Last year I shared a NYE inspo roundup for you guys here, and it was so much fun putting it together that I wanted to do it again this year!
Whatever your plans may be, sometimes you just need a little inspo to create a look from your own closet. Whether you’re dressing it up or wearing flats and an oversized shirt, there’s no reason you can’t ring in the new year in style (or sweatpants… let’s be honest, I’m not judging).
Below are 9 of my favorite looks from this year for New Year’s Eve. Underneath you’ll find the link straight to the blog post and full look!
I hope everyone is relaxed after a fabulous holiday and ready to ring in the New Year! I love hearing about resolutions and new year intentions… if you would like a full blog post on that let me know!
Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating today and tomorrow! I wanted to share our Minted holiday card for 2018… which was taken on our way back from Timber Cove with the camera propped on Christian’s duffle bag. Definitely making it work over here (the theme of our 2018)!
I hope you are spending these days slowing down, soaking up some relaxation time with friends or family, and appreciating all the blessings that 2018 has brought you this year.
The end of the year is always an intimate and fascinating time that I spend reflecting on the prior months – both the ups and downs. The second half of this year has been some of the most challenging months I’ve had in quite a while (more on that here and here), but I’ve definitely learned from them… and continue to learn!
I’ve realized that everyone’s process of getting through hard times is different. I’ve learned that being vulnerable to share where I am mentally and emotionally is a part of my process. And I’ve learned that seeking guidance and clearing my head with a therapist is extremely uplifting and helpful. I keep saying I’ll dedicate a full post to my experience in therapy, and I promise I still intend to!
I’m also aware the holidays can be an especially hard time for some people. Whether they’ve lost a loved one recently or in years past around the holiday season or if they’re misplaced in a new city and don’t have enough vacation time to travel home – regardless of the circumstances, I always try to be aware of this and sensitive to others who may be dealing with a difficult time.
This time of year is also a beautiful time to give back to others in need, so if you are missing a gift for someone or feel that you’ve been especially blessed this year, donating to a charity of your choice in someone’s honor or memory is a fantastic and thoughtful way to pay it forward.
Peace and blessings to each and every one of you, and thank YOU so much for your support and feedback over the years. You are a huge part of my story and passion and I can’t thank you enough. From the bottom of my heart, love you love you!!! XO –
It’s the end of the road for last minute holiday gifts! I figured there was no better time for an Amazon roundup, and above are some of my favorite picks. Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?
I don’t have an instant pot because Lord knows I don’t have the cabinet space, but when I do, it will 100% be on my wish list. I’ve actually wanted one of these for a while because I love love love all things sparkling water and carbonated, but Christian has forbid anymore appliances right now. Rude.
If we were going to be in an apartment for more than six more months, this little grill would be top of list. SO handy!
I got these for my birthday, and at the time thought they were overrated at the time but now I use them daily. I use them when walking my dog, when I’m on the phone or cooking… I think they would make such a great gift for literally anyone! I also have these little slippers and they’re seriously soft. I even put a pair on Christian and he wore them for hours – that soft!
For the makeup lover, these Artis brushes are really amazing because they do such a great job of blending you really need very little product. These pajamas are by a landslide the most comfortable ones I own, and I wish I still had time to ask for this darling bracelet.
And on the non-Amazon list, if you’re looking for jewelry, this jewelry box is so sweet and this necklace stand would be so useful!
Who still has gifts left on their list? I probably should have included more stuff for the dudes here… but you can find those here. Only a few more days, babes! Merry merry – XO –
There’s something so flattering about black velvet. I think it works on all body types, and the richness in the fabric allows it to hug curves while being thick enough to smooth everything out. It’s a go-to for me this time of year!
I think this outfit would be perfect for a winter wedding, and it’s topped with my favorite accessory this year, my Chanel filigree bag. I had my eye on this bag for several years, but it would immediately sell out whenever inventory was restocked.
For hard-to-get luxury pieces like this, a great source is eBay. They’re the first place I check if I can’t find what I’m looking for at a retailer. Especially if I’m on the hunt for a unique piece from several seasons past!
