I am delighted to announce my participation in the Behind The Blog series on Confetti & Curves. Thank you Karen for giving bloggers an opportunity to interact and learn a little more about one another. Karen is a very talented writer and was one of the first people to follow my blog. She has been super supportive since and I am thankful to know her. Do pay her blog a visit if you haven’t already. She has a flair for writing and is a delight to interact with. My interview can be found here. Enjoy!
J.Crew Baubles
Mixed Charm Bracelet | Crystal Triangle Earrings | Glacier Bracelet | Lulu Frost For J.Crew Bow Brooch
If you follow my blog you may have noticed my adoration for J.Crew, in particular their jewelry. In a previous post, I have talked about paring down my jewelry collection and only buying items that are unique. Unfortunately, almost all of J.Crew’s jewelry is unique. So how could I turn a blind eye to all those sparkly baubles? Luckily they have been having a plethora of promotions and I was able to get these at %25 off.
For Black Friday, J.Crew is doing 30% off. I may get into trouble because there are still a few more pieces that I am coveting.
Are you a jewelry connoisseur? What other fashion items do you have trouble resisting?
Tacoma Proctor District
My mom and I visited the Proctor District in Tacoma last weekend. This beautiful area has Victorian homes, shops and restaurants.
Our first stop was Hidden Treasures Antiques & Collectibles. The color of the building caught my eye immediately with horizontal pink and blue stripes. The window displays were perfectly curated, so we decided to explore.
Inside the store was a lovely cabinet filled with odds and ends. I loved the pink Pyrex bowl! The rest of the store had more collectibles and antiques, along with on-trend clothing from the Simply Elegant Boutique.
Our next stop was at a candy shop called Sugar. It had the most adorable store front window! My mom and I each bought a bag of Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels.
For lunch we stopped at Pomodoro, but not before walking through the local farmers market. The market was winding down for the day so we will have to make another trip.
After lunch we went to Compass Rose. So many unique pieces and gifts; artisan jewelry, housewares, baby/kid’s clothing and toys, locally made goods, cards and books. I got a head start on my Christmas shopping and purchased the cutest bear pillow made out of Pendleton blankets for myself.
The gal at the register recommended that we check out The Modern Cottage Co. The store was beautiful and had lots of shabby chic furniture and home decor. My dream home could be completely decorated with Modern Cottage pieces.
Dalmatian Print
Cardigan: J.Crew Factory | Blouse: Ann Taylor (sold out online)| Jeans: J.Crew | Boots: Dankso (similar) | Bracelet: Loft | Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar) | Ring: Gorjana | Lip gloss: M.A.C in color Sinnamon
This dalmatian print blouse and cranberry cardigan are a match made in heaven. And to think I almost returned this blouse because I wasn’t sure how to wear it. Pairing it with a brightly colored sweater took it to the next level, showcasing the print. I have been wearing this pair of coated skinny jeans on repeat since purchasing.
A big thanks to my mom for playing photographer this weekend and capturing this look.
The New Banana Republic
Image Source: Elle
Have you seen “The new look of Banana Republic?” They recently brought on new creative director Marissa Web and the results look fantastic! Web previously worked at J.Crew as the Vice President of Womenswear Design for over a decade. She didn’t design the current BR collection but her influence is evident in the styling of the fall/winter line. When I first checked out the collection, I was blown away by how on trend it was. I wanted every single piece. I eagerly made my way to a nearby store and picked up a few item at 40% off.
One of the pieces that I purchased was the below coat. I love the tweedy texture.
Image Source: Banana Republic
Last week, Web showed her first BR collection for summer 2015 and it did not disappoint. The perfectly curated collection (below) is so bright and upbeat. I am ecstatic!!!
Image Source: Racked
Web is not only talented but also has amazing style. Can we say girl crush anyone? I can’t get enough of these looks; feminine with a bit of edge.
My Fall Uniform
Sweater: J.Crew | Shirt: J.Crew (similar) | Jeans: Old Navy | Boots : Corso Como (similar) | Purse: Michael Kors (similar)| Necklace: Michael Kors | Bracelet : J.Crew | Lip gloss: Giorgio Armani color 519| Lipliner: NARS color Rosebud
My fall uniform is a novelty sweater, button down shirt, skinny jeans and riding boots. I love this sweater. I purchased it from J.Crew a few years ago. It’s not a giant furry monster! This image is a Parisian woman donning a fur coat, hat and gloves. Isn’t she fabulous! The pants are the Rockstar fit from Old Navy and are super comfy.
What’s your go to look for fall?
