Now & Later - Maxi Skirt

I have been buying a lot of color lately. Something that is very odd for this girl who is usually dressed in head to toe black. My most recent purchase is this flamingo pink maxi skirt that I am completely obsessed with. Since I purchased for our vacation I knew immediately how I wanted to style it but since it was a bit of a splurge for me I also have been daydreaming on how to wear it now while the temps are still a bit cool. Below are my two outfit inspirations for wearing the skirt now and come Spring {if it ever comes}. How do you wear bright colors in the off season???



now - moto jacket // tank // hoops // sequin clutch // cutout booties
later - cami // necklace // floral clutch // lipgloss // sandals // sunglasses

Weekend Wear - Date Night

Whether your hitting the town with your main squeeze or your favorite gals, I don't think there is an easier go to outfit then a comfy tank and a great pair of jeans? Well maybe an awesome statement necklace & suede jacket too. Have a great weekend everyone!

blazer // denim // pumps // cross body bag // necklace // tank 

Taking Off

Next week my family and I are taking off for a trip to St. Lucia. All I can think about is warmer weather, frozen beverages, time with my family and some r&r with my love. I have been completely obsessed with my packing and it looks like it will entirely consist of swimwear and coverups.   So while I am sure it will be total chaos for all of us to be traveling together, I cannot wait. It's my husband's first trip with my entire family and since he is an only child he truly is in for an adventure to be traveling with all twelve of us. Since it is a rarity for my entire family to take this time together I will be taking some time off from the blog starting on Tuesday, something I haven't done since I started back in 2011. I will be back April eleventh hopefully creatively recharged and look forward to refreshing my little corner of the internet with some new material! Till then have a great weekend and I hope to see you on instagram where I will be sharing some snaps of our travels {disconnecting all together is just too much to ask of this social media addict}.

one

coverup // bikini // sunglasses // bag

two

coverup // one piece // bag // sandals

three 

beach pants // one piece // fedora // beach towel

Sip & Snack - Around Town

Some of my friends have recently introduced me to some new restos in the Boston area. I thought I would share a few along with my favorite sip & snack that they offer! Up first as I dined there last night with the lovely Amelia {and I am still dreaming about our food} is Alden & Harlow.  I have to admit, I am not huge on going out in Cambridge. I always get lost and I know this sounds ridiculous but it seems like the republic is a world away from Boston. Luckily my friend insisted on trying and I was blown away. The atmosphere, service food & cocktails were all amazing. I can't wait to go back. 

image via

The Harvard Square eatery is in the heart of all that is happening in the area. Its a great location for walking around before or after dinner, shopping and strolling the vibrant city. As far as the restaurant goes, he corn pancakes were out of this world. we may have finished one order and got another one instead of a dessert, it's that good! It was perfectly paired with their Dr. Zaius cocktail that was a combination of rum, banana, pineapple, lime & angostura bitters.

image via

A few weeks ago a bunch of us celebrated Cambria's new left hand sparkler at The Merchant in downtown Boston. Upon entering our little dinner party Lauren had ordered the "K'iche Rickey" cocktail for all of us to toast the new bride to be. This cocktail was a light and refreshing drink of cucumber infused tequila,lime, agave & sparkling wine. Needless to say it was heaven and I might have had one too many throughout the evening. It was enjoyed with numerous appetizers but I must admit the house made faro pasta was my favorite. 

 images via

more Boston favorites can be found here

Etsy Love

Etsy is always a great resource for unique items where your purchase also also supports small businesses. I personally have turned to the for numerous goodies ranging from party decor to little details from our wedding that I couldn't find anywhere else. A few of my recent favorites are below. Do you have any easy shops that you adore and are willing to share???

The colorful artwork by Siiso has me craving some pops of color in our home. I am particularly drawn to the piece below.  I am in love with all the bright hues mixed with one another. 

Totally obsessed with this inflatable party invite, so fun for birthday or cheery celebration. 

I recently was introduced to Laura Hooper Calligraphy on instagram and quickly fell hard for her pretty work. Her Etsy shop is filled with fun customizable goodies but the little bubbly sign below is perfection as is...would be fabulous on a champagne bar. 

I have a little neon pink cactus that needs a proper home & this petite planter cube might just be the perfect place for it to be on display. 

I love milk glass and a set of mixed styles looks positively chic. I would love to have a mantel full of blooms like the beauties below. 

These gold dipped twig pencils are so cute for gifting to a creative kid. Would be perfectly paired with this coloring book. 

