Coral and Blue and Yellow Too: My Collection Obssession

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Amazon

Shoes: Nine West, Amazon

Leggings: Lula Roe

Hair clips: Emberly, Kohl's

Sweatshirt: Kohl's

Shoes: Wanted, ModCloth

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Amazon

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Bag: Nine West, Ross

Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW

Would you believe that I've been sitting on these pics for months?  Of course you would.  Because I'm wearing long sleeves in all of them, and these days, that'd make me sweat.  But that's okay; I'd rather have a backlog of pics instead of not enough.  Just like bags.  And shoes.  And jewelry.  

Because to collect is to curate, and to curate is to love.

Or some such other sentiment that should be scrawled across a blank book or pillow.

The point is, collecting makes me happy.  It's an art unto itself, not to mention something to look forward to.  I hope to share it with Charlotte someday, the two of us treasure hunting just like my mom and I do.

Even if it turns out that she's on the prowl for Pyrex instead of purses.

Sunbeam Scream

Top: Elizabeth and James, Kohl's; Skirt: Candie's, Kohl's; Boots: Chase & Chloe, Zulily

Bag: Olivia Miller, JCPenney

Anchor necklace: Charming Charlie

Art block: Primitives by Kathy, Zulily

Sweater and bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Skirt: Kohl's

A colorful corner of the craft room

Dress: Lula Roe; Shirt: Bongo, Sears; Boots: Penny Loves Kenny, Amazon

Bag: Delia's, Dolls Kill

Logistically speaking, sunbeams don't scream.  Unless, of course, it's summer, and even then they don't scream so much as scorch the skin of careless beachgoers.  But the phrase sounded good so I used it, despite the winter chill that still stings the air.  

To that end, here are some very yellow -- and very boho -- outfits.  I wore the first one to Valentine's dinner with the husband and the other two to run errands.  (I don't run errands often, so when I do, I make the most of it.)  None of the clothes are maternity except for the leggings.  The yellow sweater is one of my favorites, and when I saw myself in the mirror, I thought, yep, you can tell she's really in there.  Which was kind of crazy but also cool.

Even if it did make me fret about someday soon protecting her from the sun.

How a Not Great Review Told Me What to Do, Plus a New Look at an Old Skirt

Shoes: Guess, DSW

Bag: Worthington, JCPenney; Black bangle: Decree, JCPenney; Other bangles: B Fabulous: Butterfly ring: Mixit, JCPenney; Chartreuse ring: Claire's; Brown ring: Charlotte Russe; Purse charm: Michaels

Orange-Eyed Owl Necklace

Dress: Lula Roe

Bag: Elizabeth and James, Kohl's

Shoes: Coconuts by Matisse, Nordstrom Rack

Heart and Flowers Necklace

Sunglasses: JCPenney

Top: Jessica Simpson, Macy's

Tan Folksy Fringe Barrette

Skirt: Hollister, Marshalls

Desert Doodads Necklace

Top: Macy's

Bag: Olivia Miller, Amazon; Turquoise bangle: Mixit, JCPenney; Bows: Zulily; Fabric belt: Steve Madden, Zulily; Turquoise belt: Mixit, JCPenney; Turquoise ring: Michaels; Medallion and owl rings: Mixit, JCPenney

You already know that I love to shop.  But I also love reading (and writing!) product reviews.  Not only do they provide insight into what's on offer, they also let me peek inside shoppers' minds.  For example, I was perusing the Kohl's site (as I often am), when I got sucked into reading reviews for these strappy flip flops:

Sandals: So, Kohl's

They came in black, white, brown, pink, mustard, and multi.  One woman had purchased them in multi and was disappointed to find that they were "primary colored" and, in her opinion, "old-fashioned."  (Another shopper ordered a pair that arrived caked in dog poo, but that's neither here nor there.)  These "complaints" caught my attention -- in a good way.  Because if someone finds something too flashy or odd, then chances are I'll love it.  So I clicked add to cart and have been rocking the retro rainbow ever since.  As a bonus, they cost only $9.99 and are comfy. 

