Worth the Wait

“How much further is it?  It seems like we have gone in a circle.” sighs my husband as we walk.

I glance down at my phone and realize I asked for driving directions, not walking directions.  We have, in fact, made almost a complete circle.  Before he sees the metro station where we originally started  I say “Let me refresh the GPS.”

“How much further?” my son asks.

“Let’s stop for a minute and get a cold drink.” We duck into a cafe and order two iced teas and an Orangina.

As we cool off I say “It’s really close and I promise not to take too long.  I just really want to see it.”

“OK.”

“We can catch the metro back to the hotel without a transfer.  We will be back in no time.”

We set out again.  This time I am careful to click the walking icon.  We walk for a few minutes and I spot it on the corner.  There is a line to get in and a cute set up with water and coffee.  My husband spots the line and sighs loudly.  Luckily it only takes a few minutes.  My boys sit in the shoe area until a man comes over and invites them to go downstairs.  I look around and notice the line for the fitting room is long as is the check out.

A few minutes later I get a text from my husband “Take your time.  We have snacks.  There is a movie down here.” Whoever came up with the idea to have a “Cinema” in the basement was a genius.  Most of my shopping on this trip has been solo in the late afternoon when my boys have their required siesta, but now I don’t feel pressured and rushed.

I look at the blouses and spot one I love.  I ask for my size.  A few agonizing minutes later the sales lady returns. I caress it and I go to brace the dressing room line.  It is now much shorter.  I try it on. We are a match.  I happen to be wearing white denim; the blouse’s length and ecru color are perfect.

I text my husband to make sure they are still OK.  I get in line and debate whether or not to add a couple of clutches as well.  Just as I get to the cashier, my husband and son emerge from “the cinema” downstairs.

The lace top (which is now sold out – I have linked a few great options below) was worth the walk and the wait.  I was thrilled to check out Sezane at L’Appartement in Paris. My husband and son enjoyed their rest in the cinema. It was the perfect spot on our last day in Paris after logging well over 100k steps

For a recent lunch in La Jolla, I styled the top with white denim, my Ark bag, sunglasses and denim slides.

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Lace top (similar here, here, here, here and here)

Denim Mules

Sunglasses

White Denim

Cult Gaia Ark bag in Large (also here).

Happy Styling!

XO,

JAE

Riding into Summer

School is out for the summer!  Yesterday my son and I attended a very fun second grade end of the year party complete with karaoke, a scavenger hunt and water balloons.  My son sang “Fireball”.  One of the mom’s who also has a sixth grader reminded me to savor these moments as this time and this grade is simple, innocent and most of all fleeting.  I look forward to summer adventures with my third grader, but I can’t help but wonder where my preschooler went.  I remember him striding into his last day of Pre-K like it was yesterday and yet he’s grown almost a foot and achieved so many milestones. The days can be long, but the years fly by.  I am hoping to slow down and savor a lot of fun moments and make some great summer memories.

Details on this look below.

saintlaurent-cultgaia-carrieforbes-agjeans-jcrew-wit+wisdom

Denim Jacket

Sunglasses (also here)

Striped Tee

Bag

Sandals

White Denim

Happy Summer!

XO,

JAE

Canadian Tuxedo

I have Bing Crosby to thank for this look.  The expression “Canadian Tuxedo” is due to Bing being refused service at a hotel in Vancouver, BC due to his all denim ensemble.  Levi’s heard about it and presented him a tuxedo made of denim.

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I have worn denim on denim a couple of times (here and here), but I have never paired a denim jacket with denim.  I was wearing this denim jacket with colored denim when I tried on these slim boyfriend jeans and I loved the look so much I left the store in my new jeans.  It brought back cutting the tag in the dressing room with my mom when I was a kid (and what my son often does as he is so excited to wear his new item).  That look included a striped shirt and striped flats.

For this look, I added heels, leopard print and my beloved Luna bag.

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Denim Jacket

Leopard Tee (similar here, here and here)

AG Ex_Boyfriend Slim Jeans

Luna Bag (also here)

Sandals (these and these would also be cute)

Happy Styling!

XO,

JAE

40 Days and Counting

“It takes 40 days to really make a change” I heard recently.  That spurred me to blow past the 28 shopping detox challenge I set for myself at the end of the year.  I made it to  40 days almost a week ago.  Today I almost bought myself a pair of jeans when I was shopping for Valentine’s gifts for my family.  Before you say “wait a minute, I thought you said no shopping.”, remember the challenge included clothes (for me), shoes, purses and cosmetics.  I have not done much shopping for my family.  I love these AG 360 Prima jeans (pictured below).  They are so comfortable.  I was thrilled to find out they have the 360 in my husband’s favorite cut, the Graduate.  I picked up a couple of pairs for him and was tempted by this Middi cut for me.  I decided to wait.