Put A Ring On It

image via Lisa Rigby Photography

At our wedding I purchased a very petite sea urchin that doubled as a ring dish to hold my "something blue". Since our big day it has been used to hold my husbands wedding band when he walks in the door. To be honest, I very rarely take off my jewelry at night. I am an absolutely crazy person and think that if there is ever a fire in the building I want my favorite and sentimental things already on me. Whether it be the earrings I got from my dad when I was sixteen {and still wear everyday} or my engagement ring I am very rarely without them. However despite my crazy, I can't help adoring little dishes to hold your favorite sparklers. I may just have to change my ways and purchase one of the little lovelies below so my favorite pieces have a proper place to sleep at night.

one {love this one & this one too} // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine

Working It Out - Part Two

Last summer I did a little post on workout wear and some music to listen to while getting your sweat on. Since I have been continuing my regimen for getting in shape I thought I would revisit the two and combine into a single post. After all don't we all need a little motivation to get to the gym??? My gyms version of Zumba by far has to be my favorite workout, but over the weekend while my sister was visiting, we tried the new Chestnut Hill Soul Cycle and I loved every painful second. I could easily see myself getting addicted to the class as the quick 45 min sweat session combined with the inspiration from the instructor definitely pushed me to really work hard during the class. So since warmer weather is hopefully around the corner, I am feeling more motivated then ever to keep up the weekly workouts and put together a little round up of stylish gear as well as some new favorite tunes to get your booty moving!



tank // pants {DNS favorite} // headphones // gym gear bag // gym bag // yoga mat // sneakers // socks // hair ties // water bottle // sports bra // tech accessory

"Move" by Little Mix
"Dark Horse" by Katie Perry
"Do What U Want" by Lady Gaga
"You Better Work Bitch" by Britney Spears
"Pompeii" by Bastille
"Burn" by Ellie Goulding
"Feels So Close" by Calvin Harris
"Power" by Kanye West
"Enjoy The Ride" by Krewella
"When Love Takes Over" by David Guetta

Weekend Wear - Jumpsuits

The other day when I picked up this peplum jacket at Free People I thought I would try on a jumpsuit that I saw on the mannequin in the window, oh lordy did that bring on some laughs. Let me tell you, jumpsuits were not made for this girls figure! I never looked more ridiculous in my life then I did that afternoon in the dressing room. I'm pretty sure I actually laughed out loud as I stared at my most unattractive self. So while this style may not work for me, I can't help but love them on other people who have the figures that embrace a one piece outfit like the beauty below.

Tory Burch Portofino Jumpsuit // Splendid Hair Ties // Sam Edelman Sandals // Kassatex Cabana Beach Towel // Sperry Topsider Beach Tote {on sale!} // Sperry Topsider Sunglasses

Sip & Snack - Port Sangria with Caramel & Cheese

While in Scottsdale a week ago my husband and I took in a desert sunset and ordered some port sangria on the patio of our hotel. While the above photo doesn't do the sunset any justice, it was the inspiration for this week's sip & snack that I was supposed to share yesterday. Why didn't I share it yesterday??? Well... let's just say I had a few too many cocktails with the girls celebrating a friends new left hand sparkler and I was a bad bad blogger. So my apologies for being a day late but hopefully you agree it's worth the wait...below is my version of the delicious port sangria that we enjoyed in warmer weather, but this time I paired it with an amazing dry cheese drizzled with vanilla caramel. Trust me, you want to try this...Cheers to the weekend!

ok ok, I know the caramel looks hardly appetizing, but try it & I am confident you will love it!

Port Sangria Ingredients

1 green apple

1 orange

1 lime

1 lemon

1/4 triple sec 

1/2 cup simple syrup

Port Sangria Directions

dice fruit & place into pitcher with simple syrup & port, stir and refrigerate for 2 hours. Once chilled, pour & enjoy!

Caramel & Pecorino Toscano

heat caramel for 10 seconds in microwave & drizzle of chards of the dry cheese

Style & Real Estate - Jennifer Aniston

Before I met my husband I lived in a house with five men. It almost felt like a social experiment to see how they behave in their natural habitat while I watched on as a scientist to learn about their behaviors. One thing I learned and was always baffled about was that they didn't think Jennifer Aniston was the most beautiful woman on the planet. They always lusted for the female that was the total opposite of what most woman would say was naturally beautiful. A phenomenon I still find interesting. I personally think she is stunning and have been on team Jen ever since I sported "The Rachel haircut" circa 1998, so it comes to no surprise for me that when I came across her home on Architectural Digest that I was instantly drawn in. I always love a peak into the residences of celebrities and this modern home certainly doesn't disappoint. It looks positively luxurious, just like I would expect. 

all images via Architectural Digest 

Stop - Collaborate & Listen

A while back I posted about a blog crush who had the most fun fashion illustrations - Oh Joy. While her entire blog is filled with fabulous things, this popular blogger has just released a line of party goods with Target! I love me a party and with Spring around the corner, this garden themed line of goods will definitely fit the bill for a little reason to get together.

Images via Oh Joy!

