grey gardens

Shirt: Everlane; Skirt: Alexander Wang via The RealReal; Shoes: Henri Lepore Dezert; Sunglasses: Coach; Clutch: Celine; Cuff: Hermes

I'm slowly embracing the fact that I'm just more comfortable in neutral colors, namely black and white. While I've never shied away from wearing black and white looks here on the blog (heck, I sport it here pretty often), I tend to feel, well, somewhat guilty when I do. Something about defaulting to a uniform set of colors used to feel like I was cheating almost (they are a pretty fool-proof color combo after all). What I've come to realize though is that my closet, particularly after cleaning it out a few weeks ago, is slowly streamlining itself into pieces that I truly love and get excited about wearing (and yes, they are primarily a range of blacks and whites). Guilty as charged.

But so what? As someone who's definitely bought (and still buys) into fleeting trends from time to time, it's a refreshing feeling to walk into my closet feeling inspired by what I see. That can be a simple black silk blouse (like this one from Everlane that I also have in white, obvi) or this funky, mesh panel black and white tropical floral skirt. Furthermore, that's what some colorful accessories are for, right? Ahem, I'm looking at these bad boys in particular. 

Photos by Dan Johnson

this & that

{A shiny new ride I have to get around town -- thanks to C.Wonder. And huge thanks to the man friend for helping me put it together!}

This past weekend was just what I needed. Lots of sunshine. Newspaper reading. And finally scooped up #GirlBoss (a signed copy to boot!). I'm feeling energized and ready to tackle this week (but of course, cooking up some fun for our long weekend ahead up in wine country). 

{An über feminine Isabel Marant dress that I nabbed at Elizabeth Charles. Perfect for a Palm Springs getaway I have planned with my mom coming up in June.}

{I've mentioned my London trip before but it's just now dawning on me how quickly it's approaching! I'll be heading out May 29th for Regent Tweet, with a full weekend of shopping, interactive workshops and lectures lined up. I know it's going to be a blur so I want to feel like I can hit the ground running while out there for little over a week. I've been reading this book like a mad woman and our breakfast nook is slowly become my London planning HQ (ahem, as seen above).}

{My favorite thinking spot tucked away over at Baker Street steps.}

{Spotting bougainvillea never fails to make me smile.}

off the shoulder

Dress: Reformation; Clutch: Kate Spade (love this one here); Shoes: Prada; Sunglasses: YSL; Bracelets: Vita Fede; Lips: Stila "Beso"

You may recall I posted this photo of Yasmin Sewell back during the after Christmas sale season, wearing a to-die-for off the shoulder, midi dress. Basically perfection in a nut shell. Well, those sales have come and gone but I can' seem to get that dress off my mind! Naturally, being as OCD as I am, I've scoured the internet for similar dresses and was ecstatic to find this number from Reformation. While it's not quite the full skirt midi I was looking for, it's definitely a sexy little black dress that I can stand behind. 

Photos by Natalie Goel

link love {friday distractions}

We're a bit behind on our Friday distraction today (this week was a doozy!) so I can only hope that you're all already en route to happy hour somewhere. Happy weekend, everyone! 

1. In case you didn't catch Poppy Delevingne's wedding gown, take a moment and swoon right this way.

2. You guys! Hold the phone. Grace Coddington just joined Instagram and I couldn't be more excited! 

3. Interesting read about the pay gaps between male and female journalists, especially in light of Jill Abramson's sudden resignation as The New York Time's Executive Editor.

4. 3D printed makeup? My mind is blown!

5. It's that time again -- bathing suit shopping season! I'm debating taking the plunge with a one-piece. What say you?

6. Looking forward to catching this documentary once it starts playing in San Francisco (May 23!). 

7. JLaw being adorable on Jimmy Fallon. Per usual.

8. Ironically enough, I'm sharing this cute video about disconnecting from our many technology devices on a technology device, but let's all agree to head outside right after we watch it, OK?

9. Serious style crush ahead! 5 days, 5 looks, 1 gal. 

life lately {according to instagram}

It's been pretty sweltering here in SF lately (hello 80 degrees!) and just browsing back through my photos here on Instagram makes me instantly feel the sunshine! Here's a little slice of what I've been up to lately...

