Sexy Holiday Eyes with Studio Gear Cosmetics

It's the holidays alright, and this means glitter and gold, holiday outfits and looking your best. I personally love getting all dolled up, even it's for a family get together because you know there will be pictures taken... and no one wants a bad holiday hair day documented for all time. Beside the hair and clothes, you gotta be looking your best, beauty regimen wise. My friends over at Studio Gear Cosmetics had me covered this holiday season with the Holiday Smoky Eye Palette. 

Be radiant on any occasion with this sultry, shimmery palette of dramatic shades – perfect for creating a classic smoky eye look, with a hint of unexpected golden glimmer. This collection of four complimentary eye shadows with matching blush deliver several day to night options that are both seductive and wearable. With pure color, pigment-rich formulations, you’ll be sure to smolder all night!

DIY Framed Jewelry Holder

I am sure you remember my trip to Brimfield a couple of months ago (my first time, yay!) where I scored some pretty awesome deals. One of the things I was on the lookout for were some cool older frames to make a jewelry holder with. I have seen all manner of cool versions of vintage frames and chicken wire on Pinterest, leading to a really cool way to house lots of baubles. I am at the point where my poor jewelry tree is over encumbered with the trinkets I have been collecting over the years so this project wasn't just for fun but it is for function too!

Guess what, pretty chicken wire is somewhat hard to find. I went on the lookout and ended up getting impatient so opted from some gardening fence in a grid from the hardware store. Since I wanted a sort of artistic feel to the "piece" I used some of the netting from some of the bird traps that I bought from Brimfield as well. Harder to work with than I thought, I wouldn't do it again haha... but so I was able to come to an end result that I was pretty pleased with and actually functions as a decent jewelry holder.

Things I used: Older Picture Frame (cleaned), Gardening Fencing, Strong Industrial Stapler/Staples, Wire Cutters, Old Bird Netting (cleaned)

A Ladies Holiday Get Together, Seagrass Studio Style #ECSHoliday

Last weekend, I was invited to a highly stylized blogger get together at the gorgeous home of a gorgeous blogger friend, Elizabeth of Seagrass Studio. Not only did I attend (obvi, I am high style) but a lot of other highly fashionable bloggers (friends) attended as well. We were brought together to showcase some of Elizabeth's most recent jewelry designs for the Winter season, a look book of sorts. Not only did we have a great time checking out her gorgeous jewelry but we had a very fancy and stylish party with yummy drinks, food and a puggle who gives wonderful kisses. Check it out!

An Exciting Announcement!

I like to watch tv... like a lot. There are only a handful of shows where the man and I actually overlap on our preferences. Sure, he puts up with all the Real Housewives and currently, all the Christmas movies I am watching, but there are certain shows/movies that we both know not to watch without the other being present. I love these shows so much more because we can have that time together where we laugh, discuss and just relate to one another. That being said, I have put together some images from our favorite shows to laugh at together to make a pretty big announcement. First, let's see if you can follow the clues. Answer after the jump!

Prim and Propah Holiday Giveaway, Day Five: Gemvara Pendant Necklace

Today is the 5th day of 5 fabulous days of giveaways! Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Gemvara's new pop up boutique on Newbury Street, thanks to the beautiful Elissa of Style Wire. I was so very fortunate to have won a very generous gift to Gemvara and had an idea! I am always benefiting from blogging, whether it's by meeting new people or getting great things. Blogging is da bomb. So I emailed my contact at Gemvara and I said, hey what about I share my gift from Gemvara with one of my readers? They loved the idea and here we are on day five, with an awesome giveaway from Gemvara!

There are so many beautiful offerings from Gemvara, all of which are totally the stuff that dreams are made of. One of my favorite things on the Gemvara website is the Evil Eye Pendant Necklace. It's not just the sparkly jewel and sassy silver but also the story behind the evil eye pendant (it's said to ward off evil aka evil eyes aka those mean girls). Since you can customize your Gemvara jewelry with any of a number of gemstones, precious and semi-precious, I decided to get the London Blue Topaz accent on the sterling silver setting and chain... and guess what? I got one for a lucky Prim and Propah reader too! I think this is an awesome necklace and hope you do too!

