Cape + Florals

{Blogged over Big Little Lies- I'm IN!} Hello lovelies! Did you have a good 3 day weekend? Ours was a quasi 4 day weekend because I shut our office down early on Friday due to this crazy wild rain- I just wanted everyone off the roads and home and safe! Today was the first day that my son has had anything to eat in 10 days. He has RSV and for a 6 month old, it's been TERRIFYING. Coughing and wheezing and gasping- oh my gosh. And it's been crazy busy at work (but of course, right?) and I just want to be at home with him. So each night, I was taking him to the doctors to get his oxygen levels checked and staying up at night with him--I am dragging! Like a zombie dragging!  But thrilled that he seems to be on the up and up- seriously, most babies are hospitalized with this. Not to get sidetracked here but all I could think about in the middle of the night as I held my gasping child was "Thank God I live in a country with access to doctors and medicine and care"- I can't even imagine what it must feel like to be in a country without these privileges.

Anyhoo, I just love silk shirts under blazers for the office. It adds a little lady like touch and these florals are perfect. And even though I am hopeful that spring is right around the corner, a cape is perfect for the -10° air conditioning at my firm! :) Aren't offices always dang freezing?? I keep a blanket around that I put on my lap when it gets unbearable! Which is like, everyday!  Happy 4 day week to you!! I hope it flies right on by! And thank you for stopping by! Sweetly, Michelle

photos @bleudogfotography

Cape || Shirt || Skirt || Purse (old Gucci) 

Investing in Investments

{Written with A Million Reasons by Lady Gaga on loop- thanks Superbowl LI}   Hi sweet readers! How is your week so far? I am going to talk to you a bit about wardrobe investments.  Investment pieces for your closet is such a personal topic, because it relies on so many variables that are different for each of us.  With that in mind, I figured I would give you my philosophy and you can apply it however you deem fit!    It really boils down to your own personal finances and where you are in your life-- I spent with a lot less concern when I was single and renting a house than I do now, with house and kid expenses up the wazoo!  If you are looking at products that will last season to season, here are my thoughts:

1.  Is it trendy? I generally will not spend money on something that is noticeably trendy.  I want classic shapes and basic colors.  I have Gucci bags that are 10 years old and I still trot them out because (1) they last and (2) they still look current.  Same thing for Louis Vuitton-- as long as you take care of them, you will be able to wear them forever.  I am constantly checking my designer shoes and having them resoled and cleaned and they come back looking like new.   With everything I buy, I tell the hubs " I will TOTALLY be able to wear this forever-- so it's actually a good deal" but in these cases, it's also true! Bonus! :)

2.  Is it me?  There is nothing worse than seeing the same bag all over the place, obsessing over it, buying it for yourself, and then not feeling comfortable with it.   Make sure what you see and love is also something that is you.  I was talking to my mom the other day about a mutual friend's style and I said " She dresses like Kate Middleton".   I'm sure right now, you sort of have a picture of that style in your head (That girl is perfect, let me tell you. Not our friend. She's just ok.  I'm talking about the princess. She's amazing!)  Whatever your own style is, make sure your investment piece fits.  I wear black, camel, grey, and navy pretty much exclusively. No matter how much I love that bright beautiful printed dress, it's not me-- and if I really need it-- or the printed heels or floral bag- I need to look for it in a non-designer style that is less expensive.  

3.  Do I have this already? Excluding black heels (you can never have enough of these, I'm convinced), there is a limit to what you should spend your money on. If you invest in a nice coat, you are set in Southern California. If you get to wear the thing TWICE, you are lucky.   There is no need to buy the Burberry trench, a Max Mara pea coat,  AND that cute Gucci bomber.  Seriously- don't.  Try to gauge what you have  and where a new addition might fit.  

