Valentine's Day Gifts

I know that it is a little early to be posting about Valentines Day but if you want to avoid having to buy the last battered heart shaped box of chocolates and give a gift with meaning and thought it takes some preparation. Not to worry, your favorite brand's websites will offer endless gift idea lists and then there are bloggers like me who are here to help you out.

Trust me. I'm a pro. I online shop every single day, regardless of whether I actually purchase the things that I shop for or not. Some may call it an addiction. I just call it a way to stay on top of whats out there and in times like these compile a nice little list of gift ideas for your special someone!

1. Watch
You really can't go wrong with a nice watch. It's the perfect Valentine's gift because you can find a large variety of nice watches at any price point you are comfortable. For those of us that have a hard time shelling out some dough to buy a gift so soon after Christmas, a watch is a good idea.

For Her:

Get: Klassik Three Hand Leather Watch by Skagen

$115
It also comes in three other colors but I particularly like the coral. 

Splurge: The Monarch by Nixon Watches

At $300 this watch is a little more pricey but it certainly is stunning and the classic material combo will never go out of style.

For Him:

Get: Classic St. Andrews by Daniel Wellington

$229

Splurge: The Runwell 47mm by Shinola

At $550 this watch isn't cheap but coming from Shinola at least you know it is quality. 

2. Sunglasses

For Her:
Get:Shawna Sunglasses by Kate Spade

$138
The gold metal accents on the side really make these sunglasses.

Splurge: Panama Sunglasses by Tor Burch

$195
Actually not that much of a splurge, especially as far as Tory prices generally go.

For Him:

Get: The Clubmaster by Ray Ban

$145

Splurge: Canby Stone Blake Slate Grey Polarized by Shwood

$350
These are without a doubt some of the coolest sunglasses around. Go to the site and watch the crafting process. It's worth it. 

3. Perfume/Cologne
Since cologne or perfume rarely goes on sale there is really no need to differentiate between steal and splurge prices. You have to get what appeals to you.

For Her:

Get: Chance Eau Fraiche by Chanel

starting at $90
Go classy and get her Chanel. This one is light and fresh but still soft and romantic, perfect for day to date night.

For Him:

Get: L'Homme Eau de Toilette by YSL

starting at $48
This smells clean and warm and definitely makes you want to get close enough to get another whiff.

This one might seem cliche but never underestimate the power of scent to rev up those lovey feelings. 

For Either/Both

4. Bose 'QuietComfort® 15' Acoustic Noise Cancelling® Headphones (Limited Edition)

$299
Love doesn't always have to be loud.

5. Fixx Chocolate Bar Sampler

$34
Doesn't this look better than your average heart shaped box of chocolate? Flavors include caramel sea salt, peanut butter nougat, cashew and caramel, pretzels and coconut, maple bacon, praline and passion fruit. mmmm

6. Gilded Cable Throw 

$59

7. Leica M-E

Starting at around $5000 this is going to set you back quite a piece but seriously what better to capture memories than with the best of the best.

Sometimes gifts don't have to be so material in nature. In fact Valentine's Day is one of the more appropriate and honestly almost demanding holidays/occasions when it comes to sentimental gifts. Personalized gifts are always thoughtful and romantic. 

Personalized Gifts

8. Personalized Prints
Love is Blinding by the Red Panda Purveyor

$25

Squirrels in Love by The Red Panda Purveyor

$29
Now don't get me wrong. I don't write this blog for personal promotion but I do think that this is a great Valentine's Day gift. Both can be highly personalized and everything from anniversary dates to sweet sentiments in Macedonian has been "written" in the tree.

9. Spoons by Jessica N Designs

$18

$20

10. Embroidered Cards from the Minted Fig Card Co.

$4.50 each
Hallmark doesn't have anything on these cute cards!

11. Leather Journal/Sketchbook by Badger and Chirp

Go ahead and get some wine, write some love poems, and give a gift that is the pinnacle of thoughtful and sweet.

At only $25, this proves you don't need money to buy happiness.

Current Obsession: Felt Hats

You know how it is, once you get into your head a certain item of clothing or accessory you can't help but help scour every internet shopping site/fashion blog/Pinterest page you know looking for that perfect item and how/when to wear it. Here lately I can't stop obsessing over felt hats. I wish I could more accurately describe the hat, for example say, Panama, fedoras, pork pie, etc. but honestly I think it's more of the feeling behind the hat and the attitude it conveys that interests me rather than the specific style of hat. 

It all started when I came across pics of Saint Laurent's Spring/Summer 2013 Ready to Wear collection. The clothes themselves were amazing, stylish and sophisticated with a bit of edge. However, it was the addition of felt hats that for me really made the looks stand out. 

Of course, as fashion generally goes I went from runway to retail to street style.

Only look with short sleeves (see quandary below).

Now this leads me to my current quandary. I have said it before and I will say it again, how does one wear hats? No one around me ever wears hats and I'm pretty sure if I did people would tap me on the shoulder and ask, "Are you aware that you are inside? You can take your hat off now." So there's that.

But that's not it. All these hats are felt and most of the looks that I'm seeing involve cool weather clothing. But what if I want to use a hat to convey a cool girl attitude when it isn't cool outside? I know that a straw hat is the obvious answer but while I do love the straw hat, I want to somehow make this look transcend to summer as well. 

Do you say, screw the rules and do whatever you want or only wear felt hats in weather where a light jacket is required?

As always I would love to hear your comments and ideas. Help a girl out!

Floral Fascination

It's mid January. I am aware that we are very much still in the grip of winter with all it's chill and ice. However, when it comes to fashion, mentally, I am focused on spring. Once the new year starts, I am ready to forget about the cold and pretend that its 70 degrees and everything is in bloom. I guess that is why I gravitate towards floral this time of year. I don't mean winter floral or even print that happens to contain fauna of an kind. I'm talking about light, airy, unabashedly romantic and feminine springtime floral. It doesn't hurt that by this time all the designers have already debuted their spring collections and they never disappoint. So for those of you that are "so over" winter, enjoy. 

Valentino

Dolce and Gabbana

Dolce and Gabbana

Ralph Lauren Blue Label

Giambattista Valli

Elie Saab

Elie Saab

Valentino

Zuhair Murad

Zuhair Murad

Zuhair Murad

Marchesa

Zac Posen

New Year New Hair

There's something about the beginning of a new year that makes me want to change up my look. New year, new look, right? The problem is I can't make up my mind what kind of look I want. My first order of business is to get a haircut (new clothes take more time..and money). But what kind of cut do I want and more importantly what will work with my hair's texture and the way it lays? After looking at all the runway shows and trying my best to predict spring hair trends I have decided that basically what I already have (long and straight) is going to be in and lends itself well to the sleek ponytails, messy bunny, and beachy waves that have been storming the runways. However, that doesn't help me much when I'm trying to take myself in a new stylistic direction.

So again after countless wasted hours perusing the internet I have whittled it down to a few different options. You know the old saying, "measure twice, cut once" so I better "look at all the options, cut once."

Parted Bangs

Alexa gets it so right.

Amazing as always.

Bangs (full fringe)
Full bangs always imply that the wearer is super hip and definitely has cool places to be

Rose Byrne is a fox!

Dark Red
Here is where it gets really tricky. I love this look but I don't really think it would look good on me. In fact I'm wondering if the best look is seriously to keep the look I have but then again that could be the nerves talking. I need a stylist. Brad Goreski if you are out there please contact me please. 

As always comments are always appreciated. What hair trends do you see coming up?What look are you currently wanting/rocking?