Asymmetric Leather Skirt

We spent the 4th of July holiday out in Cape Cod; it was blissful. Green fields, the tide went out for miles, quaint towns and that seaside vibe I grew up with in Bournemouth.

I picked up this asymmetrical leather skirt from Nordstrom right before I left. It's one of those perfect day to night pieces - flats for day (like I did here) then throw on heels and a red lip and you're ready for cocktails.


  Oh, and I cut my hair off a few weeks ago and feel like a new woman.

Skirt: ASTR

T-Shirt: H&M

Necklace: Local designer in Nashville who's name escapes me.

Clutch: Target

Sandals: LAMB

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

Statement Shades

Summer days, cool shades.

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

Road Trippin' - Kentucky

A first glimpse of P.J. Fogg's Vintage & Curiosities, thank you Penny and Jake for this wonderful gift.

• Shorts : BCBG
• T-Shirt : H&M
• Sandals : LAMB
• Necklace : Rumble & Spur
• Earrings : Urban Outfitters

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

Jeans and Heels

My dear friend Courtney is working over at the new Madewell store in Fashion Square. She invited me down to do a little summer style event with the ACI Nouveau group a while back and it was a blast; I put together some summer outfits to chat about with the group, we ate cupcakes and shopped with all the vigor and intent that fashion bloggers can. I came away with the perfect pair of skinny jeans which, paired with a simple t-shirt and an outrageous pair of heels, look effortlessly cool.

• Jeans & Gold Necklace : Madewell
• T-Shirt : H&M
• Clutch : Vintage
• Shoes : Aldo
• Rings : Banana Republic & Vintage
• Cuff : Max & Chloe
• Spiked Necklace : Rumble & Spur

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

Cut and Color

Working in such a bright environment has clearly had an affect on my style. I can't seem to bring myself to don my usual simple palette of neutrals and blacks, it just seems wrong. Another obsession of late has been anything with a modern cut,  quirky hemline or asymmetry. This skirt from H&M is all of the above and will be in heavy rotation for the rest of the summer, so apologies if it pops up more than once here.

• Skirt, Tshirt & Cuffs : H&M
• Clutch : Ann Taylor
• Shoes : BCBG
• Ring : Frances
• Necklace : Rumble & Spur
• Sunglasses : Old Navy

BCBG Dress

Ok, so another rather embarrassingly long hiatus from blog land. I've been busy planning classic album listening parties, swim socials and tequila pairing dinners for the hotel. Does anyone else just lose momentum for seeking out style every so often? Luckily a bit of good weather and a dose of color in the shops has got me excited about fashion again.

I wore this completely gorgeous BCBG dress to an event at Phoenix Art Museum recently (I'm the co-chair for the Nouveau division of the Arizona Costume Institute which supports the fashion collection at the museum). The clashing colors on the feather light swath of chiffon make it incompletely irresistible. I think it'd look even better with a tan but we're not really supposed to admit that anymore are we?

• Dress & Shoes : BCBG
• Cuffs : H&M

Vintage Kimono

Alright, so this isn't one of my most sensible outfits for a weekday breakfast meeting but when have you ever known me to exercise common sense when it comes to fashion? I found this beautiful kimono in a vintage shop back in the UK years ago and the truth is I hardly ever wear it. I love the color and the delicate pattern that's painted along the bottom but how often in life is there reason to throw on a kimono? Clearly I have not been creative enough. This morning I had an overwhelming urge to give it the attention it deserves so I got all boho and paired it with some flares and this amazing vintage metal belt.

• Kimono, Belt & Bag : Vintage
• Jeans : H&M
• Shoes : GoJane
• Tank : 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 

Red Tube Skirt

I've been cheating on my mini skirts with this stretchy piece of red fabric. The color and cling make it feel just as sexy as my thigh baring versions. I'm a below-the-knee convert (and apparently capable of minimalism).

• Skirt : Ann Taylor
• T-shirt & Cuff : Urban Outfitters
• Shoes : Zara
• Ring : Vintage