weekend wear: the basics

top left: H&M Leather Sleeve Military Jacket

top right: Jimmy Choo Motorcycle Boot

bottom Left: Zara Basic T-Shirt

bottom Right: Zara Faux Leather Leggings

i'm heading to wine country this weekend (yay!) and need an appropriately stylish yet comfortable outfit for vineyard-hopping and wine tasting (again...yay!), so i've decided to freshen up the jeans and tee look with some updated basics.  with the exception of the jimmy choo's (a girl can dream, right?), i already own the other three pieces shown here.  i'll definitely be adding some oomph to this outfit with accessories, but the real focus is on these pieces.  they'll be perfect to wear while sipping on some chardonnay (and pinot, and cab, and...well, the list goes on). 

have a great weekend! xx

eye candy

i recently decided to treat myself for valentine's day and have my make-up done by a sephora professional before my date with the boyfriend last week.  now, for some background, i don't really "do" my make-up (my boyfriend may disagree, as i do take just a littttttle bit of time to get ready).  my basic routine includes tinted moisturizer, some concealer, blush/bronzer combo, and some mascara. done-i'm out the door! so i didn't really know what to expect when i went to my appointment last week...will she paint my eyelids purple with sparkly eyeshadow? will my face look orange from bronzer? will i get raccoon eyes? AH! 

thankfully, i was so happily relieved with the result and thrilled with what she did.  i've never had my make up done that well.  she really listened to what i wanted and kept everything pretty natural, just enhanced.  in fact, she did such an amazing job, that i ended up buying the eye shadow palette and liner that were used (i've even successfully used them since!).  

here are a few of the main products she used on me.  i can honestly say that i think the Urban Decay Naked Palette would look gorgeous on anyone, no matter what skin tone.  the colors are beautiful and allow you to come up with so many different combinations for day looks and night looks, plus it comes with a mini shadow primer! i also loved the Laura Mercier Cream Eye Liner and bought a pot for myself (seriously, it glides on so smoothly that even i can draw a perfect winged liner).  so go out to your local Sephora and schedule an appointment with one of their artists (maybe even ask to try some of these products in your session!), trust me, you will not be disappointed!!

Urban Decay sparkly eyeshadow / Tarte blush / Laura Mercier eyeliner / Yves Saint Laurent yves saint laurent mascara / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics colorful lipstick

just shuck it

i've been completely consumed with everything and anything other than this blog for the past few weeks unfortunately, but at least it hasn't all been work! the boyfriend's parents were in town recently and it just happened to be his dad's birthday, which gave us an excuse to indulge every night at a new restaurant. toward the end of their stay, we planned a surprise trip to hog island oyster in point reyes for one more chance to celebrate.  it was absolutely gorgeous that day, and we enjoyed shucking our own oysters (my first time! surprisingly, it's not as hard as it looks-but i was definitely skeptical going into it), sipping white wine, and savoring possibly the most delicious cupcakes i've ever made.  if you need to make a sweet treat for something coming up...maybe valentine's day, hmm?...i strongly suggest giving this recipe a try!

we're kind of cool...stamps we needed to shuck our own oysters.

the spread.

the finished cupcakes...seriously, make these now. you will not regret it!

speaking of valentine's day, i need to go pick up my gift for the boyfriend. he's surprising me on thursday and friday and i couldn't be more excited!!! yes, that's right, he's amazing. what will you be doing to celebrate? eating chocolate cupcakes, you say?? well i think that's just a grand idea!

hot hot heat

Rebecca Minkoff Bettina Sandal

while these may not be the most practical purchase for recent san francisco weather, there may be a (first ever) trip to hawaii in my near future, and i'm pretty sure these would be the only shoes i'd need to take with me (helloooo carry-on again! way to go me!).  i love the neutral color and criss-cross ankle strap.  i can see these paired with maxi dresses, a bikini and cover-up, a casual tee and mini, all while strolling along the beach in the warm sun...the list goes on and on. and now i've convinced myself to put them in my shopping bag (again, way to go me!).

until recent years, i wasn't much of an accessory lover--i focused my shopping energy much more on what i would call "main" pieces...dresses, tops, pants, etc. but i was MAJORLY missing out. i don't know what finally clicked for me, but shoes and accessories are now equally as important as the mains. jewelry, handbags, shoes, scarves, hats--oh the fabulousness! i mean, more is more, right??? 

one=two

work

Joie Mirrin Sweater / J.Crew Cafe Capri / Tory Burch Hawthorn Pumps / DANNIJO Stella Necklace /  Kate Spade Putting On The Ritz Studs / 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Hour Bag /  Michael Kors Lexington Watch 

play

Joie Mirrin Sweater / B Brian Atwood Laplata Sandals / Alexander Wang Pelican Sling Bag / DANNIJO Cruz Earrings / Iosselliani Fused Stone Ring Set / Iosselliani Stacking Mixed Crystal Ring Set / Clover Canyon Skirt

i love pieces that are multi-functional.  when i know that i can pair a top or pants with a few different pieces that i already own, i'm much more inclined to make the purchase. this Joie sweater is a perfect example of such a piece. it's a beautiful, lightweight sweater in a neutral (black) that can be easily styled in multiple outfits.

here i've come up with a combination that i would wear for work (love the fun, yet work-appropriate windowpane pattern on the pant), and then one that transitions the sweater into a perfect outfit for play (can we please acknowledge the awesomeness that is those B Brian Atwood sandals?!).  i'd also pair this sweater with a fun pair of skinnies for a casual day look, or even front-tuck it into a printed short to wear on that mid-winter tropical vacation we all wish were taking  (the sun and sand are currently calling my name while i sit here, freezing, in san francisco).

do you search for multi-use pieces like this sweater as well? 

classic

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image 3, 4, 5, and 6

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i've been gravitating toward solids lately and have been getting (p)inspiration from the simple and classic black and white color combination.  it looks so chic and effortless; you really can't go wrong. i am especially loving the last outfit, with the pop of color in the burgundy bag.  follow me on pinterest to see more of my favorite looks!

to new beginnings

i hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing holiday and a happy new year! i just got back from my week and a half long vacation on the east coast and feel reenergized and ready for an amazing 2013; the long break was just what i needed.

for NYE, the boyfriend and i went to friend's house for a delicious dinner and then headed out for a night of dancing. the best part of the night was when our gracious hosts insisted that we go around the table and state our resolution for the new year.  it was entertaining, and inspiring. i normally shy away from making resolutions, but this year i received Rosetta Stone for Italian, and so one of my resolutions is to learn Italian (...and plan a trip there, perhaps!).  the other is to make this blog the best that it can be; i can't wait to see what's to come this year!

unfortunately i was in a rush to finish packing before leaving for my trip and forgot my camera (major oops moment), but here are a few iPhone snaps to recap the holidays.  i really can't believe the hustle and bustle is all over now! what were your favorite parts of the holiday season this year?

left: madewell plaid shirt and sequin polka dot skirt
center top: a view from the bridge to hilton head island
center middle: colors for my festive holiday manicure
center bottom: my cousin's adorable new puppy, Gunnar
right: a white christmas at home in a zara coat + hat (no longer available)