Sister Style

2015

2015-01-02T08:40:00.001-08:00

Hi! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. We have been MIA for the last month as Megan is looking for a new job and Sydney is pregnant with her second child (it is a girl...the first granddaughter for our parents which is pretty exciting) but are gearing up for 2015 and certainly excited for this year. Here are some of our resolutions:

1. Blog Redesign (new name, new look, new contributors...same care, creativity and time put into each and every post)
2. Organization (always...)
3. #20"FIT"teen (it is all about fitness and feeling healthy not just for appearance-sake but more importantly to have energy and vigor for life)
4. New Job (for Megan...fingers crossed!)
5. Keep in Touch with Friends and Family using Methods other than Social Media (handwritten letters, thoughtful cards)
6. Spend Less (We are planning not to spend any money on ourselves for the next year...no clothes, makeup, household items -I am addicted to candles, accessories or shoes. This will not only be good as it will help me save money but we also feel, it will make us less materialistic which is always a good thing)

namaste,
m&s

** Our friend created the hash tag for resolution #3 and we L-O-V-E ourselves a creative hash tag! Nice one, @scottyphill. Nice one.

home decor - the living room

2014-12-01T10:21:00.001-08:00

We love home decor as much as we love fashion. Just like an outfit, you can take a room to the next level by accessorizing. With the help of Modani, we were able to create an inspiration board for a modern but comfortable and inviting living room. Modani is a retailer that specializes in modern furniture, as well as modern accessories and statement pieces, thus allowing the designer in all of us to find the perfect balance in any room of the home. The glass table from Modani was our starting piece as we enjoy styling tables with trays, books, magazines, candles and flowers. It is fun to use different tabletop items depending on the season and/or mood and the glass provides a blank canvas to style to your heart's content. We then added natural elements and colors to make the room warm and inviting. The Buddha statue from Modani is our favorite component of the room as it brings a sense of peace and tranquility.

Chairs // Modani
Astronomy Wall Art // West Elm
Wall Art // West Elm
Ampersand //Barnes & Noble
Rug // Modani
Standing Lamp // Modani
Mirror // Lamps Plus
Glass Coffee Table // Modani
Crown Pillow // Lamps Plus
Home Pillow // Modani
Gold Pillow // West Elm
Gold Tray // One Kings Lane
Vanilla Candle // Diptyque // Liberty London
Match Holder // Jonathan Adler // Shopbop
Faux Peony Flowers // Lamps Plus
Buddha // Modani
Couch // Modani
Throw // Pier One Imports

namaste,

m&s

p.s. Modani is having cyber Monday specials on furniture! Check them out here.

gift guide

2014-11-25T11:52:00.003-08:00

We love gift guides.

Here is a round-up of some of our favorites for the variety of people in your life:

one // for the kiddos and/or parents
two // for the mixologist hostess (these little critters are so cute to add to a bowl of punch or sangria for all the fall dinner parties)
three // for the artist and cheese lover
four // for the new home/apartment owner
five // for the baker
six // for the beer drinker
seven // for the wine drinker
eight // for the boozy baker
nine // for the men
ten // for the accessory lover
eleven // for the cheese and charcuterie hostess

Please forgive us for our absence...we are planning a blog redesign and are so excited for the new year and launch!

namaste,

m&s

ready for fall: hats!

2014-10-21T11:43:00.001-07:00

We wanted a quote on this collage simply because we love quotes and feel they add to anything and everything. So, we stumbled upon this one by artist Felicia McMillan and thought it was perfect. Hats are great to make a statement and to enhance any outfit and, well, to cover up a bad hair day and/or when you don't feel like doing much to your hair. The last one applies to us more days than not. We both have long hair and sometimes (a lot of the time for Megan) we do not want to blow dry or style it. As such, a hat is a great go-to...especially in the fall. We wanted to showcase great hats at a variety of price points so that everyone can see great fashion does not need to expensive...it is more about creativity and expression and, well, waiting for sales. We tend to stick to the ones in the price range of the top row but how cute are the ones in the other two rows?

