Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Be a Traveler


Au Revoir.
See you in mid-October.

London and Paris, here we come.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

If you are a candle collector, like myself, go to Bath & Body Works now. Slatkin Co. Candles are on sale, two for $20! (14.5 oz, 3-wick candles) I purchased Autumn and Cinnamon Nut Bread. They both smell absolutely amazing. They have about 25 different scents to choose from and they are the perfect housewarming gift. 

My windows are open, the air is crisp, and my house smells like a lovely autumn day.

Babel is here and it's good. I particularly like Lovers' Eyes & The Lover of Light.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Top 5 Essentials

 As I began packing up some things for our anniversary get-away to London and Paris, I began thinking about what was most important. Listed below are my: 
TOP FIVE MOST ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR TRAVEL

1.Dry Shampoo
There is nothing more necessary than dry shampoo after a long flight, especially an overnight flight. Kiel and I will be landing in London in the early AM and hopefully we both catch a couple solid Zzz's on our way over the Atlantic. I swear by Suave's Keratin Infused Dry Shampoo. I've tried all the expensive brands(i.e. bumble&bumble etc.) and honestly they are of no match. FYI, dry shampoo works best for me when used before bed. I somehow wakeup looking oil-free. It's fantastic.

2. A Signature Scent
My well-traveled friend made a superb suggestion to me the other day. When traveling somewhere, pick out a new signature scent to use on the trip.. such as Bath&Body's Eucalyptus Spearmint. Whenever you smell this product in the future you will always be reminded of your wonderful getaway. (I purchased the shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion... all in travel size and all three for $10.)

3. A Good Read
I don't know what kind of books your into, but I can read books from a plethora of genres. Non-fiction to Romance... I do not discriminate. I love em all. I have yet to read the book above, but I have talked to many people who just rave about Erik Larson and his two best-sellers, In the Garden of Beasts and The Devil in the White City. This book should hopefully get me through both nine hour flights and a two and half hour train ride!

4. Rainboots
These may not be necessity for everyone when traveling, but Kiel and I are headed to a very rainy place and I've had my eye on some hunter boots for a while now. I figured it was the perfect time to invest. They will keep my feet not only dry, but comfy too! I went with a neural black, the perfect basic to get me through our 10 days away.

5. Your Itinerary
Kiel and I LOVE to travel, and if there is one thing I like to do it's planning our vacations. I research our travel destination like it's nobody's business and I try to plan and schedule as much in advance as possible. As much as you don't want a vacation to seem super busy and hectic... a little planning can actually allow for much more down-time in the long run. Planning out routes from destination to destination is essential when self-guiding in a foreign city. It can cut down travel time, and in our case arguments, because in case you didn't know, the Mr. and I are always both right. Not to mention, cutting down wait time. Waiting in line is for the birds, and I lack patience, so you can see how this is a big plus to someone like me. 

Anywho, those are just a few suggestions on what to bring when you travel and how to travel well when you do. 

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Top Five

Top Five Fall Trends:

1. Burgundy
Deena & Ozzy Tradition Tote
2. Ankle Boot
UO Suede Ankle Boot
(Only $49, and comes in several color options)
3. Leather
Madewell Skirt
(H&M also has a skirt similar for a more affordable price)
4. Spiked Jewels
5. Peplum


Thursday, September 13, 2012

It's Time

It's time for a new look and thanks to pinterest, I think I have found just what I've been looking for.
Kate Beckinsale, you are a goddess and I want to look like you. Here's hoping my talented hair dresser can pull it off!

Two Years

Kiel and I just celebrated our two year anniversary this week. It's so hard to believe that our wonderful wedding day was that long ago. I remember always hearing that the older you get, the faster time flies. What a true statement. It feels like just yesterday that I walked down that aisle. 

We went to France of our honeymoon, and stayed just outside of Nice on the Mediterranean. It was everything I am imagined a honeymoon to be. Romantic views, fine wine, cool nights, and of course some much needed downtime. I am so excited to be heading back to France for our two year anniversary. Paris has so much to offer and I can't wait to see all the sights with my favorite person in the world. 
 

Kiel is a wonderful and thoughtful gift giver. He always sticks with the appropriate-themed gift for each anniversary. In celebration of two years of marriage, the recommended traditional gift is cotton, and the modern gift is china. He decided to do both, and  he bought me two amazing items from Anthropologie. 

What can I say, the man knows me well.  I, on the other hand, am not quite as good at this whole gift giving thing. I ended up going with a Nixon watch that Kiel has had his eye on for some while. Anyway, I think he was happy with it!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Congratulations to our amazing friends, Danielle and Chris Morley! They had a beautiful wedding on the beach yesterday in Long Beach Island, NJ and it could not have been more perfect! The love was palpable. 

(Check out my handsome man playing some acoustic jams in the background)


“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, this is what it is to be happy.” ♥ - Sylvia Plath


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Baby Shower Gift Guide

Is it me, or does everybody else feel like they are surrounded by pregnant women. Every time I turn around, another baby is either being born or conceived. I am all for it, because I love shopping for others, especially infants. In fact, once I start I can't stop. After being educated by some new moms on what they actually need/enjoy receiving,  I have came across a couple ideas for future baby shower gifts.

These totally stand-out baby blankets measure 31 x 33 inches, and are made from breathable and lightweight 100% USA grown organic cotton. It's like wrapping your baby up in your favorite super-soft tee-shirt! I just added this cute little Etsy shop, Little Hip Squeaks, to my favorites. They have everything from colorful chevron leggings to mustache-designed baby blankets.

I found this wooden block set on Etsy as well. They come from the store, Little Sapling Toys, which offers anything from a baby-sized wooden guitar to a monogrammed baby-sized wooden camera. Perfect for infant play!

From the British-based online store, The Pippa & Ike Show. This adorable store offers anything from kids wear to party decor( these colorful washi tape rolls are a fave of mine currently). And they even have an area on their website dedicated to affordable gift ideas.

This brand makes muslin blankets, bibs, swaddles, sleepers, crib sheets... you name it. The lightweight muslin material permits air to circulate around the baby's body, while still providing comfort and warmth without the worry that the baby may overheat in moderate weather. Cotton muslin is also a workhorse fabric, in that wraps woven from this natural fiber stands up to repeated washings only becoming softer -- and better -- with age. 

These are just a couple different ideas that I came across... pair something unique like the above items with a basket full of baby staples.. i.e. bottles/pacifiers/diapers/wipes and this new mom should be good to go!

I can't wait for it to me my turn. ;)  

Saturday, September 1, 2012

September Mix

"She spoke of places I had never been
That she had traveled to
And we slowed danced along to faster tunes"


1. Iron and Wine - Love Vigilantes
2. The Paper Kites - Featherstone
3. Walk the Moon - Shiver Shiver
4. Mumford and Sons - I Will Wait
5. Ben Howard - Only Love
6. Cold War Kids - Audience
7. Bear Hands - Crime Pays
8. The Antlers - Drift Dive
9. Chairlift - I Belong In Your Arms
10. Muse - Madness
11. The Killers - All Of These Things That I've Done
12. The Lumineers - Classy Girls
13. The Head and The Heart - Honey, Come Home
14. Johnnyswim - Heartbeats