Over 80% of eBay’s merchandise is actually brand new and available with the “Buy It Now” options, which means if you’re not the type to hover over your laptop in a bidding war, you don’t have to. If you have a few people left on your holiday gifting list, or even if you want to to treat yourself, everything you need for those last minute gifts can be found on eBay.
Have you ever purchased from eBay or better yet, specifically a designer item? My greatest victory was snagging a vintage Burberry trench for under $150. I had it shortened and it’s one of my greatest steals!
Cozy season is in full effect in San Francisco, and I’m loving accessorizing my outfits with Kendra Scott’s winter collection, specifically all of the sage pieces. I truly think that dark green is a color that looks good on everyone and goes with everything, so these stud earrings are the type that I can pair with all of my outfits. How gorgeous are these!?
You also might remember this charm necklace from this post. It has an adjustable chain (which I love, love, love), so it will work with every neckline. If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for your mom or mother-in-law, I think this would be such a fun gift! You can personalize it just for them with a ton of different charms! I’ll link some of my favorite charms below.
Do you have any dark green accessories in your closet? I have a handbag in this sage color that goes with everything. That was probably the first piece I had in that color that made me realize how truly versatile it is.
If you’re a Kendra Scott lover like I am, be sure to check out their winter collection. If you’re new to the brand, this collection is a fabulous place to start! Thanks so much for reading and sharing, and you can check out all holiday-related content under the holiday tab. XO –
Is it just me or is Christian the luckiest!? I don’t think I’ve ever covered mens gifting so much during the holidays on this blog (posts here and here), so MERRY CHRISTMAS BARNEZ.
Since we’ve lived in California, everything is more casual. Because of that, Christian really hasn’t added anything new to his formal wardrobe in many years. He only has six more months of training (hallelujah!), so I thought this Christmas would be the perfect time to give him something nice to update his selection and prepare his closet for the year to come.
And how gorgeous is this tie? When I went to Nordstrom to pick one out, I had some help from the sweetest girl on the floor named Kalina. She helped me pick a tie that would go with Christian’s navy suit, and showed me this pocket square. You can fold it numerous ways to create multiple different looks out of just one little pocket square. How brilliant is that!?
If you are looking for a last-minute gift for your s/o, brother, dad, father-in-law, etc., know that at Nordstrom you can buy online and pick up in store (BOPUS), they’ll wrap your items for you at no cost and tie it up with a satin bow and their holiday-themed gift cards (even an e-card!) are always a good idea if you can’t decide between items.
Only a few more days to get all of your shopping done – let this be a secret cheat sheet! Thanks so much for reading, and you can see all holiday-related content here. XO –
When it comes to dressing for a holiday weekend, there are a few things to consider:
Stay comfy.
Look photo-ready because you know Aunt Martha is pulling out her camera.
Stay warm.
Give yourself some eating space.
Or at least, these are my priorities. This is why this kind of look is exactly what I plan to be wearing over the holidays. A big cozy sweater, faux leather leggings that are stretchy yet suck you in and OTK boots (currently 50% off) that are slimming on everyone. If you want to step it up a notch, throw on a furry vest or trendy belt bag to cinch your waist.
Stylish and cozy – bring on the pics, Aunt Martha!
What kind of house are you in for the holidays? Are you guys in pajamas until noon or sweatshirts in the evening? Or do you like to put together an outfit so you look your best for the extended fam? I’d love to hear your holiday environment!
Buying for the guys isn’t easy. In fact, for me, they’re the hardest people to shop for on my list – particularly Christian. He’s incredibly picky. His strategy is minimal and simple, always quality over quantity.
So when I heard him mentioning getting a new razor, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to get him the best razor I could find. Enter Braun’s Series 9 electric razor. One of the reasons I knew he would love this razor is that it shaves more hair in one stroke than any other razor. Therefore it leaves your skin softer, and the sonic technology creates a cushion that lets the shaver easily glide across the skin. It’s the créme de la créme of razors, so I knew my picky guy would love it.
He totally did! He immediately plugged it up to get it charged and was already using it the same day I gave it to him. It’s not often I hit the nail on the head for him, so it really felt like a holiday victory.
You can read more about this specific razor here (I mean…read some of those reviews). The team at Braun have put so much thought into making this product the best of the best, and you can tell by all of the detail and information they openly share about it on their site. It literally has me thinking… do I need to steal this razor from him!?
