Homeward Bound

Sad to say our trip has some to a close. Heading back to reality and a busy work week! What a wonderful and peaceful week my family and I have had. With my sister and I getting older and boyfriends in tow, having a trip just our parents and us was a bit of a treat.

Last night at dinner we were talking about how well we packed for the vaca... Everyone said only one or two items weren't worn. I kept to myself that out of my several work-out outfits, I worn one.... I'll work on that New Years resolution tomorrow when I'm home... Yes, much better plan...

Here's to 2016 starting off way better then 2015! And here's to more style, travel and food.

more to come... Enjoy!

Hualalai shirt by James Perse / Ayr jeans

My Island Style

Aloha again! On vacations like this one, I find myself packing a few dresses, a couple pairs of jeans and a few tops to rotate around. Of course, then the suitcase grows with the new items I find along the way... Thank you to two of the shops here at Hualalai, Seaside Beach and Seaside Active, for adding great pieces to my suitcase. With the warmer weather, I lean toward simpler silhouettes and materials. Only really need two sandals and a wedge or heel. 

First outfit I went for white boyfriend jeans (Current/Elliott), Michael Kors wedges and my favorite J.Crew top, the 'Carrie' cami. Comfortable and effortless.

Photo Cred: Joan Davidson (the 3rd) / Production: Joan Davidson (the 2nd)

The dress above I bought in Vienna ages ago. Like all my dress, it got a major hem; fun trying to explain all that in our broken Italian and her broken English! While I think this dress leans more dressy, it's still fun to pair a sandal with it just to bring it down a couple notches. Then it can be a fun and slightly dressy lunch outfit. Dress is Max & Co and the shoes are Louise et Cie.

Photo Cred: Joan Davidson (the 3rd) / Joan Davidson (the 2nd)

This black dress, a brand called Motto 55, is one of my new finds! It's rooched from the bottom up on both sides, very form fitting. The material has SPF in it! I thought that was so wild! Very comfy and stylish and good for your skin! This dress could very easily be paired with a heel or a wedge and be quite fancy but I had more fun with just a cute flat sandal. My necklace is from the summer collection at J.Crew.

Photo Cred: Joan Davidson (the 3rd) / Joan Davidson (the 2nd)

This last dress is also new... It caught my eye a few times before I was able to try it on. It's James Perse and truly, so insanely soft. It is certainly a sneaky undergarment moment otherwise it would be a show. Not only is this dress super comfy but I feel so pretty and sleek as well. I paired this dress with the Michael Kors wedges too and a J.Crew necklace from this past holiday season. Initially I thought a long necklace would look better but it battled with the pocket.

For myself, the goal when packing a suitcase for your island or desert trip is simplicity. Keep it classic and clean. Toss in a print or two and some different jewelry. Don't forget your curling iron and mascara. Upon arrival, unpack and then find yourself poolside with a glass of rosé... Enjoy!

R & R

Not too shabby of a view I'd say... Welcome to Hualalai in Hawaii 🍹

Starting off 2016 just right. Cleaned out the closet... New planner... Vacation to recover from the holiday season. Not too sure how I feel about wearing a bikini but hey, minor details right?! 

For the next week, my family and I get to sit by the pool, enjoy the spa, and bathe in the sun. Hard to beat a week of that! Though I'm not good at tanning (just burning!), I will attempt that too! 

Photo cred: myself! Glass of rosé (classy) and a Late to the Party (sassy)

2016 Prep

Well, we survived the holidays! Mine were wild and busy but fun all in all. I hope the same for yours! I apologize for the lack of posts- time seemed to be in short supply last week!

Now that the major holidays are behind us... we just have New Years Eve to go and then Hello 2016! I don't know about you all, but I am really ready for the new year. 2015 wasn't all bad by any means, but I am very much looking forward to a new year and new experiences.

