OOTD and Homage to Brave

This was my casual Friday OOTD at my new job.  I like the fact that I am able to wear 90% of my clothes considering it's a pretty laid back leaning towards casual more than business but it's still a corporate setting so I can wear basically anything from dresses to trousers to jeans so I'm stoked.  Plus being able to wear my statement pieces is a major plus.

Shirt - James Perse from Marshall's

Necklace - Anthropologie (Old), one of my favorites.  This was originally close to $200 then got marked down to $99 which is when I bought it the first time but returned it.  We were visiting NYC months after and we crossed paths again but now she was marked down to $20.  It was fate, we truly belonged together.

Jeans - Gap always skinny, one of my faves.

Last Thursday I found this swing coat at Anthro for $100.  I was going to feature it on my savvy finds but didn't so here she is.

 I took the train to work but DH came to pick me up and surprised me with date night.  Brave and dinner.  This coat reminded me of her hair.

Picture was taken from the New York Times

Brave is another Pixar hit.  This might be the first Pixar movie or Disney movie that doesn't really have a Prince as one of the main characters.  I liked it and I cried.  Mother and daughter relationships are just complicated sometimes but there's always that bond.  It was made beautifully.  Is it one of my top three Pixar movie?  Up would be number 1 then Finding Nemo and this is tied with Toy Story 3.

Shoes - Rag and Bone from Nordstrom Rack

Salford Leather and Canvas Wedge brogues.

I've wanted these babies for awhile but the first time I saw her she cost $200 at NR original was $490 then we crossed paths again and she was marked down to $100 so I took her home.  Still $235 at other places.

Are you going to see Brave?

Camping

I've been MIA for a week and I'm been busy running errands before I start my new job which started on Friday.  It's a temp to hire position which I prefer. It gives the company and myself to see if it'll be a good fit.  I'll be working this week then off to Maui from July 1st-8th.  Crazy right?  Who takes a job then take off?  Work approved it considering Fourth of July is smacked down in the middle of the week so it should be a slow week and they'll just have a temp to take my place for those couple of days. So far so good.  Everyone so far has been friendly and I got a good vibe, they seem to be easy going.  

I took CalTrain yesterday and it only took 30 minutes, 3 stops.  I missed taking the train and I don't know if I'll be taking it everyday yet but I'll figure it out.  

This was taken the weekend prior at Grouse Ridge Trail, Nevada City, California

It was so hot so we took our camping chairs right on the water.  That's our youngest Knox. 

I actually got burned.  I applied and reapplied sunscreen and still got burned.  I haven't gotten burned since our trip in Turks and Caicos a decade ago and that's because we fell asleep without any sunscreen on.  The way my bathing suit is I am tanned on my shoulders and legs but my stomach was covered so I'm totally white on there.  I hope to even out next week on our Maui trip.

It was too hot for the Dude and so I laid out my sleeping bag for him.

We didn't do much except sat around and I'll let you in our little secret, DH and I are total geeks.  We play board and card games with another couple almost every weekend.  This time we were playing  The Settlers of Catan in the shade.

Our friends belong to an FJ meetup group and so there were a couple of people who were there just riding around.  This guy didn't check how deep it was and this happened.  He didn't have side doors on his truck so water also got in.

Last I heard his truck is totally dead.  It took two trucks to get him out of the water and wait to get towed out of there.  Moral of the story is you can be adventurous but don't be stupid, using common sense helps not to get yourself in these situations.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Savvy Finds Thursday: Donna Karan and Black Halo

I've mentioned before that I purchased a skirt from a store that has a pretty interesting concept well the store is called It's A Wrap! in Burbank, CA.  According to their website they pick up wardrobe and props off the sets of or out of the wardrobe or prop departments of major motion pictures studios and independent production companies.  On top of the rack says what movie or TV shows the clothing are from.  I saw plenty of TV shows and this particular one is from  Hawthorne which is already cancelled.  It stared Jada Pinkett Smith and Marc Anthony.  I really wanted to see a rack from The Good Wife because I like the way Alicia and Diane's wardrobe but they didn't have one.  I saw plenty of DVF and some other designer goods.  I'm surprised I didn't see much Anthropologie items considering they are all over TV.  I used to help stylists shop at Anthro for TV shows at the Grove and they received I think it was 25% discount, but that was long ago then they returned whatever is not used.

These dresses and type of skirts are my ideal work attire.  Great for work and cocktails.  

I really like this skirt even though it's a little long but super stretchy.