Do you know what splurge gift you plan on giving your significant other this year? Spill it! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
Yesterday I shared our experience in Marrakech, and today we’re going to take a deeper dive into La Sultana‘s sister beach property in Oualidia!
Christian and I only spent about 36 hours in this magical little town before we had to leave for the airport so he could get back to San Francisco for a Tuesday morning surgery, but we definitely soaked up the little bit of time we had there!
This location was around three hours from Marrakech, and I’m really glad we were able to split time between the two properties because they were totally different. Marrakech is exactly what you think of when you dream of Morocco – ornate, colorful and a mind and body trip for the senses.
Oualidia is its serene and peaceful sister that is bright, airy and water-inspired. I wish we could have spent a little more time at this gorgeous location, but all the more reason to return! Let’s get into the nitty gritty –
Oualidia
Where We Stayed
We stayed at La Sultana Oualidia, and this charming little property was so beautiful and intimate. It’s smaller hotel than Marrakech, and our room had this beautiful screened porch (pictured below) where I would work in the afternoon, while listening to Christmas Trap (#lolol). It was so lovely!
We also had a private outdoor tub and fell asleep to the fireplace crackling… talk about dreamy.
Where We Ate
We also had all of our meals in Oualidia at the hotel, and my favorite was this stunning beach picnic we traveled to by boat (pictured below). It was a Sex and the City 2 moment if I’ve ever had one in my life, and if I could transport myself back to that day, eating fresh fish while trying to sneak bread to a stray dog we found… I would in a heartbeat!
Activities
We visited the spa in Oualidia as well, and this time Christian got to take part in a massage himself! My massage was so peaceful, I almost fell asleep on the table.
One of the most beautiful things about Moroccan spas is that they all have these gorgeous heated pools in the center. It’s the kind of place you can spend a few hours, sipping espresso or mint tea, and completely unwind.
I’ve had so much fun reliving this experience through these posts, and I hope you guys feel like you got a sneak peek into the trip. I was so honored to be a part of such a OG group of ladies who have personally inspired me since day 1, so it was a very cool full circle moment. A gigantic thank you to the LiketoKnow.it team for including me on this magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Thank you so much for reading, and if you have any experience in Marrakech or Oualidia, I would love to hear where you stayed and what you did! XO –
I’m so excited to share our Marrakech and Oualidia #ltkgetaway photos with you guys! I had full intentions of sharing it on Friday, but I unexpectedly got sick so I needed some time to rest up because this post has so much to cover! Morocco is stunning, and we had the most amazing time documenting it. That being said, there were literally around 1,000 photos to thumb through, so thank you for giving me grace!
I have been working with rewardStyle since around 2011, and my relationship with this company has naturally deepened over the years. I’ve explained how LiketoKnow.it works before, but rewardStyle is the parent company to LTK. By serving as the middle man between influencers and brands, they provide valuable and extremely useful tools to thousands of content creators.
I’ve loved working with this team of hardworking and driven women, and it’s been a privilege to be a small part of their growth and success. So when the opportunity came to join the LTK team for an #ltkgetaway to Morocco – I couldn’t wait to explore this gorgeous country with some fabulous people. I joined Jamie Chung, Christine Andrews and Wendy Nguyen (and their handsome significant others), and we had a truly magical time exploring Marrakech and Oualidia!
There were so many photos taken on this trip (I mean, as someone who loves capturing new places, how could you not), so today I’m going to dig into Marrakech, and tomorrow we’ll move onto Oualidia.
Marrakech
Where We Stayed
We stayed at La Sultana Marrakech and WOW. WOW WOW WOW. This hotel absolutely blew our minds. The detail in every single corner is breathtaking and will leave you speechless. It is exactly what you dream about when you think of the architecture of Morocco, and each room has different theme! We were in the camel room (which was amazing), and at night we would lie in bed and look at the ornate lantern above us and columns all around us. I’ve never experienced anything like it.
If you plan on spending time in Marrakech, I can’t recommend this hotel enough. If we were ever so lucky to return, this is absolutely the hotel I would choose.
