I finally made a full closet transition to summer. It was a slow start here in Seattle, but with temperatures in the 90’s this past weekend I feel as if the season has truly arrived.
I have decided that my closet would be infinitely cooler with this gorgeous straw bag. The Large Bamboo Ark Bag by Cult Gaia is a Pinterest darling. I mean, look how it makes every outfit completely amazing. Equally awesome with denim or black trousers? How is that even possible? I don’t jet set around European beaches in the summer, but it would also be perfect if we were heading to dinner by boat. {Yes a luxury, but a total perk to living on a lake in Seattle!} I could throw in a sweater, my wallet and phone, my sunglasses case and a little pouch with a hair tie, lipstick and Aaron’s reading glasses. {Does anyone else have to carry their husband’s reading glasses so he can read a menu?}
Do you love this bag as much as I do??
All images via Pinterest. Simply type Cult Gaia bag into the search bar. Endless pins.
I’m trying to adopt a new mantra: Fewer|Better. While I have talked before about curating my wardrobe, I’m working hard to be more thoughtful about any purchase, clothes or otherwise. A year ago my absolute favorite pair of sandals broke for the last time. (I had already repaired them twice!) Forced to throw them out, it’s been a months long search to replace them. Using the Fewer|Better principal, it’s obviously taken longer than most humans would give it.
While I’m still waiting for the perfect gladiator sandal, I finally decided on a minimal pair from Madewell. A change in direction is always a good thing. Add a sweet pair of oversized, blush sunglasses and a straw hat and it’s an instant vacation. COME ON summer! We can hardly wait until you get here.
About 2 weeks ago, while washing my face before bed, I noticed my double piercing in my left ear lobe. Strange how you notice things, right? I had the piercing done in high school, but I haven’t worn an earring in it for probably 20 years. I spontaneously decided to try and poke an earring through. With a little work (and a bit of discomfort), VOILA! Since then I have worn one of these simple studs, which I absolutely love. Now I’m totally smitten with multiple piercings and on the search for alternatives to wear. Catbird, a jewelry design company in Brooklyn, has so many great options. They have simple, modern styles that are perfect for a second piercing. They even sell some earrings as singles.
I have always said that I have inferior ear lobes. My friends laugh at this statement, but it’s true. I have never been able to wear earrings with any weight to them. They stretch my lobe really long and it looks ridiculous, in my opinion. That is why I stick to studs and light hoops. {I went out on a limb when I bought these beauties!}
So when I came across Lobe Wonder | Earring Support Patches, I ordered them on the spot. I have always loved Kendra Scott’s gorgeous earrings, but they are too heavy for me. I guess others have the same issue! The patches are simple oval stickers that you adhere to the back of your ear lobe. Put your earring in normally and pierce through the patch. The weight is supported by the patch, which decreases stretch.
Can I say that these little patches may have changed my life? While the change is not drastic, you can really tell a difference. Most importantly, the weight of the earring felt dramatically less while I was wearing the patches.
Seriously, amazing! Now, which earrings will I buy to celebrate? Maybe these or these!
I am facing shopping for a new swimming suit this spring/summer. It truly should be considered a form of torture. So, as the latest catalogs arrive in my mailbox I am in search of my next go-to-suit! The new J.Crew Style Guide arrived on Friday and I instantly fell in love. Not with a suit, but with a necklace! A gorgeous simple chain lariat worn with a bikini top. Be still my heart. It looks beautiful and not over styled. Plus this delicate necklace will look fantastic with flowy summer tanks or a simply v-neck t-shirt.
Surprising to me, I could not find that necklace anywhere on J.Crew’s website. {If you can find it-please let me know.} Instead I took it upon myself to do a bit of searching. I stumbled upon the E & E Project Etsy shop. They offer gold lariat necklaces at the perfect price point! Pop over and check it out! I am smitten with the simple chain lariat and the triangle gold bar lariat.
I think I’ll buy one this week! It is guaranteed to fit and it doesn’t involve a fitting room.
Years ago, long before I was married myself, my grandmother gave me her engagement ring. I had asked her for it when I was a young girl {please excuse my lack of tact} and she didn’t forget. It was wearing thin and she decided to stop wearing so it would be preserved for me. Crazy, right? She truly was a one-of-a-kind. I have kept it safe, but tucked away. Months ago I came it across it when I was moving accessories into my closet. I decided it shouldn’t be tucked away. I wanted to wear it. However, I have freakishly small hands and it was too large for my finger. After checking with my mom, I had the ring resized.
