Feeling the Chemistry

The semester has started and I am loving it. I'm feeling really confident and I earned a 100% on my first quiz, which was exciting and has infused me with energy for the coming weeks. One week down, sixteen to go!

I'm going to kick this semester in the boo-tay!

What else has been going on? Well, Miles has really been walking a lot. I love it! He toddles around with his little arms up for balance and it is probably the cutest thing I've ever seen (although I always say that about him). Last weekend, we helped my brother move out of his apartment and Miles had a great time crawling between all of us and then just took off walking across the living room, doing his dinosaur growl the whole time. He is such a little ham.

He could watch me turn my bedside lamp on and off all day and still get excited each time! He loves lights!

Walking with Uncle Ernie

My little baby is turning into a boy in what feels like a blink! 

I can't believe Miles is thirteen months old already. Even in just looking from last month to this month, he is so different- new teeth, new steps, new words... My absolute favorite thing is when he gives me hugs and kisses, because he's definitely not a clingy baby. To have my independent little explorer want to stop for a little cuddle time is always welcome and I treasure it with all my heart!

And, of course, before I go...new shoes! They're soft leather ballet flats from Zara with an embellished heel. They're a twist on a classic but I get so many compliments because I suppose people really notice a little extra bling!

Happy Thursday!

Choos Day

One day, about two weeks ago, I was able to cross off an item from my fashion Bucket List (am I the only girl who has one?). I am a shoe lover all the way, so it's no surprise to find many pairs the list. While those who know me are more than aware of my love for shoes, I'm sure a complete stranger would know if they happened to see me frolicking around the shoe department at Nordstroms. If I need to go shopping for shirts, I find shoes. Every. Time. I don't know how it happens.

Since Miles arrived, I've been sticking to the basics: my favorite Minnetonkas and the occasional wedge. But when I came across these beautiful heels, I knew they needed to get in my closet ASAP. My husband got them for me for my birthday (one of the many reasons why he's the best husband ever) and when they arrived I just stared at the box for a minute, savoring the moment. They fit perfectly and make me as tall as I could hope for without feeling like I would fall flat on my face with any misstep. And, of course, every girl needs a perfect black pair of heels!

What's on your fashion Bucket List? I've always secretly wanted a pair of those blue Manolo Blahnik heels from the first SATC movie but for now I'm trying to stick to the classics. I've got my eye on a Burberry scarf next!

Have a great weekend!

Oy Vey.

You guys. So much has happened since I last blogged. It's been crazy. The semester ended (thank goodness- this was the main reason I haven't been writing much of anything for the last month), my whole family got really, really sick, I became the proud owner of my first pair of Jimmy Choos- they will have their own post- and we celebrated Miles's first Hanukkah.

My sweet boy's birthday is in less than two weeks! A year ago today was my due date with Miles and I just can't believe how quickly this year has gone. I am so excited for Miles to become a toddler but also painfully aware of how quickly he's on his way out of the baby stage, so I've been soaking up all the cuddles I can get. I absolutely love how now he's at an age where he shows affection and will give me kisses and hugs- it turns me into one big sap. In fact, if anyone mentions his birthday or how he's going to be one year old or how it's his first holiday season I just start getting emotional and have to get a grip by making myself think of Hillary Clinton in a pantsuit and that usually sobers me right up. It's sort of embarrassing but I just love that kid so much.

I'll be posting more often now that I don't have loads of homework- tomorrow I'm going to write about the Choos! 

I hope you all had a great weekend.

Wednesday Pinspiration: Fall Hair

There's something wonderful and windblown about fall hair. Once the weather cools down, I'm looking forward to wearing some of these styles!

You can see the rest of my style inspirations on my Pinterest board here.

Happy Wednesday!

What I Wore Wednesday

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with my sisters since it's their last day of summer vacation. While Miles napped, we sat in the front yard and took pictures for this week's What I Wore Wednesday, the girls played with the neighbor cat who wandered into our yard, and then they painted their nails while we watched Toddlers & Tiaras (quite possibly the most ridiculous show ever).

The girls love taking pictures. Of themselves, of the sky, of their feet...oh, the random photos I've found on my phone! It cracks me up to see their perspective of life. And they make me laugh. Because they are goofballs.

