Under the Weather

Today in Santa Barbara is one of the chillier days that we have had in a while and I also woke up with a terrible cold.  The work day today seems to be never ending, but I am definitely looking forward to cuddling up in my blankets in my most comfortable clothes and catching up on some much neglected reading. 

What are some things that make you feel better when you are under the weather? Homemade chicken noodle soup, mint tea, and very plush tissues are mine. 

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Food, Wine, and Great Friends

Loving this happy little thought for a busy Tuesday.  I sometimes feel slightly overwhelmed before I entertain, but once everyone is over eating, drinking, and laughing I cannot help but to enjoy myself and have a wonderful time! I hope that you have an absolutely lovely day and can spend some of this evening relaxing with family and friends. 

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Academy Awards

Last night I had some friends over for an Academy Awards party and we had a fantastic time drinking champagne and enjoying some of a fudge brownie pie.  The show was so wonderful to watch and I was excited for all of the actors, actresses, directors, producers, ect...that won an oscar! I was especially thrilled to see "The Artist" win for best picture and to see Jean Dujardin win an oscar for best actor when he only said two words in the entire movie! All that I can say about that is WOW!!! 


Another reason to watch "the fancy superbowl" (aka the red carpet portion of the show) is obviously to see the amazing dresses and breathtaking jewelry.


I enjoyed seeing all of the fashion last night! So many of the women perfectly embodied old hollywood glamour...the '20s hair, diamond jewelry, and sequined gowns! Other actresses, like Michelle Williams, looked fresh, youthful and modern which I also loved! Here are my top three pics from the night, but there were so many stunning gowns it was so hard to choose! Which were your favorites...and least favorites? 

And here is Hollywood's new leading man accepting his Oscar for best actor. So handsome!  

{ Dress Images found here }

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"The Artist"

With the Academy Awards coming up this Sunday evening I have to tell you all about the movie "The Artist"! It is up for best picture and it is amazing! Dan and I went to see it earlier this week and we both really enjoyed it! It was definitely a different experience than what we are used to now (special effects and lots of drama), but the black and white silent movie was so fun to see in theaters! I fell in love with all of the characters (especially Uggie the dog!) and was captivated by the storyline, music, and all of the stunning dresses that Peppy Miller wore.  I HIGHLY recommend it! I hope that you all have a fabulous Friday! 

{ Images found here, here, and here }

T-Rex Trying

How funny are these drawings of a T-rex trying to do different daily tasks! This little guy reminds me of the dinosaur from "Toy Story". I think my favorite one is T-rex trying to floss! Enjoy and I hope that everyone has a great Thursday afternoon. 

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Leopard, Love, and a Sale!

LF is an amazing store and currently they are having their 60% off sale! And not only 60% off of part of their merchandise ... EVERYTHING is on sale! I went into their Santa Barbara location the other day and they were so helpful and let me pick out a few of my favorite items to take pictures in.  Inspired by Valentine's Day I ended up choosing a leopard dress, a red skirt, and a giant "love" necklace.  I purchased a cream blouse and black booties but I am seriously considering going back for this fabulous dress...

  

{ Photos taken by Lauren from http://goldenwhitedecor.blogspot.com/ }

Real Girl Fashion at NYFW

I spent last week dreaming of fashion week. People always look at the collections, which makes sense since that what the event is for, but I find the behind the scenes pictures to be incredibly interesting.  I ran across these photos (found here) of women leaving different shows.  Wouldn't it be so much fun to dress up for fashion week? Since it was very cold I can see how it would be challenging, but these women look absolutely fabulous despite the weather.  

Loving her look...printed pants, graphic stilettos, an army green blazer, and fur! 

This coat, her jewelry, her boots, I am in LOVE...

Northern California Adventures

Today my sister and I are driving home from Santa Barbara to Los Gatos. Luckily most of the drive is along the coast and so the views are breathtaking! This weekend will be one full of adventure, from San Francisco Friday to Carmel and Pebble Beach for Saturday.  I am looking forward to all of the family and relaxation time.  I hope that you all are having a wonderful Thursday and have fantastic plans to look forward to for the weekend. 

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Fashion Advice for the Day

Girls night out always calls for a stylish and daring ensemble.  The other night some girlfriends and I went out for drinks and I dove into my closet to find the perfect outfit.  I landed on grey super skinny jeans with zippers on the ankles, my black leather stilettos, a low cut patterned top, and a blazer with metallic details.  I topped off the look with necklaces, my pewter cuff, and a giant cocktail ring. Seems like there is a lot going on with the geometric pattern on the top, mixed metallics, and LOTS of jewelry, but when I put it all together it worked! Fashion Advice for the day: Take some fashion risks, be confident about it, and you will look fabulous! 

