Out Of Order

Nepenthe

2012-05-26T23:14:00.001-07:00

Last weekend my little fam took a trip down to Big Sur for a belated Mother's Day lunch at Nepenthe. I took so many photos this is going to be a two-parter. I'll start with a bit of the drive down Highway One, which is beautiful and scenic and highly recommended to anyone visiting California's coast. Also known as Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, this 655 mile (mostly) two lane roadway runs from along nearly two-thirds of California's Pacific coast. Big Sur itself consists of about ninety miles of wild, rocky coastline that has long been known for it's savage beauty, remote access and sparse population.

Oreo came along, though she wasn't allowed in the restaurant. She enjoyed the drive and the walk we went on later in Los Padres National Forest. But for now, on to Nepenthe. Nestled right off the highway on the hills overlooking the ocean, the restaurant was founded by the Fassett family in a log cabin on the spot in the late forties. The previous owners were Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, who bought the rustic wooden cabin on the cliff using pocket change during a drive to L.A. on the (then) new scenic Highway One. Though the volatile couple never actually returned to the spot after that occasion, they were only a few of the many roving artists to be captivated by the area's torrid charms.

The word nepenthe itself comes from Greek: to remedy sadness or ease sorrow. As the website says, "In Greek, Nepenthe means 'isle of no care,' a place to find surcease from sorrow. So it continues to be for travelers today. A place to stop, to dream, to lift a cup to kindness..." And it certainly has become such a stopping point, and not just because of it's spectacular views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Eric enjoyed the restaurant's popular Ambrosia burger, while mom and I sampled the artichoke, Mexican spiced grilled prawns on green tea noodles, albacore tuna sandwich, and an amazing layered lemony cake with raspberry mousse for dessert. That's what I call a surcease from sorrow, yum!

We were lucky enough to miss the ever-present fog that hounds the central coast. It started to roll in just as we were taking a few goodbye photos of the Phoenix and checking out the gift shop. The statue was carved in the seventies out of the fallen trunk of a solid old oak tree that had grown on the property for many years. In the late sixties, a dancing scene was filmed on the patio by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor for the film "The Sandpiper." The wire cage in the left background is the fire pit, it looks exactly the same!

The Red Hot Chili Peppers mention the area in "Road Trippin.'" Hunter S. Thompson worked at the hot springs up the road. Jack Kerouac recounts a bender there in his 1962 novel Big Sur, which is currently on its way to being released as a movie starring Josh Lucas and Kate Bosworth and with a soundtrack by The National (um, I hope it beats the hell out of The Rum Diaries movie!) Henry Miller wrote of his nearly two decades in and around Nepenthe in Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch. If you're interested in learning more about the historic restaurant and the immediate area, consider checking out the book "My Nepenthe: Bohemian Tales..." by the Fassett's granddaughter Romney Steele.

And how cute is this poster of the quintessential VW bus trip?

Links a la Mode

2012-05-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

DIY Days of Summer

Edited by: Jess of Fresh Jess

The bloggers are taking it to the crafts these days! What better way to get your wardrobe ready for summer than breathing new life into what you’ve got? This week’s Links a la Mode is chock full of quick & easy DIY projects for everything from crystallized shoes and Miu Miu-inspired clutches to top buns and accessories laced with neon. If getting crafty’s not on your to-do list this week, don’t fret. We’ve also got thoughtful posts on personal style, dressing for summer events, supporting local designers and blogger besties. These posts are getting better and better every week and it was hard to choose just 20 of them. Keep ‘em coming!

