bLah...BlaH...bLOg!

What I Wore: Someone is an adult!

2011-11-03T22:47:00.001-07:00

Haven't done this in a while....how about an outfit post??

A staple that should be in every girl's wardrobe is......a pencil skirt. (Bet you thought I was going to say a skinny belt, huh??) This electric blue version is my latest clearance rack find, courtesy of the Limited. Tonight I celebrated the big 3-0 with all of my friends here in Seattle. That's right folks, on Monday I begin a new decade - a decade in which I think I have to officially be a grown-up. Fitting that I'd dress like a librarian for my party then right?? I was excited to get my fancy on, but to avoid looking too stuffy and office-like, I decided some bling and a pop of color were in order. J. Crew hot pink skinny belt and sparkle cuff to the rescue!

That is such a weird close-up picture of my arm! Sorry, I don't know how else to photograph my jewels. Here's another weird close up of my ruffled polka dot blouse and cardigan. Both are from the Banana Republic non-clearance rack. Oh well, cute none-the-less:)

Thank you so much to Briann, Christy, Medley, Stefanie, James, Kristen, Aleks, baby Ava, Reed, Jessica, Sarah and Ryan for helping me celebrate my Birthday. You guys are the best, and I look forward to celebrating many more of life's milestones together!

Color Blocking is beautiful, but brave.

2011-09-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

Color Blocking = a new trend when 2-3 bold colors are worn from head to toe, all from the same color family (ie. red and pink). I'm super intrigued - but not enough to try this on my own. These ladies look lovely, but I'll just live vicariously through them utilizing the world wide web, and allow you to do the same on my blog :) Happy Friday!

Talk about a period piece...

2011-09-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

Sunday Sunshine: Fall is Fast Approaching!

2011-08-28T14:49:00.001-07:00

Today's version of "Sunday Sunshine" will be a run-down of all of my recent purchases that are gearing me up for fall. Yes, FALL people. It is right around the corner, even if you're in denial. I too was in a state of denial, until I spent my day off last week at the mall. I am so wishing to hold on to every last stitch of summer, but fall is by far my favorite season for clothes. I've been perusing my September fashion magazines and blog-stalking fashionistas on the world-wide-web for seasonal inspiration, and it was time to put some of those ideas into my closet. Yay shopping! Below are my newly acquired treasures, with a little inspiration-sharing mixed in.

1. J Crew....aka, my mothership.

I swear, if someone could get into my head and see the dream styles I'd always wish to be sporting, they'd spit out J. Crew. Pretty much every window, catalog, display, and mannequin they come up with I use for inspiration. Now, I know better, but I went in anyway. And I am pretty proud to have only walked out with 3 things. 3 expensive things none-the-less, but I love them! First, this amazing orange was available in every piece imaginable, but I went with a simple tee. Easy to mix and match, will look awesome with my leopard print peep-toe flats, and will work well under my Apple blue :) I picked up the jeweled turtle pendant, because who doesn't love a bit of whimsy around the neck? And last but not least, this wool "city mini" in "bright dahlia." Probably will be rocking it with a cozy sweater, skinny belt, tights and boots.

2. Banana Republic....gotta love the clearance rack!

I swooped into the BR, and picked up this dress for about $35 after reading this post on "What I Wore." Amazing blog, serious style, and I'm inspired by her nearly everyday. This dress is a bit summer-y, but I'm thinking layered with a denim jacket, it will be perfect for those days that are near when our temperatures start to drop. I'll probably throw in a red accessory - I can't pass up the opportunity to be nautical :) Secondly, I found this pink blouse in the petites section for uber-cheap. I tend to find great deals in that part of the store, because apparently I'm the only one in Seattle with a short torso. Thinking about this with some dark navy skinny jeans.

3. Old Navy...sometimes a shopping trip is just about one piece!

After seeing this vest on 2 different blogs, both styled in a way I loved, it seemed like a piece I needed in my wardrobe. The first look would work for the remaining weeks of summer, plus she's sporting a skinny belt. A girl after my own heart. Check out "GS Lillian Daily" for more ideas. She's a bit eccentric, but has some fun ideas too. The second is a good transition idea for fall, as the vest is work over longer sleeves. And more mileage out of my leopard print shoes! Christine is a fashion editor in NYC (note the pigeon on the sidewalk) and her blog "My Style Pill" is a good read as well.

4. Nordstrom Sale anyone??

This year I was on a mission. I needed some grey knee-high boots. I've got a black pair and a brown pair, which I pretty much wear 8 months out of the year here in Seattle. Grey seemed like the next logical neutral, and I knew Nordy's could help a girl out. Grey suede, thick enough heel to be comfy at work, fun buckle detail, and how can you go wrong when the brand name is "Naughty Monkey?" Love the brand, and they always have funky shoes with fun details. Remember this pair?

5. Madewell....as if J. Crew wasn't enough?

J. Crew's sister store - ie. in the same company - is a little gem called Madewell. It is right next door to my Apple store, and due to the fact that I walk by it every day, I have developed such an affinity! Their clothes are slightly more urban/trendsetter vs. J. Crew's preppy/pretty, but I regularly find amazing pieces that, although are unique, I know I will have in my wardrobe for years. My first find was this gingham button-up shirt, so I could copy the below outfit idea (styled with a great olive cardigan and wide woven belt - cute!) I also purchased this sunny yellow cardigan, but I couldn't find a picture showing the best feature - elbow patches! Lace seems to be everywhere these days - and January Jones looked part-Betty in her black shirt - so I'm going to try and channel my inner-"Mad Men" with this tank option. And last but not least - an awesome statement necklace! It does look a little home-made, but let's be honest. I am not good at crafts, but I am good at shopping:)

6. Since we're talking about lace....Fancesca's!

How cute is this cardigan?? Looks awesome over pretty much any color. Score!

7. Who isn't inspired by 50% off the entire store?? Thanks Gap!

2 pairs of pants, 1 pair of shorts, 3 sweaters, 3 tanks, 1 dress, and a blouse for about $200. Who needs an employee discount??

Can't believe I am saying this, but I'm excited for the weather to turn slightly more chilly. Slightly! Especially tomorrow, because I have no AC in my house, and I'm definitely going to work up a sweat cleaning out my closet :)

What I Wore: Cute but Conned

2011-08-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night I had fantastic plans that were 6 months in the making. I was super excited to see Adele in concert, bought tickets online, and had an amazing dinner with a friend before the show. At the door, events unfolded as follows: Cute ticket-taker girl: "Um, I'm really sorry to have to tell you this, but these tickets aren't real." Me: "Excuse Me??" I said, my heart sinking into my stomach. Kudos to the Craigslist scammer who conned 45 of us into buying tickets to a long awaited sold out show. Note to self: Never. Again. I honestly could have cared less about the money we lost - but was SOOOO bummed not to hear her sing.

