Out And About in Austin-Brunch At Mulberry

I was up crazy early today and yet it has taken me all day to post about my morning!  Anyway, storms and bad allergies got me out of bed which isn't to glamorous a claim, but the truth.  The storm itself was a nice surprise (even though it ends up making the rest of the day humid and gross,) and I sort of enjoyed the rare gloom.
But by 8 AM, I was starving and the 3rd cup of coffee wasn't doing it for me and it didn't take much to convince the BF to get out of bed for brunch.  (Which he did around 9:30, sort of a record for him.)  He had been teasing me with pictures of Mulberry for a while and I had been wanting to check it out for at least a year but had heard mixed reviews. I'd say it was well worth the early rise...

He had the blueberry crepes,

And I had the french toast.   My picture doesn't show it but the single slice is at least 2 inches thick, and perfectly buttery soft on the inside...It was amazing, it was obscene.  I hope to return...

After this a short walk was called for, if only to check out the landscape,

I love this Ranna Gill dress, it has neon studs on it!

Seriously, I need to shout it out loud NEON STUDS!!!  Ack, the pictures don't do it justice, it's much better in person.  The shoes however rubbed blisters and I wasn't able to walk much further, it was the first time I'd worn them for any length of time.

We made one last stop at Vintage Heart Coffee for vanilla lattes. 

 I figure you know what a cup of coffee looks like so here's one of the amazing murals in the parking lot. 

What'd you do today?
J.

A Look From My Closet That I Never Thought I'd Wear

For $19.95, I am in love with this Girls From Savoy dress...

 At that price point I don't feel bad shortening it AND wearing it as a day dress, even though it is a bit more fancy than I would normally wear.  I think it has come down to the shoes...

  I admit wearing platform sandals like these reminds me a bit of Elle Fanning in this Chanel dress,

(Photo via)
 and originally, I wasn't a fan of this look, but I love how it makes the entire look more casual and much easier for running errands.  Plus they pull out the glimmer of gold in the fabric...

I wasn't entirely sure that I didn't look crazy, but the response from my co-workers was positive, and I have no doubt I'll wear the ensemble again.

J.

I'm Glad I Kept This In My Closet-The Denim Shirt

I remember when I first started this blog, I had debated whether or not to keep this denim shirt in my closet...

 At the time, I had hardly worn it at all, I think because I remember the denim/chambray shirt from the 80's and wasn't in love with it back then.  Now I can't get enough of it.  It's the perfect layering piece, striking the balance between the heavier denim jacket and the simple white button down. 

 It works over dresses and with skirts but I still can't bring myself to do the double denim.

What item in your closet are you happy to have held on to?
J.

Out And About in Austin-The Butterfly Bar

I have been stuck at home sick on and off for the last two weeks and I finally had the chance to get dressed and go out for the evening! 

Yup, no more pajamas and sweatpants.  No heels but they weren't really necessary for the night.  Austin is probably one of the most casual cities ever and the Butterfly Bar helps it live up to that reputation.

   (Photo via)
It's attached to a local theater, the Vortex.  I think it sort of serves as the concession stand for the theater.  The inside is lovely but it's even better outside...

 (Photo via)
You can hang out on the patio or in one of the many outdoor chairs...

  (Photo via)
or in the greenhouse for a little privacy.  No heels...they either get caught between the porch planks or dig into the dirt.  I speak from experience.  But like I said, Austin is very casual and this place is kind of like hanging out at your neighbor's, which also happens to have an excellent Italian food cart conveniently located in the backyard...

 Mmmm!  Patrizi's!  I don't tend to eat Italian food very often so it's a treat when I do.  Apparently the family has a few restaurants around Texas and this is the 2nd food trailer/cart in Austin.

 Plastic forks and paper plates...Last night I had the carbonara and soup special. 

(If I hadn't almost gotten my car towed, it would have been a perfectly lovely night...it took a lot of politeness and sweet talk, but I got out of it!)
I love eating outdoors and the sweaty hot nights of Austin...what do you love about where you live?

J.

Closet Ease-Bailey 44 Dress

I have a few Bailey 44 pieces in my closet but this dress is my favorite...

It's a super soft jersey and the lines are so very flattering, body hugging but not super sexy.  I wouldn't think twice about wearing it with a white or chambray shirt tied over the top of it and a pair of flat sandals. 

(Hmmm...interesting hair day...) A big chunky necklace works just fine too. 
Anyway, I've said it before, dresses just make life easier, especially if you need to be somewhere early, but tend to not be so much an early person, one step, nothing to think about except shoes and accessories.  Actually, now that I think about it, perhaps the dress is only second in ease to a toga,

 (Photo via)
but even then you have a belt and sandals to think about...

J.bail

Out Of The Closet- My Age (40)

I have thought long and hard about writing this post and I finally decided to do it.  There's no denying it, I am a fashion blogger in my 40's.  I love clothes and blogging and I won't apologize!

It started in the 80's when I first discovered high fashion magazines like "Town and Country" and "Vogue" at the doctors office.

 (Photo via )
  No lie, the waiting room always ended up a few publications lighter by the time I left.  The photos, the glamorous stories, the incredible lifestyles!!!!  Of course this convinced me that central Wisconsin had to be the least cultured place in the world as far as fashion went, (not true, but maybe not far off.)

My small town finally received a mall around the time I was in 5th grade and even though we didn't have cable at my house, I was very aware of it when I went to friends homes who did have it.

(photo via )
  I loved watching MTV for 2 things...the clothing and the dancing! 

I started going through my own little fashion phases, the first around 6th grade, when breakdancing was very popular...I think I owned 3 pairs of parachute pants and in 7th grade, neon colors and neon colors only! (Mom and Dad were not thrilled and did not allow this apparel to be worn to church.)  8th grade brought on an envy of every girl who owned a Limited fisherman's sweater.

(Photo via )
 When high school came along, matchy matchy was VERY in as were dressy shorts with nylons and flats or white Keds.  I rarely wore jeans and loved 2 piece skirt and top sets...anyway, I could go on.

I'm not saying that in these 40 years I've become a fashion know it all, in fact far from it.  But fashion educated me in ways that have helped shaped my life.  You know that neon phase?  Yeah, I was the only one in my school (town?) doing this, and I wore that neon- puffy paint- tropical sunset tee shirt proudly (I even got a sneak into church!)  And in high school wearing my matching houndstooth skirt and top (I wish I still had this,) during exam time?  Well, maybe feeling good just has a little something to do with how well you perform. 

Anyway, this is becoming psychology, and I'm just saying I'm a fashion blogger in my 40's.
J.

Closet Satisfaction-White Heels

With the addition of these snowy heels,


I am having a brief moment of closet satisfaction. I've been on the hunt for at least 2 months, (once again, it was a size issue, nothing to be had in a size 5,) and they are exactly what I've been looking for, a basic leather, open toe in white, something that I think will actually be in my closet for a long time. 

Yes, satisfied...there's no knowing how long this will last.
J.