TopShop in Nordstrom also has a ton of good holiday pieces if your holiday parties are right around the corner! Click the images in the widget below to see all my favorites!
this post is brought to you in partnership with Nordstrom
Showing posts with label Black and Blue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black and Blue. Show all posts
December 9, 2014
OUTFIT TEXTURE MIXING WITH TOPSHOP
TopShop in Nordstrom also has a ton of good holiday pieces if your holiday parties are right around the corner! Click the images in the widget below to see all my favorites!
October 28, 2014
BLACK AND BLUE (AND A GIVEAWAY!)
gap jeans (similar)
I've been on a cobalt blue kick the last few months, so this bag was an absolute no brainer. And as it turns out, cobalt goes with pretty much everything. Although I wore it with neutral black, white, and denim here, I've also successfully worn it with red, brown, white, pink, olive green, gray....and the list could go on. It's also one of those year round bags that works for any season!
Want one for yourself? Well, today is your lucky day because Sassy Steals is giving away one of these bags (in the color of your choice -- there are 5 colors to choose from!), and giving you a cute "Sassy" tee!
Enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below, and good luck!
July 4, 2014
PAJAMA TO TRACK PANTS REFASHION
A few months ago I did a little poll on instagram while making a pair of track pants -- straight leg, or cuffed? I ended up going with cuffed, and I'm excited to finally share the final result! Instead of making them from scratch, I found these cute pajama pants at Target in a pretty color and subtle pattern and did an easy refashion. The project was quick and easy, and turned out so cute, if I do say so myself. Plus, they're insanely comfortable since they're originally pj's!
Also, these photos were taking before I chopped a few inches off my hair and it's making me miss those long locks like crazy. Grow, hair, grow!
Hop on over to SheKnows.com and find the full tutorial!
Happy Friday, and happy Fourth of July!
___________________________
choies jacket, c/o
DIY track pants (tutorial here)
June 23, 2014
DATE NIGHT STYLE
When we were looking for a place to live in Huntington Beach, the beach and downtown were two of the main reasons we decided on our house. We're one mile from the beach, and about ten blocks from downtown, so we can easily walk down to the water with the boys in the evening before bed, or hop over to downtown for some live music, farmers markets, or date night (since it's filled to the brim with restaurants).
My husband often wants to go casual for date night so he can wear sandals and shorts, but every once in a while I force him to put on his jeans and dress shoes and so I can put on a dress and heels. Some of our very favorite spots have been found downtown, so make sure you check out a few of my favorites below!
But first up, what to wear. If we're going dressy, I always go for a dress. A few years ago I owned only one or two dresses -- mostly skirts. But now I have a closet full of dresses and love to wear them at every opportunity. A loose fitting one is my favorite for dates so I can eat as much as I want (plus dessert) and no one is the wiser, and then it's insanely comfortable for a walk around town after we eat. This gorgeous loose fit Derek Lam dress fits the bill perfectly.
And now that you're dressed, what should you eat?? Here are a few of my favorites downtown!
1. Cucina Alessa. It's the most darling italian restaurant that's about five blocks from the water so you're a little father away from the craziness and busyness of downtown. It's always full on the weekends, so make sure you call ahead, but their pasta is amazing, and you cannot pass up the baked mozzarella appetizer.
2. Longboards Pub. This is our long time favorite brunch spot. It has outdoor seating that we always request and we love to people-watch and watch all the cars drive by as we eat. For brunch, their omelets are amazing, and for dinner I love the Longboard Sliders (which are technically appetizers, but it's plenty of food for me).
3. Ritter's Steam Kettle Cooking. This spot just opened a few weeks ago and we tried it out for date night last week. We shared the fried pickles and a giant pot of gumbo and they were both amazing. We'll definitely be going back soon.
4. Sandy's. This is a pretty little restaurant right on the sand next to the pier. I always say that if you can see the ocean from your table, the fish is guaranteed to be good. And this is for sure the case here. But they also have a really creative menu of other delicious things. I'd definitely recommend the fig, pig, and blue cheese flatbread, and the pan seared salmon, and the mixed grill (Philip about died and went to heaven when he tried the scallops).
5. Wahoo's. Although we don't ever go here for date night, it's a great spot for lunch. Their fish tacos are my favorite, but Philip always gets the kalua pig bowl and raves about it.
