Spring 2014 Trend - A Floral Festival

skirt // dress // shorts //

Packing for a Weekend in Vegas

Dress // Ring // Ring // Clutch // Heels // Hat // Sandals // Beach Waves // Bikini // Sunglasses

Countdown to Vegas in T-3 days! This weekend my 4 best girlfriends and I are headed to Vegas to celebrate my Bachelorette Weekend. I couldn't be more excited! My three best friends from back home in Seattle are meeting me there, along with my best friend here in NY. I don't get to see my west coast girls too often so I'm excited for a weekend of catching up, champagne, pictures, and memories. I love them to the moon and back. Packing isn't really my 'thing' so I've started planning early. Here you'll find my must-haves for my weekend of celebrating ME in Vegas!

Top 4 Gym Essentials

Yoga mat, Fitbit, Klean kanteen, Sports bra

Summer is right around the corner (hopefully) which means bikinis are right around the corner. Yikes. I've been spending lots of evenings at the gym lately, which isn't my ideal way to spend my nights, but the fiance makes me go with him, so at least I have a gym buddy and motivator. Another motivator? Vegas. The land of dresses and bikinis. My bridesmaids and I are headed to Vegas in just 2.5 short weeks for my epic bachelorette party. I'm pumped for pool parties, dressing up, and late nights with my favorite girls.

So, if I have to go to the gym, I need my gym essentials - my yoga mat, fitbit, water bottle, and comfy sports bra. I get a little grossed out by using community yoga mats so I have two that I alternate and bring to my yoga classes. Now I know exactly where my mat has been. My future father-in-law bought us fitbits as gifts about a year ago. I wear mine often to track my steps, my sleep patterns, and my calories burned. It's an awesome accessory and tiny enough to be discreet. My klean kanteen is my water bottle of choice due to it being BPA free and a comfy sports bra is a must-have for any workout session. What are you workout essentials? Would love to hear from you all. 

Oh Joy! for Target - Spring Party Decor

If you haven't heard about Joy Cho from Oh Joy! you're in for a real treat. The lifestyle blogger has just teamed up with Target for a line of party essentials that are incredibly cute and incredibly affordable. The line is full of happy spring colors in shades of sherbert, lemon, aqua, and sparkly gold.

Oh Joy! Beverage Buffet Collection

Oh Joy! Dinner Party Collection

Oh Joy! Party Buffet Collection

Oh Joy! Cake Toppers, Oh Joy! Ice Bucket, Oh Joy! Goblets

Check out the entire line over at Target and get all your spring-time party essentials.

Spring 2014 Must-Haves

This weekend was such a tease. Nice, sunny weather but now we're back to temps being in the 20s here in NY. As all new yorkers are, I am so over the winter. This year has been brutal and I'm begging for spring to actually, well, spring! This year, spring is going to be all about the casual yet chic. Distressed denim has made a serious come-back and I'm all about pairing them with flats. I don't go anywhere without a water bottle (have to stay hydrated) and have you seen Bobbi Brown's spring line? It's enough to make you dream of all the sunsets and tanned skin to come! What are you craving for spring?

 

Paige Denim Jimmy Jimmy Crop/ Naomi Destructed, Tory Burch Desi Pump, Kate Spade 'Clean Slate' Bangle, Ray-Ban Foldable Clubmaster, Diptyque scented candle, Blomus 1L Water Carafe

Best of Baublebar: Rings and Midi Rings

Decorate the digits. From pavé to hammered, the people over at Baublebar know how to add style to any outfit with these fun sparklers. My personal favorites? The pavé ziggy and the willow infinity rings. Head over to Baublebar to see all the pretty 'baubles' they have to spice up your style.

1. Hex midi rings 2. Love midi ring 3. Pavé ziggy ring 

4. Nautical knot ring 5. Barbed wire ring 6. Gold chevron ring

7. Willow infinity ring 8. Crystal parallel ring 9. Crystal ladder ring

Weekend Deals & Steals: March 14-16

Are you ready for the weekend? I sure am. I've been battling this cold all week and with the loss of an hour last weekend, I've really been struggling. While I have what seems like a million things to do every weekend for the next two months leading up to my wedding, I will be making time for a date on the couch with my Mister and best friend, Netflix. Note: If you haven't started watching House of Cards you are most definitely missing out.

Here are some weekend steals and deals to help update that spring wardrobe of yours... I swear spring is coming, hopefully.

Abercrombie & Fitch - All jeans are $39 in store and online. I just picked up 4 pairs this week. Because, seriously... $39.

Asos - 25% off dresses

Banana Republic - 40% off with code 'BRLUCKY'

Bloomingdales - Take up to $250 off. Shop the top trends for spring.

Club Monaco - Spend to Save sale with code 'SPRING'

GNC - 30% off almost everything w/ code 'MARSAV'

J.Crew- Take 25% off select swim, shorts & tees with code 'SUNNY'

Lucy - End of season sale

Macys - Extra 20% off with code 'WKND'

Michaels - Find weekly coupons here

Target - Get a $10 gift card when you spend $50 on home decor w/ code 'SAVE10'

The Body Shop - 40% off entire site w/ code 'SAVE40'

West Elm - 20% off bedding + bath

Happy Shopping! I'd love to know what you all picked up xxx

The Gnarly Whale: Beach Waves and Detangler

Very excited to get my hands on my newest purchase: Vegan Detangler and Beach Waves from The Gnarly Whale. This 100% vegan and cruelty-free line based in Wisconsin is completely my type of thing. The amazing and unique name is way too much fun to pass up too; I can never . I love that they use recycled paper for packaging and that it is run my husband and wife, Ashley and Nathan. I can't wait til my delivery gets here so I can try out my new goodies.

Made with natural ingredients, there are hair products, lip balms, body sprays, soaps, scrubs, and face toners. The scents conjure up good images too: Sandalwood, Somalian Rose, Coconut Lime, Thai Coconut, and more. I decided on Thai Coconut hoping it'll bring some summer into my life. Coconut is one of my favorite scents. To say I'm excited would be an understatement and I'll give you all my un-sponsored review soon.

Until then, check out their site: thegnarlywhale.com/

Write It All Down: Favorite Notebooks

One of my new years resolutions (still going strong!) is to start writing down my thoughts. I can't tell you how many times I lay in bed coming up with great ideas that I promise I'll remember the next morning. Do I ever remember them? Hardly... if ever. I kick myself for not rolling over and writing out thoughts and ideas in a notebook I could easily have sitting on my bed side table. I have a pink and gold striped notebook a friend gave me that goes everywhere with me now. I store all my thoughts - both good and awful - in mine, so I never let a thought go unremembered.

With styles suited for all sorts of tastes... store your thoughts, dreams, and big ideas in one of these:

Campus A5 Notebook, this site has tons of notebooks for the unique.  

Blackbird Letterpress City Notebook, represent your home city.

Wreck This Journal Revised, Go ahead and 'wreck' this journal with all your creations.
Kate Spade New York Notebooks, playful graphics make for playful thoughts.
Postalco Chance Print Notebook, eco-friendly with a waterproof cover.
Jaclinart Journals, this girl's collection of artistic journals are the perfect gift for the girly-girl.
Sloane Stationary Big Ideas Notebook, for all those epic, amazing, and big (of course) ideas. 

Sloane Stationary White Lies Notebook, keep your 'well-intentioned' lies safe in this notebook.
Decomposition Notebook, this notebook can store all your summer lovin' thoughts.

9 Top Coffee Mugs (& Tea!)

Yedi Sweater Mug, because your mug should look as cozy as you.

Love Snuggle Mug, one of my best friends just bought this for me as part of my Christmas gift.

Reiko Kaneko Drip Tease Mug Set, gold-toned coffee drips add an unexpected charm to these cups.

Monogram Cup, a large monogram makes sure everyone knows exactly whose cup is yours.

New York City Map Mug, a tribute to my favorite city

Dots and Stripes Mugs - Set of 2, these mugs were made for colorful mornings.

Freak Mug, because this saying is just fun...

Tie Tea Mug, I don't know how many times a week my entire tea bag falls into my mug. This is great.

Bride Mug,  for the bride-to-be or the newlywed

Weekend Wants : Week 1

Weekend Wants

Mudhut Suri Giraffe Decorative Pillow the coolest pillow for giraffee-lovers like me.

Rag & Bone Sandra Pullover, cozy, grey, and chic.

Pave Spike Chain Bracelet, spike and glamour are the perfect combo for weekends or nights out.

Kate Spade Cobble Hill Little Curtis Shoulder Bag, I've been craving this cross body bag.

Style Your Desk

With my new blogging venture and current 9-5 marketing gig, I spend a lot of time at my desk. For inspiration, both for myself and all my readers, I've compiled some of my favorite desk items. From pink and girly to eco-friendly aloe vera plants, there's sure to be something to spruce up your space.

