engagement guide

As promised last week, here is a gift guide for an engagement of a close friend. 

[one]: CHAMPAGNE; There's nothing better to celebrate with than the couples favorite bottle of bubbly!

The couple I'm celebrating loves the Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs. 

[two]: NOTEBOOK; Every planning bride-to-be needs a mini, light-weight notebook that they can throw in their purse, car, gym bag, ect so that when a "light bulb", "got-to-have-that", moment hits, they can write it down quickly.

There isn't a notebook on the market that I love better than the Field Notes brand.  

[three]: CHOCOLATE; a good bar of chocolate is like a bar of gold.

This one is dark chocolate, sea salt, and toffee. It's to-die-for!

[four]: HAND CREAM; A hand that's got a brand new sparkly ring needs the hand cream to go along with it.

This one is rich in shea butter which is my favorite because it doesn't feel greasy or sticky and stays on long. The bonus to this one is that the packaging is delightful. 

[five]: BOX; The moment that you realize you're ring is not on you're finger, you panic.  If you have ONE place to put it when you take a shower, wash the dishes, go to bed, you'll feel better knowing it's always there. This is advice I've given to all my friend who get engaged and ask me what I do with my ring when it's not on my finger. 

I love that this dish has a lid so that dust and other bits don't end up alongside your ring. 

[six]: POLISH; The first months, ok years, that I've had my ring I've wanted my nails perfectly manicured. A neutral color that you can paint yourself, or take with you to the salon so that when it needs touching up you've got it, is key. 

Dear Diary polish by OPI for Sephora is a great shade and lasts long. 

[seven]: PJ SHORTS (or lingerie); Every girl needs cozy things that make her feel good. 

Anthropologie always has great pieces. 

Every great present needs a great card too. I made this one for my friends... 

If you want to make one like this, you can follow this DIY. 

Happy Friday peeps! Go love on your friends this weekend!

xo

DIY: minted clutch

[DIY clutch and photos for by way of ney]

So we've all got that bag lying around. The one that we don't really use any more because we don't love, or have a purpose for, but we haven't donated to the nearest Goodwill yet either. Well, hold onto to it! And turn it into something beautiful and functional to you. 

You'll need:

an old fabric bag

(could be a zippered pouch, a canvas tote, any one you've got lying around)

(obviously you could always do this by buying a blank canvas bag from the craft store)

Martha Stewart multi-surface paint

(the paint used here is the glossy Sea Glass)

a wide square-tipped paint brush

baker's twine

(the one used here is the Honeydew)

scrap beads

(mine are from a necklace that broke)

Begin:

Prep your area with something to catch any misguided paint, paper towels and water.

Cut a piece of cardboard the size of your bag and place it inside so that the paint doesn't seep through and stick to each other on the inside. This also helps in the painting process as it keeps the bag rigid. Paint away. I find that it works best to coat the fabric if you paint in multiple directions rather than sticking to a one directional brush strokes. Let it be while it dries. Have a cup of tea or a little snack and when you come back, it'll be ready for another coat. This paint dries quickly! Without a second coat you will be able to see some of the pattern from the original fabric. 

Once your bag is completely dry you can pick it up and remove the cardboard inside. To add a tassel, cut your twine into eight pieces approximately 6 inches long. String your beads onto each end and tie it off so they won't fall off. (You could skip the beads, do one bead on each end, or multiples. I chose three.) Once you have each of the eight pieces strung and tied you are ready to fold it in half, thread the end with no bead through the zipper pull, then thread the beaded ends through the hole created by and at the folded end. This way you don't have any "tying" to do but the tassel is completely attached. 

AND ta-da...you're done! A water resistant clutch to take anywhere. You can use it as a clutch, as a catch all in your gym bag, in the car for backup supplies, makeup, or first aid...you name it, it does it! It really is as easy as could be. This whole project probably took me 1 hour (plus dry time). 

Go find that old bag lying around your house and make it new!

Have fun!

10 for the weekend

1] A display company to talk about. 

2] An outdoor party to be a part of. 

