Beach chic?

I had to go to a social function at our country club this evening where the attire was beach chic. I've never heard of that before, and considering it was really freaking cold outside, I opted for my black Jessica's and not sandals.

SHOPPING CORNER

Black asymetrical zip front leather trimmed vest, white button front silk tunic, damask pattern leggings.  Black Jessica's.

THE WEATHER REPORT

It was super cold and windy!!!

JEWELRY DARLING

Not any jewelry, just a baby pink and black silk scarf with Chanel written in white.

The difference between need and want...

My husband says that I don't know the difference between need and want.  I can usually find a need for the things that I want.  I guess to me they are one in the same.  Does that mean he's right?  Don't tell him that...

SHOPPING CORNER

Color blocking is really hot this season.  I have a chiffon sleeved, color blocked, zip up.  I love the bright blue on the cuffs.  It has a Mondrian esque feel to it, making it feel super modern.  I paired it with a slightly see through black T and a pair of dark grey drawstring pants that are gathered at the ankle.  Love these pants. Super cute and comfortable.  Very in right now.

Silver sequined stack espadrille wedges on my feet.  My sons favorite pair of my shoes.  I wear them to his baseball games.  They are good luck!

THE WEATHER REPORT

Our weather has been bipolar lately.  I think that's why I got so sick.

THE MAKE UP COUNTER

I wore a nude face today.  When my son took this picture he said I needed to put more of my face on.  Everybody is a critic!

Back in Black

Getting my hair done on Tuesday really took it out of me.  I was so sick.  I thought I was going to have to get help with my family.  I could not stop being dizzy and spacing out.  I probably need to qualify the previous statement.  More dizzy and spaced out than normal.  

Turns out I had a nasty virus and double ear infections.  It wasn't just the bleach.  The worst part of it was the fever kicking my rear.  Up and down, freezing cold and sweating hot.  

Anyway.  I spent the last 5 days in and out of bed.  Mostly in it than out of it.  I didn't even get to Target.  I saw Melodee and she said that she knew I must have been sick because I had not been in.  

So here I am in my Willy Smith maxi skirt and Scandaliscious dolman sleeve top with Swarovski crystal tank underneath.  I wore this because I was sick of being in my yoga pants and jammies and wanted to be cute and comfy.  

New Hair Day!

New hair day!  

Really just the same old hair with updated color...that hasn't grown in a year!  I am not joking.  We took the kids to London and Paris last summer.  And London ate my hair.  I brought my straightener with the UK adapter thinking it would be fine.  It wasn't.   After getting shorted out at the wall I had to trash it.  I was sorry to see it go.  My old friend.  We did many a hair do together and I wasn't sure how I was going to make it through the rest of the trip.  I was forced to buy one off the street.  My hair hasn't been the same since.   Actually, it is EXACTLY the same as it was.    

It hasn't grown an inch.  

Today I wore a maxi dress, white cardi and a red white and blue Chanel scarf.  Michael Kors espadrille wedges.

Scary Spice?

I might just scare away this beautiful Sun.   My legs are hyper white (in this super short dress).  I need some rays if I'm going to dare bare these, without embarrassment by summer!

Here is Sparky, and his new hairdo trying to steal my shot.

THE WEATHER REPORT

JEWELRY DARLING

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

 

I'm so glam I bleed glitter...

You wouldn't know it by looking at me but I am part Native American Indian.  One look at my kids and you would not doubt it to be true.  

I love turquoise, the stone - not the color. I really like leather.  Every color and every hide.  I like natural textures.  Feathers speak to me.  Could it be my heritage speaking through me?  I would like to think so.  As far back as I remember, my grandpa would jump around, chant, and rain dance in his yard.  I could always picture him in full dress (although I never saw him in anything but his cowboy hat).

But I think the real reason is that, like him, I am more than a little flamboyant.  Last year one of my Facebook status updates read "I'm so glam I bleed glitter."  But what do you expect from someone who earned the nickname Miss Priss at a young age?  

I used to drive my poor mom crazy, because I would change my clothes at least twice a day.  Then I would change into my jammies for bed.  After I got changed for bed I would dress and rotate my dolls.  Even my barbies had new seasonal wardrobes.  I would mix and match their outfits with their beautiful high heel shoes and matching hat boxes.  

Any time we went on a trip, I would pack up my dolls and barbies and all of their ensembles.  It's a sickness.  I was infected at an early age...  

