Now I’m Obsessed with Jenni Kayne

Tick off another mark on the List of Inevitability: Now I am obsessed with Jenni Kayne.

If you’re not familiar, Jenni Kayne is a high-end lifestyle brand that epitomizes effortless, natural California style.

From home goods to clothing to accessories, everything is Just So.

Just So Chic.

Just So Perfect.

Just So Simple.

Just So Stylish.

And Just So Expensive.

Cost was a factor that kept me away from Jenni Kayne until now. While I loved the curated offerings, even I could not justify a t-shirt for $125 (although I really, really like it).

And then things changed, like they often do.

For one, I received this amazing gift – really the most spectacular gift from the most spectacular person, and I will never discuss it here – that had so many beautiful Jenni Kayne items, including a bag, a pair of shearling slippers, a candle, and a fancy match striker among other luxuries.

I was so enamored of This Gift, which was Just So tasteful and lovely, and essentially I wanted to move into Jenni Kayne Headquarters and live out the rest of my days there.

Also, speaking of end of days, I have been vacillating between Why Bother and YOLO modes recently, and YOLO won out when it came to Jenni Kayne.

As I type, I am happily awaiting the arrival of my first real Jenni Kayne order, complete with moccasins, sandals and an oversized cashmere sweater.

I still have my eye on a lot more, and Dreaming of a Montecito Lifestyle a la Jenni is rapidly becoming a full-time occupation.

Patagonia Better Sweater

Seriously, this Patagonia Better Sweater suddenly seems to be everywhere.

It’s not new but seems to be having a renaissance.

Made of recycled materials, the Better Sweater comes as a jacket (like mine, above, in Birch), 1/4 zip pullover, vest, hoodie, shirt jacket, hat or scarf.

Whew.

I can attest to the wearability and softness. The outer surface says “sweater” but the inside says “fleece.”

I had this on my Christmas list until I discovered an amazing Black Friday deal – roughly 1/2 price – and scooped it up early.

These

File under least necessary, most wanted.

As soon as I saw these babies, I knew I had to make them mine.

Rothy’s Limited Edition Loafers

I finally bit on Rothy’s.

If you’re not familiar, they are a sustainable shoe brand whose products are made from materials like recycled plastic bottles.

One selling point is that they are machine washable.

While Rothy’s have achieved cult status with some of my friends, I wasn’t tempted enough to dive in until I saw these limited edition pink gingham loafers.

They also come in red or brown check, but pink gets my heart every time.

While these babies are going to be shelved until snow season is over (i.e., mid-2020 at the earliest), I’m patient.

A Perfect Fuzzy Winter Cardigan

The photo does not do it justice: This fuzzy winter white cardigan is perfect for the season.

It can elevate a weekend look and also can take you to work.

Here it is up close and personal.

Hope your weekend is going well!

OOTD, Friday

Greetings from my 10 year old daughter’s closet.

The one with the giant mirror.

Here’s what I wore today in clinic, minus personalized white coat on top of it all:

Ok, let’s get this out of the way: the sequin rose gold Minnie Mouse backpack is not mine. #tweendaughter

Let’s start with these J. Crew pearl hoop earrings that are currently on sale:

Next up:

Friends, these Jeffrey Campbell booties are amazingly comfortable, bridge the gap from work to weekend, and they are subtly brown, versus a black-and-white snake print. The pair well with so many colors, including blush pink.

And can we talk about the pants?

The Spanx Perfect Black Pants are not hyperbolically named.

I’d suggest sizing down. I am wearing a medium in the above picture (for reference, I am 5’9″ and weigh 155#).

And lastly, a confession.

That sweater?

It’s old.

Old. Old.

Practically vintage.

I checked the label and it is from the Banana Republic Holiday 2012 collection.

But I still like it.

Have a great weekend!

Holiday Prep – Part 1

Let’s face it: We will forever be the family buying the sad Charlie Brown tree on December 23rd, but this year I’m trying.

