Bespoke Baroque

Coral

2012-03-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

We are packing up and heading out to Vegas where hub has a conference. My big green Juicy bag will be put to good use. See you when we get back. These JewelMint earrings are really bright!

Shirt: Anne Klein; Pants: Liz Claiborne; Shoes: Sole Society; Bag: Juicy Couture; Earrings: JewelMint; Bracelets & Ring: Unknown; Necklace: Joan Rivers; Eyeshadow: Bare Escentuals Nob Hill

Delicate

2012-03-12T15:58:00.001-07:00

We keep having warm days followed by cold days and chances of showers. Everyone is catching colds and picking outfits is very confusing. I'm trying to get into the spirit of the spring colors I see all around me, but I'm not quite there yet. This is my attempt at color on Visible Monday. Oh the joy of seasons (or lack thereof) in southern California.

Dress: Victoria's Secret; Coat: Vertigo Paris; Tights: Nordstrom; Boots: Givenchy; Necklace: Forever 21; Earrings & Ring: Unknown; Bracelet: Ann Taylor; Eyes: Bare Escentuals Exquisite eyeshadow and Black liner

Artisan

2012-03-11T16:22:00.002-07:00

I've had this Alexander Wang dress for awhile now, but I've never worn it. I think it's a beautifully made dress; it just looks better on the hanger. It has draping and stitching, and it's a miracle of construction, but it just hangs like a sack on. The arm holes are so deep, it's impossible to wear a bra with it, so I've been considering ways to make it day appropriate without hiding too much of its beauty. Today I tried dressing it down with a really inexpensive faux leather jacket from Forever21 and flats. Now that I've worn it once, I'm inspired to keep playing with it until I find the perfect way to style it.

Dress: Alexander Wang; Jacket: Forever21; Shoes: SoleSociety; Bag: Prada; Earrings: Unknown Ring: Bespoke; Bracelet: Tinley Road; Hair: C.O. Bigelow Hair Mask

Brunch

2012-03-10T15:47:00.000-08:00

Pacific Dining Car is one of hub's favorite restaurants. For some reason, we always seem to go there for brunch and never dinner. We also usually go to the Downtown LA location, but on this Sunday, we took two of the kids and went over to Santa Monica. I actually prefer the LA location, but the food was still great. The Pacific Dining Car is unique because it never closes and you can order off of the breakfast or dinner menu at any time of the day. My choice? Crab hash.

Flyaway

2012-03-09T20:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry back to black without even a hint of color. I threw on this outfit when I would normally spend Friday working from home in sweats because A was getting an award at school. This jacket reminds me of an artist's smock. The skirt is ancient but comfortable and flippy. I've been reverting to ponytails far to often. Time for a hair cut for sure. It's warming up again, and that's causing me great angst as I start thinking about packing for a week in Las Vegas. What to take?

Jacket: Target, Tee: Old Navy; Skirt: Carole Little; Shoes: Etienne Aigner; Earrings, Necklace & Bracelet: Unknown; Ring: Forever21

Uniform

2012-03-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

I think I've been working really hard on the whole color in the wardrobe day, so I took a day off and reverted back to the uniform. Hard to tell, but I'm wearing a stack of orange bangles. That should be enough.

Sweater and Blazer: Loehmann's; Pants: Ann Taylor; Bag: Adrienne Vittadini; Shoes: Steve Madden; Earrings and Ring: Unknown; Bracelets: Betsey Johnson and Unknown

Elegant

2012-03-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

I was extremely excited to go to the Gamble House last weekend. First because it's one of hub's favorite places. He would like to be a docent there, but the busy work schedule has put that off. We were going this weekend to purchase our membership and to buy some Frank Lloyd Wright books which he has had his eye on forever. I was also excited because it was a bright, sunny and extremely warm day. Late afternoon seemed a great time to take some photos behind the house. Only one problem...what happens when you leave the aperture wide open in bright sunlight? We call them ART.

Dress: ASOS; Shoes: Sole Society; Bag: Adrienne Vittadini; Sunglasses: D&G; Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane; Bracelet: Joan Rivers; Ring: Unknown

Classic

2012-03-06T19:19:00.000-08:00

This is the type of outfit I wear as my normal uniform. Now instead of going for the navy blazer and skirt, I'm trying to get that color into my life by trading the navy skirt for red. I'm making color choices a conscious decision now as I'm planning my outfits. It is becoming easier, but somehow it still feels like I'm putting on a costume instead of just being me. We shall see if that changes with time too.

