I’ve shared before that I go through phases with jewelry, and right now, I’m all about necklaces. I love layering them for a custom, unique look. I love how easy it is to make the style your own, and I wanted to share some new pieces I have that are definitely going to add to a layering story.
These two necklaces are from Missoma, and I recently hopped on their site and went down a rabbit hole of goodness. One of the things I love most about this necklace is that it’s a little longer (over 21 inches), so it is going to look fab with any shorter necklace making it a fabulous layering piece!
And if you’re a coin necklace lover, they’ve got you covered girlfriend.
You can shop Missoma pieces by jewelry style or collection, and make your own unique layering story.
Are you necklace-obsessed right now? Or are you more of a stacked ring or earring person? I recently got my ears double pierced and I’ve been loving pairing different studs, ear cuffs and hoops. These might have to be on my Christmas wish list!
– this personalized denim jacket thanks to Issa Poppins –
– a customized tote from The Shop Forward from a CBL girl who already knows my favorite things on this earth –
– new beauty products that I can’t WAIT to try thanks to AmorePacific, Sulwhasoo and the Neiman Marcus team… my desk just got much more fun! –
– totally vibing with all the leopard pieces out there right now like these sneakers and these booties –
Happy Friday! First week of October is in the books… and I’m trying to soak it all up. I’m trying to have some intentional moments – drinking coffee in a turtleneck sweater while looking at the clear morning in the city. Watching the leaves across the street slowly change colors from my desk window. These are a few of my favorite things, for sure!
I have to talk about the tote pictured above. A darling CBL girl reached out to tell me about The Shop Forward and these customized bags created by women in Haiti. She said that I could put any four things on the bag and suggested “queso | barnez | bailey & lula | real housewives.” Literally, I laughed out loud. SPOT ON. How can I say no or make any edits to that!?
I also received an autographed copy of Rush, a book inspired by Ole Miss sororities… so you know I can’t wait to read it.
I’m in full support of the leopard moment happening this season, and I love that you can add a touch of leopard in sneakers OR heels. Necessary!
I’ll be traveling next weekend (this time with Christian – yay!), so we have some working ahead to do. But we’re really prioritizing time to continue exploring the city. Our “year in the city” list has been temporarily on hold due to my traveling and Christian’s studying. It’s definitely refreshing to feel so free!
What do you have going on this weekend? Thanks so much for reading – XO –
We are in a small apartment this year for Halloween, so tragically all of our seasonal holiday decor is packed in boxes in my brother’s garage (our makeshift storage unit for a few boxes which is super nice!). BUT if we had a little more space, the below is the Halloween vibe I would totally be after.
It doesn’t hurt that we have a black cat with green eyes who totally adds the most CHIC energy of all (channeling cat lady vibes right now).
But real talk, the below is just proof that you don’t have to disturb your decor to add some holiday spirit. It can still be sleek, sophisticated and fun!
What about you? Are you decorating for Halloween this year and if so, what is your favorite festive piece to pull out? We also won’t have our Christmas tree or stockings this year (we literally have NO storage in this apartment), so I’m trying to think of what I can do to add some subtle touches that don’t take up space.
Apartment living… not my favorite, but I think it will make anywhere we move next feel extra special! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
Oh hi October! Like most girls (or so it seems), fall is my favorite time of year. It’s my favorite weather, favorite fashion, favorite holidays (Halloween and Thanksgiving!), favorite holiday movies… and some of my favorite foods.
Enter pumpkin bread! I always make pumpkin bread or muffins this time of year, but it’s never really been up Christian’s alley. So I challenged myself to make a loaf that even Barnez couldn’t deny was delicious. And I succeeded!
The catch? Chocolate chips and a streusel topping. So I mean, is this the healthiest treat in the books? Not really (but you can find something more like that here or here!), but it’s still delish and worth sharing!
Ingredients:
1 Box Pumpkin Bread Mix (I used Trader Joe’s) – if you’re not lazy like me, this is a great recipe!
1/2 Bag White Chocolate Chips
For Topping:
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
1/2 Tablespoon Flour
1/2 Tablespoon Cold Butter
3/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
Pinch of Salt
Directions:
Follow directions on box for pumpkin bread (or follow steps in this recipe), add chocolate chips and bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes (or until toothpick comes out clean).
