OOTD 7.21.10: Yellow + Stripes

It is really gray and misty here this morning (think Scooby Doo episode) but the sun has been coming out in the afternoons and it's pretty warm. I think I've finally made it through all the vacation laundry -- plus some catch-up since my washer broke right before we left for Portland. Luckily we ordered one right after we returned and it arrived the next day. (I'm really excited for my new washer, by the way!)

So today: day camp, getting my hair highlighted (finally), afternoon appointments. I was also up bright and early for a second Nordstrom Anniversary Sale order since I got the tweet about replens. My order consisted mostly of things for Hubs (that cashmere cardi I wanted did not come back in stock) but I do have a few fun items on the way for myself too. I was really surprised that my kids' shoes pre-order got cancelled since I ordered really early in-store on that one... so I am also on the hunt for some Keen Newports today.

Anyway, here's my OOTD:

J Crew cardi (couple years ago), Silence + Noise Tank from Urban Outfitters #18654277, Merona denim, TB Revas in black

exposed zip on back of tank

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

Victoria, BC OOTDs

We are just back from a wonderful time in Victoria, British Columbia... the weather was gorgeous and we spent some slow-paced, relaxing family time enjoying The Empress (beautiful, beautiful, beautiful) and surrounds. I have lots of pics (actually over 250 somehow) so I'll post a few later, but for now, here are my oufits-of-the-day for the trip:

Travel day (my new favorite travel uniform = comfy dress over leggings, cardi, ballet flats):

ON dress in gray, Target leggings in black, LOFT cardi in ivory, Tory Burch Revas in Silver, light blue stone earrings from little bead shop

First day in Victoria:

LOFT ruffle top in white, J Crew Jackie in Misty Lavender, Merona denim, TB Revas

Tea on Saturday:

Liberty of London for Target dress (girls' dept XL), LOFT cardi, Jack Rogers Navajo in Gold, Anthropologie earrings

Cocktails & Dinner at the Bengal Lounge:

J Crew Impressionist Floral Cami in Golden Beach, ON white denim (years ago), Jack Rogers Navajo in Gold

Last day in Victoria:

J Crew Ringspun Cotton Rosette Tee (last year), ON denim in white, oatmeal cardi from Nordstrom Rack, TB Revas in Silver

Hope everyone's starting out a great week!

xoxo

OPI Over the Taupe

I love short, dark nails for Fall and Winter but usually go very pale (or no polish at all) the rest of the year. Today I felt like some darker color - but being it's July didn't want to go too dark.

So I went for a nice mushroom-y taupe for a change: OPI's Over the Taupe. I've seen this hue compared to Chanel's popular Spring 2010 Particuliere, like in this mention at Splurge vs. Save. It's a pretty soft color and definitely needs 2-3 coats.

I've got 2 coats on in the pic below. And, you may notice, a long gray sweater... because although we had a nice little heat wave of temps up to the low 90's recently, this morning my car thermostat said 59 and it appears we are back to gray and rain for awhile here in the Pacific Northwest.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

xoxo

Portland Pics

What a great time! It was only three nights, and we got to see just a tiny bit of the city... but came away with the best impression... we found Portland, OR to be easily walkable, family friendly, and filled with good shopping, restaurants, and activities. The city appeared to be very green and environmentally aware too.

Here are some pics from our trip:

view of the Waterfront Blues Festival (so fun!) from our hotel room (we watched 4th of July fireworks from here too - they were impressive)

Mother's Bistro & Bar

We ate breakfast here one morning - it was packed! Loved all the sparkly chandeliers everywhere and my double cappuccino was DE-lish.

Spanish Frittata at Mother's

sign on a paper towel dispenser - good reminder

we cruised the river on this boat at midnight

animatronic dinosaur at the Oregon Zoo (watch out - some of them spit water)... the kids loved this exhibit

International Rose Test Garden... these gardens smelled amazing and the flowers are just gorgeous... it was so beautiful to wander around - and kind of reminded me of the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden in Thailand we visited ages ago

heading into Chinatown

we had fun perusing Powell's City of Books in the Pearl District

Whole Foods in the Pearl District

there was a nice Anthro close by too - very convenient!

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

Portland OOTDs

I do have some around town pics of this beautiful city (which I loooved - hadn't been to Portland since before kids!) but here are some quick snaps of my ootds...

I usually am very organized with my packing, but as this was only for three nights, I had the kids all packed but put off my own packing till the last minute and then got a horrible headache (probably from the stress of putting off packing till the last minute) so just started throwing things in a suitcase hoping I would end up with some appropriate outfits. Since there was no airplane involved, I was able to overpack quite a bit so it worked out okay.

Sparkle & Fade Ruffle Front Tee in Purple, LOFT cardi (last year), Vigoss jeans (last year), Tory Burch Millers in Silver, Anthropologie earrings

Nordstrom Rack Ruffle Cardigan (thin t-shirty knit) - #727260446149 $19.97 - in Oatmeal (also had in Purple, Gray, and Black), J Crew Tissue Ruffle Tank in Paris Pink, Target Merona denim, Jack Rogers Navajo in Gold, Anthropologie earrings

J Crew Torque Moto Cardigan in Pearl, J Crew ruffle tee in Navy (last year), Vigoss jeans, Tretorn Nylite Sneakers, Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings in Turquoise

Hope everyone is having a great week!

xoxo

Spinach Strawberry Salad

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! We spent some time in Portland, Oregon and really enjoyed the city and the Waterfront Blues Festival. A few snaps from that trip and those UO tops I mentioned coming up later this week...

So here is the salad I mentioned earlier... it is sooo easy and makes a really nice presentation - gorgeous colors. I put the dressing in a separate container if I am taking to a dinner or party at someone's house, and mix up right before we eat. I always seem to make too much dressing, so add in slowly until it looks about right.

There are lots of versions of this, but I got my original recipe here.

You need:

A container/bag of fresh baby spinach ( a couple big bunches)

A container of strawberries, sliced

Dressing:

1/2 c. oil ( I used olive)

1/4 c. white wine vinegar

1/2 c. white sugar

2 Tbsp sesame seeds

1 Tbsp poppy seeds

1/4 tsp paprika

Put all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk:

Pour over the spinach and strawberries (not too much!) and toss.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Urban Outfitters Necklace, Doubled

I went back to Urban Outfitters recently to buy a second necklace so I could wear them together and have six strands rather than three. This is how I saw it on a display, envisioned wearing it, and I love them together. The price is reasonable - $28 each - so times two is still not bad for a necklace like this.

...I also somehow ended up with three really cute tops, so reviews coming soon. (I'll get that spinach strawberry salad up soon too.)

Urban Outfitters 3-strand necklace #17755737 (two), Target v-neck boyfriend tee, J Crew Jackie in Desert Brown

Happy first day of July!

xoxo