Thursday, December 31, 2015

New Year's Eve Plans



What are you plans for this New Year's Eve? A rooftop bar with friends, hosting a party or just you and your significant other watching the ball drop? Whatever you are doing and wherever you are have a lovely evening, cheers to 2016!!!  I've been sick for nearly a month so I plan to stay in, keep warm with several layers of clothes and get this cold under control. See you back here on Monday :)

Travel ideas for the new year!!!

Listen to Uptalk

Alexander Hamilton written by a kid who only listened to the musical.


(1,2,3)

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Notes for a New Year



What are your new year resolutions?! Are they big or small? Or do you scrap the whole resolution idea and just work on making better decisions and healthier habits throughout the year?! A few things I would like to work on in the coming year: 

Slowing down and being a little more patient.
More single-tasking, less multitasking! 
Keep phone in another room when with company.
Take care of your mind and body!
Smile often.

(1,2,3)

Monday, December 28, 2015

Weekend Wrap Up...

 weekend reading...
 and tory burch goodies.
 kate spade, alex and ani & david yurman. 
 beauty favorites...
battling the second round of this nasty flu. 

(images via instagram)

Sunday, December 27, 2015

New Hang Out Spots

 Rooster and the Pig
 Chi Chi at the Avalon
 Simon's Kitchen + Bar
 Sopa at L'Horizon Resort and Spa
Workshop Kitchen + Bar

I never use to to think Palm Springs was cool. When I came back to the desert a few years ago I wasn't happy that I was moving  home, I kept telling myself it was not a permanent situation. While, I don't see myself staying here forever, I have to say the desert has it's perks! Palm Springs has become the weekend hangout for all LA'ers, people from all the over world make their way to Coachella in the spring, tennis tournaments and golf resorts cover every town in the valley, and it's been a favorite escape for many entertainers and presidents. Now that I am a little further away from Palm Springs, I haven't been in awhile, a trip downtown is a must and these places are on my radar.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Best Wassail Recipe Ever

I don't get out of bed Christmas morning unless you bribe me with a glass of wassail. My mom makes the best recipe and opening presents isn't complete without a glass in hand. What's your favorite holiday drink?

Ingredients:

8 cups apple
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 whole cinnamon sticks
12 who cloves, or 1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a large pan.
Bring to simmer over mdeium-low heat. Reduce heat and continue simmering for 45 minutes. 
Ladle into a coffee mug and enjoy. 

(image and recipe via yummy healthy easy)

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Decorating the House





How do you decorate your house around the holidays? Are into a whimsical or traditional decorations? Do you go overboard with decorating your house or do you keep it minimal? Is it more winter themed than Christmas? I tend to go more for a winter theme and add little bits of Christmas decor around my apartment. 

(image via apartment therapy)

Monday, December 21, 2015

Weekend Wrap Up...

 over-sized scarfs and bold hats...
 holiday parties and a quiet night in...
 keeping my sister's fur vest, thank you! 
 wrapping and christmas movies...
super last minute shopping.

(images via instagram)

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Holiday Gifts for your Brother

He'll need this to house his extensive library of books and tv shows. 

Some new sweatpants since he's been wearing the same pair since high school. 

Treat him to some lush beard and facial cream.

Challenge your brother by how many steps you can walk in a day with the new fitbit.

So he can listen to his favorite stories on his commute or working long hours.

He should have the latest pill!

He'll be crying from laughing so hard watching this show

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Gift Ideas For Your Dad

He's extremely proud from where he came from, so get him the latest shirt from his alma mater, in my case that would be the newest bruin shirt.

Get your dad a new wallet

His dream is to go to Ireland to explore the coastal village where his family came from (insert whatever ethnicity your father is) , so get him an excellent travel book.  

Your dad is tech savy, surprise him with the new Apple Sport Watch.  

He doesn't have a current favorite television show because he's still hooked on his all time favorite. So treat him to the entire set, he will love it.

