Happy Anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. Miller

As previously mentioned here, my boyfriend's brother and sister-in-law know a thing or two about hosting a party and their Napa Valley wedding, a year ago today, was nothing short of perfect. Everything from the resort (the Solage in Calistoga, CA -- honestly, heaven on earth), the party favors ('Miller' wine bottles and bags personally designed by the bride & groom), the rehearsal dinner (on a hilltop at Paradise Ridge vineyard) and all the little wedding day details combined for one of the most amazing vacations and weddings I've ever experienced. Here is a little visual round-up that hardly do it justice but in the meantime, Cheers to you, Matt & Jennifer. To many more years of great health, love and happiness.

xoxo,

Shanelé

 The Solage Resort

The Rehearsal Dinner

 The Big Day 

Dress: Vera Wang | Tux: Prada

{You'd be hard-pressed to find a cuter ring bearer}

Signature cocktails: blueberry mojitos | 'M' crest designed by Mr. Miller | Table assignments grouped by different types of wine}

Photos compliments of GB Photographers - San Francisco

Hot 'n Cold

Dress - Target
Denim shirt, bag - Zara
Necklace, ring - Forever 21
Sandals - Marc Fisher

I wore this to work the other day when the heat index was expected to approach the triple digits. My favorite part about commuting to work when the weather is this awesome is [drumroll]...the Subway. For those of you who don't live in New York, allow me to paint the picture: Imagine the most oppressive heat you've ever experienced. Now add 50-75 degrees, 198% humidity and take away any and all air circulation. I would liken it saran-wrapping your entire body, jumping in an air-tight container and then hopping in the microwave for 3-5 minutes while you wait for the train to come. Then the subway doors open and in a matter of seconds you go from hanging out down below with Lucifer to the North Pole with St. Nick. Shock to the system. Long story long, outfits like this with flowy material and quick layers are going to be of pivotal importance to my survival the rest of the summer.

Stay cool, 

Shanelé

SINCERELY Loving

New blogger obsession: Sincerely Jules. She has an eclectic mix of vintage pieces that I swoon over, is a denim and army-green layering master and has an eye for mixing unpredictable colors and prints. Oh...also, I HAVE to have these Seychelles shoes in the first photo, a staple in her wardrobe as evidenced below. I'm not sure I can live without them. If anyone has any ideas on where to find them, I will be forever indebted to you. In the meantime, here's a little roundup of some of my favorite looks.

xx,

Shanelé

BBQute

Dress, wedges, bag - Zara
Sunnies, belt - H&M
Cuff - Forever 21
Watch - Vintage
Nails - American Apparel 'Butter'

I wore this outfit over to a friend's place for a little bbq & drinks Saturday evening. The fun print on this dress / tunic had 'Hamptons' written all over it, making it hard to pass up. I paired it with my new favorite Zara wedges and purse, both of which I seem to keep working into every summer outfit since purchasing a couple weeks ago.

xx,

Shanelé

Weekend Update - 6/20/2011

{morning jog through Channing Daughters winery}

An always lovely Hampton's weekend was full with r&r and s&s (sun & stuffing...my face with amazing food). Now rested and recharged, ready to tackle another hectic week. Hope you all had a great one!

xx,

Shanelé

{cup of joe to kick-start a day in the sun}

{yummy hot dog toppings}

{a big fire to warm our sun-kissed skin}

{table for two, food for a small army}

{digesting poolside on an extra large & comfy chaise lounge}

Looks for Less - Summer Steals

As promised, a couple more 'Looks for Less' to round out the week. Have a great weekend!

xx,

Shanelé

Striped Cover-Up:

Antrhopologie - $138   vs  Victoria's Secret - $66

 Cutout Flats:

Joie - $179  vs.  Steve Madden - $69.95
(I actually like the SM ones better in mustard)

 Wedge Sandal:

Diane Von Furstenberg - $295  vs.  Steve Madden - $70.00
(Although these are currently out of stock, for $100 at Dillard's they had pretty much the exact replica)

And finally, while not a 'Look for Less,' just a notable sale item. Love this dress on sale at Anthro right now:

Anthropologie Quiet Blush Dress - $168 $89.95

June Gloom

Shirt, ring - Forever 21
Shorts, bracelets, headband worn as bracelet - H&M
Rain boots - Hunter

After ruining multiple pairs of flats, days spent with cold/wet feet and the infamous cartoon-style slip down the subway stairs, these Hunter Wellington boots are EASILY one of the best purchases of my life. Yes, life....They have truly enhanced the value of it. I now walk through the small ponds littering Manhattan after a torrential rain storm with a smile. Now if I could only find an umbrella that doesn't flip inside out during such storms, I'm set. Unfortunately I think one of these big patio umbrellas is the only viable option.

xx,

Shanelé

Looks for Less - (Late) Spring Essentials

I realize it's been a while since my last 'Looks for Less' post. With the heat index out of the triple digits, here are a couple late spring bargains that are too hot to pass up. Stay tuned for some early summer 'Looks for Less' later this week (yes, I did a lot of web browsing this weekend).

Sleeveless Trench Coat (as seen here):

Banana Republic - $120  $60  vs. Forever 21- $27.99

Sheer White Blouse: 

Elizabeth & James - $295 $166 vs. Gap - $59.95

Statement Ring:

Anthropologie - $138 vs. H&M - $5.95 (I scored yesterday!)

xx,

Shanelé

Tootie's Treasures

Top - Chinatown
Skirt worn as dress, watch - My late Grandmother's
Belt - Random store in Australia
Necklace, ring - Forever 21
Shoes - Marc Fisher via Macy's
Bag, bracelets - H&M

I've mentioned a couple times now but words cannot begin to describe what a bargain shopper and clothes hoarder my Grandmother (nicknamed 'Tootie') was. It was difficult for her to part with anything whether it was one of the 30 boxes of cream cheese in her fridge (with expiry dates months years earlier), hundreds of tubes of lipstick, every color/material/size/shape/style of Longaberger basket/liner/dish/ornament/towel/etc. ever invented in multiples of 10 and the peach-colored polyester suit she wore to her high school reunion in the 1970s...the skirt to which I transformed into the dress pictured above. I've quickly come to find out that she was really smarter than us all because the couple of pieces I was lucky enough to get after her passing are some of my most cherished and unique items in my closet. And as I sit in my apartment typing this right now examining the 11 wine bottles and 7 glass jars I'm saving for table decorations or the 4 chairs on my patio salvaged from the trash, I know she's smiling down on me...and probably wanting to twist my ear for not snatching up all the other 'deals' I'm leaving out on the streets.

xx,

Shanelé