Lucky Day 13 of Fashion Challenge-Back in the U.S.A.

On January 14, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn Dog, Fashion, Seattle, Shopping, TravelLeave a comment

Back in the USA! After a few days in snowy and ridiculously cold weather in Canada, I’m wondering why ANYONE lives there… really??? Parkas and big thermal boots would have to be your fashion statement for months on end…. OH. HELL. NO. If there is ever another trip to Canada in my future in the winter (which I certainly will try to avoid) then, note to self, pack some F*@king Boots. I packed my one of a kind, expensive, handmade boots not my ugly Uggs. Mistake, big time! They had smooth leather soles that didn’t work too well on the ice and snow. My only other packing choice of shoes were heels. I’m an idiot. So, I walked carefully and looked forward to getting back to warm Seattle. At 50 degrees, it is like summer down here vs. Edmonton’s North Pole-like experience. Brrrrrr…….

Of course, Izaak is the best part of this picture not the outfit. He is a big hunk of cuddle muffin who likes nothing better than laying his head on my neck so he can feel my pulse and get cozy. I do miss all my guys when I travel. It sounds glamorous to those that don’t have to do it very often but life on the road is challenging at best. Last night as we raced to Vancouver’s security and then customs to get back to the U.S. only to stand in line fretting if we would make our flight (we did by 2 minutes) I kept my co-worker calm when the TSA dude let through a whole group ahead of us because there flight was leaving 5 minutes before ours–these days if you complain too loudly, they will just ban you from the flight for being contrary. Watch your words and action and always be polite… you get more with honey than vinegar!

So, first day back in Seattle, I brought out the stripes with animal print accents in the form of a warm Banana Republic sweater with a classic black skirt and tights. Best part of the outfit was the chunky and clunky necklace that turned the outfit into interesting vs. boring. It makes crazy noises when I walk but I like it. Sometimes, you just have to walk loud and proud!

I have a standing desk at work now so the Rockport stiletto booties only lasted part of the day and then I had to change into flats to finish it out. Always be prepared with flats just in case. I am hoping that standing most of the day will be healthier for me in the long run vs. sitting…. can’t be worse, right?

Just got back from the gym and now settling in to watch American Idol (yes, I’m one of THOSE!) and get more work done. I know I shouldn’t work so hard but I always feel I need to work harder than anyone else to be successful. Probably not true, but I have a family to support, so off I go!

Day 10-11 Fashion Challenge: Seahawks then Canada

On January 11, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Fashion, Food, Seattle, ShoppingLeave a comment

No rest for the weary this weekend! We kicked it off with the dogs getting a hearty walk around Seattle Center where the 12th Man Flag flew proudly over the Space Needle. It’s so cool that this icon and the Seattle Center is our backyard basically where we walk the dogs (“we” means Thom every day except on the weekends when I’m home to help!) and the dogs like it too. Well, to qualify that comment, Thor doesn’t really like to walk that far if it’s raining or cold or really anything adverse at all but on that rare dry day in Seattle, he’s totally up for a long walk with his brother.

So, after walking down to South Lake Union, we had a delicious brunch at Serious Pie & Biscuit where we joined my co-workers to celebrate a teammate’s birthday and everyone gorged on biscuits with every topping you could want: Banana/PB&Honey, Beef Brisket, Eggs, Brussels Sprouts, etc. All delicious! The waiter could not have been nicer recommending the High Noon cocktail for me and it went down well with my veggie egg bake. But enough about food and on to fashion!

I'm IN and supporting the Seahawks to another Super Bowl win! — I’m IN and supporting the Seahawks to another Super Bowl win!

Of course, I had to rock the Seattle Seahawks jersey to brunch and after to watch the Seahawks win convincingly. I just love their enthusiasm and teamwork. I hear from folks around Seattle that the players spend ALOT of time doing charity work and are not brats like other football stars. Go Seahawks!

