Polished

Dress-Gap, Blazer-JCrew, Shoes-BCBG, Belt-Target, Necklaces-EmersonMade,
Watch-Coach, Bracelets-Target, Maui, Gifts, Earrings-Limited

I love this dress. I bought it on a whim just before heading to Maui earlier this spring. Best impulse purchase yet. It's been a key go to piece all summer long (as seen here and here). Today, I decided to make it work for work.  The blazer dresses it up just enough so it doesn't look like I'm wearing a sundress to work (not that I haven't seen that at work *pet peeve*)

Working Animal

Blouse-Equipment, Blazer-Zara, Skirt-H&M, Shoes & Belt- Target,
Necklaces-EmersonMade, Bracelets-Gift, Target, Maui, Watch-Coach, Earrings-Limited

I scored this blazer on clearance at Zara while I was in CA a few weeks back. I had to beg my husband to let us stop and shop on our way up the coast. The closest Zara to me is in Chicago and they don't have online shopping. Yet.  Starting in September, Zara will be available online for the US. Can you see me jumping up and down with joy? It took years for us to get H&M and we still don't get the same stuff big cities get. At least with online shopping, I'll be able to have more to choose from-at least that's what I'm hoping. My pocketbook on the other hand may not be so happy.

Busy Bee

Blouse-Zara, Pants-Macy's, Belt and Necklace-Target, Shoes-Bandolino, Watch-Michele,
Bracelets-Gift, Target, F21, Earrings-Macy's

I packed in a TON of activities into this past weekend. Thursday and Friday was a girls cabin getaway. We laid out in the water, made fun drinks, enjoyed donuts for breakfast and spent part of the day boating. It was wonderful being on the lake all alone.  If you follow me on twitter, you saw how calm the water was- it was like glass. Friday night we adopted a puppy. Yep, we got another dog. Coal was moping around and needed a buddy, not to mention I missed having two dogs around. We lucked out and were able to get one from a shelter in town. I'll post more on her later this week. Taking her in Friday night meant Saturday we were running around getting all things puppy-a kennel, toys, a new collar and leash, and making sure we new where she was at all times (she's a mischievous little rugrat). Sunday I started my tennis class and went to yoga. I haven't played tennis since high school and it was great to get back out on the court. You forget how much you enjoy things sometimes. I can't wait to get back out there again this week. All in all, it was a great weekend. How was your weekend?

The Good Life

Dress-Gap, Shirt-JCrew, Shoes-Vince Camuto, Necklaces-EmersonMade, Sunnies-Target

Our last day in San Luis Obispo was heavenly. We didn't have anything on our agenda except Family Dinner at K's parent's house(aka "vacation home"). We slept in, got coffee from the Coffee Bean(my fave place to get coffee), hit the shopping outlets (I scored HUGE at Coach and Nine West), and then had lunch at the Madonna Inn.  The Madonna Inn is where we got our wedding cakes from and that was the whole reason we went-to get a slice of cake. This time we had the toffee crunch (which was also one of the cakes we served at our wedding). It's crazy how yummy these cakes are. If you're ever in the area, you've got to stop here. It's a bit cheesy from the outside, but the food is good and the dessert-delish! Later that afternoon, we made our way to the "vacation home" for dinner. I love going there, it's always a wonderful time. K's dad concocted a new martini(one of his specialties) and it was to die for-peach jalapeno.  That small hit of heat really makes this drink.  Yum!  We spent the evening with her fam and then concluded the night out on the deck, sipping wine, watching the sunset. It was the perfect way to end a perfect trip. We'll be back soon, I guarantee it!

Yummy Peach-Jalapeno martinis

The ladies!

Not bad for a picture taken by a 4 year old :)

Chardonnay

While in California last week, we spent a good part of the time drinking wine. Shocking, no? On Saturday we took part in the 2nd Annual Chardonnay Symposium. It was a fun day, but starting with wine at 9:30am and knowing we had to get from Santa Maria up to Paso Robles that evening for the Train/Maroon5 concert made things a bit more sobering. We started the event at a discussion around "To Oak or Not to Oak". We tried 12(!) wines, each from a wine maker that either uses oak or doesn't. Typically, I like oaky/buttery chardonnay, but I did find a few that I liked that weren't oaked. The fun part was listening to each of the winemakers share their story about why they make wine the way they do-they have such passion. We then made our way another vineyard to have lunch, which was delicious. Once we had some food in our bellies, it was off to a third vineyard for the full wine tasting event. I think there were at least 30 wineries present, a silent auction and some fantastic food samples. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Fortunately, we had time to squeeze in a quick cat nap before heading to the concert.

