HEALTHY WEEKDAY MORNING PROTEIN SHAKE

Today I wanted to share with you my favorite morning protein shake that I make pretty much everyday.   I look forward to having it because it is so delicious and healthy!  It feels like I am having a decedent chocolate milkshake, but it's actually super healthy and made with various superseeds, organic sprouted brown rice flower, almond milk and non-alkalized cocoa.  It's perfect for my workday mornings since it only takes me a few minutes to whip up and take on the go!  After you blend it up you can let it sit for a little bit it will start to really thicken up (I guess it's the chia seeds that help give it that thick texture).  I get my protein powder from an Etsy Shop here.   It's also the perfect breakfast because it helps me feel full until lunch time and is always a great way to start the day!

Here is the recipes that I use:

• 1 cup Almond milk
• 6 frozen cubes of Almond milk 
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 3 tablespoons protein powder 

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender...and enjoy! 

END-OF-SUMMER INSPIRATION

This is the official end-of-summer holiday before we start transitioning into fall.  I  am really looking forward to doing something fun this weekend, and spend a little time with family & friends!   Although as of now we still haven’t finalized our plans yet, we will hopefully get it all wrapped up soon!  We will either take a little road-trip up north to the Mendocino Coast where we can enjoy some fresh ocean air or will stay close to home and catch up with some friends.   I am sure we will stay plenty busy with lots bbq’s, an Art Festival in Sausalito and as many beach day-trips as we can fit in!  

Even though it’s still a couple days away until the weekend officially starts, I like to start thinking about what I should pack in case we decide on going out of town.  That way, when it comes time to get going I can basically just grab-and-go and let the fun begin!  I put together a couple looks for some inspiration, one for the casual bbq events and another for the art event.  I am really loving the black Ted Baker Sandal show below.  I think they are perfect and are definitely on my list of must-haves.  What kind of plans do you have for the weekend?  Any out-of-town get-aways in the making? 

Get the look:  1. Scalloped Satin Camisole // net-a-porter   2. Destroyed Boyfriend Jean //  J.Crew   3. Magenta Lock Clutch // Piperlime  4. Woven Beaded Necklace  // Neiman Marcus   5.  Aviator Sunglasses // Mytheresa  6.  Wool and Cashmere Felt Coat // net-a-porter   7. Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick // Barneys   8. Laura Blush Top // Piperlime   9. Black Skinny Perforated Leather Belt // J.Crew  10. Em Black Leather Shorts // La Garconne 11. Ted Baker Sackina Sandal // Nordstrom

COMING SOON - NEW ARRIVALS

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LITTLE WHITE TEE

One of the top-10 must-have wardrobe essential that every closet should house is the always flattering basic white tee.  They come in all shapes, sizes and price points.  A few of my favorite styles are the Wilt Slub Jersey Tee, Wilfred Free T, LA Made Sleeveless T, and Velvet Keriam One-Pocket Tee.  With their chic, sexy and comfortable style, they have been a long time go-to favorite of mine.  Whether you are dressing it up with a wide leg trouser and blazer or going more casual with a pair of faded blue jeans and panama hat.  They are highly versatility and flattering and can be a life saver on those days when I feel like I just don’t have any thing to wear.  Lately I have been a little addicted an oversized v-neck boyfriend style by T by Alexander Wang.   

Look #1 //  Heirloom Coral Necklace  /  T by Alexander Wang / Stella McCartney Tomboy Jean / Elsie Suede Pump   Look #2  //  Michele Gold Watch  / Ancilla Chevron Max Skirt /  Rag & Bone Classic Tee  /  Tory Burch Thora Sandal  

WHAT TO PACK FOR A SUMMER GET-AWAY

I love packing for a summer get-away because, for one, it's a summer get-away! And two, all you really need to pack is a few simple and light items.  Even on the rare occasions when I had packed a huge suitcase full of everything I thought I might want to wear, I always seem to end up wearing just a couple of the same dresses and sandals over and over again during the whole entire vacation.  Now I’ve learned to first pull a bunch of my summer piece that I think I might wear and then just pick a few of my favorites dresses and rompers.  Then add a couple swimsuits, a pair of pretty sandal, some flip flops, a modern hat, couple pieces of jewelry, a light sweater for those chili nights and voila!…packing is complete.  It usually all fits nicely into one weekender bag which makes traveling so easy, and that's always a good way to start any vacation!

1.  Ruffle Romper  - Topshop  /  2.  Sting Bikini Top - Jcrew  /  3.  Hibiscus Floral Bikini Bottoms  Jcrew  /  4.    Sunscreen Care Oil Spray - Clarins    /  5.  Seaside Fedora - Ann Taylor  /  6.  Square-Frame Sunglasses - Net-A-Porter  / 7.   Loeffler Randall Tote - Piperlime   /  8.  Sarie Strappy Sandal  - Loeffler Randall 

WEEKEND WARDROBE

Weekends are all about relaxing, catching up with friends, doing some house project and running a few errands.  It's a nice change to mix up the outfits a bit from the week of work attire.  It's a time to be comfortable but still stylish.   I've put together a few key pieces that are super easy to mix and match, on trend and are perfect for any weekend.