You know he will love the new Humans of New York Stories because he's a humanitarian at heart.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Friday Morning

It's a week before Christmas and I'm still shopping, decorating, trying figure out last minute gifts and running around like a maniac. I have a thousands things on my list of to-dos, yet all I want is a nice quiet evening to myself. I'll be attending a few holiday parties over the weekend and finishing a few other projects. What are you up to this weekend? Are you looking forward to Christmas being only seven days away?! Have a fantastic weekend, stay warm and I'll see you next Monday. 




(image via liz marie)

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Fran Fine's Style Moments





I loved The Nanny growing up, Fran Fine was an inspiration and somewhat of a role model to me as a little girl growing up in the 90s. There was something about her nasally voice, her thick New York accent and her fashion style that I just loved. I recently came across this article   a few days ago and it made me excited that her wardrobe in that show is having a moment right now. These outfits look fantastic on Fran, however, me trying to recreate some of her fashion choices did not exactly work out in my favor. What are some of your favorites from the show?

(image via racked)

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Holiday Gifts for Your Sister...


She's really into onsies!!!

A couple things for her desk. 

She will go crazy for this agenda :)

Get her this nice and chic commuter bag

Her favorite lipstick right now is matte

But first coffee

Surprise her with My Girl glasses. 

Two words, Charlotte Tilbury




Tuesday, December 15, 2015

The Librarian Suggests

What I'm Reading:  My lunch break usually consists of a quick snack and browsing the selection of books at the small and dusty book nook inside the library. Usually whatever is crammed on the library cart runs for about 50 cents. The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank just happened to be on the 50 cent cart so I quickly snatched it up. Six months later, I started seeing this book appear on book lists everywhere, it was a true treasure. A dazzling and enduring combination of short stories about one young girl, Jane Rosenal, The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing tells a story of what it is like being a young woman in American society and culture today. I love, love, love this book. I also just started the first book in the history mystery series, The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency by Jordan Stratford. I saw this tween book months ago while going through lists of books to add to our juvenile collection at the library. Being a nerd for anything Ada Byron and Mary Shelley, I couldn't help but get it for myself. It's the perfect read for anyone who loves history and 19th century London.   

What I'm Listening to: It's a no brainer, Serial Season 2. For every time Sarah Koenig has announced that people will be disappointed with season two, I just shake my head. I can't wait for the season to unfold!!!  

What I'm watching: I'm about four episodes into Jessica Jones and I'm really enjoying it. I love Krysten Ritter, she always portrays as a quirky character in television and romantic comedies like Lucy in Gilmore Girls, Suze in Confessions of a Shopaholic and Chloe in Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23. So I like that she's taken on a bad-ass character in the newest Netflix original television series.

(image via thou swell)

Monday, December 14, 2015

Weekend Wrap Up...

 when sick and in bed just pop in the wedding singer.
 a scent of pine.
 missing venice beach...
 one of my favorite leading ladies. 
my favorite spot in my bedroom. 

(images via instagram)

Friday, December 11, 2015

this week's favorites...



It's been a long week so I'm especially looking forward to the weekend. More decorations, spending the night indoors at at home and bundling up.
(1, 2, 3)

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Department 56 Christmas Village





If I could describe the Christmas Holiday in two words it would be Department 56! My mom has always been over the top with winter decorations, it's easy to say it's her favorite holiday. I grew up with her putting out her Department 56 winter village pieces the day after Thanksgiving. It includes an ice skating pond, a hillside with skiers, a department store, a beautiful church, a horse drawn carriage and as we've grown up she's even added a library (since I work in library) and an accountant's office (and my dad and sister work in an accounting, now all she needs to find is a science lab to include my brother's profession) to the little village. I used to haul out my Polly Pocket and Disney miniature characters and play for hours in the village until my mom yelled at me to get out of the good living room. Please tell me there are people out there that still put out their Department 56 pieces at Christmas!!! 
  
(images via macy's and amazon)

Leading Ladies

Five Things to Know About Bernadette Marie: 1. Trained and completed two degrees, an AAS in Communication Design and BFA in Textile S...