In Spades

Style... in abundance

Monochromatic Holiday Look

When it comes to finding the perfect holiday look, one of the key things I look for is comfort.  I want to be able to eat, laugh, hug and dance while wearing my holiday best.  If we learned anything from Cher Horowitz, it’s that our party clothes can be quite binding.  No one wants to spend the evening uncomfortable and counting down the minutes until you can slip into pj’s.  Each piece in this look is the epitome of comfort and I love how it all ties together in a sophisticated monochromatic palette.  The added bonus?  Unlike a super festive holiday dress, these pieces can easily be paired with a myriad of other things in my wardrobe, giving them a low cost-per-wear.

With it being boot season, I’m all about wearing them over pumps (hello warm feet) with my holiday outfits. These suede boots are from M.Gemi and come in a range of colors (I’m dying over this velvet pair).  Similar to two of my other favorite lines The Arrivals and Everlane, M.Gemi’s shoes are handcrafted by luxury artisans in Italy.  They are one of few companies that offer luxury goods at transparent pricing, so you’re getting the highest quality without the markup.  Their entire line has some great holiday pieces right now – I’m loving these cute flats, loafers and glitter heels.

Next week I’ll be sharing another holiday look with some added vamp perfect for NYE.

LOEIL sweater // Vince skirt // Madewell and Mejuri rings (c/o) //
Thatch earrings (c/o) // M.Gemi suede boots (c/o)

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Holiday Gift Guide for Men


1. Handheld Gimbal – perfect for the guy who loves to take photos and videos, this motorized stabilizing gimbal takes your videos to the next level.  We used this exact model to create these How To videos.

2. Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses – these reusable shot glasses are attractive and eliminate the need for a salt chaser.

3. Survival Bracelets – for the outdoorsman, these survival bracelets include a built-in knife, compass, fishing wire, hooks and materials to start a fire.

4. ABC Pants – short for (ahem) anti-ball crushing, these pants allow for maximum comfort while still being socially acceptable to wear in public.

5. Tools: How They Work – the vast majority of men have little knowledge of how to actually use the tools they own. This book, described as unexpected and entertaining, provides excellent instruction for how to apply and grow your knowledge of handiwork.

6. Beer + Food Pairing Towel – these handy bar towels include every kind of beer imaginable and what meal to pair with it.

7. Virtual Reality Headset – currently 40% off, this is one of the best virtual reality headsets I’ve ever tried (and yes, my inner geek has tried several).  If he doesn’t have a Samsung device, this option or this option are the gold standard of VR headsets but at much higher price-points.

8. Taka Hayashi x Vans Hightops – a super stylish yet classic collaboration from two of the great sneaker makers.

9. Shinola Wallet – handcrafted in Detroit, all of Shinola’s products are the highest quality at transparent prices.

10. Portable Wireless Speaker – for the music junkie, this compact, portable speaker is perfect for roadtrips, bike rides, outdoor excursions and just about any activity you want to pair with music.

11. Sansaire Sous-Vide – for the chef, this is the most revolutionary cooking tool on the market.  Place it in a pot of water along with the protein of your choice in a sealed bag, and voila, you have the perfect meal in about 45 minutes.

12. Etip Gloves – he doesn’t have to freeze to stay connected.

13. Turntable – for the vinyl lover, this turntable is stylish, compact, affordable and has excellent sound quality.

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Holiday Gift Guide Under $100

  1. Lulu Lemon leggings – the most comfortable lounge leggings you’ll ever own.  They feel like underwear!
  2. Two piece ring – gorgeous worn together or alone
  3. Vintage pajamas – the comfiest PJ’s (I own a pair and swear by them)
  4. Champagne tumbler set – perfect for toasting 2016
  5. Set of holiday earrings – so versatile and pretty
  6. Faux fur stole – extra 40% off with code SHOP40
  7. Moon + star necklace – snatch this up before I do!
  8. Fedora – a steal at 50% off
  9. T-rex coin purse – Coach is killing it with their dinosaur themed pieces.  I love this one!
  10. Slim Aarons book – a literary meeting of glamour and fashion
  11. Navy + gold watch – simple, yet sophisticated
  12. Wooden clutch – a unique conversation starter

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Giveaway Time

In the spirit of giving, I have teamed up with a great group of bloggers to give away a huge prize that I personally could never live without – a Macbook Air.