I bought this case on a whim when I was in Maui the year before last.  I have one of those ginormous black square briefcases on wheels (i.e., not cute) and sometimes, I just want to walk with something pretty!  I think my next investment will be luggage- good weekend bags and carry ons -- how about you? Where are you earmarking your next investment piece- I'd love to hear all about it! Valentines Day is almost here-- how are you going to spend it?  I hope you are planning something wonderful with someone you love-- even if that something wonderful is a cuddly night on the couch with your pups!  Happy Thursday, dearest friends- Sweetly, Michelle

Sweater|| Shoes || Skirt || Bag

Leather + Pin Stripes

{Written over kettle corn and DVR catch up}

I haven't been feeling the work vibe lately- anyone else ever get this way? When you are just not in the mood to dress up? Maybe it's the dreary, unusual Southern California weather we've been having, maybe its the post-holiday blues-- I don't know-- but I have not been climbing into any chic sheath dresses or pant suits for the office lately.  Enter my friend the leather legging.  Paired with a longer shirt (like the pin stripe one I am wearing) and even with a pull over sweater on top- it is the perfect business-casual, "I'm not feeling it right now" look.  The gold accents and the boots help to keep it on the businessy side of business casual and still a little dressy.  And this coat...oh how I love this coat.   I have to tell you the story of this coat.   So, a few years ago, one of my dear friends and I head to New York during December to meet with clients.   It was around 80 degrees in Southern California at the time and I am not a good packer to begin with, so the last thing I was thinking of was a coat (note: it was COLD in NYC!)   As we were sitting on the plane together, she says " You shouldn't have packed your coat, because you are going to need to put it on as soon as we land." And my stomach dropped and I said " Oh my gosh.  It's still sitting on my dining room table at home."  Thankfully, I went from airport to hotel without getting frost-bite but the next day, we headed out early to get me a coat.  And instead of heading to a department store, we walked down a block or two, and like it always happens in magical NYC, found a little boutique that only sold coats!  I saw this one and fell in love but I was thinking -- its not practical, its cashmere and I will get it all dirty becasue its such a light color--but then I thought " Heck with it! I'm in New York City and I am just doing it!" And I did. And I have been madly in love ever since!  The morale to this story?  If you love it, you will never regret it!  Thank you for stopping by, dear reader.  Sweetly, Michelle 

Leggings || Shirt || booties || coat

Sweater Dresses + Butternut Squash Soup Mash Up

 {Written on Inauguration Eve while packing for a quick weekend to Palm Springs}

I have mentioned this before but I am going through blog- revamping issues.  I'm trying to figure exactly what I want to do with GDSL in 2017. As part of that contemplation, I was thinking that every once in a while, I will combine a fashion post with some sort of a practical post. Maybe a fun craft to do with your kids, maybe some make up or skin care tips, or maybe sharing some of my go to recipes (I have like 3!) Tonight it's a soup recipe...read on, brave reader!!

 The Dress

About this dress – – there really is nothing better for the office then a pretty, comfy, air-condition thwarting sweater dress! Pair it with a pretty furry vest and some statement shoes and you are set! 

 Shoes|| Dress || Vest

The Recipe 

I really love soup (who doesn't, right?).  It feels good in your tummy on cold days, it is (mostly) healthy and not too hard to make (which is fortunate because my skills are limited!)  I am making an effort in 2017 to get in the kitchen and MAKE (not order) food for my family (I am by and large a DoorDasher!)  Butternut squash is one of my favorite soups and it's easy, so I thought I'd share! The recipe below is relatively quick, and only has a few ingredients. I think this is a good way to get into cooking- with a simple recipe. I may never graduate to anything more complicated but that is a-ok!! I am going to start sharing my go-to recipes (get ready to pull out your slow cooker!)  Let me know what you think or if you  have any modifications to this recipe that make it even better! (or if you have an easy recipe to share!) GDSL Tip: You will need to play around with the puréed squash and the chicken stock to get this soup as thick or as thin as you'd like. After you blend, add the stock back in sparingly, little by little.  I like a thicker type consistency, so I use less stock. Experiment and see what you like! Happy souping! Sweetly, Michelle

Butternut Squash Soup

1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cups chicken stock
Nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
 

Directions
Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve.
(Recipe Courtesy of Food Network Kitchens)