Hello from NorCal

Hi friends! I'm sorry for the lack of posts this month. Due to moving, the holidays and my chaotic work schedule I have been left with little free time. Hubby and I are headed to San Francisco now. His 30th birthday is on NYE;) I will have new posts later this week so make sure to check back in. I hope you all have a wonderful NYE celebration!

Cheers,
Steph

Model Moment: Isabeli Fontana

Isabeli Fontana for Vogue Brazil December 2012

Photography by Jacques Decker

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Nostalgia

{Sweater, BCBG} (Skort, Zara) {Boots, Luxury Rebel} (Knee Socks, Free People} {Crystal Rock Long Necklace, Madam Butterfly Boutique}

I'm sure you remember certain things that you loved as child and that bring back a wave of nostalgia after a mere mention. Hyper Color shirts, slap-on bracelets, My Little Pony, the list goes on, but I am most nostalgic about clothes. Big surprise! As a little girl, I looked forward to back-to-school shopping with my Mom and Grandma at the end of Summers in Santa Cruz. My Mom also took my Sister and I shopping for our birthday every year which was an added bonus. I still remember the denim shorts with floral ruffles, my favorite colored Vans and Converses, and of course, the "skort"! So of course I was ecstatic to find this short at Zara a few months ago. This skort is asymmetrical with a modern edge, definitely an upgrade from my floral skort I wore so many years ago. Needless to say, I am a happy girl in this today. What is your favorite childhood item?

Xx, Steph

Holiday Gift Guide

As much as I love the holidays, it isn't always easy to buy gifts. Sometimes, I just need a few ideas to get me started. I brought together several gifts here that should make even the "hardest-to-please" happy:) The true gift, is spending time with family and friends. Life is so busy these days, I really look forward to every visit home. Two weeks and counting down! Happy Holidays!

Xx, Steph

1. Perfect Layering Bangles, Madewell $28 each

2. Set of Travel Shoe Bags, Henri Bendel $48

3. Cleobella Sparkly Bali Boxes, (great for storing jewelry or scarves!) $68 for set of three

4. Jo Malone Candles $65-Can't go wrong and always so chic.

5. Francine Flapper Clutch, Club Monaco $149.50

6. Set of 3 Low Luv by Erin Wasson rings, $65

7. Tom Ford Lipstick (Trust me, it's AMAZING), $48

8. Essie & BaubleBar Collaboration, $50-I love this idea for a gift set. First you choose the nail polish color that most suits your friend or family members personality and it is automatically paired with a bangle of the same aesthetic. Then you get to select two more bangles/bracelets of your choice. The bangles and nail polish come in a cute little bag.

9. Pinch Mini Emergency Kit, $24- This sparkly little pouch has everything a girl could need! Contains everything from breath mints and dental floss to stain removing towelettes and a sewing kit.

10. Kate Moss Coffee Table Book, $69.99-A compilation of Kate Moss's most memorable photo shoots. Created by influential photographer Mario Testino.






1. Obey Rapture Jacket, $130-The built in hoody makes this extra comfy!

2. Byron Straight Leg Jeans, Hudson $210-My hubby says this is the nicest pair of jeans he's ever owned!

3. The Art of Shaving Gillette Fusion Chrome Collection Razor, $100

4. Rag and Bone Flask, Neiman Marcus for Target collaboration $29.99

5. Speck IPhone cardholder case, $39.00-Great for nights out on the town. No need to carry a wallet!


1. 360 Degree IPhone lens, $50-Easily attaches to the iphone and can take panoramic pictures!

2. Wine Preserver, $34.95

3. Nike Fuel Band, $149.95-Uses an accelerometer to measure daily activity. Even tracks calories burned!

4. Memo Mug, $8.95-Comes with chalk and an erase sponge. So cute for house guests!

5. Double Blind Tasting Wine Glasses, $30 set of 4

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Trend: Utilitarian

Circling back to my outfit post the other day, Utilitarian fashion is largely present at the moment. Trends resurface decade after decade, but with a new twist; as fashion is always evolving. Remember the J Brand Houlihan Cargos everyone was wearing a few years ago?! Simple, workwear inspired, with a modern military edge... I am really liking Utilitarian fashion this time around.