Acrylic & Gold Stapler, this gold stapler adds a little glam to your desk.

She is... Pencils - Pink, this girl's Etsy site (AmandaCatherineDes) has so many cute pencils.

Dachshund Bookends, this little guy keeps your books and binders situated perfectly.

Apple Ipad,  all of the apps and blogging tools help to keep me on-point and in-the-know.

Translucent Office Storage Boxes, for all those papers or bills you just don't know where to keep.

Letter Box Holder, for those bill and must-do nows... keep it where you can see it so you don't forget.

Glass Canister w/ Glass Lids, keep your energy up for work, pack it to the rim with snack.

Brasserie Breakfast Cup, feel like you're sitting in a french cafe

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Body Creme, keep your hands and arms moisturize.

Blackboard Inspirational Wall Art motivational and on-trend with chalkboard wall art

Box of Chalk, for your inspirational chalkboard, obvious, no?

Claria Black Fountain Pen,  fountain pens help glamorize your writing

2014 Desk Diary, organize your day, week, and month with the pink and stylish desk diary.

Chef Cookbook Holder, while this might be a cookbook holder, I use it to hold magazine.

Aloe Vera Plant, bring the outdoors inside by adding a little green to your desk

Reese Oval Basket, the perfect catch-all for recycle, garbage, your sweater, your gym bag...

Snowing in New York

It's a Winter Wonderland outside! While the town is being covered in a glittery blanket of snow, I'm bundled up inside, sitting on the couch, working away, drinking my hot cocoa. Are you staying warm or are you basking somewhere in the actual warmth. Either way.. enjoy and goodnight!

Winter Skin Essentials

1. Clarisonic Plus Cleansing System, $225, for deep pore cleansing and sloughing off of dead skin.
2. GlamGlow Mud Mask, $69, my new favorite mask. The mud tingles quite a bit, but it's totally worth it.
3. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, $48, collagen-boosting serum thats light and refreshing. Totally makes my skin glow.
4. Origins Rich Rewards, $19.50, serious treatment for hair and scalp.
5. Boscia Tsubaki Sleeping Mask, $34, real life beauty sleep.
6. La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume, $22.99, I will never leave the house without this. My all-time favorite hand cream.
7. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, $28, for those with severely dry and sensitive skin.
8. Archipelago Milk Oat Sink Set, $50, everyday use or for those lovely holiday guests.
9. Ahava Chamomile Lotion, $19.99, great for using just out of the shower.

Traveling Essentials

I'm heading back home to Seattle for the holidays and I'm counting down the days like a kid waiting for Santa. This will be the first time I will be back home for Christmas with the family since I left nearly 4 years ago (holy moly time flies fast). My mom is beyond excited to finally spend this cheerful season with her daughter and I can't help but share in her excitement. 

What I'm not excited about? Packing. No matter how much planning I do, I inevitably end up forgetting something important, and over-packing things I never end up using. It's a strange thing that happens no matter how much careful planning goes into it all.

Below are my carry-on essentials. I've at least got my carry-on packing all figured out. My checked bag? Let's just say it a "work in progress".

Leith Chunky Knit Slouch Hat, $24, my favorite kind of hat - comfy and slouchy.

Celfie Sweatshirt, $24, obvious play on words and play on designer. Adorable.

Acne Black Skinny Jeans, $220, skinny jean perfection. Lots of love for Acne lately.

Leopard Flats, $42.49 (on sale!), dress up or dress down, you really can't go wrong with leopard flats. Closet staple.

Leather Camera Bag, $110, handmade camera bag for the world's most fashionable traveler.

Ombre Infinity Scarf, $78, artful infinity scarf adds a little oomph to any outfit. Cozy for planes too.

Archie Grand "Gangsters" Journal, $17, because we all need to make sure we keep track of the gangsters we meet, right?

Galaxy S4, $price varies, cannot live without my galaxy S4. It goes everywhere with me.

L'Occitane 'Subtle Violet' Hand Cream, $12, moisturizing and relaxing. This stuff is always in my bag.

Claudalie Eye Cream, $98, I just recently started using this and I'm hooked. Pricey but well worth it to keep those darn wrinkles away!

