Wednesday Wishlist - Shirtdresses

I am all about those pieces that you can just grab and throw on but still look like you have a sense of style and tried a little.  Shirt dresses are like that.  Often basic so you can mix them up with various layers and accessories, but they still work on their own to just throw on and go.  I've rounded up some of my favorites for the fall season below.

Top to bottom, left to right:

• Plaid is so in for fall, and I'm loving this shirtdress for it.  Also has pockets - score!!  Can't you see it with a denim jacket and booties?  Or what about a light colored cardigan and some suede OTK boots?
• Starts out simple with a white shirtdress, then gets fun with the black neck tie.  Wear it with some black crop pants and pointy toe shoes to the office, or alone with strappy stilettos for an evening out.
• This army/olive green is another hot color for fall, as well as the military styling.  I like the shape the self belt give it.
• The pretty teal and white graphic pattern on this one is what caught my eye, as well as the feminine silhouette.  Perfect for the office, as well as casual weekend wear.  
• How cute is the fringe on this one? It's like business on top, party on the bottom, LOL.  The contrast is fun and unexpected.
• Can't go wrong with a classic neutral, and this one reminds me of Michael Kors styles I've seen without the MK price tag.
• The black and white stripes and slim silhouette make this a flattering yet fun office look.  Also love the white collar and cuffs.
• A bit more on the boho side, this one is very loose and comfy, with cute embroidered detailing along the hem.  And pockets again! Whoohoo! (also on significant sale.)
• Another basic that would last from season to season, you can't go wrong with this denim shirt dress.  Button up front and belted waist, I see this with a felt fedora, plaid scarf and tall brown boots.
• Speaking of Michael Kors, here he is.  This belted style has a retro feel about it, with it's full skirt and pleats.  Very feminine.
• Love the mid-calf length of this one, and the dolman fit of the top with the hip-tie detailing.  Classic but different.
• This one is so on-trend for the fall with the suede and the rich jewel tone.  It also comes in tall sizes for those who need a little extra length (that'd be me. :) )

Softest Sweater EVER

[Fall style - color block - fringe - sweater - booties]

Well, hello there, November.  Didn't see you coming.  Got preoccupied with little dude's first Halloween as a trick-or-treater.  I wasn't sure what to expect from him, but he seemed to have fun.

I was a little worried that the day was going to be off: we left to drive from LA to Orange County a little later in the morning than I'd hoped, and once you become a parent you understand the importance of planning travel around your child's energy level and nap times.  My son needs to take a good long nap mid day to make it to bedtime without a melt down, and that usually happens around noon.  However, if he has to sit in the car for longer than 20 minutes (which the drive to OC from LA is) he could possibly fall asleep for a mini-nap, and that will mess up his afternoon nap schedule. (Don't we all remember falling asleep during car rids as kids?) Well, that's what happened this time.  And he slept for only about 30 min, when we woke him up and then fed him donuts (Daddy had been wanting to try Sidecar Donuts).  So not only did he have a little refresher nap, but then we fed him sugary donut. Great parenting, LOL.

And it did indeed mess up his afternoon nap. Instead of noon to about 3p, he finally went down around 3:30.  But he slept til 5:30 (which on a normal day would mess up bedtime) but it actually worked out perfect for an unusual night of running around a neighborhood collecting candy from strangers, LOL.

 We dressed him in his Lakers sweatsuit to pretend he was a basketball player.  He doesn't understand the concept of costumes yet, so he wouldn't wear anything puffy or on his head.  He had his pumpkin bucket he kept a death grip on the whole evening, and he quickly figured out, by following his 5 year old cousin up to the doors, to hold his bucket out and people would give him things.  He could only say "treat" (of "trick or treat"), but that's the most important word anyway, right? :)

Sweater, necklace, bag, jeans, boots

The weather had been warm this weekend, but when we were out trick-or-treating, it was perfect and cool.  I can tell fall is ALMOST here.  Which is good, because I want to wear this sweater everyday, it is SO soft and comfy.  It's only 3/4 sleeves, which works well for our quasi-fall temps in SoCal, and I love the colors.

This fringe bag is the perfect size, and while it's faux suede, it's really good quality, no one would be able to tell.   And if you read my bucket bag post from last week, you know that hands-free cross body straps are a necessity of mine with the little dude around.

The booties are very comfortable, but I found they run a little narrow so I sized up, and I love them.  I scored these at a Sole Society sample sale, but they're still available for regular purchase as well.

I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween, and are ready to start the holiday countdown!!

