Red Blazer + Studded Boots

Blazer: Mango (also worn here, similar here)

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity

Boots: BCBGMaxazria

Bag: Chanel

Sunglasses: Dsquared2

I wore this last week to lunch and a movie with the hubby while the kids were in school.  Something about playing hooky felt really rebellious, but we took advantage of the fact that most people had quit working for the holidays, and did so ourselves - for a few hours, at least.  Not sure if that subliminally influenced my outfit choice, because the red blazer is pretty bold for a matinee show.  Anyway, it turned out to be a great day, without the pressure of feeling like we had to get home to relieve a babysitter from duty.  I'm thinking date days (as opposed to date nights) may become a more regular thing for us in 2015. 

Canadian Tuxedo + Bow Tie

Denim Shirt: J. Crew, old (similar here)

Jeans: Target

Duster: ASOS (also worn here)

Bow tie: ASOS

Shoes: Chanel

Bag: Chanel

Sunglasses: Dsquared2

I love Harry Potter which is probs why I love this cheeky bow tie that makes everything you wear it with a little more Hogwarts-appropriate.  Seriously though, there's something about the whole schoolgirl goth thing that is kind of cool and this removable neck bow let's me dip a toe into that whole look without completely committing (kind of like painting your nails black or wearing super dark lipstick).  I'm not into extremes of any kind but a hint of a theme here and there keeps things interesting.

White Shirt with Cape Back

Shirt: H&M

Shorts: Old Navy

Shoes: Alejandro Ingelmo

Bag: Hermes

Sunglasses: Ray Ban

At first glance, this is just a white shirt.  I probably passed by it like 4 times while wandering around the Sunset Plaza H&M the other day.  Then all of a sudden, I caught a glimpse of the back and was like hold up wait a minute, GIMME.  When you turn around its a big party in the back.  Capes in general don't seem to be going anywhere soon.

I actually wore this outfit to my hubby's birthday brunch at the Mondrian last weekend, and fit right in with the hotel's white trendy decor.  As much as I love the Mondrian L.A. for it's beautiful views and ambience, I'm just going to put it out there and say that everything else about the hotel is mediocre (except maybe the rooms? haven't seen them so can't comment).  Our server, although sweet, was hungover from the night before and moving at a snail's pace.  Sitting next to us was a table full of ex Real Housewives stars, who had all been kicked off their respective shows for just being lame/assholes/whatever.  Jordan Knight was there (not sure why) and as much as I worshipped him and the rest of NKOTB in the early 90's, I think he's doing like, dinner cruises these days.  And, our food was fine, but how hard is it really to fuck up breakfast?  I actually am impressed by places that knock breakfast out of the park and make me remember it - now that's pretty hard.  Good thing we were also too tired and hung over to really react to all of this mediocrity, due to a certain epic birthday celebration that ended at Chateau Marmont the night before.  

Sheer on Sheer

Dress worn as top: Hardwear Boutique (also worn here)

Crop Top: H&M (also worn here)

Jeans: 7 for all Mankind

Bag: Lauren Merkin

Sunglasses: Dsquared2

L.A. weather is doing that weird thing where it's really chilly when the sun is rising and setting but in between those times of day it's pretty hot.  I thought layering these sheer items would keep me cool/warm as needed but it really didn't.  I was still hot at noon, and cold at 5pm when these pics were taken so I guess that didn't work out the way I thought.

As for the accessories here, I love that each one of these is a conversation starter or has some kind of story behind it.  The flash tattoos are hanging on, but I'm about to do a scrape and replace; I like them so much I'm actually thinking of getting some real ink (I think this place is getting to me in the best possible way.)  The sunglasses were a sweet and generous gift from someone who is part of that secret project I'm working on (still not ready to share what I've been up to.)  The green bag is something I won last year from a Lauren Merkin Instagram contest and the color always gets a comment or two from strangers.  They actually say a lot about me, which is what they're supposed to do.

