Parks Project Love + Weekend in the Desert

April 23, 2018 / Style Files / 0 comment

Dittos jeans (SUPER old – also love this pair and this one); Parks Project sweatshirt (c/o); cabi heels (c/o); Cult Gaia clutch; DVF scarf; Ray-Ban sunglasses; Kendra Scott bracelet

Happy Monday, friends! I’m kicking off the week at a snail’s pace after spending the weekend in the desert with Eric and a few of our friends. Eric’s birthday is this week, so to celebrate a little early, we bought tickets to a Grateful Shred show at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown. If you like live music, BBQ and beer, and an old school Western bar feel, you should definitely add Pappy & Harriet’s to the bucket list. It’s our second time seeing a show there, and it definitely won’t be the last. (It was our first time seeing a Grateful Shred show, and it was SO much fun – would definitely go back 100 more times.)

If you’re wondering where the hell Pioneertown is, you’re not alone. Most people that I told about the weekend asked that question. It’s a little gem of a town out in the desert, not far from Joshua Tree. Cell service, taxis, and Ubers are pretty much nonexistent in the area, so we knew we wanted to rent a place pretty close to the venue. We stayed at this Airbnb which turned out to be perfect because we could walk to Pappy & Harriet’s.

I pretty much have no photos from the weekend, and I’m not even mad about it. Eric and I love exploring all of the scenery that California has to offer. We live for weekend trips to Big Sur or Carmel, roaming around a National Park (hard to believe this trip to Yosemite was almost three years ago), or taking in the super colorful sunsets in the desert. And I didn’t want to ruin his birthday weekend trip by trying to take 400 photos. (And I’ll be honest, that desert wind had this mane looking cray.)

So in lieu of photos from the weekend, today I’m sharing this look with a sweatshirt from a company that’s become a new favorite of mine. Parks Project makes the cutest (and softest!) tees, tanks, and sweatshirts with National Parks as their inspiration. The designs are adorable (this one is next on my list), but the message and contribution back to the parks are even better. (You can see some of the amazing things done here.)

Now I’ve got a much needed full week at home, and I’m not gonna lie I’m excited. Here’s hoping everyone has a great week ahead!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Priscilla Frey

Sundance Film Festival with Stella Artois

January 29, 2018 / Style Files, Travel / 1 Comment

Topshop jacket; NastyGal sweater; cabi turtleneck; Free People scarf; Zac Zac Posen handbag and fur strap; faux fur-lined leggings; Over-the-knee boots; Ray-Ban sunglasses SheIn sweater (c/o); Topshop faux fur jacket; Levi’s jeans (on sale); Over-the-knee boots; Zac Zac Posen handbag and fur strap; Free People scarf and beanie; Ray-Ban sunglasses SheIn dress (c/o); Topshop faux fur jacket; fleece-lined tights; Saint Laurent handbag (more affordable version here); Ray-Ban sunglasses Moon River sweater (runs big, size down); plaid scarf; Carve Designs coat (also love the black version here); faux fur lined leggings; Hunter boots; Hunter boot liners; Love Your Melon beanie Moon River sweater; Free People scarf and beanie (on sale); faux fur lined leggings; Hunter Boots; Ray-Ban sunglasses SheIn sweater (c/o); Topshop faux fur jacket; Levi’s jeans (on sale); Free People scarf and beanie (on sale); Zac Zac Posen handbag and fur strap; Over-the-knee boots; Ray-Ban sunglasses Blank NYC jeans; similar Knowlita sweatshirt; Love Your Melon beanie; Ray-Ban sunglasses; similar leather sneakers; Ricardo Beverly Hills luggage; Free People fringe scarf; Carve Designs jacket; Louis Vuitton Neverfull

If you’ve been following along on Instagram, then you know that I spent a long weekend last week with Stella Artois at the Sundance Film Festival. And it was awesome. I had never been to Sundance before (or Park City for that matter), and I was super excited to get there and experience all the excitement firsthand. We kicked off the weekend with a welcome dinner at 501 on Main, and the food was so delicious.

We stayed at the Newpark Resort Hotel which was just a short drive from the Main Street / downtown area, and the rooms were so, so nice. This room was seriously HUGE and included a gas fireplace, a kitchenette, and a big balcony with a jacuzzi on it. Every morning I had my coffee in bed with the fireplace going, looking out on a snowy mountain view. It was the best way to start my day and such a cozy place to come home to at night.

