(5) Shades of Gray...

It's been pretty gray here in LA (if you're not from here, this month is actually nicknamed "June Gloom"), which makes me want to wear something cozy and comfy, but still relatively cute. I know, I know, it's the first official day of summer today (happy first day of summer!) and gray isn't exactly a summer color, but it's just how I feel!

I started randomly searching online and discovered that apparently drapey/ruched/wrapped knee length or longer gray dresses are extremely popular right now. Who knew? We need to go out immediately and get one I think, you guys.

Below are some of my favorites:

1. See by Chloe
2. T by Alexander Wang
3. Donna Karan
4. Lanvin
5. Helmut Lang

Kelowna

I'm home! If you read the site on Friday, you'll know that I was back in my hometown to host a wedding shower and have the bachelorette party for one of my very best and oldest friends. I had such a nice time at home visiting with my parents and friends and just seeing my old stomping grounds. Kelowna is a seriously beautiful town.

Unfortunately it rained on what was supposed to be an outdoor garden party (and it never rains there) but it turned out just fine - more than fine actually, it was really pretty. My mom made all of the food (amazing) and we shared decorating duty with a bit of help from Wedgewood Weddings and Events. Pictures from the shower and the weekend in general below:

in downtown Kelowna by the Okanagagan Lake - so pretty right!

Table all set for lunch - we moved everything out of the living room and held it in there. Fortunately it is large and long enough to accommodate a table of 20+

bar area - my mom put that pink poof on top of an oversized vase, it looked so festive! We served white wine,  rose, champagne with the option of orange juice, and a mint/lime lemonade

champagne with old fashioned striped straws for guests as they arrive. I'm obsessed with the stripy straws

the desert table - my mom made these cupcakes, they have edible flowers on them! Tassel garland from The Flair Exchange

a place setting - we put flowers in mason jars and tied up the napkins with  twine and tucked in a piece of fresh lavender - this helped tone down the fanciness of the wrapped favor (a pretty tea cup) and chair tie to keep it a bit casual

the group of bridesmaids in my parent's backyard (when it finally stopped raining!)

the bride to be, Julia, and me before heading out on the town.  I had a sash made that read "Future Mrs. Holmes"  

Shower Inspiration

I'm in Kelowna (my hometown in British Columbia) at my parent's house for the weekend; my mom and I are hosting a wedding shower for one of my best friends (since 3rd grade!), so I have had flowers/decorations/menus on the brain for quite a while now.

We had an outdoor luncheon planned on the patio, with a bar set up on the lower grass and the pretty backyard to set the scene but...it is supposed to rain now. Sigh. Of course, right??

Luckily my mum is one of those super competent people who can make anything work, so I'm sure it will be just as nice indoors as it was supposed to be outdoors. Anyway, that's enough rambling, but I basically wanted to let you all know I haven't forgotten about you, I am just a tiny bit busy :). Here are some pretty shower/party pictures that I've been using as inspiration, and I'll be back next week with some pictures from the weekend. If you have any shower tips, I'd love to hear them!

Happy Friday!

images from marthastewart.com (where else?)

Underwood Family Farms

Over the weekend I went to Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark with my dad, my sister and my niece and nephew.  I had never been and wasn't totally sure what to expect, but we had so much fun.

The farm is definitely kid-focused (there is a petting zoo, a jungle gym, pony rides and even a little tiny John Deere tractor to ride) but I honestly think I would go back even without a kid. The coolest thing about this farm is that you can pick your own produce (remember strawberry picking as a kid?). You get your own plastic containers and are taken (via tractor if you want, and why wouldn't you?) out to whichever picking field you want - you can choose from avocados, kale, berries, squash...almost anything that is in season. We picked and ate a ton of strawberries, which were so much better than anything you can buy at Whole Foods.

Next time you have a child you need to entertain (or that you can use so that you feel less weird about going to this farm) I definitely recommend visiting Underwood Farms - it's a bit of a drive (about 45 minutes from LA) but so worth it.

Below are my pictures from the day:

a tractor that pulls you out to the fields to pick

Fresh picked fruit & veggies to buy on the way in or out

the entrance to the "Farm Animal Center"...a mountain goat walked right across that plank right before I took this picture!

The 'Pick Your Own Price List' featuring all produce in season and the current price

baby Audrey, just because she is so cute

my sister walking to the strawberry field

my nephew helping pick strawberries 

me, my sister and the babies on the tractor pulled wagon that takes you out to the fields

my dad helping my nephew on the child sizes John Deere 'tractor'

Urbanic Paper

Urbanic is a little gift, accessory and stationery shop on the ever cool Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice.

Urbanic sells a seemingly endless variety of cute cards (some are lovey, some are cheeky - a friend and I bought our boyfriends cards that read "I f*****g love you" for Valentine's Day), colorful wrapping paper in every print and pattern you could imagine, and the perfect gift, invitation or stationery set for any occasion. As a warning though, this shop is dangerous if you like stuff like this - you just might walk out with way too many (albeit really cute) little trinkets that you really didn't need.

Be sure to check it out next time you're in the area - you can stop by Lemonade after for a gourmet snack and drink!

*images from Urbanic's Facebook page

Juxtaposition

I bought this silk dress nearly five years ago, and it is still on heavy rotation in my wardrobe. I picked it up at a little boutique in Paris when I was with my family, so not only is the dress pretty, but it brings back nice memories for me. This dress and this dress from Asos are similar.

I paired the dress with Asos booties (last seen here), my trusty Chanel bag (which I pretty much haven't taken off since I got it a few months ago) and a spiky gold bracelet to tone down the floral dress and toughen it up a bit.

I'm able to wear this sort of thing to the office, but it's a good outfit for drinks with the girls or for going out for dinner. Do you guys wear booties with summery dresses? I can't seem to stop!

Belts!

I love belts.

I love how they can totally transform the way a dress looks, tie together an outfit, or breathe new life into a tried and true staple - and perhaps what I love most about belts is that they are (generally) affordable. My current belt obsessions are from (where else?) J Crew.

Check out my favorites below: