Why Not Girl! Of The Week - Why Not Mix These Prints?

I am happy to share that my friend Penny from my moms group nominated me to be a Why Not! Girl of The Week!  Here's a little bit about the website that Forbes says is one of the 100 Best Websites For Women for 2013:

"Why Not Girl!, a website empowering women to try new things, live life as an adventure and say Why Not!"

Please see my contribution to the Why Not Girl website here:

Why Not Girl! Of The Week

BIG thanks to Penny and Lauren from Why Not Girl!

Here's a super casusal outfit I wore several weeks ago, but I forgot to wear jewelry because I was rushing..... bummer.

Why Not Mix These Prints? Two of the colors in the prints are red and white, so that's okay, right?  I'm really trying to get over my fear of mixing prints.  It seems that most mannequins I see in stores are wearing mixed prints.  

My hubby loves the second photo so I'm including it.

Why Not Mix These Prints?

Caslon Scoop Neck Tee, White/Red Fiesta Stripe - nordstrom.com

Milly 'Tribal' Canvas Tote, red/green combo - Nordstrom
NYDJ 'Hayden' Walking Shorts, Resin Wash - nordstrom.com

Bo'em 'June' Printed Leather Sandal, Bronze - Ebay.com
Essie Nail Color (on toes) 'In The Cab-Ana' - CVS
Chanel LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR (on fingers) 'April' - gift from most awesome neighbor, T

San Francisco Night Out

We just returned from a road trip to San Francisco.  On the way up we stopped in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey.  On the way back we stopped in Paso Robles.  We had an incredible trip. Here are photos from the one night we went out without kids and got dressed up.  This restaurant is right near the Oakland Bay Bridge.  The food, atmosphere, and views are top-notch. I would be so lucky to return to that place!

I wouldn't have wanted to wear tights considering it is August, but everyone knows the coldest winters are San Francisco summers!

Yes, my hair is straighter than normal.  I just had my very first Keratin treatment.  I think I'm in love.  AND in trouble.

You can't tell really above but I was freezing my butt off. I wish I had placed the silver chain bracelet above the beaded bracelet so it would lie on top of it better instead of slipping down to my hand.

It was super cold outside after dinner.  Had to wear my denim jacket to keep warm.

My husband is turning into a pretty darn good photographer, I must say.

San Francisco Waterbar Restaurant Outfit

Diane von Furstenberg 'New Julian 2' wrap dress, Square Tips Pink - nordstrom.com
MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Ball & Chains' Bead Stretch Bracelet, Light Peach Multi/Silver -nordstrom.com
MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Toggles & Turnlocks' Link Bracelet, SILVER/ BLACK DIAMOND - nordstrom.com
Alexis Bittar 'Miss Havisham' Medium Crystal Encrusted Earrings, Gunmetal - nordstrom.com
Cole Haan Opaque Tights, Black - colehaan.com
MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Lady Nini' Chain Link Bracelet Watch, 35mm, Rose Gold Tortoise- nordstrom.com

Kenneth Cole New York 'High Polish' Clutch, black patent- nordstrom.com

Cole Haan 'Air Talia' pump suede, black - 6pm.com

Lauren Jeans Co. Jacket, Tamara Classic Fit Denim, Nolita - macys.com

Dot Sweater with Bold Necklace

Tonight my family decided to have dinner out at the golf course near our house.  We love the food there and the atmosphere is beautiful.

Awhile back I received an email from J. Crew Factory showing a bold statement necklace against a simple polka-dotted sweater.  I wish I could find this email so I can share J. Crew Factory's photo.  No luck.

I've been on the lookout to copy their suggested look.  I think I did it.  At least I tried.

It's been so humid lately I have no desire to use my hairdryer or flat iron. I haven't worn my hair like this for 15 or so years.

 My boys love to dress nicely for restaurants.  Gap long sleeve shirts and khakis.

T is so serious!

