Bay Area Fashionista


Polka dots and circles

tommy hilfiger jumpsuit circle bag trendpolka dots summer 2018

wearing: rose gold circle earrings / lipstick / rose gold and lilac necklace / wide leg polka dot jumpsuit / mixed metal bracelets / Chanel summer nail polish / blue circle bag / black espadrilles (under $100!!)

There is something fun about mixing circle accessories with a polka dot jumpsuit. The circles play off of each other and create a lighthearted look.

Last week, my friend Laura from Have Need Want and I went to the “Rose Soiree” benefiting the Jr. League of San Jose at Santana Row. It was a really fun event which featured wine from local wineries in Saratoga, and the Santa Cruz areas. Twelve retailers participated in the wine stroll; it fun to be wine tasting while shopping, and also to be socializing with ladies I have done volunteer work with.

Since I knew it would be fun, I decided to go with a not-so-serious outfit. This polka dot jumpsuit has wide, dramatic legs which flow with every step. Since I am 5’4″ the jumpsuit was dangerously long on me. My wedge espadrilles barely lifted the hemline off the ground. I might need to sit down and raise the hem about an inch so I can wear other shoes with it this summer.

To play off the polka dots, I paired the jumpsuit with my favorite little circle bag and my large circle earrings. It was fun to mix together all the circles I could think of. Too bad I don’t own circle shoes! haha, Do those even exist?? Maybe I need some polka dot shoes to round off the outfit; pun intended. 😉

Shop my circles and polka dots outfit for summer:

Are you playing with polka dots this season?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Photo credit: Laura/Have Need Want

polkadot jumpsuitsummer street style


Signs of a heart attack in women

Beautiful silent auction prior to the lunch. I bid on the Kendra Scott lot, but ultimately got outbid.

Yesterday I had the honor of being a guest of the American Heart Association at their annual “Go Red” luncheon in San Jose, California. It’s an amazing fundraising lunch which features education about heart disease, survivor speeches, and tear-jerking moments. Yes, I did well up with tears during one speech a survivor delivered.

Pretty table setting at the lunch.

A woman dies every 80 seconds from heart-related illnesses. Sadly, roughly 80% of those deaths are preventable. While men tend to have more text-book symptoms of a heart attack, women often think they are suffering from the flu, stress, acid reflux, or exhaustion. Therefore, it is so important for women to know and understand the symptoms of a heart attack.

Donation cards from the tables

The following symptoms are signs that a woman could be suffering from a heart attack. These are the symptoms, detailed on heart.org.

  1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest which lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
  2. Pain or discomfort in one or both of your arms, back, neck, jaw or your stomach.
  3. Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
  4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
  5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is heart.org or discomfort. Some women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some additional common symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

If you ever feel any of these symptoms, don’t be afraid to call 9-1-1. Every second counts when you are having a heart attack, so calling 9-1-1 can significantly help your recovery if indeed you are suffering from a heart attack.

 

Please help spread the word to other women, so they too will know what to watch out for. Together, we can help increase awareness and reduce the annual deaths in women due to heart attacks. For more information, please visit heart.org

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Laura Adney from Have Need Want and myself after the lunch. I won’ 49er tickets from the silent auction!

*Please excuse the photo quality, all pictures were taken with my iPhone.


How to look like Meghan Markle

meghan markle style meghan markle handbags

photo credit: Mark Jones / allowed use under Creative Commons /

OK, deep breath . . . the royal wedding is THIS weekend! Eeeeeeeeek! I’m so excited to see an American marry a royal! Don’t they make the cutest couple?

The world has been obsessing with Meghan’s style ever since the engagement was announced. Everything she wears turns into an instant IT item and flies off store shelves! I love that Meghan Markle has a timeless and chic way of dressing. It makes me want to steal her style. Do you feel that way too?

Although her clothing is beautiful, my lifestyle is much too casual for me to attempt to wear her outfits. But, if you are casual like me, we can carry her handbags, wear her nail polish, and own a similar yoga mat as Meghan! She has a large collection of handbags, but I picked out a few which really emulate her style, and translate well for those of us here on the American side of the pond. So, without further ado, here are a few ways to steal Meghan Markles style:

1) Charcoal yoga mat: Meghan Markle has been spotted numerous times with her charcoal yoga mat. To look like Meghan going to yoga, you need to carry one too. Although, once she ties the knot, it is uncertain if we will see her freely coming and going from yoga classes. Perhaps she will have private yoga sessions at her new castle! -wherever in England that may be!

2) Pale or naked nails: Sorry colorful nail polish fans! The Queen has strict rules when it comes to nail polish. Nails need to be either naked, or painted in clear nail polish, or something close to a pale nude. Meghan Markle will have to adhere to these nail polish rules, therefore, she will have pale or naked nails.

3) Three-stone engagement ring: Meghan’s beautiful engagement ring features the classic three-stone diamond setting. The diamond in the middle is the largest, flanked on either side by smaller stones. Steal her ring style by finding a cushion-cut, three-stone ring with the diamonds set in yellow gold.

4) Chloe Pixie: Meghan Markle wore this bag to Christmas with the royal family, and she has it in her closet. You can carry the same IT bag as Meghan; which happens to fit into all the current summer handbag trends. Love that!

5) Saint Laurent Sac du Jour: Meghan Markle has a dark blue Saint Laurent Sac du Jour she has been spotted carrying around town. You can emulate the soon-to-be-royal’s handbag style by toting your own Sac du Jour to the office, to meetings, and any time you need a tote!

6) Altuzarra handbag: Meghan has been spotted carrying a black Altuzarra Braided handbag in smooth leather. This is a chic satchel with a shoulder strap which is big on style. It’s a cult classic, and so very chic!

7) Gucci Dionysus evening clutch: This has been a hot IT bag for several years now. Meghan has been spotted wearing a fabulous black velvet Gucci Dionysus clutch when donning formal attire. This is a beautiful classic clutch we can all use in our wardrobes.

8) Everlane tote in cognac: Meghan Markle has been spotted numerous times with this affordable, daytime tote bag priced under $200. It offers a chic silhouette with timeless styling. Since it’s so affordable, we can all steal her style by owning this tote!

Shop Meghan Markle handbags and accessories:

There are many additional ways we can steal Meghan’s style, but these are a few easy ones we can adapt to ASAP. Now raise your hand if you are super excited to watch her wedding this weekend on TV! My hand is waaaaaay up! After all, haven’t we all, at one time in our lives, dreamed of being royal? She is living every little girls dream. I’m excited for our soon-to-be-royal American icon!

What do you think of Meghan Markle’s style? Are you excited for the wedding too?

XOXO

Cathy