Walking by the Bay

We all (hubby, kiddos and inlaws) went for a walk, and watched planes take off and land at SFO.  I hadn't packed exactly for something like that, but I made do.  I know I look a little dorky.  But it's not *too* bad, right?  

(Sweater: trouvé, from nordstroms, jeans: target, shoes: puma, sunglasses; Kate spade also from nordstroms)

A Sri Lankan Wedding

I can't believe I got this dressed up and didn't get a proper picture of myself!  More on the purse later.  (Lengha: some store in Cerritos, purse: custom strass (crystal covered) jimmy choo sunglasses case)

Visiting SF

It's surprisingly hard to get photos while traveling with the family.  But I got these two of my dinner outfit last night.

(Dress: Herve leger, sweater: White House black market, purse: Rebecca minkoff, cuff: custom!, boots: Kenneth Cole reaction)

Day care drop off

These crops are so comfortable, fit me perfectly, don't fall down (a common problem for me) and have cute hearts on them!  The secret?  Kids clothes.  If only they made kids jeans long enough for me to get full length jeans from the kids section - I would be set.

(Jeans: target, top: old navy, flip flops: earth brand, from world of earth)

Mommy daughter spa day

To me, a spa day calls for a maxi dress.  Note to self: stand straight when posing in maxi dress.  :)

(Dress: old navy, car: my mom's corvette)

Summer's last hurrah

Since we're on the quarter system I do get a few extra weeks of "Summer" than most people.  But it still feels like Summer is winding down.  At most Universities, Summer is a particularly casual, quiet, and peaceful, time of year, when the students are mostly gone, half of our colleagues are off traveling, and there are barely any meetings or seminars to attend.  While I enjoy the school year, I want to make the most of the last few weeks of summer.  So you will probably notice a lot of brightly colored pants, crops, flats, and even - gasp - sleeveless tops, for the next few weeks.

I'm not completely happy with this top with these pants, but hubby convinced me that I looked good and shouldn't bother changing.  :) 

(Pants: J-crew, Top: Express, Cardigan: New York and Company (I love the studs on this cardigan.  You can see a little of them in the second picture.), shoes: Tahari, from Macy's, purse: Coach)

Zoo day

(Hat, shirt, shorts: jcrew, shoes: puma, scarf...  I can't remember and I'm too tired to check.   I am sure to wear it again and will check than.)

Black and white and red all over

I clearly need to get better lighting for my full-body shots.  They keep turning out washed out or blurry.  But you get the general idea.  The print on the skirt is actually quite crisp.  And the top has a great asymmetrical cowl neck which doesn't show in these pics.  I love the cut of this skirt. The hemline and little inset bit are genius.  I really like black and white with red accents, in case you hadn't noticed yet.  :)

(Top: New york and company, Shoes: Target, Skirt: Sunhee Moon, Necklace: Random little shop in Boston)

Jeans help please

I am so bad at shopping for jeans.  I always fixate on how big my upper thighs look to me, and I forget everything else.  I bought these straight-leg jeans a couple months ago because they are quite flattering to said upper thighs.  However after years of wearing skinny jeans and jeggings, they seem way too loose in the calf.  Help please.  What do you think of these on me?  And any thoughts on what I should look for in my next pair of jeans?

(T-shirt: Old Navy (nursing friendly!), Jeans: White house black market, Shoes: Aerosoles)

Beach-town breakfast

Today is a work from home day.  In addition, I had breakfast with a friend this morning.  This is what I wore to drop the kids off and for breakfast.  But I will probably spend most of the day in an even more comfy "home dress."  :)

Sidenote: It was really hard to find shorts with a decent-length inseam that were still low-rise enough to tuck stuff in!  Stores like jcrew, white house black market, banana republic, etc., had 5" inseams that seemed like the right length for me, but they all hit at my waist!  Juniors departments and stores like Express had nice low-rise shorts, but with like 1" inseams.  This one pair from Express works, but I wouldn't mind another inch or two on the inseam...

