Gentlemen We Love.

Michael Buble.

He's handsome. He's elegant. He's stylish. He has the voice of an angel...

Loving everything this man has to offer.

A Lady Is Always...

Traveling.

You don't have to go to Europe to be "well travelled" but learn to travel in general. It's important to experience other ways of life and history, even if it is within your own country. See the world. It's so beautiful and has so much to offer!  

I am so lucky to have been able to see 13 amazing countries and I never knew traveling could have such an affect on me. There are so many beautiful cities and so far most of Europe has my heart. I think my family is worried I will just up and move thousands and thousands of miles away...and truth be told if I had the chance I probably would. I love it that much. 

Oh, and if you ever make it to Paris you must check out Collette and Merci. I am completely obsessed with the latter, I want to work there.

Here are a few pictures of my adventures across the pond:


I took this of my best friend in Ireland.



Our hotel in Ireland. The K Club.



Copenhagen, Denmark (Day).




Copenhagen, Denmark (10 pm)





Loved this. You can tell by my smile. 

 



One of my favorite pictures I took in Paris. So beautiful. 



Athens, Greece.





I took this in Paris. This picture hangs in my closet. 





Kodak moment of a father & daughter. Paris, France.





Outside Merci in Paris.



   

 



 

Another favorite. I'm in the middle.



Lovely Like...

Judy Garland.

She is iconic, beautiful, stylish and lovely.

With your style don't be afraid to try new things. Confidence is key. If you look, feel and breathe confidence wearing a specific outfit that's all that matters. Really, you could wear anything. Be excited and proud about your new trials...it helps with the confidence.

In some cases "new" might actually be "old". Like this classic look:

                  

                   or

$160                                                                                                                                     $40

                   or 

$245                                                                                                                            $66

You can dress this up or down and it will look completely different on both occasions. You can go totally vintage or modern vintage or totally modern. Go with it as far as your mind will let you and don't forget to be confident. 

The Tuban.

Just because you are trying be more lovely and classy doesn't mean you can't be fun with fashion. For those of you who are already experiencing cool weather perhaps even cold weather, instead of a hat wear a cute turban!

Try these with your fall/winter wardrobe:

           

$10.98                                                                $14.64                                                            $38 

  $24                                                                       $88                                                           $14.64

                                                                                                         

                                                                                  $24    

A Lovely Read.

Inspired by Sex and the City.

Yes, they made it into a real book.

Loveliness starts with happiness. Happiness in a relationship starts with trust and passion; then becomes love. Neither trust or passion could leave a relationship and it remain a success. 

This was one of my favorite books to read. It is full of the most beautiful and heartfelt letters from great men to the ones they loved. There's romance and heartbreak. There's struggle and passion. Not many men show their true feelings like this anymore, let alone write love letters. They are incredible to read.

Here is part of a letter:

Robert Browning to Elizabeth Barrett (on the morning of their wedding day), 

  ...Words can never tell you...how perfectly dear you are to me - perfectly dear to my heart and soul. I look back and in every one point, every word and gesture, every letter, every silence - you have been entirely perfect to me - I would not change one word, one look...

Doesn't it just melt your heart?

Green is Good.

In 2007 Keira Knightly stunned us all with the emerald green dress she wore in Atonement and more recently Kate Middleton stepped out in an emerald green DVF dress when she visited the U.S. in July.

Perhaps Kate had a hand in this popular color-of-the-year but both have left us in agreement that green is good. Also, that it's possible to be both colorful and elegant. 

Here are a few pretty green things:

          $41                                                                          $385                                                          $80

   $190                                                         $42.50                                                     $72                                                          

For the Love of Christian.

Christian Louboutin never fails to surprise me. His shoes are either wild and colorful or beautiful and classy but either way they are works of art.

When I was in Paris I went into his store and tried a few pairs on. I was pretty close to splurging (majorly) on a pair because well, I was in PARIS and they are amazing! Then I found out the pair I had on was $3,000-- which is quite a difference form the $800 I was thinking so I left without them. Very. Carefully. 

As wonderful as it would have been to bring them home I am actually glad I didnt get them. At 21 I didn't need $800 shoes; now I have something to work towards and appreciate even more.

Until then, I will continue to ooh and ahh over each pair.

Like these for fall:

$876                                                                  $1,196                                                   $1,595

A Hollyday.

That's right. Like a holiday, but a Hollyday.

I'm off this weekend to sunny Palm Springs for my sister-in-law's bachelorette party and I solemnly swear I am up to no good promise to behave! ;)

Have a wonderful weekend 

xx

Boots . Boots. Boots. Boots!

So far September in Southern California has been painfully hot! Sadly, it doesn't look as if we will be able to pull our new boots out of their boxes or dust off our favorites anytime soon.

Last week I woke up to an overcast morning; even though I've lived in California my entire life and even though I know how bipolar our weather can be...I still decided to wear my boots. Frankly, I got way ahead of myself-- it was finally 60 degrees (because after temperatures in the 90's--60 feels slightly chilly) but by one o'clock it was 85 degrees out. Needless to say it's still not boot season here! 

However, that doesn't mean we can't gear up and be ready for it. I love how a simple pair of boots can make the same outfit classic or edgy. Loving these:

Vince Camuto                                                 Børn                                                  Fitzwell      

                                                            SM Luxe                                                                                         

but DYING over these:

                                                        



Micheal Kors                                                                                                           Prada 

                              Christian Louboutin                              

It's okay to...

Laugh Loud. 
 
The best laughs come from deep down. You know those ones that hurt your belly but are 100% necessary?

It's impossible to go through life being serious all the time and sometimes we need to have an endless night of laughing with the people we love. So enjoy the belly aching laughs but don't forget to be cautious of your surroundings, you're still classy ;) .

Music Notes.

We must learn to enjoy a wide range of music simply because music is beautiful but also because it makes for great conversation. I enjoy a lot of different genres, classic rock being one of my favorites, but have grown to love others. Open your mind and try to find new artists or genres outside your comfort zone. The greatest part about itunes is that you can listen to the song before you purchase it...so don't buy something you don't particularly like (for those of you who are impulsive).

Currently, one of my favorite Cd's is Nashville by Josh Rouse.

It's relaxing, catchy, every song is great, and it's pleasant to listen to if its pouring rain or warm and sunny (which are truly the best Cd's). Somehow I stumbled across him and haven't stopped loving this album since. If my life depended on it-- I would tell you Winter in the Hamptons , My Love Has Gone , and Saturday are my favorite tracks.

It may or may not be your new favorite.

Lovely Like...

Kate Winslet. 

Kate is one of the most beautiful and elegant women of today. Her style is both classic and bold and this Stella McCartney did wonders for her curves.

As I have mentioned before, when developing your style it is extremely important to dress for your body type and no one does this better than Kate. Now, I know your probably thinking "I can't afford a $1500 dress." Well, not many of us can.

 

Here is an example of a similar color blocking style for only $138 or try this simple style on sale for $36! Who says you cant be classy on a budget?

Another question you might be thinking is "Where would I wear this anyway?" The best thing I can tell you is that chic never sleeps. Wear it anywhere you want to. To work. On a date. Out to dinner. For the day. Just because. There is nothing wrong with dressing up; if anything you'll only feel better about yourself. You don't have to be high maintenance, just find your best you.

A Lovely Read.

 

I finally found the lifestyles and secrets of the French! Lets face it, who knows style, elegance, and class better than them anyway?

I absolutely loved reading both of these books. Not only do they give you an inside they also give you fabulous recipes with all sorts of dinner and dessert ideas to help keep you slim and trim. Both books are adorable and informative; filled with style and elegance. A must read for every classy lady or those wanting a chic change.

French Women for all Seasons
French Women Don't Sleep Alone
also check out French Women Don't Get Fat

A Lady is Always...

Classy. 

When we google the phrase "how to be classy" 16 rules/steps appear on explaining how to better yourself to become a classier person...but these shouldn't be seen as rules or steps. They should be something of which you choose to live your life by. I know what you're thinking..."why are you taking advice from google?" right? Well, we've all turned to google at some point in our lives but the truth is, I wanted another opinion on what people define as being "classy". Surprisingly, I agree with most of what it said. Here are a few pointers for those of you looking to better yourselves:


Choose you're words: Of course the true meaning is deeper than just the "watch your language" aspect of it, you must also understand that listening is more important than speaking (Listening>Speaking) Wait until the person you are talking to is finished, do not correct them if they use improper grammar or slang (the idea of being classy is not about being a snobby know-it-all) and while you're choosing your words, choose your battles because not all of them are worth fighting. Also keep in mind, Gossip is hard to avoid in society today and many times it is the topic at dinner parties so know how to voice your opinion appropriately. 

Be independent: To me this is the most important point. Its not that you have to break-up with your totally dreamy boyfriend this second in order to "find your independence" but learn how to do things on you're own. A classy lady should never be completely dependent on another. Not emotionally, not physically, not even financially. She should always be prepared incase she ever finds herself standing alone. If you happen to be the dependent gal, ease back into things by going out with your girlfriends (and by going out I don't mean to a club...unless its a country club...as in golf...not the line-dancing kind).

Define yourself with a clean and elegant look: Presentation is key, expense is not. Class has nothing to do with how much money you have, or don't have. It's about finding flattering clothing for you're body type and things that work for you. Dressing classy means knowing the appropriate amount of accessories to wear and the appropriate amount of skin to show with each specific outfit. Start adding key pieces to your wardrobe that you can pair with anything such as, a blazer or nude pumps (make sure these "key" items go with you current wardrobe, you don't want to buy things you won't be able to wear).


Be responsible: Enough said.

Be considerate: Everyone should be spoken to as equals so treat them with courtesy and respect whether it be Queen Elizabeth a CEO, a gas station attendant or family.

All 16 steps