{valentine's gift guide}

I absolutely love Valentine's Day (like almost every other girl alive) and I feel pretty lucky that this year we get to spend the holiday in Paris (otherwise I would be hosting this party).  Here is a little gift guide of for all the last minute shoppers out there and the best part is everything is under $100 (so maybe you should probably get a few of them!):

1. Chloe Rose perfume- all the perfumes in this line are great, but this one is too perfect for Valentine's with the added rose notes and pink ribbon!

2.  Any gift from this list or otherwise must be accompanied by a beautifully written card on equally beautiful paper- any of these from Sugar Paper LA will do!

3.  Festive pink heels from ASOS - these feel like replicas of Barbie heels, but in a good way.

4.  Fun earrings that are sure to be different than anything she already ones.

5.  As with the card, no gift on this list should be given without a bottle of champagne to accompany it- Moet is one of my personal favorites- especially the Rose

6.  Pretty lingerie - if you can't figure out what direction to go with your gift, you can always count on lingerie.  I love this lace bralette or anything from this site or this one.

7.  Flowers- do not give her a sad bouquet of red roses on Valentine's day.  Take this picture or any one of these to a good local florist as early as possible before Valentine's and ask them to recreate it.  Here are some of my favorite florists in a variety of cities:

Los Angeles: Flower Girl LA or Bloem Hill

New York: Poppies & Posies or Violet & Verde

Chicago:  Four Finches or Hello Darling

San Francisco: Mums Floral Design or Natalie B Designs

Atlanta: Gertie Mae's

Dallas: Stems of Dallas

8.  I just recently added this book to my wishlist- even though I love a good macaron, I think the meringue is coming up quickly behind it as the new "it" dessert especially with companies like this popping up!

{gift guide: for the last minute shopper}

Well Christmas Eve is tomorrow.  Perhaps you forgot this and now you are scrambling for gifts? But dont worry- you can scramble for gifts from the comfort of your couch since Zappos and Nordstrom are both offering free overnight shipping today and if you have an Amazon Prime membership you can benefit from $3.99 overnight shipping.  All of these gifts are from one of those three sites.

You. Are. Welcome.

1. Food Fashion Friends - my all time favorite book to gift

2. Ray-Ban aviators - such a classic look and works for both guys and gals

3. Michael Kors Travel Bag 

4. Sparkly French Connection Dress- perfect for NYE!

5. Scrappy's Bitters Gift Set

6. Batman Lego alarm clock - for the children (or immature men)

7. Perry Ellis Shawl Collar Sweater - better than a zip up sweatshirt. always

8. Marc Jacobs Perfume Set

9. A real-life pony - stuffed of course. 

10. Oscar de la Renta Velvet & Satin lined Robe

{gift guide: for the foodie}

1. Glass & Steel beverage dispenser- perfect for batch cocktails!

2. Beer Making Kit 

3. Libbey Mini Tasting Set - so they can act like a high end caterer at their next soiree

4.  Kitchen Scale- every cook needs one for the most accurate cooking!

5. Boos Block cutting boards - everyone could use a cutting board upgrade

6. Modernist Cuisine - the holy grail of cookbooks and the more affordable version they just released

7. Kitchen Stand for Ipad  - it beats using a ziploc bag which is what we do.

8. 3 months American Cheese delivery - its cheese delivered to their door- enough said.

9. Mythical beast Cheese Knives 

10.  Vintage cookware- especially retro Le Creuset because it always stands the test of time!

11. Shun knife set

12.  Food Magazine subscriptions- Food & Wine and Bon Appetit are my favorites!

13.  Truffle Salt- it's sort of like gifting people crack.

{holiday gift guide: for the ladies}

1. Napolean Perdis Make-up Brush Set - mostly because of the chic navy 

satin case it comes in...packing IS everything!

2. Asos Satin Pajamas  They are satin-enough said. 

3. Frends "Taylor" headphones - gold prism headphones- yes. please.

4. J. Crew Passport Cover in mint with gold foil - yes, I already purchased one for myself.

5. J. Crew Fan Earrings -tried these on in store the other day

 and they are gorgeous- along with the matching bracelet. 

6. Girly Throw Pillows

7. Kwiat Diamond Crossover ring - diamonds. always.

8. J. Crew quilted crossbody bag- my mom bought one of these for me in the 

black color for Paris and the leather is so incredibly soft!

9. Vanity Fair 100 Years book - great price for such a substantial gift!

10. Bond no 9 Saks For Her perfume - every single time I wear this

 I get asked by mutliple people what it is.

