Me in Melange

putting baby in the corner...

I'm really lucky that LV is awesome and lets me bring Lila to work.  I couldn't imagine having to drop off the little one at daycare... in fact I probably wouldn't, hence not being able to work and leaving me and Ryan to eat ramen noodles every night and never being able to shop again.  tragic.  So the little lady comes to work with mom and naps in baby bjorn travel crib (an awesome pack n' play by the way, highly recommend it!) But the web office isn't the most stimulating place for a baby. And this week I started the effort to make her little corner cheerier.  I hung one of the inke heiland wall art pieces, so cute! I had not seen one of these in full action yet, and I have to say I like them even more now.  It's the perfect way to instantly introduce some color and the print is big and bold without being obnoxious.  I also strung some ribbon and hung some black and white cards with clothespins.  All-in-all it's looking more entertaining for her... next is to find a mobile to hang on the crib, something that she can bat at with those cute chubby arms. :) signed, me {CA}

What to wear when you go to therapy!

About a month ago I decided to start going to see a family counselor to get some "parenting" tips.  Having a willful 6 year old is proving to be more challenging than I thought.  I decided that getting some help would make me less stressed and somewhat reduce the chances that my current parenting style would put Ava into therapy someday.  Let me first say that it was a GREAT decision, and I'm so excited that I took the plunge.  Not only is it helpful, but getting some validation and a moment to regroup is priceless (or $100 since that is what it actually costs) :-). 

Anyway, on my first trip to mental health I over compensated and wore an old Beth Bowley floral halter dress that is as akin to the picture of a '50's housewife as I could come.  I love the retro glam of it, and with a preppy sweater tossed over my shoulders I was the picture of "cool, calm, and collected mommy."  Yeah, isn't it crazy how your clothes can paint a picture, even when the picture doesn't seem all that accurate?  

Today I wore white, as my tribute to my new inner peace and calm parenting style.  I dug up a pair of old Trina Turk white pique pants, and a white Michael Stars tank.  I really did feel calmer in my white ensemble, and after my 50 minutes of professional info, I feel positively transformed. 

So, the first moral of the story is that if you buy great pieces for your wardrobe that you love, you'll wear them for years (exhibit A, Beth Bowley dress).  Your outfit can change your entire mood for the day (and might fool a person or two)!  Second, if you need a little extra centering, don't hesitate to find a great counselor, it will change everything and might help you feel like you get a little control back!

Signed, ME (lv)

OH...the irony!

Wouldn't you think the perfect place to wear a pair of 17 year old jeans would be camping in the dirt and grime?  Aaahhh, yeah...NO.  I just survived a 4 day trip to Shasta, where we met friends from San Francisco and did a "glamcamping" expedition (combo of camping and glam...the glam part being that we stayed in rustic - very rustic - cabins).  Our cambins had electricity, refrigerators, stoves, bathrooms, and beds...but they were very bare bones, and very grunge.  As any of you know who have done any variation of camping, it is dirty business.  If you go in the summer you are guaranteed dust and dirt galore. 

So...on my "big" camping trip which I did entirely for the kids and my feeble attempt to give them a taste of nature (I am a firm believer in resorts, high thread count sheets, and pillowtop mattresses), you might wonder if I took my new 17 year wash, distressed AG jeans ?  The answer, ironically, is NO WAY.  My hole-ridden, worn in, slightly slouchy and relaxed boyfriend jeans stayed home, safe from the dirt and fresh air.  I love these jeans too much to subject them to the world of camping and now that I'm back to civilizations, I plan on wearing them (today in fact) along with my new and most beloved tee from Velvet. the Irie top .  This is adorable on, and I love that it isn't as fitted as most my tees, and the color is AWESOME!!

 I'm starting this week (yes, I know it is already Tuesday), with a renewed love of all things comfortable and clean...my great coffee maker, comfortable bed, clean and adorable AG's (holes and all)!

Signed, ME (lv) 

                    

jean hemlines 101...

It's back to school for many this week and for us that usually means an influx of girls looking for a brand new pair of jeans.  New jeans are the best way, in my opinion, to boost your confidence.  They make you feel great and they're an instant staple in your wardrobe.  The worst thing you can do though, is not get your jeans hemmed properly.  I'm not sure why anyone would spend so much on designer jeans and not spring for the extra $15 to get the original hem at the correct inseam. In fact, we believe so strongly about original hems that we now offer FREE HEMMING to all of our IN-STORE customers... come see our smiling faces in person and we will not only put you in the perfect pair of jeans for your bootie, but we will also hem them for free. 

