A Boot Tale

The other day on the news I saw a disturbing segment where women were getting their calves surgically reduced to fit into certain style knee boots. I couldn't believe that women would go to such extremes for fashion. It reminded me of a time when I was working in NYC and I justified the hefty price tag of a certain pair boots because I swore that they went with everything I owned and were the only boot I would wear all winter long. So let's paint a picture of how it all hillariously went down... I am 22, living part time in my parents apartment in NYC {because I couldn't afford my own}, I decide to go into a high end department store {one that I definitely shouldn't even be looking at considering my entry level salary} I head directly to the shoe department, I spot a pair of delicious cognac colored boots with a modest heel height that I think is the prettiest damn thing I have ever laid eyes on. I tell myself even after looking at the ridiculous price tag that if I can get them on, they are coming home with me. So there I am amongst the beautiful people of NYC breaking into a full on panic sweat {ya know those times when you get nervous you will get the item on but not be able to get it off} pulling with all my might to get these painfully gorgeous boots on over my bulky cuffed jeans {skinny jeans weren't a thing yet}. I am pretty sure the salesperson watched on in horror as I wrestled with the luxurious leather all the while reminding himself to zip his lip because he wanted the commission. Then after one final labor-like pull, the boots were on and while they were certainly snug, I was in love. I walked around the carpeted sales floor in a victory lap, so proud of my accomplishment to get these reluctant things on. I stupidly charged the boots so I was to not clear out my bank account on a single purchase and happily skipped out of the store with my retail glow. Fast forward to a ridiculous night out with two of my friends where I had a few too many drinks and my nightmare came true....the boots were stuck...like really stuck. I literally was lying on the couch while my friend Craig and Enzo pulled and pulled trying to get the SOB's off of me. Ya know, one pulling while the other simultaneously trying to unzip the jammed zipper.  In my liquored state and the claustrophobic feeling of being in these boots forever started to roll in, I just said, "cut the damn things off of me...I need to be free" and so they did. The following morning I looked down to the floor at my sad soles and was full of regret. Not only was the bill still being paid off, I had taken the murdered boots to a bunch of cobblers for repair of which no fix was available. SO what is the moral of this ridiculously long and embarassing story?!  One - charging items we can't afford is a BAD idea, that credit card bill will haunt you the following month and two - don't buy shit that doesn't fit...style shouldn't ever be a struggle. There is always a way to have things fit properly without sacrificing how fashionable it is. Just take a look below at my favorite boots of the season available in a slew of styles for every woman of every size!

Boots - one {25% off with code fallstyles} // two // three 

Booties - one // two // three 

Extended Calf - one // two // three 

DIY Smart

Remember when I shared this fun company that makes stylish do it yourself jewelry and accessories?  Well I stumbled across another fabulous DIY company that allows you to create items for your home, kids, gifts and so much more. Enter Darby Smart, the crafty company that allows you to make items that you actually will use, a far cry from the dated arts & crafts stores I remember shopping as a kid where everything you made certainly looked "homemade". I personally love this take on the do it yourself concept. You are delivered everything you need so there is no excess purchasing of supplies,  you get detailed instructions so your not guestimating every step of the process and a detailed look of the final product to help you achieve the look your going for. It's so fun for a girls night, creating a personalized gift, or an activity with your kiddos. A few of my favorite items you can create are displayed below. I personally can't wait to gift some of these items to friends & family. 

really smitten with their kids section

oh & how cute are these free printables like the gin labels & card below!

Pretty Please

image via

My girlfriends and I used to joke around that getting to name nail polish's for a living could quite possibly be the most fun of career's. Being an aunt to four beautiful little nieces who inspire me all the time, I even at one point wanted to create an all natural nail lacquer line that would have fun names designed for a younger audience. So when I cam across Pretty Please a site that allows you to create your own custom nail polish along with it's name, I was very excited to get started. It will make a great stocking stuff come the holiday season, fun for bachelorette's or even a fabulous favor for a bridal shower or birthday party for any gal at any age. I personally love how they use a real hand display of how their twenty five colors will look and the interactive label maker so you see how your custom name will appear not he bottle. For fun I played around with a few and my favorites so far are "Red-y For Love" for polish #4, "Everything but the kitchen pink" and "Pa-stellar Pink" for polish #12 and finally "Indecent Purple-osal" for #25. What would you name your color?

images via their Facebook

Cash Or Credit - City Uniform

Happy Friday friends! We are back in the big apple for a quick last minute work trip. When I pack last minute for anything I tend to grab my tried and true. Is there an easier outfit then a white top and black denim. Yes it can be considered basic but I rather look at it as a classic and full proof. So I thought I would take the opportunity to produce a cash or credit round up featuring my favorites.



cash - top // jeans // clutch // hoops // pumps
credit -  top // jeans // clutch // hoops // pumps

Have a great weekend everyone!

