Shop It: Hello, Summer Sales

This weekend marks the unofficial start of Summer - when most retailers start their mid year sales. I've got a handy list for you smart shoppers. Take advantage of all the great deals over the next few days! Happy Shopping!

CLICK ON THE STORES BELOW FOR DIRECT ACCESS

ASOS: Take 20% off everything with code TAKE20

TOPSHOP: Take 20% off selected items

Nordstrom: HALF YEARLY SALE for women + kids through June 2. Shop select items for fall and save up to 40%

Saks Fifth Avenue: 40% designer collections, 30% off swim. Free shipping over $150 with code MAYSFA. 

Shopbop: New markdowns for Memorial Day

ALDO: Up to 50% off in-season styles. Free Shipping this weekend.

J.Crew: Up to $75 off your purchase using code SHOPNOW

J.Crew Factory: Through Monday enjoy 40% off everything 

Gap: Through Tuesday receive 20% off your purchase with code GAPGIFT

Madewell: Through Monday take 20% off Tees, Tanks & Shorts with code SUMMERNOW

Gorjana: Through Monday save an extra 40% off sale items when you use code SUMMERTIME at checkout

Intermix: Through Tuesday offering an additional 30% off sale items

Anthropologie: Through Monday enjoy free shipping on all orders $150+ with code LONGWEEKEND 

Rebecca Minkoff: Through Monday shop exclusive styles at up to 60% off

West Elm: Extra 15% off sale items now till 5/27 using code MEMDAY15

Furbish: Memorial Day Sale, 15% off everything on the site till 5/27 using code LONGWEEKEND

C Wonder: Spend $100, receive 25% off. Through the end of May, save an extra 50% off sale items with code SALE50

Joie: Shoe sale!

Les Novelles: Through Tuesday take 20% off new styles with code SPF20 and extra 10% off sale items with code SPF10

Rag and Bone: Women’s early access sale

Last Call: Extra 40% off entire purchase

Sole Society: Through 5/31, use code RSTYLE20 for 20% your order

Social Dress Shop: Through 5/31, use code DRESS25 for 25% off your order

NecessaryClothing: Through the end of the month, save 15% off with code PJX15

Paige Denim: Through next Friday receive 15% off any purchase with code RS15 at checkout.

Collective Habit: Through Tuesday take 20% off site-wide with code SUMAY20

OpenSky: Save 50% and more on the Memorial Day Clearance Event

Coach: Get up to 30% off at their Semi-Anual Shoe Sale

Free People: Save up to 50% off summer essentials

Henri Bendel: Get $25 towards every $150 that you spend. Use code MAY25HB

JC Penney: Save an extra 10% with the code SPREE10

Juicy Couture: Get 20% off your purchase of $100 or more with code RMNJC20

Bare Necessities: Take 25% off your order with code BNS25

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In The Kitchen: Frosted Sugar Cookies

Growing up, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking and crafting with my mom and sisters. Mom has a DIY approach to almost everything, so naturally that rubbed off on me. When we wanted something, you name it - she would try to copy it and make it for us. She sewed our costumes, perfected recipes, and crafted decor for our home. There is something about creating things yourself, and I appreciate it all now even more than before. The home-made goodness, perfect imperfections, and quality time spent together. That's something you just can't buy.

I try to spend a lot of time with my little one the same way- filling our days with as many activities she can learn from. Yesterday, we raided our pantry and what we had was just enough for one of our favorite and fun recipes - Sugar cookies. The sky's the limit when it comes to these because they can be shaped and decorated in every way possible. Natalie specially loves the whole cutting of the shapes part, its just like Play-Doh - but better. We decided to frost them instead of cover them with sugar or sprinkles. 

I'm sharing one of my personal recipes that I've tried and tested over the years. They are so simple yet delicious - definitely one of my favorite comfort treats. 

TIPS:

1. You can right click on the recipe and save it to your computer. It's a free download from our home to yours :)

2. Bake cookies until right before the edges turn golden brown (about 12-13 minutes) - this will make them more chewy. If you prefer crunchy, take them out of the oven when the edges are slightly brown (almost exactly 15 minutes).

3. We used tiny cutters instead of regular-sized cookie shapes. Things are just much cuter when they're small. 

4. When frosting designs, wait until one color dries before piping the next. This will prevent the "bleeding" of the colors, unless you are really trying to go for that marbled/ tie-dyed effect. 

This post is dedicated to all our heroes and their families, who fought for our freedom and lived to protect our country.

And now off to enjoy our little patriotic cookies! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Therese

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Currently Craving: Block Heeled Sandals

My search for the perfect minimalist block heeled sandal is finally over. I'm loving the heel height, buckle details, silhouette, and the textured leather. I'll be pairing these with shorts, skirts, and harem trousers over the summer. They can easily transition from day to night and have that tough yet chic vibe I am constantly craving these days.