On a positive note, I did enjoy getting fancy for the evening. On a negative note, once home I was still reeling from my irritation, and brushed out my fancy do - throwing my hair into a top knot before I remembered to take a photo of my ensemble. So yeah, this is an on-purpose headless shot of me :)

I got this navy sundress from Francesca's at the beginning of the summer for $40. How cute is the all-over bird print? Love. It's got a great neckline, trimmed with some ruffles for extra fun. My lime green puff-sleeve cardigan is from Banana Republic about 2 years ago...an oldie but a goodie. I loved it so much I bought it in 2 colors. Do any of you ever do that? Do mulitples of the same item make it into you closet?

What else is new? I'm rocking a J. Crew skinny belt with this outfit. Hot pink patent leather? Yes please.

Is it random that I always take close-up shots of my shoes by sitting them on my desk? I never feel like I have a good shoe shot when I go to blog - so like always, I scrambled to my closet today and proceeded to complete a mini photo session. These gold gems came from Nordstrom Rack last summer. Typically Jessica Simpson shoes have a crazy high heel, or a ridiculously chunky wedge, but these were an exception, so they came home with me :)

And last but not least - this awesome flee market find! There is an outdoor market in Seattle every weekend during the summer, in an eclectic little neighborhood called Freemont. In the summer of 2009 I was introduced to the Freemont Market by my friend Summer - the same friend I was supposed to be attending the Adele show with. We found a booth called "Fun Junk" - where they were selling jewelry made from....well, junk! Typewritter keys, dog tags, old rulers, and as pictured above, vintage watch faces! Check out their website here: http://funjunkonline.com. Note: this is a legit place to purchase goods online....unlike my non-Adele tickets.

Because I like it...

2011-08-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

Because we all have different talents...

2011-08-02T22:33:00.001-07:00

Spectacular Spectacles

2011-06-26T01:55:00.000-07:00

Warby Parker. Google it now. If you haven't heard of this company already, I highly encourage some research on your part. I learned about this amazing brand from a friend at work the other day. They sell super cute vintage inspired glasses, and you can purchase frames and lenses for just $95! Say what?? Even more spectacular - for each pair you purchase they will donate one pair to someone in need. That just warms my heart :) There are some pretty impressive statistics on their website about the importance of access to eyewear. For example:

- Glasses can increase one's income by 20%. That’s the equivalent of creating an extra day’s work each week. Glasses are one of the most effective poverty alleviation tools in the world.

- 1 billion people don't have access to glasses, which means 15% of the world's population in unable to effectively learn or work because they can't see clearly.

And one more cool Warby Parker service? They let you try on 5 pairs for free! Yep. Pick the styles that interest you from the website, and 2 days later Mr.UPS will drop them at your door. You've got 5 days to gather the opinions of all of your friends as to which pair makes you look the most dashing. Then simply send them back with the pre-paid label - all at no cost to you. Whoot whoot! This is where you all come in blogger friends - I need votes! Post a comment for me with a vote for your fave:

1. The Langston

2. The Colton

3. The Sinclair

4. The Webb

5. The Finn

So far, Warby Parker has donated 50,000 pairs in over 36 countries world wide. Amazing. Click here for more info. Do it for your inner Clark Kent. You may not even need the cape to save the day - just the glasses!

What I Wore: Style Inspired by a Necklace

2011-06-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Oops, I did it again. Perhaps this could be a new love in the making? Typically I live for long pendant styles, but when you come across something like this beauty - you can't pass it up :) Who knew short necklaces could be such outfit-makers?

Clearly my addiction to all things Francesca's is growing. I of course HAD to take my Mom there for some shopping while she was here last week, and this $24 treasure made it's way home with me. She's so pretty!

I purchased a dress (weird, I know) from American Eagle about a month ago, and was struggling with how to make it look pulled together. It's not sunny enough here to just throw on a sundress with sandals and hit the road - our weather still dictates the need for layers. And in my book, if you begin layering, you've committed to creating an outfit. Original plans for my new necklace were to pair it with a denim jacket over the white dress, keeping the clothes neutral and the focus on the super cool turquoise. Fail. The denim truly looked like a jacket, not a layer (is any of this making sense? 'cause it totally does in my head) so the navy cardigan was a last minute substitution.

Aaaahhhh yes, the orange Banana Republic bag. A few years ago, I remember thinking "Why would I spend this much on a bag that is such a bold color? Shouldn't I get a neutral that will last me longer?" Negative. Neutral isn't how I roll. I took a deep breath, handed over the $$, and haven't regretted one penny of it. Hey....at least it wasn't as much as the the Hermes Birkin I've coveted for years, right? They do look pretty similar though :) The bag was equally as cute in yellow, which is the only color I could find an image of on the world wide web today. I'm too lazy to go take a close up of my own, so you'll have to use your imagination. Last but not least, I tied a Coach ponytail scarf on the handle for fun, grabbed my neutral wedges, and the turquoise necklace officially had an outfit to call home!

Celebrity Accessory of the Week

2011-06-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

I'm very intrigued by the hat tradition that they've got going on across the pond...mostly because my noggin is gi-normous. Hats don't EVER fit me well, so I have such an affection for these, as I like to call them, "side hats." Big-headed people rejoice! This style doesn't really go over the head...all it would take is mastering the perfectly styled tilt that could cover my equally-as-big forehead. Not really an option while living here though. I think people would expect me to speak with a much fancier accent if I sported this look while in the US of A. This gal is settling into her royal role very beautifully. Looking quite regal - and receiving my nod for celebrity look of the week.

"Side hat" Beatrice, covering a bit of the forehead....not the whole thing. I think someone could learn a thing or two from reading my blog :)

Jello Gams...

2011-06-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

Soooooo, who watched the American Idol finale and was SERIOUSLY coveting Carrie Underwood's legs? This girl. Who cares about all that singing! Let's discuss workout routines.

Come on....this is ridiculous.

I hit the gym tonight, and got my leg workout on in a major way. Now that I'm complete, rather than look like this...

I kind of look like this...

And I feel like this...

What I Wore on a Sunday in Spring!

2011-06-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

I've got to get a better photography option for these posts, but for now I'm using this make-shift "iphone/floor length mirror" combo. Not the greatest shots, but you get the idea. This was my Sunday church ensemble last week, and although the Seattle sun isn't out regularly yet, I figured why not look like I'm dressing for spring rather than winter?

This dress is from a dangerous little place called "Madewell." Dangerous because I want one of eVeRyThiNg in the store each time I go in. Shouldn't be a surprise, because they're owned by J. Crew, aka, my mothership. It doesn't help that Madewell is next door to the Apple Store at University Village. It's inviting me in each time I'm on my break! I fell in love with the fabulous shade of green, and the shape was pretty suitable for moi - v neck, cinched waist, and pleated A-line skirt. Topped with my white denim jacket, which has become a MAJOR wardrobe staple....thanks Gap:)

These wedges I bought 100 years ago at, of all places, the Dress Barn. They are a great neutral shade of beige, go with everything, and are uber-comfortable.

And of course, accessories! We all know from previous posts that I LOVE a good skinny belt. This cork and gold version comes from a boutique called "Francesca's" - and their stuff could not be more affordable. Raise your hand if you love a good deal?

