Big Changes

I started this blog at a rather lackluster time in my life. I was being creatively choked at my job,  a bad relationship (or two) had zapped my mojo and a generally lazy air had settled about me like a comfortable cushion. This blog was going to be my creative wake-up call. A place to inspire my cooking, sense of style and photography. All of which it did, for a time, until late last summer when I realized an element of narcissism had crept into the process. Gradually my urge to post became less about self-expression and more about how good I looked in the photos and how my outfits compared with other bloggers'. And so I stopped blogging.

A lot has changed since then. I started a new job that challenges me creatively every day and I take pride in the work I do. I met the love of my life, a man who energizes and inspires me. We bought a house that we've been fixing up. Oh, and we got engaged, so I have a wedding to plan too.

So here I am, stuffed to the brim with creativity and more than enough outlets for it. And yet I had the urge to come back to the blog, not for the injection of inspiration or the affirmation of a decent self-portrait, but because I genuinely fancied sharing what I was up to. That and the fact that I need a good place to collect all of these ideas (sometimes Pinterest just won't suffice).

So even though it's called The Wardrobe Diaries, you'll be seeing a lot more than clothes. You'll see the new house take shape, a wedding come together, and my epicurean efforts at staying in shape over the age of 30 while in a happy relationship (no small fete).

Thanks for sticking around, here's a quick catch up on the last 10 months:

Showed off my ring and tried to choose the perfect shade of grey.

Spent Christmas with his family and built an ice rink at work.

Ate, a lot, and continued to volunteer at the art museum.

Picked out a tree to be our breakfast bar and went to Palm Springs.

Went to Vegas and tried to break the world record for Pilates.

Moved house and organized a pillow fight.

Combined our stuff, realized we had too much stuff then got rid of a bunch of stuff.

 Clearly I enjoy Instagram: @wardrobediaries

My House

I love seeing how personal style translates to the home. It's completely fascinating (and a little voyeuristic) to see the things people choose to surround themselves with. I find that my environment has a huge effect on me, my mood, my creativity, so I'm very particular about how my home looks and feels. I love my space to be filled with a mixture of old of new, serious and tongue-and-cheek pieces. There should always be something a little unexpected in the mix. So here is a sneaky peek at where I live.....

The blue painting is by my sister, it helps to have an artist in the family.

Floor to ceiling windows for perfect soft light.

A well stocked bar and plenty of room at the dining table for entertaining.

Records and a turntable, lots of magazines and a reading nook.

A nod the southwest with cacti, native rugs and a cow skull. Oh, and a nod to my homeland with a rather ironic painting of the queen and a few union jacks.

Statement Shades

Summer days, cool shades.

• T-Shirt : Rachel Roy
• Shorts, Shoes & Bag : Ann Taylor
• Sunglasses : Nordstrom
• Necklace : Rumble & Spur
• Ring : Frances Vintage

Pleated Maxi Skirt

I'm presently sitting outside my new (old) motor home in Nashville, sipping a greyhound and munching on some homemade salsa. I'm on a bit of an adventure you see, driving across the country with my fella, thrifting and having a jolly old time. The short version of the story is; my boyfriend inherited a 1983 Southwind RV from his Aunt and Uncle in Kentucky. We've just spent 3 days frolicking around in the countryside (him in RV school, me taking photos and antique shopping) and now we're headed back to Phoenix. I'll be buying lots of precious vintage cargo as we go, which will soon become the stock of my new (old) mobile vintage boutique, P.J. Fogg's Vintage & Curiosities. So stay tuned for tales from the road and make sure you follow me on Instagram for visuals on all the ridiculousness.

These photos were taken just before I left. A sublime maxi from BCBG and a vintage denim jacket from Mercantile.

• Skirt : BCBG
• Jacket : Mercantile
• Earrings : Urban Outfitters
• Hair by amazingly talented sister

Party Dress

Lately my life has been an endless stream of parties, dinners, pool time, whiskey school, mermaids and entertaining. And no, I'm not on vacation, this is actually my job, and I know it's ridiculously awesome. But before you get all green with envy I have to admit I'm exhausted. My dear old blog has been put on the back burner, my pilates workouts are practically nonexistent, I haven't grocery shopped or seen a movie or done laundry in an eternity. But hey, there are much bigger fish to fry when you're on the cover of Conde Nast Traveler!