(Emily pinning for one of said, back-to-school-ies)  Now, unfortunately we can't offer this to our out-of-town web customers... but what we can do is give you all of our good 'hemming jeans know-how'.  First.  Pick a good seamstress, try not to just go out on a limb... get references from girlfriends or go to a local boutique and ask them who they would recommend.  Next, be sure to wash your jeans before you get them hemmed.  Denim tends to shrink up a bit after the first wash. So always wash and dry first.  And speaking of drying... I always air-dry my jeans.  If you put them in the dryer they will continually shrink upwards getting shorter and shorter, until one day when you're like, 'when did I buy high-waters?'  Air-drying will save your inseam and help keep the wash it's original color. Finally, ALWAYS ask for the original hem.  ALWAYS. I've been going to the same lady for 4 years now and I still specify that I would like the original hem.  Why risk it... cause once it's hemmed, you cannot take it back.  We have a super cute new shipment of Citizens coming in tomorrow.  I might have to treat myself to a back-to-school pair just for fun.  signed, me {CA}

Two new boots for fall....

In efforts to get organized for fall (I cleaned out the garage and started a Costco list too), I decided to treat myself to some new boots. Boots and I love each, and I show my love by buying more each year.  I made two places in the casual section of my wardrobe (the far bigger side), with these Frye Carson boots, and these shortie Hunter rain boots.   I was also thinking...to go with my new boots, I would pick one of the Isda cardigans from the fall preview show.  I'm thinking the Loft Short Sleeve Cardigan might just be perfect.  I could layer it over a long sleeve tee or turtleneck and be perfectly cozy!  Of course, I'll also have to snatch up one of the A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E Pistil hats , to ward of crazy hair days and keep the noggin toasty.  I'm not quite ready for the chill of fall, but I'm getting close....

Signed, ME{lv}

       

Eileen Fisher has a new following-me :-)!

I remember being in my 20's and my mom adored Eileen Fisher.  My recollection of the fashions in those years was boxier, more generous cuts, classic silhouettes, gorgeous colors.  My mother always look tasteful, always age appropriate.   I bought a few pieces, but I didn't consider EF one of "my brands".

But Eileen Fisher has evolved.  She still dresses my mom, and I would say her style is still relaxed, but the silhouttes have gotten much more updated, and much more youthful.  Now they have that really difficult to achieve balance of youthfulness, classic lines, detailing, and sophistication...without being stuffy, unflattering or boring.  Eileen Fisher has managed to cross over multi-generations of women, and with just a few tweaks here and there, it works for all of us. 

When I wear and Eileen Fisher sweater I pair it with a great pair of jeans, layer it over a tee, throw on my boots and an obi belt and I"m off.  My mom takes that same sweater and pairs it with a pair of Eileen Fisher pants and simple flats and looks great too.   The sweaters and jackets are wonderful and the ones I've bought in the last few years have become the favorites in my closet.  The skirts and dresses are beautiful too...the only thing that hasn't worked for me are the pants (rise a little too high for my short waist).  What I can also trust in, is the EF quality, and dedication to environment protection in the production of her clothing.

If you have erased EF form your mind thinking she only dresses your mother, think again.  I really feel strongly that her company, her styles, and her vision are worth getting behind.  We'll all look better!

Signed, ME {lv}

A few things to share....

Since I haven't shared any random personal things lately (o.k., that actually might be a lie, but it FEELS like I haven't so I'm pretending I haven't).....

1.  I have a little melody that I sing to my 20 month old "baby" who has enormous-juicy-jiggly-baby thighs, and it is to the tune of the song, "I like big butts"--I'm sure you all know that dandy diddy from years ago.  So my variation goes, "She has big fat thighs and I can not lie, the other babies can't deny...".  I've been singing it forever to her whenever I get her naked or change her, it kind of cracks me up.  Well, this afternoon while getting ready to go to a dinner, I was changing in my bathroom when my 4 year old came up to me as I stood in my undies doing my makeup.  Next thing I know she is poking and jiggly my thighs and singing that tune.  Let me tell you...NOT NEARLY as cute when you are singing it to a pair of adults thighs :-).

2.  I was at the park today with the kids.  Took them there alone, no plans to meet anyone.  So they are running around, and I'm bored, so I'm texting someone on the Blackberry (this is how I stay in touch without committing the time to an entire phone conversation), and I look up from texting, and notice at least FOUR other moms in the park doing exactly the same thing!  So we were all ignoring our children, and texting on that annoying little crackberry.  My question is, what did mothers do at the park 50 years ago...before cell phones?  Did they actually play with their kids, or just sit and stare lovingly at them?  I vowed to to limit my cell  phone texting activities after that.

3.  I bought the Velvet Clarette one shoulder top today for one of my dearest friends (along with the studded crystal Flynt Seven jeans) and let me tell you, it looks amazing on (she wore it tonight in fact).  It is the perfect going out top...shows a little skin, super flattering, and forward.  My friend likes a fair amount of bling, and I tease her without merci about her "bedazzling days" (which is why I bought her studded jeans, in the hopes she wouldn't try to bedazzle her own).  Her adorable-Justin Timberlake-looking friend (who also happens to be gay) explained his master plan to bedazzle a "w" on a pair of Wranglers.  I think that is a pretty fantastic idea, and he could probably get away with it, in the way that only a great looking, hip, gay man could.  I think most of us have to stick to the studded Seven jeans though, and put the bedazzler away.

 

Signed, ME {lv}