6. Zimzala. This is a pretty restaurant inside the Shorebreak hotel just a street over from Main and right across the street from the ocean. We haven't tried their dinner, but we did a dessert date night with Leanne and her husband when they came to stay with us over Memorial Day last year. It's on the second floor so it has a balcony full of big comfy couches that you can sit at and eat (and take in the amazing view) but there's also indoor seating. We shared four of their desserts between the four of us -- creme brรปlรฉe, breakfast cereal ice cream trio, virtual campfire s'mores, and chocolate ganache with crusty sourdough and olive oil. With choices like that, how can you even choose a favorite?
7. Bruxie. It's a fun little lunch spot just a block from the water, and everyones favorite spot to hit up after a morning at the beach. They specialize in waffles, so you can get a breakfast, lunch, or dinner waffle sandwich, and a waffle sandwich for dessert. They even have PB&J waffles for your kids. And don't forget the waffle fries! Their menu is constantly changing, but everything I've tried there is delicious!
{click on the photos below to shop the post}
Compensation for this post was provided by Neiman Marcus via AOL Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Neiman Marcus or AOL.
My husband often wants to go casual for date night so he can wear sandals and shorts, but every once in a while I force him to put on his jeans and dress shoes and so I can put on a dress and heels. Some of our very favorite spots have been found downtown, so make sure you check out a few of my favorites below!
But first up, what to wear. If we're going dressy, I always go for a dress. A few years ago I owned only one or two dresses -- mostly skirts. But now I have a closet full of dresses and love to wear them at every opportunity. A loose fitting one is my favorite for dates so I can eat as much as I want (plus dessert) and no one is the wiser, and then it's insanely comfortable for a walk around town after we eat. This gorgeous loose fit Derek Lam dress fits the bill perfectly.
photos by sara walk
And now that you're dressed, what should you eat?? Here are a few of my favorites downtown!
1. Cucina Alessa. It's the most darling italian restaurant that's about five blocks from the water so you're a little father away from the craziness and busyness of downtown. It's always full on the weekends, so make sure you call ahead, but their pasta is amazing, and you cannot pass up the baked mozzarella appetizer.
2. Longboards Pub. This is our long time favorite brunch spot. It has outdoor seating that we always request and we love to people-watch and watch all the cars drive by as we eat. For brunch, their omelets are amazing, and for dinner I love the Longboard Sliders (which are technically appetizers, but it's plenty of food for me).
3. Ritter's Steam Kettle Cooking. This spot just opened a few weeks ago and we tried it out for date night last week. We shared the fried pickles and a giant pot of gumbo and they were both amazing. We'll definitely be going back soon.
4. Sandy's. This is a pretty little restaurant right on the sand next to the pier. I always say that if you can see the ocean from your table, the fish is guaranteed to be good. And this is for sure the case here. But they also have a really creative menu of other delicious things. I'd definitely recommend the fig, pig, and blue cheese flatbread, and the pan seared salmon, and the mixed grill (Philip about died and went to heaven when he tried the scallops).
5. Wahoo's. Although we don't ever go here for date night, it's a great spot for lunch. Their fish tacos are my favorite, but Philip always gets the kalua pig bowl and raves about it.
6. Zimzala. This is a pretty restaurant inside the Shorebreak hotel just a street over from Main and right across the street from the ocean. We haven't tried their dinner, but we did a dessert date night with Leanne and her husband when they came to stay with us over Memorial Day last year. It's on the second floor so it has a balcony full of big comfy couches that you can sit at and eat (and take in the amazing view) but there's also indoor seating. We shared four of their desserts between the four of us -- creme brรปlรฉe, breakfast cereal ice cream trio, virtual campfire s'mores, and chocolate ganache with crusty sourdough and olive oil. With choices like that, how can you even choose a favorite?
7. Bruxie. It's a fun little lunch spot just a block from the water, and everyones favorite spot to hit up after a morning at the beach. They specialize in waffles, so you can get a breakfast, lunch, or dinner waffle sandwich, and a waffle sandwich for dessert. They even have PB&J waffles for your kids. And don't forget the waffle fries! Their menu is constantly changing, but everything I've tried there is delicious!
And at the end of date night I can usually persuade Philip to buy me a giant chocolate cookie from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for something sweet to munch on as we walk home. All the more reason to wear that loose fitting dress!
____________________________
derek lam dress via neiman marcus (on sale!)
lulu*s bag, c/o (similar)
{click on the photos below to shop the post}
Compensation for this post was provided by Neiman Marcus via AOL Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Neiman Marcus or AOL.