I am also tempted by a few new arrivals from J. Crew and I did just receive my reward card in the mail…so the detox may end soon.  I have my eye on this embroidered top, this floral tank, this Liberty popover,  and these sandals.

In the meantime, I styled my 360 denim with a Drake’s top (there is a similar option that is now on sale!) and my Lilleth bag.

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Drake’s Top (similar here and here)

Lilleth Bag

Leopard Flats (similar here, here and here)

AG Prima Denim

Sunglasses (similar here and here)

Happy Styling!

XO,

JAE

That’s a Wrap

That’s a wrap on 28 days.  It went fast.  My detox efforts were distracted by a nagging cough, so I was home bound and away from shopping. I did resist the online shopping option urge and instead devoured the whole first season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”.  If you don’t have Prime Video you can start a free trial here.  The show is beautiful to watch and so inspiring.  I also read P.S. From Paris which was a fun easy read perfect for my bedridden and exhausted state.

My closet purge is underway but not complete as I rested far more than I ever thought I could.

I’ve considered going much longer without shopping, perhaps until my birthday in June. As I thought about that idea, I became concerned that it’s not balanced. I will likely continue not shopping at least another two weeks to hit around 40 days. I would like to be done with the closet purge before adding anything new.

One thing I do need to replace is white shirts.  I had to get rid of four that had served me well for several years, but white shirts do eventually yellow. I have my eye on a few including this one with the fun stripe detail inside the cuff.


And shoes. I always seem to need/want shoes. Here are a few I’m considering.

Bow Flat / Denim Flat / Gingham Mule / Striped Flat

I have been enjoying my pre-detox sample sale Luna score with just about everything. I love the hands-free ease of it. I styled it with denim, leopard flats and gingham.

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Shirt (similar here, here and here)

Bag

Denim (on sale!) this wash and this wash are great too!

Shoes (older style –  these, these and these would work great)

Sunglasses (similar here, here and here)

Happy Styling!

XO,

JAE

 

A Little Leopard

East Hampton, 1997

“Jenni, what did you buy? I left you for 10 minutes. That’s a big bag”. Elizabeth exclaims as she crosses Main Street with our iced coffees.

“A couple of bags. Great sale.”

“Let me see. Let me see. Oh Zadig & Voltaire. Nice. I love the black one and the duffle is great. A leopard print handbag? Really?”

“Yes, I love it. It adds a little something and says I’m a risk taker. “

She laughs.

“Just wait. I’ll carry it on the flight home to San Francisco. You never know who I’ll meet.”

“Well if anyone can pull it off, it’s you”.

My first leopard print purchase.  It was followed quickly by a belt and adorable pair of sandals (that have survived many a closet purge). Back then leopard was a simple embellishment mixed mostly with black and white. I had yet to embark on pattern mixing.

Los Angeles, 2017

“Hi I’m home.”

“Hi do you need help with anything from the car”. says my husband from the family room.

“No I’m good. I race up to the closet”.

I quickly hang up my new jacket.

“Hold on what’s THAT?”

“A new jacket. Do you like it?”

“It’s a bit much.”

“I think it’s just the right amount of much.”

Leopard is now in most parts of my wardrobe and even in my home decor (in shades of blue of course). This jacket is more leopard than I usually wear, and I love it. I styled it with my ark bag, denim, sneakers and a white tee. There is even a leopard pouch hiding in my ark (for a pop of print and to keep the Ark tidy).

leopardprint-jcrew-cultgaia-equipment-faceaface-newbalance-flatlay

Jacket (similar here, here and here)

Linen T-shirt (similar here, here and here)

Ark Bag (also here and here)

Leopard Pouch (inside Ark) here, here and here

Denim (on sale!) this new wash and this new wash are on my list

New Balance Kicks

Sunglasses (similar here, here and here)

Happy Styling!

XO,

JAE

Ruffled Neutrals

“No Mommy, you have to wait until Christmas.” said my seven year old.   He had picked out several things for me on a trip to J. Crew when we were shopping for some other gifts.  He had so much fun selecting each item and kept saying, “You have to pretend you did not see this.”  So, as much as I wanted to style this plaid sweatshirt before the holidays, I was glad I did not.  It is more fun to style it with neutrals and the other present I had to wait to open, my Lilleth bag.

