Sweater Weather

As evening starts to fall earlier and earlier I find myself reaching for my cozy sweaters during the day. And as the week goes on my outfits tend to get more casual in the office (and I'm so glad that I can get away with wearing jeans in the office).

I picked up this crew neck comfy sweater at J Crew this past weekend and definitely enjoyed wearing it yesterday. I almost didn't want to take it off when I went to bed at the ungodly hour of 8:30 because I was that tired and cold.

Jeans: Gap, Sweater and scarf: J Crew, Button down: Old Navy

Also, you can see my awesome new iphone case. It's french hens. I kinda sorta love it. And I really promise I have the rest of my face, its just hiding.

Since I won a contest at work the other day I get a gift card to J Crew and I'm already hunting for my splurge item that I get to purchase. I'm really loving this bag that I saw Annie wearing over at The Other Side of Grey but alas its not in stock on the website. Perhaps I will finally make a journey over to the new J Crew outlet on one of my days off at the end of the year.

Tonight DH, my sister and her boyfriend are getting together for dinner and to celebrate my grandpa since it's the 5 year anniversary of his passing (holy wow, how time flies!). Tomorrow we are getting together with some friends for a holiday dinner, and Sunday will most likely involve lots of football and perhaps some pizza. Next week is also the last full week of work before 2012 closes and I'm excited for some days to sleep in and also for Hawaii.

What are you looking forward to as 2012 draws to a close?

Last week's outfits

I feel as if I've finally recovered from the past week which I can only describe as the most challenging week of my career (thus far). I spent this weekend recovering from it - lots of sleep, good food,  reading, time with my family, some self indulgence (shopping and the spa, to be exact), and getting my little Christmas tree. And while the week was hard, at least I hopefully looked somewhat decent.

Skirt & Sequin top: J Crew, Button down: Old Navy

I promise this outfit looked better before the end of the day. The sequin dot shirt is another item that's a bit out of my comfort zone but I paired it with a blouse and a wool pencil skirt to wear to the office. Also, pardon the foliage but there seems to be good light in my entry way to the apartment.

Blouse & Giraffe necklace: J Crew, Cardigan: C Wonder

So, let me tell you about C Wonder for a second. It's like Tory Burch's more affordable younger sister (which I heard is run by her ex, btw.). It's probably a good thing that they don't have a store here in San Francisco. And I promise I had pants on - just black jeans.

It's also hard to believe that 2012 is going to be drawing to a close soon. I do have some plans for 2013 already (including travel and some job related) and am excited to see where 2013 takes me.

If I can only lock up my wallet until then... because Santa is really going to be mad at me after this weekend.

Have you discovered any new stores or places lately that you love?

New York

New York... what can I say about New York that hasn't already been said? It's most definitely the city that never sleeps and even though I haven't explored much of the city I feel as though every corner you turn you find out something new.

We spent the weekend with friends and family. Thursday we got into Manhattan around 4 and had dinner. Had drinks at the gorgeous Gramercy Park Hotel and listened to a bit of live music in the lounge.

Friday I worked at my headquarters and had a great day with all of my NY colleagues, and even had a dance party before heading out to DH's company party. We ate, drank, and danced at the PHD club at the dream hotel.

Saturday we hit up Brooklyn Brewery for games, local beer, and pizza with friends before joining up with my in laws for dinner.

Sunday we had brunch, shopped (C Wonder and Century 21, anyone?), and reluctantly flew home (although I am always glad to be back home with the fur kids).

Some photos below....including my outfit of the day today with my amazing new blazer.

Empire State Building

Our headboard at the Dream Hotel Downtown

Vintage bottles at the Brooklyn Brewery

New blazer & seven for all mankind jeans that may have come home with me...

Stars at Columbus Circle

Todays outfit with tired hair.

And now, I'm tired but always happy to be back in San Francisco. Especially because its warmer here. But until next time new york...

Long weekend sale steals

Or, in other words, why Laura is banned until at least 2013. But, lets get to fun stuff - what I picked up during the Thanksgiving sales.

From J Crew... Oh J Crew. I really should contemplate changing the title of this blog to I really should work at J Crew but I have a desk job. Or, J Crew gets my whole paycheck. Ahh, I digress. I placed an order Wednesday night and then on Sunday stopped in store because the 30% off was just too good. 
J Crew website order:
Lady jacket in spicy gold - the mustard is definitely not as bright as it appears online. I might have to try styling this with a few items in my wardrobe before I decide if I can pull it off or not but it was a steal at 69.99.
Saturday pant - love. These might become my new comfy plane travel pants. I'll definitely get these in another color the next time they go on sale.
iPhone case in anchor print - am I the only one who doesn't think this fits the iPhone 4S right? Most likely going back.

Sunday in store:
Polka dot sequin top - This is a little out of my comfort zone because its flashy. But I tried it on in store over a white blouse with jeans and really like how it looked. I just may have to push myself to wear this one a bit more as its a little out of my comfort zone.
Merino turtleneck in stripe - Elbow pads. Enough said. Cozy and comfy and stripes. Adore this. 
Orly genger rope necklace - I think I waited for this to go on sale for several months. Finally nabbed this in blue. 
Ballet flats in poppy - This is my first pair of J Crew ballet flats and I just adore the color. I think this will be the perfect shoe addition to my wardrobe for this season.

Anthropologie:
Window pane blazer - Okay. So I could also probably rename this blog I'm addicted to blazers too. Saw this in store and wasn't sure. Tried it on for MIL & SIL and they loved it. So it shall stay.
Ilume spring eden candle in mango - I love the way this candle smelled - it reminds me of vacation. I probably should've grabbed another.
Leather notebooks - Another thing I've always enjoyed are notebooks. I saw these and thought they were adorable with the pencil that comes with it. 

