j'adore zee warmth

Two Outfits. Both Alike in Dignity...

Delightfully Worn on: March 16, 2011. 

 
Worn for: Working at the office followed by Happy Hour with a friendly ex-boyfriend at Mother's Bistro.
The Breakdown of its components:
My favorite black dress in the world from my Mom. Jessica Simpson purple boots. Simply Vera Tights. Urban Outfitters bird feather belt. Urban Outfitters Leather Gloves The Limited black trouser coat. Vintage purse.

Delightfully Worn On: March 31, 2011.

 
Worn for: The office.
The Breakdown of its components:
Maggy London Dress. Carlos Shoes F21 Necklace Laundry by Shelli Segal belt Vintage purse

Notice anything in the two different days?? Yes, it's getting warmer. So much warmer! The gloves, tights and heavy coats from the first set of pictures have all but disappeared... and will soon be very ancient history.

PS- Work clothes rock my world.

Have a wonderful (and warm) Friday!

the fond memory of the horrible denim dress

About4 or 5 years ago, I was at Buffalo Exchange and found this denim dress that I fell in love with. I honestly, don't know what it was that I loved about it- but I LOVED it. I just felt good in it and its tightness and shortness and just all around funness (I know that's not a word).

 However, I know that it's horrible. I wouldn't wear it now or if I did, I would dress it up so much differently than I did in these images... so different. I would lose all the bling and cover the denim with a long, cream, button-up sweater and conservative shoes and reserve it strictly for weekend dalliances.

While I sought a style that's all my own, I neglected a lot of fashion rules simply because I didn't quite know them yet: less is more, brown and black CAN go together, balance your pieces... this meant that I often learned through trial and error what worked and what didn't. In the House of Fashion: this dress didn't. But, not for nothing-this dress at this point in time, made me feel good. So there is a bit of a beautiful aspect to the long journey of finding your fashion self- these images bring me nothing but joy.

The funny part? Looking at this dress now and knowing how bad it is... I still love it and kinda want to wear it. :) I guess there's just something about Mary my denim dress.

What piece do you have that's so 'bad', it's officially 'good' in your eyes?

Crowning the Princess at 3 AM

Update on the "Simple Goals" post I did last week. My main issue is that two of my ideas had to do with buying clothes, which I'm not doing until April, and so the combat boots and the maxi skirts are still on the back burner and won't be purchased until after Easter... however, I am still lustfully yearning for them (even online searching them in the darkness of the night- creepin' on my fashion obsessions).

But... update on the "Pretty, Pretty Princess" front! This goal was to do something special for the Royal Wedding. As I am an employed lady, my first step was naturally to secure April 29th as PTO. Requested and GRANTED, I now officially have the day off (so nice to be accomplishing my goals).

Second hurdle came from my Sister after I texted her the news. As I've mentioned, her husband is British and his family is all still there, so naturally, she's very familiar with the time change... something I didn't even consider.

Jocelyn: "Hey, I got your text about April 29th. Do you realize the time difference?"
Me: "Um, I don't know, it's a day event, I guess I didn't really think about it."
Jocelyn: "It's a day event for the UK... the wedding begins at 11 am, that's 3am our time."

Oh, crap.

Good news: I will have alllll day to sleep off my late night Royal Wedding watching antics.
Bad News: Getting people to watch it with me at that unsavory hour!

However, I have set my sights on two of my friends: Miranda and Megan

 

{Left to Right: Caitlin, Miranda, Megan}

Miranda: Because she loves to do anything that is different from the normal activities. She has the best ideas to break our entertainment monotony, always. I feel like I could convince her to join me for this royal soiree merely because she's never watched a Princess wed before. And Megan: Because she loves Kate Middleton and I believe, would like to watch the wedding and take it all in

[Editor's Note: I definitely need Miranda with Megan as Megan has a ferocious history of falling asleep during movies.]

So Lady Loves, this be my public declaration- please take off April 29th and join me for some William, Kate, Champagne, Gowns, Tea... and crumpets.

