Airport Travel...

Recently I have found myself in many an airport and I have come to the conclusion that people pretend no one cares what they are wearing when they travel.  I beg to differ...

I have seen one too many matching sweatsuits and  ill fitting pants and flip flops to make my heart stop.  It's just gross.  I understand that all types of people are at the airport, but even more of reason to try that much harder.

There is no need for you to look like you fell out of bed to sit on a plane.  What if you happen to be sitting next to your future employer, or perhaps your new love interest.  Either way, get it together people.   Here are my ideas on how to help.

Current Obsession:

 Now these aren't for everyone, but for those of you who don't like to re-snap or re-tie their shoes after entering/exiting the security line these shoes work well.  They are clean, classic, and EASY.  I stress the easy because I fear that is the only way I can convert some of you.  Not only do Sperry's come in a classic boat shoe brown shade, but also a fun metallic for those of you who like to live on the wild side.  Rawr...

Current Inspiration:

 If you ever read People.com, there is a section called "Airport Style", which features what celebs wear to the airport.  I understand not all of us have the luxury of wearing massive sunglasses at 5 pm in doors, but there are some tips and tricks to still try and look "cool".  Note the easy open 3rd piece sweaters that seem to be an airport staple, or the easy boyfriend jeans paired with a great easy v-neck t-shirt.  Once again, easy yet classic.

http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/gallery/0,,20170225,00.html#20988237

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

It is not ok to wear a matching velour sweatsuit in public anymore.  If you want people to assume you live in North Dakota and don't have access to the real world, than please continue to wear this long lost trend.  If not, please only wear these pieces to bed and never together...

Statement Necklace.

In San Francisco often very fashionable people stick out like a sore thumb.  Most people are dressed very low key and have far from trendy gear on (especially Monday through Friday).

That being said, when I don't feel like getting random stares I often choose jewelry to be the statement of my outfit instead of my actual clothing.

One of my favorite things to wear is a fantastic statement necklace and a classic clean white shirt.  This pair is clean and classic and far from boring.

Here are a few pieces I have been coveting.

Current Obsession:
This necklace is the newest addition to my wardrobe.  It is a J. Crew piece that literally I had to have the minute I saw it.  I can't wait to pair this with a hot pink and white stripped shortsleeve shirt I just scored from J. Crew as well.

Current Inspiration:

Forever 21 always has some amazing pieces of Jewelry.  Their necklaces are often only one time wears, but at $8 how can you complain.  I am currently inspired by this piece here, which I am imagining a chambray shirt and my new white jeans to match perfectly back to.

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

LOOOOOOOOOOOOve House of Harlow.  This necklace is amazing, but every time I try to purchase it anywhere it is sold out and I am left with nothing but disappointment.  Nicole Richie, who started this line has some amazing boho pieces that I would die to have and she has interpreted her own personal style into this line fantastically.

Amazing eBay!

Like most SFers I am at work far too much and often that means that shops are closed when I want to go shopping M-F.  This means I shop online quite a bit.  Ebay is my new found online love.  I have come up on the most amazing treasures that I didn't even know existed (see below) and on the BEST deals.  I have also used eBay to recycle some of my old clothes that I no longer wear, but don't want to give away for free.  This might be THE best place to shop online.

Current Obsession:
My new bun doughnut.  This tool allows you to have the perfect chignon in less than 20 seconds.  Its AMAZING.  Place the doughnut on top of your head and you have a funky up-due.

Current Inspiration:
I am currently on the hunt for a pair of Miu Miu flats that are a couple of seasons old.  I am convinced I will be able to find them on eBay. (Picture is grainy sorry-but it's the best I can do).

Currently Causing My Temporary Insanity:

I could not be more annoyed with myself knowing that the Nixon watch I just bought is half the price on eBay.  So annoying.

Blocks of Color.

Recently the weather in SF has been beyooooond amazing and with all this warm sunshine the thought of dressing in anything black scares me.  Luckily, bright and bold colors were shown all over the runways during fashion week and with the warm weather that is all I can imagine myself in.

Cobalt's, Kelly greens, vibrant oranges, yellows and magenta's are the perfect hues to add to your Spring/Summer wardrobe.  Don't go all 80's and wear an outfit made up of only one shade, but instead mix it up and wear different colors at the same time.  