The Stella Artois team had the cutest lounge set up on Main Street, and it became our sort of home away from home on the trip. It was a comfy spot to thaw out, listen to live music, grab a snack (thankfully since we could not get into any restaurants in town – everything was booked solid) and enjoy cold Stellas and Cidre hot toddies. There was also a limited edition chalice shop helping to give access to clean water to communities without. (You can find more info on that partnership here.) This was also the place where we listened in on an amazing Women in Film panel, joined in on a Sunday night hip-hop dance party, and did most of our celebrity spotting.

On Sunday we went on a snowmobiling excursion, and it was SO MUCH FUN. I’ll admit that I was a little nervous at first and maneuvering this beast machine was a little aggressive, but once I got the hang of it, I was hooked. It’s really a shame that Orange County’s weather doesn’t support my new favorite hobby. Guess it just means I’ll have to make my way back to the snow a little more often.

And then there were the movies – it was Sundance after all. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not much of a movie buff and don’t even watch much TV these days, but seeing movies in a tiny theater in the presence of all the people that helped make that movie possible was totally cool.

Kathleen and I saw Search together on Sunday night, and we loved it. It was like a Dateline murder mystery (one of my TV faves) on the big screen set in this crazy cyber world we live in. It was so cool to hear from the film’s director and cast during a Q&A after the movie, and afterwards we walked over to Twisted Fern for dinner. This was definitely my favorite meal of the trip – the brussels sprouts appetizer, house red wine, and the lentil-mushroom burger were all amazing. (Thankfully we could get into restaurants that were a bit out of town.)

Overall it was an amazing trip with some pretty great people, and when it came time to leave, I was pretty sad to go. Sundance was such a cool experience, and Park City was so beautiful. But after one last delicious bite to eat at the High West Distillery in the Salt Lake City Airport (thanks to this recommendation from Female Foodie), it was back home to the husband and the pup.

Here’s hoping everyone has a great week ahead!

xoxo

Thank you so much to Stella Artois for the amazing trip. All opinions are my own.

The Cold Weather Essentials That Actually Work

January 8, 2018 / Style Files, Travel / 0 comment

Spanx leggings; Loft sweater; Free People scarf and beanie (c/o) Shopbop – snag the hat and scarf on sale here; Carve Designs jacket (c/o) – also love this black version; Hunter boots and fleece socks; Ray-Ban sunglasses

Last week I shared all about our December trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and mentioned that it was just a little COLD. There was no snow, but we did get a night of 9-degree temps, so, you know, pretty chilly. Luckily for me though, I was way prepared and packed my suitcase (OK, suitcases, plural) with all of the cozy things.

I’ve got another chilly trip in just a couple of weeks (Sundance, YAY!), and since half the country is currently freezing their tails off, I figured I would share a few of the cold weather essentials that saved my butt from the crazy cold in Jackson Hole.

Carve Designs Down Puffer Jacket (also love the black version here) – This jacket is so lightweight and easy to pack, so I had my doubts that it would actually be warm enough. And I’m happy to say that I was so wrong. The hood and “handwarmer” pockets are lined in the softest fleece which made a world of difference – as long as I had my hood on and my hands in my pockets, I barely noticed that it was, oh, nine degrees out one night. Plus, I loved all of the zipper pockets so that I could leave my handbag at home and just carry the essentials in my coat.

Free People chenille infinity scarf (on sale) and beanie – You know I’m ALL about ALL the chenille things this year, and this infinity scarf and hat combo just may be my favorite. I’m seriously thinking I may need to snag the blue version for an upcoming trip to Utah.

Free People oversized fringe scarf – This one was also super warm – wrapped up tight, it seriously helped a sister out while watching the snowmobile races and on a morning out in the National Elk Refuge.

cabi Layer Turtleneck (similar version here) – I have a couple of these layering turtlenecks from last year, and I wore one every single day of the trip. A snug-fitting first layer is a must for me, and these easily layer under pretty much anything.

Hunter boots and fleece sock inserts – Layering up my frozen toes was KEY. I had seen a ton of photos of gals wearing their Hunter boots in snow, so I decided to order them for the trip and give them a whirl. The boots alone would have been pretty chilly, but paired with the boots socks (and these cozy socks as a base layer), these were super warm and comfy for roaming around town.

Ugg boots – Although it was SUPER cold in Jackson Hole, there wasn’t much (if any) snow on the ground so Uggs worked just fine for the daytime for me. For nighttime though, I definitely would have needed a taller pair like this one or these.

Faux fur lined footless tights (and these fleece-lined footless tights) – Y’all, these were AWESOME for beating the cold. I picked them up at Target a couple of hours before we left for the airport, and I was so happy that I did. Besides the one day that I wore jeans, I lived in these faux fur lined footless tights and can’t recommend them enough for cold climates.

