valentine's day shopping at pacific place

valentine's day is tomorrow! 

if you're anything like me, you may

(or may not) have left your valentine's

day shopping to the last minute.

#procrastination

if you're from the seattle area, you

can pick up something fun and festive

for everyone on your shopping list at 

pacific place. (stores include, but are not 

limited to: ann taylor, francesca's, 

papyrus, something silver, the art of shaving, 

the handmade showroom, 

tiffany & co., trophy cupcakes, and more!)

if you aren't from seattle, fortunately,

many of these items, or similar items, can

be found online.

i have a handful of people
on my shopping list this year--my parents,

younger brother, boyfriend, a coworker, and 

several girlfriends. prior to my shopping
trip, i wasn't certain about what i wanted to buy. i
knew cards and cupcakes were essential, but
otherwise, i hoped a bit of window shopping

would provide inspiration. i should have

known better :)

disclosure: i recently collaborated (in a sponsored capacity) with pacific place on 
instagram. this post is not sponsored--i simply wanted to share these beautiful photos and 
many of the goodies i picked up on my valentine's day shopping trip.

i first visited papyrus for cards,

gift bags, and any other "essential" goodies that

caught my eye. many of you already know this, but

we have an elderly dachshund in our family.

anything and everything dachshund is seemingly
essential, so when i saw the above dachshund jewelry

tray, i knew it was coming home with me!

i also picked up adorable (and high quality) cards

for everyone on my list.

^^^ i brought home the crescent moon necklace,
shown above, for myself--valentine's day, treat yo' self? ^^^

next, i stopped into something silver.

i love the look of delicately-layered necklaces,

and was hoping to add one (or two) to my

collection. my mom also enjoys wearing dainty, yet

classic jewelry items. the variety of sterling
silver pieces at something silver kept my hands
and eyes busy--i had to try on everything!

next on my agenda was visiting
the handmade showroom. there were beautiful
art pieces, home decor, jewelry, cold-weather
accessories, and more. i wanted to buy it all,
and i appreciate any opportunity to
support local, independent artists and small business
owners. if you're local to or visiting seattle, you
must stop by the handmade showroom.
they have gifts for everyone (pets included).

^^^ i loved this beautifully painted washington

state mug! ^^^

^^^ unfortunately, i wasn't able to bring any of

these 'silver + salt' hermiker rings home with me, but i

am determined to go back--or if anyone wants to buy

a valentine's treat for me, i won't oblige ;) ^^^

moms, aunts, sisters, girlfriends, female
coworkers--they're easy to shop for! give us all the
jewelry, chocolate, and pink goodies, please. men are
somewhat more difficult. fortunately, i was able
 to pop into j.crew for festive socks and the art of shaving
for hair and skincare products. i realize men
 aren't nearly as excited about skincare as their female
counterpart, but the delicious-smelling products
 at the art of shaving sold me!

photos by karya schanilec photography

last, but not least: chocolate. 

or more accurately, chocolate cupcakes!

valentine's day isn't complete without a few tasty

treats, and trophy cupcakes are fresh and

delicious. i brought home a box of four

to share with my family, and we devoured them.

a special thank you to pacific place for

meeting all of my shopping needs this year, despite

 my utter procrastination. need to

pick up any last minute goodies?

be sure to stop be!

xoxo.

your holiday gift guide from bartell drugs

the holidays are upon us, and it

is never too early to begin the somewhat daunting

task of finding those 'perfect' gifts. 

who are you shopping for this year? your mom,

dad, brother, or sister? spouse? friend?

extended family member? regardless of who is on your

holiday gift list, this gift basket (and all of the

festive, tasty, and adorable goodies inside) 

is seemingly perfect for anyone!

instead of scouring department stores

or the local grocer, my mom and i visited

bartell drugs. we were eager to find something

special for my aunt and uncle, our gracious

thanksgiving hosts. fortunately, we live

just over a mile from bartell drugs and were

able to forgo the crowds and black friday chaos

to complete our holiday shopping.

