Booty-Licious

I've been checking out the bootie trend for awhile now. Particularily, the wedge bootie. If I could, I would wear flats or wedges every day. They are just so comfortable and I need to be comfy chasing/carrying two kiddos around.

I really like the look of the ones below but still am not sure about how I would wear them. With pants (skinnies) and mostly dresses. I think they could be a winter staple. But because I'm so unsure, I decided to test out the waters with a cheap pair first. I picked up this pair from Target. I like the brown heel with the black so not real leather. I recently decided I wasn't going to buy cheap shoes anymore because I always regret it, but since this seems to be a trendy item, I don't want to shell out some sweet moola until I know I will get some wear out of them. Here are some other cute ones that all look really comfortable.

Target Wedge Boot

Can you believe that Bandolino makes this one? I bet it feels like butter.

Love these by Fossil.

These are by Born. I bought a pair of Born ankle boots when I was pregnant and they are so comfortable.  This one also comes in a ton of colors.

And of course, the J.Crew wedge boot. Where I started my obsession.

Edward Scissorhands OOTD

The other day at work I realized my bangs were in my face so I ended up giving them a little trim in the bathroom. Let's just say that office scissors don't really do the job. Because I ended up with chopped fringe.Does anyone else trim their own bangs?I think I need to just leave it to the professionals.

Denim Shirt: GAP circa 1999
Cropped Skinnies: GAP
Leopard Belt: Target
Necklace: Ebay
Wedges: Jessica Simpson

Indian Summer OOTD

When I got off work yesterday it was 100 degrees. I kid you not. Way too hot for October weather in the Bay Area. Needless to say we are having an Indian Summer. Thankfully we are back to normal temperatures by tomorrow.

Like most Indian Summers, the mornings are still cool but it gets hot, hot, hot during the days. So today, I had to dress in layers to prepare for the chilly morning and warm afternoon.

I only have full length mirrors in my daughter and son's rooms. Maybe it's time I get a big girl mirror for our master bathroom? Regardless, I'll be ready to bust back out my jeans this weekend, trade my iced coffees for hot coffees and contemplate actually cooking a meal in our regular temperature kitchen.

OOTD Challenge and What I'm Loving

Nope.. no OOTD's here.. but I am officially declaring a Fall Fashion Challenge for myself. No more being a slacker.. I need to record what the heck I'm wearing. I'm loving seeing others' Fall looks, so its time I do the same for all of my nonexistent readers.

So as of tomorrow, it's on like Donkey Kong! But until then a couple of things I'm loving lately.

Fall TV. Hello How I Met Your Mother, Real Housewives of NJ & NYC finales and Modern Family!

How I Met Your Mother

The Darlings. Great Book. Loving the suspense... haven't finished it yet. Next on my list is Gone Girl.

The Darlings

Anything leopard print. I seriously have become obsessed with it. Not only for myself but now also for my daughter.

This would be adorable on Miss S!

This is what started my leopard print obsession. Sadly, this adorable blouse from J.Crew is no longer available.

Fall Nails. I just picked up Plumberry by Essie. I can't wait to test it out. Until then I'm wearing Essie's I Think We Can Pink.

This is the perfect shade of pink, dark berry and red.

Anything in camel color. This is my new favorite neutral because it goes perfectly with black AND brown. 

This will be a fall staple paired with dark skinnies and boots.

Random Thoughts

My new favorite nail polish color is "Size Matters" by Essie. I painted my nails on Sunday night and they are still holding up. My new thing is painting my nails every Sunday night before the start of a new work week. It keeps me from biting them.

This is not my hand.

We all know that J.Crew is holding a 25% off $150 or more promo this weekend. It seems like the perfect time to add these items to my closet:

School boy blazer in cobalt blue.

Teddie Dress in Black

 I also really want to make a slow cooker French Dip recipe. I found this one off of Food Network. It's from Aaron McCargo Jr. I like his food and this one looks declicious! Perfect for a Sunday full of football!

Happy Weekend!

Travel Fashion

I just got back from a worldwind business trip to Texas. I had no time to blog or do anything exciting. However, I was plagued with the ol' "what am I going to pack" question. I hate packing. I seriously loathe it. I always overpack. I have this fear of showing up some place wishing I had packed a certain item so I just pack a ton of stuff.

This time, I was determined to be focused and streamline. I stuck to a camel color pallet and incorporated some red in when possible. Because it was a quick trip and it was going to be hot where I was yet, freezing on the airplanes, I did dress in layers. And I wore my bulky blazers on the plane.

I've got a couple more trips planned this fall. One with the family the other for business and I am again determined to streamline as much as possible and plan out outfits.

I love this travel outfit from Shopbop for the actual travel days. I refuse to wear heels the day I travel because of all the walking that usually takes place in airports. Does anyone have fashion travel rules? Do you take pictures of your outfits? Write them on a list? Or am I just the only one who stresses out?

