| monday madness |

we leave for our trip on monday night: i am starting to feel overwhelmed... I am starting to make lists. lots and lots of lists.  there is a lot going on this week and my time management skills are going to be put to the test. so, happy monday!  let's do this ;)

[ on board must haves: ]

//  henri bendel top-zip tote // this is the perfect size tote to throw all your crap in.  i love that it has a zipper.

 // j.crew travel wallet {no longer available, similar} // jeff got me this travel wallet for christmakuah last year.  it helps keep you and all your travel documents nice and organized.

// cool max travel blanket // this travel blanket doesn't take up a ton of room and it will be so useful for our 2 red eye flights (1 to Boston / 1 to London).

// beats by dre solo // i'm obsessed with my solo's: although they don't claim to be noise canceling for me they help keep the excess noise out. 

// amazon kindle paperwhite // you guys know by now I don't go anywhere without my kindle: i'm obsessed and am loading it up with tons of reads.

// mudder travel charger // perfect for traveling abroad

// j.crew camper socks // i hate when my feet are cold on planes so I always pack a pair of my fav socks

// sephora travel kit + sephora travel brush// it's nice to keep a few products with you on board to touch up after long flights

// prime effects eye covers + ear plug combo // best.thing.ever.

// tory burch cometic bag // throw all your "beauty" things in a nice size cosmetic bag

// stress & relax calming (chewable) // i get a little stressed out when we fly so it's nice to have some all natural calming chewable tablets on hand

can't forget charlie- he is flying with us to Boston where my mother in law will watch him while we're in Europe: 

// sherpa dog carrying case // i just ordered this carry on bag for him: i liked that it wasn't too flimsy (his other one he's traveled with in the past was and I felt like I was suffocating him. 

// rescue remedy for pets // i've used the rescue remedy in the past and i'm not sure how much it helped him but he was a peaceful traveler :) 

// bamboo travel dog bowls // i felt horrible the last time i flew with him because i didn't bring him water bowls and had to ask a local restaurant for a to-go cup.  these flatten out so they won't take up a lot of room. 

| what i bring to the beach |

holy heat wave and happy may!!  it's almost 100 on the beach.  don't get me wrong, I love the sunshine but there is a nice little line between beautiful weather and downright hot.  i.  am.  hot.   friday it's suppose to be the hottest day of the week so i've already designated my day to a beach day: lathering on tons of spf and reading some trashy romance novel on my kindle.  i put together a list of my sunny beach day must haves; i hope you enjoy and i hope you are staying cool; don't forget to drink tons of water!!!

shop my beach day must-haves: 1 / 2  / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 : 

i am a huge fan of the french style tops.  let's be real- a bandeau gives you the worst tan lines // we aren't wearing tube tops as much as we once were; make the switch.  every season i buy a new black bikini bottom, they're the most versatile bottoms you can buy- i love mixing my black bottoms with a fun top.  I keep my beach bag pretty consistent: a towel, spf, a hat and of course, my kindle.  depending on my mood i'll throw on shorts and an oversized tee or a sundress.  i always wear flip-flops to the beach but if we're planning on grabbing lunch or running errands it's nice to have an extra sandal.

FAKE IT.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

I literally get obsessed with subtle details rather than the big picture (EX: I'd rather get that vase and picture fresh flowers in it than the leather chair I came for.).  I rotate frames, candles, trays, and books always.  There is something fun when it feels new.  At the end of the day, when your home is decorated it really isn't yours until you add those touches that makes it yours ... you know, lighting your favorite candles, photos of you and your loved one, your favorite coffee table book, the fun touches....yada yada.

accents + fun touches:

- vintage

- bookends

- trays 1, 2

- bowl

- worldly

- coffee table reads 1, 2

Early Bday- San Diego

+ JCrew Denim, Forever 21 Pant, Sam Edelman Shoe, Guess Clutch [ color n/a ] Accessories: Marc Jacobs watch, Henri Bendel, Tiffanys, Melissa Gayl, Assorted Nordstrom bangles 

That Holiday you love to hate, or is it hate to love?

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs
2. Kate Spade
3. Kate Spade
4. J Crew
5. Juicy Couture
6. DVF
7. Henri Bendel
8. "All About Us"

Let's get techy

+ Kate Spade
+ Henri Bendel

+ Juicy Couture
+ Alexander McQueen
+ Tory Burch

+ Rebecca Minkoff

quick pic:

+Henri Bendel amazing holiday window display, New York.

it's all about the glitter..

+1 MICHAEL KORS keychain
+2 KATE SPADE coin purse
+3 FOREVER 21 cosmetic bag
+4 HENRI BENDEL iphone 4/ 4s cover

This holiday season is all about feminine fun glitters!  Glitter accents [ this can be anything from a belt to a clutch ] compliment many outfits and can really dress up something simple and make it a little bit more fun and upbeat!

Small glittery accessories, like what you see above, are also a great fun way to spice up any holiday gift!  For a friend you could grab a glitter cosmetic case and fill it with a nail polish & lip gloss.  This ditches the use of wrapping paper and makes the case a pretty little gift as well.