Next time you’re in Schiphol Airport or passing through, look for and purchase the old-fashioned, Wilhelmina peppermint candies. Stamped with the Dutch queen’s face and made with pure peppermint oil, they’re really good. I tried them many years ago and haven’t seen them since….
I’m lounging with my girlfriend at her place on Kent Island this past week with nothing but grassnand trees as far as the eye could see. Jodi dips her foot into the pool to see what the temp is and I’m watching…. She exclaims it’s super warm and starts dancing because she wants to get in. Only problem is she doesn’t feel like going all the way back to the house to change- seize the moment! So she takes off
It’s back but actually, it never left – I’m talking about denim. Denim for jeans but also shirts, jackets, dresses, blazer, sport coats, ties, shoes and sneakers, handbags and more! You already have jeans and probably another denim item but if you’re debating taking your denim to work, consider the following three rules: dark denim only your denim should be free of whiskering, embellishments, etc only one piece of denim per look Given my love for denim, you can
Whether you’re heading to a wedding, work event, or awesome-sauce party in the Hamptons, the advice stands… Either way, “black tie” means you’re going someplace formal! If you need help with the concept, head to The Black Tux, a curated site with everything from suits to cufflinks to shirts and shoes.
Have you ever even heard of AG Denim? I have but I suspect it’s because I love denim and jean material. Yul Ku started this brand 15 years ago with Diesel cofounder Adriano Goldschmied thinking eco-friendly from day one! They even utilize this ozone technology process that eliminates 56% of the company’s water and chemical usage Energy-efficient washing machines are used The aged look is created by hand using a grinder They donate scraps to make gloves and interior padding
I’m recently coming off the road from a four-day girls #roadtrip to Connecticut and New York. Compliments of @BuickUSA, we got to ride in style with the new Buick Regal (drove like a dream!). But when I arrived at the destination, I need a beauty pick-me-up and my travel bag wasn’t up to the task. Lucky I had one of my beauty besties with me and she and I hit Sephora like there was no tomorrow…. My new 8 travel
Well you’ll know for sure it’s time to buy a new wallet if you don’t have one now. I mean, a rubber band doesn’t count and neither does you keeping your cards in a stack. Crumpled cash or loose change in your pocket means you’re more apt to lose it if it’s not in one place – a bad look! If you have a wallet from “back in the day” or something that you recall from your childhood, it’s time
In My Shoes, Tamara Mellon Solid read… I have MUCH respect for Tamara Mellon especially given her humble and pedestrian beginnings as she built Jimmy Choo. She’s a powerhouse and that’s exactly what you’ll learn in this book. When she first visioned her line, she wanted to make it truncate the time between showing a line and having those pieces available and she tried… Although it may not have 100% worked out in her favor, she’s trying to change things
We all love the Big Apple and there’s always something new to discover while moving about the overcrowded, opportunistic city. Next time, head to Stanley’s. It’s a full service pharmacy-meets-wellness kind of bar. Imagine a soda fountain, prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies, and a mix of “….teas, sodas, kombucha and coconut water paired with pharmaceuticals…” [departures, pg.60] and you’ve got Stanley George’s creation. It’s at 31 Ludlow St.
