Sick Days, Cold Remedies, and a Hemsworth.

I had been doing so well of keeping myself healthy, I hadn't gotten sick since finals earlier this year when germs came with your side of coffee at my busy college library (disgusting I know). However - this morning I woke up with a tickle in my throat and stuffy nose and I just heard myself say 'NO!' out-loud, to no one in particular just a general no of disgust to the universe. So I stayed in bed, something that does not happen often anymore, did some pinning and tumblin' and reading - it had been a while since I just rested. Felt great but I knew this wasn't going to be enough so I got started on boiling water and taking out my special honey. I start with just a large teacup of hot water and lots of lemon. Drinking it slowly to help get rid of the itchiness and breathing in the steam. Next - a small dosage of warmed lemon juice and melted honey. I do a couple tablespoons of lemon juice put a tablespoon of honey and then heat it up for about twenty to thirty seconds. Slurp that stuff down and its an immediate throat itch relief and tastes pretty delish. I'm doubling up on vitamins of the C kind and taking the rest of the day to relax and do some photo editing in bed. Hopefully it passes quickly because no one can afford a cold - especially during the holidays!

Hope everyone is have a little better Saturday than I am!

Coffee Talk - I went and saw Hunger Games Catching Fire the other night and am still a little traumatized by it. I read the books so long ago I forget their intensity! It was just SO GOOD though I can't even begin to explain. Any of you into the Hunger Games and planning on seeing it this weekend? I mean Liam Hemsworth should be reason enough to see it, am I right?

Holiday Gift Guide: The Perfect Houseguest

The Holidays are quickly approaching and we are just about to start getting our fill of pumpkin pie. Best part of the holidays - in my opinion - is gathering together with friends and family. Whether it be in your own home or you visiting  someone's home the time spent together is something incredible special - with a side of crazy if you're speaking about my family. If you are visiting someone's home for the holidays it's polite to bring them a little present. There is a lot of work that goes behind preparing a meal or for visitors so take that into consideration when choosing a gift for your host. These are my picks for most appropriate gifts to give and ones that will be appreciated - I'm sure - by your oh so gracious host. 

ONE: Candles - I LOVE candles, to an overwhelming point where my mom asks me to blow some out cause I'm burning too many at one time in my room. Lighting a candle just sets a mood of relaxation and when vanilla and musk fills your room - there is nothing more comforting. This is my number one gift to give on any occassion - guaranteed your host will love it. Just be cautious with the scents - don't go for something odd like 'black sand' cause no one wants to know what the heck that smells like. [Diptyque Candel Mimosa | Options: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. ]

TWO: For the darling in the kitchen, get him or her a beautiful apron. One with an elegant pattern or just a simple black is a surprisingly nice gift for those who think of all the mouths they will feed over the holidays before their own. [Gold and White Apron | Options: 1. | 2. ]

THREE: I'm a big fan of champagne glasses. They have an air of elegance to them even if you're just cheers-ing away in the kitchen. To take them up a notch for your host - buy some fun modern flutes. These inside out champagne flutes are so pretty! If you can - try to bring a bottle of Veuve to the party as well. Also, don't forget that glassware comes in even numbers so buy either two or four (or six - you get the picture). [Inside Out Champagne Glasses | Options: 1. | 2. | 3. ]

FOUR: A sturdy cutting board is always needed in a kitchen so buying one made of a beautiful wood like this is really special. It can have multiple purposes - for cutting, serving, or displaying. I love this one from Crate & Barrel made from driftwood - the tone of the wood is really stunning. [Heritage Driftwood Cutting Board | Options: 1. | 2. ]

So there you have my Houseguest Gift Guide! Hope it makes the holidays a little easier for you as you show your gratitude!

Mad for Plaid.

So great to be able to throw on a plaid shirt now with some skinnies. I'm a big fan of flannel plaid since it gets so cold here - it's the perfect layering piece. I think that it sometimes can go a bit masculine but when styled correctly - it actually can look feminine. If you're not into such a big commitment of wearing a plaid button down out - why not start with a scarf? or maybe even some socks to peek-a-boo out of ankle boots. I love how Jules from Sincerely, Jules has a plaid shirt just wrapped around her waist for a pop of color and pattern. I had a hard time for a while finding the right flannel so I bought a couple Ralph Lauren ones from the little boys section and they fit great! (Size 16 I think - not like a babies...) but my favorite one by far is from Madewell. It's the perfect red, green and blue and it's made in Massachusetts by a company called Penfield. It's fit is 'boyfriend' so it's supposed to be a little loose - however, I wanted more fitted so I just opted to buy an XS and it fits just dandy.

Sincerely Jules | Amlul | Tumblr

Shop the looks:

What do you think of the plaid looks? Are you mad for them?

MAJOR love | Love Aesthetics

I'm crushin. Crushin hard on a fab lady - her name? Ivania Carpio. She is the white queen of minimalism - yes this is exactly what I think of her and I mean it with the utmost respect. Her blog is everything to me - LOVE AESTHETICS - I'm so inspired by her work and creativity. With her amazing grey hair and white nails, I cannot get enough! Her blog is incredible clean and white - it's just so...so...pretty.

Carpio is a lover of DIY which I think is great cause I can be so inept sometimes (I drew blood screwing a screw the other day - don't ask). They are very do-able as in I'm not scared to try one of them unlike most Pinterest DIYs that look absolutely terrifying and I can always predict they are going to go horribly wrong, which is usually what happens.

She recently made her own clothing stands which are so chic - I can't even deal - as well as some cute little handy felt pockets for this and that which were so loved by the Mason Martin Margiela fragrance division that they commissioned her to create them for their fashion press in The Netherlands and Belgium. How crazy is that! Good for you, girl. You deserve this awesome recognition.

Love Aesthetics

This is just a tiny taste of her blog so I highly suggest you go check it out - LOVE AESTHETICS. Guaranteed you'll spend hours going through her posts, I know I did the first time I discovered it. So grab a cup of coffee - or tea - and explore her little wonderland.

The Line | The Apartment

THE LINE is my newest obsession - a website dedicated to finding the 'quintessential' for one's life. They curate a beautiful website filled with beauty products, home goods, and designer fashion. Their newest project is located in SoHo New York City which is a remodeled apartment - dating back to 1872 - where they will showcase their products so you can shop in the comfort of a home. How brilliant is that? The décor is phenominal and filled with all their perfumes and Rodin face oils - it's the perfect way to shop. The oh so lovely Bernadette from Decade Diary was lucky enough to get a sneakpeek of the apartment and took some amazing photos - check 'em out!

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What is Quintessential?

Our vision stems from a desire to pare back, strip down, and pull together—the search for refined, versatile, and honest goods. Built to last but never boring, these things are a mix of established favorites and our latest finds from emerging names across fashion, home, and beauty. They are “quintessential,” a slippery term with a broad scope. Discover storied objects united by their staying power and the intention of their making, and see how they work together in the context of a carefully considered life as you contemplate: What is Quintessential?

All images by Bernadette | Decade Diary

Stunning, non? So much character is in the architecture and I love that they kept the design very simple yet there is a touch of luxe in the fur throws and black walls that I love.

Unfortunately - not everyone can just walk in. Invitation is necessary - to find out more information and how to get an invite to this quintessential apartment, click HERE.