/ Que Bella

As promised, here are a couple more outfits that never made it to the camera for a full length shot.

I wore this when we took a trip to Dallas with The Boy to visit one of the Universities he is considering.
Andie Chino in Navy, 8
Silk Secretary Blouse in Hummingbird Floral, 8 (ebay find!)
Classic Schoolboy Blazer in Navy, 8
Cece Ballet Flats in Navy, 7
Michael Kors Crossbody

Crinkle Boy Shirt in Blackwatch Plaid, 8 (on sale!)
Cashmere Tee in Pack Green, Medium
Andie Chinos in Navy, 8
Short Chalet Shearling Boots, 7

Le Bal d’Hiver Tee (old)
C. Wonder Stretch Skinny Blackwatch Jeans, 29
Darby Loafers in Calf-Hair Leopard, 7
This has been one of my favorite pairings and can’t wait to duplicate it once the weather is a little nicer. This would be super cute for our casual Christmas Eve or even New Year’s Eve during the day.

Have a Great Day!

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We are back from my wonderful West Coast vacation and with the exception of our Denver layover, we had a great time. Layering was key for this trip and I really loved everything I put together and wore.

Travel/Day 1 – This was my airport/airplane look. I then layered when we arrived in San Jose.
JC Matchstick Jeans, JC White Oxford, Kate Spade Bangle, KS Glasses Ring, JC Cece Ballet Flats

Once we arrived in San Jose, I added my Factory Clare Cardigan, Excursion Vest and Printed Airy Wool Scarf. It was perfect as the sun went down.

Day 2/Shopping Day – I was alone on Day 2 and spent the whole day shopping and eating on Santana Row. Loved it! I visited my first Madewell store as well as H&M and C.Wonder. AND! I experienced my first blow-out at Dry Bar. That was a lot of fun and a great way to start my shopping day!

JC Silk Blythe in Polka Dot, JC Jackie, Ankle Toothpick Jeans in Dolphin Gray, Lexington Blazer, Burberry Scarf, Cece’s, Michael Kors Cross-body Bag in Gray (found at TJ Maxx), Alex and Ani Bracelets

The scarf was good for the morning and I tucked it in my bag during the afternoon.

I found these Alex and Ani Bracelets at Nordstrom the day before I left on vacation. There were so many to choose from but narrowed it down to these three. I wore these every day except the travel days so I didn’t have to mess with them through security.

Day 3/San Francisco Drive – We took the scenic route to San Francisco so I wanted to be comfortable in the car.

All J Crew: Pixie Pants with Tuxedo Stripe, Drapey Crepe Tunic, Excursion Vest, Cece Flats, Deco Necklace (new, in-store)

Day 4 – We had brunch and then were off to explore a little of San Francisco.

JC Merino Pocket Tunic, JC Toothpick Jeans, JC Lexington Blazer, Michael Kors bag, JC Necklace

I changed for dinner into the Medallion Tie-Silk Skirt and Tippi Sweater. I debated on wearing the Janey’s but since I hadn’t broken them in like I thought I would I stuck with the Cece’s. I added the Lexington Blazer to complete this look.

Day 5/Travel – Headed back home and though I really wanted to wear those Toothpick Jeans again I opted for something a little more clean.

Madewell Shirt, Factory Clare Cardigan, Cropped Matchstick Jeans, Cece Flats

I tweaked my packing right before we left and overall loved everything I brought with me. They all mixed and matched so well. My favorite item HAD to be the Toothpick Jeans in Dolphin Gray. Who knew they would be extremely versatile? I will have to get another pair. I wore them 3 times on vacation and am wearing them again today. I didn’t wear a few items either including the Janey Flats. The Cece Ballet Flats in Black were THE.PERFECT.SHOE for everything I had, even the dressier skirt and Tippi Sweater. 
The weather was gorgeous and how Gigi described it, cool in the mornings and warming up in the afternoons. Layering was so key to everything and the Lexington Blazer was perfect for this trip. If I was warm it was not too heavy to carry on my arm, or put in my 10 cent bag. 
Have a Great Day! As soon as I find some time I’ll post some reviews of Madewell, C.Wonder and Anthropologie. 
/ Que Bella

Husband and I are off to the West Coast soon, San Jose/San Francisco in fact, for a long weekend. Our last “grown-up getaway” was last September to put our toes in the sand in Mexico. I’m pretty excited as I’ve never been to California. Also, a change in scenery means a change in temps so I’ll be able to pack some items I’ve been waiting to wear for chillier weather.

For the Airport days, I’ll be relaxed, as I was for my Vegas trip at the beginning of the month.

1. Factory Clare Cardigan in Cabernet, Drapey Crepe Henley Tunic in Ivory, Cropped Matchstick Jeans, Cece Ballet Flats in Black
2. Drapey Crepe Henley Tunic in Black, Cropped Matchstick Jeans, Cece Flats

 

     
For the full days in San Jose and San Francisco, I’ve decided on a Black/Grey/Cream color story with a touch of Burgundy.
1. Drapey Crepe Henley Tunic in Ivory, Pixie Pants in Leather Tuxedo Stripe, Cece Flats

2. Merino Pocket Tunic in Garnet, Pixie Pants, Cece Flats

3. Silk Blythe Blouse in Polka Dot, Jackie Cardigan in Dark Charcoal (Old but Factory is offering this color.), Toothpick Jeans in Dolphin Grey, Cece Flats – I’ll also layer my Grey Lexington Blazer over this and carry a scarf if needed. The Toothpick Jeans in Dolphin Grey were a very unexpected love after trying them on in the store. I took my normal Toothpick Jean size of 30.

