holiday gift guide: for her

'tis the season to give a little to your special someone, and today's post is for the lovely ladies you want to spoil this season. the gifts on here are ones that most women would love to receive and cover a variety of price points. the trick to good gift giving is to give what the person would not necessarily buy for themselves, but isn't so outrageous that they'll never use it. and if you have no clue what her tastes are, opt for something simple, like driving gloves or travel lotions.  here are some of my top picks for the girls:

1.  a little lacy lingerie for your girlfriend or best friend, like these bra and panties separates available at Madewell, are perfectly spicy to offset the sweetness of the season. 
2. leather driving gloves are one of those can't-go-wrong necessities that also can be completely a chic gift. my mom always has cold hands, so an option like this one is classic way to keep her warm and not break the bank.
3. what girl doesn't love a little sparkle? these Lulu Frost for J. Crew earrings are oh-so gorgeous and would glitter perfectly with any new year's eve ensemble.
4. a classic silk blouse is a beautiful wardrobe stable, and this one fits to perfection. 
5. Laura Mercier's stickgloss is a lipstick for girls who don't like lipstick. There are lots of great colors and it's an awesome stocking stuffer!
6.  Splurge item! This Kate Spade wallet is perfect: bright, fun, flirty, and practical. 
7. le petite pâtisserie  quartet smells as good as it sounds, and its a great gift for the girl on the go.
8.  if your lady loves to add to her arm candy stack, this bracelet is a cute and sparkly addition, and now it's on sale for $30!
9. Again, a splurge. But if you live in a cold or slushy climate, these boots will keep her warm and dry all winter.
10. A Jill Bliss journal set has beautiful prints and is a thoughtful gift for the notetaker in your life.
11. Can't go wrong with classic leopard print ballerina flats, just get her size right!
12. A favorite childhood book is an amazing gift, she can use it as a coffee table book now! 

the sexiest night on television

last night was the airing of the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, and i have to say, it's probably the show i look forward to most this time of year. completely over-the-top, glittery, and just plain sexy, i love every minute of it. this years' show didn't disappoint: the musical acts were good (i especially loved Bruno Mars and his band), the styling of each costume so elaborate and intricate that i poured over images of them after the show, and of course, the models looked phenomenal. the energy and attitude of the show is so fun it's infectious. my favorite part was the opening act of 'circus,' but i thought the pinball set for 'pink ball' was so cute, and 'angels in bloom' was so feminine and gorgeous it was a close runner up. 'silverscreen angels' was reminiscent of old hollywood glam, 'dangerous liasons' was decadent and oozing with sex appeal, and 'calendar girls' was pretty darn adorable.

above i picked my favorite looks from each act, and that was me seriously narrowing the list down. which are your favorites? do look forward to seeing the angels walk the glitter runway each year? and if you missed the show, you can catch a repeat of it tonight on CBS!

all images via here

happy thanksgiving!

this year, i have so much to be thankful for: good family, good friends, good health, and a bright future. Although i am missing some key players this year, i am so excited to spend the time catching up with the loved ones who are here and of course stuffing my face with turkey, mashed potatoes, and my aunt's famous pumpkin cheesecake. 

i hope you all have a wonderful day, no matter what you have planned. now, go enjoy it!

{image}

sweatpants for the win

i just had one of those weekends that was so hectic that if i could just hit the do-over button, i would definitely shut myself in, put on some sweatpants, curl up with a book, and drink bottomless mugs of tea. but, since that wasn't the case, i decided to put my thinking cap on and find a solution for the best of both worlds... a way to rock the sweatpants, in public, without looking like a total slacker. 

see? totally acceptable i think. new cold weather sunday morning wardrobe: found. especially that bag. i couldn't be more obsessed...kate spade totally hit the nail on the head with that cheeky hashtag. the key to being publicly cozy is wearing sweats that are slightly tailored and slim legged so you don't swim in them and look sloppy. also, keep accessories simple but still fun, to show you were capable of putting some effort in when you got ready that morning. a little sparkle nail polish goes a long way!

