Waxing Poetic

The final stop of my retail therapy in Los Olivos was Waxing Poetic, a jewelry, charms, candles and housewares boutique.  You may have heard of Waxing Poetic as they has been mentioned in a number of publications and is not only available in their two boutiques (Los Olivos and Summerland) but also in numerous boutiques across the country.  The last time I was in Los Olivos they were in a different location so I was excited to visit the new store and of course, peruse all the dainty treasures.

When you enter the store, you immediately feel as if you are in someone's living room.  Books line the walls, there is a beautiful writing desk and you are surrounded by intricately designed charms, jewelry, scarves and candles...just to name a few.  I found myself getting lost in the store as I immediately began thinking of all the sentimental gifts that I could pick up here.  Something for the bride, for your pregnant sister, your mother, a first communion.  Truly, they have embraced the moments of life and created opportunities for you to give something that is just not a gift but something that will be held on to forever.  I may have also started my own "wish list" for the hubby while I was inside.  As with all the boutiques I visited while in the valley, the customer service was phenomenal and even though I have discovered all the locations Waxing Poetic is available in Orange County, there is still something special about being in this store in Los Olivos.  It is a very special little place.

You can visit the Los Olivos boutique at 2477 Alamo Pintado Ave. or click here to find where Waxing Poetic is sold near you.  

I also recommend following them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with their new pieces.

Wendy Foster

Nestled next door to my favorite coffee house in Los Olivos is Wendy Foster, a boutique that exudes classic sophistication with a relaxed country feel.  The walls are filled with art representing the Santa Ynez Valley while the tables and racks are filled with simple yet chic pieces that fit right into the Los Olivos lifestyle...or any lifestyle for that matter.  With designers such as Vince, Joie and Current Elliott alongside local designers such as Emily Rosendahl, there was just too much goodness in one place for me to handle.  The staff was extremely friendly and I had a wonderful time chatting with them while I shopped.  Just like I said with yesterday's visit, I will definitely be back.      

Wendy Foster is located at 2928 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos, Ca. with additional locations in Santa Barbara.  I highly suggest following their Instagram account to see all the new merchandise they receive, along with shots from their life in Los Olivos.   

Plenty Boutique

A few months ago I began following the Plenty Boutique in Santa Ynez on Instagram and knew instantly that they were a "must stop" the next time I was up there.  The pieces they showcased and the travels they took gave me the sense that I was going to like this place.

It was better than I even expected!  I adore their ability to bring the ethereal and wonderlust feeling of the valley that I love so much into a beautiful boutique filled with all sorts of treasures.  It was a bohemian paradise.  Everywhere I looked their was something that caught my eye.  The boutique began from two friends who make their own jewelry and you could spend hours looking through every piece.  Racks are filled with Free People, Stone Cold Fox, J Brand, Bella Luxx and many other brands that share in the laid back yet sexy feel you often see in Orange County.  If you are not in the mood for clothes or jewelry, there are a number of bags, bath products, hats, scarves and numerous other accessories scattered throughout the boutique.  It was cozy, welcoming and fun to shop.  It was such a lovely experience and I will definitely be back.

Plenty Boutique is located at 1110 Faraday St., Santa Ynez. California.  

I highly suggest following them on Instagram and liking them on Facebook to preview their incoming merchandise and events. 

* No compensation was provided for this post.  When I see something I love, I want to share it!

Cowgirl

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I may not be an official cowgirl but I often find myself drawn to cowboy hats, country music, boots and cowhide.  It tends to get worse whenever I leave the Santa Ynez Valley.  Sure you can totally overdo it, which can be bad...really bad.  But when tastefully incorporated into your wardrobe and interior design, it adds a warmth and comfort that I just love.

Gladiator

I have been eyeing these Stuart Weitzman Gladiator Sandals since our trip to Chicago in January when I was sitting in -40 degree weather for the first time of my life and thinking of warmer weather.

They were made for long legs!  

I continue to go back and forth on pulling the trigger but meanwhile, these gladiator sandals are just as cute and perhaps offer a little more relief on the wallet than my little investment piece above.

  

Emerson Fry

When trying to decide which Emerson Fry pieces from their early Spring collection are my favorite, it really is an impossible task.  The simplicity, clean lines and simple elegance to each piece makes every single one a classic addition to any closet.

You can view the entire collection here.

Spring Boots

Just because Spring is right around the corner doesn't mean you need to give up your boots!  There is an entirely new crop of boots and booties offering ankle height, cut outs and lower heels, making them the perfect boot for warmer weather.  I love the look of these shorter booties paired with a dress, skirt or denim cut offs.  Add an Everlane tee and you have my ideal spring time wardrobe.

 

Mini Mara Hoffman

When it comes to resort wear, Mara Hoffman continues to be one of my absolute favorites.  Her prints, fabrics and designs instantly transport you from every day life to white sand beaches nestled somewhere in the tropics.  Every season I peruse her collection, trying to decide what bathing suit and coverup I am going to get, wishing I could just get it all.  I just cannot get enough.  And then she goes and launches a children's line...

and it is cuteness overload.