Top row: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4
Middle row: 1 // 2 // 3
Bottom row: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

namaste,
m&s

EXPLORE: A great place to shop for hats in the Monterey/Carmel area is the Carmel Hat Company. Not only is it located in the most beautiful and quaint place but it has the best hat selection we have ever seen and great customer service! In Old Town Pasadena, for our LA readers, we recommend the Goorin Bros. Hat Shop. This little shop takes us back in time and has a great selection of hats!

ready for fall: link love!

2014-10-13T07:30:00.001-07:00

Some great fall-related links:

** Love Jimmy Fallon: here he discusses the pros and cons of the return of the pumpkin spice latte (aka the PSL) to Starbucks...in August.

** Pumpkin + Macaroni & Cheese is a MUST try in our book. Check and check! Recipe here.

** Halloween treats for friends, family, co-workers, kid's classmates are always well received. Wrap these in a clear plastic goodie bag sealed with twine.

** Add some gorgeous chairs to your home to prepare for all the holiday parties. Find this beauty here.

** The fall hairstyle trends you may want to try out this season can be found here.

** Planning a fall wedding? Some great ideas can be found here.

namaste,

m&s

our five fall essentials

2014-10-07T08:56:00.003-07:00

Hi! We hope the fall season is off to a great start. What have you been doing to celebrate? Perhaps making apple pie, going to pumpkin patches, enjoying seasonal beers and ciders. This is indeed our favorite season of the year. In addition to the seasonal activities above, here are five reasons why we love fall:

1.) The air is cool and crisp (we are still waiting for this to happen in LA...it has been so hot!)

2.) Pumpkin arrives at every store (Trader Joes has so many items to try from mini pumpkin scones to ginger pumpkin ice cream sandwiches).

3.) Our favorite holiday occurs in fall - Halloween!

4.) It is Sydney's birthday this season (as well as our brother, sister and mom)!

....and last but not least....

5.) We love the fashion. Here are our five must-haves for fall:

Shopping Guide

Arm Candy: gold quartz cuff // opal quartz cuff // three drop bangle // charm bangle

T-Shirts: grey //white

Booties: black // brown

Nail Polish: plum // brown // grey // gold

Floppy Hats: burgundy // black

Perfume

Lipstick

Pants

Bandeau

Before you leave to go on a shopping spree, check out the website Raise.com. On this site, you can buy gift cards for your favorite retail stores at a discounted price. The discount varies by store...with some being an 8% discount and others, as much as 32%. We are our father's daughters and as such, love a good discount! Amongst other gift cards, Raise.com features Target (where you can find the t-shirts from our list of fall essentials as well as the black booties), H&M (the black pants above have such a great zipper detail on the bottom), Nordstrom (the floppy hats come in a variety of colors and styles; they are such a great staple, albeit essential, for fall) and even the beauty.com website (on this site, you can the purchase Tokyo Milk perfumes and nail polishes in fall hues). They even have discounted gift cards for coffeehouses, restaurants, grocery stores and theatres!

Raise.com also gives you an opportunity to sell your own unused gift cards. We love getting gift cards for the holidays and birthdays (** just a little hint from Sydney for her friends and our family...hi dad!) but sometimes, they are for restaurants/retailers that we are not interested in. This website is a safe place to change your unused/unwanted cards into cash (and other gift cards) that will be put into better use.

Happy Fall! Happy Shopping!

namaste,
m&s

inspiration

2014-10-06T09:37:00.002-07:00

While summer is a big wedding season, my personal favorite season for weddings is fall. I love the colors, the rustic decor, the flowers and the favors. I am going to be a bridesmaid in a wedding at the end of October and and have enjoyed chatting with the bride about her fall inspired wedding plans including berries in the boutaniers, homemade jam in mason jars for favors (made from fruits from their backyard) and dancing under the stars. I think it is fun for every component of this celebration to be in theme: the bridal shower (alice in wonderland tea party), the girl's weekend (Los Angeles tourist theme...we did a post about that here) and the ceremony (in theme with the season). ~m

I had my wedding in June of 2011 as my favorite season for weddings is the summer. My wedding was held on a beach in Monterey, CA and was a Scottish-themed wedding. My husband and I wanted to celebrate our culture: the groom/groomsmen wore kilts, the bridesmaids wore black dresses with a sash of their own clan's tartan, we dined on homemade Scottish food and had a bagpiper. My mother and father walked me down the aisle. We wanted the wedding to be small so that we could have time to meet with all of our guests. It was a wonderful time shared with our families and close friends. How can you not enjoy celebrating the love you have found in this crazy world? Especially when the beach winds kick up during the ceremony showing what's really are under the kilts! ;) ~s

