Christmas Shopping

I hope you are having a restful Sunday. I am snug on the couch with a belly full of takeout, watching movies with the boy and trying to do some online shopping. Super psyched to show you my holiday gift guides this week, but in the meantime, head over to K.I.D. Collective. The amazing Casey has collaborated with some of my favorite design blogs to provide those unique gifts that will be so perfect for your lovey ones.

Happy Winter Weekend!

Have a wonderful December weekend lovelies!

Can't wait to catch up on Monday. XX!

Photo found: the craft haven, lobster and swan.

Greedy Gift Guide

I know it's the season of giving, and don't worry, I have a whole bunch of inspiration boards in store for your loved ones this year. But first, there's a few things I need to cross off my list.

This year, I would really like to sneak a peak at Rudolph.

And, I just must take a ride on the Polar Express.

I really need a pair of Christmas shoes. Red, of course.

Then I'll have to have red lips to match.

Glitter, yes? Yes.

I definitely want some of this. And if you happen to dream about it like me, visit mr. jonas peterson. Some of his photos will right out bring you to tears.

And I will need to capture all of my Holiday moments on a super special camera that I will take super special care of. Promise. I am a grown up now, after all. Right?

Photos found: we heart it; miss wallflower; mackin ink; alice in wardrobe wonderland; elizabeth anne designs; and detour through wonderland.

Shoppin' Local: New Indie Fashion Boutique

When the adorable Kristen D'Amour told me about her new indie fashion boutique, the clothing menu, I was outright giddy and I just know you will hands-down love it too.

The concept is simple. Get to know the designers through a blog community and browse their items in the online shop! How often can we talk to the lady that made our skirt? Or to the genius behind that blouse? Brilliant!

Juneau Blouse by Fischer Clothing $165.00

The store has been open for just one month and is already growing with lots of new items. Just in time for the holidays, it's the perfect place to find a gift for that sustainably-minded member in your family. We all have one. Did I just call myself out?

Copper Jewel Ring by a.g. ambroult $76.00

Want to know my favorite part of Kristen's site? It has some incredible Boston designers including cuttlefish and a.g. ambroult and an unbelievable Brooklyn designer, Fischer Clothing. The shop offers unique jewelry, accessories, and one-of-a-kind tops, while Kristen's blog provides great fashion tips and trends. I'm all over her post on Kate Middleton's style here and think this feather post is heaven.

Megan Tee by Fischer Clothing $65.00

Happy shopping!

Painted Beauty

I can still remember the very first Bonnie Bell lip gloss I bought and cherished in 3rd grade. It sparkled, it shined, but mostly...it tasted delicious. Growing up I was fascinated by makeup. I thought it was some mysterious art form that transformed you like a mood ring.

 A little older, I can reflect back. I have experimented with the sparkle sticks, the white eyeliner, the blue eyeliner, the sun-in and everything else cheap and promising for an adolescent at CVS.

 

But let's be honest. At the end of the day, there's nothing quite like that amazing cleanser to wipe it all away. Keeping that much product in tact is exhausting! Amazingly enough, I've learned to minimize my life in the beauty department and leave the bright eyes, dark lips, or baby doll cheeks for special occasions.  

That in no way means I love makeup any less. Seriously, I mean look at these ladies- blue eyes, yellow eyes, rhinestone eyes! It's a fabulously gorgeous art that I will continue to drool over.

For now, I'll savor my extra minutes of sleep and share with you my top beauty products to keep your bag light and your skin bright!

Top 3:
1. Tarte- ReCreate Anti-Aging Foundation SPF 15 in Ivory $37
2. NARS- Bronzing Powder in Laguna $32
3. Lancome- Hypnose Drama Full Body Mascara in Excessive Black $24.50


Extras:
1. Sephora Collection- Eyeshadow in Must Have (matte black) for eyeliner $12
2. Sephora Collection- Blush Me! in Rose Rebelle $12
3. MAC- Lipstick in Snob $14.50


Skin Care:
Philosophy! I swear you will love it. My college roomie introduced me to Hope in a Jar and I've been hooked ever since. 
1. Purity Face Wash- 8 oz $20
2. Serum- $38.00
3. Moisturize- $28.00
4. Eye Cream- $48.00

Photos from A Painted Face.