Winter comes early here and lasts forever, so I wanted something pieces that could bridge November to March, not just the unofficial holiday season.

I went with two themes: cozy and buffalo plaid.

I share this perfectly imperfect shot to showcase the overall effect, but wow! Painful reality. Two kids and a dog seem to continuously rearrange my pillow fort, push apart the sofa sections and make the blinds quite janky.

These cuties are from Crate and Barrel:

The plaid pillow covers are straight off of Amazon. I slipped them over pillows we already had.

Ditto the plaid throw; it’s Amazon:

We have six fireplaces but I don’t decorate all of them. Here’s the start of the mantle in the main floor family room:

Please excuse the tape. This was a trial. That failed. Re-taping subsequently commenced.

I found these two cute garlands at Michael’s, a craft store that overwhelms me and I try to avoid. There was some weird promotion going on and they gave me the nutcracker for free at the checkout.

The candle is from Crate and Barrel and smells wonderfully like winter. I bought several to (hopefully) last until spring.

The last thing I did, for now:

I bought two faux boxwood wreaths at Target last year and I swap out the bows depending on the season. For someone who is generally lazy, this has been a great decorating hack.

But I’m not done! There is more coming. Will keep posting the updates.

My Fall Uniform

Friends, I can’t stop wearing this fall uniform. 

When a look works, I tend to fall back on it.  

Often. 

This ensemble has made five appearances already this fall. It may reach the point of needing to go out of rotation due to over-exposure, but I’m not there yet. 

From top to bottom: 

J. Crew pearl hoop earrings 

J. Crew slim turtleneck 

Veronica Beard dress  (similar)

Layered pearl bracelets (Arm party!) 

Tights 

Chanel boots – Check out the detail on the heels:

Can also be paired with a fitted leather jacket: 

Pink + Red

This color combo is having a moment.

Image via Vanity Fair

These are all red carpet looks from the Emmys (Vanity Fair wrote about it here), but mass retailers also got into the game for Fall/Winter 2019.

This is from Trina Turk’s Instagram feed, but I can’t find it online. Yet. #Stalking

From the available now files: This Boden sweater is my favorite of the bunch.

This silk blouse – also Boden – is an alternative:

J. Crew adds a few other colors to the mix, but pink and red are front and center:

Coats from – again – Boden and J. Crew, respectively.

And now this.

Georges BB bag, $2140, at Louis Vuitton.

My take on the trend:

Nylon bucket bag with an added Salt strap. This adds a punch of color to any outfit.

Cool Leather Coats – On Sale

I have a mixed relationship with leather.

In the late 90s, I had a leather blazer inspired by “Friends” – just like everyone else.

Image via IHeartRadio

Then I went gun shy and stayed away for nearly two decades until springing for a black moto jacket last year.

I like it, but it’s not right for every occasion.

Last week I saw someone wearing this Vince zip cross front jacket.

Image via Nordstrom

I gave her a hug and the leather was like butter.

Plus, it was polished enough for work and looked good when worn open.

I was thrilled to find it for over half off at Nordstrom Rack, albeit in a dark green. I like the color, at least on the website.

$450 at Nordstrom Rack.

The green coat was a bargain too good to pass up, but I really wanted something in black or blue.

Or both.

This Cole Haan jacket is now 25% off at Nordstrom and comes in a several colors. I like the snap detail at the collar.

Image via Nordstrom.

The coat above is navy, but I ordered black. Even though my moto jacket is also black, the hardware skews it a bit tough, and the look above is more in tune with professional wear. I can see this paired with a dress during cooler months, which is basically 90% of the year in Minnesota.

This Andrew Marc jacket is an incredible 60% off:

It also comes in an amazing color called Rosewood:

This is under $200!

And finally, from at Shopbop, this Kingston jacket from The Mighty Company.

Image via Shopbop