Raise Your Glass

Although I feel that New Year's is the most overrated holiday, I do find it important to take a moment to recap the year and to be thankful for everything. 2011 has been incredible. I had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii for the first time, enjoy Mexico for one blissful week, celebrate several weddings, embark on a new job opportunity, and run in five races (one which included the San Francisco Half Marathon), just to name a few. Life is good, and I am so grateful. I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!  Wishing you all a great 2012 filled with happiness, success, and love. Cheers!

Notations

Now that the season of gift-giving is officially over, it is important to send out your thank you cards! I must admit that I am one to forget to show my appreciation, but I am getting better at it. It definitely helps when you have cute cards to send out, especially ones that reflect your personal style. Upon browsing Target, I found several options that are definitely fashionable yet affordable. Now, get to writing!

1. Multi Thank You Card, $30

2. You can use photographs from your wedding as cards as well

3. Thank You Notes White/Black Damask 100ct : Target, $20

4. Thank You Cards Blue Green Lattice 10-ct. : Target, $3.99

5. Communique Thank You - Brown (20ct) : Target, $8.99

6. Thank You Cards Bouquet 10-ct. : Target, $13

7. Thank You Cards Linework 10-ct. : Target, $2.49

8. Thank You Cards Caring Tree 10-ct. : Target, $3.99

Favorite Things of 2011

Just like Oprah who lists her most coveted things of the season, I have decided to post some of my current favorite things, that I actually own, some old, and some new. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you would have read that Santa was quite good to me this year. He must have understood my new favorite color of the year: orange. I can't get enough of it. So vibrant. So fun.

My new love for Essie nailpolish

My Tory Burch card case

My Kate Spade wallet

My Tory Burch Clutch that matches above card case

Old Vintage Dior clutch from the 80s.

Old Reliables: Blue Jewelry

Dainty Necklaces that are so me: "V" necklace and a California necklace

My favorite statement necklace from J.Crew

Michael Kors in Rose Gold. Can't go wrong.

Fairmont

Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas! These were taken Christmas Eve at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.

{Top: Anthropologie, Sequined Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Kelsi Dagger, Clutch: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ring: BCBG}

Presents

I absolutely love shopping for Christmas gifts and seeing people's faces when they open them. All our wrapped gifts are sitting in a corner waiting for them to be opened Sunday morning. Even though I always have a set budget for myself, I can't help but buy my loved ones things I know they will enjoy and are simply amazing. Below are some snapshots of some early Christmas presents from some very dear friends. They know me too well--I love my accessories!

 

Red

I was so unsure about this top. After all, my mom bought it for me and just handed it to me. I was afraid that it would be a little too boxy for me, but once you add some heels, and one of my favorite necklaces, it gave the outfit a little more dimension. Sometimes the little things make such a difference.

{Top: Forever 21; Necklace: Ambiance; Jeans: Levi's; Shoes: Nordstrom}

Accents

Snapshots of some of my favorite accessories...

1st collage: My new cobalt blue Marc by Marc Jacobs Clutch, and my snap wallet from RTH

2nd collage: My current rotation of jewelry.

RTH

When I worked with one of the merchants, she always raved about her friend and Levi's alum Rene Holguin, who is the founder of RTH. She always toted around his leather pieces, and I knew I had to have one. Not only do his pieces smell incredible of rich leather, but the craftsmanship is just so intricate and beautiful. Although his store is a little trek (in LA, to be exact), our Levi's stores carry some of his pieces. I picked up one of the smaller leather snap wallets below in a buttery yellow ($60), and I'm officially in love.

*images from rthshop.com*

Spotted Hearts

It's amazing how much damage I can do to my credit card in less than 30 minutes. While taking a break from all the football games on Sunday, I quickly ran over to Ambiance in the Marina District and picked up two tops and a necklace. I tried to go for printed tops, as my recent attire has been plain and dull. I went for this heart print blouse and fell in love.

{Top & Necklace: Ambiance; Boots: Nine West; Jeans: Levi's}

Sweat

I was perusing J.Crew and picked up a hot pink fashion sweatshirt the other day (see yesterday's outfit post). I realized that I have quite a few sweatshirts and wondered, is the laid back, sweatshirt look back? I remembered blogging about it back in 2009 here and decided to revisit the trend. It's a little funny how two years ago I would have checked that trend at the door, but now I am reconsidering my opinion. I kinda like the idea that you can look stylish and feel comfortable at the same time.

1. J Crew long sleeve top, $248

Vince, £209

2. H M knit sweater, £6.49

Acne, $230

3. J Crew sequin top, $295

T by Alexander wang, $148

Weekend Edition: Boyfriend

Nothing says a "lazy Sunday" more than dressing in boyfriend jeans, a slouchy sweater, and comfy wedges. Hope you all had a good weekend, and happy Monday!

{Top: J.Crew; Jeans: Levi's; Sandals: DV Dolce Vita; Purse: Prada}

Cranberry

Currently obsessing over warm, rich colors. Thus, the concept of the cranberry colored dress, olive scarf, leather jacket, and my newly purchased Nine West booties was born. And when it's hot in the office, the scarf comes off, and a fun Egyptian-esque necklace is revealed. I'm off to Vegas (can you believe it's my fifth trip this year alone?) for the weekend and will be back Tuesday. Have a good one everyone!

{Dress: Forever 21; Tights: H&M; Booties: Nine West; Leather Jacket: Nordstrom; Infinity Scarf: Vendor Sample; Necklace: Forever 21}

Daily Regimen Part II

 

Please refer to Exhibit A above. I promise I don't look this tan in person, but I don't think the orange top worked in my favor for this Thanksgiving photo-op. With my week-long vacations in Mexico and Hawaii this year, I have definitely gotten a lot of beach time. Unfortunately, my old make-up routine doesn't work for my current skin tone. I was browsing the stores and decided to stop by Benefit Cosmetics. They did a quick little touch up on me and I was blown away. Not only did I look natural, but the concealer and Rebel tinted moisturizer did wonders. I love that the Rebel gives me a refreshing look, while evening out my skin tone. I'm hooked! Here is my updated makeup routine for my tan self below:

Face (Left to Right): Smashbox Primer, Benefit's Stay Put Concealer (put around eyes as a primer), Benefit's Rebel Tinted Moisturizer, Armani Concealer, NYC Bronzer, Benefit's Coralista Blush

Eyes (Left to Right): Armani Eyebrow Pencil, Dior Eyeshadow, Revlon Liquid Eyeliner, CoverGirl LashBlast mascara, CoverGirl Liquiline Eyeliner in black