And my husband wonders why I require an extra suitcase when we travel.  I need one just for my shoes.  

SHOPPING CORNER

Black leggings, square sequined black tank, sheer white tribal motif blouse trimmed in leather.  Sam Edelman tribal stack sandals with pencil heel.

THE WEATHER REPORT

JEWELRY DARLING

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

Update:

The dance was fun.  My daughter had a good time.

Didn't post about my clothes yesterday.   Here are my new BCBG babies.

Pretty in Pink!

My beautiful daughter is going to the Sadie Hawkins dance at her high school tonight.  When I found out that she had a date and was going I was super excited for both of us.  Her because she was going and me because I was going to help her pick out THE DRESS.   

That night she had dinner with her dad.  She spilled the beans to him that she wanted to go with her girls, and I wasn't part of the equation.  He told her to let me down easy, that my feelings would probably be hurt.  He was right.

I felt like she put a stake through my heart when she said she didn't want me to go shopping with her.  I mean come on!  That's totally in my wheelhouse!  That is the one thing in my life that I know I can do right.  

I gave it some thought and decided this was a rite of passage for teenagers and let go of any hurt feelings. I relinquished having control and agreed...

Fast forward two weeks later.  I get a call from my daughter.  She needs me to take her shopping for THE DRESS.  She and her girls couldn't make schedules sync up.  

I tried to contain my overjoyed self.

I could have at least kept up the cool facade.  I would have been fine, but my jumping up and down while screaming gave me away.

I told you that story, so I could tell you this one...

My darling daughter and I were going shopping for - THE DRESS.  Before my giddiness could set in, she sat me down to go over the rules.  She only wanted black and/or gold.  That's a period. And...

1.  Nothing long

2.  Nothing with sparkles (How am I going to do this?  Shudders at the thought of nothing sparkley.)

3.  Nothing with ruffles

In my head I thought "dear fashion God's, does a dress like this even exist?"

I did my best to bring her everything she asked for.  I was doing a great job.  We put some dresses on hold and were on our way out of the store when she did a 180 in front of me.  It almost gave me whiplash.

I could see her dreamy eyes staring at something.  And it looked like that something was wonderful.  

Imagine my surprise when I saw what it was.  

And isn't she?  Pretty in pink.

Sunshine and Sweets

Hope you had a nice Valentine's Day.  Mine was sweet.  I did not get to have my mani-pedi today.  Not enough time.  To quote my friend Heather, " I don't have enough room on my plate, Holly.  I think I'm going to need another one."  Or at least a bigger one?  Maybe I just need to simplify?  I don't know...  My priorities might be off if I can't fit my feet into my day.  

SHOPPING CORNER

Navy jumper (Spense), white cardi, navy patent heels (Guess).

Sorry for the grainy image.  My photographer was at the farm with his dad.

THE WEATHER REPORT

Another glorious day here in North Texas!

JEWELRY DARLING

This is one of my favorite necklaces!

THROWING SHADE

My white Chloe babies.

Born to Shop (Someone knows me well)

I had an amazing day.  Now that sunshine is back on the radar, I feel like a new person.  My daughter and I were driving home from school today and she said "OMG the pavement is so shiney!"  It looked like the street was made of silver.  "That is called REFLECTION!  It's from the sun." I said with a Cajun accent on re-fleck-shun.  She went on about how crazy I get, and the foreign accents that come out at random times.  I'm pretty good at mimicking people.

I did a Barack Obama once that left us both in stitches.  I was so dead on that it left an awkward silence between us and all we could do was burst out laughing.  

SHOPPING CORNER

One of the trends happening now is the collarless jacket/blazer.  I wore a white one today with a black lapel (Massimo), black/grey leggings with lace pattern and silk button down blouse.  Around my neck is a really cute CC scarf with lipstick cases all over it.  I wanted to wear a saucy pair of sandals but my feet need a pedicure and a tanning bed.  If I would have had my tootsies out today they would have been what caused that re-fleck-shun.  (Said in a Cajun accent.)

Instead I wore my trusty black Jessica's.  Pedicure for me tomorrow, stat!

THE WEATHER REPORT

Look at what is in my forecast! Those little yellow circles represent all the sun that is coming my way.  Happy dance!!!

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

Holy Smokes and Bikini-Tini by Benefit.