before our shopping trip, my mom and

i planned to curate a unique (and fun) gift basket

for my aunt and uncle, while also stocking up

on miscellaneous goodies for a neighborhood gift

exchange, secret santa games at work, and of 

course, a few delicious treats for our pantry. 

who can say 'no' to dark chocolate?

disclosure: a special thank you to bartell drugs for providing me with a gift

card used to purchase the items in this post. as per usual, all opinions are my own!

we may have been slightly over-zealous

when putting this basket together (it was heavy),

but we couldn't help ourselves! bartell drugs, a 

local, family-owned company, carries a variety of

washington-based brands, including food, 

beverages, beauty, and personal-care items.

in our basket, we included:

beecher's handmade cheese crackers

biscoffee shortbread cookies (espresso coffee)

hallmark 'thank you' cards

joes chocolates (in midnight coconut)

market spice tea (in cinnamon orange)

maury island farms jam (in strawberry rhubarb)

northpole throw blanket (in white)

rub with love chicken rub

seattle chocolates pike place espresso truffle bar

snowman spatula

torch illumination candle (in blood orange)

uncle woody's popcorn (caramel corn)

photos by karya schanilec photography

as we walked up and down the (not-so-

crowded, and well-stocked) aisles, we pointed to 

different goodies and said 'oh, yes, this!' and 'oh, they 

would love that.' a few additional chocolate bars may or 

may not have ended up in our cart, too. 

when planning your holiday shopping, don't forget

about your local bartell drugs. in addition to 

carrying an assortment of home goods, 

pharmacy products, and other locally sourced items, 

bartell drugs is passionate about giving

back to our community. during the holiday season

(and throughout the year), they support and

contribute to our community at large by

partnering with organizations such as food lifeline,

school tools, teddy bear patrol, seattle's

union gospel mission, and more!

have you started your holiday shopping?

i have to admit, while i enjoy shopping for myself,

shopping for others is far more fun!

xoxo.

my top cyber monday picks

we celebrated thanksgiving, enjoyed far
too much pie (and later braved the gym crowds),
hunted for the best black friday deals, and now,
cyber monday is here! grab a cup of coffee
and cozy blanket, as i share my 25-favorite
fall and winter items, perfect to gift
or purchase if you want to treat yo' self.

did you brave the mall on black friday?

i went briefly (or as brief as one can be
when sandwiched amongst 1289819031
fellow shoppers) and then came home to finish
my shopping online. who can turn down
free shipping while shopping from
the comfort of your couch?!

happy cyber monday, everyone!
i found this forbes article, predicting how much
consumers (on average) will spend on cyber
monday, particularly intriguing.
which deals/retailers are you most excited
to shop?
xoxo.

practicing self-care during the holiday season

 'nourishing yourself in a way that helps you

blossom in the direction you want to go is attainable,

and you are worth the effort.'

-- deborah day
 

 the holiday season is an incredibly busy

time (this is not news to anyone!).

working full-time, dedicating time to friends

and family, attending various holiday 

parties and gatherings -- this girl is busy.

i am sure the same is true for you, too!

with numerous work and personal functions

taking place this time of year, stress can be prominent.

however, taking time for yourself, while

allowing time for your body to decompress,
is important for your physical and emotional wellness.

disclosure: l'occitane usa gracioulsy gifted me the advent calendars pictured in this post.

as per usual, all opinions are my own!

 photos by chelsea macor photography

one of my favorite ways to decompress?

skin and body care!

i greatly enjoy applying face masks,

rubbing on delicious-smelling body creams,

lip scrubs, and other oils, lotions, etc.

the act of applying these, and the spa-like scent, 

elicits a calm-like feeling. light a candle, grab a 

new book and cup of tea, and you are ready 

for a stress-free evening.

l'occitane graciously gifted me two

advent calendars in preparation for the holidays. 

both are filled with tiny (and adorable) skincare

goodies to sample throughout the month of december.

a few of the goodies you can find inside?

almond shower oil

almond supple skin oil

almond delicious hand cream

cherry blossom shimmery body lotion

divine cream

divine youth oil

shea butter hand cream

 shea butter lip balm

 and more!