Shop here: http://www.francescascollections.com/

This little gem was purchased on a clearance rack at Banana Republic (are you guys sensing a trend in a jewelry buying location??) about 3 years ago. Bottom of a bin, $7.99, and the perfect delicate band of coral to wear when wishing summer would come soon. Last but not least, my trusty gold "dangly" (is that a word?) earrings. I will wear these ALL summer long - so guaratneed you'll see them in future posts. Hopefully in a better picture...yikes, that's a close up! They're from Banana too. Weird, I know.

Celebrity Look of the Week....

2011-06-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

Ginnifer Goodwin is quickly becoming one of my faves. Evidenced here because she's rocking a bold color combo....girl after my own heart. LoVe lOvE LOvE this amazing green dress and quirky blue accessories. Plus, could her haircut be any cuter? And who can pull off ice blue eyeshadow outside of 1984? Apparently her. I guess I wasn't the only one taking note of her stunning ensemble. Check out Gisele in pic #2. I think she's saying, "Hey! Photographer! I'm supposed to be the one you're taking pictures of here! I'm the model." Thoughts captured in a photograph. Hilarious.

What I Wore, Theater Edition!

2011-05-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night, a few of my friends and I went to see "Mary Poppins" - the musical. It was a fun evening out at the theater, and I would definitely recommend seeing the show because of all of the entertaining dance numbers! I was motivated to get a bit dressed up and wear some dancing shoes of my own too. My accessories weren't nearly as impressive as Mary's though....remember how her handbag could hold a lamp? Show off.

Today's post is my first venture into photographs of my actual self wearing the discussed ensemble. These were taken about 4 seconds before I fell into bed, so no judging my photography skills. Also - pay no attention to my messy room. The yellow cardigan in the background was ditched at the last second for the red one instead :)

This is a new sundress from American Eagle - on sale for $25! I fell in love with the grey floral, and the shape is uber-slimming because of that nipped-in waist.

Plus, the grey gave me an excuse to wear one of my favorite pieces of jewelry...my little elephant necklace! You'll RARELY see me in a short necklace - but something this cute can't be passed up while roaming through the J. Crew Outlet. $18, and worth every penny.

My red cardigan is from, where else? The Gap. Best part about it? The official color name is "killer tomato." I want that job. Creating color names in a cubicle somewhere has got to be a great way to spend your day.

Pretend the pink trim in the below photo is brown, and you've got a close up of my bag. Also from the Gap, circa 2006....clearly an oldie, but a goodie.

And last but not least, my fabulous purple wedges from Banana Republic. These were the first shoes I bought after moving to Seattle. I was a doe-eyed girl soaking up all the amazing shopping there was to offer in my new home in this "big city." Practical? No. Sentimental? Yes.

Sunday (Shoe) Sunshine

2011-05-29T22:07:00.000-07:00

I bought these shoes...

For this much muhl-a...

So I can dress more like her...

'Cause she's where I first spotted them...

(look closely)

and I'm hoping this means Mr. Schuester's

abs will have a crush on me.

Woah.

What I Wore, Easter Edition!

2011-05-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent ensemble that I'm pretty pumped about. I'd like to call it "Make-shift Easter dress/oddly sporting black/LC copycat." And just to clarify, don't confuse me for the boney skeleton wearing the dress. Someday I will take your advice (hi Alicia!) and post photos of myself wearing all these looks, but not this day. For now you'll have to settle for the waif-like model instead.

This Urban Outfitters sundress nearly leaped off the rack towards me a few weeks ago. Odd - because the colors aren't those I usually gravitate towards (black is NOT a color of the rainbow). However, I loved shape of this little number. Anytime you can cinch the waist = good. Plus, the ruching and graphic print helped create visual interest on my otherwise least favorite drab "color".

I topped it with my Gap blazer, which is similar to this one modeled here by LC. I made sure to scrunch/cuff my sleeves too. A few "tweaks" to the styling of your blazer is critical to avoid looking like Murphy Brown circa 1984.

Nude Nine West peep-toe Slingbacks. Why? Well, frankly I'd had enough black, and these shoes make my legs look a mile long. We all know I need all the help I can get in that department. Vertically challenged, party of one.

My hair was in a high curled pony, again a' la LC. Pull the hair back loosely, ensure there's a bit of a poof up top, don't worry if it's slightly messy, wrap a piece of hair around the elastic to conceal it, secure with a bobby pin, and you're good to go.

Last but not least, an amazing statement earring in gold. When my hair is back, I love giving center stage to my ears (I know that is a weird statement) and these bad boys do the trick. Thank you Banana Republic for constantly having an amazing jewelry selection. You are single-handedly making me miss my employee discount of yesteryear.

5 Things Friday: Summer Goals Edition...

2011-05-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Today's blog post is full of things that have been on my mind lately. As we draw closer to summer, I've been focused on activities and experiences I don't want to let get past me this season. Read up - and maybe you'll be motivated to create some goals too!

1. To explore more of the PNW. I live in a beautiful state, and I haven't explored it nearly enough. I will spend some time this summer taking mini-road trips to places uncharted by yours truly, as well as visiting local hangouts that have garnered praise. San Juan islands, Olympic peninsula, numerous hikes that will land me on a beach, Sunday markets, sailing on Lake Washington, local parks....the list goes on and on. Hang on Liberty - we're going to put some miles on you very soon :)

2. To continue pursuing Pilates. I know I've said it before, but I really love this new found class at a studio called Barre3. I've almost become a regular - and just need to bite the expensive bullet and sign up for the long term. The instructors are amazing, and I'm really starting to see how this class could drastically change my shape and stature. But most of all, I love the way I feel after a class: long, lean, energized and awake. Not to mention, this will help accomplish a few other things: drinking more water, and wearing all of my cute Lululemon purchases!

3. To finish a bunch of books. Don't freak out Mom...but I'm going to try and complete some of what is on my shelf. Blog friends, you may not know, but I never read books. Magazines yes, books no. Much to the dismay of my Mother, who did all things right by reading to me regularly as a child, reading has probably been a least favorite activity of mine for years. Not sure why, but something is changing. I find myself purchasing literature regularly now, and would like to use this summer to complete, not just start reading some of my books. Note my use of the word "some." I know better than to commit to reading all of them....I'm sure I'll have to squeeze several amazing magazines in there.

4. To wear a lot of skirts and dresses...even under the boyish blue tee I'm in while at work everyday. I can hardly wait for the weather to cooperate, because my love of skirts and dresses is nearly busting out of my closet. I purchased 2 new options this week alone. Superficial alert: I'm a bit hesitant at my ability to still look cute while having to wear a uniform - but my goal is not to let the box-y tee get the best of me! I love a good girly skirt, and that's will continue!

5. To blog more. Regularly! This is super fun...enough said :)

Celebrity Look of the Week....

2011-04-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

There is so much I love about this. The skinny belt, the sleek clutch, the textured front blouse, the most pale shade of blue possible, but most of all....that amazing hot pink lip. Wowza! Emma - you are this week's winner hands down. Bravo!