 How about you? Any plans for the Wedding yet? What about those of you actually in England- what are your plans???

Ruthlessly Fashionable

One thing I don't really discuss on this blog is my obsession with events. Though this blog serves as a platter with which to serve my rambling thoughts and visual affections, I still try to keep it a bit interesting. For this reason, I spare all readers my obsessions with historical events and typically don't delve deep into all the interesting facts that I find.

The funny thing is, I get very infatuated with certain topics for about a month or two. I watch Documentaries, I read Wikipedia, I read books... I take in all that I can and pillage any interesting facts that I will then dole out to anyone who will listen.

Current apple of my eye: World War II.

Lately, due to sheer curiosity and a lot of couch time due to illness, I have been soaking up everything I can find. I've been watching WWII Documentaries, Third Reich Documentaries and Germany documentaries. In addition, I went to the Library and checked out sooo many books on Hitler and Eva Braun and have learned so many interesting things that I never knew.

Here's a few:

• Hitler was a Vegetarian because he was a huge animal lover. Yes, the most evil and disgusting man the world has ever known had a soft spot for animals. He also didn't drink and didn't smoke.
  
• When the Red Army invaded Berlin, a move which arguably ended the war and certainly lead to the suicide of Hitler, they were working for The Allies and this move was also our victory- so technically, this was a "good" act. However, in the days following, one of the largest instances of mass rape took place in Berlin with the Red Army raping young girls to old women. Over 100,000 women were estimated to have been raped. Of that number, about 10,000 died as a result, mostly from suicide.
  
• Hitler's longtime companion and wife for the last 40 hours of his life, Eva Braun, was never a Nazi and much evidence is presented to argue that due to his shielding and protection of her, she knew little about the brutality of his reign.
  

And that's just a little taste, I'm full of information regarding the war and I find it fascinating. However, I don't want my blog to become taxing to read so let me tell you why I'm bringing this all up.

My WWII obsession has lead me wildly into the arms of Inglourious Basterds (I also watched Schindler's List again. Ugh. I can't even touch on that sadness). I've seen the movie before, but now armed with my new knowledge of the events, it takes on a whole new meaning. This movie is FABULOUS, there is not any other way to put it. It's amazing, unapologetically clever and as humorous as it is gruesome.... it's 153 minutes of pure badass...if you haven't seen it yet, you're a fool.

The only thing that comparatively is as wonderful as it is... were the amazing outfits of the female leads:

Julie Dreyfus as Francesca Mondino




Diane Kruger as Bridget von Hammersmark



Mélanie Laurent as Shoshanna Dreyfus




{She's my favorite. Love her.}

So that was your curve ball post- WWII is definitely on my mind lately and what I've been chatting about.
[images via and via]

What is the most interesting fact that you know regarding World War II?

fleece is for the mountains and nothing else

I am sorry if the following offends you or chaps your hide. However, please understand the severity in what I'm about to say:

{This is for the outdoors. End of story.}

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever wear your fleece coat to work in an office environment.

FLEECE JACKETS are for hikes, for outdoor events, etc. They are never to be worn inside an office. Don't do it ever, ever, ever.

INSTEAD, WEAR THIS:

{ABOVE: Textured Ruffle Jacket $167.99 Banana Republic}

Happy Friday :)

Champagne, Caviar & Socks ♥

I've never been a huge fan of Elizabeth Taylor, nor did I dislike her, she was just kinda there to me. However, looking at her glamorous, provocative young life in images never, ever, ever gets old. She truly was a classic beauty and a wonderful embodiment of Old Hollywood.

 I love the image above- her stunning dress, her flawless face, the cigarette nestled between her elegant fingers, her raven hair, the champagne chilling... all this while being accompanied by the lover from her torrid affair. In this one little moment captured innocently on camera, we catch a glimpse into what was a memorable, passionate life which seemed to be as full of sin as it was vitality. RIP Elizabeth Taylor, your beauty will be sorely missed.

In contrast to a life of caviar and reckless affairs, I have been housesitting for my Dad this week as he's out of town. As I'm still very sick (truly), spending time with the family Dog has proven to be all the excitement that I need- well that and plenty of DVDs, Tea and blankets.


