Am I the only one who thinks this is funny?

I know riding boots are big for fall. I love mine and once it finally gets cold here I wear them a ton. What I find funny is these two toned boots for women. Traditionally these two toned boots are worn by men. In the fox hunting world they signify a man awarded the colors of the hunt, similar to the red coat. My father and husband both have boots that look exactly like this. Well, theirs are made by Dehner, not Juicy, but still. Ladies who are awarded colors wear black boots with black patent tops (and black coats but the that's another post). My riding boots that I wear to actually ride in are all one color since I wanted to be able to wear them in the show ring and also the hunt field and the patent top boots are not correct anywhere but the hunt field. I know, it's a odd tradition but I can't bring myself to wear this type of two toned boot since I know what it really means. That, plus the fact that my father and husband laugh whenever they see these on women and offer me theirs. I do like the look. What do you guys think? Does the tradition behind something fade into the background when entered into the mainstream fashion world?

This says it all!

A friend shared this sign now posted in the stairway of his building on Facebook and I had to laugh. I somehow just want to say well duh! But then again, there are some folks who live their lives with their i-phone twittering away and they might need this type of reminder! Anyway, it made me laugh. Hope it makes you smile too!

Picture Day

Today is picture day and here are my three darlings all set to go. My personal favorite is OPB who insisted on wearing his bow tie. Funny how some fellows are bow tie guys and others are not. Hubby is not and neither is AGB, but OPB he adores them and has already asked for a special one to wear at Christmas. CMB has what we call "Heidi Braids" because they are braided down and flipped up. I actually use the same technique I use when I used to braid manes at horse shows. AGB agreed to wear a polo shirt and that dark green is one of his favorite colors. I thought it was interesting that this was the first year I can remember that they were more interested and opinionated about what they should wear than I was. They are growing up!

Colored Skirts and Tights?

I (and so many others) adore the beautiful colored pencil skirts J Crew is turning out this year. I was seduced by the amazing green one. It's not quite cool enough to wear it here yet but as I gazed at it hanging primly in my closet, waiting for it's day I began to wonder, what color tights and shoes and I going to wear with it? Frankly this stumped me enough that I considered returning it. I didn't buy the flame colored one but think I would wear it with chocolate or camel tights and boots or perhaps black or gray, depending on the look. But with the green I am not sure. Navy? Gray? Black seems kind of harsh and a little boring. I always have the best of intentions when it comes to tights but in reality, I usually only have black and brown ones in my drawer. What do you think? What color would you wear with this beautiful skirt?

A Pumpkin Shortage?

My sister just sent me a text saying I should run to the store and get pumpkins right away because there was a shortage this year. I couldn't believe it. Pumkpins just grown in a patch right? Here in Northern CA Half Moon Bay is the place to get your pumpkins. Starting in a week or so, the 1 lane windy road from the SF Peninsula to the coast will be bumper to bumper as folks flock to the patch. Anyway, turns out the damper, wetter, colder summer both here and around the country (Including Irene in the Northeast) has made for a smaller crop, both in size of the pumpkin and the number available. My sister knows I am a pumpkin slacker these days. When my kdis were small and I was a stay at home mom, we went to the patch every year. I even had cute matching outfits for pictures. Now mykids are all in school and I am at work during the days. Add to that the fact that at 11 AGB would rather be hung by his toes that seen at the pumpkin patch with his family in matching outfits and what you get is that I usually buy them at the grocery store the day before Halloween. Looks like I better get a move on this year. How about you? Are you a pumpkin patch visitor?

Capes?

Capes, ponchos, whatever you want to call them seem to be big this fall. I especailly like these two in camel and black from J Crew and Loft. I've never worn a cape/poncho before and always sort of figured I never would. I was in elementary school in the mid seventies and figured if you were alive the first time the trend rolled around, you're too old the second time. But still, these intrigue me and yet I have no idea how to wear them or what to wear them with. Are they outerwear like a coat that comes off when you reach your destination? Are they like a wrap cardigan that is the focus of your outfit and stay on? I'm thinking they would look great over dark jeans and an ivory cashmere turtleneck with boots. But that's as far as my imagination goes. What do you think?

Banana Republic 13 Pieces = 31 Days of Style

Did anyone else get an email from Banana Republic touting their 13 pieces = 31 Days of Syle this morning? If not head on over to their web site and check it out. The pieces are really interesting and the outfits look totally wearable in real life. I love the idea of a preplaned wardrobe where a few key pieces create a number of different outfits for varrious occasions. I actaully have several pieces that are very similar to what is shown here and I'm going to check out their other suggestions and see if I can make it work for me. The only thing I am not crazy about is the brown booties. I'm just not a bootie person. I have nice brown pumps and also brown flat boots so I'm going to substitute those instead. Banana Republic is also having a 25% off a purchase of $100 with the code BR25 so have fun!

Missoni for Target, Am I The Only One Who Doesn't Care?

Last week Target launched their Missoni line and it was apparently epic. The web site crashed, people flooded the stores grabbing everything they could get their hands on and leaving empty bare shelves. All I could say was, meh. I just doesn't do it for me. I've never been a fan of the Missoni chevron/stripe thing. Not on clothes, bags or shoes. It didn't thrill me on luggage, bikes or home goods. I didn't even check the web site and have not ventured to my local Target to check out what's left. I suppose that is a good thing as it means I am not spending money on things I neither need nor especially want since I recognize the vibe is not me. Still, can't help but feel a tad left out. Oh well, now a collaberation with Milly? Vineyard Vines? Sperry? I'd be crashing down the web site! Target, are you listening?