Fall Lust: Tweed Jackets and OOTD

I love all things tweed. I have a pair of tweed shoes but outside of them, I don't own anything tweed. Now, we all know that the classic tweed item is a Chanel tweed jacket. Some day I plan on owning one (even if it has to come from eBay), but I will. This fall, it looks like plenty of brands (that are a lot less expensive) are carrying their own version of the tweed blazer/jacket. I would love to scoop one of these up. I can totally see wearing it like I do all of my other blazers (I LOVE BLAZERS). With skinny jeans, pencil skirts, wide leg pants, etc. The possibilities are endless and this piece would truly be a timeless item for my wardrobe that can last the years. Here are my top picks.

Tory Burch

J.Crew (think this is my favorite)

Asos

White House Black Market

My OOTD from yesterday. Proof I love blazers.

Back to School Misc.

About two weeks ago, my little girl Miss S, started preschool. I can't believe how quickly she is growing up. Because her birthday is in the fall, she still has two years before she starts Kindergarten.

I've stocked up on some fall necessities for her (new back pack, some leggings and dresses) however, we still have some mild weather so the true fall clothes won't be brought out for a little bit.

Even though I'm not going back to school, I still like to do a little back to fall shopping for myself. I just can't help it. Why is it that we just love fall clothes so much? Since I am very fair, I personally enjoy the times that its cooler because everyone is pasty and I fit right in. During the summer I have to rely on self tanner to get a mild glow going and even then it doesn't always do the trick. I don't tan well and I don't worship the sun because I prefer not to look like a weathered piece of leather when I'm 40. Case in point, the picture below on my daughter's first day of school.

Glad it's Friday! We are getting new carpet in our family room and our kitchen floors were refinished and stained this week so I can't wait to get our house back together this weekend and get the thick layer of dust off of every surface of the house. Have a great weekend!

Latest Haul

Since I was preggers last fall and transitioning into maternity wear, I decided that my cold weather wardrobe really needs to be kicked up a notch this season, so I've done some very strategic shopping by loading up on some basics and just a few trendy items.

Here are a couple of things that I've recently purchased online and should be making their way to my front door any day now! However, there are still so many great things that I would love to get my hands on. I guess I will have to do things gradually!

Gap Slim Cropped Pants, I have a gray and navy pair from two years ago that I LOVE. They are super flattering with flats and heels. I decided it was time for a fresh pair of black.

GAP Bleeker Tee. This tee is super soft with contrast stitching going up the back. I had to load up on a few of these in white, navy and the fuchsia shown.

GAP Pocket Shift dress in black. This is super flattering. Will look adorable with textured tights and fun flats or heels. I'm already eying the blue and the black with white stripes.

GAP embroidered loafers. These are pretty cute but are kind of painful. They rub the back of my heel.

Old Navy Rock star Skinny Jeans in Tobiko Red. I wanted to get on the colored jean wagon for fall but didn't want to spend much money on them. I also like the green.

Old Navy Boat neck dress in Goodnight Nora. After Big D was born,  I really started loving the tee shirt dress. I love that you can wear them on the weekends with either boots and flats and a long statement necklace for dressier occasions.

Old Navy Rolled Cuffed Blouse in Tobiko Red. This just looked like a nice simple blouse that can be dressed up tucked into a pencil skirt or down with a pair of skinnies and flats.

I'm a Blousy One

I used to be a tee and cardigan kind of girl. But lately, I've really been into blouses. I think it started when Natalie (one of my favorite daily reads), started showing all of the cute blouses she was finding and pairing them with skinny jeans and flats. Now that I am a mom to two kids, I'm finding the need to wear flats more practical and realistic. Those car seat carriers are so heavy, especially when carrying that and holding the hand of a 3 1/2 year old.

Of course, just in time for Fall, I've found about 47,435 blouses that I want. But no one seems to do them better than J.Crew. Their colors are timeless, the cuts are flattering, and damn it, I just like them. Here are a couple that I've got my eye on. Hoping I can make a few of these mine soon.

J.Crew Boat neck Blouse in Wreath (this is actually already in the mail!)

J. Crew Silk  Blouse in Navy

J. Crew Sandwashed Silk Blouse in Fuschia

 

         J. Crew Short Sleeve Crepe Top in Cabernet  

Welcome to my Neighborhood

Hi, I'm Stef. People also call me Bags. Don't ask. I used to have a blog that was kind of personal. I kept it anonmyous. It got boring. So I decided to keep it real with this one. Just write about what I'm liking, doing, buying, watching, etc.

So for you to get to know who and what I am all about, I have a list of 10 things you need to know about me.

1)  I'm 30
2)  I just went back to work after being off from maternity leave with my son Big D. I also have a 3 1/2 year old girl named Miss S.
3)  I am married to a super hot Italian named Hubbs.
4)  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
5) We bought a house a year and a half ago and are slowly remodeling it. Well, by we, that would be hubbs.
6)  I love to shop and I will regularily be talking about all things fashion.
7)  I work in the wine industry so I get to drink a lot of wine. Go me. Although, my drink of choice is anything with bubbles!
8)  My favorite shows are Mad Men, the Real Housewives franchise, How I Met Your Mother and NY Med.
9)  I love having fresh flowers in my kitchen.
10) I'm addicted to Pinterest.