3 Feb 2015

The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts For Him
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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Can you believe it? Although it’s only the third of February, I have a feeling this month is going to flyyyyyy.

You know I love rounding up gifts for the fine gents in our life so today’s post is dedicated to Valentine’s Day gifts just for him! From classic button ups to simple token gifts like socks, Valentine’s day doesn’t have to be stressful. I know how hard it can be shopping for your significant other, especially if you keep it a surprise. My boyfriend is 6’7 (not kidding) so shopping off the rack is kind of not an option. Therefore, I opt for gifts that don’t have specific sizing like socks (ALL of the socks), coffee table books, or any home decor objects to spruce up his place and so forth. So whether you prefer to shop for clothing or “just because” gifts, I’ve rounded up the best of the best! A lot of the gifts I included also came from J.Crew and they are currently offering 25% sweaters for both him and her.

Happy Shopping! Xo. Lauren

This coffee table book for the golf lover.

This Weekender Bag for the traveler.

You Earned It Bottle Opener, because duh, they did earn it.

Button up shirts, because a guy can never have too many button up shirts.

An italian wool pocket square for the dapper gentlemen.

THIS mug and this catch all dish may be my favorite from my list.

You can shop each product below by clicking on the black and white “+” sign next to each product.

Indigo Cotton Shirt // X150 Cotton-Nylon Jacket // Jaspe Cotton Shirt in Spring Plaid // Italian Wool Pocket Square // Wavy Boxers // Owen & Fred Hey Handsome Shaving Kit // Owen & Fred You Earned It Bottle Opener // Stainless Steel Tie Bar // Fishs Eddy for J.Crew Mug // Fishs Eddy for J.Crew Catch All Dish // Rochester Shoe Tree Company for J.Crew Suede Shoe Care Kit // Faical Fuel Anit-Wrinkle Cream //Facial Fuel Moisturizer // Hollywood and The Ivy Coffee Table Book // The Golf Book // Ray Ban Meteor Sunglasses // Colorblock Ankle Socks // Secret Wash Shirt in City Check // Abingdon Weekender Bag in Two-Tone // Basic Tee

30 Jan 2015

Weekend Notes
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Weekend Notes

Did you hear? Piperlime is closing! Grab a tissue. I know we are all saddened by this news, but I promise we’ll make it through. I’ve been taking a peek at their sale section quite frequently, insert this pretty little blue romper. Gotta snatch up the goodies before their gone!

I’d love to plan a trip to Marrakesh. Add.it.to.the.list.

The perfect spring jacket for $95 dollars.

This whole Chris Burch and C.Wonder fiasco is quite interesting.

I have been updating my shop like crazy, check out some of my most recent obsessions here.

Wait….Do I need eye cream? Hell yes, you do! Loved Annie’s post talking about my all time favorite beauty product – eye cream.

Would like to try this fresh green juice. Thanks to my girl Gwyneth.

It’s not luck, it’s you. 

Did you know that if you sleep with two pillows under your head and not one, it will help with de-puffing? Magic.

GAP stepping up their game. Love this classic black leather tote. Oh, and it also comes in two other colors.

I just love her.

I started using bareMineral’s complexion rescue last week (more on this soon) but my winter skin couldn’t be happier – it’s light (key for me, I don’t like anything heavy), hydrating and lasts all day. You can pick it up at Nordstrom for $29 dollars.

How often should you wash your bath towels? And your sheets?

And in case you missed it this week:

Have a lovely weekend, my friends! Xo. Lauren

29 Jan 2015

Home Decor Under $100 Dollars
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Oh, hello there! Happy Thursday. Who’s ready for the weekend?

Julia and I have dinner tonight with the Vineyard Vines girls and tomorrow I’m not doing anything! Speaking of Julia, did you catch her Coffee Talk feature yesterday? This girl makes me want to go to the Amalfi Coast, that’s for sure.

In other weekend news, one of my best college girlfriends is coming to visit! We bought tickets to Wicked for Saturday night. Checking off another item off my 27 things to do before 28! I just realized looking back at this list, that I really need to step it up in the next 7 months!

Today is one of my favorite features around here: Home Decor Under $100 Dollars. 

Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive so today I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite little home decor gems. Enjoy! Xo. Lauren

Fold Foo Dog Pair // Absolutely Beautiful Things Book // Geo Nesting Bowl // Pom Pom Spotted Pillow // Greek Key Trim Pillow // Velvet Ikat Pillow // Threshold Mirrored Snowflake Tray // Room Essentials Bowl // Draper Dishes // Draper Double Old Fashion Cocktail Glasses // 2015 Desk Calendar // Jonathan Adler Horn Sculpture // Slim Aarons: Once Upon A Time // Cheers Ice Bucket // Beachport Striped Napkins // Callahan Drink Table // Waiting on Martha Gold Planters // Purple Herringbone Blanket // Pyar & Co Pillow // Gold Turtle Box // My Other House Is A Yacht Doormat // NYC Matches // Antique Brass Boxes // Jonathan Adler Box // Farmhouse Pantry Butter Dish // Blue Napkins // Desk Basket // Aqua Pineapple Bowl // White and Gold Pebble Dish

28 Jan 2015

Coffee Talk With Julia Dzafic of Lemon Stripes
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Happy Wednesday, loves! Today’s Coffee Talk feature is with one of my favorite blogger friends I’ve made since moving to New York. Insert Julia Dzafic of Lemon Stripes! I love Julia’s blog and instagram for so many reasons. One, it’s just plain pretty. Two, we have a very similar eye when it comes to decor. Three, she keep things fun and light!

On a personal note, Julia and her husband recently moved to Connecticut so it’s been so fun having her out in the burbs on the weekends! From mani/pedi’s to double date brunches and dinners, Mike and I have enjoyed hanging out with Julia and Anel. Can’t wait for many more double date adventures to come!

Below Julia shares her top interior design tips and tricks, favorite beauty products and more! I love learning which products my girlfriends use as well as their favorite travel destinations and recommendations, so today’s feature is pretty fun if I do say so myself. Enjoy! Xo. Lauren

Lifestyle Blogger Julia Dzafic

Name: Julia Dzafic

Neighborhood: Recent Manhattan transplant to Connecticut

Company: Blogger at Lemon Stripes, Marketing Director for Nourish Snacks

Julia Dzafic Lemon Stripes

LET’S CHAT DECOR

What is one piece of furniture or artwork you can’t live without?

My Gray Malin oversized print of Positano. It reminds me of my honeymoon on the Almafi Coast and is the central piece of design in our living room. You can read more about the piece here.

What was one item you were most excited about purchasing?

My custom-made striped club chair from Society Social. I knew I wanted a navy and white striped chair but couldn’t find the perfect one anywhere so Roxy made it for me!

Go-to Bedding:

Serena and Lily sheets and duvet cover. Pottery Barn faux fur throw.

On Your Bar Cart:

A brass tray with 4 of my favorite whiskeys, a decanter full of Rakia, a Bosnian liquor that my husband brings when he goes back home to Bosnia.

Must-Have Coffee Table Books:

Vanity Fair Portraits, Aerin Lauder’s Beauty at Home and A Privileged Life! I have coffee table books on pretty much every surface of my home!

Julia Dzafic

Top Three Interior Design Tips and Tricks: 

  • Buy fresh flowers ever week for pops of color and to bring natural life into your space.
  • Style in threes – on your bar, end tables or coffee tables, think about placing objects in groups of three. It’s much more aesthetically please for some reason.
  • Invest in art that means something to you. Cheap prints get old quickly and you’ll end up redecorating often. When you buy a piece of art that is timeless and sentimental, you’ll have it forever!

What’s on your night stand? 

Fresh flowers, hand cream, whatever book I’m currently reading and a photo from my wedding.

Paint Color:

I like clean white! Nothing fancy.

LET’S CHAT TRAVEL

Favorite Vacation Spot:

The Amalfi Coast, Italy

If you go anywhere in a moment’s notice, where would it be?

The Gansevoort Hotel in Turks and Caicos.

Favorite Hotel:

Palazzo Avino in Ravello, Italy. It’s where I stayed on my honey moon and it is magical. The hotel’s on top of a mountain overlooking the coast. I get goose bumps just thinking about it.

African Safari or Beach Getaway?

Beach, duh.

Cocktail of Choice:

Vodka with a splash of St. Germain is my go-to but I’m a sucker for a tall glass of Pinot Noir.

Lemon Stripes

LET’S CHAT BEUATY

Top Three Beauty Products: 

Face Mask of Choice: 

PCA Skin Purifying Mask (I’m acne prone!)

Go-to Nail Polish:

Essie Ballet Slippers

Eye Cream:

Dr. Hauskcha Daily Hydrating Eye Cream

Lipstick/Gloss:

Nars lipstick in Schiap and Aerin lip gloss in Weekend

Julia Dzafic of Lemon Stripes 2

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CITY:

Favorite Restaurant: 

L’Escale in Greenwich, CT

Ultimate Brunch Spot: 

Meli Melo

Favorite places to shop for clothing or home decor: 

Clothing: J.Crew and Calypso St. Barth’s. Home Decor: One King’s Lane and Hoagland’s in Greenwich.

Hidden Gem: I’m still searching for it in our new neighborhood. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂 When we lived in Manhattan,it was a tiny restaurant on the Upper East Side called Heidi’s House. They knew us by name, it was awesome.

Be sure to follow along with Julia on her Blog, Instagram, Twitter!