Warby Parker is on a class trip across the United States.  Their most recent stop is Dallas, and they spent a rainy Saturday afternoon visiting and trying on glasses at my home.  Above, Shelly picks her favorite pair.

Shelly has a new hair cut.

Thanks to Jen, Taylor and Collin for a wonderful afternoon of all things Warby parker!

Photos: Collin Hughes

The second half of my trip to the UK was spent in Wales.  We visited Carol’s school, Atlantic College which is housed in a twelfth century castle, complete with a jousting ground.  I was able to spend one cold afternoon exploring the grounds.  I took so many pictures, I think it will have to be a two part post.  Really incredible!  Carol feels so lucky to have had this opportunity to attend school in such a magical setting.  Carol’s dad is an earlier graduate of Atlantic College, and is actively trying to help them raise funds to restore the castle-it desperately needs a little TLC.

There is a tiny church on the castle grounds surrounded by the most beautiful old cemetery.  I took lots of photos.  All of Wales looks just like a movie set.  I wish I had photographed the roads–they were really something to see.  Tiny, tiny passage ways with ancient stone walls on either side.  Makes for a very interesting car ride.

Ran into this gorgeous German Shepard walking around the church grounds.  Such a pretty boy.

Stained glass window inside the church.

That’s all for now–I have some pictures to share of the beach in my next post.

Happy 2013 to everyone!  I hope everyone had a wonderful year end.  I have missed you all.  I hope you all will forgive me for being the most delinquent poster of all time, but life has just gotten in the way over the last couple of months, however, I’m very happy to be back.

Recently we all traveled to Carol’s school in Wales, and I wanted to share some photos of that amazing trip for my first post back.  First of all, let me say just how wonderful the UK and it’s people are.  I have never loved visiting a country as much!  Our first stop was actually in England, we went straight from Heathrow to Bath.  What can you say about Bath?  It’s beautiful, charming–really right out of a fairytale.

The above photo is the Crescent.  In the middle of this structure was our tiny little hotel.

The shopping in Bath was really great.  Lots of privately owned shops and not so many chain stores.

The milkman still delivers milk to your doorstep every morning.

By far the most amazing thing about Bath, was visiting the ancient roman baths.  What a treat!!!  It was hard to believe these photos were actually on my camera card!

You can see from the above photo how the town sits right above this amazing treasure.  It looks kind if surreal.

Beautiful sculptures atop the baths.

Another view from down below.

That’s it for today–my next post I will share pictures of the beautiful castle where Carol is going to school.

Bye for now!

I’m so happy everyone enjoyed my last Thrift Store Essentials post.  I immediately started thinking it needed a part two and maybe part three right after I posted.  There are so many pieces at the thrift store that I see time and time again that could be a classic in most anyone’s closet.  Here are a few I spotted in one week:

Jane is wearing a beautiful Burberry trench. Every time I stop at Genesis thrift store in Dallas, they will have at least one Burberry trench–sometime three or four to choose from.  This one is perfect, but Jane and I are thinking of making it a bit shorter for a more modern look.

Cashmere Sweaters.  I see them all the time in perfect condition!

Here are two I found last week, along with this adorable Italian leather bag found.  I love the stitching on the leather!

A vintage fur.  Beginning in September, thrift stores generally put out their fur coats they have accumulated over the summer through donations.  This is the best time to find a great vintage fur–the selections can be fabulous!  This one is especially great because of the hood.  Jane and will be sharing this–hopefully.

Great with riding boots and a pair of jeans.

The breakdown:

Burberry Trench: $90.00

2 Sweaters: $15.00

Leather bag: $15.00

Vintage fur hoody: $60.00

Total $180.00

I hope you all enjoy this installment–let me know if you find something fabulous!

Big thanks to Daniel Wellington for the gorgeous mans watch!

Quick post before I begin the rest of an incredibly busy week.  I’m almost done shooting my thrifting post, so promise to have that up soon.  These were pictures snapped right before the Kelly Wearstler/Reward Style event last week.