Keep Me Warm by ZARA

Funny story. Last March, when I went here, I left my beautiful gray Peacoat somewhere between Boston and Mexico. No, I can't tell you how one loses a coat. No worries back then but now it's freezing and I need warm solutions! I stumbled upon ZARA's site and found an unbelievable stock of coats. Unfortunately, as one of my girls of girls informed me, they have no online shop (seriously zar zar?) so I'll be taking a trip to the City real soon to do the required purchasing.

Here's my Top 5:

 

 Check them out here! But remember, you'll need to head to your nearest Zara, which I'm assuming isn't very near unless you're very lucky, if you'd like to take it to the next level.

I'm bound to end up with #3 or #4, but let me tell you, I would kill to rock #5 with her fire engine red cigarette jeans.

Stay warm this week lovelies and enjoy your Sunday!

Wild, Wild Weather Days

The Sartorialist {leopard pumps}

The bitter cold of Fall has set in and more layers have appeared on my back, but it's that time of year when I notice everyone is having just a little more fun with their outfits. We think, "I need to stay warm." So we start with the classic cardi tied up in that scarf on top of the tweed skirt and of course you need those patterned tights all finished off with the ever-dependable boots. It's like survival of the most styled.

Rosie Huntington Whiteley {leopard jacket}

But come November, what's more fun than tweed and thigh-highs? Yes, a little animal print to throw your conservative closet a pre-holiday curve ball.  And as promised here, it's 'bout time for some leopard. The faux kind, I like my leopards live and growling in the jungle...far away from me. 

Keira Knightley {leopard scarf}

The girls around London seem to do the faux fur best. Note Rosie, Keira, and Alexa. My college roomie snagged the very best jacket at London's Portobello Road Market and I'm forever envious for not picking one up myself. If you happen to be strolling through and spot a Merlot colored cropped bomber, just send me the bill! Markets and vintage shops are a great place to find leopard print pieces since it was so big in the 80s and now making a comeback in such a fun way. 

After many hours snug in my new bed doing some online browsing, I've come across some amazing leopard pieces that I had to share with you. I think it will be refreshing to set aside my black pashmina  for awhile and trade it in for something jazzier during these wild weather days.

  

1. Miso Woven Leopard Scarf- $27 

2. See by Chloe Off the Shoulder Leopard Blouse- $295 

3. TopShop Leopard Mould Bow Skinny- $36 

4. Animal Pumps- $90 

5. John Lewis Leopard Print PonySkin Gloves- $65 

6. Kate Spade 'Lynda" Faux Fur Jacket - $595

Interview: Brooklyn Designer, Lauren Nevada

I am so excited to introduce the talented Lauren Nevada and her covetable line that has me desiring a spontaneous trip to Paris, stat. Miss Nevada is based out of Brooklyn spreading her line in Barneys locations across the country. Lucky for my Boston readers, she just launched at Copley Place this summer! Having studied fashion in two of the world's greatest fashion monuments, Paris and Rome, Lauren has a knack for color, quality and feminine cuts. Her pieces are a dreamlike sophistication making an easy transition from work to play. With all of her incredible experience, I'm so happy Lauren stopped by to offer up her fashion insight!

What defines your style philosophy?

The woman who has many interests and is very involved in everything around her. Someone who reads esoteric books, cooks, decorates her own furniture, organizes gardening parties or listens to historic music. I love the idea that each person can be so individual and extreme in their own personality and can be energized by this.

Favorite place to shop?

Vintage and second hand stores.

Beauty secret?

Smile.

Your favorite color and why?

Lavender actually. It can be so many different things, it is a very specific color yet it is all around us and often goes unnoticed.

