ruby {red} tuesday

Vest: Alexander Wang (old, similar style here); Jeans: Abercrombie; Shoes: Valentino; Wallet: Emerson Fry; Cuff: Hermes; Sunglasses: Target (yes, Target! Look like Celine, no?); Necklace: Givenchy

It's quite possible I'm approaching an almost embarrassing collection of these Valentino rockstud heels now. The reasoning for these? Well, aside from the fact they look like modern day ruby red slippers, they were also crazy on sale at my haunt, Jeremy's, this past weekend and a few happy hour drinks had me thinking it was the right decision. My sober self happily agrees. 

Photos by Heather Clark

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

Mother of Pearl dress // Saint Laurent shoulder bag // Mother of Pearl peplum top // This Works sleep oil // Saint Laurent mascara // Mother of Pearl trousers // Grey Ant sunglasses // Reed Krakoff sandals // Alexis Bittar ring // Garance Dore greeting cards

I was recently turned onto the designer Mother of Pearl by my friend Adelle (who's making the leap over to NYC this week!) -- and I just have to say, I'm hooked already! While the prints are totally on point (like this dress), it's the clean separates that draw me in (like this peplum top and trouser combo). All of which would look just too good with that Saint Laurent bag I've been eyeing for forever now, right? Right? 

bell curve

Bustier top: Josh Goot via The RealReal; Skirt: H&M (old, but similar style here); Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Target; Necklace: Anthropologie; Shoes: Louboutin; Watch: Daniel Wellington

If you've been reading this blog for a while now, you know I typically shy away from anything too form fitting. Not sure what's to blame there, but it usually boils down to wanting to avoid pulling or tugging at my clothing to make it sit just right on me throughout the day. However, when life throws you a Josh Goot bustier like this guy (I mean, hello bell curve!), sometimes you have to take a few pages from TTH's book and just go for it.

Which reminds me, I now need a high slit, pencil skirt, like the one in the aforementioned link. Any leads? 

Photos by Natalie Goel

pause // reset // play

Skirt: Tibi (similar style here); Top: Mason (in black here); Shoes: Charlotte Olympia (via The RealReal); Clutch: Charlotte Olympia (from a few seasons ago, but similar style here); Necklace: Anthropologie; Lips: Stila "Beso"; Bracelets: Vita Fede; Sunglasses: Target

It's been a while since this skirt has come out to play but luckily, a little closet reorganization (and RealReal consignment spree) goes a long way in making you look at your wardrobe a bit differently. In fact, I think it's high time I made this a seasonal habit -- especially when it's easy to fall into the slump of "I have nothing to wear" (which trust me, happens around here a lot), it's great to feel energized again by what you have, instead of lamenting over what you don't have. 

Of course, that doesn't stop me from lusting over this dress (I'm only human, after all). It just means I weigh some of my other shopping cravings a bit differently. Ah, getting wiser in my old age, perhaps? ;) 

On a side note, how adorable is this house?! It's my new favorite in San Francisco. 

Photos by Heather Clark

blue jeans // white shirt

Blazer: Helmut Lang; Shirt: Equipment; Shorts: Levi's (similar style here); Shoes: Zara; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Coach; Necklaces: Jennifer Zeuner; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Lips: Stila "Beso"

I think it's safe to say that I've been living in these cut off shorts since the Fourth. And, perhaps you'll agree with me, once these guys get in the summer rotation, they're really hard to resist. Like really difficult. Granted, while they do hover around the "Daisy Duke" territory, I rather like them paired with crisp basics like a silk button front shirt and a sharp blazer (bonus points for a little peek-a-boo lace action). 

How have you guys been styling your cut off shorts? More casual or dressing it up a bit?

Photos by Heather Clark

i'll have what she's having {work it out}

Kick starting my running routine lately and craving a bunch of new basics. Click the icons next to each product to shop!

second chances

Top: Bebe (similar style here); Pants: 3.1 Phillip Lim; Shoes: Zara; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Elizabeth & James; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Lips: Stila "Beso"

I went through a phase in college where I loved gaucho pants (and usually of the jersey knit variety -- yes, I know, I know, no judgement, OK?). But since we're all about second chances around here (hello, Birkenstocks!), I have to admit I'm all about this wide leg cropped pant thing going on now. Granted, they're harder to pull off for someone around 5'4" (5'5" on a good day, mind you) but that's where cropped tops come in beautifully. I threw on a white blazer later on in the evening once it got cooler and instantly felt a tad bit Annie Hall chic (and Diane Keaton can do no wrong in my book).

Photos by Natalie Goel

round trip

Top: Isabel Marant via Elizabeth Charles; Jeans: Frame; Shoes: Zara; Bag: Chanel; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Sunglasses: Elizabeth & James; Lips: Stila "Beso"

Alright, after much debate (mainly around timing), the Istanbul trip has been booked! Which means, ready, set, GO! Would love any and all trip recommendations you guys may have (thank you again for all your sweet emails in the past -- our New Zealand/Australia and London trips wouldn't have been the same without them!). I've been researching like mad already (naturally) but haven't started compiling a list past this hot air balloon ride.

Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend with plenty of BBQs, friends and fireworks. 

