The return of chenille for fall 2017

chenille sweater fall 2017 black chloe nilechenille sweater fall 2017

wearing: Chanel lipstick / pink dangle earrings c/o SugarFix x BaubleBar / black long sleeve tee / light pink chenille sweater / Chloe Nile / slim fit jeans / Chanel fall nail polish / silver ring / navy velvet booties

Chenille is back, and it is back with a vengeance! This late 1990’s sweater phenomena has returned; much to the chagrin of dryers everywhere! Let’s take a quick trip down chenille memory lane, shall we?

It was the late 1990’s, and for some strange reason we all thought wearing dark lip liner with pale pink, tan, or purple lipstick was attractive. . .um yeah, moving on. . . Sugar Ray was on every radio station from coast to coast, and shopping via the Internet was a scary thing to do. When the weather cooled down, all we wanted was something soft and cozy to keep us comforted and warm; perhaps it was the dark lip liner with pale lipstick trend which was haunting us that made us all seek the comfort of chenille. . . though to ponder, but I digress. . .

Chenille was everywhere. We had chenille sweaters in all styles. We adorned our homes with chenille pillows, throws, blankets, and even upholstery. We all thought this ultra soft yarn woven into plush fabric was the greatest thing since sliced bread and the invention of the CD; until it was time to clean it. This is when the backlash started!

If you have ever owned chenille home goods, you know they wear out; quickly. The more you sit down, and stand up, chenille upholstery wears out, leaving threadbare sofas, chairs, and the like. Yikes! That chenille throw you cuddled up in while watching a movie on the sofa? Yeah, you spilled your hot cocoa on it, and when when you washed it, it became see-through. Your favorite chenille sweater? You washed it and yikes! It was no longer a sweater. The horror! It only took about two years before everyone on the planet figured out chenille was the worst thing since accidentally washing your reds with your whites.

Imagine my horror when I found out chenille was back for a second run in fall 2017! I was like, whaaaaaat????? Oh yes, this soft and alluring fabric pulls you in, then when you try to care for it by washing it, or wearing it too often, it becomes threadbare! Why are we wearing it again? Remind me? Oh, I know!

Chenille for fall 2017 is stronger then it was close to twenty years ago. I can’t speak for home goods, but as far as sweaters go, the new version is washable! Love! So, I decided to roll the dice and invest in a cozy chenille cardigan for the fall 2017 season. What do you think? So far it isn’t shedding, it isn’t getting worn down to the threads after being worn, and I can wash it without holding my breath. It lives! It stays cozy! It stays full of fluffy threads! Love!

So, the moral of the story is that you can buy some of fall 2017’s chenille pieces without worrying about them getting threadbare.

Do you have any chenille memories? Please share in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

truckee street style

Best fall handbags under $1000 for 2017

mansur gavriel it bag

pictured: black with red interior Mansur Gavriel handbag. Classic IT bag under $1000

Happy National Handbag Day! In honor of this fabulous day, let’s chat about the best fall handbags under $1000 for fall 2017 from hot designers such as Gucci, Mansur Gavriel, Tory Burch, Burberry, Chloe, and more.

Let’s face it, if you are reading this post, you may just have a love for handbags as I do. I truly feel a girl can never have enough handbags. I love handbags with a story; from designers and brands who value quality, craftsmanship, and original style. I always do my best to steer clear of copycat designs, and brands which have a reputation for poor quality. I also love owning bags which have a decent resale value; because you never know when you might need to turn your collection into cash; especially when you spend a couple thousand dollars, or more, on a bag!

That being said. . .I am a firm believer in looking for bags with value. You don’t have to break the bank to own an IT bag, or a bag with resale value; or a hot designer bag for that matter! So, without further ado, I have curated several bags from around the web which have an IT factor to them, and are made by designers or brands I trust for excellent quality, craftsmanship, and design. My favorite bags are in the collage below-

fall handbags under $1000 2017 best

pictured from top left: Gucci bag (I saw this bag on the arms of New York Fashion Week attendees. This is a hot IT bag!) / classic Chloe bag (this is a classic IT bag which is a staple in every handbag lover’s closet-I have it on my wish list but can’t decide on color-which color do you like?) / Burberry tote (classic and practical-love!) / Gucci Marmont (hot IT bag du jour!) / olive box satchel (hot IT style from a timeless brand) / Chloe Faye backpack (up and coming IT bag for casual style) / Mansur Gavriel bucket bag (be still my beating heart-this fall color is to-die-for. classic IT bag and must-have!) / Black circle tote (circle bags are all the rage right now, and this one is under $400, love!)

How fabulous are these bags?! I’m dying over that new color from Mansur Gavriel, and the box satchel is absolutely beautiful. I have been eyeing that Chloe cross body bag for a few seasons now but can’t decide on a color. So many bags to covet! I wish I could fit them all in my collage, but alas, I could not. I placed my favorites in the collage, and the others I am in love with are in the shopping widget below. Simply scroll through, and click on the ones which interest you.

Best fall handbags under $1000 for fall 2017:

I am thrilled there are so many fall handbags under $1000 for fall 2017 which have an IT factor, as well as timeless appeal. Which designer bag for fall under $1000 do you love?

Happy National Handbag Day!

XOXO

Cathy

mansur gavriel circle tote

Fall fitness schedule 2017

fall fitness schedule

It’s entirely possible I am trying to make a cliche heart while hiking with my family.

The fall season is here! This means it is time to adjust our fitness routines for cooler weather, and busier schedules. My schedule this fall is crazy busy, so getting my weekly workouts in can be challenging. I am homeschooling two of my three kids, plus running my business. This is in addition to my children’s extra-curricular activities which I need to drive them to and from. My schedule is jam-packed this season! It’s a miracle I made it to fashion week last month!

Since the fall season is traditionally warm here in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is my last chance to get some outdoor workouts in before the rainy season begins, and temperatures begin to fall. My fall fitness routine incorporates outdoor workouts, and indoor workouts; in order to give me a good balance of fitness.

Monday: 30 min walk around outside.

Tuesday: Spin Class (interval/aerobic)

Wednesday: rest

Thursday: BodyCombat (aerobic)

Friday: Swimming (60 min workout/aerobic/interval)

Saturday: BodyPump/Step (strength/aerobic)

Sunday: Afternoon hike-sometimes, or rest. (depends on our schedule)

This fitness routine is pretty mild. I usually like to have something a little meatier, but my schedule dictates how often I can workout, and for how long.

What types of workouts are you incorporating into your fall fitness routine this season?

My hiking outfit pictured above: