Remember Me?

Happy Friday eve everyone! This week seriously flew by for me-- did it for you? How come some weeks are so much faster than others I wonder? And wasn't yesterday the hardest day to wake up to? Those poor reporters in Virginia-- I was just sick about it all day.   This world sometimes. It weighs so heavy on me, the senselessness and the lack of regard for life.  Those poor people got up and went to work like we all do and are gone for absolutely no reason. So tragic. We just need to say a little prayer for them and for the rest of us who live in this mind-boggling, sometimes terrifying world.

I bought this dress over the weekend and how cute is it? I love the cut- it's sort of a-line and bell-sleeved and I feel great in it. I like things that move when you walk and for some reason, this dress makes me feel so elegant. I paired it with these blush Gucci heels. I bought these in the Spring  (they are a soft pink....come on!! Of course I bought them) and I bought the same pair in black too. They are the perfect heel--soft supple leather, good height. Funny story about these shoes: There is a girl that works at the Gucci store at South Coast that has been there forever. Before I was married and had my daughter, I was at that store  all the time. Why not?  Save, shhmmave. I had only me to worry about, I had no real expenses and my office is super close to South Coast Plaza- -ahhhh, nostalgia! The good old days.  She would call me and tell me when new stuff came in, and she would put things aside for me in my size-- I'm telling you, this was a LOVELY, fulfilling relationship.  Then, life changed for me-- marriage, babies, buying and furnishing homes, saving money and other such shopping replacers took over and decreased my visits. Drastically reduced my visits, to be honest. 😢😢 Anyhoo, she recognized my PARENTS for crying out loud who were in the store around Christmas and wrote a note to give me, saying "Michelle, where are you? Remember me?" I actually felt guilty-- isn't that weird? So weird. And so I went in there and bought these heels and while I was as dazzled and excited as always when surrounded by beautiful handbags and shoes -- I realized something--it's just stuff. Right? Stuff that doesn't matter much at all.  Visits to my favorite stores may not be as frequent, my facials and mani/pedis have all but disappeared but my life is infinitely better. Being a mommy, spending time with my family and creating memories together has fulfilled me in ways I never imagined.  I am like a broken record but there is just one secret to life, I'm convinced: Get your family (and friends count as family) around you, hold them tight, and spend as many moments with them as you can, laughing and soaking each other in.  Life is about love, my beauties. That's all. (well, and a great pair of heels!) Thank you for stopping by, dear hearts xx Michelle

Dress: (not online apparently but similar here

Shoes: (old but similar in suede here)

Clutch (Etsy. Have we discussed my obsession with Etsy? And monograms? I LOVE it)

Pendant (CAbi --I linked the Fall line because there are new designs each season--and mine was from Summer.  This pendant can be twisted and linked and worn all sorts of different ways!)

The (Waning) Dog Days of Summer

Hi dearest reader! So you already know that I am a dog lover. Literally, I can be walking and once a dog comes into my line of sight, I bee line right toward it. I've never met an ugly dog. Even the ones that really are ugly are cute to me.  I have two little dogs and I would have 10 if I could. Wherever I am sitting at home, one or both of my dogs are sitting next to me, leaning against me or sitting on my lap. Dogs (animals, really) just make me happy. So imagine my thrill when this little fella Lou came walking by and his (astute) owner said "My dog matches your outfit. You want a picture?" Why, yes! Yes I sure do!  He was so good. I took the leash, talked to him (in a high-pitched, probably annoying way, but Lou didnt seem to mind!) and we snapped off a few pictures.

This dress is another Nordstom find and I  love it. Pleione makes the cutest, most affordable separates and dresses.  It's one less thing to think about in the morning if I can throw on a pretty dress and heels and go. I am going to wear tights and boots once Fall rolls around (I have my fingers crossed that we actually get some fall weather!)  Hope you have such an incredible day and thank you thank you for stopping by! Xx Michelle

Michelle Hearts Michael

Hi there you! Its Friday! What a week I've had.  Like everyone else, my life is cyclical and there are times when I seem to be  balanced at work, and I can take a nice lunch, come home at night and unwind, read a book after my daughter goes to sleep (You moms out there know what I mean.  Your "you" time starts after your children are in bed!)  Lately? Work is crazy busy. I eat lunch at my desk and every night, I have been up until after midnight with my lap top on my lap, working (this really interferes with my ability to pay attention to important things on TV. Like the Real Housewives of New York Reunion. Part 1). The trial I was hurling toward has been continued a little, so I have a small reprieve but I am really looking forward to this weekend and catching up a little on errands (and sleep!)

