Been Away for Way too Long . . .

Hello Friends!

I have been out of the blog-o-shpere for a couple months now, and I feel a bit timid about coming back!

Grad school and working are eating up the majority of my time, but enough of my real-life friends have asked for a blog update to make me want to get back into it. I cannot promise that my blogging will consistent. Really, my style is nonexistent. Working with kids with special needs means simple, comfy clothes for getting dirty in. 

I have some other posts I need to put up, pictures and outfits from three lovely friends' weddings! That will be coming soon! (Hopefully!)

Where?

This outfit was worn to celebrate, my friend Janet's birthday. Her sister and husband rented a school bus and we all went wine tasting for the day. Super fun! Thanks Lori and Kevin! My friend Whitney took these pictures at our last winery.  

Why?

I knew it would be chilly on the bus and in the wineries. I wanted some layers, something comfortable, and cute. 

What?

Jeans: Gap, Always Skinny

Blouse: Gap

Vest: cashmere, Gap

Coat: Vintage (I feel for the fur collar!)

Shoes: purchased somewhere in Paris

Haircut, Wedding, and a Seaplane

Hi Friends!

This will be another "farwell for now" post! I'm heading to British Columbia to do some boating with my dad, and this will be my first seaplane adventure! From where we live, we see them take of about 30 times a day, but I've never before had an excuse to book a ticket. That's happening tomorrow, and today I had a lovely breakfast with Nate at our favorite breakfast spot. Now I will be getting a haircut with the lovely Connie and then Janet and Kevin's wedding! So excited! I love weddings (and vacations!)

As for the clothes . . . I am always looking for a way to make my t-shirts and jeans a bit more fashion forward. I love this top from Anthropolgie. It mixes jersey with silk, so it looks dressier but is super comfy. These skinny, stretchy jeans are from Urban Outfitters. I'm not sold on them yet. All in all a comfortable outfit for a lot of sitting then errand running.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

top, Anthropologie jeans, BDG from Urban Outfitters, shoes, Target

Mimi's Closet, The Beginning

Hi Friends!

In the spring, I helped my Mimi clean out her closets. It was four days of digging through memories, hearing stories, and deep sighs over elastic waistbands that have rotted away. In the end. I brought home three huge boxes in addition to wearing a fur coat on the plane (in May!). Sadly, many of her pieces are too small for me; she and my great grandma were 5'3" and about a size four. Somethings I am keeping, but most will be in my soon-to-start etsy store. These pieces range from the 30s to the 90's it is amazing to see how her style changed, but mostly stayed the same as she aged.

This top is one piece I knew I wanted to wear this summer. It is made of sheer cotton and has these lovely, billowy sleeves. do not really like it with the shorts I'm wearing, but it was nice for a picnic dinner in the park. Since Jessica from What I Wore did her turban tutorial, I have been sporting this look most days of the week. I love simple hair but particularly in the summer!

Top, Mimi Shorts, Anthropologie Scarf, Vintage Shoes, from Mara Braclets, collected on various vacations

Hello Friends!

I've been away for a while, but I am back, at least for the time being. This summer has been one of transition and change, not bad, just different. We've been staying home, taking long walks, and being quiet together. We've had some lovely times with friends and family as we relaxed our way through July. August will bring more change, one I'm not sure I am ready for, but life happens whether your ready or not. I am leaving the job I love and a program I helped build. Bittersweet as I move on to exciting new things. This fall I will be steeped in academia working toward my Master's and working with special needs children. But enough about that . . .

Scarf, Anthropologie Top, JCPenney Necklace, Banana Republic Pants, JCrew Shoes, Old Navy Bag, ?

Nate and I ventured out to a new favorite restaurant in our neighborhood, Chichetti. I'm in love! I ordered their marinated olives with mint and chili three times in one evening! They have wonderful chilled beaujolais and yummy sangria. We ran into some friends then saw Inception. A nice evening to finish off a languid month.

A List For Summer

I apologize for being away for so long, but life has a way of getting in the way of hobbies. In the past month or so, Nate graduated from med school and started his residency, we roasted a pig for family and friends at the farm, I boycotted blogging due to cold, rainy, miserable weather, and we spent some time adjusting to our new schedule (which is about to change in a month, again!)

After catching up on my favorite blog reads, I decided to make a list of some of the many things I hope to accomplish this summer. These are the must have, must do, must be's of so many things I want to have, do, and be. 

Must Do:

see an outside concert or play (I love Shakespeare in the park!)

swim in the lake, any lake

spend time on Dad's Boat

watch the sailboat races on Tuesday nights

drink iced coffee and stroll through the neighborhood at night

serve food to friends that I've grown 

make raspberry and blackberry jam

spend a day at the beach

take a walk in a rain shower sans umbrella

Must Eat:

lots of food from the grill

homemade peach crumble

homemade pasta sauce

sun tea with lemon

rainier cherries

creme fraiche, baisl, and sungold tomatoes

at least one drippy, double scoop ice cream cone

Must Be:

hot!

lazy

submerged

Below are some pictures of summers past . . .

roasted tomato caprese salad

Nate trying to fix a tv problem while sailing Vanuatu

(note the woven palm huts, yet they have tvS)

sungold tomatoes

lemon cake from the Macrina Bakery Cookbook

a full rainbow the evening of our wedding

my brothers on a boat trip in the San Juans

lilacs in our neighborhood

sailing in the kingdom Tonga

And We're Off . . . Again

Hi friends!