After lounging in my jersey on Saturday, it was off to Canada on Sunday for a few days of work. Lucky me!

Travel Day--comfy jacket and big scarf to keep me warm in Canada — Travel Day–comfy jacket and big scarf to keep me warm in Canada

Only 3 degrees and with recent inches of snow, Calgary is a nice city but damn it’s cold. I’m staying downtown by their version of the Space Needle. Most of the stores were closing by the time I got to walk (slide!) around downtown. Silly me-I didn’t check the weather really and didn’t wear my trusty Uggs like I should have. I love my one of a kind, designed by me handmade boots from Shanghai so I wore them, thinking that because I am a TSA pre-check traveler I wouldn’t have to take them off and who knew that snow would be everywhere! Not me! So, not only did I not get to go TSA (Canada!) and had to take off my boots but I will now slide around Canada for a few days. That should be highly entertaining but I doubt that I’ll share photos when I end up on my ass in a icy parking lot. But, hey, I’ll be looking good!

The rest of the travel outfit included a comfy print jacket that is really like wearing a blankie along with a big soft scarf. I almost got bumped off for credit but unfortunately the flight wasn’t that full. I love those free credits!!! Hoping for a bump on the way home. You got to give it to Alaska Airlines for not only offering free wine on the flight but, to celebrate the Seahawk victory, they offered free vodka as well. What’s not to like about that perk??? Amazingly, I did not partake of the free booze and opted for water only. Doing work tonight at the hotel so have to keep my senses around me.

Can’t wait to return to Seattle and my boys. I’m hoping the puppies take it easy on Thom this week and they miss me as much as I will miss them. Here’s to a happy Monday and some thawing in the great white North!

Day Nine-Finally Friday!

On January 9, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn China, Fashion, Seattle, Shanghai, Shopping, TravelLeave a comment

Cheers to Friday! Unlike most others at the office today, I didn’t sport a Seattle Seahawks outfit. No, I wasn’t staging a protest or taking an anti-football stand. I just don’t feel comfortable wearing a football jersey to the office. I’m not judging others-more football power to them all but it’s just not my style. I’ll wear my skirt and pearls, thank you very much, and still root for the Seahawks!

So besides the gorgeous grey and white pearl necklace that I got for practically nothing at the Pearl Shop at the AP Market in Shanghai (seriously $15 or less for real pearls!), I was also so happy to wear my custom made shirt that has a seriously flattering neckline that makes even me look good-MIRACLE SHIRT! When it works, duplicate it! My favorite Michael Kors shirt wasn’t getting any younger so before it died, I took it to the South Bund Fabric Market in Shanghai while we lived there and had them duplicate it, custom made to my size, and picked the colors/fabric and altered a few other items to really make it one of a kind. The result was the most comfortable and good looking shirt that I own, all for $20 US. BARGAIN! I just wish I had more made while I was there. I got one shirt in black and one in green. My friend, Patti, loved mine so much that she went while she was there with us and got one too.

Paired with my comfy stripe knit skirt, tights and my classic Frye boots, it was the perfect Friday outfit–work and then dinner out at a local Thai place to celebrate a new challenge given to me at work today. Busy times ahead but, for now, I’m ready for the Seahawks to win on Saturday and, yes, I’ll be wearing my football jersey which I find totally appropriate for a weekend ensemble. Pictures to come–have to decide what scarf matches my Seahawks shirt!

Day Eight Demands Double Sweaters

On January 8, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn expat, Fashion, Seattle, ShoppingLeave a comment

One sweater was just not enough today. Brrrr..it was cold and it was dark this morning as I lay in bed and contemplated the day ahead. What could I wear that will make me happy AND look good? After putting on the animal print sweater and wide leg cuffed pants, I just wasn’t warm enough so on went the funky grey sweater vest as well. Double protection against the chill. It kept feeling like Friday all day but no, it was only Thursday and tomorrow is not Saturday. DAMN. But my Banana Republic sweaters did comfort me all day as I raced from one meeting to another. Busy, busy! Though, I have to admit that I did miss wearing a scarf all day but you have to let that neck breathe once in a while so today was my neck’s day off from sporting a soft fashion accessory. So sad! Tomorrow, it’s back to wrapping my neck up and decorating it with a lovely something, something from my scarf collection.

