Fun day

I know I've been seriously introspective this week, so I decided to do something a little fun today.  I planned a date with my youngest daughter.  I needed an outfit that was appropriate for a restaurant lunch and the park, so I thought about this photo -

I am sure we all have button up shirts and pullover sweaters.  I looked through my closet and came up with this combination that I have never worn before -

When you start trying to put random shirts and sweaters together, the combinations could be endless.  You could even be bolder with the colors and patterns, because it's such a preppy look.

Dressed in our nice but comfortable outfits we headed off to lunch.  I know I've shown you this place before, but I have really been wanting to go back -

It's Flip Burger.  And it's nice and empty at 11:00 on Friday.

Of course, we had to start our meal with a Nutella and burnt marshmallow milkshake.

It gave my daughter a stomach ache.  Bad mommy.  We moved on to our meal.  I ventured into strange territory with the chorizo burger, which comes with hash browns and fried eggs on top -

It was so good.  The fries were useful for taking the edge off the spice -

Then I had to let my daughter run off her sugar high, so we visited Chastain Park, which is where I used to go as a kid.  It's much nicer now.  The trees are amazingly huge and gnarly.

Now it's time for a movie.

Consignment shopping continued

I visited two more consignment stores today.  First, I went into Fantastic Finds in Sandy Springs.  I saw this adorable Milly sweater vest (size M) -



It was probably originally priced around $150 but is now $31.  I would have bought it if I didn't already have a Missoni for Target zig zag vest.  A sweater vest is an easy way to add a bright pattern to your wardrobe.

Then, I saw this 50's inspired Ann Taylor jacket (size 4) priced at $17.50!

 

Someone needs to snatch this one up.  Very "Mad Men".

I couldn't pass up this Vince cashmere sweater for myself -

I will enjoy wearing it if winter ever comes to Atlanta.  (It was 70 degrees here today.)  After spending a long time in that store trying to limit myself to one purchase, I had a few minutes to run into Back by Popular Demand in Marietta and saw this cute Banana Republic clutch for $20 -

 

Let me know if you are looking for anything in particular, and I will let you know if I see it.

Atlanta style

When I was in Saks last week, I met lovely Madeline -

I love the fur scarf she is wearing over the peach Dolce & Gabbana dress.  We had a great discussion about "soul balance", and she topped it off with a graceful yoga pose -

Later that morning, I ran into another friendly lady at the Starbucks counter -

Her dress and jacket are so colorful and fun.



Her dress came from Virginia, but she said she has seen the brand (Deja Vu) at a boutique in Decatur.  I think the store may be Boogaloos.  Meeting her reminded me that I need to go to Decatur.  Hopefully I can take you on a little trip there soon.

Retrospective

I thought I would spend this month cleaning out closets and re-purposing and recycling items.  I started off well.  Before giving away a huge box of clothing, I pulled out one of my husband's suit jackets to turn into a vest for myself.  But I was slowed down by the padding, the lining, and the pockets...and then I quit.   I did buy a Diane von Furstenberg dress from a consignment store.  That's recycling other people's clothing - right?

I was so inspired by the art at the museum and elsewhere (which I will show you later this week), that I've been working on several art projects.  I was also inspired by my inability to find pants that fit to attempt to make a pair of pants.  So far, the process has been pretty funny.  Maybe I shouldn't have started with a pattern that included in the "skills list" - "you need to be able to assemble and apply angled pockets and construct a fly front opening with a zipper."  I've realized the reason I like photography better than sewing is that if you mess up in photography, you don't have to spend 30 minutes taking out the stitches. 

My inspiration for today comes from nature that I saw at the museum.  I think the bark on this tree looks like an abstract painting -

And the sun that day was just gorgeous and bright -



I will keep you posted on my pants and art projects, and I will definitely show you the DVF dress soon. 

Winter shoes

In Atlanta this winter, knee-high brown boots seem to be the most popular footwear -

I love this look, but seeing it everywhere makes me gravitate toward other options.  I like these menswear style shoes with the cuffed jeans and blazer -

...these green loafers with the light denim cuffed jeans (very 80's) -

...these ankle boots with navy tights and a lovely gray pleated skirt -

...and even these New Balance shoes -

What kind of shoes do you wear in the winter?

Around the museum

Leopard print coat and fringe bag

Around the museum

Wearing shorts in the winter

Around the museum

Stylish shopper

Around the museum

 Snow scene

Around the museum

Love.

Around the museum

Pop of color

More Christmas Week Style

I found some more cute shoppers today -

She is wearing a Rachel Zoe sweater and faux fur vest that she bought from www.qvc.com last year.  There are similar styles still available.



Her ankle boots are Dolce Vita -

I like the combination of the different patterns and textures that this girl is wearing -

The next girl's outfit is so colorful and fun that it is appropriate for shopping or for a party -

I love the pink Nine West shoes -

How is your Christmas style?

Christmas week style

Today at the mall, people seemed to be slightly more dressed up due to the Christmas season.  I found a couple of girls wearing really cute outfits.  The first one was wearing a cool color blocked poncho sweater.  It was an early Christmas present that her husband bought for her from Victoria's Secret -

It is actually on sale with free shipping today. 

The pattern on the next girl's dress caught my eye from across the mall.  She is German, so she has a cute accent to go along with her cute look.

And I love wedge booties that are flattering to the ankle like these.  She brought them with her from Germany.