***

The Loverly website is a great resource for brides and can help minimize the stress associated with planning such an important and special event. You can create an online board of all the ideas you like and refer to the board as you progress along in planning. The best part is that the website provides you the links to the original resources, the company names and their links so you can explore their websites further and, lastly, you can shop via the Loverly website for a variety of wedding necessities including the "save the date" cards. This website truly makes it easier to make your board a reality. In addition, the website features pictures from real weddings as another source of inspiration. While every component of a wedding is important, our favorite details are the wedding dress and wedding favors (on Loverly's website, you can peruse dresses here and creative gift ideas, here, while enjoying your morning cup of coffee or your evening glass of wine...the website is so user friendly!). Sydney' favorite dress style is sweetheart and Megan's, cap sleeve and one shoulder.

Here is some inspiration for a fall wedding:

Here is some inspiration for a summer (Scottish) wedding:

Happy planning! Happy wedding!

namaste,

m&s

photo credit: we found all photos above via the Loverly website. The Loverly website is a compilation of inspiration from multiple websites including vendors, personal and wedding blogs. Loverly gives credit by providing the link and name of the original blog/website.

ready for fall: purses!

2014-09-28T16:37:00.001-07:00

fringe leather
quilted
colorful aztec
natural & grey aztec
clutch
white foldover
bows

***

These bags are great for the fall season (which officially started on September 22nd). Which one is your favorite?

namaste,

m&s

ready for fall: home!

2014-09-18T21:12:00.001-07:00

one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine // ten // eleven

We love the colors of fall - burgundy, brown, gold, plum, yellow and orange. Here are some of our favorite plum and gold pieces that will transition your living space into the fall season. Some are (way) out of our budget but girls can dream, right?

namaste,

m&s

** Hi! It's Megan. When I was a girl scout (I was also a daisy and brownie...what can I say? I love the cookies and patches), we had a troop meeting in which we discussed fashion and the colors that went best with our skin tone. I was told spring colors but really wanted it to be fall colors as I love everything about fall. Alas, I stuck with fall colors. I loved being a girl scout...like, loved.

ready for fall: shoes!

2014-09-09T10:33:00.002-07:00

1 // army print gives an outfit some edge
2 // love the buckle detail on these
3 // animal print is a must for fall - we love the square toe and chunky heel of these
4 // nude is always a classic
5 // oxfords are comfortable and stylish and makes us feel like we live in a different era (love the fashion of the 1920s)
6 // pair these boots with a fall dress and thick tights
7 // an unexpected (read: less common) animal print to wear with boyfriend jeans and overalls
8 // feminine shoes for work and play (again with the 1920s vibe)
9 // for casual days during the fall season - playing in the leaves, walking to the pumpkin patch, going to Starbucks for yet another PSL (pumpkin spice latte)
10 // we love loafers for the fall season...and well, all the time
11 // again with the loafers...this emerald green is a punch of color for your fall wardrobe
12 // a more understated print (tiny dots they call "speckles"- great for fall work outfits and dinner parties at home
13 // booties with a heel and animal print will make any outfit edgy and glam

We love the colors of fall (although we may not see the wide spectrum of fall colors in LA, we still appreciate the season's beauty). This is the first post of a series all about fall fashion...enjoy and thank you for stopping by our little corner of the internet. The official first day of fall is September 22nd. Happy Fall!

namaste,
m&s

the final month of summer

2014-08-12T10:41:00.002-07:00

Ah...summertime. Summers make us think of sunny days, cool pools, bubbly mimosas and vibrant flamingos. Here is a round up of our favorite flamingo-inspired items:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 (another here) // 11

August goal? Make time to celebrate summer.

namaste,

m&s

quotes & cocktails

2014-08-06T16:08:00.001-07:00

@simplystylistxo

*sigh*

A good reminder this Wednesday.

