Summer Solstice

You know what this means, right? THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ARE OFFICIALLY HERE.

Look for me on my throne.

Contemplating the deeper things. Like what kind of table should go here?

And is it okay to mix Mexican and Moroccan decor?

And maybe I should've grabbed a couple more of these blankets? Or a larger one?

And most importantly, how to squish myself into that far corner to get the most of the late day sun.  

But for now I must go indulge in mid-afternoon job abandonment. 

Windblown

Ever notice how January, February and March totally drag on while June, July and August are gone in what seems like the blink of an eye? When I was a kid it felt like summer lasted forever, now not so much.  Totally bums me out.

So this summer I've made the scared as hell pointed decision to take fewer work projects in order to soak up as many warm days as possible. The past couple of years I've found myself at the beginning of September with a lot of regrets for not having done simple things like beach bonfires, a day at Disneyland or tackled a summer reading list. I'm feeling old lately, like time is running out. It really sucks and I don't want it to get the better of me so here goes nothing. 

The other day was hot. I mean SO HOT you couldn't go barefoot on the concrete. Embracing my inner rebel and the dull realization that it won't be long before any time in the sun could leave me shriveled up like a prune, I hauled it down to the beach and found a bunch of other people who had abandoned their jobs, too.  Hmmmmm, I think I'm onto something here.

~Details: T-Zadig & Voltaire (in white), Shorts-Current/Elliott, Belt-Flea Market, Sunglasses-Anthro~

~Bracelets (L): Vanessa Mooney (can't find online, sorry!), (R): Motif 56 (in black); 

Arrow Ring (L): Madewell, (R): Flea Market~

Summer, here I come.

What Goes Around Comes Around

Last week I got serious about getting rid of some stuff and started a pretty significant purge.  It's not entirely over, but is definitely underway.  As I was sorting through clothes I came across a few pieces saved from my early days at Gap in the 90's.  Man those were the days: leather pants, tencel-blend skirts and dresses, and the best basic jeans and t's. I wish I would have saved a few more things because I had quite the arsenal back in the day. Employee discount anyone?

This red tank dress has travelled with me from Canada for the past 15 years. It was one of my all-time favorites from a summer collection Gap did not long before I left, and I've never been able to part with it.  Sunday was super warm and we were heading to the flea market, so I took a chance and slipped the dress on over a little tank top. Holy mother of pearl this baby still fits! God bless the inventors of the Whole 30. And the hoarder in me.

~Dress: Old school Gap, Vest: M2F, Booties: Joie, 

Jewelry: Vanessa Mooney, Bag: Brandy & Melville~

Rifling through the fake LV's to get to the vintage crossbody bags. 

Eye of the Tiger after spotting the coolest vintage table for my kitchen or herb garden.

Woot! Will post some pics after I get it situated.

In the meantime, sweet dress right??

And why didn't I buy more than one pair of these boots last year?

Twisted

Last month I lost the camera.

Okay I didn't really lose lose the camera as much as, say, misplaced the camera. But hey, I didn't really know where it was so as far as I was concerned it was lost. How's that for a rabbit trail?

Anyway I found the camera over the weekend. Pretty relieving to see it there, amidst the folded laundry, nestled in the sheepskin rug.  Even more relieving to see a couple of legit outfits on it. I'm not so sure the sequin sweater is still appropriate, but I might give that one a whirl next week because it IS in front of a vintage VW bus and you know how that magic takes hold of me. 

In the meantime I can only say I probably need to put myself on Madewell restrictions seeing as if I get anywhere near the store I can't seem to keep from leaving without a bag. It does happen, but not that often due to a pretty stellar sale section. This skirt falls into the category of 'sporadic purchase turned regular rotation'.  It was one of those moments when my fave shopgirl (who used to work at Martin+Osa so we go way back) employed her mind reading tactics and tossed me into a fitting room with the skirt. 'Just try it,' is her favorite line and she has got it down. In her defense, summer's around the corner and the skirt is a decent price so it came home and is earning its keep in the versatility department. Here's to warmer days ahead! 

~Outfit details: Shirt & Skirt -Madewell, Tanks-Gap, Boots-Jeffrey Campbell~ 

~Vanessa Mooney--Bracelets, Poison Necklace, Keepsake Necklace~

~Brandy & Melville-Fringe Bag, Erin Wasson-Ring, Motif56-Leather Bracelet, 

Vanessa Mooney-Metal Bracelet~

Now if I can just find a couple of maxi skirts....suggestions welcome!

I Did It My Way

I remember when I first moved to the US.  I didn't know diddly squat about chips and salsa.  Margaritas? Wha?  I'm Canadian and could have told you a lot about beer and Canadian Club Whiskey, but that's about where it ended.

Anyone still with me?  I fear I may have lost everyone at Canadian Club...

Confession: there was this time when I first moved to Southern California and asked one of my friends when Cinco de Mayo was.  


Uh, yeah. A-nee-way.

As long-er time readers and people who follow me on the various social networking locales know, I am now well-versed in the chips, the salsa, the guacamole and, on Friday nights especially, the Don Julio margarita.  Okay any margarita, but particularly the Don Julio.  Just this past Friday night I was heartily greeted by almost all the employees at my favorite Mexican place, causing my friend Kelly to turn and say, 'uh, do you think you might eat here a little too often?'. Um, no?

The blasphemy!

So it was on Cinco de Mayo, and yes I am a week late in posting this, that the Chef and I cut out for a couple hours to support that favorite place of ours: Avila's El Ranchito.  Remember last year's episode when we had to get wristbands just to get in, people were grinding to the DJ right by our table, and the lights blew on the entire block as buzzed people ran for the doors to avoid paying their bills?  Yeah, we weren't risking that one again so we went mid-afternoon before the mob hit.

It was off the chain fun and filled with great food. I did the unthinkable and wore neon shoes. I needed a cab after just one drink so it was a good thing Chris drove.  Oh, and I came home at midnight? Viva la Mexico!

Neon. I'm wearing it. I think I may be wearing more of it soon. 

*I've fallen into a neon time warp and can't get up.*

A close-up of the Moon Shield Bracelet you need to get. The Akha not far behind it.

And the neon and gold one is another fave.

More neon, a gaggle of bracelets and some fringe. 

And seriously? How awesome is this guy? 

Lots of questions posed in this one. Not a lot of answers. Monday's calling and I'm looking for the rewind button.