Current Obsession:

I just bought this blazer (along with the rest of my office) from Zara. It is the perfect shade of green, and paired with white pants I will be summer ready :).  Think preppy, not Wimbledon referee.

Current Inspiration:
www.Cupcakesandcashmere.com is one of my favorite blogs for getting my food and fashion inspiration.  Emily does a great job of color blocking here, and I can only hope to find a pink skirt as cute as hers.  PS her whole outfit is from Zara-AKA affordable.

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

With more 80 degree weather to come and the hot sun shinning bright in SF, this photo is the perfect example of dressing for warm weather.  Even still, I find myself asking "is it Summer yet"?

Trouser Jean Dream

I am always on  the lookout for next denim trend, because as we all know denim is the staple to most of our wardrobes.  I am currently loving the trouser and flair trend that is happening this Spring and Summer.  With the popularity of boho maxi skirts and dresses, it's no surprise this trend has caught on.  The trouser jean was originally introduced to women's denim about 3 years back, when high waisted wide leg jeans began making frequent appearances all around Los Angeles.  Again, we are seeing this high waist trend, but lower rises with the same flair (literally) are equally as fashionable.

With San Francisco being one of the more casual city's, I appreciate being able to have the option to trade out my once very casual skinny jeans and opt for the tailored, sleek look of this wide leg silhouette.

Current Obsession:
You just can't go wrong with J Brand.  These are amazing. Enough said.

Current Inspiration:

I love how casual these ladies are and their jeans are making them look so boho chic.

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:
I usually love Lo's LA style, but never should you forget to take your pants to a tailor!

All Wrapped up.

In a city like San Francisco where the weather never makes sense, it is important that one layers themselves up as much as possible.  Lately, my favorite accessory has not been one of my many bracelets, but instead it has been the scarves that have not only kept my neck warm, but also gave me an amazing pop to my outfit.

Current Obsession:
 Dying to find a good Missoni scarf.  I have yet to find one in a color scheme that I love, but once I do please believe I will be buying multiples.

(Missoni Scarf $245)

Current Inspiration:
I practically live in my Pucci scarf.  If it's not around my neck it's tied around my bag.  One of my favorite items in my closet.  PS- I did not pay retail for my scarf, I bought it at Crossroads for $60.

(Pucci Scarf $285)

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

One word, INSANE. This camel colored cashmere scarf practically doubles as a blanket.  I looooooooove this!!! Too bad when I went to purchase it, Bloomingdale's was sold out :(.

Reverse Hemline.

Generally, one looks forward to Spring for the sunshine, longer days and usually shorter hems, but this year Spring seems to have brought only two out of the three.  One of my favorite new trends for Spring is the longer hemline of dresses and skirts, especially skirts.  Slowly but surely, retailers are stocking their stores with maxi skirts and dresses in easy basic colors and great prints.

Here are some of my favorites...

Current Obsession:
All of these pieces are super wearable and right on trend.  I love the pattern of both the maxi dresses and the red pattern in the skirt is amazing.

Current Inspiration:

 I bought this skirt from Zara last weekend and I cannot WAIT to wear it.  It is the perfect length and a super easy color to wear.  Prairie is a big trend for spring and this skirt paired with a great loose floral top will be AMAZING!

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

Can I be her?  Please.  She is wearing this trend so well and she looks gorrrrrrrrrgeous doing it.  I love the pleats in her maxi skirt, I neeeeeeeeeeeeeed it.

V-day, SF style...

What a fantastic weekend it was to celebrate an early Valentines day.  The weather was beyond gorg and reminded me of why I love San Francisco so much.

I didn't have that stylish of a weekend, but I did find some amazing new spots in SF that I still want to share.

Current Obsession:
For V-day I experienced the best dinner EVER at a restaurant called the Elite Cafe.  Fillmore is famous for its excellent dinning options and the Elite Cafe does not disappoint.  The restaurant is famous for its deviled eggs and here is a picture for you to enjoy :).

Current Inspiration:

Toujours lingerie shop was recommended by GOOP, Gwyneth Paltrow's blog.  After a visit to SF she said this was a must go to.  The shop is down the street from my house and I thought I should check it out after her rave reviews.  It is beautiful!!!  It is a little pricey, but worth every penny.

