Holiday Hell

It's been a while friends. I honestly can't say how many stores I've been in since Monday. You wouldn't believe me if I did. I lay in bed now with a quad of Advil in my hand and a heating pad on my back, trying desperately to unwind watching Beverly Hills Housewives. Blasted holiday shopping. Why don't we just exchange money between each other and call it good? On a brighter note look at the loot I found today at the J Crew outlet in PC. Can you say everything on sale and then take an additional 30% at the register. Shirt for brother in law... check, awesome teal suede ballet flats for sister... check, skinny belts, and cozy petal pink sweater vest for nieces ... check, a pair of jeans, a few shirts, and makeup bag for me...check and all for under $200. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Thoughts from Afar

Carter "mom your eyes are black" me "No they're not they're hazel" Carter "No I mean under them"

Anthro Love

Let's face it Anthropologie does everything right. Walking in the store I feel like I'm visiting an old friend. Sometimes I plop my buns down on one of their cozy couches and stay for a half hour. I may pretend to text, or act like I'm waiting for someone but the truth is I just like the music, the aromatic candles and to take in the clothes. Oh the clothes. Sigh.

I don't know which I'm obsessed with more these outfits or the model wearing them. Heaven knows I'm a sucker for brunettes with big bangs.

Merry and Bright

Merry and Bright by millparks featuring h&m pants

Madewell silk t shirt
$88 - madewell.com

J Crew pea coat
$184 - jcrew.com

H&m pants
£25 - hm.com

Flat
$35 - modcloth.com

Earrings
newlook.com

Cashmere scarf
$88 - jcrew.com




Are you looking to put a little Jingle in your Jangle? ( I don't even really know what that means.) But if you're like me you are over the fall and can't handle seeing one more brown or mustard colored clothing item until next September. It's so drab outside I'm actually praying for snow to brighten things up a bit. Until then I guess I'll just have to settle for this new outfit to lift my mood.

Modern Trees

Ok this is the best Christmas gift idea for parents, grandparents or your kids. They are modern family trees (hence the name.) My ubertalented cousin Mike is living in New York City working as a graphic designer. He came up with this idea... Check em' out.
www.moderntrees.com

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.