Weekend

The weekend is here and I am thrilled!

Last weekend was a bit hectic with the Fundraiser finally arriving Saturday night.  We had such a wonderful time and my committee was amazing, allowing everything to come together perfectly.  It was such a great experience but boy was I tired Sunday morning!  I think I am still recovering from Event Hangover.

Monday did not offer any rest as I jumped right into an amazing photo shoot with OC Style Report and Z Collection, which you will see more of on Monday.  I absolutely loved stepping outside of my normal day and covering myself with beautiful clothes while people took care of my hair and makeup.  I could really get used to this photo shoot thing.  Not going to lie, it is pretty fabulous.

Then of course the week has been filled with half days, conferences, practices and a Thursday night dinner.  The last leg of this crazy week is dinner tonight with college friends (YIPPEE!) and then on Saturday night, you will find me wrapped up in a blanket and sweats on the couch doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.  It sounds magical.  

This week also gifted us with the birth of my Best Friend's Baby Girl who I am blessed to be the Godmother of and CANNOT wait to meet in January.  Congrats J and C!  

Cheers to the weekend (and perhaps some sleep!)!

  

Isabel Marant for H&M

It is here!

Isabel Marant for H&M launched today!

I am not one to get too excited over designer collaborations but I would be lying if this one did not get to me.  I am a HUGE fan of Isabel Marant and really do love the pieces that were created for this collection.  I am not that committed and was in NO WAY going to show up at the store at 8am this morning but I am going to try to grab a few things when the line launches online at 12:00pm EST.  What's on my list as potential purchases?

I can only hope that the site does not crash and I am able to grab something among the millions of others that are going to be logging on at the same time.

Anyone make a trip to their local H&M or perhaps joining me online?  Good luck to you all!

Hammitt Los Angeles

On Monday I was doing a photo shoot with OC Style Report and Z Collection (more on this next week!) when I was handed a cross-body handbag for one of the looks.  Amid the camera snapping I kept gawking at how I loved  this cross-body, asking who made it, wondering why I had not seen it before, and back to how much I loved it.  

On Tuesday, I received a text from my neighbor, sharing her excitement for a new cross-body bag she picked up in Manhattan Beach.  Yes, I am that friend that everyone knows they can share their purchases with and I will be just as excited over it.  What can I say, I share in my friends joy.  Obviously a photo was necessary.  Much to my surprise, this was the same line I was gawking over on Monday and just as fabulous as the one I had seen.

The collection is Hammitt Los Angeles and I have a thing for them.  

Based out of Los Angeles, this line brings together versatility, edge, and practicality in a collection of bags that make sense both through style and function.  Created in numerous neutrals, they are easy to pair with a number of looks, transitioning well from day to night.  I love how soft the leather is and there are just enough details to make them different than the rest.  Here are a few favorites from the line.

Little Santa Monica Q

Manhattan Grand

VIP

Amphitheater

City Tote

The Strip

You can find the line locally at Z Collection in Newport Beach or at other boutiques across the country, which you can search by clicking here.  

Time to start that Christmas list don't you think?

Tis' the Season for Sequins

The holidays are here and what better way to celebrate than with sequins!

I am over at My Thirty Spot sharing a number of ways to bring them into your holiday looks without being over the top.

Come visit by clicking here!

When I was Young

When I was young, I took my parents love for granted.  I never realized how special that was.  How many children live without parents.  

When I was young, I could be mean at times.  I never realized how words could bring such pain to someone else.

When I was young, I was scared of homeless people.  I never recognized the compassion in their eyes and the hope in their face that perhaps one day, life will change.

When I was young, I saved all my money for a new toy, or clothes or something for me.  I never realized the importance of giving to others.

When I was young, I argued with my siblings.  I never realized the affect they would have on my life and how much they truly mean to me.

When I was young, I would argue with my parents.  I never realized that they were just trying their best, learning along the way, and how much it hurt them to get me in trouble.

When I was young, I was insecure.  I never realized that so was everyone else.  

When I was young, I wanted to have a fairy tale wedding.  I never realized that a wedding is different than a marriage and how hard it would be.  I never realized it would also be better than I ever imagined.

When I was young, I couldn't wait to be a mommy.  I never realized that you could love something as much as you love your children.  I never realized the power of this gift.

When I was young, I had no responsibility.  I never realized how responsibility changes you, shapes you and makes you who you are.

When I was young, I broke up with boyfriends.  I never realized how insensitive I was.  I never realized it could have been handled better.

When I was young, I thought I was always right.  I never realized that my stubbornness had a negative impact on relationships.  I never realized that working together, as a team, brings greater joy than ever being right.

When I was young, I thought I had my life all planned out.  I never realized that not knowing is what makes this life so great.

When I was young, I took my Grandparents for granted.  I never realized the importance of them living a full life filled with so many experiences.  I never realized their knowledge would mean so much to me.

When I was young, I took my faith for granted.  I never realized that I would come to depend solely on my faith to travel through life.

When I was young, I was afraid of getting old.  I never realized the gift of living a long life.

When I was young, I feared the day I had grey hairs and wrinkles.  I never realized that grey hairs and wrinkles come with experiences, celebrations and memories.

Is getting older and aging really as negative as it is sometimes perceived?  Personally, I am a much better person today than I ever was when I was young.

Close to the End

This is it.  

The fundraiser I have been working on for all of 2013 is this Saturday and I cannot believe it.  Chairing this has been incredible and it has been amazing to see so many incredible women come together for something we all support.  I have loved every minute of it.  

To ensure that I am keeping my head on straight, getting all the details I need in order and finding some time to breathe, I am going to take the week off of the blog.  After Saturday I will be back but I think it is important for me to simply focus on this and not worry about whether a post is ready or not.  I am looking forward to sharing so much though when I return!

You can follow along on instagram if you want to see how the week and event unfolds.

Have a great week!

Image via

Weekend

WHAT. A. WEEK

Oh my goodness, is it already Friday?  I am so sorry for being completely MIA.  The Gala that I am Chairing is now a week away and I have been consumed with table assignments, silent auction wrapping, data inputting and all the little things that go with putting a fundraiser together.  It has been such an incredible learning experience!  There is one more week to go and I promise that I will return to my regular scheduled programming after November 9th.  Oh the extra time I will have!

I was able to take a break from all the planning last night to thoroughly enjoy Halloween.  For years we have all ventured out as a family to trick or treat with friends but this year the ladies stayed back, sipped wine and handed out candy while the boys took the kids trick or treating.  It was PERFECT.  This was definitely the way to do it.

Through all the craziness, I have found that running has become my saving grace.  I have always run because I know it is a great workout but lately, I have been finding the pure joy that comes with keeping my mind in a zone, enjoying some music I never get to listen to in the car and forgetting about the "To Do" list.  I ran a 10K last weekend was happy to increase my pace and am excited to commit to more races.  I have been calling it my "natural xanax" as the final details of a large event loom over my head.  Here is the current playlist I have been loving...

As you can see, my taste in music is completely random and ranges from a lot of Pop to country to rap. Variety is the spice of life right?  And I always shuffle because, well, I like not knowing what is coming.

If you missed it this week...

These pumpkin seeds are awesome...

I partnered with Missoni Home...

Happy Weekend.