Sierra Mar Post Ranch Inn Dinner & Kate Spade Pride and Prejudice Book Clutch

I enjoyed a September sunset celebration dinner at the Post Ranch Inn restaurant Sierra Mar in Big Sur (close to where Anne Hathaway got married the next weekend). The food was delicious and the view was spectacular. The beignets oozed warm chocolate with every bite. It's not an easy drive, but it was definitely worth the trip. 

Some light dinner reading

Kate Spade Pride and Prejudice book clutch - gift from W

  

Amuse-bouche

 

Lamb shank risotto

Scallops

Oysters on the half shell

Dungeness crab

Duck egg raviolo

Pork cheeks

Beignets

view of the cliffs and Pacific Ocean

Alice + Olivia Marilyn dress
LC Lauren Conrad Boyfriend blazer (from 2011) (similar) size 6 - buyer beware, the quality is lacking on this piece
Kate Spade Becca sandals - I wanted dressy but comfy shoes and I think these are a good compromise on style
Kate Spade Book Clutch - I am crazy about this clutch, it's relatively roomy and totally adorable

Zara leather jacket with studs + Target Kaelyn Boots Sale!

Zara leather jacket with studs, size M 
Audrey 3+1 lace dress with elastic waistband - similar here

Women's Mossimo Supply Co. Kaelyn Ankle Boot Taupe from Target ($29.99)- I bought my regular size and I'm totally thrilled with them. The website says these are faux suede but the shoes are marked with "leather." I looked everywhere for Isabel Marant Dicker-style ($615) shoes and these were my favorite choice.

Even better, receive a $15 Target GiftCard with a $75 minimum purchase of Men's, Women's and Kids apparel, shoes and accessories! Offer expires 9/29/2012 at 11:59pm ET.

Lauren Conrad, Destroyer of Books

Lauren Conrad is a book killer, but what I really hate about this project is how lazy it looks. LC cut up a random assortment of A Series of Unfortunate Events books for her storage box. She didn't line up the spines in chronological order, and she repeated The Bad Beginning and The Ersatz Elevator 3 times! Put some thought into the books you destroy, Lauren! Try Gravity's Rainbow, Fifty Shades of Grey, Pride and Prejudice, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and American Psycho (full disclosure: I have read these books) for your next decorative box. 

What books do you like to destroy?

Red, White, and I Heart Blue

These sunnies were an awesome score from the recent major Karmaloop crate sale.  Jeremy Scott for Linda Farrow Sunglasses The Heart Sunglasses in Red, still available here and on sale here. They have built in ear jewelry (!) and balance really well on the nose despite the weird arms. Worn with Rebecca Taylor Ikat Heart Dress in size 4 available here and here. Needs some alterations but I might never get to it. Necklace from UO, wedges from Target.

Get the Look Alexander McQueen Knuckle Duster Box Clutch Under $60!

The McQueen knuckle duster box clutch has been on my wishlist since I first laid eyes on it. It's very much out of my price range, but Nastygal has an affordable Spiked Knuckle Clutch ($55) in faux fuschia snakeskin with gold spikes replacing the signature McQueen skull on the knuckle duster detail. Saks has their own snakeskin version available for pre-order. The Alexander McQueen Nova Whipsnake Long Box Clutch can be yours for $2295 by 9/30/2012.

Get the Fruit Print Look: Anthropologie Banana Bunch Romper

I love fruit prints (shefinds does too!) and this romper ($68, size small) embroidered with rows of bananas was too cute and comfy to pass up when I had my birthday discount at Anthropologie. Note: my romper came with a black sash in store.
Forever 21 Spiked Stretchy Bracelet ($7.80) in coral and Polka Dot Boater Hat ($10.80) in blue with white spots

Remember Prada's Spring 2011 banana monkey collection? 
 

Get the Look Kate Middleton Turquoise Jenny Packham Backless Lace Dress: Rebecca Taylor Runway Halter Dress

 

 

The Rebecca Taylor Runway Halter Dress in turquoise is an affordable and fun alternative to Kate Middleton's amazing $4,620 Jenny Packham Aspen gown. It's lacy and backless just like Kate's but short and flirty for summer cocktail parties. You can rent it in teal at Rent The Runway for just $65!

I bought this dress last December during the Saks 70% off sale and finally wore it last week. Click the Saks link to see the dress in motion. It was a bit chilly but I hated to cover up the back with a jacket so I warded off the cold with a secondhand Alexander McQueen purple skull scarf. The dress is 70% off at shopbop in soot and frost. 

My favorite bad girl Kristin Cavallari wore it in red pre-bump last winter and also paired it with nude peep-toes.

Jewelry: Elizabeth and James Bird Claw Ring with Grey Agate Stone - sterling silver with 23k gold-plated talons at setting. My birthday gift from W and I'm crazy about it!

Makeup: I used the Hello Kitty Parisienne Palette ($17 at Sephora) gifted from my friend L. The brown shadow and pink blush are pigmented and pretty - this is definitely not a little kid's makeup set!