I love a designer accessory. I consider bags and jewelry investment pieces that can really last throughout the decades if you take care of them. I tend to go a less expensive in the clothing category and save my splurges for fabulous accessories (which I’ve gone into deeper here and here).
If you’ve been reading CBL for a little while, you might remember this post from a little over a year ago where I introduced you guys to The Lady Bag. I’ve known about The Lady Bag for several years now, and this site remains to be my favorite source for shopping classic, authentic, previously owned and vintage LV pieces that are often hard to find.
I use my Keepall from her all the time (most recently here), and I’ve had this gorgeous Monceau Bag on my wish list for quite a while. When it came in… I had all the heart eyes! It’s such a great size for everyday and I love the shape so much. It’s so classic and ultra chic.
AND there might be a little giveaway at the bottom of this post so be sure to check that out!
AND The Lady Bag + CBL have teamed up to offer a reader the chance to win this darling Damier pouch! I’m not going to lie, I love it so much I’d be happy to steal it myself but we want to give it to a reader who follows the steps below:
This post is sponsored by Olay, but opinions are my own.
You read that right sister. Today we are going to talk about a product that can serve as a two-in-one and will cut down your prep time and save your dollars. I’m talking about Olay’s Regenerist Whip.
I used this Olay moisturizer for years and years. So when I was asked to try one of their newer products, I was definitely interested to learn more. I discovered that it has already won a best in beauty aware from People Magazine, and can serve as both a moisturizer and a makeup primer.
A few notable things about this product worth sharing –
It transforms from cream to liquid.
It feels luxe and creamy on your fingertips but quickly transforms into liquid, allowing it to fully absorb into your skin. This immediate absorption means you’re getting all of the active ingredients and hydration instantly.
It has a lightweight and matte finish.
It’s named “Whips” because it has a “light as air” finish. As someone with an oily T-zone, I love that it has a matte finish. It doesn’t feel heavy so it can be worn all day without feeling shiny or oily. This is why it’s such a great pre-makeup primer!
It’s under $30.
Like I said – Olay was one of the first facial moisturizers I ever purchased. It’s award winning for a reason and totally affordable.
It smells like a slice of heaven.
When I first opened the jar I thought… can I also get this face lotion in a candle scent, please? It smells so fresh!
Photos by Christian Barnes
Because this product is so lightweight while also nourishing, I really like using it in the mornings. I love the silkiness it brings to my complexion before applying makeup! I definitely feel like I can skip the primer when I use Olay Whips, so that’s a major bonus to my everyday beauty routine.
Have you used Olay‘s skincare products before? I’d love to hear your experience and what you think. You can get your own free sample of the product here! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
An all black outfit is always chic. I wore more of it before I lived with a yellow lab, so now I have to save it for occasions that are Bailey-free. I say that before she makes an appearance in this post… so perhaps I’m eating my words here!
I shared recently on Instagram here that I can’t get enough of these mini eartha bags. They are so cute, hold just enough of the necessities and I love that they are adorable as a crossbody or top handle. This checkered design is exclusive to Bloomingdale’s and I think it’s so fun!
This top is also exclusively at Bloomingdale’s, and I think it’s so pretty tucked into denim or a skirt. I love the ruffle at the top and the neck tie makes a classic black blouse more unique.
If you haven’t checked out Bloomingdale’s 100% exclusive shop, they have so many fab pieces at great prices. One of my favorite things about this shop is that these products are only available in limited quantities and designed just for Bloomingdale’s by brands and designers. It makes the pieces seem even more special!
Are you a Bloomie’s gal? I’d love to hear! And tell me you don’t love this little mini bag – I can’t enough! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
I talked about layering a jumpsuit recently here, but I wanted to share another fun way to maximize a jumpsuit in a more casual way.
I wore this red number not too long ago here, but I knotted a tee over it for a playful and comfortable look that feels more appropriate for daytime or date night. It can be any tee really – I think even a solid one would look fab.
I prefer heels with this look to add some femininity, but I think a chic pair or sneakers could also look really cool!
