Ciblek Mania

Despite having only one tiny project left on my desk, I still seem to have more things to do in a day than time allows for.  How is this possible? (ahem, naps) Yesterday morning the Chef and I were going over some odds and ends when suddenly we looked at the clock and realized we had somewhere to be in under an hour.  Two words:  not pretty.  As much as I like to comb my hair and think over an outfit, apparently those days are over. Thankfully during closet purge 2011--which may in fact take all of 2011 at the rate I'm going--I came across a couple of my favorite summer staples:  J.Crew sunwashed skirts from what? 5 years ago?  I stocked up on those mothers and basically live in them during the warmer months.  It's not always cute outfit time here at the bird, people.  This is life in motion.

Here's a peek into an average day these days:

It's become increasingly obvious that if I want to get any outfit pictures done for this blog I'm going to have to be prepared at all times.  That's like telling a 4 year old on a roadtrip to 'hold it' until the next rest stop.  Uh, yeah--probably not going to happen so have to plan in advance for accidents.  There I was on Saturday morning fresh off a night of Dateline, 20/20 and Nancy Grace Casey Anthony updates...sheer bliss.  The last thing I wanted to do was hop out of bed and coordinate for a picture.  The only thing on my mind was sleeeeeeeeep.  You know, in order to avoid having to purge my closet any further.

Enjoying the silence I began mentally planning posts for the upcoming week when it hit me:  I had none.  Up out of the bed I hopped.  After glancing out the window to see miracle of all miracles - the SUN shining (seriously it's been in the 60's for a month) - I popped the closet open and stared down a skirt I've been hankering to wear ever since spring supposedly sprung.  At approximately a half past I'm not quite ready yet the Chef rang me to say he was ready.  Cut to scene and there I was zipping off down PCH in hot pursuit of wherever he was--ever tried coordinating locations by cell phone?  Um, I don't advise.

Me:  'You're where?'
Him:  'Well where are you?
Me:  'Who cares where I am? I'm driving toward you, aren't I?!"
Him:  'I'm parked on the side of the road at xyz'
Me:  'I have no clue where that is, ya know.'
Him:  'Where are you?'
Me: 'Haven't we already been over this?  Fine.  I'm at ab and cd.'
Him:  'Look up the road and to your right.  I'm on the side of the road'

....he says as I zip on by, surrounded by traffic, unable to stop.  Oy vey people.

Fortunately we were able to find some open field thing that looked like the middle of nowhere.  Totally reminded me of the desert.  Palm Springs?  Is that you calling?  Hope to see you soon.  Love, Carrie.

Back in the good old days when I worked at Gap we referred to the palette of clothing that arrived post-Holiday as Transition.  Oh how I loved and looked forward to Transition.  After listening to the same music on the corporate-mandated tape (yes that's how long ago it was...cassette tapes had it on blast even though cd's were around - just so you know I'm not one foot in the dirt just yet), staring down red, green, plaid and flannel as frenzied customers far and wide debated, deliberated, purchased and returned in less than happy moods, it was time for all of us to move on and leave December behind.  What better way than with khaki, denim, navy and white, grey and accents of silver and gold?  All my favorite basic colors rolled up into arguably some of the best items of the year.

I think they call it Resort now, right?  Whatever the case, I begin to gravitate to these same items every year around the end of December/beginning of January.  You might say Gap brainwashed me; I prefer to think they instilled a great sense of style (before they let a lot of it go to hell in a handbasket, but still I hope for a comeback!!). And can someone please tell me when the Resort part of the deal starts to figure in?  I'm not getting any younger - or warmer for that matter.

One of the great things about visiting Canada is getting a true taste of winter - the people in this country are so lucky to experience the glory of four well-defined seasons (although they might beg to differ when a freak snow storm shows up in May).  Remember when I visited in fall and got these great pictures?  They're some of my faves even now.  Admission:  I get homesick every time I look at them.

It was tough to stick to two bags on this trip because I kept on imagining all kinds of fun outfit concoctions for the cold, snowy days (aside from all the sweats and t's for luxurious tv-filled afternoons on the couch. ha!) we don't experience in SoCal.  As wonderful as warm weather can be, it kinda hinders the true essence of the winter wardrobe.  So today I got a hint of the crazy and strolled out into a winter wonderland...in shorts, tights and shag.  I kinda wanna wear this one every day.  