Please Pardon the Interuption

I'm going to take a couple of days off. The little cold I have been nursing since it wrecked my Labor Day weekend has returned with a banks. As soon as I get home from work and get the kiddies in bed I am going to suck down a thera flu and collapse into bed. Unfortunately this is a busy weekend as AGB has both soccer and baseball and CMB and I are going out with hounds early tomoroow morning as we work to get her new horse Dancer ready for our opening meet in November. I'll try and get some shots of that. Enjoy your weekend everyone!

In her Own Words

Jackie Kennedy was a style icon then and now. But she was more than that. She was an integral part of a "brief shinning moment". A time in American history when it seemed everything could be accomplished, that the world could still be ours. Perhaps that is why she still sparks the imagination in these uncertain times. Diane Sawyer aired a 2 hour special on ABC last night that was based on a taped interview she gave to Arthur Schlesinger just 40 days after JFK was killed. It was a fascinating look into a woman who never really spoke in public. Did you watch? What did you think?

Mommy Jewelry

I love "mommy jewelry" and wear a couple different pieces. Below are my three favorites but there are tons of other types out there. Do you have a favorite?
This sterling silver necklace is from a company called TJ and Co. They also make picture jewelry and things for dads as well as brides and grooms. It's a sterling silver ball chain necklace and three discs with each kids name. You can also get them in gold. Their website is www.tjandco.com. Stella and Dot also does something similiar with initals I think and you can find them at www.stelladot.com.

This my husband had made for me the first christmas after I had the twins. On the gold bar are the three birthstones. Garnet for AGB and peridot for the twins, CMB and OPB. The kids call it my "family key" necklace. I can't refer you to a web site since Hubby worked with a local jewelry designer who has also made my wedding ring. This one is my favorite!

This pin was a gift from my parents after I had the twins. It's a gold and silver diaper pin with three gold baby shoes. I really love it and usually wear it on the lapel of my red J Crew winter coat.

Blackwatch Plaid

I love plaid, really any plaid but I have an very special fondness for Blackwatch plaid with it's deep navy and greens. My parents call their barn Blackwatch Hill. All the horses have blackwatch plaid blankets and sheets with red monograms. I wish I had a picture to show you. We also all have blackwatch plaid saddle pads with the same red monograms. Next time I am home I will snap a picture, promise. Because we all love the plaid, it extends over into our cloths as well. It seems to be popular this fall as well. Here are some of my favorites!

Ralph Lauren's timeless bags. My mom has the whole set which she has had forever. It is a running joke between my sister and I that we will know who she loves best by who she leaves them to in her will.

This is J Crew's school boy blazer in the black watch plaid. For some reason the picture looks odd. I don't have this blazer but I have something even better. It's a Brooks Brothers boys blazer in a sz 16 which fits perfect. I found it one day in our Junior League's re-sale shop and ha to have it. I think I paid $15 for it and it looks perfect.

These Lands End plaid down vests are from last season. Everyone in the family, inlcuding all the grandkids have one. My husband and brother-in-law opted for solid navy instead but the rest of us adore them. I wear mine with red underneath. It's a weekend staple during the cooler months.

Do you have a favorite plaid?

Driving Mocs, my favorite shoe

I love driving mocs. They are just about my favorite weekend shoe, especially in the fall. They are like the flip flop of fall. Super comfy and slightly more dressy than sneakers yet not as fancy somehow as ballet flats. Worn with jeans, khakis or cords they are the perfect shoe for fall weekends before it gets wet and I find myself wearing my wellies everywhere. AGB has his first soccer game of the season tomorrow morning and I am sure I will be on the sidelines in my mocs and jeans. I love these ones from lands end. They are really cushy inside and come in a ton of colors. I also havea calf hair leopard print pair from J Crew that get a ton of wear. Do you have a favorite fall shoe?

Preppy for the rest of us

I've always considered myself preppy. But the other day a friend told me that I could consider myself preppy but I was not a prep. His reasoning? I'm from California and plan to continue living here, don't have enought money, didn't got to the right schools (although I did go to private school which he considered marginally acceptable as opposed to where I am sending my kids), don't sail and I work full time. He of course hails from outside Boston, went to the "right East Coast prep school and college, is only living here until he can figure out a way to move back to Boston, sends his kids to private schools and of course, his wife doesn't work. I admit I was taken a back as they say

After considering his points, I have to say I disagree. Preppy isn't confined to New England, although I admit it was born there and remains perhaps the natural habitat of preps. To me being a prep is a state of mind. I value my family and my home. (hey, that's why I went back to work). I value tradition and try to celebrate it. The public school my kids attend is very good and they are thriving there. No, I don't sail because I get seasick on the dock but hey, I fox hunt and my daughter plays lacrosse. The picture above is my daughter with her grandfather at opening meet.

Preppy is a state of mind. It values tradition and manners. It appreciates the past and embraces the future. How many preps of the past would have blogged? Now there are tons of preppy type blogs. What do you all think? Is he right?

Classics for your Closet

It's no secret that I am a classics person when it comes to clothes. Ballet flats and button downs, cords and clutches, pearls and pencil skirts. I like simple, well made clothes. I found this great checklist over at Matchbook Magazine. By the way, if you don't already read it you totally should! Check them out over at http://www.matchbookmag.com/. How many of these great items reside in your closet? Almost all of them currently live in mine!

It's Offical!

Welcome September! The kids are back to school with freshly sharpened pencils and new note books and fall is upon us. I do love fall, cozy sweaters, cord pants, log fires. Of course the leaves and general fall foliage doesn't look much like this here in Northern California. I went college in Connecticut and I remember how I loved the turning of the leaves. It was one of my favorite seasons. Of course, it won't really cool here and settle into fall for a few weeks but I ahve started to embrace the idea. This weekend the whites, seersucker and madras head to the back of the closet and the cords and cashmeres come to the front.