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: MAY 24TH

Aspiring New Moms: Summer in the Office
Barefoot Duchess: The Top Bun & How to DIY
Bon Vivant and a Budget: How to Host a Clothing Swap
Chic Cheat: Oh Miu Miu Stars
Fashion After Breakfast: DIY Pastel Collar Necklace
Fashion Love Affairs: 6 Free Ways to End Your Fashion Rut
Fashion, Well Done: Personal Style – A 5-Year Retrospective
FashStash: Support Local: Saloni Rathor
Finely Made: DIY: Lizzie Fortunato Scale Bracelet
Flounces and Slashes: DIY Swarovski Crystallized Shoes
I Have a Degree in This: Why You Should Take My Fashion Degree Seriously
My Confidence and Me: Introducing…(Melissa/For Fi Love, Me)
My Style Snapshot: Let It Be
Sea and Swank: What to Wear: Weddings
Stars For Streetlights: DIY: How to Make a Scarf Shirt
Style Over Sense: DIY Doorknob Hanger
The Average Girl’s Guide: Vent Sesh: Consumption
The Style Safari: Thurs-DIY: Tropical Floral Tee
Tobruck Ave: BEfriends
Under the Cottonwood: Trends: Graphic and Bold Prints

Icecapades

2012-05-23T09:05:00.003-07:00

It was finally time to pull the ice cream maker out of the freezer and use it!

I don't have a blender yet so I muddled together strawberries, lemon & lime juices, sugar, chopped mint and a bit of basil. It turned out so delicious and refreshing!

Do you ever make ice cream? What's your favorite mixture??

Instagrammin'

2012-05-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

follow me on instagram

@outofmeghan

{l to r: hula girls at Aloha Island Grill; more neon dyes than anyone really

needs at once; consecutive pictures of Oreo; Big Sur patio lunch;

Highway One near Salinas; fabulous thriftey finds; #fromwhereistand;}

Pacific Blue

2012-05-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

macy's blouse via crossroads trading co.

vintage dooney & bourke handbag • daniblack shoes via crossroads

a.j.morgan cat-eye sunglasses • h&m cardigan

On Saturday Eric, Oreo, my mom and I headed down Highway One to Big Sur for a belated Mother's Day treat. Lucky lucky us, it was a beautiful day. I would have worn cropped pencil pants to complete the starlet-on-retreat vibe, but I settled on my trusty jeans, cuffed. We had lunch at Nepenthe, a lovely place overlooking a pristine expanse of Pacific Ocean, and walked to a little forest waterfall in the hills afterward. It was actually almost a hike, so I switched into Van's for that part. Stay tuned for more photos of the trip (and food!) later this week ♥

P.S. That brown plant is an extremely tall dormant agave plant. Usually they're around man height; this one and it's partner are growing close to thirty feet tall!

IFB Links a la Mode

2012-05-19T19:56:00.001-07:00

Art At The Heart

For many of this week’s submissions, art was the center theme. From DIY projects to festivals, museum exhibits and dramatic runway sets – there are so many ways that art manifests itself in the world of fashion, not just in the clothes we wear. We create it, it moves us, it changes our mood and makes our world a more beautiful and magical place. I loved reading posts about the Costume Institute’s new exhibit, Chanel’s crystal runway set – and even how to make a glitzy pair of Mui Mui-inspired sunnies.
Edited by Taylor Davies

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: MAY 17TH

A Casa da Va: 10 Ways to Achieve Bohemian Bliss
Beauty x Pose: Colorblock Your Shoes
Bleu06: Sh*t Guys Should Know About Fashion #7
Bugwear: Royal Mail issues Great British Fashion stamps collection
Crystal Eyes: White Out
Dress Code: High Fashion: Retrospective: Givenchy Haute Couture F/W ’98/99 by Alexander McQueen
Fashionista’s Diary: Crazy for Crystals
Finely Made: DIY Glitter Mui Mui Catwalk Noir Sunglasses
Fly Songbird: Orange Lips Love
Get Fierce Style: The Freedom In Loving Your Body
Meredith & Gwyneth, the new yorkie: DIY No Sew Feather Dress
Pink Pineapple: Internship Essentials
Pret-a-Porter Palm Beach: festival fashions
Real Girl Glam: How To Wear A Denim Jacket
Spy Girl: Blog Essentials: Designing a Memorable Business Card
The Curatorial: Duchamp, Pop Art & The Rodnik Band – Art As Fashion
This is a Yes: Frieze Art Fair New York
Toronto Shopaholic Blog: 3 Fun Uses For A Multi-Tasking Barette
Tse Parfait: Anthropologie Summer ’12 Fashin Show
Votre Garcon: Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations

DIY Felt Coasters

2012-05-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

Ya gotta love the affordability of felt—it's about forty cents for an 8.5 x 11" sheet. Using the basic stitches on your sewing machine, colorful thread, and perhaps a bit of chalk pencil to guide you, these squares can be made into cool coasters for cheap! I got the idea from this Martha Stewart article.