Tank-F21, Cardi-Target, Shorts-Banana Republic, Shoes-Vince Camuto,
Bag-Elliot Luca, Sunnies-Target, Necklaces-EmersonMade

I'm a Wave

Tee-Stylemint, Shirt and Vest-JCrew, Jeans-Citzens of Humanity, Scarf-Target, Shoes-Gap, Necklaces-EmersonMade, Watch-Coach, Bracelets-Maui and Target

Yep, I'm a wave. World's worst college mascot. I went to Pepperdine University and they are the Waves. So wrong. But, I loved going there and a silly mascot didn't get me down. When we were in California last week, I brought Ramesh up to Malibu to see my alma mater. He's heard me talk so much about it, it was great for him to finally experience it. It's a beautiful campus and when I was in school, I never took it for granted. I can honestly say I appreciated everyday I was there. Malibu has changed A LOT since I went to school there. They didn't have all the fantastic shopping they have now. Thank god! A college girl's budget wouldn't have gotten me very far and the temptation would have been unbearable. I did stop into the Malibu Country Mart to get myself an Iced Blended from the Coffee Bean(my favorite drink, and no a frappacino is not the same!). I used to sit there and study for hours...aww memories.

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.

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.

Thank you Mother Nature

Tank and Sweater-Limited, Jeans-Vintage, Shoes-Vince Camuto, Necklace-EmersonMade,
Earrings-F21, Sunnies-Marc Jacobs,Watch-Coach, Bracelets-Juicy, Target, Maui

Hope you all had a great 4th of July! The weather here was AMAZING! I feel like I'm always talking about the weather. It's a MN thing. We talk about it when it's too cold, too hot, too windy, too humid, you get the idea. I don't think we're ever happy. But, this weekend... I was happy with the weather.  After sweating it out in near 100 degree weather (with what felt like 100% humidity) for two days, the weekend came and poof- perfect 80 degree days. I was outside as much as possible. When you live in a state like MN, you don't take summer for granted. It's colder than heck 6 months out of the year. You learn to appreciate nice, warm days. We grilled out all, took the dog for a walk, hung with friends and just lounged around. All in all, a perfect 4th of July. How was your weekend? What did you do?

L.A.M.B. Stripes

Tank and Blouse-Target, Blazer-JCrew, Pants-LAMB, Shoes-Target, Necklaces-Tiffany & Co, Target,
Bracelets-Nomination, gift, Rings- NY&Co, Watch, Michele

These are my "I'm going to kick some ass" pants. I love them, but they are a bit loud to wear to work. The way I was feeling, I didn't really care. We had been dealing with a major issue all week that was requiring all hands on deck.  The day I wore these pants, it boosted my confidence and we were able to resolve what we needed. Do you have an outfit you put on when you need that extra boost of confidence?

I want to say thank you to all my friends and family who were there for me last week. It was rough going at times, but you were so thoughtful and supportive. THANK YOU! The weekend turned out to be extremely therapeutic. Tears were still shed, but I can now talk about Riley without completely losing it. It was good to get out and be social, as hard as it was.Hope your weekend was just as good. Happy Monday!

Anniversary Dinner

Dress-Gap, Belt-Target, Shoes-Born, Purse-Tori Richards, Necklaces-EmersonMade, Watch-Coach, Bracelets-gift, local, Earrings-Limited

Saturday was our one year(!) wedding anniversary. I can't believe how fast this past year flew by. Ramesh took me to La Belle Vie and I can honestly say it was the best dining experience I've had to date. From the moment we walked, the service was impeccable. Our server was stellar. When he learned it was our anniversary and dinner was our only plan for the evening, he asked if he could space out the meal so we could really enjoy ourselves. Which we did, by each opting for the 5 course tasting menu with accompanying wine flight. I had the all seafood option, while Ramesh stuck with the traditional with both seafood and meat. Every course outdid the last. All in all, it was a 3 hour dinner that was never rushed and we got to enjoy every minute. We finished off the night in their lounge and ordered one more food (can you believe it?) - French Fries with curry sauce...delish! I may or may not have had a few champagne elderflower cocktails which my head did not thank me for on Sunday. Two close friends met us for a nightcap and the night couldn't have been more perfect.