banana republic

Culottes for winter

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion  tagged banana republic / mansur gavriel / outfits / winter 2016 by

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Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Sunglasses: Chanel / Lipstick: Chanel Mighty / Sweater: Banana Republic (on sale w/t tons of color choices!) / Blanket Scarf / Rings: Kendra Scott / Nail Polish: Chanel Sunrise Trip / Handbag: Mansur Gavriel (avl. for pre-order!) / Culottes: Vince (last seen here) / Boots: Tory Burch (on sale!)

I originally purchased these culottes for New York Fashion Week last September. These culottes are a basic piece which I find easy to style for any weather, any season. I love how they look like a skirt, fooled my husband (haha), until you start walking! I am not sure how long they will remain in style, but I hope I can wear them for a few more seasons since they are an alternative to a pencil skirt, or trousers.

It was a really cold day when I wore this outfit for church, and then dim sum at Sino on Santana Row. The boots, sweater, and blanket scarf, kept me cozy while we walked around outside in the chilly air. I am not sure how I survived in past winter seasons without a blanket scarf! They are so much easier to wear than jackets; especially when the weather fluctuates so much during the day. The blanket scarf can easily be stuffed into my handbag; whereas a jacket has to be carried.

The dim sum at Sino was so delicious! It had been a few years since my husband and I had gone there to eat. We tend to eat at Maggiano’s, Left Bank, and Veggie Grill at Santana Row because our kids love those restaurants. This was the first time we went to Sino with the kids, and they loved it! My oldest daughter has decided it is her favorite Chinese restaurant! If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, definitely check out Sino at Santana Row in San Jose and try their dim sum, you will love it!

If you have had your eye on a Mansur Gavriel bucket bag, they are available for pre-order right now online here!

Thank you for stopping by!

xoxo

Cathy

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in the winter

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion  tagged banana republic / casual style / lifestyle / outfits / tory burch / winter 2016 by

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Outfit: Sunglasses: Chanel / Earrings: c/o Laurel Burch / Lipstick: Chanel Mighty / Sweater: Banana Republic / Ring: Kendra Scott / Nail Polish: Chanel Sunrise Trip / Handbag: Tory Burch (on sale!!) / Jeans: Gap / Shoes: Rag & Bone (sold out, also love this pair and this pair)

Over Christmas break, we took the kids to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Winter is a great time to go to the Boardwalk because there are less crowds, significantly lower lines, and you can really maximize your day; since you are not spending it in long lines!

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in winter has reduced hours, and not all of the rides are open. On the day we went, the Boardwalk was open from 12pm-5pm. We arrived at noon and stayed until about 5:15pm. It was a full day, and loads of fun!  There were about twelve rides open, so in addition to going on rides, we played mini golf, and a few carnival games.

The food at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is always fun too. Can you believe the potato on a stick my daughter is holding in the photo above?! It was like potato chips on a stick, but fresh! They make the potato on a stick right there in front of you, so you can see it is fresh; and I would like to think it is healthier than potato chips from a bag at the super market. The kids also ate french fries; and I enjoyed a delicious hot cocoa made from Ghirardelli Chocolate, yum!

The favorite ride of the day for my kids were the bumper cars. I think they went back on the ride close to ten times! There were a lot of people riding the bumper cars, yet there wasn’t a line, so it was easy to keep going back on the same ride. It was the perfect amount of people!

If you are interested in heading down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in winter, be sure to call first and see how many rides are open. You will also want to check the hours. They do offer a reduced daily rate during the winter, which is nice.

What are some places you like to go to in the winter because there is less of crowd than in the summer?

Daytime ballet performance in San Francisco outfit

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion  tagged banana republic / outfits / winter 2016 by

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Pictured: Sunglasses: Chanel / Lipstick: Chanel Mighty / Earrings: Kendra Scott / Sweater: Banana Republic (on sale and tons of colors!!!) / Skirt: Theory (old, also love this one and it’s on sale!!!) / Handbag: Givenchy (similar version for less here) / Ring: Kendra Scott / Nail Polish: Chanel Sunrise Trip / Shoes: Prada

Over the Christmas break, we took the kids to a daytime performance of the Nutcracker at the San Francisco Ballet. It was the first time we brought our children to the ballet in San Francisco at the War Memorial Opera House. We have taken them to the ballet in San Jose, which is a shorter performance, but this was their first time seeing the longer, more serious version of the Nutcracker; and they loved it!

We were really afraid the performance would be too long for them, bu they lasted through it! The San Francisco Ballet catered to kids for the daytime performance of the Nutcracker. They gave my son a seat cushion to add to his seat which elevated him; allowing him to see the stage without having to worry about the big head sitting in front of him. The seat cushions were a life-saver for all the kids who attended. Who wants a big head blocking the stage?

When we arrived, our children were given small, stuffed bears while our tickets were scanned. They were thrilled! My kids love stuffed animals, and they hugged them throughout the performance. This was such a nice touch!

If you have never been to the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, it is an historic building which reeks of history, and architectural beauty. Our kids were amazed at the beauty of the building, and the ornate decor. They definitely want to go back!

I was excited to wear this cozy sweater at the daytime performance of the Nutcracker. It is really warm, and plays well with both skirts and jeans. I love how it can be worn casual, or dressed up for occasions such as the ballet during the day! If you are looking for a turtleneck sweater, this is the one you have been looking for. It comes in several colors, it is comfortable, cozy, versatile, and on sale! Love that!

Thank you for stopping by, and don’t forget to take my reader survey online here! I would love to hear what type of content you would like more of in  the new year. Also, by completing the survey, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card to Nordstrom! Thank you for your time, and stay fabulous!