Above in the picture are my agendas. Yes, you read that correctly, an old school paper book that I actually write in agenda. 2015's agenda, the open one, is Kate Spade. It has definitely been well loved over the year. For 2016, I switched to Lily Pulitzer. I've always gone back and forth between to two brands but just couldn't resist the elephants! 2016, new agenda, new goals and elephants!

Here we come 2016.. in style, organized and ready to go!

T-Minus 8 Days

8 days to go.. ready?! How's the shopping and gift wrapping going? Tree up? Lights up? It's all quite a drill to get ready, huh? Not too sure where all the time has gone. I practically live at my job and look forward to crawling in bed... doesn't leave much room for holiday spirit!

Christmas has forever been my favorite holiday out of the whole year. I love the decorations and the smell of the tree. Wrapping presents is something I look forward to- and have to say, I'm not bad at it! Christmas Eve is my favorite though... Mom and I go to mass and then we have friends over for cracked crab! Its messy and loud and always tons of fun.

This year though, I have to say, my excitement for my favorite holiday is lacking at best. I've only wrapped a few presents. I decorated one little corner of the house. Watching my customers bicker and bargain with my sales associates has put a bit of a damper on the holiday I have to say.

Perhaps, it's time to remember what this holiday is really about. Not how many gifts are under your tree or how much money you spent. This holiday, just like every other one, are meant to bring loved ones together. As Santa Claus said in, The Polar Express, "Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart."

-more to come... hopefully more holiday spirit too!

Outfit: sweater J.Crew Factory (HO 15)

Hello Holidays

Can you believe it's December?! Not sure where the time has gone this year! My mom and I picked up our tree yesterday and it arrived last night... The ornaments have been unwrapped and laid out... The nativity scene is out on the tray- time to hide baby Jesus til Christmas Day... Hope we remember where we hid him...

The season of 'giving and gifting' has arrived... And while most of the time it is lovely and heart felt, I am loving the reminder from a classic book written by the beloved Dr. Seuss:

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,

Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.

"Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!"

enjoy everyone... More holiday thoughts for next time...

Quote: How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

More Flour, Sugar and Butter!

It's that time of the year! The bake-a-thon and never-ending cooking has arrived in full swing. Every grocery list includes more flour, sugar, and butter and of course one of my favorite ingredients, vanilla extract. While I am in charge of the apple dessert on this Thanksgiving, I thought I'd start with a trial run: simple berry crumble.

This recipe was given to me by a good family friend- simple, mostly healthy, and very little mess. A slam dunk for someone with not a lot of time or even someone who doesn't believe they have the skills to bake. Not only does this crumble looks yummy, but it's very easy to add or change to satisfy you and your guests. Below is the recipe with a few little tweaks from me... enjoy!

Recipe:

4 cups berries/fruit

1/4 cup + tbs flour

1 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup brown sugar packed

1/4 tsp cinnamon (plus a extra dash)

4 tbs unsalted butter (room temp)

1 dash or 2 of sugar on the fruit and topping

zest of 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 350. Toss fruit with 1 tbs flour and lemon zest in a 9inch pie dish. Combine rest of ingredients in a bowl and mix with hands until the mixture comes together in pea-sized crumbles. Sprinkle mixture over fruit. Bake 45min or until topping has browned and fruit are juicy and bubbling on the edges.

Photo: Ayr jeans/ J.Crew gemma ballet flats/ J.Crew lace applique sweater/ our "puppy" Tripp wanted his photo debut

#prayforparis

Friday evening, November 13th, Paris was struck with unforeseen terror and heartbreak. I'm not going to go into the details, please read up on that when you have the time. Today's post will be short as words can not express all the feelings facing my family and our loved ones and the many souls of Paris, our beloved city.

I am so blessed that my sister and my parents, her boyfriend and his family, and all of their friends are safe and sound. The out pouring of love and concern we all received was more meaningful then you might realize. 

And now, despite the enormous sadness and disappoint and fear we carry, we must all find a way to move onto the next day, and the day after that. Don't let the darkness swallow you whole or change how you see the world. Our world needs much work, but it still needs love and compassion and people willing to word hard at that goal.

Much love to the people of our world. And much love to my family and dear friends. I'm most thankfully you are all safe and sound.

xox, danielle

Time for Breakfast

Since we were kids, our parents have told us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day... of course we don't always listen and breakfast is often just a cup of coffee. On the rare morning I actually have time for breakfast, I try to go down the healthy route. Coffee is forever my staple in the morning (and throughout the day...).  Avocados are seriously one of the best foods on earth, so why not start the day with it!

About a month ago I had avocado toast at an hotel in LA for the first time... it was heaven on earth. Today I had the desire to recreate that heaven with my own twist: 2 slices of sourdough bread (lightly toasted)/ 1 avocado/ salt to season/ lemon pepper to sprinkle on top

Not to toot my own horn, but I have to say, it was pretty darn good! Not too time consuming and good, clean fuel for your stomach! A good breakfast trend to get on as the holiday season is upon us!

Enjoy!

Book: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Sweater Weather

Supposedly fall as arrived here in SoCal... hopefully it sticks this time! While the colder weather feels like staying, I plan to take full advantage of my ever growing collection of sweaters.

For work, I would pry lean more to the photo on the right. Its a bit more punchy and gives the customers another idea of how to put their pieces together or maybe how to wear a piece they feel always looks the same or flat. The photo on the left is more along my day to day look. A look for my errand runs and then be able to translate into meeting friends out for a drink! 

As I like to say to customers, its fun to funk up your look! If you are going for the jeans and a nice tee look, throw on some wild flats and a big sparkly necklace. Or maybe pair a bolder color with a print for more of a pop! Have fun in your closet!

Outfit: J.Crew : V-neck sweater w/ leather panels FA '15/ lace applique sweater HO '15/ crystal venus flytrap necklace (always available)/ 'snowflower' bracelet FA '15/ Gemma glitter flats FA '15/ Madewell popover HO '13/ DL1961 jeans/ Kate Spade watch

Halloween Decor Overload

Photo Cred: Me!
 Design Assistant: Joanie Davidson (Mom)

So, I don't actually like Halloween... I loved Halloween when I was a kid of course but then high school arrived... the cute, fun costumes turned into this idea of finding the shortest, sleaziest outfit and I lost interest.

Despite that outlook- I do love decorating the house for the holiday! The bins were pulled down before September was even over. Our house is not the most user friendly to decorate but as Tim Gunn would say, " Make it work!". The black and orange designed cocktail napkins come out, the ceramic ghosts and pumpkins my sister and I made years ago, and the brand new spooky glitter buildings from Pottery Barn.

Our house is more on the modern/minimalist side of design, so we tend of have little vignettes throughout the house and outside in the entry. Of course every house is different and style varies, so moral of the holiday season, is to have some fun with the decor. Tailor it to how you want to like and what will make you smile when you walk in the door (or perhaps spook your guests!).

Decor: Spooky Glitter Buildings (Pottery Barn Fall 2015)/small LED string wire lights (orange)/kids ceramic designs/lots of candles/"white spider webbing"- can spread large to look like webs or keep bunched up to look like fog

And so it begins...

here is my very first blog post ever. today I assisted on a photo shoot for a family friend's cashmere line, Oats Cashmere- which was totally awesome. while I was handing fabulous sweaters/joggers/dresses/wraps to gorgeous models, I thought it's about time to get my blog up and running. Hearing about everyone's Instagram following, the best time of the day to post, how many hashtags to use and emoji favorites... I decided its time to get a move on. my flat tire can wait, right?!

my spectacular aunt who gave me the nickname of Prima spent Monday midday wandering around her apartment complex taking photos of me for this project. Despite the heat, the tree trimmers, and spilling my cold brew coffee everywhere the shoot was a success. Many thanks to DryBar for making my hair look fab!

please enjoy... more to come...

outfit: Madewell 'moviehouse shirtdress' FA '15/ Madewell booties HO '13/ J.Crew necklace SU '10 (ish)