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.

Blushington

One thing that I hate to do on my own and absolutely love to get done is my makeup.

Sure I can handle taking care of myself from day to day, but when an event comes up, the first thing I want to do is make an appointment to have my makeup done.  It just makes everything so much easier, allows me to be more adventurous with my look (I can only do so much on myself) and who doesn't love getting a little pampered?  The only downfall of this is that I usually go to a department store to get it done and tend to walk out with products I would not normally use because, well, you are a tad bit obligated to purchase a few things.  Other times I have had someone come to the house but I am spending at least a $100, which can add up during event season.  

This is where Blushington comes in.

Blushington is a makeup and beauty lounge offering incredible services for even better prices.  I had heard this was opening up at Fashion Island but had yet to make a visit.  They invited Baby Girl and I in last Thursday and so we decided to see what Blushington was all about.

First things first.  The space is adorable.  Extremely feminine, fun and immediately gets you excited for a little beauty pampering.  Baby Girl felt instantly at home, and began eating cookies before we even knew what was happening.

For me, I had the option of numerous looks, depending on where I was off to.  I decided to look particularly glamorous for school pick up.  For Baby Girl, they offer a Sweet Pea package, allowing her to feel girlie with mommy while putting on a very minimal amount of makeup.  She still had to pick her look though and of course I was not at all shocked by the one that she picked.  I am in trouble...

We took our seats and it was time to start looking glam.

Thirty minutes later, DONE!

The entire staff at Blushington was extremely friendly. From Stephi, the Founder, to all the makeup artists, they made Baby Girl and I feel extremely welcomed and walked me through all that Blushington can offer.  Some of my favorites:

* The Full Face package - $40 and 30 minutes and I am ready for a night out on the town.

* The Sweet Pea package - I need my makeup done for an event and can I keep Baby Girl entertained for $10 with very little makeup applied?  No brainer.

* Teen Makeup Class - For $50 your teenager can sit with a makeup artist and learn how to properly apply makeup so that they look appropriate and boost confidence without being too made up.  The makeup artist will then do half their face and allow the young lady to do the other half, ensuring she knows how to do it herself!

* At Home Services - Many times my friends and I are running around like crazy people the day of an event due to our kids sports schedules.  Blushington will come to you and make the entire process of getting ready a little less stressful.  Who doesn't love a little girl time prior to an event...especially when champagne can be involved?

* Makeup Series - If you find you can use this service numerous times, you can buy a package offering a certain number of makeup applications for a discounted rate.

This is really just a few items available but I recommend taking a look at all the services and classes offered.

Blushington has locations in Newport Beach, West Hollywood and Dallas.

For more information you can visit their website here.

And the big question.  Will I be back?

ABSOLUTELY.

The taped rectangle

See that large taped rectangle in the bottom center of the wall?

This might be the only rectangle in the world that can drive me crazy.

The smaller rectangle is a print that is currently being matted and framed.

The two sticks are the lamps that are already purchased and waiting to go in their place.

The large rectangle is a modern wood sideboard that works in the room and is 72 inches long and 32 inches tall, at a price that makes sense.

And it apparently doesn't exist.

I have look at more websites than I can count and have texted my designer more than she cares for with items that I am finding but are just a little bit off.  Perhaps it is a little short of 72 inches long.  Perhaps is is not 32 inches tall.  Perhaps it is not modern enough.  Perhaps the wood is not right.  Perhaps it is more than I want to spend.  Perhaps it is located in Belgium and too much of a pain to get here (true story).  Whatever the problem, I get extremely close to loving one, only to find that it will not work.  

And normally, I have extreme patience with these sorts of things, knowing that at times, it can take a while to find something.  But for whatever the reason, I am determined to find the perfect one, no matter how many hours I spend scouring the internet.  It is totally unlike me but I cannot help it.  I try to step away and then I start searching again.  It is almost like the harder it seems to be to find, the more I am crazed with finding it.

Has this ever happened to you?

I have promised myself that I am not going to look at all this weekend, leaving the hunt for the professional that I have hired to help me with this.  No more sideboard searching for me!  The insanity has got to stop!

And on a less crazy note, the room is coming together quite nicely!  Our bottom rug is almost done and will add some warmth and coverage under the cowhide.  We had a large mirror made that is going to be installed next week and I CANNOT wait to see how it turned out.  Next on the list is wallpaper for the entry and drapes.  It has quickly become my favorite room in the house.  I will be sure to share photos when everything is complete.

Happy Weekend.     

New York

via

Every year, when January comes to a close, two realities set in.  The first is that baseball season has begun which means that for 5 months, we will be moving at 1,000 miles an hour, spending the majority of our time on a baseball field.  The second is that summer is only a few months away and it is time to start chatting about where we would like to go on vacation.

Vacation to some means just taking a break from life.  Hawaii and Mexico are standard destinations for many and are both amazing places to rest and regroup.  To me though, vacation is not just about taking a break from life but also about seeing the world and sharing it with my kids.

I absolutely love traveling with my kids.  To see their faces experience something they have never seen before is amazing.  Just like their parents, they have developed a love for big cities and we have a blast exploring new places together.  So far, their favorite vacations have been Chicago and Washington D.C., both ranked higher than Hawaii, which too many might seem crazy.  For them, not shocking.  And so, when asked where they would like to go this summer for vacation, the answer did not surprise us at all.

New York.

And so, New York we will go.

I can't wait!

Here is the request list I have gathered from the kids (and perhaps myself) so far...
Yankee game
9-11 Memorial
a Broadway show
Natural History Museum
The Met

The amount of things to do in New York is endless so here is my question for all of you.  Have you been to and/or lived in New York with kids?  If so, what are we missing on the list?  Is there anything we must do while we are there with them?  Please share as all suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 

Have you thought about going anywhere this summer?  I would love to hear!  

Closet Gem

To this day, these are my most favorite thing in my closet.

Given to me by the hubby for our 9th anniversary.

Signed by Manolo.

A lot of things come and go from the closet but these beauties are here to stay.

Heidi Merrick Spring 2014

I have said this before but Heidi Merrick just gets me.  

Every season I get excited to see what she has created and what I need to add to my wish list.

Through simple and sophisticated designs, she continues to bring California chic to life.

This Spring 2014 collection is beyond.

See you later Winter.  

Heidi and I are ready for Spring.

To view the entire collection, click here.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Everyone

For birthdays and Christmas, I am insane.

I absolutely love celebrating both and if you asked the hubby, I perhaps go a bit over the top.  They are just my favorites.

Valentine's Day, on the other hand, I tend to look for a more mellow way to celebrate.

I have no need for dressing up and heading out to dinner to celebrate the day.  I would actually prefer a romantic dinner at home after the kids are asleep.  And as long as a good bottle of French wine and being in my pajamas is involved, I am in bliss.

Gifts for Valentine's Day feel the same.  I have no need for over the top gifts but do love to still wrap up a little something for those I care about.

Here are some things I would think just make the perfect gifts for her, him and of course we cannot forget the kids, that all provide a little something without going over the top.

We will save that for birthdays and Christmas.

For Her

For Him

For the Kids