Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Structure or Slouch?

I'm in the market for a new handbag this fall and these two from Banana Republic have caught my eye. They are pretty different and in someways personify the two different aspects of my life.


The first is is this structured bag called the Kylie bag. It aslo comes in a darker brown and navy. It's a top handled bag as well as having a should strap.  It's a stiffer leather and has alot of room inside. I imagine it would be great for comuting and likely some business travel that I know is in my future.
 Second is this slouchy hobo type bag.  It also is pretty roomy but seems more casual to me. I'm not sure how it would fit with my corporate side, yet I can see it at the ball park and soccer field where I spend my weekends.
So what do you think? Do you have a favorite? Right now I am leaning towards the more structured bag and thn switching to a casual canvas tote or something like that for the weekends.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Happy Anniversary

Today is my anniversary. It's hard to belive it's be 17 years since the day we got married. It hasn't always been easy, in fact there have been some serrious struggles and still are. But there is a sense of committment, of knowing that the waves will ease and the boat will keep sailing onward. Happy Anniverary!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

A Great Resource

I'm always looking for great ideas for parties (especially for kids) and also for decorating ideas. I found this cools site called The Party Dress (http://www.thepartydress.net/). It has a blog, a magazine, tons of crafts and ideas as well as an online shop. Check it out. It's cool, I promise!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What I'm Feeling for Fall

I know it's only August but with the stores full of fall merchandise and all the fall fashion magazines hitting the stands I can't help but think about it. This season, nothing at J Crew is pulling me in.  But I am serriously drawn to these looks from Banana Republic. My colors store is navy, camel and ivory with touches of red and green thrown in. This fits pretty nicely and I think I can recreate this same feel with items I already own. What are you feeling for fall?




Monday, August 13, 2012

Embracing the South West

I've always been a traditionalist when it comes to decorating the home. I love the Ralph Lauren/Pottery Barn tartan and rustic furniture look withe needlepoint throw pillows, blue and white china accents, you get the picture. However, our current house is much more spanish bungalow than cape code in style. I needed new couches in the worst way and my parents had recently remodled so they offered me the leather couch, love seat and wicker chair seen below. The are great with the warm wood floors and other oak furniture I already owned so I said yes.  However, the them of the house looks different now.  I've always had some Mexican art work that was a wedding gift from a close friend of my parents who live in Mexico City and my parents gave me another two pieces that went better with this furniture than what they replaced it with. So we are decidedly Southwestern now. That's not a bad thing, just taking some gettting used to.




Friday, August 10, 2012

State Fair

We recently took a trip to the State Fair with the kids. I always loved the fair growing up.  Most of my friends were 4H and raised goats or cows.  The local fair by us now isn't very agricultural but the state fair is. 


 Both OPB and CMB milked the goats. UC Davis has a big vet school and they run a pavillion where there are babay animals and all sorts of fun things to do

 What's the fair without some cool treats? It was reall hot so a snack in the shade was a hit!
The kids and the State Fair wagon. This is pulled by huge cydlesdales during the parade but we missed it! Do you like the fair?

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

More than Skin Deep

I read Susan Cheever’s Newsweek/Daily Beast piece  and I thought you would also find it interesting.  as well; it looks at ‘old school’ WASPS and values. The Preppy Princess also did a blog post about it which is at this link (http://thepreppyprincess.wordpress.com/). It goes into how the mainly East Coast moneied class on which "preppy" was based was more than whale pants and head bands.  Sure all that was there, but there was more. "

"A sense of a tradition of service—noblesse oblige it was called—that led them to give away lots of their money and to behave in ways that helped those who had less. John D. Rockefeller famously spent more time at the end of his life giving away money than earning it."

Sometimes I wonder where that sense of service went?  Today for many of us that translates into volunteering our scarce time, in our kids schools, on youth sport teams, in the Junior League or other community group. I know I give more of my time that I wish I had too but too often I see parents who refuse to or just wont.  I know that some folks can't. That work and just living, sometimes today just surviving takes up all the engery they have.  But isn't that the whole idea?  That those who are even slightly mroe forutnate should step up? 


                                                         Lilly Pulitzer via Fashiontent

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Blazer or Cardigan?

I've always been a cardigan girl. I would layer them over anything. Here in Norther CA it often is cooler in the evenings and my all purpose navy cardigan got a lot of wear. However, lately I have been reaching for my blazers more than cardigans. My personal favorite is the J Crew Schoolboy blazer. I have the navy one below, plus camel, pearl gray, and red. I also have a great one in blackwatch plaid that is actually a Brooks Brothers boys blazer in a size 16.  As I get a little older (ok 42) I think the blazer just looks sharper and more pulled together with my jeans and work slacks. I love the look below and totally plan to recreate it as soon as it gets a little cooler. Not the newsboy cap though. I have short hair and that would look ridiculous. What do you think?  Blazer or cardigan?