Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve

It's about that time again... everyone's favorite holiday! Ha! 

Let's all get in the spirit! Shall we?

1 / 2 / 3

And all 3 are a steal! Anywhere from $17 to $70 you could pick up 1, 2 or all 3!

Trained to Travel

I've learned a few things from my days on the road traveling for my job. Spending 100+ nights in hotels over the past year, you'd hope that to be true!

I mentioned before that I have my airport attire down to a science, but there are a few other essentials that I rely on to make my life easier when I'm living out of a suitcase. 

Here they are:

1. Kate Spade iPad case: Love having my iPad along for the ride and protecting it is a must! They also have a matching laptop case that is just as cute!

2. Tom Ford sunglasses: Early morning flights are not a friend to under-eye puffiness. Oversized sunnies are a girls best friend! This pair is on my wish list... and has been for a while! Keep dreaming!

3. Vera Bradley straightener sleeve: I must say I had my day with Vera Bradley back in college {everything matched and it was monogrammed... go figure!}, but this is one piece I still use daily. It's a lifesaver when you're in a hurry to pack up your hot hair tool and get going! 

4. Gap "Unmentionables" Bag: {side note: I just contemplated what to call this item for entirely too long} Most of my clothes that I pack for work are 'dry clean only', so I don't necessarily have a whole laundry bag full of dirties when I come home, but it is nice to keep your clean vs. dirty bras and panties organized... you know what I mean? 

5. J.Crew passport cover: This is a recent addition to my travel essential arsenal. Keeping track of your identity passport is high priority! For me, having a cute cover on my last vaca made the job a breeze. Bonus - you can add embossed initials!

So those are just a few additions to your travel tools that I think would make your life a heck-of-a lot easier the next time you pack your bags and the essentials I will rely on as I continue on my quest to travel everywhere.

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Mornings Are Not My Friend

Anyone else having trouble getting up and getting their act together this week? Seriously! I don't know what's hit me, but I can't seem to resist the snooze button two three four times!

Maybe if I had a pretty sink vanity like so I'd be more excited to pop right out of bed in the morning!

oldie but goodie photo from Cottage Living

SAG Awards Style

Hiya friends! I made it back from NYC... glad to be back home, but sure do love that city and can't wait for my next trip!!!

Is it just me or is anyone else really enjoying awards season this time around? Last night when I got home I was greeted by the SAG Awards on TV. I think the Globes would still be my first choice of show to attend, but it does look like they have a pretty darn good time at the SAG awards as well!

Dresses were beautiful! My top 3 favorites were:

#1 Jennifer Lawrence in Dior

#2 Nina Dobrev in Elie Saab {LOVE the color!}

#3 Naomi Watts in Marchesa

all images via glamour

Back to My Love

Happy Friday, all! 

This week kicked off yet another crazy travel "season" for my job, but lucky for me, I ended up in the city that I love and was able to extend my weekend! 

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The weekend will be filled with lots of shopping, walking and exploring! Oh! And of course a Broadway show... {Any suggestions? I've been very fortunate to cross quite a few off my list in the past couple of years including Lion King, Wicked, Mama Mia, Chicago and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and I'm looking for a new favorite!}

I'll be back next week to share my favorite finds and shopping scores. Have a great weekend!

P.S. How great is that NY skyline art above? And very reasonable - you can get an 8x10 for only 20 bucks! Or go to a gallery print for only $50. I might need to treat myself to one!

Let's Have a Disco!

I was going through some old pictures that I had saved in the days before Pinterest and found a little bit of a theme that can only be described as "disco." No, I don't want to hang disco balls throughout my house, however,  I do think that mirrored-ish mosaic tiles can be pretty chic! Anywhere!

Another house bucket list item, I guess! 

Sorry I don't have sources... I'm working on finding them! Ohhh the days before Pinterest!

Bandwagon

Yep. I jumped on it... the washi tape bandwagon, that is. You've probably seen it out there in the blog world and on pinterest.

Design Sponge did a great little spot on washi tape a few months back and ever since, I've been thinking of ways I could use it!

So that's my crafty purchase for the week! Stay tuned and I'll share what I use them for once they arrive!

images via Design Sponge

Post Season Party Dress?