JEWELRY DARLING

The "Born to Shop" scarf pin was a sweet gift from my buddy Melodee.  Here we are together.  I just adore her.

Wearing my boyfriend jeans, don't tell my husband

Oh boyfriend jeans, how I love thee.

Let me count the ways...

I'm in no way a fashion expert.  I know what fits look best on me and I tend to stick to them.  Boyfriend jeans are a staple in my closet.  They are cute with ANY type of shoe and look great dressed up with a tailored jacket or dressed down with a t-shirt.  Rolled up or down it's hard to find a more versatile piece to add to your closet.

There was one pair I ended up donating. The reason?  My husband.  I walked out wearing my getup one day and he looked at me curiously and said "What kind of jeans are those?"  This was an out of the ordinary question for him to ask.  He never asks me what anything is that I wear.  So I said, "They are my boyfriend jeans."  He quipped right back, "Then you should give those back to your boyfriend."  And into the donate bag they went...

SHOPPING CORNER

Boyfriend jeans (Ana), grey Nicole Miller tunic with sheer detail in the shoulders and sheer cutout in the back, black quilted stack booties (Steve Madden), lavender/grey/blue scarf I got in Paris, black leather jacket.

THE WEATHER REPORT

YAY!  The sun came out today.  I am looking forward to this weekend when it's going to be sunny and 70.

JEWELRY DARLING

Silver necklace with grey stones,  my favorite stacking bangles, black knuckle ring, silver and leather cuff.

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

Black charcoal eyes by Lorac.

Feeling aDIORable

Day 20.

I'm feeling so much better!  Today was a good day.  I was ready to get back into the swing of things.  I got to visit to my awesome doctor (see below), and now I'm waiting for Grey at baseball practice.  Not even crappy weather could keep me down.  

SHOPPING CORNER

Black leather and knit leggings, cream silk tunic (Massimo), mushroom colored fur trimmed sweater, patent stack pencil heels (Carlos Santana).

THE WEATHER REPORT

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

I was feeling aDIORable today.  I took a break from my daily Chanel fix.

JEWELRY DARLING

I wore gold because my Chanel scarf is pink with gold trim.  I ended up dripping coffe on it!  

I snagged some cute layering necklaces.  Alone they seem chincy, but together they make a statement.  

ARM CHARM

A beautiful patent clutch by Cole Haan.

CELEBRITY SIGHTING

DR. SAM LAM

http://www.lamfacialplastics.com/

I have the best and most dapper doctor who treats my migraines with Botox.  I see him every three months.  He is always dressed to a perfect T.  Besides being a daring dresser, he is an accomplished author and amazing surgeon.  When I left his office today he had one more surgery to do then he was off to be interviewed for Night Line.  

I had a revolutionary procedure done to stop underarm sweating.  We were on Good Morning Texas to talk about it.  See the video at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7LuvYO_KIw

Not haute, just hot

I would like to be haute today, instead I am just going to settle for hot.  I am suffering through a fever.  My face is super red from the heat.  I can't even take care of it with make-up.  I just don't have the energy.  

Normally I like to cold chill.  But today I've had the cold chills.

Sickness does not look pretty on me.

I had to get dressed today.  Being a mom doesn't allow me to take the day off.  I dropped the dogs off at the groomer, got a Starbucks, took the dry cleaning, went grocery shopping and then came home for a nap.  I felt worse after I woke up.  

SHOPPING CORNER

Skinny jeans, motorcycle boots, black tank, grey cardi, blue and black Chanel scarf.

THE WEATHER REPORT

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

I only managed to put eyes on.  That's it. The rest of my face is red and blotchy.  I look like a commercial for Proactive.  

I hope I feel better tomorrow.  I'll check back in then.  As soon as I can, I am going to get in my jammies and robe and call it a night.

SICK

What to wear when you are sick?  Anything that helps you feel better.

Which hopefully for me will be tomorrow...

I can't even post a pic.  I look and feel like crap.

Tune back in tomorrow.

HHH

COSTUME CHANGE

It's my anniversary.  Well not technically, yesterday was, but my Honey was out of town.  We celebrated tonight with dinner out.  We took the Ferrari.  I had to dress for the occasion.  

SHOPPING CORNER

I was so casual getting dressed this morning that I felt like I had the day off!  It was nice.  But tonight I had to turn up the heat.  