While baking, make streusel topping. Crumble on top of bread once cool.
My recipe is a little more semi-homemade, but if you’re feeling like Betty Crocker you could totally make this from scratch. The added sweetness makes this a little more appropriate for dessert, and it fills some of those fall cravings.
Pour a cup of coffee or a glass of milk and grab a blanket. Ooohh girl – tis the season! For more recipes, check out the food & drink category of CBL. Thanks so much for reading! XO –
I recently heard someone reference using tapioca starch for dry shampoo – enter the rabbit hole of DIY dry shampoo that then occurred.
I wash my hair about twice a week, so my relationship with dry shampoo is deep. For the past week I’ve been using my own mix of three ingredients for dry shampoo as a little test to see if it works.
I have to say, for brunettes, this formula is kind of amazing. Most dry shampoos are aerosol cans (this is usually my go to… although I probably should have been using this) leave a white residue in your hair that you can then brush out or blend in to absorb natural oils.
The cacao in this combo makes it brown and so much easier to blend in! NO worries if you’re not a brunette – you can skip the cacao part.
One of the best parts of this DIY combination (other than the amazingly low cost), is that is TSA-approved!! I always struggle to carry-on travel-sized dry shampoos. I buy the travel-sized can but it’s empty after just a few trips, and then I end up using last minute baby powder – it’s a whole thing.
I put some of this mixture in a small container and I’ve already traveled with it easily. Now I just leave it in my toiletries bag, and I’m set. Love it.
Have you ever made your own dry shampoo? I’d love to hear! Some people use arrowroot powder instead of tapioca… I think it’s just whatever you choose to use. Thanks so much for reading! XO –
– some gorgeous scents from Viktor & Rolf (when I worked at Urban Decay, the girls in the office were in love with this fragrance!) –
– pumpkin time for those of us in closet apartments –
This planter has a little bit of a funny story. I ordered it in July when Christian bought this beautiful mini fiddle leaf fig for me. It was backordered for several weeks, and then got backordered again.
It finally arrived over a month after I ordered it, and when I was opening the box right before I left for Dallas I got a cardboard papercut within an already existing papercut (ouch!), so I said I would finish opening it when I got back in town. Cut to getting back in town and asking C, “where did that planter go?”
He said, “that box? I threw it away. I thought it was garbage.” So then he, somehow by the grace of God, found it in one of the trashcans in the basement of our building. Yowza! After all of that… I gotta say, I still love the way it looks. So at least the journey was worth it!
This weekend is exciting for us because I’ve been traveling for most of September and Christian has been studying for his big board exam. All of that is now behind us (hallelujah!), so we can actually go out and about this weekend and explore without anything hanging over our heads. Cheers to mental freedom!
A fun note I wanted to be sure to mention – Tuckernuck is offering 20% off sitewide with code FRIENDS20 through 10/1. They have so many beautiful classic closet pieces as well as some of the most fun accessories, so be sure to take advantage of that.
What do you have going on this weekend? Any fun fall activities now that it’s “offically” the season? I’ve only had one pumpkin spiced latte so far (unacceptable), so I gotta get my #basic-ness on track. Thank you so much for reading and sharing! XO –
California has challenged me to become a master of layering, and one thing I can appreciate about that is that is really forces me to maximize my closet. You guys know I’m all about versatility!
I’ve talked about layering dresses here, here, here and here (the last three are office-friendly!)… but today we’re throwing some color in the mix. This bodycon midi dress from Nordstrom is so comfortable and flattering, and has over 200 positive reviews to prove its praises.
It’s definitely too chilly here in San Francisco to wear a sleeveless dress without an added layer, so this is a way I would layer one of those dresses from summer to create a cozy fall look. Layer with a cropped sweater and throw a denim jacket around the waist. You can pair a look like this with sneakers and a mini backpack for daytime or opt for booties and a top handle bag for an evening vibe.
Do you like to layer those dresses from summer into fall looks? I think this is a great way to have your feet in both seasons when we’re in this “in between season” time when it’s not quite cold but no longer summer.
Nordstrom has so many cute cropped sweaters for fall (linked below) that will layer perfectly with dresses! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
For the next few days, Shopbop is offering a major discount on select pieces. When these kinds of sales roll around, my biggest pieces of advice is think about the luxury/higher end pieces you’ve been lusting after and take advantage of the amazing shipping!