So you know Mama always said, "If the shoe fits, buy it... in two colors!" Ok, so maybe I added the second part! Well, does that rule apply to party dresses?

Here's my dilemma: Great dresses at sale prices, but we've just passed the prime party season of Christmas and New Years AND {for once in my twenty-something life} I don't have any weddings coming up until Spring, which by then these won't fit the bill. 

So, do I buy the dress or dresses and hang on to them for next years gatherings or pass on the bargains? Decisions, decisions.

Sequined Jacquard Dress / Colorblock Sequin Dress

I like these options because they aren't your typical sparkly numbers. Ya know?

Why is it that when you need a great dress for an upcoming occasion they are nearly impossible to find, yet when I have zero need for either of these fancy numbers, I could get them at a steal of a deal? Oh the pity.

Life Lesson

Easier said than done, but always a good reminder. I can be a full-blown worrywart and as many times as life has tried to teach me that worrying doesn't do any good, I still need inspiration like the above to remind me not to sweat the small stuff. 

You know what else is helps you not sweat the small stuff? WEEKENDS. Thank goodness the weekend is here! Hope you all have a lovely one!

Good Old Gap

No wardrobe is complete without your go-to tees. Good old Gap is stepping up their game lately with some cute options for all occasions!

Here are my 3 favorites:

Embellished Neck

NY Postcard Tee

Sequin Stripe

So Now You Wanna Help Me?!?!

When it comes to packing, I like to think I'm a pro... scratch that -- When it comes to packing for work related trips, I am a pro. When it comes to packing for fun getaway trips, I struggle. I have work packing down to a science. I know exactly how many outfits I'll need based on what my schedule is filled with, but when I go on fun trips with no agenda, I.AM.LOST! 

Wouldn't it have been nice of my friends at J.Crew, Madewell and Nordstrom to have graced my inbox and their homepages with these marketing campaign gems just a week earlier???

J. Crew Customer email

Madewell Customer email

Nordy Homepage

I seriously received the J.Crew and Madewell emails {which look awfully similar... go figure!} and the Nordy homepage the day I came back from vacation! Yes, J.Crew in fact I was going somewhere! And yes, Madewell, I would like to have packed happy! And yes, Nordstrom, a clean getaway would have been nice!

Oh well! All is well that ends well... and as you saw from my pics yesterday, Cabo definitely went well. To say the least! One thing I did realize as I busted out my summer wardrobe is that I need to step up my game when it comes to swim cover-ups. Since I'm not feeling as great in teeny bikinis anymore {thanks a lot, metabolism... just kidding... kind of}, I think I'd feel a little better at the beach if I could at least strut to and from looking cute! I need to scrap my boring cotton dresses for something more fun like one of these:

Roberta Roller Rabbit / Collective Concepts / DV by Dolce Vita

Turns out I won't need one of these again until the summer, so I'll keep my eye out for the right one {or two}, but I'll keep you updated when take the plunge!

Cabo Beauty

I swear... I'm not trying to rub it in, but my vacation to Cabo was AMAZING! 

From the first margarita to the last, it was a blast!

Beautiful resort... 4 of the 5 pools shown here:

Amazing scenery {the pic below in the middle may have been my favorite spot of the whole week... right outside my bedroom door!}:

And cool surroundings high {copper chandeliers} and low {authentic tile}:

And I even left my mark on my new favorite Cabo bar, "No Worries"... which conveniently was my motto for the week!

If you're looking for a good vacation spot, I would definitely recommend Cabo! We stayed at Grand Solmar Land's End Resort and Spa. I'm already trying to figure out when I can go again!!!

Golden Globes Glam

HI! I'm back! Better late than never... had a little trouble getting back in the groove today, but what better reason to jump back on the horse than to talk about the beauty that was the Golden Globes last night!

I have to admit, I don't have one clear "Best Dressed" pick in my mind... there were a lot of pretty dresses, but nothing that truly wowed me. Anyone else feel the same?

That said, there were still plenty that caught my eye, and in reviewing some of my favorites, it seems like most colors came in pairs:

RED

Who would have thought Claire Danes would make a name for herself as such as fashionista back in her My So Called Life days? She traded 90's flannel for Versace. HUGE upgrade. She was also a favorite of mine at this past years Emmy Awards. And Jennifer Garner looks amazing, too! Dressed by my idol, Rachel Zoe!!! Love Rachel's eye for texture.

