Copycat Fashion

Dress: Romy ($7!) / Cardi: Old Navy / Shoes: Target / Necklace: F21 / Bracelets: J Crew final sale / Watch: Fossil

That's right, I got this dress for $7. Romy { not online-- sorry } pretty much always has some sort of amazing sale going on. I may even have gotten it in the next size up. It would make a perfect maternity dress when the time comes, no?

Last Friday, when I was supposed to be checking the weather for our holiday trip to the coast, I came across this cute little blog, two birds, and their "Inspiration Monday" feature. Today's feature was to be this classy casual outfit, which I just recently pinned, by SJP, one of my style favorites.

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I don't know why the thought to copycat the fabulous outfit didn't occur till a challenge was issued forth. { Could someone please challenge me to a house-cleaning contest? } I already had the perfect dress and cardigan in similar colors. But then I remembered that the cardi was currently on display at a local consignment shop. So Saturday morning, on our way out of town, I stopped by. As luck would have it, it was still there. And just like that, new life was given to a cardigan I almost traded in, and I had a new favorite spring outfit. The Husband loves it when I shop my closet for new outfits.

I thought I'd have to photograph it indoors, what with all the rain we were supposed to get, but fortunately the weatherman was wrong again. It didn't rain till we left today. We enjoyed sunshine and relative warmth all whilst exploring from Brookings up to Port Orford. The little cottage we rented in Nesika Beach offered a lovely view from atop a bluff overlooking the ocean. There's something oddly relaxing about staying in someone else's house. There's also something about having an ocean-front view on a bluff. Which means no one will be walking past your windows, so it's okay to walk around in your unders with the curtains open.

P.S. Despite the empire waist, and my maternity talk up there, I promise I'm not preggo here. Any bumpage is a combination of wind and the morning's oatmeal with cream, berries, almonds, and brown sugar.  No baby.

*Pas encore.

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*Pas encore = Not yet

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Christmas, in a Chestnut-Shell

Top: Old Navy / Jeans: Guess via Macy's / Boots: Born / Bracelets: Christmas Gift (J Crew) / Watch: Christmas Gift (Fossil) / Scarf: Christmas Gift

*The Hound got to be in the Snow Flake Parade as we chaperoned my school's float. The Husband made her wave to all the kids. They shouted with joy,  trilling "Look, that doggie is waving at me!" She just wanted to lick them. I'm not sure whether Husband or Hound had more fun.

*We roasted plenty of chestnuts while listening to Christmas music. I may be addicted...

*We went to see two of my students debut in our town's musical production of  A Christmas Carol. 

*We continued to sleep by the warmth of our fire and under the lights of our Christmas tree. Lights per Husband's request, on behalf of his childhood :)



*Then, we headed East to spend the holiday with my family.  First, we stayed with my cousin in DC where we enjoyed PB&J cupcakes while catching up and playing with her baby boy.  PB&J cupcakes. Genius.

*The next day we hit up Dupont Circle, visited a holiday street market and the National Archives, and checked out all the city's sapins de Noël*. First we saw the tree at the capitol, then passed by the White House, and then we met up with my brother and his girlfriend, who'd flown in from Cali, at the National Tree. Oh, Christmas Tree...

*That night we stayed with my uncle and his adorable family in Chesapeake Beach, where we enjoyed playing with our little cousins.  The next morning we walked the Mall and took in the Cosmic Collisions show in the planetarium of the Air and Space Museum before heading to Georgetown. Husband used the show as an opportunity for a nap, which he blamed on the McD's oatmeal we'd had just before. Food comas are his thing.

*We enjoyed loads of festive decorations and lights. The owl tree in the Smithsonian Castle made me want to experience Christmas at Hogwarts. Geek, I know.

*There may also have been some shopping, vintage ogling, and cupcake hunting. Details later! 



*On our way to WV, we stopped to see the lights at the DC Temple, where we were married. Breathtaking. Merveilleux. Incroyable.

 
*There was a really neat exhibit of nativities from around the world in the visitor's center. The Husband's favorite was one from South Africa, which was made of Coke cans. Big. Surprise. I personally preferred their beaded version.

*Our first stop in WV was Morgantown, our old college town where Scott and I met. There was supposed to be a walk down memory lane, which just so happens to be the tree-lined lane leading to Friendship Hill, our favorite park. But it was raining dreadfully. So instead, there may have been more shopping. At Gabes. Where I found Express liquid leggings for $7. Merry Christmas to me!

