New York photo post

I am back from New York. To be honest, the red eye wasn't bad. The flight home.. not so much. But all that matters is that I'm home and safe and had a great time. Plus I came home to a very vocal cat who missed us and has been giving lots of cuddles.

New York was full of fantastic food, beautiful fall colors, and just plain fun. Highlights of the trip: Brazlian steakhouse. Shake shack. Dunkin donuts. Ice skating in Rockefeller Center. The leaves in Central Park + FH & BIL's epic branch joust. Meeting and working out of my NY office and seeing my boss again.

Not so highlights: Newark airport. Getting on the wrong train and ending up in Brooklyn. Turbulence. Delayed planes.

But other than that, I have no real complaints. And I barely spent any money. Who am I?

Outfit post tomorrow since I donned an outfit today that I loved.

And now... photo dump!

Ready to go.

Well, my bags are mainly packed and I have my boarding pass. That only means that a trip is in the very near future!

I'm so excited to be heading back to NY.. so I thought I'd let you in on what I pack in my travel bag.

Amazon kindle. I was so torn on purchasing this but ultimately being able to bring hundreds of books with me in such a small device pushed me over the edge. I loaded it up with some fun free books and classics last night before popping it in my bag. And I have a nifty purple case for it that makes it easy to be seen in my bag as well.

Lip balm. My favorite is burts bees beeswax lip balm. I always make sure to have at least one (..or two) floating in my bag. The peppermint makes it smell nice and I always love the tingly sensation I get after applying it. Kinda doubles as a bit of a wake up call for me! Available at Burt'sBees.com or your neighborhood drugstore.

Advil PM. Because I know I'm gonna get a wonky neckache on the plane and it'll help me sleep.

A black scarf. My aunt got me the most awesome plain black scarf for Christmas from Nordies a few years ago. It's gotten softer with wash and I adore it! Works with anything I'm wearing and is perfect to wrap around my neck on a chilly airplane. Similar, nordstrom.com

My uggs. I know, I know. Most definitely not the prettiest pair of shoes but boy are they comfy, especially with unpredictable weather (and chilly temps that I'm not used to). I particularly love my tall chestnut ones because of the tread on the bottom. It wears more like a shoe and is actually pretty comfy. These have gotten so much wear from me that I need to replace the insoles on them but these have accompanied me to NY,  London, and come out whenever we have a cold spell. Ugg Ultimate tall braided boots in Chestnut, available at uggaustralia.com.

Well that's about it for now... here's to hoping that the clock goes a bit faster this afternoon! May sneak out on my lunch break for a pre-trip manicure but other than that... I'm ready!

Shoes galore! Reveal(s)!

After what seemed like ages (okay, it was really 6 days..) I got my jcrew shoes in the mail. Modeling photos below. I think once I break in the toe box area that they will fit great. I love them and am so glad I not only waited to get them on sale but that they are going to work out!

Oxford flats, Jcrew. Selected sizes online, check stores.

And my long awaited reveal of my perfect leopard print flats! I've already worn these and while they are just a smidge big I think its something that a heel guard will fix. These are seriously so comfy - I feel like I'm walking on air with these on.  So glad I got them.. and almost wishing that I got these sooner! Plus I LOVE the bow detailing on these!

Denise bow flat, Banana Republic. Online for 98.00; in stores check for promos.

And the biggest reveal of all... my wedding shoes! I've hemmed and hawwed over whether to keep the pretty heels that I bought... but once I saw these my mom and sister and I shouted a YES in the middle of the BP shoe salon. I cannot wait to wear these under my dress... Presenting the Steve Madden I-Dreemy ballet flat. (And now available in other colors, too!)

Available at Nordies for 99.00, online and in stores.

And of course, my furry best friend who kept wanting to get in the photos (or just play with shoes, cause she's a shoe queen..) Rosie.

Latest additions + a ban of sorts...

After hitting my savings goal back in August I really haven't saved much since then. Ollie got sick and his vet bills added up. Plus I've had some work expenses (that I'm waiting to get reimbursed for) and well, I decided to revamp some of my wardrobe.

The latest additions.... before I go cold turkey.

Who remembers these?! Finally! On their way to me... (thanks mom!). Glad I waited - 99.99 - 30% and free shipping makes me a happy camper. Available now only onilne and in limited sizes - snap yours up for 69.99 at jcrew.com

Anthro cabled cocoon poncho. I've been wanting a poncho. I tried it on. I liked it. If you are shorter than 5'5 it might not be the best fit for you. Heck, I'm not sure its the best fit for me - but I'll leave that for some others to decide.  Available in mustard and navy and also a neutral color in some stores. 59.99 in stores and online.

Pilcro and the letterpress Matilija tee. Another piece my mom picked out at anthro and had me try on. LOVE this. I actually sized down to a small because it runs so large. but its adorable and has stripes AND flowers. I mean really, what could be better? available in stores and online (two colors online!) for 29.99.