GOLD

I think Connie Britton looks so classy in this Kaufman Franco. Simple and elegant! Now, Kerry Washington definitely doesn't fall into the "simple" category with her dress, nor would I venture to try this look myself, but I think she looks stunning in this Miu Miu number. That dress is not something everyone could pull off, but it looks great on her!

PINK{ish}

Similar color and similar style? Is that a fashion party foul? Oh well... even if it is, I like both of these dresses! Amy Adams looks great in this Marchesa number, although I think it would have been a bit more successful if it were more pink and less of a nude shade. Still a great dress, though! And Hayden Panettiere also rocks the ballerina pink shade, but has the help of a tan in this Roberto Cavalli number. 

CORAL

Can Oscar de la Renta do any wrong? Not in my eyes! Jessica Alba rocked a classic OdlR style, but I just wish she would have chosen a better bag! Jennifer Lawrence also looked fabulous in the hue. Her version by Dior... love the metallic waist detail. Reminds me of a lot of the belts that are out these days. 

So those are a few of my fav dresses, but I can't wrap up this round up without mentioning the best part of the night... 

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler ROCKED IT as hosts of the evening! They were hilarious and made the show so enjoyable to watch! There is already buzz about them coming back for an encore performance for the 2014 Golden Globes! I don't know about you, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

All images: E! / Glamour / BravoTV / NY Daily News

Dusting Off My Passport

Well folks, I have some good news and I have some bad news. Good news is I am taking a long overdue tropical vacation. Cabo to be exact. Bad news is I can't take you all with me.

This will be the first time I've dusted off my passport and dipped my toes in the sand in seven years! And the first time I've taken a full week of vacation in my working career. Crazy!

After a lot of thought about trying to keep up with my posts for next week, I have decided this will also be a little break from the blog. Don't worry... I haven't grown tired of it at all... in fact I'm sort of forcing myself to totally disconnect next week and really enjoy time off from everything! However, the creative side of my brain never really shuts down, so I'm sure I'll be collecting lots of inspiration to share when I'm back!

Until then, I'll be here:

Adiós! Muah!

Industrial Chic 2.0

For as much as I think I am through and through classic when it comes to my style in decorating, it sure does seem like industrial influences {as mentioned here} keep catching my eye!

Traditional metal pieces can be just the neutral touch you need when you have a lot of color going on in your space without being boring, like so:

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Or add them in a fun color for a interesting twist:

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That picture above also features one of my other favorite kitchen ideas... chalkboard walls {house bucket list... of course!}.

But now the true question is, how would you choose a color? So many great options via Industry West:

I want them all! They would also make a great option for outdoor seating, too! 

Definitely Nice!

So if anyone was wondering whether I was naughty or nice last year, it turns out I must have done a thing or two nice because Santa was very good to me! AND this blog had a lot to do with it... you probably recognize most of my favorite gifts below are items that I've talked about right here!

1. Tracy Reese Plates: Originally I thought these plates would be great for my future wall 'o plates, but it turns out I got 2 sets {thanks to my Mom and sister thinking alike!} so they will be making an appearance at my next dinner party on the table rather than on the wall!

2. Young House Love: Favorite blog is now my favorite coffee table book! 

3. North Face: It's official. I have worn this jacket everyday since Christmas. And I'm not sorry! It's so cozy!!

4. Tech Gloves: ebb&flo comes in handy again! Dress My Tech GG to the rescue for my cold hands that still need to work my phone. 

5. Bobbi Brown Palette: The colors are even better in person than they were when I added them to My Personal GG picks!

6. Southwest Boots: Mama Z went way back to the early days of ebb&flo with my Southwest Style post to bring home these babies! And they are way on sale now, so you should treat yourself.

So that's a wrap on Christmas 2012. I can't believe it's over! I love everything that I got, but I must say that the best and most beautiful part of Christmas was seeing the joy in my nephews eyes with every single gift and surprise he received! Oh to be a kid again!!! Already excited for next Christmas!

It's Here!

A new year for new beginnings! I have a feeling 2013 is going to be a great year!