She’s Dressed in Black Again


Something about Depeche Mode just makes me want to wear everything black. In this case, it’s ok because the bright red “Violator” rose breaks up the black quite nicely. This is another item from Idle Vice’s Fashion Rocks line, and by far my favorite for all the reasons you may think: it’s my favorite all time group and it’s one of my favorite all time albums.


We found these murals outside a Mexican restaurant called El Camino, which is in Little Italy (Downtown San Diego). The sunlight was perfect and created such wonderful contrasting light because of the time of day we were there. With such a fantastic exterior, we will have to go inside to see if the food is just as good.


Outfit: Idil Vice dress; Bamboo shoes; Vintage velvet bolero; Vintage Judith Leiber clutch; Burberry sunglasses

(Photos by Deon Chen)

Totally Capable

I used to have a couple ponchos, but I never bought a cape because I just couldn’t find one that I really liked. Now I have this fantastic sweater cape and I’m about to make this a regular part of my wardrobe. I love the fact that it’s light enough for San Diego weather, but it keeps me warm like a blanket. In a way, it’s like a very stylish Snuggie and was truly a steal at $36. It was perfect for Dominic’s chilly early morning doctor’s appointment and took me into the semi-warm afternoon.

Outfit: ASOS military knitted cape; H&M skinny jeans; Lucky brand striped top; Steve Madden Luxe boots; Vintage Gucci clutch; Burberry sunglasses

Out of Focus

Sometimes you have to work with what you’re given and the best pictures from this little pictorial were not quite in focus. After putting them up and previewing them, I ended up liking the soft and blurry effect.

There’s a tiny bit of mixology in my outfit (ala The Glamourai) with the pin-striped skirt, leopard print shirt and tweed jacket. But it looked like rain, so I didn’t have time to take the jacket off before I dashed behind the mall to grab a few shots of what I was wearing while getting to my next errand.


Outfit: Tucker for Target jacket; Old Navy shirt; Forever 21 skirt; Target tights; Loeffler Randall heels; Vintage Judith Leiber clutch; Burberry sunglasses

(Note:  Today is the anniversary of my father’s death.  I didn’t want to call it out in it’s own post because my previous blog was almost exclusively about how I was coping with his death, and this blog is a celebration of life.  So in this blog, I decided to have celebration posts when it’s his birthday or my parents anniversary instead of marking the opposite.  I just wanted to take a moment to mention how much I love him and miss him.  I love you daddy!)

Grammar Lesson of the Day: It’s vs Its

In my struggle to ensure my grammar correctness in the blogosphere, I stumbled upon this foolproof explanation of “It’s” vs “Its”. Just a little grammar nugget from me to you, in case you’re having the same problem.

It’s a great site, trust me!

(Click on the picture for a link to the site)

Friend Friday: Beauty Products

Today’s Friend Friday from ModlyChic is all about the products that help us stay pretty once we wake up in the morning.  I’m fairly simple when it comes to everyday make-up and beauty products:  I cleanse, mosturize, add a bit of power, do up my brows, line my eyes and wear a light gloss or sheer lipstick.  No matter how simple I keep things, I definitely have my favorites.  What are yours?

What’s your favorite drug store makeup product and your favorite higher-end product?

I love the UK brand, Boots for skin care products.   I tried the Boots brand in London and have been hooked ever since.  One can imagine the elation I felt when the line came to Target.  Now, it’s the only product I use.  Being an Anglophile, I gravitated towards the Rimmel London line for make-up.  As far as high-end products, I used to like Clinique and Estee Lauder, but now I really just stick to the Boots and Rimmel lines.

Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can’t live without?  

I need some kind of everyday exfoliant or light facial scrub.  I also love facial wipes when traveling.  I consider the Boots Cleansing and Toning Wipes a girl’s best friend!  I just like products that keep my face feeling refreshed, since it tends to get oily quickly.  Oh, and my Brow Fix kit by Milani Cosmetics (seen here).

What’s the best hair product you’ve ever used?  

Joico K-PAK conditioner and Joico Brilliantine pomade.  

Fess up, what’s the worst beauty look you’ve tried to rock and look back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did that?  

