Coats

Even though I am a summer girl at heart, there is something exciting about turning in the t-shirts, tanks and flip flops for layers of cozy sweaters, coats and boots.  Cooler weather has been a refreshing change over the last week and with it has come some perusing of warm weather items.  

One item I become overly obsessed with is coats (hence the reason the hubby picked one up for me).  I would live in a cooler climate if only for the reason of having an excuse to own numerous big coats.  I love each Fall season when retailers become inundated with beautiful coats of so many fabrics, styles and textures.  It makes me dream of traveling to cooler weather where I can actually wear them.

Emerson Frye

Single Welt Coat / Gusset Coat / Major Parka

J.Crew

Icon Trench in Wool-Cashmere / Convertible Toggle Coat / Wool Bomber Peacoat

The OutNet

See by Chloe Double Breasted Wool Coat / McQ Alexander McQueen Wool-Blend Coat
W118 by Walter Baker Keanu Faux Leather Sleeve Trench Coat

Banana Republic

Fit-and-Flare Bow Coat / Heritage Field Jacket / Draped Wool Coat

Weekend

Thursday night we had dinner on the Harbor.  I love it down there.

The weekend is here and I can say that I have finally re-cooperated from last Saturday's party.  It has been so fun reminiscing about the night with friends and laughing at all the craziness.  So far, 35 is pretty fabulous.

This weekend we are taking it easy with just a few sporting events and a USC Football party Saturday night.  With how terrible USC has been playing, I am not sure how exciting how this game will be but at least there will be wine.  

If you missed it this week...

I totally didn't post Monday because I was simply trying to stay awake...

I shared some party photos...

I fell in love with some boots...

I made soup for the first time...

Happy Weekend.

Lentil Sausage Soup

Of all the things I love to make, there has been one item that I have been terrified to attempt.  Soup.  For some reason I have felt too overwhelmed with the thought of making homemade soup.  It sounded like a lot of ingredients, a lot of time, a lot of work and who knows how good it would end up being.  For 35 years I have stayed away.

With Fall slowly arriving and the idea of warm comfort food sounding amazing, I finally told myself that this fear was ridiculous and I had to give it a try.  I really wanted homemade soup!  It can't be that hard can it?  I found this Lentil Sausage Soup recipe and it seemed easy enough.  From the minimal list of ingredients I figured this one would be hard to screw up so I gave it a shot.

Success!

I am not sure why I was so concerned with how hard soup would be because it was SO MUCH easier than I expected.  Silly me.  And how easy to make a soup while the kids are in school so that dinner is taken care of later on in the day when it is crazy.  

What I loved about this soup is that it was packed with nutrients, protein and was filling enough to serve simply with French bread on the side.  I will definitely be making this again, along with some other soup recipes I have stayed away from forever.  No more soup fear here!  

Alli Marie

My husband bought me a fabulous gift for my birthday.  It was a beautiful black wool coat.  It fit perfectly and wrapped at the waist.   I loved it.  There was only one issue.  For Christmas, my husband bought me a fabulous gift.  It was a beautiful black wool coat.  It fit perfectly and wrapped at the waist. And I loved that one too.

Yes, the poor guy bought the same exact gift.  He had forgotten.  After mentioning this to him, he looked so defeated.  I felt bad because I did love the new coat but in Orange County, there is just no need for two black coats that look exactly the same.  His next response was, "Well, I guess I got you a shopping trip at Bardot."  BEST GIFT EVER!

One item that I really wanted to get this Fall was a new pair of black booties.  Something that flatters the ankle, has a small heel and can be worn casual or dressed up.  When I hit Bardot, I noticed the Kelly bootie by Alli Marie, and had to try them on.  It took about 5 seconds for me to decide to get them. 

First of all, they are EXTREMELY comfortable.  One of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own.  Allison, the designer behind Alli Marie, grew up in the shoes business (she is fourth generation at her family's shoe company) and understood that when creating her own line, comfort was just as important as style.

Beyond comfort I just the look.  Simple yet not too simple and will go with everything.  I tried them on with a dress I also picked up and with the shorts I was wearing and they worked great with both.  Extremely versatile.  The perfect California bootie.  

Allison also creates some beautiful flats that I have yet to try on but if she can make a heel feel as comfortable as she does, I can only imagine how cozy the flats are.

Alli Marie is located in three boutiques in California and online here.

Fall, it is now okay for you to arrive.

The 80's

Susie Cakes nailed it with the BoomBox Cake

Saturday night was spent with some amazing people celebrating my 35th birthday.  We told everyone it was an 80's party and we wanted to see people dress up but I had NO IDEA people would go all out.  I mean, all out.  We had JR Ewing, Gene Simmons, Milli Vanilli, President Reagan, Maverick and many, many others.  The hubby even sported a button down shirt sans pants with tube socks a la Tom Cruise in Risky Business.  Guests dined on In and Out Cheeseburgers, Twinkies, and Cool Ranch Doritos.  The bar made up some 80's cocktails and the dance floor was out of control. I danced for hours on end and seriously had one of the best times ever.  I am already loving 35.  I wish I could include all the photos but here are just some from the night.  If I shared all that I would want to, this post would be endless.  

I think Robert Palmer would be proud

Trying to get a group shot on the dance floor.  Seriously impossible

Weekend

Birthday Party!

This weekend we are celebrated my 35th birthday with an 80's party.  I love that everyone coming is getting super into it and not telling anyone what they are wearing.  I CANNOT wait to see who (or what) arrives.  No matter how old I get, I still love a good costume party.  Who doesn't is what I would like to know!  Plus, an 80's party gives me an excuse to rent a checkered dance floor, use crazy bright linens and order a boombox cake.  Duh.

If you missed it this week...

I loved this look...

I had the kids model this adorable clothing line...

I found home...

I shared another Orange County favorite...

Have a Totally Rad weekend.

Balboa Island

On Tuesday I mentioned that we spent the weekend on Balboa Island.  What I didn't mention is that it was my birthday and with no sporting events that day (SHOCKING), the only place I want to go was Balboa Island.  It is one of my absolute most favorite places in Orange County.

Newport Beach is made up of the Pennisula and a number of small islands filled with incredible Cape-style homes, restaurants and shops.  Though I adore Lido Island and Bay Island, Balboa is one of the larger islands with an adorable main street and the most perfect boardwalk that surrounds the island.  You can spend hours there walking around, indulging in yummy treats and enjoying the beach.  You just can really never have a bad day on Balboa.

The best Cinnamon Rolls EVER.  But you better be there early.  When they are gone, they are gone!

Endless amounts of Salt Water Taffy can be purchased here.  A must stop for the kids.

A Balboa Bar is a must whenever you are on the island

I am having the best time showcasing some of my favorite places around Orange County.  It makes me appreciate all the little things that are right in my backyard.  We can so easily forget.  Another favorite to come soon!