Isn't this necklace totally swoonworthy? I can't wait to be twinsies with one of you and our Gemvara necklaces. We will share the memory together forever! haha a flare for the dramatic, I know! I am just really excited about offering one of you the opportunity to win something sparkly at this frosty time of year!

JUGS Show Us What Christmas Means to Them, a Guest Post

Hello, Prim & Propah readers!

It's JustUsGals (JUGs) here!  We are honored to be featured today by Amanda to clue you in on some of our favorite winter activities in Boston.  We all live downtown and enjoy nights out and snowy days in.  With the infamous random winter weather New England presents, we prefer to keep things local.

Head on over to our blog to check out daily updates on what is happening in and around Boston!  We'd love to know what you enjoy most about Boston winters, too!

Thanks for having us, Amanda!

The JUGs (Cameron, Meredith & Suzanne)

Prim and Propah Holiday Giveaway, Day Four: 5 Sets of Bras and Undies from Barely There

It's Day Four and I think you all need some underwear! Barely There is today's sponsor and they are majorly generous you guys! Let me back up and gush a little first. Earlier this year, I attended the Blog Better Boston Style Summit and was lucky enough to get to try some of Barely There's awesome offerings. I mean, who doesn't like new and comfy undergarments to add to the stash? Even though no one sees your undergarments on the daily (usually), it is really important that you feel comfortable and also that your undies be barely there... this company has got you covered. I am excited that they have offered to work with me on Day Four!

Amy from Creative Soul Spectrum Shows Us How to Make DIY Pinecone Mobile, a Guest Post

Oh heyyy Prim and Propah readers! I'm Amy from Creative Soul Spectrum! After last year's DIY infinity scarf post, I'm so happy to be back here guest posting again! I know how much you guys love a good DIY project, so I've got another one for you today. This one involves my favorite thing: gold spray paint. Seriously, once I purchase a can of gold spray paint, nothing in my house is safe. This time, pine cones were on the receiving end of my obsession. I wanted to make a holiday decoration that was a little out of the ordinary, so along with the gold spray paint and pine cones, I used twine, white spray point, frog tape, and a branch to make a pinecone mobile. 

Prim and Propah Holiday Giveaway, Day Three: $50 to Giant Vintage Sunglasses

Day Three suckas and it brings us lots of sunglasses! Have you ever heard of Giant Vintage Sunglasses? If not, you have been missing out. I first discovered them last year on Vault and have since purchased up to 10 new pairs of Sunglasses from them. Since I happen to love different styles of sunglasses, you know, to suit my mood, it only makes sense to choose affordable versions over the way too expensive options. Giant Vintage is perfect for the ever changing desires as far as your protective eye wear is concerned. They have so many different styles, from vintage inspired to current frames, you can literally spend an hour perusing their pages upon pages of sunglasses. What are some of my current faves, you ask? Check it.

Big Hearts, Keegan, Cop Rock, Praxis, CX Wally, Jelly Bean Green, Obscura, Boy, Peeka

Katherine from Style Tab Shows Us Her Holiday Best, a Guest Post

Hi Prim and Propah fans! I'm honored to be guest posting today and right alongside a fabulous giveaway to boot! I'm Katherine, a 20-something cat lady who blogs over on Style Tab. I enjoy long romantic walks to the fridge, witty sarcasm, Ryan Gosling and anything with sequins. Today's outfit is one that I actually wore for Thanksgiving dinner with my boyfriend's family. Dressing to impress during the holidays can be a daunting task and with all the food and drinks to be had, you need an outfit that'll be comfortable, too! Enter, the maxi. I've always been a huge fan of maxi dresses/skirts and they're perfect for any time of the year. For winter and the holidays I've been leaning towards styles in deep, rich tones like oxblood, eggplant and emerald. A solid style gives you the freedom to dress it up or down with bold accessories or in my case, some glam faux fur! For an extra fancy occasion, try a style with a daring neckline or a sparkly accents and get ready for the compliments!

Prim and Propah Holiday Giveaway, Day Two: Fabulous Fashion Books from Laurence King

It's day two of my Happy Holidays giveaway series! I was blessed this time last year to have the opportunity to receive some of the fantastic fashion books and games from Laurence King Publishing. The books are colorful, fun and most importantly, have a lot of information that I, a fashion lover, fledgling designer and lover of pretty things, can appreciate. If you check out the selection, and if you're anything like me, you'd likely be instantly inspired to create and design fashion... or in the very least, drool over the pretty things we all wish were in our closets. I love to keep these pretty books where I can see them, like decorative bookshelves and coffee tables. These are perfect for your sassy and fashionable home.