Borrowed From The Boys

Ok, I am all for flats as as sensible shoe, they can be cute and comfy. So while I am really a heels kinda girl, city living means lots of walking and that is definitely not friendly to a stiletto. I however am having trouble getting behind the recent trend of menswear being translated into woman's footwear. This year at NYFW sneakers, loafers and oxfords were seen all over the street styles of fashionista's which I am sure was welcomed jumping show to show but part of me just thinks the look was way to bulky and unfeminine. I'm curious, am I alone here???
What do you think of this trend? 



one // two // three // four // five // six

RocksBox

I love me some accessories, specifically costume jewelry. I own way too many statement necklaces and have very little space to store them. Considering my wardrobe is made up of mostly solid pieces and lots of black and white, a great piece of jewelry is my way to make an ensemble a little more exciting. So when I came across RocksBox {the Netflix of jewlery if you will} I was instantly intrigued. For $19 per month you will receive a box of jewelry with three designer pieces {think House of Harlow, Loren Hope & Margaret Elizabeth} worth $200 or more. Signing up is quick with a little survey on your style preferences and then voila your baubles are mailed to you for wearing. When you are tired of them, back in the mail they go for your next box. You even have the option to buy the pieces you love and send back what you don't. Sounds pretty awesome right?! You can sign up here to get your sparkle on!

For The Love Of The Weekend Getaway - Amsterdam Edition

John and I are still basking in the glow of our lovely long weekend getaway in Amsterdam. Not only did we have a pleasant flight overseas, we were graced with amazing weather, a brand new hotel that met all our expectations and some very memorable meals. I thought I would share a little recap of where we visited, dined & stayed during our brief trip to this friendly country.

image via

The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is a brand new hotel located in the Herengracht canal district. The luxury boutique hotel is made up of six adjacent historic canal front palaces. The front facade looks as almost you are stepping into individual mansions while the interior boasts completely remodeled open and airy interiors with Dutch blue walls and loads of white marble. Other notable hotels where we visited during our stay were The Dylan Hotel and The Conservatorium Hotel that had an incredible atrium that made you feel as if you were dining outside while being in a completely glassed in area. 

Our room looked over the hotels beautiful gardens.

Cyclists are everywhere and will literally run you over if you are in their way. They don't wear helmets, they ride very fast and even the kiddos are helmet free and hang out in the front basket like it's no big deal. We weren't brave enough to try this mode of transport but it's definitely the way for the locals to get around. We found the city very walkable and chose to tour it via boat & by foot.

We strolled the flower market which honestly was filled with more seeds for tulips then actual live tulips. I did however get to snap these beauties at the last vendor on the strip.

We indulged in pancakes at Pancakes Amsterdam thanks to a friendly suggestion via Amsterdam. I went for a banana dutch pancake that was covered in powdered sugar and thick syrup. It was heaven and devoured in seconds. 

Fry stands are all over the city. You gotta love a city where frittes and mayonnaise is an ordinary snack {I could do w/o the mayo but the fries rocked my world}.

 Dining was much more formal then we expected. So many of the restaurants we enjoyed offered tasting menus featuring the local cuisine or their take on a modern fusion of European fares. The first night we dined within the hotels restaurant Librije's Zusje Amsterdam which was beautiful and quite formal. Definitely a memorable meal but my husbands deconstructed apple pie had to be the most delicious and impressive visually. Other restaurants we thoroughly enjoyed were boasting amazing presentations, atmosphere and service were Johannes where we celebrated my husbands birthday with a tasting menu with clever displays i.e. a hidden meal under one of our dishes from another meal oh & the wine pairings were a full glass with each course - a total plus in my book! Aan de Poel  was a thirty minute drive outside the city but on a beautiful lake and had the most amazing risotto with truffles that melted in your mouth. Our last night we tried something that the Dutch are known for that many of you might not know...Indonesian food. Blue Pepper was beyond amazing. I am still dreaming about the many courses of the exotic food.  I unfortunately don't have photos of those meals as I was detaching myself from my phone to enjoy them and nothing is more annoying to a guy then having to wait to eat while his food is being photographed.

Our hotels Guerlain Spa was a special treat where we spoiled ourselves with a massage. I unfortunately had a very strong Dutch woman who literally gave me the most painful massage of my life but it wasn't anything a little soak in the indoor pool couldn't fix. 

One mistake I regretfully made was not purchasing tickets to the Anne Frank Museum. I attended the museum during my first trip to Amsterdam but my husband only got to see the outside, so if you are planning a trip, buy tickets in advance. We visited the Van Gogh Museum & The Maritime Museum {pictured below} instead. We also enjoyed the gardens {pictured at the bottom} at the Rijksmuseum.

Finally I surprised my love with a canal tour on a private boat on his birthday.  The Paradis was a charming 1920's saloon boat where we snacked on chocolates & cheese while viewing the city with exactly how it was meant to be seen, from the water. It was perfection.