I did get compliments on my Spectacle Necklace that I sell in my online store, which is great validation that I bought the right stock. My peer loved it so I just took it off and gave it to her. Probably slightly weird of me to do that but I like to surprise people and give unexpected gifts. I hope she really did like it because it’s hers now! So, when I got home I added a long silver tassel necklace that I can’t really wear at work because it is so long that it gets stuck on my magnetic part of my tablet keyboard. Hello Melinda–are you stuck on your Surface??? Why, yes, I am! Awkward!

Want to buy a Spectacle Necklace for your very own so you can get compliments too? Here you go:

Spectacle Necklace Available at Decorate Your Neck for $16 — Spectacle Necklace
Available at Decorate Your Neck for $16

http://decorate-your-neck.myshopify.com/products/spectacle-necklace?variant=1017810073

Day Seven Wearing My Favorite Scarf

On January 7, 2015January 7, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn China, expat, Fashion, Seattle, Shopping, TravelLeave a comment

I’m sad that I won’t be able to wear my favorite scarf again until my self imposed 30 day Fashion Challenge is over. Poor me! Scarves have always been an important part of my “happy outfit place” so much so that this particular scarf was gifted to me by my team who knew me so well and understood how much I would love it. They so thoughtfully picked it from one of my favorite stores, Madewell, and it has pictures of Paris and London on it because they knew that my dream was to live abroad. Now, I have never got to even go to those lovely cities yet but little did I know at the time that I would live in China one day. I cherish this scarf and it looks so damn good to boot. Score! And I WILL go to London AND Paris this year…. can’t wait to FINALLY see them.

I dug out my Ugg heeled booties that were so warm and cozy on a cold foggy Seattle day. I’ve had these forever and sometimes forget about them but they look good with a skirt so I’ll have to put these to good use while it’s cold. Pairing my animal print skinny belt (another Banana bargain!) with a denim shirt, I added my wrist beads from China to remind me of my great adventure and off to work I went! After getting home, my puppy Thor jumped into my arms so he could get a cuddle and be in the picture. Now, it’s off to the gym to get a little exercise after sitting all day. I do miss my long walks to/from work in Shanghai for sure. Once it gets a little warmer, I look forward to getting off the bus at a stop farther away than my close one just so I can get in a little walking.

But, for now, it’s cold and wet here in Seattle so I’ll struggle through the next couple of months until we can get back to our walking habits from China. I do miss our strolls to explore new places and look forward to walking all over Seattle…. when it gets a little warmer.

Day Six Fashion Challenge-Classy Yet Sassy

On January 6, 2015January 6, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn China, Fashion, Seattle, Shanghai, Shopping, Travel1 Comment

So, what do you wear when you have to catch the 6:40 a.m. shuttle for a “what the Hell were they thinking when they scheduled it this early” morning meeting? Well, first, you take time the night before to plan out your outfit so you don’t look like a fashion “don’t”. Seriously, I have been lazy and not done this in the past and ended up looking not so good and that’s being too nice. I also learned the hard way to do that all important bathroom mirror check when I get to work to avoid wearing my dress backwards (yes, for an important meeting)and, yes, that really happened. Now I am a little more aware and try to always take a moment to check for major faux pas before facing the boss. I have caught myself sporting only one earring, holes in tights, etc. and managed a quick wardrobe tweak to fix quickly before I embarrass myself AGAIN. Live and learn!

But this morning I had prepped the night before and purposely picked my new Banana Republic black sweater (50% off!) that was light but warm with a cutout back detail that was highlighted by the white shirt underneath. Now, this was no ordinary boring white shirt. This was my custom made, fits like a glove, French cuff cotton shirt that I designed in Shanghai, adding print details to the collar and underside of the cuffs. I love it and only wish I had bought a few more while I lived in Shanghai.