What cold weather gear do you guys swear by?

xoxo

Photos thanks to Erin Wheat

Here’s Lookin’ at You, 2017

January 2, 2018 / Style Files / 2 Comments

It seriously seems like just a couple of months ago that I was writing a little recap of 2016, and yet somehow, here we are, already a couple of days in to 2018. I know that lots of folks are having lots of mixed reviews of 2017, but I gotta say, it was a pretty wonderful one around here.

We kicked off 2017 by packing up our house and getting ready for a pretty easy remodel. We were adding on a dining room and an office for Eric and changing out all of the existing exterior plaster for new. We found an awesome rental house and thought we’d make ourselves at home there for about a month. (The plaster changing meant we wouldn’t have exterior walls, so the house was just too cold to live in.) You know what they say, the best laid plans…

Fast forward five months, and our sweet little remodel turned into an entirely different house. We eliminated walls, vaulted ceilings, did an entire kitchen remodel, and changed just about every room in the house. Over the next seven months, we added on a front patio with a fire pit that we love, completely reworked the backyard to include a built-in BBQ and jacuzzi area, and finally switched out the dirt yard and port-o-potty out front for actual grass and landscaping. (Hashtag, that construction life.) And I swear, more photos of the home are coming soon.

In May after moving back into our house, we welcomed our sweet pup Louise, and although girlfriend certainly put me through it for a couple of months, she’s now the sweetest little member of our family. (And as you can probably tell from the photos above, my furry sidekick loves a good photo opp.)

Over the summer we were super fortunate to purchase a house in Palm Springs (more photos here) and worked with a handful of amazing companies to furnish, decorate, and make it a home. We’ve loved every single day we’ve gotten to spend there, loved ringing in the new year there, and can’t wait to spend more time in the desert this year.

Over the past year, I’ve gotten to enjoy some amazing travels – both near and far – from a crazy nice girls’ getaway to Playa de La Paz in Mexico to my dream long weekend in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with my love and a couple of friends. (More on that Jackson trip, still to come.) This year, I got to work with some amazing brands, interview Reese Witherspoon (even if I did stumble all over my words like a starstruck idiot), celebrate one whole year of marriage, and keep this little blog going, doing exactly what I love doing.

Year after year, I’m so very fortunate that you guys keep reading and following along on my journey. I’m so thankful for all the comments, likes, emails, in-person hello’s and so very thankful for this little community. There are already some fun things in the works for 2018, so I certainly hope that you’ll keep following along! Here’s hoping everyone has the best year ahead!

xoxo

P.S. – For all outfit details and photographer info, click the photo above to see the original post.

My Favorite New Year’s Eve Dress Ever

December 20, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Parker sequin dress; cabi booties; similar Blank NYC jacket; Ray-Ban sunglasses; Loeffler Randall clutch

Y’all, I know it’s not even Christmas yet (and thank God because this Christmas shopping list seems to keep getting longer…), but I thought we’d break things up a bit and talk New Year’s Eve. I love Christmas like a crazed five year old or a giant adult elf named Buddy, and after the 25th has passed, the only thing that keeps me from having the serious post-holiday blues is looking forward to New Year’s Eve. (I usually just go ahead and save those blues for January. Good plan.)

Normally we spend New Year’s Eve at Eric’s family’s cabin in the mountains, so sparkles and fun dresses are far from my mind. I trade in the disco ball sequins for faux fur and so many layers. But this year, we’re headed to the desert to ring in the new year, and I couldn’t be more excited. There’s no place like Palm Springs to break out a sequin or two!

I posted this dress last year on the blog for New Year’s Eve, but I figured since it’s my favorite NYE dress ever, why not rework it for another go ’round? This year I’m planning on pairing it with an easy (hint: easy to wear all night) bootie and a leather jacket to tone it down a smidge. The silver version is sadly no longer available, but this year there’s a pretty, pretty new burgundy version in town.

Admittedly this dress is a total investment, so I’m linking a few more similar styles below. And now let’s get back to Christmas, shall we? I’m so so excited that my favorite day is almost here!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Felicia Lasala

Taking the Holidays in Stride with Famous Footwear

November 29, 2017 / Holiday, Style Files / 0 comment

Spanx leggings; Dolman long tee (c/o); cabi jacket; sneakers (c/o) Famous Footwear; Crossbody bag (c/o); Jemma Sands beaded bracelets (c/o); Stella & Dot engraved bangle; Karen Walker sunglasses

While scrolling through Instagram over the last couple of days, I’ve noticed that we tend to chat a lot about the hectic pace of the holidays, how busy we are, so much shopping to do, parties to attend, meals to prepare, blah, blah, blah. Maybe sometimes we forget – it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the season I look forward to all year long. So this year, I’m not letting that holiday to-do list get me flustered. I’ll be taking it all in stride with a coffee in hand, Christmas tunes in my head (and in my car), and comfy kicks on my feet.