You have 15 minutes until happy hour with the girls. You look in your closet, there’s nothing to wear- a working girl’s m.o. What do you put together?

When in doubt keep the outfit simple, this way people will have to take a closer look to get to know you and this makes for an interesting evening.

Who (or what) has inspired your fashion career?

Hard to say… although I had a great black and white picture of Coco Chanel with model Suzy Parker on my wall growing up. I found it in a Vogue magazine and popped it in an extra frame with some brown velvet fabric behind it.

What was the greatest advice you were ever given?

My grandmother never stopped telling me how strong women are. This probably played a very large role in my childhood.

Describe your perfect day.

It would be a mixture of good food, time with friends and a nap. It would involve several outfit changes, some exercise and good music if I can fit that in as well.

What should a girl never be without?

A good book to pull out and read whenever things get boring.

Where do you see yourself and your line in 5 years?

Hopefully still having as much fun with it as I am now. I hope to be traveling more often and doing more collaborations with artists each season. Bringing different creative people together is so rewarding, hopefully this is something that I can continue to build on.

Thanks Lauren!

Check out more of Lauren Nevada's amazing styles at http://laurennevada.com/ and be sure to click over to her Projects to see what she's whipping up next! Looks like a trip to Paris to me:).

Sunday Funday

I have to admit, I've never been a fan of Sundays. Since my school days when it meant a long week of early rises and boring classes, that lingering sensation that Monday is just around the corner, I could never fully enjoy the so-called "Day of Rest."

Then this thing called Football entered my life. Yeah, I heard of it. I even attended those parties for that Superbowl a few times, but I thought I was watching commercials not Clash of the Titans. Last year I was never introduced to the Sunday games because my guy actually went to a game every. single. freaking. Sunday.

Now it has become a mandated Sunday activity. And Monday. And sometimes Thursday nights. So in my efforts to better enjoy my Sundays at the new apartment and wholeheartedly embrace Football, I have decided to throwback to the nostalgic Americana dream. Football Parties.

I'm looking forward to fountains of Budweiser, gourmet pizza, the spiciest wings (serious bad call on the white couch), all to be outfitted in Jerseys and some competitive screaming matches. Despite all my efforts, my guy tells me the television is the most important part. So, I'll probably need to replace my enormous 1996 Hitachi with one of these. See you at game time!

I would love to spend my Sundays hiking the Colorado Mountains. Photos taken by friend, Tiffany Lutke.

Home Sweet Home

Evenin' Pumpkins! Many exciting things happening over here in the otherwise boring CT. On Friday, I made the big move out of Mama Dee's Litchfield nest to my very first apartment! Of course the adjustment will be no great feat since I'm still living with big bro Timmy and I've only jumped about 30 minutes away, but I'm feeling like a grown up already.

{navajo prints}

Now, do trust, I've been all over the web (especially here and here and here) looking for inspiration to help jazz up my new digs. Unfortunately, I find myself being terribly conservative. I already purchased a white sofa, here. Wait, did I mention I'm living with big mess Timmy? Bad choice lil' sis.

{le creuset, le mieux miellure!} 

Then I have another piece in gray and a little cream to hang off the windows. So I guess I'm off to accessorize with color. Reds? Blues? Greens? Tell me designers, what do you think?!

{Tea Time}

I'm tap-typing away to you on a bare naked desk with a spare dining room chair and absolutely no flowers or photos or glimmer of pretty dainty daydreams. I hope to fix that with the color issue pronto!

{well seated to stay seated}

Well friends, I'm off to wrap up in a new throw blanket because it's fuhreeezing up in here. Not to worry, I'm loving every bit of it. That heating bill? It's all mine.


If it crosses your mind, please feel free to toss me some ideas or photos for design-spiration. My place could really use some of your love!

Back to the Beauty

Far too many suns and stars and inspiring photos have surpassed since last I blogged. I've missed you, dearies and I'm thrilled to be back. I've been handed some life lessons this year and at the end of the day, when my world slows down and my stomach stops churning, I realize that taking time off is best.

