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gifts for mom

gifts for mom pic

Mother’s Day is right around the corner so get that gift ordered stat!  Let’s be honest… these are really things that I’m currently wanting, but I think they’d make great gifts for moms too!

Gold Confetti Tumblers – set of 2 for $20 from Paper Source.  Whether she drinks Diet Dr. Pepper or whiskey straight, it will taste better sipping from these glasses.  Obviously.

Tom Ford lip color – $52 at Nordstrom.  The Sable Smoke, Spanish Pink, and Bare Peach colors are my top picks… but really they’re all lovely!  A bit pricey for a lipstick, but a luxurious splurge for any mom!

Capri Blue Iridescent Jar Candle – $28 at Anthropologie.  I’m particularly fond of the “Volcano” scent, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them.

Aldalora Throw – $128 at Anthropologie.  Can’t get over the cozy.  Pair this throw with a good book and if you’re not mom’s favorite already, you will be.

Jo Malone ‘Nectarine Blossom & Honey’ Body Crème – $75 at Nordstrom.  I own a couple Jo Malone products, but I don’t yet have the Nectarine Blossom scent and I’m craving it for Spring/Summer.  Simply divine.

MUMM Napa Brut Reserve Rose – $39   Mumm for the Mum!  Because it’s pink, and bubbly, and yummy.  Happiness in a bottle.

Jo Malone ‘Nectarine Blossom & Honey’ Cologne (1oz) – $65 at Nordstrom.  Last time I quizzed the sales clerk, the Nectarine Blossom scent was the best selling Jo Malone fragrance in the U.S.  So there’s a good chance your mom will love it too.

Cashmere Travel Wrap by White and Warren – $298 at Anthropologie.  Mom a traveler?  There nothing more practical and posh than a cashmere wrap.

The perfect card.  There are so many great ones to choose from at Paper Source!  Prices range from $3.50-$8.

 

xoxo

ash1 Comment

april bucket list

happiness

I’m a superwoman in need of more happiness!  Because who doesn’t need more happiness?

Last month I attended the Professional Business Women of California Conference (PBWC) where I heard Dr. Jaime Kulaga give a talk titled The SuperWoman’s Guide to Super Fulfillment after her book of the same name.

One of the things Dr. Jaime talked about was proactively adding happiness to your life.  A tool she suggested for adding that happiness is a bucket list.  Not a bucket list with hugely grandiose items for some far off date in the future, but one that lists things that can be done NOW.

With April just kicking off, I decided to make a bucket list for the month and I challenge you to do the same!  Remember, this is not a to-do list of chores or things you’ve been meaning to get done (I had to keep reminding myself that), but a list of fun things that make you happy even just thinking about them.

April’s Bucket List

  1. Get coffee at Java Beach Café and walk along Ocean Beach. I love staring off into the ocean. It’s so relaxing.  I live just a couple miles from the water and yet I rarely go.  Where is a nearby place you love to go but haven’t been in a while?  Make it happen!

  2. See the Oscar de la Renta exhibit at the de Young museum.  If you are a Bank of America cardholder, take advantage of their Museums on Us program. The first weekend of every month you can get free admission by flashing your BofA card.  Find out what exhibits are showing at museums near you and go get some culture!
  3. Open a nice bottle of champagne just because.  I literally just put a bottle of Le Reve in the fridge so it’s at the ready. (“Get a wine fridge” is on my bigger bucket list… those things are expensive!?!)  I’m tired of waiting for a “special occasion” to come along to pop the good bottles.  Cheers to making more occasions special!
  4. Dinner with girlfriends.  Every time I meet up with some girlfriends for brunch, or shopping, or dinner, or just hanging out I feel renewed and happy. Sharing stories and laughs, or even struggles, is simply heart filling.  I can’t wait to research some new restaurants and get something on the calendar!  Make plans with friends to go somewhere new!  Yelp and Goldstar are great for finding new places and nearby things to do.  
  5. Weekend getaway with the hubs.  Road trip!  Or maybe rail trip?!  I love planning trips and traveling far away for weeks at a time, but this year due to time and money constraints it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen… On the way to work this week I heard an ad for Amtrak fares for less than $100 and thought YASSS!!  I’m super excited to start researching budget-friendly weekend trips.  Make plans to take a break and get away!

 

Just making the bucket list has got me all excited for how great April is going to be.  What’s on your bucket list?!

xoxo

 

ash2 Comments

day trip to wine country

As you may have gathered, I live in San Francisco.  Every now and then I question whether staying here is worth it given the high taxes, high rents, and general expensiveness of this city.  And then I take a day trip somewhere and decide to stick around a bit longer.

This past Saturday, the hubs and I took a day trip to Napa via Sonoma.  Driving north thru the Robin Williams Tunnel I watched in the rearview as the Golden Gate Bridge shrank away.  Half an hour later we were in Sonoma at The Fremont Diner, our first of four stops.

