Join the Club.

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Forget the ease of never having to leave your couch – I’m convinced online shopping is such a hit because getting a box in the mail feels like you’re getting a christmas present (even if you did buy it for yourself and it’s not wrapped)…

‘Of the Month’ clubs take it one exciting step further and urge you to give yourself a gift every thirty odd days.  Here, a few reasonably priced options in case you’re in the mood to ‘treat yo’ self’.  

 Nest: We’ve all heard of the wine and cheese clubs, but iGourmet makes it so much more interesting with their ‘Connoisseur’ of the Month club.  Each month a particular country or region is featured (or even just a particular flavor – say wasabi) and you receive a package to help introduce you to a perhaps unfamiliar taste.  An amazing wedding gift idea for a couple that hopes to someday do a bit of traveling, or simply to help get yourself out of that pizza rut.

Dressed: Stylemint, Shoemint, Intimint and Jewelmint all follow the same basic premise.  You pay your monthly dues (in Jewelmint’s case $29.99) and in turn can pick any piece from their collection to make your own.  Jewelmint’s collection nails it every time – modern statement pieces that no one will guess you didn’t buy on Shopbop for triple the price.  

The Rest: Olive Box breaks the ‘of the month’ club mold.  This fairly new company sends out a surprise package to you each month focused on the joy of paper goods (a beautiful notecard, hand stamped stickers, washi tape, etc).  They all focus on a particular seasonal theme and hold a collection of brands they feel their audience would love.  The best part is that you can pay for just one month (and say, gift this to your Mom for a super unique Mother’s Day gift), or for a year and make every month feel like your birthday.  




Weekend Flashback.

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It felt like Spring this weekend in California and the only suitable way to celebrate that is to be outside as much as possible.  We’re slowly but surely making progress decorating the home (and I promise a tour will follow on the blog) and also slowly getting to know our neighborhood and surrounding areas (which, lucky for us, includes the picture perfect Marina Del Rey).  I’m off to the Magic Tradeshow in Vegas this week for work, so while I’ll have posts happening here – be sure to follow me on Instagram to get a behind the scenes look at my day to day!  


Go Bold.

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With Valentine’s Day over and Fashion Week coming to a close, if you’re anything like me than the winter blues are starting to set in.  My advice for breaking out of the ‘Spring is how many months away?’ rut… go bold.  Wear a snakeskin pump on a grey day (these from Madewell are an extra 30% off their sale price this weekend).  Treat yourself to a standout hat or pair of sunglasses (both practical and mood lifting!).  Don’t be afraid to pair those printed pants with a printed top.  Take a cue from these lovely ladies and beat winter at it’s own game.  Happy Friday!

Sporty Spice.

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It probably comes as no surprise that I was a fan of the Fall ’13 J.Crew presentation yesterday…  


The rich colors, tiled geometric prints, jewel encrusted accents and gleaming shoes were more than enough to swoon over.  The collection was largely inspired by the head Women’s designer’s recent trip to Morocco – but interpreted through the hands of their signature classic cool mix.  So an elegant silk shawl collar coat was worn with a bedazzled baseball cap.  And sky high silver heels were tossed on with skinny sweatpants.  Needless to say, there were tons of styling tips to start putting into practice far before next Fall.  The above look is just one example – a shot of citrus pair of pants and deep burgundy slouchy sweater  were made to be topped with an exotic textured jacket to tie it all together.  A leather baseball cap and rose gold pumps make it all seem effortless.

J.Crew Fall ’13 Look
1. Asos baseball cap
2. French Connection Jacket
3. Topshop Sweater
4. Gap Jeans
5. Threadsence Heels

Wearing his Letter.

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 While for the most part, I dress for myself and my own daily mood – I will fully admit to wearing things that I suspect the boy may like as well.  And as previously stated here, I have a real sentimental streak when it comes to getting dressed…
So, this Varsity Jacket was basically made for me – it’s sentimental (his last name starts with a ‘B’ and I’ve always loved the nostalgic thought of wearing someone’s letterman jacket), and the boy always seems to get a real kick out of me wearing anything sporty (as it were, he also loves those wedge high top sneakers pictured).  For a stroll around the flora filled back streets of Venice, I paired it with a match-my-surroundings floral dress.  With Valentine’s Day a couple of days away, I think there’s a misconception that you’ve got to run out and buy a little black dress – but there’s other ways to wear your heart on your sleeve.      

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The-Steele-Maiden-Wearing-his-LetterForever 21 Jacket (old, similar here)Steve Madden SneakersNanette Lepore Dress (old, from sample sale)Target Sunglasses (black version)Hue Tights