January 4, 2015 by gn0mel0ver

Building A Snowgnome

Oh the joy! In my secret heart of hearts was a dream that I did not think I could even dare to close my eyes to think of. It involved my children playing in the snow. In our yard. Building a snowman.

It doesn’t seem like a big dream, but there it was in my heart of hearts.

So when my husband woke me up on New Year’s Eve excitedly exclaiming that it was snowing, I thought I was still dreaming. It was still dark outside, and it did not seem real.

But it was. In Southern California, it snowed.

We woke our kids up and told them to quickly get dressed in warm clothes and shoes. And we all traipsed outside to play in the snow in the dark. Our silhouettes were lit by the streetlamps and Christmas lights twinkling on the street. It felt surreal and I understood how Harry Potter must have felt when Hagrid greeted him in the lighthouse that very first night.

Anything seemed possible.

My kids built a snowman with my husband that I turned into a snowgnome.

He was much happier that way.

As one always is in a red pointy hat.

Did you build a snowman or snowgnome this season? Please tell me I am not the only one with a gnome hat or two.

*Outfit details: My sweater is one that I purchased from the flea market last month. I talked about it more in this post. Anthropologie has a cool cardigan out right now that is also reminiscent of an afghan or blanket. I also found this one on Etsy. If you can crochet, there are many different crochet cardigan patterns available for purchase there for around $3 so you could make your own. I was very lucky and only paid $30 for my sweater. The sleeveless chambray dress was an Anthropologie popback last year from Cloth and Stone (now sold out, similar shaped dress here).

*I shared this on The Pleated Poppy.

December 3, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Three Stripes You’re Out-fit

I could not resist this Anthropologie Tartan Blanket Coat. I tried to. Oh, how I tried to, as I attested to in the review post I recently did.

I was going to wait and have my husband gift it to me for Christmas. But I wanted to get as much use from it as I possibly could with this slight winter we have been having here.

I cannot resist fun.

Ever.

It is my downfall.

I don’t even want to tell you the temperature it was in Southern California on this day. I will say it was the coolest day we have had this fall, but my husband laughed at me when he saw me in this hat (sold out, similar hat here).

I need to protect my tresses. I only wash them every three to four days. This was day four. I had waved my hair (post about how I do that here) so it still looked okay. But a hat seemed like the logical solution for the roots and it is honestly the only hat that I own.

Also, I like a flowy top. I’m not pregnant. That ship has sailed. I just thought I should put that out there ’cause this top looks like I am trying to hide something.

Just hiding dirty hair here, folks.

And look! I accidentally wore three different stripes on this day. That’s gotta mean something.

I don’t know what. But somethin’.

I wore this to grab breakfast with a sweet friend.

She very politely said nothing about my odd dressing.

I have worn this combo before. On Halloween to be exact. The striped dress is from Target (previously worn as a shirt). The purple top was an $8 popback from Anthropologie. These tights are my very favorite and less than $10 (also available in leggings). And the hat was a clearance find at Free People a few years ago.

I will be wearing this tartan coat as often as I possibly can here. If it is less than seventy degrees, this is what I will be wearing. I would not wear this in the rain. I do think it might get ruined if it gets wet. It feels like felted wool. I imagine this would shrink. For fit purposes, this is the XS/S.

Are you wearing a favorite coat this season? How do you decide whether to keep a splurge-worthy garment? Does it have to be practical or unique? My answer is always unique.

*I shared this on The Pleated Poppy and Reasons To Dress.

November 30, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Marrying Colors

I didn’t always like green and pink together.

I remember when we were house hunting thirteen years ago and we walked into a home with pink wall to wall carpet and green walls. We were young and could not see past the sunset shaggy forrest of bad taste.

We probably missed out on a good house.

But you live and you learn.

So I was surprised when I pulled this sweater (from Anthropologie and sold out last year, but I think this ruffle hem sweater is pretty, too) and these pants together out of the closet. Yes, surprised. What? Do you go into the closet knowing what happy clothing marriage you will be officiating each day? Well, I usually don’t. It is usually a whirlwind outfit elopement around here.

And, oh my goodness, I have loved my Citizens Of Humanity velveteen pants since I purchased them last year (sold out, but available in a different color here). They are the prettiest pink. They used to be a bit looser. But ’tis the way it is. My mouth likes to be married to chocolate.

There are some marital colors I have never disliked together.

Them being chocolatey brown and golden caramel.

Sigh.

Treats would not look as precious and delicious if they were green or pink.

Or would they?

Never mind. I would probably still crave it. And marry it.

I do.

What are your favorite color pairings? Do they ever stray to another color? I wore my green sweater earlier in the week with some black pants. Shhhh. It wasn’t a big deal. No need to tell my pink pants. They’re trying to support my chocolate habit. They have enough on their ~~plate~~ mate.

November 26, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Satpura Sweater Coat

The one item that I had been most looking forward to wearing once California finally received some cool weather was my Anthroplogie Satpura Sweater Coat from last winter (this is sold out and I could not find a similar enough coat to link to, but I have seen it on eBay. I previously wore it here).

I am generally not a fan of bejeweled items. In fact, this is probably the only item in my entire closet with sparkles. I like things more simple. Bling is not my thing.

But for this coat, I will make an exception. The pattern is just too pretty to resist. My gnome thinks so, too.

Once again I purchased an item without having a clue about what the word describing the item meant. Do you know what Satpura is? It turns out it is a hill range in India. It is actually gorgeous. The images I googled of the area are very pretty.

I tried to save a bee I found on the ground, but he was not savable. It broke my heart a bit. I hate seeing a hurt or perished bee.

Underneath the coat, I paired my Anthropologie Top that I got on a popback for $8 over the summer. I wear this top all of the time. It is a great layering piece as you will see in an upcoming outfit post.

My least favorite colors are burgundy and purple. And yet, I do not mind them here.

I do, however, feel a little bit like a walking condiment clash.

Mustard, ketchup and grape jelly. What kind of nightmare meal would that create?

In the picture above, I just noticed some young boys exploring a nearby gutter with mining flashlights on their heads. It made me both worried and wistful.

Thank goodness for this little guy. He assured me everything would be all right.

And I surprisingly believed him.

Once the cool weather hit where you are, what was the first item you grabbed from your closet? What is your favorite winter outfit? Are you loving the ability to layer? This is my favorite time of year.

*I shared this on The Pleated Poppy and Reasons To Dress.

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

sweater

Building A Snowgnome

Three Stripes You’re Out-fit

Marrying Colors

Satpura Sweater Coat