View more photos after the break ♥

Sun Is Shinin'

2012-05-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

studded purse c/o oasap • random dress via crossroads
diy trench vest • black sharpied dollhouse loafers

We had such a lovely week! It was a bit windy so I wore a trench vest over the floaty dress to hold things down. The pleated skirt and bright colors are fun in the welcome sunshine and breeze We passed a florist, a bunch of shiny, polished equipment trucks and a redwood tree that begged to be included in the photographs.

It's In The Bag

2012-05-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

I wanna share a little bit of my "beauty routine" today, since I recently picking up this adorable cat-eared leopard makeup bag (for only five dollars, thanks uo sale!) In addition to various lip balms, it's usually filled with these basics on a daily basis:

Tarte inner rim brightener I'm always on the hunt for new products when it comes to brightening tired eyes. Since mine are perpetually red-rimmed and/or accompanied by dark circles, I like to carry this eyeliner with me to perk up my gaze mid-afternoon. The beige hue and creamy formula is a more natural option than chalk white, though a little harder to find.

Love + Toast clementine crush roll-on scent I discovered this perfume a few months ago and am really digging the refreshing scent. As if clementines couldn't smell any better, the blend dries down to a vanilla sugar finish with notes of guava, mandarin, and ripened mango. With summer rolling around, I'll definitely be using this as a quick pick-me-up on hot afternoons. Plus, Love + Toast never tests on animals and a portion of every sale goes directly to Regional Affiliates of Girls Inc., an organization inspiring young girls to be smart, strong, and bold!

bareMinerals mineral veil & moisturizer I'm a pretty big bareMinerals freak; I blame it all on going to college in a town with Sephora. One demonstration of the foundation and I was hooked, but I won't go into that now. I splurged on the special addition gold dust mineral veil set last Christmas, which I carry around for t-zone touch-ups. I also like to tote around a trial-size of the moisturizer for combination skin in case I get a case of the flakies around my nose or I want to add some dewiness to my cheeks.

Burt's Bee's apricot oil I often have dry cuticles and hair, so I carry a teeny bottle of apricot oil in my kit. A drop or two rubbed between your palms tames frizz and adds shine to rough ends, or soothes hangnails and dry knees and feet.

What are your daily essentials?

Blue Belle

2012-05-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

Good morning Monday ya'll. Isn't it wonderful when random perfect items make their way to you, without you needing to search? That's kind of true for everything I'm wearing today. After pining for affordable lace shorts for a year, I was lucky enough to be approached by oasap.com and wham! there those comfy black babies were on my first shopping trip. Thanks again, gals! My work has had these cat's-eye sunglasses for weeks and I ignored them, but then I caved and tried them on and fell for them. Lucky for me, I get to pay wholesale for my cheap plastic sunnies!

black lace shorts & studded bag c/o oasap ♥ vintage blouse & shoes via

crossroads trading co. ♥ a.j. morgan cat-eye sunglasses ♥ brown hue tights

The pink velvet loafs were a Crossroads find from a different day. Finding choice items at secondhand stores means you pretty much need to work there (I was employed at Crossroads in Santa Cruz for several months and had practically no paychecks!). Either that or you have to know someone who works there or visit a lot (I work across the street from said Crossroads, which means four days I week I can potentially run through the store on my lunch hour, getting a feel for what's there and what's new). The vintage navy blouse with delicate crochet accent was an amazing find a different day, one that mixes two trends I've been meaning to try: sheer fabric and collars!