black friday is upon us!
l'occitane is offering 30% off gift sets,
discounted advent calendars, and a free 17-piece
gift set with some purchases (exclusions
may apply). if you are looking for the perfect
gift for your holiday hostess, beloved family
member, or a treat for yourself, be sure to
visit l'occitane (in store and online).

may your holiday season be enjoyable
and relaxing!
xoxo.

cozy sweaters & floppy hats

winter has arrived with a vengence in seattle - we had snow flurries

and several 30 degree-temperature-days last week, and this girl

is ready for some sunshine! i've kept warm by layering cozy sweaters

and scarves, and of course, sipping on a cup of coffee

or tea throughout the day. 

i don't know about you, but i find it hard to stay motivated during 

the winter months - it's dark when i arrive at work and dark when i leave

the office. i feel sleepy all the time, and with the holidays approaching,

my couch and christmas movie marathons sound far too appealing!  

and speaking of the holidays - have you finished your shopping?

i was terrible this year and have procrastinated to the bitter end

(which means a few of the items i ordered online won't be here in time!). 

my goal for next year: shop early. and avoid the mall.

thankfully the majority of my shopping is done. 

the gift wrapping, however? it will happen at some point... 

photos by jenn from hello rigby

sweater: urban outfitters (exact here - on sale, too!), jeans: zara (similar here), 

booties: thrifted (via indie frock),

purse: fred meyer, hat: target (similar here), rings: forever 21

i picked up this sweater on the sale rack at urban outfitters

and have been wearing it on repeat (i linked it above, and it's been marked down further!). 

paired with my leggings or pajamas while at home and 

skinny jeans for a coffee date and running errands on the weekend -

it's comfortable and versatile.

it's hard to believe there are just three days left until christmas! 

i'll be over here singing christmas carols to myself and eating

far too much chocolate while i procrastinate further on my gift wrapping

(and somehow try to remain focused during the work-day).

happy holidays, everyone!

xoxo.

merry thriftmas!

merry thriftmas, everyone!

it's that time of year - time to dig out your ugliest 

(and tackiest and most ridiculous) of sweaters to wear for your 

upcoming holiday celebrations. 

don't have one in your closet?

you can do what i did and visit your local value village.

i found some terribly tacky (but equally wonderful) sweaters

in both the holiday and general sweater section. 

^^^ this particular sweater has a cottage, hearts, flowers, snowflakes, 

a snowman, and a christmas tree all in one! i don't think it could 

be any more festive! ^^^

while i could have emphasized the tackiness even more (perhaps

pairing the sweater with printed leggings or red and green tights), 

i decided to go a different route by wearing my favorite tulle skirt

and chambray. this allows the sweater to be the focal point of my outfit.

photos by kerouac photography

dress: target (similar here), chambray: nordstrom, sweater & heels: c/o value village

when planning my recent trip to value village,

i made sure to first clean out my closet. it was in desperate need

of a thorough clean, and i was eager to donate my unused

clothing, outerwear and shoes - and as per usual, i brought home more

then just my ugly sweater when thrifting. the store closest to my house

always has the best selection!

do you have any ugly sweater party coming up?

what do you plan to wear? tulle, sequins, or faux leather

leggings would be a fun, yet stylish addition to your outfit!

and of course, if you're shopping for a fun (and tacky!) holiday sweater, 

don't forget to shop value village. their new and used holiday items 

are half-off december 18 - 24th; happy thrifting!