Blazer: Forever21; Tee: Old Navy; Skirt: Unknown; Bag: Adrienne Vittadini; Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi for Target; Earrings, Necklace: Unknown; Bracelet: Ann Taylor; Hair: L'Occitane Smoothing Gloss c/o Allure

Frame Up

2012-03-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

Just a few quick shots of my bumblebee outfit worn out for snacks with the hub on Friday night. I bought these shoes as a replacement for my lovely blue sandals which finally gave out a few months ago. These are completely different than the blue satin sandals which had slim straps that wrapped around the ankle. These are much more chunky, and I sort of regret not holding out longer for something similar.

Yellow Cashemere Tee: DKNY; Tank: Rebecca Beeson; Cardigan: Nine West; Skirt: Loehmann's; Shoes: Sole Society; Bag: Adrienne Vittadini; Sunglasses: D&G; Earrings: Cookie Lee; Necklace: Joan Rivers; Bracelet: Cara Couture; Ring: Sabine; Hairspray: Bumble and Bumble

Sunday Dinner

2012-03-03T20:51:00.000-08:00

The best part of Sunday dinner to me is slow-cooked food. I think that slow-cooked food tastes better. It is also magical. It takes an ugly piece of meat and turns it into something deliciously amazing. Even though I can indulge in complex, multi-part cooking rituals on Sundays, I often give in to the ease of the slow cooker. I actually use it more on Sundays than I do during the week. I like to dump all of the ingredients in and watch and smell during the day as the magic happens like it did with this pork roast. I took a 3 pound boneless pork roast and rubbed it with sea salt, dry mustard and chili powder.

Then I browned it in butter.

I placed one chopped red onion and half a bottle of Gold Buckle Brisket Sauce diluted with water in the bottom of the crock pot

and plopped the roast in after it was browned.

Next, I simply covered the roast with a bottle of BBQ sauce. I used Famous Dave's.

I covered and cooked on high for six hours and this is what it turned into...

Served with pureed cauliflower and pan juices, it was a crowd pleaser.

Friday

2012-03-02T21:31:00.002-08:00

We keep moving back and forth from California winter to spring, and my sinuses were suffering from it this week, making me miserable and unproductive. Thank goodness for Friday, a work from home day, and the start to a very promising weekend. We are off to Santa Barbara tomorrow. I have to admit to succumbing to temptation and buying the Chanel bag I've had my eye on for some time which I will show off soon. Happy weekend everyone.

Dress: H&M; Blazer: Forever21; Shoes: Nine West; Tights: Ann Taylor; Bag: Bare Escentuals; Earrings & Bracelet: Unknown; Necklace: Anne Taylor

Not a Fan

2012-02-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

I want to love every beauty product. I fully expect every time I get something new that it will be the ultimate, greatest product I have ever used. I savor the package and read every word on the outside. I oh-so-slowly, break the cellophane/cell and peel it back. I hold my breath as I open the box. The moment when I open the lid is full of hushed anticipation. Then I actually get to smell and feel it. Too often lately, I've had a moment of, "What? You're kidding. Right?" What a let down. When I've made a purchase, and I have that reaction, that's the moment when I know it's going back. I'm very picky about scents and textures. If it doesn't smell or feel right, I'm never going to be a convert.

Blazer: Vintage Casual Corner; Dress: Unknown; Shoes: Steve Madden; Belt: Marni; Tights: Ann Taylor; Earrings& Bracelet: Unknown; Ring: JewelMint; Necklace: Joan Rivers

I was recently sent some sunblock and a lip balm courtesy of Ocean Potion and Allure Magazine. I don't generally like stand alone sunblock but prefer it mixed into my moisturizer or foundation. I've gotten so used to wearing Bare Minerals foundation, I really never think about applying standalone sunblock anymore, so I was already skeptical of the Natural Faces SPF50 sunblock. I do consider myself fair about product testing, however, and I always give the product a fair number of trial days even if I don't like the smell or texture. The morning I was going to begin the trial on the products was the first I opened either product trying not to have prejudged them. As soon as I removed the vial of sunblock from the packaging, I felt like something was wrong. This was either going to be the smallest amount of product inside the container ever, or it had disintegrated. As I started to unscrew the top, I realized that the package had not been properly sealed, and the vial only required a minor twist for the top to come off. Inside the product was like rubber. Writing the sunblock off, I moved on to the lip balm. Unlike the sunblock, the tube had a seal which was thankfully unbroken (or so I thought). I opened the tube and applied the lip balm which felt dry and chalky as though I was rubbing very dry wax over my lips. My lips instantly felt dry as though all of their moisture had been removed. I applied it several times throughout the day always with the same dry, tight feeling. My lips were so dry at the end of the day, they were painful at bed time. I woke up the next day with them dry and cracked. Four days later, I'm still trying to get them back into condition.