Antique Weekend
Two weekends ago my best friend invited my mom and I to attend the Antique & Collectible Show at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. The show happens twice a year and features items from the 1800s to the 1970s. Growing up my mom was always antiquing and decorating our home. At one point she had a spot at an antique mall. I would help her decorate and price the items. It was a fun hobby that we both enjoyed.
The show itself was full of knickknacks and vintage jewelry (my fav!). I was certain that I wouldn’t buy much because I don’t have the space. I still managed to get in trouble with some amazing vintage baubles! A lot of the pieces that I purchased were from the 30s and 50s.
The vintage toys and books brought back some nostalgia for my childhood.
Another item that I purchased was this cute Fuzzy Wuzzy Bear book that reminded me of the children’s rhyme :
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear
A bear was Fuzzy Wuzzy
But Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair
So he wasn’t fuzzy, was he?
Overall the show was good but came up short in the furniture department. My mom was hoping to spot some unique pieces but there was hardly any furniture at the event. I did get two recommendations from a vendor, one was for Farm & Frills antique show and The Farm Chicks Antique Show that takes place in Spokane, WA Saturday, June 6, 2015 & Sunday, June 7, 2015.
The Farm Chicks Antique show is described as a “bucket list” event with 300 curated spaces filled with antiques, vintage and shabby chic items. I hope I can attend the 2015 show. Check out this Farm Chick video from 2013.
Do you antique? Any recent hauls?
Skin Care
This past summer, I asked a Nordstrom skin specialist to recommend the best skincare line for my oily skin. He suggested the Kate Somerville line. After listening to an overview of the science behind these products I decided to try it. I don’t usually notice a difference when trying new products, but this time my skin looked clearer and less oily. Here is what I am trying:
- Kate Somerville Detox Daily Cleanser – this product cleanses without over drying and is formulated for oily skin. It also prevents breakouts and fades acne scars.
- Kate Somerville Clarifying Treatment Toner – balances oily skin and leaves it feeling clean.
- Kate Somerville Clearing Mask – keeps the oil in my skin at bay if used 2 times a week. This product also prevents breakouts, fades acne scars and leaves skin clear.
- Kate Somerville ‘Anti Bac’ Clearing Lotion – this lotion is prescription quality and formulated to treat acne. It controls oil and leaves my skin matte without over-drying. The benzoyl peroxide in this lotion will bleach your clothes. I only use this product in the morning and switch to this Neutrogena lotion at night. Kate Somerville does make an oil free lotion but it’s super expensive.
Kate Sommerville has products for all skin types so I would encourage you to check it out. This line is on the pricey side but I still highly recommend it. After all your skin is one of your best accessories!
Rituals For A Goodnight Sleep
Image Source: Grey Likes Weddings
I have a bad habit of staying up late. Here are some things that help me get to bed at a decent hour and prepare for restful sleep.
- Exercise (a natural sleep remedy) – when I workout regularly I sleep soundly and through the night.
- Take a shower/bath before bed – this helps me relax and feel rejuvenated.
- Drink tea- I like Sleepy Time Tea or any herbal tea with chamomile. After a long day at work a warm cup of tea is just what I need.
- Melatonin – I take one 30 minutes before going to bed. It seems to help me fall asleep quickly and have uninterrupted sleep.
- Read a book- turning off electronic devices 30 minutes before bed helps me decompress and allows my body to recognize that it’s time for sleep.
- Eliminate late night snacking – I try to stop eating heavy food 2 hours before bed. If I go to bed on a full stomach I am restless throughout the night and have wild dreams.
- Be on a schedule – go to bed and get up at the same time every day. This is a good way to train your body to recognize when it’s time for sleep and wake up naturally before the alarm.
What are your nighttime rituals?
The Sutton
Sweater | Top | Pant (All from Loft) | Shoes: Corso Como (similar) | Necklace: Stella & Dot | Lipstick: Bobbi Brown (Warm Beige)
On Friday a Stella & Dot representative came to my work and sold all her pieces for 50% off. I went a little crazy and made a handful of purchases. I am a jewelry-aholic! My husband always says that I have more jewelry than clothes. In all honesty, I have really pared my collection down and avoid the jewelry section when shopping in stores and online. My rule of thumb is to only purchase pieces that are truly unique.
I purchased the Sutton necklace during my spree. I have been eyeing it for a while but couldn’t stomach the hefty price tag. At half off, no problem! This necklace can be worn five ways! I love the multifunctional element of this necklace and it’s so pretty, especially the sparkle strand. Plus, the quality is just so darn good!
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