February Obsessions

(Immensely satisfying chunky, sparkly blue statement necklace and delicately dotted blouse, Forever21; old Limited cardigan in sapphire with feminine ribbon-flower detail.}

{Baubles!  Something old (and borrowed), something new, something blue, no nuptials required ... a vintage two-tone bracelet-style watch with ebony face, on permanent loan from Mom; F21 bronze pyramid-stud earrings; Madewell gold "nautical" ring.}

{These shoes - some of which are current staples, others just dying to be broken out again for warm weather.  From top left, clockwise: F21 leopard wedge booties, Target gold platform wedges, J. Crew "Billies," Nine West suede heels, F21 nude "shootie" platform wedges, Tahari ballet flats, ancient high-school-era wooden platforms (cannot get rid of these, ever!), H&M fawn heels, beat-up and perfect brown triple-buckle motorcycle boots.}

{Still grappling with post-holiday house chaos  (take-out menus, Christmas cards, piles of mail) and living on my chaise lounge with these supplies on hand: Marc Jacobs "Rio" studded satchel; Kindle currently loaded with The Night Circus and a Mary Higgins Clark murder mystery or two; a fall In-Style so good that I'm still leafing through it months later; various pretty journals for assorted neurotic scribblings.}

{Polishing off the last of the Ghirardelli holiday chocolates.  M.Z. Wallace "Jane" bag in cardamom, aka one of the single best purchases I've ever made (thanks for the discovery Liz!), and the best work bag on the planet.  With its many compartments, highly efficient design, lightweight stain-resistant water-proof nylon, and pretty leather trim, it fits everything a Type A , crazy-ass teacher could desire ... even a leopard-print umbrella. Wish I could find that panda calendar...}

{This puppy, decked out in her "tutti frutti" sweater with huge brown eyes and her haircut looking fresh.}

{...And more baubles: Claire's "nerd" glasses; Target chain-and-crystal wanna-be J.Crew necklace; Kenneth Cole for Macy's multi- chain necklace; vintage bracelet.

In summation: mix of old trinkets, accessories that toe the line between delicate and clunky and back again, hyper-functional bags,the last of the holiday mint chocolate and tinsel, relaxing reading, a mess of paper, and a very sweet little dog.

-xo