Golf Course Dinner Outfit:

Factory polka-dot pullover / SMALL / NAVY MINT DOT - jcrewfactory.com
kate spade DOUBLE EXPOSURE NECKLACE, green/navy/gold - katespade.com
Blue Essence Twill Ankle Skinny Jeans, white - nordstrom.com
Paul Green 'Leslie' Sandal, brown - nordstrom.com
Tory Burch 'Louiisa' Top Handle Satchel, Tan - nordstrom.com
Seasonal Whispers Crystal & Metal Bangles, emerald green - birthday gift from amazing friends

Makeover at NARS Counter

I decided to clean my makeup brushes on a day that really wasn't ideal since I was going out to dinner later that night.  I cleaned them anyway because I knew if I didn't do it then I'd keep putting it off.  So of course they were not going to be dry in time.  I decided to go get my makeup done at the NARS counter at my local Nordstrom.  I love this brand of cosmetics.  I was given a small sample tube of an amazing product a few months ago:  Nars Illuminator.    I recently purchased the stick version, which I like better than the tube.  Some of the colors have uh, interesting names....

Here are some photos of my makeover taken by the amazing Nars sales associate, T.

NARS products used:

'Pure Radiant' Tinted Moisturizer (don't know the shade used, most likely the second to lightest one)
'Illuminator' in Orgasm
Beauty Exclusive for Nordstrom Anniversary Sale- 'Voulez Vous' Cheek and Eye Palette
'Pro Prime' Smudgeproof Eye Shadow Base
'Larger Than Life' Long Wear Pencil Eyeliner in Santa Monica Blvd (white)
'Stylo' Liquid Eyliner in Carpates
'Larger Than Life' Volumizing Mascara in Black
Lip Gloss (might be Wonder or Ophelia)

The Stylo liquid eyeliner is the best liquid eyeliner I have ever used.  I can't believe how easy it is to apply.  Previously I was using the Laura Mercier cake eyeliner which you have to wet and use a separate brush.  It never looked right.  The NARS one is excellent, I highly recommend it.  I know this post sounds like it is sponsored by NARS, but it isn't.  I just wanted to share my great experience.

Edited to Add:  I forgot and just added the white eyeliner.  She said it is used on the inside rims of my lower eyelids to open up my eyes.  I think it works pretty well!

Date Night Outift:

Trouvé Textured Sheer Cap Sleeve Top, ROSE- PORCELAIN - nordstrom.com
Hinge Jersey Tank, ROSE- PORCELAIN - nordstrom.com
Alexis Bittar 'Elements - Siyabona' Fern Long Station Necklace, PEARL MULTI - nordstrom.com (My husband picked this necklace for my birthday!  He did a good job)
Blue Essence Twill Ankle Skinny Jeans, black - nordstrom.com
Cole Haan 'Carma Air' OT Sling Back, Roccia Snake print - Nordstrom Rack

Resort & Redbook Magazine

Last weekend I had the amazing opportunity of having dinner at a Newport Coast resort.  I thought I'd try my new favorite printed tote as a bold statement paired with a simple black tee and white denim for a resort wear feel.

Resort Wear Outfit

Trouvé Textured Sheer Cap Sleeve Top, Black - nordstrom.com
Blue Essence Skinny Ankle Jeans, White - nordstrom.com
Alexis Bittar 'Miss Havisham' Medium Crystal Encrusted Earrings, Gunmetal - nordstrom.com
Macy's bracelet, Clear Red - Macy's
Cole Haan 'Air Carma OT', Sandalwood - zappos.com
Milly 'Tribal' Canvas Tote - green/red combo - Nordstrom

I am excited beyond belief to share that Redbook Magazine featured me along with other fashion bloggers wearing printed shorts for the August 2013 issue.   A few months ago they contacted me saying they like my blog and fashion, but they can't find any photos of me wearing printed shorts.  So guess what I did?  Of course I went out and hunted down a pair of printed shorts.  It was challenging to find bermuda length printed shorts, as I bought the one and only pair offered at nordstrom.com.

Here I am below on the right bottom corner:

Thank you to Beverly Like Hills for providing this photo AND for coming with me on the emergency shopping trip to find this amazing coral blazer to wear with the printed shorts. The caption says, "A straight, knee-length pair is very sleek in California."