1. The Fremont Diner. 2660 Fremont Dr., Sonoma, CA  95476

Cheddar jalapeno cornbread, biscuits and gravy, deviled eggs, need I go on?  The Fremont Diner is what I’d call an upscale roadside diner.  The staff is always super friendly, the coffee is good, mimosas even better, and the food more than hits the spot.  Most of our visits we’ve been seated on the patio, but this time we were seated at the bar overlooking the kitchen so I got a great look at most of the menu and it all looked amazing…

Must try:  deviled eggs.

2.  Domaine Carneros. 1240 Duhig Rd, Napa, CA

Just 4 miles up Fremont Drive aka Highway 12 from The Fremont Diner is Domaine Carneros, a champagne house related to Champagne Taittinger.  Tastings are by appointment, but walk-ins are accommodated if there’s room (that’s how we got in).  The Domaine Carneros chateau is BEAUTIFUL, and the perfect setting to sip some bubbly.  I personally found the wines in the Sparkling Sampler to be good – but nothing special really.  Then I had a taste of the Le Reve and it was nothing short of dreamy!  In fact, I liked it so much I joined the wine club on the spot.

Must try:  Le Reve.

3. Rutherford Ranch. 1680 Silverado Trail S, St. Helena, CA  94574

We joined the Rutherford Ranch winery a few years back, and because it’s relatively far away we’ve considered quitting several times… but we just can’t.  The wine is good, but it is the people that work here that make it so unbelievably great.  The property is beautiful with a tree-lined patio and olive grove.  And be sure to check out the cork tree while you’re there!  I think it’s cool.

Must try: Scott Family Chardonnay, Rutherford Ranch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

rutherford

4. Mumm Napa. 8445 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA  94558

Mumm is basically across the street from Rutherford Ranch.  We joined Mumm shortly after our first failed attempt to quit Rutherford.  I adore Mumm.  The wines, the view, the little palette cleansing water crackers – all of it!  Actually, there is one thing I dislike and that is the “2 flute max” policy that they have.  The max helps move people through this popular spot, so I get it.  Just know that you’re not going to be able to order bottle service here.  Pop in and have a great tasting with a gorgeous view and then move on.

Must try:  Santana Supernatural Brut, Brut Reserve Rose, Sparkling Pinot Noir

winery trip pic 3.28.16

 

Happy sipping and day tripping!

xoxo

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easter dress

Happy Spring!  It’s raining here in SF, and I’m still a bit under the weather myself– so to lift my spirits I’m shopping online for a girlie Easter dress from the comfort of my bed.  Since Anthropologie is having a 20% off sale this weekend, I started my search at anthropologie.com.  And there are sooo many great options!  I thought I’d share my top picks–

easter dresses

From left to right, top to bottom… 

Butterfly Garden Midi Dress at Anthropologie $198

Camellia Dropwaist Dress at Anthropologie $148

Layered Sandstone Maxi Dress at Anthropologie $168

Juliet Eyelet Dress at Anthropologie $228

Agueda Shirtdress at Anthropologie $168

Sakura Maxi Dress at Anthropologie $368

Adah Lace Shirtdress at Anthropologie $168

Crina Midi Dress at Anthropologie $410

Avenida Ruffled Dress at Anthropologie $158

xoxo

 

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the lob

The lob is still going strong people!  And if you’re on the fence about a new spring look– now’s the time!  Spring officially starts this Sunday, March 20, 2016.  Get on it.

As previously posted, I kicked off my own spring mini-makeover earlier this month with a hair chop.  lob1

And in recent news, Miranda Kerr and Chrissy Teigen have also gone under the scissors!

lob2

Aren’t they beautiful?!  Need more inspiration??  Have a look at these lovely lobs–

lob3

GORGEOUS!  Now make that hair appointment and let me know how it goes!

xoxo

 

ash1 Comment

work wear

Happy Monday!  I couldn’t wait to wear this great dress that I picked up over the weekend.  A versatile and budget-friendly dress that can take you from the office to date night with ease.  And it’s currently on sale at Target via a “buy 1 get one 50% off clothing, shoes, and accessories” promotion – seriously unbelievable deal!!!  The Who What Wear line has some mix-and-match pieces that are great for the work week.

As you may have noticed from my posts, I’m a big fan of investing in statement shoes that I often pair with bargain clothing finds.  For me, shoes get more use than most clothes, they can be repeated more often (wear the same shoes 3x in one week to work, no prob; same dress… LOL), and they fit no matter what the current weight fluctuation.  And, in my opinion, designer shoes can elevate most any outfit and make you feel oh so sexxxxy!

Sleeveless fluted shift dress in black/white stripe by Who What Wear at Target for $29 (currently on “buy 1 get one 50% off” promotion!!)

Valentino Rockstud T-Strap pump in Ivory available at Nordstrom $995

xoxo

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