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.

new year; new goals!

happy 2018, everyone!

in past years, i have greatly enjoyed

making (seemingly lavish) NYE plans, dressing

up, and ringing in the new year in high style.

this year, however, an oversized sweatshirt,

netflix, and gluten free pizza sounded far

more appealing. perhaps this is due to my

age? or a busy holiday season?

regardless, i skipped the fuss and kindly said,

'no, thank you,' to a few holiday party 

invites. while i didn't indulge in pizza,

i was seated on my couch at 12:00am and

could not have been happier!

how did you spend your NYE? i shall

live vicariously through you.

2017 was a busy, yet productive year:

i experienced a change (or two) in positions

at work, moved north of the city, visited

lake chelan and las vegas, enrolled in a certificate

program at the university of washington,

and spent a great deal of time with family and friends.

i also enjoyed sharing outfits, style tips,

and my daily adventures with you (here!).

in 2018, i look forward to continued

career development, completing 

the aforementioned certificate program, pursuing

a physically and emotionally healthy lifestyle,

and, of course, devoting a large chunk of my free 

time to creating new blog content. in fact, this blog is 

currently 'under construction' (re a new domain

and overall design). i am eager to share the 

details very soon!

additionally, i hope to continue 

experimenting with new (and old) fashion

trends; 70s inspired fashion, i am looking at you!
a coworker and dear friend of mine

has sworn off purchasing new items in 2018. 

i find this is an admirable endeavor, though 

i am not sure i possess enough self-discipline.

however, i will continue to purchase

clothing, shoes, and accessories second-hand,

as i have done in the past.

these boots were a thrifted find, and

i have been wearing them on repeat!

photos by karya schanilec photography

top and skirt: zara, purse: forever 21,

booties: paul green (thrifted via seattle goodwill),
 earrings: something silver

cheers to a new year!
do you typically set new goals or
outline new year's resolutions? i prefer goal-setting
and purchased a beautiful notebook to document these goals
(and to hold myself accountable).
xoxo.

fun and festive for the holidays

december is one of my favorite months

of the year! i cannot get enough of the holiday

lights, decor, and festivities (not to mention the 

delicious treats and baked goods that frequent

our office kitchen). spending time with family and

friends during the holiday season is of 

great importance, too. something about this

time of year feels, well, extra special.

the past few weekends have been filled

with parties, babysitting commitments,

and of course, last minute holiday shopping.

putting together fun, yet festive looks for these

events was at the top of my 'to do' list. 

well, maybe not right at the top, but i hoped

to find a few different pieces to mix and match

 for various occasions.

velvet and faux fur are prominent 

this time of year, and i could not wait to

style both. after all, you're allowed to dress

a bit more boldly than normal during

the holidays. grab all your velvet, faux fur,

and sequined items for the holidays!

i paired my velvet skirt with a blouse

(one i frequently wear to work), vest, and 

comfortable wedges. standing for extended periods

 and walking from one event to the next 

requires cute and comfortable footwear (sadly, no

heels for me). gold jewelry and a statement

clutch completed my look.

i have also worn this skirt with a lace

top, an oversized sweater (for a more casual

vibe), and a fitted cream blouse. the possibilities

are seemingly endless, as the skirt

is a neutral color, and this particular skirt

has proven to be a wardrobe staple.

photos by jenn from hello rigby

velvet skirt: nordstrom rack (similar here), 

flats: nine west, blouse: loft (similar here),

vest: target (exact here -- on sale!), ring: lucky brand.

clutch and bracelets: charming charlie

can you believe christmas is next weekend?

the holiday season always seems to sneak up on me.

i have a few last minute gifts to pick up

but otherwise feel ready. i cannot wait to wear

this velvet skirt to our christmas eve dinner!

xoxo.

baking with metropolitan market holiday pears

the holidays are around the corner,

and while i have yet to begin shopping,

decorating, cooking and baking, and other festive 

holiday activities are on my mind.

what are some of your favorite ways

to get into the holiday spirit?

i have to admit, cooking and baking

are not my greatest skills; i do enough to get 

by (when in doubt, make a smoothie (or order
takeout)), but i am determined to experiment with
a few new recipes this year!

disclosure: metropolitan market graciously gifted me the pears photographed
in today's post. as per usual, all opinions are my own!

metropolitan market generously sent

a flat of pears my way just before thanksgiving.

grown in medford, oregon, metropolitan market's 

(exclusive) holiday pears are delicious!

picked at their peak, the pears are cold-

conditioned and shipped to your local market.

