Rainy Spring Day :::: Via Spiga Trench and JCrew Mint Blouse

I'm sorta back tracking.  After spending last year incorporating more color into my wardrobe, I've found myself obsessed with neutrals and pastels this spring.  This has got to be one of the most neutral outfits featured on the 'ole blog and I'm ok with it.  In addition to coveting mint colors, I've really embraced blush colors as well.  Who says you can't backtrack a little?
After playing Kinect Just Dance with some friends last night I became obsessed with the game.  Needless to say we headed to Best Buy today and now I will be rocking out while I work out- can't wait!

SHOP:    trench Via Spiga via Rue La La (similar)   /   blouse (similar) and wool skirt (similar) J.Crew    /   boots Enzo via Jeremy's Berkeley $49   /   tights UO
 

Navy Sweater Dress and Burberry Rain Boots

Living in San Diego for over 10 years, the thought of owning rain boots or an umbrella never crossed my mind. Nor did owning a sweater dress because there was nothing "sweater material" in or near my closet. Now I find myself with these ultra comfy Burberry rain boots and even owning a Missoni (for Target) umbrella! Hey, they do qualify as accessories. Oh how things have changed now that I'm a Bay Area girl. Funny thing is, the first winter living here, we lost over $100 worth of umbrellas and I (personally) lost 3 coats. Plus we had to buy socks, lots-O-socks.

In reality, weather directly influences what you wear, not just something you talk about with strangers. Even though I'm covered in layers, under those tights and boots, my legs are lathered in self-tanning lotion! I'm leaving for Palm Springs tomorrow and will be shedding all these layers to hangout at a desert resort with some of my closest friends! Now if only I could find my flip-flops....and those dresses with spaghetti straps....

SHOP: Dress (similar) / red blouse Modcloth (similar) / tights UO (similar) / boots Burberry (on sale) / coat Old Navy (similar)

Target Sweater With Mango Burgundy Denim

Who decided jeans should be blue, anyway?  I am loving the color denim trend this spring and just can't get enough!  I bought these Mango cropped denim pants at the least likely of places- SFO Airport!  They were half off, bringing them to just $25.  I shoved these and their tan twins into my carry-on and the 3 of us lived happily ever after.
Both my tops are from Target.  The sweater rang up at $8 so I was pretty thrilled.  I decided to do a little "under-tuck" so my very wrinkled gingham Target blouse could poke out the bottom.  If you haven't noticed, I don't iron.  So if something is wrinkled I just dress it down to make it casual.  Fancy trick, huh?
SHOP:   pants Mango (similar)   /   sweater (similar) and blouse (similar) Target   /    shoes Steven    /   bag Chanel  

Ends 12midnight 02/24/12

Anne Klein Black Dress with Thrifted Scarf and Colored Tights

I took a huge leap in incorporating colored tights into a business outfit.  Audrey made a very valid point the other day, which I agree with .  It's a funny when your blogging world meets reality.  Meaning, colored tights are all the rave in the blogging world and seem even normal, but the real world might not be such a fan.  
For readers that have blogs- are there things you have worn to work that get a funny reaction from others?  I remember wearing my first bold flower brooch to a conference and an old colleague I ran into asked if that was part of my uniform.  Funny people.
I literally only had a few minutes to take pictures today so a few details were overlooked.  I won't point them out since I walked all over town without caring.
SHOP:   dress Anne Klein (similar)   /   tights UO (my fave)   /   scarf thrifted (similar)   /   belt JCrew   /   pumps Soft via Nordstrom (similar)   /   Cardi Jeremy's

Chambray Top with Leopard Pumps

To me, chambray and leopard are polar opposites.  Like a dirty martini and beer.  Or a porcupine and teddy bear.  I think you get the point. 

Anyway...this will probably be the last showcase of this chambray shirt.  I keep telling my dryer to stop shrinking stuff, because that's the only explanation for my clothes becoming too tight ;-)  I've really got to learn to buy cotton shirts a size larger (or stop eating brownies).

I spent yesterday out of the home office visiting with clients and meeting my colleagues.  Throughout the day my bangs kept brushing against my eyes, which drove me bonkers.  Plus I find it annoying when girls play with their hair- so I was a walking pet peeve.  

What was the first thing I did when I got home last night?  I went Edward Scissorhands on my bangs!  Oh yea, and they turned out awful, hence the headback holding them back in today's pics.  I think after a week or so they will look a less like a butchered shrub.  We'll see.  Otherwise, I'll be making another walk-of-shame trip to my hair dresser.  Eeeek.

