Wednesday, May 4

Mother's Day Gifts

Here are a few great gifts that every type of mom will love!

For the Gardener 

These unique and beautiful watering cans will add some jazz to her gardening routine and they are the perfect garden accessory for spring. (Anthropologie, $58-68)



For the Scrapbooker

The new Polaroid 300 camera is a great way to get instant pictures that have an extra artsy flare to them. The business card sized photos allow her to get creative, and it's just plain fun! 
(Polaroid $90)


For the Fashionista

Mom's love nothing more then a homemade gift! Make your own Havaianas is a great way to give her something she wants and still add a personal touch! (MYOH $25)



For the Foodie

The foodie is always looking to try something different and these two picks are sure to delight every taste bud!
Handcrafted goat’s milk caramels in delicious flavors like vanilla bean, cinnamon, and coffee are made in the traditional Mexican cajetas style. (fattoadfarm.com $27)

 

Fantasy quartet of specialty salts from the store that supplies some of San Francisco’s best restaurants.

Tuesday, May 3

Festival Fashion

As many of you know I got the chance to hit up Coachella this year, and it was the cat's pajamas! Besides an awesome line-up, I was super inspired by all of the amazing fashion. As you would expect the fashion vibe was very 60's and 70's throw back with modern twists, everything I personally love!

Coachella was just the kick off to an amazing jam packed concert calendar, so I thought I'd share some of my picks for functional yet fierce festival style!

When you go to a concert or festival you need to have your hands free, so you can wave them in the air like you just don't care. Here are some hands free option that will still allow you carry what you need.




I personally made it though Coachella with this suede bag, in the mint color, and it was perfect and is deceivingly roomy. It also turns into a backpack! Urban Outfitters









Do these pocket belts blow your mind or what? Not only do these belts look amazing, but they have compartments to carry concert essentials, allowing you to truly be hands free. You can find all of these styles at Free People.


Another blast form the past trend that is back are wide leg and bell bottom jeans. Wear them with a fitted t-shit, flowy tank or crop top to balance out the look. Get these looks at Free People, Shopbop and asos.


When it comes to accessorizing for a concert or festival it really is best to keep it simple. Accessorize with functional and practical pieces. The best look is one that appears effortless but still enhances your look.

Sunglasses are a festival accessory must have, here are a few looks, all from Urban Outfitters.

Aviators are obviously the go-to choice. These bad boys will never go out of style and it's worth investing in a great pair!
Try a pair with a pop of color, or fun tinted shades. I love this pair in peach, the color of the season!
 Channel you inner John Lennon with these classic throw back round rim shades.


A hat is another functional must! If you are at an all day event sunscreen alone may not be enough! Accessorize with a funky hat to get your shade in style. Find these styles at Free People and Asos



A lightweight scarf is also a great accessory because it can be versatile. Use it as a head wrap, around your shoulders when it cools down, or to wipe off the inevitable spilled beer!  
Find these styles at Asos
Lastly and most important...shoes! Don't kid yourself by thinking you'll just wear your most comfortable wedges or that those kitten heals won't hurt. When it comes to concert comfort it begins and ends with your tootsies! Those heals may help you see the stage a little better but it won't be worth it. Here are the only viable options in my opinion: 


The classic Chuck-T will go with jeans or shorts and NEVER is out of style. 

I saw a lot of cut off shorts and boots at Coachella and it looks cute, but can get hot. Flat boots are great if you plan to really rock out in the crowds, you won't have to worry about your exposed feet getting stepped on or shins getting kicked.

Flip-Flops are the obvious go to as well, but make sure they are a comfortable pair. Havaianas have good cushion and come in fun styles.   

Bottom line stay comfy, look fabulous and have fun with your fashion!

Thursday, March 17

Help Make a Deserving Couples Wedding Dreams Come True!

I'm excited to share with you the engagement of my best pal Lindsey (L-Bean) to an awesome Italain stud Steven! They are currently in first place for the Ultimate Wedding Contest put on by Crate&Barrel and I could not be more thrilled for them!

The friendship I have with L-Bean stated the first day of college, as fate would have it, we were placed together as roomies and stuck together every step of the way after that. There could not be a more deserving couple to win this amazing prize, and I hope you will help make their wedding dreams a reality.


                                              Click here to vote for my L-Bean and Steven!

Happy St. Patricks Day

I've been beyond busy and have taken a major hiatus from my blog, but this being my favorite day of all days I had to post something! I hope the luck of the Irish is with you today!

Thursday, January 13

Surprising Celebrity Designed Lines

You know their names and faces, but did you also know that both Rachel Zoe and Nate Berkus have their own lines?


Rachel Zoe, who in my eyes has the best fashion sense out of anyone, designs a line for QVC that includes jewelry, clothing and bags. Rumor has it she will also be debuting a line of shoes as well!

Her line has some amazing items mixed in with some just okay pieces, and is fairly pricey. The way QVC styles the models in Rachel's items though is terrible, (they should have let her take the reigns on that). The line is very fashion forward, but they seems to style these trendy looks to appeal to late middle aged women who are also on QVC shopping for a kitten themed sweater vest. You really have to look beyond how the models are wearing these looks to truly appreciate how major the designs are.







Nate Berkus is known for being Oprah's go to interior design guru, and now he has his own show, and his own line for the Home Shopping Network.

Nate brings chic style to his line, while still keeping is basic. His line spans the gamut from home accessories like flameless candles, to furniture and bedding. Everything seems to be well made, and while some items are a little expensive it definitely looks like you get what you pay for.






California Citrus Salad





This yummy recipe will give you a break from the average lettuce leaf salads and brighten up any plate.


Ingredients
4 oranges (mix it up by adding a few blood oranges in)
Half of a fennel bulb, core removed and discarded, thinly sliced
1 avocado, sliced into 1-inch chunks
1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pits removed, cut in half
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice
3 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

To prepare the oranges, slice the top and bottom off of each one. Rotate the orange and slice off the entire peel on each orange. 

In a large bowl, gently toss the orange rounds with the fennel, avocado, and olives.

In a small jar, combine the vinegar, orange juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Shake well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.

Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetable mixture. Toss gently to combine. Enjoy immediately.
yumsugar.com

Wednesday, January 12

Handmade Bows

How you present and wrap a gift makes what's inside even more special. Check out this awesome tutorial that will show you how easy it is to make your own fancy bows that look professional and impressive! (Wish I found this before holiday season was over)





CLICK HERE Create and make your own beautiful bows!

Friday, January 7

Ring My Bell

Bell bottoms, flare fit, wide leg, whatever you want to call it, the trend is back! As many of you know I get huge inspiration from the 60's and 70's and designers are bringing it in full force this spring.

With the skinny jean trend running rampant it was no surprise to me the the pendulum would be swinging back the other way. In fashion, whatever trend is hot right now you can expect to see the exact opposite in a few seasons. It's how the industry keeps us buying, and in this case, for me it's working!

If you are not into the 70's ascetic, there are many ways to wear this style that stray from the hippie vibe. The sailor trend is also huge for spring, and you can rock it with a striped top and a wide leg trouser style jean.





For a more professional look, I'd go with a darker denim, a tucked in white tee, skinny belt and tailored black blazer.