What to Wear: Rainy Day Boots & Company

It's a rainy day... but the tear drops from the sky have yet to show their pretty faces. I am quoting the weather people from yesterday when I say there was supposed to be a "100% chance" of showers. Those are pretty remarkable odds, right? 100%? I mean, you think they'd give themselves an out by saying 90 or 95%, but no, whole hog it must be apparently.

Sometimes even I forget, weather people are never wrong.

So I shall wait and boy, am I prepared! My sister gifted me with the most fantastic pair of Ilse Jacobsen rain boots last week and I have been itching for an opportunity to wear them. Do you have things like this? When it comes to the majority of items in my closet, I can usually scrounge up some reason to wear one thing or another (I have been known to "over dress" on occasion simply because I am looking for an excuse to don a pretty frock or a fabulous pair of shoes), but rain boots are tough because it's glaringly obvious if you're sporting them and the weather is not requiring their use.

Ilse Jacobsen Rain Boots, Top Shop Snood, Maya Brenner "E" Necklace,
Jagger Godiva Sweater, J Brand Skinny Jeans

I feel I should point out the necklace on the right hand side of the image. It was a gift from my in-laws for Christmas, and it has a mini "e" and "k" linked into the chain. I wear it all the time and seriously love it.

Happy rainy day tidings to you, friends, and just in case you're looking for a little indoor entertainment on your lunch break, check out this old Geri Halliwell fave. Nothing says bad weather like a washed up Spice Girl, writhing around on the floor, singing about rain and men, am I right?

What to Wear: Mammoth Aprés Ski

We're off to Mammoth this weekend, everyone! We'll be spending it with great friends and most likely, even better food, as I'll be making it with my fellow self-professed home cook, Brett. Here's what typically happens when Brett and I cook together: we toil away, chopping, mixing, blending, tasting, while our significant others, Kyle and Brittany, look at YouTube videos and make comments.

It's a lot of fun.

Anywho, whilst the majority of the people in our group (shout out to Teets, Seth and Greg (I think it's Greg, haven't met the fellow, but aside from knowing he's a vegetarian who may or may not like chili, I'm guessing he's a nice guy too) will be snowboarding, I shall be hanging out, cozy warm, inside. My knees have been bugging up a storm and Kyle and I both agreed it best I sit this one out.

So... what to wear? I decided, if you can't be entertained by the slopes, you might as well be entertained with what you're wearing. I'm talking crazy, wacko ensemble here, folks.

Set details can be found here

Hair looking bad? Why not throw a panda on your head? Striped socks too thin to keep your toes warm? Put a pair of boots on made by the shorn fur of a chinchilla (whoops, sorry, I meant fauxchilla). And who doesn't love pretending they're Goldie Hawn on a wintry day in Colorado?

Lookin' good, lady! And Kurt, not so bad yourself! This is giving me inspiration on what to pack for Kyle.

Because all of the above are things you're supposed to wear in the mountains, right?

Right.

A happy and fashionable weekend to you all!

Wedding love on a Friday: Ivory Sparrow and a Call to Action

I remember what it was like being a bride... the excitement, the anxiety, the stressing over decisions and details that, as it turns out, won't stop the world from spinning on its axis. Today I had to start with this little video via The Knot because I couldn't help myself:



A few of you probably saw the title of this post and thought, "Didn't you get married almost three years ago? Haven't we already been subjected to you talking about it and sharing it and reliving it over and over and over again?! Leave us alone, woman!"

But it's actually even more exciting than my wedding, friends (ok, maybe a little less exciting, but it's up there). Today's the big reveal for a project my mother-in-law and I have been working on for the last two years... Ivory Sparrow.

When I was getting married, I was a fiend about planning our trip down the aisle. The websites and blogs I frequented and the wedding magazines I purchased... overzealous may be the word for it. I never brought myself to tally up how much money was spent on those publications from April 2008 to June 2009, which was probably a good thing for me (and my husband's sanity). I bought a cute accordion folder and loaded it to the brim with fabric swatches and brochures and mostly, tear outs from magazines filled with wedding inspiration deemed awesome by me.

During a visit to my soon-to-be in-laws all those years ago, Kyle's mom, Cyndi, and I were looking through the pages when I showed her a tiny little photo of a bride and her bridesmaids getting ready in some cute terry cloth wraps. We thought it could make for a fab gift for my girls and also create a great "getting ready" photo opportunity on the big day, so we scoured the Internet for them. We discovered the options for bridal wraps were, well, less than pleasing to the eye. They were made with cheap fabric, ugly details and provided a less than flattering fit.