Well, cyber-vacation is over for now and I have lots of fun in store. It's time to slip on your best pair of Choos, throw down your locks, and find the nearest Vespa. We are going for a ride to discover design, fit into fashion, and find bliss in a dreamland of beauty.

Friends forever, right? Right. So stick around for lots of smiles, intimate shopping dates and cross my heart, some killer leopard print. 

 

photos from the sartorialist

So Long Summer

My summer has somehow slipped by without the slightest glimpse of the ocean, tan lines, or sniff of chlorine. That bikini-ready body? Forget it. I put on my washed-out, saggy-bum bikini from last year maybe twice these past three months.

Quite frankly, I’m freaking out. I want to work, be successful, and wear the power suit, but does that mean sacrificing the sun and cocktails with your girlfriends at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday? Someone say no. And tell me where you work. 

My boyfriend asked me the other day what I have read lately. I looked at him so defensively, ready to list off at least... I had nothing. Well, I did have The 2020 Workplace. Yes, that would be required reading. So not only have I failed at summer in sun and sand but I have also failed in fun and freedom. 

Well, until I find that perfect balance of work and play. Here’s where I daydream...

*Would you and yours like to join me and mine for a few bites and some wine at this lovely table setting? I heard some recipes from this book were quite divine. 

Photo from House Beautiful

Blow Me Away

We’re not crazy. We just care, so much. We care about you. We care about me. And we care about all the little things that will make your smile go on for days.

We don’t want sparks, we want flames. We don’t want comfort, we want magic. So when one little thing spirals off, we feel like we’ve halted the journey and somehow damaged the show.

I know, I know. You’ve told me a million times before. “Relax.”

But my expectations are high and there they remain. You see, I’m afraid I swore a long time ago, that the beating heart for me was the one that understood my hopes and impressed me beyond stars and galaxies.

This one knows what special does makes what special is and creates the special that should be. 

So go ahead, blow me away. 

photography by romina shama- lolita editorial

Designing Dessert

There is something to be said for a place that both entrances your sweet tooth and the ever-hungry design eye. Mexico's very first French macaroon bakery has created a sophisticated all-white interior popping with the bright likes of Coco, Pistache, Chocolate Frances, Praline, The Vert, The Chai, Patelos de Rosa, and of course, Caramelo Suave. 

Welcome to Theurel & Thomas. A dream for those of us always seeking an intriguing indulgence. I imagine you will be greeted at the luxury encasement by the candy man, decked in a red and white striped suite, tall top hat and glass cane. 

A white room without many windows can create an odd discomfort, but a large mirror and proper lighting opens up the space with a cosmopolitan subtlety. Those yellow and pink side table snacks are surely just for decoration...wink, wink.

A Chanel-esque label invites patrons on the door to this exclusive address. Now, just jot this info into your little black book and catch a flight to Mexico. I’ll meet you in a few hours to sit atop a soft white sofa to munch on Cafe Veracruz macaroons.

How classic and feminine is this spot? A dainty sculpture shying away from her sugary desires. The intricate placement on a simple white drawer is resourceful and chic. I love how the edging on the drawers match the molding on the walls. The architectural patterns and deep moldings make fascinating shapes stand out against the seemingly washed out backdrop. 

I can't think of a better treat than white and pink. The detailed porcelain bowls overflowing with rose colored cookies is a perfect way to explain the delicacy behind this simple dessert. 

What I truly adore about this whole interior, is the absence of over-label. Between retail, hospitality, and food industries, store’s have a habit of branding every square inch of their interior. For Theurel & Thomas, they know their brand and they want you to know it right when you walk in- Macaroons. You can’t miss them so just go ahead and taste them. The rest is simple just like their design, sit and enjoy!

Theurel & Thomas’s interior and branding was designed by Anagrama.

All photos from Anagrama.

Discovered by De Zeen Magazine.