Below is the original photo I sent Redbook.

Redbook Magazine, August 2013 Issue, Printed Shorts Outfit

Vince Camuto Diamond Jacquard Bermuda Shorts, Rich Black - nordstrom.com
Trouvé Double Scoop Linen-Blend Tee, White - nordstrom.com
Gap Pique Academy Blazer, Fire Coral - Gap
Stuart Weitzman 'Excise' Slingback Wedge, Black Patent - nordstrom.com
Alexis Bittar Small Donut Lucite Pendant Necklace, Gold -nordstrom.com
kate spade 'keswick caning' lever back earrings, white - kate spade
Tory Burch 'Louiisa' Top Handle Satchel, Tan - nordstrom.com

Please see my friend Beverly Like Hills featured in the right bottom corner in the photo below as she was also featured in this same Redbook Magazine issue for her amazing, stylish glasses!  Beverly, you look incredible!  Thank you so much Redbook Magazine for including me and my friend in your magazine.

Teal Tuesday

Thank you for wearing teal for us!  I think it brought us lots of luck because one of my boys got a really good Waiting List number at #5!!  So now we just need to get the three kids in who are on the Sibling Priority List ASAP, then the office can start calling the Waiting List and hopefully get to #5 sometime this upcoming school year.

My Teal Tuesday Outfit.  I decided to go with wearing teal accents with neutrals.

Sunglasses print to keep me calm, cool, and collected no matter what the lottery results ended up to be.

My nail color I had done yesterday after workout.  I decided to go with a navy for toes -- didn't want to overdo the teal nails.

Caslon® Shirred V-Neck Tee, WHITE/ AQUA COMBO - nordstrom.com
Halogen® Crewneck Cardigan, Navy Peacoat - nordstrom.com
7 For All Mankind mid-rise bootcut jeans, Rinse Wash - 7forallmankind.com
Roxy beach tote, Aqua Combo - Ebay.com
Bernardo 'Miami' thong sandal, navy - bernardofootwear.com
Zella 'Double the Fun'Headband, BLUE OCEAN SPACE DYE - nordstrom.com
Nordstrom Diamond Collection Heart Pendant Necklace, yellow gold - Nordstrom (anniversary gift)  
Deborah Lippmann Nail Color, ON THE BEACH - nordstrom.com

Now the fun part.... the photos below are of my friends and family who texted and emailed photos of them and their kids wearing teal to support me through this lottery.  Thank you everyone!!

My boys' cool teal track & field tees.

RC's beautiful metallic teal toes.

KF, AG, KT's beautiful teal toes.

 IT's cool teal polo.

MP-D, ZP-D, AP-D, SD's awesome teal hoodie, ribbons, and tee.

I love my dear friends & family.  Thank you for your support.  :)

Fashion bloggers, please post your photos or links in the comments.  Thank you!

Teal Tuesday on June 25!

Dear Readers and Fashion Bloggers:

It's Teal Tuesday on June 25th!  Please wear any shade of teal/aqua/turquoise as my good luck charm.   My boys have been entered in our school's lottery to be full-time on-campus students for the 2013-14 school year.  Unfortunately, there are no openings in any grade level, so all names pulled will be placed on the wait list.  Since they are in the Independent Study program, they have no priority in the lottery.  I am hoping the boys' names get chosen early in the process so we can be closer to the top of the wait list this coming fall.  Cross fingers at least one of them gets placed at #1-5!!

So please wear some teal and keep us in your thoughts.  Anything will do.... clothes, accessories, nail polish, jewelry.  On Teal Tuesday I will have a new post of me wearing teal.  In the comments, please post a link with a photo of you wearing teal.  If you know me, you can text or email a photo if you'd like.

Fashion Bloggers, please spread the word in your blogs.  I hope to see lots of teal coming my way on Teal Tuesday.  Thank you!!  

My dear friends KT and KF have kindly painted their toes teal.  Thank you ladies!