//hot pink down vest//cat-eye sunnies, so you can get away with minimal makeup//golden arrow earrings/ cozy cable knit sweater/ adorable pompom hat//gold glitter polish//aaaah, the acceptable sweatpants//hangover bag/ /warm winter boots//

frozen petals

i'm a girl who loves everything about fresh flowers: the bright colors, the intoxicating smell, the softness of the petals... i could go on and on. but it seems like every year in fashion as soon as the leaves fall, all things floral disappear. i've tried to make my summertime prints work in the colder months, but for whatever reason those pretty little flowers just look weird when paired with winter boots and a down jacket.

but oh, imagine my joy when i discovered these pants by Citizens of Humanity... a winter floral!!! and they made it in the 'rocket,' a high-rise jean that's oh-so-soft and flattering, making it one of my favorites for the past couple years.

obviously, i sprinted right out and bought myself a pair of these awesome jeans. i've been pairing them with chambray shirts (like the way they were styled on CoH website), but also with chunky sweaters, boots, or high heeled booties. The muted gray-blue of the pants keeps them winter appropriate, but the rose pattern is a fun and flirty nod to the summer months to come. 

below i've posted some of the other great winter floral pants that i've seen since i bought the Citizens. i'm terribly infatuated with the pair by 7 for All Mankind. Which are your favorites? Do you have a favorite way to make florals work in the darker months?

{images via Shopbop}

1/2/3/4

LRD

there are certain things that instantly vamp up the va-va-voom factor to any occasion, and with holiday parties about to begin {the ones that don't involve face masks, that is} the little red dress might be the perfect statement maker. 

i don't know about you, but i get a little bored of my go-to LBD, and my pale fall/wintertime skin looks somewhat frightening next to the bright colors of summertime. but a rich red dress compliments in both the cool fall months and the start of the holiday party season. and trust me, it's just about impossible to not feel confident when you're rocking a little red number. throw a cute jacket on, some heeled pumps or booties, a tiny bit of sparkly jewelry, and you're good to go.

anybody else already excited to think about {gasp!} christmas time?? and which of my shopbop finds could you see yourself in?

1. Dolce Vita Hymore Dress
2. BB Dakota Lewiston One Shoulder Dress
3. Free People Floral Mesh Lace Dress
4. Shoshanna Megan Strapless Dress
5. alice + olivia Long Sleeve Goddess Dress
6. Torn by Ronny Kobo Christie Pleated Dress

let them eat {cup}cake{s}

yesterday i turned another year older, and it was totally sweet {literally... dessert is the only food group a girl can eat on her birthday}! i love birthdays and any excuse for a celebration/frosting covered anything, so i pretty much had a smile on my face all day long. i'm not going to lie, i'm pretty stoked on being in my twenties right now, i'm finally feeling like i know who i am as a person, but  i still have so many adventures and so much to learn coming up. 

cheers to another year! 

...now everyone go eat a piece of cake!

fall frenzy

i love dressing for the fall months: layers (but not too many), mixing colors and textures, acceptability of chunky knits (people look at you funny if you try and wear them in july), and all the cozy pieces i love are ready to be worn again. the outfit below would be ultimate perfection if i was carrying around a cup of hot cocoa and eating an apple cider donut too.  

funky gold hoops// aaaaah-mazing floral Emma Cook vest//fabulous booties by Belle by Sigerson Morrison// infinity scarf (available at Target!)// Splendid t-shirt (so soft and cozy)// black skinny jeans// Tory Burch wallet// obsessed with this Marc Jacobs satchel

i'm back!

fall running is my favorite: everything is so crisp!

well, i'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but it's been twelve days since my last post, and i can't say i have a very good reason for that other than the usual 'i've been busy at work' and 'there just aren't enough hours in the day!' so, i'm sorry about that. 

hopefully this marks a new start of more consistent posting... now that peak foliage is over {it was awesome this year, i think more so because i was in california last fall and missed it}, the days are getting shorter {noooooooooo}, and cold-ish weather is officially upon us, no more excuses for lack of blogging! 

to apologize, here are a few iphone snaps of what's been taking up my time while not blogging... mostly a lot of dogs and some mountains. 

beautiful foliage, as seen from a hike earlier in the month.

taking my parent's dog on a walk on a very rainy afternoon.

boyfriend and i are proud parents of this little pup, who happens to have a small obsession with apples.

october obsessions

october is my birthday month {wahoo!} and so my obsessions post this month is a little bit {ok, a lotta bit} extravagant and a little bit wish list. but, if i had a fairy godmother, i'd ask for these classic pieces that i've been craving of late.

1. a classic trench in an updated style, like this better-sweater coat from patagonia.
2. i have been lusting over this DSLR canon. love, love love.
3. classic gold watch, and michael kors does it best.
4. the perfect fall/winter fragrance, and i'm obsessed with eau de noho by bond no. 9.
5. cozy vests are a necessity for new england fall's. thank you, j. crew.
6. lately, i've been all about dainty, gold jewelry. this signet ring, and this tiny diamond ring are simple, everyday pieces. 
7. i have a coffee table book obsession and want to add these books highlighting the work of dior and tim walker to my collection.
8. nobody makes boots better than frye.

does anybody else like making extravagant wish lists as much as i do?!

printed walls

i have to admit, when i think wallpaper, i can only think of this scene in Garden State...