4. Factory Beaded Sweatshirt in Black, Toothpick Jeans, Cece Flats

5. Ruffle Collar Sweatshirt in Grey, Cropped Donegal Wool Pant, Cece Flats – I’ll add a necklace to jazz this outfit up for the evening and switch to the Janey Patent Flats in Black.

6. Tippi Sweater in Light Pewter (Last year’s version…This year has Heather Grey, which I love.), Medallion Tie-Silk Skirt, Janey Patent Flats – This is a back-up dinner outfit in case I feel like wearing a skirt.

Extras – Lexington Blazer, Michael Kors Jet Set Tote, Michael Kors iPhone Crossbody, Grande Crystal Drops Necklace, Burberry Scarf, Printed Airy Wool Scarf

I do plan to layer long-sleeve tees underneath the sweatshirts and use either the Lexington Blazer or Excursion Vest and a scarf every day. The cross-body will function as my daily bag and the Tote my travel bag.
As usual, I am taking a carry-on so I’ve made sure I can mix-and-match most items and can wear items twice. This also gives me a little room in my bag for bringing home any thing I pick up from shopping. I debated on bringing a heavier coat but Husband has assured me we will not be outside long at night. It would also mean I couldn’t pack it and would have to carry it over my arm on the plane. That would look a bit odd leaving the warmth of Texas. I can always make him buy me a new coat if I get too chilly or cold. 😉
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, where I’ll be posting my outfits. I hope to do an outfit round-up from both trips next week.
Have a Great Week!

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As the weather transitions from “Winter” to Spring here in Central Texas, we’ll see a range of temperatures from week-to-week and day-to-day. Case in point is this past week. These outfits are from  Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can see I’ve transitioned along with the weather from Winter-ish clothing to late Spring.

Monday I had some personal meetings after work to deal with some HOA things and it was chilly enough that day for layering. I went completely matchy-matchy. I started off with the J Crew Perfect Shirt in Medium Gingham, (Pink, 8,  popback here). I think I’ve stated before I’m not a “pink” person. I gravitate more towards the bright pinks like the Bright Dahlia, Neon Pink, Fuchsia but I saw this pink gingham shirt and imagined it immediately with my J Crew Bubble Necklace in Gray (new colors here) that I bought from a fellow JCA. And under my Black Cashmere Tee. And under my Blue Eden Blazer. And under my J Crew Cashmere Shawl Collar Sweater, Bright Dahlia, M (sale colors here). It’s a sign for me if I can immediately see an item with several pieces I already have in my closet. I added my trusty GAP Essential Jeans that I have had for about 5 years. I don’t know what I’ll do when they are so worn I’ll have to throw them out. They don’t make this style any longer and they are the perfect, almost trouser, dark wash, boot-cut, dressy jean. I added my J Crew Bronson Suede Booties (Anchor Gray, 7) that hadn’t seen any action this year.This is my favorite style of bootie. It is not a typical ankle bootie in that the leather/suede material doesn’t come up to your ankle bone. It’s like a scoopneck but for a bootie. I stay away from any booties that come up to the ankle or over it slightly because it cuts off my leg and I look stumpy. But when these came out last year I bought them in multiples – Suede Anchor Gray, Suede Black, Leather Camel. I wish I had bought the Suede Brown but I did find a similar Cole Haan in Brown leather so I’m happy with that. Though these are around 3 inches in heel height there is an interior platform, about a 1/4 inch, that makes these quite comfortable.

Wednesday was The Boy’s soccer game and the weather was quite nice. I had a few errands to run before the game and decided to wear my Kate Spade Suede Kiki Wedges. When I bought these I really didn’t think I would get a lot of use out of them. I had planned on taking them back and then realized I didn’t have anything that would really go with the Anthropologie Stilt Striders Skirt except for a perfect neutral shoe, like the Kiki’s. I did change to my Factory Cece Leather and Tortoise Flats (retail here). The Grenada Palm Cami (8) was also a “unicorn” item that I found on ebay last week at a reasonable price and in new condition. After missing out on this originally I realized I loved the colors and that the bow can be tied in the back or on the side. I don’t have a cardigan that matches the colors in the cami so I paired it with the Jackie Cardigan in Beechwood (M, new colors here). I was able to find my beloved GAP Cropped Boyfriend Jeans on ebay late last year but try not to wear them as much because I know they will eventually meet the same fate as my other ones.

And Friday…I found this amazing Michael Kors jersey dress at Norstrom Rack for $20, retailed for $100. I love the drape neck and it has some mild ruching on the left side. I also like that the sleeve is not quite sleeveless but slightly cap-sleeve. I added a little navy cami and my Kate Spade Kiki’s. This was so comfortable to wear all day long and I still looked pretty chic. To help with the little bulges I added some Assets Mid-Thigh Shaper. I’ve been happily wearing my Assets and Spanx lately as they really do help make clothes look and fit better and now I’m not worried about those little bumps and bulges.

So, as you can see the weather went from one extreme to another with sweater weather at the beginning and a lovely Spring dress by the end of the week. Today is cool so I’ll be wearing a long-sleeve tee and hoodie for The Boy’s soccer game this afternoon.