Tons of Tweedy Goodness for Under $100!

I am having a tweed moment! I am specifically obsessing over getting a tweed blazer this fall and I am delighted that they are back en vogue-- not that they are ever really out, but there is such a variety available this fall. A tweed blazer is a great item to own because it pairs with your LBD, with a weekend jeans outfit and any ensemble in between. And if you change your look to be lady-like or edgy, (or if you dress like I do, whatever you're feeling when you get dressed on a given morning), the tweed blazer can easily accommodate your whims.

Soooo we've established that I want to partake in the tweed situation going on, and you'd think it would be as easy as just buying one. And I'm done. Not so. This whole getting-married-and-budgeting-and-being-a-vaguely-responsible-adult-in-general thing means I cannot run out and pick up the $1,500 tweedy confection that I have been eyeing, so I have been looking for budget options. Normally the term "budget options" conjures up terrible connotations and visuals, or at least the impression that items will be depressingly poor in quality and fit, but do not fear! I have found quite an assortment of styles and colors of tweed blazers for under $100! Behold the nubby-chic gorgeousness:

Glass Tweed Jacket at Ann Taylor. Love the neutral color + minimal, moto style.

Modern Tweed Jacket at Ann Taylor. The bright color and cropped length would be perfect for
topping a cute dress for going out or with a casual brunch ensemble.

Tweed Biker Jacket from ASOS. Don't mind the model's expression,
I'd be psyched to wear this fitted number with frayed detailing!

Pleat-Trim Tweed Jacket at Last Call Neiman's.
The satin and fringe trim is simultaneously luxe and fun.

Boxy Tweed Jacket from Newport News. I love that this is totally office appropriate
and yet I would wear it out on the town in a heartbeat!

The Captain Jacket from Rachel Rachel Roy. The neutral + navy colors are a
welcome departure from the typical black -based tweed.

Linen Blend Tweed Jacket at Coldwater Creek. I would not have expected to love a clothing item at CCreek  (at least for another 30 years, hehe) but I suppose this is just a testament to how timeless and appealing tweed jackets really are!

What do you think about tweed blazers? Perfect or passe? And am I crazy for pining for one of these when it is barely September? If you have any other salivation-inducing-finds, please share! I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend-- soak up the last bit of summer while you can!!

Hello, Again! Come Shopping With Me!

I took a break from blogging these past few weeks, (I know, I know, from posting once a week, big deal), but things have gotten crazy with work, out-of-town guests, a wedding to attend in another state and a trip to Chicago. Now that I am back in my usual day-to-day routine, I have obviously started thinking about shopping! (One track mind? Yes.) I have been searching for work appropriate dresses and finding a knee-length option that hits at or below the knee on a tall girl is not the easiest task, but that is not to say I haven't been enjoying the search :)

I love Pixie Market for finding items that are a little outside the box and, as I should have guessed, my search for work dresses quickly disintegrated into finding other cool things:

Stripe side pants from Sass and Bide

 

Graphic print shorts

Mykonos dress

Geometric maxi dress

Martin Lamothe "The Artist" dress 

I think "The Artist" is my favorite. See how quickly I get distracted?! Well, if I do find some summery work dresses I will certainly update you, but do I have any tall ladies out there who have had success at certain retailers? Hope you are all having a wonderful summer and that you aren't completely overheating!!!!!

Summer Is A Rumpled Tunic

I am back from a much-needed mini haitus. I took a quick trip back home to look for a reception venue and spent some quality time with my wonderful family and then started my new job the day after I got home! It has been busy, but I am very happy and content....I am sure in part to the warm weather. 70 degrees = bliss. My summer daydreams look a little like this:

crochet skirt, garden patio, printed shorts, toasted coconut vanilla limeade, rumpled tunic

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day. And smile, it's almost Friday :)

Current Decor Obsession: Succulents

Plants! We eat them, wear ugly shoes to hike on trails in the middle of them, buy them in mass quantities at extraordinary prices for Valentine's Day and (perhaps best of all) we decorate our homes with them. Mother Nature can be the best source for decor when you want something fresh and alive in your home. And Mother Nature made Flora Grubb the fairy godmother of greenery so we can all have cool-looking indoor plants. I love FG's work, her shop and the general idea of indoor succulents- so have a look:

The cafe area of Flora Grubb's namesake shop in San Fransisco

Inside the FG shop, featuring one of her hanging installations

A historic home in San Fran with one of FG's vertical succulent gardens

Another shot of the Flora Grubb store. I want this to be my backyard!