***

The cocktails we want to highlight today are found here. They all have basil in them...we love the incorporation of fresh herbs, and other unique items, in cocktails. What is your favorite herb to add to a cocktail?

namaste,
m&s

travel essentials - wardrobe edition

2014-08-01T13:59:00.004-07:00

Whether it is a long trip to someplace exotic or a staycation in your own home over the weekend, let's make the most of the final month of summer (*sigh* how did the summer go by so fast?!).

Here are some of our wardrobe essentials for traveling. Find our other travel essentials here).

Shopping Guide

croquet set
(photo from pinterest; available to purchase at One Kings Lane)

rowing paddle #1

rowing paddle #2

shorts

dress
(recently discovered this brand and love the vibe & design)

daytime shoes, daytime bag, daytime lipstick

nighttime shoes, nighttime clutch, nighttime lipstick
(the clutch is gorgeous but way out of our price range; lovin' plum lipstick lately)

yoga pants
(we could live in yoga pants...seriously, we LOVE yoga pants and Old Navy has such great prices!)

book
(we enjoy most of James' books -first name basis- but we suggest only reading them during the day in a public venue...we warned you...they can be seriously creepy/scary)

coffee press
(we enjoy waking up early and drinking coffee while reading a book even when on holiday...just some time to yourself on a balcony or reading nook or in bed under a down comforter...all sound like bliss)

statement earrings

denim

namaste,
m&s

Quotes & Cocktails

2014-07-23T10:23:00.003-07:00

Don't you just love how quotes and cocktails can make the middle of the week more pleasant? While I still want it to be Friday, these help me get through Wednesday.

***

As it is our dad's birthday week, the cocktail for this installment of "quotes and cocktails" is his personal favorite: the simple, yet refreshing Beermosa. We enjoy having these out on the farm on a sunny day!

(give credit where credit is due: beermosa picture & recipe, glassware picture and where to buy the set, raspberry picture)

namaste,
sydney

Wedding Season: bachelorette gift guide and weekend activities

2014-07-21T14:46:00.002-07:00

We love putting gift baskets together. It is so much fun to watch someone open up multiple little gifts all nicely arranged in a basket. Added bonus? The basket, itself, is a gift -a reusable bag or cute box works great as well. Below are some ideas as to what to get a bride for her bachelorette party (guests should note: since multiple items can become pricey, it is nice to give this gift to the bride jointly with a friend or two).

(Shopping Guide: Pink Makeup Bag, Earrings, Voluspa Candle, Soap Trio, Jo Malone Perfume,
Black Lingerie, Tangerine Lingerie, Night Shorts, Macarons, Wine)

Once you have decided on the gifts and have wrapped each one...

(Shopping Guide: Basket, Box, Reusable Bag)

Then you are ready to...

The clever/cute notes can be written on cardstock and attached to each gift. Here are some ideas:

Makeup bag: "to hold your makeup for date nights as a married couple"

Earrings: "for a glam evening out"

Soap Trio and Perfume: "to freshen up for a date night"

Candle: "to relax and unwind after the first argument"

Wine: "to sip and toast during your first dinner as a married couple"

Macarons: "to enjoy right now during your last night as a single girl"

Night Shorts: "to wear for a night in watching your favorite TV shows and enjoying popcorn"

Tangerine Lingerie: "for you"

Black Lingerie: "to spice things up"

For the card to accompany the gift basket, Shutterfly can help create a personalized card for the bride! Don't forget to take photos throughout the weekend to include in a photo album for the bride that can be given to her on her wedding day. Their albums preserve wonderful memories.

The variety of cards (to accompany the gift basket) from Shutterfly are here.

The variety of album themes from Shutterfly are here.

***

While a weekend in Vegas is fun, there are a lot of fun places in LA that make for a great weekend. Here are some of our ideas for a unique LA-themed weekend for the bride and her girls (note: it's a nice surprise if each girl gets a bag full of goodies that coincide with the activities planned for the weekend: trail mix for the hikes, water bottle, disposable camera to take pictures of the celebrities in Hollywood, a bottle of nail polish, a homemade body scrub).

Breakfast at There's No Place Like Home

Hollywood Bus Tour (see the star's homes!)