Wearing Comme des Garcons jacket that is one of my favorite pieces in the world.  Skirt by Raquel Allegra, available at V.O.D. boutique in Dallas, and Giuseppe Zanotti buckle shoes.

Oct. 17th was the most clever name I could come up with for this post because the photos really have no rhyme nor reason.   They were taken when Jane and I were out running errands, and I kind of liked this outfit, so thought I would share.

Carol is home for fall break, so I am ecstatic to see her!

Carrying one of my favorite old bags–it’s by Golden Bleu.  Wonder if they are still around?  I always liked that company.

Trying on a sweater at H&M with my vintage fur collar.  Hope to get my second Thrift Store Essentials finished today.  I think you will really like it.

Kim and Shelly sharing a little peanut butter from a spoon.  They’re always up for taking silly dog pictures.

Really Kim?

Jane’s new dog, Melanie.  Such a precious girl. Jane and I didn’t even realize how much Kim and Melanie looked alike until we saw a photo of them side by side–that’s just how captivated we are with Mel’s sweet personality.  We celebrated her adoption with a birthday cake.

I was happy that my Thrift Store Essentials post was such a hit–I’m busy working on Thrift Store Essentials Part Two.  Off to work!  Everyone have a great day.

I wanted to share with you my new favorite consignment store in Dallas.  Give and Take.  Located on Riverfront in the Dallas Design District, Give and Take consigns high end classics from the 50′s to the 80′s along with funky accent tables, art, lamps and more.  Owner, Jean Nelson takes great care in arranging small vignettes throughout the shop to showcase her great collection–but don’t skip the back room where you’ll find more treasures waiting to hit the floor.

Check out the Vladimir Kagan sofa above covered in a slinky faux python.

This pair of chrome lamps retails for $700.

Stunning red velvet from the backroom.

I love this pineapple based table and chairs.

Perfect chairs!

Trio of vases….

In the front window.

Modern take on a windsor chair.

Another piece of Kagan.

I don’t think my camera could do justice to all of the wonderful things I saw on my last visit to Give and Take, so if you’re in the Dallas Design District, stop by and have a look for yourself!

Finally we have a little cool weather.  With the last remnants of summer comes the urge to update your wardrobe for fall.  This can always be a little daunting.  You can envision yourself wandering around the mall for hours on end, not to mention that fall clothes cost at least four times more than spring/summer clothes.  One nice piece can blow your entire clothing budget.

I spent ten days hitting two different thrift stores in Dallas close to my home, and one crazy estate sale.  I came up with five easy to find pieces that will completely update your fall wardrobe without leaving you destitute.

Number one:  The leather jacket.  I find amazing leather jackets at the thrift store all the time.  Above and below was an amazing find for thirty dollars–and no, it’s not pleather.

Number two:  A great tailored blazer.

This is a great find!  Eighties Armani double breasted jacket.  I love that it’s a little roomy–I’m going to use it as outerwear.

Number Three:  Vintage fur collar.  Fur collars are the best for taking a casual look to luxe in a second.

Number four:  The perfect grey sweatshirt.

Remember this look on Taylor Tomasi?

Add the fur collar to your basic grey sweatshirt, and Voila!

Number five:  Basic Tee with cut out arms.  Jane and I always cut the arms out of vintage tees–makes them so much easier to layer. 

Shown here under leather jacket.

The breakdown:

Leather jacket $30.00

Tailored blazer: $60.00 (I thought this was a little high–but it is Armani)

Fur collar:  $40.00 (again, a little high.  This was found at an estate sale in my neighborhood, and it’s in pristine condition.  When buying vintage, I’m always willing to pay a little extra for something in extra good condition! )

Basic sweatshirt and Tee $5.00

Total: $135.00!!!

I hope this inspires you to get out this weekend and go thrifting–you never know what treasures await you.

Big thanks to my model.

A big thanks to Valentino for sending me a pair of their beautiful red rock studs shoes.  I am a huge fan of Valentino shoes, and honored to have a pair of these limited edition beauties.  I am helping Valentino kick off the new Valentino Shoe Room.  You can see more of it here.

Thank you Valentino!!!