Leopard bag - Hipsters For Sisters  /  Birkenstock Sandals - Nordstrom  /  Wool Fedora - Lack of Color  /  Denim Skirt - Zara   /  Toms Sunglasses - Nordstrom

TRINA TURK SWIMSUIT COLLECTION

I recently got back from a trip we took to Palm Springs. We stayed at the Parker Hotel... and it was FAB-U-LOUS! It’s one of those awesome mid-century modern hotels that's nestled on a gorgeous estate with beautifully landscaped grounds, super chic vibe & style-y decor.   If you are ever in the area you should definitely check it out (just don’t go during the summer months when it’s 115 degrees!)  I'm already planning a trip to go back sometime in early fall!

This trip was my first bathing-suit-wearing vacation of the year.  While I was there I realized that I needed to do three things when I got back home.   One - get in to shape!  Two - work on getting a bronzed summer tan.  And three - buy a new SWIMSUIT!   While in Palm Springs, I went to a boutique specializing in swimsuits to find something new, but nothing was really jumping out at me.  It felt like a bit of a struggle to find just one suit that I wanted to try on.  So when I got home I started searching around the Web and came across the Trina Turk Collection... and was pleasantly surprised!  When it comes to swimsuits I typically don’t think of Trina Turk but found myself wanting almost every style I saw.  They kind of have a look that is fun, sexy modern and vintage, all mixed into one.   I really like the fun colors and patterns and thought it would be great to have one on hand for when I want to wear something that's a little more bright then just my basic black or white suit.  Do any of you have a Trina Turk swimsuit.   If so, how do like them compared to your other swimsuits?   I haven’t decided which one I am going to order yet.  I’m kind of leaning towards number 5 or number 7. Which is your favorite?

1. Trina Turk Santa Cruz via Bloomingdales  /  2.  Trina Turk Venice Beach via Bloomingdales  /  3.  Trina Turk Zanzibar via Bloomingdales  /  4.  Trina Turk V Wire Bandeau via Bloomingdales  /  5.  Trina Turk Zanzibar Triangle via Bloomingdales  /  6.  Trina Turk Tanzania via Bloomingdales  /  7.  Trina Turk Tanzania Triangle via Bloomingdales  /  8.  Trina Turk Venice One Piece via Bloomingdales

TOP 5 FAVORITE THINGS

1.  Freesia Oval Soap  Fresh  |  2.  Gladiator Sandal  Stuart Weitzman  |  3.  Greens 3 Juice  Pressed Juicery   4.  Bermuda Shorts  Zara  5.  Radiance Mask  Ren Skincare

HOW TO STYLE A STATEMENT JUMPSUIT

Jumpsuits have been, by far, one my favorite go-to outfits of the year. They’re so simple and easy to wear. Anything that is ultra-chic and ultra-comfortable at the same time is a winner (wouldn't you agree?). I love that they can be dressed up with a great pair of strappy heels when you’re off to a dinner party or worn with summer wedges to go running around town or to a summer barbecue.   

Style Inspiration via FabSugar  |  DVF Jumpsuit  ShopBop  |  Prada Sunglasses EliteEyeWear       Stella McCartney Bag  FarFetch  | Tom Ford Nail Polish (in Ginger Fire) Nordstrom  |  Vince Addie Bootie Neiman Marcus  |  Sabine Starfish Necklace Piperlime

6 MUST HAVES FOR A RESTFUL SLEEP

I’ve read about the importance of beauty sleep more times than I can count. And it’s so true: A full eight hours of restful sleep is just as vital to your overall good health and happiness as exercise, a healthful diet and proper hydration.

I really feel the benefits when I get a good night’s sleep—I wake up refreshed, alert and ready to take on the world. When I don’t sleep well, the day feels like a struggle, like I’m always one step behind. 

You can set yourself up for a cozy and relaxing transition to sleep by turning off the TV and computer at least an hour before bedtime, taking a nice warm bubble bath or shower and reading a few pages of an uplifting book. Putting some soft, high-thread-count cotton linens on your bed doesn’t hurt, either!

Here are a few of my favorites night time must haves that help me get a full eight hours of slumber. 

1. Italian Bed Linens  /  2.  Bubble Bath  /  3. Sleepwear  /  4. Candles   /  5. Books  /  6. Organic Teas                      

ESSENTIAL POOLSIDE ACCESSORY

Although it’s technically winter and most of my go-to pieces this time of year are my Hunter rain boots, wool scarves and anoraks, I still always have a collection of functional and fashionable sunnies in rotation. I was recently given a new pair of black-framed supersized Chanel sunglasses that I just LOVE and that will definitely be my favorite everyday pair. But with spring right around the corner and some possible winter getaways to Palm Springs coming up, I’ve been looking at a few other statement-makers to throw into my poolside bag. I’m not quite sure which pair I’ll go with, but I’m kind of leaning toward Dior Promesse. 

1. Fendi Oversized Frames - Saks Fifth Avenue / 2. Dior Promesse - Dior

3. Kate Spade Cassia - Kate Spade New York /4. AJ Morgan Dream Aviator - AJ Morgan Eyewear

5. Jimmy Choo Oversized Crystal - Saks Fifth Avenue /6. Celine Papillon - Matches Fashion

7. Kate Spade Emery - Solstice Eyewear / 8. Max Mara Anny - Solstice Eyewear

9. Betsey Johnson Fade Out Crystal - Urban Outfitters