When Monica gets here, she’s not going to be happy with this smell…. Oh Monica, your place always smells so yummy when I visit. What is that scent? Hey, it smells pretty good in here. What’s the deal?! The first is my brother-in-law talking to my sister who is cleaning out her new office space. The second is one (of many comments) from a girlfriend upon entering my house….. The last is a male friend who couldn’t care less but
Well let me be more specific because it’s not just a t-shirt with writing on it….. I’m looking for those graphic tees that aren’t so casual that you’d wear them to a “moving party” but aren’t so stiff that they can’t work with denim. My ideal graphic tee says something slightly meaningful or whimsical or aspirational, has enough room so it doesn’t feel constricting but will be able to work with a full skirt for a store opening or on
Wyebrook Farm – you’ll love it! A 360-acre sustainable farm that grows just about everything you need to have a delicious meal! Along with four girlfriends, we did the 118 mile trek to Honey Brook, PA and collectively, fell in love. Separately, we’ve all planned return trips too!! You’ll love it because it’s a breathe of fresh air. You can walk the grounds to see the pigs eating (bacon!!!), the herb garden, watch the cows roam, or head to the
The beau of one of my mentors says the sneaker is “a little more than ahh-ight“. Understand that his style is a little more casual, less metrosexual and camera-ready but equally as curated as a David Beckham. Now that you’ve got that, the shoe just released and Highsnobiety.com did a review too (the site for everything men’s sneakers), and here’s what it has: -monochromatic (black) -mesh and synthetic materials -matching phylon midsole Is it for you? If you want a
Buenos Aires is known for its meat and rightly so. It’s so yummy, tender and tasty. Their newest addition for the city of foodies is cheese thus, the go-to place is Bar du Marche. Bar du Marche is in the city’s Palermo Hollywood neighborhood. Argentina already has great wine so throw in the cheese and it’s a marriage made in heaven. Chillax long enough and, of course, you’ll need to order a steak. Here’s what to do next: look
I’m not a Kim Kardashian lover but here’s what she does with a viciousness: she stays in her sartorial lane (or her biggest successes are when she does!) she does black all the time (at least 70% of the time) she does a lot of monochromatic looks she lives in heels her clothes hug her shape (even if it’s paid for!) she rocks makeup….always! when she rocks longer hemlines, she typically shows midriff (to create more length) [poll id=”14″] My vote
The way of monthly subscriptions is frequent, almost rampant but none, as of yet, promote “me” time until now. Monthly Express (or ME) creates carefully curated full-size product samplings for busy women with hectic lives. Treat yourself for $129/month and expect to receive such items as a sniff box from New Zealand for better sleep. While I think I’ll be sticking to a few weekend jaunts, the concept is spot-on….quality time for the busy woman!
Bar & Lounge. Game Room. Whisky Room. Golf Simulator. Parlour Rooms. Wine Cellar. Wine Lockers. All available if you’re part of Wingtip, a members-only social club in San Francisco (opening in LA in 2016). The options are all about the fellas from the cigars to the TV rooms to the decor. And they have a men’s store open to the public and half of your monthly fee can be applied to purchases. Are you part? Are you interested? Read more
Have you learned that not everything you wear has to “match”? Take this lesson to heart….plus it will save you soo much money! It popped into my inbox and I immediately started plotting how to add it to my current, ever-expanding clutch collection. – hand-embroidered polka dots (so girly) – silk-screened stripes (slightly upscale) – drop-in chain strap (tres versatile) – it’s tan, orange and….yes, navy! Just wait for me to post my outfit pic with this one….you may even
I had some thoughts to share with my 27 year old self…and thought “why not share them with you too because something may resonate with you now…or 20 years from now.” Dare I say, you’re going to get older and while you won’t look the same, you’ll still look good (it’s in your genes). Take this opportunity over the next three years to ask mom as many questions as you can possibly think of and if you’re smart, record the
How To Shop Monica’s (@Blueprint4Style) Instagram You shouldn’t feel funny asking where I got something or how much it costs…I’m pretty easy but if you do, worry no more! Just shop my instagram and you can get all of the items I snap delivered to your inbox (and I’m none the wiser)…. To make it happen, follow THREE easy steps: Follow me on Instagram {here} Sign up once via Instagram or {HERE} When you see a photo of something you
Secrets of a Fashion Therapist, Betty Halbreich A cool read if you have interest in becoming a stylist; or currently use one… It’s all true! I went into it thinking it was gonna be about stuff that wasn’t relevant to me as a stylist for professionals (versus stars, personalities, etc) but, I was wrong. I’ve spent many a day trying to sum up what I do and I believe myself to be part psychologist, part mentalist, part shopper, part truth-sayer
Let me not pull any punches ~ blogging is hard work! Seriously….imagine having to be “creative” all the time- it’s a lot of pressure so I have quietly stepped away from the moniker “blogger”. But alas, there’s a [big] piece of me that loves sharing style, what’s hot, how-to wear something, what trends translate to work, etc. The problem: I’ve been comparing myself to other bloggers and you know what they say, ‘comparison is the thief of joy…’ thus, I’ve made
I consider Memorial Day, the 4th, and Labor Day weekends the quintessential “holiday” weekends that warrant lots of pre-gaming to avoid looking too contrived. I’ve culled all three long weekends down to five items. Here are my caveats: Memorial Day weekend – it may not be warm enough so you’ll need to substitute the breezy cover-up for a more, sweater-like option. Gotcha covered! PLus bring a rain hat Labor Day weekend – I’ve rarely run into an occasion where it’s
Grow up! We all love Havaianas but sometimes you just need a little more. Answer: Abejas Handmade. Leather (of course). Available in black and brown. Done! If these aren’t your cuppa tea then here are a few other grown-up options to try: [show_shopthepost_widget id=”825540″]
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