after two days at home, the pears were deliciously
 ripe and ready to snack on and bake with.

quick aside, metropolitan market's biggest fan? my 
family's dachshund, bailey. she is a fruit-lover, 
and pears are among her favorite treats!

photos by karya schanilec photography

i have to admit, my family and i ate a few
more pears than originally planned (leaving less
than we anticipated for food preparation
purposes). another trip to metropolitan market,
before the holidays are over, is in our future.

two recipes we did try, however, were the
pear and fennel salad and cinnamon baked pears.
both were quick, easy, and tasty.
many of the ingredients are likely in your
pantry, so pick up a flat of holiday pears, and
let's get baking!

pear and fennel salad
dressing: 
2 tbsp sherry vinegar or lemon juice
1 tsp dijon mustard (to taste)
1 tsp honey
1 tsp salt (to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

salad:
6 cups arugula or other baby salad greens
1 and 1/2 cups thinly sliced fresh fennel bulb
2 ripe holiday pears (sliced)
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1/2 cup feta or gorgonzola cheese

preparation:
in a medium bowl, toss arugula, pear slices,
walnuts, and dressing. drizzle with
remaining dressing, and enjoy!

cinnamon baked pears
ingredients:
4 ripe holiday pears
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tbsp cinnamon sugar
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp kosher salt (to taste)

preparation:
preheat oven to 400 degrees,
halve pears and scoop out center to fit oatmeal crumble,
brush pears with melted butter and sprinkle
with cinnamon sugar,
combine oats, almonds, brown sugar,
cinnamon, and a pinch of salt,
pour remaining melted butter
into mixture and spoon into pear halves,
bake until pears are soft (approximately
30-40 minutes), enjoy!

have you begun holiday baking?
what are your favorite recipes?
xoxo.

and this year, i am especially thankful

the holiday season is in full swing!

it feels like there is a gathering, brunch, or

commitment of some sort every weekend from

now through the new year (just in case

you missed it, i recently shared a few ways in 

which i practice self-care during the busy holiday 

season on my blog here).

 don't get me wrong, i enjoy keeping busy. 

during this time, however, i find it particularly 

important to take a step back and reflect on the many 

blessings in my life: my family, friends,

a loving boyfriend, a job that keeps me 

busy, yet challenges me, and most recently, 

the opportunity to return to school (to name a few).

i must admit, clothes, shoes, and

jewelry also hold a special place in my heart

(as does a well-organized closet), but i digress.

i am grateful for cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice

creamer (the dairy-free version), rain-free fall days

(the colors on the trees in seattle during this time are

out of this world), and so much more!

of course, blogging also makes me

very happy, and for that, i am thankful.

i have been creating content for diary of this girl

for six years. this little blog has come

a long way, and i am eager to continue writing,

creating new outfits and style tips, and of

course, sharing my everyday happenings with you.

thank you for coming back!

we were fortunate to spend the thanksgiving

holiday with my aunt and uncle, cousins,

grandma, and our adorable pups. i ate far

too much stuffing and chocolate pie, but that's okay.

how did you celebrate? is anyone else

craving more stuffing and green bean casserole?

photos by brittany from coco & blush

dress: madewell (via crossroads),

sweater, bag, and boots: borrowed from coco & blush,

ring: lucky brand

while i didn't wear this outfit for 

thanksgiving dinner, i think it would have been a 

great option. pair it with a sweater or

cozy jacket! i had every intention of dressing up,

but instead opted for jeans and a loose-fitting blouse

(a girl's gotta have room for dessert).

as the weather continues to cool off, however,

i plan to style this plaid dress with dark

tights or layer a turtleneck underneath;

the options are seemingly endless!

i hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving.

and again, i am thankful for you!

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.

what to wear: fourth of july style

fourth of july is just around the corner, 

which means summer is officially here! hello 

farmers markets, blooming flowers (and subsequent allergies), 

pink lemonade, and all things summer-style. 

i have said this before, but i am a sunshine

and warm weather girl at heart. while spring and fall are

beautiful in seattle, summertime has a special place in

my heart. perhaps i am meant to live in california

where the summer temperatures stick around much longer

than they do in the pacific northwest ;)

i will be spending the fourth at lake chelan. 

for those of you not from here, it is

a two+ hour drive from the city in north-central

washington, with a large (beautiful) lake, several wineries, 

and numerous coffee shops and restaurants. i plan to

 spend the majority of the weekend lake-side with my new 

kristin hannah novel. i have my one piece

swimsuit and a few pairs of denim shorts ready to go!