I’m excited to team up with Famous Footwear to share a little inspiration to “do it all in style” this holiday season. And my holiday footwear of choice? Well you can find me in sneakers, girl. And specifically, THESE new sneaks from Famous Footwear. They’re seriously so comfortable, and the grey and rose gold color combo? Get outta town.

They’re actually running shoes, so they come in REALLY handy when a certain puppy grabs an ornament and runs with it. I’m not naming names. But for running errands around town, I love these comfy kicks paired with faux leather leggings, sweatshirt dresses, and distressed denim. I’ve now had these on my feet for four days in a row, and the compliments just keep on coming. How’s that for fueling some holiday happiness?

Hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season so far!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Samantha Klose

Brought to you by Famous Footwear, all opinions are my own.

How I’m Focusing on a Healthy Holiday Season

November 20, 2017 / Health & Beauty, Local Love, Style Files / 0 comment

Spanx leggings; Cowl-neck sweater; cabi jacket; Cole Haan sneakers; Louis Vuitton neverfull; Quay sunglasses

Oh, ho, ho, the holidays, y’all, and I am ready. We’re kicking things off with our annual Friendsgiving festivities tonight and hopping on a plane to Louisiana tomorrow morning to spend Thanksgiving week with my family. It’s my hands-down favorite time of year, but it can also be a stressful time if you let it. Travel, work responsibilities, and party after party can really take a toll on a gal’s health, ya know? And there’s no better way to ruin my favorite season than by getting all sick and exhausted and pooped out. So today I’m sharing a few ways that I’m focusing on my health this holiday season. (And don’t get it twisted, I still fully intend to live my best life in the weeks ahead – bring on ALLLL the food!) But here goes anyway…

Drink Your Juice (and Eat a Veggie or Two) – And the candied yam variety probably doesn’t count. We all know that the holidays can get a little out of hand with the meals, the treats, the cocktails, you name it, but it’s important for me to remember that holidays or not, my body needs a little actual nourishment regularly. And you can call me crazy, but I’m totally one of those juice enthusiast people. When I start to feel sick, I usually book it to Juice Served Here for their Hot Shot and Turmeric shots and the Pipe Cleaner juice. Last I checked, loading up on ginger never hurt anybody. (And bonus, this week all of their juices are just $5.) My mom has this theory that whatever you believe in will work, and I gotta say, she’s probably right. If you build it, they will come, y’all.

All About the Essential Oils – Call me crazy twice, but I’m also a huge believer in essential oils, and doTERRA is my oil drug of choice. My friend Corrine introduced me a year or so ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Lemon, lavender, Breathe (amazing for snoring husbands), and Peppermint are in constant rotation around here, but my favorite by far is On Guard. It smells amazing (especially around this time of year) and is my go-to when I’m feeling a bit under the weather. I’m constantly grabbing the oil and also love the softgels.

Get Some Exercise – Well, this one is groundbreaking. I know, it’s not rocket science, but sometimes when I’m being pulled in 100 different directions the last thing on my mind is fitting in a workout. But 10 times out of 10, when I make the time and get a workout in, I’m 100% happy that I did. I work out at Core Reform Pilates a few times a week (and have since wayyy back here) and normally take my wild ass puppy on long walks everyday. We’ll be traveling a couple of times over the holidays, so I’m making it a goal for myself to get in so much walking.

And Some SLEEP – I’m pretty much always guilty of not getting enough sleep. I’m a natural night owl, and let’s just say that mornings generally aren’t my jam. (I get these genes from my dad.) But sometimes in the real world, a girl’s gotta wake up early, so I’m making it a priority these days to get a bit more shuteye. For a little nighttime help, I occasionally rely on Olly Restful Sleep Supplements or Dream Water – both work like a charm to relax and turn off my overactive mind.

Take a Little “Me” Time – As a blogger, the holidays can be an especially busy time for me. End of year projects kick into high gear, the event invites are more frequent than any other time of year, and there are personal obligations on top of that. But over the past couple of years, I’ve found that it’s so important to learn to say “no”. I can run around from event to event, trying to please this company and that one, but in the end, no one wins because I’m burnt out and giving everything only half of my attention. These days, I pick and choose my obligations and make sure to take a little “me”time. My ultimate “me” time? A good old fashioned bath, y’all.

