Gift Guide: For the Family

1. / 2. / 3. / 4. 

I'll admit, I was embarrassingly a little late on my gift-giving this holiday. With Hanukkah happening over Thanksgiving break this year (so odd!), it certainly caught my whole family off guard. So, while home for Winter break, I was finally able to catch up. After all, it's the season of giving, right? I picked up simple gifts that while small, were meaningful and pieces that I truly thought that the people in my family would appreciate.

Mom- I had noticed that she has been really into small and decorative bags recently. For a woman who usually carries her life in her purse, a smaller bag was something that not only felt more practical and easier to carry, but was a fresh update to her accessory wardrobe, as well. I went with a small hexagonal style from Urban. With an attachable chain, you could wear it as a clutch for evening, or a fun geometric style for afternoon to add a simple but quick update to an otherwise possibly basic look. The featured piece in the collage above is from Asos. While slightly clunkier and larger than the one that I actually ended up purchasing for my mom, the boxy nature of the one above was inspiring as a shape in general.

Dad- Still looking for the perfect style, but my dad enjoys decorative office pieces such as letter openers and paper weights. Gold and bronze always amp up an office setting, and this fall themed pinecone letter opener seems like a simple yet professional style to not only keep on his desk as decoration, but serves a useful purpose for all of his office and personal mail, as well.

My Sister, Lauren- My sister has a thing for candles at the moment. I have yet to see her without at least four burning in her room at one time. After a long search with scents at many stores, I stuck with one where most of her candles come from--Urban Outfitters-- and picked up a classic and soothing smell in Lavender and Thyme to keep her relaxed when she is lounging or studying in her room. And, since she's not always in her room, I bought her these zodiac earrings with her sign (Sagittarius). She always has the coolest jewelry pieces that I could never pull off, but look amazing on her. These little earrings seemed to be right up her alley and the combination with the candle couldn't have seemed more like her in my book. 

What did you get (or are planning on getting) your family for the holidays? I'd love to hear!

Splurge VS Steal

I had been needing a new purse for the longest time. Most of my purses, while great in design and style, weren't so great in the structure and maintenance department. While my dad was visiting over fourth of July weekend almost a month ago, he picked out the Zara bag on the right. And, as you can tell from the style posts since then, I'm completely obsessed. I had wondered where I had seen a similar style before and I realized standing next to a woman on the subway with the purse on the left, that it was inspired by the Givenchy 'Lucrezia'. I'm extremely picky when it comes to handbags, and the Zara version fit nearly all of them: structured, sophisticated, appealing to look at and wear, functional, and fabulous. Thanks, dad!

What do you think? Would you splurge on the Givenchy 'Lucrezia' or save with the Zara version?

Home Improvement

Years ago, when my family lived in our old house, my sister and I had a pink playhouse. While the house itself was every little girls dream, it was an element in the house, a chalkboard wall that my dad painted on, that really made it unique and special. The always-drawing art lover that I was, appreciated the wall as an endless source of creativity and inspiration, and when I came across this dreamy chalkboard wall behind a bathtub I was reminded of the space where so many ideas flowed without too much scrutiny. How dreamy would it be to have a relaxing bath and doodle on the walls? After all, so many of us come up with our best ideas in the shower...why should this be any different?

What do you think of this creative alternative to wallpaper or traditional paint?

-If anyone knows the original source of this image, please let me know-

For Dad

To the man who I can always count on for daily Starbucks photos, information for when Secretariat is on TV, and for always supporting me in all of my dreams and aspirations. You're an incredible person, father, and friend. Happy father's day, daddy. I love you.

Where to Wear What

{Forever 21 leotard, Zara skirt, Topshop necklace, Michael Kors watch, and Sam Edelman heels}

The concept of dress codes is quite an interesting one. There are the ones that we feel we must obey by such as "Black Tie" and ones that are more obscure and open-ended like "Dressy Casual" or "Festive." Of course, there are also always those who show up in whatever they please because they feel like it. For my dad's birthday this weekend, we had a late afternoon lunch. While dinner plans seem to be of the dressier nature, I took this late afternoon party to mean "Dressy Casual", or at least my version of it. By dressing up a simple black leotard with a turquoise lace skirt, neon enameled necklace, and throwing on a pair of heels, this was a great combination to feel put together, without feeling out of place.

{The heel on these is so perfectly unexpected. Lovely, right?}

Happy Birthday, dad

Dad

Happy Father's Day, Daddy! Thank you for always bringing a smile to my face, joy to my day, and an infinite amount of love to my life. I love you.

Bellville, Brenham, and Blue Bell Oh My! Part 2

{a very excited dad at the Blue Bell factory}

Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, my dad had never ventured out to the Blue Bell factory as most Houston-area raised kids have. It was fun to not only get to go with him to go on a day trip with him during my spring break, but it was fun for me to get to see him enjoy something that we could get to do together without worrying him worrying about work or me about school. Instead, we just got to learn about ice cream, eat it, and drive through Texas. Sounds pretty good to me. 

{Note the Blue Bell factory hats}

Overall, the day was fun, meaningful, (definitely) delicious, and relaxing. Though Houston isn't anywhere near as bustling as a city as New York, it certainly has a hurried quality to it every once in a while. Getting out, even for a day, for some country roads, and extra Texan accents does a girl good-- and what better to do to cure that than to visit an Ice Cream factory? I highly recommend it. With tours being only 45 minutes long, there is certainly enough time to explore all of the antique stores and bluebonnet fields surrounding the area. And, with your tour, you even get a free scoop of ice cream. Sounds sweet. 

{Really enjoyed these long, windy Texas hill country roads}

Bellville, Brenham, and Blue Bell Oh My! Part 1

{Old Navy dress, Banana Republic shoes, Michael Kors watch, and Target purse}

Last Tuesday for Spring Break, my dad and I took a road trip through part of Texas. Since my dad had never been to the Blue Bell ice cream factory, a trip that basically every Texas toddler takes at least once, we ventured out to Brenham (and several towns along the way) for a perfect dad and daughter excursion.

Bellville was a small and cute town that you drive through on the way to Brenham. Filled with small-town businesses, typical Texan stores, a jail museum, and family run restaurants, it is the perfect quick stop to take pictures and take a break from the (short) drive.

{Some Texas rodes are just so perfectly country}

{Obviously had to represent some Texas pride, y'all}

Our trip to Brenham was a great trip to go on to squeeze in some family time with my dad. Driving through Bellville though, was just what I needed to get the right amount of Texas lovin' back into my heart and soul. 

Stay tuned for the rest of our excursion!

Mother of Pearl

I apologize for the lack of posts for quite a while now. With the end of finals, first week of work, and getting caught up in seeing friends and family, I slowed down. I realized that as I originally wanted a fashion blog, I hadn't posted much about my own style. Yesterday my dad took me out to lunch at one of our favorites restaurants. Since being home I had been in a sort of fashion lull, not knowing exactly what to wear. For this special outing, I took the time and got dressed up in my new favorite blouse and heels I've been dying to try out.

{forever 21 blouse, h&m skirt, and topshop heels}

{ these shoes are the perfect example of beauty is pain. I slipped into flats for actual lunch}

This outfit was the perfect combination of my style: lady-like with a bit of sparkle, and made me feel put-together and back into my love of getting dressed up for any occasion.

Have a great Friday!