Hike at Griffith Park (enjoy a snack at Trails Cafe)

Facials and Nails at a Spa (we love Club Mud! Koreatown has a variety of spas as well)

Dessert at Bottega Louie (our favorite macaron's in Los Angeles; the beignet's are a real treat)

Movie at Los Feliz Cinemas (a vintage theatre in the heart of Los Feliz)

Stairwell hike in Franklin Hills (stroll across Shakespeare Bridge)

***

There are many opportunities to put together gift baskets during the wedding season: bachelorette, bridal shower, wedding day, honeymoon. Find our previous bridal gift guides here and here.

What are your bachelorette plans? Have any of you celebrated in the LA/Hollywood area?

namaste,
m&s

Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale 2014 - our picks!

2014-07-18T13:27:00.003-07:00

It's time - Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale.

Here are our favorites...happy shopping!

Strappy Heels with Buckle

Multi-Colored/Multi-Textured Clutch

Denim

Blue Clutch

Candle

Candle
Socks
Watch
I-Pad Holder
Heels
Lingerie
Candles
Purse

namaste, m&s

p.s. Ebates is giving double cash back (that's 6% folks!) for purchases at Nordstrom. Sign up for Ebates here.

oh how I love thee, let me count the ways

2014-07-17T13:13:00.003-07:00

Sorry we have been MIA over the last couple of days...our older sister needed our love and attention.

***

1. Sole Society Bangle - how gorgeous is this bangle?! The emerald and purple really make a bold statement and can take any outfit to the next level. I would wear it with boyfriend jeans, a luxurious-feeling basic white t-shirt and some black heels on a summer evening.

2. NY&C Bauble Necklace - while this one is sold out, they have other great options here. NY&C is a great place to shop for work appropriate outfits that easily transform to a night out with the girls and a date night with the beau.

3. Paper Source Foodie Basil Garden - for a small apartment or balcony, this is great! I see freshly made pesto and caprese salads in the future.

4. Talenti Gelato - I could have this every night for dessert...seriously, every night. There are so many creamy, delicious flavors to choose from and enjoy (sea salt caramel and coffee chocolate chip are my favorite). #sweettooth

5. Sole Society pumps - a perfect combination and balance of feminine and edgy. Nude pumps with a edgy/glam snakeskin print.

6. Paper Source Felt Pom Poms - this is a necklace but I would use it as home decor for a pop of color (garland, draped over a lampshade, to enhance a bar cart...you get the idea).

7. Del Taco caramel cheesecake bites - you must try these...like, tonight. It is cheesecake drenched in caramel and fried (everything is better fried). Rubio's used to have something similar called a Zango. Funny story: In college, my roommate and I used to get the Zango (they come in a pair) about three times a week as a Rubio's was on campus in the quad. We would purchase them via her ID card (college ID cards can be loaded with money and can then be used on campus like a debit card). She would magically have money on it and for two quarters we thought the finance office was accidentally loading money on to her card that should have been going on a different card. Little did we know her dad was being charged!

8. Pop Chart Lab pasta poster - we love this Etsy shop! Such creative posters to adorn the home. Yum...pasta.

9. Pyrite Cuff Bracelet - beautiful...just beautiful. This cuff will work for any outfit, edgy or glam.

10. Birkenstocks - in my mind and heart, this trend never left. Funny story: I did not own a pair in high school (sad face) but, my friend did, so we would share them and trade shoes throughout the week (happy face). And yes, I did wear them with overalls (another trend that never left in my mind/heart/world).

11. Will Leather Goods tote - I discovered this brand as our older sister lives in Oregon. Great products, great company, great story.

namaste,
megan

travel essentials

2014-07-10T13:32:00.001-07:00

I spent my commute to work today catching up on my Westways magazines from the past couple of months (for those of you who may not know, Westways magazine is the AAA magazine that you receive on a monthly basis if you have AAA membership). I was able to get through quite a few as my commute to work is two hours (and three transfers: bus to train to subway to bus). Yep, you read right. Two hours and three transfers. Oh, and two and a half hours to get home...but I digress...

I love this magazine. Seriously, love. Not only does it have car tips (like when to have an oil change) and showcase AAA discounts (movie tickets...yay!), it talks all about travel (including my favorite monthly feature: the day trip) and food (restaurants, best ice cream joints in LA and so much more). As summer is the time for travel, I was inspired to put together some travel essentials.