This past weekend Christian, Bailey and I had a little staycation at Astoria Central Park West Apartments in Irvine. We all so easily get in our own little bubble or neighborhood, and often forget to get out and try new things in our own city. I was excited to hang in Irvine and be a little tourist in OC for a weekend!
Seeing that we have a move to San Francisco ahead of us this summer, it was really interesting to stay in this luxury apartment for a weekend. I’ve lived in an apartment three different times, and trust me – none of them were this fabulous!
Here are a few amenities Astoria Central Park West offers that I could definitely get used to in my future life:
Rooftop pool and hot tub with outdoor grills and fireplaces.
We have a pool and hot tub now and really love it. It’s so much easier than heading to the beach (I know, #champagneproblems) because you can easily pack and have what you need without trekking it all the way through the sand. I would love, love, love an outdoor fireplace or fire pit. It’s so cozy and the perfect little happy hour spot!
Complimentary valet parking for guests and covered parking garage for residents.
Since we were weekend guests, we were allowed to valet our car all weekend. I love the idea of letting your guests know they can just pull up for complimentary valet versus having them drive all around looking for a parking spot like we have to do now.
Wine cellar storage and wine tasting room.
I mean… do I even need to elaborate here? Dreamy!
Starbucks machine in the lobby.
It’s the little things in life, and grabbing a quick (and free) chai latte in the lobby… I’m not mad at it.
Fully stocked gym.
We hit up the gym Saturday night before cleaning up for dinner, and I kept thinking how much I would LOVE to have a gym like that every day. It was so quiet and made a quick workout just that – a quick workout because you could just hop over to the 3rd floor instead of getting in your car. No excuses to skip and beyond efficient. Major envy!
HUGE Windows lining the apartment walls for amazing sunlight and views.
We visited during a rainy weekend but were able to enjoy the rain through the walls of windows was so amazing! I would love to have this kind of natural light in an apartment.
Not to mention Astoria also has two helipads on the roof, multiple elevators so there’s never a wait for more than 10 seconds, a huge grassy lawn for pets to run around and is less than 10 minutes from South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island. We actually just walked to have lunch because there are so many great places right across the street!
North Italia | I mean… whoa. We saw the Yelp reviews of this spot and knew we had to give it ago. The service was so-so, but the food was outstanding. We ordered four things and not a crumb was left. It was seriously that good!
Puesto-Park Place | We had dinner here and took advantage of the Orange County Restaurant Week menu. I don’t eat much meat anymore but after seeing the rave reviews of the filet mignon taco I knew I had to try it… and it was what’s up. Great vibe but I think we were so spoiled after our North Italia lunch. It didn’t meet the high bar by comparison!
The Stand | Awesome burger, so-so fries but the options for burgers is kind of amazing. And you can substitute a turkey or veggie burger in any of their menu items!
Have you ever taken a staycation in your own city?
Do you live in Orange County or have advice for someone looking for an apartment (as in amenities you can’t live without)? I’d love to hear your thoughts on luxury apartment life and what you know or have heard about Astoria.
Spring wish lists means a new season must be on the horizon! We’ve had some rain lately and while I know it’s not snow like those of you on the East Coast, it still has me ready for when the temperatures rise a little bit so I can soak up one more sunny SoCal spring before our move.
I’m currently however en route to a warm destination to celebrate the nuptials of future Mrs. Perrault, and I’m wishing I had this red hot piece in my suitcase! I’ve had a busy week leading up to this fun trip, so it was one of those last minute packing situations where I might be surprised at what actually ended up in my suitcase. We’ve all been there! Do you have any exciting spring travels on your agenda?
I have been longing for these heels for weeks but they haven’t had my size in stock. If they have yours, please scoop them up and enjoy them on my behalf!