Then, in a not-so-seamless segue, there's this peasant skirt:

Skirt: ROSS

Although I didn't buy it after reading a rave (or grave!) review, making it mine made an impression on me.  I'm sure I've shared this story before, but that's not going to stop me from doing it again, maybe with a few extra details.  

I was twenty-five and on a business trip to San Francisco.  I was working as a medical editor, which could be exciting but stressful.  One day, when my duties were done, I took the scenic route back to my hotel.  And by scenic I mean the street with the stores.  Now, I know that when most people travel, they like to find off-the-beaten-path shops and restaurants that give them an experience they can't get at home.  Yet although I understand the appeal, no matter where I am, I'm drawn to the familiar.  So on that particular March day, after having been scolded for apologizing to a cabbie and saying nay to networking drinks, I was relieved to see the steadfast storefronts of H&M and ROSS.  Especially ROSS, because I had one at home.  And sure enough, that was where I found the peasant skirt.  It stood out from the staid blacks and whites that crowded the rack, as cool as a Caribbean sea.  In other words, just the post-convention palate cleanser I needed.  

Fifteen years later, this skirt is less vibrant than it used to be.  I've worn it with all kinds of tops in all sorts of prints and colors, to BBQs and, yes, to the office.  I even had to stitch a hole in it.  But I still love it.  It makes me as happy as it did on that West Coast day of retail therapy, worldly for having crossed the country and brave for having survived it. 

To that end, I'm still not sorry for saying sorry to that cabbie.  Anyone who can drive anyone anywhere will always get props from me.  

Stripe Hype: For Those Times When You Don't Want to Polka

Bag: Lily Bloom, JCPenney

Dress: Lula Roe

Bag: Sugar Thrillz, Dolls Kill

Skirt: Modcloth

Bag: Olivia Miller, Amazon

Shoes: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Dress: Rock & Republic, Kohl's

Polka dot, that is.  Because even wearing such a slaphappy print, let alone doing its namesake dance, demands a nimble spirit.  Not so with stripes.  They bring to mind, not rollicking reels, but maps crisscrossed with equators and prime meridians as indelibly as gym class Fs on a report card.  Because globes, round though they may be, don't deign to serve volleyballs or don sweat-stained uniforms.  No, they sit still in the study, and when you're with them, you must sit still too.  Call it revenge of the nerds.  And not the slick kind in Silicon Valley, but those who putter in academia or even just eat macadamia nuts while writing Wikipedia entries.   

I think we can all agree that none of this makes any sense.  Especially because my black Betsey wedges are, however subtly, polka dotted.  But posts don't always have to dot their i's or drink their t's.  

They just have to have a good time and a cold Coca-Cola.

But more on that (maybe) next time.  

Fruit Suit Hoot

Sunglasses: Zulily; Yellow and red bangles: B Fabulous; Mint bangle: Decree, JCPenney

Top: Candie's, Kohl's

Bag: Luv Betsey, Macy's Backstage

Shorts: Merona, Target

Flip Flops: Rocket Dog, Marshalls

Bag: Amazon

Bangles, top to bottom: Target; B Fabulous; Target; Mixit, JCPenney

Top: Cool Melon, Zulily

Flats: Wanted, Modcloth

Leggings: Lula Roe

Necklace and bracelet: Amrita Singh, Zulily; Green bracelet: Parade of Shoes

Top: Rebellious One, Macy's

Bag: Circus for Sam Edelman, Kohl's

Skirt: Mudd, Kohl's

Bag charm: Michaels

Now that it's officially summer, it's time for a picnic of prints!  Yes, I'm all about fruit salad ensembles ripe with watermelons, kiwis (Remember Lula Roe?  Her legacy lives on in these leggings.), lemons, palm trees, and pineapples good enough to eat.  Not that anyone wants to chow down on a palm tree.  So let's just say coconuts.

I was excited to plant a couple of farm market pics in between the outfits. The husband went to our local stand, Joe's, all last summer, but this was my first trip back since the pandemic.  And it was delightful!  Seeing all that color up close and personal is always uplifting. 

Speaking of celebratory occasions, nearly eight years ago, the husband and I received these champagne glasses as a wedding gift.  They were beautiful, but neither one of us likes the bubbly, so I stuffed them with plastic produce.

Now that's my kind of fruit cocktail!