Next up: What I Wore Wednesday! (I wish this photo of me was set on a beach or something, but I guess the next door neighbor's truck will have to do.)

They even got me to jump!

So, what's today's outfit? Here are the details:

Sunnies: Chanel

Earrings: Vintage Modernism

Top: A local boutique in SLO

Jeans: James Jeans

Sandals: Coach

Bag: Thrift store! 

Of course, I'm linking up again with The Pleated Poppy- go visit her and see all the great outfits everyone posted this week! 

Get Ready for Fall!

I would say that fall is probably my favorite season by far. The air starts getting crisp and cool, and with the cooler weather comes hats, scarves, and jackets. As my sister-in-law and I were flipping through the phone book-sized September issues of our favorite fashion magazines, I started noticing some beautiful trends that I'm excited to try. Here are my top three (from left to right):

1. Burgundy (modeled here by Lana Del Rey for H&M)

2. Gold accents (shown here featuring the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012 campaign)

3. Navy blue (worn here by Natalia Vodianova)

The good news is that, while I find inspiration from beautiful ads like D&G's, I don't have to spend a haute budget to enjoy these trends. Just repeat after me: burgundy, gold, navy! 

Follow me on Pinterest to see more ideas for fall!

Don't forget to enter this month's giveaway if you haven't already!

PS Having six kids has never looked so chic! (And it's a look I'm not sure I could pull off!)

So Long, Old Friend

I guess you could say that I'm not very sentimental when it comes to my material possessions. If there's something that I don't use, I'm perfectly happy letting it go- usually. Last week I sold the first Prada bag I ever owned (Carrie Bradshaw would be appalled) to Bag Borrow Or Steal Private Sale and for the first time went through a little bit of what I called "seller's remorse". On one hand, I knew that I had my fun with the bag and didn't hardly use it anymore- as much as I loved it, I was almost scared to wear it out for fear of the light-colored Napa leather getting dirty- but on the other hand, it was my first designer bag that I actually owned and didn't just rent from BBOS. It may seem silly to some, but it was a goal of mine to save up and be able to buy something that nice for myself (I don't normally buy Pradas in my ordinary day-to-day life, just for the record! I'm not made o' money!), and I did. And now hopefully someone else will fall in love with it!

Speaking of love, I'm pretty thrilled with my new iPad. I used the money from the Prada to buy it, and it's going to be so handy during the fall semester. I can rent my textbooks as E-books on the iPad and save on the cost of regular required materials. I'm looking forward to putting this new technology to work and intend on getting as much use out of it as possible!

What's your dream big-ticket item? Is it a trip? Or maybe you have your own big style goal? I'd love to hear.

What I Wore Wednesday

Nice jeans, Mom!

 I'm celebrating another July birthday today (you'd be amazed how many of my family member's birthdays are in July)- my mom! She is a strong, determined, kind, and fiercely protective mama who I am very thankful to have in my life! I came across a photo today of her and me when I was about four or five and it's one of my favorite photos of us because she has that "mommy love" look on her face that I feel with Miles- just so blissfully happy to love and be loved by her little one. There are a lot of things that she was a stickler for when I was growing up that I still find myself hearing her voice with even as an adult- for example, correct grammar (especially "he and I" or "him and me") or how to determine the appropriate length of shorts or the right fit of swimsuits when shopping for summer (a source of endless frustration for the teenage me, but helpful now- no one wants to see Queen Victoria if you know what I mean!). Needless to say, I appreciate her and love her to pieces. Happy Birthday Mom!


Today I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy again for What I Wore Wednesday. I'm just now starting feel more like my normal self after my cold (how sad is it to get sick in the summer?) and I decided to will myself back to full strength by not dressing like I'm sick (also known as a black hoodie and grey yoga pants) and putting my bronzer to good use. Here are the details:


Gold leaf earrings: Pac Sun
Cardigan: Forever 21
Top: Target
Cargo jeans: Pac Sun
Gold flower sandals: Steve Madden


I hope you all are having a great week! 

Meet My New Friend, Poshmark!

