We woke up to the wonderful sound of rain falling softly on the roof and down the gutters, the morning light grey and dim. It made us hit the snooze button three times, pretty sure it’s what caused us to eat dessert for breakfast, and why we decided to make a second batch of coffee around noon. It feels like Christmastime!

It’s not, of course, it’s Veteran’s Day and Remembrance Day and 11/11/11 and also the day which most closely resembles corduroy and probably I’ve left something out, but there you go.

I’m just hoping it eases up by tomorrow morning, because we’ve got a two-hour horseback ride situation in Half Moon Bay, M & I. We’re supposed to still show up if it’s just drizzling a little bit, and I’m kind of hoping it does because it sounds dreamy. M would wear her puffer vest and I’d wear one of my faux fur ones with my Ralph Lauren sweater and riding boots and…oh! I’m getting carried away.

A friend of mine noted that it was a perfect day for listening to The Cure’s Disintegration, so I did and it kicked off a little Cure-fest. It’s such a fantastic record, and after it ended I popped in my DVD of The Cure’s Greatest Hits videos. My favorites are Boys Don’t Cry, Lovecats and Cut Here. Some days nothing but The Cure will do!

I love this outfit, it’s all the dark browns and blues and different textures, I think. We’re still in that lovely phase of Fall where bare legs still work as long as one is reasonably bundled up elsewhere, tights optional. Also, this ponytail makes my hair look ridiculously long. It’s not that long, I just had it trimmed not long ago!

See my riding helmet? It’s too tight. I need another one for my big old noggin’, boo. The skirt is Ann Taylor and I adore it. It’s the perfect hue of navy and has a little sheen to the quilted texture, and it fits like a glove. The pussy bow blouse is vintage and a lovely dove grey, the same exact color of today’s sky! The wool blazer with elbow patches is from H&M L.O.G.G. and has the prettiest printed lining (pics below). It’s a colorful kind of paisley with birds situation, really cute.

Y’all know these shoes by now, my Linea Paolo mega-babes, and how serious is this darling little satchel from Asos?! I’m still in love with it. We mean business.

Smoky blue ring from Pretty Penny, rawr necklace from Mariele Ivy. My Remington and pretty Zoya nails in Lo, a warm medium pink with just a smidgen of coral. I hope y’all have super fun weekends planned, check back soon for a little loverbird action – we have matching Everlane tees to show off, whee!

1: I’ve eaten 1.5 rows of Samoa Girl Scout cookies in the last 30 minutes.
2: I am resisting the very compelling urge to blow over $300 on (yet another) new lens for my camera.
3: This week has sped by like a bloody comet! It’s almost Friday and M & I are awaiting a final weather report before deciding to spend another weekend skiing Lake Tahoe.

I’ve also been doing a great deal of research and creating inspiration sheets for an upcoming project. Just last night I ended up with something like five vintage dressing gowns, all ethereal, gauzy lace or satiny old Hollywood glamor, from places like Etsy and eBay. (Shockingly, they’re inexpensive. Insanely gorgeous and in great condition, but the cheapest was $9.99 and the most expensive, $39.) Life has that strange quality of moving inexplicably fast but with a molasses-like filter.

This skirt is vintage, pleated to the nines and rather autumnal in tone, but it was very gloomy out so I wore it on the first of March because I felt like it. These pictures are odd because I had precious few minutes of light left in the day, couldn’t find my tripod OR my remote equipment, and balanced my camera on a mossy rock halfway up a hill in the backyard, all squishy from the rain and fog.

Much like the rest of you, I’m hankering for Spring. Stocking up on soft, pale cotton dresses and the most heathery shades of denim a few weeks ago didn’t help. It also doesn’t help that I stumbled upon Tom & Lorenzo’s write-up on H&M’s Conscious Collection for SS11 this morning, and give or take a blouse or two, I NEED EVERY SINGLE PIECE IN THE COLLECTION. Maybe I’m already desensitized to the fashion mags proclaiming bold bright Spring this and that, because all I want is an entire closet full of washed-out pinks, nudes, creams, denims and off-whites. Sandy camel browns, at the very darkest. Can I really wait until April 14th, when the collection hits stores?

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“Sustainability is a long term trend at H&M and this April as part of the focus on sustainability H&M will introduce the Conscious Collection – The collection which is for women, men and children is made from environmentally – adapted and greener materials such as organic cotton, Tencel® and recycled polyester. H&M’s designers have been inspired by different shades of white, one of the most important colours this Spring. A minimalist, tailored look is combined with romantic lace, Broderie Anglaise, frills and draping.”

