ho ho ho and mistletoe

image via pinterest

i hope you have a wonderful holiday full of warmth and love.  see you in 2013!

xx

christmas came early

last week, the boyfriend and i celebrated our christmas early since we were both leaving for home on friday.  i turned the lights on on the christmas tree, hung our mini-stockings, and wrapped all of his gifts before we made dinner and hid inside for the night to avoid the cold rain. it felt so right having our christmas celebration there...making dinner, watching Christmas movies, and opening gifts together really put me in the spirit of the season!

presents under the tree (and my favorite elephant ornament)

mmmm...cheese plate and wine before dinner

we had received the new food & wine magazine in the mail on wednesday, and both looked at the recipe on the cover and knew that we needed to try it immediately. it was for a spice-rubbed roast chicken with a wasakaka sauce (this was the first time i had even heard of this sauce, but it would be equally amazing on fish as well), which i decided to serve over black rice and roast tomatoes with olive oil and salt and pepper.  we both loved it and can't wait to make it again.  

the finished project...absolutely amazing!

unfortunately the recipe is not online yet, but you should definitely go out and pick up the newest issue to try it!  it's delicious, warm, comforting, and healthy...perfect to warm you up on a chilly night this winter.

merry christmas!

a very merry gift guide : gifts under $100

for this last gift guide, i've compiled some of my most favorite gifts that are under $100.  during the holiday season it's easy to overspend and not realize it until that fateful day when you check your bank statement (...ouch).  these picks are great as gifts for your girlfriends or even as stocking stuffers, and they're easy on your wallet!  

choose baubles and bling, stripes and studs, or clutches and cards...the options are endless! happy shopping!

J.Crew slim tee / J.Crew vintage sleepwear / J.Crew travel bag / J.Crew j crew / J.Crew j crew jewelry / Collar necklace / Teardrop earrings / J.Crew lip makeup / Glitter nail polish / Hand Engraved Pop Fizz Clink Foldover Holiday Cards / Faceted Infinity Pouch / Mary Green Good Morning / Good Night Sleep Mask

a very merry gift guide : for the tech-obsessed

now that i live in the land of all-things-apple, i have to admit that i've become more interested in the latest and greatest gadgets on the market.  it doesn't hurt that my local apple store is right around the corner from my apartment...so anytime i want to play with a new mini iPad (without having to make the full $329 commitment quite yet), i can just stop in for a few minutes.  

i've put together some ideas for all of those tech-savvy friends of yours below.  personally, i love the Bose headphones.  i received them as a Christmas gift a few years ago and they not only have the best sound quality, but i think they're also some of the most comfortable earbuds (perfect for watching movies and listening to music on those long cross-country flights).  the Jawbone Jambox is also an amazing portable speaker, the iPhone cleaner is unique and useful, and the mini iPad, well that's just an obvious pick!  good luck trying to decide...and let me know what you choose!

Tech accessory / Hekseskudd Wooden Mac Keyboard Tray / Apple - iPad mini - Every inch an iPad. / 1080p HDMI Pocket Projector / Bose IE2 Audio Headphones | Bose / Jambox

a very merry gift guide : for the food & wine enthusiast

for all of those aspiring top chef's and sommeliers-in-training on your list, here are a few ideas to satisfy even the pickiest of palates:

Fitzwater Serving Board / Le Creuset Signature Round Wide Dutch Oven / Leather Theorem Coasters / Wüsthof Classic 9-Piece Knife Block Set / Riedel "O" Trio, Bordeaux / Mille-Feuille Apron / Banded Glassware Set / Williams-Sonoma Cheese Cookbook / SPQR: Modern Italian Food and Wine

i love to cook, and have to admit that some of these items may be on my wish list too! you won't go wrong giving Le Creuset cookware; it's beautiful and dependable, and the recipient will never, ever get rid of it.  of course a good knife set is essential too, and some fun wine glasses (these stemless versions are a modern alternative to the more traditional Bordeaux glasses).  add in a cookbook and some metallic leather coasters, and your friends will be beyond happy!

a very merry gift guide : for him

buying for the men in your life who already have everything? welcome to the club.  every year we fall into the same routine: you pick up another tie for dad, a new sweater for your boyfriend, or anything sports-themed for your brother.  why not try something new?  i promise it's not as hard as it seems!   here are a few ideas for your consideration...pick one (or two!) and start stuffing those stockings!

