Olive Sweater & Lace Slipdress

Sweater: Target, old (also worn here)

Slipdress: TFNC London via Revolve

Boots: BCBGMAXAZRIA

Bag: Chanel

Sunglasses: Dsquared2

You guys, it's been a minute since I put on anything I would deem photograph-worthy.  My uniform these days consists of a lot of black, and flat shoes so I'm working on adding some more interesting versions of these things to my wardrobe.  I'm going for quality not quantity, so it's taking me a while, because not only did we just come off the holidays ($$$$), and then award season (no time for life itself), but now I have several upcoming trips to account for.  All good things, though - weddings, a bachelorette excursion to Vegas, another vacation to Trinidad for carnival (see last year's recap post here - cannot wait for this year's shenanigans) and also hopefully going to be able to squeeze in a quick anniversary trip with my hubby.  We are coming up on 9 years of marriage.  NINE YEARS?! Shit, when did that happen?  We've actually been together for 14.  In this day and age, that deserves a celebration if I do say so myself.  We're thinking Mexico in May, but that's subject to change depending on what mouth-watering places Pinterest shows me between now and then. 

A quick word on slips with lace on the bottom - they work wonders for elongating minidresses and tunics when worn underneath.  Because sometimes you just don't feel like wearing pants. 

Plaid fuzzy Sweater + Gucci Ankle Boots

Sweater: Hardwear Boutique (5 fancy similar versions here)

Pants: Blank NYC

Boots: Gucci

Bag: Chanel

Sunglasses: Dsquared2

In a typical move, I posted about five fancy fuzzy sweaters and then went and bought none of them because I kept looking for more and also kept trying to convince myself that I didn't need another fuzzy sweater.  When I saw this one in the window of the boutique though, I just walked right in, bought it, and left without really looking at anything else (I'm trying to be good).  When you know, you know.  I wore it to lunch with these Gucci boots that were one of my very first ankle boot purchases ever, about 6 years ago, which I also bought with a huge amount of conviction and no hesitation.  They haven't let me down since and they probably never will.  Let's hope the same goes for the sweater.  

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.

Marsala Leather + Black Bustier

Blazer: Vintage (also worn here)

Tee: Target

Bustier: ASOS (also worn here)

Pants: Rag & Bone (also worn here)

Bag: Chanel

Shoes: Aminah Abdul-Jillil

Sunglasses: Dsquared2

Finally made it over to the Palihotel this weekend for brunch at The Hart and the Hunter, which was a total treat.  Amazing biscuits, cozy atmosphere, and bottomless mimosas? Yes please.  It's been a while since hubby and I have been able to have a leisurely brunch alone together, so big thanks to my sister and her boyfriend for entertaining the kiddos for the majority of our Saturday morning.  Usually when we go out for Saturday brunch I am shoveling food as fast as possible into my mouth and trying really hard not to let my eggs spill into the hair of whichever child is sitting on my lap.  Also, I dress way more shiteously whenever kids and breakfast are involved. 

This time however, I pulled it together a bit for our date-day.  I maintain that Rag & Bone makes an amazingly-fitting pair of pants.  I'm still in love with them, and even though they aren't exactly the 2015 color of the year (which I'm still on the fence about because it's like a duller version of oxblood, a color I actually love) I'm going to argue that they are in the zone of what's current and happening in the design world.  

Leopard Coat and Leather Leggings

Jacket: Sheinside, old (last worn here)

Top: Zara (also worn here)

Pants: J Brand

Boots: Chinese Laundry (splurge here)

Bag: Burberry Prorsum

Sunglasses: Dsquared2

You guys, I finally started (yes, started) Christmas shopping and this is what I wore.  It's been cold and windy and rainy, so walking around outdoors shopping requires appropriate gear.  While jackets/layers are a huge year-round thing here in L.A., it's pretty rare that you need anything heavy, which is why this leopard topper is perfect.  I searched high and low last year and finally picked this one because it wasn't furry (I actually hate the furry leopard ones) and didn't have too many details going on (belts, hardware, zips, or studs AND leopard? no thanks.)  I would have paid way more for this, but luckily found it for like $40 on sheinside.com.  Speaking of which, I hadn't visited the site in a long time, but in searching for a similar option for you guys (sorry I couldn't find one, ugh) got sucked in for a while...and then didn't buy anything.  Oops.

Tribal Fringe Cardigan in Black and White

Sweater: Nasty Gal (on sale!)

T-Shirt: H&M

Jeans: BlankNYC

Boots: Rachel Zoe "Nevana"

Sunglasses: Fendi

I've been living in this sweater because temps have dropped and it feels like a nice warm hug.  And, even though it's a little busy and tribal prints are not my usual jam, I think the black and white reigns it in and gives it some sort of taste, even when worn over black pajama pants to drop my kids off to preschool (yup I sure did leave the house in loungewear aka pajamas.)  I went a little out of my comfort zone here and am pretty pleased with the results.  

I wore this particular outfit to dinner with a friend at The Wallace in Culver City, which we chose only because it's in the middle of us (she's a west-sider and I live east of Fairfax).  I knew it would be convenient and based on the website it looked cute inside, but I didn't expect to be so wowed by the food.  Everything we had was so good.  Actually, I've been to a few places in downtown Culver as of late and I'm really impressed - much less of a scene than West Hollywood and real quality restaurants in a cute and bustling environment.  I guess going out of my geographic comfort zone can pay off too.

Olive Midi Dress

Dress: H&M (also worn here)

Sweater: Sheinside (similar here)

Boots: Sam Edelman "Louie"

Bag: Vintage Louis Vuitton

Sunglasses: Prada

Quick post because I am literally buried in vomit (sick kids) emails (work) and papers (addressing 5 million holiday cards - will share the photo shoot results soon!).  This past weekend we headed out to Malibu Country Mart.  There is nothing country-mart-ish about this place, unless you think stores like John Varvatos and Kitson are country.  The name is definitely misleading.  Anyway, we had a really nice, relaxing afternoon with the kiddos decorating holiday stockings, getting their faces painted (they refused to wash it off for 24 hours, and I indulged them) shopping, and playing on the playground.  Unfortch, my little one contracted an ear infection almost immediately after this (why are playgrounds and human beings so disgusting?  At times I feel like the earth is one giant petri dish) so needless to say it's been a rough week, sleep-wise for us.

On the way home we pulled over on the PCH because the kids wanted to build sandcastles and get their feet wet in the ocean.  The ocean was way too cold so I didn't allow anyone's anything to get wet, but it was hard to resist playing in the sand with them.  Even in this dress and these boots.

Sheer Skirt Sequin Sweater

Jacket: Bershka London, old

Sweater: Wildfox (also worn here, cute sequin sweater here)

Skirt: ASOS (also worn here)

Shoes: Sigerson Morrison

Sunglasses: Fendi

It gets hard to dress up for the holidays without looking cliche or stupid for wearing skimpy shit that is inappropriate for cold weather.  I guess that's just what the season demands, but I think putting a leather jacket on over pretty much any holiday getup will make you look less seasonal and more timeless.  I've written about this one before (see here) and it just continues to be a bonus that every time I wear it, it brings back some awesome memories.