Jim Harbaugh Halloween

Jim Harbaugh Halloween by hchdesigns featuring grey pants

Uh... Halloween is only 11 days away!! What the?? I swear the older I get the faster the weeks go by and the very fact that I'm saying that makes me feel really old... omg...
Anyhoo... Do you have you costume picked out yet?? Here's what I think would be a smash of a costume especially for couples... I don't know about you but I find it hilarious when couples dress identical in something unexpected and honestly I don't like typical costumes..
I like ones that tend to be a little more ironic...
So today in memory of the horrible football game we played last night, ugh, I don't want to talk about it... I give you Jim Harbaugh for Halloween..Pleated Dockers-check! Black shirt tucked in-check! The key to this costume working is all in your facial expressions and your body language... While having the clip board tucked into the back of your pants...

 I'll be posting all week some fun and creative ideas for last minute costumes that you could recreate with minimal effort.. Have a Happy Monday and let's all move on from the blood bath that was Sunday Night Football.. shaking my head...

How To: Surviving Allergy Season..

Surviving Allergy Season... by hchdesigns featuring Bumble and Bumble

It's the most wonderful time of the year... where all glamour goes out the door and I'm surrounded by tissues & allergy medicine.... If you could hear my voice right now it sounds a bit like Meg Ryan when she was sick in You've Got Mail.... Growing up I never struggled with allergies and honestly had little compassion for those who did... Big mistake HUGE..  now since moving to Northern California where nothing ever really dies in winter.. like clock work I will have a month of seasonal allergies! Ugh... So how's a girl supposed to stay sane in this wretched season, let alone look chic??? Well I'll tell you...

• Stay comfortable but do not live in your PJ's... repeat after me.. I'm adult and only babies wear PJ's all day... Over-sized tees & boyfriend jeans are a fantastic option! 
• Since your not feeling well, skip the stilettos.. I know, I know, we love em but honestly if your drugged up on NyQuil & Allegra you probably shouldn't be driving 5 inch heels... they should put that somewhere on the box... go for an endlessly classic sneaker like these White Converse! Be sure to have the jeans rolled up showing some leg, ooh la la... this will help balance your proportions... 
• Accessorize!! It's the magic dust of any look, nothing fancy just a watch, earrings & sunnies.. this will help make you look like you actually tried to get dressed in the morning.. which isn't that the point? 
• Makeup.. this is naturally the easiest thing to skip when not feeling well, however it is one of the MOST important and will do wonders for your mood! Keep it simple, mascara, lips and a little glow for the cheeks... Just because you feel like you shouldn't see the light of day doesn't mean you should look like a vampire... Think Bella from Twilight and just say NO! I love the Nars Illuminator in the color Orgasm... I wear it everyday! 
• Hair, again very easy to skip but I promise you'll physically feel better if you feel you look good... so wash it, spritz it with a texturizing spray like Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray... easy peasy...  and you look great! 

Let's be honest, nothing quite says "Ooh la la" like Vapor Rub and a box full of tissues.. it's not a glamorous time but there are some things we can do to help. In my experience if you are just feeling icky, take a little time to give to yourself, you will feel a world of difference! Even if it is just to run to Walmart for more cough drops.... Because if there is anyone who can make cold & allergy season ,chic, it's you!

Step Up To The Plate: A Stripes Love Affair

trying my best awkward foot pose.. nailed it!

Top- Old Navy

Shorts-Old Navy

Sandals- Cotton On

Hat- Stole from my husband

What's this? An outfit post? Gasp... I know, I know.. it's been too long..guilty face.. Last night my hubs and I headed out to a little league baseball field to grab some pictures before the light left... He took 2 pictures.. and what happened? My camera battery died.. fail.. we improvised with my phone, I apologize about the quality.. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do...

Since we were going to go to the base ball field, I felt a baseball cap was in order it added some color to my look and not to mention it hid my "it's the end of the day" flat hair.. I originally wanted to show you a cute 4th of July pic, you know the kind...  in a coordinated red, white and blue look, holding a mini flag .. however that's hard for me to pull off without looking a 50 something grandma wearing fireworks earrings, quilting her way through Indiana... So, this is what you get... I found both the top & shorts at Old Navy.. Which they are totally killing it this season for me! 