What I Wore....

2011-04-19T09:31:00.001-07:00

This was my outfit of choice for a wedding I attended a few weeks ago. Spring is trying so hard to make an appearance here in the PNW, so I decided to help it along with an ensemble styled entirely around a sunny little belt.

One of my favorite sundresses from my years at the Gap. Unfortunately this pictures makes the dress look electric blue, but picture a lovely shade of grape....

Topped off with a cute fitted cardigan in grey - thanks American Eagle sale rack!

Cinched at the waist with this beauty from J. Crew. I have this in every color you would ever want to wear. If you're inspired - come over - I'll let you borrow!

I kept my jewelry neutral due to all the color going on in the rest of the outfit. Anthropologie never fails if you want something fantastic for your jewelry box.

And last but not least, my faux-croc-skin clutch from Banana Republic, in that same lovely shade of grape. You'd be surprised how many outfits this can compliment!

The ABCs of me...

2011-04-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

Sarah - if you're one of my readers, I'm totally stealing this super cute idea from you. Thanks!

Age: 29

Bed Size: Full

Chore you hate: Emptying the dishwasher-but putting away laundry is a close second

Dogs: Eh...love em or leave em

Essential start of your day: Snooze button, Raspberry Hot Chocolate, Jackie and Bender

Favorite Color: All of them, except black. It's not a color anyway

Gold or Silver: Gold as of late...(see yesterday's post)

Height: 5' 4"

Instruments I play: Piano & in 7th grade the flute. Matt has tried to teach me the drums, but I failed big time.

Job title: Manager of Apple peeps, Real Estate Broker

Kids: Maybe? One day? I go back and forth...

Live: Lynnwood, Washington

Mom's name: Deborah Rae

Nickname: Linds, LDub, Ward, Carla, Seester, Pumpkin

Overnight hospital stays: Just at birth....so far

Pet Peeve: Clutter, when people leave butter out of the fridge on purpose, naked toenails

Quote from a movie:

"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

-Harry, When Harry Met Sally

Right of left handed: Right

Siblings: One younger brother, plus one pretty special sister in law

Time you wake up: 7 is early, 8 is pushing it, 9 is comfortable, 10 and I've wasted too much of the day

Underwear: Always in a color or print - white is boring

Vegetables: Negative - no way, shape, or form

What make you run late: See "E"

X-rays you've had: Teeth

Yummy food you make: Sweet and spicy chicken for fajitas, tacos, nachos...I love a versatile dish.

Zoo animal: For some reason I love the hippos. Their teeth are intriguing.

What I wore....

2011-04-15T14:18:00.001-07:00

How about some random blog posts about outfits I've been sporting?

Why not?

Yesterday while braving the windy city of Chicago I busted out a nautical theme. For those of you who know me well - you're rolling your eyes and saying "weird" right now. Not surprising I know. I'm practically a sailor on most days. Hey - why mess with a good thing?

I've got the shoe on the right, in the color on the left...

Of course no outfit is complete without a bit of sparkle...

I recently returned a pair of designer jeans to Nordstrom, because these "curvys" from the Gap do me just fine, and my wallet loves $60 more than $150.

My recent splurge into the trend of rose gold jewelry. Love it. Wear it everyday.

Topping off the nautical theme-$12 at Urban Outfitters. Great for cheap jewels.

Celebrity Look of the Week....

2011-04-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is super simple - but I love it. Gwyneth has lately become a fave of mine in the fashion department. She knows how to push the envelope just a bit (check out that groovy shoe)...yet still look classic. What I love about this: the crisp, bold shade of white begging for summer to get here soon, the nude shoe making her legs look a million miles long, and the relaxed hairstyle coordinating brilliantly with the ease of her dress.

5 Things Friday: Color Edition!

2011-04-08T11:41:00.001-07:00

5 color trends you should try and embrace for spring - according to moi....

1. Orange! Gwyneth isn't scared of this citrus hue, however, if you're not feeling as brave, take note of the muted blush-ier (is that a word?) options a la' Emma Stone and Hayden Panetierre.

2. Yellow! Nothing makes a personality seem sun-ier (let's just call it what it is - I'm making up words today) than a bold shade of yellow. Bonus points if you go for a dark berry-hued lip like Reese, and who wants to be crazy and try neon like SJP? How does she make that work without a killer tan? Yellow seems even more cheer-y under that crisp white blazer Malin sports here while hanging with Kristen Bell.

3. Purple! Who are we kidding - purple looks amazing year round, but I'm loving it a bit more these days when paired with awesome metallic accents: jewels, bags, embellishments...take your pick. Even a bit of sheen in a purple fabric can give a dress a regal feel, demonstrated here by Selena and Carrie.

4. Speaking of metallics - they can pretty much stand on their own as a "color" in my book. Carrie appears again in this color category, and both she and Jen agree that charcoal grey with lots of shimmer can make a girl stand out. (Ridiculously toned legs don't hurt either!)

5. Red! Last but certainly not least, everyone looks good in this attention-grabbing color. Whether at the beach or on the red carpet (you know - for all those red carpet moments us non-celeb types have), red will definitely get you noticed. 3rd times a charm for Carrie here - and Malin is back too. Sometimes it pays to be a repeat offender, especially on the Blah Blah Blog ;)

Celeb, er, Royal Look of the Week....

2011-04-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

More like the celeb look of the last 6 months. Back in November, this navy dress by Issa was sold out within hours of William and Kate's engagement announcement press conference. Amazing what a little royal treatment will do. This look has many things going for it - its flattering, timeless, and the perfect shade to match her b-e-a-utiful ring. Plus her hair looks gorge, and how cute that the ring belonged to Diana? I'm obsessed. Clearly I'm not the only one...

How about some Sunday sunshine??

2011-04-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

Look at me - I'm on a roll! Seems as if someone is getting back into the swing of this blogging thing:) A few things that are makin' me happy these days....

1. Spring is trying SOOO hard to come to the Pacific Northwest. Hang in their Mother Nature! You've got a lot of people rooting for you, including me, every day as I leave my house. Thanks for reminding me of your valiant efforts!

2. Dress season! I am doing my part to coax the sunshine out from behind the clouds. Do you think if I just keep buying fabulous summer frocks our weather will get warmer faster?? Even if it is barely breaking 50, I get an "A" for effort - these 3 were purchased this week alone :) Option #1 and #3 look darling with a black blazer over the top and some sassy shoes. #2 is just calling for a cardigan and a long necklace. Yay for versatile pieces!

3. My job. Isn't is amazing what a difference a year can make?? I had a moment of reflection yesterday, when on my way to work I found myself feeling excited to get there. Wow. I love my team, I'm feeling settled, and most importantly, I'm feeling balanced. Work is not my life, but rather a healthy environment where I spend some of my time. Also, one of my most favorite people on the planet made the transition from Gap to Apple as well, and her first day is tomorrow. Welcome P! So glad we get to be in the same family again:)

4. Becoming an aunt! What what?? I still don't think the concept of my little brother as a father has completely sunk in. In my mind, he is still 12 at times, and rocking a bowl cut. He and Amber are going to be amazing parents, and this is such an exciting time for our family. Someone's going to kill me - but see what I mean about not picturing him as a father?? I clearly am going to take 1st place as favorite aunt - but probably not as a sister after posting this :)

5. Concert season is right around the corner! I am SOOOO excited to be jammin' out this summer. On the list so far: (we'll see if this grows...)

