{America's Birthday} Party in the USA

Okay, I love the Fourth of July. First off, it's summertime, so it's warm and beautiful. And it is a holiday made for spending time with your family and friends-- what could be better? And my neighborhood does it UP! There is a 10k run in the morning, booths of food, parades, live music, bounce houses, rides, food trucks and the best firework show ever! My little culdesac has scavenger hunts and a talent show for the kids and we eat together--it's a magical day!

This year, my daughter Addison and I are going to enter the cupcake making contest- I know a lot about eating them, which I hope will somehow magically translate into some kind of skill in baking them! We shall see!

Anyway, since we are outside most of the day nibbling and relaxing, we need a playlist and I am starting mine now- I thought I would give you some of my favorite songs and maybe you can add some (or all!) to your list. I tend to like songs that everyone is familiar with because it just makes it so fun to sing along! What are your favorite America tunes?

1. Bye Bye Miss American Pie {Don McClean}  This is just a goodie that pretty much everyone knows.

2. Born Free  {Kid Rock} I don't know if I am a Kid Rock fan per se, but I like this song. It's kinda gritty but it feels American to me.

3. Proud To Be An American {Lee Greenwald} If you don't weep copiously every time this song comes on, you are made of stone or something. It holds a lot significance to me for some reason.

4. American Baby {Dave Matthews} I love DM. He could sing the alphabet and I'd be swaying along happily.

5. American Woman {Lenny Kravitz}  Because lets face it, us American women are pretty alright, am I right? :)

6. Brown Eyed Girl {Van Morrison}  It doesn't mention America but my bestie is a brown eyed girl and this song is special to me!

7. Tiny Dancer {Elton John} This is possibly my favorite song ever and it was even before Almost Famous, which then sealed the deal. This song is on every playlist I ever make, even my running playlists (which grinds me to halt so I can sing along, but still!!)

8. American Girl {Tom Petty}  So, also not a huge Tom Petty fan (I liked Free Falling in Jerry Maguire, I freely admit) but it's a good America song.

9. Miley Cyrus {Party in the USA } I know, I know. But c'mon. You know you kinda like it too!

10. Jack and Diane {John Cougar Mellencamp} I'm not entirely sure what name he goes by-- is he still Mellencamped?  (after he divorced Elaine Irwin I stopped keeping track) but this song just feels like America to me.

11. Born in the USA {Bruce Springsteen} Alright, nobody get mad but I'm not the biggest Springsteen fan either. He's just ok to me. But this song is a classic on July 4th.

12. Surfin USA {Beach Boys} This one barely made the cut. My daughter is dancing to this song in her recital that is coming up and it is on at my house  a LOT.  But every So Cal resident has to love the Beach Boys!

Doesn't it just feel so festive to you right now? Like we are drawing together to celebrate this country of ours, a country we are so blessed to live in?  I love it!  Happy day, you!❤️

White and Red on Repeat

Okay, do you remember that little white Zara suit I wore a few weeks ago? I posted about it and it was paired with those fabulous blue suede sandals? Well this is the blazer from that little number making another appearance!! And my outfit is fourth of July appropriate because I added my amazing red heels! Yayyy!!  I am posing in front of my garage because that works in a pinch. I am CRAZY busy at work. I was in downtown LA yesterday from 9 am until 7:30 last night and I am in another deposition today (but its telephonic, which I appreciate!)! Phew!!  It is casual Thursday here at my office, so it is jeans for me today. I am in a baggy jeans phase. If they are literally almost falling off my body, I seem to be in love with them.  They are sure comfy, let me tell you!   And this arm full of fabulous colorful bracelets? Well those are from the talented, beautiful superstar Vanessa @whatwouldvwear at www.whatwouldvwear.net  Can you believe this lovely girl is also a jewelry designer? Incredible! They are GORGEOUS in real life! Go look at her site and check them out for yourself!

You guys! Our holiday is almost here! I am going to try and get home a little early tonight and rush around to get everything ready- are you ready? What fun plans do you have?  Whatever you are doing, I hope it is just a perfect, fun filled day! xx Michelle

Seeing Red? ❤️🇺🇸















Lets just pretend that I have on a beautiful shade of red lipstick, or a red bag or maybe even nice shiny red patent heels and if you can do that, then isnt this just a perfect outfit for the holiday week? Yes, yes it is!! (Whoops. I will get it together next year.)

This blazer is from my recent Zara spree and it is right at home in my closet. I am a very simple, classic dresser. I typically wear black, more black, and then something black. :) Navy blue is a color I also gravitate to and when I saw this blazer I just fell in love! I think I will get so much use out of it. And can you see the gold buttons? I just love it. I took this dress from banana republic out of the closet (it's from last summer) and they just look so cute together. The structured blazer makes the summery type dress a little more appropriate for the office. And like everyone's office, mine is fa fa freezing and there is just no way I would ever wear sleeveless.  And do I ever love nude shoes. The ones I am wearing (Gucci) have the slightest hint of blush to them. If I could find a pair of not ridiculous looking navy blue high heeled loafers, that would be perfect (do these even exist?) but in the meantime, these heels are just fine. (I think you could also pair dark leather heels with this outfit and it would be cute too.) Hope everyone is having an amazing week and as always, I sure appreciate you stopping by! Xx Michelle

Chicago, a Flag and a Bride

First of all, my font is funky and I don't know why!  The blogging world is soo over my head so I apologize in advance! A professional is working on this...trust me! :)

Hi there friends!  We had another jam packed trip to the Windy City for the wedding of my husband's good friend.  We started the trip with a visit to the Aquarium and the Navy Pier (but it started raining and that kept us indoors).  As my daughter gets older, going to new places gets easier because she understands and enjoys what she is seeing. She is an inquisitive 5 year old who wants to know the answer to everything and I love it. There is simply nothing like seeing the world through the eyes of a child. We had the best day together- just two girls in the big city- while my husband did groomsman stuff for the wedding. 

Speaking of the wedding- oh my gosh. It was a rustic theme, with the ceremony in front of a huge tree in the middle of a huge grassy field that had a huge white tent over it.  The details were incredible- wooden bowls and candles and pink flowers everywhere and twinkly lights and chalkboard signs with the most lovey dovey sayings but the best part? A S'mores bar! Yes! I roasted marshmallows and danced the night away to my happy heart's content!  By the way, this amazing dress is from www.chicwish.com and it is so beautiful in person. It is full and fitted and lined and oh so gorgeous. You can find it here right now and it's on sale!

So Vanessa from @whatwouldvwear and I have been dying to see each other and this weekend worked out. We knew the day and we knew the time we were going to meet. But where? My husband and I passed this barn in the car on the way in from the airport and I was like "A big white barn in the middle of a field with an American flag painted on it? And it's the week before the 4th? COME ON! Here. HERE! We are taking pictures HERE!"  We brought our kids with us too because there is just something more that we share because we are mommies. We get each other- the time commitments and the overwhelming love for our children. It was a delightful memory we made together this day.  And this lovely dress I am wearing is from Bardot...a sweet little shop in Newport Beach www.shop-bardot.com.  You can also follow them on Instagram ( like I do) @Bardot_oc and if you see something you love (like I always do)- just call then and they will send it to you! Easy-peasy!

We are heading back to the Chicago for a week in August and besides the American Girl store and the Lincoln Zoo, we don't have a ton in the agenda. I would love any recommendations you all might have! Happy Monday to you!! Xx Michelle