When we travel to Italy next month, I will be wearing my grandmother’s ring with two whisper thin gold bands from Catbird. {That makes my heart happy.} I have been stalking Catbird for quite sometime, so when I decided to resize the ring I was thrilled to be able to buy simple bands to wear with it. The bands I ordered are stacking rings, meant to be worn together in multiples. The Mignon Memory Ring and the Twisted Stacker Ring are perfect compliments to my grandmother’s delicate diamond and gold ring. When I slip this special stack on my finger, I smile. If she were still here, she would give me a big hug and tell me a story about her ring or my grandfather. I treasure my memories of her and I treasure her ring.
Do you have jewelry tucked away from someone dear to you? I urge you to take it out. Make it part of your life. Wear it and love it!
The latest collaboration makes my heart skip a beat! Nordstrom and BAUBLEBAR make a dream team. While some collaborations are outside my price point, this one is right on the money. Starting at $24-you can buy baubles to your heart’s content. I love the pieces that would be easy, everyday accessories. Notice anything? Yep, my affection for gold does not seem to be waning. {Wow! It’s becoming a problem.}
Oh, man. It’s time! Time to forget about all the black and grey, put away the boots, and shed our winter coat. Springing forward is always an awesome shock to the system. We instantly earn an extra hour of daylight at the end of our day and suddenly everyone feels lighter. It also helps that the buckets and buckets of rain seem to be on pause for a bit here in Seattle. We actually are catching glimpses of beautiful sunny, spring days. Doesn’t it make you want to add something “springy” to your arsenal? This girl is sprung for spring!
I was watching the opening ceremonies of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and instantly became obsessed with Team Slovakia’s mittens! As my husband and kids continued to watch the Parade of Nations- betting on who had the largest delegation- I jumped online to search for those mittens! It wasn’t easy, but I found a few shots of the white graphic mittens with the fantastic red heart! The scarves and hats were pretty great too! I vote Slovakia Best Dressed. The ladies’ mittens were equally as awesome in red with a white heart {Sorry. No picture.}
Gimme those mittens!
So far no one is selling Team Slovakia’s mittens, so I was driven to do a quick round-up of heart inspired mittens. I kind of love the options. Warm weather gear that also warms the heart. Awww.
Modern girls {or women, if you prefer} are busier than ever. Our days might include a day at the office, school runs, volunteer hours, an endless number of errands, driving kids to practice, and an evening meeting. Occasionally we may sneak in coffee with girlfriends or a date night with our favorite guy. Wow! We are amazing, aren’t we?
And hey, even us girls of a certain age want to look our very best while out and about. I talked my gorgeous sister-in-law, Piper, into helping me with a post that shows by simply changing up your hair and adding accessories -you can change your look entirely. Since she wears glasses, we also took advantage of the Warby Parker free Home Try-On program. Warby Parker is an on-line eyewear boutique. Their glasses start at just $95. At that price you can have more than one pair. Change your frames. Change your frame of mind.
Five different frames. Five different looks. Look what we put together:
1. A School Run
Let’s be honest. When you are running the kids to school, you don’t want to take more than a few minutes, if that, to get yourself ready. Low maintenance is key. Throw on a cozy zip-up and a cute striped beanie- you are out the door . {Love the beanie for hiding morning, bed head!} Piper is wearing BAXTER in Catalina Blue.
2. Coffee with Girlfriends
It is such a treat to have time with girlfriends. Nothing fancy, just relaxed fun. These tortoise frames are awesome all by themselves! Wow! Add a color block sweater and big gold hoops and it’s time to catch up with your best girls. Piper is wearing MALLORY in Gimlet Tortoise.
3. Charity Board Meeting
Sometimes we need to look sharp and on point. {Those of you who work outside the home do this everyday.} The color blocking on these frames is unique but the shape keeps the look professional. I love the crisp white shirt with a geometric print tank. Completely modern. Finish the look with smooth straight hair, simple studs, and a bold necklace. You are ready to kick butt and take names. Piper is wearing ZAGG in Tennessee Whiskey
4. Date Night
Yessss. A night out! Time to loosen things up a bit. Tousle your hair and think sexy. {Isn’t she a knock out?} Dress up a silk blouse with a large, statement necklace and go with a bolder lip. Baby, you are hot to trot. Piper is wearing LINWOOD in Revolver Black.
5. Farmers’ Market
Time to be the casual hipster! A colorful {edgy} scarf and loose curls under a fedora is nothing but happy and carefree. Don’t you wish everyday was market day? Piper is wearing MILES in Revolver Black.
Now, your turn. Time to go to your closet. Choose your go-to outfit of the moment. Pull out all of your accessories. {All of them.} I bet, if you are creative, you can change up that outfit at least three ways with accessories you already own. Let me know what you come up with!