Dona Karan skirt from It's A Wrap! $42

Turquoise necklace from Marshalls (old)

F21 tank $5

Banana Republic Leopard pumps $30

I think this dress needs to be a little tighter around the hips area?

Black Halo Shriver Dress with leather sleeves Orig. $440

Purchased at Nordstrom Rack $66

Gold and Turqouise Necklace from Philippines

Donald J Pliner leopard booties

Black Halo two toned Jackie O belted two toned dress Orig. 390

Nordstrom Rack $56 which is weird coz others are still $150 I guess it's because it's a smaller size? which shouldn't matter but hey I'll take it.

Vintage bracelet

Nine West nude pumps

Total Savings of $710

Eat On Yountville, CA

In continuation of our anniversary weekend extravaganza we drove to Yountville, CA which is close to Napa.  We had brunch at 11:30 AM at Redd.

Anthropologie Dress Original price $248 Sale price $70

Pearl earrings and bracelet from Philippines

Vintage Belt

Tom Ford Sunglasses

Nine West sandals

While walking around I saw this.  People were setting up for a wedding reception.  I bet it'll be prettier when all the chandeliers are lit up under the moon light.

 Redd Menu  

Appetizer: Sashimi of hamachi, sticky rice, edamame, lime ginger sauce

We decided to share an appetizer instead of having our own due to dinner was in 5 hours.  This was light and refreshing which is a weird combo considering it's fish but the lime ginger sauce made it so.

DH ordered Leg of lamb on crostini with side of onion rings.

The lamb was so tender and really tasty.

 Crisp duck confit, crispy spaetzle, lentils and foie gras meatballs 

The foie gras meatballs was a little dry but overall I liked everything but loved the appetizer.

Had dinner at Ad Hoc, which is owned by Thomas Keller who also owns French Laundry and Bouchon bakery.  French Laundry was named the best restaurant in the world a couple of times and of course that comes with a big price tag, 9 course meal is over $200 per person which isn't really bad if you break it down but getting reservations can be an ordeal.  We've decided that we are going to dine at French Laundry for our 10 year anniversary so 4 more years to go.  Anthony Bourdain said, French Laundry is the best restaurant in the world, period, so for foodies like ourselves we have to at least dine at French Laundry once in our life time.

Ad Hoc is casual and the interesting part it is a prix fixe meal for $52 each person family style and one menu so everyone gets the same thing.  I didn't realized that when I made the reservations and I didn't like it, I'm all about options.  But DH is the one who suggested it and overall it's fine.

First up was a chick pea salad and cauliflower which DH wasn't keen on when we read the menu but he actually liked it and I don't like chick pea so I ate the cauliflower and it was OK.  Sorry, I forgot to take a picture.

Entree, pork roast with tomatoes, radishes, croutons and side of pickled cucumber salad

This was an option to be added and I wanted to compare it to the beef bone marrow from Marlowe, I liked Marlowe better but DH preferred this.  Bone marrow texture is weird it's like fat that you spread on the toasted bread.  I know it doesn't sound appetizing but it was good.

Goat cheese, orange marmalade, cashews and fennel salt

Monkey bread with caramel, almonds and scoop of coffee ice cream on top.  I've read on Yelp! that Ad Hoc is actually a buffet you just ask for more food and it's part of the prix fixe but we weren't sure and we were pretty full so we played it safe and just asked for a second scoop of ice cream which they provided without an extra charge but it could've been that they just gave us a second serving for the heck of it coz it was just ice cream and we were a little embarrass to ask if it's a buffet style so we're still not sure if you can ask to have the entree second time around.  Anyhoo, it was still enjoyable but next time I will def read the menu before making a reservation.

Linking up with Visible Monday and Thrifters Anonymous.

Eat On San Francisco

Our anniversary celebration extravaganza started Friday when DH announced that he is not going to work and we are going to go to the city and just hang.  Usually DH is off every other Friday but it's been a while since he's actually taken it off so I was caught by surprised.  We did what we always do, explore and eat this time in San Francisco.

Warning: if you are vegetarian then just skip all my food posts.

For brunch we ate at Brenda's Soul Food and DH and I shared this cheddar cheese polenta with chrispy pork and salsa.  I usually don't like polenta because it's bland but add melted cheddar cheese to it and it changes everything.

Some apple beignets.  They are huge and they come three in an order.

Thought this was interesting and there's a peek of DH

Close up of the flying books.

For dinner we ate at Marlowe

Brussels sprouts chips. 

