This and That

Happy Fall, friends! It has been forever since I last did an update. Too little time with a toddler on the go! It is fun, but Sweet P needs constant entertainment. We've had fun packed weekends shopping at the mall (maybe NBD for some, but we never take family shopping trips...for good reason!), stocking up on yummy food at Trader Joe's , a family photo session, a trip to the pumpkin patch/orchard, an outing to the aquarium, a road trip to Great Barrington to visit friends and pick apples, arts and crafts on rainy days and last but not least, an early Halloween party at the club. Throw in some work travel for me, and it's been a busy month or so!

Functional, Fashionable and Fancy

Happy Fri-yay, Friends! We're finally getting some summer weather around here, and I couldn't be happier about it. People complain about the cold for months and then when we finally get some nice weather, all you hear is, "It's soooo hot." I live for the sunshine and heat! Anyway, here are a few Friday Finds to kick off the weekend.

Graphic Image Summer Python Collection
These eye-catching high-end desk and travel accessories come in a variety of pastels. Boasting utility, they're perfect for staying organized on the go. Now I only wish that they made handbags in the pretty hued embossed leather-- Gigi New York handbags, is a sister company, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they too launch a Summer Collection.

Murphy's Law 

Dallas based fashion blogger, Lo Murphy, first caught my attention on Instagram with this  darling white eyelet dress (sadly, it's sold out!) Her style is fun, feminine AND budget friendly. She partners with Nordstrom, Chicwish and Banana Republic, making many of her outfits accessible to all. 

I also love this one shoulder top paired with JCrew's let-out hem denim skirt. A white denim skirt is always on rotation in my summer wardrobe, and this one has a raw edge that gives it a little style. 

Montes Doggett Ceramics

I am obsessed with these beautiful and functional ceramic pieces from Monica Porter, founder of Montes Doggett. These simple yet elegant handmade dishes and bowls are great for everyday-- dishwasher and microwave safe-- but there are some really stunning pieces that could dress up a table for a fancier occasion. These are going on my wishlist! 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Three Spring Trends to Try and Giveaway Winner

I don't know about you, but I'm so tired of my winter wardrobe of heavy fabrics and drab colors when spring time rolls around. I've been looking for inspiration for a wardrobe refresh...

And an email from JCrew popped up in my inbox yesterday morning that caught my eye...
The catchy subject line, "Un-boring Neutrals"brought me to these super stylish, bold leopard print pants!

So true- Leopard print is a neutral! I wear animal prints with solids, plaids, stripes, you name it! Usually it's everywhere in the fall, but I love me some leopard print for spring. 

How about that ruffled waist band that gives these a feminine twist? All of the reviews on the JCrew site are positive but I'm a little hesitant since they're linen. Wondering if the waistband ends up feeling bulky. I'd love it if someone who bought them could leave a comment with their honest opinion!

OFF THE SHOULDER TOPS

Dying to try an off the shoulder top this spring/summer! I really was into the look last summer, but since I was still pumping for P, there was NO way I was going to struggle with a strapless bra all day! Bring it on this year. I'm loving this dressier look with the top tucked into slim-fitting jeans. It could still be work appropriate if the top was pulled up over the shoulders for a day-time look.

This off the shoulder style with ties comes in an unexpectedly fun emerald. While they do offer bright colors, I find that their color palette tends to be the same -- bright red, coral, chartreuse. I rarely see this beautiful green from JCrew. Reminds me of my favorite Pantone Color of the Year (2013). 

STRIPES

No list of spring "trends" would be complete without stripes! Not a trend but a MUST have, as recognized by JCrew's clever made up holiday,  National Stripes Day! Celebrate in style on March 31st by wearing one of their many banded beauties. Chances are that I'll be sporting a favorite boat neck t-shirt or navy and white striped sweater-- It is still freezing here!-- But I am dying over this SEERSUCKER jumpsuit for warmer weather.

GIVEAWAY WINNER

Congrats to Ash from Plumtastic, the winner of the Natural Products// Puracy Body Wash & Alba Coconut Moisturizer giveaway. Please email me at erin.desantis@gmail.com with your mailing address! 