1. I mentioned last week I'll be heading to London for the first time ever at the end of this month (more on that soon!). I also have my sights set on Istanbul later this year. Have you guys ever gone? Would love to hear what you thought and any recs you may have!

2. My weekend beauty look is pretty simple. Some blush + sunnies and I'm out the door. The peonies sure don't hurt either.

3. Bougainvillea just never gets old. Especially when it's wrapping your driveway entrance. 

4. Trying out the whole slip-on sneaker trend in these calf hair Celines. Speaking of, don't forget to enter my contest with DSW to win a $250 gift card!

5. Catching a brilliant sunset out at Crissy Field.

6. Accessory edit as of late.

7. Our photo team at work is based out in Fairfax and every time I head out there I always mean to snap a photo of their adorable staircase leading to their studio. 

8. Not pictured here? My iced coffee in hand. #MultiTasking

9. Whipping up some mean margaritas! 

As always, you can follow along right here on Instagram!

i'll have what she's having...

We recently had a sunglass crisis around here just a few weeks back now. My darling puppy somehow stumbled across my go-to Celine sunnies and just a few too many drinks at dinner lead me to come home to them chewed and torn apart. Luckily, he was fine, but my ego and pride definitely took a beating. You may have noticed that I haven't been wearing them lately and I'm mainly taking my time trying to figure out the right replacement pair (or two actually).

While I'm definitely someone who loves her sunglasses, I tend to play favorites all too often, usually abusing one pair until they literally fall apart, get lost or a hungry corgi finds them. Just after a few weeks of having to rediscover my other pairs of sunglasses, I realized how many good ones I had waiting in the wings (like this vintage YSL pair!). Granted, I'm definitely in the market for a new pair of black sunglasses to replace my Celines (RIP) but will be making a more conscious effort to get my other pairs into the daily rotation. 

What are some of your favorite go-to pairs?

ode to overalls

Overalls: Vintage Lee (love this pair); Shirt: Everlane; Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Wallet: Proenza Schouler; Sunglasses: Coach; Necklaces: Jennifer Zeuner; Rings: Alexa Leigh, Katie Dean, The One I Love NYC; Watch: Michael Kors; iPhone case: Nicole Miller

I bought this pair of overalls over my first summer here in San Francisco (almost 4 or so years ago now). Oddly enough, I remember buying them for a few paint projects I had in the works, never fully intending to wear them out save for an occasional coffee run, paint splatters and all. 

Flash forward over the years, and I've managed to dress them up in ways I don't think overalls were ever intended to be worn (some good and some not so good). Admittedly, I have to say this is the part of fashion and trends in general that I can see why people deem it all too fickle (um, ya, that neon lucite clutch of mine is still sitting in my closet, gathering dust). But sometimes when the trend is a comfortable, broken-in boyfriend denim one-piece that harkens back to elementary school days, well I'm sold. Doesn't hurt that I always have something to paint in either. 

Photos by Dan Johnson

this & that

After posting about mules here, I'm officially getting on board the bandwagon. Luckily, this pair from Zara is pretty wallet-friendly in case it doesn't quite work out between us. I'll keep you posted.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We spent most of ours being lazy in the sunshine and riding bikes to run all of our errands (which made carefully holding my iced coffee in one hand quite the endeavor). And while I can't quite place it, something about this past weekend, in particular made me fall back in love with San Francisco all over again. Granted, we've never had a falling out, mind you, but it's easy to get swept up in the day to day each week (especially when you commute way out of the city for work), that makes you forget just how awesome your town really is. We stumbled upon new favorite spots (Baker Street steps) and rediscovered old gems (hello Miette!). I know everyone in NYC talks about dating the city itself but I do think there's a reason there's a phrase, "I left my heart in San Francisco." It's easy to do.

Picking up sweets, upon sweets, upon sweets at Miette in Hayes Valley.

His and Hers at the Biergarten, also in Hayes Valley. Soaked up lots of sunshine this afternoon.

We had originally planned to eat brunch out on the patio of a little cafe near our apartment but at the last minute, opted to get everything to go so we could eat up at Alta Plaza Park. This egg breakfast sandwich hit the spot.

