“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.
Lace top (similar here, here, here, here and here)
Cult Gaia Ark bag in Large (also here).
Happy Styling!
XO,
JAE
More is more when it comes to patterns and textures. My Antonello Tedde clutch just got a workout on my recent trip to Paris. It was the perfect evening bag (and I love that it has a strap when you want to jump on the metro or snap a photo). I styled it below with another workhorse from my vacation in Paris, my seersucker blazer. It added the perfect polish to my t-shirts, white denim and kicks while running around museums and sightseeing.
Check out the full selection of Antonello Tedde at 24 Sevres the online site for Le Bon Marche. I visited several times including my first afternoon on no sleep while my husband and son rested.
Here is a look I wore stateside just before my trip.
Blazer (similar here and here)
Top (similar here)
Clutch (similar here and here)
Happy Styling!
XO,
JAE
My easy summer look continues to be on repeat with denim, a tee and blazer. For this monochromatic look I added a couple of patterns with my jungle clutch and leopard flats. Add in my new favorite sunglasses and and a chaga latte (no dairy, sugar or caffeine and so good) and I am ready for any summer day.
Sunglasses (also here)
Shoes (similar here)
Happy Friday!
XO,
JAE
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.
Sunglasses (also here)
Happy Summer!
XO,
JAE
It’s been a busy week with several meetings. I had a few of my favorite blazers and jeans on rotation. For this look I kept it simple with blue and white and fun accessories like this clutch and these sandals. Soon I will be trading this look for beach coverups (like this one and this one I have ready to go), swimsuits and the bag I featured earlier this week here.
Blazer (similar here and here)
Happy Friday!
XO,
JAE
We are in the final week of school, but I am ready to report to the beach for summer duty. I picked up this perfect, lightweight tote last weekend at Barneys and had it customized at thedropLA. I’ve had my eye on it for a while and I had a reward card burning a hole in my pocket. The tote is perfect for summer along with my new “jelly” sandals (they are under $50!). I love the cork detail. I added stripes, white denim, new favorite sunglasses and I am summer and beach ready.
Striped Tee (similar here, here and here)
Tote (also in a larger size and shibori)
Happy Styling!
XO,
JAE
“You are not one of those people now?” said my husband at dinner. “Yes, she is. She wore them the whole time in the grocery store.” said my son. I love my new blue glasses for many reasons. My love of the color blue is no secret. They also provide a cooling shade to the sun that is different from any other pair of sunglasses I have and they manage not to be too dark inside. So rather than switching to my clear glasses or putting them on my head (thus stretching them out) and squinting in the grocery store, I can keep them on. Now I am that person. I get why people keep their glasses on inside. Besides I will take the world in a cool blue hue anytime, especially in harsh lighting.
My spring uniform is in full swing. I am mixing and matching blazers and fun tees with a variety of clutches and denim (or colored denim). I have gotten so much wear out of these blush velvet heels from a couple of years ago (I have linked several great options below).
Blazer (similar here, here , here and here)
Sunglasses (also love these (under $100!), these , these and these)
T-Shirt (also love this, this, this and this)
Sandals (similar here (30% off!), here and here (30% off!))
Happy Styling!
XO,
JAE
I have been building my collection of clutches for a while and recently added acrylic dividers (similar here) to my closet to make my collection easier to see and access.
My son was particularly helpful with this project and kept pulling the J. Crew silver one with the perforated hearts (pictured above) and telling me that I needed to do a Valentine’s post. It got me thinking that Valentine’s themed clutches work year round. Who doesn’t want to carry a heart around or liven up an outfit with a pop of pink or red?
I recently ordered three (!) from Parker Thatch as a Valentine gift to myself. They have an amazing selection and you can even add a love letter to them. They arrived with a lovely note.
Classic Clutch / Envelope Clutch Heart / Small Pouch (sold out) / Pens
Decisions, decisions
J. Crew Medium Leather Pouch in Bright Flamingo
Here area few options at all price points:
Saint Laurent Leather Clutch – Pink
Valentino Rockstud Flap Clutch
Valentino Rockstud Large Flat Pouch
Chanel Patent Valentine’s O Case
Saint Laurent Quilted Textured Leather Cardholder
Gucci Broadway Brocade Embroidered Clutch
J. Crew Medium Leather Pouch in Bright Flamingo
Happy (early) Valentine’s Day!
XO,
JAE
the navy leopard 