Handbag Heaven

Hey, ladies! Before adopting my whole simplifying/minimizing philosophy, I was a handbag lover like many of you. I may not have had as many bags as some women, but I had enough to match every outfit for every occasion. Well, times have changed, and I've become more practical and just don't have the time, space or money for that anymore. But it doesn't mean I love bags any less. So I have a round-up today of my faves in different styles, colors and materials.

My go-to bag used to be this one from Island Cashmere in Nantucket, and I still am drawn to the rich caramel color and design with a divided bucket with a side-pocket. I haven't been able to find it anywhere online.  But I would LOVE to since mine is starting to show some real wear and tear after all these years. Replacing the bag is reason enough to plan a trip bACK to the faraway island this year!

Hair's to Friday! Tame Your Mane

This time of year, my hair is always so dry-- skin too, thanks to the winter weather.  I'm using some new products on my skin that I'll post about next week, but my hair needs help! While summer's humidity presents its own challenges, the winter means I'm contending with staticky flyaways or combatting hat head.  Time to explore some options for taming the mane...

DryBar
The always fashionable and on-the-go Natalie of Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers blogged about the opening of the new DryBar in Charleston, and I sure wish that we had one here in Upstate NY. What fun to be pampered with a girlfriend and have mimosas on a Saturday morning!  I went to the Dupont Circle  location in DC a couple of years ago and loved the experience.

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Inauguration Fashion Files

If you missed (or boycotted) the inauguration and somehow haven't seen any media coverage of the event, here's what everyone's all abuzz about...

Baby It's Cold Outside: Essential Toppers

One of my 2016 goals was to SIMPLIFY, as in cleaning out, donating, selling, throwing away lots of stuff including unworn clothes. I've been pretty successful at maintaining that effort and have put lots in the charity bin at the church nearby several times throughout the year. And more importantly, I haven't refilled my wardrobe with impulse buys. I am aching for some updates to the fall/winter wear though. These toppers promise warmth and fashion without breaking the bank. All of them are around $200-$250.

Food, Wanderlust, Design, Fashion, Soul

It's been awhile since I've done a round up of what's caught my attention lately. So what's on my radar this week?

FOOD
Williams and Sonoma Complete Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner- Although we're not even through Halloween quite yet, I'm already on to the next thing. This is brilliant-- my kind of cooking! The bird and all the fixings delivered right to your front door. Channel your inner Robin Williams from Mrs. Doubtfire, and minimize the prepping mess. Your guests will be none the wiser!

Toes in the Sand...I wish!

Fall is on its way! Everyone celebrates the coming of the season with posts about PSL and cute autumn decor, but it means that the cold weather will be here soon. That is my LEAST favorite part of the changing of the seasons. I seem to be chilled from late-September through March every year. Upstate New York/New England is not the region for this girl!

Friday Find: If the Shoe Fits

I'm no great fashion blogger, but I do like to share when I've found something that belongs in every woman's closet. Finding flats that are both comfortable and stylish has always been a real challenge for me. But now I present the perfect pair from Yosi Samra. 

With very limited time to work out, I have been trying to take walks at lunch time most days. I can easily switch from heels to slippers and be on my way. Bonus- they're foldable and come with their own little dust bag to throw in my work bag or diaper bag.

Why didn't I think of that? Capsule Wardrobe and Life Hacks

I am so late to the party on this one-- The Capsule Wardrobe. The idea of having a limited number of articles of clothing that work together for each season is SO appealing these days. I know I have my favorites on rotation in my closet already, so I just need to commit to the capsule. Annnnd toss (or store) the many, many things I rarely wear...

As I look at the ways I've changed and my life has changed, I'm embracing simplifying. There just aren't enough hours in the day to maintain all kinds of "stuff," whether it's organizing, washing and folding tons of extra laundry or dusting once-meaningful knick-knacks cluttering every room of the house. The capsule wardrobe is all about lifestyle, and I'm ready to give it a try.

Five for Friday

Here's what's caught my attention lately...

Peonies

Just love them. They were the main flower in our wedding bouquet and always bring a smile to my face. We saw some GORGEOUS peony bushes at the Mohonk House a couple of weeks ago, and since then, I've been trying to figure out a time to get over to the gardening store and get some to plant in our backyard. 

