the friday five.

this week's friday five is focusing on one item that's perfect for memorial day weekend—the de facto start of summer: the valentino lace espadrille. yes, it's pricey for a shoe you'd only wear in the spring and summer months, but somehow i can't seem to get enough of it. apparently the team at valentino can't either, because they keep developing new incarnations of it: first it was simple nude or blace lace, now there's camo, floral, neon, metallic and macramé, not to mention wedges. and as it always is with a style that is uber-popular, other companies have started to make more affordable versions (like here, here, and here.) while the temperature doesn't plan to hover much above 63 in these parts, i'm planning on rocking some summer shoes, if only indoors.

have a wonderful (long) holiday weekend!

1. black lace / 2. metallic lace / 3. floral lace / 4. camo lace / 5. neon pink (also comes in lime green)

the new look: wild indigo.

"wild indigo" is the color of this jacket and dress from the babaton line sold at aritzia. i've been longing to try a monochromatic look that wasn't black or white or grey, and this moto jacket in drapey crepe and sheath in a bias-cut ponté knit fit the bill. the jacket has already become a favorite; i love that it's not a blazer, and it's perfect to throw over jeans or a skirt for a chilly day or night out.

babaton jacket and dress (both via aritzia), jil sander shoes (another style from this collection), balenciaga bag, club monaco sunglasses, jewelmint necklace, iosselliani ring (similar)

the new look: fully flared.

this look was inspired by blair's peplum and skirt outfit from a few weeks back. usually i pair a peplum top with something fitted on bottom, but i thought i'd play with a fuller skirt in a similar pattern. i dressed this up with heels, but with a shorter skirt, you could also dress this down with strappy flat sandals.

it always seems like a week leading into a holiday weekend is busier than normal, and this one is no exception. product photoshoot on wednesday, moving desks on thursday, and a few events (like the mina + olya fall trunkshow and j.crew's style session) in between. check out my instagram to follow along on the fun (not sure how fun moving is, but at least you can see what i'm up to)!

have a wonderful week and thanks for visiting!

collective concepts blouse (previously seen here), parameter skirt, coach bag, zara sandals (old), elizabeth cole bracelet (love this cuff version too), celine sunglasses

go/see/buy: hudson grace.

san francisco's laurel heights neighborhood is home to quite a few fancy shops, but newcomer hudson grace while stunningly curated, has the feel of a small town shop, complete with gracious hospitality.
founded by monelle totah and gary mcnatton—who have 40 years of retail experience between them—the store (named for the owners' dogs) is a blend of both of their tastes: his which run more eclectic and hers that skew minimal.

the two have traveled around the world, scoping out flea markets, bazaars, and small artisans to find those unique pieces that are good enough to have the hudson grace stamp on them. dinnerware and serving pieces come from portugal, glassware from belgium and peru, while the candles are hand made in san miguel allende. in addition to their own housewares, they also carry cire trudon candles (the oldest candlemaker in the world, candlemaker to louis xvi and napoleon), r. nichols gifts, and more. what i love about the store is that you can find gorgeous one-of-a-kind objects, but also everyday tableware (and great prices) like tumblers and disposable placemats for entertaining. personally, i can't resist their dinner table and benches full of stunning coffee table books on everything from fashion and home to travel and pets.

be sure to sign up for their mailing list if you stop in: you'll be notified of their fabulous sales, book signings, and events, like the spring/summer preview night where i snapped these photos. i picked up a butter dome and ash wood tray that makes a perfect display for some chunky bracelets too pretty to hide in a drawer. if you're in the area, make a day of it—get a burger at spruce, do some window shopping at susan or the grocery store, and pop into hudson grace for something nice for your home.










hudson grace (twitter / facebook), 3350 sacramento near presidio, san francisco

the friday five.

1. the cannes film festival started yesterday and carey mulligan has been a breakout style star. she's become quite the muse to alexander wang at balenciaga (see her met gala look) and also looked fab in a dior couture gown. / 2. j. crew is doing it's third partnership with the vogue/cfda fashion fund finalists, which include the elder statesman, tabitha simmons and jennifer meyer. the collections don't launch until may 22, but if you sign up here, you'll get an invite to shop a day early. / 3. found this cool idea on erin's site the other day...and since i always seem to have tears and clippings everywhere, i might try this at home and work. / 4. i know the uniqlo x michael bastian collaboration is for the men, but the color combos and patterns are so fun, i'm tempted to pick one up for myself. see the full range here. / 5. the june and july fashion magazines are usually on the thin side, with some pubs like harper's bazaar, lucky, and w doing a combined issue for the summer months. vogue paris' june/july issue has my model-of-the-moment andreea diaconu on the cover looking gorgeous covered in sand. no word on the contents, but i'm sure they're nsfw.

carey mulligan pic via; clipboard via

the new look: peachy keen.

is there anything better than a great dress? it's an instant outfit, for those days that you want something simple and chic, you want to feel confident, or honestly, you woke up late and need to look instantly pulled together. this dress has pretty pleating at the waist and a flattering scoopneck (perfect for a statement necklace), and i love the piqué cotton fabric and sherbet shade. in other words, it's fits all of the criteria in sentence #2.

banana republic factory store dress, j.crew belt (similar), miu miu pumps (similar), michael kors watch, elizabeth cole necklace (similar), ann taylor and bing bang rings, club monaco sunglasses, celine bag

currently coveting: strong suit.

even though it never gets warm enough here to wear shorts with any sort of frequency, i am obsessed with short suits. i've seen so many good ones from max & co, banana republic, reiss, and more but the one that was in my net-a-porter new arrivals email on friday takes the cake. mint metallic bouclé tweed—i'm sold. i'd style it in my usual masculine-feminine mix: a graphic tee and denim vest, plus a pastel pointy toe pump. now all i need is for the temperature to go up 20 degrees, or to move to new york.

j.crew samantha metallic bouclé tweed jacket / 2. elizabeth cole coin necklace / 3. bauble bar ice triad pendant / 4. old navy led zepplin graphic t-shirt  / 5. j.crew bella metallic bouclé tweed shorts / 6. alexander wang tri-fold bag / 7. manolo blahnik perforated bb pump / 8. iosselliani fused stone stacking ring / 9. gap 1969 denim vest