Mirage

I'm kind of having an Ikat moment. Inspired by my rode trip through Arizona, and my never ending love affair of anything Southwest

Mirage by millparks featuring a color block skirt

Thakoon Addition long sleeve top
$390 - barneys.com

Silk t shirt
$80 - warehouse.co.uk

Joe s
$179 - anthropologie.com

Color block skirt
$71 - warehouse.co.uk

Theodora & Callum tying shoes
$235 - saksfifthavenue.com

TOMS peep toe wedge shoes
$138 - cusp.com

14k jewelry
$98 - anthropologie.com

Vince Camuto red bangle
$78 - vincecamuto.com

Metal bangle
$16 - needsupply.com

Best of the City

I'm back! After a month long sabbatical here I am. My break has mainly been due to the fact I've been insanely busy and haven't really had the blog up too high on my priority list. It's been either sleep or blog, I chose the former. My apologizes to my readers.... all three of you.


Anywho this year's Best of Utah came out in City Weekly, a magazine which is mostly (or fully) catered to wannabes and hipsters alike in the Salt Lake Valley. I wouldn't say it's responsible journalism, or that it represents any opinions other than that of the far left, but it is occasionally entertaining. I especially enjoy reading this particular issue while pretending to watch my kids at the park.


This year I disagree more than I agree with their findings. So I created my own "Best Of" list for local restaurants, and entertainment. Let the games begin.


Best place to Hike
Millie: Big Cottonwood Canyon
City Weekly: Millcreek Canyon {My second choice but I fear the snakes}


Best Ski Resort
Millie: Alta
City Weekly: Snowbird


Best Pizza
Millie:1. Settebello
          2. Litza's
City Weekly: The Pie


Best BBQ
Millie: Pat's BBQ
City Weekly: Pat's BBQ


Best Breakfast
Millie: Silver Fork Lodge { the sourdough pancakes are to die for}
City Weekly: Blue Plate {strongly disagree on this one don't make me tell the story of my waitress and her armpit hair}


Best Greek
Millie: Aristo's
City Weekly: Aristo's


Best Mexican
Millie: Tarahumara {In Midway they catered one of my weddings}
City Weekly: Red Iguana


Best Falafel
Millie: Mazza
City Weekly: O'Falafel


Best Downtown Restaurants
Millie: Eva's
City Weekly: Copper Onion


Best Mindfulness for Beginners
Millie: Tom McConkie's group meditation
City Weekly: Golden Braid Bookstore


Best Corner Market
Millie: Emigration Market {Harmons}
City Weekly: The Store


Best Kept Fashion Secret
Millie:Urban Blues
City Weekly: Q Clothing


Well that's all folks. Stay tuned for my Worst of Salt Lake edition

Button Up Buttercup

Five favorite ways to wear a Button Up

photos courtesy of Anthropologie.com

V Day Meltdown

Is Valentine's for kids anymore? I mean is it just me or has it become a status competition which mom can come up with the cutest typography,cellophane bag, treat Valentine?! Do the kids even get to help with the making of these little masterpieces? Maybe I'm just being negative because I'm not creative enough to come up with these things, so I have to opt for the store bought Phineas and Ferb kind. But really hasn't this keeping up with Mrs. Jones mentality gone to far?
For some reason I went into crying hysterics after seeing my friends pictures on Instagram of their kids Chevron stripped Valentines that they clearly came up with. I felt like a pile of crap mom because I realized I'll never measure up. I'll never have the perfectly clean organized home with cookies in the oven, heart garland hanging from the fireplace, and pink twinkle lights around my front door. Why you ask? Because I just don't care that much I guess. I'd rather take a two hour nap in the afternoon than do crafty projects, I'd rather sleep in than exercise, and I'd rather watch reality tv than fold laundry (and no they can't be done simultaneously.)  I could say I don't have the time but the truth is it's just not a priority.
I'm not trying to bash on the moms who do these things. I'm sure most of them enjoy doing so, I just feel something needed to be said to the moms who don't. You don't have to put this pressure on yourselves. Get in the car, drive yourself to Target and by your kids some regular old paper Valentines,  go home turn on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and congratulate yourself on a job well done.

Hotel California

We hit the halls of our hotel The St. Francis in San Francisco for these shots. It may seem from recent posts that I'm a little obsessed with red pants, the truth is these are actually coral from Target. The top is Odille from Anthro, pumps Steve Madden and jewelry J.Crew.

