Gift Guide: The Lux List

Ok, this is the dream list. 

The one with the items we wait all year to ask for. 

Investment pieces that we will wear and enjoy forever and quite frankly you deserve it. 

1. A Hermès Evelyne bag in a incredible colors $2600

2. Diamond huggies to wear every day $355

3. Cozy Gucci boots that are fun and functional $890

4. A pink Moncler jacket $1,015

5. Golden Goose sneakers to wear ALL OF THE TIME $525

6. A Gucci belt bag with a retro vibe $790

7. A mother of pearl heart necklace to cherish $440

8. A YSL tote and crossbody bag for all the things $995

9. Valentino boots she has always wanted $1375

10. Luxury noise cancelling headphones because she lives on planes $399

11. A Valentino crossbody that is just big enough $661

12. A fun ski jacket for that upcoming vacation $635

13. Opps! Put two on this one! 

A Dyson hairdryer that will change her life $400

A Moncler sweater/puffer jacket $805

14. A classic but fun Gucci watch $1020

15. A diamond heart bracelet she will never take off $715

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Gift Guide: Under $100

I feel like this gift guide is not only great for the ones who love you, but also maybe for yourself?! I mean let's be honest, you are doing all the things, keeping things afloat, and bringing the holiday cheer every darn day. So maybe this is a treat yourself moment??? 

But this list is also perfect for those that need something extra special this season. All of these items scream luxury, but you can afford to get one for them and one for you. 

1. Gorgeous pearl and gold hoops $98

2. My absolute FAVORITE pair of pajamas, so soft! $55

3. The full set of Glossier serums for every skincare need $65

4. A custom name ring to wear her loves close $88

5. Chic Green Pans for clean cooking $60

6. Oversized cat eye glasses $69

7. The best workout tights  $94

8. Cult favorite serum that is also clean and free of chemicals $72

9. An instant camera that is the most fun at parties $90

10. A pebbled leather laptop case for the girlboss $95

11. A full set of the BEST eyeshadow sticks by Laura Mercier $90

12. Mongrammed jewelry case for travel $69

13. La Mer set because everyone loves it $90

14. An essential oil diffuser to help her chill out $90

15. A winter white tunic to wear with anything $80

16. My favorite slippers that are cozy and cute

17. A heart pendant she can wear and think of you $60

Shop My Other Gift Guides! 

Men

Kids

Moms, Grandmas, & Inlaws

Teens

Hostess & Friends

Under $50

Under $25

Under $100

Under $300

Lux List 

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Gift Guide: Bags to Love Forever

A girl could get through life with jeans, a tee, sneakers, and a great bag. 

Right now I am loving streamlined, classic bags that whether the price tag is high or low, look flawless. And will last someone season after season. Here are some options for a very lucky girl...

1. A beautiful black bucket bag that will last forever. 

2. Oxblood was the color of the year and this clutch does it justice. (comes in other colors)

3. A pop of color in this cute cross body. (comes in many colors)

4. Blush is a now a neutral. Love the gold hardware with this Chloe (also comes in other colors)

5. A Gucci classic that will make you smile for decades. 

6. The classic PS1 in navy. Always a winner. 

7. Love this pretty leather cross body. Also comes in a clutch. 

8. An unexpected, but modern shape for a cross body. Love the tassel. 

9. Another investment piece that will be coveted forever. 

10. The backpack is having a serious moment and this grown up version is amazing. 

11. Rockstud, always and forever will be a favorite. (comes in other colors)

Still looking? You can find the other gift guides here. 

xo

Erin 

Gift Guide 2015: Beauty

Every girl loves a product. Whether it is to stock up on something she already loves or try something new, giving a gift that makes someone feel pampered works every time. Here are some ideas...

For the girl that loves a cult classic and is dying to try the best...

1. Giant bottle of the most luxurious lotion by Kiehl's. 

2. She used to mix this up by hand for Kate Moss, now you can use it too. Charlotte Tilbury

3. Arguably one of the most talked about masks out there by GlamGlow

4. The magic potion that Cate Blanchet swears by. SK-II 

5. The big bottle of every one's favorite moisturizer by Clinique.

For the girl who always has the new iPhone...

Left: A high tech toothbrush that cleans like no other and whitens your smile. Issa

Right: Every girl needs a Clarisonic, it is life changing. 

For the girl who loves a blow out, but can't always make it to the salon...

Left: Get Jennifer Anniston hair with these products by Living Proof. 

Right: Everything she needs for the perfect blow out at home by DryBar. 

For the girl who could play with make up for hours...

1. An essential kit filled with industry expert favorites at Violet Grey

2. Clutch friendly mini lip glosses by Laura Mercier

3. The perfect size little kit in a color palette that looks good on everyone by Bobbi Brown

For the girl who is always traveling...

Left: Little bottles of the best sun protection that has nothing scary in it. Coola 

Right: TSA friendly sizes that can get her through an entire trip by Violet Grey

For the girl that lives in the cold and needs something to brighten her skin and her mood..

1. For dry hands and lips all winter long by Kiehl's 

2. A sampling of masks from one of the best French beauty lines, Caudalie

3. A beautifully packaged set of two different masks in individual pods by Glossier

Check out the other guides: 

Lux List

Custom gifts

Happy Gifting

xo

Erin 

Destination: Santa Barbara

Last Thursday I hopped on a plane with my man for a weekend in Santa Barbara. You know you leave early when you see the sunrise over the city, but it was worth it. 

Landing in LA at nine in the morning gives you lots of time to enjoy your day. We rented a car and drove up the PCH towards Santa Barbara. The only downside of getting in so early was that my plans to stop in Malibu for lunch were not possible since we were there before the place opened. The views from the car made up for it and and after a few stops and this glorious meal at In N Out...

We made it to Santa Barbara. 

I have been here before and even almost went to school here, but it always seems almost fantasy like when I come back. What lucky people get to live in this dream land year round? The weather is perfect, the beaches gorgeous, and there is plenty to eat and see in this coastal haven. 

We stayed at the Four Seasons Biltmore which is located where Santa Barbara meets Montecito. The resort feels more like one of the sprawling Spanish style compounds that surround it. And a larger version of one of my favorite hotels, the Arizona Inn. There was plenty we could have done, but after checking in and finding a spot on the beach, why leave? 

Especially when we were introduced to the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. We sat here for drinks on arrival, ate a delicious dinner at sunset, and even was able to celebrate with the bride we had traveled to celebrate for lunch the next day. It is a members only club, but guests of the hotel can enjoy it. The room rate is worth every penny so you can spend time here. 

One morning we walked into the town of Montecito and had breakfast at Jeannine's (several locations in Santa Barbara) for breakfast. Let's just say I fell in love with their cinnamon roll that was made from croissant dough. Miss it so much. 

I highly recommend a trip into this adorable little town. A farmer's market was being set up as we ate with families of farmer's displaying some insane produce and flowers. We also walked around the neighborhoods and saw some houses that made me swoon. 

We headed into downtown Santa Barbara the rest of the weekend for the wedding of one gorgeous bride. There is plenty to see, do, and eat in town. Playa Azul Cafe has a charming patio and authentic Mexican. For a good old fashioned breakfast, Joe's was perfect with shredded hash browns and fluffy pancakes. The late night pizza from Uncle Rocco's was probably the best slice I have had in awhile. We all met for drinks at Blush's outdoor patio one night, generous wine pours and tons of outdoor seating made it a great gathering spot. 

Santa Barbara does feel like a fantasy of sorts. And one of my favorite girls in the world, who grew up there, made it feel even more so at her dream wedding. Saying she was stunning is an understatement. All her dreams came true and she got to come full circle and see it realized at her childhood home. 

Her vision was Great Gatsby meets Havana Nights, and if you know her that statement makes perfect sense. So under crystals and chandeliers we danced all night under a crazy full moon. 

Cheers B&B. xo

Baby Registry Faves

Registering for your new baby can be so daunting. There are so many products, opinions, and "essentials" that there is no way to know what you are doing or if what you are picking out is really going to work for you. Kind of sounds like the way early motherhood is actually, so kind of a good first step.


Even though I have a baby, I would never classify myself as an expert on what to register for. What works for me could be the opposite of what works for you. That said, I am going to share what has been the most useful for me and what my baby has loved. You are going to receive so much from so many generous people, but really it comes down to what makes your life easier and what makes your baby comfortable.


I used myregistry.com to consolidate my items into one site. That way you can register items in many different stores, but people will only have to visit one site. 


Baby On the Go


Strollers are a very personal choice. My only advice is to go and get hands-on with them and see what you like best. I went with the UppaBaby Vista. It is light, easy to manage, and comes with so much to grow with you and your family. It has a bassinet included, which I used with this Bassinet Stand in the house (turns into a hamper after done using). I got two stands and kept one in my room and one in our family room so I could transport him without waking him. I also loved that you could add a second seat later. The Organizer, Infant Snugseat,  and Car seat adapter are the accessories I actually ended up using most. 


The JJ Cole Bundle Me is perfect for the car seat or stroller when it is chilly outside. 


Diaper bags can be so ugly and not cute. I really love my Marc Jacobs diaper bag. It is functional, holds a ton of stuff, and I like that it could easily not be a diaper bag later on. 


Everyone seemed to love the Chicco KeyFit Car seat and I am glad I went with it. Easy to install, click the seat in, or even carry the baby in the seat itself. 


I am all about easy set up and the Aprica pack and play took about ten minutes. Plus, it takes even less time to pack it back up. 


You can't go wrong with the classic Baby Bjorn carrier. 


Video monitors are great for spying on your kid who does the cutest stuff when you are not around. Not the easiest things to set  up, but we use the MobiCam. 


Play and Lounge


The Mamaroo looks like a baby spaceship. Essentially it is a bouncer that plugs in and has a bunch of settings to take your baby for a ride. My baby did not love this right away, but others do. He liked it much better after a couple months in. 


He loves the Baby Bjorn bouncer. Easy seat to sit him in while cooking dinner or folding laundry as it is light and easy to move around. Also packs up flat to throw in the car. Only down side is that you have to bounce it for them. 


The Nap Nanny is fantastic. Great for babies that have reflux or just those that want to hang out in something soft and comfortable. 


Things you convince yourself will get your baby to sleep through the night


While nothing really helps right away, there are certainly things that make babies more comfortable and more apt to do so. Swaddling is universally the go-to trick. I used a few different kinds. At first these Swaddling blankets from Giggle worked best because they were soft and stretchy. I also loved how soft and light these Aiden + Anais bamboo swaddles were. I still use those.


If your baby busts out of swaddles there is a straight jacket in your future. Looks crazy when putting it on your baby, but the Halo Sleepsack Swaddle is the best. I used these for months. 


The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD is magic. Watch it before the baby arrives. 


Babies love white noise and a noise machine of any kind works great. I got the Graco sound machine and I like all the different sounds as well as the iPod jack to play music. 


Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Weissbluth from Children's Memorial in Chicago is a great sleep book with legit science behind the methods. If you do not have time to read it page for page, there are some fast references for bleary eyed parents. So far, it has worked great for us. 


Some babies do not even take pacifiers. Mine did from the get go and uses it for soothing. Get a bunch of different kinds, because he will have a preference. We landed on Avent Soothie and that is all he likes. 


Hungry Baby


It is amazing how a breast pump quickly becomes the most important appliance in your life. I used the Medela Free Style and was strapped to this thing for months. I loved the bustier bra so I could go hands free, which is the funniest thing for your husband to come home to. The freezer bags are great and I loved the sanitizing bags for quick cleaning bottles and pump parts. 


There are a ton of brands that make nursing pillows, I got the bare naked pillow with the organic cover. It also made a great little seat for him to hang in the nursery. 


Aiden + Anais burp clothes are cute and super soft after washing. Get a ton, they work as bibs when the drool starts and for feeding. 


Babies also dictate what they want to use when it comes to bottles. I tried a few and had success with Dr. Brown's bottles. The parts are annoying, but I have a few sets and then throw everything in the dishwasher to sanitize. That way I only have to do that once a day. 


Diapering, Bath, Etc. 


Though babies can survive without it, a 

wip

e warmer makes for a happy baby. 

A diaper pail with a lid works for any nursery. The Diaper Dekor has been successful in that the nursery does not have a whiff of dirty diapers. 

Everyone loves the smell of a baby and I worship Noodle & Boo for lotion and bath items. They smell amazing. I also love 

Muestela which cleans really well and the bubble bath is fun. 

  

Wrapping your little guy up in hooded towels after baths keeps them cozy. 

This Safety First Deluxe Health Kit has everything to get you started health wise. Including a pair of finger nail clippers that will be the hardest thing you do as a new mom. Just make to make anyone else feel better, I have drawn blood on a few occasions. 

Clothes


When we got back from the hospital I pretty much dressed him in Snap t shirts, diapers, and a good swaddle to keep him warm. Then we moved onto kimono onesies, which are easy to get on and off. Hanna Anderson sleepers are super cute and great for bedtime. So are these sleep gowns since they make changing a diaper a lot easier at 2am. 


Another great book I want to share is The Best Birth. It has a ton of information on what to expect for your delivery, things that no one tells you, and a great approach of doing what is best for you and your baby. It is great for all moms because it covers delivery for those going all natural, to those who want drugs the second they walk in the hospital door, and everything in between. 


I hope this list is helpful for those expecting and if you have any questions, just email me Erin@ImperfectPolish.com. 


xo
Erin 

Travel Guide: Las Vegas

Putting a travel guide for Las Vegas together is like asking someone to narrow down their list of favorite places that serve french fries. It is a town filled with so many things to do, see, and eat that there is no way to cover it all. I plan on sharing a few places that I loved on my last trip to this crazy town. I am also going to include a few suggestions from trusted friends who are fun and have great taste. All I can say about Vegas is that it is like no other place on the planet. Some people love it, others loathe it. The key to a great time is figuring out what kind of time you want to have. The type of time that has you sleeping all day and partying all night or the type where bedtime is before sunrise and you see the city beyond your hotel window. Either way, have a great time and I hope some of these suggestions become a few of your favorite places.

Erin's Picks

STAY

Wynn or Encore Hotels
            The Tower Suites are amazing and give you some great perks. All the decor is gorgeous and fun.
TheHotel at Mandalay Bay
            It has nice big suites with a modern feel and you don't have to walk through the casino to access        
            your room.

EAT
Carnevino at The Palazzzo
             A Mario Batali restaurant with great big steaks, fantastic pasta, and delicious antipasta selection.
Rao's at Ceasar's Palace
             Big portions and the best seafood salad I have ever had. This place is really fun with a big group
Tao at the Venetian
              Small portions of every Asian style food you love. It turns into a club after dinner.
Bouchon Bakery at The Venetian
              Not the easiest place to find, but has the best macaroons I have had outside of Paris.
Botero at the Encore
              Sexy atmosphere with an outdoor patio. Classic menu of steaks, seafood, and great sides

PLAY:
Casino at the Hard Rock Hotel
              There is a big bar right in the middle, so you feel like you are not just at a casino.
Casino at The Wynn
              By far the nicest casino in Vegas. No riff-raff here and a huge sport book to watch your team.
The Shoppes at the Palazzo
              There are plenty of places to spend all your winnings. Including Christian Louboutin & Chloe
The Bank at the Bellagio & Tryst at the Wynn
               Great places to boogie and stay up late.
Pool at the Hard Rock Hotel
               Reserve a cabana and be prepared for lots of cocktails. Perfect for Bachelors or Bachlorettes

More Suggestions from Friends:

STAY:
Palms Place at the Palms Casino
Aria in City Center  (Great shopping here too)

EAT:
Beso Las Vegas at City Center
STK at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
M&M Soul Food off the Strip
Michael's at South Point Casino

PLAY:
Marquee at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
Craps Tables at the Bellagio
Shopping at City Center

xo
Erin