LIFE IN THE SIX O: from drab to fab.

SUMMER WORKWEAR:

Happy July!!! Here we are into the heat of summer, no problem on the weekends throwing on a comfy sundress but what about for work? I always have a hard time putting together work outfits from June through August. Questions pop up like how bare is too bare? Does anyone really want to see all of my toes at the office, do my bare (white pasty) legs need longer skirts? I was buzzing around Polyvore about to make a few collages to address these issues when I came across the hash tag #summerworkwear and I couldn't stop grabbing at HTML code! So much so that this is part one of two. So many classic combos and looks I love! Notice how that sleeveless cowl neck top sure gets around! So here is a little inspiration on putting together some 'appropriate' looks if you work in an environment that requires more then your shorts and flip flops.

If you'd like to see where to shop the pieces just click through the links below. I didn't include them here because this is just style inspiration and because although they are all for the working girl, they are not all working girl budget friendly.

Summer Office Staple: Sleeveless Sweater by katjuncica

Summer Office Staple: Sleeveless Sweater by paculi

workwear by veronica7777

Summer workwear by lilieshomeandgarden

summer workwear by issilen

Summer Workwear 3 by angieque

#sleevelesssweater by antrigenessis

Sleeveless sweater by jess-za

Summer Workwear by barngirl

FOUR SUMMER MUST HAVES:

Taking a summer day from drab to fab is not rocket science, sunshine, water, a pool raft, or a sandy beach and an icy umbrella drink will do just fine thanks. But when it comes to other favorite summer things I think accessories get top billing. Here are the fab four; Great sandals, big tote, chic straw hat and a fab pair of sunnies and your good to go!

The Winston Sunnies, my favorites! They just make everything look good.

Hat, hats, hats! Could there be a better accessory? Not only do they look great but they can be a girls best friend on a bad hair day. There are tons to choose from out there so go try on, not every hat looks good on every head.

These sandals are so cute and comfy and they are currently 30% off through 5/25 with COUPON CODE MEM30 I got 2 pairs (black & silver) for $33, free shipping too! They also come in white, turquoise, red, gold, orange and yellow.

These totes are reversible so it's really two for the price of one! These are also 30% off through 5/25 with COUPON CODE MEM30. Tons of reversible combos, cobalt/navy, mint/dark mint, black/red, light blue/navy, grey/black, yellow/taupe, pink/taupe, orange/pale orange.

Snapped this pic on a recent garden tour in Ojai, so I would remember it. (and cause it was so dern perdy.) I've put mint and cucumber in water before but never thought of strawberries. This was absolutely the most refreshing drink ever, give it a try this weekend. (More from that garden tour coming soon.)

Cheers to the first long weekend to kick off summer!

Motivation Monday:

Happy Monday! I hope you all got to harness the power and enjoy the glorious Super Moon last night. This moon is said the bring prosperity and healing. So make it a great week, fabulous things are happening!

Motivation Monday:

Good Morning Monday and hellooooo to a brand new week. Lets make if fabulous!

FROM DRAB TO FAB ~ FURNITURE

Once upon a time two little girls in a New York apartment shared a few pieces of Ethan Allen furniture. I'm talking the original, dark wood, early American brass handles, about as traditional as you could get, furniture. One of those girls grew up becoming pretty non-traditional. Yes, that was me. The dresser, along with its sister cabinet and desk somehow ended up with me and went on to have many incarnations. Eventually ending up in my daughter's room. When she was old enough to speak her mind, (like the minute she was born), and have an opinion, (kindergarten), on her favorite color, this non-traditional mother let her creative daughter paint her room her favorite color. Which changed every month. And as the walls changed color she had her way with the furniture as well. She kept the desk and cabinet, they're now black, with crystal knobs, very high style reminiscent of old Hollywood glam. A far cry from apple green, shocking pink and baby blue, just to name a few. But there's one piece that she rejected, the big dresser. In its final phase with her it was Shabby Chic white. Then, it was shunned leaving me to find a place to put it. Because of its history, and my compulsion to make drab things fab, I couldn't bare to get rid of it. Then I found a beautiful patio on Pinterest and sitting there in all its glory was an old bedroom dresser. AH HA!

So outside it went. I've painted it turquoise and picked up these assorted mediterranean knobs at World Market. I'm not posting the finished photo yet because I'm toying with the idea of planting some of the drawers and deciding what to put on top, candles, Buddha, plants, etc. It worked as a great serving piece for my Thanksgiving Al Fresco and as a display surface at the Tranquility Pop Up event I hosted.

I suspect that the original designer at Ethan Allen may be rolling over in his grave, but it really looks fabulous!