How insanely cool is that?! So, if you're in Scottsdale come and check out one of the hottest hotels in the world, and we'll have a cocktail while the mermaids swim around in the pool.

Outfits for all the above mentioned parties have been endless but sadly have gone unphotographed so this'll have to keep you going until I get back on track.

• Dress : Lush
• Shoes : Ann Taylor Loft
• Clutch & Earrings : Vintage
• Bracelet : Urban Outfitters

BCBG Dress

I know I've been missing in action for quite some time now but I've been a busy girl. I got a new job as the Curator of Vibes and Happenings at the new Saguaro hotel here in AZ! So for the past month or so I've been busy styling rooms, designing music playlists and throwing events. As you can tell it's right up my alley and I have the pleasure of working for some awesome companies and partnering with community movers and shakers. So, all my AZ readers, consider this an extended invitation to come and check us out! We have 2 restaurants by Iron Chef Jose Garces (an insanely cool dude), gorgeous rooms and the prettiest pool in Scottsdale. You can usually find me at the community table in the lobby so make sure you say hi!

Another perk to the job is that there's always a reason to dress up (hey, gotta look good so the surroundings don't upstage me). This BCBG dress appealed to my current lust for all things modern and unexpected. I love the asymmetry, the color blocks and the vintage belt that throws the whole thing a bit out of whack.

Photos by Courtney

• Dress : BCBG
• Shoes : Go Jane
• Jewelry : Vintage 

Miscellaneous

A few house keeping items.

I've been busy organizing the annual ACI Nouveau fundraiser, Phoenix readers should come out and support the amazing fashion collection at Phoenix Art Museum, I'd love to see you there.

It's finally cool enough to wear jeans. (H&M jeans, Marc Jacobs top, Zara platforms, Banana Republic earrings, Urban Outfitters cuff, Topshop ring).

I got some new shoes. (BCBG).

Art & Soul

I have an unbalanced, evening wear heavy wardrobe, and as much as I like to think of myself as some Bianca Jagger-like socialite, I don't honestly get to wear it as much as I'd like. I'm always looking for ways to make these sheer/glittery/long/elegant pieces less, well, sheer/glittery/long/elegant. This slip of a disco dress is such a pretty color and I love the way it catches the breeze, but it's so barely there that I can only wear it for very close friends, if you get my drift. So I layered it with a mini jersey dress and a military vest and made it day wear. Of course the damn mini dress kept riding up and I'm pretty sure I flashed the security guard in the parking lot while trying to adjust it, glamour eludes me yet again.

• Dress : Vintage
• Vest : Old Navy
• Belt & Mini Dress : H&M
• Booties : Forever 21
• Bracelet : Urban Outfitters

This evening I'm off to Chaos Theory, an art show that my sister has a piece in, then I'll be shaking my arse around at the new Motown & Stax night at Cresent Ballroom, see you there?

Vintage Maxi Dress & 20 Lounge

I found this beautiful silk dress at Wasteland when i was in San Francisco earlier this summer. The slits are indecently high and it's light as a feather. I've already worn it my my best gal's birthday party and restaurant week with the girls.

In other news, I stopped by chic nail spot 20 Lounge to get my nails done last week. I went for this obscene yellow color and it's the perfect pop of color with a simple outfit like this. 20 Lounge is super stylish but the best bit is the bubbly they serve with their manicures and pedicures (is there anything that isn't made better by adding booze?).

Black Jumper

This romper is so simple it makes a great blank canvas to show off some accessories. It does not however make for a great bathroom experience. I can't say I'm a fan of the level of nakedness in which I find myself in public bathrooms after the awkward shimmy that is required to get in and out of the damn thing. Needless to say I drink less than usual when wearing it.
In other news I had a marvelous weekend styling a shoot and a personal client, eating some incredible tacos and attending the opening of the new Giorgio di Sant' Angelo exhibit at Phoenix Art Museum. It's an incredible show and I found myself lusting after every piece.

• Romper : Forever21
• Boots : Old Navy
• Necklaces : Rumble & Spur
• Bracelets : Mix of H&M, BCBG and F21