S H O P :

 Aldo "Cabalina" Sandals here

W E A R   I T   W I T H :

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10 Beauty Basics: Skin Care

Pretty much everyone agrees that no matter what you're wearing, flawless skin is the best accessory to any ensemble. I take my skin care very seriously. Blame it on all the magazines I started reading in my early teens, having aunts that are dermatologists, and a mom that has porcelain perfect skin. While the products have changed slightly to adjust to my more mature skin -  cleansing, toning, and moisturizing have been my three steps to basic facial care since I was about 13. Most of the products on this list are drugstore finds. I like keeping things simple. When it comes to essentials I like sticking to items that are practical- i.e cost-effective and easy to find. I like knowing that when I travel, if I forget my facial wash the next drugstore will surely have it.

I've never had acne, but my skin is extremely sensitive to fragrance, oils, and certain sunscreens. In general, "combination normal to oily" is what I would classify my skin type as.  I make sure to cleanse and exfoliate with my Clarisonic brush (twice a day), tone at night with a salicylic acid based toner (prevents nasty blackheads and whiteheads), moisturize day and night, and apply sunscreen whether I'll be indoors or out. I drink lots of water throughout the day (never leave home without my water bottle), eat as healthy as I can, and never ever go to sleep without completing my night time regimen. My goal is to maintain my skin's health and prevent the signs of aging. I don't get facials or regular treatments of any kind, so these basics work really well together in terms of keeping that glow. I am no beauty expert, but I do get a lot of compliments on my skin.

What skin care essentials do you use and swear by? I would love to know!

xoxo,

Therese

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Style File: Plaid

An ode to Dries Van Noten's sheer and sophisticated plaid collection for Spring 2013. 

Top: Zara  |   Denim: Forever 21  |  Coat: Zara  |  Shoes: Christian Louboutin  |  Purse: Chanel

S H O P   T H I S   L O O K:

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Lil' Style File: Gingham and Stripes

Our first mother-daughter outfit post! My little side kick and I were feeling very preppy chic over the weekend. She rocked the chambray and stripes look, while I went for gingham. It was one of those days comfort ruled over everything since I wasn't feeling too great. My JCrew top came straight out of the dryer and felt perfectly cozy-casual. On days I don't feel like dressing up, I try to add some oomph to my ensemble. A little dose of bling never fails in lifting an outfit's (and wearer's) mood. In this case, the sparkly deco- inspired necklace did just the trick. I'm wearing a cargo vest that is actually a jacket - it comes with leather sleeves that zip on and off. Can't tell you how perfect it is for Bay Area weather year-round.

Natalie is wearing her current closet faves. She pretty much dresses herself these days and I am always in awe with how she pulls her looks together. I tell her what kind of shoes she needs to wear, what kind of coat or jacket, and she does the rest.

I seriously love my Natalie more and more each day and I'm so honored to be her mom. She is the most lovable, comical, smart, fun-loving, generous, and big-hearted person I know. We are so blessed. I feel my heart bursting so often that I can't imagine anything else better. 

I ' M   W E A R I N G:

Gingham button-down: JCrew  //  Pants: Jcrew Pixie  //  Jacket-Vest: Zara  // Bluchers: Zara  // Sunglasses: Celine  // Purse:  Celine  // Necklace: Forever21

S H O P   M Y   L O O K:

N A T A L I E   I S   W E A R I N G:

Chambray button-down: Zara  //  Leggings: Target  // Striped Blazer: Old Navy  // Studded smoking slippers: Zara

S H O P   H E R   L O O K:

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Decor DIY: Brass Urchin

Brass Urchins (or starbursts), made popular by designers like Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler, are part of the retro glam trend. They are everywhere these days - invading coffee tables, book shelves, desks, tabletops and even hung up on walls or from the ceiling. I've had my eye on these from Furbish Studio, this from Williams Sonoma and these from Target but couldn't help experimenting on a DIY version. Last Christmas I crafted some urchins out of styrofoam balls and skewers, which worked perfectly as ornaments for the tree. But I wanted something more substantial, so I came up with this version that uses clay. I'm pretty happy with how ours turned out, and at less than $10 for two decorative urchins it was totally worth it! It was so easy - a quick project my four year old and I did together.  If you want to add a touch of glam in your space, get a kick out of making things yourself and enjoy saving a few bucks, give this a try!

M A T E R I A L S
 (MAKES 2 6" URCHINS):

1 Can gold or brass spray paint

2 packs mini wood dowels (I got mine at Michael's)

1 small square Sculpey oven-bake clay (any color)

T I P S

1. There are different tutorials online, but  most of them use either styrofoam or self-hardening clay. While both work just fine, they tend to crumble. My version requires baking the "sculpture" in the oven.
2. Toothpicks work as well, but I prefer the blunt ends of these wood dowels.
3. Follow the instructions on your clay's packaging, since temperatures and times can vary.

S T E P - B Y - S T E P   I N S T R U C T I O N S

M Y   D I Y   B R A S S   U R C H I N S

I can think of a million decorative uses for these little things! How great would they look on a place setting at your next dinner party or wedding? Or how about make a whole lot and turn them into an art installation in your living room wall? I would love to hear how you would use these to decorate your home. 

xoxo,

Therese

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