*We made our way to OH where we enjoyed Christmas Eve at my sister's house and the boys laughed as the girls took turns shooting her bow. Turns out you need muscle to even pull the darn thing back.

*At home in WV, my mom made our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of Cocoa Wheats and toast. Do you know what Cocoa Wheats are? Heavenly, that's what.

*After opening presents, we had Christmas dinner at my Grandpa's with cousins and aunts and uncles and plenty of sweets. Did you catch my sparkly new watch up top? Ha- how could you not with all that smarmsing going on? { If you can smile with your eyes, you can with your arms...} I finally joined the trend after admiring my sister's version from her bf. 

*Despite the fact that we got a wet Christmas, rather than the preferred white, it was a jolly good way to spend the holiday. I hope yours was just as merry and bright!

P.S. I just realized I have no photos with my family. They need to get over their photo aversions. New Years Resolution: Stop taking so many photos of yourself and take a few with others...

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*sapins de Noël = Christmas trees

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Joyeaux Anniversaire

 Shoes: J Crew via DownEast / Tank & Cardi: J Crew final sale / Capris: Gap ($12!) / Purse: Deux Luxe / Necklace: Ruche

So, my computer thought it was prime time to crash. With half my unfinished 30x30 and Europe photos and several others documenting our summer fun.  Lovely, lovely, lovely.

The good news is that I've been comforting myself with Strawberry Champagne Almond cupcakes. The recipe's at the bottom of this post, if you're interested in such delectable distractors.

Up top are shots from after the crash. It was my birthday. Yes, I get to have my birthday during my favorite month which heralds in my favorite season. And this year, I got to spend it in Utah with some of my favorite people. We went to pay our last respects to Scott's dear, sweet grandmother, and had such a wonderful time with his family. 

For my birthday there was sleeping in then picnicking with the family {I just love them!} at Sliding Rock, a bona fide water slide in the mountains. It's glacier water, people, so it was cold, but so worth it. Even the Hound enjoyed herself.  I think.

There was also shopping. The Husband surprised me with a gift card to DownEast, my favorite little shop that sells irregular, damaged, or overstocked items from some of my favorite brands. ONE pair of cornflower blue J Crew shoes, in my exact size, was waiting just for me. For $29.99. With a few scuffs on the sole, but otherwise spanking new. There was also a lovely teal coat with an extra button on the tag to replace the one that was missing. They knew it was my birthday, obviously. 

Then there were turkey & brie sandwiches on delightful cranberry walnut bread and a birthday cupcake named after Cinderella, my fav princess, from Flour Girls & Dough Boys. This, of course, led to a picnic up the Timpanogos canyon in my new shoes, because they're so practical for hiking. There I was graced with my first glimpses of beautiful fall color. 

And what blogger birthday would be complete without thrifting? So, of course, there was also a trip to the DI with my sister-in-law where much fun was had and I found 2 fall-colored midi-skirts for $5 each and a $5 silk blouse to go with them. I never find good silk blouses when I thrift. Never. Then I found a brand new pair of Ann-Taylor dark emerald cords. For $6. Icing on the cake, people. The DI obviously knew it was my birthday, too.

I got to end the night playing cards with family and being sang to by the cutest nieces and nephews ever. They kept reminding me that it was my birthday, all smiley and proud. What a perfect day!

We had to go home the next day, and as we passed through the salt flats, moving into the dessert, Ms. Hound expressed her displeasure at being trapped in the back by our new hound hammock / seat protector, I finally remembered to take a photo of the sign for Deeth Starr Valley, the Husband and Hound stretched their legs as we headed up Doherty mountain, and then we were back home. Another year gone, just like that.

P.S. Photoshop and Carbonite are on my to-do list. And I've already ordered a replacement computer. The blog will go on! Just give me time :)

P.P.S. Thank you, thank you, thank you to my dear husband and Utah family for such a marvelous birthday!

