Is It Shopping If They Are Closed?

I'm a ritual person.  It's true.  I have certain things that I do faithfully and will not stray from them.  One (that's a favorite) is I have a milkshake every Sunday afternoon - no matter what.  Recently after my weekly fix of peanut butter delight, I decided to check out some new cars.  You know, stroll through the lot while sipping on that cold refreshing beverage (in 90 degree heat no less), and check out the newest and latest autos.  I'm not really in the market right now, but I think it never hurts to have a back up in mind.  It helps even more given the fact that they were closed so I guess I can't really call it shopping - it's more like browsing.  I found a few that caught my fancy, and I realized I really liked the ones that had all the "additional packages" of course.  A little something extra I like to call it that makes the car that much more special.  It's just like outfits.  I could have been wearing a plain sleeveless pullover, but I needed one with the tiniest bunch of ruffles around the neck and bib area.  And, the slightly off mint green color cooled me down just looking at it.  The trousers at first glance seem to be just a mellow yellow, but a closer look shows their light blue windowpane plaid detail.  So I decided cars and clothes are similar - it's all in the little extra details.

Trying to decide which one

I need more to drink

Ruffled top by CH Carolina Herrera, linen trousers by Ralph Lauren, sandals by Balenciaga

I'll make a decision later 

Where did I park?

Top notch updo bun

Maybe I'll come back tomorrow 

More drinks please

Zoo Keeper

For my annual trip to the zoo, I decided to be casual.  After all, it's outdoors and a lot of walking (not to mention some of the smells your nose encounters!).  So, I decided to keep it simple and neutral so I wouldn't frighten any of the animals.  I thought stripes seemed appropriate, and we had a good ole' time except for the reptile building which was not David's favorite.  He was a little creeped out although we saw the most gorgeous blue colored snake ever!  All the typical sightings were there - elephants, gorillas, kangaroo, birds, birds, and more birds.  We even had some unexpected (and unwanted) critters during our lunch al fresco - the flies swarmed around so much, it was one hand on the food and the other hand flapping in the wind.  The last stop before the exit was of course our visit to the photo booth which is always a must as well as a photo op with my purple friend.

Making the entrance

A simple, low bun for outdoor excursions

I need to meet this creature 

Vest by Proenza Schouler, striped sweater by Jean Paul Gaultier

Seersucker trousers by Peter Som, boots by Maison Martin Margiela

Larger than life

Is this the Macy's Thanksgiving parade?

Breezing Through Summer

Summer is hot in Dallas so it's hard to wear decent clothing and still feel cool and fresh, but we try.  Sometimes I think designers have never visited any really hot climates because sometimes the clothes that come down those runways for summer don't look at all appropriate for 100 degree weather, but I guess when our temperatures reach their peeks, no clothing is going to feel light and airy.  To keep it cool, going without a sleeve is sometimes a must, but it can be done in a fabric that's not so casual, and one staple for sure is linen although I hate all the wrinkles.  I paired a metallic with a pastel to help it feel a little icier to cool things off (at least in my head).

Summer shadows

Silk floral top by Barneys and linen trousers by Chloe

Art piece is vintage from 1970's and covered in tiny glass beads

Maximum minimalism

Lots of neck detail

It's a breeze

Duck and hide

Fashion Hiatus

You know I love some reality television, but right now most seem to be in re-runs as the seasons have ended, so all my must watch shows are causing me to go into withdrawal from not seeing some of my peeps on a regular basis and catching up with all their happenings.  I need to know what clothes little baby Zoe is wearing!  Will he be in a Gucci ensemble with matching booties and a cap?  Will Rachel be in a maxi dress with leather jacket and jewelry to die for?  What about Brad?  How are his dogs?  Since I'm on a Thom Browne kick lately, I want to see just how he's wearing all of his jackets and shorts.  And then there's June - the newest of the group, and I must admit I'm hooked on her show as well, but I miss her oversized glasses and turbans that I'm so accustomed to seeing her wear on the front row at fashion week.  They all keep me glued to that thin square box mounted on my wall week after week, but for now, I'll go outside and take a break and dream about September when I'll see them all in New York again for the next round of catwalk shows (and maybe by then their new seasons will be back on TV too)!

Rachel Zoe

(at New York fashion week)

Brad Goreski (at New York fashion week)

June Ambrose (with Catherine Malandrino)

(at New York fashion week)

Stars and Stripes

Stripes for days but always subtle.  Of course I should say for as subtle as I can be!  I'm really not that into lots of patterns and prints, and I know this season I strayed a little and incorporated more into my looks, but overall, I'm still a neutral lover.  This combo does do some power striping and uses red, white, and blue but still comes across slightly sophisticated without looking patriotic.

Global stripes

Jacket with exaggerated lapels by Vivienne Westwood

Clutch by Thom Browne

A little pose and turn 

Monumental pose

Taupe tank top by The Row and putty colored stiff jeans by Alexander McQueen 

Bug-eyed

Shadowed by the world