Wine & Dine

Let's talk about the most awkward part of having a blog, blog photos!  Lauren, Kelly, Jenn and I have had numerous conversations about it. We are not models.  We do not think we are models. But pictures spice up the blog, so there we are.  My husband and I have fun with it, and we are usually laughing throughout the process.  I prefer photos with puppies, friends, or my husband in them, but it doesn't always work out that way.  So with that being said, here are the winners from this weekend.

This excited about taking pictures

Saturday was a perfectly PNW day - slightly overcast with light rain. My husband and I went to a local vineyard and then grabbed dinner, so I needed an outfit that could work for both.  I opted for a long tuxedo blazer and heels and then dressed it down with a casual white t-shirt.  Since I am always cold I never leave home without extra layers, and I brought an ombre overcoat to keep me warm while we sat outside wine tasting.  Cheers to not taking yourself too seriously!

Happy to have puppies + husband join in on this one

OUTFIT DETAILS:  LONG TUXEDO BLAZER // WHITE SCOOP NECK TSHIRT // BLACK & WHITE HEELS (SIMILAR HERE AND HERE) // OMBRE JACKET // SILVER PENDANT NECKLACE

#ClosetGoals

New Years is a great time to reflect on your blessings and brainstorm your goals for the next year. I got to spend NYE with my favorite people in the world, my family.  I also got to see one of my oldest friends, Jenn.  I've known Jenn since 4th grade, and I met her husband even earlier in 3rd grade, so it was great spending NYE laughing and catching up.

LORI'S DETAILS:  TUXEDO TOP // BLACK JEANS // SIMILAR BOOTIES // EARRINGS
JENN'S DETAILS:  SWEATER // LEGGINGS // BROWN BOOTS // NECKLACE

Part of my new year's resolution revolves around my closet goals for 2016: to wear things I really feel good in and donate the rest.  I gathered a pile to take in to a local foster care placement organization, and I know you can too! Here's a quick test to help you make the keep vs. donate decision:

1. The High School Test: If your highschool cousin shops there, then you probably have no business wearing it anymore.  That crop top you wore to your favorite college party?  Donate.  Your torn up Abercrombie jeans?  Donate.  Your Dr. Martens you've saved for sentimental value?  Donate! I know they hold some great memories, but you've got photos and it's time to move on.  In the wise words of Blink 182, "I guess this is growing up". 
2. The 12 Month Test: If you haven't worn it in the past 12 months, then you don't need it.  You've made it through all four seasons without wearing it.  Let's face it, you're not really going to miss that blouse.
3. The Fit Test:  This one is obvious. Maybe you've lost weight, maybe you've gained weight.  But if it doesn't fit, then donate it.  Someone else who does wear that size right now might really love that dress. 
4. The Feel Good Test: If you don't feel great in an outfit, then why keep it? Give your wardrobe a refresh and opt for a newer look that you feel confident in.

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then donate that outfit to your favorite charity and take yourself shopping for something that suits you better in 2016!

Happy new year!

Deck the Halls

Kelly is an amazing interior designer, so I always enjoy seeing how she decks the halls for Christmas or any other holiday.  I didn't have the chance to decorate much this year (teething puppies and trees don't go well together), but I got to enjoy the Christmas decor and tree at my in-laws' Christmas party.  Christmas trees are a good way to SPRUCE up a room (who doesn't love a good tree joke), and this tree was beautiful.  For the party I went with a versatile white blouse and jeans and paired it with sparkly earrings.

OUTFIT DETAILS:  SIMILAR WHITE TUNIC and BLACK TUNIC HERE // PAIGE JEANS // SIMILAR PEARL EARRINGS

I continued with the Christmas light looking tradition when we went down to Texas for the 2nd half of our unseasonably warm Christmas celebration.  I used to think snow was so beautiful and dreamed of having a white Christmas.  Then I lived in the northeast for a few years, walked to class in a blizzard, and shoveled out a car that was completely covered in snow.  Snow quickly lost some of its luster.  This year we had a pretty warm Christmas, and I didn't miss the white Christmas at all. This ombre coat was great for a night out light looking.  It can be dressed up or down and will be perfect for the light winters we have in the pacific northwest.
   

