Holiday Gift Guide: The Hostess

Holiday season is upon us.

Which means it’s time for caroling, merriment, and - my favorite - holiday parties! And because it’s rude to show up empty handed, I’ve gathered a list of some of my favorite hostess gifts to get you from now until the new year.

'Tis the season!

1. Shinola Key Fob: This leather and brass key ring is great for someone who likes everything - even her keys - to look good. Plus it’s made in Detroit, so you know I’m a fan.
2. Bath Salts: This is the perfect gift for the hostess to enjoy after the party is over. More than likely she’s worked her butt off to perfect her event and deserves a little relaxation.
3. Coasters: Colorful coasters are fun and festive, plus they help keep her coffee table free of spills and wine rings.
4. Stationary: Holidays are all about making lists (and checking them twice). End up on the nice list by gifting a personalized stationary set or notepad.
5. Coffee Table Book: I love a good coffee table book. Dinner Parties is perfect for the woman who loves to host, well, dinner parties.
6. Succulent: Sub flowers for a succulent in a beautiful pot. They last longer than fresh flowers, plus the receiver doesn’t have to search to find a vase and worry about cutting the stems and arranging the bouquet.
7. Bottle Opener: Gone are the days of boring bottle openers. This geometric version will look like a piece of art displayed on a bar car.
8. Monogrammed Stemless Champagne Flutes: Add a bottle of bubbly and you have a great his and hers gift for a hosting couple.

Best of Etsy: Spring Edition

I love Etsy. It's like an online treasure hunt of goodies.

Need a gift? Something for the house? A new pair of earrings? Etsy is always there to save the day (or night), 24/7.

And best of all? I don't have to leave my couch. Or even get dressed. It's basically the online haven for the lazy flea market lovers of the world (me).

So sit back, relax (don't bother changing out of your sweats), and check out my fav items I'm coveting this spring.

1. Bohemian Camera Strap: I'm a fashion blogger. My camera is constantly with me. It obviously needs to look fashionable.

2. Stripes Bow Tie Dog Collar: I like to dress my dog up. Not in silly outfits (well, not usually in silly outfits). My dog is classy and this striped bow tie is perfect for classy warm weather events. Preferably on a boat. 

3. Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce: To say I'm obsessed with this wall sconce is an understatement. I didn't even know I needed wall sconces until I saw this one. Now the wall above my bed seems so bare...

4. Ombre iPhone Case: iPhones are a blogger's most important accessory. Of course we need multiple cases depending on our outfit. Right??

5. Gold Twig Ring: Earthy and simple. This ring is the perfect wear-with-anything accessory.

6. Leather Bike Growler Cozy: All I want to do is ride my bike all over the city and have picnics. How else can I transport my microbrew?

7. Yellow Hammock Chair: Can I please spend the afternoon daydreaming and getting lost in a novel in this hammock chair? Keep it on the porch in the summer and move it inside during the winter months.

8. Canvas Messenger Bag: I'm not in school anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't need a messenger bag for those days when I have to haul my laptop and books to a coffee shop. I particularly love the Moroccan details on this one.

10 Tips for Organizing Your Closet

My closet is my sanctuary. It's the one place in my house that is (almost) always organized. Even when the rest of my house is full of chaos and in complete disarray, my closet is my zen-like space of calm. 

The reason my closet stays this way is because 1. I respect the clothes. And 2. I have an organizational system that keeps everything neat and clean. And since many of you are in the midst of spring cleaning, I thought it would be an appropriate time to share my top 10 tips for keeping your closet organized:

1. Edit. Before you can organize, you want to clean out and edit what you have (see this post for tips on cleaning out your closet). You want every item in your space to fit and make you feel good when you wear it. 

2. Organize Clothes. Arrange hanging items by style and by color. Keep pants in one section, blouses in another, dresses in another, etc. Then organize by color/style/occasion. For example, I organize my dresses first by color and then by formality of the dress (so I start with all my casual summer dresses and end with formal wear). Organizing like items together makes getting dressed a breeze.

3. Coordinate Hangers. Having matching hangers may seem over the top, but it keeps the closet looking streamlined and can save precious space. My pick are these black velvet hangers (HomeGoods also has similar ones for cheap). Delicate blouses and dresses don’t slip off and their slim shape means you have more room for clothes. Win-win.
4. Hide the Clutter. It's inevitable. No matter how much we organize our closet, we all deal with clutter. Use bins and boxes to keep these items (think sunglasses, belts, scarves, etc.) out of sight.
5. Organize Shoes. Whether you install shelves or store pairs in clear bins, be sure to have an organized space for your footwear (a pile at the bottom doesn’t count). Pick your favorites and display them like art.

6. Utilize Hooks for Accessories. Handbags, jewelry, and scarves tend to get messy, tangled or end up on the floor. Simple hooks either inside or right outside your closet, are great ways to organize accessories without taking up a lot of space.
7. Use Vertical Space. Use the top of your closet for items you don’t need daily access to. Large bins or baskets are great for storing out-of-season items.

8. Make It Pretty. Your closet should be an oasis. Even a small closet should inspire you, not stress you out. If there’s room, add a runner in a fun print or wallpaper as a backdrop for your clothes. The prettier it is, the more likely you'll keep it organized.

9. Invest in a Full Length Mirror. Being able to see how your entire outfit looks is crucial to feeling confident as you walk out the door. Ikea has some great mirrors that look expensive and cost less than $100.
10. Think Outside the Box. Literally. If you have a tiny closet, expand it by using space outside of it. I display my jewelry on the wall right outside the door. Use an armoire for extra clothing storage, a bar cart to hold accessories, or a clothing rack to display a selection of your favorite curated items.

What additional tips would you offer for keeping your closet curated and organized?

Zara Home: {Gold} Rush

Gold Rush

Today, the cult fashion favorite Zara, finally launched Zara Home in it's US market. Like the brand's clothes, the home line includes classic, fun, and affordable decor items. While they offer a range of styles, it was the variety of gold accents that caught my eye and are the perfect way to add some glitz and glamour to your decor this holiday season.

Be sure to check out the site soon -- they are offering free shipping for the entire month of October!