Windy City -- OOTD

It really felt like felling into an ice hole coming into the windy city. While the temperature is tolerable, the gusty wind is the real killer.  First day, other than going to restaurants to eat, we pretty much stayed at home.  My daughter soon got bored and wanted to go to the park.  We decided to take her to the aquarium today since it is indoor.  Boy, the line was long for a Monday.  The aquarium put a temporary tent on the stairs, leading up to the entry of the building to give the people waiting in line some shelter from the wind. My new trench was really put to test with this weather.  Other than my nose felt kind of sore from the wind, it kept me warm enough.  I especially appreciated the hood and the buttons that went on the way up.

Here is the outfit without the trench.

Here is one without the scarf

Details:

Cardigan: J Crew Cashmere Crew neck

Top: J Crew vintage top

Coat: Burberry Brit Hooded Trench with Removable Warmer | Nordstrom

Shoes: Hush Puppies Women's Avid

Jeans: Lucky Brand Jeans Lola

Bag: L.A.M.B. 'Dunkirk Marney' Canvas Tote

Packing list

Spring break is here and we are visiting grandparents.   Other than the busy security line at the airport, one thing I hated most is packing.  With two kids and one elopes whenever you are not watching, I need things light.  On the other hands, with kids, you end up always want to be prepared.  That means you have to shrink what your belongings to make rooms for what the kids might need. In a vacation, there will always be picture opportunity so I don't want to look too sloppy. According to the weather forecast, it is going to be raining on and off.  Not the nicest weather I would have hoped for.

Here is the list of things I am bringing.  I think I can interchange most items for an different outfit.  Not in the Polyvore is a graphic tee shirt.  Most likely I won't be wearing the skirt even though I wanted to.  The two key items are the overside tote where I can fit as much junk as possible.  The Trench is a bit of a splurge but with a hood and the inner warm liners, it can be quite versatile for the harsh weather.

I originally wanted  to bring the boots, but decided not to as it is not as easy to slip on as the booties and I don't have the room in my luggage.  With any travel, you always want to have the right shoes to walk on.

Packing list by inkmark featuring vintage tanks

With the large tote, I was able to fit the following in:

wallet and keys,
iphone,
Sunglasses
ER-6 headphone
Tea water bottle with Organic Chamomile tea and gochi berry
My daughter's security blanket... (She is 5 and still quite attach to it)
A bunch of chargers.
ipad



So what is/are the item/items you always bring a trip?

If you do a lot of business travel, there is an interesting tip at nordstrom.  I think it is fairly useful even for casual travel like mine. 

Chaos

Wow, time really fly by fast.  Last few days have been hectic.  Sunday we had a fun but tiring birthday party.  My rule in the past about birthday party is that the number of kids == age of the kid, but this time we broke the rule.  I think next year we should reinstate that rule.  The we get no room to relax because our bathroom remodel starts on Monday so we spend the rest of Sunday evening moving things out of our closet to make room for the new bathroom.  What a mess....

Last night when I get back, I saw how small the space is after the contractor gut out the 3 closets.  Our original plan fall out because the shower was on the way of the door.  The modification hubby and the contractor talked about created a lot of dead space and look awkward.   I almost wanted just call a quit to this project and make the whole thing a walk in closet instead. Then we had bought all the trimming for the shower and we will lose money for restocking if we were to return it.  So I spend all evening drawing out on grid paper to find the most efficient way to lay it out.  After I had my final drawing and I showed it to hubby and he said "You are a Genius!"  I think we are going to go with that.  I think that is part of living in the bay area, every inch counts and you really have to be creative.

With all the dust and mess, I was not in a mood for skirts or outfit pictures, so here is one from the past:

(Top: Anthropologie Deuxhill Cowlneck  Caridgian: J CREW femme  Bottom: Jeans: Arden B Skinny jeans)

Somehow I am always drawn to those big not to know what to do collar except I really don't know what to do with it other than just let it randomly hang....

So anyone grab any goodies from today's sale? I like those two items but I didn't buy.

Did you grab any goodies?  Please do share :-)

let's go to the zoo

Last weekend, the whole family took a trip to the zoo.  While watching the elephant feeding, one of the elephant started to take a dump.  It was "amazing" and "disgusting" according to my daughter's friend. It must made quite an impression on the kids, because this is what she draw. (see the orange dump on the green grass?)

Here is an outfit picture.  I finally bought the tote bag from Nordstrom  to replace my fallen apart computer bag.  It is big enough to hold my laptop and a few other things.  I may have to get a computer sleeve later to protect the laptop because it kept rub against my water bottle.

Top: JCREW cami Sweater: Anthropologi Breezy Dot cardigan. Skirt: Ann Taylor Lace skirt. 
Bag: L.A.M.B. tote

Look for Less

A while ago, Carol from In pursuit of Pretty Things brought my attention to these outfit ideas from Nieman Marcus.

Although the featuring shirt is a camp shirt, the Tornado Twisted Henley from Anthropologie gives a very similar feeling with the similar color and neckline and the button front. with a softer twist.  The small ruffles on the shoulder is a more feminine and the cotton t-shirt fabric is more casual. I preferred both feature with the anthro shirt. Another plus? It is on sale for $19.99 as opposed to $$$ from Nieman Marcus.  As usual I am not a tuck in person, but I think it would look good with a red patent belt with the shirt tuck in for a cleaner look.

Top: Anthropolgoie Tornado Twisted Henley (similar here)
Skirt: LOFT Printed Pansy Blooms Skirt

Sakura

Today is hot.  88 degree when I step out of the office. Hard to believe it is not even April. The Japanese weeping flowering cherry we planted last spring was in full bloom right now.

I wish the weather will last through the weekend, but the forecast calls for rain. 

Have you ever read a love story where the two lovers were made for each other, but then one of them are too high class and the other is too poor so they couldn't be together? A happy ending usually ends with after many years, with the change of the era or after a war, they finally met again by chance, or by destiny.

This how I felt about this medallion dress.  It is like a long love affair.  I got this dress last spring but return it because it was too expensive even for the sale price.  However I do like the bright lime color and the fit was good.  In the winter when I was browsing the sales, I saw it mark down to $19.99.  I pick it up without any hesitation this time.  It was cold and so it just sits in the closet, till now.


Dress: Anthroplogie Medallion Dress
Cardigan: Anthropologie bloom lattice cardigan
Belt: Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes: Seychelles 'Amethyst' Peep Toe Pump

OOTD: Glowing Leaf

When I first try the Bianka blouse, I bought the size 2 in black motif on line.  The shoulder felt a bit wide and the sleeves felt troublesome because it is hard to layer a cardigan over it.  With the two reason, I didn't quite want to pay for full rice for it.  My mom loved the print and rarely she liked anything I buy for her, so I gave it to her as a Christmas gift.  When the sale time came, I tried on a size 0 and love the shape.  I was on the fence about sending it back because green is really not my color and I was really hoping to find the black motif again.  Of course the black motif is long gone and the solid color seem to be easier to work with than a print.   Here is the result. 

Top:Anthropologie Bianka blouse Bottom: Anthropologie glowing leaf skirt.

I am starting some form of shopping restraint.  Not sure about the detail yet.  I don't want to do a shopping ban because it doesn't work.  The rebound is just worse.  Living in Bay area, we suffer the limitation of closet space and new cloth no longer bring me pleasure but headache of organizing them.  What has been the method worked for you in the past to control shopping urge?