Illness lifesaver: American Apparel Chain-Link Solid Thigh-High Socks in black. As I continue to get chills and then get hot (so fun), a nightie with the thigh-highs keeps my temperature in check. They are so well constructed and the best socks in the world. I am forever impressed by AA, I really enjoy their items.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday (Jersey Shore finale, woohoo) and selfishly hoping that I feel better soon... words can't explain how frustrating this is.

Too-da-loo friends♥

Pearls for Day, Shorter for Play

I grew up not liking Pearls. All girls I knew always wanted to grow up and adorn their magnificent necks with their Grandmother's Pearls much to the tune of Fancy Nancy. To me, they always reminded me of "The First Lady". Not a specific First Lady, just the woman who stood alongside any President of ours who had to dress conservatively in the spirit of representing our nation.

...Not my style...

{my style muses usually have a little more Kardashian in them than Kennedy}

From a very, very young age I have been completely attracted to a sexier look. That doesn't mean that I always did it or pulled it off (um... yeah, pictures speak for themselves) but what I fantasized about looking like alwaysssss had way more to do with being a Marilyn rather than a Jackie.
However, life always comes into play. I work in a very corporate America environment and Pearls are not only welcome, they are definitely encouraged. In that token, as I've gotten older Pearls have found a place in my professional life.

Though, I know in my heart that I won't be the girl who wears Pearls on her wedding day, I have definitely enjoyed my little, funny, amusing relationship with the official stone of all the First Ladies.

What do you wear now that you never thought you would?

I simply must do this.

Like any person in this world, I make lots of little goals for myself. I have plans to do this and do that... I feel joyful when I accomplish them, and wallow my pity in edamame when I don't (sorry, the appropriate wording there is "cake" but I'm into salt, not sweets). So here's the point of this post, I'm going to let y'all in on a little secret... a few goals I plan to accomplish this warm season that are super easy, super shallow and totally attainable. Thus, you get to witness my little latest fashion muses and I get to seem like a badass to everyone as I accomplish these simple tasks.

So without further adieu... here's some simple Things I WILL do.

Combat Boots:

I will rock combat boots soon. I have fallen head over heels in love with combat boots. They have that edgy vibe but paired with something smokin' hot on a girl, they become something else entirely. I will, lace up combat boots soon in the near future.

Maxi Skirt:

I will find a way to make a maxi skirt work. Not a maxi dress, I have those and I love them- but a skirt. I think this is a bit of a harder task and one that I have yet to take on due to my rotund derriere. But after Leia's numerous posts looking beautiful as ever and my attempts to copy Ashley Olsen, I promise that I'll find a way to rock a Maxi skirt.

Play Pretty-Pretty Princess

And finally, I will find a way to feel fabulous on the day of the Royal Wedding. I don't know if that will mean a champagne toast while wearing a fascinator or a tea party with lace gloves... but I WILL find a way to make that day feel special. Because it's not every day that a Princess gets bloody crowned there is it? I think to not partake would be equivalent to going up to 6-year-old me and putting my middle finger in my face. Plus, my Sister married a Brit, so I'm going to assume that that now qualifies me to mimic British life sans shame.

[Images: Dream. Boots. Ashley. Kate]
tell me kittens, what are some of your easy-to-reach goals??

{In} Engagement Parties {Out} Coughing

Lord Blogosphere! My cough will not go awayyyyy, it's SO annoying, I can't even tell you. Due to this cough, I haven't been out on the weekends in two weeks, I didn't celebrate St. Patty's (didn't blog Friday because I was asleep by 9 PM due to illness) and I sound like your Great Aunt Beatrice quite frequently. However, on Saturday...help came in a prescription: Codeine Cough Syrup. Ahhh, though it hasn't eliminated my cough, it has made a huge difference and I think I'm heading outta the woods with this senior citizen mating call I got goin' on.

