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. 

Vivian-ish

Jacket: Mango (also worn here)

Blouse: Equipment

Romper: Maje (also worn here)

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden, old (in love with these)

Sunglasses: Dsquared2 (available here)

As if the boots on their own didn't already scream Pretty Woman, I went ahead and wore them with a red jacket for the full effect.  I don't mind - Vivian was definitely the smartest and sassiest hooker I've ever seen (not that I've seen many hookers).  Plus, I DID button my shirt all the way up to the neck in an attempt to counteract the overall hooker effect.  

Anyway I'm currently searching for a more everyday pair of black over the knee boots because these are a bit dressy, but every pair I like costs an arm and a leg so my mom-guilt keeps me from pulling the trigger.  I wonder if mom-guilt ever goes away? Probably not, but it should.

Combo top

Jacket: Zara, old (also worn here)

Top: Zara

Jeans: Current Eliott "stiletto"

Shoes: Alexander Wang

Clutch: Gucci

Necklace: Vanessa Mooney

This past weekend we left L.A. for the first time since moving here in June, and headed out to Santa Barbara, which has to be one of the most scenic places on earth.  I'm not sure how many towns you can visit in the continental U.S. where perfect weather meets ocean, sky, mountains, and palm trees all at once.  Oh, and amazing food and wine thanks to the tens of tens of infamous wineries in the area.  I was so inspired I actually rode a BIKE, guys.  Like, not the stationary kind that you ride to lose weight (I should probs get back on that too) but the real, beach cruiser kind.  After an afternoon of boozing and cruising we headed out to dinner at The Lark, and this is the outfit I wore.  The suede jacket came in handy because it actually got chilly in the evening, plus I'm looking for any reason to wear fringe now that the seasons are changing.  I like how black suede fringe can pretty much fall-ify even the summeriest of summer tops like this one.  More from Santa Barbara coming up soon. 

Versatile

Top: Urban Outfitters, old (also worn here)

Pants: Maje (also worn here)

Shoes: Zara

Clutch: Louis Vuitton

Sunglasses: Chanel

I used to be one of those people who bought something in every single color if I really loved it.  After doing that for a few years (ok ok fine, my entire 20s, basically) I ended up with multiple skirts, tops, sweaters, etc. that just sat around never being worn because even though I liked the style or material or whatever, the color/print just wasn't for me.  I think I just figured that I'd find ways to wear it because I loved the fit or style so much, even if the color and pattern wasn't really my thing.  I would even fool myself into thinking that I'd start wearing colors I hate (like lilac, for example) because it was a piece that I liked in every other way.  That lilac sweater went to goodwill a few years back, with the tag on it - womp womp.

I've stopped wasting my money that way, and now I only buy something if I'm in love with every part of it - the fit, the color, the print AND the material.  And even then, it has to fit the rule of three before it comes home with me.  Like these pants, for example - on the hanger they looked pretty shitty in terms of shape, but the print is what caught my eye so I gave them a try.  When I put them on, the material felt great and they were flattering (love me a high waist).  I started immediately thinking of things I had that I could wear them with.  Am I out looking for more printed pants? Nope.  This ONE, all-around great pair is enough for me. 

Stress Uniform

Tank: Brandy Melville

Bra: The Gap

Pants: BCBGMaxazria

Shoes: Target

Bag: Chanel

Sunglasses: Prada 

You guys, there are going to be times when life just wears you down.  I am here to say, that during those times, you still should not look like shit.  I am under a lot of stress at the moment (mostly self-induced) and I just know that when this stressful time passes, as it always does, I don't want to come out of it giving my friends and family a reason to remind me of that time they saw me looking like this.  

So instead of putting on some Juicy sweats and sitting down with a roll of raw cookie dough and a side of Ruffles chips, I took out these loose-ass pants, this tank from Brandy Melville that I think may technically be "loungewear" and this bra thing from the Gap that I actually know is loungewear.  I put it all together with some lipstick, drank a green juice, and went about my day still feeling like a lunatic without actually looking like one.

dine la - bouchon

Top: Zara

Pants: Maje (sold out online)

Shoes: Zara

Clutch: Michael Kors (in black here)

Earrings: Etsy

No lie, L.A. is a city overflowing with restaurants, and there are over 300 restaurants participating in this summer's Dine L.A. restaurant week, but Bouchon was a no-brainer for me.  Even though I'd been to the restaurant before, I could not pass up the opportunity to have a lunch date with my husband at the Beverly Hills location.  Not only is it situated in the gorgeous Montage hotel, but the prix fixe menu literally made my mouth water as I was reading it.  Done and done.  

Lavish dinners are sexy and all, but there's something kind of special and exciting about an elegant power lunch in the middle of the day with your boo.  Not sure what your recipe for romance is, but mine definitely includes red stiletto heels and luxurious food in a glam setting at a bargain price, in the middle of the day all sneaky-mistress like (textbook Taurus, I know).  

Denim Bermudas

Top: ASOS, old (also worn here)

Shorts: Joe's Jeans, old

Shoes: Boutique 9

Clutch: Louis Vuitton

Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Denim shorts of all lengths and proportions are a major DO right now (just make sure you DO it right).  I had put these away for a solid two years, and in the midst of packing found them way way at the bottom of my denim pile.  Just in time for summer.  

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Red and Gray

Blazer: Mango

Shirt: J. Crew

Shorts: Jaspal (also worn here)

Shoes: Tory Burch

Clutch: Louis Vuitton

Sunglasses: Chanel

Still technically violating office dress code with these, but IMO, I totally made up for it by wearing a blazer and button down. 

Seeing Red

Coat: Chloe (like this one too)

Pants: Gap

Shoes: Tory Burch (this season here)

I splurged on this coat at Chloe in Hong Kong about 7 years back.  I'd never seen a windbreaker-like material with this much detail put into it, so I decided I had to have it.  Some years I get to wear it more than others, depending on the weather and if I'm traveling during winter.  But no matter what else I'm wearing underneath, it steals the show every time.