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. a very special thank

you to value village for providing me with the gift card

used to purchase this sweater. all opinions are my own!

what to wear: holiday party style

sequin dress // clutch // heels // cuff // velvet dress 

^^^ each of the above items are under $100, too! ^^^

whether you have a work event, family get-together, or holiday party

with friends, deciding what to wear can be troublesome (perhaps you're 

like me and try on every dress in your closet beforehand?). 

feeling comfortable, while also looking nice, yet festive can be a balancing act;

you may want to add a bit more flair to your everyday dress. where do you begin? 

a few of my favorites this season? 

sequins, velvet, faux fur, and accessories galore! 

party season has begun, and i am already brainstorming outfit ideas!

this year, i have three work-related parties to attend and

two family gatherings that will take place in the coming weeks. 

as much as i would love to have a separate dress

for each occasion, that simply isn't practical. 

i am hoping to use this black velvet dress (exact here) as my 'basic'

and build additional outfits by swapping out my faux fur jacket

and other accessories (a blazer, oversized sweater, and sequined bomber

jacket could also be paired with this dress - to name a few).

photos by fellow blogger and friend, jenn from hello rigby

dress: zara (exact here), clutch: forever 21 (similar here),

heels: nordstrom (similar here), ring: nordstrom, cuff: c/o rebekah j designs,

jacket: nordstrom (last season; similar here)

i am also lusting after this dress and this skirt from zara (both of which

are budget-friendly!).

though busy, i just can't get enough of the holiday decorations

and activities this year! do you have several parties to attend? what

are you planning to wear?

xoxo.

catching the light

one (**slight) challenge that accompanies being a fashion blogger

during the fall and winter months is how unpredictable the weather can be.

i prefer taking photos outdoors, as i find the natural light, city backdrop, 

and variety of locations available enhance the photos a great deal -

however, there are days when it's simply too cold or raining too hard,

and now, it's dark before the work day ends. oh, the disappointment! 

however, on this particular afternoon,

elizabeth kathryn caught the light just perfectly (and thankfully, 

it wasn't too chilly for me, either)!

the holiday season is in full swing, and i can't get enough

of the decorations, christmas lights hung everywhere in the city,

and of course, the delicious treats and drinks (the chestnut praline 

latte at starbucks is one of my current guilty pleasures). 

i decorated my coworker and mine's office at work with 

ornaments, a red and green pom-pom banner, and a few others items

borrowed from my mom's christmas collection. we have also

been listening to michael buble's christmas album on repeat!

photos and makeup by elizabeth kathryn photography

sweater: zara (similar here). jeans: asos. oxford flats and bracelets: forever 21, 

clutch: tj maxx (similar here), earrings: nordstrom (exact here)

despite my eagerness for the upcoming holidays, i have yet

to begin any holiday shopping (!!!). what do you think - will 

i be able finish in time?! leaving things to the last minute has become somewhat 

of a trend for me in recent years, so i have a feeling i will be utilizing my 

lunch breaks to complete my shopping list. wish me luck!

xoxo.

the perfect gift for anyone on your list from ankit!

happy thursday, everyone! where has the week gone?!

my new job has kept me especially busy (i shared the details

of what i'm doing now here) - commuting downtown, learning as much as i can about

the finance industry, and studying for an upcoming exam

has left little time for blogging; when ankit reached out to me 

for a fun collaboration, however, i knew i had to say yes!

shop: mug // iphone case // headphones

returning to the corporate workplace has certainly 

been an adjustment. there are days when i have to remind myself to stand up,

stretch, and simply take a break from my computer screen.

i typically strive to go for a walk each day during lunch, not only as a means

of staying active (as i'm no longer spending my days chasing after

toddlers), but also to relieve stress. my walks are often 

accompanied by music and coffee - my new marble, noise-cancelling 

headphones are perfect when i'm in the city and on-the-go!

the 'wonderlust' mug seemingly holds just the right amount of coffee (or tea!)

and is kept on my desk.

photos by kerouac photography

sweater & tank: nordstrom (old), jeans: american eagle outfitters (exact here),

bracelets: alex and ani

as a girl with a ridiculous sweet tooth, i couldn't resist 

this adorable donut iphone case! 

phone cases are essential for me. i tend to be a bit rough 

on my phone, and this case is both lightweight and protective.

and ankit might just be my new favorite online shop -

a marketplace with everything from art and jewelry trays to pillows 

and tech accessories; there is something for everyone.

i'm currently lusting after this water bottle these adorable pizza lights.

with the holiday's fast approaching, ankit can help you cross items off 

your shopping list (with gifts that are unique and fun).

i know of a few things that my mom, girlfriends, and co-workers

would enjoy! you can also find ankit on instagram, facebook, and pinterest.

happy shopping!

