Zebra Print Dress in Portland, OR

A zebra print dress.  I didn't think my husband would like it due to the billowy sleeves, but he loves this dress.  This is in downtown Portland, OR on our family trip last August.

Zebra Print Dress in Portland, OR

Marciano by Guess 'Wild One Talitha' dress, ivory/black - Ebay.com

Custom earrings - Etsy.com

kate spade 'licorice too' pumps, black patent - nordstrom.com

Tory Burch 'Louiisa' Top Handle Satchel, Tan - nordstrom.com

I copied this dress from an actress on a daytime soap.  I've been a fan of "General Hospital" on and off since the Luke & Laura phenomenon back in 1980.  Their 50th anniversary show in 2013 sucked me back in.  I couldn't miss Rick Springfield returning as Noah Drake!  Now the show is my occasional guilty pleasure.  I have found myself enjoying a character that is my age, and I absolutely love her style. 

Photo credit:  I'm A Soap Fan Blog

Thank you, I'm Soap Fan Blog, for posting Ava's dress on your blog.  You have helped me locate several pieces from the show. The fashion of GH is truly my style inspiration today.

Long-Awaited Opportunity Outfit

I've been waiting all summer for the right time to wear this outfit.  Finally, last weekend I had the opportunity to go out to dinner with some great friends.  A wonderful time was had by all.  I long to wear clothes like this much more often, but with workout three days a week and kids, it just doesn't make sense.  I need to find more opportunities to wear my clothes.  It's making me crazy that I can't wear them often.

I have discovered the best-fitting skinny jean, ever.  7 For All Mankind High Rise Ankle Skinny has a 9" rise which works best for me. Watch them for sales at Bloomingdale's.  I got mine for 52% off with a sale price and promo code.

Long-Awaited Opportunity Outfit

Elie Tahari 'Chase' Sleeveless Silk Blouse, Aqua Dimension - nordstrom.com (saved all my Nordstrom Notes for this one!)
7 For All Mankind Jeans High Rise Ankle Skinny, white - bloomingdales.com
Halogen Lizard Embossed Patent Leather Flap Clutch, mint - nordstrom.com

Vince Camuto Pendant Necklace, silver - nordstrom.com

Cara Accessories Cutout Hinged Cuff Bracelet, hematite/gold - Nordstrom

MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Lady Nini' Chain Link Bracelet Watch, 35mm, Rose Gold/ Tortoise - nordstrom.com

kate spade new york 'licorice too' pump, Powder Patent - nordstrom.com

Diane von Furstenberg: Journey of a Dress Exhibition in LA: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Wrap Dress

I'll never forget the moment in Amerian Hustle when I spotted the first of several Diane von Furstenberg vintage wrap dresses seen on Amy Adams.  You see, I know the difference between the originals from the 70s and the ones made today.  The 70s version the hem is below the knee and have cuffs on the sleeves.  The new ones made today the hem is above the knee and don't have the cuffs.  I was really freaking out when I saw Amy Adams wearing the Twig Print dress that Diane von Ferstenberg wore on the cover of Newsweek in 1976.  

Back in early February I took my family to see the Diane von Furstenberg: Journey of a Dress Exhibition at the Wilshire May Company building in Los Angeles.  DVF is one of my all-time favorite fashion designers, and I was so excited to be able to celebrate the 4oth anniversary of the iconic 70s wrap dress.  The show was something pretty special.  The show consisted of many mannequins wearing vintage and current Diane von Furstenberg iconic wrap dresses.  The mannequins had labels below that indicated the year the dress was from.  There were large photographs of vintage ads, scenes in popular films in which the actresses wore the iconic wrap dress, vintage DVF runway shows, and photos of Diane herself.  Diane von Furstenberg chose to have this amazing show in Los Angeles over New York City. Thank goodness for that.  I just had to drive up a freeway.  

Here I am enjoying the show.  It was a chilly day so I didn't wear my DVF wrap dress. Now I'm kicking myself for not doing so.

If you're anywhere near LA, go see the show.  It's been extended through May 1.

Vintage ads.

 One of the Amercian Hustle scene photographs on the far left.

 I'm pointing out the magazine cover.

Diane's personal collection of Andy Warhol pop art.

I'm poining out the fact that my dress, the square tips pink dress I bought in 2013 - is here!  I wish I would have worn it.  Darn!

Birthday Earrings

My husband picked out these beautiful kate spade earrings for my birthday.  I couldn't be more excited about them.  He also got the matching bracelet, but I'll wear it another time when I'm not wearing the matching earrings.

Of the full-body shots taken the only decent one is the one below our babysitter took which included my husband.

I wish I had checked that my skirt was pulled down properly prior to taking photos.

I wish I had a better close-up shot to show the earrings.  Next time.

