November 30, 2011

Cold? Rainy? Muddy? What to wear?!

Because I love the little guy below so much (meet Frankie, my corgi), I find myself at the dog park a few blocks down on a frequent basis. In the summer, it's actually quite enjoyable but in the winter, when it is raining, windy, snowing, or a combination of all three, it is less so but how can you say no to a face like this?


With that said, I constantly find myself trying to figure out what to wear to such a place. While warmth and staying dry are my top prorities, I also want to look cute. So what is a girl to do? Pick some form of the outfits below!



November 29, 2011

Where does the time go?

Did it feel like Thanksgiving vacation flew by to anyone else? It felt like the five days away from work just flew by. Even my Monday flew by. When time starts disappearing and everything becomes busy, it can only mean one thing: the Holidays are upon us. With work deadlines and grad school finals quickly approaching, my stress level is elevating. While I'm planning on hitting the ground running over the next few weeks, I want to make sure to focus on what this season is all about: family, cheer, and generosity. Oh, and decorating :) I'm planning on getting my Christmas tree on Saturday and have already started filling my small apartment with candles, greens, and lots and lots of Mercury glass. This is the first Christmas I have the budget and the space to decorate my own place so I'm having a ton of fun. I'm curious, do you have any creative Christmas decorating ideas?







Source: google.com



November 28, 2011

There's No Place Like Home

Hello all! How was your Thanksgiving weekend? Mine was filled with all the typical things: food, family, and Black Friday. I went home to my parents house and when I wasn't thinking about how full I was or if I could possibly manage to fit one more bite of Thanksgiving goodness in my mouth, I was trying to figure out what it is exactly that makes going home feel so darn good. There is just something about going to my parent's house, regardless of my age, that makes me feel at peace. Part of that is the fact that my family lives there but there is also something about the house, the decor, just everything about it. I couldn't help but think about how the boyfriend and I would make our home feel like that one day for our own children. Naturally, I went on Pinterest and started pinning some inspiration. I think the pictures below perfectly exemplify how to mix interior design with comfort. I mean, after all, isn't living and enjoying a house the whole point?



Source: houzz.com









Source: houzz.com





November 23, 2011

Must Have #10: Covetable Shoes

We have reached the end of our little series! So what is the last thing that any women's life is not complete without? Kick-ass, jaw-dropping, covetable shoes. For me, that means either a great pair of boots or heels since I normally wear ballet flats as my everyday shoes.

I have to say, this was one of the more painful collections I've made. Between picking from which to feature to realizing that I don't own any of the pairs below/ couldn't afford most of the pairs featured below, it wasn't easy. But one day... In the mean time, since the Thanksgiving holiday is soon upon us, I'm going to take this time to be thankful for the beauties I do have in my closet. What is the piece in your closet you're most thankful to own?


Christian Louboutin high heels, $3,695
Miu Miu high heels, $890
Jimmy Choo high heels, $850
Christian Louboutin high heels, $825
Christian Louboutin high heels, $675
Miu Miu high heels, $650
Sergio Rossi high heels, $590
Tory Burch leather boots, $495
Frye boots, $458
Tory Burch bootie heels, $277
Marc by Marc Jacobs high heels, $390
Report Signature high heels, £74

November 22, 2011

Must Have #9: A Keepsake Bag

As I've gotten older, I've come to believe that a timeless bag is a worthy investment. If I would have held off on buying the trendy pieces, I might own one of the beauties pictured below... but I didn't. With that said, I'm saving now/asking for donations for Christmas but don't know which to pick.

November 21, 2011

Must Have #8: Statement Jewelry

Wearing a killer piece of jewlery can enduce the same type of elated feeling that walking in a pair of designer heels can give. Sexiness and elegance all rolled into one. I firmly believe that Jackie O knew this when she put on her pearls every morning. In short, beautiful statement-making jewelry can be downright alluring.


I'm really curious to get everyone's opinion on jewlery since it seems that each women has her own unique relationship with it. Do you tend to gravitate to certain types of jewlery more than others? Do you buy more vintage jewlery or more mainstream? Are there any types of jewlery trends that you find just awful?


Yves Saint Laurent glass jewelry, £140
Kate Spade gold jewelry, $128
Kate Spade crystal jewelry, $68
Givenchy black bangle, £115
14k earrings, $43
Kate Spade facets jewelry, $178
Michael Kors link jewelry, $275
Michael kors jewelry, $85
Chanel double chain necklace
Kate Spade 14 karat gold ring, $78
Kate Spade short necklace, $248
Kate Spade south sea pearl jewelry, $98
Bounkit amethyst jewelry, $320

November 18, 2011

Must Have #7: A Fabulous Coat

A good coat is one of the most pratical pieces of clothing you will buy. It will also be one of the things you will wear most often so they're worth an investment.


Must Have #7: A Fabulous Coat


Rather than investment in really, really expensive coats like the Burberry trench pictured above (which I will own before I die, just FYI), I tend to be a coat collector, buying a wider range of jackets than committing to just one. Maybe I collect because it is more often than not cold and raining in Portland. We shall never know.

Anyways, it is my firm belief that a good trench, parka, or cape should be in every women's closest. Which is your favorite?