Emily from shell chic'd Shows Us Her Handmade Picks, a Guest Post

Hi all! I'm Emily and I blog over at shell chic'd. Huge thank you for Amanda for having me here today! Contrary to popular belief, my favorite shopping day of the year is not Black Friday or even Cyber Monday [despite my addiction to online shopping], but instead, Small Business Saturday, which takes place on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

I love love love supporting small shops and brands, especially ones whose products are made in America. This year, I'm trying to embrace the idea of Small Business Saturday all December long, opting to buy handmade gifts as often as I can. In case you have been living under a rock [or perhaps just have better self restraint than I], Etsy is an amazing online marketplace full of individual retailers and smalle shops selling their vintage or handmade goods. The only downside to this online shopping Heaven? The hundreds of thousands of products are sometimes a bit daunting to browse through; so I have done a little but of work for you and have rounded up some of my favorite pieces from my favorite Etsy shops!

• "Holidays are for Martinis" Print, AmandaCatherine Design, $15
• No Bump Hair Ties, Oh Buoy Boston, $10 
• Perfectly Plaid Button Earrings, Ivy Lane Accessories, $4.95 Sequin Hanger with Clips, Pearls and Pastries, $13 
• Crochet Cup Cozy, Salem Style, $5  
• Houndstooth Clutch, Sew Sarah R, $35 Wool Black Traditional Holiday Plaid Skirt, Preppy Pink Shop, $69.99 
• The Secret Garden Book Clutch, P.S. Besitos, $83.76
•  Gold Lobster Bangle, Simply Chic 93, $16 
• Newbury Street" Boston Photo Card , Dear Friend Shop, $5.50

Will you be shopping handmade this holiday season? Let me know some of your favorite Etsy shops! xox

You can check out all of Emily's posts over at shell chic'd, follow her on Twitter or catch her photos on Instagram. You won't regret it!

Be sure to check out today's giveaway from Mood Fabrics!

Prim and Propah Holiday Giveaway, Day One: Mood Designer Fabrics Gift Card and Sassy Sewing Books!

Today I am starting a most fabulous series of giveaways and guest posts. Every day this week, I will be highlighting one of my favorite bloggers as well as hit you folks with an awesome giveaway! All of this week's giveaways are awesome and you will love them. I have some killer guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers around. They are sure to be fun reads for sure and will be sprinkled in between the giveaways. This will be on exciting week on Prim and Propah, that is for sure so please keep checking back for all the exciting things shakin' this week. So let's get 'er started!

'Tis the Season... to Watch Christmas Movies

Last night at the Boston Bloggers event, I was talking to some of my favorite gal pals about being really excited to watch Christmas movies. I mean, the second that Thanksgiving was over, I was all about Christmas! Heck, the Christmas movies started even before Thanksgiving. We got to talking about what our favorite Christmas/Holiday movies were at this time of year. Every family has favorites; every person has the one that touches their heart or makes them laugh. I thought I would give you my personal countdown. Y'all ready for this?

5. Scrooged

It's a take on A Christmas Carol that I can actually stomach (A Muppet Christmas Carol is my next fave adaption) and the man and I both love this movie, which is saying a lot. We sometimes agree on movies in general, but Christmas movies, now there is little overlap there. I think it's that we both have a affinity for Bill Murray, Bobcat Goldthwait is really very funny in this movie and it's usually a welcomed change from the sugar sweet mush that is on ABC Family non-stop until Christmas (most of which I'll watch anyways).

Twice, an Online Second Hand Shopping Experience

So I was out with my friend Erin and we were chatting about buying things second hand when she mentioned the website, Twice. What is Twice, you ask? Well, it is a site where you can buy and sell, very lightly used but still very wearable brand name pieces of clothing. I was intrigued by the idea when Erin told me that she sent a handful of items to them, using a prepaid shipping label, and they then sent her an offer for what they deemed of quality condition. She told me they didn't accept all of her items, though she had sent what she thought was in great shape but that she knew if she were ever to buy from them, she knew their standard were tippy top.... so I did some digging and found over 10 items that I thought I should give a second chance at life with someone who would actually wear them!

