Monday, December 26, 2016

Gearing up for a new year

With the year coming to a close, I've been thinking a lot about improvements I want to make in 2017. What can I do to workout more? To spend more quality time with friends and loved ones? To spruce up my living space? While I may still be contemplating my workout routine and social calendar, I've got the living space thing covered with Pixers.

No More Holes

One of the difficulties I've run into in my twenties while living in LA is that I move a lot. This means that I'm constantly putting holes in my rented apartment walls, only to, a year later, pack up my paintings and frantically try to spackle the holes in the walls that I've created. Landlords, generally speaking, don't love when tenants put lots of holes in their walls. (Guilty.) And often they won't let you paint the walls, either. Hello, depressing shade of off white that apartments normally come with. Oh how I wish I had known about Pixers the year that I lived in three different apartments!

Pixers offers durable, matte, reusable wall murals that stick to the walls and don't ruin the paint job in your home when you peel them off. (Hello, more rent deposit to keep when you move!) Plus some of the wall murals are washable, so if they get stained, say, in the kitchen or in a child's bedroom, or, let's face it, because you tripped and spilled red wine all over your wall, you can just use a damp cloth to wipe them clean.

Something for Everyone

Pixers offers a wide variety of bright, fun, patterned wall murals that are sure to meet anybody's interior decorating taste. You don't have to change your whole apartment or house to liven up a space and there are millions (yes, millions!) of products to choose from on the Pixers website.

Earth Prints

Want to create a feeling of positive energy and light in your eating area? Try incorporating this colorful, whimsical tree. How gorgeous would this tree of life be in a drab dining area? Did I mention the wall mural is eco-friendly? Saving the planet is so chic.

Vinyl Wall Mural: Old Tree #FO49995681 from Pixers


Or maybe you're looking for something that will make you feel like you're on vacation even when you're still at home? You might not be able to afford that trip to Hawaii, but you can stare at your walls and pretend you're in paradise.

Vinyl Wall Mural: Seamless Exotic Pattern with Abstract Palm Leaves and Colibri #FO124358880 from Pixers


City Scenes 


Or maybe your apartment has more of an artsy, hipster vibe? How unique of you :) Go with something like this:
Washable Wall Mural: Street Scene #FO41338211 from Pixers


The best part? The murals can move with you when you move on to your next home. Cue tears from landlord who loves you dearly for not painting or putting holes in his walls.

Transport You to Another World 


Maybe nature or city scenes aren't your thing. Maybe you just want to come home and experience the haven that is your 400 square foot apartment. Try something that will transport you out of this world of dreary desk jobs and $4 lattes that you can't afford. I love how dreamy this hot air balloon in a sea of clouds is. I feel so relaxed just looking at it, don't you?

Vinyl Wall Mural: Air Balloon On Sky #FO49789348


I can't wait to kiss 2016 goodbye and welcome 2017 with open arms (and funky wall murals.)

A big thank you to Pixers for sponsoring this post. 

Friday, December 23, 2016

Christmas Pajamas! Merry Almost Christmas!






Is there anything better than Christmas jammies?? I love wearing flannel pajamas and HUGE thick fuzzy socks (see above, lol,) especially on Christmas morning when I wake up early to see if Santa has arrived, and it's cold and brisk outside and I curl up in a blanket on the sofa to wait until everyone is up and ready to open presents :) My feet are always cold so these fuzzy socks I got at Big Lots for $5 are AMAZING!!

There are so many cute Christmas pajamas out this year! You can get my Cheers shirt here for $12.99 :) These oh so amazing Christmas jammies are 30% off! The red leggings I'm wearing are from Target last year, but I've linked some similar ones and lots more Christmas jammies fun for you guys below! And actually the leggings I'm wearing above were a little tight for pajama comfort. I'd probably go for these lounge pants if I had a do over!

Merry almost Christmas!!!

Shop Christmas Pajamas Below:


Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas



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Only four sleeps until Christmas! There still time to buy stocking stuffers and gifts before Christmas but you're running out of time to get it shipped to arrive by the 25th! Ok so first things first, everybody should own this famous Golden Monogram Mug - it's only $10 and seriously so cute! It's literally perfect for a coworker, friend, sister, aunt, you name it and you can't beat the price! If you're looking for a $5 stocking stuffer look no further than these Green Tea Eye Masks. They relax the skin around the eye to achieve a bright, revitalized look. For the sneaky expensive gift that is hiding in the Christmas stocking, go for the Tory Burch Crossbody Wallet. It's the perfect size and very high quality. I personally would love to own this Buffalo Plaid Scarf and how cute would this Tassel Velvet Crossbody be for NYE? Pair it with the Pom Pom Choker and you'll be super on trend. Good luck and happy shopping!