{ Top: BCBG, Blazer: Nordstrom, Jeans: AG jeans, Pumps: Jessica Simpson, Cuff: Macy's, Cocktail Ring: Free People, Top Necklace: Nordstrom, Bottom Necklace: Lucky Brand, Clutch: Kitsch Couture }

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope that you all have a lovely Valentine's day full of kisses, hugs, and chocolate! Whether you are spending the holiday with a significant other, friends, or family I know that everyone will have a fabulous evening! 

When we were younger my family would all have dinner at home together, my mom and dad would make us lobster and steak.. such a treat! Tonight I get to spend the evening with my boyfriend Dan we are trying a new Italian place and I cannot wait!! 

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Favorite Looks of the Night, 2012 Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards is always a night full of fantastic performances, and also bold fashion statements.  The music during the show was amazing and I enjoyed watching the red carpet interviews.  There were for sure some people however that missed the mark and looked like they were going to a costume party rather than an event (cough cough Nicki Minaj), but there were a few dresses that took my breath away.  

I picked four favorites:

The first two are both completely embellished fitted silhouettes. Jessie J's dress by Julien Macdonald was a gorgeous shade of pewter and her hair, makeup, and accessories perfectly complimented the look.  Taylor Swift always looks fantastic on the red carpet, but her dress by Zuhair Murad was over the top incredible.  The soft golden color complimented her skin perfectly and I love the way that the high neck framed her face without looking stuffy.  I literally could stare at the beading on this dress all day! 

The second two are completely different because they are both black and much more streamlined than the embellished gowns. Rihanna's dress by Giorgio Armani is unbelievable! It’s incredibly sexy, but somehow she pulls it off without looking skanky.  I cannot get over the back of the dress.  I love how she paired it with streamlined accessories.  Corrine Bailey Rae has been one of my absolute favorite singers to listen to and last night I thought that she looked adorable! Her dress by Christian Siriano was edgy and girly all at once and I am obsessed with her ultra-high black pumps and her haircut!

 

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Wonderfully Girly Weekend

Happy Friday everyone! I am incredibly excited for this weekend full of desserts, romantic movies that will surely make me cry, a ballet barre class, catching up with friends, window shopping, and a polo match.  I hope that you all have wonderful things ahead for the next few days and that you let yourself indulge in some of that valentine's day chocolate! 

The Hot New Shoe Trend!

I am seeing ankle straps on heels all over the place for this upcoming season and if I do say so I am very excited about it! I have always loved the look and I hesitated wearing them because well...I had been told by a few people they looked a little trashy, but now I am thinking that idea is old school and so I am throwing it out the window!  Here are a few pairs I have seen online that I think are adorable and best of all these is something for everyone (well almost...)! Enjoy!!! 

For the girl whose wardrobe can be described by the phrase "streamlined sophistication" 

For the girl who loves luxury and glamour

For the girl who is daring and likes to show off her bad side

For the ultimate girly girl! Pink and Bows! 

For the boho hippie girl 

For the girl who loves to show off her sexy side

 { Can be ordered:  here, here, here, here, here, here }

Luxury Camping!

As a family we grew up camping...and no not luxury camping, but we all loved it.  Roasting marshmallows, the clear skies, delicious food, and lots of land to run around and play games in.  Now that we are older we don't camp as often, we more often than not prefer a vacation where we can be a little more relaxed and pampered.  Part of me misses the camping and so I was so excited to run across this luxury campsite called Paws up in Montana.  How amazing would it be to rent one of these tents that include a king bed, electricity, heated floors, woodsy decor, and a bathroom? The perfect relaxing glamorous vacation without loosing the fun activities and pastimes associated with camping.  Sign me up! 

{ Information and Images found here }

It's Raining it's Pouring!

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain drops...it hardly ever rains in Santa Barbara.  Hearing the raindrops on my patio is so calming and now I am having the hardest time getting out of my PJs and out of the door to go running.  I have decided to take a lazy morning I just made some tea, turned on some Live with Kelly, and decided to do some work at home and go in at lunch. Hope that you all are having a lovely cozy Tuesday morning! 

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Valentine's Day Gifts for your Girls!

Here is a list of gifts for your amazing girlfriends! All of these are under $25 and will definitely bring beaming smiles to their faces on Valentine's day! 

Image found here, perfect little rose studs that she can wear any day or everyday! So Delicate and Adorable! 

Such a sweet mug, perfect for her morning coffee or tea

Key to my heart hook! Perfect for hanging those long necklaces that always get tangled! 

Relaxed heart tee, perfect for a valentines day chick flick night! 

A romantic classic to enjoy on relaxing nights in! 

Adorable necklace to remind her that she is loved! 

Fun flirty vintage panties!