Loft:
These were my first purchases from the Loft and I'm excited for these.
Sequin striped top - I saw this making the rounds on a few blogs and I tried it on in store and loved it.
Kitten sweater - Kitten print. Sweater. No more is needed on this. ;)

Banana Republic:
Striped knit skirt - I know I blogged about this skirt before. And I finally nabbed it in store for 11.00. Sweet!
Plaid button down - Blue plaid. Adore. Can't find this online but it should be in stores.

Whew! And that's about it!

DH and I are off to NY for a few days on Thursday and I'm a little afraid of how cold its going to be. But I'm also really looking forward to good food, visiting with some coworkers in my NY office and maybe hopefully hitting up the J Crew sample sale. Shhh. I swear I'm done.

Did you get anything during the holiday sale?

PS. Does anyone know how to do add a reply to comment? I still haven't figured that out.
PPS. I will seriously pay someone to redo my blog. Doesn't have to be crazy complex but I really suck at this html thing.

A giving of thanks

I am having a hard time realizing that 2012 is coming to an end, and with Thanksgiving at the end of this week I thought I'd take the time to reflect on some things that I'm thankful for.

My husband. After almost 10 years together this August we finally made it really official and tied the knot. By far my wedding day was the best day of my life. He's been with me through all of my ups and downs, is kind to my family, and has held my hand through the heartbreak of losing two of my grandparents earlier this year. I'm so grateful to have him and get to share the rest of my life with him.

My family, who have been so incredibly supportive throughout the wedding planning process - to both of my parents who showed such strength this year while they each lost a parent. To my sister who has been so happy for us and who was the best maid of honor I could ever ask for. And to the new group of people I get to call family - my inlaws who always give me a reason to laugh and make me feel welcome.

My job and my amazing coworkers who I also get to consider family. They've been so awesome this year in particular with my adventures of 2012 and I'm so excited to hug them all in person next week in NY. I'm so grateful that I have a job at a good company who is helping me further my career, and which helps me to provide for the home.

My furkids because they make life that much sweeter. Rosie, Frankie, Ollie, & even Cat Food the fish.

San Francisco. Because lets face it.. my city is pretty awesome. And the fact that DH and I can afford to live in the city giving us the ability to walk to work, visit friends, experience food and just enjoy our little piece of heaven.

For all of the years that I was able to spend with my Grandma and my Nonno. I miss them and my Grandpa dearly but I cherish the memories and life lessons that they taught me.

The ability to travel and have amazing adventures outside of the city. Although I always end up missing home..

Ischia Island - October 2012

Starbucks. Especially with the return of the salted caramel mocha. Mmmhmmm.

And my blog readers. Thank you so, so much - I can't tell you how much I appreciate you stopping by here!

Linking up with some other gals - but what are you thankful for this year?

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Spotted dotted

This was actually Wednesday's outfit, but who is counting. I think aside from my skirt and boot outfit this was my runner up of favorite outfit of the week. And the funny thing about my red jean search is that it actually took me to Wet Seal, a store I probably haven't set foot in in years (most definitely since before my age started having a 2 in the front of it). And that means belt necessary.

Sweater: Old Navy, Blazer: Banana Republic, Jeans: Wet Seal, Necklace: J Crew

Photos coming to you courtesy of the J Crew dressing room - finally a few photos of me without a sink in the background. Hah. I really like camel and red and blue together. And blazers... can you tell I have a problem? Okay okay. So it's one I'm fond of. But I can't get enough. I also can't get enough of dots. And plaid. I love it all.

Speaking of J Crew, while I was there the other night I nabbed a double serge wool pencil skirt in festival blue for 41. Complete steal! Online they are still 79.99 with an additional 30% off but check stores - prices are usually less for this item.

This weekend we have some plans to get together with friends tonight. Tomorrow is a complete free day with no plans. And if it's supposed to rain hopefully that means I can catch up on laundry and maybe have some brunch. Sunday I'm going to a bridal shower and then a thanksgiving get together with some coworkers.

And that, friends is my soon to be weekend in a nutshell. Is there anything specific you are looking forward to this weekend?

Leaving the comfort zone

I have to admit that I'm stepping a bit out of my comfort zone with the outfit below. I'm still half expecting someone to come up to me and say what the heck are you wearing? But I'm hoping that I can remix this outfit with different skirts and shirts to make this a fall/winter outfit staple. And boot socks. That would be helpful, too.

Cardigan: Gap, Button down: Old Navy, Skirt: Gary Graham, Boots: Frye

I originally tried this outfit on with a different shirt this morning but decided that this one works better. I really wanted to try this with a pencil skirt but I think that this one with a bit of a fuller skirt styles easier with the Frye boots. And the best part about the Frye boots? I scored them for 80. Brand new. Yup, probably one of the best purchases I've ever made.

J Crew Desert bloom bracelet

So - here's a two part question today. What has been one of your best fashion purchases - whether it was a super deal or a spur of the moment purchase that you've used over and over? And what's the best kind of socks to wear with your Fryes (cause my feet are hurting already and it's 10:10AM!)

I also picked up this bracelet at the J Crew sale the other day and I'm in love. In love like I want to wear it every single day love.

Also... I'm so addicted to Instagram these days and would love to see your photos :) Feel free to search for me - my username is makeupandpearls (and I certainly hope you like cat photos).

Happy to be linking up to the Everybody Everywhere November 13 boot challenge!