Instagrammin'

2012-05-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Follow me @outofmeghan ♥

ifb links a la mode

2012-05-11T17:25:00.001-07:00

Wanted: Wardrobe

Edited by: Sonia of In Pursuit of Style
Something about the change in weather that makes me want bright colors, fabulous new clothes and fancy new shoes. This happens every year, as excitement builds with peep toes, sleeveless tops and flowing skirts aplenty. I’ve been feeling uninspired lately, but this week’s blogger submissions have me excited again. We have some showing us how to make old things new again, trends in different iterations and best of all, at a great price! Maybe I can go out a buy that new wardrobe after all…

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: MAY 10TH

Miss Vicki Secrets: New Bloggers In Town
Tobruck Ave: Pioneer Girl
Ma Derniere Addiction: Flamingo
Urbanite: The Artist
DIY Diaries: In All My Glittery Goodness
Boheme Noir: The Return of Matching Shoes & Bags
A Woman Like Me: Neon Wish List
The Chic Street: The Vested Interest
Camo Meets Couture: Color Me Coral
The Citizen Rosebud: Your Little Red Dress
The Style Confessions: How To Make A Fashion Trend Yours
Fashionopolis: Trend Spotting – Colored Jeans
Fashionista’s Diary: DIY Colorblock Bangle
The Simply Luxurious Life: Why Not Wear A Pencil Skirt?
Net Vignette: Shopping Fashion Blogger’s Closets
A Little Too Much: I Heard You Like The Wild Ones
Fumiko Kawa: Whip My Hair
The Style Safari: Weekend Prep
In Pursuit of Style: Orbit
Welcome To My Closet: What Would Alana Do?

L(ong)-B-D

2012-05-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

dress & sweater: forever 21 ♥ dollhouse loafers ♥ f21 & handmade bracelets

You can't call a maxi dress "little" but this one has quickly become a staple, like a little black dress but more comfortable, casual and everyday. And since I'm lazy, I found out how well it works as sleepwear. I might just have to try to bring back bed-gowns, my boyfriend seemed to like it. But before I slept in it, I threw a short-sleeve sweater on over it for a slow, sunny workday.

I'm both excited and bewildered that it's already May; excited for summer weather and making ice cream, but confused by how quickly this year has passed. Wasn't it just Christmas? Nope, apparently it was just Cinco de Mayo. I didn't "celebrate" but we ended up eating lunch at Chili's, which was offering a Coronitas margarita, which was pretty fun. I've never found a restaurant or bar that offers this delicious and airy combination of Mexican beer and margies.

Wild Horses

2012-05-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Truly Madly Deeply top via Crossroads Trading Co. • bdg sailor shorts via uo • Dollhouse flats via Ross

If I wasn't such a lazy bitch, I'd try to make a pattern from these shorts and create trousers. I haven't even finished the blazer I started months ago or cut out the imaginary maxi dress I so want to wear. rightnow. All I can seem to make lately are bracelets, dry toast and complaints. Only the bracelet part has been keeping me going, hoping for inspiration to flow into the other areas of my brain. So far I'm looking forward to more crafting over the weekend. And besides the Instagram addiction I've developed, I finally sucked it up and introduced myself to tumblr, and now we're friends. Leave me your tumblr account so I can find people to follow! See mine if you'd like at diy-o-dye.tumblr.com ♥

Shorty Pants

2012-05-01T22:51:00.002-07:00

As summer weather starts to roll in and my 'shroomy toes and pale legs are being reintroduced to the outside world, I thought I'd make some shorts out of old jeans. I tried out the scallop edge, studs and some distressing (I need some sandpaper...) for the first time in addition to the standard cuffed pair. I want to try dip-dying next.

What's your favorite denim cut-off trend?

