Beauty Round Up

Do you ever get a point where your entire beauty bag needs refreshing. Lately I have felt I run out everything all at the same time which is such a heavy hit to the wallet {which also begs the question - why is it totally impossible to walk into Sephora and only buy one thing?}. To make matters worse a lot of the products I was using had since been discontinued {insert sad face}, including my beloved perfume, which we all know is so hard to find one you love. So I asked around to my girlfriends what products they like to use, took their recommendations and went about starting a new daily beauty regimen for myself. For my skincare I have been so happy with these all natural products and these for my anti-aging care. First was finding a new scent. I luckily stocked up on a few bottles when I heard my beloved signature scent was being discontinued but decided to keep looking for a replacement and thankfully to some free samples I fell in love with Hermès Le Jardin de Monsieur Li and have been smelling my wrists non stop since my husband surprised me with a bottle. All my other beauty favorites are below. 

Horsing Around

Aren't horses one of the most beautiful animals? Personally they have always been a big part of our  family. My niece rides year round which teaches her grooming, safety, competition and discipline. We also grew up visiting the track to see my dad's horses race {don't worry when they were retired they all went to live the good life on a farm where they were trained to be riding horses}. The equine has also offered inspiration for numerous luxury brands like Polo {dying to try their new resto here in NYC}, Coach, Longchamp, Gucci & Hermes. Which proves that this magnificent animal provides style in everything from decor in your home to fashionable items for the closet to jewelry to adorn ourselves in.

3rd Anniversary Gift Guide

Next week my husband and I celebrate three years of marriage! It really is crazy how fast the time has gone by. Lots of happy memories have been made thus far in our relationship and I look forward to all the ones we still have to make together. So in honor of the traditional anniversary themes I put together a little his and hers gift guide all for the third year "leather" anniversary.



For Him

I love pairing gifts. So while a leather shoe carrier might be a tad boring on it's own, its a great gift when you fill it with a pair of new kicks for your guy. When you travel a ton like my man, a case for his tech accessories are key to keep them protected. I love the rustic leather cover for the iPhone and Jack Spades portfolio. A classic leather strap watch is always in style. Mont Blanc wallets in pebbled leather wear well and are super sleek.  A functional key chain to stylishly store his keys. Canvas and leather combo flip flops provide comfort and a pop of color for summer days. What guy wouldn't love a traveling flask set for his favorite spirits or gift him his favorite wine/port in these monogrammed leather carriers. My guy is a big writer, so a set of fancy pens and leather bound notebooks would definitely be utilized.

For Her

A brightly colored monogrammed tote in a classic silhouette is always in style as well is nautical stripes to have your phone well dressed. A gorgeous and soft noise free key chain. Cover up that iPad in style with this patterned case. A cheeky way to help your gal make decisions. Floral embossed beauty bag is perfectly paired with her favorite cosmetics. A leather jewelry box in a pretty hue filled with a some baubles will always be a win. This leather and lace cami is perfectly paired with this stunning fringe necklace. Anything in a little orange box is sure to make her swoon. Finally sandals that go with everything in her closet. 

Gift Guide - Mother's Day

Mom's are the best! Even in my mid thirties I still talk to my mom daily on the phone, look forward to days when just her and I get to go shopping and when I visit home I rely on her for pretty much everything. It's no doubt the hardest job in the world and one you never get to retire from. So why not gift your mom with something super special to let her know just how much she means to you. A few of my ideas are below!

Perfume has always been a easy go to for moms for practically every single holiday out there. Amp up your fragrance gift giving with this chic refillable Hermes Lock Spray. Tory Burch anything is pretty much a safe bet for your favorite mom. I am especially loving this floral print iPhone case {could be perfectly paired with an iPhone upgrade}. Pearls never go out of style and this pair  {also available in silver} that both me and my mom already own are a classic favorite that goes with everything. A trio of natural frames to display some family photos or homemade art is perfect for the mom who loves to take snaps of the kiddos. A pretty place for chef mama to store all her secret recipes. A sampler of mini macrons for indulging - perhaps with a glass of wine, flowers and a bubbly bath set already set up for her. These cookbooks are a perfect combination of stylish design and function for the mom who loves to flex her cooking muscles. Cozy throws are a big deal in our home. We all have our own when we want to get comfy on the couch. No gift is complete with a handwritten card to tell your moms about how much you love her. Moms always have lots to carry, bottles, treats, diapers, activities and so on. A good looking bag set to help keep her organized without sacrificing style is always a clear winner. Gifting jewelry doesn't always mean you need to spend a small fortune. This statement necklace has a rich look without the high price tag {especially that is 30% off today}. Moms do a lot of running around so flats are totally needed, a little leopard pair shows your mama's sassy side. I'm pretty sure any women mom or not would love a back up charge for their iPhone, especially when it's this cute. Pretty pajamas for her beauty sleep are essential. For the ladies who love to entertain, this beautiful marble platter with silver trim is gorgeous for displaying tasty snacks and such. A subscription to a magazine that celebrates "the art of being a woman" is empowering and fun for flipping through before bedtime.

Happy Shopping!

Cash or Credit - Totes

In important news, has anyone seen the atrociousness that was gifted to Kim K by her man this Christmas? The $40,000 hand painted Birkin bag is the work of American artist George Condo, who previously worked on some album covers for Yeezy. Thankfully this bag is one of a kind, because do we really need more then one bag painted with naked women with monster faces?! In an article I read online, one person summarized this bag perfectly..."it has the aesthetic appeal of a tragic car accident". For those of us that do not have or would ever spend that kind of money on a bag, I put together a little cash or credit round up of totes that are worth carrying around at all different price points. 

image via

Zara Burgundy Tote // Pour La Victoire Yves Tote
Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote // Michael Kors Miranda Tote
Annabel Ingall Tote  // Burberry Tote

The First Five Years

Anniversaries are a wonderful thing, a benchmark of time that you get to celebrate with your partner in crime but before I was married these annual days would come and go without much thought. That all changed after we said I do. I think the themed years definitely amped up the fun for me on getting the creative juices going on my gift giving.  On our first wedding anniversary we returned to Newport, RI where we tied the knot.  That year I got crafty with the paper theme and I gave my husband a giant piñata in the shape of his iphone filled with gift cards to his favorite stores, favorite candy as well as some vintage papers of inventors he admired growing up. Most recently we celebrated our second wedding anniversary in Nantucket, MA where I gave him a weekend bag that matched his current luggage set. Who knows what will come next year when leather is our theme, one thing I do guarantee is that he will have it easier then me. With anniversaries so recently on my mind, I assembled a little gift guide with the themes I plan on following to provide some inspiration for other couples who are on their way through the first five years of marriage. Happy Gifting!

 one - art is a difficult thing to find for men, this is exactly why I love these handmade gyotaku pieces where an actual fish is painted and rubbed onto paper creating unique pieces for your guy. 
two - a classic weekender bag for all your getaways will have your guy traveling in style 
three - a leather backgammon case or poker set is perfect for your guys easy entertaining
 four - a whimsical printed pocket square and a coordinating blazer will satisfy all silk fashions
five - create an outdoor area for your guy with a fire pit for cozy nights together 

one - stylish stationary is the obvious choice but a set of beautifully covered classics will last a lifetime
two - a cotton dress doesn't have to be boring, especially one in a ladylike silhouette and classic color
three - leather may be the easiest year for men, you can't go wrong with a clutch & coordinating wallet
 four - a timeless silk scarf from the french designer hermes, need I say more?
five - a great piece of furniture that she has had her eye on will do the trick for wood, this vintage louis vuitton trunk would surely make any gal weak in the knees