My Fave Things for the Home Right Now

I have been on the lookout lately for new things for the home. We are still filling up the "new" house and I am always keeping my eyes peeled for cute and special pieces. I have begun collecting my favorites (yellow cabinet is awaiting husband to put it together) and look forward to adding more pieces to my home.

,Threshold Windham Accent Cabinet in Yellow, IMAX Cat Bookends, Nate Berkus™ Elephant Tealight Holder, Uttermost Meena Clear Glass Table Lamp, WovenWorkz Betsy Woven Throw, Howard Elliot Ceramic Vases in Cobalt Blue Glaze, Lulu and Georgia Botanical Vase, Caldrea Citron Ginger Kitchen Candle 

What are your favorite home goods right now?

Ear Cuffs? Yes, Please

Everyone seems to be talking about Jennifer Lawrence lately. The hair, the makeup, the red carpet looks... well, I am here to talk about that sparkly ear cuff, thank you very much. Of course, I love the hair (to hell with you naysayers) and the makeup on the Catching Fire red carpet has been edgier than what she usually sports. She has really been amping it up. So now that we are past that, I would like to thank her stylist for slapping that earcuff on at last night's Catching Fire premiere. It's killer and now I want one.

Fossil Holiday Preview, a Very Merry Celebration

Dude, I had loooooads of fun at the Fossil Holiday preview last night. My previous with Fossil have really only been with watches but after hitting their Newbury Street store last night, I am a lifestyle convert. Not only were the folks at Fossil super sweet and helpful, but I shopped with some of my favorite Boston Bloggers, while sipping hot cocoa and listening to fab music (there may or may not have been a Christmas song or two, yay!). Perhaps I was a giver last night (the man needed a watch) and perhaps I was a receiver (Mama needed a watch and some bracelets), but one thing is for sure, I now love a good arm party.

I had initially planned on spending a little bit of time and then heading out to get some Chipotle but my plans changed when I saw all the fantastic jewelry, the handbags and the clothing, not to mention the huge selection of shiny, sparkly watches. I really don't wear that many bracelets or watches for that matter but all it took was for me to try on one watch and then one bracelet then all hope was lost for me. I ended up starting a serious arm party by the end of the night, and left wishing I had just gotten one more bracelet.

Want to see what I left with?

On me: Georgia Three Hand Leather Watch, $75, Ball Shot Bracelet in Silver, $38, Dainty Disc Wrap in Blue, $28 On the man: Grant Cronograph Stainless Steel Watch in Smoke, $145

Have you checked out what Fossil has to offer? If not, you really 

need to do yourself the favor and visit a store or online!

How I #GetItDone with Microsoft Office 365, Blogging Stylie

I am a blogger, therefore I blog... but no one ever said it was easy to #1 develop new and interesting content an #2 keep that content organized and on schedule. Sometimes I will go through phases where I have so many ideas that I can't keep track while other times, I have trouble finishing perfectly nice and promising posts. One thing is for certain, I never know when I am going to be inspired to write a blog post. That's good, right? Well, yes, for the inspiration, but what if I am at the grocery store or waiting in the doctor's office? I can't very well whip out my laptop and write a blog post just anywhere.

The 9 to 5 has blurred and today people need modern technology to find balance. From the home to the office, and especially on the go, people all around the world are working differently than the past. This is where the new Microsoft Office 365 comes in. Have you ever heard of the Microsoft SkyDrive? Well, let's just say that you can access your documents and photos from anywhere, whether it be your laptop, your tablet of your smart phone. It's my fave. When I am on the go, I can start that blog post using my phone, which is smart and efficient. I won't forget my inspiration and can jot down any ideas that streamed through my brain (without losing them, yay!). Similarly, let's say I have a great DIY idea but I need to run to the craft store.  I start a blog post in Word (yes, there is a template and you can link to your blog) with a rough idea of what I am looking to do. Once I am at the store, I can just whip out my phone and remind myself what I am looking for. If you have the type of memory where you don't need visual cues, then you are one lucky person ;-)! But this is why I love the SkyDrive, with me at all times (as long as I don't forget my phone!)

