BaubleBar giveaway

I'm thrilled to be teaming up with four amazing bloggers to bring you a BaubleBar giveaway for the holidays.

There will be TWO winners, one for each necklace, randomly selected via rafflecopter. You have all week to participate, and the winners will be randomly selected at midnight on December 6th and announced on December 9th on Preppy Panache (and contacted via email). If you're contacted, you'll have 24 hours to claim or prize or another winner will be selected. We want to make sure that the winner receives it in time for most of the holiday festivities. Good luck, everyone! And now for the roll call of bloggers teaming up to bring you the bling:

Preppy Panache // A Sequin Love Affair

Penniless Socialite // Nightchayde // ruffle and curl

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2013 holiday gift guide: shop local

one // two // three // four // five

six // seven // eight // nine

Small Business Saturday is coming soon, and this year I'm inspired to give gifts that are meaningful and support small businesses. A personalized dog bowl for my sister's new puppy, monogrammed jewelry dish for my newly married bestie, and an adorable animal print for our friends with a new bundle of joy, all supporting local artists and business ladies, are some of my top picks for this giving season.

Do you make a conscious effort to support small businesses?

Monday notes

I have some fun things in the works, but in the meantime, I'm getting really excited for the holidays. We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house again this year, and then the day after will be a decorating frenzy. Few things get me as excited as decorating for Christmas!

In case you missed it, I'm back from a two-week vacation on the west coast: to Seattle, Portland, Napa, and photos from San Francisco coming soon. I'm spending the day snuggling with my Sprout before I get into cleaning the house and doing other chores.

The Everygirl has some great tips on how to do well at a meeting.

Don't miss Piperlime's 25% off items under $100 sale!

Some items I'm coveting this season: over-the-knee boots, a monogram necklace, elbow-length leather gloves, a dog bed with Sprout's name on it, and much more vacation time.

image via

Dazzling Blue crush

Aéropostale ponte knit dress // Le Silla pumps // Betsey Johnson earrings // Charlotte Olympia clutch // GUESS by Marciano clutch // MSGM quilted skirt // INC International Concepts cabochon ring // Joie top // Gorjana bracelet // Givenchy shoulder bag

Pantone recently named Dazzling Blue as one of its colors for Spring 2014, which I could not be more excited about:  I'm a sucker for anything in a cobalt hue. I feel like I should be focusing on patterns and cozy knits in neutral colors right now, but I can't help but mix in bright blues to my ever-growing wish list.

bow style

When my good friend Mary showed up to the rehearsal dinner two weeks ago with a pretty gold bow in her hair, I was excited that we had both chosen bow elements in our outfits (she also looked adorable).

on Mary: ModCloth dress // yellow belt from Forever21 (similar) // heels from DSW (similar) // American Apparel bow

on me: Minuet dress (purchased via ideeli - similar here and here) // Enzo Angiolini heels // Gorjana bracelet // nameplate necklace via Etsy (similar)

You could put a bow on pretty much anything and I would love it (hello these heels and this dress). Also loving these items (especially the boots!)

boots // bag // tee // shorts // bangle // earrings

May must haves

My May must-haves are a few things I won't let myself purchase, but I stalk them nonetheless.

- While a lot of girls fawn over the color pink, I'd love to add this Cuisinart mixer in baby blue, available at Lowe's, to my kitchen.
- These Zara-style GoMax shoes, which I found on ideeli (I really should just send my paycheck directly to ideeli these days) and these Zara studded sandals that I just cannot get over
- Frette sheets are too expensive for me now, but someday they will be mine. (If you've never slept in them, get to a hotel that has them, and then tell me you aren't stalking them too.)
- A dress with a bow would be sweet for the summertime
- A rose gold ring, something like this, or these mixed-metal rings

preppy at heart: monogram love

Shown above: gold three-letter necklace from Max & Chloe

Design Darling monogram cuff

K Kane two-letter signature pendant from BaubleBar

gorjana stackable alphabet ring

three-letter monogram bracelet from Etsy

Monograms are by far one of my favorite accessories. I'd love to monogram everything in my life...  well, almost everything.