THE DEAL:
20% off orders under $500 | 25% off orders over $500 | code: STOCKUP18
My advice for this sale would be to take advantage of the Stuart Weitzmans, DVF’s, classic Eberjey pajamas, Rebecca Minkoffs, Karen Walkers of it all. You can get a fat discount on these pieces that you will wear for years! When searching the sale, you can scroll through on your own or you can select the designers you really love to see what is included in the sale. That’s how I prefer to shop because I can go straight to the brands I love! Levi’s, Self Portrait, Yumi Kim – the gang’s all here.
I have and love this denim jacket and wear it with everything. These are always my go-to pajamas because they’re both chic and incredibly soft. I bought these boots three years ago and thanks to some boot protector spray they’re still like new (and go with everything). I’ve loved this fabulous wrap dress all season, and everyone needs a timeless pair of heels like these. Love these designer dupes. I can’t get enough of coin necklaces right now, and these sneakers are my most worn in SF because they’re so comfortable.
I’d love to hear what you have your eye on and if you plan on perusing this sale! You guys… it’s a good one! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
necklace 1, 2, 3 | denim (I sized down) | top – N12H | similar bag here and here | similar slides here and here
Last weekend I snuck away to Monterey for my first visit in several years. I had a little staycation with my sister-in-law and nephews! I have stayed at the InterContinental Clement Monterey before with Christian, but this time we booked one of their larger rooms with a pullout sofa for the kids.
The first night I hung solo and attended an event for the collaboration between InterContinental and Audible. They presented the Stories of the InterContinental Life collection, curated by Brendan Francis Newnam of “The Paris Review” podcast. There was a fireside chat about John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, which is set on the very street that the hotel sits. We listened to writers discuss Monterey and the book over cocktails. In select other cities, InterContinental and Audible are discussing other books handpicked to highlight each particular location.
We had the best time! There’s a reason this is the place I always stay when I’m visiting. The location cannot be beat. You’re right on the water and walking distance to restaurants, shops, the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, you name it.
One thing I definitely remembered from my trip with Christian… breakfast at First Awakenings. You guys, the huevos rancheros, gigantic pancakes filled with granola, raspberries and coconut and the eggs benedict? Wowza. I went solo before my family got in town and then it was the most practical choice for the morning before we left town… so yes, I ate there two mornings in a row!
Another restaurant we popped into for dinner was The Fish Hopper. It was right down the street, kid-friendly, and has tables right by the water. It was the most unintentionally gorgeous dinner!
And our visit to the Aquarium blew me away. I haven’t been to an aquarium in so long, but after hearing so much about this one I was so excited to visit. We saw every room, every tank, all the little penguins – it was amazing!
Have you ever visited Monterey? I got some messages from you guys on Instagram that some of the other InterContinental locations where some of your favorite vacation spots!
I’ve now stayed here for both a couples getaway and a family-friendly weekend. I was amazed that the hotel really met all of our needs on both visits. We had the best time before heading down to San Luis Obispo for the rest of the weekend.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing, and be sure to check out other travel posts in the travel category of this site. XO –
A few weeks ago I spent some time in my favorite Northern California destination… Sonoma County. I mean, I’ve already made it up to wine country twice in the 2.5 months I’ve lived here, so now it’s becoming a monthly mission!
Ever since we moved to California, I’ve paid more attention to wine labels when I’m shopping. After visiting some of these gorgeous properties and learning about all of the details that go into making a great bottle of wine, I’m definitely partial to those vineyards and the teams behind them. I now have such a larger appreciate for all the time and research that goes into the wine industry!
October is actually Sonoma County Wine Month, and over 200 wineries and affiliated businesses are participating throughout Sonoma County. You can see some of the offerings here! And my favorite fun fact: you can fly right into Santa Rosa by way of Alaska Airlines (which I’ve done before and it’s so great and easy), and up to a case of wine is actually included as part of your free luggage allowance on flights out of this airport. What other airport can say that? Amazing.