Goodwill Blogger Day at the Outlet

This past weekend, I was a part of the Goodwill Blogger Day at their outlet store in Boston, MA. If you don't shop second hand, then you are truly missing out on treasures that you might not otherwise find, from homegoods, to righteous vintage purses and so much more. I was more than psyched to get the opportunity to shop for a couple of hours with other like minded bloggers and really get down to it at one of the biggest Goodwill locations in my region. My friend Erin and I headed into Boston to get down at the Goodwill's largest location and outlet.

Not only did I come for a shopping experience but I learned more about Goodwill than I knew before. They have a fantastic mission, which generally speaking, is to help people work. The Goodwill Stores are run as social enterprises, meaning they support Goodwill’s mission to provide job training for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment while also providing jobs and good quality, low-cost goods to individuals and families looking for value.

Your Best Foot Forward with Ann Taylor and LOFT's New App

This post brought to you by ANN INC. CAREERS. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I was told the Ann Taylor and LOFT had a new app, I have to admit that I was most definitely interested. I mean, I love me some LOFT big time and if they had an app, I’d at least check it out. It’s not a shopping app as you would initially think it is but rather it is an app that helps you put your Best Foot Forward (or BFF) in your career and fashion.

I downloaded the app on my iPhone through iTunes though it’s available on Google Play as well (for Free!). I was on my way. Want career advice from the top folks at ANN INC.? Interested in what trends bloggers are calling out? Want to upload your own trends? Interested in career opportunities at ANN INC.? Well, this app has all sorts of interactive ways that you can keep track of your favorite mantras,  job postings and settings. It’s like the BFF’s of apps, get it?

I was really impressed at the fact the ANN INC. (ANN INC. is represented by two of the leading women’s specialty retail fashion brands in North America: Ann Taylor and LOFT) chose to do something like this. Not a shopping app but an app that helps them reach out to their demographic in a different way. My favorite part of this app are the mantras. I am a big fan of good quotes and things that keep you motivated because we all need something to keep us motivated, am I right? It's just a cute way to keep us engaged and for me, it works.

I like this idea. I like the app. For me it's a great addition to what I already consider to be an awesome company with great brands. To me, it's an attempt to engage with the people who love them and that is pretty darn awesome.

Get the Look, Fall/Winter Evening Wear

Of course, I peruse all manner of People Style Watches and US Weekly's for what the stars are donning for their evenings out. I cannot afford Louis V or Armani but I can take some sweet inspiration from what they girls are wearing and pull it into my own wardrobe. I mean, how hard can it be to recreate some simple yet effective evening looks for Fall parties and nights out with the ladies?

Duel of the Buffalo Chicken Pizzas

This past weekend, the man and I had a hankering for buffalo chicken pizza but we didn't know what to do really. When we get it from our local pizzeria, it has actual pizza sauce on it; all the recipes online use some manner of bleu cheese dressing as the pizza sauce. Well, since we were trying our hand at something new, we decided on a duel of buffalo chicken pizzas, one of each. This is such a simple and easy (not to mention affordable) meal to make and we both love love loved both versions.

New Colors from MiniLuxe

If you have read my blog before, you know that I am a big fan of a local salon chain, MiniLuxe. They were kind enough to share some of their newest polish shades with me and obvi, I had to share with you gals as well!

MiniCure has a gorgeous pale pink designed to support the Ellie Fund Do Good Campaign’s effort to battle breast cancer.  All net proceeds from the nail polish bottles will go towards the campaign. *The Ellie Fund is a non-profit organization that provides things such as groceries, nutritious meals, transportation to medical appointments, childcare and housekeeping all free of charge for over 500 breast cancer patients and their families across Massachusetts every year.

MiniLuxe in Lynnfield is set to open this month and bring the best of Boston to their first ever North Shore location! Right in the MarketStreet shopping area, MiniLuxe Lynnfield offers 8 manicure stations, 9 pedicure stations, 2 brow stations, and 2 private waxing rooms.  There is even a new fall color named LUXE Lynnfield (a sexy maroon, rich and deep) to celebrate the addition of the 8^thlocation!

What do you think of MiniLuxe's new polish shades?