 {we have been coughing like it's going out of style}

Due to the decreased coughing intervals and feeling like a rebel, I actually made it out of the house (in regular clothes no less) to head to my friends' engagement party on Saturday night. I was realllly excited that I was feeling better by that night because I had definitely hoped to make it there. The Bride-to-Be was in my Sorority and is so cute and so funny and someone I definitely love to support.

So, just like that, it was off with the fleece pants and on with the scalloped skirt from Urban Outfitters, denim trouser jacket, black feather Steve Madden top and a strapless bra that failed me all night long.

 {all the cool kids party before the party}

{engagement party fixins'}

{Megan, Yuki and Me}

 
{Remember my friend Jordan? He wrote this hilarious post for my blog}

{cute outfits all around}

Can I please draw your attention to the pretty little Asian girl above? That's my friend Yuki who I blogged about seeing her off as she did her own Eat Pray Love story... well, she's back! And oh it felt wonderful to see her smiley little face. Oh, the things she must have seen!

I have a lot that I'm looking forward to this week, I checked some great movies out from the Library (yes, the library, it's bomb) and I have some fun blogging ideas. Also, I am going to be naive and pretend this cough will be gone SOOON, I'm over it like I'm over Lindsay Lohan (seriously, your antics are completely tiring, just get your sh*t together).

Happy Monday!

I'm an Irish Girl, it must be known

Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.

Top of the morning to ya lads & lassies!

Alright, I'm a bit guilty regarding full disclosure of my ethnicity. You see, I often talk about how my Mom is Italian (like here, here and here) and her side of the family is rooted deeply in that culture. Everyone on my Mom's side talks loudly with their hands, lives on the East Coast, drinks wine and never cuts their pasta with their fork- it's this amazing, cultural existence rooted in family and food. Things like this coupled with illustrious images of my Nana and her beautiful, dark-haired Italian sisters in the latest fashions in the 1940's has always had me deeply in love with my Italian roots (long before Jersey Shore).

However, there's a whole other half of me - that man called "Dad". Well, my Dad isn't Italian at all and his reddish hair and freckles are quick to give that away. His Grandparents came here from Ireland and worked in the Mines in Butte, Montana - which has a very strong history of Irish roots (My Grandma was friends with Evel Knievel). My Dad was raised on meat and potatoes, the importance of having a proper Irish wake when you lose a family member (meaning the family gathers to celebrate the life of the departed person after the funeral by drinking and telling stories long into the night) AND saving your money-yes, yes- I am... half Irish.

 {My Italian Mom, My Irish Dad and my Crybaby older Sister}

So though I often just say "I'm Italian!" and leave it at that, I must divulge that yes indeedy: I am an Irish girl (Kiss Me!).

Irish Blessing:
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Happy St. Patty's Day all you Seamus O'Tooles, if you start to see any Leprechauns- it's time to call it a night. Oh! And Happy Birthday to my Stepmom- can't wait for the corned beef feast tonight!

Three cheers for Green Beer!

the little umbrella that could

Being in the Pacific Northwest, we don't really have much of a choice but to endure the rain. However, attitude and mantras can have a lot to do with the way you emerge from Winter. Will you stumble into Spring beat-down with ripped clothes, crawling into the sun or will you be one of the lucky ones who perches her kitten heels into the sun lane, presses "Go" and dallies into warmer weather (112% of me is positive that that statement makes no f*cking sense)?

The warmer weather was here... and then it hastily left and yesterday was a soppy mess with downpours and amazing thunder. Well you know what? My Mama said they'll be days like this, they'll be days like this Mama said (Mama said, Mama said)... so thank goodness she instilled this mantra in me from the time I was very young: 

 All rainy days deserve
a bright umbrella.

{The Children's size umbrella is the perfect size}

Some of these by totes hit all the right moves [all links clickable on price]:

Left: totes Monogrammed Umbrella $22 Right: totes Poppies Bubble Umbrella $13.59

Left: Pink Yarndye folding Umbrella $28 Right: totes Red Tartan Yarndye Deluxe Stick Umbrella $28

What's your "bright umbrella" on a "rainy day" (metaphors people...)??