IFB Links a la Mode

2012-04-26T22:55:00.004-07:00

Birthday Gifts

Edited by: Jess of Fresh Jess It’s my birthday today! What better way to kick this day off than seeing what’s bringing IFB wardrobes to life lately? Your latest Links a la Mode round up features style icons Stevie Nicks and First Lady Michelle Obama; Earth Day-inspired tips on being green; avant-garde accessories; trend reports; quick & easy DIY tutorials and some of the most beautiful outfit style posts around. Need some help figuring out what to wear for your next bike trip or spring business conference? We’ve got you covered there too. This week’s posts are like presents for my Google Reader. Now let’s celebrate!

LINKS À LA MODE: APRIL 19TH

Barefoot Duchess: My “More & Less & Must” List for Welcoming Summer
Bugwear: Polka Dots and Glitter and Bling…Oh My!
Corinne Monique: Valentina, Valentino
Dress Code, High Fashion: Runway Trend S/S ‘12: Harnesses, Corset & Waist Belts
Fashionista’s Diary: DIY Rope Necklace
Fasshonaburu: How to Look Conference Chic
Fumiko Kawa: Fashion Trends in Japan 2012
Ms. Fabulous: 10 Ways to Green Your Closet
My Style Ramblings: Style Icon: Stevie Nicks
Real Girl Glam: How to Manicure…Gold-Flecked Nails
Silk and Spice: Spring/Summer 2012 Trends: Runway vs. Real Way
Synthetic Elegance: Trendspotting – The Return of Sporty Spice
The Classic Woman: The Style of Michelle Obama
The Refined Hippy: 5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
The Sparkle in Her Eye: 15 Key Pieces: Building a Timeless, Yet Modern Accessory Wardrobe
The Stranger: Mojoism and My Illegible Handwriting
The Stunning Look: Meow!
Tiffany Squared: Why It Works…Skirts with Volume
Tobruck Ave: DailybuzzStyle: 9×9
Yellow Cupcakes: Bicycle Accessories

Purple Pizzazz

2012-04-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

Happy midweek, everyone! I was hoping the beautiful warm weather would keep on through the weekend, but it doesn't look like that's the case. I keep forgetting it's only April. What do they say about April showers bringing May flowers? There's plenty blooming already! I love that my dress matches the ones behind me.

Feeling silly trying to pose for the camera, so I threw in a goof, modified tree pose anyone?

secondhand old navy cardigan and purple dress via crossroads
wet seal boots

Here Comes the Sun

2012-04-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Yay warm weather! It was a beautiful weekend in Santa Cruz, sunny and in the seventies. The trees have blossomed and nights are warming up. Between the weather and the time off, I am a happy camper and ready to face the workweek. I've already got a bunch of to-do's lined up for this week: finish several bracelets, paint the entryway shelf, and make a few new pairs of cut-offs. Besides these button-front shorts, cut-offs are some of my favorite summer weather wear.

But stheriousthly guys, this outfit contains some gems I am excited to pull out, least of these being my white legs haha. Breeze and sun on my knees is actually a novel sensation still, and bare toes? Babies need a paint job. These shorts are such a comfortable fabric, and I like how the athletic cut of the hem updates the classic sailor style. I want to have these button-up shorts as trousers, a skirt, everything nautical on the bottom! And since ladybugs love the ocean, obvs, I slipped on these adorable wedges I scored a few weeks ago, but have been too cold to don. Have I mentioned ladybugs are one of my favorite insects? Along with bees, so the black and yellow scheme hits two bugs with one shoe-stone.

forever 21 top & bracelet
bdg sailor shorts
lulu guinness wedge sandals via crossroads

Instagrammin'

2012-04-21T22:42:00.001-07:00

Been feeling a bit uninspired, but extremely consumed with Instagram.

From top left: Highway 17, outfit, movie theater (we saw Salmon Fishing in the Yemen), my favorite treat—fruit pies, day off outfit, #photoadayapril, ladybuggin', SFO, ombre coat at the thrift store, outfit.