Sunny Palm Springs to see Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood and many more at the Stagecoach Music Festival in April.
Someone on craigslist please hook me up so I can see Adele on June 1st!
Tim McGraw at the Gorge ampitheater in mid-June. Pic below from a show there last year...what an amazing venue.
July 18th is Sugarland! All I wanna do-o-o-o-o...
2 days later is Katy Perry helping my live my teenage dream :)
Late July Valerie and I are trying to make B. Spears plans...perhaps in Vegas??
And rounding out the summer is Keith Urban in late September. Maybe we'll get this lucky again? Oh yeah....I totally took this pic as he was slinging sweat around!

6. Chi-town! I get to go to Chicago for a work trip next week, and I'm grateful for a little getaway. Yes, I'll be in meetings for most of the time, but we're staying RIGHT downtown, and I'm sure I'll find some time for shopping and dining at some local hotspots. Check out this fancy hotel I get to stay at! A Doubletree Hotel called "the Wit" that is super-kewl....

Loving the blend of turquoise and pink...they must have known a girl who likes crazy color combos would be coming.

If anything, I'll for sure check out the rooftop bar and all its fabulousness...probably with a coat on.

7. Bought this little decal online today for $8 - can't wait for it to arrive. Who cares if my iPad is going to look like it belongs to an 8 year old girl?

8. The Skagit Tulip Festival is here again! The real question is will we have a day that I can go see them where I don't have to take my umbrella with me?? Here's hoping.

9. My new mousepad....because it's cute and whimsical. As is pretty much everything at Anthropologie where this little gem was purchased.

10. Barre3. This new workout location has me hooked. It is a super-sleek studio, where they combine Pilates, Yoga, and Ballet into an hour long class that will kick your toosh. All the movements we do are ridiculously slow (ie. 4 counts down and 4 counts up for a squat), and my muscles are shaking like crazy for about 58 minutes of the total hour. However, when I leave I feel long and lean, and totally refreshed. Aparently this is Madonna's workout of choice. Better be careful or I might end up looking like her....gross.

Remember "5 Things Friday?"

2011-04-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time I was a bit more regular with blogging. I'm not promising to be better at this now - this morning I'm just looking for a way to avoid going to the gym. Done! Today's edition of "5 Things Friday" is made up of items I'm recently obsessing on....random, but true.

1. Adele. Do you know about her?? If you don't, you should. The boys in the technician room at Apple (really?? I know - I am surprised by them more and more each day too) introduced me to her hypnotic tunes. She can belt it out with the best of them, and I was immediately hooked! She is coming in concert on June 1st, and the tickets sold out in less than 5 minutes (insert sad face here). I am regularly scouring Craigslist for any reasonably priced way in. Not only is she a great singer, but she can do a fantastic cat eye and rock a 50's bouffant....now that's talent. On her most recent album, "21," #2, #3 and #11 are my favorite. iTunes. Go. Now.

2. Lululemon. Say what?? For those of you that don't live in the PNW - you may not know of this funky named company that produces seriously cute workout gear. I'm doing fairly well at my goal of becoming a more regular gym-goer (pay no attention to this mornings' exception), and if any of you are like me, I need motivation in the wardrobe department to get my bum out the door. I'm not a fan of the big baggy tee and old sweatpant look. Bleh. Enter Lululemon. Followed closely by rapidly loosing all my money. Wowzers, its spendy stuff! I did manage to find an outlet location and score some decent finds - however - I do work in a mall. I now find myself visiting their University Village showroom rather frequently....like everyday on my break. Danger!

3. Ally McBeal. Someone is late to the party - I know. Who knew this mid-90s show was so funny?? I was apparently too busy watching "Friends" to take notice. Thank goodness for Netflix. I love Ally and her quirky ways. I want to hate Georgia, but I sort of love her too. And the dancing baby? Sure, why not. I'm only on season 1 - but I know there are great things to come. Great things named Robert Downey Junior and Jon Bon Jovi. Whoot whoot!

4. Twitter. And more specifically, tweets from a snake. Now, I am not a news watcher - so I tend to pick up on big news stories from social media sites and entertainment blogs. This past week was no exception, as I learned about the Egyptian Cobra that was missing from the Bronx Zoo via a blog. However - the highlight of the story for me was the ingenious person (who still remains anonymous) that started a twitter account for said snake, and was "tweeting" his hypothetical - and hilarious - adventures throughout the city. For example...

Got a bagel at H & H Bagels on upper west side. When I ordered I said, "I'll have the snakes on a PLAIN." He did not laugh. Tough crowd.
Indiana Jones, why did it have to be Indiana Jones?
Taking the Sex and the City Tour!!! I'm totally a SSSamantha.
Forgot DWTS is tonight! Someone DVR it for me. Want to watch Ralph Macchio go down for what he did to Cobra Kai Dojo.
Dear NYC, Apples and snakes have gone together since the beginning.

Seriously died laughing all week. Do yourself a favor and check it out. (http://twitter.com/#!/BronxZoosCobra)

5. Perfect blush and bronzer combos/application. I used to be really obsessed with eye shadow. In fact, I have about 417 different bold eye colors that are no longer in regular rotation. Why? Summer (I hope) is right around the corner, and about this time of year in Seattle we are DESPERATE for a small ray of sunshine. I've taken to defying Mother Nature, and I'm desperately trying every morning to create a look that fools everyone into thinking I've been kissed by the sun. Benefit brand never fails me with an amazing blush color - and my recent favorite bronzer is by Bare Minerals. How do the Kardashian girls do it?? Jealous.

Look of the Week Wednesday

2011-03-30T01:35:00.000-07:00

Call me crazy - but this color combo is gorge! Normally I'm not a Camilla Belle fan (ie: Taylor Swift's CD, song #10, I think its about her...), but the girl can pull this off. I would look wack-a-doo, so I'll just live vicariously through those in a city of residence that is a bit more accepting of bold orange blazers. Something tells me the nerdy computer guys at work would think I'd lost my mind if I rolled in sporting this look :)

Celebrity Look of the Week....

2011-03-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about starting a new regular post, "Celebrity Look of the Week." Not sure where this ambition is coming from, since clearly I haven't posted regularly in, well..... ever. In typical first-born fashion, I guess I'll now begin holding myself to unrealistically high standards, starting with this beau-tee-ful coat worn by Hilary Swank. Hooray for grey! Especially when it is dramatized by amazing pleating and a fold-over collar. But my favorite element of all? That cheery scarf :) Love!

Medi-oscars....