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Weekend Rituals

Sweater: H&M

T-Shirt: Target

Jeans: Joe's Jeans

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Bag: Gucci

Sunglasses: Prada

So every Saturday morning, my almost 4 year old daughter has dance class.  When it's over, instead of continuing to rush around all day doing groceries and other productive things, we (meaning my little family of four) take a breather and have breakfast at a nearby diner.  We always have the same waitress, almost always sit at the same table, and the kids always have the same thing - fruit smoothies, scrambled eggs, and turkey bacon.  Sometimes my sisters join us, sometimes it's just the 4 of us.  Sometimes I go healthy and eat kale, and other times I'm like pour on the hollandaise.  Either way, something that started out as a necessity (we were running late to dance class one morning and everyone forgot to eat breakfast so we were desperately trying to feed two hungry kids as fast as possible) has become something I look forward to every single week.  Here's what I managed to put on for our weekly ritual last Saturday morning - you can shop similar weekend essentials below.   

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Plaid Pencil

Tank top: Brandy Melville

Skirt: Zara, old (also worn here, similar here)

Plaid Shirt: Zara (similar here, here)

Shoes: Topshop

Bag: Gucci

Sunglasses: Fendi

I'm seriously having so much fun with these 90s throwback outfits.  When I was 10, I had no control over my wardrobe, so my visions of coolness were always tempered by statements from my mom like "you're too young for that" or "that's too expensive" or "look these Payless shoes are exactly the same as those Keds."  I tried arguing a few times but that never really worked out in my favor, so I'd just be like "sigh" followed by an eyeroll (when she wasn't looking).   So this time around I'm doing it my way, which is basically trying to emulate  the entire cast of 90210 AT ALL TIMES.  P.S. these $35 dollar shoes from Topshop are "Made in Italy" which I just find so chic.  

Cold Shoulder

Top: Blaque Label

Jeans: Current Elliott (also worn here)

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell, old (similar here, here)

Bag: Gucci

Sunglasses: Prada

Belt: Zara, old

I'm starting to feel like myself again after being cooped up sick for a few days.  I basically spent 48 straight hours in pajamas and socks, and then when I couldn't take it anymore, pulled myself together enough to have lunch at Joan's and to finally wear this top I ordered a little while back.  Remember when off the shoulder tops had a big moment back in the late 80s/early 90s?  Do I sound old when I ask rhetorical questions about the 80s? Where's my retinoid cream?  Ugh, MOVING ON. 

I do LOVE when this style comes back in, because it covers a major problem area for many of us (upper arms) and shows off an area that we all pretty much love about ourselves (collar bones/décolleté).  Unfortch, thanks to several scenes in Pretty Woman, it's been permanently time-stamped as a trend from a certain era, and not necessarily a wardrobe staple, but I think this top might be a game changer in that respect.

Incognito

Vest: Rebecca Taylor (also worn here and here)

Top: H&M

Skirt: Free People (similar here)

Shoes: Converse

Bag: Chanel

Sunglasses: Fendi

I was going to go the all-black route here, but put the vest on at the last minute because it was actually cool outside when we left the house.  Also, I wanted to be a little more incognito for where we were going, and I feel that (ironically) wearing all black during the day to a family-friendly event can make you stick out like a sore thumb in a sea of printed leggings and colorful Nikes.  Not that I'm against standing out, but I'm working on being more approachable (it turns out making new friends in your 30s in a city like L.A. is really hard) so in certain situations you kinda have to dress the part.  Or at least, do the best you can and still be you.

Twisted

Top: Hardwear on Larchmont

Shorts: Zara

Shoes: DSW (also worn here, here)

Bag: Chanel

Sunglasses: Fendi

I recycled a bunch of oldies with this new knit top (not cardigan, because cardigans and I got divorced a while ago), which I love because the twisted front keeps the entire thing together, know what I mean?  Like, when I'm walking the sides aren't open and flapping in the wind, so my boobs and post-ramen gut (wore this to Tatsu for lunch) aren't exposed for the world to see.  And, I'm all about an ankle length anything right now for a little daytime drama.  Although I got this one at a local shop, I've rounded up some options (shoptions? ha) below.

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