We had a very special weekend with our middle son--he plays cello in the county youth orchestra. They toured in Europe last summer and played concerts in Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg. There was a special orchestra festival this weekend with five youth orchestras from around the bay playing at Davies Symphony Hall in SF and we were able to go watch him play. It was amazing to hear him play there in such a wonderful venue (DH and I went to a Black and White ball there on our wedding night!), and so special. We made a whole staycation out of it. Our oldest is at college and our youngest was invited to celebrate one of his friend's birthday with him and another friend, and the three boys spent the weekend skiing in Tahoe. So we could spend some special time with just our middle son.
We stayed at a fancy hotel in the city for one night, and had a $300 hotel credit through Amex and it came with free breakfast and $200 in dining credit at the hotel, so it was almost a free stay because the room rate cost less than all the credits we got. And we took him to a special fancy dinner to celebrate his orchestra performance, straight A's and earning Eagle Scout rank last year. Again I had a free $300 credit from my Chase Sapphire so the dinner for all 3 of us ended up being about the same as eating at a "normal" restaurant. It was nice to splurge and treat him, while also getting a deal!
DS1 had not eaten at a fancy restaurant before, his older and younger siblings had both eaten at Michelin star restaurants before. The youngest came with me to Europe to listen to his brother's concerts and someone invited us to join them at a one star restaurant in Budapest that was very reasonable in cost (the tasting menu was about $80 and they even had a non-alcoholic drink pairing which we shared). The oldest I took to French Laundry because someone in a mom doc Facebook group offered two spots on her reservation when another couple cancelled, it was on my birthday so I jumped on it and we had dinner with this other couple! Hubs was supposed to come with me, but he got sick so I took her instead, to celebrate her graduation. The restaurant we took our son to used to have a one star but lost it, but it was still a great restaurant and a special treat for all of us.
The next day after we dropped our son off at rehearsals, we had a few hours to spend together. DH surprised me with a trip to Chanel. I thought we were just going to look around, but I fell in love with one of the purses (he had to know that would happen if we went, right?). At first the SA was showing me a style called "25" and said it was the hot "it" bag and that everyone wanted it and I should jump on it because otherwise they would be snapped up immediately. She had one in a dull grey and one in pink. I liked the pockets for cell phones on the sides, and I though the pink was cute, but with an open top and the lighter color, I wasn't sure it would work for me. Then she showed me another bag called "Shopping bag" in burgundy. I really loved the color and it was tempting! I asked if she had any other bags in burgundy and she said she had one other, it was a classic flap called "11.12". I normally don't go for the classics and like a bit of a twist but the burgundy was so gorgeous. It's also lambskin which is supposed to be more fragile and easier to scratch, so I was worried about that, but since I'm a bit RATE, I think I can live with it getting scratched if it means I'm using it. It was more than the other burgundy bag, but if I'm going to spend that much it felt like having the classic/iconic style would be worth it in the long run. It just felt like fate, with my love of burgundy, and DH being willing to indulge me (I mean, we both earn the same so we're both paying for it, but with big purchases we discuss first). He just asked that in return he can get a fishing boat someday before we retire, LOL. He's really into fishing! So, what do you think, did I make the right decision? It feels like it can be dressed up or down and it's a classic but with a burgundy twist (like the Burberry trench!) that I can wear forever and someday pass down to DD. It immediately fit in with my burgundy wardrobe and I took it to the symphony right after I bought it!
By the way, I have to apologize if it seems like I'm spending a lot on clothes in a short time, but I haven't bought any clothes other than athleisure in about 10 years and I'm trying to be intentional about what I buy for my changing body, and find things on sale! I also mix a lot with my (very) old pieces. I do have a large/stuffed wardrobe because I tend to hang onto things for a long time (I do need to edit, but I'm still planning to keep my old favorites in case I do end up losing some weight). I do return about 80-90% of what I order online, but I also have some anxiety about shopping in person, perhaps that's a topic for another post!
So here's my burgundy wardrobe for the weekend.