...which is unfortunate, because printed walls are such a cool and fun way to spice up any living space. to try and make my mental wallpaper image a little better, i've been keeping my eyes peeled for inspiring printed walls. personally, i would keep the crazy, printed wallpaper to an accent wall or something of the sort, but i do admire the more adventurous designers who can make a whole room both printed and chic. 

with such a bright color and vibrant print such as these walls, it's important to keep the rest of the decor simple and elegant. 

how awesome is this! at first glance this is such a girly wallpaper... but look closely and you'll see it's really images of cowboys and oil wells!

the circus is coming to town! and adding a touch of whimsy to a wall near you!

i'm LOVING this zebra print, especially with yellow. ok... maybe i'm just infatuated with everything about this bedroom...

one of the few examples where i think i would like having a whole room {as long as it's a tiny bathroom} wallpapered... doggy print! obsessed.

for those of us less inclined to permanently alter our walls, use a wallpaper insert instead! easy to move around if you change your mind. 

how perfect is this bathroom!? sailboats? orange? those tiles!!?

yep, i definitely think i could jump onboard the wallpaper train, as long as it's full of charming prints or something floral! how do you feel about wallpapered rooms? do you have any favorite prints?

images: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

{clearly, i love the design aesthetic of Bailey McCarthy, three of those photos are from her interior designs!}

tunes for tuesday: chromatics

digging this neil young cover by chromatics from their latest album 'kill for love.' totally mellow, this stuff is perfect for long car trips. {i listened to their older album 'night drive' a bunch of times on my first trip across the country}

quoted

one of my favorite quotes-- for inspiration after a rainy weekend.

image via my pinterest.

to-do lists

photo taken by my sister

this weekend marked the beginning of a new season officially, and with that, i feel it's appropriate to make a list of goals to accomplish in the upcoming months. i've always felt that fall time meant getting back to business and buckling down after the easy-going summer months have passed, and i've always been a little obsessed with making lists...so here goes!

-- read at least three books (i never seem to have enough time to read any more, and it's one of my favorite things!)
-- make time to send handwritten notes to friends and family who are far-flung across the states
-- take full advantage of the beautiful landscape of new england and continue to hike and camp on days off from work (even as it gets colder!)
-- run a half marathon in november (and train for it!)
--save more money!
--prepare for the big move to colorado by editing my possessions to only things i love, and keep looking for jobs out west!

do you set goals as the seasons change? what's on your list of things to do?

inspired by: lorry newhouse

Olivia Palermo is one of my biggest fashion icons of the moment, and so of course i frequent her blog for style tips and inspiration. last night i was catching up with her take on New York Fashion Week, and loved the blurb on Lorry Newhouse's barbie-esque collection for next spring. i found her ready-to-wear collection to be like the confetti sprinkles on an overly frosted cake: sweet, decadent, and decidedly girly. but hey, i do love my pink and sparkles, absolutely loved the bright pumps paired with each look, and really would love to rock awesome sunnies like the ones she featured, so this collection is definitely an inspiration i'll be channeling come springtime. 

on a side note, if i ever have a daughter, i will definitely be painting her childhood room in a similar fashion to the wallpaper see here. so cute and whimsical!

all images via here

beaming

by nature, my style trends toward feminine, classic design, with a touch of eclectic and rustic pieces thrown in there. (that sounds kind of confusing...but it's what i love) a perfect example of this is my love of exposed, rough cut beams for the interiors of homes. i think it stems from my fascination with farmhouses and barns (i do live in new england after all!)

i think the mix of delicate, feminine details juxtaposed with the hearty, masculine beam in the third image is a great example of the style i try to exude, both with fashion and with interior decor. do you enjoy exposed beams as much as i do? 

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

perfect pout

image

for the past few months (well, years really, but who's counting?), i've been trying to come up with a skin care/makeup routine that suits my problematic skin and doesn't take hours to get through. i've come to the point where i'm fairly satisfied with basics of my regime (save for a little bit of tweaking that needs to happen) and am trying to switch gears to the fun side of makeup. i've been experimenting more and more with lipsticks because i don't like the long process of putting on eye shadow, and frankly i think lipstick colors are just more playful and it's easier to make a statement with them. i found my favorite shades (all by NARS), but worry that sometimes lipstick looks too done up or heavy. Any suggestions for a girl new to the lipstick world? and how exactly do i get them to stay on my lips for more then an hour?!

i love how Roman Holiday and Red Lizard pop with my coloring, and Honolulu Honey and Belle de Jour are great for casual everyday wear, i've even been pairing them with NARS lip glosses for added depth.