Trying to catch up to his cousin

He wasn't sure which was better, the candy or the big dog on the otherside of the gate. Or those pig figures on the porch, lol.

Heading to the next house with his best bud, Grandpa.

Shop here:

OTK Boho

[Over the Knee Boots - Paisley Dress - Fedora - Fall Style]

I'm sorry that I've failed you.  I don't have a Halloween post for you this year.  I failed to even get my son a Halloween costume, but in fairness, he's not even 2 yet and doesn't really understand what Halloween is or get the concept of costumes, so he's no into it. We got him this ridiculously cute shark hat to wear, thinking "he's really into sharks, he'll love this", but alas, he doesn't even like it when Mommy or Daddy wears it!  It's amazing how opinionated they are with only a couple years of life under their belts.

So I think we're just going to put his Lakers warm-up suit on and take his basketball and he can be Laker, class of 2033  (maybe it's foreshadowing ;) ).  I'm curious to see if he even likes the concept of Trick-or-treating (he's not going to get to eat the candy, so we won't be at it very long.)  I'll let you know next week how he fared.

Dress, Boots, Hat, Similar Vest, Bag

So while I've always loved the look, I've never owned any Over the Knee boots before.  Being taller than average, OTK boots on me are often just regular length.  But I wanted to try again, and these grey suede ones are great.  The heel is a comfortable height, and they were actually over my knee.  They're not two tone, as some of the images make them appear, it was just the lighting.

The dress is like wearing a comfy shirt and very forgiving (what big meal?  I didn't eat a big meal.;) ) and while it's a little shorter than I'm used to on a daily basis (again, I'm taller than average: 5'11") with the OTK boots, I didn't feel like I was showing too much skin.  I really liked the colors and pattern.

We tried to get creative for you and shoot some of the LA skyline from the roof, but even at 9:30 in the morning, the sun was intense and it was hot.  We couldn't work up there very long, but for the effort wanted to share some of those images as well.

Fee-fi-fo-fum! ;)

Exact items below, except the vest, which was a purchase from the Gap years ago.

Have a great weekend, and Happy Halloween!!

Wedneday Wishlist - Bucket Bag

Bucket bags are one of the hottest bag styles right now, and they come in so many cute variations, I'm having a hard time deciding my favorite.  Especially for me as a mom (if you are one, you get it, if you're not yet, you totally will), a bag that is a decent size but doesn't feel huge and cumbersome is a must.  And especially having a long strap to wear cross-body as an option is a must, because if it's hanging from my body, I won't loose it, LOL. (And two hands free when out with a toddler is a necessity.) 

I think I would have every occasion and outfit covered if I could just get one of each of the below.

Top Row, L to R:
 -  The geometric print of this one is fun yet not too loud, and I love anything blue and white.  This one has two interior pockets as well to help (attempt to) keep everything organized.
 -  Love the two tone of this one (goes with everything!), it is real leather (on sale!!) and has two strap options: the longer cross-body and the shorter tote length.
 -  Cognac is one of my favorite colors for leather accessories, and this bucket bag is perfect.  It's real leather (another one on sale!!), and I think the perforation gives it fun character

Second Row, L to R:
 -  Isn't this one so unique? I love the combination of materials, and the print (I think up close it looks like reptile) from a distance looks like marble.  Also has the two different length straps to chose from.
 -  This taupe style is simply classy with the gold hardware details.  It is faux-leather with slight texture that makes it look rich and supple.  A great basic piece (majorly on sale).
 -  Seriously, how cute is this one?  It is appropriately called The Interstellar Bag, and is black textured vegan leather with embellished gold stars.

Third Row, L to R:
 -  The description of this one says it's brown, but I'd call it more of a mustard, which is partly why I love it.  It has a very modern style, and the tassels are so cute and on point.
 -  If you can only get one, you can't go wrong with classic black.  But this is anything but boring with the mix of suede and leather, and it has the cutest detailing with the rings and studs.
 -  This one is so fun for the holiday season.  Amazing jewel tone with a fun zipper detail (and it's a rental, so you can change it out when you're ready.)

Bottom Row, L to R:
 -  This style comes in five colors, and I want them all.  Great size and shape, super affordable AND just dropped another $10.  
 -  This teal is one of my favorite colors in anything, so I'm love with this bag.  The tassels are a cute detail, and it comes with a bonus snap flap wallet to coordinate.  
 -  This one comes in 2 colors, and is another great classic style.  Can't go wrong with this one.

Do you already own/use a bucket bag?  Let me know what you think about them.