Large travel bag up top is from here.

BOY
Toiletries Bag: men have beauty essentials too!
Felt Passport Holder: such a cool, masculine look and can also hold credit cards/ID card.
Sunglasses: love aviators on the bf so, of course, they made the essentials list. Also, important to note, eyes (like skin) can be sunburned as well so it is important to protect with sunglasses.
Antibacterial Gel: I carry this with me on my commute in LA and everywhere.
Sunscreen: protecting your skin is super important. Period.
Chapstick: you can never have too many; this one has SPF.
Cologne: to freshen up after a long flight or train trip.

GIRL
Jewelry Holder: how clever is this! And it can be personalized...I like the idea of an ampersand or some other punctuation mark.
Passport Holder: how cute is the little plane in the corner?
Small Bag: I always seem to have a messy purse/carry-on when I travel. This bag is perfect for all of the loose items. We discovered Will leather products when my sister moved to Oregon - amazing quality and cares about "social responsibility". What's not to love?
Sunscreen: again, super important. Whilst I have not always been good at wearing sunscreen (even when I played waterpolo), I understand the importance and really make an effort to protect my skin now.
Chapstick: L-O-V-E Burt's Bees...well, anything and everything honey.
Sunglasses: cannot get enough of the tortoise look (see some of our tortoise favorites here).
Antibacterial Gel: the pear scents are one of my favorites.
Roll-On Perfume: easy, mess-free way to freshen up after the long trip.

Bon Voyage! Safe Travels! Buen Viaje!

Photo Cred: Vogue and Outfit Cred: sweatshirt, sweatpants, t-shirt, loafers

namaste,

megan

4th of July - outfit inspiration and some essentials

2014-07-03T10:41:00.003-07:00

Shirt by Scotch-Soda
(their website is currently undergoing renovations; Gap and Old Navy have great basic t-shirts at really affordable prices)

Skirt by the Gap
(also comes in gray stripes; so comfortable and can be dressed up or down)
Sandals by Tory Burch

(they also come in white, coral & black...one of each, please!)

Rings & Necklace by Gorjana Griffin

(they are having a sale! enter GG4USA at checkout)
Bag by Arcofadiver
(amazing bags; love great Etsy finds!)

***

And the 4th of July party essentials:

For Floating: Pretzel, Watermelon
For Protecting: Sunscreen, After Sun Soother
For Hydrating: Water Dispenser
For Celebrating: Shatterproof Wine Glasses, Sparklers

Enjoy the holiday (some Independence Day facts here)!

namaste, m&s

quotes & cocktails

2014-06-25T10:02:00.003-07:00

Below are some quotes we have loved on Instagram lately.

What inspirational words/quotes/pictures help you when you feel discouraged, sad or overwhelmed? Let us know on Instagram (@scottsisterstyl) so we can feature you and your post on the blog in our "quotes & cocktails" series.

***
The cocktail today is a simple summer cocktail. Trader Joe's is now carrying Limoncello and while you can make Limoncello from scratch (recipe here), the one carried at Trader Joe's is an excellent and affordable option - as well as a quick and easy option for an impromptu dinner party.

Recipe
(add items to a chilled glass in the order listed below)
Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice from 1/2 a grapefruit
1/4 cup Limoncello
1/2 a can of seltzer water
4 cubes of ice

We also suggest adding raspberries and mint!

namaste, m&s

Gift Guide: for the graduate!

2014-06-24T09:48:00.002-07:00

As I graduated this month from my MSW (Master's in Social Work) program, I thought it was fitting to put together a gift guide for the graduate.

shoes (top to bottom): 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

purses (top to bottom): 1 // 2

makeup bag // wallet // organizer

earrings // necklace 1 // necklace 2 // watch

** Comfortable yet chic shoes are a must during the grueling interview process. You want to put your best foot forward during the interview and not be distracted by uncomfortable shoes that are hard to walk in. These shoes are also great once you get the job (yay...you!) to look chic at the office but also be able to move around and efficiently complete your work tasks.
** A large purse to carry your organizer, wallet, keys, commuter card, hand sanitizer (and everything else that accumulates throughout the day) is a necessity!
** I just got my first "grown up" wallet and it has made such a difference. Gone are the days (well, most of the time) that I am searching for a loose credit card or my worn checks - everything is neat and tidy.
** Jewelry also makes me feel "grown up" - small, delicate pieces really take the interview outfit to the next level.