We opted for Uncle Julio's so I didn't need to get super dressed up.  I kept it simple with black damask leggings and my cobalt blue tunic.  Does this formula sound familiar?  Day to night!!!  Add some saucy footwear (my favorite black Jessica's) and black leather jacket and I was set.  For some extra panache I wore...wait for it...a silk scarf.  Just stick to the formula and day or night you will be put together for any occasion!

Now I'm off like a dirty shirt.  Enjoy your evening.  We are turning the phones off.  Who am I kidding we've got KIDS!

Prissy/Practical

Per special request I have been asked to devote some time on this blog to Mom's on the go.  Mom's who need to be comfy casual.  No heels... 

So here goes!  

Confession... 

I do have flats in my wardrobe.  I do have many BCBG track suits.  I do have comfy casual pieces for hanging around the house.  That's just not how I usually roll.  

But today I will bear sore arches (my feet hurt in flat shoes) for the sake of my Mom friends.  It is possible to be prissy and practical.

If your go to pieces are usually gym clothes and you do not go to the gym, I can help you.  If frumpy should be your middle name and you are stuck in a fashion rut - do not despair.  The first step is admitting you have a problem.  I can take it from there.

We can do this one garment at a time.  Starting with sweatpants.  You know what I'm talking about.  The pair that are so worn, it looks like you could fit yourself and your kid in the rear end.  Your 10 year old kid.  The time for those pants have passed.  You don't even need to donate them.  Just throw them out.

(I'm not judging here.  Don't walk away with that feeling.  I am trying to help!)

Replace them with a pair of black leggings.  Trust me, they are JUST AS COMFORTABLE and they go with just about everything.  Put your tennis shoes back in the closet.  Replace them with a cute ballet flat.  Find a blouse/tunic that is long and loose.  You can add a belt for a more pulled together look.  Or just keep it simple.  Add a scarf, or a statement necklace and you are out the door.  Prissy and practical!

Follow that formula and experiment with your look.  Branch out from the black leggings and try a denim pair.  Mine are white today.  They are made from cotton, rayon and polyester.  Which makes them comfortable because there is some stretch in them but they still retain their shape after wearing them all day.

Invest in some cute scarfs.  They can be bought for next to nothing and add charm and personality to your look.  Today I am wearing a Louis Vuitton in silver, black, pink and yellow.  You don't need a luxury brand, Target has knock off Alexander McQueen skull motif in lots of colors.  They add an edge to your outfit.

I hope this helps!  Email me your questions... hollyulmer@ tx.rr.com

SHOPPING CORNER

White denim leggings (Massimo, Target), white premium t-shirt (Massimo, Target), silver/grey loosely woven dolman sleeve sweater (BCBG), silver studded ballet flat (Target).  Louis Vuitton silk scarf.

Photo credit - my son Grey.

THE WEATHER REPORT

JEWELRY DARLING

Keeping it simple in white gold hoops and my wedding ring.

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

Brows, lashes and nude gloss.

ARM CHARM

My big black Chanel bag.  Perfect for a mom on the go.  Room for everything.  A snarky girl once called it my "Mary Poppins bag", witch.

THROWING SHADE

A little glitz, no glammy

After a long night with a sick child, I was not ready to get dressed at all.  I would have loved nothing more than to stay in my jammies all day long.  But, life called and I was forced to put clothes on and take my daughter to high school.  I have seen other mothers in carpool with their robes on, coffee cup in hand.  I am too afraid I will get a flat tire or have other car trouble to risk it.  I can picture myself having to get out of the vehicle - slippers, robe, and all.  It scares me how badly I would scare someone else, if they were forced to encounter me that early in the morning.  I would be embarrassed to no end.  

And so reluctantly, I listen to my would be panicked self and don clothes for drop off.  After all, it was snowing!  I would freeze if I had to get out of the heated seats of my Hummer.

SHOPPING CORNER

I heard the call of the dreaded track suit today.  Not your everyday run of the mill track suit, no, not at all.  My track suit is dope.  It has Swarovski crystals studded all the way around the hood.  It shines when I am not able to.  It is by Scandalicious.  

The pants were about 6 inches too long. So I took some scissors after them.  I cut a couple of inches off, not wanting to screw them up too terribly before I could get them to my tailor, but needing them to work for the day.  Even with my fly DJ boots I looked like a cocker spaniel with big fluffy feet.  Today was ruff.