3] If you love furry friends, you'll love this. 

4] The perfect storage bin. [style & function]

5] A stunning video of the best place on earth.

6] Beautiful leather bangles and wrap bracelets.  

7] Hand designed and created scarves perfect for spring. 

8] An iPhone case that won't fly away. Bravo Andy Warhol. 

9] An affordable and amazing panama hat to add to the summer sun blockers. 

10] Of all the Snow White themed shows right now this is the one I want to see. 

BONUS: 

If you missed the greatest goodies that my husband brought me home from Coachella check here.

Also, looking for a bathing suit, check out this line...you'll love it all. 

I hope your weekend is full of joy and laughter! Check back next week for a DIY clutch, spring fashion picks, gifts for an engagement, and so much more! We're headed off to San Francisco this weekend for a quick and fast work related trip that will have much fun too, of course! I can't wait to see one of my best friends who is newly engaged. We're going to brunch to celebrate at a new San Francisco brunch find. We always love heading to San Francisco since that is where we got engaged (story here) too!

lauren moffatt...yes please.

If there is a designer whose entire look book I would wear it would definitely be Lauren Moffatt's spring collection. From the white feminine dresses to the brightly structured and colored patterns and the bathing suits...oh the bathing suits. Please and yes please! 

*all photos owned by Lauren Moffat

*all layouts for by way of ney

coachella comes home

I'm feeling super blessed today because while KC was away working at Coachella this past weekend, he was given amazing products to bring home to me. The swag bags that came home from parties by companies like Burton, Foam, and Rescue Water were loaded with things that I already loved and new ones that I fell in love with at first site. I may not have been frolicking around the desert in a crop top with flowers in my hair, listening to my favorite bands, but Coachella sure did come home to me! What a lucky girl I am!

1] FOAM magazine {fashion.ocean.art.music}: I wasn't familiar with this magazine before but now that I am I want to live everyday running around in a bathing suit...in other words...I'm longing for summer. 

2] Quay {life is too short to simply blend in} sunnies from Australia: Sunnies are one of those things you can't really have enough of. A functional addition to the collection is always welcome but these are fun too!

3] field notes {"I'm not writing to down to remember it later, I'm writing it down to remember it now."} brand of notebooks: I'm stoked to have a new set of these memo books. They are printed and made in the states and launched in Santa Monica this year.  

4] incipio feather iPhone case in sea foam: We all know that MINT is the color of the season. Just when I needed a new case this little beauty came home to me! 

5] URBAN DECAY {beauty with an edge}: When it comes to makeup I'm a pretty basic girl. Having the Urban Decay eye liner in electric is a fun way to spice up my normal day-to-day with a punch of color. 

6] Kai perfume {breath life flow}: The scent of Kai has long since been a favorite of mine. There is nothing more soothing than a scent that instantly allows you to transcend your daily life and be on a beach vacation in no time. One of the best things about this perfume is that it comes in a perfect sized, concentrated roll-on so that you can bring it anywhere with you...trust me, you'll want to.  

7] ncLA polish {brewed to perfect in sunny California} in Hollywood & Vine Starlet: Not only does this line come in amazing colors but it is 5 Free which means that it doesn't have the 5 main carcinogens that other polishes have. SCORE!

8] eos {the evolution of smooth} shave cream: This shave cream is the only one I'll use. I've used the vanilla for a long time and it's been my favorite but I'm excited to try out this lavender jasmine which smells amazing. Not only does it smell good but it's loaded with shea butter and natural aloe to make you feel smooth, is not tested on animals, has no animal by-products and is paraben-free. 

