Turkey Day

Turkey Day by millparks featuring a knee length pencil skirt

J Crew long top
$72 - jcrew.com

J Crew knee length pencil skirt
$120 - jcrew.com

Frye leather shoes
$348 - zappos.com

Worthington cream jewelry
$18 - jcpenney.com

Vince Camuto facets jewelry
$22 - zappos.com

OPI Muppets Nail Polish Collection: Pictures Photo 1
bellasugar.com






Thanksgiving. It's that time of year, the turkeys in the oven, your place cards are set. It's an hour till the family arrives and you have nothing to wear. Fear not my friend here are some last minute options. Above is what I will be wearing.

This is the place

It's here. The long anticipated opening of Utah's H and M. Letting the world know that we have arrived. Salt Lake City is now officially on the map. I didn't go for the grand opening, was a little nervous about braving the crowds, however I did go there yesterday and waited the better part of an hour for a dressing room. I've literally been taking Advil today because my biceps are throbbing from trying not to let the clothes drag on the floor, holding the hangers for that long. I guess that's the price we pay for beauty eh?

Before you go out and buy the whole store here's some hints on what to and what not to buy before entering this sacred place.

Steer clear of the work wear. Yes it may be cute momentarily but it's just not made all that well and let's face it, looks cheap.

Love the novelty wear, it's inexpensive enough you can wear it for a season and they do make a mean pair of sweats.

Do stock up on their accessories they're fun and inexpensive and make any girl look like a rock star

I want it this minute....

Baby it's cold outside. It's that time of year, the white stuff has made it's first appearance blanketing the mountains and now here on the valley floor. On the upside I totally love sweaters. This my friends is the Jag of all sweaters, by far the cutest thing I've seen all season. It makes me want to learn to ski just so I can wear it around the lodge sipping hot cocoa with my magenta lipstick, strutting around in my hot black ski pants. I am a vision in this fantasy and you can be too. Get it now at Anthro.

Pride is over rated

Today as I drove my kids to school in nothing but my cozy bathrobe and Hunter boots, shamelessly waving at passing moms, I was reminded of an important lesson I learned at the age of thirteen.... Pride among other things (tact, sushi, and sex,) is highly over rated.
Allow me to set the scene~ 1993 Riding in my dad's Grand Jeep Cherokee to Bryant Jr. High school with my trusty bff Melissa in the back seat, on our way to picture day. I am looking at myself in the passenger vanity mirror, feeling pretty cool in my Vaurnet France t shirt, log role bangs, and maroon v neck tied around the waist of my gap jeans. When my dad asks me, "It's picture day today, have you no pride?!"
Well I thought I did before you said that, but apparently not anymore.
As I'm driving home now after the drop off, it occurs to me... maybe it's not a lack of pride I have, but an inflated sense of self esteem. I don't care what people think. Ok that's not exactly true, I do care a lot about wether I'm liked or not or what people perceive or say about me. But I am not afraid to be myself, bathrobe, or vaurnet france shirt. I am what I am, and those who like me will appreciate me, and those who don't won't. End of story.

5 Fall Must Haves

5 Fall Must Haves by millparks featuring a fur vest

J Crew plaid top
$72 - jcrew.com

H M fur vest
£30 - hm.com

Citizens of Humanity five pocket pants
$209 - anthropologie.com

Madewell bootie boots
$56 - madewell.com

J Crew printed hat
$38 - jcrew.com




With the chill in the air these 5 elemental cozy pieces are a must in every closet. A festive plaid shirt can be paired with a pencil skirt, pearls and heels while cooking your turkey. An animal print beanie adds a little something to any outfit. Fur vests are everywhere, I'm sure you've noticed unless you've been living in a box. My personal favorite the Minnetonka Moccasins. Last but not least a blast from the past, the wide leg pant.... It's back folks.