Photos by Natalie Goel

the great birkenstock debate

Blazer: Helmut Lang; Camisole: Mason (love the dress version here); Jeans: Gap via Regent Tweet; Sandals: Birkenstocks; Necklace: Givenchy; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Wallet: Emerson Fry; Sunglasses: Coach (similar style here)

This outfit is something I'd probably joke with my coworkers about as being incredibly video conference friendly. Business up top, beyond casual on bottom (and no one in your meeting has to be the wiser of it!). Speaking of beyond casual, these Birkenstocks and I are getting along swimmingly at the moment. Albeit, I do feel like I'm kinda wearing mini boats on my feet and have gotten my fair share of the"Oh, Birkenstocks? Really?" raised eyebrow look at work -- but let me tell you, a fleeting trend has never felt so darn comfortable! So I'll take it. 

Have you guys tried out Birkenstocks yet? Any styling tips?  

Photos by Heather Clark

bottled up

Dress: Carven, last seen here (similar style here); Shoes: Zara; Clutch: Charlotte Olympia; Sunglasses: YSL; Bracelets: Vita Fede; Necklaces: Jennifer Zeuner

I forgot just how much I loved this dress.  The color. The flare. The cutouts. And the excuse it gives me to tote around this perfume bottle clutch, that I'm absolutely obsessed with. Admittedly, I had this dress on heavy rotation last summer for our circuit of weddings and baby showers but I think it may make a few repeat performances this summer, including a certain high school reunion coming up.

Yes, I do believe I just dated myself.

Photos by Heather Clark

early departure

Shirt: Levis (similar style here); Jeans: Parker Smith c/o; Shoes: Henri Lepore Dezert; Belt: Moschino; Wallet: Emerson Fry c/o; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Sunglasses: Coach (similar style here)

Do you ever just feel so restless, it's hard to sit still? Even though it feels like just a few days ago, I literally got home and managed to unpack my bags (mainly because I was searching high and low for this pair of white jeans), I'm already itching to fly off again somewhere new.  

Luckily, my friend Heather is pretty persuasive and reminded me that we did have our sights set on Istanbul for later this year. And well, I may have my finger on that "purchase ticket" trigger now. Tell me, where you are guys headed this summer? 

Photos by Heather Clark

friday distractions {link love}

It's been a little while since we've had a good Friday distraction around these parts. So let's dive in...

1. The Pink Helmet Posse, aka three 6-year old girl skateboarders. Watch the video and see if it doesn't make you smile.

2. This journalist had her face Photoshopped in over 25 countries -- an interesting look at global beauty standards.

3. How to wear overalls. The right way!

4. Still searching for a swimsuit? Yeah, me too. Here are 25 tempting contenders. 

5. Wanderlust warning. This Instagram roundup has me itching to hit the road again (but what else is new?).

6. A Google employee's daughter wrote a note to her father's boss, asking for him to have time off for his birthday. And it worked. 

7. Remember that "Forever" wedding video that went viral a few years ago? Well this one takes the cake. Too bad the The Office isn't running anymore -- Dwight would have been awesome as the groom here.

8. I love the idea of a lace maxi dress worn with a scarf tied like this. 

9. Gimme, gimme, gimme.... (and they're on sale too!).

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

Click the black icons next to each product to shop...

Just a few odds and ends I'm craving for the season. What are you stocking up on?

postcards from london {travel diary}

Ever since getting back from London (almost three weeks ago now!), I've been teasing my friends and coworkers that I should have really just stayed over on that side of the pond. Of course, I'm only (half) kidding -- but there's something about London I just can't deny. I fell in love with it! The people, the history, the culture, the monarchy pride, the shopping -- and I really only scratched the surface. While I checked off a ton of things I had intended to do while over there, I still had pages of my notes left untouched.

It was a whirlwind and one I didn't want to see come to an end. It wasn't until sitting on my return flight home that I realized I had felt this feeling before. I studied abroad in Italy years ago in college but can distinctly remember how I felt when I packed up my little attic apartment on Via Genova into my two oversized suitcases. I can only really describe it as a bittersweet nostalgia. Fond appreciation for a time past, a lingering sadness to see it end, capped with a hopeful goodbye (because somewhere down the road, you know you'll be crossing paths again soon). So London, I'll be seeing you soon!

Huge thanks again to Regent Tweet for inviting me out! I'm forever in your debt. And stay tuned tomorrow when I'll be recapping my favorite London haunts, for anyone who might be planning their own trip there.

Keeping reading after the jump for more photos...

desert mirage {road trip playlist}

By now, you've probably seen lots of summer round ups, with folks waxing poetically about all the pieces they need to stock up on for the season (Birkenstocks, white jeans and #GirlBoss for reading material!). While I'm still putting together my own checklist (with some of the aforementioned items, guilty as charged), summer, in my opinion, isn't quite summer without a go-to soundtrack, so it just feels right, with the summer solstice around the corner, to kick things off this way.

Growing up, I've always taken music playlists pretty seriously (might explain the overabundance of mixed CDs in my childhood room now gathering dust) and usually, to this day, if left to my own devices in the car, I always end up parking on the oldies station. I have my dad to thank for this -- one of my favorite summer memories was a 2-week road trip my dad I took up the coast and through the Pacific Northwest with nothing but Beatles music blasting. I still can't listen to "I Am the Walrus" without remembering how we belted it out the windows while driving through some really small Oregon towns.

Here are a few oldies that are just too fitting for winding summer drives, road trips and wherever else these warm months may take you!