Burberry gabardine coat, $1,195
BCBG Max Azria wool blend coat, $498
Penfield coat, $430
Bird by Juicy Couture wool blend coat, $430
J Crew felt coat, $400
Juicy Couture cape trench coat, $392
Hooded coat, $392
J Crew wool blend coat, $350
The North face, $289
Whistles Alex Button Out Lining Parka With Fur Trim Hood, $270

November 16, 2011

Must Have #5: The Trouser

Unless you're one of the lucky few that work at home or work in an office with a lax dress code, chances are, business appropriate attire is part of your wardrobe. Working in finance, I'm not stranger to a restrictive dress code... black pants, white blouse, and black blazer anyone?

If you find yourself in a similar situation, don't feel discouraged. This season in particular, designers have been putting out tons of options for us working women. Colors, such as mustard, emerald green, ruby red, and cobalt blue have been everywhere, even in trousers. Since I do work in a traditional office, I experiment with colored trousers only on Casual Fridays or on the weekends. During the other four days of the week, I'm sticking to a more traditional color palette but mixing it up with cuts, like cropped pants and wide leg trousers, and fabrics, such as tweed or satin.

November 15, 2011

Must Have #4: Blazers

To put it lightly, I'm obsessed with wearing blazers. Nothing seems to finish an outfit better. I especially love blazers for their range, from equestrian to edgy, corporate to glamorous, I love them all equally.

Must Have #4: Blazers



Don't you just love that tartan Zara blazer? It has elbow patches. Enough said.

Zara rayon top, $90
Victoria s Secret slim blazer, $158
Aubin Wills tailored jacket, £265
J Crew wool jacket, $298
Rag Bone merino wool jacket, $395
Rag Bone blazer, $575
Boyfriend jacket, $130
Kitsuné flannel jacket, $1,240
Silk jacket, £219
TIBI tuxedo jacket, $505

November 14, 2011

Must Have #3: Beautiful Skin

I don't have naturally glowing skin, imperfection-free skin, or low maintenance skin. Instead, I have sensitive combination skin that errors on the side of temperamental. Those traits, paired with my tendency to be lazy when it comes to my skincare regimen, leaves me in need of sort of skin miracle to have skin that looks something even close to this:


Via


That's where the Clarisonic comes in.


Via


In thirty seconds, it leaves my skin what can only be described as radiant. It exfoliates and cleans in one swoop and makes my moisturizer absorb rather than sit on top of my skin. After using it every night, I've been using an anti-oxidant serum and it literally tingles as I put in on. It's incredible.

Now, I understand the $119 for the Mia is not cheap but neither is a facial. If you're still not convinced, go into your local department store and have them try on on your skin. Your skin will thank you!

Am I crazy thinking these things are so good or have any of you tried them too?

November 11, 2011

Must Have #2: The Ballet Flat



A good ballet flat is one of those things in your closet that is both chic and practical. There is a good reason why smart women carry a pair of flats in their purse to change into once their stilettos prove to be unbearable for any lengthy amount of time. Of all different types of flats that have come onto the market over the last few years, none have proven to be as timeless as the ballet flat. Embodying an element of Parisian chic and approachability, ballet flats are the must-have for any women's closet.

Ballet Flats Galore



November 10, 2011

New Series: 10 Things Every Woman Needs to Own

Because, like most, I have don't have an unlimited budget to spend on clothes, it is important to prioritize my purchases. While I do indulge in trendy pieces I will only wear for a season or two, I try to dedicate the majority of my budget to more classic, timeless pieces.

With that said, I've decided to kick start a new series on this blog, "10 Things Every Woman Needs to Own". Hopefully you all will find any holes in your wardrobe (if any) and be inspired to rework the pieces you already own to fit this seasons trends.

So which piece will be the first?



You guessed it, the class white button down. Can there be anything that has transcended the times better?

I recently added this key piece to my closest and decided on this equipment blouse. While an investment piece, the cut and quality of the silk were more than worth its $208 price tag. Like the equipment blouse, this J.Crew option is good option at a slightly lower price point. Overall, I'd recommend getting a silk blouse before a cotton one. Silk generally hangs better on the body and wears better with time. But, if you have the budget, I'd also purchase this classic in cotton for summertime (less hot and more crisp).

Whether paired with leather pants, a pencil skirt, or denim shorts, a white botton down is a must-add to your closet.

November 9, 2011

The Trifecta of Fall Fashion: Red, Camel, and Animal Print


The Trifecta of Fall Fashion: Red, Camel, and Animal Print
 
 
 
There are a few things that I've noticed that have repeatedly resurfaced in the blogging world in regards to fall fashion: fur vests, colored denim, heeled loafers, ankle booties, etc. but no fall trends pair better together or have given me that must have feeling as much as the combination of red, camel, and animal print. Of course, like all good things, this trifecta can be paired effortlessly with gold accesories. You'll learn this about me quickly, I have a slight (okay, large) obsession with all things gold. 

So, tomorrow morning when you're getting dressed for your day and tempted to slip on your typical dreary fall uniform consistening of mostly black, reach for some red or animal print to liven things up. Or, if you're feeling less daring, switch out black for camel.  Trust me, the black things in your closest could use the vacation.
 

Today is the Day

So after months and months of following others blogs, I've finally decided to start a blog of my own. Since my day job involves working with numbers all day and provides little to satisfy my creative urges, this little blog was born. In short, this blog will act as a collecting place for all the pretty, chic, or sparkly things that make each day worth living. Sometimes that might be clothes or other forms of wearable art, and sometimes that might be home decor or gourmet food.

With that said, for those of you that find my little corner of the Internet, enjoy! Let the posting begin.

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