Frame Up

2012-02-26T21:14:00.000-08:00

The thing I look for consistently when I'm shopping for a new piece is a quirky detail. I love it when a collar or stitching is unique. It makes even inexpensive pieces feel special. It also makes things stand out from a trend. Unique details are much more eye-catching and comment worthy then trends. But even if you are going for a trend piece, try to find one that is different from what everyone else will have. I remember being in high school and always being drawn to this concept. Then at school everyone would have the same shirt, and mine would be different, and I would feel like I was odd man out. It took me a long time to realize that I had a unique eye, and the ability to capture a trend and make it your own is a good thing.

Blazer: Forever21; Dress: H&M; Wristlet & Bracelet: Coach; Shoes & Tights: Ann Taylor; Earrings: ShoeDazzle; Ring: JewelMint; Bracelets: Unknown; Hair: Wella System Professional Startup (C/O: Wella & Allure)

Uniform

2012-02-23T20:57:00.004-08:00

After several days of stepping out of the fashion comfort zone, I moved firmly back into it by pulling out a tried and true variation of my uniform. Sometimes you just have to go for the no brainer.

Dress: H&M; Blazer: Forever21; Shoes: Naughty Monkey; Tights: Ann Taylor; Earrings: Unknown; Necklace: Brighton (Gift from Sis); Bracelet & Ring: Vintage

Sometimes

2012-02-22T21:49:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I am a complete airhead. Usually it's around my hub, and he long-sufferingly, gives a little laugh and shakes his head at the wonder of his wife who a Fortune 500 company has actually made a senior manager but who says such dumb stuff sometimes. My parents used to say, "Book smarts," and I swear laugh at me a little. I have good common sense; I just talk before I can use it sometimes.

Embarrassingly, I have been saying that the maker of this ring which I love and wear constantly is other than the true maker Sabine. I am truly sorry and hate when I do that. It was only after scrolling through prior purchases at Piperlime, that I got my act together.

Jacket: H&M; Tank: Target; Shirt: Unknown; Jeans: SaltWorks; Shoes: ShoeDazzle; Earrings: The Limited; Necklace: Joan Rivers; Bracelet: Unknown; Ring: SABINE; Eyeshadow: BareEscentuals Moonlit; Eyeliner: Benefit Mr Frosty; Masacara: Buxom

Inspiration

2012-02-21T19:47:00.000-08:00

I don't want anyone to pass out, but it's true. That's me - in bright orange pants. I set out on a mission to find a pair, and J Crew was happy to oblige with this pair. Look at me wearing color.

Sweater: Unknown; Tee: Target: Pants: J Crew; Shoes: Kenneth Cole; Bag: Kate Spade; Earrings Vintage; Necklace: Cookie Lee; Bracelets: NY&Co & Betsey Johnson; Ring: Vintage; Eyeshadow: Bare Escentuals: Antique Pearl

Classic

2012-02-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

Sometimes life is so good. I literally did a happy dance in the middle of an aisle at Nordstrom Rack when I found these boots. There's nothing better than finding a $1900 pair of boots marked down to $299 the day of the 50% sale. Using a gift card and a Nordstrom note, Givenchy out the door for $79.

Cashmere Sweater: Wendy B; Skirt: Unknown; Belt: Calvin Klein; Boots: Givenchy; Wristlet: Coach; Tights: Ann Taylor; Earrings, Bracelet & Ring: Unknown; Sunglasses: D&G; Lips: Bare Escentuals Mango Smoothie eyeshadow & Rosebud Salve

Casual Day

2012-02-19T19:03:00.000-08:00

After realizing that there are so many places around us that we always say we are going to visit but never get around to, we made a list to visit four in one day. I had personally been to three of the four, but it was great fun to drive the kids around to see their reactions to parts of the neighborhood they had not explored yet. We made it to the Pasadena Central Library, an old walking bridge in South Pasadena, the Cobb Estate and the Gamble House. We were very lucky because just as we were leaving the Cobb Estate, the skies opened, and we would have been completely soaked. We spent the evening in the warm, dry house with delicious cheese and steaks. A perfect day.

