Pondering Prints

{Written while watching--and still being confused by the purpose of-- the Iowa caucus} Hi beauties!  It's Tuesday of a week that is off to a brilliant start so far.   I wanted to share these darling printed pants with you and talk about prints more generally.  I am kind of afraid of things that are loud and flashy. I don't know- its just not me. I am way more subtle in my wardrobe choices, so my instant love for these pants was kind of an anomaly for me.  I think the key for  me to wearing prints is to choose a pattern in season appropriate colors (even though I am so dreaming of spring right now! ) and keep everything else simple.  A solid, classic color on top and for accent pieces and I am all set!   These pants are from Zara and I linked others below that are similar.  I think you can wear a print like this to the office, with either a long sleeve shirt under the sweater or maybe a blazer and be perfectly appropriate and professional. What do you think?  

And how do you feel about the election? Are you interested in politics? It absolutely fascinates me. When I was in college, I kind of thought I might get into politics someday. I am that person that watches it all and listens to it on the radio and just sort of immerses myself in it during election years.  I find myself a bit distrustful of the media at times and its hard to separate the accurate from the misinformation that is swirling everywhere.   Our country faces so many big issues that it can feel overwhelming and so polarizing. I try to remind myself that at the core- we are all people, we all have the same basic needs, the same hopes and dreams for our futures and our children's futures.  This helps me focus when these candidates seem more like monsters than real people!! 👹👺 Thank you so much for stopping by, beautiful reader! Sweetly- Michelle

Pants and here || Shoes || Sweater ||

Suit Yourself

{Written while obsessing over Giambattista Valli couture...you remember that huge pink tiered dress Rihanna wore? I may have been the only person who loved that dress but lemme tell you...I LOVED it. And there are more puffy tiered ones out there- black, grey and light blush pink. Can you say swoon?}

 It has been a while since I posted a nice suit.  I wear a lot of them to work but I find I am forcing myself to get back in the swing of things and wear them again. Over the holidays, the atmosphere at my office turns causal- and its hard to get back to formal office appropriate attire.  This is a little JCrew suit and I paired it with oxblood accessories, which is a first for me. I typically pair navy with dark brown but I like this color.  Navy is way more versatile than I ever realize and the same goes for these shoes.  I wear them with everything-- with the same color family or not- they really kinda pop.  I love this color but I wonder if it will carry over to spring? Maybe I will pair these heels with white jeans and a white tank. How cute does that sound? I know it's only January but I am so so ready for summer... sandy feet, BBQs, night swimming, dinner under the starts and all of those things that make summer the every best of seasons to me! How about you? What's your favorite season? Sending you so much love today! Sweetly- Michelle

Shoes || Jacket (similar)|| Skirt (similar)

Teddy Bears, Musketeers and My Top 3 of 2015

{Written while checking...and re-checking... my sole power ball ticket} Hi gorgeous ones! How about the sky lately?  Last evening had the most beautiful sunset – – anyone see it? It literally lit up the entire sky with cotton candy shades of pink. I love that. I want to tell you two things today – – all about my little outfit and some book ideas for 2016. 

First, this outfit… I saw this coat at Banana Republic at South Coast Plaza and I went bonkers for it. It is so impractical and something I might not wear too much here in Southern California, which makes it the absolute perfect item on a Christmas list! I described it to my mom with so much enthusiasm in my voice that she of course had to get it for me. I just adore it. I feel a little bit like a teddy bear, in the very best way possible. And then there are the shoes. You know I have a very unhealthy obsession with all things Gucci. Plus, I really love a sturdy menswear inspired loafer. These shoes just combine the best of both worlds. The heel is high, they're suede and tassled, and they will look equally stunning with a pair of jeans as they will with a pantsuit One of my guy friends thinks they look like shoes a musketeer would wear. WHAT?  How dare he!   I just love everything about them (also a Christmas gift from my mama, who by now is probably sick to death of my never ending wish lists!)

Ok, you all know how much of a reader I am, right? I spend every spare moment reading. Literally, when I am brushing my teeth, blow drying my hair, taking a bath, walking around the house, any and all those things… I have a book in my hand. I read very very very quickly. I always tell people that I think your reading skills are like a muscle and the more you use that muscle the stronger it becomes. I think this is why I read so fast and it's why I read a lot of books on my iPad because I can carry around a ton of books at a time (because I am frequently reading several at once) and I need that unlimited storage. While I will still buy certain books that I treasure in hardback, I really do need the the ease of an Ipad for reading my books. Anyway, I wanted to give you some of my favorites of 2015 in case one of your resolutions in 2016 was to  read more.  I tried to select books that might be universally appealing.  Here we go:  

• All the Light We Cannot See: This book is amazing. I circled and danced around it for a long time before buying it because the description on the inside jacket was not appealing. A blind girl? A German boy in the war? Trust me. It is incredible. It is the story of love and sacrifice and the always indomitable human spirit. 
• The Nightingale: Again, this book is sublime. It is the story of two French sisters in occupied France during World War II. This may have been one of my top three books of 2015, and maybe top 10 ever. It will teach you about the absolute terror and unimaginable misery that a human being can go through and still maintain hope and faith and courage and love. This book will stay with you for such a long time after you read it. It's amazing. 
• The Girl on the Train: This is a suspenseful thriller that tells a story through the point of view of three women: Rachel (an alcoholic divorcee), Anna (the woman Rachel's husband left her for) and Megan (a neighbor of Anna's).  When Megan goes missing, the story really picks up.   It is a page turner for sure with an ending I did not see coming!
• The Night Circus:  I read this several years ago but it gets honorable mention because it is on my list of favorites forever. I recommend this book to everyone. Everyone that believes in love and magic, that is. It is a book that will draw you in and keep you reading with anticipation until the very last word. It is the story of a circus that only comes out at night, and that is powered by two young and dueling magicians --Cecilia and Marco-- who were trained for this very purpose since birth.  And despite themselves, they fall in love and their story is so powerful  that it casts a spell on you.  And even when it's over, you will think about this book often. I love it. I think everyone who professes to be a reader should read this book.

Thank you so much for stopping by, my gorgeous ones! Happy happy almost Friday! Sweetly, Michelle

Shoes || Coat (similar; more linked above)|| Jeans || Sunnies

iMac Giveaway!

Hi beauties and happy new year wishes to you!

A group of bloggers and I have teamed up to bring you a fabulous giveaway you can't resist! We're giving one precious follower a grand prize of a brand spanking new 21.5" iMac and the second prize winner will receive a lovely Kate Spade handbag. By following as many bloggers as you want on the Gleam widget below, you will have better chances of winning! There are 125 ways to enter. Good luck lovelies!   

21.5" iMac + Kate Spade Handbag