And a Little More “Us” Time – What are the holidays if you’re not spending them with people you love? I love the holidays – love, love them – and there’s nothing better than creating new holiday memories with family and friends. I made a priority list for myself a while back, and it goes like this: my husband and my marriage, my family and friends (and pup), and then my blog and career and anything else. It’s admittedly over-simplified here, but when I remember what’s important in life, I think it can do wonders for my mental health and overall happiness. And don’t we all just want to be happy this holiday season?

xoxo

Photos thanks to Samantha Klose

A Little (Velvet) Something Extra

November 9, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Levi’s jeans; cabi velvet top (c/o); Banana Republic jacket (c/o) – similar version here; Henri Bendel handbag (c/o); Mari A. heels (c/o) – (similar here); Quay sunglasses

Any country music fans out there? My music taste is admittedly a little all over the place, but I’ll also admit that I’ve got big love for some country music and big BIG love for last night’s CMA Awards. Did anyone else watch? Gah, I love watching country performances because they’re such a good time, the artists actually SING, and everyone is just so sparkly. Am I right? I always watch country stars and think I could use a little more sparkle in my life.

And while daytime sequins and glitter aren’t always encouraged, I think the modern fall equivalent is velvet. From the cutest polka-dotted burnout blouse (which JUST launched from cabi) to a sweet little pair of velvet heels (or maybe both at once), velvet just adds that little something extra to your look.

And add a sheen-y printed bomber on top? Well, girlfriend, then you’re getting extra, extra. Or maybe not, but you can still pretend. It’s only Thursday, but I’ve got my sights set firmly on the weekend. To be fair, we’ve got a Friday afternoon wedding in Palm Springs, so today’s sort of like a Friday. And what better way to kick off my birthday weekend than by playing hooky on a Friday?

Hope everyone has an amazing Thursday and weekend ahead!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Kathleen Barnes

All About That Grandpa Cardigan

October 11, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Banana Republic jeans and loafers (c/o); cabi tee and cardigan (c/o); handbag – under $15 (c/o); Quay sunglasses; necklace (on sale)

Y’all, the past few nights and mornings here have been so gloriously chilly, it’s gotten me REAL excited for ALL of the cozy fall things. And if we’re talking cozy, then we’re talking grandpa (slash grandma?) cardigans because you know they’re my jam. Today’s comfy version is a GOOD one from cabi, and I’m rounding up a few more I love below.

In the fall months, I live in cardigans like these with skinny jeans or leggings and over dresses. They’re the perfect companions to transition some of your more summery pieces to fall. Plus, they’re just so good for all of that upcoming holiday travel. Can you guys believe that Thanksgiving is just over a month away? I may be jumping the gun a little on the holiday thoughts, but I don’t care. Bring on the turkey! And then, bring on the oversized cardigans to hide all those holiday sins.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Gabi Wells

Snag My Favorite Leggings on Sale

September 28, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Spanx leggings (currently up to 25% off); cabi turtleneck tunic (c/o); Beyond Yoga wrap; cabi booties (c/o); Henri Bendel handbag (c/o); Brixton hat; sunglasses; Julie Vos bracelets and ring

Happy end of the week, friends! Earlier this week I let you guys know about the big ol’ sale going down at Shopbop right now, but I forgot to mention one of my must-snag pieces in the sale: these leggings!

Y’all, I got these leggings last year and have since worn them close to a bajillion times. When we moved out of our house in January for the remodel, these were one of the only pairs of pants I packed for some reason. (In my defense, I think it was oddly warm out when I packed, so I wasn’t thinkin’ right.) I don’t even want to admit how many days in a row I would reach for these.

They’re made by Spanx, so you know they instantly suck you in, give you a high five, and send you on your way. Plus I feel like they toe that line of sporty and sleek, so I’ve worn these all kinds of ways – with sneakers, with OTK boots, and anything in between. Annnd I have a feeling they’ll be making many appearances in the months to come paired with this cabi turtleneck tunic because it is SO easy and comfortable.

The Shopbop sale ends tomorrow (9/29 – are we really almost done with September?) at midnight, so don’t forget to snag your favorites with code EOTS17. Happy shopping and happy almost weekend!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Tyler Chase

Searching for "cabi"

Parks Project Love + Weekend in the Desert

Sundance Film Festival with Stella Artois

The Cold Weather Essentials That Actually Work

Here’s Lookin’ at You, 2017

My Favorite New Year’s Eve Dress Ever

Taking the Holidays in Stride with Famous Footwear

How I’m Focusing on a Healthy Holiday Season

A Little (Velvet) Something Extra

All About That Grandpa Cardigan

Snag My Favorite Leggings on Sale

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