Much like most women I’ve talked with, it’s been a bit frenetic. Not quite sure why June feels like all systems go, haven’t even unpacked the carry-on from last week Thursday in Chicago IL.

Was quite on the verge yesterday, running all over everywhere. Calmest part of the day was when we put it all away and made some simple dinner. Third daughter has decided to go meat-free, fine with us, so a roadside market stop with a few cupboard staples makes the meal. Really trying to stay away from anything processed, yet canned artichokes, olives, and some quinoa cooked in sweet onions and parsley will have to do. Best part is that she’s now taken an interest in cooking, and did the beet greens all by herself. Composed salad, quinoa, and beet greens, dinner done.

Self-talk is to simply stay composed, lol. We’re in the office building a team for Fall Twenty Fifteen, and sometimes wonder where the lines blur between work and play. Thinking that when you love what you do there’s really no black or white, it’s all gorgeous grey, and here’s what we’re working on:

They look pretty composed, right?

Every day dress, family | fashion | food, LOVE it all. Simply stay composed, haha.

Three days into the summer solstice and we’re heads down in the office during the work week. Simple summer calls for simple hair, simple make-up.

Kind of loving the half man bun and the clean face with only a red lip and short red DIY red manicure.

Every day dress, simple summer.

While we’re all about Fall Twenty Fifteen when on the road and in the office, weekend downtime we’re all about denim, and make that a triple.

 

Cooking and serving, barefoot and no make-up. There’s something about turning it all off when it’s dinnertime and something so soulful about working in all denim.

Happy Tuesday, in the offices all this week working and prepping for Fall Twenty Fifteen.

Simple style notes: here’s a few blogs I turn to and find inspirational.

That’s Not My Age – the grownup guide to great style – Alyson Walsh, she’s got a book out too! Check her out here at www.thatsnotmyage.com.

The Accidental Icon – intellectual and fashionable, her recent post about boyfriend jeans and a white blouse I totally get, and her weekly Friday reading lists post is always an exceptionally edited joyful homework piece. Find her good work at www.accidentalicon.com.

And of course there’s Garance Doré, could go on about her French photography, illustration, and fashion blog forever, love to buy and gift her stationery too. She’s at www.garancedore.fr/en.

Enjoy.

Here’s an unusual travel trip that may or may not work for you, probably dependent on your airline, itinerary, and the shape of your shoe:

Strap your heels on your carry on.

For travel home from Chicago after two nights and three days of meetings, strapped on two pair of sandals to fly Southwest. Attendants said not a word, no gate check, no objection, lucky.

Had to put them on the outside as we picked up a few new things, nothing major, white cotton maxi skirt, black dress, navy tank, and a little one-shouldered number. Those went in the bag, and didn’t want to squash the shoes. 🙂

Browsed a little on the Miracle Mile with a colleague and here a few things we looked at yet didn’t bring home:

Gold Chanel sandals, love the flat heel, the walkability, love the bling, not in love with the price for a June July maybe August footwear look, and might get tired of the bling.

yeah, this needs to be moved to the back of the hip a bit, wearing it this way for the photo

Chanel Girl Bag, has a great feel, love how it fits close and soft to the body, would be practical for hauling stuff around while looking chic, yet can’t get around that price either. Still prefer the Boy?

 

Louis Vuitton Capucine BB? Now that we’d put money on, has a long strap for casual shoulder or cross-body wear. LOVE.

 

Louis Vuitton Capucines BB

Every day dress, strap them on.

Have a great weekend everyone, beyond happy to be home. 🙂

 

Here’s the view from the room, thank you Chicago and thank you The Drake.

We’ve been here since early Tuesday morning prepping for our next six months of fashion fun. Half the upstate team is here, missing you Amy, Erika, Cary, and Michelle. From the left meet my people, that’s me in the column of navy, shocker, and then Linda, Norina, and Mary. Love you all and love working with you guys. Next up a few street selfies, those are always fun. 🙂

For me it’s been all navy or black with the wardrobe, it’s a business trip after all, and to get out of dodge yet again had to make the packing thing as simple as possible, so simply stuck with one color.

Worth New York, great meeting, and can’t wait to get home and share all that’s coming. Here’s to Fall Twenty Fifteen.

Saturday night at small B&B in West Chester PA wore all white linen.

Tomorrow early morning Tuesday we’re off to Chicago, that will be all business black.

White linen is the ultimate downtime fabric, wrinkles be damned, all the way around, haha.

White lace has been an enduring wardrobe staple for as long as we can remember. Usually a dressed up special occasion kind of look, now we like it paired down for a more casual vibe.

Black bra underneath, of course, what other choice is there, and white bootcut denim. Husband’s antique Ralph Lauren crocodile belt with silver buckle, needs to be polished, oh well. Over the years we’ve somehow met in the middle.

Every day dress, lace it up.

 

 

Fashion icon Carine Roitfeld advises to ‘never ever share your daughter’s wardrobe’ and ‘you have to look every five years at your wardrobe and say: ‘is it OK to wear this with my legs? Is it OK to wear sleeveless with my arms?’ Then you have to have a cull. It’s not nice but you have to do it.

We agree with the cull, absolutely. We have a cull going on now in fact. Boxes of things we’re no longer in love with or that look right and that we’re ready to pass on.

As for sharing your daughter’s wardrobe? Yes, on occasion. Grabbed this dress on the way out the door yesterday and tossed it in the bag before a six-hour drive to Philly. Oldest daughter wore it a few weeks ago for a family dinner party, second daughter wore it the night after for her college graduation party. Many of the same guests, gasp. Last night I slipped it on, easy.

The best thing about this is that we should all wear our clothes more often. Why not? Keep the good stuff in heavy rotation. This dress might be considered fast fashion by some yet we’re putting it to work.

When doing private wardrobing with clients we always go for clothing longevity, and that’s smart planning.

Sometimes it’s simply fun to have a little summer dress and to pass it around. 🙂 Thanks Linnie and Booie, maybe you don’t even miss this one yet. Lizzie, you’re up next. 🙂

Dress | Zara

Bag | Louis Vuitton

Shoe | Laurence Dacade

Day and night has been pretty much non-stop. Husband recently asked, ‘where’s your summer color?’

Ha, it’s around, yeah, we’ll dig it out when we get out, it’s just that this past week it’s been all about default, black is always the new black.

Loving these Dolce & Gabbana mid-heels, they pretty much elevate the ordinary.

Simple style note: if we’re still gonna hold onto the skinny jean, simply make sure it shows a little ankle. Wore this exact outfit with blue denim boyfriends last Tuesday in New Hope PA for dinner, the look was way cooler yet those jeans were in the wash.

Off to Philadelphia tomorrow for four days and then Chicago on Tuesday for a few.

Where’s your summer color?

Busy work week with travel and learning new things, so late Friday afternoon headed straight to the country.

Nothing fancy, old linens and good fresh food. Sun went down and we still sat at the table, country strong.

Thanks for reading, this is the every day, and wishing all a nourishing weekend.