When I lose the baby weight...

I'm gonna go on a huge shopping spree!  Just kidding...we're going to be so broke by then.  New baby + single income (during my maternity leave) + husband's b-school tuition equals eating ramen noodles by candlelight at night for the next 3 years.

One of my favorite online shops, Red Dress Shoppe, recently added some cute retro-inspired dresses to their inventory.  I fantasize about fitting into their size small like I used to.  Now, I"ll be happy to squeeze into a large. 

The Holly Dress looks airy and comfortable

The Miss Sadie Dress looks like something out of "Mad Men"

The Lemon Drop dress looks perfect for summer

Love the huge rose belt on the Shoshanna dress

See their entire stock on their website - there's tons of great retro-inspired clothing at a very reasonable price!  I'm so tempted to buy something right now...to help motivate me to lose weight, of course...haha...

Jeggings (jean leggings) are the best!

Our LA winter has been relatively mild thus far, but there have been a good number of chilly nights so I haven't been able to unpack my shorts/flip flops from storage just yet.  I bought a pair of J Brand jean leggings (aka "jeggings") which have been a staple of my wardrobe for the past several weeks.  They look just like regular jeans, including front pockets (which are actually fake) and back pockets (real), plus a zipper and button.  Did I mention they're also SUPER comfortable and go well with anything?

from Piperlime

from denimblog

I'd buy another pair except I've placed myself on a budget this month. 

Kids clothes, cameras, parties...yes this is random

So this post is really a bunch of miscellaneous items thrown together...

-Anthro kids
I wrote a previous post about how I wished Anthropologie had kids clothes, and it seems like my wish came true! Originally stumbled across a limited selection of items at the store in Newport Beach when I was down there for work event, but now you can find them on their website and in the latest catalog. Super cute stuff (just super expensive too!)

how adorable is this little apron!

(all photos above from Anthropologie's website)

-the long-awaited camera

It finally arrived in the mail on Wednesday and I've been happily clicking away at the most banal and uninteresting subjects to practice (with the exception of my dog Sophie, who's been patiently acting as my primary live model).  I'm still trying to figure how to use the darn thing - there's so much more to SLRs than a regular point-and-shoot - but I'm at least shooting in "P" mode right now, having skipped the Auto functions altogether.  So far, the pictures, even with my nonexistent skills, are looking pretty good!

-party party

Our housewarming a few weeks back was a hit, despite a couple of glitches (namely a few drunk guests and me buying way too much food).  I was so busy with about 40+ guests in our small home at one point that I didn't have time to take any photos.  With the holidays approaching, I can't wait to host more soirees, though this time, they'll definitely be a much smaller and more manageable group.  Hosting duties are fun but can be quite stressful!  I can see why some people call it an art.

Happy weekend!

Mad for AMC's Mad Men

One of my favorite shows on TV is AMC's "Mad Men."  Every Sunday night at 10pm for the past few months, my husband and I have eagerly watched the drama unfold in Season 3.  Character development throughout the series is very intruiguing, as each person has many layers and facets to his or her past and personality.  Simply put, it's a superbly addicting show.

I love how much attention to detail is paid on each episode of the show - from the dialogue to hairstyles to clothing to decor, every aspect has been meticulously researched and authentic to life in America in the early 60's.  Especially delightful are the wardrobes of the leading ladies on the show: Betty Draper, Joan Holloway, and Peggy Olson.  There's so much inspiration to draw just from the clothes and accessories the women wear on each episode.

all photos from Mad Men's official website on AMC

Betty Draper

Betty's like the quintessential 60's desperate housewife - reluctant suburban housewife bored to death with a lot of anger and resentment pent-up inside.  But her outfits are faaabulous.  I love how easily she transitions between squeaky clean Stepford wife to fashionista.  That last picture reminds me of a blonde version of Audrey Hepburn.

Joan (Holloway) Harris

Um, how hot is Joan?  She channels Marilyn Monroe and Jane Seymour with her curvy figure and sexuality.  The bold colors and confidence she exudes makes her stand out and shows that she's not someone to mess with.  She's someone I'd be scared of hahaha. 