OUTFIT DETAILS:  OMBRE STRIPE JACKET // PETAL EARRINGS // BLACK BOOTIES // BLACK EVERYDAY TOP // BLACK JEANS

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Shop the look:

It's a Family Tradition

OUTFIT DETAILS:  MARINE LAYER VEST // KENDRA SCOTT EARRINGS // WEATHERPROOF JACKET // BANGLE BRACELETS

Christmas is steeped in tradition for our family, and Christmas light looking is one of my favorite traditions.  We pile in the car, turn on the Christmas music, and drive around looking at Christmas lights. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and Christmas lights are no exception!  The lights are pretty fabulous.  My husband and I extended the Christmas light looking tradition (minus the Mariah Carey sing-along) to our local zoo’s WildLights night display.  This zoo does it right:  600K Christmas lights, hot apple cider, and REAL REINDEER.  For a Texan with no real reindeer experience, it was thrilling to be in a cold enough climate to see reindeer (caribou) in person.  I went with a furry vest and comfy booties to keep me warm while we wandered around the zoo exhibits.

Christmas cookie decorating is another great family tradition we enjoyed with my grandmother.  She’s an amazing baker, so I look forward to those cookies every year. I got to volunteer this week at a local shelter decorating Christmas cookies with the kids staying there, so that was a good proxy for missing the decorating at home.  One of my favorite little guys taste tested every single jar of sprinkles, and his cookies were just a mound of icing and sprinkles.  He was a pretty happy camper, but I’m guessing he didn’t get any sleep that night.  Knowing I'd end up covered in icing, I wore my festive ugly Texan's Christmas sweater (Jenn would be so proud).

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas full of family and traditions!

Sweater Weather and Yoda

After a sunny summer and fall of hiking and exploring the outdoors, we have hit the cold and rainy season in the pacific northwest a.k.a. "Sweater Weather".  Sweater Weather is that magical time of year when I throw on a comfy sweater and boots and enjoy the indoor activities that this part of the country has to offer.  Think:  sitting by a fire with puppies (who would rather play than take pictures), trying new restaurants, visiting museums, and (my favorite) touring the impressive Gingerbread Village.  Each year chefs and architecture firms from around the city design and bake elaborate gingerbread houses, and the exhibit benefits a charity.  This year the Gingerbread Village benefited the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the theme was Star Wars "May the Holidays Be With You".  I saw all my favorites like Yoda, R2D2, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and there was even a gumdrop starship.  Basically I was in nerd-heaven and loved every minute of it.  Winter isn't this Texan's favorite season, but seeing a Christmas tree decorated in lightsabers helped to make the season bright!

   

Sweet November

I love November.  The colors of fall, the cool weather, the quality time with family, and the anticipation of truly beautiful holidays. Thanksgiving is of course a holiday highlight this month, but November is also National Adoption Month. I was able to volunteer this month with a great organization that matches children with foster families that could lead to adoption. There have been several adoptions in our family, so it was near and dear to my heart to see how families can form in all sorts of situations.  My own family grew over Thanksgiving when my husband and I brought home two little puppies. With the exception of potty training challenges and sleep deprivation that comes with two puppies, they are bringing us a lot of joy already!  

Living in the pacific northwest with cool November weather has made me a big fan of vests. Not only are they warm and easy to throw on but also they pair well with everything from jeans to dresses. The fabric on the brown vest below is so soft and makes me want to curl up on the couch with a good book and a puppy (or two). I paired it with old brown boots and grabbed dinner with a sweet friend of mine.  I also wore another comfy vest when my husband and I and took the puppies on their first walk in the park. Certainly a great end to a sweet November, and I have a lot to be thankful for.  Hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving!

"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough." Meister Eckhart

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

My typical Tuesday involves meetings, metrics, presentations and a late night of work. Earlier this month, I had a different sort of Tuesday though when I went to NYC for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The music, the outfits, the environment... it was all electric! I started the day getting my hair and nails done, so it was already the best Tuesday I've had in a while. Then I ran into Caroline from one of my guilty pleasure Bravo TV shows, "Ladies of London," at the hotel. I ended the night having dinner with one of my best friends in SoHo, so it was an all around great day I won't ever forget. 

I stressed out about my outfit, which my husband thought was funny considering the focus would be on the room full of supermodels, but I ended up deciding on this LBD. The outfits at the event ran the gamut from floor length gowns to jeans, so I felt comfortable with my decision. I can't wait to watch the show on TV Dec. 8 to see how they edit it!

OUTFIT DETAILS: LITTLE BLACK DRESS HERE AND SIMILAR HERE // BLACK HEELS SIMILAR HERE // LOOP EARRINGS SIMILAR HERE