SHOP*:   Too small Chambray top Ann Taylor Outlet (similar)   /   tan denim Mango (similar)   /   leopard pumps Calvin Klein via Rue La La  (similar)  /   jacket LOFT   (similar)

Ends 12midnight 02/24/12

Valentine's Day: Double Dip

SHOP:  blouse Nordstrom Rack (similar)   /   Skirt (similar) and Cardi JCrew   /   Belt GAP Outlet (Similar)  /   Bag Chanel   /   Shoes Born via Rue La La (similar)  /   Necklace H&M (similar via ebay)

SHOP:  blouse Nordstrom Rack (similar)  /   Skirt (similar) JCrew   /   Cardi F21   /   Belt GAP Outlet (similar)  /   Bag Chanel   /   Shoes Born via Rue La La (similar)    /   Necklace H&M (similar via ebay)


Happy Valentine's Day, sweethearts!  I hope you got to indulge on some yummy chocolates today.
One of the best things about participating in Bloggers Do It Better and Everybody Everywear is trying different fashion trends.  Last Valentine's Day (pre-blogging), I would have never thought to wear pink and red together.  So thank you blogging community for these fun events, allowing me to experiment with my closet! 
Playing with color blocking is one of my favorite things.  Since BDIB's theme this month is "red" I swapped my white cardi out for a red one, which surprisingly changed the whole look of my outfit.  Before I started blogging I did not own a single pink article of clothing.  None.  I had the misconception pink was for sorority girls and children. I had it all wrong, admittedly. 
Mr. Granola made reservations at our favorite restaurant in town.  Unfortunately I have a cold so I could barely taste anything.  Oh well.  But we did have a lot of fun and I felt so festive wearing pink and red.

Here are some other pretty ladies showing off their Valentine day looks.  Please take a moment to check out their blogs and send some love their way :)

 Feathers & Freckles  :::::   Marionberry Style

You Frill Me :::::  Dayi's Sense of Style

Anthro Tweed Shorts and Insanely Chunky Cowl Scarf

Between this insanely ginormous scarf that pratically ate me alive and these crotch bunching shorts, I was a bit at war with this outfit today.   I swear these tweed shorts from Anthro fit comfortably and I don't have a camel toe.  (Yea, pretend like you didn't notice)  But I suppose if I have to do some convincing then we have a problem here.




What I do love is the color palette.  Through all my 20's my closet was filled with black and gray.  It was easy for work and it matched with everything.  So when I started re-working my closet to incorporate more colors I swore off gray.  I shouldn't do that.  It's too pretty of a color. 
SHOP:   blazer thrifted, $12 (similar)   /   shorts Anthro $118 $22 (similar)   /   tights and top UO   /   shoes ASOS (similar)   /   bag Chanel   /   biggest cowl scarf ever Hautelook (similar)

Ends 12midnight 02/24/12

J.Crew Trouser Jeans Paired with Stripes

Pin It

I'm not sure if winter will ever officially arrive, which has both its up and downsides.  I was really hoping to get more use of my coats, rain boots, and chunky scarves.  But I'm happier when the sun is shining and I get to spend more time outdoors.

Mr. Granola and I got all our errands done by early afternoon, so we decided to take a walk down to the Marina.  As I was taking these photos, he was (im)patiently waiting for me to change into my gym clothes so we could take advantage of the beautiful day.  Carpe Diem, right?  Best part was stopping by the sake factory (*sake, as in the yummy Japanese alcoholic beverage) on the way home to do a tasting.  Ahhhh...it was splendid.

* I realize most of America does not live near a sake factory, so when I proofread this post, it sounded a little odd.

Don't forget to enter the EO Jewelry giveaway here.

Ends 12midnight 02/24/12

SHOP:   J.Crew top (similar) and jeans (similar)   /   vest via Hautelook (similar)   /   purse Chanel   /   necklace c/o EO Jewelry (sponsor) 

J.Crew Paired with Target for Missoni Cardigan

 at Beso.com

I'm going to dress like Spring because I want it to be Spring.  
This camel skirt and blush blouse were recently purchased from J.Crew on super sale.  This past year I've put a huge effort into adding color to my wardrobe, but then I realized I was missing some neutral tones- so here's the result.  And because of these neutral pieces, I was finally able to pair my Missoni (for Target) cardigan after going unworn for nearly 5 months.  It all works out in the end with some smarter and resourceful shopping skills.  Another lesson learned from my blogging journey.

SHOP:  J.Crew skirt (similar) and blouse (similar)   /   Missoni for Target cardigan (similar)   /   BR necklace gifted from friend   /   Pumps Cole Haan via Rue LaLa (similar)

My New Travel Bag: 1995 Louis Vuitton Flanerie 45

Thanks for excusing my craptastic "mobile" pics.

 I'm in the Midwest for a few days this week.  I really do love it out here.  The people are so nice and the change in weather is pretty fun.  Plus they have cheeses and beers I can't get get out in CA.

I found my holy grail travel bag from eBay, the Louis Vuitton Flanerie 45 made in 1995 from seller "bebeebeee" based in Hong Kong.  I love the long straps, generous enterior, and how lightweight this bag is.  My Longchamp Le Pilage tote is wearing through on all four corners, so I'm glad I found a more trusty replacement within my budget.  It's in extremely pristine shape for being 17 years old.  I'm so grateful the previous owner gave it up for adoption :)

Shop:   

Top Loft 

Jeans Joe's

Cowl Loft

Bag LV, eBay 

*mobile post