February 14, 2014
GIRLS NIGHT OUT (AND A GIVEAWAY!)
Last weekend my girlfriends and I met up in downtown Long Beach for a little celebratory birthday (not mine) dinner at Michaels Pizzeria. It's the number one Zagat rated pizza restaurant in the country, so we went in with high expectations, and it definitely did NOT disappoint. I mean, the baked speck covered mozzarella appetizer that we got was so amazing I could have eaten ten of them (it was small) and called it good -- definitely one of the best things I've ever eaten. But my pesto, artichoke and potato pizza was pretty dang delicious too.
Going out with my friends was the perfect opportunity to break in my new favorite heels from ShoeMint. I'm sure you guys know about ShoeMint by now, but it's a free members-only website with gorgeous, stylish shoes. When you sign up they ask you a few questions and then give you recommendations based on your style, and they release new styles every month so there are always lots of fabulous choices! ShoeMint recently partnered with Aldo, and the pair I have (the "Tegan" heels) are a pair from their new higher quality line, and they're amazing. So comfortable, and so obviously well made. I can't stop wearing them!
So how about winning yourself a little Valentine's Day present? Today ShoeMint is giving away a pair of shoes (of your choice) to one lucky reader!
Visit ShoeMint and and sign up for a free membership (no obligations), and then come back and leave a comment telling me which pair you would choose if you won! Please include your email address in your comment so you can be reached if you win!
This giveaway will be open for one week, closing next Thursday at midnight. It is open to US and Canada residents only. Good luck, and Happy Valentine's Day!
WINNER!!
_______________________________
top: similar
coat: c/o sheinside
leggings: c/o sheinside
tote bag: similar
heels: c/o shoemint "tegan"
sunglasses: c/o lulu*s
necklace: c/o i-ella
February 10, 2014
BACK TO BASICS
You know those clothing items that are basically pajamas disguised as real clothes? These jeans and this tee are exactly that. They are honestly the most comfy two items of clothing that I own. I don't, but I could wear them all day every day, sleep in them, exercise in them...However, I did do a few high kicks in the jeans the first time I wore them (much to amusement of my children), just because I could.
The simple combo is perfect for a comfy day at home with my boys, but can easily be dressed up with a fitted blazer and some heels like in my look below.
The tee I'm wearing is the "Hanna" tee from Pickwick & Weller, a company I was just recently introduced to, which specializes in amazing basics. I've worn basic tees from a lot of different stores (if you were a reader a few years ago I was constantly professing my undying love for Target tees), but this is honestly better than all the other tees I've worn. The shape is the perfect loose, but not too loose fit, the neckline is wide, but not too wide, the length is long, but not too long, it's unbelievably comfortable, and at $28 it's totally affordable.
But the best part is that Pickwick & Weller just introduced their Be A Stylist program where if you buy a tee and instagram a picture of you wearing it (tagging them, of course), they'll automatically credit you $15, which means you'll get your tee at cost!
The darling Julia, of Gal Meets Glam, made a darling video explaining the whole thing, so check it out here and then sign up with your instagram account to get started (and then never wear another shirt again...).
______________________________
blazer: similar
tee: c/o pickwick & weller
jeans: c/o dittos (jessica lowrise legging)
heels: shop
bag: similar
necklace: similar
watch: michael kors
nails: cult cosmetics "Los Feliz"
This post was sponsored by Pickwick & Weller. All opinions are honest and, of course, my own.
January 17, 2014
COPYCAT FRIDAY
I got this pair of faux leather pants a few weeks ago and have been struggling to style them. I love the idea of them, but I feel like leather pants are tough to style without looking like a hooker, or looking like you're trying really hard to be trendy. They're not exactly the type of pants I'd wear to the park with my boys, or just around the house, so they've sat unworn. Then I happened upon this post from Anna, of See Jane and completely loved it. The pants are not the focus, but they add an edgy and unexpected element -- it's just such a wearable outfit. The best part was that I owned all the pieces to copy it. It's still not much of a park friendly outfit, but it's simple, fun, a little edgy, and perfect for date night, lunch with my friends, or even the weekend.
Now I'm totally inspired to wear these pants more often. Ideas and inspiration welcomed in the comments, of course!
___________________________
coat: c/o sheinside
top: old navy
pants: c/o sheinside
flats: similar
bag: similar
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
also! a few new posts over at Babble this week!
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