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Joyeaux Anniversaire = Happy Birthday

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Independence Day Weekend: 30x30 Outfits 18, 19, & 20

 Outfit 18:  Top, Capris, & Belt: J Crew Factory / Shoes: Sperry / Scarf: France / Bracelets: Lucky

Road Warriors are notoriously bad at taking photos at the end of their sojourns. In fact, they kind of sort of need a break from photos by then. So they capture memories in their minds instead, and only snap a few quick shots for a 30x30 challenge. Though I do wish we had photos of all the fun we had with the Husband's family this past weekend. We just love love love our Utah trips and family :)

Above you see Outfit 18, which I wore on Thursday/Friday for the 12 hour drive to Utah. We left Thursday as soon as the Husband got off work. Which was later than we hoped and we were too tired to drive straight through. So we pulled off and slept on the side of the highway somewhere in Nevada for 3 hours to freshen up. And you thought I was exaggerating this whole Road Warrior thing, didn't you?

Next we have Outfit 19, which I wore on Sunday to church and for a trip up the Timpanogos canyon...

Outfit 19:  Top: Buckle / Skirt: J Crew / Shoes: Clarks / Sunnies: NY & Co

...where the Husband dared me into scaling a tree { always up for a good climb, I am }...

...and my mother in law talked me into a Sound of Music-esque spin before heading to play games with family. 

And finally, there's Outfit 20, which I wore Monday, the 4th, saying goodbye to the horses below. We tried to catch a golden chicken too. I thought it would be a nice accessory, but they're a wily bunch and gave a good chase. I also wore this same top with my J Brand cut offs on Friday after we arrived and then again Saturday. That top was was just too convenient over a swimsuit and for camp outs and was also the most patriotic of my 30x30 items. But that was my outfit for biking Lake Como, so you'll see it soon.

Outfit 20:  Button-up: J Crew / Shorts: Old Navy / Shoes: Sperry / Bracelet: Lucky

Now we're going to work our way backwards a bit, all right? Starting with my last outfit from Europe, and working our way back to where I left off at outfit... 4, was it? Not sure. I'm still a bit travel lagged. And I thought I'd be back to blogging when I got home last Tuesday. Poh! What a crazily ambitious little idea that was. Someone didn't check her schedule. Clearly.

Anyhow, I've just changed my mind about that whole backwards nonsense. That's slightly too much disarray for my Type A brain. Instead, I think I'll start back where I left off and work my way up to 17, my return from Europe which I just posted, then continue on with outfit 21. If I post twice a day, perhaps I'll catch up somewhat reasonably. Off I prance to work on it like a good little blogger...

That was way boiteux*, I know...

P.S. We did break out the camera for a quick shot of the Hound in her festive Independence Day wear. We're calling her Tron-Hound, since we didn't have appropriate red, white, and blue glowies for her.  

Tomorrow I'll begin playing catch-up from the Europe trip with Outfits 5 in Carcassone and 6 in Nîmes!

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*boiteux = lame

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Awkward and Awesome Thursday: Sailor Stripes

  Tank & Earrings: J Crew final sale / Blazer: H&M / Pants &Scarf: AE / Wellies: Hunter via Bloomingdales gift card

Awkward / Maladroit* :

- The fact that it snowed on June 1st. Just going to throw that out there. It's more maddening than awkward. 
- Getting yelled at by a random jogger, literally screaming from shore for us to get off the rock bridge we were on, fascinated and giggling like kids by the way the waves went under it then crashed into a blow hole by the shore, spraying water way into the air.
- Continuing to happily dance in the wave spray while said jogger screams at us. We finally heard him over the roar of the waves. Apparently, sneaker waves can wipe out people on the bridge, and some have died . You'd think they'd post a sign!
- People shaking their heads at us while we leave, quite abashedly, only to return a few minutes later with a camera and dry clothes to take photos in front of the blow hole instead. Shameless, yet spellbound.

Awesome / Génial*:

- My double striped fashion risk. I'm calling it awesome. It could be awkward. I felt like a rebellious sailor. First double dots, now double stripes. Maybe one day I'll be daring enough to pair dots and stripes.
- The fact that I found these skinny cords for $15 at AE. Yay, sales and fab deals!
- The fact that dizzying cliffs + huge waves + sea rocks to climb upon = a very happy Husband.  It's like his own personal crack, people. And we encountered lots of it on our trip :)
- That he takes a flurry of photos in his high, which is good for my blog. He was all, "Oh, this is a cool spot. Right here. Climb this craggy rock. Now, pose on the edge of this cliff. A little closer to the edge; you can't tell how high it is. Be sure to balance inwards." Oh why? Because it's like a way scary drop into treacherous waves and I'm the worst swimmer ever? Yeah, that's why.