namaste,
megan

the monday morning blues - june gloom

2014-06-23T09:52:00.003-07:00

June is in full swing and while there has been some really hot days, there has also been some June gloom (especially in the Monterey area). Today's installment of "the monday morning blues" features these gorgeous tailored blue pants and this edgy purse with pops of blue. This outfit would make a smooth/easy transition from daytime (at the office) to nighttime (martinis with the girls) with an easy shoe change and addition of some accessories and sweeps of makeup (mascara, liner and lipstick)...

The Outfit: flats, tailored pants, striped shirt, jacket, watch, bag
Make it Nighttime: heels, lipstick, eye liner, mascara, earrings

namaste, m&s

Eagle Rock (city explorer)

2014-06-20T09:39:00.001-07:00

eat.

Milkfarm: a cheese shop that has a variety of cheese for you to make your own stunning charcuterie & cheese platters at home; they also serve up delicious lunches and sweet treats and...just started having classes! Call them (or follow on instagram) for upcoming events and classes.
Four Cafe: serving breakfast on the weekends, this cafe has the best lemon ricotta pancakes in the city! Every day you can get delicious savory and sweet options from this beautifully decorated cafe. They have fresh flowers at every table and an amazing salvaged wood wall. Another must try? the brown buttered lavender cookies.
Camilo's California Bistro: dine outside on a sunny morning at this simple, classic bistro and enjoy the banana's foster waffles and a mimosa.

shop.

Native Boutique: one of two locations; this shop has feminine & bohemian dresses, clothes and jewelry to enhance any afternoon shopping trip and wardrobe.

shop.

Media Noche: this boutique is stocked full of cool men and women's clothing and shoes in addition to unique gifts and items from the home. We have featured items from this store on our gift guide here.
Leanna Lin's Wonderland: a jewelry designer herself, Leanna's little corner of Eagle Rock has a variety of jewelry and art to appeal to everyone. She also hosts a variety of classes and art events.
Letter's from LA: a cool shop with such a serene and bohemian vibe. Seriously, we want to decorate our homes like this store (and Anthropologie, of course). In addition to beautiful clothes, purses and shoes; this boutique showcases jewelry from local designers and houseware items. We featured Letter's from LA on our gift guide here.

drink.

Swork's Coffee: cool coffee shop on the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock. A great place to study, meet up with friends and take the kids (they have a small play area for the tots). Great coffee drinks -we love the chai latte and mayan mocha- as well as tasty treats. Some of those treats they make in-house...there is nothing like warm bakery smells sifting through the air on a cold morning!

eat.

BMPP 5 Line Tavern: upscale pizza parlor (i.e. artisan pizza, kale salads, shoestring fries with truffle oil & parmesan) with craft beers in a casual setting.

vintage.

The Sniveling Sibling: you are bound to find all the vintage items your heart desires for the home (i.e. items for the bar cart and unique dishes for your next dinner party) in this shop on Eagle Rock Blvd.
Owl Talk: a funky, unique vintage shop filled with treasures - clothing and jewelry to enhance your wardrobe.

stretch.

Core Club LA: yoga and dance classes in a lovely, clean studio on Colorado. The teachers give their students individualized attention and help them fine tune their yoga skills and poses. Check out the website and schedule of classes here.

namaste, m&s

quotes & cocktails

2014-06-18T11:20:00.001-07:00

We love the quotes that are currently printed on the coffee sleeves at Starbucks. Oprah certainly has some inspirational thoughts/quotes. And the cocktails for this week are...

cocktail 1 ** 2 ** 3 ** 4

namaste, m&s

Tasty Tuesday: watermelon!

2014-06-17T09:05:00.002-07:00

tomato watermelon sorbet // watermelon peach salsa // watermelon mozzarella salad // watermelon mojito // watermelon margarita // watermelon fondue // watermelon grilled cheese

***

Be sure to check out this website. It is the National Watermelon Promotion Board's website...yep, a website all about watermelon! It includes recipes, cocktails, fun trivia and carving how-to's!

namaste, m&s