11. C. Wonder Black Quilted Flats - with a bow on it!

12. Simple notecard set from Sugar Paper LA

13. David Yurman Morganite & Diamond ring - because...well...diamonds.

14. Milly Feather Party Dress- have you ever seen a more perfect party dress in your life?!?!

15. Santi Beaded Miniaudiere - perfect compliment for that dresssss!

16. Jonathan Adler "secrets" Canister - girls have secrets.

17. Gigi New York embossed Ipad case

you can see all the past gift guide items on this pinterest board!

{gift guide: for the guys}

1. Bespoke Box subscription - especially love this edition.

2.  Shinola Watch - I love the hunter green face one!

3. Therma Pen Meat Thermometer - the Rolls Royce of meat thermometers

4.  J Crew Secret Wash Shirts

5. Nice Bourbon or Whiskey - like this one or this one

6. Bose QuietComfort Headphones in limited edition brown leather

7. Energy Reservoirs: hold enough charge to power up electronics for a whole week!

8. Bamboo bluetooth keyboard - it looks like its made entirely of wood- thats masculine. 

9. Private Blend Tom Ford Cologne 

10.  Helmut Newton Print

11.  14 in 1 Hammer tool guys love tools.

12. Allen Edmonds McAllister Oxfords

13.  Horn Handled Razor  - uses regular cartridges!

{gift guide: for the mixologist}

Next up in the gift guide series for the holidays- a fun variety of items for the cocktail enthusiast in your life.  Links to all gifts below and on this pinterest board along with the past guides! 

1. Sphere Ice molds  |  2. A traveling cocktail Bar  |  3. Champagne Print (also my life motto  |  4. Set of copper Moscow Mule Cups  |  5. Festive versions of the MR & MRS glasses  |  6. Sugar Paper LA coasters  |  7. Gourmet Cocktail syrups  |  8. Vintage glassware from Etsy  |  9. Gold Monogram bottle stopper & gold cocktail accessories  |  10. Society Social Bar Cart  |  11. Cut crystal Decanters - ON SALE!  |  12. Monogrammed Drink Stirrers

{gift guide: for the hostess}

With Thanksgiving next week and Christmas coming up in 36 days, it's about time for some gift guides around here!  Let's start out with some unique hostess gifts to bring to along to all those parties and gatherings crowding your social calendar.  Links to all products below or see the round up of all the gift guides and gifts this season by following this pinterest board.

1.  Gold Playing Card Set

2.  French Lavender Hand Cream 

3.  Voluspa Candles

4.  Fresh flowers:  you can never go wrong with a simple bouquet of fresh flowers- I love to buy flowers from the super market, take them out of their tacky plastic wrap and re-wrap them in kraft paper tied with some fun ribbon. 

5. Champagne: any time. any reason. always a good idea.

  

6. West Elm custom monogram cocktail napkins

7. Gold rimmed agate trays

8.  Letterpress cocktail recipe cards

{last minute mother's day gift ideas}

I hope you are resting easy with your mother's day gift already nicely wrapped and ready to head out to brunch this Sunday, but if not then here is a little gift guide for some last minute ideas:

1. Fabulous Henri Bendel stacking bangles for her to add to her jewelry box.

2. Luxe mirrored vanity trays at a great price!

3. Tory Burch clutch/crossbody bag in a great springtime color.

4. Not just the normal (gross) flower delivery, but a shipment of pink peonies!

5. A unique and fresh scented Hermes perfume that she wont already have.

6. Elegant La Perla lace and silk robe.

{valentines gift guide}

Valentine's day is basically the girliest holiday there is.  Everything around you is pink or red and covered in hearts which easily makes it one of my favorite days.  Regardless of many people saying it's just a made up holiday, it is still a great excuse to celebrate the love in your life. Here is a little gift guide of my favorite Valentine's gift for her (check out last year's guide here):

1. Jeweled Earrings

2. Lace & Bow Fleur of England Bralette

3. BHLDN Coupes

4. Ted Baker Patent Bow Belt

5. Kate Spade Charm Heels

6. Custom Neon Sign

7. One Shoulder Romper

{gift guide guest blog with A Fabulous Fete}

Today I have Lauren from A Fabulous Fete here to give you the 5 Things on her Christmas list!  I started reading Lauren's party centric blog almost two years ago after discovering a link to her amazing calligraphy.  You simply must check out her blog for some amazing party inspiration (including her recent wedding!) as well as her adorable Etsy shop which includes one of my favorite signs!  Take it away Lauren:

When Natalie asked me to pick out 5 things that were on MY list, I was like (heck yes), this will be super fun, easy, and the perfect link to send my husband. But then, I had to narrow my list to santa down to just a handful. It was hard, but I think that these really are the 5 things on the top of my list. 

01. palm leaf pillow. i've seriously been drooling over this forever. i can't bring myself to pay for pillows (they're just so easy to make), but i would totally accept them as gifts.

02. lighted peace sign. we have "that" wall in our living room that is begging for some tlc. this would be the perfect centerpiece to the art collection i plan on starting.

03. lips print. this will go right next the number 2.

04. kate spade 'ta da' necklace. i feel like whenever i explain something to someone, these words come out of my mouth. like everything i do is a magic trick or something. 

05. wildfox drunk on love sweater. just because it's cool, and i like margaritas.



FLAIR EXCHANGE GIVEAWAY WINNER IS 
Rachel Leigh of Rae Leigh Designs! Congrats Rachel!!! :)

{gift guide for the Bliss Weddings Blog}

Head on over to the Bliss Weddings blog to check out a little gift guide

I created for them for all those newly engaged couples who pop up after Thanksgiving weekend!

Get all the details here!

 also- while I am not newly engaged, you can feel free to send that case 

of Dom Perignon at the bottom of the guide my way when you get a chance! 

{guest blog: gift guide for the bar cart enthusiast}

Today I'm guest blogging over at A Fabulous Fete with some gift ideas for the bar cart enthusiast.

Hop on over to get all the details on the gifts you see above!! 

Also send me one of each while you are at it! 

{bridal party gifts}

Giving gifts generally stresses me out which is why I tend to lean towards something home-made because otherwise I find myself for hours in the mall trying to find that absolutely perfect item for the person.   Bridal party gifts definitely take the cake as one of the most difficult gifts to give.  These are your closest friends and you want to thank them properly for all their hardwork and time they are giving to you to celebrate your wedding.  On top of that, you generally want to give everyone the same thing which complicates everything further since usually a group of 6 girls or guys dont always have the same interests or style.

For the girls, I decided to go the safe route and purchase everyone matching robes (including myself) from Plum Pretty Sugar.  I also added in small "love" necklace from one of the jewelry stores in downtown LA.  Although those two things felt like enough, I wanted to include something personalized for each girl.  My friend Carol created a fashion illustration of each girl based on stalking their facebook pages and taking some cues form me about each of theirs interests.  I was so happy with how these turned out!  If you want to order a set of custom illustrations for yourself, you can contact Carol Chavana directly through her online store here.

 {terra}

 {heather}

 {caroline}

 {katie}

 {eva}

 {kay}

The groomsmen also proved to be difficult to decide on the perfect gift.  After debating on tie cases, flasks and the like, we ended up with a classic Timex watch, a striped bowtie from The Tie Bar and socks for their wedding day outfits.

I debated whether or not this post would be interesting/appropriate on the blog, but I felt since we spent so much time trying to decide on the perfect gifts that hopefully it would save someone else's time by sharing what we ultimately decided to give.

{valentine's gift guide}

Here's a quick little Valentine's gift guide for all you last minute 

shoppers with a little something for every type of girl.

{Ladies- if you are looking for a gift for your man then 
I suggest checking out my holiday gift guide from December here.}

1. sequin "LOVE" sign

2. ruffly Badgely Mischka Randall peep toes

3. peony lace Robert Rodriquez Shift dress

4. lace & silk lingerie shorts

5. polka dot honeydew bralette

6. macarons from Bottega Louie

7. vintage pink glass champagne coupe, set of 4

{gift guide: ladies & gents}

 Last week, Lauren from A Fabulous Fete asked me if I wanted to put together a holiday gift guide in collaboration with some other bloggers.  This is the first gift guide I have ever put together and I had a ton of fun perusing my wishlist on pinterest and asking Chris for input.  I definitiely plan on doing some additional gift guides leading up to the holidays this year. For my first try, I decided to keep it simple and create one for the ladies and one for guys....

1. J. Crew Studded bow pin

2. Voluspa Orangerie D'Azahar Candle

3. J. Crew Overnight Bag (monogramming available)

4. Juicy Couture "preppy" bracelets

5. ASOS Horse charm clutch

6. Concrete Planters from Etsy

7. Chervon Print Tissue Box

1. Filson Suit bag

2. Black Maple Hill Bourbon

3. John Varvatos "Vintage" Cologne

4. Scrappy's Bitters Gift Set

5. Leather Iphone Holder from Etsy

Also head over to these blogs to check out their holiday gift guides:

Cupcakes And Cutlery

A Fabulous Fete

Green 4 U

I Go You Go