Recovery from Life Exhaustion
Four practical suggestions that I need to do. Soon. 2 & 3 go together and would be tops on my list of priorities...if I could find the time! Life exhaustion happens for real. Especially when you're already suffering from insomnia. Crossing my fingers for good sleep this weekend.

Watermelon Caprese with Balsamic Glaze
I have been loving fresh watermelon this summer! This salad from Skinnytaste looks so festive and healthy for the 4th!

Need
No really. Need. This bag is from Need Supply Co. Definitely coveting it as the perfect bucket bag.

Brooks Launch 2 

After wearing ONLY Saucony running sneakers for the past eight years or so, I bought my first pair of Brooks. I was so disappointed in the fit and stiff sole of the new Saucony Rides and the quality of the sole of the Kivaras that I decided, why not give Brooks a try? I ordered the Brooks Launch 2 and the ever popular Ghosts from Zappos and much preferred the Launch. They're lightweight, have great cushioning and support, and come in some snazzy colors (although it looks like the ones I purchased in Kaleidoscope aqua are now out of stock). 

Happy 4th of July! 

Baby Love: 28 Weeks

Good morning and Happy Friday, Friends! I haven't done too many posts exclusively about Baby D or pregnancy, but I'm going to start doing more now that I'm in the third trimester. I love reading other bloggers' weekly pregnancy updates and can usually find something to relate to, but I've chosen to document the experience differently than most expectant moms.

Five Things Friday: Shopping, Eating, Decorating and Babying Up

Happy Friday, Friends! Here's what's been happening over in my part of the world...

Lots of shopping, eating, decorating and babying up!

Nordstrom Street Level Reversible Vegan Leather Tote & Wristlet
After reading reviews about this tote, I decided to see what all the hype was about. I can't figure out why I waited so long to get it. At $48.00, it is a STEAL! It doesn't have any inside pockets, nor is it the bucket bag style I've been eyeing, but it's great quality for the price. I'm always carrying tons of stuff around, so I can never have too many totes! And it comes with a perfect sized wristlet to hold all the necessities that you need to grab quickly. I got the pink/taupe and am in love!

Fitness Friday: Polar FT7 and Fitness Fashion

About six weeks ago, I finally got a heart rate monitor. The Sailor has owned one for years, but I never really wanted/needed one.  I thought it would be a good investment now though since it's important to me to maintain an active fitness routine while pregnant yet at the same time not overexert myself.

Although the guidelines stating that a woman's heart rate shouldn't exceed 140 bpm while exercising during pregnancy are outdated, as confirmed here, here, here and by my doctor, I wanted to have some idea of the range I'm in when running, using the arc trainer at the gym and doing circuits.

Global Fashion Inspiration

Every year from the time I was a child, my parents and I went on an annual family vacation to Mexico. My parents continue the tradition to this day, but now they're fortunate enough to spend five or six weeks there every year. And me? I haven't been back in two years, but my heart aches for it some days-- especially during this past long cold winter!

Ring out the old, Ring in the new

NYE is coming fast upon us, and the Sailor and I don't have any plans! Well, that's not entirely true. We're spending a quiet night in-- That's more than okay in my book. We'll have a some apps followed by an elegant meal of canard a l'orange, which the Sailor first learned how to make here.

Our plan is being finalized at the last minute, but there's still time to decorate and celebrate! I scored a black jumpsuit (overnight delivery!) that I'll pair with my gold heels and some fun chunky jewelry.

Wordless Wednesday: Clutch

Best Fall Boots

Nope, this is not another blogger round-up of the best boots. And despite the title, it's not about cowboy boots, which you can read about here, here or here. It's my five star review of the Frye Jackie Gore Stitching Horse, the single best boot for the fall.

Friday Finds: Wear, Read, Eat, Do

TGIF! Here are a few things on my radar this week...

WEAR

I recently stumbled upon The Classy Cubicle and want to raid blogger Mary Orton's closet! She has mastered the chic, preppy professional look, for sure!  Mary is not only a fashionista but also works in finance. How she finds the time to pull together these classy combos and take magazine-quality photos, I don't know!