The great cape caper.

So I have to admit that I've fallen for the fall trend of capes. I think I've found one that works for me. But the only problem? How the heck do I wear it!

Ladies, suggestions are welcome... I purchased the above J Crew cape for a fab price during an instore sale. But I'm so stumped as to how to pair this. I love how the model is showing wearing it on the website... but does that actually work?  (size x small still available at jcrew.com).

So this post isn't totally boring, here's me rockin my first ever mustard item. Graned its mixed with grey, but hey, its a step, right?

Vneck striped sweater: target. Watch, Michelle. Necklace: Tiffanys. White tshirt: Lacoste. Pants: Gap

Also, apologies for the crappy bathroom shot. But by the time I get home in the evening all the light is gone and indoor shots with a flash aren't that great.

Also, for any of you bay area girls... Rebecca Minkoff sample sale this weekend! Thanks to Paulina over at The Gore Princess for posting a heads up about this - plus she runs a pretty awesome website, too. Details at thegoreprincess.com and also refinery29.com.

Keep your eyes pealed for a guest post from yours truly over at tokkiandoliver.blogspot.com in the next coming days, too!

Happy Wendesday!

Black Friday/Why i cannot shop anymore

I got up early, I braved the lines, I conquered Anthropologie's Black Friday sale. In 32 minutes. And got everything I wanted. So here's a roundup of everything that I got this past Black Friday/Bargain shopping weekend.

From Anthro:

the item that I wanted the most was the Ihrin shirtdress. While everyone was mobbing over shoes (i have never seen anything like it in my life) I nabbed two sizes of this to try on. I did have to size up since the 8 seemed a little tight in the bust area but grabbed this is a gorgeous purple hue. Love! Sale price: 49.99 on Black Friday, item 22806756 (check stores).

i'm fairly sure this is the instant class tee in stripes, but i may be wrong. saw this on my last browse through the sale room and nabbed it like it was going out of style. purchased in a size M for 14.95, item 22519847.

tried this on and grabbed it without thinking twice... so i'm not sure if this will stay or not but i think the pattern is adorable and something a bit out of my comfort range. also unsure of the name of this but purchased in a size small for 19.95.

accessories:

looksmart ipad case and passport holder (19.99 and 9.99), raccoon ring holder (3.99), and grove new york goats milk lotion (4.99). I have to tell you... the raccoon ring holder was the second item on my list. i was so happy when i saw an abundance of them at my local store. i also love the pattern on the ipad and passport case... i love matching items. and the smell of the grove lotion is amazing! 

Plus look at how adorable he is close up!

After I finished up at Anthro I made my way back home and straight to bed. Gap was a madhouse and I couldn't stomach  much more than a few minutes there.

Macys.

I had seen this out with my mom in law, sister in law, and best friend. Alas, none in my size. Until I saw this at Macys. For 50% off. And I had an additional 20% off coupon. MINE! Michael Kors toggle front cardigan. 60.00 at Macys, check stores.

Later on that day I headed over to Nordies..

Once I saw this and then tried it on I really had a hard time taking it off to ring it up. I've been searching for something similar to replace some of my older end of life items in my wardrobe and this warm wrap totally fits the bill. I was torn between the grey and the cream but ultimately the grey won out. Bobeau asymmetrical wrap cardigan - 39.90, nordstrom.com or check in stores.

In case you haven't heard, I adore sweaters. I kinda live in them. Especially because I'm normally one of those people who are constantly cold. I saw this and when I first tried it on I wasn't thrilled. Until I paired it with the long sleeved shirt I was wearing and then I loved it. Kensie cowl neck fair isle sweater, 49.90, in stores and nordstrom.com

I kinda have a thing with shoes. I tend to wear the same few pairs over and over again. I had tried these on with a friend and passed. Then I saw them marked down more this weekend and pounced. I love that I can wear these to work as well as with jeans on the weekend. Corso Como Vineland flat in pewter (the black is also a great color!), 72.90 in store and nordstrom.com.

After seeing this pair on a friend I decided that I needed these. Once I saw them marked down I knew I really needed them. Plus a nude patent flat - who doesn't need that in their wardrobe? Very excited to break these in..... Vera Wang Lavendar Lillian patent ballet flats. 96.90, in stores and nordstrom.com (also in black!).  *Thanks Mom!

Black pumps... not something that I really own. I mean, I have two similar pairs in patent peep toes, but nothing plain... nothing I can depend on. Then I saw these. Love. Now here's to hoping that I get over my fear of wearing heels and make these a staple. Cole Haan Air Talia mid pump in black leather, 129.90, in stores and nordstrom.com (and in brown leather, too!)

And another fun pair of black pumps. Mom saw the price on these and since they fit couldn't resist. Love the detailing on the front and the thicker heel. So excited to wear these out! Miz Mooz Felicity pump in black. 59.90, in stores and nordstrom.com (also in purple and grey!)

Major congrats if you've gotten this far. And now, I am banned until sometime next year and desperately praying for a holiday bonus. Or a money tree. Yanno, whatever comes first. Feel free to share your black friday/cyber monday goodies!

A giving of thanks

this year, much like every year, i find so many more things to be thankful for.

Central Park - November 2011

for my boyfriend turned fiance who is always so supportive and just a great listener.
for my parents - especially my relationship with my mom that's strengthened over time.
my job because well, its pretty awesome. and my company is cool too.

Barcelona - March 2011

for the chances and ability that i have to travel to new and old places; i'm so very lucky.
for fuzzy socks, warm bedsheets, and caramel macchiatos that make bad days just a bit better.
for being able to spend time with my family - and for all the in law family members that i'm going to gain next year because they're really fantastic people.

for being able to live in such an amazing city as san francisco.

for friends - good friends, old friends, and new friends, because life is so much sweeter with a good pal.
for my fuzzy best friends - rosie, frankie, and ollie who bring joy and unconditional love to my life.
for the ability to have an awesome place to call my own in cyberspace - and for anyone out there who is reading this.

Hope your Thanksgiving is full of good food, kind people, and warmth.

Is there anything extra special you are thankful for this year?

In love with plaid.

So I have to be honest - I kinda bought this shirt on a whim. I wasn't even sure I'd look good in it - because well, it's green. And a little bright. But both times I've worn it, I've gotten lots of compliments on it.

Blouse: Jcrew. Sweater: Gap. Skirt: Gary Graham. Nail polish: OPI: Lincoln Park After Midnight.

And I apologize for the headless shot above. I was testing out my camera remote and it works. Tada! It's also hard to photograph yourself when there's little to no more natural light outside. And at the end of the day when your hair decides to no longer behave.

Also, can I just say that the above skirt is amazing? It was a gift from my future MIL on a shopping excursion and I just adore it. 

Do you have any pieces that you've purchased that you may have second guessed but now love?

Happy hump day!

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!