Cyndi thought she could do better... and boy, did she!

The fabric she crafted them out of is superb. We spent hours discussing buttons and fit and thread: if we were gonna do this, we wanted to do it right. She developed wraps for flower girls as well, totes and quality flip flops with Swarovski crystals to round out Ivory Sparrow's collection, and plan to include robes in the near future.

Since my own wedding, we've had the honor of working with a few other bridal parties while we toiled to get Ivory Sparrow off the ground. And now that we're ready and open for business, we know other brides will love them too.

The hours leading up to a girl's wedding are special and made even more so by the people with whom the future Mrs. chooses to surround herself. Our wraps make getting hair and makeup done a breeze, and add to the overall camaraderie of the day (because, let's be honest, there's nothing better than sitting back with your girlfriends, sipping champagne and getting pampered).

Soooo, since we're friends, and I'm hoping you'll wish us a fond "Bon Voyage" as we take off on our journey, I'm hoping you'll like us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter. I'm sure there's some eye-rolling going on out there, but take into consideration a few things: (1) What can it hurt? and (2) I'd do the same for you! You have to click on the link for Facebook because until we have 25 followers, it won't come up when you search for it.

On our page and blog, we'll be sharing "Ivory Sparrow Weddings," decor inspiration, DIY tips and more! Also, for any engaged or soon to be engaged ladies, we'll be doing monthly giveaways of our wraps, totes or flip-flops.

If you're worried we're going to bombard your feed with posts and links (I'm looking at my guy friends here), you can still "like us" but hide our posts from your feed... it's a win-win for all!

To sum it up, help a sista out: like us on Facebook, check out our site and have an amazing weekend!

And We're Off!

Today's the day... Africa, I hope you're wearing your big girl panties, because here we come!

As promised, a Halloween inspired post before we head out to the airport, over and then out of the country (I'm so giddy and pumped full of caffeine that I can barely even type this).

I've always loved a good game of dress up.

I'm pretty certain we thought we were uber-glamourous.

Costumes, makeup, accents, theme parties... the whole nine. I love it, I love it, I love it! Thus, when it comes to Halloween and getting dolled up, I'm always down. Furthermore, I'm a UCSB alum and if you know anything about my alma mater, it's that we know how to do All Hallow's Eve the right way. En serio.

Photos you won't be seeing: my costumes from sophomore and junior year. The first was Tom Cruise from Risky Business, which of course means all business on top and no pants on the bottom.

Junior year's was rather inspired and the way it came together was almost serendipitous. My friend Matt and I were trolling State Street in Santa Barbara when we decided to go into Salvation Army. There I found a great Red Cross volunteer coat that reached to just upper thigh level. I paired it with knee high black leather boots, black booty shorts and a garter belt.

When my grandmother saw the pictures a month later, she said, "Well, you looked cute honey, but I think you forgot your pants."

Halloween 2002: Viking towel guy, German girl, Austin Powers

Halloween 2005: Abraham Lincoln and 80's girl (?)

Halloween 2005: Me as my roommate and German boy

Halloween 2005 (I dressed up 5 nights in a row that year): A whole lot is going on here.

Halloween 2005: As pizza girls, we carried jello shots in the boxes. Matt plays Bob Barker (scarily well, might I add).

Halloween 2008: Flapper and a little cat.

This pumpkin looks like Chevy Chase, am I right?

Halloween 2009: Sherlock Homie and Amelia Earhart (with Dog as her Co-Pilot)

Halloween 2009: Some amazing costumes to be admired.

Halloween 2010: Sherlock Homie (eye roll... AGAIN?), Miss Piggy and Grumpy Bear.

A zombie leg created fun whilst waiting in line.

I actually found a Kermit on the street! I have no clue who this guy is.

The whole gang, Halloween 2010.

Thanksgiving 2010... Yeah... I really meant it when I said I love to dress up.

Needless to say, I don't have the balls to go pantless anymore.

Another thing we'll be missing this year is the annual pumpkin carving party we throw. It would have been our third annual, but I'm kind of ok with, you know, us leaving for Africa in a couple hours.

Did I mention how excited I am already? Yes? 

I'm excited.

2010's clear cut winner. It turns out Matt is not only an amazing lawyer, but a talented artist as well.