Prim and Propah PINK Picks

It's October, that means it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means everyone is coming out of the woodwork with their products that support a cause related or where proceeds are donated to charitable organizations. This year, I wasn't going to do a round up of my favorite Breast Cancer Awareness picks, that was until I actually saw some of the products that were available. I love shopping for a good cause, who am I kidding, I love shopping period. What do you think of my fave picks for Pink October?

I am a Sara Bareilles Convert

So last night was my first Sara Bareilles concert. My friend Alicia had grabbed two tickets to her October show at The Orpheum Theater in Boston, MA and asked me to come. In all honesty, a month ago, I only knew Love Song, King of Anything and her new one, Brave... because they play them on the radio stations that I listen to. Alicia lent me her copy of the newest DC, The Blessed Unrest, and I legit listened to it on repeat for the past month in preparation. You know, so I wouldn't be sitting there with a blank stare on my face while everyone else was oozing excitement (which they were).

Alicia gushed leading up to the show. Oh, Sara is so talented. Oh Sara is so funny, she tells stories and is just hilarious. Sara is gorgeous and so on and so forth. Alicia has a self proclaimed girl crush. After listening to the CD, I had my favorite songs and was prepared to mildly enjoy the show. Truth be told, I didn't really feel that great so wasn't stoked about staying up late for a concert... but that all changed when we got to The Orpheum. The Amanda who said "I hate opening acts" turned into the Amanda loving Harper Blynn, Sara's opener. The Meh feeling I had turned into complete adoration of Sara Bareilles. Everything Alicia gushed about was completely spot on. She was effing amazing. So talented, hilarious and gracious with an audience that I found annoying at times (stage rushers ugh). I am a total Sara Bareilles convert and will be first in line next time Sara is in town. Moral of the story? I need to be more open minded about music. There are pretty amazing artists out there that I need to experience.

You can follow Sara's escapades on Twitter and Instagram. She is fairly hilarious. 

Outfit Post: Apple Picking Finest

So I was recently contacted by BostInno to whip up a look for a Fall Activity, one of my favorites being Apple Picking. It's such a fun and typical New England type thing to do, that I thought it was an excellent opportunity to show one of my favorite types of looks... the casual haha. Thankfully, the man was game for an impromptu Fall Fashion photo shoot. Let me know what you think!

The Vintage Bazaar Fall 2013

This past weekend, I took in The Vintage Bazaar in Salisbury, MA with my girl Erin for the Bloggers and Bellinis event. The Vintage Bazaar is a semi-annual event with over 125 ‘boutiques’ featuring antiques, vintage finds , architectural salvage, rusty junk, repurposed goodness, indie crafts and one-of-a-kind artisans. This weekend festival also offers unique fare, live music, free family-friendly activities and fun demonstrations.sHeld at the fairly awesome Pettengill Farm, the greenhouse smelled of fresh flowers and an oh so delicious brunch... but most importantly, there was a bellini bar, courtesy of the team behind The Vintage Bazaar (thank you, Devon!). I have sort of highlighted some of the things I loved about the bazaar, most of which will be nothing new to those who know me.

Best and Worst Dressed Emmy's 2013

I didn't watch the Emmy's. I actually watched a Sister Wives marathon all day yesterday and to be honest, I had committed myself to the finale and then reunion. Sorry. From what I have seen and heard, I did not miss much and in looking at the fashion from last night, I wasn't tremendously floored. I feel like I saw a lot of mermaid type strapless gowns... but of course I did have some stand out Best and Worsts, oh the worsts.

Brimfield Friends and Finds

Last weekend, I took in Brimfield (a town and what people call the antique shows) for the first time ever and I have been thinking all week about how I need to share with with you guys. I had a great time with my new friend Holli (met her at a wedding, it can happen!) and we were both debating how it was going to be haggling prices in person because neither of us had done it before. Let's just say that the fear subsided once we saw how effective it would be. There were so many interesting things on hand, from the ordinary to extraordinary, that I thought I would share some of my favorite shots as well as my fanciful finds! I think I would have gotten more if I had been able to carry more haha!