Birthday Earrings Outfit:

Vince Camuto Three-Quarter-Sleeve Peasant Blouse, Cobalt Blue - Macy's
Vince Camuto Dot Print Colorblock Pencil Skirt, Rich Black - Nordstrom Rack
Tarnish 'Lizard Chain' Clutch, Silver/ Gunmetal - nordstrom.com
Vince Camuto 'Basics' Cuff, Matte Black - Nordstrom
Cole Haan Basic Opaque Tights, black - colehaan.com
Cole Haan 'Markesa Air Boot 85', black - colehaan.com
kate spade 'on the town' drop mixed stone drop earrings, navy/clear/gold- Nordstrom

Spring Outfit in Winter

It was 77° F today so I decided to dress on the springy side.  I had a denim jacket, but I didn't need it.  I got some unexpected free time without kids, so at the last minute I decided to go see 12 Years A Slave all by my lonesome.  Afterward I went to have alterations done on several pieces of clothing I have not been able to wear for far too long.

I'm in a roll seeing Oscar-nominated movies.  I've seen four so far.  I'm on a mission.  I want to see all nine that are up for Best Picture.

Next time I wear this top and these pants I'll try with orange flats.  It would be daring to wear orange flats with teal pants, but hey, it might just work.

Spring Outfit in Winter

HUDSON Nico Mid-Rise Super Skinny Jean, Soft Teal - Hautelook.com
Trouvé Textured Sheer Cap Sleeve Top, white - nordstrom.com
Tory Burch 'Louiisa' Top Handle Satchel, Tan - nordstrom.com
Cole Haan 'Air Carma' OT pump, Sandalwood - zappos.com
Tinley Road Tricolor Cabochon Necklace orange, mint, cream - piperlime.com
Vince Camuto Bangle, orange - Macy's

MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Lady Nini' Chain Link Bracelet Watch, 35mm, Rose Gold/ Tortoise - nordstrom.com

North Shore Oahu, Wait List No More, LOST tv, Nordstrom Honolulu

This is a long post but I have exciting things to share!

Early in December we went to Oahu for vacation.  We stayed in a vacation rental house on the North Shore.  This place is heaven.  So quiet, so beautiful, so perfectly warm.  It's never too hot, it's never cold.  It was just about a perfect 81°F every day.  The waves crashing just a few feet away woke me up at night, but I didn't care.  It was nice to be away from the crowds of Waikiki, but it was fun to drive down there for the stores and hotel restaurants.

Three amazingly awesome things happened on this trip: 

1.  One afternoon while we were relaxing out on the chaise lounge and hammock, I received a call from our charter school.  My 4th grade son was number five on the waiting list, and they finally got to his number.  My 2nd grade son got in as well due to Sibling Priority.  There happened to be no one else on that Sibling Priority List so he got to by-pass that list!  Both boys are in full-time now.  No more part-time homeschooling!  No more begging my friends and family to wear teal on lottery days.  No more lotteries. 

2.  LOST was my favorite tv show.  The filming took place mostly on the North Shore of Oahu, and we were literally around the corner from many of these filming spots.  I had fun doing a little self-tour.

LOST plane crash site at Mokule'ia Beach Park, Waialua, only 5 miles away from our vacation rental.

At the LOST plane crash site:

I have a few more LOST filming site photos, but I'll only bore you with the one!

3.  I usually look forward to the Nordstrom Fashion Rewards private parties the first week of December at home.  Since I was not home during this week, I found out that the Honolulu store was having their party on a night we were going to be in Hawaii!  My husband and I went.  It was so fun to visit a Nordstrom in Hawaii.  I bought my much-needed flip-flops, or "slippers" as Hawaii residents call them. My salesperson and I with my two new pairs of "slippers" at the party:

This photo below is the only one I have of my entire outfit.  The lighting and focus isn't very good, but hey, at least you can see my shoes!  After the Nordstrom party we headed to Waikiki to my favorite patio for cocktails at the Royal Hawaiian.

Hawaii Outfits:

On the chaise lounge chair and LOST plane crash site:

Plumeria Sun Pareo dress, teal/black - Global Creations & Interiors, Haleiwa, HI
Tory Burch 'Thin Flip Flop', Tiger Lily - Nordstrom, Honolulu at Ala Moana Center

Nordstrom Customer Rewards Party:
Vince Camuto Three-Quarter-Sleeve Peasant Blouse, Cobalt Blue - Macy's

Nordstrom 'Lady Lux' Floral Stone Statement Necklace, Fanfare/ Hematite - Nordstrom

Vince Camuto 'Basics' Cuff Bracelet, Matte Black - Nordstrom

7 For All Mankind® 'The Slim Cigarette' Stretch Jeans, Black - 7forallmankind.com
Kenneth Cole NY 'High Polish' clutch, black patent - Nordstrom
kate spade 'licorice too' pump, Aluminum Specchio - piperlime.com