disclosure: today i'm partnering with endless knot, a local seattle

boutique. they graciously lent me the overalls pictured here.

wearing red, white, and blue is one of my 

favorite combinations. i particularly enjoy wearing these 

colors during the summer months (not just

 on the fourth of july). they pair well together, 

allowing you to look patriotic, yet chic. this year, i wanted 

to style something fun, yet festive and different from my

usual repertoire. i am typically drawn to graphic 

t-shirts and skirts, or a holiday-inspired blouse and denim shorts.

fortunately, local boutique,

endless knot, came to the rescue once again!

they have numerous red, white, and blue options.

i am currently lusting after this dress, 

this tank, and these culottes. 

don't worry, these items, as well as my

red and white striped overalls, can be 

worn on the fourth of july, but on other occasions 

as well. swap the white blouse for a black top

or graphic t-shirt to create an edgier look. 

for cooler temperatures, layer a blouse and denim 

jacket. instead of blue sunglasses, try a tortoise 

or other printed pair. the options are seemingly endless!

what do you have planned for the long weekend?

unfortunately, we will be driving home from

lake chelan on the fourth of july -- returning in time for work 

and the weekday grind. 

the city often has a special fireworks presentation

 earlier in the weekend. i am incredibly excited to spend 

time away from my usual routine while enjoying sunshine,

lounging at the lake, and hopefully visiting a few

of the local wineries. as we will be in the car on the fourth,

i will have to wear my patriotic attire and consume as many 

s'mores as possible before the weekend ends ;)

photos by karya schanilec photography

overalls: c/o endless knot, blouse: topshop,

sunglasses: madewell, rings: target,

purse: dooney & bourke (thrifted via seattle goodwill),

mules: dolce vita (via target; exact here)

do you have a favorite outfit or style

combination to wear on the fourth of july? i am always

looking for new things to try! it was fun to style

something new, and i cannot recommend these adorable

overalls enough. i linked a few additional options

below if you need to stock up on other red, white, 

and blue clothing pieces or accessories.

t-shirt / denim shorts / bandana

jumpsuit / slip-on sneaker / sweatshirt

i hope you have a wonderful holiday!
xoxo.

your (last minute) mother's day gift guide

  'mother's hold their children's hands 

for a short while, but their hearts forever.'

-unknown

the weekend could not come soon enough!

i am eager to relax, catch up on sleep, enjoy more tacos

(it is still acceptable to celebrate cinco de mayo, right?)

and, of course, to spoil my mom on her special day.

i may or may not need to finish up my mother's day 

shopping, as this week month has gotten away from me.

if you're like me, you may (unfortunately) have 

procrastinated in picking out the perfect gift for mom. however, 

i have rounded up a few last minute gift ideas that are 

budget-friendly and sure to make mom feel loved. after all, 

mother's day is her day!

for the fashionista:

1. alex and ani 'i love you mom' expandable wire bracelet

 my mom and i are avid collectors of alex and ani

bracelets. worn individually or layered with other

pieces, these bracelets are a fun, meaningful way to

to commemorate travel, life's adventures and celebrate those 

we are closest with.

2. ellen degeneres 'langston' ballet flat

these 'love' striped flats are perfect for spring. mom can 

style them with her white denim, floral dresses or 

favorite pencil skirt for a chic, polished look.

3. 'love love' code charm necklace

this unique necklace is only legible when the wearer

gives it a spin! it is 14k-gold plated and will have

mom thinking of you every time she wears it.

for her everyday use:

4. charlotte tilbury 'instant glow' palette

this all-in-one palette instantly adds radiance 

to mom's skin. the palette includes an eye brightener, 

eye enhance and smoke, face bronzer, cheek swish, 

cheek pop and face highlighter 

5. scalloped faux leather tote

a large bag is imperative during the work week.

mine is typically packed with my wallet, book, water bottle,

cosmetic bag and lunch for commuting to and from work.

this adorable scalloped tote is large enough

to store mom's essentials.

6. glint metallic lightweight wrap

this lightweight, blush wrap (with a 1" fringe)

is trendy yet practical for layering up on those

chilly spring days. the metallic sheen adds a bit of glam

and can be worn over a denim jacket or with

all mom's favorite sweaters and dresses!

for the beauty lover:

7. give your mom a brighter smile with a customized teeth 

whitening kit from smile brilliant

i began using smile brilliant's teeth whitening trays 

before the holidays. past whitening systems have been

harsh and increased the sensitivity of my teeth.

smile brilliant is different! each kit includes whitening and

desensitizing gel. you can see my full review, including before

and after photos here. smile brilliant is graciously

offering $25 off your kit with the code 'diaryofthisgirl25.'