J.Crew j crew / Persol eyewear / How To Be A Man By Glenn O'brien / Leather Card Holder / Men's Accessories ETIP GLOVE / The Art of Shaving Fusion Contemporary Shaving Set / Antique Globes

a very merry gift guide : for her

'tis the season, and you know what that means...it's time to put those presents under the tree for everyone who made it on to santa's "nice" list!

i don't know about you, but i'm still on the hunt for a few gifts with just under two weeks until christmas (helloooo crunch time!).  since i'll be heading home to the east coast for the holidays, i'm focusing on small gifts for everyone that i can ship back over the next few days so that nothing gets lost in my luggage...or more importantly, so that they don't take up valuable room in my suitcase (i'm packing for christmas, a wedding, and new year's after all!).  

if you're still searching like me, i'll be posting ideas for everyone on your list over the next few days!  first up is a gift guide for all of the wonderful women on your list:

J.Crew oversized boyfriend sweater / J.Crew knit top / J.Crew ballet shoes / J.Crew wedge heels / J.Crew leather wallet / Rebecca Minkoff / Monogram pendant / J.Crew polka dot scarve / Viktor & Rolf / diptyque

i love the monogrammed necklace. it's such a thoughtful gift and you can be sure that anyone on your list would really appreciate the effort you took to get them a personalized piece.  i also love these sparkly flats (how festive!) and the Diptyque candle.  honestly, i love all of these pieces though...you can't go wrong!!  

happy shopping!

orange orange orange

franken-loaf.

in yesterday's post i mentioned that one of the reasons i love fall so much is that i can get seemingly all of my favorite foods pumpkin-flavored.  well, that stuck in my head today and after a morning run, i made a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up ingredients to make a pumpkin loaf.  i used this simple recipe, and subbed in non-fat greek yogurt (somehow i didn't realize that i had no oil in my pantry) for the vegetable oil and canned pumpkin for the shredded pumpkin.  what came out was a monster pumpkin loaf-it rose so much during baking that i had to remove the top rack from the oven! 

oh-so-yummy.

i also had some leftover cream cheese, so i made a quick cream cheese frosting for a sweet treat.

and this was all happening during game 4 of the world series...that the GIANTS WON! excuse me while i go celebrate the win + my one year anniversary in san francisco!

the streets are closed!

pause

i'm so happy we're done traveling until the holidays.  while i loved seeing old faces and meeting new ones, i can say that it is wonderful to be home for an entire weekend and not have to go anywhere! 

now that i'm back home and the days are shorter and cooler, i've been taking some time to stock up on some chunky knits to prep for the cold weather ahead.  this is my absolute favorite time of the year; the weather is perfect, everything is pumpkin flavored, and i get to wear beautiful sweaters all the time! i'm obsessed with vince and have been lucky enough to snag two amazing pieces so far this season.  why stop at two? here are some more looks i'd like to get my hands on this season:

honeycomb cardigan

  

biker jacket with leather sleeves

     

leather zip ankle leggings

don't these just make you want to curl up with a mug of hot apple cider while sitting next to a roaring fire? i love this time of the year.

a second to breath

...literally, a second. arizona one week, maryland the next, and off to south carolina this weekend.  oh, and just a few things going on at home to keep my busy in between (work, fleet week, the america's cup, 49er's game, giants game, hardly strictly...and on, and on, and on!). am i tired? yes, a little bit.  have i loved every second? YES.

on top of all of the fun things going on lately, the weather has been ridiculously amazing. the beginning of last week was HOT-i mean actually hot in the bay-so much so that even having every one of my windows open didn't help because there was no wind either. luckily for the weekend activities, the temps cooled down just a bit and made for a perfect weekend of fun and relaxation. my favorite part was seeing the blue angels...i seriously do not understand how they fly that close.  my amateur-paparazzi bf was actually able to capture a shot of them criss-crossing (if he can do that, he can take my outfit shots...still working on that one though)...get ready to have your mind blown!