2011-03-08T16:45:00.000-08:00

Sigh. This year I was so under-whelmed. Academy Awards night - you let me down. This is usually one of my favorite days of the year - but the fact that I got through 2 hours of Ryan Seacrest red carpet coverage, plus the 3.5 hour telecast, in only 1.5 hours (courtesy of my TiVo remote) should tell you something. I'll try to sprinkle a bit of love in the mix, but overall I must warn you, for the rest of this post I'm gonna seem like a meanie. If there is one thing I've learned from being obsessed with television, it's that America loves a judge who isn't afraid to throw in a bit of harsh reality!

This was probably the most-talked about dress on all of the fashion blogs I follow....but Cate, your dress looks like its infected with a skin disease, complete with growing lesions. Plus, the fabric behind that circular cut-out looks like an after thought (albeit a good one - topless at the Oscars is probably not the way to go!)

Two suggestions for Amy Adams: Cap sleeves are not the most flattering on you - strapless would have been 1 million times better. And the emerald jewelry gets sooooo overshadowed by the blue that it doesn't make sense at all. Stop with the crazy color combinations please.

The Vatican called. The Pope wants his robes back.

I thought for sure Helena Bohham Carter was going to take the "worst dressed" of the night, and then BAM....Sharon Stone walked in. I mean really, are you trying to be the Black Swan?

I love you Reese, but I don't love this. A little to "themed." The retro pony would have looked good with a modern dress, or vice versa, but you're kind of rocking the 60's vibe a bit too hard here. Plus, I think we've seen this before, only better. Here, let me remind you with picture number 2...

Too matchy-matchy Natalie. I really like your dress, and the color is beautiful. But please, why did your stylist make you wear earrings and shoes in the same exact shade? Could we get a little contrast please? Perhaps some metallics??

Scarlett appears to have hit the beach earlier in the day. Too bad she didn't have time to tidy-up her hair before such a big awards show! I will say this color is gorge on you, just like it is on Natalie, and is your one saving grace.

Speaking of gorgeous color - hello Sandra! However, once the amazing first impression of your dress wears off, you've left us with nothing. Necklace? Killer hair do? Sparkly bag? No, no, and no. I'm left wanting more!

I think Sandra and Hilary were dressed by the same stylist. Amazing first impression? Check. Boring do and no adornment elsewhere? Check. Come on girls...give us something! Not even a flashy jewel??

Speaking of flashy....Gwyneth lookd like liquid metal in this. Not all bad, because of her rockin' bod, I'll give her that. My issue is with the fact that her hair and dress are the EXACT same shape. Mix it up a bit! If any of you loyal readers remember, I had this same issue with SJP at the Academy Awards last year, but on the other end of the volume spectrum. Another reminder with picture number 2...

Academy Awards Mandy, not Ice Skating Awards. On a serious note, I don't mind the bodice part of this dress, but the bottom could have had a bit more cascading jewels on it to emphasize the "fade-away" concept. Without them, this kind of has a mini-skirt vibe. Plus, I can't quite deal with that ridiculously sharp part in her hair. A low, loose bun would have complimented the softness of her dress a bit better.

Way to go on losing all the weight! Not so way to go on smashing your girls. Color is amazing, ill-fitting neckline is all wrong.

Now we'll move on to mediocre Anne. She is catagorized as mediocre because her hosting was, well....annoying. I couldn't really take much more of her - but even in fast-forward her fashions caught my eye, and she sure did rock it in the wardrobe department.

Opening the show in Givenchy....

Turning all "entertainer" on us in a custom made Lanvin tux....

and those shoes! Let's pause for a moment, shall we?? Brian Atwood = drool....

Who knew Oscar de la Renta could do disco??

Might I say THE look of the night - electric blue Armani Prive'. Tell me, how did she get her hair from wavy to straight? Plus, she had red nail polish when she walked the red carpet - but not inside. Yes, these are questions that have been occupying my brain for a few weeks now. Lame, I know.

Last but not least, my (sort-of) faves. I love these girls for their simplicity. My complaint is that this is the OSCARS! Ho-hum should not be the goal, and although I like these looks, they don't really knock it out of the park. If you're going to go bold, go all the way (Scarlett and Hillary). If you're going to do simple, please don't be too literal (Gwyneth and Reese). These ladies do capture a lovely blend of simple yet appropriately styled.

Michelle: A beautiful dress, an amazing fit, balanced with a modern little pixie do. Could she be any cuter?

Mila: Lavender and lace, with some intricate detailing in the construction. See Mandy? The soft styling of her hair compliments the look beautifully. No harsh center parts here...

Its like Farrah Fawcett - red carpet style! See what I mean Sandra? If you're going to give us a fairly simple red dress, keep our interest with some 70's bombshell hair!

I told you. Don't you think I'm a jerk at this point? I'm like Simon. I say what everyone else is thinking. Don't lie....you'll secretly love it. Everyone can't be super nice like Paula :)

Until the next awards show, dawg.

Who am I?

2011-03-08T16:13:00.000-08:00

Here are my recent footwear purchases. Clearly I have multiple personality disorder from the ankles down....whatever.

Who's got a new do??

2011-02-23T20:53:00.000-08:00

Remember fall of 1995 when you and every other female ran to the salon and asked for this??

The "Rachel" - our mid 90's obsession with ridiculously crazy amounts of layers. Yikes. I had it, and don't lie, you totally did too.

Well - seems this girl still holds power over us by what she does with her locks. It was a gasp heard 'round the internet yesterday, when this picture surfaced of her new bob.

Pretty cute. Heck - I loved it when she did it the first time around.

Please! Who are we kidding? She's had us full of hair envy for years!

I wish I had enough energy these days to give myself a cute do....however, I've been following these directions.

Hey - Jen did it once and she looked fab.

Late....but worth the wait!

2011-02-10T22:05:00.000-08:00

Hello blog land! It has been quite some time, but I am, of course, back with a vengeance following an awards show :) I love a good Hollywood red carpet, and I also love forcing those in my presence to sit and watch with me. This year, we celebrated our Ward family Christmas in January at Matt and Amber's house in Arizona. I successfully roped the entire fam into watching 2 hours of Ryan Seacrest interviewing Golden Globe celebs , and provided my own commentary, which I'm sure they loved. Here is my full report on the good, the bad, and the ugly!

First, the not so great...

Scarlett. Only a profile-view can do this "Bride-of Frankenstein" look justice. Plus, how are we supposed to notice anything but your awful hair when you're wearing a matronly dress in a boring nude color??

Sandra. Cheer up please! Well....you actually may be cheery, but how could one tell with those curtain bangs in your face? My how quickly you've fallen - last year at the Oscars you were on my "best" list. This year, not so much.

Michelle. Picnic anyone?

J. Lo. Usually you are so fantastic. I can't quite deal with this shawl-type item that you borrowed from your grandmother. Plus, one of my biggest pet-peeves is eye shadow matched to an outfit, and not only are you matching - but you've done it with an annoyingly bold silver shadow. Double fail.

Christina. Woah. Toooooooo much. This would be one thousand times better minus that flower that has eaten your shoulder. Note to your stylist...simple! Shoot for simple please!