Fallin'

You may be like many of my friends who tell me "Omg this is my most favorite time of year" to which I often reply "Omg this time of year makes me want to stick my head in the oven."  I hate fall. Maybe it's because this time of the year brings on post traumatic stress for me, the memories of the postpartum depression I suffered    from a few Octobers past, or  two years ago when I was going through a divorce, or dating back to high school when I had to start putting on more clothes due to the elements and couldn't wear my short shorts and Roxy t-shirts anymore. Whatever the reason it's a downer for me. It's a tease, one day it's warm and sunny the next....I'm freezing my you know what off. It signifies death, and is a constant reminder that winter in imminent. However, I must say a couple of weeks ago I went for one of my Thursday hikes up Millcreek Canyon and found a new appreciation for this fickle season. Maybe I can survive until spring.

"An outfit is an entire life experience. An outfit is much more than just something to wear. It's about who you are, it's a badge and it becomes a symbol." - David Bowie

My go to weekend

My go to weekend by millparks featuring a chain necklace

Madewell chambray shirt
$68 - madewell.com

Rachel Pally printed legging
$100 - farfetch.com

Cowgirl boots
$358 - anthropologie.com

Juicy Couture leather satchel
£230 - harveynichols.com

Assad Mounser chain necklace
$430 - net-a-porter.com

Madewell vintage sunglasses
$145 - madewell.com






Love everything about this. Maybe not the price of the necklace,  but you could totally find something similar at F21. 
I would wear this anywhere but it would be particularly cute for a girls weekend in Park City. 

Adrenaline

I had an unfortunate FB incident over the weekend. I got a message from someone I had blocked on FB, but friend requested their husband. How awkward, I was called out on this unfortunate event. I tried to be  as upfront and diplomatic as I could about the whole thing, but when you're busted you're busted. "Yes, I blocked you because your updates were painful for me, for whatever reason, and yes I friend requested your husband for old times sake."
As I was obsessing over the details of this exchange, talking to my mom, she asked a good question... "Why do you do these things?" I was puzzled honestly. I don't know why I would "friend request" him. I couldn't come up with a good answer.  "You are always in some sort of drama Millie. Are you addicted to the adrenaline of it all? What would it feel like to not have every day be a drama?"      I can't say...... Every day is some sort of debacle in my life. Maybe I do create a lot of it on my own. Am I addicted to the rush of it all? Is this why I am constantly pushing the envelope? I mean I've only dated and not to mention married self-proclaimed "bad  boys," I sometimes order Odoul's at restaurants, I did friend request my OBGYN on FB, and the other night, I actually went number one in my front yard just to see what it felt like to be a boy, and to see if I wouldn't get caught {by who the late night dog walker?} What is wrong with me?!  Are these the actions of a healthy 30 something with three kids? I think not.
I have to get down to the bottom of it all. Why am I so afraid for my life to be boring? Why do I seem to crave some sort of confrontation? These are the questions I brought up with my therapist. "It comes down to nature vs. nurture, maybe your DNA is just wired this way, you might come from a long line of rule breakers {or night-squatters}. You can't entirely help yourself. The other part may have been learned, you need to be constantly entertained, something constantly going on, good or bad. When you're not surrounded by chaos it feels unnatural so you may create some of it." she said. Wow. It's true I am an adrenaline junky, and not even the cool kind that goes skydiving and scuba diving. A drama adrenaline junky. The worst kind. I will not let this define me. I am going to really work on this. I truly am. I'm going to sit and meditate and live in the now. Don't worry I'll keep you updated on my sobriety. I may even join a support group but before I do..... does anyone want to go toilet papering? I may not be healthy but I am fun. 

Look of the week~ Real Life Mixing Patterns

A real life platform for mixing patterns. Skirt J.Crew, stripped top H&M, shoes Vince Camuto, necklace vintage. Photo's courtesy of Lucy Laucht

Mixing patterns

Some simple rules for mixing patterns.


1. Mix two or more patterns of the same color.
2. Don't mix two BOLD prints together, they just compete.
3.Try using a couple of different weights of fabric. It helps to make the look less matchy matchy.
4. Put together different color solids, i.e. mustard top, blue pants, and then add a printed belt.
5. Don't drink and dress.

I realize I've been slacking on the Look of the week feature, I've been out of town, busy with the kids blah blah blah. I'll step it up, promise. Any model volunteers? Comment on why you want to be featured and I'll pick my favorite answer. Don't be shy.