I’ll be sharing more about our Orange County staycation tomorrow, so stay tuned! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
If you search “Julie Vos” on this site, you’ll find tons of posts. I’ve been wearing Julie Vos for years since my friend Nikki introduced me to the brand, and it continues to be my favorite quality statement jewelry. I once wore a few rings to a jewelry salon and before I knew it, I had at least five women around me admiring the pieces and asking who the designer was! I’ve been at restaurants answering questions from waitresses about the bracelets… this is not an exaggeration.
The pieces speak for themselves, and I love how beautifully they mix and match together. AND I’ve been wearing some of the bracelets for several years now and they’ve never tarnished. Seriously. You can’t tell the brand new pieces from the pieces I added four years ago.
I personally lean toward their statement pieces like the chainlink bracelets, chunky cuffs and statement rings, but they also have delicate pieces if you’re not stacking high like yours truly (I’ve always been a “more is more” kind of bracelet person). They have a great selection of feminine necklaces and stud earrings that are easily wearable everyday picks.
Trust me, if you roll around town wearing a Julie Vos piece, prepare yourself for tons of questions. My Julie Vos pieces are easily my most asked about jewelry (other than my engagement ring), and that’s why I’m so excited to partner with them for this post. I’ve loved this brand and the team behind it for so many years and I always love telling people about them!
clothing: crop top (sold out), similar style here and here | skirt, also love this one | heels, similar look for less here | bag, similar styles for less here and here
Have you ever heard of Julie Vos or owned any of their pieces? I have quite a collection so please feel free to ask me any questions you may have! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
When I was putting together outfits for Palm Springs, I started playing with something I’ve never done before – mixing polka dot pieces. I’ve worn two pieces together that came as a set, but I’ve never mix and matched different polka dot pieces in my closet.
It totally works!
I know not everyone might wear this exact outfit (it felt very appropriate for retro Palm Springs), but you can do it in your own way. Maybe a polka dot blouse tied at the waist with a skirt or a polka dot blazer over a polka dot romper. Different colors, even different polka dot sizes are totally acceptable.
I thought it was such a fun idea for spring and ways to think out of the box within your own closet. Play with it!
What do you think? Would you mix some of the polka dot pieces you already have? I shared a few extra fun polka dot pieces in the thumbnails below, some of the rompers are real-time cute.
This isn’t the first time you’ve seen this pretty Palm Springs home on CBL. Three years ago I stopped by in this post to check out this desert landmark for the first time. I’ve been 2-3x, and I’ve never been alone. Thanks to the #thatpinkdoor hashtag, there is always a line of tourists and Californians waiting to snap their photo by this pink door!
I wore this little dress to brunch at Melvyn’s and then we popped by this fab house on a drive around some of the mid-century modern homes in town. If you’ve never been to Palm Springs, it’s truly like stepping back in time. The homes, the restaurants, the decor… it’s like you can really envision what Frank Sinatra was up to. It blows my mind every time I visit!
If I owned a home and could paint the front door, I would probably go for a light blue (mostly because C wouldn’t allow me to paint it pink, let’s be real). What color would you choose? Or do you already have a lovely painted front door?
Three looks, one dress – today I’m going to share a few spring staples that are comfortable, extremely versatile and classic!
When it comes to an everyday dress that you can get the most bang for your buck, James Perse is a go-to for me. Nordstrom has a a great selection of their pieces that are great foundation investments. Another spring must-have is a classic chambray shirt. I recently snagged this one and I can already tell it’s going to be worn on repeat.
A few years ago I put a Burberry trench coat on my “lifetime wish list.” I kept my eye on a few online as well as consignment shops and ending up splurging on a vintage one. A piece like this is one you know you’ll still wear and love thirty years from now. Nordstrom has a great selection of Burberry pieces, and if a fabulous trench is something you’ve been longing for, I’d recommend saving $100 a month with this big purchase in mind. Then you can take the plunge without guilt!
SO, how is this three looks in one? Scroll down to see! I layered a chambray and trench for a look that would work in the office, ditched the trench for a weekend-inspired look and lost all the layers other than the LBD for a date night look. You could easily wear booties, sneakers or sandals with a dress like this. The silhouette and fabric is so easy to make it your own, and the ruching at the hips provides some camouflaging (which I appreciate).