Green Eggs & Hem

2012-04-16T04:59:00.001-07:00

I found an old Remington typewriter I'd had in storage and Eric is enthusiastically fiddling around with it, trying to fix the space bar. I love these old things and got this one for a steal because it needs repair; I used to put a small jar into the top and use it as a vase. I need to thrift a few vases for our place actually; we have enough blooming and good smelling plants outside to bring indoors.

As you can see behind me there's plenty of deck space for us to put in some above-ground planters for veggies and strawberries and more herbs.We even unearthed a healthy patch of lemon verbena from under the weeds! It smells sooo refreshingly good, even better than it's soap ;) Also, I'm going to use the rosemary bush for the first time tomorrow for chicken dinner, anyone have a good recipe??

oasap vintage style riveted bag

uo knit sweater

kill city jeans via ctc

forever 21 shoes

Lemongrass & Pansy

2012-04-09T08:41:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday every body! I really loved this outfit. Perfect for a clear and sunny spring day, even if the rays weren't quite radiant enough for chilly me. Oreo was loving it, even while she avoided my camera. I don't think she's ever gonna get a book deal. She is not one of those doggies who loves the spotlight. I'm sure if she ever encountered a spotlight, she would freeze like a deer. She got so disgruntled I couldn't even interest her in the lemongrass, and she's a lil chewer.

- secondhand random polka-dot dress from Crossroads
- floral elevenses coat from an Anthropologie sale
- secondhand Rachel Comey pumps from Crossroads

P.S. Oreo's front paws are splayed; it reminds me of Dr. Seuss creatures :)

Rose Gold

2012-04-05T08:55:00.001-07:00

Okay, I know I'm not wearing anything gold, but theses floral pants are just as precious. This had to be my second best birthday ever (after the one when I'd just met Eric): I was blessed with these jeans, the snuggly coral sweater I can't stop wearing, these adorable shorts, and a functioning, up-to-date computer. Lucky lucky luckiest girl in the world, I think.

bdg floral jeans {similar}

wet seal black sweater

wet seal wedges

black tresics cardigan

diy polka-dot tee underneath

I'm also pretty pumped for the next few days. I'm off of my wage job, which means I can focus on creative stuff like more DIY's (oh so many planned, not enough time!) and altering clothes. While thrifting for denim to bleach polka dots onto, I found pre-dotted jeans. Stoked!

I'm also working on a trial basis on a wedding magazine's blog, so I need to impress with that (cross your fingers and/or toes for me!). But best of all, I can sleep in. I am definitely no early bird. Then again, I'm not the extremest of night owls, either. What kind of metaphorical creature needs to sleep eleven hours a day? Hmm, maybe a cuckoo, or a troll...

Instagrammin'

2012-04-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

Hey there, I've been sick all week and not really up for changing my clothes and doing outfit shots (kidding, sort of). But now it's my weekend and my nose has stopped running and most importantly, Instagram finally came to Android! I've already become addicted. Add me! My username is outofmeghan. It's totally going to replace and enhance my photo-a-day project.

DIY Shoe Makeover

2012-04-03T11:10:00.003-07:00

It's as easy as that! I had found these flats at Ross for $12 and covered the generic leopard print with black Sharpie. The tassels came from the craft store for $2.99 (for four). If you can't find tassels with loops long enough to tie into a bow shape, consider using cool vintage buttons to cover the knot!

♥

Lavender Stems

2012-04-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday everybody! I hope you didn't get punk'd yesterday. Luckily, I didn't. I'm going to go ahead and poach other bloggers' idea with a rule-breaking-Monday post: I don't even try to bother with the color wheel anymore most days; I just wear what I wanna wear! Favorite sweater, favorite jeans, that's all I need to know. Plus, I was pleasantly surprised by the Wet N Wild's lipstick I bought on a cheap whim; the orange-y shade is so good and so hard to find at lower price points.

• gifted knit uo sweater
• Kill City jeans via Crossroads Trading Co.
• vintage blouse under sweater
• Forever 21 floral kitten heels
• random faux leather jacket
• Purty Persimmon lipcolor