Go To The Trenches

Top - F21, Coat, Necklace - H&M, Jeans - JBrand

There's nothing more classic than a simple trench coat. It can be worn with dresses, with work clothes, or casually with skinny jeans and a simple top. Throw on a pair of classic pumps and a neon statement necklace, and BOOM, you've got yourself a look, rather than an outfit. I was inspired by this pin, and despite the fact that I don't have legs that go on forever, I thought I'd try the look in my own way. I think the trench really pulls the whole outfit together in a way that no other piece could. If you're not catching my hinting here...go get a trench if you don't have one! It's a great spring addition to your wardrobe, and it's classic enough that you'll wear it in the fall and next spring too. I've had this particular trench for at least 2 years and another vintage Burberry trench I've had for ten years. If you're looking for a piece to invest in, this is a good one to go for.

The Boyfriend is away for work this weekend, and as much as I'll miss him, I'm looking forward to some me time to recharge my batteries. I'm definitely running on empty these days and fighting off a cold with everything I've got. I plan on catchup time with some of my ladies, sleeping in on Saturday morning (a rarity these days!) and then making myself some eggs and coffee, not wearing a lick of makeup all day, and then maybe reading a good book in the yard with my pup Saturday afternoon before I gear up for Easter festivities on Sunday. Ah, reminds me of my single days. Sometimes, for a fleeting moment, I miss it. Shh. Don't tell the Boyfriend.

Have a great weekend, loves!

Pink Hues

Dress - H&M, Shoes - CJ

I've started joking with people that the Boyfriend and I are ready to become professional wedding guests. I swear we attend six or seven weddings a year, and yet, they never get old for me. Each one is so different and unique and full of such personal details, that it's always such a joy to be invited to another one. We attended an absolutely gorgeous one in San Francisco recently where the extra special details just blew me away. We rode private trolley cars up and down the streets of the city, shuttling us from the AMAZING Grace Cathedral where the ceremony occurred to the St. Regis hotel where the reception was held. The Grace Cathedral made me feel like I was at the wedding of Kate Middleton and the trolley cars was such a fun and special touch. The wedding reception itself was elegant and full of orchids and hydrangeas (my favorite flower!), and the couple even had cookies made in the shape of their beloved pup as favors for each of the guests. 

For weddings, I tend to cater my outfit to the venue of the wedding. This wedding was going to occur in a fancy hotel and at a church, so I wanted to make sure my shoulders and knees were covered. I love this little colorblock number I found on the clearance rack at H&M for $20! In fact, it took me longer to dress the Boyfriend because I was trying to find him a tie that would coordinate with my own outfit. (Yup, he loves to (i.e. I make him) coordinate on fancy days). 

50 Shades of Mint

Top - F21, Necklace - Banana Republic, Jeans - JBrand

I warned you that I am a bit mint obsessed, and you can see that I was not lying. Three mint posts in two weeks! I make myself feel better by telling myself that it's OK to buy so much mint because everything I buy is a different "shade" of mint. My very own 50 Shades of Mint, if you will. (OK, not quite 50 yet, but give me time.) 50 Shades of Mint would have been just as exciting as 50 Shades of Grey, don't you think? It would be just like 50 Shades of Grey, except without the crazy. And without the raciness. And without the royalties and movie deal. And my book would actually be about the color mint. Yeah, OK, so maybe not quite as exciting.

What are all you lovelies up to this weekend? I'm part of an organization that hosts an annual youth conference, so I'm spending the weekend with amazing young people who make me feel amazingly, amazingly OLD. Remember, these kids were born in the late 1990s. This means they probably don't know there was an original "Beverly Hills 90210" before "90210" and they definitely don't know that the new Pitbull/Christina Aguilera song "Feel this Moment" uses the hook from the 80s classic "Take on Me" by A-Ha. Last year, I was traumatized when we played "All My Life" by K-Ci and JoJo and the kids looked at each other and said, "What song is this?" I almost cried.

Cheers to feeling younger (most of the time) than I actually am...have a great weekend, y'all!  

Old Faithful

Cardigan - Gap, Jeans - JBrand, Boots - SoHo Boutique, Scarf - ModCloth

I think every girl has sort of a go-to outfit when everything else in their closet seems to fail them. As much as I am a self-proclaimed girly girl, with a love of lace, heels, skirts, and feminine details, my go-to outfit is definitely more of a practical, no frills, no fuss affair. There's not much I can't do when I'm rocking skinnies, flat boots, a cardigan, and a scarf, and I find this very commonly becomes my weekend-wear when I don't have anywhere special to be. The look is comfortable and casual, without being boring. Coincidentally, one of my very, very first ever blog posts (excuse the primitive picture skills!) was a very similar look, and there's just something comforting about knowing that this look might still be my faithful go-to in years to come.

I wish the pics did more justice for the cardigan. The stripes are actually a very subtle gold thread, and I love how it goes with almost everything. 

What's your go-to look? 

Rock the Dot

Top - F21, Jeans - ModCloth, Shoes - Zara

I'm a fan of the show "New Girl," namely because I have always had a crush on Zooey Deschanel and partly because the Schmidt character on the show can make me laugh out loud. I have always loved Zooey's style on the show too, and on one episode, she gave one of the most amazing speeches. She's talking to this sophisticated, sleek lawyer woman who lives in black suits and says: 

I brake for birds. I rock a lot of polka dots. I have touched glitter in the last 24 hours. I spend my entire day talking to children. And I find it fundamentally strange that you're not a dessert person. That's just weird, and it freaks me out. And I'm sorry I don't talk like Murphy Brown. And I hate your pantsuit. I wish it had ribbons on it or something to make it just slightly cuter. And that doesn't mean I'm not smart and tough and strong.

