DvF Sale

Some great deals over at the DvF website right now.  The wrap dress is one of my favorite styles and at $207, the New Jeannes and New Julians are already at a pretty nice markdown.  Code HOLIDAYSALE takes an extra 30% off of that, and ground shipping is free.

2.5% cash back through ebates.

I have this one on the way:

New Julian Two Dress in Little Leaves Teal

originally $345, sale price after promo code $144.90

(update 11/25: ordered the Swirl Large Black New Julian Two too. Now I'm done looking at the Final Sale!)

xoxo

Hong Kong OOTDs

Scenery, hotel, and restaurant pics up next -- but here is some of what I wore in Hong Kong:

Ann Taylor Downtown Shift Dress, Loft Cardigan, La Scarpa Paris nude flats (few years ago)

Banana Republic Double Layer Top, Loft Cardian, F21 Denim, La Scarpa Paris nude flats, LV Eva

for dinner that night: switched out cardigan for Zara Blazer, YSL Clutch in Merlot (Net-A-Porter)

F21 Butterfly Peplum Top, F21 Denim, Banana Republic Ashley Bow Flat in Red

F21 Blouse, F21 Denim, Banana Republic Ashley Bow Flat in Indigo

Zara A-Line Jacquard Dress, LK Bennett Olive Court in Suede, YSL Clutch, Links of London Effervescence Bubble Stiletto Earrings, Michele Deco Diamond Watch

Shopping the Zara at the airport on our way out... Petit Bateau Dress (few years ago), Gray Leggings, Target Scarf, BR Indigo Flats, LV Damier Azur Totally, Evil Eye Bracelet (evileyestore.com)

xoxo

Huangguoshu Waterfall + Rainbow

My oldest daughter ( age 10) took some pictures during our travels in China last month which she just recently uploaded to my computer. This one - which she took at Huangguoshu Waterfall, southwest of Anshun in Guizhou province, is my favorite scenic photo from the entire trip.  I love the misty rainbow at the base. You should be able to click on it to enlarge.

I have so many recent travel pics to go through... the magical area all around this waterfall, interesting Guiyang, fun in Hong Kong... more posts soon.

Happy Saturday!

xoxo

Owl Sweater

Sales everywhere.  I recently took my nine-year-old to Gap Kids to pick out some cute things (sequins, sparkles and ruffles, oh my) and came home with this owl sweater for myself. It is soft and cozy (60% cotton, 40% acrylic) and features a sweet little pink-sequined nose.  The tag says the label is made from 100% recycled plastic. Sounds good.

This is an XXL (14-16).  The sleeves are actually just long enough - I have the cuff turned up in these pics.  I am usually a small at J Crew/Banana or medium at Zara.

Gap Kids Intarsia Owl Tunic Sweater

Owl Sweater #1 by seaandtea featuring lightweight jeans

xoxo

OOTD 10.31.12 {+ a sparkly necklace}

Maybe I've just been looking at too many pictures of tiaras over at The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor, I don't know.  But when I saw this little number at Forever 21 I thought it was just perfect. Sparkly and noticeable but not too over the top (I know that's a matter of opinion).  Pretty nicely put together for $12.80 too.  I wore it today with a sort-of-Tiffany-blue cashmere turtleneck I purchased at Ann Taylor over a decade ago.  Maybe they were making sweaters shorter back then (or maybe it's because I've had three children since) but I added a tank underneath because I wasn't getting quite enough length.  The brown herringbone blazer is from Gap, last year, and the denim F21.  I love blue and brown together.  Hunter boots all day because it's rather rainy.  My current polish is OPI Midnight in Moscow.

 graduated rhinestone necklace #19571546021

xoxo

An OOTN, baked zucchini, and Elliott

My F21 order arrived yesterday and I like it all.  Last night I wore one of the sheer blouses... I've been really impressed with the blouses there these days, just as I've been taken with Zara jackets recently.  The quality for the price is quite nice and I wouldn't guess they were so inexpensive.

OOTN: F21 Pintuck Front Blouse, F21 denim, Banana Republic boots

I could've pressed a little better; requires a cami

I made some baked zucchini the other night from America's Test Kitchen Cooking for Two (quadrupled).  So easy and a nice presentation.  Basically, I cooked up some garlic, white beans, and chopped fresh tomatoes in a little olive oil, and then filled some zucchini that had been brushed with olive oil and baked upside down for a bit.  I used a grapefruit spoon to scoop them.  Once they were stuffed, I sprinkled cheese and panko that had been browned in some olive oil and baked them again.  Really good. I changed some things from the original recipe as I forgot to buy shallots and couldn't find the exact beans called for.

before the cheese, panko, and second baking

I think Elliott grew in the short time we were away in China.  He is Trouble with a capital T and we love him so much.  He now wears a bell so we have a better idea what he's up to.

I'll sift through more China pictures soon.

xoxo

Ozone and Tosca {Hong Kong}

On our last night in Hong Kong (I'm working my way backward through my pics), we had dinner at Tosca at the Ritz-Carlton with a stop at Ozone (at the 118th floor, the highest bar in the world) first.  Ozone has its own (small but glam design) ear-popping elevator.  Once on the 118th, there is an outer terrace with a bar and incredible views, and an inner part with cozy sofas in separate little conversation areas.  They also serve food (and a Sunday brunch) and we were told children are allowed until 9pm. The atmosphere was really cool... definitely the kind of place I do not frequent. Here are some pics from the evening:

inside Ozone

Our ten year old walking into Tosca

Hong Kong

our incredible corner view at Tosca

an extra to start

asparagus soup

raviolo with duck ragout and marscapone

my dessert

our ten year old's ice cream

our seven year old dozed off toward the end of the meal

our nine year old's chocolate cake

a box of chocolates and cookies as an after dinner treat (the waiter removed the drawers)

what I wore:

Zara dress (purchased in Hong Kong but currently online), LK Bennett Olive suede court, YSL clutch, Links of London earrings

More travel and outfit pics coming up.

xoxo