Julianne. For reals-ies? I have no words for that sleeve mishap. However, what distracts me even more are all those wrinkles in your lap! Yikes - bad fabric choice.

The "close, but no cigar" club...

Olivia. I don't think I even have to discuss what your one miss was. Such a bummer too - cause the rest is beautiful!

Natalie. I do have to give the girl props for taking regular fashion risks. I actually don't hate this, but I also don't love it. Pros: Highlighting the baby bump, the draping, and the pink/red contrast. Cons: Your lop-sided french twist, and the bag/lip/flower combo is too "matchy-matchy."

Lea. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You always have just ONE thing that isn't quite right. Your dress is full of ruffles and texture, which means your hair probably should't be. Contrast goes a long way, and I would have loved your hair in a sleek bun? Or perhaps a delicate pony? Either option would have allowed us to focus more on your gorgeous Oscar de la Renta :)

January. Excellent balance between minimal hair and a fancy dress (Lea, take note). However, I can not put you on the best dressed list for two very obvious reasons. On a side note, I was super proud of myself for identifying this as a Versace the minute she stepped out of the car!

Halle. I think she forgot where she was going?? The Golden Globes is a pretty formal awards show, and this dress felt much more suited for a premiere, or a bit more artistic and creative awards show like the Grammy's. But she's not on the worst dressed list because of that rockin' bod. I mean really....not fair! Can we be workout partners some time?

Emma. Here you are doing a great job of teaching us all how to get zero attention. Match your hair, to your skin, to your dress, to your bag. The only points saving you from the worst dressed list are those for the fit of your dress. However, the creativity of your look on a scale of 1-10? Negative 27.

Anne. Nothing horribly wrong with this, other than it looks like you stole it from the set of "Designing Women" - and the shoulder pads to go with it.

Angelina. Where are you going in this? 1984? Perhaps the "Designing Women" set with Anne? Only positive here is that we're seeing you in a COLOR for the first time in, well, history. Hence, you're not on the worst dressed list.

And the best!!!

Kyra. You get my vote for the most amazing color combination of the night. I LOVE the orange dress/turquoise jewelry combination! Plus, your simple hair and makeup compliment the volume of your dress and details of your jewels...nice balance!

Eva. Love it. Every bit of it! Perfect fit, good use of "bling" in the broach on your hip (so that the black isn't too boring), and I love the classic style of your hair and makeup!

Claire. Amazing! Beautiful color, tailoring, love the statement cuff, the low back was an interesting twist (although not super-visable in this pic)....the list goes on and on. You are quickly becoming my favorite red-carpet staple. Kudos!

A lot can happen in 6 weeks....

2010-10-16T20:43:00.001-07:00

Blog slacker, party of one. Time for an update because I've been lazy in a big way. You'll be reading the cliff note-ish version - because apparently I'm still a bit lazy :)

Early in the summer, you got to read about me bidding adieu to the Gap. Well, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I immediately felt so relaxed! My job had become way too high pressure, and was eating up so much of my time - and I didn't realize to what extent until I left. Perspective is a wonderful thing!

After a few weeks of R and R, I seized the opportunity to try something completely different and new. Most of you know by now that I went to school to get my real estate license! The real estate industry has always held a little spark of interest for me. The intricacies of the market, how to help people maximize their investment potential, and simply perusing homes for sale is so intriguing! I passed one of the hardest tests I've EVER taken on August 4th (I started school on July 5th, and set a personal goal of getting through it all in one month - I made it!) and haven't looked back.

Real Estate has been great. I have several clients who have entrusted their home search to me, I have been working hard on a marketing strategy, and I am making new contacts everyday. The best part? I am having so much fun! I can see a long and successful future for myself in this business.

About a month ago, I was having lunch with a friend and she asked, "Do you miss retail?" "No!" was my immediate and resounding answer. "I don't miss the mess, the fitting room go-backs, the unrealistic expectations....but you know what I do miss? Leading a team." Woah. That was the first time in 3 months that I realized something I won't get in my new career that I always loved about my old. Managing people towards one vision, recognizing their contributions, developing those that worked for me into their best....was I ever going to get that in the world of real estate?

Time for a brief back story. Shortly after leaving the Gap, I was contacted by a recruiter at Apple. I engaged in brief conversation with them regarding employment opportunities before I said "no thank you - I going into the world of real estate." I'd only been away from retail for about 4 or 5 days, and was not at all interested in jumping right back into the beast that I had recently broken free from.

Flash forward to the above mentioned conversation during my lunch date, and I was immediately reminded of the few things I was impressed by during my conversations with the Apple recruiter. "We value our people. They are the most important thing to us, and as a manager, leading and developing them is your first priority." Double woah. Was it time for me to think about how I could balance multiple jobs in order to gain satisfaction by utilizing numerous skill sets? I'm loving real estate, and I'm not giving up on that any time soon - but could I possibly find time in my life for Apple - and pursue numerous passions at once?

Well - long story short, I'm writing this blog post from a hotel room in Minneapolis MN - where I'm knee deep in the middle of 2 weeks of training to be a manager at the Apple store at University Village in Seattle. Hollar! From the above mentioned moment of reflection forward - things have been a constant whirlwind. I emailed the Apple recruiter, and 7 days and 5 interviews later I had a job offer! 6 days after that I was on an airplane to Minnesota.

All I can say to sum up is....I am so blessed! God's timing and provision in my life in the last 3 months has been astounding. I am so grateful for all of the prayers from my family and friends, and God has blessed me big time. I have 2 jobs - which yes - will keep me very busy, but I LOVE both of them. Work/life balance has never been one of my strong suits :) I honestly really enjoy working hard. My job has always been a big part of my identity - and I like it that way. When my work life it good, my whole life feels good....and my work life is GREAT right now. The excitement of real estate, the ability to help others achieve their dreams of home-ownership, working for a company that values leadership and developing teams, surrounded by people who love the Apple brand as much as I do....who could ask for more.

There you have it. My 3 month update in a nutshell. Time for me to sign off and go to bed. I need to be well rested for more training bright and early tomorrow. Plus I've got to save my brain power for really important things like.....how does one style a blue t-shirt to make it look cute?? Shoes and bags perhaps? Did I mention my training is happening at the Mall of America?

A Sunday in late Summer can only mean.....Emmys!!

2010-08-31T23:35:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again....when I seem to be on summer sabbatical from the blog, and the fabulous world of fashion inspires me to bust out my creating writing skills. Thank you Emmy awards, for creating one of my most favorite nights of the entire year. I love TV. I love fashion. I really love when the two are merged together for one fabulous event. It brings a similar excitement to Christmas (anticipating what opening each proverbial "present" - aka. limo door - will bring), yet it is also a day similar to Thanksgiving....lounge around and be lazy while watching TV? Yes please. I may or may not have watched E! Entertainment television for 6 hours on Sunday. Don't judge. Without the appropriate studying, I couldn't produce the ramblings below for your reading pleasure :)

Let's start with the bad...