If you you were to look in my dresser and closet you would see my obsession with stripes.. I think I secretly feel like if I wear blue and white stripes.. I belong on a sailboat somewhere in the Hampton's living like a Tommy Hilfiger commercial... which who doesn't want that? Paired with white shorts and I'm a total prep... Honestly though this top would pair well with any bottoms, a skirt half tucked in , with  pair of  distressed cut offs or belted with a black pencil skirt.. The options are really endless! 

As for my shorts.. gosh, I bought the white version and I'm honestly thinking about going back and buying one in every color.. they are just that good.. the perfect length, material and goes with literally everything! Again, Old Navy.. thanks for saving my summer wardrobe.. If you're needing a couple of great summer pieces, head on over to your Old Navy and pick up these shorts or top! Honest.. they are the bomb dot com. 

Short & Sweet: A List for Living Life Now...

Sweater- HM

Shorts- Old Navy

Sunday afternoon walk to a park... there are few moments that are as blissful as summer weather mixed with hand holding and a mini photo shoot...  Doing this blogging thing has become more than I ever imagined it would be... in only a few short months... Sometimes larger than I think I can handle and I'm certain that pretty soon it will be evident that I don't know what the heck I'm doing... Shh.. don't tell anyone.. 

Got to get a Media Kit together.. 

Must complete the branding process...

 Oh yeah, more outfit posts...  

Commission a blog design..

Get business cards...

Create a business plan...

Start selling advertising...

Buy my own domain... sheesh....#bloggerproblems

Just the ongoing list in my head,... Geez, those lists that we ladies have will never disappear... they just grow...  and if your like me, real life passes you by while obsessing over the never ending items that "must get done".. Well, here is my "live life now" list... 

• Laugh often... let's face it I'm hilarious and sometimes even on purpose...
• When in doubt paint your nails....the house needed to smell like nail polish anyways...
• Tell someone that you love them... they need to hear it and you need to say it...
• Wear high heels while doing menial tasks.. your welcome Trader Joes... this one is for you...
• Pop open some Champagne, just because it's Tuesday..
• Learn how to just be, instead of do...
• Smile, it will make you feel better... the best exercise created..
• Make a list of all you are grateful for and post it on your mirror to be seen every morning... 
• Instead of the regular ol coffee, try a cappuccino and pretend your in Europe.. that's what I do...
• Be silly... seriousness is soooo overrated.. 
• Take walks... summer nights are made for walkin....
• Hold hands... still the best...
• Accessorize! This, is such a great trick for any blah outfit to receive an instant face lift......
• Take naps... why you ask? duh... it's a nap!  Do people still say "duh"?
• Outdoor movies in the park... honestly, it's too much fun...
• Forgive.. people will hurt you and they may never deserve your trust again but forgiving someone releases your soul to fly again...
• Dance in your living room... my sincere apologies to the guy that lives below us...
• Have more hope in your thoughts than fear...

Lastly... Dream of someday while being grateful for today...  it's not about giving up on the "to do" list but more about letting life be the bigger list.. the bigger priority.. and all those other things will happen with hard work and determination but also joy... and who doesn't want more of that? 

Submission to IFB's project #100

Look Good... Feel Good...

Look Good... Feel Good... by hchdesigns featuring a lightweight zip hoodie

I have to admit... one of the things that does excite me about working out and getting in shape is getting cute workout clothes... Yes, the husband's shirt is comfortable but... it doesn't help the slim down look... baggy = big... fitted=slim....Win!

I'm a firm believer in dressing like how you want to feel... so I've been working out for like a week now... and the first two days I wore my drabby old yoga pants (that are a little small) and a t shirt that belongs to my husband... yes, I was comfortable but I didn't feel like I looked good.. and this is all about how we feel right? I mean how the heck am I going to be motivated if I feel defeated even before I start? Lame.... so... I got me some new workout leggings, put on a tank top and just like that, I felt like I looked better! The magic of having something fit...  That's all it took... I believe we should feel like a success now, so then we can continue on and start looking like we feel... Every now and again we need to give ourselves a head start... and for me that was workout leggings from Marshalls... Oh the little things...not to mention a snazzy new water bottle that doesn't leak... no one needs a puddle in their purse... 