"Ladies Fingers" soft pretzels I make each year (with marinara blood, naturally).

Our Halloween tree and some delicious banana cupcakes!

The spread. One of my faves? The "Don't Drink & Fly" napkins.

Trick or Treat, everyone, and see you on the flip side...

Thinking Pink

When my husband and I got married a few years ago, we were the first of our friends to take the leap and seal the deal with a ring. In comparison, the next year, we attended six (and were invited to eight) separate weddings.

Phew.

However, this year, only one peep on the bride and groom circuit. Might we have cashed in most of our chips in 2010? Are we possibly over the first boom of weddings that won't occur again until we're in our early thirties? I'm sure you know what's coming next...

That's right. BABIES.

The first of our dear friends are expecting! Yup, it's really happening and today they discovered it's a girl. A GIRL! A wonderful, sweet, adorable (sure to be toe-headed) baby girl. I have been excited about it all day and can't stop smiling. Thank goodness I'm by myself. I'm pretty sure I look like a complete idiot and you'll have to forgive me for my excessive use of exclamation marks today; I just can't help myself!

Baby Girl Brewer, we cannot wait to meet you!!!

So naturally, I'm thinking pink. And by thinking pink, I mean I've been roaming around a few sites looking for some goods for BGB.

She's due in winter, but every gal needs a go-to dress for spring!

Burberry Gathered Dress

Baby Girl's parents lived in LA when we did, so I feel it only befitting she has an outraged onesie.

Sara Kety Onesie

 Ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles!

Little Ella Moss Romper Dress

 It's chilly where she's gonna be living, so some stylish bundling is in order!

Ralph Lauren Infant Down Jacket

 Tootsies will stay toasty warm with these puppies!

UGG Australia Infant Booties

What can I say? Mama and Papa-to-be were children of the 90's. The kid's gonna need some leggings.

Splendid Littles Tunic and Leggings

Polka dot onesie grey and pink romper? Even snarky hipster babies can agree on its deliciousness.

Gap Polka Dot Romper

Baby Bear Brewer? I could just about die...

Gap Bear Onesie

Too bad Auntie EJ's feet can't fit into these sassy shoes.

Gap Kitty Ballet Flats

 If you know any parent with a baby, they know who Sophie the Giraffe is.

Sophie the Giraffe

 Trojan gear for Mama...

USC Infant Cardinal Dress

 Rebels paraphernalia for Daddy...

UNLV Rebels Bodysuit

And I might sneak on some Gaucho booties when Mommy and Daddy aren't looking, little one, just a heads up!

UCSB Booties

February cannot come fast enough...

I'm dreaming...

... of some cold... weather.

This happens every year. I'm going to warn all you warm weather fiends that you're not going to like the next sentence: I hate summer.

Before you start calling me a fool or egging my car, let me explain. I have about four days a summer when I love it. The sun, the breeze, the activities, the food... everything comes together in a synergetic way.

The other 90 days, I'm wishing it was autumn. Or the holidays. One of the two. Either way, the problem with living in southern California is that by the time the actual summer ends, the really hot weather picks up. Do you know how many Halloweens I've spent sweating like a pig inside my costume and hating life? Too many to count!

I wholeheartedly believe I was meant to live in areas where it's cold about 350 days out of the year, like London or San Francisco. If I could convince Handsome to move to one of those cities, I'd be ecstatic (and silver tongued... he is unimpressed with chilly weather and has let me know this).

Most people try to argue that living in cold cities is different than visiting (no kiddin'! I'm saying this in a yokel voice, btw), but they're missing the point. The allure of a chill, a rainstorm, a bank of fog, is based on being cozy inside, curling up with a good book under a blanket and outfits.

Yes, I love my cold weather ensembles, almost more than I love shopping for them.

The sweaters! The jackets! The boots! Put me head to toe in cashmere and I am a happy girl. Here are a few I've been dreaming about (and might possibly purchase at Aris in Laguna):

Cozying up with a book and a latte during a rainstorm (as previously mentioned):

Helmut Lang Cowl, MiH Jeans, Repetto Flats, Helmut Lang Clutch, Anita Ko Elephant Earrings

Meeting a client for drinks (cabernet sauvignon for autumn and winter, please!):

Helmut Lang Blazer, Helmut Lang Leather Leggings, Sonar Ankle Booties, Chloé Shoulder Bag, Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Dome Ring, Jennifer Meyer Diamond Earrings, Armand Diradourian Scarf

An unexpected date night at a delicious, hard to find bistro:

Helmut Lang Crepe Dress, DVF Suede Platforms, Marni Clutch, Cartier Love Bracelet, Asha Earrings

I'm over the sun. Bring on the rain!