We got to tour this property and spend a nice amount of time learning about the growing and maintaining of the grapes and vines. Seeing rows and rows of vines, it really takes your breath away. We learned about the trained falcons used to help protect the grapes and that there’s a flock of turkeys that roams the vineyards… which you know I love. We drank their Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon (both delicious), and had the gorgeous farm-to-table picnic that you see above!
We also go to do something that was most definitely on my bucket list – a grape stomp! I came in second place although I was so convinced I was going to win because I was not getting out of that barrel until I had smashed every single delicious grape. Ha! This property is so stunning, and I would encourage you to look for the Cab in your area. Such a delicious and flavorful full bodied wine for fall and winter months.
This property is unbelievable (seen below in photos featuring the pink midi skirt). We were able to chat with Kate MacMurray herself and learn so much about the history of this gorgeous estate (that even has some John Wayne connections, seriously!). We drank their Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, which was smooth and silky, with views of the sprawling property that gave me major Parenthood/Braverman backyard vibes. Now when I drink this wine I know I’ll envision the estate!
And my favorite part… we were able to make our own Pinot Noir blend! I was really looking forward to this experience, and Christian keeps saying he can’t wait to try my creation. The pressure is on! It was so interesting trying to create my own red blend, and it really was the most fascinating process.
I had never tried Bear Flag wines and was excited to see what they were about! We drank their Zinfandel and made s’mores by the fire at night, and the price point on this wine is so reasonable. I think it would be an amazing gift to bring to a host or the perfect pick for game day.
You guys know I’ve been a huge Coppola fan for years. I’ve worked with them before here and here, and Christian and I drink Coppola year-round.
I had visited one of their properties before, but not the Sonoma County vineyard. I was amazed at all of the incredible Oscar and movie history that we were able to peruse after tasting wine, and it was such a unique experience! I mean, where else can you learn about wine and see the desk from The Godfather?
We were able to taste grapes right off the vines with one of the property’s Viticulturist, and helped pick fruit and vegetables from the garden on-site for our outdoor lunch. I mean… it was an experience for all of the senses (I expect nothing less from Coppola).
We spent the afternoon at their beautiful pool before returning again for dinner at the winery. I’m still dreaming about the dessert and cappucino!
I really love their Director’s Cut wines, and if you look closely, the labels are all unique and tell their own story. There is no detail that goes unnoticed with Coppola.
Have you ever visited Sonoma County? It is really such a fun couples getaway or girls trip. Christian was so envious of my time in these gorgeous vineyards that he is determined to plan another visit in October!
Let me know if you have ever tried any of these wines or if you have a Sonoma wine you’re partial to. I’m always looking for something new to try. Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
I was recently looking at my fall boot closet selection and realized I didn’t have any burgundy boots! Some of my booties have a higher heel for date night and some are for all day wear.
Well my friends, I have found the most comfortable pair of boots that checks every box. They’re burgundy (also come in black and gray), they have a reasonable heel so they can been worn all day AND night, and they are tennis shoe-level comfortable.
I remember hearing guys talk about Born shoes. I knew they were known for being versatile and comfortable, but now they have some new fall styles for the ladies that are seriously fab. I love these sock booties so much and know I’m going to be wearing them so much in the city now that I’m doing so much more walking!
Have you ever worn Born boots or shoes? Tell me what you got. And if you don’t have a pair of burgundy boots for fall, I’m telling you – they’re sooo versatile!
Ooohhhh fall is here, my friends! I am excited to start putting together some fall wish list mood boards. Who doesn’t like cozying up in a new sweater, scarf and booties?
I have been really feelin’ that sweater life and am so excited to see that this sweater has periodically come back in stock in select sizes. If you missed it in the Nordstrom Sale, know that it’s occasionally popping back in stock! I am also really loving this oversized sweater in black. The kind of sweater I’d wear three days in a row, if you feel me.
I recently bought this dress because I saw it was 40% off (runs TTS), and it’s the cutest little midi dress. Looks great layered with a blazer and sneakers or heels. I also bought these sunglasses, and they’re pretty adorable for $8. I’ve seen so many cute outfits with fishnet ankle socks so I had to get some for fall and can’t wait to style them!
I love all coin necklaces right now and this one and this one would look so pretty together. These leopard booties are going to elevate any look and this neckerchief is all my favorite fall colors!
Have you snagged any pieces for fall that you’re looking forward to styling? Gimme the scoop! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