- This person's house. So green with envy right now.

- Kyllo's crab cakes with garlic mash, crab melt, and hazelnut bleu cheese salad. Oooh, miam miam*!

- And last, but not least, the Pacific Northwest Coast! We just love it.

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*Maladroit = Awkward; Génial = Awesome; Miam miam = Yum yum / Nom nom!

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Travel Style

Tank, Cardi: F21 / Jeans: Gap ($8!) / Shoes: Express / Belt: Ruche / Headband: J Crew Factory clearance / Earrings: AE / Lighthouse in the background: Heceta Head (breathtaking- highly recommend the hike to visit it!)

I've pinky promised myself to no longer use vacations as an excuse to dress like a student who studied for finals all night. I'm no longer a student, so I've no excuse to dress like one. Further, I'm almost embarrassed when looking back at shots from previous travels. I'm usually wearing old jeans and a tee. Sometimes even sweats. No attempt whatsoever, really. Is that how I want to remember myself and my travels one day? Absolument pas*. So this coast trip became my debut for attempting to travel a bit more stylishly. I packed my new jean capris that I found at Gap's extra-40% of sale items sale. They seem to be having those a lot lately, and I'm taking full  advantage.

I think I was fairly successful. When entering a shop in this outfit, a random person exiting told me she loved my outfit. My baggy fleece pants never got that kind of love. The Husband said I should make up cards to hand out for my blog. Ha! Um, no thanks dear, but sweet of you to think of my blog. You get 2 points :)

I found it surprisingly easy to maintain the comfort I wanted using stretchy but fitted bottoms, flowy tanks, and cardigans or blazers. I packed a raincoat and wellies for inclement weather, and found I could still wear nice shoes and remove them to climb on smoother rocks or play in the sand. Perfect for hunting sea stars.

The only one who didn't appreciate my new-found desire for style while traveling was the Hound. Dressing nicely is promptly negated when covered with furs. She's shedding like crazy, and was thus relegated to the back seat, for which she determinedly demonstrated her distaste by alternating pitiful glances at my lap while resting her head sorrowfully on the center console and whining insistently, then appealing to the Husband by resting her head on the corner of his seat back and cutely hanging on with her paws when he rounded a curve.

He caved a few times and called her up to his lap. He's a softie like that. Sigh, 2 more points :)

P.S. Linked up here for the Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday and here for Tiffany's Cute Party!

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*Absolument pas = Certainly not

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Ocean Suns

Tank:  Consigned at Periwinkle (LOFT) / Cardi: Urban Outfitters / Pants: Macy's (Unionbay) / Shoes: Express / Hat: J Crew final sale

I hope everyone had a lovely Memorial Day! I'm so grateful for the men and women who serve our country, and for the families they leave behind. I can't imagine the Husband leaving me for months to years to face danger. I was a tearful mess when we spent a mere 5 danger-free weeks apart a few summers ago. Thank you, thank you, brave military members and families.

We took a little holiday to the coast for the extended weekend. The coast out here is very different from the beaches of the Eastern seaboard. Out East, you go to "the beach" to bask in the sun, play games in the sand, and cool off in the water. Their beaches are uncomfortably packed Memorial Day weekend. Out here in the Pacific Northwest, you go to "the coast" to explore breathtaking cliffs, sea lion caves, and delightful tide pools. You enjoy the sound of the crashing waves from the shore, because it's far too cold to actually get in the water at this time of year, unless you're in a wetsuit. These beaches are not at all crowded.

My favorite difference, however, involves the sun. I'm certainly no early bird, so I rarely got up in time to enjoy a sunrise over the Atlantic. But out here we get spectacular Pacific sunsets and I'm always awake to enjoy them. And this time we were lucky enough to get switched to a room with a full ocean front view, because they double booked our original room.

The first night we arrived in Yachats just in time to take some photos while the sun dipped below a horizon of foamy waves, then watch the pearly pink aftermath from a comfortable bed. Absolutely marvelous. So is sleeping with the door to the deck cracked, letting the waves lull you to sleep...Ah, la mer. Je t'aime*.

P.S. Linked up here at No Model Lady's All-Dressed Up Party! This is the most dressed up I've ever gotten for a trip to the coast. I'll tell you why tomorrow :)

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*la mer = the ocean; Je t'aime = I love you

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