Nars Lipgloss in Larger Than Life, $26, perfect pinky hue for blondes or brunettes (or both, like me)

Work Holiday Party

Our holiday work party was last night and I think we had a little too much fun, if you know what I mean. Spiked hot apple cider, wine, broiled salmon, gluten free cookies... we are not at a loss for cooks over here. We exchanged Secret Santa gifts and whoever picked my name knew me entirely too well, which was quite amazing, because the presents I received were beyond special. Complete with presents for my little puppy.

While holiday parties can be fun and *intoxicating they are also a place of picture taking and holiday cheer. Dressing up is always fun around the holidays so to help, I've compiled a few of my fav items for dressy and classy holiday work party inspiration.

*did I mention the spiked hot apple cider?

Mango Engraved Button Suit Blazer, $49.99 (sale!), classic and tailore jacket that you can dress up or down.

Benetton Sequin top, $49.50, a sparkly top that can work day or night.

Kate Spade Cobble Hill Brandice, $98, cross body bag, perfect for city streets or dressed up dates.

Reiss Pinstrip Tailored Trousers Black, $179, classic; you'll have them forever.

Gorjana Griffin G Set Gold Rings, $65, stackable gold rings that you can wear on one or multiple fingers.

Nars Lipgloss in Super Orgasm, $25, the perfect color for nearly any complexion. The blush is a cult classic!

Madewell The Mira Heel, $168, vampy pointy stiletto, but low enough so your feet won't be killing.

 

Black and Gold: bling and bold

If you're looking to stay on trend, black and gold is the talk of tinsel town right now. And what better timing? The gold sparkles are perfect for holiday parties or new years eve bashes. The black keeps things edgy... perfection.

La Mer Zappos Exclusive Clifton Black Gold Leather Wrap Watch

Barney's NYC NYC Tee

True Religion Skinny Black Sequin Logo Jean

Marc Jacobs Daisy Fragrance Gift Set

Real Go-Glitter Flat

Essie Luxeffects in As Gold As It Gets

Holiday Gift Guide: The Loveliest Woman You Know aka Mom

Feed 10 Burlap Tote, $20, a great carry-all that provides 10 school meals for kids.

Slate Cheese Board, $26, sourced from a quarry in upstate NY (this one is local for me) this rustic natural board is great for cheese or hors d'oevres.

Faux Fur Throw, $99(on sale), a cozy fur for the night mom just wants to cozy up on the couch.

Pink Amethyst Teardrop Bangle, $88, a beautiful and classic bangle that can gently be adjusted for any wrist size.

Blissmo Box, $monthly subscription, a monthly subscription of organic and eco-friendly products delivered to the home every month. 

Buddha Cup, $26, an interesting take on the coffee or tea mug. Mugs can really never be too big. 

Amco Rub Away Bar, $7, promises to remove any smell from your hands. Can anyone say onions?

4 Pure Beeswax Votives (Homemade), $15, lovingly made candles from my home state, WA.

Luxuries: Top Rope Bracelets

Spring is here (finally!) and summer is around the corner (hopefully!), and that means beaches, water, and boats! One of my favorite accessories for the upcoming warmer months are rope bracelets. They can be dressed up or worn casual around town and I want one stat. Like pronto.

These are my top 4 choices. Which one do you all like most?

Clockwise: 1. Kate Spade   2. Kiel James Patrick   3. Miansai   4. Michael Kors

1. Kate Spade 'Learn the Ropes' Thin Bracelet (find it at Kate Spade here)

2. Kiel James Patrick 'Caskata Beach Nantucket' Bracelet (find it at Kiel James Patrick here)

3. Miansai Gold 'Karoo' Bracelet (find it at Barney's here)

4. Michael Kors 'Skorpios' Wide Leather Rope Bracelet (find it at Nordstrom here)

Tabletops & Vignettes

I'll admit it, I'm a little obsession compulsive when it comes to organization. I also tend to take it to the extreme with the putting away of my makeup and jewelry. I love trays and reuse glasses to use as holders for all my little baubles. I like to think I get my decorative 'edge' from my mom who seems to have a keen sense of design in all areas including floral, home decorating, and even landscaping. She's amazing and I'm glad I've picked up at least one good trait from her. Below are a few of my favorite areas in my closet where I keep and display my little 'luxuries'.

Fragrance samples, as you may notice, are a love of mine. I have at least 50 mini scents and I collect them from everywhere I go. Having so many scent options is a must for me; I'm a girl that loves changing it up and can rarely decide on one single perfume to stick with. I keep them everywhere: purse, car, gym bag, etc... and then I tend to leave them around like a trail of candy a la Hansel and Gretel.  It's bad.