Olive Green

I've long admired the ankle boot. And this one? I love how sleek it looks and how the neutral color could work its way into a variety of ensembles  -- olive green, who knew? Pair it with a madras shirt!

Boots -- Opening Ceremony
Jacket -- Givenchy
Shirt and Jeans - IOU Project
Bag -- Givenchy
Belt -- Balenciaga
Sunglasses -- Oliver Peoples
Watch -- Swatch

Here are some other madras inspirations:

Madras for Fall

Autumn Weekend in the Woods
Steely Street Style

Steely Street Style

How about this madras dress? Wear it now (yes, madras in the fall) with tights or as a tunic with jeans, and then come next spring you can wear it with summery sandals!

Here are some other madras inspirations:

Madras for Fall

Autumn Weekend in the Woods

Color-Coated Denim

Do we like? I'm a bit on the fence but leaning more toward like. On the one hand, paint on denim (not to be confused with painted-on denim) is a bit too contrived for me, but will you look at those beautiful fall colors? By the way, Habitual denim is made in Los Angeles, USA!

P.S. I'm finally ready to post my page that lists a bunch of brands that manufacture products in the USA. Check it out!

Madras: Weekend in the Woods

It's starting to feel like fall here in San Diego! Ha ha. Not really. Granted, the air is a bit cooler in the morning, but by noon, the sun's burned through the clouds and we're back to one of San Diego's two seasons: warm and hot. Funnily enough, I was just commenting to Isaiah the other day that the air does feel different. It even smells different. Like fall. He wasn't buying it.

Since we don't really have a fall season here, just occasional fall days, and since we don't have woods nearby, I just daydream about fall. For truly autumn days (not like the kind in Switzerland that were just warmer winter days), a merino sweater sounds super cozy topped with a blazer -- why not a madras blazer! See, I told you, madras works for fall. So work it!

P.S. I can't take credit for being clever enough to reinvent madras for fall. Apparently it's been done before (OK A.P.C.). Even Prada does its own take on madras this fall.

The IOU Project: Trunk Show #2

You may have thought Madras a style only suitable for spring/summer. If so, you thought wrong. I'm here to tell you, you can where Madras all year long. How about for fall?

All week long, allow me to showcase some items from my TRUNK SHOW #2 and suggest ways to work these items into your fall wardrobe. My last collection was all about the man-styles, so ladies now's your chance. See what this company with a conscience is all about...

Honestly, nothing says back-to-school/autumn-chic like a plaid skirt! Pair your madras skirt with bright, bold tights, some suede ankle booties and an oxford shirt, and you've got instant school girl.

The Grand Canyon: Ranger Programs and Camping

Up at 5 a.m. to catch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Was it majestic? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? Um, nope.

My favorite thing about visiting national parks? The park ranger programs. On this lovely summer day, we caught a ranger program all about California Condors. They are fascinating creatures, I tell you. Did you know that they vomit on their predators, mate for life, raise their young until the age of 1 1/2 (which is why a female lays an egg only once every two years), and pee on their feet to stay cool? We also caught a program that helps visitors discover fossil remains that are scattered throughout the canyon.

Brachiopod

Mollusk (clam)

Ancient Sponge

Ancient Coral

(Click here to learn more about the science-y stuff I learned about these fossils. I'd attempt to tell you myself, except that would be very foolish of me.)

We even saw elk! Elk butts, to be precise.

For Your Rolodex:

If you're looking for a true national park camping experience, I recommend Mather Campground on the South Rim of the canyon.

Mather Campground (AZ)
P.O Box 129
Grand Canyon AZ 86023

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
36.05278, -112.11444

Sedona Hike

Up shortly after sunrise -- 'cause that's what happens when you sleep in a tent out in the middle of nowhere

After a somewhat restful night's sleep in our new 4-man tent, parked along the side of the road, we decided to spend the day exploring Sedona a bit before making our way to the Grand Canyon. 

We found ourselves opting against slithering down natural stone water-slides and for some hiking near Midgley Bridge. Just past the bridge, you can park the car (a ticket machine dispenses parking passes for the day) and take one of two paths. Down the canyon, you can head to Oak Creek and take a dip in its cool waters. Down the dry creek bed, you can hike through the wilderness. We took both routes! (Warning: Photo Overload Ahead!)

Tadpole!

Tlaquepaque: Shopping Pueblo in Sedona, Arizona

In Sedona, Arizona, you can catch a sunset over red rock formations. You can hike through a dry river bed in the desert and then take a dip in a cool river afterward. You can camp for free just about anywhere off the side of the road (check!). You can even taste a bit of Mexico in the heart of this town. Tlaquepaque, meaning "the best of everything," according to the center's website, is a shopping center in downtown Sedona. Dine at a Mexican(-American) restaurant and peruse the art galleries sprinkled all over the shopping center. Or simply stroll through the beautiful grounds.

For Your Rolodex:

Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village

336 State Route 179

Sedona, AZ