Their press release had a typo. I fixed it, because nothing bothers me more than squiggly red lines, but here: T S K!

Here is a peek:

Clothes:
Vintage pleated skirt
Apostrophe blouse
Banana Republic tights
Linea Paolo pumps
Freebird by The Sak bag

Jewelry:
Banana Republic feathered necklace (I love how dainty this it!)
Wooden bracelet in painted gold and black from Pier One
Stag ring from H&M (and stolen from the tomboy)
Citizen Eco Drive watch

You’d better watch out.
You’d better not cry.
You’d better not pout – I’m telling you why!

Santa Claus is coming to town. It’s Christmas Eve, everyone! The FFAF household is all bustling with excitement (and buzzing from a steady stream of mimosas). The presents are all piled high, the fire is ready for lighting (once it cools down – it’s glorious and warm out today!), the homemade shortbread and pumpkin cheesecake are baking and everything is delightful. M’s mama is here and we’re all enjoying her stay, the petite is reveling in sundry birthday pleasures (grandma french braided her hair, she’s wearing her new Anderson Silva t-shirt, and watching a Twilight Saga marathon) before we head out later this evening for a celebratory dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Thirteen, the petite has declared, is the year she’ll develop a refined taste for Indian food.

Hair-whipping. I hear it’s a thing.

Kidding, kidding. So, when we last left off, M was discussing work holiday parties and you saw her ensemble. Here is mine! I was going to go with a festive green frock, but it felt a little too whimsical and not quite serious enough for a professional event. This felt more in line, and when M found her tartan plaid tie, that was that! It was settled immediately. Conservative cut, bold color, glittering gold accessories. Done and done!

Dress: Donna Ricco
Shoes: Linea Paolo
Clutch: Handmade
Necklace: Banana Republic
Cocktail Ring: H&M
Barrette: Buffalo Exchange

These shoes are high as a kite, but comfortable as all get-out. Honest. I was worried, but they were a dream all night long! I am also rocking the OPI “Burlesque” nail polish in “Bring On The Bling”, which is still my current favorite. It was a great evening. The galleries were fascinating. Dinner was pleasant. The obligatory work bit was amusing to employees and SOs alike. The desserts were mountains of mouth-watering petit fours. The museum itself, as I said before, is just beautiful.

I still love that we hightailed it out of there as the dancing began and made a beeline for The Lexington. For proper drinks. Of course.

Merry Christmas, kittens! XO!

Today, my mother’s belated Happy Anniversary card to M & I came in the mail. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that she sends them on days like this or for M’s birthday or on Mother’s Day. They always warm my heart and make me feel like a tremendously lucky (thirty-year-old) kid.

Here’s what is said:

“Marriage starts off with hearts full of hope and shiny new rings…and some lucky couples like you find friendship and love beyond what they could imagine – simply by looking for it together. Happy Anniversary!”

(Then she writes here…)

I didn’t forget, I’m just late! : )

Hope you had a chance to celebrate your special day. I was thinking about the two of you. Miss you guys – let’s plan a family day real soon, k? Love you both!

- Mom & Dad! XO

It’s the FFAF mini version of the It Gets Better Project, which you’ve surely heard of by now. We might do one!

These were taken last Friday night, when we went out to celebrate our anniversary. It’s a black taffeta party dress from Target (I know, I know), paired with my Linea Paolo peep-toed, pony-haired pumps and a vintage clutch. The earrings are ancient and I have no idea from whence they came, forgive me.

I got a spectacular haircut tonight. It’s all flat-ironed and ultra-sleek, so I have no idea how it’ll pan out with my usual styling, but it’s an exquisite cut, it really is. Due to its severity, M says it’s great for occasions such as courtroom appearances, officious work gatherings, parent-teacher conferences, church events and the like.

Enjoy, kittens, because it’ll never look like this again (as I have neither the patience nor expertise to get it this way on my own):

There’s so much drama in this fancy vintage coat. This whole outfit is rather obviously inspired by Mad Men, because I’ve been obsessing over these related blog posts for the last two weeks. In fact, the hardest thing to decide when accessorizing it was choosing between a Joan-like updo and brooch or tying the scarf that’s on my bag around my neck like Betty Draper. I can’t remember where I got the coat, but it’s a very heavy, supple fabric and yet it’s light enough to wear on a nice day.