I have come to the conclusion that renting a home is not the devil after all.  Now don't get me wrong - I would love to own my own home, however the alternative does not necessarily have to equal a fate worse than death.  If you had asked my opinion on this very matter just a few years ago when I was living in a duplex beneath my alcoholic VA nurse neighbor who drove around the neighborhood inebriated in the government car pretending to be out "assisting war veterans" when indeed she was just off sideswiping parked cars in the Trader Joe's parking lot en route to her home (aka my home too) where she would then smash into the garage door and eventually cart two cases of Two Buck Chucks upstairs for a day of hiding at home watching television and drinking bottles of wine on the government's dime - well then I might have had a different response.  Now I'm feeling slightly more positive.

Especially after having driven by the sweeeeetest Melrose Place like building in my neighborhood just the other day.  It's entirely white washed with dark trim.  Each apartment has its own outside door leading in, huge windows, quirky interior details and a courtyard that the back of the units are built around.  How do I know all of this you ask?  Because I got out of the car and looked around while trying not to appear too much like a peeping Tom. 

While conducting my exploration I was decked out in one of my favorite pieces of clothing that ironically is something I completely mocked when I first saw it.  Enter:  the sweatshirt dress.  Ahhhhh yes.  Hypocrisy is alive and well over here at Casa Carrie.


I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work from home.  I like being siloed in because I'm a driven person by nature and can accomplish a lot when faced with little distraction.  That being said, my attire can sometimes consist of pajamas such as boxers and tee's with not-so-fancy slippers or Ugg boots for days.  Attractive.  And sometimes I find myself in a bit of a rut, so to avoid that I picked up a couple sweatshirt dresses from James Perse.  His cotton is a drug and I am an addict.


Check this.  Who would ever think that a sweatshirt dress could be so good?  This one is particularly comfy because it is lined with the softest thermal material.  You feel all snuggled in, but the material is wonderfully breathable.  One of the reasons I really warmed up to it is because it has some structure as well.


It is form fitting without being tight, but also forgiving in the waist and derriere.  If I have to zip out to the store, I can do so at ease by throwing on a pair of sandals or, in this case, a pair of knee high boots and still be super presentable without having to go through a big to do.


The detail on the elbows is reminiscent of the lining of the dress.   It adds just that little bit of texture to the outside of the garment making it more than just a long sweatshirt.


I layered on a couple of J.Crew shiny necklaces - finds from late last fall picked up for next to nothing (seriously scour those sales for major deals - I'm not so savvy with the jewelry and pretty much get all my stuff that way).  Just those little jewels made the dress a wee bit saucier.


Of course the boots helped, but I'll totally throw it on with my Bensimon's too (seen here) just for something simple.


Even though I'm totally eating my words, as is a common theme here on the ol' blog, I have to say this dress will get a lot of wear because it marries the best of both my worlds:  comfortable and laid back with fashionable.  I'm all for bumming around in sweats and a tee, but sometimes when you're 5 days in and haven't left the house for more than half an hour you need to seek alternatives - particularly those that require a shower- for the good of you and your cats.  Except when the former neighbor is out on the lam.

Outfit details:  James Perse Long Sleeve Dress,  Forever 21 Denim Jacket (from 8 years ago), Loeffler Randall Matilde Boots, Foley + Corinna Classic Mid-City Tote, J.Crew Necklaces, Target Sunnies.

Quick post here this afternoon ladies.  It's balmy in SoCal and I'm taking a little break from Chef's latest cooking adventures - where I've aptly and proudly been named Sous Chef (she says as she brims with pride) - to bring you a breaking news update.

Looks like Forever21 has a bit of its own aggravated mayhem to deal with.  I was watching HLN Prime News with Mike Galanos who just did a piece on Forever21's new Love21 Maternity Line.  Apparently the line has caused some waves out there beyond the internets because of what some are claiming is an irresponsible message being sent to the brand's teen customers.  Love21 Maternity has launched in Arizona, Alaska, California, Texas and Utah, with Arizona, California and Texas being ranked amongst the states with the highest teen pregnancy rates.  Market research or coincidence?