Slowly, but surely, our bedroom is coming together. The headboard is from Target, side tables are from West Elm and that furry throw? A favorite recent purchase from Pottery Barn. 

PS -- if you were into my 6 spring shoe trends from last week, I have just the contest for you! DSW is giving away one $250 gift card to a lucky reader of mine -- simply follow the steps right here. I'll be randomly selecting a winner on May 18th. Good luck! 

link love {friday distractions}

Let's kick things off, shall we?

1. 11 killer career tips from Sophia Amoruso. While reading this, I pretty much nodded my head to every last one.

2. What you need to know about the Nigerian kidnappings and how you can help. 

3. I'll be heading to London for my first time ever later this month. This cheat sheet guide to some of the best shopping there will be my best friend. 

4. Can we just talk about this outfit for a moment, please? The culottes, the oversized clutch, THOSE SHOES. 

5. Did you catch any of the Dior Cruise show earlier this week? 

6. NYC, this is just one more reason to love you. A Nutella bar? All I have to say is, why didn't I think of this??

7. My friend Katie just launched her full-service, style-centered parenting site, Mother. And it's beautiful. A little bit of everything for moms and non-moms alike.

8. It figures that after opining about flats yesterday, I stumbled upon these stunners and can't get them out of my head. #AddToCart

9. And well those shoes might be awfully lonely without this perfect off-the-shoulder LBD. 

i'll have what she's having {6 spring shoe trends}

As I mentioned here in my last post, flats and lower heels are making a comeback in my daily uniform, where I find myself grabbing them more often than not over my heels. The ironic thing about that? I usually find myself a bit stumped actually on how to style them. I know, I know. But when your automatic knee-jerk reaction to most outfits is to "throw on heels" (which don't get me wrong, is still my mantra), flats can feel like a stranger to the rest of your wardrobe rotation. 

So naturally, when DSW asked me to put together a few style boards around some of the latest shoe trends (a lot of which are flats and low heels), I jumped at the chance, mainly to familiarize myself with how I could pull off each look with similar items I likely already have in my closet. Here are 6 spring shoe trend looks I've put together (some flats, some lower heels) -- essentially a cheat sheet for you and me so to speak. And the cherry on top? I think this may have just nudged me to get a pair of Birkenstocks. Or two. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited to style those bad boys now.

How would you style any of these shoe trends? Let me know in the comments and make sure to check out DSW's Reward page to get in on some the latest deals and sales. 

This post is sponsored by DSW. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting posts that keep This Time Tomorrow's doors open.

new appreciation

Blazer: Ted Baker; Shirt: Amour Vert; Jeans: J.Crew; Shoes: Miu Miu; Sunglasses: YSL; Necklaces: Jennifer Zeuner

Lately, I've had a new appreciation for flats. Don't get me wrong, I love a good bold heel, but my work schedule between the office and lots of on-site photo shoots has pretty much demanded mobility these days. I recently picked up a few pairs (including these slip on sneakers I shared here) that have been on heavy rotation ever since. Aside from the period I wore my Birkenstocks to death in middle school, I don't think my feet have ever been happier. And those Birkenstocks were pretty darn comfy.

Photos by Dan Johnson

salud! {happy cinco de mayo}

Sure. It's Monday. But hey, at least Cinco de Mayo gives us a little excuse to sneak out early, kick our feet up and extend the weekend just a bit longer! While margaritas are the obvious drink of choice today, I love this simple twist I stole from my guy's dad that just requires a splash of Grand Marnier. We opted to give it a spin this weekend and spent a leisurely afternoon sunning ourselves out on the patio. Summertime siestas truly are a godsend, no?

Cadillac Margarita 

1 1/2 oz. tequila 

1 oz. Grand Marnier 

1/4 oz. agave nectar

3/4 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

an extra lime or two for garnish

salt for rim

Add tequila, agave nectar, some ice and lime juice (we opted to squeeze ours) and shake well. Bonus points for shaking to the beat of a little fiesta music. Take a chilled glass and run a lime wedge along the lip. Dip the glass into some salt (either in a bowl or on a plate) and spin until desired coverage. Add ice cubes and strain drink mixture into glass. Finally, swirl in Grand Marnier on top, throw on your lime wedge for garnish and bottoms up! 

Photos by Dan Johnson