Friday, December 16, 2016

The Best Luxury Makeup Products of 2016





Mascara | Beauty Blender | Hydrating Shampoo (not makeup but good shampoo is the key to beautiful hair!) | Liquid Liner | Liquid Lipstick | Liquid Foundation Matte Foundation | Eyebrow Pencil | Eyeshadow Palette | Matte Lipstick | Pencil Eyeliner | Setting Powder | Setting Spray | Concealer | Face Primer | Contour Kit | Mineral Foundation Powder

Hey lovelies! Happy Friday!! I have done the research and the results are in -- here are the best luxury makeup products of 2016 (user approved!) These are a combination of $$$ and $ so I will do a drugstore roundup for you as well. Have an amazing weekend!

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Puffer Jacket and OTK Boots






  
Hat: Gap (old but here's a cute white one with a pom pom!) | Jacket: Calvin Klein (old, similar hereUse code MERRY for 15% off!)  | Jeans: Joe's Jeans (old, similar here) | Boots: Steve Madden OTK Boots (almost exact ones here) - so comfortable!! | Sweater: ASOS (old) | Scarf: Sole Society (sold out, very similar one here) | Bag: Louis Vuitton | Mittens: J.Crew (similar here)


Hi friends! Happy Thursday!! K so last weekend I was in the Seattle area, and let me tell you, it was C O L D. Down jacket + hat + mittens = necessary. Did you know you could pair OTK boots with a puffy down jacket? OTK boots seem so serious and sexy, don't they? But actually you can wear them in a variety of ways - with leggings and a poncho, with dresses, with jeans a sweater, and with jeans and a down puffer jacket. Red jackets and coats really make a statement and are so festive for the holiday season that's fast approaching.

You don't have to be afraid to pair two different prints like I did here with my plaid blanket scarf and my patterned hat. The scarf and hat have some shared colors and the red jacket pulls it all together. The best part of these boots is that they are so. comfy. I am huge on the comfort factor of clothing and shoes so when I found these on sale I knew I had to have them! I've linked a similar pair - they're almost EXACTLY mine.

Do you have any fun plans for this upcoming weekend? My boyfriend will be visiting from Seattle, so I'm super excited to see him! Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a great Thursday!

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Mom Approved Guide to Gift Giving

Hey friends! Happy Wednesday! This post is up a little later than normal, (sorry about that) but it's a completely mom approved guide to gift-giving!

I asked my mom yesterday what she thinks moms like to get for Christmas and she had lots of wisdom to share. Here are her guidelines:

"Gift something that shows you how well you know the person and something the person doesn't like to spend money on."

If they are always cold, consider gifting a nice robe, pajamas, or a snuggly sweater. For an extra 20% off these adorable Christmas pajamas use code MERRY (they come out to be less than $24!) This robe is on sale and is less than $27 right now! It looks so super soft! (All the best robes are!) I am completely in love with this cashmere poncho which is normally $150 (!!)  and is on major sale right now for $54.99! This sale will expire in less than 7 hours so don't wait! It comes in four colors and is seriously so cute. Is there anything better than snuggling up at home in soft pajamas or a robe?! Or a cashmere sweater for that matter, which you can also wear outside and not look frumpy in unlike a robe?!

"Craft supplies that they use a lot are a great idea, too. A gift card to a yarn store if they like to knit, for example, a gift card to a class, or a gift card to their favorite supply place like Michael's or Jo-Ann Fabrics. "

One nugget of wisdom my mom had to share is to buy your mom a gift that she doesn't like to spend money on for herself. For example, my mom really likes this face cream, but it's like $40 so she HATES spending money on it! This would be the perfect gift because it's something I know she loves but feels uncomfortable buying for herself.

Another mom-approved gift is a gently scented candle. Voluspa is one of my favorite candle brands. It's so great because it comes in so many different scents and sizes, including cute mini candles!

Other items to consider that will vary on your mom's decor:
A nice frame (which a cute picture of the two of you in it!) like Olivia Frames
Jay Strongwater ornaments
Entertaining ware like Michael Aram's


Shop My Mom Approved Picks Below:





Monday, December 12, 2016

Seattle MoPop: Museum of Pop Culture, a Review

This past weekend I was in Seattle visiting SH and we had so much fun! Yesterday we went to the Museum of Pop Culture or MoPOP! We saw a really cool Star Trek exhibit with lots of Star Trek history, costumes, TV show clips, memorabilia, and more. It was crazy how shabby and dated the costumes looked up close (but then again, a lot of them are quite old!) I loved seeing Spock's outfit!