Marshalls is a fantastic place to get great quality active wear for pennies! I scored my wicked awesome leggings there and I can't wait to go back to pick up more goodies! Shopping motivates me... shocker.. What motivates you?

Stay tuned tomorrow for me weekly update... and my stats... Thanks for reading and all the lovely support I couldn't do this without you guys! 

White Denim & Fried Chicken....

Top-Old Navy (similar)

Jeans- Old Navy

Heels -BCBGirls via Marshalls

Sunglasses- HM

Is there nothing more magical than white denim and leopard print... it's like combining two epic neutrals for one spectacular finish....  I read somewhere that wearing white creates an emotional response of feeling alert and alive..  Well I'm not sure about that unless of course we are talking about that I'm extremely alert to all the potential coffee spills and stains... It's a gift I have a real gift... however I would like to thank Clorox bleach and Shout pre-wash for making my white denim dreams come true!

I put together this little ensemble for ya'll... and of course a little Friday night date to KFC... yeah, that was a low moment... however I do not regret it... I had been craving fried chicken all and day and the only way to get some was (other than making it myself which we all knew was not going to happen).. yup KFC...  Seth was like, "are we going in?" to which I responded "OH NO...we are using the drive through"...  I'm not sure how this whole running to KFC got out of control but it felt like we were cheating on our healthy lifestyle just a bit... Only we would start juicing and go to KFC in the same week! Uhhh... I judge myself...  I must say... it was delicious.... and I don't regret it... well maybe a little... I wanted to feel young a free and how I do that is going through the KFC drive through... 

So enough about our poor decisions... and back to fashion... If you don't  own any white denim... put down the coffee.. close the computer and run, don't walk to your closest Old Navy...   Tons of choices in white denim and they are on sale! The jeans I got are in the Flirt line and for a girl with some curve it's heaven sent.. with a little stretch to help the fit.. I paired it with a silky leopard print top... I wish I could say this is still available but it's from a couple of seasons ago... however a leopard print top, shoes or clutch is the perfect pop to any outfit.. I feel that leopard print can easily fit into the classic "must haves" for any closet... I put on a pair of black pointy stilettos (because they make me feel powerful)... and I was ready for my night with a bucket of fried chicken! Because that's how I roll...

What a Girl Will Do For Coat...

Coat- Forever 21 (old) similar

T Shirt- Old Navy

Jeans- American Eagle

Shoes- HM

Earrings- Aldo (sold out) similar

Aviators- HM

Took a  drive to the coast yesterday after work...  The fog was rolling in and it just creates a magical feeling... I fell in love with the Northern California coastline years ago and yet every time I'm out there I'm stopped by the beauty... not to mention fighting the urge to wave to China.. Only I would wear 4 inch heels on the edge of a cliff...

I'm wearing a coat that I scored from F21 while awkwardly stalking the clearance rack waiting for someone else to put the coat back on the rack...  I mean, what was I going to do... walk up to the girl and be like "uh, looks like you're undecided about this coat... so if your not going to buy it, can I ?" ... super awkward...what a girl will do for a coat... so I made it look like I was looking at something else one the rack but really I was waiting for her to make up her mind... and after a bit I realized that this is a little bit weird, so I moved on and hoped that if it was supposed to be mine it would still be there... no joke I came back and it was there! There is no messing around when you find something this awesome.. Especially at Forever 21... it's like a mad house in there or it looks my bed when I can't decide on what I am wearing... clothes everywhere...

When pairing something with a full skirt or a print.. it's best to keep everything else simple..  and with something slimming like skinny jeans to create balance...

 Full disclosure  I had on a fully styled outfit under this coat with the full intention of not including my coat in the outfit post... but.. it was cold.

Sometimes I find that an outfit can just a little blah or like something is missing... and then put on a jean jacked or Aztec print coat and Pow! sounding like a cartoon again.. It's complete! Outerwear to me is like the fairy dust to an ensemble... Some awesome outwear I feel should be treated as a classic staples and therefore must get in your closet pronto!

Here's a list of my favorites-

Black or Khaki Trench
Black or Brown leather jacket
Jean Jacket
Pea Coat
Puffer Vest or Coat

Parka (perfect for spring!)

These are in my opinion some absolute classics and can be a life saver!