Bringing in her eye for prints and design, these bathing suits, bikinis and coverups are everything I love about Mara Hoffman, all for the littles.

My favorite pieces are this rash guard,

and this romper

but truthfully, it is all adorable.

To view the entire children's collection, click here.

And don't forget to look for yourself.  

I am currently eyeing this dress and this bathing suit.

Come on summer, get here!

Beach Ready

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban / Beach Tote: Calypso St. Barth / Cover Up: Calypso St. Barth / Bikini: Eberjey / Flats: Tory Burch / Hat: J. Crew

Watching the retailers fill with gorgeous beach-ready suits, clothing and accessories, I am getting incredibly anxious for summer.  Warm weather, beach visits, late mornings, no school.  IT IS SO CLOSE!  Well, okay, it still a few months away but I am already counting down.

And just because the weather hasn't caught up, it doesn't mean our closets can't.

Sneakers

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When I was a younger girl, my father developed an addiction to sneakers.

No matter how many pairs or colors he had, there was always a new pair to pick up.  

During the 90's, my dad and every NBA Star were building their sneaker collection.  

And look where we are today.

Sneakers are EVERYWHERE.

And no longer are they only seen at the gym or with the most casual of looks.

Dresses, skirts, leather pants, skinny jeans.

You name it, sneakers have been invited to join.

And I love this because THEY MAKE SENSE!  

Not only because there are moments when I desperately need a pedicure and need to hide the toes, but because I am running around all the time and though even flats and boots can be comfortable, nothing compares to sneakers.  I also love the way they look with a more formal pant or dress because what fun is it to always follow the traditional rules?  Plus, talk about the perfect shoe that is just as practical in winter as they are in summer.

So my dad was on to something.

Like Father, like daughter.  

Dinner with Friends

In our crazy scheduled world, there seems to be no time for simply enjoying other people's company.  We so often run from one event to the next and forget that the meaning of life is not how many sports are kids are involved in, how many things we can volunteer for and how many hours we can work.  The true meaning is developing lasting relationships with people who make you better, support you through the ups and downs of life and become family, not just friends.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the year, my resolution this year is to create more moments like this, slowing down the schedule and making time to gather around the table with special people in our life.  Saturday night was our first attempt and what a night it was.

Babysitters were booked, the menu was planned and we spent 7 uninterrupted hours with some incredible friends.  I honestly cannot tell you all the topics that filled these 7 hours but I do know that I have not laughed that much in a long time.  I also know that no one wanted it to end, leading to me finally getting into bed at 2am.  It was wonderful.  And exactly what the hubby and I intended when began planning.  I cannot wait to do it again.

And thank goodness today is a holiday because this 35 year old cannot bounce back like she used to be able to.

The resolution is off to a good start and such a special reminder of what is really important in life.  

I am already looking forward to the next dinner.

And of course, it wouldn't be a holiday weekend without some great sales across the internet.  Piperlime has a great selection of new Spring pieces and is offering 25% off these items with code HAPPY from now until February 18th.  I have picked out some of my favorites below.

Spring Time Baubles

As our California winter fades again (we had a good week of it this time) and warm weather returns this week, I cannot help but feel that Spring is almost here and it is time to refresh the accessories.  

My first stop is usually Baublebar.  I love searching their site for great pieces at even better prices.  Throw in free shipping and free returns and it is a no brainer. It is the perfect way to refresh your jewelry without breaking the bank.

Weekend

FRIDAY!

It's the weekend and I have just a few things to share with you.

After years of uploading photos from my phone onto the computer, never to really be seen again, I finally downloaded the Social Print Studio app.  It was beyond easy.  Simply select the size you want, the photos you want and one week later, they arrive at your door.  I ordered 24 prints for $12 and can finally say we have photos around the house again without having to open iPhoto for the kids.  They also make photo books for those family vacations that you capture on your phone.  It is my new favorite app and I will no longer let my photos fall into my computer black hole.

Another discovery this week were these faux leather shorts from Club Monaco.

I have been on the hunt for a great pair of faux leather shorts for a while and every pair I have tried on, I just haven't loved.  These ended up being the perfect fit, perfect length and great price. I put them right to use Wednesday night at the Pink concert.

Speaking of the Pink concert, she was beyond.  I have always been a huge Pink fan but seeing her perform took my love of her to a new level.  She was insane.  If you ever get the chance to see her in concert, I highly recommend it.

We are headed into a busy busy weekend of baseball, basketball, soccer, some birthday parties and of course, sleep....we hope.  

Happy weekend.

  

Dreaming of Coats

I understand that many are sick and tired of all the cold they have been experiencing and I have no reason to complain about ANYTHING here in sunny California.  I get it.  But I still cannot help but be dreaming of coat weather, if only for a weekend.

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Perhaps some of these light weight options might get me through the rest of what we are calling "Winter".