Category Archives: Winter

School Days.

DSC_1117I am not sure if I was lucky or not because I didn’t have to wear a uniform to school. On one hand, it would have been easy enough to know what to wear to class each day and on the other I would have looked just like everyone else. I wasn’t a super fashionable kid growing up, I was obsessed with rock music and basically wore a band tee to school every day but that was my thing. So, I guess I am happy that I didn’t have to wear a uniform to school- but if I did I would want it to look like this.

(Shirt- thrift store find, Necklace- J. Crew, Skirt & Tights- Forever 21, Shoes- Charlotte Russe, Bag- Kate Spade)

DSC_1106(I love a chunky necklace tucked under a collar. It’s simple and cute)

DSC_1108(A thick cotton skirt is perfect for winter)

DSC_1112(I have had these oxford style booties for about 7 years and I love them more and more every time I put them on. They are classic and will work for me until the end of time. I repair smudges with a black sharpie…shhh, that is our secret)

DSC_1109(I love this color and the double zippers add extra space!)

I hope everyone had a lovely MLK Jr. Day!

Winter’s Leaving.

Winter's LeavingThe weather is beginning to warm and it’s some of the last days for these Winter colors. We took to Golden Gate Park to capture some of the Winter greenery.

Winter's Leaving(Sheer skirt and top- Anthropologie)

Winter's Leaving

Winter's Leaving(Headband– Anthropologie)

It’s rare that I wear head to toe Anthropologie but they always have the most delicate pieces for Winter.

 

Sunshine Sheer.

Sunshine SheerI picked up this simple dress at H&M with a great sheer bottom detail. Lately it has been 70+ degrees in San Francisco so I have actually been able to wear it is January. I put on this floppy hat to shield my face from the sun, I can’t believe I am saying that about Winter in San Francisco!

Sunshine Sheer(Take this dress into the light and you will see how sheer it is)

Sunshine Sheer

Sunshine SheerI love that this is an easy way for me to wear a minidress without feeling too exposed!

Cable Knit Lux

I love love love cable knit! The chunky sweater pattern is my absolute favorite for winter and I have been wearing it ever since the temperature started dipping. I know most people think cable knit can be frumpy but I think it is a lot of fun if updated with a little flare!

Cable Knit(One of my favorite sweaters purchased a few years ago at Anthropologie)

Cable Knit(Add in a chunky necklace to add a little color)

Cable Knit(Chunky infinity scarf warms up the simplest outfits)

Cable Knit(Love my new sweater from Anthropologie, look at those sleeves)

Cable KnitStay warm and fashionable this winter with my favorite, cable knit!

Under Construction.

French Canal

It goes without saying that France has some pretty unbelievable buildings; I couldn’t help but take a million pictures of my favorites. And believe me, they were ALL my favorite!

DSC_0026(The French Opera House glows at night. I don’t think there is one dim building in the evening)

Notre Dame(Notre Dame. It’s magical)

Monmartre(Montmartre was one of my favorite areas. It was so alive and they shot parts of Amelie there!)

Eiffel Tower(The Eiffel Tower. Yup, it’s pretty giant!)

Bordeaux(We got an overexposed version of Place de la Bourse but I like the way it turned out)

Hall of Mirrors(I never thought I would go here but I have always wanted to. The Palace of Versailles was incredible and the Hall of Mirrors was no exception)

Marie Antionette(Marie Antionette‘s bedroom was unreal! It was so over the top!!)

Palace of Versailles(Nick outside the golden gates of the Palace of Versailles. Can you tell we loved that place?)

I can’t get over how every building in France was clearly constructed with such calculated care. Everything is lavish in it’s own way and I just love it.

Winter Walks

IMG_6774Since it hasn’t been too rainy, I’ve been trying to enjoy the outdoors on the weekends.  The trick to this is layering your clothing because naturally you will get warm from a hike but it’s not worth sucking up the cold at the beginning in just a long sleeve shirt.  Adding a warm beanie or ear covering fleece headband can help too.  I hit some East Bay trails this past weekend with my mom and we really enjoyed the colors and paths that the hiking trails had to offer.  The same trails can look different throughout all the seasons.

IMG_6799Blue skies

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IMG_6775We had to go through a farm gate or two because some areas cows were roaming freely.

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IMG_6796Mt. Diablo

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It’s always nice to get exercise with fresh air.  I’d prefer working out outdoors over a gym any day.  I can’t wait for the nights when it’s light out longer and I can enjoy being outdoors after work.  There are a TON of trail heads throughout the bay area that are worthy of checking out.  You never know, there could be one right in your back yard!

You Gotta Have Faith.

DSC_0125Let’s start at the beginning. Notre Dame de Paris. It is MAGNIFICENT! I have never in my life seen something so spectacular and moving, the moment I entered the building I was literally speechless. My art history classes in college could not prepare me for how overwhelmed I would be. To think that this church was built 850 years ago leaves me with so many thoughts but mostly “how did they do it?”