I tried the tanning salon to even out a tan right before a wedding I was in.  I will never go to a tanning salon ever again as long as I live.

When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flare and personality?

I don’t usually use beauty products to show off my personal flare.  I use my hairstyle and clothing to do that.  I simply use beauty products to keep my skin healthy and to maintain a clean, fresh look.  I’ll just brighten and accentuate my make up for evenings out or parties, but really, I’m quite simple when it comes to beauty.

(Images courtesy of Target and Counter Culture Beauty)

Affiliated: ModCloth.com

Any Second Now is now a proud ModCloth.com affiliate! I’m so excited because I love everything about ModCloth and am elated to be affiliated with such a fantastic site.  If you want to browse the ModCloth site, see something that you like here on this blog from ModCloth that I’ve worn or reviewed, be sure to click on the banner on the right so that they know that I’ve sent you when you make your purchase!

(Check out the banner above…you can see some of the shoes from my most recent post!)

Vogue Brogues


I have a love affair with the Oxford flat. I adore my Jeffrey Campbell canvas pair (pictured above, also seen here and here). They are truly comfortable and adds a little bit of pizzaz to an outfit because they look sleek and smart. I’m on the lookout for more to add for my wardrobe, including some in the following set. Once I find a couple of pairs that I truly love, I will be wearing them with everything from long skirts, to shorts and wide-legged pants to jeans. I even found cool blue suede ones. Dare I? I think I might!

(Above image courtesy of bonadrag.com)

 


Vogue Brogues by sighgee featuring canvas oxfords

Layered in Laundry


I remember I bought this dress when we used to have these sample sale stores that opened up in old warehouses or empty spaces in buildings that were between construction. I really didn’t think they were true sample sales because the store would be there for several months before closing and to me, sample sales were open for only a few days. I have since lost track of these “stores” and I now wish I could locate them again because I was getting great designer items for next to nothing, like this Laundry by Shelli Segal dress.


Outfit: Tulle coat; Laundry by Shelli Segal dress; Target tights; Jessica Simpson suede boots; Vintage Judith Leiber clutch; Burton’s knit hat; Burberry sunglasses

Weekend In Pictures: Dominic’s Birthday Bash


I know last night was the Oscars (big congratulations to Colin Firth on receiving the Best Actor award). But for our household, the big celebration this weekend was our little boy’s 2nd birthday. The weekend began with running errands on Friday, including an adventure at Sports Authority and a putting green. Right before the party on Saturday, Grandma and Poppy from Las Vegas stole him away to our local mall while we completed the final preparations. Then slowly, friends from work and elsewhere as well as lots of family came to celebrate with our little man.


Despite a few minor mishaps (including a fall while playing with the other kids and a wardrobe change due to a fight with a water puddle), it was a great party. Since it rained the whole morning, we were afraid that he wasn’t going to be able to have his pinata. But the weather cleared up just enough for all the kids to gather outside. Rather than the blindfold and bat, we opted for the “pull string” pinata. Since no one pulled the right string, we opened it up so that the candy and prizes would fall. It was quite a blur!


Dominic had so much fun that he missed his nap. After blowing out his birthday candle, he ended up sleeping the end of his party away. When he woke up, he said “Mama, what happened party?” Hopefully he’ll be able to make it all the way through his next party. Thanks to everyone for all of the wonderful gifts of cars, trucks, and clothes.


The next day was spent opening up all the gifts and picking out which cars he would play with first. But I think the hit of Dominic’s gifts was what daddy bought him: an adjustable basketball hoop. We put it at the end of our short hallway to create a mini-half court. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Happy Birthday to Our Beautiful Little Boy!

6 month birthday

Sunday is Dominic’s birthday and he turns two.  Today, we are having a lovely race car/truck themed soiree with family and friends.  I know he’s excited because he thinks it’s someone else’s birthday but we had to remind him that it’s his celebration.  He said, “Oh mama, it MY birday?” (Don’t you love it when their pronunciation is just a bit off?)

1 year birthday

Mommy and Daddy love you so much Dominic!  Thank you for making our lives even more wonderful.

Skater Boy - Almost 2!

(Birthday pictures will be up next week)