Sequin Smooch

It was just another Wednesday and another one hour commute home on the 30x.  If I am not accompanied by my fave coworker + gal pal, I sink into Instagram with my latest favorite song on repeat.  We were talking shop and how we are going to take over the retail world.  All of a sudden, the raddest chick, let's call her Chloe (just because I love that name) gets on the bus with a custom denim jacket and our eyes immediately darted for her.  Sequin lips, suede cuffs, distressing.  She looked bad-ass and effortless.  It was almost a slow motion kind of moment.  Cue the love music, it was that at first sight.  

I soon realized I had a Forever 21 sweatshirt with sequin lips I had tossed in a drawer somewhere.  The wheels began turning in my head, I could totally make my own version.  This coming from someone who is a horrible sewer and is critical over the smallest of details but I made it my mission to become as cool as Chloe.  I found an oversized Topshop moto jacket as the blank canvas, courtesy of Nordstrom. Next up, cutting out the sequin lips.  The last step which took much longer than I would like to admit was to sew the embellishment on the back of the jacket.  After a couple late nights and a few undos, my version turned out worlds better than I could imagine. ​     

And I feel just as cool as Chloe.

​As for the photo, I was home over the weekend and decided to take advantage of wide open space we were lucky enough to grow up with in our backyard.  Ironically, it's one hobby I have never taken to even though my dad really tried when I was young.  I told him I didn't need to practice anymore because I hit the ball every time.  It's my mission to bring that sassy 6 year old spirit back!  

The golf course is a special place not only because we used to run in the sprinklers and leave walnuts for squirrels, but because my grandparents lived two doors down.  I get the retail bug from my grandmother, Mary Lou.  She owned a boutique called The Upstairs, a name of which I had originally thought to call my blog.  In the last decade of her life, ML spent her spare time working at the Disney store.  She was sassy, crafty and the most generous person I knew. When I am shopping, decorating my house or thinking of the next project,  I can't help but have Mary Lou on the brain.  Even better, she loved the Arizona Wildcats.  

The bench is a tribute to ML and my grandfather which normally can be found on the 16th tee where you would see both our homes as you drive down the cart path.  It was a nice surprise to find it smack in the middle of our two places.  The perfect photo op.   

​​In August, we will be lucky enough to celebrate my sister's wedding in this place that will forever have our hearts.  And where I will always have a moment with the raddest jacket I crafted, all sealed with a smooch...