 I've tried making this at home by taking brussels sprouts apart, drizzling it with olive on a cookie sheet  then roasting them and sprinkle them with lemon salt.  It was pretty tasty but next time I think I'll try it with truffle salt.  Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa also has a recipe for brussels sprouts chips but I haven't tried it.  Fun Fact: We are such foodies that our first dog was named after Ina Garten.  

Duck liver crostini.  This may be eek to some people but it was deelish.

DH ordered Marlowe Burger 

caramelized onions, cheddar, bacon, horseradish aioli & fries 

I had the Grilled Niman Pork Chop 

green garlic-creamed spinach, Italian butter beans & crispy salsify chips 

We were stuffed so no dessert.

Savvy Finds Thursday: Christian Dior and Parker

I'm always in awe whenever I see someone who thrifted a blouse or a skirt for under $10 acquired from Salvation army or Goodwill. If you visit my blog enough you would notice that most of my savvy finds are from Nordstrom Rack or vintage stores and not Salvation Army or Goodwill. Don't get me wrong I've visited my local Salvation Army but left disappointed and a little pissed off. A blazer by Anne Klein for $40 is not thrifting to me when I can go to my favorite vintage store and find a vintage St. John or Escada blazer for the same price or go to Nordstrom Rack and get a brand new Michael Kors snazzy blazer for $24. The Salvation Army and Goodwill in California is just too over priced. But when it comes down to it I am still saving plenty of $$$ and that's where it really matters.  I do however donate unwanted clothes to them or Savers so I am still donating but just not happy with their prices.

Even though I can't find deals at my local SA or Goodwill sometimes I do find something at Savers.

 The blazer looks kinda blue on the pic but it's black

Christian Dior Black Blazer from Savers

F21 Tank (old)

F21 multi pearl necklace (old)

Rada for Anthropologie 6 strands pearl necklace made in Italy purchased for $30 original $198? 

Savings of $168

This Parker skirt seems to have bigger pleats than the newer ones and longer but I don't mind.  I'm not at that age to wear short short skirts.  I first saw this skirt last year and I was lucky enough to find it back in February marked down for the third time.

Parker Skirt from Nordstrom Rack $71.50 Original $286

Savings of $214.50

Faryl Robin leather booties from Nordstrom rack

Original Price $250

Sale Price $20

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Savings of $230

  Total savings of $612.50 give or take

Here's a funny story. Last weekend I spent the night at a friends house while in Anaheim and woke up early to go to Jet Rag (vintage store), $1 side walk sale that happens every Sunday. I got up at 7:30 AM got ready and said bye to my friend by 8:30, jumped in the car for my hour drive and when I got there, their sidewalk was empty. Usually there are clothes on tarps with people rummaging through piles and piles of clothes. I sat in my car confused when I realized it's only Saturday. All this time I was a day off and sad thing about it is I couldn't go Sunday coz I had to drive back home early in the morning to make it for my friend's BBQ. Ugh, another trip without a vintage fix.

Hope you're having a wonderful Thursday!

Savvy Finds: Milly Dresses

Been home for a couple of days now and I'm just catching up on my sleep.  Monday was crazy weather.  I think Mother Nature is going through menopause, it was raining in June, in California, weird much?  This weekend is going to be lovely, Summer weather again just in time for our 6 year wedding anniversary.  Do you know what to give your significant other for your 6 year wedding anniversary?  I didn't until I did some research and found that an appropriate gift is iron or candy.  Well then DH surely got his gift, he just bought a Scion FR-S sport car in silver.  He had to put his name on the waiting list two months ago and finally got the call last Thursday.  He's been enjoying his new toy ever since.  Do you think 36 is too young for a mid life crisis?

DH's new wheels

We don't really exchange anniversary gifts.  I'm really hard to buy presents for because I get bored really easy and what I think is the best thing since sliced bread could be changed when I see something else.  The only thing we really agree on are DVF dresses and Goyard handbags which I reserve for my birthday in November.  Our anniversary is on the 10th but we'll be pigging out in Napa on Saturday instead.  I think DH wants to drive to Carmel on Sunday but that's still up in the air.  No matter what the weather is going to be pleasant. YAY!

Milly dress Size 2

 I almost didn't try this on thinking it would be too small even though I'm usually a size 2 in Anthro but I took a chance and fits like a glove.

Milly Dress Size 6

This just proves that I don't pay attention to size tags.

Both Milly dresses were purchased at Nordstrom Rack in Woodland Hills, CA

Original price $325 x 2 = $650
Nordstrom Rack $59 x 2 = $120
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Savings of $530


What are your plans for this weekend?
How's the weather like in your neck of the woods?