A Peony and a Scarf

Hermes Casques et Plumets

I finally took my new DSLR camera out of the box and took off the lens cap.  I had been a little intimidated. On the automatic setting, however, things are working out and I've captured some great pictures at my children's events, even with a little fumbling.  I'm looking forward to learning more about the camera settings and taking it on vacation.

I wanted to capture some images of detail - I had some beautiful peonies in the house, and unboxed a scarf:

I haven't forgotten about China. We are easing into a summer pace around here and I'm going to post more travel pictures soon.

xoxo

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OOTD 5.29.12 {caribbean green + sky blue}

I love the drape and feel of these linen cable-knit sweaters from J Crew.  I have a v-neck in an off-white from a few years ago and have been so happy with this Caribbean green boatneck this year that I ordered neon pink and navy v-necks on the recent 30 off sale. I wanted to wear a scarf but felt like keeping my neckline simple so I tied it to my bag.  I do like the colors together.

My shoes were totally weather-inappropriate as it was in the 50's.  But it's almost June (!) and wasn't raining so I wore them anyway.  Plus, I had recently gotten a pedicure with my absolute favorite summer pink - OPI's Strawberry Margarita. Any other good bright pinks out there?

Happy Wednesday!

xoso

Wearing at Christmas {featuring the Hermes Nuees Imaginaires (!!) }

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Happy Boxing Day!

Do you like to wear new things as soon as you receive them? I sure do:

I think flannel jammies (Target, last year) are perfectly acceptable with Hunter boots just out of the box on Christmas morning. Later in the day my Dad's cousin brought over my great uncle who was up from out of state for a visit. We haven't seen him for seven years, so I did need to get dressed:

Of course I was happy to tie on the gorgeous Hermes Nuees Imaginaires. My eight year old orchestrated this gift... she doesn't know the pricing at that shop -- she just admires the beautiful artwork and fabrics -- and she convinced my husband this exact one, in the light blues with the spring green border, with clouds in the shapes of fancifully colored and detailed imaginary animals, was for me this Christmas. I absolutely love it. My sweater (the Piacenza Top in Gold) is one I bought during the Anthropologie 50% off sweater sale, with an Old Navy tank underneath.

I also wore these beautiful earrings from Kendra Scott. Love her designs:

Kendra Scott Kelli Earrings in Lapis

I'm wearing the scarf again today:

I'm switching out the boots for Ugg slippers soon, as I don't plan on going anywhere today. Tomorrow I do though, and you can bet I'll be carrying this:

Mulberry Bayswater in Black

This is such a great, classic bag and I'm thrilled to have one. I think it deserves a vlog, like I did for the Modalu London Bristol/Pippa. I'll try to get on that soon.

Hope everyone is enjoying the start of the week! I'm off to drink tea and watch a Poirot (that I got too sleepy to finish last night) by the fire with a dog on my lap, while the kids are happily assembling a Harry Potter castle with their dad. I love when he takes some time off.

xoxo

Starting with a Scarf {packing progress}

My packing is beginning to take shape. I had to start somewhere, so I began with a silk scarf that I have had for years (then added another more casual one in the same hue).

Hermes The Royal Mews scarf in light pink (1994)

I know. Hermes scarves are so expensive. But I can't think of many other things (except jewelry) I purchased over 15 years ago that I am still excited to wear, much less base a 2011 travel wardrobe around. This can be worn so many different ways around the neck, as a belt, tied to a bag, even as a halter top (I'd add a cardi). Queen Elizabeth has this design in light blue.

I'm also bringing my lightweight under-$10-on-sale-score Nordstrom BP Fringe Wrap in a pale pink - very close in color so will go with the same things - which is much more casual and can go over the shoulders on the airplane.

This scarf has lots of gold, a little red, and both brown and gray on its pretty pink background. I like it with these two cardigan colors, so they were the next step in my plan:

Ann Taylor Loft cardis in hot pink and brown (purchased several months/maybe a year ago)

I added a white Loft cardi from a year or two ago, and my cardigan plan is complete:

I'm now putting together my lightweight tops and tanks/tees and a couple of F21 maxi dresses which will go with one or all of these cardis. For pants and skirts: charcoal, navy and white.

The Banana Republic Mirra wedges on my sidebar recently arrived (review soon) and I've decided I really want these *orange* shoes to come along too. I think I can make it work.

Happy Thursday!

xoxo

OOTD 1.6.10 {it's really just about the scarf}

Today I wasn't going to post an OOTD - I threw on jeans, tee, cardi, Uggs - and decided I would maybe just write a post on the carrots I made out of my Julia Child cookbook the other night.

But then I happened upon this blog (vlog) post and decided to try it. Love. So, thank you very much to Chic Critque for showing us a new twist (literally) on the Hacking Knot! I love scarves and I love this new-to-me tie.

I'm wearing a cashmere wrap (pic further below) tied this way today but I also gave it a whirl with an Hermes scarf. They are quite different looks and I really like them both.

Hermes Grand Manege

To do the Hermes, or another scarf of the same dimensions, you first need to fold it to make it long & narrow:

And here with the thicker cashmere wrap, you can see the braided effect better:

Ann Taylor cashmere wrap (was part of a twinset from maybe ten years ago), ATL cardi (last year), ON tee, jeans, Uggs

xoxo

An Unexpected Way to Wear a Scarf:

on your wall! 

OK!  I was asked about some different ways to wear scarves - so I am going to put together a post on my favorites.  I used to wear scarves quite a bit, and now, thanks to blogging and Polyvore, I am pulling them out and enjoying them again.  So thank you for the interest!  

But before I put that together, I wanted to share this Napoleon themed Hermes scarf that I had framed for the living room of the little apartment Hubby and I had when we were first working after grad school (long time ago!).  It now hangs in his study over a leather sofa.  From a distance, it looks like a print - but when you look closely you see the beautiful detailing in the silk.  Little bees are woven throughout in addition to printed.  

Some of these scarves are so elaborately detailed - and there is such a huge variety of themes and colors - that I think they make great artwork for your walls as well as your wardrobe!

OOD 4.22.09: Simple + A Scarf

oh... the rain is back!  That sunshine didn't last long but it was a nice break.  

Today:  very simple basics, dressed up with a super fabulous scarf.  The black and white Key Scarf is the very first Hermes scarf I purchased for myself.  I absolutely adore it and my heart still skips a beat when I look at the amazing detail!  I need to pull these scarves out more often... I actually used to wear them quite a bit.  I have worn this one around my neck, as a belt through jeans, tied onto a purse, and once - to a grad school formal - as a top.  You just knot in the middle on the reverse side, then tie around your waist and neck!  

Hermes scarves are pricey but I like to look at things by "cost per wear"!  That $60 sweater you bought on sale and wore once = not a good deal.  The $200 shoes you wear 50+ times = good deal!

The rest of my outfit is:  Banana Republic black capris, white ON tank, white AT Loft buttoned shirt,  gold Stuart Weitzman thong sandals (it's a little wet out there but not pouring, so I'm still going to wear them!), and simple gold earrings.

Simple + A Scarf by sparrowsandsparkles featuring Old Navy tank tops

tied very simply today!

Stuart Weitzman thong sandals - VERY shiny! - and OPI "Dress to Empress" on the toes