Xx, Steph

{Color Block Sweater, Joseph $390} {Bullet Shell Necklace, Rock&Rose $30} {Surplus Jacket, Ecote $99} {Cap Toe Military Boots, Jeffrey Campbell $180} {Oxblood Jacket, Republic $80} {Zip Bottom Military Tote, Topshop $72}

{Me! Outfit details HERE} {Navy Sweater with Gold Buttons, Isabel Marant $765} {Jason Wu Dress $1,365} {Leather Skirt, Reiss $275} {Military Rib Bustier, Topshop $20}

{Military Holy Harlot Necklace, Balenciaga $195} {Camo Sweater, Chicwish $50} {Surplus Vest, Pull&Bear $64}

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"Camo" Stud

{Camouflage Shirt, Zara}  {Jeans, Level 99} {Tank, H&M} {Boots, Zara} {Necklaces, sideways cross: ShopPublik, Long: House of Harlow} {Bracelets, J Crew, Henri Bendel} {Sunnies, Ray Ban}

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Christmas Came Early-Banjo Eyes Featured on IFB's Links A La Mode

News that I would be featured on IFB's Weekly Round-Up was a welcome surprise to a long week. There are so many amazing fashion blogs, it is reassuring to receive positive feedback. Don't forget to check out IFB's sponsor, Shopbop, and the other blogs featured this week!

Xx, Steph



Holiday Carousel

Edited by: Jess of Fresh Jess

Season’s Greetings! Around & around we go in a frenzy of holiday parties, gift shopping and spending time with loved ones. The holidays are in full swing, and yet, this week’s Links a La Mode featured bloggers have managed to stay stylish through it all. Each month, I’m more and more impressed at the thoughtful perspective shared in your blog posts. Whatever it is that you’re passionate about, you’re all doing an amazing job in channeling that passion and bringing it to the forefront in your posts. Shine on! Enjoy the vibrant colors, beautiful sights and wonderful tastes of the season as you read through this week’s picks.

 

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: NOVEMBER 29TH

• All Things Kate: Peachy Keen


• Banjo Eyes: Fancy Pants


• Buy Any Means Necessary: Holiday 2012 Gift Guide for Him & Her


• Elegant Idiosyncracy: On the War Path


• Fashion Moriarty: Passion in Fashion


• Fear No Beauty: Behind the Scenes of a Great Gatsby Photoshoot


• Glamgerous: If I Were a Boy


• Idilvice Fashion: We Don’t Have a 80% Off Sale


• Mis Papelicos: How to Back Up Your Blog + Tea in the Garden


• Not Daydreams: A Simpler Life: Eva Mok


• Not Dressed as Lamb: My 40 Year Olld Face, Uber-Photoshopped


• On a Brick Lane: Paint Me Red


• Polished Panache: How to Survive a Vintage Market If You Aren’t a Hipster


• Sara Constance: A Touch of Burgundy


• Slowburn Fastburn: Rusty Heart


• Style. Love. Repeat: DIY Above-the-Knuckle Rings


• Style Tab: Ways to Wear: Holiday Party Dress


• The Penny Rose: A Christmas Story


• Vogue Villain: Dressed in Paintings


• Youth Savage: Little Women and Heavy Husbands: a Response

SPONSOR:

Shopbop Promo Code: Joomi Lim, Uintah, Penfield, Joie Shoes, L’Agence, Marie Turnor, Yigal Azrouel, Sandy Hyun, Melissa & Tibi Shoes

Back To Black

Winter is officially here and once again I am eyeing all things black. Once my summer tan has faded, black seems to look much better on than color. Of course, black clothing is slimming too (hello, holiday meals!). Here are a few things on my holiday wish list.

{Clockwise from top left: Kelly Wearstler Cut-Out Skirt, Isabel Marant Booties, Kelly Weartsler Clutch, 7Mankind Black/Grey Jacquard Skinnies, Free People Necklace, Swell Hat, Free People Shoes, Rag&Bone Blazer}

{All Saints Robyn Devore Dress}

{Clockwise from top left: All Saints Clutch, J Crew Bracelet, J Crew Hearts Blouse, BCBG Leather Studded Gloves, Alexander Wang Sheer&Leather Detail Blouse, Feliks&Adrik Necklace}

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends, family and plenty of delicious food.

Xx, Steph

Sequined Nautical

{Gryphon Sequin Stripe Sweater} {7ForAllMankind Jeans} {Zara Lace-Up Booties} {Chloe Sunnies} {Bracelets: Ettika, BCBG, JCrew, Madewell, Shop Publik}

Last week was especially hard having been in a major car accident. I am okay! Yes, totally fine! It was the perfect timing to have my family and my husband's best friend come into town. We spent the weekend enjoying the quiet little beach town of Coronado Island. We bbq'd, the boys golfed, consumed lots of wine and laughed way too much. It was just what the doctor ordered. Talk to you from Sacramento later this week:) It's almost time for Turkey Day!

Xx, Steph

Girl Crush

Natasha Poly for Vogue TurkeyCover Girl/Model Natasha Poly

Photography: Cuneyt Akeroglu

Styled By: Ece Sukan

Vogue Turkey September 2012

Gucci, Prada, Balmain & Fendi.

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