DSC_0123(The exterior holds hundreds of statues that depict passages of the bible and because it was Winter, garlands were placed around the church adding something special)

DSC_0138(The stained glass is intricate and delicate as the light passes through to illuminate the interior)

DSC_0141(There are nooks that display different pieces of art, this was one of my favorites)

Sacre-Couer, Paris

DSC_0381(At the top of a large stairway sits Sacre-Coeur. At night it is a place of gathering for young  people who spend the evening drinking wine, singing, and gazing at the view of Paris in it’s entirety)

DSC_0395(Behind Sacre-Coeur lies an alley of vendors and restaurants)

Basilica of St. Michael, Bordeaux

DSC_0548(Basilica of St. Michael  is not at the caliber of Notre Dame but it is also very breathtaking inside. The ceilings are higher than I can count and the hall stretches hundreds of feet long. It is very grand)

DSC_0551(It was so bright inside which gave this church a softer feeling)

France does not mess around when it comes to their churches. Aside from being incomparable inside, they are also very welcoming. Each church was a nice place to walk around quietly in peace, and take in all of the history that the walls held. I liked to think of who sat in the pews hundreds of years ago and what they were wearing, praying about, and hoping for.

Sweater Weather

OK, more like heavy jacket weather but I’ve been listening to the song “sweater weather” by Neighbourhood a lot lately so I thought it was fitting.  Have you heard that song??  It’s such a jam.  I was up in my old stomping grounds this past weekend and it was one of the coldest but most beautiful weekends up in North Lake Tahoe.  Despite the cold, I was outside all weekend soaking in one of the most beautiful scenery’s in the world.  When I could muster up enough warmth to take my hands out of my mittens, this is what I was surrounded by.

IMG_6687(Emily and Matt are always kind enough to take me out on their snowmobiles and one of our favorite spots to go to is Watson Peak.  Can you beat this view?!)

IMG_6698(Emily is so awesome.  She’s so tiny but can rip a sled around better than most boys I know)

IMG_6711(Getting artsy)

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IMG_6688(Taking a break and taking in the view)

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IMG_6735(Then the sun started setting.  These colors never become dull to me.  Sunsets are incredible in Tahoe)

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IMG_6741(The next day, I woke up to go snowboarding and as I was walking out the door I saw this amazing light shining through the icicles on the front deck)

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I headed to Squaw Valley for the day which was a stifling -9 degrees in the morning.  However, I was bundled and prepared and no amount of cold weather could have stopped me from enjoying one of my most favorite hobbies.  I got to snowboard with some close friends and explore the mountain.  With blue skies everywhere, it’s hard not to feel so lucky to have such a beautiful place only a 3 hours drive away.

Can You Feel My Bones?

Ever since I was a young girl I was drawing; art has always been my very first love. Paris was filled with life, color or something outrageously beautiful and perfect everywhere I turned.

Marc Chagall(The unbelievable Paris Opera has ceiling art created by the modernist painter Marc Chagall. I was in awe of my surroundings as I watched the ballet perform)

Paris Opera(Every turn was accompanied by magical costumes once worn in past performances)

DSC_0364(The Tuileries Gardens outside of the Louvre holds amazing statues, pictures cannot do them justice)

Palace of Versailles(One of my favorite rooms in  the Palace of Versailles held a hall full of statues. The way the light peeked in cast amazing shadows)

There were also bits of darkness as the city has a history of death and disease which ultimately will inspire as a result. Take a look at what I mean.

Catacombs of Paris(The Catacombs of Paris holds 6 million skeletons delicately placed throughout since the late 1700’s. While this is not technically art it is very amazing to look at )

catacombs skeletons(There are so many interesting things to look at but I tried my very best to not forget that this was a cemetery and these bones belonged to people alive over 200 years ago. It is a testament to how preserved France’s history is)

France has art all around, from the canal to the sky, there is always something to see and admire.

City of Lights.

Eiffel TowerWell, they definitely call Paris the “City of Lights” for a reason, especially in the Winter. I can’t imagine what the energy bill looks like!

Wine Bottles(One of my favorite parts of Paris were the window displays. Twinkle lights make everything a little more beautiful!)

DSC_0045(A statue outside of the Paris Opera)

DSC_0012(The city is alive even late at night and lights cover the street tops)

DSC_0209(Champs-Elysees illuminates the way to the glorious Arc de Triomphe)

DSC_0196(While I didn’t get a chance to ride it, I imagine there was no better view of the city than on this glowing Ferris Wheel)

DSC_0409(Flashy flash! Moulin Rouge was awesome and you could see it from blocks away! Ooh la la!)

DSC_0483(Bordeaux was gearing up for the Arlette Gruss circus. Look at the glowing trees in the background!)

DSC_0631(Lastly, Bordeaux has little bulbs of light everywhere you can imagine. It is beautiful)

I feel so lucky to have experienced France in the Winter, while it is the down time I can’t imagine it gets any better!