Sex it up

Sex it up by millparks featuring pyramid stud earrings

Madewell silk t shirt
$88 - madewell.com

Asymmetrical skirt
$150 - reissonline.com

Vince camuto shoes
$140 - nordstrom.com

Vince Camuto pyramid stud earrings
$24 - lordandtaylor.com

River Island yellow gold bangle
$17 - asos.com

Vince Camuto punk ring
$48 - zappos.com

Madewell oversized sunglasses
$134 - madewell.com




Channel your inner Rachel Zoe bombshell fashionista. I would and could totally rock this while teaching my Primary class or out for a night on the town. It is so on.

A day at the spa...

  Last Christmas my sweet husband gave me a gift certificate for all day at the spa. I tend to hoard these kind of gifts until they almost expire, always thinking in the back of my head "my day is coming." Finally yesterday I cashed it in. Can I just say heaven. It was the best day of my life counting when my children were born and two wedding days. Surpassed it all, my friends.
I arrived at ten where I immediately put in my lunch order CPK pear gorgonzola pizza.
I was then whisked away to the locker room where I changed into my nothin's and a robe.                        
My first treatment would be Hydrotherapy body polish. For those of you who haven't tried this, if a massage and a shower had a baby this would be their hot daughter. At first I was a little nervous laying buck naked on a table having a woman name Teri massage a walnut scrub all over my nude wet body, but I quickly let go of my inhibitions and enjoyed every second of it. Next was my actual massage where I  layed on a table in a dry room listening to Native American flute music while Teri sensually rubbed lavender scented oil all over me. I may have been strangely a little turned on. I felt like George on Seinfeld in the episode where "it" moved. Brad could learn a thing or two from Teri was the thought that kept running through my mind.
   Britt a beautiful esthetician who for some reason I kept calling Tara met me in the "quiet room." Which if someone told me is what the celestrial kingdom looked like I would not be disappointed. We then headed down the candle lit hallway to yet another room for my hour long facial. No extractions or waxing today just pure relaxation. An amazing scalp massage, and organic products carefully lathered on my face.
I literally looked ten years younger afterwards. Lunch was then followed by a ninety minute pedi man, where Tara (or Britt rather) discussed her childhood, why she has relationship issues, her departure from the LDS church, and her parents divorce. Looking back this portion of the day was a little more therapeutic for her than me, but enjoyable all the same. Finally my hair was washed and styled for the first time in I don't know how long. I left my new home away from home feeling like a million bucks, (or at the very least a thousand.)

Just can't handle..

People who say "I know right?" or "Just sayin", skinny bitches, Justin Bieber, couples who ride tandem bikes, "cyclists" in general (lose the spandex it's obscene), low lights, goatees (they've been hideous since the nineties), fake nails, anyone who goes up over my dog but fails to acknowledge my children, 20 year olds that call me "hon", and Diet Coke whores (pardon my french but you know who you are).... just sayin'!

Granola Girl

Granola Girl by millparks featuring wire earrings

Madewell fisherman sweater
$140 - madewell.com

Pilcro Stet Slim Straight
$118 - anthropologie.com

80%20 hidden wedge boots
$168 - amrag.com

J Crew cross body shoulder bag
$218 - jcrew.com

Wire earrings
$110 - target.com

Yellow gold jewelry
$14 - target.com

Paul Smith scarve
$110 - barneys.com

Webbing scout belt
$30 - jcrew.com


For all of my fellow granola girls out there...I get it. You don't want to be uncomfortable, or look like you're trying to hard or shopping in the tween department. Well excuses be gone. This is a totally casual and comfortable look that can take you to the grocery store or on a date night with the hubs. Just because you love nature doesn't mean you can't have style. So save your Chaco's and Patagonia shorts for your next hike and step into this.

Thoughts from afar

Just got back from a family vacation. Which let's be honest when you're traveling with kids is not an actual "vacation." We stayed in a fabulous beach house which was right on the water (so maybe  it was in Oceanside but still.) Spent two days with the kids in Disneyland, enjoyed a day in the sand at Coronado, ate heavenly pizza, strolled the beach and chowed down at the Crab Cooker in Newport. Spent an insane amount of money on everything from seashells, to churros, to Chewbaca back packs. Apparently all for nothing, when on the car ride home my eight year old says "ok that was the most boringist trip ever!" FML