Top: H&M; Trench: Forever21; Jeans: H&M; Shoes: FS/NY; Necklace: Unknown (Gifted); Bracelet: Vintage; Earrings: Unknown; Rings: Tiffany & Bespoke by Sister

Beef

2012-02-18T18:59:00.000-08:00

I grew up hearing about the beef dip sandwiches at Philippe's, but since I don't like soggy bread, I never made an effort to go. Like so many people here, there are so many things that we never get around to doing. Just this morning, I realized I hadn't been to the Griffith Park Observatory since I was in the 5th grade, and hub has never been. We have to put that on this list soon. A few years ago, a work friend took me to Philippe's, and we've been going back ever since. Somehow they dip the bread just long enough to pack it full of the flavorful juice without getting soggy. No matter what time of the day we go, the lines are always out the back door. I always have mine with blue cheese, a pickle and coleslaw. Waiting for you on the table are squeeze bottles full of their famous hot mustard. I put a puddle on my plate and dip while others squirt it directly on their sandwiches. But beware of the mustard grimace if you take too much in a single bite.

Black and Blue

2012-02-17T21:16:00.000-08:00

I've always liked to pair black and blue and black and brown. Maybe it's because most people don't think they go together or at least learned somewhere that you shouldn't wear them together. I'm not a big rule breaker, so it always makes me feel like I'm walking on the wild side when I do this. Next thing you know, I'll be j-walking. I've recently gone back to my natural color on my hair (darker) and a bit shorter on the cut. Please let me know what you think as I'm still going through the "I love it/I hate it" stage.

Blouse: Gap; Blazer: Forever21; Skirt and Tights: Ann Taylor; Shoes: Etienne Aigner; Earrings: Unknown; Necklace: Bauble Bar; Bracelet: H&M; Ring: Vintage

Tweed

2012-02-16T20:12:00.000-08:00

I took these shots on one of our rare rainy days. It felt good to finally have some weather.

Coat: Liz Claiborne; Vest: Unknown; Blouse: Albert Nipon; Skirt: Spiegel; Shoes: Target; Headband: Unknown; Earrings: ShoeDazzle; Necklace: Forever21; Bracelets: Coach; Unknown; Ring: JewelMint

Hearts

2012-02-14T21:24:00.000-08:00

I stopped wearing red for Valentine's Day years ago. It just seemed too cutesy. But inspired by Kristina from Pretty, Shiny Sparkly's Bloggers Do It Better Challenge, I opted for a red dress with a pink belt this morning.

Dress: ASOS; Jacket: Forever21; Shoes: Steve Madden; Earrings, Necklace: Unknown; Bracelets: Betsey Johnson, Bespoke; Eyeshadow: Bare Escentuals: Wildcat; Soft Focus Tweed

Better Late Than Never

2012-02-11T18:17:00.000-08:00

Close ups of the parade floats. You can never truly appreciate what people put into these floats unless you see them up close. We are very lucky to live where we do.

News vans lined up around the corner from our house. One month before this, the power lines were down on this street and the road was blocked by downed oak trees seen here.

Only two kids were able to go see the floats.

Details on the LA County Museum float.

My favorite - when pigs fly. Get it? When pigs fly.

Blue boy roses are my favorite type.

The float for City of Hope. I had the pleasure of doing some fund raising for them last year. They are wonderful to work with. In the background, there appears to be a building with a clock tower. It's another float.

The float from Loyola Marymount University. They recreated campus buildings in flower petals. Amazing.

Slightly Metallic

2012-02-08T19:59:00.000-08:00

I wore this to go wine tasting with the ladies while the men were watching Super Bowl. It was a necessity for us to get away because we were also celebrating J's birthday. Happy Birthday J!!! My shoes have a small gold braid across the toe which is not evident at all here. Also, I've brought back the mirror necklace with an attempt to better show that it is a mirror. Funny, in these pictures it now looks like a magnifying glass.

Tee: Forever 21; Cashmere Sweater: Wendy B; Skirt: Vintage; Shoes: Sole Society; Sapphire Earrings: Bespoke; Necklace: Joan Rivers; Bracelets: Unknown; Ring: Jewel Mint

Camel

2012-02-07T19:33:00.000-08:00

More of the Target coat previously seen here. If it would ever stay under 70 for more than a day at a time, I'd get even more wear out of it. My hub constantly reminds me, "You live in California. You should be used to it by now." A girl can dream of actual weather.

Sweater: NY&Co; Coat: Target; Jeans: Salt Works; Shoes: Valentino; Belt: Asos; Bag: Adrienne Vittadini; Earrings, Ring, Bracelet and Necklace: Unknown; Eyeshadow: Prescriptives Plum