Here is GOOP's write up on the place:


Toujours is tiny but perfect. It is located off Fillmore Street in lower Pacific Heights. Beverly, the owner has worked in Lingerie for years and used to have a shop called Chloe across the Golden Gate Bridge. Bev is a wealth of gorgeous lingerie knowledge. The store features sexy, comfy and in between. I love going to this girly shop, it smells delicious too - like lavender sachets.
(http://goop.com/newsletter/92/en/)


Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:
SF was so beautiful this weekend and I was able to go to a great event with a good girlfriend on Saturday at Fort Mason.  This was the view from the patio outside.  It has been raining cats and dogs the past two days, and I am going insane wishing it was still sunny.

The Painted Lady's Nails

One of the biggest style polishers (pun intended) that I go to when I need a little pick me up is a good old Mani Pedi.   Nothing says "polished woman" (again pun intended) like a nicely done set of nails and toes.

Today my roommate and I had a couple of hours to spare and both of us were feeling a little on the not so glam side and so off to L&P Nails we went.

Every season there is always a specific polish shade that's "in" and for spring (winter really, for those of you who aren't on the fashion calendar) the color is teal.  For most of you teal will be a difficult color to pull off in the office place, so my advice to you is to stick to teal on your toes.  I'm very much looking forward to what color is next, as my toes look a little as if they have gang green (I kid, I kid).

Current Obsession:
Loving the teal color on the left.  I generally have a hard time putting anything but OPI and Essie on my nails, but Color Club has held it's own and I'm not so opposed to it anymore.

Current Inspiration:

Nothing is the same as knowing you have a nice set of nails on your hands and feet.  It's an easy $30 pick me up.  Shout out to L&P on Fillmore.

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

So these are my teal feet.  I know it looks like they belong on a hobbit, but hey I'm 5'3, which means I'm practically a hobbit.  They are a challenging asset I have inherited, hence driving me crazy. Thanks Mom and Pop for your genes.  xoxo.

Gap and Glee!!!

For those of you who love Glee and for those of you who don't, it was CRAZY to see the partnership Gap and Glee had in tonight's episode.   This San Francisco brand played a huge role tonight, but the sad part was that no one was able to see any of the merchandise in the store.

Gap has been very underrated recently.  It has become a brand that hasn't been thought of as fashion oriented, but I beg to differ.  There are some fantastic pieces at Gap right now (I have been in the store like once a week at this point) and I am going to share with you some of my favorite finds.  

Current Inspiration:

Good Old Glee to inspire my fashion juices (Who woulda thought?).

 Current Obsession:
Loving this pink leather jacket Gap has in stores now.  It is so soft and feminine.  I am loving everything about this jacket.  I have one and I wear it alllll the time.

Camo has been trending huge in men's wear the last couple of seasons and besides camo jackets (which I love) in women's wear, I have yet to see anyone do it in a great skinny pant.  Gap was spot on with these!  How cute would it be to pair the pink leather and the camo together! Die!

 This knit is so stinkin' cute!  I love the gold sequins on the sleeves to make it ultra versatile.  Easily worn casually, or paired with black denim and some great pumps for a night out.  The best part is that the shirt is only $34.50!!!!!  DIE!!!

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

So these shoes are making me so UPSET right now. I bought a pair of Jimmy Choo's a while back and they look dead on these (except mine are patent leather, not suede).  These are a fraction of the price at $49.50.

Elbow Patch

My favorite fashion find in Paris was not shoe related (GASP!), but instead it was the fabulous world of elbow patches.  I have yet to see this trend make it's way to San Francisco, but it was allllllll over Paris.  J. Crew did a great play with elbow patches in their holiday collection, but most brands in the U.S. didn't capitalize on this winter trend.  There is something so chic about the elbow patch details and it makes even an inexpensive sweater look luxe.

Current Obsession:
Marc Jacobs did a great job of using the elbow patch detail and this sweater is on sale for $90 at Saks.  Don't mind if I do :)

 Current Inspiration:
My current find of my very own elbow patch sweater from H&M for $24.99.  Again, don't mind if I do.

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

You can buy these patches for $6 online at Dritz.com!!! I died when I saw this and bought at least four different patches to spruce up my old boring basic sweaters.  

Lights, Mainly High, but also on a Tower

Paris was AMAZING, per usual and I am so tired from walking, shopping and eating :).

I tried the best I could to capture Sartorialist like pictures (www.thesartorialist.com) and I can't wait to share those with you all tomorrow, but these will have to suffice until I upload the rest of my photos.

