What I'm Wearing Today

I took Tiger to the vet this morning for his last vaccine! Then we stopped at the pet store, grabbed some coffee and cocoa, then picked up Craig for a trip to the park. We actually hit up two parks and got lots of energy out before it rains. This was the perfect cozy running around town weekend outfit. 

This is the dress version of my favorite tank (seriously, I own like 20). It's the double scoop tank dress by BP (at Nordstrom) and sells for $24

Most favorite sweater ever! Laguna Coast Pullover, Free People, $88

Rebecca Side Laceup Moc Boot, Jeffrey Campbell, $138

Croc Lil' Q Satchel, Marc by Marc Jacobs, approx. $400 (I bought this a few years ago but the style is style available in new colors.)

Timeless Chunky Chain Head Wrap, Tasha, $38

Hair Obsession

Tova was in town this weekend proving to the government she should be allowed to be a US citizen so someday she can come back from Canada. It was so incredibly fantastic to see her even though it made me wish she was still living in Oregon. We decided to do some fall and winter shopping on Saturday and stumbled upon the accessories department at Nordstrom which, in case you didn't know, is filled with the most shiny and fun stuff. The girl working there showed us how to do this...thing. It's a fantastic way to wear your hair up without looking like you don't care about doing it. Even if that's totally the case.

I tried to explain the whole thing to Trista over Google Chat the other night and came up with this.

I sort of doubt she actually understood what I was talking about but apparently she did. And I can't really figure out a better way to explain with the exception of maybe weeding out some of the 'like's and 'sort of's. Here is a picture to help. You can ignore the fact that I am driving in it.

The whole thing seriously takes like 30 seconds and makes you feel like a princess. I've worn my hair like this the past two days and gotten tons of compliments. I have a feeling I'm going to be headband binging soon as well. Here are a few I'm currently lusting after.

Knotted Silk Headwrap, $38, Anthropologie

Ball and Chain Headwrap, $28, Nordstrom

Zina Stone Headpiece, $38, Free People

Manzanita

Back when I used to nanny the family I worked for (for the longest and to whom I was the closest) had a couple beach houses on the Oregon coast. In the Summers I would spend weekends or even entire weeks laying in the sun with a light breeze touching the backs of my legs or walking down to the water with tiny little hands in mine then shrieking and running from the incoming tide. When it got cooler we would bundle up and play for as far into the year as possible. When it got too cold for playing on the beach we would go down for weekends in the Winter and snuggle up in the house with cocoa and movies and just be away for a bit. Some of my favorite memories are from times spent on the coast.

One of the places we stayed often was Manzanita, OR, the perfect beach town. There's a section of the West side of our state that is most frequented by Portlanders looking to escape the city and within that part of the coast most of the weather is pretty similar on any given day. The thing about finding the perfect beach in Oregon has everything to do with the land surrounding the beach. In Manzanita everything aligns perfectly to keep it warm but breezy. It's also one of the few coastal towns I've seen with locals that don't make me feel like I'm in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There are some cute restaurants, a great ice cream parlor with a garden to eat your sweets in, a game store called Overboard, and the requisite super crowded grocery store. And! You can have bonfires on the beach! This past weekend I loaded up on cough syrup, decongestant, nasal spray, and cough drops and decided to show Trista, Johnathan, and Craig the close to my heart Manzanita...check out Tiger helping bring kindling to the fire pit.

Seaside

Even though I was feeling like an old broken lady this past weekend I had promised Craig months ago I would pick him up in Seaside after he ran Hood to Coast (it's this miserable endeavor involving running from Mt. Hood to the Oregon coast with a team in legs of a race). So Tiger and I headed out for the beach. We went to Gearhart and laid in the sun for a bit before heading over to Seaside to meet up with Craig and a couple other people. You guys, my dog loves the beach like nobody's business. It's insane.

Wishes Granted

First things first. I apologize for ditching you. I've been in a blog funk. I think of things to write then realize I'm not excited to write about them and I never wanted this to be an obligation, part of the reason I didn't put too fine a point on what was going to happen here. I have, from the beginning, wanted this to be fun and full of whatever I felt like in the moment. I'm trying to make a comeback here but I may be slow to get back into my groove. So bear with me.

In less whiny news...you know how every season I make a wish list full of pretties I want to wear? Well for Fall 2011 you're not getting one. Because I couldn't possibly wish for another piece of Fall fashion after my recent stock up. Now I know I didn't ever follow through with a birthday post but I got some gifts. Trista's boyfriend Zach made me a beautiful serving bowl (he does ceramics), my friend Amelia got me the cutest ever rectangular espresso cups, Johnathan gave me a fantastic comic book and a garland he made me out of vintage postcards...my friend's were great to me. And I hate to play favorites here but Lana may have been the greatest. You see, Lana's gift to me was making me her significant other.

Now before you get all excited Lana works for Free People. So, by making me her significant other I get a card that gives me huge discounts at Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie. Which means this girl went on a major 40% off shopping spree. This is what I'll be wearing this Fall.


Side lace up moccasins! (Free People)



Is it a dress? Is it a maxi skirt? It's both! (Free People)



Love the big open stitches, love the color, love the length. (Urban Outfitters)



Not totally sure about this one but I think I could work it out. Plus it ended up being like $20 after sale and my discount. (Free People)



Perfect purse. Small enough, big enough, color, and shine. (Free People)



I'm in love with this one. (Free People)



Silk and leather. Divine combo. Also the lining is red with tiny white polka dots! (Anthropologie)



Cardi with super thin black and tan stripes. Will go with everything. (Free People)



A slip. For peaking out from under or through things. (Urban Outfitters)





This dress is fantastic. It only cost me about $30 and I cannot wait to try wearing different things under it and belting it. Check out the detail. (Free People)



A lace pullover! (Free People)



Wearing this one today with a black slip dress underneath and bare legs. So flowy and comfy. Total year round piece. (Free People)



Cropped leggings. So cute with flats. (Free People)



Big open stitch cozy sweater. Love. (Free People)





So pretty and feminine. (Free People)



Wanted these for a long time. Super cute with skinny jeans tucked in. (Urban Outfitters)