I didn't have anything more important to do than to care for my Bear.  So I spent the majority of the day at home.  When I did leave I wrapped a silver Chanel scarf around my neck. 

The Five Components of a Look...

I think there are five components when it comes to putting together a look. 

 

1.  Shoes (Is it a surprise that I would put this one first?)

2.  Garments

3.  Accessories 

4.  Make-Up

5.  Hair

Then there are what I call 3 "Layovers"

1.  Clean face, no make-up

2.  Day old hair

3.  The track suit/yoga wear

My rule is to never have more than one layover in your look.  Say you are feeling like phoning it in with your track suit, you cannot neglect the other 4 components.  Put your face on, wear a cute pair of DJ Boots, style your hair and wear accessories.  Add a great scarf.  You will be chic on no time.  

That's it! That's my formula.  It's as easy as it seems.

SHOPPING CORNER

I phoned my hair in today.  A day old ponytail was what I had to work with.  I'm just being honest here.  You cannot be hundreds every day.  

Because of the snow I opted for motorcycle boots (Steve Madden).  I tucked a pair of skinny jeans down into my boots.  I wore a white wife beater tank top under a long white sheer blouse with black shoulders.  I would have looked like an actress from West Side Story if it weren't for my black fur.  I need it for warmth people!  Finishing my look was a red and black Hermes scarf.  I love the H's all over it!

THE WEATHER REPORT

I am OVER IT!  My friend Tracy H. said "Holly, I am so tired of wearing my coat...IN THE HOUSE!"  I can sympathize  sister.

JEWELRY DARLING

I didn't wear a necklace today.  My Hermes scarf was snug around my neck all day.  Earrings were white gold oblong infinity diamond hoops (a gift from my parents), MFIL charm bracelet.

A ponytail day

I would love to write that 6 a.m. is a peaceful time of thought and reflection.  That the house is quiet and all I can hear are the tippy tappy feet of my angel shorkie.  But that would be a complete and total lie.  What I wouldn't give to make mornings my bitch.  

My husband is a morning person.  He rises and SHINES.  While I can barely get my motor started.

I'm not sure if you understand exactly what I'm talking about.  Are you a morning person?

Take this morning for example.  At 6, I woke up to get my husband off to the airport.  We had a cup of coffee together.  It was nice.  Now it's 6:45 and I get the pleasure and privilege of cleaning up my son's dog, Sparky's puke all over the upstairs.  My son came downstairs to tell me about it and he puked on my entryway rug.  AWESOME. 

How did your lovely day get started?

Now I have to wait until a decent hour to cancel an appointment, and see if puking Sparky can get into the vet.

My hair is going to finish last in the game of getting ready today.  It's going to be a ponytail day.

SHOPPING CORNER

I have to lift this beast up into my Hummer because he won't jump.  In turn he gets black hair all over me and cries in the back seat.  He's such a baby.  So I'm going to wear black today.  Black like Johnny Cash.  Black because I am in mourning of my morning.

Who am I kidding?  I. LOVE. BLACK.  It's my favorite color.  I know black is not technically a color.  But I don't discriminate, therefore black will remain my fave.

I'll start today with black leggings.   I like variety so I'll go with a pair that have a leathery sheen.  Add to that a black silk tunic (Massimo), dark grey boyfriend sweater (Converse) and my black Jessica's to keep my legs and toes warm.  For a little color I will wear a baby pink and black silk Chanel scarf.

It's 27 degrees outside so I will wear my fur (Dennis Basso).

THE WEATHER REPORT

It's still cold.  I am not built for this.  I can hear Jamaica calling my name...

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

Benefit's RSVP is my base and highlight under my brow.  It is a little pinker than Bikini-Tini and goes with my scarf.  NARS Mekong in my crease.  ELF brown gel liner on top of my upper lashes.  Borghese mascara, 3 coats.  Benefit's Dallas is always my blush.  My sister was a make-up artist for Chanel and Benefit.  She taught me how to apply my face properly.  I thank her silently every morning.  Thank you Heather.  Shout out!  Now she owns:

www.beautybarofbuckhead.com 

 

JEWELRY DARLING

My Flat in London charm bracelet, silver bow bracelet, large black knuckle ring, silver and grey stoned necklace, earrings that match the necklace.

ARM CHARM

Chanel cross body carry on tote.

THROWING SHADE

Pink to black ombré shades by Chanel.