Where We Ate
We ate all of our meals at the hotel and they were my favorite meals of the entire trip. There was one night where we had an huge round table that seated 8 of us with dozens of these small meze plates of appetizers. There had to be at least 30 of them. Almost all of the dishes were vegetarian (yay for me!), and there was so much flavor on these tiny plates it was my favorite meal of the entire trip.
Activities
Spa | La Sultana has multiple pools and their spa is absolutely stunning (pictured below). I was thankfully bold enough to try the traditional Royal Hammam, and I’m so glad I did. It’s this very peaceful yet intimate full body scrub, and you can read more about the treatment in detail here.
It was followed by a massage, and this spa treat was truly a beyond perfect way to start a vacation after 15 hours of travel. So therapeutic!
Market | You can’t visit Marrakech and not take a trip to the market (pictured above). When we went into town, it exceeded all of my expectations! We were lucky to be guided around by Yusra of Moroccan Must Haves, and she was beyond helpful making sure we hit all the best spots while also knowing how to be respectful of the culture (asking for permission before photographing, not showing affecting to significant others, covering our shoulders, etc.).
I purchased a traditional teapot, some vases, spices and soaps. Christian snagged the most darling espresso cup and saucer. I need to polish my teapot and make some mint tea to try to transport myself back to this dreamy trip.
Cooking Class | We took a group cooking class together (pictured below), and it was so interesting learning how to cook Moroccan dishes. Many Moroccan dishes are cooked in a tagine, and we learned how to cook fish tagine with peppers (similar to this). It was delicious, and I have a pretty strong feeling I could never make it as well at home!
similar suit here and here | earrings | hat courtesy of La Sultana (there is one on every pool chair, it’s adorable!)
Have you ever visited Marrakech or is it on your bucket list!? I think it would be the most epic honeymoon or anniversary spot. The hotel is so romantic. There were so many times I stopped to hug Christian and tell him how grateful I was that he could come with me. I can’t imagine having this experience with anyone else!
It was my first time in North Africa, and we really were completely blown away with its beauty and hospitality. It was sensory overload, in the best possible way. A trip of a lifetime, and I’m so thankful to the LiketoKnow.it team for including us on the opportunity to visit such an amazing country.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing! Tomorrow we will cover Oualidia, and it was gorgeous and wonderful in a completely different way. Stay tuned! XO –
I cannot deny that I absolutely LOVE a matching pajama set. Even better if it’s holiday themed!
Old Navy just released six matching “Jingle Jammies” for the season and you seriously have to see how adorable these are. The ones I’m wearing are palm trees with twinkle lights, aka “beach Santa.” They also have skiing dogs, sloths in scarves, penguins in sweaters and you can even mix and match your own set.
How adorable would these be for siblings or a family to wear together on Christmas day? Everyone could wear the same set or make their own. And if you’re not a thermal kind of gal, they have all kinds of seasonal pajamas you can check out here.
When I put these on at home, Christian realized the palm trees had lights on them, even he was like, “those are awesome!” I just need Old Navy to make a mens matching set so we can be #twinning in our beach Santa ensemble (although these are pretty adorable). Until then, I did snag him this shirt that is so soft that even I’m a little jealous.
And I can’t go without mentioning this jacket. I actually already have two green military jackets, but when I felt the lining of this one, there was no question I had to snag it. It basically feels like you’re wearing a hug. I know it will be the perfect jacket for walking Bailey in the chilly mornings. And how cute is this one!?
Thanks so much for reading, and if you’re also an Old Navy pajama lover, I want to hear what set you have! XO –
One of the questions I get every year from my CBL girls is about holiday or dressed up outfits for the office. I shared a few in years past here and I think this would also be totally appropriate, but this year we’re getting a little spicier… stay with me!
I had a leopard pencil skirt back in my corporate days and I loved wearing it with a turtleneck or tucked in blouse to the office. Just because you have to abide by a dress code doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. A fun skirt or pair of heels can take you a long way and is so versatile. Definitely worth the splurge, or even not a splurge considering this one is from Forever21… seriously! Scroll down for my affordable picks, all under $60.
What’s your work dress code? Is this something you could wear to the office? I’d love to hear so I can have a better idea of what is helpful to you ladies!
And if you have any other 8 to 5 outfit scenarios that would be helpful, I’d love to hear. Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