I also picked up a new hoodie at jcrew (and on uber sale) to replace some of my ones that have seen better days as well as a plaid buttondown.

Yup... I need to reign in my shopping. I'm starting off easy - no shopping until NY. And even there I'm going to give myself a budget. So that's about it for now - has anyone else gotten any good sale deals lately?

New York.

In less than a month me, FH, my sister, and his sister will descend on NYC for a weekend of fun. I'm thrilled for numerous reasons:

1) I get to go back to NY.
2) My sister is coming, who hasn't really been farther than Denver. Or anywhere without an older relative.

3) I get to work out of my NY based office for a day to finally meet some people who I work with.

4) The food. the shopping. cold weather and an excuse to wear my uggs and boots and scarves.

This time I'm actually going to have chestnuts from one of the street vendors. And eat more street food. Since it's a big up and coming thing here in SF I'd really like to indulge a bit more in it in NY.

Central Park. This is on the top of my sister's list as well. I really hope that there are some leaves left on the trees when we get there.

So, in a nutshell, I'm really excited. I'm glad that my sister is finally going to join me on a trip.  I'm also trying to think of stores to hit up while I'm there - and I think topshop may be on the top of it. I was so excited to get to go to the one in London this year and I found a fabulous old silk scarf there that I can't wait to see the NY store.

And in no particular order, things that will also be a highlight:
Dunkin donuts. There is no dunkin in SF, or anywhere near us. This is usually accompanied by a hot chocolate. Yum.

Serendipity 3. Hopefully it's not cold enough that I can't take my sister to the actual location and have a frozen hot chocolate.

Rockefeller Center. Although we will miss the holiday excitement by about 2.5 weeks I'd really like to try a spin out on the ice.

All the shopping. Bloomies! Barneys! All the other smaller stores that have fun treasures hidden in them.

Little Italy. As if I ever need an excuse to eat more Italian food I'll have to try a cannoli here.

Petrossian. We had brunch here back in 2009 and ever since then I've been dreaming about their cinnamon sugar crusted french toast....

And that's just the things off the top of my head for now. If you've been to NY before feel free to shout out some places that have been awesome finds for you.

36 hours in LA

This weekend future hubby and I flew an hour south to Los Angeles to attend the wedding of a dear friend. Since we landed so early we had lots of time to explore a bit. iPhone photo roundup below.

Our top list of places:

Randy's Donuts. The big famous donut - we finally found it! Located near the rental car services in Inglewood near LAX these donuts didn't disappoint. 805 West Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA


Omlette Parlor, Santa Monica. FH has been going here ever since he was born. Whenever we're in socal we make it a mission to go there. 2732 Main Street, Santa Monica

Venice beach. Reminds me of Santa Cruz but a little more extreme. Got a little sunburned but had fun people watching.

Getty Center, Los Angeles. My first time here. The gardens were stunning - if I lived in the area I would be there once a month with a picnic and lunch. Amazing collection of work as well - plus its architecturally stunning.  1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles

Old town Pasadena. Lots of shops and restaurants and ice cream to satisfy whatever you are craving. Got to watch my niners win over the lions at a little bar with a bunch of other niner fans.

I'm starting to think that perhaps we should visit la a little more often...


not overcast, just smog...

irses at the getty - just stunning in person.

views from the top of the getty



pumpkins in old town





hibiscus in pasadena that reminded me of hawaii





brunch jam with our wedding date on it



Sweater weather

I honestly think that CA has some bipolar weather. Last week we were sweltering with near 90 degree temps and this week we have dipped to the low 60's with rain and snow (!!) in the mountains.

This past weekend I treated myself to a bit of a shopping splurge. I was feeling as though my wardrobe was lacking some grown up pieces and that my sweater collection could do with some shuffling out of old items and bringing in of new ones. Enter Nordstrom. And their POV section. And their sweaters, and skirts, and tops, and more sweaters. I had a grand time and walked out with some more adult-like pieces and sweaters to bundle up in at work and also on the weekend.

Today (because of the pouring rain that was dumping down on my way to work) I'm wearing my newly purchased turtleneck sweater/poncho with banana republic black jeans and rainboots. Pardon the mirror shots.

Sweater via Research and Design, 49.00, Nordstroms.com.; jeans, banana republic; rainboots, macy's.

Other items that came home with me:

 Caslon dolman striped sweater, 59.00, photo via nordstrom.com

Halogen pleated knit skirt, 78.00, photo via nordstrom.com

Halogen ruffled pencil skirt, 68.00, photo via nordstrom.com

Halogen houndstooth sweater, 78.00, photo via nordstrom.com

Whew! Needless to say, my visa got a workout. But, I think they are all pieces that I'll wear numerous times with different things.

Also wishlisted some items for Christmas there.

Stay tuned - I finally got my leopard print flats. Reveal coming shortly!