Bay Area Fashion

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

bench surfer santa cruzsanta cruz beach in winterwinter amusement park outfit idea bumper cars in waiting santa cruz beach boardwalk scenepotato on a stickwinter boardwalk outfit ideaboardwalk at nightboardwalk at night in the winter

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

daytime ballet outfit in san francisconavy outfit

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!

Au Revoir to all the trends of 2015, and Bonjour to fresh, new styles in 2016!

 in Bay Area Fashion / Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged happy new year by

goodbye 2015 hello 2016

 

It is the last day of 2015, this means it is time to bid farewell to the good, and the bad, trends of 2015. This past year has been a fairly good year for fashion. There were hardly any trends we found too offensive.

I mean, remember the days of Jeggings, gigantic top knots, and ankle-breaking platforms? Thank goodness those are left in several years past!

2015 was a good year in fashion. Thankfully, many of the trends from 2015 are continuing in 2016. Look for hot trends such as fringe, 1970s inspiration, felt hats, blanket scarves, flare jeans, bucket and drawstring bags, and asymmetrical lines to continue into the new year. Despite the many continuing trends for 2016, there will still be a few trends from 2015 we are thankful to leave behind, and few fresh ones to look forward to as we head in 2016.

Here we go! Out with the old, and in with the new!

Au Revoir 2015!

Marsala: This classic take on burgundy and maroon was a hit in 2015. While Marsala fades into the background for 2015, it will make a small resurgence as a classic autumn color next fall; just don’t bank on it having the IT factor it enjoyed in 2015.

360 earrings: Why were we wearing these earrings? Oh yeah, they were hotter than hot for a nanosecond. Sigh. The days of the back of your earrings being larger than the front of your earring are done. Thank goodness.

Micro-mini bags: The micro-mini handbag went a little it crazy in 2015. So much so, that many handbags appeared too small for a Cabbage Patch Kid to carry. You know there is a problem when your handbag is wearing a handbag. Yikes! Look for small handbags to be the size of choice as we head into 2016. After all, a girl needs her handbag to at least fit a wallet and smart phone!

Comfort shoes: The comfort shoe trend was so hot in 2015, that it burned out before anyone even noticed! Comfort shoes with socks, and comfort shoes in general, are a big no-no in the new year. Whew! No-one will miss this one.

Delicate Jewelry: Delicate, simple, and dainty jewels are more over than over. Look for bold geometric earrings, long necklaces, and artisan jewelry pieces in the new year.

Bonjour 2016!

Rose Quartz/Serenity: The color of 2016 is actually two colors playing together on the playground. Look for Rose Quartz and Serenity both together, and apart. They are the IT hues of 2016.

Earrings jackets: Now that 360 earrings are done, this 1980s earrings trend, which started becoming popular in 2015, is going extra strong in 2016. Look for earring jackets, and interchangeable earrings, in the new year.

Saddle bags: This 1970s shoulder bag style made a splash in 2015, and is already the current IT bag style. Look for more embellished styles in 2016 with details such as hardware, fringe, and mixed fabrications.

Lady Bags: The anti-saddle-bag is the structured lady bag. The single top handle lady bag is in line with the emerging 1950s and 1960s styles we saw on the spring 2016 runways. This is the ideal handbag style for the trend. Look for the lady bag in small and medium sizes. Colors will include neutrals, and pastels.

All-White: Designers loved all-white for spring 2016 during fashion week. Look for all-white ensembles for both daytime and evening. If it looks a little too “baptism” for you, add a pop of color, or break up the silhouette with a Rose Quartz top and/or accessories.

Festive nails: Designers are favoring bright colors, vivid pastels, and nail art for the new year. Look for paint spattered on white nail polish, pastel pink, and shades of blue ranging from pastel to brights to navy’s.

There you have it! A few trends that are “so LY,” and few trends to covet in the new year. Which trends are you glad to leave behind, and which trends are you looking forward to in 2016?