incredible.

on that note, it's time to start packing once again.  this time for a 4-day trip to the beautiful state of south carolina.  hoping to make the best wardrobe decisions, i've already checked weather.com a few times to confirm the highs (70s) + lows (mid-60s).  i'll definitely be packing my favorite pair of j brand jeans, probably a dress or two, and flats-for sightseeing, of course.  all packed in a carry-on, which is a big deal for me, and i have to admit, it's a little difficult!

do you bring a carry-on for most trips? or is it just too hard to narrow down your potential outfit choices? i could use some smart packing tips!

the last few...weeks!

so much has happened recently! which i'm sure you assumed, given the lack of posts. my job has been keeping me ridiculously busy and any bit of free time i've had has been consumed with weekends away, dinner with friends, FNO (!), and, luckily, i've been able to squeeze in some relaxation time too.

FNO at Macy's Union Square was so much fun! there were up and coming designers featuring their newest pieces, a custom denim bar, diy nail art demos, mini-makeovers, and of course...a ton of new fall clothes! i must admit, i caved and bought a few things...i'll be sure to share as soon as i get to wear them!

the next weekend i was lucky enough to be able to take my first trip to tahoe. i hadn't been yet, and it was so incredibly beautiful. we enjoyed the warm weather, the food & wine festival, and roaming around the trails.  i already can't wait to see it this winter, covered in snow!

here's a little photo update on what i've been up to lately...

in the fitting room at macy's union square on FNO...wearing seven jeans, j.crew top, aldo heels, and michael kors watch + link bracelet

hi!

ah-mazing trina turk oxblood fur coat

those shoes. that hat. so fno.

featured on go try it on, so exciting! follow me at work & play!

lake tahoe food & wine festival. yum.

beautiful day on the lake.

just a little stop in nevada...

...then back to california...

...for the most delicious belgian waffle at the log cabin (definitely must try it for breakfast if you're in north lake tahoe!)...

...then back to the resort for a little jog before heading home-how gorgeous is that view?

back home! a sweet message near the bridge.

sneak peek

here's a little look at what i'm wearing to fashion's night out in union square tonight...follow me on instagram @dayworknightplay for updates!

more to follow soon!

nyfw

i've been reading fashion magazines since i was in the fifth grade and i've always dreamed of attending new york fashion week. now that it's upon us (eek!), i cannot wait to see what the designers have in store!  over the next week, i'll be following some of my favorite designers on style.com and of course checking in on my favorite bloggers who are lucky enough to be attending this year (check out some of them on my daily routine)!

now, while i'm ridiculously excited to see what the big trends for spring '13 are going to be...i have to admit that i'm slightly preoccupied with some of my favorite fall trends at moment, as i haven't even gotten the chance to wear most of them! here are a few that top my list of must-try trends for this season:

1.  leather   

2.  anything oxblood

3.  peplum 

4.  work appropriate sheath dresses

5.  cap-toe pumps

these are just a few of my favorite things for fall (the list could go on and on, let's be honest).    the best part about these five though is that they can all be appropriate for work and for play.   i might try the peplum top with a pencil skirt during the week, then pair it with a pair skinnies and the cap-toe pumps for a fierce weekend look.  

what are some of your favorite trends for this season? is there anything you can't wait to buy + try? 

first day on the job

so here it is: my first official post. 

after dragging my friends through multiple conversations centered around "should i? shouldn't i?" debates...i've taken the plunge, and i couldn't be more excited! 

so what can you expect to find here? work ensembles and play outfits. fashion finds and foodie finds. reviews of where i've been and where i want to go.  bits and tips i find helpful and inspiring.   

speaking of fashion finds...here's the newest addition to my handbag collection that i picked up at a local san francisco boutique, heritage row:

i can't even begin to tell you how obsessed i am with the color oxblood for the fall.  this bag was perfection and i couldn't say no.  the shape is classic, it's large enough to fit the essentials, and it's right on trend with the color and touch of pony hair.  not to mention, it can be used for day or night.  i'd say it was the ideal find!

look for it to make an appearance in upcoming posts!