Simply follow the instructions in the widget below.  The more people you follow (follow me on Instagram and like my Facebook page for two entries) the more entries you will receive.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Orseund Iris

iris1 iris2iris8iris3croppediris4croppediris12iris7 iris11iris5 iris6iris9When I first came across the New York fashion line Orseund Iris, I was immediately smitten.  Their off-the-cuff designs have the perfect combination of structure and volume, the two key elements I look for when seeking out special pieces.  This off-the-shoulder knit top had an immediate effect on my mood, making me feel incredibly unique and like I could conquer anything. Featured in Marie Claire, Nylon and Grazia, Orseund Iris is definitely a line you’re going to want to keep your eye on.

Statement sleeves are huge right now and a trend I’ve been a fan of for quite some time.   I love that this top can be styled alone, but I’m also super excited about pairing it over high collar button-ups and longer tunics for a more subdued look.  In the midst of this shoot the sun never left us, but it began to rain.  It was like a rare summer storm that makes the air smell fresh and leaves as quickly as it arrives.

Orseund Iris top // Re/Done Levi’s (similar here and here) // Mejuri ring // Pierre Hardy boots

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Gift Guide: For the Beauty Guru

Today’s gift guide is a special one because every product on the list is one I swear by and have personally seen amazing results from.  Read below for why they’re my favorites.  You can shop the guide three ways: by clicking the product images above, the links in the descriptions below, or within the slideshow at the bottom of the post.

  1. Cane + Austin Miracle Pads – comprised of glycolic acid, you wipe these pads across clean skin to exfoliate and build collagen.  I noticed results after just one use – reduction of dark spots and wrinkles, overall even tone – and almost missed a flight once because I was out and couldn’t bear a weeklong trip without them.  They’re that good.
  2. Foreo Luna Mini 2 gift set – this facial cleansing brush uses T-sonic pulsations to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin.  I use it each night to take the day’s makeup off and have found no equal when it comes to truly cleaning my skin.
  3. Diptyque gift set – this set is a great departure from the norm, offering more robust scents like my all-time favorite Feu de Bois (smells like a crackling fire).
  4. Lorac Pro eye palette – every color you’ll ever need from an everyday look to a smoky eye is included in this richly pigmented palette.
  5. Sunday Riley Good Genes serum – the third weapon in my trifecta of good skin (along with the Foreo and Cane + Austin pads) is this serum.  Its powerful lactic acid treatment is the closest thing you’ll find to making your skin look like Cate Blanchett’s – luminous and otherworldly.
  6. Nu Evolution lipstick in Femme Fatale – every woman searches for the perfect red lipstick and I can proclaim the quest over with this shade.  It truly looks amazing on any skin tone and comes from the cleanest, greenest cosmetics line on the market.
  7. R + Co. dry shampoo – nothing smells or works better than this miracle dry shampoo.  No powdery, flaky mess or residue. It zaps oils quickly and gives your hair amazing volume.
  8. Rudolph Skincare gift set – I’ve written about this amazing skincare line out of Denmark before (even Helena Christensen swears by it).  This set of their four best selling organic skincare products is a steal and ships free for the month of December.
  9. Sigma Beauty brush set – one of the best valued brush sets on the market, these brushes are super soft and durable.  You’ll own them forever.
  10. Maison Margiela Replica fragrance in Jazz Club – I’m in love with all of the Replica fragrances, but Jazz Club is the perfect sexy, winter scent.  Not heady or overpowering, it makes me think of chic parties in NYC during the Sammy Davis Jr. era.
  11. Benefit Gimme Brow Gel – three words: quick, easy, effective.  It takes 3 seconds to apply, is foolproof and makes your brows look like Brook Shields during her heyday.
  12. Smashbox lipstick set – every color in this lush lipstick set is wearable (even the vivid lavender) and comes with a mattifying gel should you want to change the creamy look to something more editorial.
  13. Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin – the holy grail of makeup application, this book covers every look you could ever want to recreate with easy steps, tips and amazingly beautiful photos for inspiration.
  14. Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Spray – I’ve tried a million different detanglers and leave-in conditioners and this one wins, hands down.  I believe the secret is in the consistency – it’s more of a silky gel than a liquid, yet comes out in a super fine spray to strengthen follicles and make for the smoothest comb-through post-shower.

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