I recently stumbled upon this post that I found via Pinterest, and I was SO inspired by this chick’s cool style. I particularly loved how she made her Louis Vuitton speedy a display of travels, experiences and memories. So original!
I knew exactly the bag I wanted to try it on. My sweet mom bought me this damier speedy over ten years ago, and I haven’t worn it as frequently as I thought I would. At one point I considered selling it, but really felt it was such a classic bag that I (or future daughters/granddaughters) would get plenty of wear out of it.
I couldn’t commit to glueing or sewing patches on, but I thought I could try some sticker-patches! I had a few patches already (and have since added this one), but I both bought some sticker patches (several are shared below) and used my all-time favorite fabric tape, toupee tape, to adhere some that didn’t have a sticker backing.
I definitely feel like the sticker made patches stay on the best, and I think this store has the best ones – their varsity letters are so cute.
On Friday I shared that I spent last week in Palm Springs with this crew to celebrate Jenn‘s wedding next month!
I was so excited to get in on a little bachelorette party prep, and we definitely started the week with a bang thanks to Seven Daughters Wines. All of that being said, I wanted to share some of my bachelorette party-planning tips with you – and yes, karaoke microphones are definitely involved.
Don’t overthink the decorations.
When you first start thinking about a themed party… it can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! All you need is a decorated “area” where you can have all of the gifts, party supplies, snacks and so on. If you think about decorating the entire room floor to ceiling, it’s too much.
Have a designated photo spot where everyone can get their picture with the bride, where she can sit to open gifts and so on. I am linking all of the supplies for this party at the bottom of the post – and they were so fun and not expensive.
If you need a space filler: blow up balloons and have them on the floor. It looks so fun and adds some quick and easy “party” vibes to the room!
Keep it tasteful.
Call me old fashioned, but I like to keep bachelorette party decorations tasteful. People are going to be videoing, snapping photos, etc. Thanks to the internet and social media… some of these private moments are no longer so private. No one wants a wild photo resurfacing online when they’re interviewing for a new job next year.
While we’re talkin’ tasteful, delicious snacks are a must.
Any party I’m throwing needs the essentials: a cheese and charcuterie plate, fruit, crudité, anything wrapped in a wonton wrapper and chips and an assortment of dip. We had a homemade dip, smoked gouda dip, salsa and guacamole… and as I’m writing this I’m now hungry again.
Wine, wine, and please more wine.
Of course, find out the bride’s favorite blend or drink so you can have that ready to go, but this group likes to keep the wine a-flowing. We had Seven Daughters Red Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscato and Rosé for the occasion.
The Rosé Cans were so handy because you can easily slip in a little straw, grab another if yours is no longer cold, share with a friend, etc. When it comes to parties – having some cans to serve is so convenient!
Having wine charms (how hilarious are these) or a wine glass marker are great ways to keep track of whose glass is whose.
Have an element of fun/silly/playfulness.
Our girl Jenni Jenn is all about the laughs, so some of her requests were karaoke and disco balls. I must say, they were quite a hit. And I love that you can continue to enjoy them and it’s not just a one time thing!
Party rings are also usually well received. I love that these light up for later in the night. So fun!
Add a party playlist.
You know I love a playlist. Flashback to this post when I shared a “Friday” and “Monday” playlist. For this party we had DJ Krystal on the scene and she did not disappoint. This helped with the karaoke as well… and everyone boo-ing me when I wanted to sing Billy Joel.
That is rude.
Take photos in the beginning of the party, then put your phones away and enjoy yourselves!
We had these adorable little polaroid cameras that were so cute for snapping photos. If someone has a polaroid or is willing to add one to the scene, it’s a really fun addition.
Have you ever planned a bachelorette party!? I’d love to hear your hits and misses. I have another one coming up in July, so let me know if you think I missed something!
You can check out Seven Daughters on Facebook and Instagram and find their wine in your area here. AND the code CBL7D is good for 20% off any Seven Daughters purchase on Uncorked.com! XO –