Add in the dragon cuff links that I bargained hard to get for less than $10 at the South Bund Fabric Mart in Shanghai and the bold turquoise Banana Republic necklace that always garners major compliments (bought last year on sale) and I was feeling good despite the early call.

Classy black pants from Nordstrom’s and my comfy Dansko studded heels made this a great outfit for a very long work day. Now, off to plan my outfit for Day 7 so I look decent despite another early call. Good night!

Day Five Fashion Challenge=Desigual Prints To Liven Up The Day

On January 5, 2015January 6, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn China, expat, Fashion, Seattle, Shopping, Travel1 Comment

Day Five is the start of the work week after a long holiday break from the office. It actually felt good today to dress up and get out of the jeans and sweatpants. After wearing t-shirts and jeans as my “work uniform” for a few years, I love wearing fashion forward outfits with accessories galore! Today I celebrated one of my favorite brands that is not widely available here in Seattle. Desigual is a casual clothing brand based in Barcelona, Spain, one of my favorite places in the world.

They have amazing stores in Spain and a few here in the U.S. I walked by one such store every day in Manhattan when I worked in Times Square a few years ago. Now, I never entered the store unless they had a huge sale going on and then I walked right by that store guard and entered the inner sanctum of crazy colorful prints. These wild prints and intense designs combined with flamboyant splashes of color are their trademarks on clothes for all. Of course, I am a bargain shopper and they don’t run cheap so I wait for the 50% off sales and then pounce. Today, I wore my beige/black print skirt and got a few compliments on it. Don’t you just love a cute skirt with pockets??? In addition, I tied on their wild clown print scarf inspired by Cirque Du Soleil, which I got in Las Vegas on my daughter’s 21st birthday trip when we saw the Beatles Cirq show. This show was overwhelming in it’s intensity just like the Desigual prints. And, yes, I am the coolest Mom in the world for taking my daughter to the Venetian for a weekend of light gambling and intense shopping and people watching. So. Much. Fun.

With two wild prints, the rest of my outfit needed to be a solid color but not boring. I only own one Eileen Fisher piece, which I picked up drastically reduced at Nordstrom Rack. She has great quality items that are classic in design but are grossly over priced. I love the lime green color that makes the prints “pop” and pulls out the green in the predominantly red scarf. All these colors just make me feel so positive on a rainy Monday in Seattle. Clothes DO affect your mood so dress for happiness.

P.S. The amazing Rooster print I am standing by was given to my husband when he visited a local Community Center in Shanghai to take a calligraphy lesson from the locals. When they found out he was born in the Year of the Rooster, one artist drew this while he was there and proudly presented it to him as a gift. We just got settled into our new home and framed it on our bedroom wall. It looks gorgeous and we can’t wait to send the artist an email to share with him how much we treasure it. Memories of China abound!

Day Four of Fashion Challenge is all about puppies and comfort

On January 4, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn Dog, expat, Fashion, SeattleLeave a comment

Sunday dawned rainy and grey…big surprise for a Seattle winter, right? So, the fashion challenge today was finding something to wear that would be appropriate for puppy cuddling AND watching lots of football. Very low impact and high comfort. Warm, cozy, loose, and simple….tomorrow will be the start of a crazy work week and the outfits will have to actually be acceptable to interact with people on a professional level. HORRORS! But today, Thor and Izaak were my constant companions and their standards are quite low as long as I could quickly transition from bed to couch to quick trips outside to do their thing and get them back in out of the rain fast to get a biscuit. Ahh…to have a dog’s life!