Peggy Olson

Peggy's probably the most boring fashion-wise.  She seems to be somewhat naive and innocent at the start of the show, but her character becomes more worldy and jaded as the show progresses.  This development's also seen in her wardrobe - it goes from being somewhat old-fashioned to more modern (though she's definitely the most conservative dressed of the group).  Who knows though - she seems to have a wild streak that she's holding back, so maybe when the sexual revolution emerges in the late 60's, she'll go crazy.

Anyways, I can go on an on about the show, but you get the picture.  Watch the it 10pm on Sunday nights!

Monster slippers - in time for Halloween!

Seeing costume stores pop up in previously empty storefronts has gotten me thinking about Halloween.  I've been looking for the Maggie Simpson star costume from the Simpsons for my newest nephew, but it's surprisingly really hard to find. 

I found these darling monster slippers on Etsy that I'm thinking of getting for him instead:

from Etsy

Okay, gonna go back to looking for that Maggie Simpson costume online now.

Red Dress Shoppe

My love affair with vintage inspired clothing and accessories started when I came across Red Dress Shoppe several years back in Old Town Pasadena.  While looking for street parking on a side street off of Colorado Blvd. (the main thoroughfare in the area), a cozy little clothing store with a whimiscal sign caught my eye.  I can't quite remember why I was in the area but eventually I ended up in the store and felt an instant connection with everything, from accessories to dresses to tops to skirts (even the wall decor). 

Over the next few years, I frequented the store regularly, as well as their website, and learned about snoods and circle skirts. 

all pictures from Red Dress Shoppe

Unfortunately, the store closed a few years back and now only takes online orders.  BUT, they recently opened a new showroom in Eagle Rock (a few miles southwest of Pasadena) that's open by appointment only.  The owner, Madeline, is also a new mom and I give her lots of props for maintaining her website and store while juggling mommy duties.

So in the spirit of promoting vintage-inspired fashion and entrepreneurship, I encourage you to check out Red Dress Shoppe.  You'll love it as much as I do.

Janie and Jack in a new light

I remember seeing this store, Janie and Jack, in the mall since high school, but didn't really know (or care) what they sold, since nothing inside seemed to fit my aesthetic (or size). 

Fast forward about 10 years, when my friends and colleagues around me were starting to get married and have children.  When the wave of baby showers and birthday parties started rolling in, J&J started to catch my eye.  At the present, I admit that I am enamoured by the cutest morsels of clothes and accessories that I find here.  Even when I'm not on the hunt for a gift, I sometimes still go inside to peruse their latest kiddie styles and wares and take a moment to search their sale rack, just in case there's something too adorable to pass up...

They're currently running a nice little sale both in stores and online.  I'm getting a kick out of the names they give to each of their different lines of clothing (Parisian Park, Soda Fountain, Santorini Island...makes me want to set off on an impulsive trip to Europe):

All pictures from Janie and Jack website's sale section.  Prices are very reasonable and though many styles are from the summer, some (like the ones above) are still very appropriate for fall!

If only Anthropologie had baby stuff...

Because Anthropologie is, hands down, my favorite store in the world.

And what at Anthropologie is my favorite part of the store? The sale section!

Now if I won the lotto, I'd probably buy out the entire LA store, but until my winning numbers pop up, I don't think I can afford to blow my entire paycheck every month there, no matter how tempted I am to do so. Their sales are actually pretty good, and if you're like me and lurk around this section on a weekly basis, there's a good chance you'll find some great items for 20-50% off.

Too bad Antro doesn't sell baby/kids clothes or products, because I would so be there.  Their current home decor stuff though, would actually be really cute in a baby room.  In fact, all their store decor would be cute in a baby room.  I hope they don't mind if I borrow some of their ideas in my own home...

My job entails a lot of travel, so I'm currently in SF, fortunately within walking distance of the store near Union Square. I was pleasantly surprised to find a VERY robust selection of discounted items. Since I was on a time crunch (unfortunately having to work duing a prime shopping Sunday afternoon), I was only able peruse the racks for a few minutes.  But rest assured, I will be back soon.