Etcetera, Gifts

New Year’s Eve Party Essentials

With NYE quickly approaching, it is time to check off your list of party essentials. Whether you are hosting or simply attending, jazz up the New Year’s Eve festivities with these items.   Champagne and ringing in the New Year come hand in hand. Whether you drink it solo, or add some bubbles to your fancy cocktail, you have to fit it in there somewhere. Dress up your bar cart this year with the 2015 Holiday Limited Addition Bottle by Chandon! This pretty little thing not only tastes good, but it looks good too! Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a bottle of Chandon near you.     Half the fun is in the glass! Is it just me, or do you agree that your adult beverage tastes better when you drink it out of pretty drink ware?! If we are on the same wavelength, hear me out. Sip in style with the Ambrose Champagne Flutes from the one and only Anthropologie. If you’re afraid of breakage, check out this durable plastic version from Target.     What fun is a house party without a sweet treat or two, or three if you’re me?! […]

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December 29, 2015 by
Fashion, Outfit of the Day

Perfect Patterned Jacket

As a professional shopper, aka fashion blogger, I am no longer a “grazer” at the mall. What I mean by that is that I try to shop with intention. Either I have a vision of an outfit I want to put together, or I am on the hunt for a specific style top to match with a particular style of bottoms that I already own. I failed epically when I came across this patterned jacket last week at H&M…oops!     Without a plan in sight, I had no idea how I would style this jacket at the time of purchase. Luckily, I did know that it was too good to pass up, or it would have haunted me in my outfit dreams! Anyway, when you live in a moderate climate like San Francisco, you can never own enough lightweight jackets. I rarely leave the house without something to wrap up in once the sun goes down. Being a rather low key weekend, I paired this jacket with flare jeans. Although I debated over winter white, or traditional blue, I stuck with a classic hue hoping to accentuate the jacket’s tribal print. To pull out the golden tones I accessorized […]

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December 28, 2015 by
Food, Recipes

Wake up and Smell the Cinnamon Buns!

So the family is in town and you’re essentially running a bed and breakfast out of your own home…why harp over complicated recipes, when you can wow your guests with “short cut” concoctions at mealtime. After all, it is the thought that counts, right?! Short cut cinnamon buns are finger-licking good, and ever so satisfying for breakfast. The best part about ’em is that the recipe only calls for five ingredients – most of which you probably already have in your pantry, and you prep them overnight. Here is what you’ll officially need to whip up a batch: 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding mix 1/3 cup melted butter 2 tsp cinnamon 20 Rhodes frozen rolls  dough balls   I could not find the proper dinner rolls, so I used frozen loaves of bread dough, instead. After properly thawing the bread item, grease a bundt pan, and toss in rolls or cut up pieces (I used about 15). Next, sprinkle with dry ingredients in the following order: brown sugar, vanilla pudding mix, cinnamon. After that, top with melted butter. Cover lightly with a damp kitchen towel and leave to rise overnight on the kitchen counter. Bake at […]

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December 25, 2015 by
Etcetera, Fashion, Gifts, Wish List Wednesday

Wish List Wednesday: Last Minute Gift Guide for Her

Although you may have missed the deadline to online shop for the big day, the good news is you still have time to support good ole brick and mortar stores. Below are a few items that would be on my holiday lust list, that any lady friend would also appreciate.   I have never met a reader of this blog who doesn’t like Sephora. I think it’s safe to say that Sephora is the adult version of a candy store. But don’t let this overwhelm you. Rather than attempting to surprise her with a new shade of lipstick, go with something she would not normally buy herself that doesn’t require a tester. Gift her a new brush set! The Teddy Bear Hair 5 Piece Brush Set by Too Faced is perfect. She’ll be all set to powder, line, contour, and blend with this set. Not to mention the packaging is darling.     If that special someone in your life goes au natural 90% of the time, maybe she will not get as much use out of the brushes than most. Pamper her instead with a Blowout! There is nothing more enjoyable than sitting back and relaxing while someone else […]

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December 23, 2015 by
Fashion, Outfit of the Day

Green Halter Dress

Twirl through the holiday season in the Bow is Me Green Halter Dress by lulu*s! If you need it by Friday, no need to worry. Order by 11 AM PST today (December 22nd) and choose overnight shipping at checkout. You won’t regret it.     When I laid eyes on this dress, one word came to mind…RETRO! There is something so fun about a full skirt like this. It reminds me of the dance off scene in the gymnasium in the movie Grease. No wonder I cannot help but twirl around in this little number! Aside from its great movement, the silhouette is ultra feminine. The fitted bodice and darts outline your figure nicely, while the open back adds a bit of flirty flair. The sweeping halter straps create just enough drama – something that is very necessary with a solid colored garment. To go along with the whole retro vibe, I paired this dress with vintage gold pearls and my new favorite heels (featured in last week’s Wish List Wednesday article). I polished off the look with a dainty box clutch, a pink lip, and high ponytail – the bow back is too good to coverup. How is that […]

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December 22, 2015 by