Casual Holiday Party Wear

I don’t have any fancy holiday plans, this year. I attended my Toastmasters annual party in sweats (albeit STAR WARS sweats). For the Western Agility Group party, I knew to wear sturdy, comfortable clothing. No dogs are invited, but the Big Box Game requires comfy shoes and freedom of movement.


Jacket, BCBG Max Azria (consignment). Shirt, Salt Valley (consignment). Tunic, Urban Behavior (swap). Leggings, Allen B. Boots, Style & Co (thrifted)


The Big Box is actually a dozen wrapped and sealed boxes nested inside one another. Prizes are slipped between each layer and the grand prize, a gift certificate to WAG, is hidden inside the final box. To play, the participants line up and file past the Big Box, rolling a pair of dice on each pass. A seven or twelve gives one a chance at the Big Box! The lucky roller dons oven mitts, a Santa hat, and scarf and attempts to open as many layers as possible (and claim the prizes revealed) before the next participant rolls a seven or twelve. I got three chances at the Big Box and documented two of them, but the video doesn’t even begin to capture the frenzy of the game. You can see, though, why I dressed sensibly for the event.

I Can Do Anything

These are my I Can Do (Almost) Anything pants. I can get out of my sedan without flashing onlookers. I can take the stairs two at a time. I can brave the frigid (50 degree) temps. The only thing I can’t do is eat guacamole and chips while driving down I-80 without dropping some in my lap. Thankfully, I took these photos before staining myself with avocado grease.


Jacket, H&M (thrifted). Sweater, Grace. Pants, Polo Ralph Lauren. Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren. Sunglasses, Toms. Earrings, street vendor. Necklace, Zad. Bag, Clark’s.

Episode VII

Beefy saved our Star Wars seats for 4 ½ hours. Nothing else showed before the 7 p.m. screening of The Force Awakens, so those with tickets to the first showing of the night got to wait in the relative comfort of the theater, instead of standing in the lobby or outside. I showed up half an hour before the start, feeling awfully lucky to have a great seat saved for me. (P.S. He says the movie was totally worth the wait.)


Jacket, Obey (embellished by my sister). Tee, Fifth Sun. Skirt, Mural (consignment). Leggings, Forever 21. Sneakers, Vans. Hat, Disney.


Did I like the movie? Um, YES! I thought it was just the right mix of elements from episodes IV - VI with new characters and worlds. I also liked the update to an almost comic book style of shots and pacing. Sadly, there was no space slug. I contented myself with knowing I have one at home:

Take Your Droid to Work Day

You probably haven’t heard, but the latest Star Wars movie was released on Thursday! In honor of The Force Awakens, I wore R2D2 to work. He was very well received, just like the movie.


Coat, Bebe. Sweatshirt, Forever 21. Shirt, Old Navy. Skirt, Plenty by Tracy Reese (thrifted). Boots, Joe’s. Sunglasses and purse, Target. Earrings, Rose Bowl Flea Market.

Forbidden Fruit

I’m digging pomegranates lately. After learning the trick of removing the seeds from the rind underwater (to easily separate and minimize mess), I’m adding the bright jewels to my morning granola and afternoon salads. Or I just eat a big bowl of juicy seeds.


Coat, Lilli Ann (vintage). Sweater, vintage. Dress, Parker (consignment). Tights, Me Moi. Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren. Earrings, Rose Bowl Flea Market. Sunglasses, Coco Sunglasses


(Yes, I realize this outfit is totally scandalous and inappropriate for work. I should have stuck to leggings or plain black tights. I did keep my coat on for most of the day.)

Mousebrained

We are back from our weekend in Disneyland, but I guess I still have Mickey on the brain because I reached for this sweater, today.


Sweater, Forever 21. Dress, Diane von Furstenberg (consignment). Shoes, Chelsea Crew. Sunglasses, Coco Sunglasses. Earrings, Stardust Remembered. Jacket, Allen B. Bag, Target.

1 Flannel 3 Ways: pattern mixed with a bright scarf

Plaid is one of my favorite patterns to mix with other prints. I topped my plaid flannel shirt with a striped scarf. Underneath, I wore a printed tee. And I carried a striped basket to shop the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Pattern and color explosion!


Shirt, Passport. Tee and skirt, Mossimo. Leggings, Express. Boots, Matisse. Sunglasses and earrings, Charming Charlie. Scarf, consignment. Bag, vintage.

1 Flannel 3 Ways: tied around the waist of a dress

The beauty of a long-sleeved flannel shirt as outerwear is that it is easily (and stylishly) tied around the waist if the day proves warmer than expected. (Confession: I never expected to wear my shirt anywhere but around my waist on sunny Saturday in Disney’s California Adventure.)


Shirt, Passport. Dress, Express. Vest, Tilt (cut from a thrifted jacket). Leg warmers, Apostrophe. Boots, Matisse. Sunglasses and earrings, Charming Charlie. Pins, Disney. Bag, vintage.

1 Flannel 3 Ways: with a denim vest and (p)leather leggings

This season’s “it” garment is the lowly plaid, flannel shirt. I certainly wore one in the 90’s. I usually paired it with my “Earth” tee, Birkenstock clogs, and stonewash, bootcut jeans. This time around, I’m a little less grungy, but still keeping it casual.

I’m wearing my modern flannel shirt three different ways over the next three days. Day one: layered under a studded denim vest and paired with faux leather leggings.


Shirt, Passport. Tank, Old Navy. Leggings, Express. Boots, Matisse. Sunglasses, Charming Charlie. Bag, vintage.


P.S. That’s the Matterhorn behind me. I’m at Disneyland!

Rain Stripes

When life gives you rain, counter with stripes.


Dress, Banana Republic (consignment). Shirt, American Apparel. Boots, Joe’s. Sunglasses and bag, Target. Earrings Stardust Remembered. Coat, REI.

Type Seven

Beefy’s psychologist cousin stayed with us a few months ago and determined our enneagram (personality) types. I’m a seven, The Enthusiast. I bet you never would have guessed.


Jacket, BCBG Maz Azria (consignment). Shirt, FY2 (thrifted). Vest, Tilt (cut from a thrifted jacket). Skirt, Chaus Jeanswear (consignment). Boots, Steve Madden. Earrings, Charming Charlie. Bag, Clark’s.

Unlike the typical 7, though, I’m extremely patient and introverted.

Check out the recent Lively Show episode for an interview with an Enneagram Coach.