Old Metal Turn Knobs

My Fave Collections from NYFW SS 2014

I kind of missed what happened at New York Fashion Week... I kind of only realized it had happened just a few moments ago haha but once I started going back into the archives of what had transpired over the week of shows, I remembered why I am interested in fashion in the first place. It's like sitting down and reading an In Style from front to back, looking at every article and snippet. Fashion Week, I feel, is best reviewed on a Sunday morning, over coffee, at a leisurely pace. Some of my favorite designers were obvi my favorite collecgtions of the week (Alice+Olivia, Rachel Roy and Nanette Lepore) and then I was surprised by some (Anna Sui, Christian Siriano and Tracy Reese). I have recapped some of my favorite looks if it is something that interests you:

Tracy Reese

Must Have Items for Fall

There are things that I am always on the lookout for Fall. I am sure you remember just last week I had my Mood Board and now I am narrowing the mood down to actual items that I think every girl should stash for the Fall and some of my faves in those categories. I'd love to get your thoughts on what are "must haves" for Fall in your book, what your staples consist of.

Every girl needs the following items for Fall: A Transitional Coat ...My pick? This Oasis Drape Coat in Creme provides enough warmth to keep you on the go but not so much bulk like we need in the Winter. A pair of skinny jeans or jeggings because there are riding boots that need to have pants tucked into the. I am loving the denim jeggings at Very. A Backpack... we love to be out an about with Fall activities and this girl likes to carry a lot of business with her. This ASOS Backpack Tartan is my favorite and on trend for Fall in plaid print. A Printed Dress ... to wear to occasions. You have to wear a dress sometimes, even in the Fall. A nice print in Fall inspired colors is a great staple for work and for play in the upcoming months. I just scored this 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Animal Print Dress... And like I was mentioning before, there is nothing more exciting than taking out your Riding Boots in the cooler weather. They are fabulously easy to wear but also chic at the same time. Love love love the River Island Leather Contrast Knee High Boots.  Something Sparkly, hey gotta be a girl! My friend Elise gifted me a pair similar to these Kate Spade sparkly stunners as a Bridesmaid gift and I think these bad Larries are going to be a nice staple in my Fall wardrobe.

What do you insist on for Fall?

Live Lokai

I was recently gifted a Lokai bracelet from a guy named Steve. Steve happens to be the founder of a company that makes these bracelets that have a really cool message. The idea of the bracelets? Remaining balanced and humble, something I think is uber important. Do I love it? Yes, I have been wearing it non-stop since I got it a few days ago and not just because it looks pretty cute but because it represents something so refreshing.

The story of the Lokai bracelet began in founder, Steven Izen 's Freshman year of college, on a beach with his family and friends, Steven thought about how fortunate he was to be there. Just a few days earlier he had learned the difficult news that his grandfather, lovingly known to him as “Papa,” had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.The experience of such joy and sadness so close together got him to thinking: life is circular, and throughout your highest highs and lowest lows, it’s important to always remain balanced. The lokai bracelet is Steven’s way of sharing that message with the world - a constant, wearable reminder to lead a balanced life, staying humble through the highs and hopeful through the lows.

When you receive this bracelet, there is a "Mad Lib" of sorts about paying it forward. It's an encouraging addition to an already encouraging message. I instagrammed my message to share with my friends and family. When my husband threw me a surprise birthday party, I felt so loved and appreciated. My good friend Alicia turns 30 today (Happy Birthday Alicia!) and we are going to Hibachi like there is no tomorrow to celebrate her milestone birthday. Someday, perhaps Alicia will plan something special for someone else, paying it forward... it's all about keeping the love flowing and moving forward. I love the message so much that I am sharing it with you obviously.

Steve has offered to bestow this same gift on someone who wants to be reminded to find their balance by wearing a Lokai bracelet ($18 value). Do you want to win a Lokai bracelet for yourself? Comment on this post letting me know that you either Like Lokai on Facebook, Follow Lokai on Twitter or both. That's it! I'll choose a winner random, this time next week! *Must be following Lokai to be eligible.

Leave a comment and let me know you want that balance, girl!

King Richard's Faire and How Your Child is in for some Fun errr Danger

This past weekend, the man and I hopped in the car with some friends and headed down to King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA... which we might as well call the Cape. None of had ever been to a Ren Faire and lo and behold a Groupon made itself available so how could we not go? We had a really fun time. I had my sights set on a turkey leg and seeing a joust but there was so much more to do there than I would have thought... but one thing I found hilarious about the whole day, is not that there were tons of children there but that they were allowed to do things that I would assume that today's helicopter parents wouldn't let their child participate in. Turns out that I was wrong.