The three-letter monogram is the most traditional, but other variations, like this silver two-letter monogram, are just as great. One of my favorite daily reads, For Chic Sake, has free printable monograms in a few different styles. I keep meaning to print one and frame it for my home office. I recently purchased one of the gorjana stackable rings- numerical, rather than alphabetical- and it's such a fun piece of jewelry. And that Design Darling monogram cuff belongs on every preppy girl's wrist.

Confused about monogram etiquette? This handy guide tells you how to monogram something for your best friend who is getting married but keeping her last name (or, even more confusing, hyphenating!).

What do you think about the monogram trend- do you wear your monogram?

February covet list

Bows, studs, and lace: Rebecca Minkoff bag // Kate Spade dress // Gold lace cuff

Dainty details: Gorjana bar bracelet

Dual-fabric stunners: leather top dress // Anne Klein pumps

February's covet list is all about texture and girly things. This leather-and-crepe dress is one of my favorite finds lately, and the lace detail on the cuff is beautiful. February is a tough month in New England. Part of me wants to stay in the winter mindset with darker colors and heavier fabrics, and the other part of me wants to dive into the spring months, with sorbet-colored bags and bow-backed dresses.

sweet little somethings

initial ring (K) // aerie cotton bra // tiered chemise // Marni soft bra // dogeared heart necklace // vanilla heart cookies // initial ring (A)

or why not pull a Kimye and get custom-made earrings with both of your initials?

Though we don't normally do gifts on V-day, these are a few sweet little things I wouldn't say no to (or may even gift to myself).

I find Valentine's Day to be one of those Hallmark holidays that either a) bums you out because you're single and it feels like everyone else has plans or b) you are one of the paired off and go out with your s.o. but then feel guilty about how much that prix-fixe dinner is costing. This year I've requested that we go see the newest Die Hard movie (yippie ki-yay), which conveniently comes out on 2.14. And then we will spend the weekend celebrating Mr. Sprout, who turns 2 on the 16th!

What do you do for Valentine's Day, if anything?

January covet list

My January covet list includes mixed metal baubles, girly touches for the home, and a hint of gold. 

a reminder for life - image via Pinterest // name-inscribed pencils // BaubleBar tassel necklace // chain wrapped earrings from Max and Chloe (only $40!) // mixed metal bracelet via ShopBop // Zara Home paradise tumblers // makeup table image via Glitter Guide

Holiday Gift Guide 2012: For Her

For the ladies in your life:  a bit of sparkle, a touch of tech, and just the right amount of style.

Clair Vivier Flat Clutch, $165 (available on Piperlime)

Portolano Black Studded Cuff Tech-Touch Gloves, $55

Pyramid Stud Earrings, $16 (available on Piperlime)

Sara Happ Lip Scrub, $24

Deux Lux Felix Weekender Duffler, $137

J.Crew iPhone case, $25

J.Crew link bracelet, $125

Modcloth link necklace, $44

Tinley Road multi-strand bracelet $28 

Also- a Birchbox subscription or OliveBox subscription (for the paper- and office product-obsessed), a mini-mergency kit, a foxy cosmetic bag, and a pretty bow ring.

dressing for a fall wedding

Option 1: dress // necklace // faux fur wrap // black heels

Option 2: dress // necklace // bow ring // nude heels

We have two weddings this Fall, both in mid-November. All of the weddings I have been to thus far have been in the summer, so I've been seeking out appropriate outfits for these two Saturdays. 

