The Silver Lining

The cloudy rainy days have started to settle in over the Seattle area and you know what I was pretty excited. As cloudy days bring sweater weather, so my church outfit had to incorporate my lovely mustard yellow sweater. My outfit also included some of my favorite pieces with a story. I always feel a fashion accessory or clothing item is better when it has a story behind it.

 The bracelet is a vintage bracelet of my Grandmothers.

The shoes are from a vintage store in Florence, Italy.

The beautiful view cloudy on my drive home.

I hope you will try to find the silver lining in your cloudy days whether it is a fun outfit or a beautiful view it is always in there somewhere.

Sweater: Mens H&M

Skirt: Macy's

Belt: Pull & Bear

Scarf: Francesca's

Earnings: Francesca's

Shoes: Vintage from Florence, Italy

Ring: Made by my sister

Chemistry? Your crazy...

I decided that I wanted to become a chemist when I was a junior in high school. Six years later I have become very used to the looks of shock or confusion whenever I explained my career path. Some of the most common responses are wow that is hard, I hate chemistry, you must be smart, and occasionally the question of why I do it. Over the years the reasons why I do it have changed and sometimes I have even questioned why I do it myself. But last Friday, as I drove home from work all doubt seemed to fade.

In the beginning the "why" came from an inspiring high school Chemistry teacher and the desire to eventually use my Chemistry knowledge to help cure diseases. As I progressed out of high school and into college I found that Chemistry is hard sometimes really, really hard. But each time I would overcome those really, really hard tests or classes there came a true sense of accomplishment and pride. Pride is also a reason that draws us nerds to Chemistry because your shock and awe feels good. Because lets face it most of us Chemists grew up as the quite introverted nerd always in the shadows of the athletes (lets face it Chemists are mostly very uncoordinated) and the popular social kids. So that sense of shock and awe feels pretty good. But truth be told when you tell us we must be smart, we are often filled with doubt. Because most of the time we have no idea if we are really going to conquer the hard part or if we are really "smart" enough for science.    

But you know what, most of the time we do conquer the hard part and most of the time we do it with the help of those around us.Because it really does take a special type of person to study and work in science. It takes a person who is driven to work independently but more importantly it takes a person who is willing to set aside their pride and contribute to the greater whole and help a friend in need. Because one of the greatest "whys" is the people I get to be surrounded by. Maybe it is because we come into science with a goal of making the world better or maybe it is because of the our mutual appreciation of science and love of what we do. But all I know, is that I would not want to be surrounded by any other group of people than these smart competitive chemists.

Transitioning into Fall

As you know Fall is my favorite season and I have been ready for it to be Fall since, September 1st. But the weather has not been cooperating, as high temperatures have persisted. That is why it was so exciting to feel that characteristic Fall chill as I ran my Saturday errands. This meant that a classic Fall outfit as in order for this Sunday's outfit.

The upstairs neighbors cat. 

He always seems to be so confused about why we are in his yard.

All photos by my awesome husband, Troy.

Blazer: H&M

Skirt: Urban Outfitters

T-shirt: DownEast Outfitters

Belt: Pull & Bear

Boots: Payless

Scarf: My Moms

Bag: My Mom's old Fossil Purse

The Little Things

I was well into my morning commute, waiting to get onto the freeway, when I noticed a school bus pulling up to a stop. At the stop there where two brightly dressed little girls with their father. As the bus approached the stop the little girls threw their hands up in the air and started dancing, clearly so excited to get on the bus. For some reason this really brightened my morning. Maybe it was just the fact that someone in this world was excited for their tasks for the day. But this got me thinking and you know what I too became excited for my day.

As my day continued it turned out to be one of my best days at work so far. And maybe it was because I am getting to know my coworkers and the work better. But maybe it was because of that simple thought during my morning commute. Either way I am grateful for those little girls who chose to dance as the bus came.

A photo of the gorgeous view on my drive home.

My Thoughts on the Spring 2014 Collections

Models have been hitting New York runways since this Wednesday. The trends of strong patterns, lingerie like looks, and exposed midriffs have continued to hold strong. Today there seemed to be a trend of dancing on the runway at the end of the show. There have been so many amazing looks that it was difficult to narrow down my favorites, but somebody had to do it. 

Pattern

Thakoon

Prabal Gurung

This show was their 25th anniversary show and is the best show I have looked at this far and has definitely received a lot of well deserved positive press. The backdrop for the show was stunning.

Photo from Prabal Gurung Instagram

Every look from this show was amazing it is well worth checking out the rest of the looks.

Victoria Beckham

Creatures of the Wind

I have been sceptical of some of this brands looks but I loved these coats.

Derek Lam

Derek did a ton of great looks with this picnic plaid but I liked this look showing that you can mix black and blue. I also love this dress showing that the crop top look can be modest.

Del Pozo

I spotted this dreamy gown on eholmeswsj's Instagram and loved it. But I have not found photos of the rest of the line.

DVF

Another eholmeswsj photo of DVF dancing down the runway after her show.

DKNY

Rita Orca a British songwriter and actress closing DKNY by dancing down the runway.

Lingerie/Crop Tops/Swimwear

Thakoon

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang's line was full of various crop top looks. For me these looks are a little too revealing. But this display of skin is also a sign of the revival of the economy, as modesty is seen during economic downturns. I did find the below look to be interesting.

Photo by: The Sartorialist

DKNY
The DKNY brand is not exactly my style but I really loved these two swimsuit looks. The one on the left, is in two of my favorite colors. While the one on the right has an amazing pattern.

All photos (unless otherwise noted) taken from New York Times website.

Some of my favorite things...

Well it is my favorite part of the week, the weekend! I began the weekend by organizing my new favorite room in our new apartment, my walk in-closet. Then took a walk with my husband and was so excited to see the first falling leaves, the first sign of my favorite season, Fall! And Fall means Fall fashion, The September Issue, and New York Fashion Week.

My Favorite Room

(My Walk in Closet)

Fall Peacoats are out!

Bags and Neckalces

Scarf Corner

A few of my favorite keepsakes from my Europe trip, heirlooms from my grandparents, and my earnings on my grandmothers glass vanity piece.

Mirror from Granada, Spain, horse shoe from Great Uncles barn, and lip stick holder was my Grandmothers.

The changing leaves from our walk

And last but not least my favorite images from the Vogue September Issue

Hope you enjoyed my favorite things! 

Stay tuned for my favorites from the Fall Fashion Shows.