Color Blocking

This look was all over the Spring 2011 runways, which means it might be hitting Utah by 2014. So if you start now you'll be way ahead of the class. Plus Posh is doing it, and I don't know about you but I want to do just about everything Posh does including David Beckham {er... only kidding I'm a married woman.} But seriously,If you still are nervous about this concept, don't be I've included a color wheel guide. Enjoy.

 

“The most popular theory for combining colors is called the rule of two-thirds.How you achieve the rule of two-thirds starts by making an equilateral triangle (a triangle with 3 equal sides) on the color wheel… From there, you pick two of the three colors that the triangle touches. These colors will almost always harmonize together beautifully.”

• Cobalt Blue, Yellow, Orange
• Chocolate Brown, Pink, Peach
• Purple, Bright Blue, Teal
• Deep blue, bright pink, White
• Coral, Grey, Ivory

Pinterest

Let me just start by saying I don't get pinterest. Yes I'm on there, but I really just don't see the point. It's just copying everyone's ideas and acting like they're your own. And who are these serial pinners, that just spend their whole day pinning and repinning s@#&? What are their kids doing starving in the corner while mama is busy pinning a broccoli quinoa casserole? {which I made and is actually quite tasty}
I hate it when people say "oh (so and so) has the best pins." It's like you don't have to have style or be a great cook to pin something. I too can copy and paste, it doesn't take a lot of talent.
That being said I have found some pretty rad stuff on there that I too repinned.

Loafer Lover

Loafer love. I die for these incredibly comfortable (like slipper comfortable) absolutely fashionable shoes. You can virtually wear them with anything,and they never really go out of style. They range from a little preppy, classic, to perfectly quirky.  Here are some of my favorite versions courtesy of Anthropologie

Biggest Loser part I

So on the 3rd of this month I started a weight loss challenge with my aunt, cousin, sister, and mom. We're seeing who can lose the most weight in 30 days. We meet in San Fran for a girls trip over my birthday weekend in Feb. At that time we'll see who wins the competition. 1 pt. for every day we exercise and 5 pts. for every pound lost. Winner takes home fifty bucks and a smaller waist line. I was the one who came up with this idea and honestly I don't know what the hell I was thinking. I hate exercise as much as I hate watching my portions, and let's face it I don't have any self control.  I am keeping a journal of my peaks and valleys, mostly valleys.


Day 1
Ok I'm ready! I'm doing this, I am so sick of over eating. Honestly I'm relieved to be doing this. I'm going to win I really am, I'm sick of no one ever taking me seriously. Oh it's on, it's on like Donkey Kong!


Day 3
Things aren't going as well as planned. Although I did eat a salad for lunch(success) I couldn't make it through the Jillian Michael's ripped in 30. I made it about 15 and then collapsed on the couch.
Tomorrow's another day right?


Day 7
Even though I ate at Bombay House tonight (paneer masala and onion naan) I counteracted it with some Zumba. Two questions Who invented this sick form of torture, and why didn't I wear some depends?


Day 9
I've only lost a half of a pound and I would trade one of my children for a slice of pizza.


Day 13 
I have been going to the bathroom boy style today, seeming as my thighs are too sore to squat.


.... to be continued

Red Cannon

If you don't know the Cannon family, you're not a true Salt Laker. Their matriarch Sally is about as cute as a button, she had like ten kids, and they are all blonde and every one of them looks like a J. Crew model. Jenny is the middle in line. Not only is she adorable {a rare mix between Gidget, and a young Sandra Bullock} but she is the sweetest person you'll ever meet. She graciously posed for me in the outfit she wore to my house that day. I just had to snap a few shots before she headed back to Boston.


chambray top and red pants J.Crew, Moncler vest, and leopard print Tory Burch shoes

January Blues

January Blues by millparks featuring leather flats

Rag bone crop top
$275 - rag-bone.com

H M zipper jacket
£30 - hm.com

H M elastic waist skirt
£3.99 - hm.com

Tory Burch leather flat
$126 - net-a-porter.com

Club Manhattan silver jewelry
€18 - welikefashion.com






I saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last night and although it was highly disturbing, Lisbeth Salander was the inspiration behind this look.

Gray Area

Not only is my sister insanely beautiful, but she definitely is the smarter, skinnier, more talented of the Parker girls (there are only two of us.) She has me beat in practically every way but one.... I'm younger.

Jaime totally rocks the gray granny dress on the streets of Salt City. To top off the look we added layers of vintage necklaces, opaque black tights{so in}with nude pumps.

Check out your local Nordie's Rack for dress $40