It's too bad Friday just passed, or this would totally have made This Week the Trend! Going along with my previous post about sifting through my belongings and purging the clutter, I decided to take a trip through my closet. I was surprised- there are shocking amounts of items I no longer wear, or have only worn for one special occasion or another. It just so happens- wouldn't you know- there's an app for that! Meet Poshmark, the app that lets you sell items from your closet and buy from others! I highly suggest you check it out. I had a pair of brand new pumps that didn't fit (and were bought, unknowingly, on a final sale)- I tried to sell them twice on Ebay with no luck. Less than an hour after I posted them on Poshmark, they sold! I'm one happy girl. You can shop my closet by clicking the link I've added to my sidebar.

Happy Shopping and Happy Weekend!

What I Wore Wednesday

Well, this week has flown by! Sorry I haven't posted much in the last few days- as you can see, the new blog design is being installed and there are a few hiccups that are being fixed before it will actually be complete. I love the new design and can't wait for it to be finished!

Anyway, I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy and A Little Bit of Lacquer this week for this Wednesday's outfit. Here's all the details!

Lip color: Speed Dial by MAC
Shirt: TJ Maxx
Jeans: Earnest Sewn
Shoes: (my favorite pair of) Sven clogs

I stopped by Macy's with my sis-in-law yesterday in hopes of finding a pretty pink lip color for summer that was bolder than what I usually wear but not too bold. The girls at the MAC counter gave me some Kleenex, a makeup remover wipe, and a little cup of alcohol to clean the tester lipsticks and promptly left me to my own devices, so I tried on a whole bunch of different colors. They ranged from crazy orange (there's no way I can pull that look off!) to my safety range of sheer pinks. This one is definitely not sheer, but it's a happy medium.

Oh, and my clogs. These shoes are the best. They're super comfortable and really cute. I have two pairs of Sven clogs and I wish I had more! Sven is a great brand to try whether you are a longtime fan of this style or completely new to the concept of wooden shoes because you can design your own- from the heel height and style to the material and the color! Definitely stop by their website and take a look around.

Have a great Wednesday!
Leave a comment here!

~VP~

Currently Reading (Again): Diane von Furstenberg's "Book of Beauty"

One of my favorite thrift store rituals is to go through the book section. Although often futile, sometimes I find gems tucked between numerous discarded copies of The South Beach Diet and dusty 1980s romance novels. A few years ago, I picked up a copy of Diane von Furstenberg's Book of Beauty and found it extremely informative and interesting- especially considering the book was published in 1976! She writes of many things like exercise and healthy eating, all the way down to the specifics of applying makeup, but I found her chapters on making the most of our time (yet taking a day each week to just relax) and being confident in our life choices the most enjoyable. The tidbits and photos she includes about her early life, loves, and career in fashion are an added bonus.

Definitely worth the $1.99 I paid for this hidden gem!

Leave a comment here!

~VP~

Video Wednesday

I was excited to see that a friend of mine, Andrew, was featured on Conan O'Brien's show last night! Take a look!

Very Happy

I'm so happy for Prince William and Kate Middleton!
Their wedding was perfect, and they look very much in love.

Watching the Royal Wedding, I was in awe of the dresses, the shoes, but most importantly- the hats! Have you ever wondered why we in the US don't wear hats for special occasions? I love them. Well, not all of them.

~VP~ 

Oh Prada!

I'm in love! That is all.

~VLP~

In Full Bloom

This morning I met up with my friends Bill, Candice, and Jackie for a late breakfast. While I was feeling pretty famished, I was more excited to see Candice because she brought me two pair of what will no doubt be my favorite colorful spring accessories (still fighting the urge of the Dark Side): her handmade rosette earrings, in Haute Pink and Canary, from her new Etsy shop Handie Dandies! They are the perfect bursts of color to brighten any outfit (or rainy days like today), so lightweight, and I am in love. That being said- drumroll please...

I'm announcing my very first giveaway! Enter to win two pairs of Candice's creations in the colors of your choice (I've heard she will make custom colors upon request if what you're looking for isn't currently listed). Visit Handie Dandies on Etsy, then leave a comment below! I'll announce the winner on Monday, March 28th.

Handie Dandies is also offering a special discount to my readers- enter promo code "Be3thoven" (did I mention that when she's not making jewelry, Candice loves singing opera? So talented.) at checkout to receive free shipping.

Leave a comment here!
Update: the winner is Britt+Whit! Congrats!