This speech made me laugh out loud, and I felt empowered because I too rock a LOT of polka dots and hate boring black pantsuits (that I have to wear far too often at work). The world needs more polka dots! I do my part...see here, here, here, and here. They're just FUN. I also particularly love a black and white polka dot because it becomes more of a neutral and you can wear it with almost anything. I am loving this black-and-white-top-colored-skinnies look and plan to keep mixing and matching my colored jeans with various monochromatic tops as I start transitioning to my spring wear. 

Do you rock the dot? 

Paris Amour

Coat - H&M, Top - F21 

I know that florals are all the rage this season, and I do love me a good floral print! But I don't think I'll ever give up my serious love for stripes and polka dots. To me, stripes are a way to wear a neutral color without turning your outfit into a snoozefest. Who wants to wear a boring white top with jeans when you can wear a striped top and add that extra oomph to your outfits? I've said it before, and I'll say it again. It's all about the oomph. I love that this particular striped top is navy. There's something so very Parisian about it, which means that I got to treat myself to a croissant and an eclair to celebrate. So glad this sweater is stretchy, since I plan on celebrating Paris every time I wear it. Hellooooo, French macaroons, crepes, and champagne!

Heading to SF for a dear friend's wedding this weekend, and I'm hoping for great weather and some nice spring outfits! Au revoir until next week....

Nothing is a better accessory than an adorable pup! 

Lace It Up

Top - ShopRuche.com, Skirt - Frenchi (Nordstrom), Belt - H&M, Booties - F21

When you've been with your boyfriend for as long as I have, it's really easy to let "date night" turn into "sweats, DVD, and eating ice cream out of the carton night." And while I love those types of date nights, especially on Fridays after a long week of work, I've realized lately that I miss how I used to actually get dolled up for a night out with the Boyfriend. I remember actually planning out my outfit in advance and getting excited butterflies in my stomach as I got ready. Nowadays, he's lucky if my T-shirt matches my sweatpants (it rarely does). 

On a recent date night, I decided to remedy that situation and actually, you know, brush my hair and put on a skirt. I loved the chance to rock my new favorite lacy top, and I think Boyfriend loved seeing me actually put forth an effort to look cute just for him (for the first time in a long time!). In fact, it was so much fun getting dressed up for date night that I might actually try to make this type of date night outfit happen more often. Well, maybe. It depends on how much Slow Churn ice cream is in the freezer.  

What's your date night attire? 

Minty Fresh

Top - F21, Necklace - Nordstrom

I read the other day that "mint" is the color of the season. Well, thank goodness because I now own about a bajillion (i.e. six) mint green tops in assorted styles and shades. In the immortal words of Depeche Mode, "I just can't get enough." This is one of my new faves. I love the boxy silhouette of the top (it cinches in the back with an elastic), and the bright color just makes me feel like spring is right around the corner. You are, right, Spring? Because you'd better be. This girl is sick of cold winter weather, closed toed shoes, and covered legs. Anyone else ready for spring already?

Loud and Proud

Sweater - F21, Scarf - Nordstrom (Gifted), Tank - Target, Boots - MakeMeChic.com

Way back when, I remember saying that I was afraid to try the neon trend because I had actually worn neon in the 1980s and felt like wearing a trend on the next go around meant you were too old for it. I'm here to admit that I can say I'm wrong when I'm wrong. I absolutely ADORE neon and can't seem to wear it enough these days. I actually have to stop myself from buying more neon because I'm reaching the point where I have enough. (Don't tell Boyfriend that since I always insist that "I have enough" is not a phrase in my vocab when it comes to shopping). 

I love how adding neon to this neutral palette (yes, I consider leopard a neutral) gives the outfit a much needed pop of loud color. I also love how the neon and leopard look together. Crazy isn't it? I would have thought that animal print + neon would make me look like some wild back up dancer for LMFAO, but I actually love how the look turned out. I'm planning to rock this combo again in different ways come spring. If it gets too wild, you let me know and I guess I can still try to get on that LMFAO tour. 

Back in the Saddle

Coat - Lulu's, Tee, Skirt - F21, Tights - We Love Colors, Boots - Steve Madden

I know you don't believe me. But I'M BACK. I swear. I can not believe that I accidentally took a three-month hiatus from BSMMH. How did that happen? The truth is that I don't have a great excuse. I was swamped with soap orders over the holidays and through the new year and then I was traveling and then I was drowning in multiple urgent projects at work that kept me from getting anywhere near a computer when I got home at night. Can we just chalk it up to hibernation? I'm like a bear. I apparently crawled into a hole for three months and didn't come out. I may or may not have brought an entire box (or six) of Girl Scout Cookies into the hole with me. I know you probably can't forgive me, but please know that I have been missing you all like crazy and am so excited to finally be BACK. 

With winter sticking around for longer than I had hoped, I couldn't resist punctuating my return to bloggerdom with some bright colorblocking to rebel against the drab colors of the season. You know based on this post and this post and this post that I absolutely adore orange and blue together. Add some leopard to the mix and you've got yourself an outfit, my friends. I love these bright blue tights. I have and always will be a skirts girl, even in the dead of winter. Thank goodness for fun colored tights! Sorry I'm rocking my fave pair of boots yet again. I just can't get enough of them. They're like frozen yogurt or chocolate. I have an unnatural love for them even they don't really love me back.  

Stay tuned for more posts (I promise!)...and for all of you who are still out there, thank you for your faithfulness!