Lauren Graham - why are you wearing a napkin on your dress? It looks like you're ready for a fancy family BBQ, and are highly concerned about dripping anything on your black dress. Her one saving grace? That amazing shoe. Love it. Want it.

Christina Hendricks - this is not the Wild Wild West. No one should have allowed you out of the house in a tight corseted bodice in that random spring lavender, let alone with all those feather accents. We get it, you're curvy. Please don't take the girl-y factor to the max ever again.

Mindy Kaling - where do I begin? Soooooo many things wrong. You are short, and piling your hair high isn't going to change that. You are short, and a tea-length hem is definitely accentuating that. Note to your stylist: generally there should be one, maybe two focal points in an ensemble. I don't know where to look here??? The crazy hair, the heavy lipstick, the dangling earing, the ruffles on top, the width of the skirt, the tuelle on the hemline, the list goes on and on....

Anna Paquin - really? Black draping? Matador-like detailing? Red carpet?? Did no one in your camp make that correlation? Yikes.

Rita Wilson - normally you are so stylish! I can NOT deal! Tom looks dapper, you look like a disaster! Space-age chandelier....

Now to the mediocre...

Tina Fey - you always seem to be just a little bit off. You were almost there this time. I love your hair in that cute little pony, the silhouette of your dress is amazing, but why must we have to read random hieroglyphics??

Heidi Klum - you must not have received the memo that you'd be required to sit down at the Emmys.

Lea Michelle - I really wanted you to hit a home run. I think you are darling, and hello, you're on a show that is on fire! Love the dress, it fits you like a glove, the navy blue is totally on trend, and your jewels are fantastic...but why the sloppy hair?? I would have loved some sculpted 40's retro curls, or even a low chignon with a side-swept bang. Bleh for down and boring.

And we'll finish with the best!!!

Diana Agron - stunning! How did you score Carolina Herrera for your first red carpet?? Pink and black lace is a great combo, and your hair and make-up choices compliment your dress perfectly. Sweet, but not 12-year-old-girl sweet :)

Keri Russell - way to go for sporting a bold color in the sea of black, white and navy. We all know I'm a huge fan of wearing bright colors, so of course you get a "best dressed" vote from me for this one!

January Jones - I love that you are a risk taker! Don't hate me bloggers, but yes, this is in my "favorites" category. I love that she always tries to get as far from the "Mad Men" style as she can when she hits the red carpet. The color is super cool, the hemline is interesting, and her hair style compliments the futuristic look of the dress appropriately. I know most of you are rolling your eyes, as I'm sure I would if someone tried to make me wear this, but this is a perfect example of how fashion really can be a creative display of a work of art!

Jayma Mays - one of the best displays of THE trend of the night, navy blue! This girl has impeccable style, both on and off of "Glee." Hooray for a good tailor, hooray for the non-traditional combo of a navy dress with gold jewelry (vs. silver), and hooray for your stylists on "Glee" - because yours is a wardrobe I covet weekly :)

and the best of the night....

Claire Danes! B-E-A-utiful! Perfect color for your sun-kissed skin, great job not overpowering the dress with jewelry, and I'll say it again ladies, we all need to befriend a tailor as demonstrated here by Claire! Hands down the easy choice for best dressed of the evening - love it!

Whew! Thanks for participating in my mini recap of Sunday's 6 hour telecast. You know that feeling when Christmas day is over and you have to wait another 364 days for the excitement to come back? Yeah - kind of have it now. Golden Globes, you can't get here soon enough! Clearly I love a good red carpet....

5 Things Friday....CyberSpace edition :)

2010-07-16T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hello bloggers!

Today's edition of "5 Things Friday" is perfect for this summer weather, because its all about surfing. Okay - surfing the internet - which as luck would have it can be done all year round :) I don't know about you, but I am constantly on the internet. I probably average at least 2 hours a day looking at random stuff - a phenomenon my mother and I have talked about - and that she will never understand. Although she may change her tune now that she has joined the darkside known as "Facebook". That's right - my Mom has 485 friends to my sad 296. I can picture my Dad rolling his eyes right now. Maybe the above sentence should read, "a phenomenon my father will never understand." Anywho - this post isn't about the obvious sites we computer junkies visit daily....facebook, email, anyone who still sadly goes to myspace, etc., but the unique and fun places I visit that I'd like to invite you along to!

1. www.houseofturquoise.com

This home decor inspired blog was recommended to me by Heather Wang (hi Heather!). It is published by a girl named Erin, and in her words, "I am obsessed with the color turquoise. I started this blog to collect inspirational photos I find of fabulous rooms that feature all of the lovely shades of my favorite color." Seriously beautiful photographs of people's homes - all somehow using the color turquoise in the decor. Below are some of my favorite shots:

2. Modcloth.com

This website has the cutest dresses! I'm sure you've noticed from my last few posts (because I've mentioned it 99 times) I'm on a dress kick these days - hence my new found love of modcloth.com. They've got so many different styles - vintage, retro, party, sundresses, cocktail, etc. - I want one of everything. Although I spend most of my time in dresses, there are some fun whimsical items for the home (check out the salt and pepper shakers below), and great accessories too. One of my favorite things about the site is the way they name their products. Examples below....

The "Sesame Candy" dress

The "Come Hither" dress

The "Miss Issippi" Dress

The "Count the Ways" dress

The "Windy City" dress

"Sew Cute" earrings

and "Peas Pass the Salt and Pepper" shakers!

3. People.com

Because I'm shallow, and I need to know what Carrie Underwood's workout routine is, how many kids Brangelina are going to adopt this year, and which Starbucks barefoot Britney has been spotted at this week. Go ahead - comment all you want, but did you know Tori Spelling's husband was in ICU before I did? I don't think so. Now whether or not you care is a different story....

4. google.com/reader

This is an amazing tool that google offers where you can "subscribe" to the blogs you'd like to follow. Rather than be-bop all over the internet checking to see if your friends and family have provided you with a new post to read - all you have to do is check one spot - Google reader! Basically you tell them the blogs you'd like to check, and bam! Any and all new posts by your peeps are in one spot. Love it. For practice, go subscribe to the "Blah Blah Blog" right now!

5. Seattlehome.com

As if I have 1 million dollars to spare, I'm always looking at home listings. There are so many fabulous homes on the market in our area - and in my dreams I am a real estate investor. I am so intrigued by real estate - types, costs, locations, remodels - you name it and I'm hooked. For this same reason, if I'm not on the computer, I can typically be found infront of HGTV:) It is really fun to check out the listings on this site - whether millions of dollars, or on the verge of affordable, I set up different searches to see what's out there just about every day. Look at these gems I found today...

Only 3.9 million - what a steal!

Okay - something a bit smaller perhaps?

Very cute - and only $995,000!

One can dream right? Oh, and browsing the website is free :)

Have a fantastic weekend bloggers!

Nostalgia courtesy of "Lifetime"

2010-07-07T22:21:00.001-07:00

Kind of makes me miss it. Maybe I'll start wearing a bow in my hair again...since I'm sure that's about all I could do!