1-2. Lululemon burgundy cashmere hoodie, bought in part with a $75 Saks credit from Amex. It's super soft and perfect for casual MOTG. With the Rag and Bone track pants and my Tokidoki sea punk backpack and Converse. I showed up to the hotel with this outfit and my Cotopaxi Allpa 42 backpack and the doorman said he liked my backpacks!
3-9. AllSaints burgundy sweater dress for our dinner out with DS1. It's super comfy, the dress waist is elastic and the sweater is super soft and warm and it was on sale. With the Burberry burgundy trench, Goyard Artois tote and Halogen knockoff Valentino stud flats. I tried magnetic eyelashes for the first time that I ordered off Amazon. It felt kind of unnatural, like I was Betty Boop, and I could see the lashes at the top of my vision. It also took some getting used to because the lashes kept falling off the applicator thingy onto the floor. But I think if I get used to it and use it for special occasions, it might be a good mascara alternative? I rarely dress up or wear makeup other than lipstick, so IDK what you think? Does it look like too much? 5 is one eye with, one eye without the lashes.
10-17. Reiss burgundy scarf sweater and old Halogen leather skirt, and burgundy trench and Docs. I've already worn this outfit multiple times, it's a workhorse. With the Goyard tote and then my new burgundy Chanel! And my sweet DH!
18-31. A new AllSaints mustard floral blouse and burgundy tulle skirt, bought at the AllSaints sale. It's so puffy with the tulle and the drapey blouse that it definitely makes my waist look bigger (30), but I think it's super comfy with an elastic waist and interesting details that I felt very "me" in it. The only downside to the blouse is it is kind of 'high maintenance". It has two very tiny buttons at the back of the neck that are impossible to button so you have to get someone else to button and unbutton (whyyyy?) and some ribbons at the side that keep coming untied, and it wrinkles just from packing it in the suitcase for an hour, but I still think it's pretty for special occasions. It made me think of Rock's bruises thread with the mustard and burgundy. I'm getting a lot of use out of the gold spiky bracelet, and added a gold dragonfly bracelet because insects always go with a floral theme. I felt very Rogue Romantic Wuthering Heights in this outfit. And my burgundy trench goes with everything! We stopped by H Mart for Korean food on the way home (27) because we don't have a lot of Korean options where we live.
32-33. Burgundy casual. With the Chanel bag for a slightly dressier casual look or one of my Tokidoki backpacks for MOTG. I am trying to replace some of my pieces that I like but no longer fit. I have a black and red plaid shirt, but I found this burgundy plaid shirt at Nordstrom. I bought a pair of Levi burgundy corduroy flares in the size I know fits me from my other old pair of skinny jeans, and it's pretty cheap on Amazon so I bought jeans in white and black and now this burgundy version. Wore it with my old Leith cardigan and Chucks.
34-35. My Tokidoki camping and sea punk backpacks. These two match the best with my burgundy wardrobe. These are actually diaper bags which is how I found them, but they work for MOTG even long after the diaper days. I pretty much use them as my default everyday bag even when I go to work because it holds everything including my laptop. I love these Jujube Tokidoki Be Right Back backpacks because the organization is great, they have pockets in all the right places, you can store your cell phone in the front pocket, and I'm used to it so I know where everything is. No rooting around trying to find stuff in the bottom of a tote. They're machine washable too. I like to collect Tokidoki backpacks that fit with the various themes in my life and match it to my activity, like I have one for camping, sea life (for scuba), Hawaii, Arizona desert, sports, travel/passport, etc. I have a couple in plain solids that could be more dressy (black, olive with rose gold zippers, etc) but I like the fun of the Tokidoki patterns.
36-41. More pics of the gorgeous burgundy Chanel! I love it, it was an unexpected surprise, but it fits right in and I don't think there could be a bag that's more "me"! (Aside from the Tokidoki backpacks, LOL!)
I'm a doctor and mom of three on the go go go who likes to have fun with fashion!