(Top: random brand from a little teenager-y store at the mall, shorts: Express, shoes: White house black market)

Happy Monday

 

I tend to favor sheaths for work, but this fit-and-flare dress is one of my favorites.  The skirt is so swingy and moves nicely when I walk.  The dress is great to travel with too, since it is okay for work/daytime or evening, and never crushes or creases.  

You'll notice that I tend to wear a lot of cardigans to work in the summer.  It's hot here but it's often overly air conditioned in the office - so the cardigans are in case I get cold sitting at my desk.

(Dress: London Times, bought ages ago, I think from Macy's, Cardigan: Gap, Shoes: Yin, from a little boutique at Quincy Market in Boston - I miss that store!!  Yin is an Italian comfort shoe brand.  They combine Italian styling, fit, and craftsmanship with a little extra comfort.  But I still haven't found a store that carries them around here.)

IHOP at 7am

Today we rolled out of bed, threw some clothes on, and went to IHOP for breakfast.  We left the house around 6:50.  That's what happens when kids wake up at 6.  

This is what I wore - my comfy casual home/errands romper (made from a super soft and surprisingly high quality cotton).

(Romper: target, sandals: kelsi dagger)

Relaxing Saturday

I usually don't use this much of one color in a single outfit.  But it seemed reasonable with the yellow and white seersucker shorts.  What do you think - does it work?

Also - smiley-face earrings!!  :)

Workout wear

Every once in a while I drop the kids off at daycare/preschool in my workout wear.  (I did it much more often during that two months that I actually worked out regularly.)  After all the bad press they've gotten in the last year, I didn't even look at Lululemon.  I did check out Nike, which is supposed to have some of the best "technology" for workout wear.  I wasn't super impressed.  I think it makes a bigger difference for someone doing endurance sports like long-distance running.  I ended up getting some cute cropped workout pants from Target!  Yay Champion brand.  Honestly - the fabric feels pretty much the same as the Nike stuff to me, and it was much less expensive.  Plus Champion has better styles for those of us who are not yet in shape (strategic leg-slimming color blocking, anyone?).  I should probably get some new workout tops, but for now I'm making do with my old stuff.

(Pants: Champion from Target, Tank: super-old no-name brand, Hoodie: Gap, Flip-flops: Kalso Earth from 6pm.com.)

Blingy belt

I love belts.  They hold my pants up.  Plus they're fun.  I have all sorts of different widths, colors, textures, and lengths (for waist, low waist, hip).  But today's belt is a bit of an experiment for me.  It's shiny and has a sparkly buckle!  I wasn't sure how I felt about that when I saw it at the store, but the belt fit me perfectly, and it's reversible to black patent which I've really wanted, so I decided to go for it.  I think it works for this outfit, but you can see that it could be a bit much if worn wrong.  I'm still not sure if the black side is going to work - but that's an experiment for another day.

(Top: Calvin Klein, Pants: Express, Belt: White house black market, Shoes: Target, Cardigan: Old Navy, Watch: Seiko)

Comfy shoe day

Outfit attempt #1:

I would normally wear great heels with this skirt, but my feet were asking for comfy shoes today.  I tried the outfit with these wedges but it was the worst of both worlds - not cute and not comfy.  Hence, outfit #2:

Ah, my feet are happy.

(Top: Ann Taylor Loft, Pants: White house black market, Shoes: Nicole Miller, Watch: Seiko,
Failed outfit skirt: Ann Taylor Loft, Failed outfit shoes: Payless shoe source)

Photo day at work

Requirements:  suit and solid colors 

 

And so you can better see my accessories:

Finally, I did wear comfy chunky low heels to drop the kids off at daycare and trudge up the hill at work (while carrying my work bag, breast pump, and a bag of groceries).  I changed into my pumps when I got to my desk.

(Suit and shirt are J-crew, belt (hard to see but a great snake textured grey leather) and necklace Banana Republic, and my fabulous grey pumps are Sergio Rossi from DSW.)