9] last but not least, amazing clothes from amazing companies like: 

1 mango & 1 mint colored shirt like these from Blue Life by Planet Blue and 1 bandeau bra from them

this bright yellow Burton twist tank top

a cozy grey shirt similar to these from WkShp

&

a bohemian tube top from lucca couture

On a completely different note, today is also National Stress Awareness Day. So get outside, take deep breaths, make a list of 5 things you are grateful for, grab a drink with friends. Deny the stress in your life and CHOOSE JOY! 

spring snacking

The best of a midday snack will fill your tank back up to keep you going both in pleasure and in taste. Like with all things, I think that the presentation of food is important. Even a little snack should make you feel grateful & happy which, for me, means putting it on a plate or in a bowl that makes me enjoy the snack just that much more. So, aside from our set of dishes I have a few one off plates, bowls and trays that bring me joy just to see. This tray is probably one of, if not the most, of my favorite dishes.

The back story:  From conception to the final product, this tray means so much to me. I made it in a ceramics class that my mom and I took together. When my grandma was still alive she was known to take an inquisitive look over at your plate and wait patiently for you to notice her. Once you did she'd ask what was on your plate. After responding, we'd then ask her if she wanted some and depending on what it was she'd answer either "I might like to try to a little" or "I might like to try some." I knew I wanted this legendary response incorporated into my kitchen and know I'm so glad that I do. 

Now onto the snack! A few crackers spread generously with triple cream brie cheese, a dollop of fig preserves, and a sliced Bosch pear on the side. It is equal parts crunchy, sweet, creamy, salty and all parts perfection! 

Enjoy! 

all photos for by way of ney

juice into spring

After many trips to Whole Foods for a green juice PACKED with vitamins, I finally went for it and ordered a Breville juicer.  After a few days it arrived and a quick trip to Trader Joe's left me armed with loads of organic produce and this is my result...

Into the juicer went...

plus...

The healthy living tool of the season...

My final product...

It was everything that I hoped it would be! 

If you don't have a juicer at home you can always mix and match with fresh juice from the local market. Think; tangerine, carrot, pomegranate and a green machine. 

warmth and relaxation welcomed

While the majority of my clients have been away for Spring Break, some had their break last week, and some don't have it until next week. That means that even though work is slow, I'm still not free to run off on a little vacation. [I'd LOVE to be somewhere warm...with warm ocean water!] That said, I think I can still come up with a little vacation in my own town, a "staycation" as they call it. Tomorrow my sister and I are sold on making it happen. With a day of lounging ahead, I am loving the thought of adorning with these goodies. 

[layout for by way of ney]

1] a bright bathing suit: There isn't anything about this suit not to love. The color is a perfect mix of neon green with a little pastel feeling. A suit that has a top cut like this, without straps, allows you not to have to worry about your tan lines differing from day to day. Plus, those ruffles...so cute and yet sexy instead of juvenile. It can be found at h&m for a mere $29 for the whole thing!

2] a comfortable fit sweater: Although the sun is beginning to creep into our lives more and more [yipeee!], it is still COLD in the shade. Unfortunately this sweater, by Vince, is not available online anymore but a similar one, bold stripes and great colors, is available at J. Crew.

3] a watch to keep it all together: There isn't many a Michael Kors watch that I don't love! And, in my opinion a watch is a piece that should look good and feel good on. 

4] a catch ALL bag: For a day out of the house and about town, being able to transition from brunch, to shopping, to something relaxing [read massage or manicure/pedicure or both], to basking in the sun you need a bag that can carry it all. This drawstring bag from Zara is a great size with perfect style flair. I really love the rope that they used for the closure.

5] a marathon shoe: A comfortable pair of shoes is a must when you know you'll be in them for the duration of a day. I love this pair of leather gladiators by Steve Madden. The best part is they have a mini heel so they aren't completely flat.

6] jean shorts: I know they aren't for every one but this California girl loves her jean shorts. They go a long way for spring and summer wear. You need a good pair too! Like these from Levis, these from Big Star Remy, these from J. Crew, or these from Forever 21.

april inspiration

Hello hello April! I'm happy to see you and all that you bring. Rainy days to water the wild flowers, sunny days to warm all the way to the core, chilly nights to stay cuddled up, the celebration of Easter, the possibility of a Spring "break," long stems of blooming branches, fresh apricots, cherries, and artichokes all in season, and of course, like Shakespeare said, the youth that comes with the season. Babies abound and everything is coming alive again!