Wrapping me in warmness, this grey sweater cardigan has been my favorite for a few years and is always top pick for travelling on cold planes because it’s like wearing your favorite blanket but more socially acceptable. To spice it up, I added a jeweled scarf that my daughter had gotten for me (again, she IS the stylist I can always count on) plus some super cozy black pants that are perfect for pairing with my faithful UGGs to walk the dogs in the rain. People mock us UGG wearers but there is a reason that they NEVER go out of style and they cost so much–they are like walking in warm, dry pillows from heaven. Seriously, I’m a huge fan though I admit they do look clunky.

Add some simple earrings and the cross necklace that I adore from a trip to Sedona many years ago and it was the perfect Sunday outfit! Tomorrow, the Spanx goes on, the stiletto booties get dusted off and the work week begins. Let the Fashion Challenge continue on!

Day Three of 30 Day Fashion Challenge

On January 3, 2015January 3, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Dog, expat, Fashion, Seattle1 Comment

A grey, rainy Saturday calls for fashion to match. So, on Day Three of my fashion challenge to wear a new outfit every day this month, out came the grey tones in the form of a Merona grey balloon cozy cardigan that Hannah picked out for me awhile ago and the grey V-neck t-shirt that she also sourced for me at the Boise thrift store for a few bucks. I love having her as my personal shopper because she has such a good eye for fashion AND she loves a bargain. I taught her well–fashion isn’t about how much you spend but how you put it all together no matter the price you pay.

Day Three in grey tones rocking a bicycle scarf

Of course, no outfit is complete without a necklace and scarf so I wound my grey bicycle scarf around the gorgeous silver Chinese inspired necklace that James got me for Christmas. Done! Off we went to run errands after we borrowed my son’s car (really my old car) that is now held together with plastic tape and a prayer. We noticed another large dent and the side mirror pretty much hanging off the side, to which James replied when asked what happened, that he had a run in with a very solid pillar that got in his way. Oops! We were in China at the time of impact last year so he never thought to tell us since we had already warned him that there would be no further repairs to this 19 year old car–Infiniti makes a great car but it can’t run forever. But, for now, it got us to Ikea to buy some final home stuff we needed and to Lenscrafters for new glasses. We get around Seattle without a car most of the time using Car2Go, Zipcar, Uber, our own two feet and an Orca card but it’s nice to borrow our own wheels sometimes. Having James over to puppy sit Thor and Izaac while we ran around town was an added bonus. They love him and give him LOTS of puppy love while he was here. We bribed him to stay for dinner by promising Chinese food, which is not at all like food in China but still yummy. Good to be back in Seattle with family close by!

Thor and Izaak giving James lots of puppy love

Day Two-New Outfit Every Day for 30 Days

On January 2, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Fashion, ShoppingLeave a comment

Already I am dreaming of the 30 outfits I will style this month so that I never wear the same clothes twice…. ahhh, the challenge of it all!

Day Two and I'm feeling Lucky — Day Two and I’m feeling Lucky

Had to work today but it was a Friday so I opted for jeans and LOTS of accessories. I felt LUCKY today so on went the Lucky jeans, Lucky earrings, Lucky necklace–seeing a trend of desperately wanting to be Lucky?? Yes, I do love me a little Lucky in my wardrobe. It makes for a fashion forward yet comfy outfit perfect for a casual Friday when I was the ONLY ONE at work. Darn I work too hard but with a new job and a busy month ahead in January, there is so much to do. Plus, of course, I needed an excuse to dress up and get out of the house.

Besides all that Lucky going on, I had on my usual Banana Republic piece, this time the classic black cardigan teamed up with an olive t-shirt and exotic patterned scarf. The best piece of the whole ensemble was a multi-jeweled stone belt buckle that I picked up at the local Goodwill for a song… such a bargain shopper I am!

Looking forward to a super casual weekend ahead enjoying our new apartment after a quick trip to Ikea to get those last items needed. Ikea on a Saturday in Seattle can’t ever be as amusing as Ikea on a Saturday in Shanghai–everyone napping in the bed displays and having picnics in the dining set displays. I miss my adventures in China so much!

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