And the Helmut Lang...

{Outfits put together on Polyvore}

Canine Costumes

Thanks to an amazing forward by my bestie, B, I've figured out Moe's Halloween costume.

Antoine Dodson.

However, due to his chasing tendencies, I'm going to alter the sign to say "Hide yo cats, hide yo mice."

Happy Friday, everyone!

Safari in Style: Part One

In April, K and I received an email from one of our best friends that started out like this:

Boys and Girls, 

Have you ever wanted to do this? (if the answer is yes, read on):

Africa... who's down?

The question I have for you is who wouldn't be down to go to Africa? Luckily for us, we were able to afford it and without even checking with one another, Handsome K and I promptly RSVP'd in the affirmative. We knew we'd be on the same page.

I guess I should back up and explain a couple things. One, our friend (we'll call him Dear T, which he'll completely hate) moved to Botswana from the Cotswalds with his mother and four siblings in 1995. Two, he then went on to document his time on a lion research camp in the Okavango Delta with one of his younger brothers and his younger sister (I would be lying if I said I didn't extract this information straight from Amazon.com, although I swear it's been told to me in person by T). It's a book called The Lion Children and I assure you, it's a good read (even Richard Dawkins agrees!). 

Three, since moving to America for college, meeting his lovely wife, Fantastic J, getting his Masters at Oxford and settling in the Bay Area (apparently it IS easy to condense nine years of life into one sentence), he's been itching to go back to Africa... and luckily for us, wanted his friends to come along for the journey.

In addition to Dear T, Fantastic J, Handsome K and yours truly, there are five others who jumped at the opportunity. All nine of us will be hitting South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe and experiencing the best it has to offer with Dear T as our knowledgeable, entertaining and sexy guide. 

But what to wear?

There must be some people groaning ("Really? She's traveling to Africa and she's thinking about outfits?"), but please relax. Apparently, it's supposed to be between 110 and 120 degrees during the day while we're there, so my travel companions will be lucky if I manage to put on an ounce of clothing every day. If that should happen to be the case, I think I'll be going in this direction:

By Malene Birger Hat, MiH Jeans top, Barton Perreira sunglasses, Isabel Marant bracelet, Toucan Print large scarf, 
Rue 21 cargo shorts, Alexander McQueen flat sandals

I love how well my malaria pills will fit in the cargo pockets and I think this will make the perfect ensemble for trying not to get bitten by snakes, charged by an elephant or eaten by a hippo, don't you?

I jest. I am over the moon excited, not only for safari, but to spend some quality time with a few of the people I love the most, miles and miles away from it all.

{Ensemble created here}

A Wedding on Golden Hill: What to Wear

I’m off to the wedding of my brother and his bride-to-be in northern California this weekend. They’re really quite a gorgeous couple, those two.

However, planning what to wear has been a bit of a challenge, the reason being I hate dressing for hot weather. I’m a jeans and snuggly sweaters and oversized scarves kind of gal. I called my grandma this afternoon and got a bit excited when she mentioned how cold it was outside… in Sacramento… in the middle of summer.

I should point out she has dementia and the weather was, in reality, 99 degrees Fahrenheit when we spoke.

In addition, the rehearsal dinner is Western Cowboy themed, and while I love any excuse to dress up or bust out my gray Henri Beguelin boots, the rest has been a bit of a struggle.

Thank god for my wonderful sister and her fabulous ideas… Talking to her inspired me to whip up these little dream ensembles. Have a gander and let me know what you think.

Cavender Cowboy Hat, MiH Jeans Stonewashed Shirt, Paul Smith Bandana Scarf, Emilio Pucci Snake Bracelet,
Rupert Sanderson Military Boots, Ae Distressed Denim Shorts

I can't even tell you how difficult it is to outfit this round noggin' in a cowboy hat.

L'Agence Maxi Dress, Monique Pean Atelier Diamond Earrings, Alexander McQueen Flower and Skull Cuff, Anya Hindmarch Valorie Clutch, Calypso Antik Batik Akan Thongs

Here's to celebrating forever love and happiness in style, everyone!