Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays to all!

There are many reasons I have been out of touch these last few weeks, the final one involving my travel plans and the extreme delays they suffered for the holidays. I am finally home in Des Moines & snug in my bed, having been blessed to spend time with family & friends since my arrival.

I am so thankful for every opportunity I've had this year, especially the amazing people I've met who've only begun to impact my life. I can't wait to see what next year will bring! I am thankful to you, whoever you are, reading this, for giving me inspiration. May you be blessed in all your days to come, too.

image via

I'll be back later this week with regular posts & all the things I need to catch you up on!

xx

P.S. It's cold and snowy here, so the image above seemed so fitting! Winter wonderland.

Thinking Ahead.

Okay, I'm probably the 5 millionth blogger to post about Tibi's fabulous Resort 2013 collection, but it's so incredible I can't help myself (I'm really dying to get my hands on this skirt and this dress).

The thing I love most about Tibi is how incredibly wearable the pieces are for anyone no matter age or location, or even hour of the day (hello, whimsical lobster sweater!).

all items available via SHOPBOP

It's time to step up my game & get my hands on a few of these gorgeous pieces (maybe it will be those to-die-for red trousers...)

xx

Decorating for the Holidays (Tree-less style!)

I have always celebrated Christmas with my family, but moving halfway across the country kind of throws a wrench in the whole decorating-holiday-spirit thing, especially when you: a. Have roommates b. Two of those roommates are Jewish c. Will actually be home for Christmas this year (unlike last year, where I DID spend it in NYC, with cousins).

I decided I had to go out and get some sort of tree this year, albeit one that is only a foot tall and is actually a potted plant. It is now wrapped in Hanukkah lights, representing the beautiful multi-cultural apartment I live in!

I haven't been home a lot this month to get much other decorating in, but I wanted to share some of the beautiful inspiration I found for decorating without a tree. These ideas are so adorable, I'm already feeling inspired for next year!

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Completely adoring that wreath of glass ornaments! Such a fun way to add color and holiday cheer to a room.

xx

Leopard Sweater + Bright Accents

A cozy sweater, a white t-shirt, and some bright pops of color (hello, yellow!)...this outfit has all of my favorite things in it! I'm so glad I got to snap it in front of the gorgeous Gramercy Park downtown, which still had some pops of color left in it for me (thanks Jessica for taking my photos).

Coat, Guess | Sweater, Loft | Jeans, 7 For All Mankind | Boots, Chinese Laundry

T-Shirt, Target | Bracelets, all Sequin | Rings, vintage finds/gifts from family

Diamond Palm Tree Necklace, Greenberg's | Lipstick, NARS Matte in Carthage

This super-casual look sums up so much of my personal style-classic skinnies, boots, and a white T, with a little bling & an unexpected pattern. It'll definitely be a repeat, I'm sure!

Happy Tuesday!

xx

Small Gifts...for Her!

I leave for home in less than two weeks, and I finally have my focus on gift-giving!

As much as I'd love to share some of my real pics for the lovely ladies in my life, I don't want to give anything away before they get their presents...so instead, I've rounded up some of my other favorite small items (and maybe one not so small painting) to gift any woman in your life. be it a mom, sister, friend, all under $100.

C. Wonder Tote, $78, comes in five classic colors to store everything needed for a holiday party

Fresh Sugar Gift Set , $28, has three of their mainstay products for the beauty product lover

Julep Winter Collection 2012, $34, includes classic red & gold with some of the season's hottest colors

luluanddrew Metallic Confetti Painting, $81, adds a shiny pop of art to a room (16x20)

west elm Figurative Owl Mug, $10, cute & cozy, perfect for tea, coffee or hot cocoa on any cold day

D. S. and Durga Poppy Rouge Perfume, $94, crafted in small batches & full of beautiful floral scents

reWined Champagne Candle, $28, makes any room smell like a party (I have the riesling right now!)

Zara Combination Knit Gloves, $25.90, sleek, classic, warm...what more could you ask for?

Baublebar Hexa Bangle (Emerald/Azure), $24 each, spices up an arm party with rich color

xx

Words to Live By

image via

How incredibly true. I hope everyone has the most wonderful weekend.

xx

Party Feathers

I wore this blouse & skirt to work last week when we had a press event to show our latest collections. The whimsical feather pattern and vivid colors drew me to it immediately, even though it's not the type of top I normally go for. This is probably the most black I've worn at once in months! 

Blouse, Loft | Skirt, H&M (old)

Necklace, Sequin

Lipstick, NARS Matte in Carthage

Tights, DKNY | Shoes, Kensie

These lace tights are one of my favorite pairs; they hold out wind and they're just the right amount of skin for any occasion, whether it's work or the weekend. 

I was lucky enough to have Tracy shoot my photos for me (I still haven't had to screw around with a tripod, & I'm glad!) on the roof of Jen's new apartment in Manhattan this weekend! We were sipping mimosas, naturally-that's how everyone spends their Sundays, right? 

Jen, Me, Jessica & Tracy

I love our collection of glam looks-from lace to studs to fur. Cheers!

xx

Home of the Week: Cozy Neutrals + French Flair

There's something about a neutral palette that's really been tugging at me lately. Maybe it's the idea of a fresh start, and the opportunity to change the details often without having to repaint (...although I do love a good coat of paint).

