A Beautiful Date with Dooney and Bourke

{Written while getting ready to watch a Masterpiece Theater series that was somehow accidentally recorded by my brilliant DVR (maybe because it knows I love Downton Abbey? ) called Indian Summers and I am so excited! It looks like a goody.  Stay tuned for my review!}  A few weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of receiving an invite to a dinner and a preview of Dooney and Bourke's new line of handbags.  Like most of us, my memories of Dooney and Bourke involve my dad, dragging my brother and I to Nordstrom at Christmas time for yet another purse (and matching wallet, and key chain and checkbook cover and make-up bag-- ohhh, the coordinating accessories they had) for my mom-- do you remember those bags that had the duck on them and came trimmed in brown leather? Well, my friends, those are not the Dooney bags of today.   I was awed by the beautiful designs that I saw-- gorgeous leather, contemporary, luxe designs, and that craftsmanship we've come to expect from this iconic brand.  The bag I am carrying is the Barlow bag from the City collection and its perfect. It is thoughtfully constructed and has just the right amount of pockets and places for your keys and your cell phone and it comes with the cross-body strap, which I adore. Who doesn't love the ability to roll hands-free? I love this. I look for this kind of versatility and quality and this bag has it.    Pop on over to the website http://www.dooney.com/home and take a peek. I really really love the Alto collection-- go look! They are gorgeous.  I paired it with a simple sheath dress and heels from Banana Republic, because is easy and fuss-free ever a bad thing for the office? Not in my book!  Hope your (3 day?) weekend was lovely, dearest reader! Thanks for stopping by! Sweetly- Michelle

Bag: Here || Dress: Here || Shoes: Here ||

Black Beauty

Its October! Hello my lovelies! Can I just tell you something really random right now? I am writing this post and a commercial came on for Pan- have you seen these previews? Oh my gosh I can't wait to see it. I absolutely went crazy for Cinderella. I was anticipating that movie for months and I've seen it about six times, no kidding. And some of those times without my daughter 🙈🙊 These remakes of Disney cartoons are right up my alley. I love them.  All right, back to this outfit. You all know how much I love wearing black. I think because I am so light and fair skinned (this is  a nicer way of saying I am basically translucent😀), I feel tanner when I am in contrasting colors. I think I figured out that the key for me to keeping monochromatic outfits from being too blah is to mix the textures. It doesn't work for every outfit, but for this one it sure does. Oh my gosh the shirt you guys! I am so in love with it. Its from Banana (by the way- -Banana Republic is killing it right now. And their 2016 line? I saw a ton of #NYFW snaps and it.is.incredible. I cant wait!) It's long, sheer at the bottom and pleated! And how about these leather leggings and black booties? I think they contrast with  the femininity of the shirt so well. The different textures just work, yes?  The booties are from Ann Taylor and they are so comfy! And they are open toe but not too weekend looking for the office, you know?  I think the light pink color of this hat really softens up this look.  It kind of gives it a smidge of boho.  I love hats, don't you? I think this hat would also look so cute with the 70s revival outfits that are everywhere. Anyway, dearest readers, we are almost to the weekend! I hope your day is fabulous and as always, thank you so much for stopping by! Xxoo Michelle

Shirt (its not on the website (rats!) but I linked one that is similar): Here|| Pants: Here|| Booties: Here || Hat: Here|| Bag: Here

An American in OC

 

I am an A.M.E.R.I.C.A.N. Tried and true, red white and blue, the whole bit. I go crazy on the fourth of July with the banners and flags and parties!  I get a little weepy every time (no, really. EVERY TIME) the national anthem is played or I hear a country song about America. Is it patriotism? The deep love for one's country? I don't know but whatever it is, I have it.  I have the deepest respect for this county and what we stand for and the soldiers that have and still are protecting us.

Which brings me (naturally..) to… Ralph Lauren. I have always loved this lifestyle.  The dark leather, the horses, the home in the Hamptons, the green and blue plaid, the summers on a prairie somewhere… All of it. I have always been obsessed with the shoes, the leather bags, Pink Pony, Black Label...you name it folks.  I go into the Ralph Lauren stores or online and just breath in that whole lifestyle.  Although I love a good European designer as much as the next girl, there is something about RL that just remains...American, you know?   Of course, to a large extent, everyone  shows a curated lifestyle, right? No one's life is as perfect as the highlight reel we reveal on our blogs and on Instagram.  I like to just pretend that this doesn't apply to my beloved Ralph Lauren.  If you need me, you can find me in my leather wingback chair, in my perfect wood-paneled library, wearing denim and plaid, sipping my sweet iced tea.

By the way, my shirt (old) and shoes are RL. The shoes are my favorite. I love loafers. I think a high-heeled loafer plus a pantsuit  is just about perfect. And this color. I cant get enough of it.  I think my loafer is sold out but HERE is the boot version-- it has the same details as my loafer (and it would be so perfect for fall!) Hope your Monday is just beautiful! As always, thank you so much for stopping by!  xo Michelle

Blush Crush

I love all of the Coachella inspired fashion that comes out around this time each year. But I feel like a lot of it is just not practical for my lifestyle- I am crazy about this hat but seriously. Could you imagine me in a flowy sundress and a fringey bag, wearing this hat and walking with a client (assuming I still had one) into Court? "Your Honor, let me take off my flower crown before we begin".  Riiigghhht.   I am always trying to take whatever the trends are and adapt them to my lifestyle. 5 days of the week- I am in lawyer mode. Weekends? Mostly yoga pants and anything that lets me move and do mommy things!  When I saw the hat at Nordstrom, I wanted something a little more versatile than a festival type sundress to wear it with.  I spotted this white eyelet skirt (also at Nordstrom) and was sold.  I think it will also look so cute with a graphic t and some Chucks, or maybe a zip up hoodie and some flat sandals.  And this little leather bag... I got it on Etsy ( I am a HUGE supporter of small businesses, especially those run by women) and the monogramming. I am UHbsessed with it. Everything I own that can be monogrammed... is. I love it. Its sort of unhealthy, how much I want to monogram things. Almost everything my daughter wore until age 3 was initialed.  I was trying to talk my husband into giving our dogs a middle name so we could get them monogrammed collars (totally normal, right?)

This was such a fun shoot. First, I am outdoors and I love anything that gets me out of the house and into the sunshine.  I am a high energy gal and prone to skipping, leaping etc at the drop of a (floppy, blush-colored) hat.  It doesn't take much to make me happy :) Plus, it was the magic hour- that dusky time of the day when its not yet night, but no longer day- you know? I love LOVE this time. Dusk is my favorite.  I feel like anything can happen- and (judging by my leap) - it did!   It's the dancer in me (or in my head)! Thank you so much for stopping by and we hope your week is amazing! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @golddustandsugarlust. xoxo Michelle