Whether it’s blue and gold or navy and bronze, I’ve been finding myself drawn to this neutral and metallic color combination lately. I’m beginning to wonder if rich, bold shades may be more my style than cheerfully-hued brights.
Do you typically gravitate towards light and playful or dark and moody colors?
(images, clockwise: Uncovet, Pinterest [original source unknown], The Design Files, Marie Claire)
As much as I love a spa pedicure, I hardly ever get manicures at the nail salon.
With Valentine’s Day approaching, I had the urge to go pink, so I thought I’d experiment with an easy ombré manicure. It took two attempts to nail it (pun intended!), but I liked how much it looked that I thought I’d share the how-to with you.
There are two things to remember when doing an ombré manicure. First, try to use as few coats of polish as possible. The more layer of nail polish, the more likely they are to chip.
Second, apply your top coat while your polish is still damp. Brush it on as soon as you finish painting both hands. At first I applied my top coat after finishing each nail, but polish was too wet and it blended the light and dark pinks together rather than sealing the ombré look I had created.
Ready to learn how to do an ombré manicure?… READ MORE!
How do you feel about personalized jewelry? I’ve been a fan of alphabet necklaces ever since I spied Tina Fey’s character, Liz Lemon, wearing two “L” charms on “30 Rock.” I was immediately drawn to their simple sentimentality.
Liz Lemon’s double L’s by Helen Ficalora were 14k gold. This gold-plated Kate Spade initial charm necklace is more affordable but just as lovely (the price includes the chain). Embossed with the initials of your child or partner, wouldn’t it make a meaningful Valentine’s Day gift or push present?
PS – If money were no object, I’d wish for Cupid to bring me this Jennifer Meyer diamond letter necklace.
We’re halfway through January already (yikes!), and I still haven’t committed to any New Year’s resolutions. How are you doing with yours?
If you resolved to exercise more in 2014, I have a tip based on real-life experience to keep you motivated: Invest in a few stylish pieces of workout gear.
Midway through my first trimester, I decided to reacquaint myself with the gym after an embarrassingly long hiatus. The last time I regularly worked out was when I was pregnant with Levi, and I credit that commitment for keeping my body strong and my mind (somewhat) clear during my first pregnancy.
Since early July, I’ve been meeting with a trainer for two 30-minute sessions a week. Spending the money on a trainer helps keep me accountable, while ensuring that I’m doing the exercises properly (so important as my body changes).
To get me excited to return to the gym (because let’s be honest, exercising is not my favorite), I splurged on a new workout tank from Lululemon that I felt really good wearing. I had always admired the women who managed to look stylish in fashionable fitness clothing even while dripping with sweat. Compared to them, I felt like a slob in my old sorority t-shirts and shorts.
Unfortunately, it’s back to cotton maternity tanks and leggings for me, as I’ve just about outgrown my Lululemon top. But thanks to its blousy fit, I was nearly able to wear it for the duration of my pregnancy! It was so flattering that I recently purchased a second one on sale to see me through my postpartum exercising efforts.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to revisit the treadmill (or start a brand new workout regime), here’s how to dress for the gym so you stay motivated to work out:
PS – The best headphones for working out.
For the past couple of months, I’ve been searching for a travel bag for JB, one that could accommodate his laptop, magazines, and other carry-on necessities. Tired of using the messenger-style laptop bag I received gratis from a public relations firm where I briefly worked and the Eddie Bauer laptop backpack I’ve owned since the early 2000s, he had taken to shoving his electronics alongside mine in my Lo & Sons bag.
Now, The O.G. is sturdy tote, but no bag is meant to be overstuffed! So when it came time for our 10-day trip back east for Thanksgiving and our babymoon, I was concerned about packing. We were bringing a lot of carry-on items and probably each needed our own bag. (Also, I didn’t want to share!)
In the nick of time, Sons of Trade, a lifestyle brand for men, solved our problem by sending JB a Tactical Tote for our trip to St. Thomas. Ruggedly stylish, the coated canvas tote converts to a backpack when the top is folded over and snapped into place. JB mostly wore it as a backpack because he couldn’t comfortably fit the tote handles over his shoulder, and the bag nearly touched the floor when carried by hand. And it’s not like JB’s a short dude. The Tactical Tote is just one large bag!
But the bag’s large size was its greatest asset; it fit all of JB’s electronics, magazines, and travel essentials with room to spare. (Note: The bag is unstructured, so you’ll need to secure your laptop in a protective sleeve if using it as a computer bag. Sons of Trade also sells coordinating tech accessories on their site.)
And because he carried it folded over, JB felt confident that the bag’s plethora of pockets were inaccessible to pickpockets and other curious strangers. Obviously, that’s hugely important when traveling.
Although we won’t be doing any traveling for several months after the new baby’s arrival, JB plans to continue using the versatile Tactical Tote as a diaper bag. The pockets are perfect for holding diapers and wipes. All that’s missing is a changing pad, but we’ll just throw in the one from the now-torn diaper bag he used when Levi was a baby. (Although this portable changing pad is lovely, and, bonus, it’s machine washable!)
PS – Stay tuned for a full recap of our babymoon in St. Thomas next week!
What would you buy if somebody handed you an envelope full of cash and gave you only a few hours to spend it? I’ve been pondering that question ever since Jordan Ferney posted this photo on Instagram. She gave her Oh Happy Day team envelopes of cash at their holiday party and told them to go on a shopping spree. The catch: They had to spend the money on themselves by 4:00 that afternoon!
Though my husband may disagree, I’m pretty bad at buying things for myself — mostly because I can’t help but feel guilty afterwards about spending money. And I almost always have buyer’s remorse after making an impulse purchase. (Case in point.) But if I absolutely had to spend $100 or $200 in a short amount of time, I’d probably head straight to Sephora for luxury beauty products I wouldn’t normally buy like this brush, this mascara, this nail polish, and this face serum.
So what would you buy if you had to spend money on yourself?
Here are a few links for you to check out this weekend:
If you’re still looking to spend money on other people this holiday season, I put together a few gift guides you might like to see: tech gifts, gifts for her, and toddler gifts.
The most popular holiday toys from the past 50 years.
Wrapping gifts? Here’s how to tie the perfect bow.
The cutest little (magnetic!) Instagram photobooks ever.
Would you cleanse your skin with oil?
If I had a Christmas tree, I would make these DIY donut ornaments.
Why Home Alone could never happen today.
Did your favorite movie make the list?
Thoughts on unplugging for the holidays.
And a question for the moms out there: What do you give your children’s teachers for the holidays? I need ideas for the 4 teachers and assistants in Levi’s Montessori classroom. Thanks in advance!
(photo by Oliver Schwarzwald via Love.Luck.Kisses & Cake)
If there were ever an occasion to wear sequins, it would be to a New Year’s Eve party. There’s something thrilling about ringing in the new year in a glam and glitzy fashion — and few things are more extravagant than sequins!
Since I moved to Omaha, I tend to be more of a homebody on December 31st, but I used to love dressing up for New Year’s Eve parties at bars and clubs when I lived in New York City and Washington, DC. We actually don’t have any plans for New Year’s Eve yet (uh-oh!), but I imagine I won’t be wearing anything fancier than maternity jeans and a sweater. In all likelihood, I’ll be wearing my pajamas!
Here are some sequined showstoppers I’d be happy to sparkle in if I were to attend a glamorous New Year’s Eve bash instead of sitting home on my sofa. Which could you see yourself wearing?
1. Madewell Dress 2. DKNY Watch 3. butter LONDON Nail Polish (West End Wonderland) 4. J.Crew Pumps 5. Madewell Belt 6. MAC Pigment 7. Anya Hindmarch Clutch 8. MICHAEL Michael Kors Dress
Clockwise: Anthropologie Tee, Ann Taylor Mini Skirt, Alice + Olivia Sweater, Markus Lupfer Pants
PS – Getting dressed up to party with Better Homes and Gardens!
(Top images: Manrepeller, Bellinis and Butterflies, The Boho Garden, A Little Dash of Darling, Drink in the Wild Air)
I’m excited to kick off the week with a giveaway from MZ Wallace, a New York-based accessories brand known for chic, utilitarian bags and wallets. I used to work near their West Village store and always stop in to browse when I’m back in the neighborhood.
Ironically, it wasn’t until I lived in Nebraska that I owned my first MZ Wallace bag. My mom bought me the Kate in a beautiful plum color similar to this as a baby shower gift, and I’ve been using it as a diaper bag since Levi was born. Although the Kate has held up perfectly after more than two years of every day use, I now have my eye on the Belle for baby #2. After all, two years of carrying the same bag is a LONG time!
Today, MZ Wallace is giving one Bunny & Dolly reader their own Belle in Prussian Blue (such a pretty color!), which is perfect as a work tote, diaper bag, or large purse. (Check out everything that can fit inside the Belle tote!)
The lucky winner will also receive an assortment of gifts from MZ Wallace’s E-Pop Holiday Shop, a digital pop-up shop offering limited edition designs, nostalgic toys, jewelry, and handmade items. You can share the E-Pop goodies with family or keep them for yourself. (I won’t tell!)
In addition to the E-Pop, MZ Wallace also has an online Advent Calendar this holiday season featuring a new promotion every day until Christmas. I’ve already been tempted numerous times by the incredible sales arriving in my inbox.
For a chance to win a Belle tote filled with E-Pop goodies (a total value of approximately $485), please use the giveaway widget below. There are several ways to earn an entry, so follow the instructions carefully. This giveaway is open to readers worldwide, and one winner will be chosen at random on Friday. Good luck!
PS – What I carry in my Kate, plus how to pack a diaper bag.
Here’s something you probably didn’t know about me: I have Raynaud’s.
In simplest terms, cold temperatures or stress can reduce blood flow to my extremities. When that happens, my fingertips may start to tingle or burn, but I primarily feel a Raynaud’s attack in my toes. I have to wear multiple layers of socks with my boots during the winter months because they quickly become numb. Even through my socks, my toes are typically cold to the touch.
Because of my Raynaud’s, warm slippers are a necessity. Luxurious slippers are, well, a luxury!
I recently had the opportunity to slip my size-10 feet into a pair of Jacques Levine shearling-lined velour slippers and instantly felt more chic than when I pad around the house in my oversized Ugg slipper knock-offs.
Heritage footwear brand Jacques Levine has been in the shoe business for more than 75 years. My grandmother used to wear a pair of their Spanish leather wedges, which, as a kid, I thought were the most glamorous slippers ever.
However, I think I’m of a Bel Esprit slipper-type, which were designed with a “witty or clever person” in mind. Fitting, don’t you think?
Bunny and Dolly’s third blogiversary celebration week wraps up with a Jacques Levine giveaway. One lucky reader will win a pair of luxuriously cozy Bel Esprit velour slippers in dark blue — just like mine!
To enter, please follow the instructions in the contest widget below. Good luck!
P.S. — Thank you to Jacques Levine for featuring me on their blog today! If you’d like to know what a typical Saturday morning looks like in my house, click here.