Here are a few highlights from my Paris trip (Get the title of the post now?)...

Current Obsession:
The newest addition to my wrist collection from the Marais district :).

Current Inspiration:

The sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower.  So beautiful.  How do you think these lights would look on the Golden Gate Bridge?

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:
Rumor has it that Mickie Drexler the CEO of J. Crew and once the CEO of Gap Inc,  named the Old Navy store after this bar in Paris.  I went and had a drink there and I'm not quite sure how inspirational it was, but it was fun nonetheless.

Paris, France not Texas.

Off to Paris for the week. I'll try and post while I am there, but if I'm not able to I'll see you all in a week!

Aurevoir!

A

The White Pant Expiration has Expired...

Getting ready in the morning has been difficult because of the lovely weather we have been having in San Francisco.

 Difficult, really?  Yes, VERY.

When it's hot out and it's January, it makes it almost impossible to pull out your spring time favorites. Winter colors and winter knits are dominating my current wardrobe, and wearing Spring pastels just doesn't seem right. 

My one save on the other hand is white denim, which doesn't have a season in my book.  The trick is to wear them with winter pieces (ex: chunky knits, denim, camel, muted colors, etc...).  Many of you are probably thinking anytime before March there is no way white denim is getting pulled out of storage, but I plan on wearing my white pants with pride. 

Current Obsession:
Wide leg is huge right now and these are a perfect mix of two fantastic trends.  These pants look good on everyone, including shorties like me.

Current Inspiration:

I own these white jeans from Gap and I absolutely love them.  The cropped denim is perfect for dressing up, or down. 

                            

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

Though this isn't white denim, I wanted to include an example of what not to wear.  Denim skirts are a no, always.  They are never chic, I wish every retailer just stopped making them.  This one is a great example of "terrible".

Neon Pout? Yes Please!

When my cousin from Dallas came to visit me in San Francisco the first thing I said to her was, "what's with the figure skater makeup?".  She had on bright pink lipstick and eyeshadow up to her brow, but she looked fab.

I myself love a made up face, and I couldn't help but love her bright pink lipstick.  San Francisco is not known for it's makeup wearers, as the hippie history never really left this city.  As a result, you can imagine I was a little self conscious when I first tried this trend.  Dallas on the other hand, is known for hair and makeup (never in a good way), but my cousin did it well and inspired me to try.  I became an instant fan of her YSL #10 shade and have had tried to wear it as much as possible since, even in this conservative (fashion wise, not politically) city.

The trend of neon lips is hot right now, and lord knows I love a good pout.

Thanks cousin for bringing a little Dallas shine to this San Francisco girl.

Current Obsession:

YSL #10

You can also try Makeup Forever in a variety of their fuchsia shades.

Current Inspiration:
Check out those lips! (Upper Left quadrant)

http://www.whowhatwear.com/ (for the fashion trend page)

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

Neon Eyelashes, a NEVER.

Some of My Favorites...

I had a great weekend in LA and La Jolla.  I saw too much that inspired and excited me (both good and bad).  Here are some of the images that I hope will inspire you too...

Current Obsession/Inspiration/and Causes of Insanity:

Small post today, lot's of work to do...

Mine was the black one....

I have been lucky enough to travel many places, and my trusty pink suitcase has stood by my side with pride each time.  I learned early on that having a black suitcase is a rookie travelers biggest mistake.  If you are like me and HAVE to check luggage (even if you are just flying for a day trip) you realize that carrying a black suitcase will force you to crane your neck and turn over every bag on the roundabout to find YOUR bag.

I leave San Francisco today and will be traveling to Los Angeles (my other home) to visit friends and family.  I will of course be carrying this (see below), but I wish I was carrying this (again, see below).

Current Obsession:
J. Crew does third parties so well.  This suitcase is by Globe Trotter ($1,675).  A little pricey, but absolutely GORG.

Current Inspiration:
The trusty pink suitcase :).  I believe I paid $50 for three.  Thank you Target for keeping it classy ;).

Currently Causing my Temporary Insanity:

I wore flats today, one because it's Friday and two because I am traveling and hate having hurt feet while I wait in line at security.  Worst mistake ever!  I wish I had my trusty 5 inchers on instead of these blister making babies.  Dyiiiinnnggg.......Anyways, these are taking away all of my sane thoughts because I am having to put all my energy into not crying when  I walk.

Bye Bye SF...Hello LA.