With option 1 I'd wear opaque black tights and a classic bun. With option 2 I'd go for a sassy teased ponytail to offset the ladylike details of the bow ring and pearls.

splurge vs. save: black stone necklaces

This Adia Kibur stone necklace (1) is available at ShopBop for $72, or you could head over to Forever21 for their rhinestone ribbon chain $8.80 version (2) or teardrop fringe version for $12.80 (3).

arm safari

I've always been a big fan of anything animal-print-related, so I'm excited this Fall that there are so many animal-inspired arm goodies available! There are tons of choices, but here are some of my picks for the season.

Where to find them:
1- urban outfitters hawk cuff

2- j.crew peacock bangle

3- baublebar cheetah cuff

4- j.crew cheetah bangle

5- loren hope fox door knocker bracelet

6- baublebar zebra bangle

7- loren hope lion head door knocker bracelet

8- j.crew elephant bracelet

cleaning out for a new season

Out with the old, and in with the new! While you're cleaning out your closet and getting ready for another Fall season of fabulous fashion, check out these two new sites which allow you to sell your clothing. They both make it super easy - tell them what it is you have, get a quote, and send it to them (and they pay the shipping). Klury accepts mostly luxury brands, and you can find items on there like this vintage beaded top and BCBG fringe top for around $50 each. They allow you to get a quote before you send them your items. Twice, on the other hand, accepts other brands, like Gap, Ann Taylor Loft, and The Limited (just to name a few), and you send them your items before they tell you what they're going to pay you. There, you can find dresses by laundry for around $30 (a steal!). I've sold to Klury, and I'm planning to also sell to Twice. So far, so good!

hair jewelry inspired by Downton Abbey

Since learning that Downton Abbey is coming back to PBS in January, I'm getting excited about the costumes and hair styles for the new season. If only it was normal these days to wear bejeweled headgear to family dinners every night... but why not dress up your bun or updo for special events?

{images via 1, 2, 3}

{images via Etsy stores - clockwise, starting top left - 1, 2, 3, 4}

There's no shortage of Etsy stores that will make custom pieces for your wedding day, prom, or any old Wednesday when you feel like dressing up your white t-shirt.

getting ready for the Fourth: outfits

While you're gearing up for the Fourth and deciding what fabulous soiree to go to, don't forget to put together an independence-themed wardrobe! And definitely don't forget the Moscato :)

Blue is my favorite color, and I can't wait to add some of these items to my wardrobe!

1 - BaubleBar Tangelo Flora Drops
2 - Dorothy Perkins blue flare dress - love, love, love!
3 - Barefoot Bubbly Moscato Champagne, purchased at my local wine shop - my new favorite drink
4 - K.Slademade tip pouch in navy (monogram it!)
5 - Blue stripe dress from Dorothy Perkins
6 - Sophia Studs at Design Darling
7 - Dorothy Perkins floral dress
8 - Blue chain wrap from BaubleBar (I Spy DIY has a tutorial on a similar version if you can't wait to ship this and want to try a project!)
9 - Maya braided wedge from Sole Society (I recently purchased a very similar pair by Jessica Simpson at my local DSW)
10 - Colorblock clutch from K.Slademade, exclusively for Design Darling

3 things thursday: a new combo

When I was getting dressed yesterday, I pulled out a striped shirt (the gray and red one) and thought, "Hey, why not?", adding the pink striped button down. Topping it off with a tortoiseshell Michael Kors watch, I was ready for the day. Not usually a combination I'd put together, but it felt new and that made me happy.

Note: Yes, that is my steering wheel. No, I was not actively driving when I took this photo.

making a statement

Save the dates and invitations have been slowly (but steadily) rolling in the past few weeks. Since we have quite a few weddings this summer and during the fall, I think I'll be picking a base dress and accessorizing differently, rather than buying a new dress for each one. While you'll probably be able to tell it's the same dress in pictures (thank you, Facebook), wearing different, fun statement necklaces (of course with some fabulous, different heels) will hopefully differentiate the look enough that it won't matter.

dress, pearl bib necklace, icicle necklace

This fun piece is on its way to me from ideeli and will definitely be making an appearance at an event or two this summer!

necklace from cara couture via ideeli