A Royal Affair

I'm not even going to lie, I was up until the wee hours of the morning watching Kate Middleton become Princess Catherine. Well, technically I didn't see her become a princess (I dozed off right after she met Prince William at the altar) but I must admit I had butterflies waiting for the first glimpse of her and the dress when she got into the car heading to Westminster Abbey; loved it and thought she looked stunning. I hope to catch the entire, elaborate affair at some point this weekend as I'm sure it will be replaying nonstop. Congrats Will and Kate. I hope they have a long and happy marriage.

Photo credit NYTimes.com

Pattern Mixing

Mismatch prints on laid-back elegance.

Via The Sartorialist.

Nautical Themed Party

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I've got one to go to. Next weekend. At some rich guy's house. I'm not complaining, but what to wear, what to wear. Especially after the invite basically said you will be nautically attired or else. Fine by me. Stripes are in, deck shoes are in and everybody wants to look like they're going on a boat apparently. This will require a shopping trip, however, I'm not complaining about that either. I like both of the options flanking this paragraph and I'm picturing either of them paired with a thin red belt and cute wedges. I also have a pair of cute, stud earrings in the shape of anchors I could rock. Get it. Rock. Like on a boat. Ok I'm done.


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Jeff Bridges

In the past year or so I've become quite fond of Jeff Bridges as an actor. I think it started with the movie Crazy Heart (for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as "Bad Blake"). I loved that movie; see it if you haven't. Although he is probably best known for his role as "The Dude" in The Big Lebowski - a movie I've watched a few times and tried to love, but ultimately did not.

Long story short, I bought tickets today to see him perform songs from Crazy Heart with his band in a concert this summer. I've been a fan of country music (believe it or not) since high school, so I am really excited to see him perform!

A clip of Jeff Bridges and Colin Farrell filming Crazy Heart.

Crunch Berries and soy milk for dinner.

(I ran 5 miles first).

Sunglasses

I've never spent more than $20 or so on a pair, but I like these very much. It's Seattle, so we don't get that much sun, but when we do I want to look cool. Ray-Ban folding wayfarer. $155
What sunglasses do you fancy?

Spring Bag

J. Crew Brimfield tote in aged driftwood.
Saving up 16, 500 pennies!

Find three good things each day

I'm going to try this.

5 Things

1. A delectable (and free) open house at Herban Feast last Wed.

2. Silly escapism via 9 to 5 at The 5th Ave on Thursday. Review up shortly!

3. Running Greenlake on a finally decent day in Seattle on Saturday.

4. Sunday brunch.

5. Doing mostly nothing all day after said Sunday brunch.


(it's the little things)

Was I not just talking about my spring wardrobe dreams of dresses and blazers?

Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere has the right idea.

Love her blog and style.

Every moment
I shape my destiny
with a chisel -
I am the carpenter of my own soul.

-Rumi

Spring Wardrobe

Is it spring yet? Oh wait, I temporarily forgot I lived here. Today I'm wearing a sweater, wool skirt, tights and riding boots.

However, when temps above 60 finally decide to grace Seattle with their presence, I'm thinking I need a go-to look for spring work wear. Afraid to say my work clothes have become some odd mix of biz cas with just cas. I don't feel professional or very put together most days and I'm definitely not clad for hopping over to that high-powered happy hour after work. I think I've become too Seattle. I'm also not sure if I'm really dressing age appropriately - a bit juvenile for the workplace perhaps.

So I've decided I want to make a conscious effort to step my game up. The look that's been on my mind lately is a dress paired with a cute blazer and heels. To make it not too stuffy (this is still Seattle) I'd pair a more fun or casual dress with the blazer and perhaps wedges or flats instead of the basic heel. Now I just need a windfall.

J. Crew has some good dress options right now.

All photos from J. Crew dot com.

In perpetual search of the perfect Trench Coat

This is an old pic of me and some girlfriends in their colorful trenches about to see SATC.
(Pretty sure I borrowed the one I'm wearing from another friend).

Ah the proverbial, style classic: a trench coat. Stylish, timeless, sophisticated; can instantly dress-up a casual ensemble. Alas, most trench coats don't look good on me. I've been searching for one for years and trying them on, only to wind up looking like Inspector Gadget or a 50-something professional. I've tried Banana, J. Crew, Old Navy, Nordstrom, Macy's - even bought and returned a few. Then several months ago I found one at the Goodwill that happened to work! Plus it was only $12. Banana Republic and very simple - I think it came from an outlet store. No shoulder epaulets (my shoulders are broad enough), the right length (not too long) and no wing flap on the upper back or whatever that thing is; just a simple, very basic trench. I used to work at BR so I looked at the tag and saw the label denotes it was from Spring '03. Darn. So basically no chance I'll ever come across a newer version of it. If I could get a new one exactly like it, that would be ideal. In the meantime, I'll keep looking. My Goodwill find is a bit worn out.

This Real Simple article tells you how to find the right one for your figure. Do you own the perfect trench coat?

5 Things

Time to be thankful.

Last week was very trying. Technically, the past month and a half has been (see here), but I am trying to keep my spirits up.

1. For the new iPhone I got on Tuesday. I accidentally dropped my newish (just got it in December) 3GS in the toilet back at the Superbowl Sunday party and have been using my old, worthless 3G ever since; it is sooooo slow and had a cracked screen being held on by packing tape. I went to the Apple Store at Southcenter the other night, full of anxiety about having to drop a couple hundred bucks on a new one, but thankfully a very nice lady gladly replaced my 3GS for free. I am a new woman! I immedialty went home and uploaded about 30 podcasts. Thank you nice Apple Store lady! I later gave her praise in an email survey they sent me. She deserves a raise.

2. Technically this happened last week, but I took Thursday and Friday off and did two things I've been wanting to do for a long time. Pesos happy hour breakfast and a day at Banya 5. I highly reccomend doing both on a weekday sometime.

3. An annoying problem is annoying no more. I'll spare you the details, but YAY!

4. Drinking beer, wine and scotch with my friend Karen tonight at this. Praise be.

5. Taking a weekend jaunt up to Bellingham tomorrow with my friend Alison. Her parents have a lovely house right on Lake Whatcom. Peaceful.

Glasses

I need new glasses and want new frames. I never wear the ones I already have but I do need the things to see far away and for driving.

I like:

Credit.