What are some classics that you cannot do with out? I'd love to know!

Photo credit- Seth

OOTD: Backup Plan

Top- Old Navy (similar)

Skirt- Forever 21(similar)

Vest- Target

Boots- G by Guess (similar)

Scarf- H&M

Bracelet- Gift (made by my sister)

Watch- Gift (similar)

Sunglasses- Ross

Today, I woke up wanting to wear my new J Brand jeans(see a pic on Instagram) I just scored off of EBay... for only $17, holla!.... I mean they are white, gorgeous and fit like a glove! (more to come about those later) Only one problem... they are a 35inch inseam! Ha... I mean seriously, I'm 5'1 "vertically challenged" petite, wicked short.. you get the idea.. there is no scenario that those jeans won't need to be hemmed... so... after all that, I didn't wear them... just call me captain obvious..

Since my lofty dreams of wearing spring white denim, died a painful death in the world of being a  ridiculously short person... I needed to come up with an alternative.... I pulled out my  denim shirt which is always "baggy" on me..... paired it with a Bodycon pencil skirt...which is not "baggy"... that creates balance when wearing a loose top...no one likes looking like a tent...  layered with my go to green vest, (we've talked about my obsession with this vest) and that helped with the whole "looking like a tent thing",  finished the outfit with a leopard scarf and gold jewelry... from this point I should just say jewelry, I'm not going to wear anything other than gold..

Honestly I am really quite proud of this ensemble since it was a "backup plan"..virtual pat on the back... Sometime the best ideas are the last minute ones...  especially when it involves "showing a little a knee"... wink.. wink..

Took a little drive...

my good looking man...

"keep eating" he says... ok I will...

And now we know why there is no picture  of me eating this... you are welcome world!

Top-Old Navy (similar)

Jeans- American Eagle (similar)

Shoes- Bass (similar)

Jewelry-Gifts

Sunglasses- Cotton On

"Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry...."

Today Seth and I took a little drive up to a couple little towns of Northern California... it was great little Saturday getaway.... We stopped in Cloverdale a little town in North Sonoma County.. walked around in the gorgeous 70 degree weather and found a little hamburger drive-in and indulged ourselves with some true fried goodness... Yum!... As you can tell with the pictures, it's hard to laugh and not show the world what your eating... somehow I figured that one out...sorta.

For our relaxed day I went with distressed jeans, black wedges and leopard print blouse... Rachel Zoe said once, the "rule to doing animal print is to do ONLY one item at a time"and I fully agree otherwise you can be channeling your inner "cat" lady...  and no one wants to see that...

I wore all gold jewelry...shocker... put my hair in a messy topknot... paired with my mock "Ray-Bans"....

It was such a nice day and just what we needed to getaway and feel like a tourist in our own backyard.... not to mention the french fries! 

Tissues, Netflix & OOTD...

Sweatshirt- Old Navy (in red or mint)

Jeans- American Eagle (similar)

Shoes- BCBGirls (gift)

Clutch-Thrifted

Watch- Relic at JCPenny

Nail Polish -NYC, Madison Avenue

Got sick again this last weekend... geez this is like the 2nd time in 2 months... lame sauce, time to start downing the echinacea ... Here I am glamorously blowing my nose, sitting on the couch watching back to back Burn Notice episodes with my hubs....  thank God for Netflix.... 

On Saturday Seth rescued me from never-ending boredom/cabin fever and took me shopping... nothing special but when you've been sick for a couple of days... getting out in the real world is a breath of fresh air... literally... Even if it is Whole Foods & Old Navy....

While out and getting an overpriced sandwich... I found this great sweatshirt....well actually Seth found it.... anyhoo... See I have this problem with normal sweatshirts... too bulky and the hoodie is not attractive.. kinda makes me look like a 12 year old.... but this boat neck works great to actually feel not so "wearing my pj's out in the real world"....  Awesome comfort but yet still collected enough to wear out of the house! Score...

I paired it with my distressed jeans and for fun I added my black patent leather BCBG heels and white clutch... but if you wanted a more of a relaxed look I wore my white Chuck Converse earlier and no clutch.... 

Now, it's back to the couch for me... my hubs is waiting patently so we can continue our Netflix marathon... got to find out who the real bad guy is!