8. philosophy's 'amazing grace' gift set

i received my first amazing grace perfume as a gift 

earlier this year. the scent is fresh, feminine and 

will seemingly appeal to a variety of wearers (as giving

perfume can often feel risky). 

for the fit mom:

9. fitbit 'flex 2' wireless activity and sleep wristband

does your mom enjoy keeping active?

utilizing a fitbit is an excellent way to track daily 

steps, active minutes, water intake, sleep and more! this sleek, 

modern wristband can be worn to the office or at the gym.

10. brooks 'ghost 9' running shoes

it is no secret that i love brooks running shoes!

i have now gone through a few pairs and greatly

appreciate the support they offer my (aching) feet after

a run. the 'ghost 9' is available in a variety

of colors, depending on your mom's preference. keep

mom comfortable stride after stride.

11. bose 'soundsport' in-ear bluetooth headphones

i have to admit, i was initially skeptical of 

wireless, bluetooth headphones. what can i say, i

am a creature of habit. however, i received wireless

headphones as a christmas gift, and i will never go back!

they're incredibly convenient when on a walk, 

at the gym or to simply wear while doing chores at home.

the sound quality is far better than that of other

headphones i have used in the past.

have you finished your mother's day shopping?

how do you typically celebrate?

a very happy mother's day to my mom as well

as the other mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers

godmothers and dog mothers! 

xoxo.

a mother-daughter date in the city

mother's day is just around the corner.

whether you're a mother, stepmother, godmother, grandmother,

(i think dog-mothers count, too, right?) -- it's almost

your day! and in response to my younger brother, fyi: mother's 

day is this coming sunday, may 14th ;)

how do you typically celebrate? 

i am still searching for the perfect card, which usually

features a dachshund, as our family adores

our wiener dog and all things wiener dog-related.

additionally, i picked out a few small gifts i think 

my mom will enjoy. however, nothing compares

to having professional photos taken together; karya worked her

usual magic and captured our mother-daughter date

in the city earlier this week. 

disclosure: today i'm partnering with endless knot, a local seattle

boutique. they graciously dressed my mom and me for an afternoon in the city!

as per usual, all opinions are my own.

a day in the city requires new dresses!

my mom and i were fortunate to be outfitted by seattle

boutique, endless knot. located in belltown, endless knot is

a small, contemporary boutique that offers clothing, shoes, 

jewelry and other fashion accessories for women. many of the

 pieces are made in america by female business owners 

(designers include weston wear, salaam and prairie 

underground). upon entering the store, i was overwhelmed

by the gorgeous colors and prints, all of which

i wanted to bring home with me!

aztec-inspired prints, florals and ruffles

are prominent this spring, and our dresses showcase

these trends without feeling overly 'trendy.' while i am

more than willing to explore various fashion trends and styles,

my mom prefers items that are classic and versatile --

pieces she can wear to work, but also when traveling,

spending time with family and friends, and of 

course, when shopping with her favorite daughter. 

we were fortunate the weather cooperated and 

allowed us to wander the downtown area sans raincoats.

during our date, we also enjoyed cupcakes and

peeking into numerous storefronts, followed by dinner

at mexico cantina y cocina in pacific place. 

what can i say, i just can't say 'no' to tacos!

i feel very blessed to have a mom (and dad!) 

who continue to love and support me. 

during my recent job transition, i cannot tell you 

how many times i called my parents -- often feeling utterly

discouraged. my mom offered words of 

encouragement, saying 'you'll find something, megan.

just be patient.' as per usual, my mom was right.

living a mere twenty minutes from one another 

helps greatly, too (particularly when dad is out of town 

and mom calls to invite me to happy hour). 

i am eager to celebrate, and subsequently spoil, 

my mom this weekend, as she repeatedly puts the needs

of my brother and me before her own; this weekend, 

mom, it's all about you!

photos by karya schanilec photography

on megan:

dress, purse, bangle and rings: c/o endless knot,

loafers: bc footwear (similar here), bracelets: alex and ani

on mom (erin):

dress and bangle: c/o endless knot, sandals: kohl's,

denim jacket: eddie bauer, crossbody bag: monsac 

despite celebrating mother's day earlier this week,

 my dad, brother and i have a special afternoon

and evening planned for mom. it may or may not include 

cheeseburgers and a leisurely bike ride; don't worry, 

bailey (our dachshund), you will be a part of the celebration, too!

xoxo.