instantly need to go back in and shower" humid.  Notice the progression of my hair in these pictures. It started out straight, and in a matter of 10 minutes, the ends started to wing up. Note, my hair was blown out by my hairstylist AND flat ironed just shortly beforehand... still didn't hold up to this humidity. Ugh. You should have seen it later that night. Picture Monica in the Friends episode when they went to Bermuda and her hair continued to grow throughout the trip!  I don't know what I'm going to do this week. It's going to be like this all week long. Any suggestions? I wish I could wear a head scarf to work, or better yet a hat! Oh, and I don't have air conditioning so spending hours drying and flattening it just don't work. I end up a puddle of sweat before I even get out the door.

Favorite Pants

Tank, Cardi-Target, Pants-Pure Joy(Nordstrom YEARS ago), Shoes-Seychelles, Bag-Coach,
Necklaces-EmersonMade, F21, Earrings-Limited, Bracelets-Target, Gift, local, Watch-Coach

You've seen these pants before (here). They have been favorites of mine for going on 12 years now. I have to stagger when I wear them as they aren't easy to forget. I'm loving this cardi paired with them that I picked up at Target. It's so soft and comfy. This piece will be coming with me when I travel to CA next week.  I'm counting down the days to spending some quality time with my girls. But first, a few days of work in Orange County. Then, I'm heading up the coast to San Luis Obispo. My favorite place to visit (not to mention we got married in Pismo Beach).  We plan to hit up the farmer's market, county fair to see Maroon 5 and Train, and some wine tasting in Paso Robles. 

The Yoga Garage

Every Wednesday (pending the weather), my friend Meggan teaches outdoor yoga at one of the lakes near me. It's a great way for me to spend the night outside and connect with my practice. I've been a yogi for over 12 years-some of those years more intense and committed then others. Recently, I've rediscovered how much I love and miss my practice and have been hitting my mat more frequently. It really benefits the mind, body and spirit.

Meggan started teaching yoga last year (although she's been practicing for much longer) and she created The Yoga Garage as a way to bring yoga to everyone. Really a cool concept! Who wouldn't like doing yoga in scenery like this? Not to mention all the fun yoga clothes you can get-I'm a HUGE fan of Lululemon and Be Present, but any athletic clothing will do.

If yoga is your thing or you'd like to try it, check out Meggan's facebook page or follow her on twitter. 

Mehndi Medallions Birthday

I was so excited when I got this stamp set recently. I love mehndi and this stamp is a great replica of the wonderful Indian tradition-it's so intricate and beautiful. My girlfriend's birthday was this past weekend and this was the perfect design for her card. I'm loving how it turned out. Can't wait to make some invitations for our Indian themed party in early fall.

Materials:

Paper: Sft White (Paper-Source), Leaf (Paper-Source), Peacock (Paper-Source)

Stamps:Mehndi Medallions (Papertrey Ink), Wonderful Words Additions (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:Turquoise (VersaMagic) Night Sky (VersaMagic)

Other: Wonderful Words Die (Papertrey Ink)

Sleeveless

Dress-NY&Co, Tank-Len Druskin, Shoes-Target, Necklace and Earrings-Macy's,
Bracelets-Gift, Watch-Coach

Back to reality and work clothes this week. These last two weeks were heaven with the dress code casual and being able to wear anything I felt like to work. I wish we would do that all summer long. I swear my mood and attitude are better when we get these small perks. Oh well. To start this week off right, I eased back into workwear with this cute little number I found at NY&Co. I paired it with a black cardi, as we're not supposed to wear sleeveless to work(?!?), but it was too hot after work to leave it on. It's a versatile dress that will get lots of rotation through the rest of summer and into fall.

Coal just can't stay away from where the camera is... I'm always shooing him away.

Birthday BBQ

Tshirt-H&M, Skirt-Loft, Hat-Macy's, Flip Flops-Target, Earrings-F21, Necklace-Vintage,
Bracelets-Gifts, Nomination, Watch-Michele, Rings-Silpada, NY&Co

It was my friend Susie's birthday this weekend and she had a fantastic BBQ. It was hotter than sin out, but we had so much fun, it didn't really matter. I'm not a big shorts person, have yet to find a pair that look good on me. So, I wear a lot of skirts to stay cool.  To take a simple outfit from boring to wow, all you need are a few key accessories. Add some fun, bold jewelry, maybe a hat or scarf. Voila,instant chic. I opted for a hat as the full 'fro was in effect with the humidity. I love a great hat, it can make any bad hair day just melt away- literally in this heat! 

Issue 7 {Anthropologie love}

Photo from Anthropologie

There are few stores that I can say I buy head to toe outfits from. I like to shop for pieces and then mix them together on my own.  Anthropologie, on the other hand, seems to always knock it out of the park with their styling. It's a store I can't walk into and just buy one item. Kinda like Target. You go in looking for one specific thing and walk out with WAY MORE than you intended.  For this reason, I try to stay away from Anthro unless I'm looking to really shop. After looking through their recent catalog, I'm thinking it's time to ramp up for fall. Everything in there screamed "me". I will try to restrain myself, but it's going to be tough. What do you think of their latest catalog (Check it out here)? Do you have a store that you need to "stay away from" for danger of blowing your whole clothing budget for the year?

Photo from Anthropologie

Photo from Anthropologie

Photo from Anthropologie

Photo from Anthropologie

Photo from Anthropologie

Photo from Anthropologie

Dizzy

Cardi/Tank combo-Bailley 44, Jeans-CofH, Shoes-Vince Camuto, Flower pin-H&M,
Necklaces-Tiffany&Co, Target, Bracelets-Tiffany&Co, Nomination, Gift, Watch-Michele, Ring-NY&Co

I have a slight addiction to things navy (as seen here and here) but when I found this striped cardi/tank combo, I couldn't pass it up. It looks very similar to another one I have, but yet not as this is a soft tshirt material and the tank is attached. Genius! Very nautical and summery. Add a pop of color with the flower and I'm ready to go.