It was really fun seeing parts of the sets and learning about how the show got its start. The show is praised for tackling relevant social issues and Gene Roddenberry, the show's creator, strongly believed in racial and gender equality. Did you know the first on-screen interracial kiss was in a 1968 episode titled "Plato's Stephchildren" between William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols?

We also saw the Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction exhibit which had so many amazing movie props and costumes! We saw a ton of cool props and costumes from Terminator, Battlestar Galactica, Galaxy Quest, Alien, and many other famous films. There is a space weapons wall which is so cool too! I definitely recommend this exhibit! Oh and I can't forget the HOVER BOARDS from the Back to the Future films are here!!! I could not believe how shabby they looked up close haha but I LOVED THEM! :D If you love the films then you'll love them too! They look so much smaller in person though!

Then we went to the Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film exhibit which wasn't my favorite. I don't really like horror movies but if you're into them this could be cool because again they have props and stuff from horror films.

For any fashion lovers out there, The World of Wearable Art will surely inspire and intrigue you! There were so many amazing creations, from dresses made of fiberglass, wood, and even plastic zip ties. The creations were truly amazing and so imaginative.

Last but not least there is a cool but small Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic exhibit. I was really hoping it would be bigger and that there might be some Harry Potter stuff but of course that is all owned by Warner Brothers, I guess. We did see some costumes from the Princess Bride (including the wedding dress that Buttercup almost marries Humperdink in) and Dorothy's costume from the Wizard of Oz which was awesome.

There are other exhibits too that we didn't visit: Nirvana, Hendrix, Seahawks, etc. Check the website for the exhibits if you want to see what else the museum offers.

All in all the visit was super awesome! We did those four exhibits in about three hours and we ate lunch beforehand at Culture Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck which is inside the museum before you reach any exhibits. We ate the spinach and artichoke dip (AMAZING!), a rosemary grilled cheese (meh - who puts mustard on grilled cheese?! If I knew they did that I would have asked for NO MUSTARD!) and a chicken cesar salad wrap which was pre-made but good and fresh.

It wasn't a cheap date, the tickets were $30 each (it would have been $25 but we paid the extra $5 for the Stark Trek exhibit) and lunch was $36 with tax and tip. But if you're movie and TV buffs or science fiction buffs like we are then I believe the cost is worth it! We had an awesome time and I'm super glad we went. We both thought it was well worth the money.

I give the Museum of Pop Culture a solid 4.5/5 rating! 

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Wardrobe Staples: Christmas List Edition

Wardrobe Staples: Christmas List Edition

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It's the most wonderful time of the year! I love taking the time around the holidays to think about all that I have to be thankful for and to rejoice in spending time with my family, friends and loved ones! I recently cleaned out my closet (which felt AMAZING by the way!!) and I made a point to touch every single piece of clothing that I own to determine whether or not it still brought me joy or was something I could use. In my opinion, it's important to cultivate a wardrobe that is a mix of high end and low end pieces. Fast fashion can keep you trendy, but there's some pieces that never go out of style, like ballet flats, turtle necks and cigarette pants. If you're working on your long-term wardrobe, these are some items to ask Santa for to get you started!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

31 Acts of Kindness

Every year I create a list of 31 acts of kindness in the month of December to propel me in to the spirit of Christmas. You can read last year's list here. It's a really fun and reflective exercise that encourages you to stop and reflect on your life and areas in which you can improve and be kinder. Here is my list of 31 acts of kindness in no particular order:

1. Give someone the benefit of the doubt.
2. Email a friend you haven't talked to in a while and ask how they are.
3. Get together with someone you haven't seen in a long time and want to reconnect with.
4. Thank a coworker for all the hard work they've done this year, and give a specific compliment on something they do well.
5. Do something out of the ordinary for someone you love.
6. Do the dishes without complaining.
7. Support a friend in need.
8. Listen without interrupting.
9. Hug your family.
10. Be cheerful when you order your coffee.
11. Help out a coworker and counsel them in a way that helps them understand and improve.
12. Call your grandma and grandpa.
13. Return a phone call in a timely manner.
14. Leave a cute message.
15. Tweet, email, mail a letter, whatever - thanking a company you love for their great customer service.
16. Write a handwritten note to a friend telling them how much you appreciate their friendship and love them as a person.
17. Invite a friend out for a cup of coffee and treat them.
18. If you're a blogger, consider running a giveaway on your blog to thank your readers and followers.
19. Give your significant other a back and shoulder massage.
20. Do a neighborly deed like shoveling snow for an elderly neighbor.
21. Visit a retirement home and spend time with people who don't have anyone visiting them during the holidays.
22. Donate needed items to a homeless or women's shelter.
23. Give good advice to someone who needs it.
24. Help someone be the best version of themselves.
25. Leave a $5 Starbucks gift card somewhere for someone to find.
26. Offer to pay for someone in need's gas.
27. Carry a homeless kit in your car to give to someone in need when you see them.
28. Hold the door for a stranger.
29. Say please and thank you to your waiter(s) and give them a nice tip.
30. Take out the trash without complaining.
31. Don't forget to tell your family you love them and count your blessings!