Architect Carlos Aparicio filled his Florida home with unique items and hard to find antiques that still give a modern vibe (read up about all the amazing detail here!). Enough with words, though; I'd rather let this beautiful home speak for itself.

all images via

Happy Wednesday!

xx

Citrus-hued Colorblocking

I met up with Jessica, Jen and Tracy this weekend to check out Jen's incredibly cute (her adorable mantle!) new apartment before getting brunch at The Bluebell Cafe, a country-chic restaurant in Gramercy.

It's December now and most people are wearing heavy, dark coats & lots of black (not that wearing lots of black is new for NYC), so naturally I wore bright green jeans & a yellow coat with pink lipstick. I kind of stick out a lot in my neighborhood full of families & Greek & Italian immigrants.

Coat, Guess (old) | Scarf, Loft | Jeans, BDG at Urban Outfitters (similar style) | Gloves, Zara

Top, Anthropologie | Bracelets, Sequin (old) | Earrings, Brooklyn Flea | Rings, vintage & family gifts

Shoes, Zara

xx

Lately.

This week has been a little crazier than I'd imagined it to be. I saw three movies in 6 days (as part of my Oscar movie challenge-more on that in a later post, I'm sure!), held a press event at work, did some holiday shopping and on Wednesday I got dinner with my girls Tracy, Jen and Jessica to belatedly celebrate Tracy's birthday! It was exactly the lift I needed after my last couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to a relaxing, slow-paced weekend after tomorrow.

Walking to the subway after dinner.

Busting out my yellow winter coat. Hands down, one of my favorite things I own. 

I hope everyone has a FABULOUS weekend!

xx

P.S. Follow me on Instagram!

Home of the Week: Vibrant Color, Flatiron District

**I'm setting a new goal, to bring you one home, place, room, etc. that I really love, each week. What better day than Wednesday? It is the middle of the week & we could all use a boost from a gorgeous space to get us to Friday!**

This week's home comes from Drake Design Associates; a beautiful, colorful space in the Flatiron District of NYC. If I haven't made it clear yet, there is a huge chunk of my personality that adores rich, bright colors. My winter coat is vibrantly yellow, and when combined with my long and very blonde hair I may as well be wearing a strobe around my neck in the winter, especially in this city of dark clothes and dark hair. There are other parts of my personality devoted to modern lines, clean spaces and that ever-lovable French-country-chic. They'll manifest later, don't you worry. 

I've been extremely attracted to the oft-underrated color purple lately (royalty, anyone?), especially that bright jewel-tone it can take on (as spotted on this magnificent turquoise couch in SoHo last weekend). The beauty in these rooms comes from their bold use of unusual colors, graphic patterns and clean lines.

Lastly, as every good design junkie knows, it's all about the details...and does it get any better than having a Chuck Close hanging in your apartment??

The pops of teal really pull everything together for me (that, and the yellow bedroom!). Getting my head out of the clouds now, and filing this home away as inspiration for later. 

xx

Holiday Hostess Gifts-Under $50!

Your immediate family, extended family, close friends, co-workers...gift buying lists can get long, fast! Sometimes it can be hard to find time to squeeze in a gift for your host(ess) when attending a party; these great finds are all under $50!

You can never go wrong with a small home item (colored glass votives, or handblown vase, anyone?). Scented soaps are a simple & appreciated gift any time of year, and-let's take a minute to talk about those champagne flutes!! I love the solid, sturdy base, perfect for those friends with slippery fingers once they're a glass (or two!) in.

The best tip I've heard this season? Keep a small basket of giftable items around (and I think this should be any time of year-not just the holidays!) and you'll have something on hand even when you're dashing out the door at the last minute. 

Holiday Gift Cards, Terrain | Animal Calendar, west elm | Colored Glass Votives, C. Wonder

Grapefruit soap, fresh | Chalkboard Canister, Crate & Barrel | Aqua Handblown Vase, Tosel and Glass

Vintage Cocktails book, Amazon | Penguin Dessert Plates, west elm | Verve Flute, Crate & Barrel

I think I'll be picking up a few of those flutes for myself-New Year's Eve party, anyone?

xx

Booties with an Edge

Sorry to have gone a little MIA last week...I spent the days I had to work running around trying to get everything done, and then switched immediately to cooking mode to prep for the nearly 20 people we had in our apartment on Thanksgiving! It was a complete success, with enough leftovers to get us through the weekend.

After that came lazy mode (...and a little shopping, what can I say). I'm on the lookout for some new shoes & after two recent purchases of studded pieces, I've decided boot(ies) with an edge is my new thing for this season. The key thing to look for is an unexpected detail or fabric, whether it's a rich dark color, studs, or-my latest favorite-shiny, gold metals.

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I think those gold Rag & Bone's might be my next investment. Aren't they completely FABULOUS?

xx

Style it: Ballet Skirt

I've been obsessing (drooling, dreaming, craving, you name it) over this Anthropologie skirt for several weeks nows. Being a dancer my entire life, I'm always drawn to things that remind me of it, like tulle and sequins and romantic layers.

I thought I'd showcase the skirt with some other pretty things for late fall, but then I realized-that's not how I would wear it! For me, a pretty and very girly skirt needs some touches of edge to make it realistic for everyday life, and bright red lips & nails to tie it all together.

Skirt, Anthropologie | Necklace, Shorouk | Sweater, Madewell | Clutch, MICHAEL Michael Kors

Lipstick, NARS Semi-Matte in Heat Wave | Nail Polish, Butter London in Knees-Up | Shoes, Zara

How would you style this pretty skirt?

xx

Words to Live By

Things have been a little crazy & hectic in my life lately, so this morning I would just like to share a quote with you. Don't worry, I'll be back with normal posts later this week.

xx