FAB FINDS FRIDAY:

Happy 2014! I know I've been saying that for 2 weeks but hey, I love new beginings, probably why I ended up being born on January 1st. When I was a kid we'd talk about years with big numbers and thought the entire world would be like something out of The Jetsons by 2014. Well, we may not have flying cars, although I'd really love that during rush hour on the 101 freeway, we've come a long way baby. (They actually said that when I was growing up.) Our phones not only came off the wall, they now fit in our pocket. We had no computers to speak of and no video games (unless you count Pong) and can you really count a game that had a tiny dot and a line? We can even buy a car that we can plug in. But as we, the world, and technology evolve, there is one thing that stays the same... SHOPPING! Nice segway ay?

Happy Fab Finds Friday! The end of the year brought a quick trip to Vegas and of course that means a stop at the Primm outlets. Not only is there a great Kate Spade store, but they were having a 50% off their already outlet prices. What's a girl to do?

This is my new favorite handbag, I know I say that every time, but really, no really, this time it is. OK until next time. But I love it. Handsome bought it for me for Christmas and I'm saving it for Spring.

Next weekend getaway was to San Diego to spend New Years Eve with our friends from Illinois who were there to visit family the week before. They're our travel buds, we meet every summer at some place random so seeing them in the winter and for New Years was an extra treat. There are two constants wherever we go. The first is that we always have fun, whether at a vinyard in Napa or in a Duck boat on Lake Union. The second is that our husbands play golf one day while we shop. Not just ordinary shopping, hunting as I like to call it. We scout the best re-sale shops wherever we go. This trip it was My Sisters Closet in La Jolla . It was huge, it was spotless, the prices were amazingly low and everything I tried on was in mint condition. And I mean like new! (Note to self - 18 items in a fitting room all at once is exhausting.)

This jacket by JG Hook was $12! The fabric is beautiful and I'm a sucker for a short belted jacket, when it's $12 and in mint condition.

Major score, JCrew blazer for $17! It looks brand new inside and out, I'd swear it was never worn. I can't wear either of these because it's 75 degree. Not a complaint by the way.

Then there are these pillows! I had a crush on these a year ago when I saw them in a Ballard Catalog. They were $59 each, way above my throw pillow budget. Then I happen to be in a Tuesday Morning store, not a fan, but someone told me they had good holiday stuff. Well, I didn't get any holiday stuff but I got the pillows for $14 each! When I got home I looked them up on line, same pillows, still $59. Never get tired of the thrill of the hunt.

January is a great month to Get Your Bargain On! Assess your wardrobe and take stock of what's missing. When you get dressed in the morning do you say things like, "I need a black cardigan for this outfit?" Take note of those things and have them with you when you are out hunting. Look for basics on sale now like cozy sweaters, blazers and boots.

Asos cable knit sweater $25 Forever21 Blazer $30

Anne Klein Bootie $75

Ann Klein Ciji Boot $117

Happy Hunting!

TODAY IN THE KITCHEN:

Cheating on fashion with food today taking breakfast from drab to fab! I've been in a major cooking mood lately. For me that comes and goes, but when it comes it usually involves recipes I make up at the spur of the moment like this one. I call these My (healthy) Egg McMuffins. Since everyone in my house is always on the run I'm constantly on the hunt for healthy food I can make in advance and we can grab on the way out the door. Make a big batch of these on Sunday and keep them in the fridge to have for breakfast or a protein snack pick me up on the go.

Ingredients

6 eggs
4 egg whites
1 bunch of baby spinach (you can also substitute broccoli)
1 medium onion or a bunch of scallions
Olive oil
Cheddar cheese ( If you're dairy free I use this great dairy free cheese called Rice Shreds)
12 cup muffin pan
Olive oil cooking spray
Pre heat your oven to 350
Makes 12

Whisk your eggs and egg whites together in a mixing bowl. Stir fry your onions and spinach in olive oil until the onions get a bit golden and the spinach is soft.

Pour the onions and spinach into the egg mixture and stir.

I use a soup ladle to spoon the batter into a muffin tin. Make sure you use a lot of cooking spray in the muffin pan or you can use cup cake holders.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, or until a knife comes out dry. These will keep all week in an air tight container in the fridge, if they last that long, they don't in my house!

TODAY IN THE CLOSET:

BINGE or BUDGET:

I just LOVE this gorgeous skirt for the holidays. I won't ask you to guess the price because it's a long shot. A hint would be that the designer is Balmain and if you are familiar with that name you would guess high. No, higher, higher! This gorgeous skirt is $10,800. And even if I could afford it I'd rather feed a country, (no offense to anyone who actually owns one.)

BINGE