tunes for tuesday: mumford & sons

new mumford & sons music make me a very happy camper. i listened to their last album about a million times and never got sick of it. hopefully this new one (out september 24!) will be just as good!

feeling foxy

fun fox prints are popping up all over the place this fall, and i would love to be curled up with these sly little fellows as the days get shorter and leaves start to crunch under my feet.

cozy wool fox sweater// bright earrings for a pop of color// striped pencil skirt and solid tights// riding boots to pull the look together// whimsical pouch for odds and ends

inspired by: balmain

yesterday, i finally got the chance to peruse my copy of Harper's Bazaar fall runway report, and i fell immediately in love with Balmain's collection, inspired by a Fabregé egg. so luxe, so detailed, and so, so beautiful. 

all images via here

it seems to me that opulence and sparkling embellishment are all the rage for the coming season. how would you recreate this trend for the autumn? i would wear cool embellished shorts, a subtle sparkly sweater, black wedge booties, and an awesome motorcycle jacket.

FNO 2012!

haute hiking

as seen here, one of my favorite ways to spend time is hiking around the woods. lucky for me, i live near to both the green mountains and the adirondacks, so finding fun hiking trails isn't too hard. one of my goals for the upcoming year is to do more overnight backpacking and explore other mountain ranges i haven't had the chance to see yet. 

pumped up at the start of an awesome hike in utah. can't wait to do more of this!

hiking (and outdoor activities in general) are not often considered particularly fashionable endeavors. however, i'm here to tell you that there are a lot of really cute (and still practical) gear that will make your nature adventure much more comfortable and therefore more fun. 

1. this jacket by Arc'teryx is great for fall hiking because it is both breathable (for the ascent) and warm (for chilly breezes at the summit). Arc'teryx gear is really light to carry and packs down pretty small if you end up getting too hot while you hike up.
2. a classic swiss army knife can help with many sticky situations, and it's smart to always keep one (as well as a first aid kit) in your pack in case of emergencies.
3. a durable daypack like this one from Gregory is a hiking must have. It should be able to carry extra layers, water, snacks, bug repellent, and your trail map (also, in my case, dog treats for the pups). 
4. snacks. nothing tastes better to me than a smooshed pb&j sandwich and some fresh fruit on the top of a mountain. i also like baby carrots and sugar snap peas for a quick and tasty source energy. 
5. a large waterbottle is super important. even on a cold day, you need to be drinking tons of water on hikes in order to avoid dehydration.
6. i'm obsessed with wool socks. they are wicking, warm, durable, and comfortable, not to mention come in tons of colors and patterns. 
7. base layers, like this one from lululemon are essential for keeping your body dry while you sweat. i love these because they have anti-stink properties and come in such pretty colors!
8. a solid pair of hiking boots will get you through the day without being miserable because your feet are sore. i prefer ones that go to the ankle for added support. 
9. a comfy pair of workout tights to stretch all the ways you move and keep you warm.

so there you have it! do you like hiking? how to you keep fashionable on the trail?

tunes for tuesday: first aid kit

first off, i'm obsessed with this video because it's set at joshua tree national park in california, which holds a lot of good memories for me and is probably the most unique place that i've ever been. additionally, i love the folky, country sound of the band First Aid Kit which surprisingly hails from sweden and not nashville... you'll see what i mean when you take a listen. 

september obsessions

at the moment i'm mostly drawn to accessories and interesting pieces for the home. little details totally pull a look (or a room!) together in a snap and these are the perfect balance of classic and quirky.

1. these adorable hoops look like little twigs!
2. Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle perfume is a welcome change from my summertime scents: elegant and warm
3. wall-mounted, brass stag would be such a cool addition to a living space wall
4. mochacino: a sparkly, brown, autumnal nail color
5. the perfect everyday bag, love the size!
6. my obsession with amazing coffee table books continues
7. i am so in love with this beautiful Arthur Elgort print
8. the classic Michael Kors watch
9. little leather booties by Madewell... part of the fall uniform!

home again, home again

this is how peaceful i feel when i'm oceanside. it doesn't get better than salty water, sunshine, sand, and ocean air. (image via here)

well, i'm back! my little visit to the cape was a great, relaxing way to end a pretty awesome new england summer. below are some of my favorite moments that the iphone was able to capture ( i'd say it's about time to invest in a real camera, what do you think?!)

view on our walk to the beach//posing before dinner//a beautiful sunset//beach essentials: a good book, sunscreen, and a hat//view of sailboats in the harbor//sunning myself//quality time with my yiayia//sister looking bronzed//beautiful lighting right before sunset