The single button at the navel means that a gale of wind flings the coat back wildly, in a very melodramatic way, which I do love.

Even though I’m sometimes tempted to let this dress go, it’s one of M’s favorites and I can’t quite bear to do it. I had a meeting to go to, so I wore sheer black pantyhose with this, which I don’t normally do. I can’t remember where this necklace came from, but I think I like it better paired with white and denim, over black.

Dress / Belt, H&M
Bag, Emilie M.
Shoes, Linea Paolo
Coat / Scarf / Brooch / Watch, vintage

This is what’s on our weekend agenda (happy hour starts…now):

• Seeing one of my favorite bands, Stars (listen to the new album here if you want to)
• Dancing the night away at Flourish, an ultra-chic lesbian dance party
• An after-hours private spa party with fancy nibbles and champagne for some of my closest gal pals at a local Lush

SF Pride has arrived and just keeps coming like a freight train. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS?!

The above just blew your mind, I know, so here’s a clockwise from top left explanation:

• M reading the menu at Sparky’s. I was so adamant about pancakes, but we ended up splitting a massive chicken parm.
• M pouting over agonizing eye wear choices at the chic and friendly Eye Dare office.
• M demonstrated her best DeNiro squint and a delicious graham cracker.
• Boots the kitten comes when we call her over. So does Scab. And Pimp Gandalf, but not Blanket.
• Pretty damn good chicken parm for a 24-hour diner. Plus, cute gay waiter boys and singing patrons.
• The creepy doll that greets you at Sparky’s.
• Some street art/porn to keep the Valencia sidewalk extension project construction workers* motivated.
• The mystery palm that showed up overnight in our little garden. Weird!

This is the day we walked over 3 miles! I really, really love our meandering walks through the Mission and surrounding ‘hoods like Bernal, Noe and Castro. We pop in and out of cute shops and boutiques, we giggle, we eat, we drink, we cross a few items off of our To Do list, we people watch, we peruse real estate, we mussy-sikk, we’re RIDICULOUS. It’s just completely spontaneous, unplanned bliss, and neither of us cares much that we said we’d be here or there or “should” be somewhere else. It’s what the best weekends are made of!

What are your best weekends made of in your neighborhood? (Otherwise, let’s face it, we’d all say something absurd like BORA BORA!)

*I am sure this is not the official name of the project.
**My ankles don’t even BELONG to me, they’re so shockingly white. No, seriously. Look at them. What the hell?!

Welcome back! It appears that Fit For A Femme was down for much of yesterday and last night, and I had no idea. Sorry, folks! I must confess I was rather vexed, but late last night the tomboy fixed it and all was well again. Phew. (There might have been a brief hissyfit, during which I refreshed my Gmail account rapidly, snapping “I PUT IN A TICKET! WHEN ARE THEY GONNA GET TO MY TICKET!?” while M reminded me it was a late Friday night and no one was working, most likely. Harumph!)

On Wednesday night, M & I decided to get dolled up and go to Flourish, a “sexy extravagant dance party” for us flannel-clad, Birkenstock-wearing dykes! No, really. It’s like the entire purpose of this event is to get all fancy and dressed up for no reason at all, and sip strawberry-topped champagne by a roaring fire and dance dance dance dance dance to the radio (or DJs). It was their last Wednesday night – they’re moving to a Friday beginning next month! – and we wanted to be sure and catch it in its mid-week glory just in case a weekend crowd alters the premise overmuch. I hope not, because we had the most amazing time and will definitely be back. Plus, the gal who runs it is lovely and once rescued me from an evil Mongolian heiress.

So, this dress: LOVE YOU, MODCLOTH! I love the flutteriness and kicky shortness and pretty, saturated palette. I love the keyhole back and how it hangs perfectly across the collarbone but refuses to fall off one shoulder or the other. I’m not at all fond of elastic waistlines (in fact, I’ve been known to recklessly tear them out with my handy seam ripper), but Sheeba the Belt remedies that effortlessly, and the spots tie the two together perfectly. Of course, I had no choice but to pair it with these shoes. MEOW.

In other news, let’s all give my beloved Grandma Jones a round of applause, because it’s her vintage necklace got me wearing gold again and she’d just get the biggest kick out of seeing me rock it at a big gay dance party if she were still alive. XOXO.

PS. Once again, these pictures were taken at 2AM. Forgive me, but know that I spared you any in which I was chowing down on the buttery, sugary tortilla I bossed M into making me when we got home!