~VLP~

Violet Eyes

When I heard that Elizabeth Taylor passed away early this morning, I knew there were likely going to be innumerable blog posts about this Hollywood legend. But as I sat there thinking about the crazy life she must have lived, there were many thoughts that came to mind. Firstly, I love her eyebrows. Second, I don't particularly enjoy the way White Diamonds smells. Thirdly, how weird is it that I'm reading a book called Committed right now? As Elizabeth once said, "I am a very committed wife. And I should be committed, too- for being married so many times."

From what I can tell, she was original, funny, and certainly was a fixture as a public figure that people won't soon forget.

Leave a comment here!

~VLP~

Weekend Film Review

This weekend was the first of the Spring season, yet has been absolutely heavy with rain. (Ironically, Christmas day was as bright and cheery as springtime! Go figure.) Feeling like I had a sore throat coming on, I cuddled under the blankets and movies became my best friend as the rain poured outside and the dogs lay warm in the hallway. I recalled my yet-to-see list and was thrilled to find I am Love (Io Sono L'Amore) was available instantly on Netflix. After watching this film, I couldn't help but be intrigued by Tilda Swinton- who knew she speaks Italian? It was definitely a change in character from her version of the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but a transformation I quite enjoyed. I also thought the scenes of Italy in I am Love were just decadent! From Milan to Sanremo, the architecture and views were constantly beautiful (and had me regretting that I did not travel there when I lived in Munich) and enhanced the story of the wealthy but repressed Emma Recchi, a woman who has kept her family together for so many years yet ultimately watches it fall apart as she seeks personal freedom outside her marriage. Perhaps the most enjoyable experience of this movie was in the way the story was presented; the plot wasn't made obvious or spoon-fed to the audience as many are lately. There were more looks and knowing glances and less words. I had no idea how the story would end and that is just how I like to feel while watching any film- captivated.

Leave a comment here!

~VLP~

Redondo Beach: Itinerary Day 2

This morning, I drove to Century City in search of H&M. This is the first time I've been to one of their stores since living in Munich, and I wasn't disappointed. I limited myself to just one "must-have", and it was so tricky deciding but I finally settled on a pair of linen high-waist trousers. They are perfect to wear with any tops and I plan to wear them as much as possible!

Leave a comment here!

~VLP~

Beverly Hills: What I Did (and Who I Saw!)

Where to start, where to start! After deciding a rough idea of what I wanted to see today, I set out to Röckenwagner Bakery for a German pretzel. I wound up buying the last three they had made, then hopped back in the car and took to the Hills!

I stopped by Brighton Coffee Shop and enjoyed a delicious latte (the lady who helped me at the counter was so friendly. I'm sure she checked at least three times to make sure I was happy!), then wandered down Brighton (past Villa Blanca- it looked so pretty but it

was full to the brim with people) on my way to Sprinkles for a red velvet cupcake to save for later. Only a few doors down from Sprinkles, I stopped for a manicure. Worst manicure I've ever gotten. I could've done it myself, the result would've been at least the same, but less painful and with me keeping my money!

Heading back outside, I walked back down to Rodeo Drive and walked up and down the sidewalks among the shops at least four or five times. I stopped into Prada- I was carrying my Prada, after all- to look at the new Spring/Summer clutches. Amazing. I didn't look at one price tag and I didn't want to- I just pretended the store was my closet and was blissfully happy.

Content, I was headed back to the parking garage when I was able to check the one box on my secret agenda- celebrity sighting! Tia Carrere (most famously known as Cassandra from Wayne's World) was walking with her daughter towards Rodeo Drive.

Now super content and getting ready for dinner with my hubby. What should I do tomorrow?


Leave a comment here!

~VLP~

We're Not in Kansas Anymore

Oh boy. I'll admit, after taking a look around (and by that I mean searching through French, German, and Italian Vogue's websites as well as this month's US issue) at what to wear this spring, I'm a bit nervous. It has nothing to do with the style or the pieces themselves. It's the color. Many of my friends tease me because whenever we go shopping I say begrudgingly, "I really should wear more color..." as I reach for something- anything- black. You see my problem. This going to be like The Wizard of Oz- stepping out from the world of black and white into a bright place outside my comfort zone. I'm shooting for a happy medium somewhere between the Olsen twins and Richard Simmons.

Photo credit: Gilt Groupe

Leave a comment here! Or simply click on the title of this post.)

~VP~