Silk-Chiffon Foliage Maternity Top

Now I don't know about you, but Teen Mom is one of my absolute favorite shows (guilty admission).  I'm so caught up in Macie, Amber and Catelynn/Tyler's stories (forget Farrah who should be standing in the corner for eternity - sorry haters you know I'm right - so over her. yawwwn.  but i just neeeed to know - is her mother in the clanker?!?) that I beamed with delight when the new season started last week.  When I first started watching last season I was just sick over the whole thing.  It's heartbreaking!  I got so caught up I actually considered contacting Catelynn and Tyler and asking them if they wanted to live with me and go to college out here.  No jokes.  Then the Chef told me to snap out of it and the season ended so I did. wah.  Now, Of course I am certainly not condoning teen pregnancy and I don't like that MTV and that sicko Dr. Drew are capitalizing on their circumstances, however I do like that there is a very accurate portrayal of how excruciatingly difficult it is to deal with teen pregnancy and its aftermath.

Longline Sslv Maternity Cardigan

And back to Love21 Maternity - the first top pictured above is something I would wear for summer currently - and I am nowhere NEAR pregnant.  In fact, it looks like it could rival one of Nicole Richie's pieces from her Winter Kate line, which I love and adore, seen here, here and here.  (Maybe I should be doing a this or that post!  Guess I kinda just did.)  I actually do own a version of the second top and love it.  So all in all - can we blame a corporation for doing its research and meeting the needs of its customer base?  Further, isn't it a bit juvenile (no pun intended) to claim that Forever21 is encouraging or glamorizing teen pregnancy when teen pregnancy has been here long before Love21's maternity line?  I mean this is not a chicken or the egg type situation, after all.  And beyond all that is the sheer fact that Forever21 is not just for teens now, is it?  I mean I am 22 or something and I still stroll through there now and then for a find...

What are your thoughts surrounding the Love21 debate?  I know a lot of you find incredible deals there and immediately thought of you when I heard this (while taking my ten minute California state mandated break from assisting the Chef - slavedriver).  Would you consider a piece or two of this line even in your pre-pregnancy form if the designs were cute and, of course, form flattering?  And, more importantly, what do you think about the cluster and fluster this seems to have stirred up?

I'm thinking it's going to result in another win for the brand!  And for all the cute pregnant ladies who have limited places to find affordable and fun fashions...whether they are pre or post age 21.

xoxo,
Carrie

With Memorial Day weekend officially marking the beginning of summer comes the grim reality that it's time to start thinking about the swimsuit.  This time the actual bikini is not what's getting me down (thankfully the painful process of finding a couple happened late in the season last year - she types while wiping sweat from brow), but rather getting myself from home to beach or poolside and everywhere in between suitably clothed.  I'm just not that girl who strolls the streets and shops of my beachtown in only the bikini, and you won't find me riding a beach cruiser in one either.  So, like clockwork, every year around this time I begin to visualize a classy, fun and simple beach cover-up that will take me from home to watery tanning destination.  While combing through sites last night in search of "the one", I realized why my cover-up tends to almost always consist of a t-shirt and cut-offs...


...a lot of chic numbers that slide over swimsuits are pretty pricey!  Despite that, I did select some classic shapes we could all live with and now just have to go comb Gap, Old Navy, Target and the like to find their less expensive cousins :)  If you have found a great cover-up or two please feel free to share the details.  This is one journey I'd like to cut back on!! (but will probably fall slightly off the wallet for anyway, knowing me)

There is one word to describe the current weather in Southern California:  damp.  When weather conditions are overcast and cool my mind immediately goes to impeccable outerwear because there are few things I hate worse than being cold and bundling up in bulky layers.  Ugh.  One of my favorite pieces of outerwear is a Club Monaco trench coat I bought a few years back.  It cuts the cold and allows me to dress simply and comfortably while still keeping warm.  This afternoon when I pulled it out of the closet to wear on an errand it got me wondering what's currently out there in Trench.

After pouring over sites here are some of my favorites.  It's great to see the classics as well as the patterns, prints and hardware that make each piece unique.  Of course Burberry is still out there killing it, but I actually tried on the Gryphon Chain Trench yesterday and, despite a bit of weight around the neck, it is amazing.  If I found $700 worth of change in the couch cushions it is exactly what I would be spending it on.  How about you?