OPI Don't Socra-Tease Me + Jacks

Oh, it feels good to be back in a pair of Jacks.

I'm not really wearing these today - what with it being all dark, rainy and chilly here for days on end -- just trying them out with my latest pedicure color and getting ready to throw them in a suitcase. We are heading out for a tropical vacation very soon! March has been a rather difficult month and I am ready to start April off with some sun & sand, relaxed family time, and possibly a cocktail or two. Hawaii posts coming up before too long...

OPI "Don't Socra-Tease Me" (a bright, shimmery coral from the 2004 Greek Isles collection)

Jack Rogers Navajo Sandal in Gold

xoxo

Shop + Donate {the Tory Burch Japan Relief T-Shirt}

Tory Burch was on The View this morning wearing this t-shirt. All net proceeds (through September 15th) from purchases of this tee will go to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts in Japan.

It is currently available for pre-order and they will be shipping as soon as possible. Standard shipping is free, with no code needed. I ordered mine this morning.

Tory's shirt, Tory's pic (I cropped it)

Japan Relief T-Shirt $29.00

xoxo

Japan

I have family in Japan. Thankfully, safe.

I hear that the American Red Cross is working day and night in efforts to help with the devastation there. If anyone is interested, here is donation information that the Red Cross recently tweeted:

In US u can text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 for Japan earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. Online: http://bit.ly/cNuH67#helpJapan

You can follow them on Twitter at @RedCross.

a sweet carved wooden doll sent to one of my daughters recently

xoxo

Winter Vancouver Trip

Here are some pics from our quick little getaway to Vancouver. For the past three years we've stayed at the Sutton Place Hotel on Burrard for a weekend - they have a section, La Grande Residence, with small apartments perfect for families or extended stays. We were in a two bedroom/two bath with a living room, dining area, small kitchen, and a little balcony from which to view the snowy city:

We swam at the hotel pool, ate and shopped...

linguine with crab, roasted peppers, artichokes and cream at Zefferelli's on Robson

(I started with a "pompelmo" cocktail - stoli vodka, triple sec & grapefruit.)

plate of treats from the chocolate buffet at Fleuri Restaurant

My girls found some cute things at Zara. The separate sections of coordinating displays were great and I found myself getting some inspiration for outfit ideas for myself...

Here are some out-of-control caramel apples at Rocky Mountain Chocolate... seriously... look at that s'mores one on the lower right.

...I got one of those apple pie ones with the cinnamon sugar on the left.

They even had chocolate bunny and chick apples... getting ready for Easter.

We also stopped at Lush for some bath bombs and had a look around Louis Vuitton on Burrard but didn't buy anything. I think the best pricing is in France so am waiting - since we will be flying through CDG three times this summer - if I do buy anything LV this year.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

xoxo

The Siren Dress in Smoldering Brick {J Crew Review}

I have several posts I've been meaning to put together but I wanted to go ahead and mention the Siren Dress I purchased recently since it is an extra 30% off right now in J Crew's sale section. (When I search "siren dress" on jcrew.com only the "waterfront" color comes up, but it is also in the sale section in "smoldering brick" and "faded black".)

First off, I really like the color because it is different from all the other dresses in my closet. I seem to have ended up with a lot of corals and pinks from the last year or two and I have enough black, gray and navy...but nothing in this terracotta/brick-y hue. It reminds me of my dining room walls (Benjamin Moore Audubon Russet), so apparently I like this color.

This is a size small, my usual in J Crew tops and sweaters. I have not decided if I will keep this as I feel like I may need to size down. The elastic at the waist could be a bit more snug... if I belt to hold the elastic up a bit it helps with the length and I do like it belted. For reference I am just about 5'5"and it is definitely dragging the ground unbelted.

The bottom edge is unfinished. I know this is a "look" but I would prefer a finished hem.

The ruching and draping are pretty and there are snaps to hold bra straps in place.

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

Vancouver Weekend {2011}

We recently enjoyed a quick little Winter weekend getaway to Vancouver BC - our third year in a row (2010 here and 2009 here). We didn't do much but take the kids to the hotel pool, eat, and check out a few shops but I'll post a few pics soon. It was very snowy!

Here is my packing Polyvore, with some IRL outfit pics below:

Old Navy Printed Button-Down Shirt in Blue Gingham, J Crew Factory Cardigan in a pale pink, Paige denim, Steve Madden Intyce boots in Cognac, Gucci Oversized Fade Sunglasses in Brown/Blue, Anthropologie Bauble Bath Bracelet, DY bracelets, Michele watch

at the hotel - Burberry Giant Check Cashmere Scarf

For dinner I just changed my shirt to the J Crew Factory Printed Kelsey Ruffle Top in a purple paisley (last Summer). (different from Polyvore)

next day - Loft Bow Blouse (thin blue/white stripes), Lands' End Cashmere V Neck Cardigan in Deep Sea Coral, Paige denim & SM Intyce

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

OOTD 2.28.11 {Neapolitan}

This set features J Crew's Neapolitan cardigan (I recently bought the factory version). I wore it the last day of February (can you believe it's March already?!).

J Crew Factory Neapolitan Cardigan, J Crew Tissue Ruffle Tank in Paris Pink, Joe's Jeans, Banana Republic Reade Moto Boot in Black

xoxo