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Gift Guide for Her $50 and Under





Today's post is all about girly gifts for $50 and under! How sweet are these light pink and gold candles?! They're perfect for gifting to your mother in law or girlfriend who loves to host parties. Have a fashionista on a budget friend? She'll love the leopard clutch that is a la clare vivier but without the high price tag. I have the power stone bracelet and it's truly so perfect for stacking since it's so light and dainty and would make a great gift for a sister or friend. It's personalized too since each stone means something different. And don't you want to wrap up and snuggle with your love in this cozy monogram blanket?! Consider gifting it to newlyweds who are celebrating their first Christmas together! I hope you find this and my $100 and under gift guide helpful!

Monday, December 5, 2016

Cowl Neck Dress





Dress (ribbed version here) | Tights c/o Maidenform (use code FRIEND for 30% off!) | Boots (similar here) | Gorjana Necklace (I'm obsessed and my mom likes to borrow it from me too) | Citizen Watch (similar here) | Speck Phone Case (use code FRIEND for 10% off) | David Yurman Ring | Hat (similar here

***
Happy Monday friends, how was your weekend? Tbh I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed from various holiday-related commitments! I'm not complaining, I know that I am incredibly blessed, but I definitely am feeling like it would be pretty great to stop time for a second and catch up on my to do list! I meant to post this outfit in November but I'm a little behind. (Hello December!) W/e I wanted to post it and show you guys. So at first I was a little on the fence about this dress. Here's what I love about it: the material is incredibly soft and silky feeling, and I truly am all about comfort when it comes to buying clothing. I like the color, it's unique and I don't have anything else in my closet that is this color. I like that it is a cowl neck, too. I only have one other cowl neck dress and it's more a work dress than anything, so I would never wear it on the weekend just hanging out. Some downsides about this dress, I feel like the material is so thin that it clings weird around my bra. The boob area is looking a little weird lol. To avoid this saggy boob look I could put a vest over it the next time I wear it - I think I'll try it and let you guys know how it goes. Ok so on to the tights -- I absolutely LOVE these tights. They are a size larger than I would normally wear because I like the opaque look, not sheer. Also tights go up so high on your waist that wouldn't anyone love a little extra breathing room? I bought almost this exact hat in black and I can't wait to wear it. I tied an old brown belt around it because the string that the hat came with fell off (it came unglued and is no where to be found.) I think the belt looks cool, don't you? Very DIY am I right? 

Well I hope you all have a fabulous week. I don't think I've talked about this yet on my blog but SH moved to Seattle so we are visiting a few weekends a month. I get to go up this weekend and I am SO incredibly excited. I love my weekend visits to Seattle seeing my love! Here's to many more!

Shop the post:



Friday, December 2, 2016

Christmas Gift Guide $100 and Under

Happy Friday lovelies!! It's December and I'm so excited because it's only 23 days until Christmas! I have my Christmas countdown blocks up on my desk at work and we decorated the office and it feels so festive and fun!

I'm going to be doing a series of gift guides at different price points over the coming weeks, $100 and under, $50 and under, $25 and under, etc. While this time of year isn't about presents, it can feel really good to give a thoughtful gift to someone you love.

Here are some ideas to help you get started!




I love the unique Monogram Glass Terrarium  for someone who loves succulents and plants, and how cute and cozy is that North Face fleece jacket? I've had my North Face fleeces literally for ten years (I got them in high school) and they are still in excellent condition. They are expensive but will last you a long time. A lot of the colors/sizes are selling out but this print is really cute and still available!

I asked my boyfriend for the Love Code Charm Necklace - it has a "secret message" on it - you have to spin it to be able to read the message. How sweet is that? Something about it is really romantic :)

Also I'm a sucker for boots, and I was really excited when I saw these are 25% off! They're normally $100 but they're on sale for $75! Woohoo! I love sales!


 

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