We are headed on a little pre-graduation roadtrip! We're headed for San Francisco to see friends, but we will be slow getting there! Hopefully, if everything goes according to plan, we will be cruising along the coast in the sunshine stopping for tasty beverages, pretty pictures, and quiet strolls on lonely beaches!

See you next week!

In Style CopyCat

Hello!

what

jacket, via Sparrow

tank top, Banana Republic

skirt, Old Navy

sandals, ? via Piperlime

necklace, gift from Nate from Santorini

why

I have had this page from InStyle hanging by my desk since . . . um . . . March, I think!  I really loved the utility jacket with the floral skirt. I swapped platforms for flats since I was going to be doing a lot of standing and walking. The necklace was something I adored one night in Greece, and Nate surprised me with it the next morning! I wanted something simple for a night of fun and games! I wore this to the Krochet Kids Skee Ball Tournament (where I beat my brother and Katie made it to final four!) at a dive-y bar in Ballard.

 

Still Holding on to Some SoCal Style

Hi there!

what

blouse, thrifted

skinnies, Roxy

headband, Anthropologie

necklace, thrifted

sunnies, Kate Spade via Nordstroms

 sandals, Nine West

why

I am going through beach-wear withdrawl, I think. I realized that the outfits I wear on vacation tend to be super simple. Why can't I be super simple at home? Well, weather is one reason. PNW weather means that it is essential to layer all year round. California and Arizona, where I grew up, only require a light jacket if any at all. Despite the inevitable layers of fall, winter, and early spring, I can keep it simple in the summer!

Have a happy Wednesday, friends!

To the Getty Villa

what

jacket, belongs to my Mimi

shorts, Target

sandals, Nude via Shoefly via Mara

clutch, vintage eel skin, thrifted

why

We headed to Malibu to visit the Getty Villa with Mimi. I can't believe we hadn't visited it before! It is just so beautiful! We spent the afternoon wandering around the gardens and looking at antiquities. All the ancient treasures made us hungry for some Greek food. Luckily, Katherine directed us to Tony's Taverna in Malibu Country Mart. Some tzatziki and a combo platter later, we headed back south.

 . . . 

Long story long, I decided that my pasty Seattle skin was brave enough for shorts, and I absolutely love this jacket of Mimi's! I love its big sleeves and scrunchy collar! She still wears it, so I can't have it! Boo! I never thought I'd be fighting with my grandmother over clothing!  I think I like my style on California quite a bit more than my style in Washington. I need to figure out how to be more inspired at home. I think I especially like this outfit, because after lunch, I received me acceptance to grad school!

Below are some pictures of the Getty Villa and my delicious salad at Tony's!

Beachy

Hello!

what:

Blouse, Dockers, thrifted

Tank Top, Generic Youth

Shorts, Calvin Klien via Stienmart

Shoes, ? via Piperlime

Necklace, via Nordstroms 

why:

We spent the day having lunch with family, visiting Katherine at her work/party, visiting the Krochet Kids headquarters (Adam's office), beaching, and drinking. Needless to say it was a busy yet relaxing day! I picked up this tank top at Generic Youth (more info in a future post) and decided to wear that day. I had originally worn the blouse buttoned up. I really like the way outfits come together for me in California. A little bit beach, a little bit boho, some vintage thrown in, and of course I dress for comfort!

56th Street in Newport

 Bigger little brother and beverages

 

Thanks for reading!

Mother's Day

Hi Friends!

I'm back!

 Adam, Me, Mom, and Stephen

Katherine, Sandra, Mom, and Me

Oldest Best Friend, Katherine!

What:

Dress, Anthropologie

Belt, Scarf from Anthropologie

Shoes, Seychelles via Nordstroms

Brooch, via Irvine Flea Market (more on that later!)

Why:

We always go to the Hyatt in Huntington Beach for brunch on either Mother's Day or Easter. It is my idea of Heaven - sun, beach, an endless stream of bloody marys and mimosas, family . . . I did have a wrap in case it got cool, but really it was so sunny and warm, I did not need it! I really wanted to wear this flowy sundress from Anthropologie. The sash that it came with was kind of boring, so I tried a floral scarf and ended up really liking it!

I have more fun posts from the trip and some outfits featuring treasures from my Mimi's closet. I cannot wait to get her Etsy store up and running!

Happy Midweek!

Mimi

Hello Friends!

 This beautiful woman is my grandmother, Mimi. Her real name is Dorothy Louise or "Dotty" for short. She is my mother's mother and my last living grandparent. She is one of the most special people in my life. From her I inherited my love of fashion, food, drinking, and laughing (and probably some stubbornness, too). My grandpa, Poppop, took this picture outside their apartment in Hollywood where they lived in the 1950s. 

This weekend I will visit her along with my brothers and dear friends Katherine and Sandy. The time I spend with my Mimi is so precious and of course limited by geography, budgets, and time. This trip we are going to sort through her massive collection of gorgeous vintage clothing, and I will be selling some of it on Etsy. Sorting through her memories, whether in the form of photographs, clothing, or words reminds me that who I am today started long ago. 

Happy Weekend!