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post.

a very special thank you to ankit for 

providing me with the mug, phone case and 

headphones in this post. all opinions are my own!

holiday gift guide for her (part ii)

i shared the first part of my holiday gift guide, 

featuring seattle goods and services, here.

i have a few additional ideas for the women in your life;

happy shopping!

photos found here

you know i am completely addicted to false lashes! i apply 

drugstore brand lash-strips most days. i've come to feel naked 

without them (whoops!). the solution? 

a visit to noir lash lounge, located in bellevue.

schedule an appointment at their boutique before attending 

your holiday parties! you're sure to look and feel glamorous

with a gorgeous set of lashes. to learn more about 

noir lash lounge, visit their website here.

cap sleeve top // ankle leggings // camisole classic

are you familiar with mere basics? 

this local brand features luxurious layering pieces that are 100% cashmere! 

each item is incredibly soft with feminine details. 

the tanks, tops, and leggings are sleek and lightweight enough 

that they can be worn year-round. be sure to check out mere basics

when completing your holiday shopping here.

photo found here

is there a fashionista in your family?

look no further than lika love! the former mobile boutique 

has grown into two, full-line stores in the seattle area.

malika and her team will help you find the perfect 

gifted item - whether a holiday dress, cozy sweater,

comfortable jacket, or accessories to wear with all the above!

learn more about lika love and check out her lookbook here.

despite completing two holiday shopping gift guides, 

i have yet to start actually shopping! here's to hoping

the sales continue, the shopping isn't too tedious,

and i can find the perfect gift for everyone on my list.

xoxo. 

holiday gift guide for her

thanksgiving is over, which means!? it's time for 

anything and everything christmas! 

will and i started decorating our apartment yesterday.

as we live in a studio, we don't have space for a christmas tree,

but you can bet i've hung ornaments and decor in every nook and cranny!

one of my favorite parts of the holiday season is shopping for 

friends and family. shopping can be stressful, but certainly doesn't have to be!

i put together a few gift guides for the upcoming holiday season- 

this first one is dedicated to the women in your life;

all of the items or services are local to seattle, too!

filigree & sea foam green bracelet by lk designs // black & crystal drop filigree earrings by lk designs

burgandy flower & pearl earrings by atelier godole // golden flower pendant necklace by lk designs

jj caprices, founded by jennifer jedda, 

is an online-based bellevue boutique. each of jennifer's pieces

are hand chosen from all over the world! they are gorgeous and unique, 

yet affordable. i'm lusting after all of the above items (especially 

the black and crystal drop filigree earrings, by lk designs).

best of all, a portion of the proceeds from each sale is 

donated to world vision to help women and girls in need.

you can learn more about local boutique, jj caprices here.

photo from here

do you have a fashion-lover in your family? 

or could a lucky lady in your life benefit from a closet makeover?

styled seattle is the answer!

with styled seattle, you can provide someone the opportunity to work

with a professional stylist. the stylist will examine

what is already in their closet and help recommend or fill in potential gaps.

visit styled seattle here to purchase a gift certificate.

photos from here

located on upper queen anne, bella fiore organic med spa

offers a holistic approach to skin care and treatment. bella fiore uses the latest

in organic skin care technologies to provide lasting, beautiful results. 

they also offer med spa facials, laser hair removal, and detox retreats. 

this year, treat your mom (or girlfriend, aunt or grandma!)

to the gift of happy skin at bella fiore. 

learn more about beauty packages and services here.

photos from here

the gift of good health? priceless!

for the health and wellness gals in your life, 

a subscription box or gift certificate to jujubeet is simply perfect.

organic and artisan juices, smoothies, and tasty treats

are just some of what is on jujubeet's menu. i am anxious to try the 'green limeade'

(spinach, parsley, kale, celery, cucumber, apple and lime!!). 

you can find a jujubeet location near you here!

happy shopping, and stay tuned for additional

gift guides coming soon!

xoxo.