DIY instructions for making and framing your own vertical succulent garden!

Not the work of FGrubb, but this event space has an awesome "living wall" with giant succulents!

Would you add a few more plants or a vertical garden to your home? Do you already have one? And am I crazy for thinking these are cool?! Also, I have started an herb garden but planting won't start until temperatures are a little warmer here, so in the meantime, does anyone have any herb garden advice? (or for plants in general since I can only keep succulents alive and that is only because succulents are indestructible?)

The Perfect Dress: Wear It Now and Later!

...and yes, there is some color involved! I have not backed down from my pro-color commitment, and this dress is the perfect bright (but not too bright) green color. It is also perfect because I could wear it now in the cold weather (it has been disarmingly mild this week, but I know it will get colder, Sigh!) and I could easily change accessories to make it a perfect summer dress! Here the dress both ways:

Brrr! It's cold outside! Top the dress with a playful scarf and add tights and booties:

Madewell Cabana dress, Sophia Costas Sheep scarf, Donna Karan Luxe Layer tights, Elizabeth and James Chaps booties


Fun in the summer sun! Shed the layers for fun wedges and a statement necklace:

Madewell Cabana Dress, Tony Duquette x Coach Spike necklace, Stuart Weitzman Encore Espadrille Wedge


What pieces do you love to wear year-round with a little accessory tweak?

Summer Sales

Tis the season for stores to clear out their initial summer offerings-- and the savings are awesome. Living in the desert means that summer clothes are in my wardrobe rotation virtually year-round, so it's time to stock up!

This week, I checked out Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie for their great deals and then discovered that GAP and Banana Republic are taking an additional 25% off of sale prices, too. Even better, Ann Taylor LOFT is taking an extra 50% (!) off of sale prices. Express also has a big sale going and I have a giftcard that is collecting dust, but even with the amazing deals I couldn't find anything that wasn't so...."Express-looking." Oh well!

Happy Shopping!

Any deals you've discovered recently that are too good to be true?

Slice of Heaven

I love adorning myself with a slice of agate when the weather heats up. It feels summery and cool because it is direct from nature without much processing, it's got a boho-chic vibe. I love when it is mounted in jewelry in a sort of rough-hewn manner to give it an organic feel. I spent a little while looking for agate jewelry and for agate slices and pendants to make my own creations and these are the top picks:

"Rock Solid" Agate Cuff at Nordstrom, $68
Check out out this link- how dramatic is this cuff?! Love it in both colors.

Purple Agate Necklace at Target, $39.99



A simple-yet-fun necklace at Target prices? Who can resist?!

I also found a large selection of agate on Ebay. Obviously, the bidding ends quickly, but here's an idea of what's out there:

Ebay blue agate pendant



Giant Agate Ring Ebay



Set of 3 Agate Slices Ebay


Love agate or have you found a stone that speaks summer more loudly to you? More summer accessories to come!

It's a Cinch!

It's getting warmer...ok, let's be honest- it's getting darn hot and being hot gets me cranky! Instead of dwelling on the rising temperatures, I will focus on the fun summer clothing and accessory options that this type of weather will allow. On my mind...belts! Over a boyfriend tee or a summer dress, the right belt can finish an outfit and since they can be mixed and matched with many outfits, the versatility is endless! Here are some of my favorites to define your waist:

Looping Lanes Belt at Anthropologie, $44

I loved braided leather and the unusual interlacing.

Skinny Leather Belt at J.Crew, $32.50

Love the sweet, punchy color with light neutrals as well as black.

Wrap Belt by ADA, $75

This is an uber-flattering, classic available in a ton of colors.

I also love the Ecote Studded Belt at Urban Outfitters, but the computer wouldn't allow me to post the image, but it is a cute take on a rock 'n' roll style worth checking out!

Any recent belt purchases you love? Other summer accessories you are excited about?