{The Dress} I have to tell you something so funny about this dress!   I bought it at Nordstrom (and like most things I buy, the bags stay in the trunk until I figure out a time to strategically (and furtively) scamper upstairs with them)...and I forgot about it!  How sad of a life do I lead that I can buy this cute little number, hide it in my car (who needs another lecture from the hubs, I ask you? No one!) and completely forget about it? It was maybe 3 MONTHS later that I was looking around my trunk and I was like "Hmm. What's in here?"    So sad!  I love it. Shirt dresses are just a good staple every season, and you can find them with so many updated details. Here, it is the silver military- like accents. This is a perfect transition piece because it has 3/4 length sleeves and is a heavier blend of fabric, which is good for the office. I paired it with these TopShop shoes (similar) that I have from Nordstrom. I love a strappy shoe--T-strap, Mary Janes, some kind of ankle strap- yes yes and yes.  They are a great addition to this dress, don't you think?

{The Book}

Even though my book-reading has been seriously infringed upon by this horrible thing we refer to as a JOB, I still find time to read a little bit everyday.  I need to. It relaxes me, it lets my mind wander and I feel like I am doing a little something for myself.  I finished this book in record time (it's a very easy read) and it's good. Her writing style is breezy and it feels (at least from an American like me) very British.  I enjoyed it. It takes a humorous look at a serious event (a murder) that involves one of the most competitive groups of people known to man-- moms!  It looks at the silly and shallow things we sometimes do as parents when it involves our 5 year old children.  Even though its funny, I thought there was a strong lesson to be learned-- that we (humans) compete against each other, tear each other down and value things that in the whole scheme really don't matter.  As a mom with a career outside of the home, it can be difficult for me to go to school functions because I feel a little self conscious around the moms that stay home.  I think that however life works for a certain family should be supported (and it's none of my business how someone else lives or raises their family--if you are happy and healthy, good for you!). This book will maybe make you think about how we (women especially) need to make each other feel good and accomplished as much as possible because look around you---we are each other's future.  Speaking of the future... I hope you all have amazing things coming your way this weekend! ❤️😘 thank you for stopping by- xx Michelle

Oh Just Give it a Twirl Tuesday

Hello and happy Tuesday to you!  Poor Tuesday. It's the forgotten day of the week, you ever notice that? We all dread and discuss the horror that is Monday, Wednesday gets the honor to be mid-week, a 🐪 and its own hump hashtag, Thursday is Friday eve (and #tbt), Friday (#fbf)  and the weekend are in a category all their own but Tuesday? #ShoesdayTuesday?  Its just sad  (There is no real point to this rambling, by the way. It just struck me as funny. Lets go on, shall we?) :)

I love a dress than can give good twirl. Not a wussy little fluff when you spin but a real, solid, skirt-outstretched-and-spinning-twirl.  And pockets. Pockets you say? Yes. Yes, pockets are most certainly important too and this Betsey Johnson dress has both. First, its heavy. It feels wooly and substantial. If, by chance, it ever dips below 90 degrees here in CA (and it sure doesn't feel like that is happening anytime soon), this will come in handy. I love it. You feel like a lady in it, and I love anything ladylike and Jackie-O esque.  I paired it with some Banana Republic heels that I have had for a few seasons ( I bought them in camel and black too-- and when I wear either pair I get compliments every time) and it is so cute.  I walked outside after I put this outfit on and I got stopped by a few people, commenting on this dress. Its so nice and its in my favorite colors.  I don't wear too many accessories because I like things really simple but this look could be jazzed up big time.  It is at Nordstrom right now (its not on line though, but here is one that has a similar fit) If you aren't already, follow me on Instagram and Snapchat (golddustandsugarlustl) . You may only see my dogs and my family though, so be forewarned!! Thank you for stopping by, sweet reader!! ❤️ Michelle