April 26, 2013

Today was a great day when work overlaps with love...

I booked a field trip to an amazing millinery company owned by three time milliner of the year-

Louise Green

AND Louise Green gave the students the tour of her company that she created, runs and is the nucleus of all designs for the past 30 years.
AND Louise Green is the nicest, approachable, humble  entrepreneur ever!

I love hats; looking at hats, wearing hats, taking hat classes, trying to make successful hats.
I just love hats.
Going inside this 9,000 foot warehouse/manufacturing facility was like Charlie entering the Chocolate Factory! It was magical and literally a hub of creativity.
Note the spools of colored threads hanging from the ceiling!

Accessories For All!!

And in case you didn't believe how nice and fun Louise Green is- she insisted the entire class put on hats ( that each cost hundreds of dollars ! ) and take a photo with her.

Best field trip ever.

ps. if I hadn't just bought a new bike I would have loved to have bought a hat :(

but, now I have a reason to return :)

April 25, 2013

Hello sunshine. 

April has been very cold and colder so today was the perfect day for the odd combination of sweater and sandals. 

And this is VERY casual for work so I avoided my boss :)

But, I was feeling light-hearted because I stopped at the Buy My Bikes shop ( the owner is hilarious and we've been customers for over 20 years ) on my way to work to check on my order...

Best New Accessory

My new beautiful blue bike had arrived from Chicago.
It's my first girl bike in decades and my old legs are very glad at the absence of the bar across the top.
It's so pretty ( the bike too, LOL ).

April 23, 2013

Trying hard to rock the new trend of long sleeves under 3/4 sleeves. I don't know why I didn't wear a striped shirt? I know I meant to...

Accessory Close-up

New Michael Kors leather sandals with cool heel ( $12 at favorite resale store 1/2 price sale!!!! )
Fabric flower brooch from Road to California festival
Green mystery stone silver bezel ring made by me
Steel hoops from silver mall store
Silver bangles from Nordstrom

April 21, 2013

I think its been since Thanksgiving BUT, Hubster and I finally got back to what we like doing best on a beautiful sunny day... driving around aimlessly. LOL

Today we ended up in Seal Beach which amazingly I have never been to its quaint downtown. Had a super yummy fresh fish lunch at Walts Wharf.

Accessory Close-up

Circle scarf from Nordstrom ( first one I ever bought; must have 20 now )
New leather sandals from DSW sale rack in November- $8 !!! Love the color and style.
Bling package- diamond hoops and bangles from Hubster
Cool aviator glasses from Banana Republic in NYC

Fashion a 'la Mode

 April 19th was a really big day... and I had to be comfortable, fashionable ( but not stuffy ) and fun for our department's huge outreach event to high school students. Over 200 students attended our annual;

We start planning the event back in September and it's full of pre-event contests for Orange County high school students. Then the actual day of the event bus loads of students arrive and we herd them from one activity to another throughout the 6 hour event.

Lots of different hands on workshops...

Lots of a 'la Mode ( ice cream and toppings )

Lots of impressive high school fashions

Lots of great student entries from daytime competitions.

And so, so, so, sew, much more. 

Industry speakers, a fashion show, lots of great prizes, a DJ, music, oh my!!!

April 18,2013

Peek-a-boo...am loving the new trend of surprise cut-outs in garments. However at my age the only safe spots are my shoulders and upper back. Heck I don't even wear sleeveless garments anymore.

Accessory Close-up

Ancient leather boots from Loehmans in San Francisco
Weird wooden necklace in great Fall colors from Burlington Coats years ago
New weird metal bracelet from Whistles, London
Faux vintage earrings gift from girlie #1 years ago

April 17, 2013

Ended a RIDICULOUSLY busy day with an evening meeting at the city. Literally had 20 minutes to change out of my workout clothes into something respectable-this is the best I came up with...

Took this photo after the meeting right before I fell into bed.

Accessory Close-up

Faux leather shoes that I embellished with belts
Gold bling bracelet from Palm Springs
Gold hoop earrings that are different sizes ( oops! )

April 16, 2013

* Whining alert *

 Today I worked for another instructor in addition to my own classes so I taught from 10am to 10pm with one 50 minute break.

 But, I did love my comfy outfit ( new jacket $12 from favorite resale store )

Accessory Close-up

Brown leather boots from resale store in Berlin, Germany
Hoops from Nordstrom
Turquoise ring from my maternal Grandmother
Brown leather belt from favorite ( now closed ) San Francisco charity store

April 12, 2013

I'm looking a little wrinkled and crinkled because this photo was snapped at the end of a long day touring...

The amazing, imposing, fortress-like Oakley facility at 1 Icon, Foothill Ranch, CA.

This is a poor photo of the entrance to the facility which appears after you wind your way up a small hill and then POW; this absolutely huge futuristic building  dominates the view.

The tour and history of Oakley was really fascinating. Of course no photos were allowed in most of the facility but, I did snap this picture of the company namesake- Jim Jannard's Oakley Springer Spaniel.

Accessory Close-up

Leather ankle booties from DSW
Floral circle scarf from Nordstrom
Gold bracelet from Palm Springs
Gold hoops from Nordstrom
Bezel set seashell ring I made

...and of course I purchased some new sunglasses from Oakley.

April 11, 2013

My pants are a subtle houndstooth pattern and of course I wore a floral scarf.

I love all the current looks that are seriously mixing prints, patterns and textiles.

Long live chaos!

Accessory Close-up

New crazy bright scarf from I don't remember (!)
Faux leather  ballet flats with tassels from Paris boutique
Metal bangles from Bowers Museum shop
Favorite leather ring with ladybug
Steel hoops from Silver jewelry store in mall

April 10, 2013

My top is really shiny and embellished which is so outside my normal. But the price was right.

Accessory Close-up

Leather ankle booties from DSW
Bakelite bracelet gift from TD
Triple stack ring and turquoise ring both from Borrega Springs
Weird metal hoops from NOrdstrom

April 9, 2013

OMG! The sun is finally shining and I am ready for some spring-like weather. Am loving this lace skirt in a weird burgundy/brown color. Wore it with white since I wasn't sure of the color :)

 

Accessory Close-up

Brown leather sandals from Payless that are ANCIENT ( but I love )
Mixed beaded necklace from Aldo that seriously goes with about anything
Gold bangles that I've had forever.

April 4, 2013

Look at me I can balance and pose at the same time!

T.G.I.T ( thank God it's Thursday ) and my weekend begins :)

Accessory Close-up

Favorite black leather shoes by designer Dolce Vita for Target ( sale rack $7 )
New leather floral bracelet from Crafted, San Pedro
Reversible black/brown belt from Target
Silver rings from Mexico
Fake pearl drop earrings from Steinmart
New Celia Birtwell textile design scarf for UniGlo, London ( couldn't resist, I sewed it into a circle )

April 2, 2013

Wow, I love my camera but once again it washed out the stripes on my shirt. My shirt is actually white with purple pinstripes so with the bright red sweater and shoes I made a very loud statement today...

I think I was saying " I am bright! " 

Me and the clothes. LOL

Accessory Close-up

Red suede ballet flats with  a stacked heel from Zara ( LOVE )
Fake pearl drop earrings from Burlington Coat Factory
Fake pearl bracelet from my girlies childhood dress-up box
New favorite leather ring with ladybug from Crafted in San Pedro