Let's Get Local - Olives & Grace

    

above image via White Loft Studio

 When I first met the lovely Sofi Madison in her charming South End shop, I was quickly drawn to her kind and warm nature. She instantly makes you feel like a friend and her boutique like a cozy place where you would want to hang out rather then run in and out with your purchase. At Olives & Grace she focuses on sourcing small batch makers of goods and edible treats from across the country. It's a wonderful little spot in our beloved Boston featuring truly unique items that you can't find all under one roof elsewhere. I personally loved browsing the shelves and creating a personalized gift box for my husband and look forward to gifting others with her fab finds for many years to come. Shopping small and locally is always something I stand behind and once you step foot in her store I am sure you will be just as smitten with it as I am. Oh & make sure to follow her on instagram to be in the know on all her fun events held at the store!

above image via Henry & Mac Photography

Tell us a little about Sofi, the gal behind the boutique, i.e. where you grew up, what you like to do on your free time, personal style in fashion or home decor, guilty pleasures etc. 

I grew up in Weston, just outside of the city, left for a few years to explore life, and I circled back to Boston in 2010.  My free-time and work-time blend together, which I round off to a good thing.  If I'm not at my shop, I'm strolling a market, meeting with local entrepreneurs, exploring new restaurants, and getting cozy at home with a work related project. 

  What made you want to open up your own shop and what are some of the products you sell to your customers?

My inspiration had been brewing for years prior to the opening of my shop.  I have several years of restaurant experience, and I'm really drawn to the hospitality industry. I love the way people's faces light up when they talk about products they make or feel passionate about, and because I'd been comfortable recommending food to people for so long, selling on behalf of makers is second nature.  At Olives & Grace we sell everything from spicy chocolate made in California, to hand-painted earrings made in Boston.  The focus of the shop is on the makers, their inspiration, and the human desire to live a passionate life. 

Sample Gift Box

   How do you decide which products to feature in your shop?

Finding products is definitely a fun part of the job, but it's a balancing act. I say it's like planning a dinner party...you want to make sure you're inviting a good mix of characters and that they can all carry their weight, and bring something special to the table. 

Union Square Donuts every Sunday
{a total win because their shop sells out in a hot second}

{how amazing is the packaging on these cocktail mixers?}

What's the best advice you received when starting your own business?  

This might sound a little wobbly, but before I opened the store my girlfriend got me a psychic reading for my birthday.  My psychic told me to "exercise a lot".  At first I thought it was a bit....out of his jurisdiction, but he went on to explain that I'd be challenging myself creatively in my next chapter, and that in order to preserve that, I'd have to exert my physical energy elsewhere.  I liked it, and the idea of protecting my creative energy gets my butt out of bed and to the gym.  

image via Niche

 Living & working in Boston you must have some secret gems in our area. What are some of your favorite spots to dine, shop or visit?

Oh I love this part...favorite places to eat: Bondir, Oleana, VeeVee, Algiers {waited tables there in highschool!}, Neptune.  Other places that have my heart: The Gardner Museum, Arboretum, Wally's....little shops like Sault, Patch NYC, Niche, Follain, Grey's Notions {think sewing class with a glass of wine!} and last but not least Aviary Gallery.

Mapped Out

When it comes to personalization mapped out details are everywhere these days. So when my friend Lauren introduced me to the site Maptote I was in for a serious dose of pre-made goodness. The Brooklyn based company is backed by a husband and wife duo that were inspired by reusable grocery bags given to them while traveling in Germany. They since have expanded their reusable totes to a plethora of other goodies including wine bags, t-shirts, cosmetic pouches, paper goods and so much more. A few of my favorites representing NY, Boston & DNS are below. 

Weekend Wear - Casual

When it comes to being comfortable is there anything better then a classic jeans and t-shirt? I thought I would use inspiration from Mondays peplum post and share this striped beauty that looks positively comfy without sacrificing style. Of course great flats are in order for strolling around town.



top // watch // shoes // denim // bag

Have a great weekend everyone!

Spring Wishlist

I'm having a major itch to do some shopping and refresh my wardrobe with some new Spring clothes. I am seriously over sweaters, coats & boots. A few things below are on my list...some I have picked up, some are still on my wish-list. What are you coveting come warmer weather???



These Loren Hope cuffs are perfection, I would stack this midnight colored gem with a neutral clear stone to go with everything in my wardrobe all Spring & Summer. A classic trench is always a wardrobe staple, I would wear with those floral sling backs, casual ankle length jeans & a striped tee or that pretty peplum top around town.  Loeffler Randall makes some killer shoes, I was obsessed with a similar style last season, I think these cobalt beauties would be a great new pop of color in my neutral wardrobe. Bomber jackets are everywhere this season. I am OBSESSED with this Rebecca Taylor one. When heading to warmer temps, this chevron coverup and stylish one piece are a perfect pair for a poolside chic look. A fabulous day to night dress. Finally a nautical inspired clutch and gold iPhone case are great accessories to go with all my favorite looks.