Today’s look combines one of my favorite pairs of denim (on sale!), the sweatshirt (on sale!) and my Lilleth bag.  The sweatshirt will be perfect next year for the holidays and I picture wearing it with more plaid like this shirt (on sale!) or these shoes.  For now, a touch of plaid is just right.

jcrew-cultgaia-plaid-leopard-flatlay

Plaid Ruffle Sweatshirt (on sale!)

Lilleth Bag in Tortoise

Denim (on sale!)

Sunglasses (similar here, here and here)

Leopard Print Flats (older style these and these would also look great)

Happy Styling!

XO,

JAE

Pre-Detox Sample Sale

Beads of sweat drip down my neck.  It has only been 10 minutes. There are 20 more left.  I peak in the window trying to spot a Luna. I see one. I overhear someone say, “There is one Luna and it has an imperfection.”  The person ahead of me is more Arc focused.  I focus on the Luna. It will be mine.  Someone walks up and stands at the front of the line with a fresh coffee from Alfred and starts complaining about the sun and heat.  “She was here first.” I say as casually as possible about the Arc-Woman.  “Actually, I was here first,” the Coffee-Bitch replies.  “Ah, yes, I considered getting coffee but did not want to lose my place.”  We start talking about the bags she is interested in and sample sales in general. We continue to discuss the heat.  I say, “Suffering in this heat will make us feel like we earned it.”  My husband’s parting words keep going through my mind “I thought you were on a detox?  Isn’t this like an alcoholic going to a bar?” and “If you are going to go, you better leave early.   There will be a line.”  I have yet to decide when exactly my shopping detox will start.  I did not shop yesterday.  Instead my son and I enjoyed a Winter Vacation Pajama Day, we built Legos and cooked all day.  So, I have a decision to make; do I start fresh January 1 or a few days before?   Stocking up seems counter intuitive to my mission, but it’s not like there are sample sales every day and this brand is unique.  And…

At 10:02 we finally go in.  I head straight to the Luna.  There is, in fact, only one in acrylic.  It was the runner up to my Christmas gift this year, the Lilleth.

Cult Gaia Lilleth bag in Tortoise

Cult Gaia Luna Bag (also here and here)

Denim

White Blazer

It is half off, with only a singular, minor flaw, which only makes it unique, I tell myself.  My eyes scan the room and stop on an array of colors of the Arc in acrylic.  Two shades of blue.  I pick up both small sizes.    I have the large bamboo Arc (which I love).  I head to the mirror to check them out.

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Part of me wants all three.  Part of me wants to just leave with nothing and feel like the strongest person in the world.  I deliberate.  I seek opinions from other shoppers.  Most say, “At these prices get two or three bags”.  Three different people come up to me and say, “if you change your mind about that one, I’ll take it.” pointing to the Luna.  Finally, I decide.  While paying I talk with another woman who says, “I tell myself that my daughters will have them someday, especially the Chanel which will be worth more”.  “It’s a good investment.”  We both laugh and talk about how we can talk ourselves into anything.  But, in reality , Chanel  or perhaps Cult Gaia (the market for them is new) will be worth more someday.  I hear my husband’s voice, “They hold value for you, but it’s not a very liquid investment.”

I walk out with my Luna and a smile on my face.  I then head into Frame where I look around and realize that this detox is going to be harder than I thought.  I leave Frame empty handed, but not before snapping a few photos with my fresh mani (featured here).  Victory.

I styled the Luna with my go to camo jeans, denim shirt and navy sequined shoes.  You’ll be seeing a lot of this Luna… once my detox begins…. And it will.

By the way, I have thoroughly enjoyed both the Luna and Lilleth in the short time I have had them.  They are so unique and have both been conversation starters.  I have only given the two blue Arcs that got away a few second thoughts.  If I am still thinking about them after the detox, I will know they were meant to be and I will find them.

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Cult Gaia Luna Bag

Denim Shirt

Camo Jeans

Navy Sequin Shoes (older style similar here, here and here)

Happy 2018!

XO,

JAE

 

Arking into to Fall

Welcome Fall!  I am easing into fall while the temperatures are still a bit warm with camo, bell sleeves and my favorite ark bag that was on repeat all Summer.  Not only do I love the look of this bag (which is back in stock, by the way), but it holds a lot and has proven to be very practical.  I may need to add this tortoise shell one and this shape (that packs flat) to my collection.

 

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Top

Jeans

Bag

Shoes

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

 

Back to School

My son (finally) starts school today.  We had a great summer filled with travel and adventure.  I am ready for the school routine.  It is still warm in Southern Calfornia so I am mixing fall pieces with summer pieces like this camo top that I styled with a new favorite boyfriend jean, sandals and my bag of the summer.

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Top

Jeans

Bag

Sandals

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE